It’s General Election Eve and here are a few logistical things to keep in mind about the big day tomorrow.

Those who haven’t voted early, there are dozens of polling places around West Philadelphia; to find your polling place, go here. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. An ID is not required to vote unless you are voting for the first time or have recently moved. As long as you are in line by 8 p.m., you can vote.

Check your voter registration status here.

If you still plan to vote by mail, you can. Just drop off your ballot at one of the mail-in voting centers until 8 p.m. tomorrow. Here’s the info for that. Keep in mind that it’s too late to apply for a mail-in ballot and please note that polling places are not for dropping off your mail or absentee ballot. Continue Reading

Two West Philadelphia-based recreation centers have recently been awarded grants from the state’s Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program for much-needed repairs and upgrades.

A $2.75 million grant will be provided to the City of Philadelphia to support the Christy Recreation Center, located at 55th and Christian Streets. The project will involve renovating the existing center building and grounds, including ADA access to and throughout the facility. The facility will also become better lit and greener, with more efficient use of interior and exterior spaces. Better and newer equipment will be installed for the benefit of all ages, as well as more places to sit, eat, play, and recreate.

The grant was announced by Rep. Rick Krajewski representing the 188th Legislative District. This investment is in addition to $1 million that has been secured by Philadelphia Councilmember Jamie Gauthier to go toward the complete redesign project that is currently underway. Continue Reading

The annual Leaf Recycling Program, held by the Philadelphia Department of Streets, is scheduled to begin on Monday, Nov. 7 and will run through Saturday, Dec. 17. The program helps reduce the amount of waste that goes to landfill. Recycled leaves are used for composting.

During the six-week program, mechanical leaf collection will be provided in areas known to have a heavy accumulation of leaves. Mechanical leaf collection crews will concentrate their efforts in designated boundaries each week. All leaves should be raked and ready for collection by 7:00 a.m. the day of mechanical collection. Leaves should be raked into the street by the curb’s edge (piling is not necessary). Continue Reading

West Philly’s Theatre in the X is partnering with Drexel University to present their new production Pac and Biggie Are Dead at Drexel’s Mandell Theater. The play, written by Biko Eisen-Martin, is a spin-off of Tom Stoppard’s classic, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead, starring rap’s two iconic artists. Theatre in the X’s production, directed by Carlo Campbell, presents classic moments in hip hop, drama, and Black history.

Playwright Biko Eisen-Martin explains that the play “draws from the ethos of hip hop, African cosmology, and western staples of theatre.”

Pac is played by Joseph (Ankh Fyre) Xavier-Mack, and Nazeer Harper is cast as Biggie. Other cast members include: Richard Bradford, Abe Kaplan, Bryce Zenon, Matthew Lacy, Wendi Smith, Monet Debose, Rodd Dean, and Nieemah Powers. Continue Reading

Rendering of improved Woodland Avenue looking east towards the 40th Street Trolley Portal and entrance to The Woodlands.

Long-needed safety improvements are coming soon to Woodland Avenue.

Woodland Avenue, and especially the portion between 41st Street and VA Medical Center driveway, is one of the most dangerous roads in the city. Between 2017 and 2021, 13 crashes involving 49 people were reported in that part of the road, with 27 people injured.

Pedestrians and cyclists trying to cross near SEPTA’s 40th Street Trolley Portal and enter The Woodlands currently have to dash across Woodland Avenue and hope for the best. Same goes for the awkward intersection of Chester Ave and Woodland Avenue.

In fact, it can be so treacherous at times along Woodland that the City added the street to the High Injury Network of Vision Zero, the program to eliminate traffic-related deaths by 2030. Continue Reading

The Philadelphia City Commissioners is holding mobile staffed ballot drop-off events at various Philadelphia Free Library branches ahead of the November 8th General Election. Personnel from the Board of Elections will be on hand to collect voted Absentee and Mail-in ballots.

Here’s the schedule of such events in West and Southwest Philadelphia:

• Tuesday, Oct. 25 and Nov. 1, 10 a.m.-12 p.m. & 1 p.m.-4 p.m.:

Overbrook Park Library, 7422 Haverford Ave

• Wednesday, Oct. 26 and Nov. 2, 11 a.m.-12 p.m. & 1 p.m.-4 p.m.: Continue Reading