Editor’s Note: This letter to the editor piece was submitted by Patrick Brown, a resident of Farragut Terrace, following Vice President Mike Pence’s visit of St. Francis de Sales School on Wednesday.

Neighbors rallying outside of St. Francis de Sales School on Wednesday (Photo by West Philly Local).

I was chatting with a neighbor a couple of months after moving to my house on Farragut Terrace. OK, to be honest, I was griping about the inconveniences of living so close to a school. She, in response, agreed, lamenting that at times she also felt like St. Francis de Sales School treats our block like its own personal back alley. That was six years ago, and though the regular frustrations have yet to dwindle entirely, I do accept that I chose to live next door to a school. But on Wednesday, the grievances once again came to the fore. As the current administration’s campaign bus idled for two hours just a few yards from my front door, I began feeling worthless.

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The Campaign for Working Families is once again offering free tax preparation and filing services for qualifying families and individuals throughout the city. If you earned less than $55,000 in 2019 you can get help preparing your taxes. Check out free tax preparation sites in West and Southwest Philadelphia below. No appointment is necessary at most sites (see listings for details). Customers are seen on a first-come, first-served basis. Here you can find information on what documents you should bring with you. And just a reminder that the filing deadline for 2019 taxes is April 15, 2020.

Free CWF Tax Preparation Sites in West Philadelphia:

ACHIEVEability
59 N 60th St, Phila, PA 19139
Tue & Thu 9am-7pm; Sat 9am-1pm
By appointment only: Please call 215.557.8484  Continue Reading

Curio Theatre cast members Trice Baldwin Browns (left) and Aetna Gallagher. (Photo by Rebecca Gudelunas)

Two women are spotted kissing each other in Dublin’s Crumlin Shopping Centre and now they’re in a show …reluctantly. Defying stereotypes, they’re here to share with the audience something they’ve never dared show before. They are very nervous. And it shows.

I ♥ Alice ♥ I, by Amy Conroy, is a funny and heartfelt new work from Ireland – a beautiful love story about two women, which premieres at Curio Theatre this week. Company members Trice Baldwin Browns and Aetna Gallagher star in this lovely story from the Emerald Isle. Curio Managing Director Gay Carducci co-directs this piece with company member Rachel Gluck.  Continue Reading

Renata’s Kitchen owners Kate and Yasser Aiq at their new location at 40th and Baltimore.

Renata’s Kitchen is ready to welcome customers at their new location at 40th and Baltimore, in the two-story building formerly occupied by Trolley Car Station Diner. The new Renata’s Kitchen & Bar is officially opening to the public on Wednesday, Feb. 5.

Restaurateurs Kate and Yasser Aiq, the masterminds behind Renata’s Kitchen on Baltimore Avenue, are bringing their brunch menu to the space, which is roughly six times larger than the current location. Customers can expect familiar items such as lemon pancakes, an eclectic selection of espresso beverages and an expanded meze (small plates) menu with fan favorites like shakshukas, a Middle Eastern stew with eggs poached in a sauce of tomatoes, chili peppers and garlic.  Continue Reading

Gaia, a touring artwork by artist Luke Jerram, will be on display at the Horticulture Center during the Getaway at the Greenhouse event.

This February, Philadelphia Parks & Recreation, Fairmount Park Conservancy and Constellation Culinary Group will transform the Fairmount Park Horticulture Center into “Getaway at the Greenhouse,” a pop-up indoor summer oasis. Back by popular demand from last year’s debut event, the Horticulture Center will offer art, food trucks, movies, live music and more for visitors of all ages.

Now extended to 16 days (through Sunday, Feb. 16), and with more free programming, this summertime-inspired series is a great way to warm up your winter. Programming for children includes an oversized indoor sandbox, arts and crafts, story time, live animals, and more. Adults can enjoy food trucks, pop-up bars, live music, happy hours, and more.  Continue Reading

Free Library of Philadelphia branches are hosting special events next month in celebration of Black History Month, including a cultural fair, film screenings, workshops, community forums and discussions, and events and activities for children and families (see list below).

You can also explore the Free Library’s resources on African American history and culture, including famous African Americans from Philadelphia, poets and poetry, fiction and nonfiction, children’s books, politics and more Black History Month events throughout Philadelphia area by visiting this page.  Continue Reading