Historic March on Washington August 28, 1963.

Fifty years ago this week, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered his pivotal “I Have a Dream” speech in front of a crowd of over 250,000 civil rights supporters during the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom on Aug. 28, 1963. It was one of the largest human rights political rallies in the country and was instrumental in advancing civil and political rights for decades to come.

This Wednesday, in honor of the 50^th anniversary of the march, neighborhood organizer Algernong Allen will hold an audio playing of Dr. King’s famous speech in Cedar Park on 49^th Street and Baltimore Avenue at 6:30 p.m. The event, titled “March on West Philly,” is free and open to the public.

While no formal discussion is planned for after the event, Allen encourages community residents to stay and discuss both the speech and strategies for advancing civil rights.

“I wanted to celebrate the beauty of the original March on Washington, and felt that others would like to be able to do the same in some way,” Allen wrote in an e-mail to West Philly Local. “I want people to walk away more connected, more neighborly to those neighbors who look different, and reminded that there is still work to do.”

Some progress has been made in the five decades since that historic march, but civil rights are still under threat from Voter ID laws introduced and passed through state governments, the disproportionate number of people of color incarcerated, disparity in wages between genders and races and law enforcement profiling. So Allen hopes that the event can also mobilize West Philly residents to work together “to cultivate and extend the borders of a good quality of life”—to continue the fight for Dr. King’s dream.

“To those on the front lines of the civil rights movement, we owe a debt. A debt which we repay by our continued diligence in creating a world for our children in which our society, marches toward the highest aspects of our humanity,” Allen said. “Dr. King’s speech symbolizes and articulates that.  This is how we can say thank you, and rebroadcast the message of the movement that inspired the man.”

–Annamarya Scaccia

The monthly community meeting with 18th District police officers, which usually takes place at the Calvary Center at 48th and Baltimore, will be held in Clark Park (43rd and Baltimore) tonight, beginning at 6 p.m. As always, Lt. Brian McBride and Sgt. Ron Washington of the University City Division of the Philadelphia 18th Police District will be there to answer your questions and hear your concerns and discuss crime in the area and other neighborhood issues.

Residents are also invited to meet police officers who work in the neighborhood during a public Police Roll Call at the park. Last month Cedar Park residents got a chance to meet and greet 18th District police officers at the public outdoor roll call (see photo below).

Photo by Algernong Allen.

UPDATED 7/12/13 at 9:52 A.M. Many readers have contacted us here at West Philly Local wondering about updates on some of their favorite chew spots in the neighborhood. Well, we’ve asked around and got the scoop (plus more) on what’s going on in the hood’s restaurant and booze scene. Here are some highlights:

• Dorinda Hampton of Planet Vegan told West Philly Local Friday morning that she is ready to build out her sit-down vegan juice bar at 310 S. 48th Street as soon as she secures her permits. She is aiming for a late August opening.
• Zagat’s Danya Henninger reported Thursday afternoon that Thai Singha House at 3939 Chestnut Street is closed for the summer, as the Thai spot is moving a block down to a new location at 3900 Chestnut Street. A note on the website says Thai Singha plans to open sometime in around September.
  
• Everyone’s beloved local diner, Cedar Park Café, will open its original location at 4912 Baltimore Avenue come mid-August (if not then, by September 1^st, owner Nicole Lee told West Philly Local). The breakfast and lunch joint, which opened in 2011, relocated to 2035 North 63rd Street in Overbrook (pictured right) after its flagship spot was heavily damaged during the questionable demolition job following the Christmas Eve fire that engulfed—and destroyed—another local favorite, Elena’s Soul, in the adjacent building. But don’t expect the same Cedar Park on the 4900 block of Baltimore—as far as we can tell, the diner is receiving a bit of a facelift, with a new bright red and white awning, dark tiled façade, and a richer neutral-colored interior accented by what looks like faux-brick wainscoting.
• As for Elena’s Soul, West Philly Local got in touch with owner Algernong Allen this week, who told us by email that there is no update on the future of the popular restaurant and bar as he’s still “sorting the situation out with the insurance company in litigation.” We were also unable to contact the owners of Gary’s Nails, so no word on what’s happening there.
• West Philly Local also learned that Taco Angeleno will have to delay its opening. According to owner Vanessa Jerolmack, the anticipated taco truck/outdoor eatery, which we profiled in May, may not open until late summer or possibly next spring, depending, due to bureaucratic red tape. The Los Angeles native has a zoning hearing for Taco Angeleno, located at 5019 Baltimore Avenue, scheduled in early August.
• Speaking of opening delays, Rx The Farmacy—a rebirth of the original Rx restaurant at 4443 Spruce Street—is also pushing back its launch until August 1st from mid-July because of snags in inspection and issues with kitchen equipment among other things, said owners and chefs Ross Scofield and Danielle Coulter.

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Great news for Cedar Park residents – Friday Night Jazz series, an annual mid-summer tradition, is returning to the park in June and July, thanks to the support from local businesses and contributions from community members. Everyone is invited to come out and join their neighbors for the following live jazz performances every Friday night from 6-8 p.m. in the park (Baltimore Ave. between 49th and 50th Sts).

June 7 – Ronin Ali and Friends
June 14 – Dr. Ketchup
June 21 – Rich Tucker & The Universal Koncept
June 28 – Elena’s Usual Suspects Jam Session
July 5 – Glenn Bryan & Reference Point
July 12 – Perseverance Jazz Band
July 19 – The Jazz Doctors
July 26 – Lucky Thompson and The Crew

To support the series please contact Algernong Allen at algernong@gmail.com or visit http://www.cedarparkneighbors.org/.

Malcolm X Park at 51st and Pine started hosting its annual summer jazz series last week. Performances are every other Thursday, from 7 to 9 p.m. until September (next performance is June 13). Read more about this music series here and visit the Malcolm X Park Neighbors Facebook page for more information on the upcoming performances.

Neighbors, community leaders and experts are getting together this afternoon (at 4 p.m.) to discuss the future of University City High School that is slated for closure at the end of the 2013 school year along with 22 other Philadelphia schools. The school opened in 1973.

Strategies for the use of the building after the closure will also be discussed at the forum that will take place at Metropolitan Baptist Church, 3500 Baring St. The panelists include:

Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell

Algernong Allen, Baltimore Avenue Business Association

DeWayne Drummond, Mantua Civic Association

George Poulin, Powelton Village Civic Association

Emily Dowdall, Pew Charitable Trusts

Allan Domb, President Greater Philadelphia Association of Realtors

The discussion will be moderated by Solomon Jones of AxisPhilly and filmed by NBC 10.

To register please go to uchigh.eventbrite.com/ (registration closes at 3 p.m.)

Congressman Chaka Fattah is hosting an informal meet and greet for local residents on Friday, Apr. 19, at the Calvary Center for Culture and Community (48th & Baltimore). Rep. Fattah will share his work in Congress and provide information about how you can get assistance from his office with federal related issues, including social security, IRS, immigration, Veteran Administration, and others. Staffers will also be on site to answer your questions.

Rep. Fattah is one of the longest serving representatives, beginning his work for Pennsylvania’s 2nd Congressional District in 1995.

For more information please contact Algernong Allen III at 267-934-5551.

Coffee & Chat with Congressman Chaka Fattah
Friday, Apr. 19, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Calvary Center for Culture and Community
815 S. 48th Street