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Street closures for Philadelphia Marathon, Nov. 16-18 (updated with map)

Posted on 13 November 2012 by WPL

In preparation for the 19th annual Philadelphia Marathon, city officials have issued a traffic and parking advisory for many parts of the city. Delays are expected and motorists are advised to avoid these areas. Some portions of West Philly will be affected too.

Some of the major areas impacted include:

– The inner lanes of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway on Friday, November 16 through Sunday, November 18.
– Citywide along the 26.2-mile route of the Philadelphia Marathon on Sunday, November 18

The following streets will be closed at 6:45 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 18, and will reopen, as runners pass through the race course. All race routes will remain closed until 4 p.m.

– 21st Street, from Spring Garden to Arch streets
– 22nd Street, from Spring Garden to Arch streets
– Benjamin Franklin Parkway, from 22nd to 16th streets
– Arch Street between 16th to 4th streets
– 4th Street Arch to Vine streets
– Race Street, from 4th Street to Columbus Boulevard
– Columbus Boulevard (Southbound lanes), Vine Street to Washington Avenue
– Southbound off-ramp, from I-95 at Washington Avenue
– Washington Avenue, from Columbus Boulevard to Front Street
– Front Street, from Washington Avenue to South Street
– South Street, Front to 6th streets
– 6th Street, Bainbridge to Market streets
– Chestnut Street, 6th to 34th streets
– 34th Street, Chestnut Street to Girard Avenue
– Lansdowne Drive, Girard Avenue to South Concourse Drive
– South Concourse Drive, Lansdowne Drive to West Memorial Hall Drive
– West Memorial Hall Drive, South Concourse to Avenue of the Republic
– Avenue of the Republic, West Memorial Hall Drive to Centennial Circle
– Old Lansdowne Drive to the Sweetbriar Loop
– Black Road
– Martin Luther King Drive
– Kelly Drive
– The Falls Bridge
– Ridge Avenue, Schoolhouse Lane to Manayunk Avenue
– Main Street, Ridge Avenue to Green Lane.

Update: Here’s a link to a map showing the streets closed during the marathon.

Source: Philly Police Blog

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Adopt-a-Dog: Rocky

Posted on 07 November 2012 by WPL

Currently, Rocky resides at the ACCT shelter at 111 W. Hunting Park Ave in Philadelphia. He is EXTREMELY URGENT and must leave the shelter before Nov. 11. Rocky was very close to being euthanized a few days ago because the shelter is full but, luckily, the person that sedated him for euthanasia found a microchip! This saved his life – at least for now. His ID hold will be up in a few days (it’s very unlikely that his owners are coming for him), but this guy definitely deserves a home!

Rocky is a young guy, only 1-2 years old, and has so much love to share! He is a sweet boy who loves to wag his tail and wiggle his butt.

He is a medium sized, 40 pound, light brown colored Terrier & American Staffordshire Mix. He is a gorgeous boy with ears that stick straight up and has a wrinkly forehead. He was found as a stray and has been living at the shelter for two months now. During these two months, he was a quiet dog just waiting patiently to be relieved from his kennel. Rocky now has two friends who are dedicated in keeping him happy and training him in the areas that he needs help.

Rocky is being trained how to walk nice while out for walks with a Gentle Leader which will go home with Rocky once he is adopted. He does well on the gentle leader and is making great improvements. Rocky also needs help with his excitement when meeting new dogs.

Rocky is also a very smart boy, he already learned the commands “sit” and “down”. He is treat motivated and he has been easy to work with. He will take treats from you very gently. Rocky went for a car ride and he did great in the car. Overall, he is a very affectionate dog who loves attention. Rocky’s pen pals (volunteers who dedicate their time to specifically work with him) will offer his foster home or adoptive home his gentle leader, a crate, and continued training support and suggestions. He really deserves a chance out of the shelter and can make a really great dog!

Adoption hours: Mon-Fri 1-8, Sat & Sun 10-5.
Foster hours: Mon-Sun 10-6.

Want more information on Rocky? Contact his friends at: Always8bball@aol.com or Anastasiam1981@yahoo.com!

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Take part in Philly Photo Day this Friday

Posted on 25 October 2012 by WPL

The third annual Philly Photo Day is tomorrow (Oct. 26) and everyone in the city is invited to take a photograph. The photo can be of any subject, as long as it’s taken on October 26. Philadelphia Photo Arts Center will print all the pictures and hang them for exhibition in the Crane Arts Building in Kensington. In addition to the main exhibition, PPAC will place select Philly Photo Day pictures on city billboards, Septa buses and trains, creating a public exhibition of the work.

“At its core, Philly Photo Day is about increasing access to the arts for everyone in Philadelphia,” said Sarah Stolfa, Executive Director of the Philadelphia Photo Arts Center.

You can upload your photo from October 26 to October 30 on this page (you can only submit one picture).

This year, PPAC is reaching out to local community centers, providing cameras and artists who will teach photography basics and help participants select their best photos for this event. If you need instruction or a camera to participate, here’s where you can go to in West Philly:

Morning Sites, 9am – 12pm

Action AIDS
3901 Market Street

People’s Emergency Center
325 N. 39th Street

Ronald McDonald House
3925 Chestnut Street

West Philadelphia Senior Community Center
1016 41st Street

Afternoon Sites, 1-4pm

Mariposa Food Co-Op
4824 Baltimore Avenue

People’s Emergency Center
325 N. 39th Street

West Philadelphia Community Center
3512 Haverford Avenue

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Adopt-a-Dog: Simon

Posted on 25 October 2012 by WPL

Simon is a 10-month-old puppy and has until Thursday, Oct. 25, at 6 pm to get out of ACCT-Philly into a foster or adoptive home. He has been an incredible trooper, having lived at ACCT since August 1. He’s kept himself emotionally together, but now he has injured his knee and needs a place to go. Simon needs eight weeks of crate rest and lots of TLC to let his knee heal. Simon also needs a weight loss program–he sure hasn’t lost his appetite living at the shelter!

With weight loss and crate rest, Simon’s knee would probably heal on its own because he should only weigh about 37 lbs. Simon is a really smart dog who loves his people. Once his knee is healed, he’d do very well with an active family with older kids.

Simon says that cats are soooo great that he probably shouldn’t live with them. But he could live with another dog!

Could you be Simon’s savior and foster him? All medications and food will be supplied by ACCT-Philly and his Pen Pal, his special volunteer at the shelter, will supply a crate. All you need to provide is the warm comfy home and a dedication to saving his life.

Email todorov.lulu@gmail.com to get in touch with Simon’s Pen Pal and learn more, or if you’re sure you’re ready to save him, call ACCT at 267-385-3800. Press 0 and ask for Lifesaving. ACCT is located at 111 W. Hunting Park Ave in Philadelphia.

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National Bain Worker Bus Tour visiting West Philly at 2 pm

Posted on 08 October 2012 by WPL

The national Bain Worker Bus Tour is visiting Philadelphia on Monday and Tuesday and this afternoon the bus will make a stop at a Dunkin’ Donuts branch at 55th and Chestnut at 2 p.m. The bus tour is traveling through swing states to warn voters of the dangers of a “Romney Economy.” Bain Capital is the private equity firm founded by Mitt Romney and Bain workers on the tour include current and former employees from Dunkin Donuts, Sensata, Burlington Coat Factory, Michaels, Outback Steakhouse, and other national chains. They will speak on their experiences working for Bain-owned companies.

The tour includes colorful street theater that will feature a Mitt Romney character who will be challenged by a group of protesters and former Bain workers.

On Tuesday, the bus will be at a center city Staples store at noon.

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Adopt-a-Dog: Duke

Posted on 27 September 2012 by WPL

Duke is a 1-2 year old Pit Bull type Terrier mix that is living in an overcrowded Philadelphia shelter. Luckily for him, he has acquired his very own volunteer who is helping him work on his basic obedience and manners while living in a kennel most of the day. While working with him, his volunteer has noticed that Duke might be an ideal dog for work with various dog sports such as Flyball, agility, dock diving, etc. Here are some basic stats about him.

1. He is VERY focused on toys and very motivated by playtime.
2. He is a natural retriever and neither hell nor high water will keep him from his tennis ball/toy. (For this reason he would do best in a home without toddlers or small children as he might very well knock them down in the pursuit of toys).
3. He handles distractions VERY well. He is not really interested in other dogs, but will exchange polite and friendly sniffs and tail wags before going about his business. Business that usually includes toys, fetching, etc. He has been exposed to other dogs, motorcycles, cars, traffic, noisy people, children, etc and still his focus on the ball is unwavering.
4. He’s an amazing catch and often jumps high into the air to catch a tennis ball and possibly a frisbee.
He has also been working with a weighted back pack and still shown an ability to effortlessly lift himself high into the air! He’s a pretty tall, slender dog and stands about 21 inches at the shoulder and weighs about 55lbs.
5. In addition to all of his sporting potential, Duke is pretty good in his crate and in the car. I would still recommend crating him in the car at first so he nor his cuteness will be a distraction to the driver.
He is also fairly interested in tug toys and would LOVE to engage with the ones that have tennis balls affixed to them (thus again would be PERFECT for learning flyball skills).

Please feel free to contact Lulu if you have any questions about Duke. She can be reached via todorov.lulu@gmail.com.

If you want to head in and meet him for yourself please visit him at:
111 West Hunting Park Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19140

Adoption hours: Monday – Friday 1PM – 8PM, Saturday – Sunday 10AM – 5PM.

Here’s a video of Duke fetching a ball:

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