While ArtPhilly’s What Now: 2026 festival wrapped up earlier this summer, the celebration of local art and storytelling continues this fall in West Philadelphia.

ArtPhilly is presenting The Becoming, an interdisciplinary project created by artist Shavon Norris. Originally scheduled to run during the main festival, the postponed project will take place from September 30 through October 4 at the Painted Bride Project Space (4029 Cambridge Street).

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A new $20 million affordable housing development for seniors officially opened Tuesday at 6227 Catharine St. Community members and local leaders joined the Church of Christian Compassion for a ribbon-cutting ceremony at Compassion Senior Living, which offers 38 independent-living apartments for adults aged 62 and older.

The Church of Christian Compassion developed the property in part to create an opportunity for older residents to remain connected to the neighborhoods and community they know as they age. Demand for the project has been high: 37 of the 38 units are already occupied, with roughly 65 percent of current residents having previously lived in West or Southwest Philadelphia. The community also includes four dedicated units for seniors transitioning out of homelessness.

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The West Philadelphia Alliance for Children (WePAC) is expanding its School Library Program from 14 to 16 West Philadelphia elementary schools for the 2026–27 school year, widening access to open, functional libraries and literacy resources for local students.

WePAC relies on a volunteer-powered model to reopen and staff elementary school libraries across the area. Volunteers organize library operations, host weekly storytimes, and help students choose books that match their interests and reading levels. During the 2025–26 fiscal year, WePAC operated 14 school libraries, serving 3,388 students weekly, hosting 3,010 library sessions, and circulating 38,609 books with the help of 8,568 volunteer hours.

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The Office of Councilmember Jamie Gauthier (3rd District) is launching a series of property tax assessment workshops across West and Southwest Philadelphia to help residents navigate rising property values and secure available tax relief, including the low-income property tax freeze.

The first two workshops take place on Saturday, Sept. 26, from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Transfiguration Baptist Church (3732 Fairmount Ave) and Thursday, Oct. 1, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Belmont Charter School (4030 Brown St). Additional workshops across neighboring communities will be announced in the coming weeks.

Following recent citywide property reassessments conducted by the City Office of Property Assessments, many Philadelphia homeowners are facing higher property value evaluations—and potentially larger tax bills. Recognizing the financial pressure this places on local families, Councilmember Gauthier’s office is bringing resources directly into neighborhoods to ensure residents take full advantage of city assistance programs.

During the workshops, attendees will receive one-on-one assistance with their property assessment, tax relief, and estate planning.

On Thursday, Sept. 17, at 8:45 a.m., a rally will be held at City Hall, North Apron, to protest the Mayor’s proposed extension of the City’s contract with Reworld Incinerator to continue burning our trash, thus generating tons of airborne pollutants and ash. Protesters will urge the City Council, which must approve all City contracts, to reject the Mayor’s proposal.

West Philly’s Councilmember, Jamie Gauthier, will offer the amendment to disapprove this contract when the Mayor sends it to the Council. Gauthier makes three main arguments against the contract extension:

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Community College of Philadelphia (CCP) and the University of Pennsylvania have officially launched the Penn-CCP Entrepreneurship Academy, a new initiative designed to drive economic growth and support small businesses across West Philadelphia.

The program was announced on Thursday during a signing ceremony and open house at CCP’s Career and Advanced Technology Center, featuring leaders from both institutions, local official representatives, and program leadership (see photo).

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