Photo via Universitycity.org

A popular local outdoor music event, 40th Street Summer Series, returns on Saturday, June 18, to the green area behind the Walnut Street West Library. The series, which is co-produced by University City District (UCD), Penn, and The Rotunda, will run monthly through Sept. 17. This summer, the series will feature free, family-friendly concerts and dance performances, plus juggling, face painting, fire dancing, and food and ice cream sampling.

Marc Ribot’s The Young Philadelphians will entertain the crowd this Saturday. They will be joined by Monica “Spirit” McIntyre, a gender non-conforming cellist, vocalist, lyricist, wellness advocate, sound healer, Reiki practitioner, mover and visual artist who promotes empowerment and healing by any medium necessary.

And here’s the concert schedule for the rest of the summer:

July 23: Dendê & Band w/ Openers PaPa Ed Stokes and Kunu Bi
Aug. 20: The Liberian Women’s Chorus for Change w/ Openers Modero Dance Company
Sept. 17: Rennie Harris RHAW w/ Openers Kalamandir Dance Company

The Summer Series begins at 5 p.m. with roaming performances and giveaways, with opening acts beginning at 6 p.m. Don’t forget to bring a blanket or chair.

More information about each performance is available on the UCD website.

A 17-year-old boy was stabbed several times by an older man on Tuesday afternoon, at about 4:15 p.m., on the 4900 block of Walton Avenue, according to police. Police say the teen was stabbed three times in the chest, once in the ribs, and once in the leg. He was found on the sidewalk and was taken to Penn Presbyterian Medical Center where he was listed in critical condition.

When he was found the victim told police that he had been stabbed by an unknown male “after they exchanged looks.” Police couldn’t interview the teen at the hospital as he was going into surgery.

The suspect was described as a man with brown complexion in his 30’s, thin build, about 5 feet 8 inches, wearing a white t-shirt and blue jeans.

Post Brothers recently purchased Garden Court Plaza at 47th and Pine.

Garden Court Community Association‘s annual meeting will take place on Thursday, June 16, at Mosaic Community Church (123 S. 51st St), and the topic will be development and change within the neighborhood, which stretches from Locust Street to Cedar Avenue and from 45th to 52nd Street. All neighbors are invited.

The meeting will discuss planned rental and retail development in Garden Court, improvements related to the Spruce Street and 52nd Street commercial districts. You can also learn about how Garden Court Community Association (GCCA) participates in the zoning and development process, and how you can get involved in shaping the neighborhood over time.

A panel of speakers will include developers and community and economic development professionals:  Continue Reading

Akyra Murray (photo from Westcatholic.org)

A West Philadelphia woman, Akyra Murray, 18, was confirmed as one of the victims of the mass shooting that happened on early Sunday morning at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Fl.

Akyra graduated from West Catholic High School last week and was on a family vacation in Florida to celebrate graduation and visit her brother, according to information posted on the West Catholic High School website.

“… Akyra was a superstar who was a leader amongst her classmates and teammates,” the posting on the website reads. “She was an honors student whom graduated third in her class, and a 1,000 point scorer on the Lady Burrs basketball team. Akyra recently signed a letter of intent to play basketball at Mercyhurst College. May God bless Akyra’s soul and provide comfort to all family and friends during this very troubling time.”

The school will be holding a vigil service on Wednesday, June 15, at 6 p.m. in the school auditorium to honor Akyra’s memory. Out of respect for those closest to Akyra, the vigil will be private to the school and family community only.

There will be a vigil for the Orlando massacre victims tonight at City Hall (meeting at the North East corner), from 6:30 – 9:30 p.m. If you can please bring a candle. More information is available on the event’s Facebook page.

A University City High School graduate, Patience Carter, was wounded in the shooting and is expected to recover.

Here’s some great news from the Philadelphia Parks & Rec: The 2016 pool season will begin next week, with the first eight public pools opening on June 22. There are more than 70 indoor and outdoor public pools in Philadelphia.

Here are the opening dates for West Philly pools:

Wednesday, June 22, 4 p.m.: Kelly (4231 Lansdowne Dr.)

Thursday, June 23: Lee (4328 Haverford Ave.), Christy (728 S. 55th St.)

Saturday, June 25: Cobbs Creek (280 Cobbs Creek Pkwy)

Monday, June 27: Myers (5803 Kingsessing Ave.), Sayre (indoor pool, 5835 Spruce St.)

Tuesday, June 28: Kingsessing (4901 Kingsessing Ave.), 39th and Olive (700 N. 39th St.)  Continue Reading

Just a reminder that the SEPTA Key “Early Adopter” program is launching on Monday, June 13. Up to 10,000 contactless cards will be available for purchase and can be used for travel on subway and trolley lines and on city and suburban bus routes.

During the Early Adopter program, riders will be able to get an instant SEPTA Key card with their purchase of a weekly or monthly TransPass. For the Early Adopter program, SEPTA Key cards will be available at fare kiosks located at 12 stations on the Market-Frankford and Broad Street Lines, and the SEPTA Sales Office at 1234 Market Street.

All existing methods of fare payment will continue to be available to purchase and use throughout the Early Adopter program. SEPTA will give advanced public notice before any existing fare instruments – such as tokens, paper transfers, tickets and magnetic stripe passes – are phased out.

Early Adopters will be the first to experience some of the benefits of the SEPTA Key. For example, SEPTA Key card holders will not have to go out and get a new TransPass every week or month – the contactless card can be reloaded online, or at fare kiosks. Early Adopter participants can also register their cards to protect against loss or theft.

For more information about the SEPTA Key Early Adopter Program, visit www.septa.org/key.