West Philadelphia’s People’s Emergency Center is holding a school supply drive for current and new children who come to PEC throughout the school year. The following donations are accepted: school uniforms, children’s shoes and other clothing, school supplies, gift cards or monetary contributions. All donations are needed by September 5, 2013, delivered to 3902 Spring Garden Street. See the flyer below for more details.

For any additional information, please contact Meredith Pollock at: mpollock@pec-cares.org or 267-777-5829.

Photo by Kyle Cassidy, featuring Josh Hitchens as Ichabod Crane.

Curio Theatre Company has announced its 2013-2014 season and it looks like West Philadelphia’s hotbed of thespian talent has big plans for the upcoming year with an exploration of gender roles and identity.

Curio’s ninth season, which is coined “gender-themed,” kicks off Friday, September 6 in Clark Park with a free production of “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow,” the classic 1820 short story following the journey of Ichabod Crane and the terrifying Headless Horseman.

Directed by Cara Blouin, Curio’s adaption of Washington Irving’s spooky tale will ride along with Crane, played by company member Josh Hitchens, as he races for his life from the supernatural knight, weaving in live music composed by Eli Halpern and live sound effects (plus a real campfire) to bring the terrifying journey to life. But, in Curio’s production, “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” will extend beyond the fright of Crane’s last night in Tarry Town—the theater company also plans to take a deeper look into the life of Katrina Van Tassel (played by company member Rachel Gluck), the woman whose affection Crane sought and rejection that brought him into the “spook infested” woods that fateful night. Performances of “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” will take place at 7:30 p.m. and run through Sunday, September 8.

In addition to a whimsical upcoming season, Curio will also hold benefit talent show on Friday, September 27. Titled “The Best of the West (Philly) Talent Smackdown,” Curio’s 2013 benefit will feature a talent contest umpired by celebrity judges, with the winner receiving a $100 cash prize and goody bag. It will have live music, raffle and prizes, beer, wine, a tapas spread, and a special Wild West cocktail. The event will be held in St. Francis De Sales School, 917 S. 47^th Street, at 8 p.m. and cost $50 per person.

To purchase tickets to the benefit show, click here. The next audition for the talent show will be held at the Curio Center Stage on Friday, September 13 from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. Call 215-525-1350 to schedule. Continue Reading

Here’s a rare chance to celebrate Japanese culture and learn a few traditional dances in the neighborhood: the Japanese festival of O-bon, or just Bon, is coming to Clark Park at 43rd and Baltimore on Sunday, Aug. 25. O-bon is a celebration that honors the spirits of the dead and is usually held over three days. This is the time when the Japanese visit and clean the graves of their ancestors and place floating lanterns on the water to symbolize the return of the spirits to the otherworld.

O-bon has been celebrated in Japan for more than 500 years and traditionally includes a dance, known as Bon Odori, or Bon Dance. The Bon dance is performed to welcome the spirits of the dead. It varies from region to region in Japan, but it is intended for group participation and is easy to learn (check out video below), so everyone is welcome to learn it this Sunday.

The O-bon festival will be held from 3 to 6 p.m. and is absolutely free and open to the public. For more information about O-bon and Sunday’s event, visit: http://phillyobon.org/.

UPDATE (Fri, Aug 23, 3:50 p.m.): Police said that one person shot and wounded three people last night in Kingsessing, near S. Saint Bernard and Greenway. All three victims are in critical but stable condition. All three are young men, in their early 20’s. The shooting was a result of a fight over a comment made to a woman, according to police. The shooting was in retaliation for the comment and was not drug-related as it was reported earlier. The investigation continues.

Earlier: At least two men were shot Thursday night in the Kingsessing area, police confirmed. West Philly Local readers reported gunfire near S. Saint Bernard and Greenway shortly after 7 p.m. Both men are reportedly wounded. A police source said that the shootings may have been drug-related.

Penn Museum is thinking of developing new programs for teens, but first they want to hear from neighborhood teens and parents. The museum is currently conducting a review and asking that teens and parents participate in one, or both, of the following ways:

• Complete a survey (see links below) and return it to the museum (by email to pennmuseumteenprograms@gmail.com or by physically dropping them off at the museum entrance, 3260 South Street) by August 30.
• Participate in a focus group and discuss what you have appreciated about the Penn Museum in the past and how you would like them to focus their energy as they move into teen programming.

The two remaining times for focus groups (both teen and adult) are:

Sunday, Aug 25, 3:00-4:00 p.m. (in Group Dining)
Monday Aug 26, 6:00-7:00 p.m. (in Group Dining)

Teen Survey

Parent Survey

The city’s Office of Property Assessment estimates that about 50 percent of homeowners who are eligible for a special property tax break have yet to apply. If you are one of those homeowners, you might want to get on this – the deadline is September 13.

To be eligible a property must be the homeowner’s primary residence, so it can’t be a rental or a co-op. That’s it.

There are a bunch of different ways to apply. You can apply online or download a form here. The telephone number to apply is 215-686-9200. Once you apply and are approved, you will get the exemption every year unless you move or your deed changes.