Did you know that one of the world’s most complex and acclaimed greenhouses was located here in West Philly?

Come tomorrow morning at 11:00 a.m. to the Woodlands Cemetery (4000 Woodland Ave.) for the unveiling and discussion of archeological findings by Sarah Chesney, a PhD candidate at The College of William and Mary who specializes in early American greenhouses. Since 2009 Chesney has been exploring the site of a carriage shed that was once the location of William Hamilton’s prized greenhouse and hothouse complex.

Hamilton (1745-1813) was a botanist and an avid collector of exotic plants who brought many species of trees, including the gingko, to America. His greenhouse complex is said to have contained over 10,000 rare and exotic plants and attracted visitors from all over the world.

Chesney and her team will be showing some interesting items that they discovered during their research, including a previously-unknown brick cistern, a large midden (trash pit), and a partial brick foundation.

The event is free and open to the public. Bring a picnic lunch to enjoy after the talk. There will also be an opportunity for self guided tour of the cemetery. For more information contact The Woodlands at: info [at] woodlandsphila.org or call 215-386-2181.

A few neighbors are reporting gunshot sounds and a lot of police sirens last night, around 11:45 p.m. west and south of 47th and Hazel. The gunshots were also heard near 45th and Locust. We are trying to get more information from the police. According to Detective Joseph Murray’s tweet, what people heard might have been “multiple rounds from a .40 caliber and an AK-47” at 58th and Springfield. Apparently, no one was hurt.

We’ve received information from a Calvary Center for Culture and Community board member that the Center’s boiler has broken down as cold weather fast approaches.

The new boiler is going to cost about $50,000 to install. The board of the Calvary Center, a key community asset, is scrambling to piece together the funding to cover the expense and will be looking to raise funds to help. At this point they set up a donations page at: http://www.calvary-center.org/support-calvary/ways-to-support/donate/. We’ll keep you posted about other fundraising projects when information about them becomes available.

The Calvary Center for Culture and Community occupies the Calvary Methodist Church building which was built in 1906. The building hosts a large variety of community arts, educational and religious programs, including Cedar Park Neighbors, Crossroads Music, Curio Theatre Company, Calvary United Methodist Church, West Philadelphia Mennonite Fellowship, Kol Tzedek Synagogue, and Children’s Community School.

This week’s dog is Ginger, a female pit bull/terrier mix. She’s tan brindle with distinctive white markings, approximately 15 months old. Ginger has been living with West Philly resident Kathleen since late May, when she found her wandering in the street. Kathleen has had her spayed and microchipped, and she’s healthy and current on all her shots.

Ginger is a very affectionate, energetic and smart dog, and is excellent with small children. Unfortunately, however, she hasn’t integrated well with the four cats who were already part of the family; she isn’t dangerously aggressive with them (no growling or snapping) but overly persistent in wanting to play with them while they – being cats – want to be left alone. She needs more training and attention than Kathleen is able to give her.

The right home for her would be with an owner who doesn’t have other animals, but could put the time into training her; she’s a wonderful dog, but her current family is just not the right family for her. If you think Ginger might be the right dog for you, please email Kathleen and tell her a bit about yourself. Here’s Kathleen’s email address: khturner32 [at] gmail.com
 

Studio 34 (4522 Baltimore Ave.) is presenting a new yoga class series for children ages 4-12 beginning Oct. 17. Led by instructor Lily Cavanagh the six-week series will feature breathing exercises, games, poses and relaxation. Younger kids will also be introduced to communication skills in a fun-filled environment. Older kids will learn how to maintain balance in both their minds and bodies and how to boost their self-esteem through engaging in group and partner activities.

Classes are once a week, on Mondays, 3:45-4:30 (ages 4-6) and 4:45-5:30 (ages 7-12). The six-week series costs $60 and there will be a free trial class on Monday, Oct. 10. For more information and to enroll go here.

The Penn Bookstore (3601 Walnut St.) has a bunch of interesting authors coming in over the next couple of weeks, including Nicholas Sparks and Philadelphia Inquirer mob correspondent George Anastasia.

Here is a rundown:

• October 13 – Julie Hersh, author of Struck by Living: From Depression to Hope, 6 p.m.

• October 15 – Nicholas Sparks signing his newest book The Best of Me, 2 – 4 p.m.

• October 17 – Poetry Readings by the 34th Street Poets.

• October 20 – Former Penn faculty member Elijah Anderson will discuss his book The Cosmopolitan Canopy: Race and Civility in Everyday Life.

• October 25 – Stephen Tow will discuss The Strangest Tribe: How a Group of Seattle Rock Bands Invented Grunge.

• October 27 – The Inquirer’s George Anastasia and sports radio talk show host Glen Macnow will discuss The Ultimate Book of Gangster Movies.