A great way to say “goodbye” to the summer is by visiting the historic Woodlands cemetery grounds for the fall edition of Go West! Craft Fest. The fest is scheduled for this Saturday, Oct. 1 (rain date is Sunday, Oct. 2), from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. and, as always, will feature handmade wares from about 100 local craftspeople, live music, and entertainment for the whole family. There will also be an opportunity to tour The Woodlands, sample delicious food from local eateries, and enjoy performances by Tangle’s tinycircus performers.

Here’s the schedule of performances:

11:00 – The Green Tambourine
12:00 – The River Bones
1:00 – West Philly Foot Tappers
2:00 – Brady And The Bear
3:00 – Tinycircus
4:00 – Christopher Davis-Shannon

For a sneak peek of what’s in store from the participating makers, go here. Also check out #gowestcraftfest on Instagram for more glimpses of Saturday’s offerings.

A new community discussion group hosted by Council for Relationships (CFR) held its first session on September 17 at its University City location at 4025 Chestnut Street. The public forum, titled “Reflections,” was created to provide a safe and supportive environment for those who have been emotionally impacted by troubling current events. Events may include local or global tragedies, mass killings, global warming, civil rights and other issues. This is an opportunity to share your feelings, listen to one another, and connect with others.

With this new program, CFR seeks to provide community, dialogue, and emotional support for those who need it. The West Philadelphia community members are invited to talk about their responses to current events in a supportive group dialogue, which will be facilitated each month by CFR’s staff of clinical therapists.  Continue Reading

             Image courtesy of Kol Tzedek.

West Philly’s reconstructionist synagogue, Kol Tzedek, invites community members to celebrate the High Holidays at their home at Calvary Center on 48th and Baltimore.

The schedule for Rosh Hashanah (October 2-4) and Yom Kippur (October 11-12) includes traditional services, great children’s programming, meditation and yoga, social justice teachings, and a break-fast at Calvary Center, and Tashlich at Bartram’s Gardens.

At Kol Tzedek, expect to celebrate the High Holidays with creativity, introspection, prayer, song, learning, and community. Their theme this year is Vulnerability.

You can find more information and register at: http://www.kol-tzedek.org/high-holidays.html.

Kol Tzedek always welcomes practicing Jews, non-practicing Jews, and non-Jews who are interested in learning more, and particularly extends a hand to interfaith families, Jews of color, and LGBTQ visitors. Non-members are also welcome to join Kol Tzedek for High Holidays and any other events and services.

Just recently, Kol Tzedek welcomed a new rabbi, Rabbi Ari Lev Fornari. Read more about it here.

Photo by Ryan Collerd, courtesy University City District.

It’s hard to believe it but The Porch at 30th Street Station is celebrating its 5th anniversary this week. It opened in the fall of 2011 and transformed a parking lot and a dangerous walkway outside of the nation’s second busiest train stations into a vibrant and pedestrian-friendly public space complete with tables and chairs, umbrellas, swings and greenery.

The Porch’s 5th Anniversary Party will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 28 (weather permitting) and will feature food, drinks, giveaways, and music. University City District (UCD), who operates and programs The Porch, is partnering with 33rd Street Hospitality and Jet Wine Bar to bring $5 food and drink specials in honor of the five years since The Porch debuted.

Since its introduction in 2011, The Porch at 30th Street Station has been offering seasonal horticulture, special events, and lunch service from local food trucks. The Porch was Philadelphia’s first “lighter quicker cheaper” public space, and originally involved simple, cost-effective, and fully removable elements.

Five years later, The Porch has evolved into a more permanent mainstay, with elements contributed by Groundswell Design Group, Gehl Studio, and Visit Philly. The Porch has also cemented itself as a popular gathering space for commuters, local workers, and visitors to Philadelphia looking for a space to lounge and linger.  Continue Reading

Good news for SEPTA customers: A few months after introducing the SEPTA Key Early Adopters program, which allows customers to purchase cards that work as monthly or weekly TransPasses, SEPTA has announced the roll-out of “Quick Trip” – single trip tickets for Market-Frankford and Broad Street lines.

A Quick Trip is a disposable magnetic strip ticket that customers can swipe at new Key turnstiles. A Quick Trip is valid for one-way travel from the station where it is purchased, and must be used on the day it is purchased. Station and date-of-purchase details are printed on the ticket.

The addition of the Quick Trip feature gives riders the option to purchase their fare in the station without worrying about having a token or exact change beforehand.

There is no discount for a Quick Trip – the regular one-way transit cash fare of $2.25 applies. Also, a Quick Trip cannot be used in combination with a transfer. However, SEPTA customers can use their debit and credit cards for single-trip purchases at station kiosks, and riders who use cash will receive change if they don’t have exact fare.  Continue Reading

Metro has put together a list of places around the city that will host tonight’s Presidential debate watch parties as Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump face off for the first time. The list doesn’t include any West Philly locations, so we have compiled this information (with the help of our readers!). If you know of more debate watching events in the area please add them in the comments below. The debate begins at 9 p.m. and you can also watch it on CNN and other major networks.

Region 39A Debate Watch Party

6:15-11:30 p.m. Hillary Clinton SW Philly Office (533 S. 52nd St).

Drexel Dems Presidential Debate Watch Party w/Special Guest Elizabeth Banks

6  – 11 p.m. Wahoo’s (3180 Chestnut St). More details.  Continue Reading