The annual Spruce Hill May Fair will be held on Saturday, May 7 in Clark Park. In addition to live music, food, book and plant sales, a raffle, and activities for kids, local artisans and craftspeople will showcase their creations and offer the public an opportunity to purchase their unique handcrafted wares. There will also be booths set up with information about local groups and causes seeking public support.

The Spruce Hill Community Association is hosting the event and is offering vending spots for interested individuals or organizations. Especially welcome are artists and crafters from West Philadelphia who would like to offer their works for sale, as well as any group or organization wanting to promote itself or a cause, event, or activity.  Continue Reading

Here’s some information on Easter egg hunts happening in the area this weekend. If you know of more egg hunts, please post information about them in the comments below.

Saturday, March 26

Easter Egg Hunt at Clark Park (43rd and Chester)

Easter Egg Hunt at Clark Park will take place from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Kids up to age 8 are invited. Along with the hunt, there will be some crafts and raffle prizes at the end. This year’s raffle prizes include: gift cards to Renata’s Kitchen, The Nesting House, Clarkville, VIX Emporium, and West Philly Foods. Be sure to get to the park (by the toddler playground) to register for the egg hunt. Registration will begin at 10:45 a.m. and will close promptly at 11:15 a.m. This annual event is organized by Renewal Presbyterian Church.

Spring Egg Hunt at Walnut Street West Library (40th and Walnut)

There will be two egg hunts: 10:30-11:30 a.m. for ages up to 6 and 12-1:30 p.m. for ages 7-12. Join the Friends of Walnut St West Library for snacks, stories, games and books to take home!  Continue Reading

On Saturday, March 19, parents and caregivers of preschool-age children are invited to meet representatives of about a dozen local early childhood education programs and learn more about available preschool and daycare options in the area. All at the same time and place! The West Philly Early Childhood Info Day is organized by a recently formed West Philly Early Childhood Consortium, and the following centers will participate in tomorrow’s event:

• Children’s Community School (1212 South 47th)
• The Little Green School House (219 South Melville)
• Little Learners (4630 Woodland)
• Dreamscape
• Past Your Bedtime Child Care (4946 Parkside, 2009 North 63rd)
• Little Pearls (1247 North 52nd)
• TIES Tots (4431 Walnut)
• Saint Mary’s Nursery School (3916 Locust Walk)
• Parent Infant Center (4205 Spruce)
• West Philadelphia Cooperative School (4625 Baltimore)

At this free event you can learn about local programs, ask questions one-on-one, and get info on choosing the right program for you. Also, feel free to bring your kids to this event – it will include a children’s book sale and free activities for your little ones.  Continue Reading

Here’s a chance to meet your neighbors and have some food. Cedar Park Neighbors is hosting its second community potluck of the year on Friday, March 11 at People’s Baptist Church (5039 Baltimore Ave.)

Photo from Cedar Park Neighbors Facebook page.

The potluck will include some community announcements, but the main purpose is just to meet your neighbors over dinner. “Basic healthy food” will be provided, but everyone is welcome to bring something to share. The dinner runs from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

They need to know how much to cook though, so be sure to RSVP by email, calling or texting Cedar Park Neighbors at 267-BALT-AVE or go to the Facebook event page.

If you can’t make it to Friday’s dinner, there will be another chance in May. Check out cedarparkneighbors.org for updates.

The Drexel University Psychology Department is holding a Drexel Brain Awareness Week and is inviting local residents to a series of fun and educational events aimed at spreading awareness about brain-related topics, including maintaining cognitive health and the portrayal of the brain on the big screen. These events are free and open to the public.

Free Screening of “Limitless” and “Inside Out”

Everyone is invited for a FREE screening of the movie “Limitless” on Friday, March 11, and “Inside Out” on Tuesday, March 15. Each screening starts at 7 p.m. and will be followed by an audience Q&A with experts in psychology and related fields. The movies will be screened at Drexel University’s Stratton Hall, Room 113, 3201 Chestnut St.

Brain Food at the Dornsife Center

Join the Drexel Department of Psychology on Thursday, March 17 for Brain Food, a community-wide event that aims to increase awareness about maintaining cognitive health and fitness throughout the lifespan. Multiple interactive displays, manned by Drexel University faculty and students, will be open to visitors to learn about different aspects of cognitive health (i.e., healthy food alternatives, the importance of a good night’s sleep, etc.).

Kids and teenagers will have the opportunity to engage in fun, interactive activities (games, arts and crafts, brain model presentations, etc.) that will help them learn about the general structure and function of areas of the brain. Brain-healthy food and refreshments will be served. The event will be held at the Dornsife Center’s Ryan Hall (3509 Spring Garden St), starting at 5:30 p.m.

Shakespeare in Clark Park (SCP), the immensely popular annual outdoor theater event, will return in July to the park’s “Bowl” near 45th and Chester. The company recently announced its new production for the Summer 2016 season and provided some other interesting details. The Two Gentlemen of Verona, Shakespeare’s classic romantic comedy, is set to run July 27 – 31 and will bring together Philadelphia’s finest actors.

The show is directed by Kathryn MacMillan, a Philadelphia-based theater director who has earned a reputation for directing classical and contemporary works with freshness and clarity and shaping great acting ensembles. She has directed over 25 productions in the Philadelphia area and is currently working on the development of a world premiere musical.  Continue Reading