Community members are invited to attend a meeting on the future development of Baltimore Avenue tomorrow at 7 p.m. at the People’s Baptist Church (5039 Baltimore Ave.).

The meeting is the next step in the “Baltimore Avenue Conversation,” a series of workshops and meetings on development topics ranging from senior/affordable housing and building facade improvements to business interests and landscaping. The meeting will include a brief review of the final recommendations of the Community Design Collaborative, a collection of design professionals who do pro bono work for non-profits.

Other scheduled presenters include:

• A representative from Friends Rehabilitation, who will talk about the process involved in building senior/affordable housing with examples from projects they have built around Philadelphia.

• Joe McNulty, Cedar Park resident and Baltimore Avenue commercial corridor coordinator for the University City District, will talk about commercial facade improvements.

• Leah Pillsbury from Mariposa Food Co-op will present information about the co-op’s expansion plans.

• Stephanie Chiorean from the Philadelphia Water Department will be speaking on greening plans for the City of Philadelphia.

• Danielle Denk will present a new proposal to bring a Garden Center to some of the empty lots at 51st and Baltimore.

One of the coolest events in West Philly and something many of us have been looking forward to all year is finally here. The first Dollar Stroll of the season is taking place tonight on Baltimore Avenue between 41st and 52nd Streets, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Dollar Stroll means $1 deals on some popular items from local shops, cafes and restaurants (see the full list of participating businesses on the flyer below).

Local food vendors are lining up to showcase what they are good at and to satisfy every taste and preference in food and drink, from vegan to carnivore and fruit juice to beer. We figure that for about $6 bucks you can get dinner, desert, a couple of beers and about a dozen tunes (see below).

Worthy of special mention is that besides $1 deals you’ll be able to pick up a free-download card with an access code to download the “West Philly Mix Tape” featuring tracks by 11 West Philly bands, including West Philadelphia Orchestra. Download cards will be available at many of the participating locations.

And finally, $1 food and drinks are great, but don’t forget to stop by Curio Theatre to pick up tickets to their 2011-12 preview shows. This local gem put up some hugely popular performances this past season.

Residents are invited to attend a meeting tonight to provide input on a proposal that would legalize outdoor cafe-style seating at restaurants along Baltimore Avenue.

Several businesses currently have outdoor seating, including the Gold Standard Cafe and Dock Street Brewing Co., but there has been no formal approval of the seating. The current city ordinance requires each business to apply for seating separately. The Baltimore Avenue Business Association, which represents a variety of establishments, is seeking an ordinance that would allow several businesses to apply together. These businesses include Elena’s Soul, Aksum, Gojjo, Gold Standard Cafe, Dock Street Brewing Co. and others.

Tonight’s meeting is a chance for residents who live near Baltimore Avenue to voice concerns about the approval of outdoor seating. The meeting is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. on the second floor of Elena’s Soul (4912 Baltimore Ave.)

The featured mural on the cool Mural Arts Program interactive site, Mural Explorer,  is The Heart of Baltimore Avenue, a mural on the 4700 block of Baltimore Avenue begun as a tribute to Amare Solomon, the owner of the nearby Dahlak restaurant, but became a tribute to the whole neighborhood.

The multimedia site, which is awesome, features a slideshow on the making of the mural and a short video interview with artist David Guinn as he works on the piece, which was finished in September 2008. The mural also has its own dedicated site.

Above is a small portion of the “Heart of Baltimore Avenue.” When you get to the site, go to “explore mural” and push on the green plus signs to hear stories about characters in the mural.

A teenage would-be robber was twice chased off by potential victims earlier this week near 47th and Baltimore, the Metro reports. A 38-year-old man told police that a young man approached him at about 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday armed with a knife and demanded money. After being punch in the face, the victim responded by brandishing Mace.

About 10 minutes later a woman reported that a young man approached her near 46th and Hazel and demanded money and her cell phone. She refused. The man fled after saying, “You’re lucky you’re a f—— female.”

Cindy Miller was kind enough to pass along  about 10 photographs from various time periods. We will post them occasionally. If you want them all, write editor [at] westphillylocal.com.