From left to right: Chase Byrd, Nastassja Whitman, Trice Baldwin and Paul E Kuhn (Photo by Rebecca Gudelunas).

Curio Theatre Company is opening its 14th season this week with an American classic re-imagined. The West Philly-based theatre company will stage Arthur Miller’s “All My Sons” beginning Wednesday, Oct. 10.

In this 1947 play, Miller portrays a couple, Joe and Kate Keller, living a comfortable suburban life with their son Chris. Their other son, Larry, went missing in action a few years earlier and Chris becomes involved with Larry’s former fiancée, Kate, who must finally accepts that Larry is gone forever, and face the horrible truth about what caused his death.  Continue Reading

One more public school in Philadelphia will have their library reopened soon thanks to the great work of the West Philadelphia Alliance for Children (WePAC). WePAC is opening its 14th library in the city – at West Philly’s Harrington Elementary School located at 53rd and Baltimore.

Parents, community members, and partners are invited to celebrate the reopening of the Harrington Elementary library on Tuesday, Oct. 16 from 8:45-10:45 a.m. at the school. Light refreshments will be provided (see the flier for more info).

WePAC is also looking for community volunteers for its new library program at Harrington. If interested, please contact volunteer@wepac.org for more information.  Continue Reading

Fall is here, so it’s time to celebrate harvest, get spooked, show off your costume, and engage in more fun fall and Halloween-themed activities. In this post, check out Fall events, including events for the whole family, happening at two historic places in West and Southwest Philly – The Woodlands Cemetery and Mansion (40th and Woodland) and Bartram’s Garden (5400 Lindbergh Blvd).

HollyWoodlands
Friday, Oct. 12
6:00 –  9:00 p.m.

HollyWoodlands presents Buffy The Vampire Slayer on the big screen in the Hellmouth of The Woodlands. Showings begin at sundown. Watch three episodes of the 90’s cult classic, and come dressed in your Buffy Best for a costume contest before the showing. $5 suggested donation. For more information, go here.  Continue Reading

Two popular events, Bark in the Park and the Blessing of the Animals, will be held this weekend for dogs and their human friends.

Bark in the Park will get underway at Clark Park at 43rd and Chester on Saturday, Oct. 6, beginning at 2 p.m. (meet near the Bowl). There will be more than 25 contests, from the tallest dog to curliest tail to fastest runner, with chances to win doggie goodies. You can also meet the vet, Dr. David Littlejohn. The event is sponsored by Friends of Clark Park.

On Sunday, Oct. 7, dogs and other animals are welcome at St. Francis de Sales Prayer Garden at Farragut St. and Springfield Ave. (enter from the school yard). You can bring your little best friend to be blessed in honor of the feast of St. Francis of Assisi, the friend of all of God’s creatures. The event begins at Noon. Please keep your dogs on the leash.

The city has eliminated the new requirement that block party applicants visit a local police district to get a pre-approval form. The Streets and Police Departments will now manage this step of the application process.

“Block parties are an integral part of Philadelphia’s identity and help to build community,” Brian Abernathy, the first deputy managing director, said in a statement. “This current change is our latest effort to improve efficiency and streamline the application process.”  Continue Reading

Demolition of the 19th century church at 43rd and Chestnut is well underway, and a large residential apartment complex is reportedly in the works to replace it.

A New York based firm, registered as 4233 Chestnut Street LLC, bought the 131-year-old Christ Memorial Reformed Episcopal Church property in June for a whopping $10.5 million, according to city records. The 37,000-square-foot property is zoned CMX-4, which allows multi-story apartment buildings.  Continue Reading