The annual tour of artist studios and workspaces around Philadelphia, POST-2012, begins this weekend, with tours of venues west of Broad Street taking place October 6-7. West Philadelphia is again well represented, with over 20 artists participating in the event. This is a unique opportunity to visit the artists and their studios. Also stop by the community partner venues which will host POST exhibitions. Self-guided tours are free and open from noon to 6 p.m. Visit this page for more information on the participating artists and venues.

Also, please visit Green Line Cafe‘s website for more information on POST exhibits taking place in their three West Philly locations (43rd and Baltimore, 45th and Locust, and 37th and Lancaster). Artist Kelton Bumgarner sends invitation to neighbors to come to Green Line at 43rd and Baltimore this Saturday to check out his exhibit (reception is from 5 to 7 p.m.). “I have only been in West Philly for a short period of time (2 years now) and would love to meet some more of the community, have a couple drinks, and talk about some art!” he wrote.

Finally, the 40th Street Artist-in-Residence program is introducing their new resident artists on both Saturday and Sunday. Everyone is welcome to meet Fatima Adamu, Mike Harpring, Diedra Krieger, Thomasin Parnes, and Celestine Wilson Hughes at their studios at 4013 Chestnut St. and at the A.I.R. Gallery (4007 Chestnut St).

Here’s a list of places where you can watch tonight’s debate between the Republican challenger Mitt Romney and President Barack Obama.

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Four more cheers: Debate Watch Party with Chili

5011 Larchwood Avenue
8:00 – 10:00 pm
Complimentary Vegi Chili will be served. Feel free to bring some toppings.
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Democratic Party Debate Watch Party

Mill Creek, 4200 Chester Avenue
8:00 – 11:00 pm
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Red, White & Blue Coffee & Cocktails Debate

Cafe Rue 52, 503 S. 52nd Street (52nd & Larchwood)
8:30 – 10:30 pm
Complimentary coffee & cocktails.
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Garden Court Watch Party

Garden Court Plaza, 4701 Pine Street
8:00 pm – 10:00 pm
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Debate Watch Party and Phone Bank

Reed’s Coffee & Tea House, 3802 Lancaster Avenue
6:00 pm – 9:30 pm
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The Debate Watch Party and Phone Bank

THIS AND THAT, 3856 Lancaster Avenue
6:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Refreshments will be provided.
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Drexel University Debate Watch Party

Nesbitt Hall, Stein Auditorium, 3215 Market Street
8:30 pm – 10:00 pm
Pizza will be served.
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UPenn Graduate Students Debate Watch Party

Penn Law School, Gittis 213, 3501 Sansom Street
7:30 pm – 10:30 pm
For Penn grad students only.

Update (1:40 pm): The rusty water problem should now be resolved, according to a message posted on PWD’s Facebook page. PWD is advising their customers to flush cold water taps, starting with the lowest floors, until the water runs clear.

10:54 am: The Philadelphia Water Department has issued a rusty water advisory for the area:

“While Philadelphia Water Department (PWD) crews were performing maintenance on the water distribution system in University City, rusty water resulted in some properties in the area. PWD crews are in the area and are in the process of establishing the extent of the impact.  Crews are also taking water samples and flushing hydrants to correct the issue.”

PWD has not specified where exactly in the area this issue has been found.

The advisory states that rusty water is not a health concern, but it is not pleasant to drink and shouldn’t be used to wash laundry. Residents with health concerns, however, are advised to contact their health care provider before drinking or using the water. If you have questions, please call PWD’s emergency hotline at 215-685-6300. You can also find more information and updates on PWD’s Facebook page.

If you have been affected by this problem, please let us know in the comments where you are.

A series of free health-minded events is scheduled in various locations around West Philadelphia from Oct. 1 through mid-November as part of “Health Awareness Season” sponsored by State Sen. Anthony H. Williams.

“A healthy lifestyle is something we can all strive toward, whether we resolve to make better food choices, exercise more or maintain regular check-ups with our physician. We don’t have to make huge changes, but even little lifestyle improvements make a major difference,” Williams said. “These events will help folks learn new forms of exercise while having fun, all for free.”

Registration is not required and there will be free giveaways at the events while supplies last. Here are the details:

– Learn what it takes to keep a body fit with a personal trainer, who will be available from 7 to 8 p.m. every Monday from Oct. 1 to Nov. 5 at Sayre Morris Recreation Center, 5835 Spruce St.

– Have fun and get the blood moving with great music and line dancing from 6 to 7 p.m. every Wednesday from Oct. 3 to Nov. 7 at SOCCA, Turner School, 5900 Baltimore Ave.

– Discover the Latin dance-inspired, calorie-burning workout Zumba from 6 to 7 p.m. every Thursday from Oct. 4 to Nov. 1 at Kingsessing Recreational Center, 4901 Kingsessing Ave.

For more information on these events, call Desaree Jones at 215-492-2980 or e-mail djones@pasenate.com.

A neighbor and West Philly Local reader, Brendan, emailed us that his apartment on the 4400 block of Baltimore Ave was broken into and robbed last week, on Thursday, Sept.  27. Brendan says that the burglar(s) got away with his wife’s new Schwinn Sporterra (2012) bike. It’s a size 52 black bike with white writing on it. They also got off with an old Playstation 2.

Brendan says that he and his wife are not very well off people by any stretch and that their apartment is mostly full of things of sentimental value. “The bike is what really broke my heart…because I just bought it for my wife this past summer after saving up and sacrificing a lot to give my wife a new bike… We’ve lived in this apartment for 7 years and have never felt insecure. We love this neighborhood and can not stand the idea that we were so brazenly violated like this in a community that we love so much,” Brendan writes.

Police suspect that juveniles might have been involved in this robbery based on what they stole and some other details.

This incident taught Brendan a couple of things about how to protect yourself in case your apartment gets burglarized – to get renter’s insurance and to write down your bike’s serial number.