Invite your family and friends out for a night of fun on the corner of Lancaster and Powelton avenues. The first Mid-Night BBQ featured the sounds of funk and jazz, this time around we’re kicking off the summer with some heat: live music from samba drum corps, Unidos da Filadelfia and soul/reggae singer Fabian Akilles. You do not want to miss this! RSVP (midnightbbq.eventbrite.com) for a complimentary hot dog and a cup of lemonade.

– Elle Tee (LoLa 38)

More details have emerged about a recent incident at the CVS Pharmacy at 43rd and Locust. Rumors were circulating that the store was robbed on Monday afternoon. Here are some more details from a police report:

Two young males – between 21 and 25 years old – were caught stealing skincare products, and when confronted by staff they pulled knives at them. The incident happened at about 3:40 p.m. on Monday, June 12, according to police. After that both men fled, reportedly with some Aveeno moisturizer stolen from the store. No injuries were reported.

A similar incident happened at the same store last year, but the thief pulled a gun at the store manager after being confronted at the door.

Residents are invited to learn more about development projects on Thursday, June 15 at the Spruce Hill Zoning Committee’s monthly meeting. The proposed construction of an apartment complex in a parking lot on the 4000 block of Baltimore Ave (see Google Street View below) is on the agenda.

The proposal for 4045 Baltimore Avenue was first unveiled by the developers in the Fall 2016. The complex would include 48 units, interior and off street parking, and 17 bicycle spaces.

The meeting will take place at the Spruce Hill Community Association building (257 S. 45th Street), beginning at 6:30 p.m.  Continue Reading

The summer’s first Baltimore Avenue Dollar Stroll will take place Thursday, June 15, 5:30 – 8:30 p.m., and the location of this extremely popular annual event has now expanded. Neighborhood businesses will be offering $1 food samples, drinks, pet supplies, vouchers, theater tickets, merchandise, and more along Baltimore Avenue from 43rd to 52nd streets. Click here for a detailed map showing what and where the participating businesses will be selling.

Along with veteran businesses, it’s great to see many new businesses participating in the event. While doing the stroll this Thursday, please stop by to say hello and check out offerings by such recently opened businesses as Amari’s Restaurant, Black Hound Clay Studio, Greensgrow West at their new location near 52nd and Baltimore, Ice Cave, and more (see more details here).  Continue Reading

New Indego bike-share station near 40th and Woodland.

Indego, Philadelphia’s bike share program, recently turned two years old and has just announced more docking stations around the city, including several in West Philly/University City.

Here are the new Indego station locations in the area:

• 40th and Woodland
• 38th and Spruce
• 38th and Market
• 30th Street Station East

One of the main criticisms of the Philadelphia bike-share program when it launched in 2015 was its availability in more socially and racially diverse neighborhoods and accessibility to lower-income riders. Last year, the program introduced a new equitable pricing plan and more ways for low-income residents to pay for the service, such as Pennsylvania ACCESS cards.

Over the past year, the program added new docking stations in such neighborhoods as Spruce Hill – at 43rd and Chester, Walnut Hill – at 48th and Spruce and 46th and Market – and West Parkside – at 1575 N. 52nd Street (see Indego station map here).

To read more about Indego and how it works, go here.

Philadelphia public schools and early childhood centers will dismiss at 12:00 noon on Tuesday, June 13 due to the high temperatures forecasted for tomorrow, the School District of Philadelphia has announced. All after-school activities, including all athletic programs and professional development classes scheduled for Tuesday, are canceled as well.

Parents and guardians are urged to monitor the District website at www.philasd.org for further announcements.

The City has opened cooling centers, which are air-conditioned spaces available for public use. For more information and to find your nearest cooling center, go here.