Dozens of local artists and artisans will again descend on the historic Woodlands cemetery grounds as part of the bi-annual West Craft Fest. The popular family-friendly event, where you can shop for unique handmade gifts (clothes, ceramics, jewelry, accessories, prints and more), will be held on Saturday, Sept. 28, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and will also feature live music and entertainment, food trucks and children’s activities.

The list of participating vendors can be found here. And here’s the entertainment schedule:

11:00 a.m. – Pocket Prophets
12:30 p.m. – Vessna Scheff
1:30 p.m. – De Tierra Caliente
3:00 p.m. – Tinycircus by Tangle Movement Arts
4:00 p.m. – West Philly Foot Tappers featuring Kate Black-Regan  Continue Reading

The fire-damaged building near 46th and Baltimore on Tuesday morning (Photo by Hanbit Kwon).

A Monday night fire damaged a two-story building near 46th and Baltimore that houses two businesses – Ren’s Auto Repair and 8 Limbs Academy. The fire broke out at the autobody shop at 4542 Baltimore Ave. at around 10:30 p.m. and was put out by 11:45 p.m.

It took nearly 90 minutes to control this garage fire last night near 46th and Baltimore. #24x7x365 pic.twitter.com/yuqi4wbbh3

— Philadelphia Fire (@PhillyFireDept) September 24, 2019

The fire crews had some trouble gaining entry to the building and had to call in a specialized unit to buzz saw cut through the shuttered entrance of the auto shop, according to reports. The auto shop and the 8 Limbs Academy on the second floor of the building are damaged extensively with smoke. Structurally the building appears stable.  Continue Reading

Fall officially began today, and it’s probably the best time of year to visit the Woodlands Cemetery and Mansion at 40th and Woodland. The Woodlands has again prepared an exciting program of events for those who want to celebrate this season on the historic grounds, including events for the whole family and runners. Check out the list below. For more information, visit: woodlandsphila.org.

HollyWoodlands: Arsenic & Old Lace
Frank Capra, US, 1944, 118 min., b/w
Friday, Oct. 4
Doors Open at 6:00 p.m.
Film Starts at 7:00 p.m.
Free. Please RSVP here.

Fall Tree Tour: Hidden Gems & Old Favorites
Saturday, Oct. 5
9:00 a.m.
$10; Free for members. Register here.  Continue Reading

A 19-story mural has been created on the side of the University Square senior community building at 3901 Market Street. The author of this masterpiece is Faith XLVII, an internationally-acclaimed street artist from Cape Town, South Africa. The giant 11,000 square foot artwork was created for Mural Arts Philadelphia.

An inscription on the mural reads: “Maneto Philadelphia: Optimism is a Strategy for Making a Better Future.” The Latin word “maneto” is part of Philadelphia’s city seal and means “to remain” or “to endure.”

The dedication ceremony for the new mural will take place on Tuesday, Sept. 24, at 11 a.m.

The mural, entitled The Silent Watcher, was inspired by the cultural, historical, and social aspects of the neighborhood. It features a strong archetypal female figure towering above pedestrians with a contemplative gaze.  Continue Reading

Did you know that you don’t have to wash your dog alone at home, in your bathtub or sometimes even your kitchen sink? You can do it in a specially made tub while socializing with other dog owners. And after you’re done, you don’t need to clean up all the mess. That’s what a self-serve pet washing shop, “PHilthy Paws”, which has just opened at 47th and Baltimore, is for.

In addition to the tub, PHilthy Paws also provides tools to clean your animal (shampoos, brushes, dryers, and more) that are included in your fee – ranging from $12 to $18 per wash, depending on the size of your pet. Dogs as large as 100+ pounds are welcome, too.  Continue Reading

                   112-114 S. 43rd Street.

The Spruce Hill Community Association Zoning Committee will hold its monthly meeting on Monday, Sept. 16, and one of the proposals on the agenda is construction of a new 12-unit apartment building on S. 43rd Street between Sansom and Chestnut.

The project involves consolidation of two lots – 112 and 114 S. 43rd St. – into one with demolition of the existing structure at 114, according to a Spruce Hill Zoning Committee announcement. The project envisions the construction of 12 units with four bicycle spaces and no parking. Property is in CMX-4 zoning, which requires four parking spots.  Continue Reading