Here are some Easter Egg hunts happening in the area this weekend. Please note that some of these events require registration. If you’re holding an Easter egg hunt please post your event in the comments below.

Saturday, April 20

• Easter Egg Hunt in Clark Park, 43rd and Regent (near the toddler playground), 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Renewal Church is holding its annual Easter Egg Hunt for kids ages 0-6. Registration for the egg hunts takes place 10:45-11:15 a.m. Crafts, games, and egg hunts will be presented by age group. Everything is FREE. There will also be a free raffle for gift baskets and gift card donations from the following local businesses: Booker’s Restaurant and Bar, Clarkville, Ice Cave, Lil Pop Shop, Lulu Cafe, Firehouse Bicycles, and The Nesting House!  Continue Reading

UPDATE: Online registration for the annual St. Mary’s Nursery School Fundraiser “Spring For Our School” closes on Tuesday, April 9 at midnight. Discounted tickets ($45) include drinks and food, music and dancing.

Do you want to support children in your community and have a great night out? Please consider attending the Spring For Our School Silent Auction & Party on Saturday, April 13, 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. at the University of Pennsylvania Houston Hall – Bodek Lounge (3417 Spruce St.)

Who is Saint Mary’s Nursery School? SMNS is a diverse, non-profit, non-church affiliated school celebrating 55 years in West Philadelphia, home to 140 children and many active family members who participate in our co-op program. We offer toddler, preschool, Pre-K, After School and Summer Camp programs.

Honoring Representative James R. Roebuck: Rep. James R. Roebuck will be awarded the Jennifer Nix Award for Service in Early Childhood Education for his support of Early Childhood Education (ECE) over the course of his career. Rep. Roebuck is currently Minority Chair of the House Education Committee, and has served on this committee since the early 1990’s, championing education issues from Early Childhood through Pre-K and Higher Education. Rep. Roebuck shares, “It’s only in the past 10-15 years [that] the conversation has evolved and we have talked about programs in the state which would allocate substantial resources into ECE – and I’m proud I’ve been part of that effort.”  Continue Reading

The 2019 primary election is approaching fast, and this week, West Philly residents have a chance to hear from many candidates for City Council at a community forum. The City Council Candidate Forum will take place Thursday, April 4, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Enterprise Center (4548 Market St.) and will feature 3rd District and at-large candidates.

So far the following candidates have confirmed their participation in the event:

• 3rd District candidates: Jamie Gauthier

• At-large candidates: Adrian Rivera-Reyes, Deja Lynn Alvarez, Helen Gym, Ogbanna Paul Haggins, Fernando Trevino, Eryn Santamoor, Beth Finn, Erika Almiron, Vinny Black, Mark Ross, Councilman Derek Green.  Continue Reading

Artists Leo Tecosky (left) and Roberto Lugo are bringing their work to the historic Hamilton Mansion at The Woodlands (40th and Woodland).

Beginning Sunday, March 31, local artists Roberto Lugo and Leo Tecosky will bring their work to the historic Hamilton Mansion at The Woodlands as part of their Graffiti & Ornament exhibit. The artists, who embrace graffiti and hip-hop culture within their artistic practice, incorporate a carved 19th century graffiti inscription in the exhibition, connecting Philadelphia’s past with the present.

In addition to the opening celebration on Sunday, from 1 – 4 p.m., the exhibition includes other special events every week throughout April:  Continue Reading

A community meeting focused on inequitable school funding system in Pennsylvania will go underway Tuesday, March 26, at 7 p.m. at the Calvary Center for Culture and Community. The system negatively impacts neighborhood public schools in West Philadelphia, many of which face crumbling buildings, overcrowded classrooms, a shortage of staff and resources, and other issues. The West Philly Coalition for Neighborhood Schools is inviting parents and caregivers to hear a presentation from Dan Urevick-Ackelsberg of the Public Interest Law Center, which is campaigning to fix the system.

Shanée Garner, the policy and legislation director and for City Council member Helen Gym will also speak about local advocacy initiatives. The event will conclude with a roundtable discussion by parent organizers in West Philly neighborhood public schools.  Continue Reading