Here’s a great chance to help a woman entering or re-entering the workplace. Wash Cycle Laundry and Gearing Up will be doing pick-ups around Center City and West Philly of gently used, interview-ready professional attire for the fantastic non-profit Career Wardrobe, which works to support women transitioning to work. Studio 34 (4522 Baltimore Ave.) will serve as a drop-off point in West Philly.

Studio 34 will be collecting clothes now through Sunday, July 22. Bring your clothing in bags labeled “Career Wardrobe” to Studio 34’s front desk before 4 p.m. on Sunday, July 22.

Here are some guidelines from Studio 34:

• We accept clothes for all seasons!
• Donations should arrive ready to wear: clean, on hangers, with all buttons, working zippers, and no tears or stains. (If you don’t have hangers, don’t worry! the organization hosting this donations drive will find hangers for loose clothing. But if you have hangers, please include them.)
• Items not used for this program will be donated to other nonprofit organizations or sold at The Wardrobe Boutique, a recycled clothing boutique to benefit Career Wardrobe’s programs.

Here’s the detailed map of tonight’s Baltimore Avenue Dollar Stroll (5:30-8:30 p.m.). Click to enlarge.

(Courtesy of University City District).

Great news from Cedar Park: thanks to contributions from the community, Friday Night Jazz Series in Cedar Park has been extended for at least two more weeks. This Friday, July 20, Perseverance Jazz Band will perform and on July 27 Shirley Lites and Company will bring funk/jazz/R&B vibes to the park. Both performances begin at 6 p.m.

If you would like to support Friday Night Jazz Series, you can make a contribution on this page.

The International Action Center is holding its annual “Giant Rummage Sale” on Saturday, August 11 at Calvary Church (48th and Baltimore) and is seeking support to make it successful. You can donate books, records, gently-used clothing, toys, games, housewares, small furniture or other items for this sale. Pick-ups or a convenient drop-off time can be arranged. You can also volunteer to poster fliers for the sale and/or to help with set-up on the evening of Friday, August 10.

The IAC has been actively involved in the struggle for jobs, justice and equality in the area, and participated regularly in the Occupy Philadelphia movement. It also helped launch the People’s Power Speak Outs in West Philly and has been organizing Clark Park Summer Film Series for 10 years. The annual rummage sale helps cover the rent and related expenses for the IAC Solidarity Center office.

If you have items to donate or if you want to volunteer at the sale, please call 610-352-3053 (Betsey) or email phillyiac@peoplesmail.net.

Are you ready for your first Baltimore Avenue Dollar Stroll this summer? This is one of the coolest summer events in West Philly. You can get $1 food, drink and other items from local businesses. The first of three Dollar Strolls schedule will be Thursday, July 19, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., as always along Baltimore Avenue between 42nd and 51st Streets.

Over 20 businesses are participating in this stroll, both the usual suspects – Milk & Honey, Green Line Cafe, Dock Street Brewery, Baltimore Pet Shoppe, VIX Emporium, Elena’s Soul, Mariposa Food Co-op, etc. – and new businesses and vendors. Look for $1 items and deals from such new participants as Thrive Fitness, The Sunflower Truck Stop, Studio 34, Maru Global Takoyaki, Independent Rock, and a few others. And yes, Subway is participating too.

In addition to shopping for $1 items, don’t miss live music by The Makes (between 46th and 47th Streets), the Independent Rock School (50th Street), the Give & Take Jugglers and entertainment by various street performers and fire artists.

Check out the event’s flyer below for the full list of participants and what they are offering.

(click to enlarge)

 
Some students at West Philly High School will be the subject of tonight’s esteemed documentary program Frontline for all of the right reasons.

Tonight’s episode, “Fast Times at West Philly High,” will build on the legend of the EVX Team, which is competing with top engineers and multi-national corporations to build a viable, affordable car that can get 100 miles per gallon. The prize is $10 million. Most of us in West Philly are familiar with the EVX Team. They’ve been to the White House. They’ve taken on – and beaten – students from top engineering programs and Ivy League schools in design competitions.

Philadelphia filmmaker Debbie Morton followed the team for two years and the result of that work is tonight’s program.

Here’s a line from the promotional material: “In Fast Times at West Philly High, Frontline explores the viability of these cars, the potential that exists within our young people, and the prospects of effective innovation in public education.”

The film is about these kids and their amazing story, but we hope that it reminds people all over that amazing kids are everywhere – they just need the right tools and guidance.

The show will be on WHYY locally at 10 p.m.