Many local restaurants have been experiencing staffing shortages as a result of the pandemic. To help local businesses fill open positions, University City District (UCD) is hosting a West Philly Restaurant Job Fair on Wednesday, Nov. 17 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Participating restaurants are currently sending open positions they are looking to fill and folks interested in applying for restaurant positions—both for front and back of house—are invited to submit a single application that will be accepted by all participating restaurants. Jobseekers will then get a chance to interview with restaurants on Nov. 17.

UCD is also funding $100 signing bonuses for people who are hired that day and who work five shifts with their new restaurant. Continue Reading

Today is Election Day and polls are open until 8 p.m. Click here to find your polling place and click here to check your registration status.

Four local ballot measures include a question that would “call on the Pennsylvania General Assembly and Governor to decriminalize the use of non-medical marijuana.” Another asks if you would like the City to set aside a small portion of the budget each year (0.5 percent or about $25 million this year) to fund affordable housing programs.

Two local offices are on today’s ballot: district attorney and city controller. Incumbent District Attorney Larry Krasner, a Democrat, is expected to cruise to victory. Incumbent Rebecca Rhynhart is a shoe-in for city controller – she is running unopposed.

Several judicial seats are also on the ballot. A rundown of the Pa. Supreme Court election and other state and local courts is here.

Two local non-profit organizations are seeking volunteers to work with Philadelphia children on their reading and writing skills or to help with other tasks.

• Mighty Writers, which has been focusing on providing food and literacy during the pandemic, is looking for volunteers who love writing and want to share that love with young people. Volunteers at Mighty Writers (over 400 every year!) are writers, playwrights, filmmakers, artists and business professionals. Volunteers all have three things in common: compassion, patience and a willingness to learn from the students.

Currently there are two ways to volunteer with Mighty Writers – by offering 1:1 writing attention to a child, or supporting the organization’s food and diaper distribution efforts. Continue Reading

Many Philadelphia residents who have been vaccinated against COVID are eligible to get a booster dose, according to the Philadelphia Department of Public Health.

The following groups who received the second dose of either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine at least six months ago are recommended to receive a booster dose:

• People who are 65+ years old or those who live in a nursing home.

• People between 18 and 64 years old with underlying medical conditions that may put them at risk of developing serious complications from COVID-19 or those who work in higher risk jobs, like healthcare workers, teachers or in other higher-risk institutional or occupational settings. Continue Reading

The Spruce Hill Community Association is inviting families to kick off their trick-or-treating festivities at Clark Park, where the annual Halloween Tot Parade will be held this year. The decision to move the parade, which traditionally kicks off at 45th and Baltimore and proceeds down 45th St. to Osage Ave., was made because of COVID safety precautions.

The 2021 parade will take place around Clark Park and will not culminate in the traditional Osage Ave. block party, according to the organizers. Gathering begins at 4 p.m. at 43rd and Baltimore and the parade will begin at 4:30 p.m. The Penn Drum Line will participate in the event, and there will be treats and other fun activities.

The organizers are asking attendees to wear masks – the scary kind and the COVID-safe kind – and to follow social distancing guidelines.

Philadelphia Open Studio Tours (POST) are back in-person, with West Philadelphia artists inviting folks to visit them this Sunday, Oct. 24. Multiple studios in West Philly will be open to visitors from Noon to 6 p.m., so it’s a great chance to stop by and say hello to your creative neighbors and check out their work.

The following studios and artists are participating in the 2021 POST tours:

• 40th Street Artist-in-Residence Program, 4007 Chestnut St., 1st floor and 4013 Chestnut St. (pictured) Continue Reading