Two events this week in West Philly are designed to help folks navigate the new (and controversial) voter ID law.

State Sen. Anthony Hardy Williams will host a “Voter ID Education and Action Rally” on Thursday at the Kingsessing Recreation Center (50th and Kingsessing) at 5 p.m. The rally will be held on the day that Pennsylvania Supreme Court justices will hear an appeal on the implementation of the law for the Nov. 6 election.

Williams is among the many lawmakers who argue that the law unfairly restricts access to the polls.

“While we continue to fight this confusing, unnecessary and utterly disgraceful new law, it’s crucial that voters are made aware of their rights so that they are ready for Election Day,” Williams said.

Members of various civic groups will be on hand to talk to voters about the law. The rally is also a good chance to sign up to volunteer for voter outreach efforts.

The Voter ID law will also be a key topic of conversation on Wednesday during the “Civics 101” program at the Lucien E. Blackwell West Philadelphia Regional Library (125 S. 52nd St), beginning at 6 p.m. Everett Butcher, Executive Director of the Chester County Minority Caucus, will discuss the law and be available to answer questions.

Here’s some exciting news for our little neighbors. Crossroads Music, located at Calvary Center (48th and Baltimore), is now offering free monthly music programs for kids under 12 and their parents/caregivers. The first program is on Saturday, Sept. 15 (see more info below). All programs begin at 6 p.m. and last 30-40 minutes. Seating is first come, first served.

Saturday, September 15
Duende Musical (pictured)
Music from Spain and Latin America

Sunday, October 14
AquaAria
Folk music from Italy

Sunday, December 2
Kaïssa
West African music

Sunday, December 16
Shtreiml
Klezmer

Sunday, January 27
Peter Tang Ensemble
Music from China

NOTE: Funding for children’s programs comes from the Union Benevolent association – please consider making a tax-deductible contribution to help keep these events accessible to all children in the community.

Ramen Bar is softly opening today at 4040 Locust Street and will serve lunch from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and dinner from 4 to 10 p.m. Stay tuned for our review.

Clark Park Youth Soccer, a non-competitive and family-friendly program, is looking for volunteer coaches to work with children between ages 5 and 11.

The Fall season begins on Saturday, September 22 and continues until November 17. Kids ages 5-7 practice and play at 10:30-Noon; kids ages 7-11 practice and play from Noon to 1:30. Each team has two to three coaches assigned (with a roster of subs).

If you want fresh air and exercise on Saturday mornings or afternoons and enjoy working with kids, please email to: clarkparksoccer@yahoo.com. Parents, students, or neighborhood soccer enthusiasts are welcome to apply. More information about the program is available here.

A reader, Rachel, emails that her roommate’s bike (pictured below) was stolen yesterday from their house near 48th and Springfield:

Someone walked into our house yesterday afternoon when the door (sadly) was not latched and stole my roommate’s bike from our foyer. He commutes to work with it and it’s a really sharp looking fixed gear – we’d love to get it back to him… It’s an Origin-8 frame. Weinmann dp18 rims, silver MKS track pedals. Another neighbor let us know his lock and helmet where on the ground around the corner from our place, where someone clearly ditched them.

The bike owner filed a police report and let the local bike shops know and hopes it will turn up.

PAWS Clinic is organizing a community Pet Day tomorrow at Cedar Park, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Low-cost shots and microchips will be available. See the flyer below for more information.