Here’s something our little neighbors and their parents will enjoy doing again now that the section “A” of Clark Park has reopened. A traditional “Storytime at the Turtle” has returned and is taking place every Thursday at 7 p.m.

Stories and short books are read by volunteers from the Parent Infant Center (PIC). Snacks and refreshments are also available. So head down with your little ones tomorrow night to the turtle for this fun and educational activity.
 

An article in today’s Philadelphia Inquirer reflects the anguish that many in West Philly are feeling as their children approach school age: Go to the neighborhood school? Look at other schools in the city? Or, move to the suburbs? The anguish has been compounded in recent months as confusion about admission to West Philly’s Penn Alexander School has grown.

One Queen Village parent, whose children attend the well-regarded Meredith Elementary School, told Inquirer staffer Miriam Hill:

“If you hurt Meredith, you will rip the heart out of this neighborhood,” he said. “It’s the primary driver of economic and social development in this part of Philadelphia because education-minded, working, taxpaying, civic-minded parents move here or don’t leave here because of Meredith. It sounds very suburban, but here we are.”

The real estate premium that residents in the Penn Alexander catchment pay, of course, gets a mention in the story, as does the effort to help improve other neighborhood schools.

Read the full story here.

Today’s cat is Babs. He’s available for adoption through Project Meow.

Babs is a curious kitty. He’s also shy, but still open for love. He’s quite smart as he’s figured out how to climb up next to his foster mom’s bed and drink her water! Despite his shy side you can still pick him up and rub his beautiful hair. In fact, he likes it when his hair gets brushed.

Babs would love to be adopted with his brother, Boser, because they’ve always been there for each other. They are a great pair of gentlemen, love other cats, and are very appreciative of constant love.

Babs is a playful cute kitty, who will give you plenty of purr-filled lap snuggles – contact Project MEOW to see for yourself!

Babs is neutered, vaccinated, flea treated, housetrained, FIV/FeLV negative, and micro-chipped. Please contact projectmeowadoptions [at] gmail.com to meet him.

Application and $85 adoption fee applies.
 

Great news for the Community Education Center (CEC) in West Philly! Thanks to very active voting by its supporters, including many West Philly residents, the center finished in the top five in Maxwell House’s Drops of Good online voting campaign and is eligible for the $50,000 grant.

The grant will go toward center renovation expenses. Renovations will be handled by the Philadelphia affiliate of Rebuilding Together®. This non-profit organization opened its location in West Philly in 1988 and has helped many low-income homeowners and other community projects.

If you would like to volunteer for this or other projects visit this page.
 

Community members are invited to attend a groundbreaking ceremony and reception to mark the start of renovation and construction of Mariposa Food Co-op‘s new location today at 3 p.m. at 4824 Baltimore Avenue.

The co-op has raised over $2.37 million and is ready to start the construction in the first week of July. If all goes well, the new store is scheduled to open in October.

Mayor Michael Nutter is expected to attend the event, along with representatives of the project’s major supporters, and other honored guests. Food and refreshments will be served.

Here are two super cool events happening in West Philly this weekend.

To mark the longest day of the year, the annual Summer Solstice Music and Art Festival will take place in Clark Park (43rd & Chester) tomorrow, June 25, beginning at noon.

The festival has been a West Philly tradition since 1970. This year the organizers are bringing over 40 vendors and nine bands, along with the arts and crafts vending, dance and theater and fun activities for kids.

Here’s a full band lineup with starting times.

12:30 – 1 p.m. – Lion Versus (Stage 1)
1:15 – 1:45 p.m. – Mount Joy (Stage 2)
2 – 2:30 p.m. – Early Ape (Stage 1)
2:45 – 3:25 p.m. – Bedroom Problems (Stage 2)
3:40 – 4:20 p.m. – Arrah and the Ferns (Stage 1)
4:40 – 5:20 p.m. – Psychic Teens (Stage 2)
5:35 – 6:05 p.m. – Serpent Throne (Stage 1)
6:20 – 7 p.m. – Samsara (Stage 2)
7:15 – 8 p.m.- Dangerbird (Stage 1)

Also on Saturday, world-renowned Philly-based band The Sun Ra Arkestra will kick off the 40th Street Summer Series – a series of free outdoor live music performances organized by the University City District and The Rotunda. The series will feature concerts by internationally-acclaimed artists every fourth Saturday in June through September, from 6 to 8 p.m.

The opening act for tomorrow’s performance by The Sun Ra Arkestra will be the West Philly drill team, the Elegant Cavaliers.

All concerts will take place at the 40th and Walnut Street field (behind the Walnut Street West Library). If you get there early enough you can also enjoy complimentary (first come, first served) Rita’s Water Ice which will be given out during the performances.