Today’s issue of the Philadelphia Inquirer details the situation around Penn Alexander school.  As reported earlier by Westphillylocal, the school may not be able to provide spots for new students in lower grades because of overcrowding.

According to the Inquirer article, the school’s partnership with Penn was renewed for another 10 years last week.

OK. So some people are “guaranteeing” the end of the world this Saturday. Apparently it will start at about 6ish.

This dude is trying to make a buck watching people’s pets so they don’t die “a slow death by starvation in the event that you get raptured.”

So all of this got us thinking … what would be at the top of your West Philly bucket list? If you really had three days left, what would be the one thing you would do around here?

This thing is due to go down in three days, which precludes a glorious trip around the world or kayaking the Arctic Ocean or something like that. So you would probably want to keep it local. What would you do? Maybe spend the night in the Woodlands Cemetery? Gorge on cherry walnut bagels at the Green Line or lamb shawarmas at Saad’s? Maybe you would help drink Fiume dry? Do the robot at Elena’s Soul?

You get ONE thing. It need not have anything to do with a local business. Whatever it is, let us know with a comment below.

A pedestrian was struck by a vehicle at 43rd and Spruce this morning. No word yet on injuries. Traffic was closed for a block each way on Spruce and 43rd.

The West Philly Tool Library is moving and expanding this weekend and they need some help. This valuable neighborhood resource is currently located in a cramped space at 4620 Woodland Avenue. They have secured a new space around the corner in a warehouse at 1314 S. 47th Street. The new spot is nearly triple the size of the current one and will allow for more tools and more community workshops.

The plan is to move everything down to the last hammer on Saturday and Sunday between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. If you can spare an hour or two, the Tool Library folks would love some help. Write Jake at (jake — at — westphillytools.org) to sign up for a time.

If you are tied up during the weekend, there are other ways to help. The added space needs to get filled up. You can donate your spare tools to the Tool Library by clicking here.

The Tool Library also needs teachers. If you have a skill to share write Stacey at stacey — at — westphillytools.org to sign up to teach a class.

Lastly, more space means more costs. Memberships and late fees account for only about 40 percent of the library’s budget. Tax-deductible contributions are always welcome. Click here to make one.

The first Drexel University professor to take advantage of the school’s new Home Purchase Assistance Program, which entices faculty and staff to live near the school with a $15,000 forgivable loan to cover mortgage costs, cut the ribbon (literally) with his family on their front porch last week.

History professor George Ciccariello-Maher and his wife bought the house on the 300 block of N. 41st St. and Drexel celebrated with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on the front porch on May 12. They also have a young child.

“Being first was a big deal since it meant taking a risk,” Drexel’s student newspaper The Triangle quoted Ciccariello-Maher as saying.

The boundaries for Drexel’s homebuying program are Mantua Avenue to the north and Chestnut Street to the south and from 31st Street to 42nd. Other schools in West Philly, including St. Joseph’s and the University of Pennsylvania operate similar programs.

Drexel President John Fry announced the program during a speech last October in which he laid out in broad strokes the University’s plan to help fix the “continued deterioration” of the bordering neighborhoods of Powelton Village and Mantua.

Fry oversaw similar measures at Penn, including the formation of the University City District, while serving as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer in the late 90s.

If you have been piling up yucky stuff – anything from old cellphones and computers to cleaning solvents – somewhere in a closet, now is the time to get rid of it.

The Philadelphia Streets Department is conducting a household hazardous waste drop-off today at 4800 Parkside Ave. (take a left off northbound Belmont Ave. onto Parkside) from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Summary list of items accepted (full list here):
Computers, TV’s and cellphones
Paint and Paint Related Materials (NOTE: Latex paint is not hazardous.)
Flammable Materials
Lawn and Garden Project and Outdoor Products
Fluorescent Light Tubes (transport in original box if possible) and
Compact Fluorescent Lights (CFL)
Kitchen, Bathroom Products and Cleaning Solvents
Household Batteries (NOTE: Household batteries size D, C, AA, AAA and 9
volt are not considered hazardous.)
Automotive Products

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