The second of three Dollar Strolls this summer is hitting Baltimore Avenue this Thursday (5:30-8:30 p.m.), bringing $1 deals from restaurants, shops and other local businesses. Check out what’s cooking (and brewing) on Baltimore during the August stroll. Also, don’t forget about live music and street performances along the Avenue, from 42nd to 50th Streets.

Parents began lining up outside of the Penn Alexander School this morning, a full 24 hours ahead of registration for grades 1-8.

Ten people were in line as of about 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, some  sitting in lawn chairs and under tents. One parent even admitted scouting out the spot along the school fence on Locust Street between 42nd and 43rd streets from her car as early as 7:30 a.m. on Saturday. The registration line has become a late-August fixture since the School District of Philadelphia said last year that no spots were guaranteed in the school, but have remained secretive about how many spots were available in each grade.

School officials have also remained tight-lipped about how many spots are available in each grade, leaving parents new to the neighborhood or those returning from long-term absences for things like sabbaticals from university jobs hanging on rumors. That has prompted many parents to wait in overnight lines to register.

Registration at Penn Alexander and Henry C. Lea Elementary starts tomorrow morning. Registration at most other West Philly schools will begin Aug. 20. Click here for more information on registration.

2-year-old male orange tabby cat “Nana” was last seen on July 30 near 45th and Larchwood.

Update (7/30): And the winner is… Rebecca! This pigeon scarer is at the southwest corner of 42nd and Baltimore.

OK. Here we go again. Do you know where this photo was taken? It’s somewhere between 40th and 50th, Market to Woodland. We will gradually zoom out until someone gets it. Register your guess in the comments below.

Public school students in West Philly need our help now more than ever. Budget cuts have led to closed school libraries and hits to literacy programs. Luckily, the West Philadelphia Alliance for Children (WePAC) is doing its best to keep elementary school kids reading – but they need volunteers.

WePAC, which opens and staffs closed elementary school libraries, is seeking volunteers for the upcoming school year to help students develop literacy skills. Volunteers will read stories to children and help them select and check out books. Most elementary schools in West Philadelphia no longer have open libraries, according to WePAC. The program keeps the libraries open at no cost to the school.

This fall, WePAC will be serving Anderson, Blankenburg, Cassidy, Cook-Wissahickon, Gompers, Heston, Lea, Leidy, Longstreth, McMichael, Powel and Rhoads elementary schools.

WePAC volunteers serve as literacy assistants in K-2 classrooms and help run after-school newspaper clubs in several schools. As these programs grow, many new volunteers are needed. The minimum time commitment is 2-3 hours each week.

Orientation sessions begin this week and continue through August. If you are interested in volunteering, please visit WePAC’s website at www.wepac.org or call (215) 990-6084.

Trust us when we tell you that the wait for the re-opening of Locust Moon Comics (Facebook page) in its new digs on 40th Street is well worth the wait.

Check it out for yourself. Locust Moon’s new shop, which includes a great gallery space, quietly opened this week at 34 S. 40th Street. The shop’s grand opening – complete with comic and graphic novel decadence – is tomorrow. Do yourself a favor and check it out – even if you’re not into comics (yet).

Owners Josh O’Neil and Chris Stevens are comics creators themselves and their passion comes through in the renovation of the new space. Original artwork lines the walls and the bookshelves are packed with comics, graphic novels and awesome vintage and new action figures. They also have board games and movies for rent and sale. The shop moved from their old site – the old Urban Outfitters building on Locust Street near 40th –  last Fall.

In addition to the main retail space, the new Locust Moon also includes a gallery with original works that will double as a movie screening room complete with a ceiling mounted projection system.

The shop’s hours are 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., seven days a week. Oh, and by the way, you have to see their fish tank.

Here are the details on the grand opening and a tantalizing invitation from their Facebook page:

“Expect food, drinks, art, comix, and a super-sexy anything-goes atmosphere. Chris will dress as Mr. Peanut and perform a lengthy, emotionally complex tap routine. Other stuff too. Don’t miss it.”

Locust Moon Comics
34 S. 40th St.
7:30 p.m.

Here is a great video about the renovation of the new shop (sent by an anonymous e-mailer):

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