On Saturday, Sept. 24, community members and guests are invited to celebrate Viola Street in the Parkside section of West Philadelphia. There will be food, music, African dancers, an oral history project, community asset mapping, and other activities. The event highlights the history of the area and is a collaborative effort between residents of Parkside and neighborhood organizations, such as Viola Street Residents Association, and various large city organizations, such as Fairmount Park Conservancy, Free Library of Philadelphia, and the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society.

The event will be held from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. on in the Viola Street Alley (42nd Street between Parkside Avenue and Viola Street; see map below).

In the recent years, there have been efforts to revitalize the area, including fixing up historic Flemish Revival brick row homes, turning vacant properties into new residences and greening the street. Read more about these efforts here.

Photo by Rebecca Gudelunas

OK, now here is something to look forward to as the days get shorter and the leaves begin to fall. Curio Theatre Company will be staging The Birds in October.

Yes, we’re talking Hitchcock (based on Daphne du Maurier’s novelette, of course). Irish playwright Conor McPherson’s play builds on the story of birds gone wild as three people retreat to an abandoned farmhouse, where relationships begin to unravel. As it becomes clear that the birds are a signal of the apocalypse, the rules of society change.

While it shares its name with du Maurier’s work, which was set in her native Cornwall, England, and Hithcock’s frightening film, McPherson’s work charts its own course that includes explorations of human frailty under extreme duress.  Continue Reading

There’s a new sport on this side of the river and it’s catching on. The new West Philly Archery club has informally been created, thanks to Gabriel Nyantakyi. With about eight years of archery experience under his belt, he’s taught a couple of summer camps here and there and currently considers himself a hobbyist. He can be seen shooting at Kingsessing Park at 49th and Chester, but he wants to teach others how to participate in the sport as well. Which is why he started West Philly Archery.

When I asked Nyantakyi if he worried about shooting in a public space and if there were any safety issues, he said, “Safety is always a priority haven’t had any incidence in my eight years of teaching and shooting.”  Continue Reading

While scientists agree that many common assumptions about race are wrong the consequences of racism are very real. This fall, the Penn Museum (3260 South St) on the University of Pennsylvania campus, will bring together more than two dozen internationally recognized experts from diverse backgrounds for an in-depth and powerful exploration about race, science, and justice in a free series of five evening classes geared to adults and young adults (14 and above).

The Public Classroom @ Penn Museum: Science and Race: History, Use, and Abuse will run non-consecutive Wednesdays, 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., beginning September 21 (September 28; October 26; November 9; November 16). Individuals can sign up for one, several, or all sessions. Seating is limited and advance registration is recommended. Interested individuals can sign up at: penn.museum/pmclassroom.

For those who can’t attend the program at the museum, there will be live streaming of the program on the website.  Continue Reading

                Shooting victim Sara Salih

While the man whose shooting rampage had parts of West Philly in fear on Friday night expressed a hatred for police, the bullets he fired did far more damage to innocent people in the neighborhood.

Stories have emerged about other victims, including 25-year-old Sara Salih. She was killed when shooter Nicholas Glenn began firing shots at random bystanders as he fled after firing 18 shots at a police officer at 52nd and Sansom. Police later killed Glenn in a shootout near 48th and Sansom.

Salih’s father, an Ethiopian immigrant who heard the shots that killed his daughter, talked to Philadelphia Inquirer Sam Wood about the tragedy.

UPDATE: Sara’s friends have created a GoFundMe page to help her family.

The Inquirer‘s Stephanie Farr reported the story of Martice Washington, a bouncer at Maximum Level Lounge near 52nd and Sansom (one of his three jobs) who was shot in both legs. Washington has two children and is married to a Philadelphia police officer, according to reports. Continue Reading

Here’s a chance to visit a few beautiful homes of Garden Court, get to know your neighbors, and dine on gourmet meals prepared by talented neighborhood chefs. The Progressive Dinner, the annual fundraising event for Garden Court Community Association (GCCA) will be held on Saturday (Sept. 24) and will supporting the Cheryl Roebuck Scholarship fund, neighborhood projects, and a summer camp

The Progressive Dinner starts at a home near 46th and Cedar for check-in and appetizers, then moves on to another for the main course, and ends with dessert and dancing at Take The Lead Studios at 47th and Pine.

After purchasing a ticket ($45/$40 for GCCA members) choose one style of cuisine from a selection that includes:

• Italian
• Mexican
• Tunisian
• Caribbean
• Fish/ Vegetarian
• Belgian

Note: Children under the age of 12 are not permitted to attend this event.  Continue Reading