Neighbors are welcome to share their concerns about crime and other neighborhood issues at a community meeting with Lt. Brian McBride and Sgt. Ron Washington of the University City section of the 18th Police District. The meeting is scheduled to take place at 6 p.m. tomorrow, August 18, at the Calvary Center (48th and Baltimore Ave.).

Meetings with McBride are held on the third Thursday of each month from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the large classroom on the lower level.

Here’s a great chance to enjoy some fine locally prepared dishes for the next two weeks. Around 30 West Philly restaurants (see the full list on the flyer) are participating in the 6th annual University City Dining Days that will run from tomorrow, July 14, through July 28. You can try something new or visit your favorite location. There are options for many tastes and budgets.

Here’s how it works. Each of the participating restaurants will offer a  three-course dinner special for one of the following set prices: $15, $25 or $30. The purpose of this is to encourage folks to dine at as many locations as possible during these two weeks without the fear of going bankrupt.

Please note that the prices are for dinner only so if you want a glass of wine to go with it it will cost extra. Taxes and gratuity are not included either. Reservations should be made directly through the participating restaurant. See the menus and restaurant contact details on this page.

The Marathon Grill (200 South 40th St.) and its lounge MarBar closed their doors yesterday, May 23, after nearly seven years of operation due to declining business, according to a report today in the Penn student newspaper The Daily Pennsylvanian.

The paper quotes Penn’s Executive Director of Real Estate Ed Datz:

“When they [Marathon Grill] came to this location, they brought a renewed vitality to the 40th Street corridor, improving the economy, the activity, and safety of the area in conjunction with other neighborhood development in West Philadelphia.”

The restaurant and bar opened in 2004, replacing a Burger King on the southwest corner of 40th and Walnut. The establishment’s five other locations around the city will remain open, the paper reported. A new tenant for the space, which Penn owns, has not been named.

Penn’s student move-out began Saturday and will continue through May 18. The key days to keep in mind are Tuesday and Wednesday, May 10 and 11, when Spruce Street will be closed between 34th and 38th Streets from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Penn Public Safety says that authorized vehicles (parents etc.) will be allowed to access Spruce Street at 38th and must exit Spruce at 34th.

The Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia reminded us that bikes will have access down Spruce on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Update: Mufasa has been found.

This came from our neighbors who live at 41st and Spruce:

One of our cats escaped last night or this morning through a broken window screen at 41st and Spruce. His name is Mufasa and is a skinny orange tabby. He’s a little flighty, so if you think you may have seen him, please call Chelsea 215-880-6868, Jess 410-916-7260, or Erin 717-818-6078.

We’re very worried about our little Mufasa. If you’re in the W
Philly area, please be on the lookout!

Rodney Camarce, an artist in the city’s Mural Arts Program, will lay down some urban flair on eight pairs of sneakers today at 34th and Walnut from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Camarce’s custom paint jobs are part of the Keds company’s “How Do You Do?” road trip to colleges across the country.

The stop at Penn will also feature live music and, we suspect, many things sneaker related.