A mock-up of the expanded Mariposa at 4824 Baltimore Avenue.

The Baltimore Ave member-owned  food co-op Mariposa needs some help to cover the estimated $2.2 million costs for their new location down the street in the old bank building at 4824 Baltimore. The co-op recently purchased the building.

The co-op has most of the tab covered in a combination of grants, loans and donations. But there are two ways that neighbors can help cover the rest. The first is buying some raffle tickets at a buck apiece. Each ticket gives you a chance to win one of dozens of fabulous prizes, including handmade goods from local artisans, classes and workshops, deals at local eateries and hotel stays. VIX Emporium (5009 Baltimore Ave.) is selling the tickets online here. The raffle drawing will be held Nov. 20 from 2-10 p.m. at Dock Street Brewing Company (701 South 50th), in a shindig that will include live music.

Mariposa is also offering member loans. The loan terms are from five to 10 years and offer a 3 percent return. Many co-ops have used member loans to help with expansion plans and decrease the reliance on banks. The minimum loan is $1,000.

The proposed layout of the new building.

So the skinny on the expansion in case you hadn’t heard … The new space is a five-fold increase from the current space and there are plans for a mezzanine level cafe, a classroom and rooftop gardens and behives. The folks at Mariposa say that the added space will help them scale up their purchasing volume and keep prices relatively low. The added space will also mean that the co-op will be able to serve non-members, though membership – the lifeblood of Mariposa – will still be encouraged.

A date has not been set for the opening of the new building.

Mediamaker Barabara Grant weaved folklore and oral history together into a multimedia piece that she will show tonight from 6-8 p.m. at the Philadelphia Folklore Project (735 South 50th). When My Mother Broke Her Leg (and came to live with me) is about “aging, advocacy, health care policy” and her mom. Her piece is also about reconsidering the role of a child, family history and health care equity, particularly for seniors.

The University City District and officials from the 18th Police District are holding a meeting to update residents on a recent increase in street crime in the Garden Court and Spruce Hill neighborhoods. The meeting will take place Thursday, Nov. 11 at 7:00 p.m. at the Calvary Center (48th and Baltimore) in the chapel.

Several muggings, some at gunpoint, have occurred in recent weeks. Three muggings went down within a few hours on 48th Street on October 25. A fairly detailed rundown (as detailed as one can get in 140 characters or less) is available at the Twitter feed of an 18th District police officer.  For example: Be on the lookout: tan/silver 2004 Nissan Altima pa tag:HGP3654. Used in 3 robberies tonight. Targeting 48th St. Others have occurred near 46th and Chester and the 4500 block of Regent.

It is important to report any crime to the police so they can, hopefully, devote more resources to problem areas. At the very least report them to the University City District, which can be done by e-mail, so that they can send bike patrol officers to these areas.

Subway construction in Philadelphia. (Photo courtesy of Scribe Video Center)

Nine young documentarians will put their hard work on display tomorrow night at the Griffith Auditorium at the University of the Sciences (600 S. 43rd). Their 40-minute piece, The History of Mass Transit in Philadelphia, weaves themes of cultural expression, health, history and movement of goods. The work is part of the Scribe Video Center‘s Documentary History Project for Youth, a project aimed at youth in grades 8-12. The event is free and open to the public.

The annual meeting of the Spruce Hill Community Association is tonight at 7:30 p.m. at the Spruce Hill Christian School at 42nd and Baltimore (enter on the 42nd Street side).  The meeting provides an opportunity for residents to comment on “issues of concern to the neighborhood.” Third District councilwoman Jannie Blackwell is scheduled to attend the meeting.

The meeting will also include elections, including five officer positions (one-year terms) and 10 board positions (two-year terms). Any dues paying member of the association may run, although the deadline for submitting nominations has passed. The association is also looking for volunteers to help with committee work, including mailings, membership recruitment and the May Fair.

Filmmaker Zack Williams. (Courtesy of the Philadelphia Daily News)

Philadelphia director Zack Williams announced an open casting call Sunday, Nov. 14 from noon to 4:30 at the Community Education Center (3500 Lancaster Avenue) for speaking roles and extras for Keyz 2 Da City, which is scheduled to be shot in West Philadelphia.

Here’s a synopsis from the Greater Philadelphia Film Office site:

In the mean streets of philly, (Nadir) who’s just released from prison,finds himself in bloody war after being falsely accused of murdering a kingpin named Frog. Things get complicated when he falls for a woman(Dez)10yrs. his senior and the woman is not who she appears to be. Things come to a head when his old cell mate (Donnie) gets out of prison. He’s a capo in the Italian Philadelphia mafia (la costra nostra) and gets set up by a close associate. Now all hell breaks loose when the mafia puts contacts on Nadir and his crew head while still fighting for theire live against the local thugs who wants revenge for Frog’s murder. With no place to run and no one to trust there is only one option- kill or be killed. Take a rollercoaster ride through the city streets as bullets fly and bodies fall and friendships are broken. Sometimes crime doesn’t pay when one false move can cost you your life!

Williams, who grew up near 40th and Ogden, definitely has the street cred for the film. He spent a few years in prison, where, when asked which skill he would like to learn such as carpentry or plumbing, he replied, “acting.” Prison officials laughed.

Williams’ first film, Can’t Judge a Book, debuted this summer (trailer).

Grammy Award nominated rapper and Philadelphia native Charli Baltimore has signed on to the film as have Philadelphians Sundy Carter,  Omillio Sparks and Oschino, all of whom featured in State Property.