Monday, Oct. 5 is the last day you can register to vote in the November 3 election. You can register online, too. Please click on the image below to register if you haven’t done it yet.

Click on the images below to view breakfast and lunch menus served in Philadelphia public schools in October 2015. Click here if your school uses the Satellite menu.

October 2015 K-8 breakfast, lunch menu

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This weekend, the city of Philadelphia will greet Pope Francis, an exciting time for Philadelphians and guests, but also stressful for many local residents. Here’s our summary on various closures, restrictions and cancellations associated with the papal visit. The schedule of events and activities during the Papal visit on Sept. 26 & 27 is available here. Also check out these useful links: Papal Visit Playbook, Philly Pope Map, Papal Visit FAQs. There will also be live streaming of events from the World Meeting of Families and the Papal visit stream (click here).

We will update this post as more information becomes available. Feel free to post comments or email us (editor-at-westphillylocal.com) if you know of any closures or cancellations not included in this post.

Highway Closures, Traffic Restrictions (“Traffic Boxes”)

Some road closures and parking restrictions have already begun ahead of the visit, but major highway closures and traffic restrictions will start on Friday night. Mayor Michael Nutter has announced Papal “traffic boxes” for parts of Center City and West Philadelphia, beginning on Friday, Sept. 25 at 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. respectively. Vehicles will be allowed to exit the traffic box area, but will not be allowed to re-enter it (except for emergency vehicles). There will be no SEPTA bus or trolley service within the boundaries of the traffic box, but there will be no restrictions to bicycle and pedestrian traffic. Here are the boundaries for the West Philadelphia Traffic Box:  Continue Reading

The 2015-2016 school year kicks off at Philadelphia public schools this Tuesday (Sept. 8), and we are resuming our posts with information on what is served for breakfast, lunch and dinner each month during the year. Click on the images below to view this month’s menus. If your school serves the Satellite menu, click here.

September K-8 Lunch, Breakfast and Dinner Menus

September 9-12 Lunch, Breakfast and Dinner Menus

Due to dangerous weather conditions in the region forecasted for today with the temperatures in the mid-90’s and high humidity, Philadelphia Health Commissioner James Buehler has issued an excessive heat warning for Philadelphia beginning at noon. The ‘Heatline’ (215-765-9040) will be in operation from noon through midnight.

Just like on July 19, when the summer’s first heat warning was issued, the City will activate summer heat programs, including enhanced daytime outreach for the homeless. The authorities also encourage the public to check on older friends, relatives, and neighbors.

In a heat wave, the majority of the victims are older people and those with pre-existing medical conditions, so health officials urge the public to visit older friends, relatives and neighbors to ensure that air conditioners or fans are working, and homes are adequately ventilated. Other groups at risk in the extreme heat include people with chronic medical conditions, pregnant women, small children, those who work in a high heat environment and persons engaged in strenuous physical activity.  Continue Reading

All public schools will close early, at 12 p.m., on Tuesday, June 16 due the high temperatures in the forecast, the School District of Philadelphia has announced. Schools with a graduation ceremony scheduled for Tuesday have the option to remain open for the ceremonies. Parents are asked to contact schools directly to confirm graduation schedules.