Image via Crimereports.com.

There have been reports of multiple robberies and burglaries west of 43rd street, as the annual summer spike in street crime continues. Readers asked us about an increase in late night/early morning robberies and police confirmed that there were six gun point robberies over the past month in the area from 43rd to 48th, Pine Street to Chester Avenue.

There have also been many burglaries in the area in the recent weeks (see map image for robberies and burglaries in the past month). One of the reasons for that is that people leave their windows open in the summer, according to police, so please make sure to close your windows before leaving the house.

As it’s not unusual to see an uptick in crime during summer months it is still of concern, Joe Murray of the Southwest Police Detectives said in an email. We’ll keep a close look on the crime situation in the area and post updates when we have them.

A reader, April, has found an orange and white cat on her porch near 44th and Walnut. He/she seems obviously cared for but lost outside, according to April. The cat has a bell and a pet watch tag that was never registered but it seems that the cat had been adopted from PAWS.

If it is your cat please call 215 510 1798.

1980’s disco musical Xanadu will open the outdoor movie series at International House Philadelphia this Friday.

It’s great to be a movie fan in West Philly this summer, especially an outdoor movie fan, as various locations in the area are hosting outdoor film series. And now International House Philadelphia (IHP), 3701 Chestnut St, is joining the list. Beginning Friday, July 12, the Totally Terrible 80s! film series kicks off, bringing the best and worst of the 1980s American films to the IHP patio. Films will be screened on selected Fridays rain or shine (in case of bad weather movies will be shown indoors in IHP’s Ibrahim Theater).

This Friday, Xanadu, a disco musical starring Olivia Newton-John and Gene Kelly, will open the series. The opening party begins at 7 p.m. and features DJs, drinks, and dancing at Nineteen Eighty-Disco. The movie will start at sundown.

All screenings are free and don’t forget to bring your chairs and blankets. For more info on the series, visit www.ihousephilly.org and also check out our Events Calendar for information on upcoming screenings.

Until next Monday, July 15, local nonprofit organizations with a strong community-centric focus are encouraged to apply for a $10,000 grant provided by West Philly-based Vineyard Community Church (VCC). Last year VCC developed “Building It Together,” a capital campaign to renovate a building at 123 S. 51st Street into a worship space and community center. Ten percent of the proceeds was set aside to fund a new capital grant program. The purpose of the grant program is to “support new capital-intensive, community-centric philanthropic endeavors in Philadelphia and around the world.”

To be eligible for the grant, your organization doesn’t have to be faith-based and doesn’t have to be located in West Philadelphia, but organizations that meet either of these criteria will receive preference for funding. Funding is to be used for capital projects only, and is not eligible for operating and maintenance activities. Eligible activities include labor for construction, purchase of equipment, materials, and supplies.

For more information on eligibility, evaluation criteria and how to apply, please visit: http://www.vineyardwestphilly.org/serve/bit-capital-grant/. Deadline for applications is 5 p.m. on July 15, 2013. All applications should be emailed to: erik.johanson@gmail.com.

John B. Kelly Pool in Fairmount Park/Photo via John B. Kelly Pool’s Facebook page.

As the summer is in full force, here’s information on where in West Philly and vicinity you can find a free outdoor pool or sprayground to cool off. If you know of any other pools/spraygrounds not included in the list please let us know at editor@westphillylocal.com or in the comments below.

Pools

Pool Hours: Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays from 12 p.m. until 5 p.m.

Baker Recreation Facility (Map)
5431-43 Lansdowne Ave.
Phone: 215-685-0261

Cobbs Creek Recreation Facility (Map)
280 Cobbs Creek Parkway
Phone: 215-685-1983

John B. Kelly Pool (Facebook page)
4231 North Concourse Drive (Fairmount Park, by Please Touch Museum)
Phone: 215-685-0174

Kingsessing Recreation Center (Map)
4901 Kingsessing Avenue
Phone: 215-685-2694

Lee Cultural Center Recreation Facility (Map)
4328 Haverford Avenue
Phone: 215-685-7655

Mill Creek Recreation Facility (Map)
743-81 N. 48th Street
Phone: 215-685-0260

Myers Recreation Center (Map)
5800 Chester Avenue
Phone: 215-685-2698

O’Connor Pool (Website, Map)
2601 South Street
Phone: 215-685-6593

Sayre Morris Recreation Center (Map)
5835 Spruce Street
Phone: 215-685-1993

Shepard Recreation Facility (Map)
5700 Haverford Avenue
Phone: 215-685-1992

Tustin Recreation Facility (Map)
5901-29 W. Columbia Avenue
Phone: 215-685-0258

39th & Olive Playground – Mantua (Map)
39th & Olive Streets

Spraygrounds

48th & Woodland Playground (Map)
1414 S 47th Street
Phone: 215-685-2692
Hours: 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. Mon-Sat, closed on Sunday.

Click to enlarge.

Clark Park Summer Film Series is back again this summer, bringing free outdoor movies to the area on Friday nights. This Friday, “The Inconvenient Truth Behind ‘Waiting for Superman‘” is playing at 8 p.m. The film counters the position taken by the Davis Guggenheim 2010 documentary “Waiting for ‘Superman’.”

Everyone is welcome to watch the film at the park (45th & Regent) and discuss it afterwards. And don’t forget to bring your blankets, chairs and snacks.

Clark Park Film Series is co-sponsored by Philadelphia International Action Center (Facebook page). For more information on tonight’s showing, visit the event’s Facebook page.

Editor’s Note: The previous version if this post incorrectly announced Davis Guggenheim’s film “Waiting for ‘Superman'” screening tonight.