After many years of operation, two popular Baltimore Avenue businesses – Ice Cave and Aksum – have closed their doors.

                          Ice Cave in 2023

Ice Cave, the dessert shop specializing in Taiwanese shaved ice treats, reopened under new ownership just last spring. The original shop, managed by a Taiwanese American couple, opened in 2016 at 4507 Baltimore Ave. and then moved across the street to 4520 Baltimore in 2020. The original owners closed the shop in early 2023 due to family matters, however, a new family took over the space just a few weeks later, in March 2023, continuing the old tradition. Although the “Ice Cave” signage is gone from the storefront, a sign on the door says that the space is only “closed temporarily”, which means a new business may be coming there soon.

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A portion of Spruce Street will be closed on Tuesday, May 14 and Wednesday, May 15 as part of the annual Penn student move out. On these days, Spruce Street will be closed to vehicular traffic between 34th-40th Streets from 7 a.m.-6 p.m.

Bicyclists will also have to get off their bikes and walk through the closure area.

SEPTA buses that use Spruce Street will be on detour during the move-out. Check septa.org for more info.

In addition, here’s some useful info on how students who live off-campus can donate unwanted items, including furniture, this month:

• Resurrection Church (42nd and Pine) is accepting donations of clothing, kitchen, small furniture, non-perishable food and other items on Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. through May 25. Donations should go to the Pine St. side of the building through the patio door. The full list of acceptable donations is available here.

• A Curbside Donation Drive, organized by Penn for Refugee Empowerment and the Philadelphia Furniture Bank, will take place on Saturday, May 18 between 40th and 43rd, Baltimore and Chestnut. Participants should fill out this form to request furniture pick-up. For more details, visit the Penn Sustainability website.

Over 100 people have been displaced after a fire at Terrace Apartments on the 4900 block of Spruce Street that broke out on Sunday afternoon. The fire was reported in one of the apartments at around 4:30 p.m. Emergency crews arrived at the scene and evacuated over 100 residents from the building. Some residents struggled to get out of the building due to its being filled with smoke and heat, according to reports.

The fire was placed under control around 5:45 p.m. on Sunday and no injuries were reported. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation.

The displaced residents were offered services at a nearby Beulah Baptist Church, located at 5001 Spruce, and Christy Recreation Center at 728 South 55th St.

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Velma Lewis led a crew of Lift Every Voice Philly parents to call for increased focus on students’ emotional needs. (Photo by Tony West)

Schooling was the top issue on the minds of community members at Councilmember Jamie Gauthier’s presentation of the proposed 2024-25 City budget at West Philadelphia High School on Apr. 29.

About 125 people turned out for this novel effort to bring City Council budget debates to the attention of neighborhoods. Gauthier hosted as councilmember for the 3rd District, which takes in much of West Philly. But she was joined by Council President Kenyatta Johnson of the adjoining 2nd District as well as at-large members Nina Ahmad, Katherine Gilmore Richardson, Jim Harrity, Rue Landau and Nicholas O’Rourke. Such public outreach over the budget by the Council is without precedent.

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In recognition of International Jazz Day, celebrated on April 30th, Councilmember Jamie Gauthier has introduced a resolution honoring and recognizing legendary Philadelphian jazz musician Edward “Lee” Morgan (1938-1972).

The Library of Congress recently announced that it was adding Lee Morgan’s The Sidewinder to the National Recording Registry (read more details here). On Tuesday, April 30, Lee Morgan will also be memorialized with a historical marker outside of the former Aqua Lounge at 52nd and Chancellor, the jazz club where he last performed in Philadelphia in 1971 before his tragic death at age 33 (see more details about this event below).

Morgan was born on July 10, 1938, grew up in the Tioga neighborhood, and began playing the trumpet at the age of 14. His musical development was nurtured by the Philadelphia jazz community, and his early interaction with professional musicians at the Heritage House Jazz Workshop and Music City Swing Club.

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The Penn Relays, the oldest and largest track and field competition in the United States, returns this week to Franklin Field (200 S. 33rd Street), with events being held from April 23-27. The University of Pennsylvania Division of Public Safety has issued an advisory that traffic and transit use will be heavy throughout the area on these dates.

The Penn Relays Carnival will take place on Tuesday, April 23, with the CYO Relays scheduled from 4:30-10 p.m. Motorists should expect congestion in the area of 200 S. 33rd Street during their evening commute on that day.

The competition continues Thursday, April 25 through Saturday, April 27, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Motorists should expect heavy traffic volume and delays around Franklin Field and the immediate surrounding area all day on these days.

Also, 33rd Street from South Street to Walnut Street will be closed for approximately one hour, on Saturday, April 27, from 6 to 7 p.m.

For more information about The Penn Relays, which has been held annually since April 21, 1895, go to: pennrelays.com.