Speed cushions near Lea School at 47th and Spruce.

Motorists will have to slow down when passing many local schools thanks to new traffic calming measures being installed around the city. In the past month, speed cushions have been installed near several West Philly schools and more are on the way. The work, which will continue throughout the summer, is being carried out by the Philadelphia Streets Department.

This work is part of the city’s efforts to make it easier for schools to have traffic calming measures installed as new legislation cutting the red tape was passed in the spring. Any city block can now request a traffic calming and safety study, but it takes around a year for this study to complete. The new legislation allows schools to bypass the study.

Around 50 School District of Philadelphia schools will get traffic calming measures by September, according to a report by CBS Philly.

From left: Lexi Thammavong as Lucetta, Camille Young as Silvia, and Anthony Crosby as Thurio. (Photo courtesy of SCP)

The popular local theater company returns next week to perform Shakespeare with a musical twist. With music by Galt MacDermot and lyrics by John Guare, this 1971 Tony Award-winning, ground-breaking adaptation of the Bard’s sixteenth-century comedy is a fusion of danceable pop, stirring soul, electrifying rock, creative storytelling, and biting social commentary.

“This summer’s production is more than just entertainment,” said guest artistic director, Shamus. “It’s a powerful response to the rising tide of hate and discrimination against LGBTQ+ and other groups. The message is clear: no one can flourish without self-love. The production also boldly confronts issues of war mongering and the ever-widening wealth gap.”

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Photo from septa.org.

Beginning July 22 and through Aug. 26, SEPTA will continue work on its multi-year Southwest Connection Improvement Program (SCIP), which will improve and upgrade mainline Regional Rail infrastructure between 30th Street Station and just past Penn Medicine Station. The work will impact regional rail service between 30th Street Station and Penn Medicine Station, which will be closed for the duration of the project.

Special Regional Rail construction timetables and service changes will be in effect July 22 through Aug. 26, 2023, for the following regional rail lines:

– Media/Wawa
– Wilmington/Newark
– Airport Lines

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University City Dining Days returns July 20 to showcase West Philadelphia’s diverse restaurant scene. This year’s promotion will feature 25 restaurants offering three courses for three prices: $20, $30, and $40 at lunch and dinner.

The list of participating restaurants and eateries includes: El Taco, Dahlak, Renata’s Kitchen, Jezabel’s, Garces Trading Company, Pattaya Thai Cuisine, Chengdu Famous Food, Renata’s Kitchen, Aksum, Booker’s Restaurant and Bar, 48th Street Grille, White Dog, and more.

The promotion ends on July 30. To view the full list of participating restaurants, their menus and contact details, visit: https://www.ucdiningdays.com. Reservations should be made directly at each restaurant.

Although summer is in full swing, West Philadelphia community-based non-profit, ACHIEVEability, is preparing for the upcoming school year and gearing up to give away school supplies to 650 students. From now through August 4th, donated backpacks and school supplies will be accepted at the organization’s office at 5901 Market St.

The list of suggested donation items is below.

ACHIEVEability is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The organization was founded in 1981 by the Sisters of Mercy and known as Philadelphians Concerned About Housing (PCAH). The non-profit has grown exponentially since its launch and now serves West Philadelphia neighborhoods that are beyond the resurgence of University City and experience a 34.5 percent poverty rate.

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Here’s some exciting news for aspiring local fashion designers and makers. Philadelphia’s Made Institute, an independent fashion design and sewing school, is opening a West Philly location in the Garden Court apartment building’s ground-floor retail space at 4719 Pine St.

At the new location, Made Institute will offer a variety of fashion design workshops and sewing classes, as well as fashion education for teens and children ages 11 and up. In addition, the Institute will offer its new space to community workshops and also operate as a shop where you students and the public can purchase a variety of fabric and sewing supplies.

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