The West Philly Coalition for Neighborhood Schools has announced that due to increased enrollment and demand, Lea Elementary (47th and Locust) will be adding Kindergarten and 1st grade classes for the 2012-2013 school year.

Registration and enrollment will begin on Wednesday, September 19 at 8:30 a.m. and those students who will arrive early enough in the day to register will be able to begin attending classes the same day. For information on what documentation to bring, please visit the School District of Philadelphia’s website. You can read more about Lea Elementary on the WPCNS website.

Police and local clergy members started going door to door talking to residents in an effort to tackle crime in the area. Last night they were particularly targeting the 19th Police District, ABC6 reports. The goal of this new initiative is to let residents in high crime areas know about what’s happening in their neighborhood, to hear from them about trouble spots and to see what police can do to help. “We want to know from residents if they’re having any problems; poor lighting, abandoned vehicles, vacant property,” Inspector Dennis Wilson told ABC.

Police are also talking to neighbors-property owners about what they should do to protect their property more effectively and encouraging businesses to install surveillance cameras and to register them with the city.

Next week the police are supposed to knock on doors of the 18th District‘s residents.

A PennDOT crew grinding off a layer of asphalt from Baltimore Avenue last evening.

Many residents have been wondering what’s happening with Baltimore Avenue after SEPTA completed the 34 Trolley track reconstruction at the beginning of the month. The sides of the street were not resurfaced, which makes it hard to use, especially for bicyclists. Yesterday evening the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) crews began resurfacing work as part of a bigger pavement improvement project in Philadelphia that involves repavement of Baltimore Avenue between 61st Street and University Ave. The project is scheduled to be completed this fall.

Photo by reader Brendan McTear.

An 82-year-old male driver crashed his car into Rite Aid pharmacy at 47th and Chestnut this afternoon, according to police. Luckily, neither the driver nor anyone in the building was injured. The building sustained some structural damage and was evacuated, police said. It’s not clear what caused the accident. When we arrived at the scene the car was gone, but here’s what the building looks like.

The Penn Community School Student Partnerships (CSSP) and the West Philly Recess Initiative program (WPRI) work on improving recess environment at Alexander Wilson and Henry C. Lea elementary schools in West Philadelphia. As part of this initiative, a campaign is underway to raise funds for new recess supplies. To donate, please visit this page.

WPRI is also looking for additional adult volunteers to work with Lea and Wilson students. WPRI volunteers help organize recess activities and assist the lunchtime staff. Their work includes encouraging interactive play, increasing physical fitness and outdoor play, and minimizing conflicts and bullying during recess. If you would like to help or for more information, please contact Kate Mills at: katewmills@gmail.com.

You can read more about West Philadelphia Recess Initiative here.

Last month neighbor Robin and her husband found this sweet, handsome pit bull near Clark Park. They took him in, hoping to find his home, but none was found. Rather than taking him to ACCT they chose to foster, got him fixed, vaccinated, microchipped, and want to find him the best possible home.

“Baby” (his current name) is considered to be about 7 months old, weighs about 60 lbs, gets along great with Robin’s two little dogs, kids, other dogs, and strangers. He just wants to be everybody’s best friend! Local dog walkers who have met Baby agree that he would make an awesome best friend. He is still young, so he does LOVE and need attention!

Anyone wanting to meet Baby can email Robin at robinstur42@yahoo.com or call 215-526-8645.