Photo by Rebecca Gudelunas

Curio’s 2018-2019 season is coming to an end with a bang. Beginning this Saturday, the West Philadelphia theatre company will present Shakespeare’s timeless play “The Winter’s Tale,” where the audience will be taken on a journey with the actors. The audience will be invited to go outside to the theatre’s backyard space for part of the play. The space will also function as a place to gather and enjoy a glass of wine or beer or other beverages before and even during the show!

“We’re doing something new and adventurous with this production and that is that we’re going to ask our audience to go on a literal journey with us!” said Curio Company Member Liz Carlson-Guerin, who directs the show. “… this is a play about community and a celebration of our community. We are incredibly lucky to have such a loyal and adventurous audience in West Philly and we strive to create spaces and experiences for our neighbors to come together, share a story, go on an adventure…”  Continue Reading

Here are some details on projects and properties that have been discussed at recent zoning meetings in Cedar Park and Spruce Hill.

• Ahimsa House (5007 Cedar Ave.)

                                Ahimsa House

The Cedar Park Neighbors zoning committee will support a variance request from the owner of the Ahimsa House at 5007 Cedar Ave. that would allow the privately owned residence that is used for various community activities to continue to operate. The decision made at its April 16 meeting follows a lengthy zoning committee hearing concerning the property last month.

The variance would rezone the property as a three-unit, multi-family dwelling. The zoning committee’s support includes stipulations that the property owner continues to live at the residence and that the zoning would be rescinded if the building was sold or operated as a non-owner occupied building. Other stipulations include that the variance be renewed after three years and that the owner follows fire and food safety codes.  Continue Reading

Jamie Gauthier

City Council candidate for the 3rd District, Jamie Gauthier, will have meet-and-greets this week with two West Philly wards.

On Tuesday, April 23, Gauthier will meet with the 51st Ward at her campaign headquarters at 5121 Baltimore Avenue, from 6 to 8 p.m. She will have another at the same location and same time on Thursday, April 25 with the 46th Ward.

All interested individuals are invited to meet the candidate and ask questions. Free dinner will be served at both events.

The map with Philadelphia political ward boundaries is available here.

Jamie Gauthier is running against long-term incumbent Jannie Blackwell in the May 21 primary election.

Philadelphia’s first “parklet” was installed in 2011 at 43rd and Baltimore (Archived photo).

Since the weather has gotten consistently warm, temporary seating platforms, aka “parklets”, have been reinstalled at six locations:

• 4040 Locust St. (hosted by Ramen Bar)
• 261 S. 44th St. (hosted by Honest Tom’s Tacos and Lil’ Pop Shop)
• 4239 Baltimore Ave. (hosted by Green Line Cafe)
• 4903 Catharine St (hosted by Little Baby’s Ice Cream)
• 3601 Market Street (between Market and Filbert, hosted by Schmear It, Jimmy John’s, and M.A.T.T.S. Sliders)
• 4725 Pine Street (hosted by the Garden Court Community Association)  Continue Reading

University City District, Cedar Park Neighbors and Hagopian Arts, a Philadelphia-based mural and fine arts company, are teaming up to create a ground mural for the pedestrian plaza at the east end of Cedar Park and they need your help.

There are three nature-inspired designs to choose from (see below) and you can cast your vote here.

Here are some Easter Egg hunts happening in the area this weekend. Please note that some of these events require registration. If you’re holding an Easter egg hunt please post your event in the comments below.

Saturday, April 20

• Easter Egg Hunt in Clark Park, 43rd and Regent (near the toddler playground), 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Renewal Church is holding its annual Easter Egg Hunt for kids ages 0-6. Registration for the egg hunts takes place 10:45-11:15 a.m. Crafts, games, and egg hunts will be presented by age group. Everything is FREE. There will also be a free raffle for gift baskets and gift card donations from the following local businesses: Booker’s Restaurant and Bar, Clarkville, Ice Cave, Lil Pop Shop, Lulu Cafe, Firehouse Bicycles, and The Nesting House!  Continue Reading