Do you find it irresistible to pick through (or at least look over) stuff that students leave strewn along the sidewalks or in dumpsters after the school year? If so, WHYY’s Peter Crimmins has a good story for you (see the video below). Crimmins and a West Philly man named “Paul” went dumpster diving recently and came up with some interesting stuff, including a hard drive chock full of everything from Korean dance videos to complete details on a student’s bank accounts.

When picking over stuff, “How far are you willing to go,” Crimmins asks.

This is also a good time to remind folks who prefer to do their used-stuff shopping in a slightly more civilized, but less serendipitous, manner that the big sale of student stuff is this Saturday. The sale, sponsored by Penn MOVES to benefit Goodwill Industries job programs, will run from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at a warehouse at 3401 Grays Ferry Ave. For $5 you can get early admission and begin shopping at 8 a.m. Sales are cash only and there are no returns.

That warehouse is a little tricky to get to so Penn Transit is providing free transportation to and from any transit stop (except Johnson Pavilion and Fresh Grocer) every 30 minutes. Of course, there are limits to what you can haul onto the shuttle. Refrigerators and large furniture won’t work.

The northern section of Clark Park (Park A) will officially reopen June 16, according to the Friends of Clark Park website.

An opening ceremony is tentatively scheduled for the afternoon (after 3 p.m., though an exact time is not set) and will include representatives of state and local government, Philadelphia Parks and Recreation, and cooperating partner organizations.

The park has been undergoing major renovations since September 2010, including the removal of several trees. Other changes include paved paths, lighting, drainage and resodding.

The central plaza area of the new “A” section will also include cafe style seating with small tables and chairs. We’re not sure how these are going to be secured. The tables and chairs were bought with a $3000 donation from Bryan and Lisa Hanes.

There are only six days left to help Mariposa‘s online fundraising campaign that will help it into a new home.

The popular local food co-op still needs about $5,000 to reach their goal of $10,000 collected from community members and supporters at the fundraising website Indiegogo.com. The money will go to cover the costs associated with the purchase and renovation of their new space at 4824 Baltimore Ave.

Even individual donations of $5 or $10 may help the co-op reach their goal. To donate, visit this page.

Check out the video about Mariposa’s fundraising campaign.

Mariposa Food Co-op Fundraiser from mariposa coop on Vimeo.

Today’s issue of the Philadelphia Inquirer details the situation around Penn Alexander school.  As reported earlier by Westphillylocal, the school may not be able to provide spots for new students in lower grades because of overcrowding.

According to the Inquirer article, the school’s partnership with Penn was renewed for another 10 years last week.

OK. So some people are “guaranteeing” the end of the world this Saturday. Apparently it will start at about 6ish.

This dude is trying to make a buck watching people’s pets so they don’t die “a slow death by starvation in the event that you get raptured.”

So all of this got us thinking … what would be at the top of your West Philly bucket list? If you really had three days left, what would be the one thing you would do around here?

This thing is due to go down in three days, which precludes a glorious trip around the world or kayaking the Arctic Ocean or something like that. So you would probably want to keep it local. What would you do? Maybe spend the night in the Woodlands Cemetery? Gorge on cherry walnut bagels at the Green Line or lamb shawarmas at Saad’s? Maybe you would help drink Fiume dry? Do the robot at Elena’s Soul?

You get ONE thing. It need not have anything to do with a local business. Whatever it is, let us know with a comment below.

A pedestrian was struck by a vehicle at 43rd and Spruce this morning. No word yet on injuries. Traffic was closed for a block each way on Spruce and 43rd.