The 40th Street Artist-in-Residence Program (AIR), which awards West Philadelphia artists one year of free studio space at 40th and Chestnut Streets, is now accepting applications for the 2013-2014 residency. Applications are due Monday, May 13, 2013. Artists accepted into the program are expected to share their talents with neighbors by leading workshops, teaching classes, and exhibiting in the area.

Founded by artist Edward M. Epstein in 2003, the program addresses the need for studio space in West Philadelphia and assists artists with career development. If accepted into the program, artists will be granted a studio space at either 4007 Chestnut St.  or 4013 Chestnut St., beginning on August 25, 2013.

Current resident artists include Diedra Krieger who worked with students at the Huey School, residents of the 4900 block of Chancellor Street, and Mariposa Food Co op’s Food Justice and Anti-Racism Group (FJAR) to collect plastic water bottles and construct a large geodesic dome. You can read more about this project here. Other artists currently participating in the program are Celestine Wilson Hughes, Fatima Adamu, and Michael Harpring.

For more information about AIR and to apply for the residency, go to: http://40streetair.blogspot.com.

The FBI and the Philadelphia Police Department are asking for the public’s help in identifying and locating the person who robbed the PNC Bank branch located at 19 S. 52nd Street (near 52nd and Ludlow). The robbery happened on Friday, Apr 19, at around 11:10 a.m., when an unknown female entered the bank and handed a teller a threatening demand note. After getting a hold of an undisclosed amount of money the suspect fled. She was last seen on the 5200 block of Ludlow Street.

The suspect is described as a black female, approximately 40 years old, 5’6” tall, with short dreadlocks. She’s considered armed and dangerous. Everyone with information about the robbery or the suspect is asked to contact FBI/PPD Violent Crimes Task Force at 215-418-4000 or dial 911.

For more information, visit Philly Police Blog.

Here are two photos of the suspect from the bank’s security cameras.

The primary elections are on May 21 and here’s an opportunity to meet a candidate for Judge of Common Pleas. Timika Lane, who is a West Philadelphia local and chief legal counsel to State Senator and Democratic Whip Anthony H. Williams, will be at the University of Pennsylvania on Wednesday, April 24 for a meet-and-greet.

Timika is an advocate for people of color, women, children and low-income communities (her campaign video is available here) and has experience serving as an attorney in the Philadelphia court system (see another video here).

The event, which will be held at the LGBT Center at Penn (3907 Spruce St) beginning at 5:30 p.m., is free and open to the public. Everyone is welcome to bring their questions and discuss local issues. You can RSVP here: https://www.facebook.com/events/326682774121772/

Burglary reports in the past 30 days (3/24/13-4/23/13).

The latest University City Crime Update, a monthly email distributed by the University City District, shows a significant increase in residential burglaries in the area in April. There were over 20 burglaries in the past 30 days in the area, most of them reported in Spruce Hill, Walnut Hill, and Kingsessing, according to Crime Reports.

The UCD calls for extra caution and asks residents to consider various anti-burglary measures, including locking all exterior doors at all times, investing in more secure locks, using light switch timers to simulate occupancy, and asking a trusted neighbor to watch your property when you are away.

Please also apply caution when walking outside and using your cell phone, since there have been a series of phone robberies in the area. Here are some most recent reports of muggings:

Robbery reports in the past 30 days (3/24/13-4/23/13). Images from CrimeReports.com

• On Monday, April 15, a 29-year-old man was robbed at gunpoint by two men on the 4400 block of Osage Avenue, at approximately 9 p.m., according to police. The man’s phone was taken in the robbery.

• On Tuesday, April 16, a 23-year-old woman was robbed on the 4300 block of Baltimore Avenue. This incident happened in the morning, shortly before 9 a.m. The robbers took her phone, police said. The woman ran after the guys and one said to the other “Shoot her,” but no gun was seen. Police were called and were able to catch one of the robbers, a 21-year-old man, at 46th and Baltimore. The second robber was not apprehended.

• On Thursday, April 18, approximately at 11 a.m., a 20-year-old female was robbed by two men after being put in a choke hold, police said. The incident happened on the 4300 block of Pine Street. University City bike cops caught both robbers, an 18-year-old and a 15-year-old.

The Cedar Park Neighbors community association is holding its annual membership meeting tonight at Calvary Center for Culture and Community (48th & Baltimore) and community members are welcome to attend. The annual Board of Directors election for current CPN members will also take place (voting will be from 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.) The general program will start at 7:00 p.m.

The meeting will include the following agenda:

•  Introduction of nominees and standing Board Members
• Update on the AVI Townhall meeting
• Update on “Future of the Neighborhood” survey
• Featured Speaker: Iola Harper, Enterprise Center Senior Director of the Acceleration Group
• Community announcements
• Representative from Police District will speak
• Recognition of long dedication to CPN by Karen Allen, Dorothy Berlind, Laurie Friedman, Victoria Iannotta, and Joanne Pham
• Announcements of new Board Members (polls close at 7:30 pm)

For more information on the candidates running for the board election, including their bios, please visit the Cedar Park Neighbors website.

Tiger is an adult, male, medium size terrier/pit mix. He has a red coat, with silly fun ears and all of this is topped off by some gorgeous copper eyes. Tiger is a pretty calm dog that walks well on the leash. He is a curious guy who likes to explore the outdoors. Overall, all Tiger wants to do is to sit by your side and maybe chew on a bone or indulge in some treats. He met several dogs at the shelter and exchanged a few sniffs. Tiger has a wonderful disposition but he does not like the kennel atmosphere.

This is just one of the many wonderful dogs in urgent need of adoption, foster care, or rescue at Philadelphia’s animal control shelter, ACCT. You can stop down and meet them, and after filling out an application with shelter staff, interact with them 365 days a year at the shelter located at 111 W. Hunting Park Avenue in Philadelphia. Please check www.acctphilly.org for hours. Come in and take home a forever friend today! To check the status of an animal, call 267-385-3800 or email acctpetfinder@gmail.com.