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West Philly’s first rooftop farm in the works

Posted on 08 July 2011 by Mike Lyons

farm
The proposed location of Cloud 9.

 

West Philly residents Clare Hyre and Rania Campbell-Cobb want to build an organic rooftop farm on a warehouse in Southwest Philly. This would be a first in Philly and they need a little help.

The two accomplished farmers hope to use Cloud 9 Urban Rooftop Farm (Facebook link) to research urban farming best practices, educate folks on the benefits of rooftop farms and, of course, supply more fresh, locally grown food to West Philly. Read a lot more about the project here.

There are two ways you can help. Clare and Rania have started an online fundraising campaign to raise $5,000 to help cover the start-up costs. They are well over halfway there and need to raise the rest by month’s end. They also have some cool gifts for contributing. Go here to check it out.

Second, they are hosting a benefit BBQ tomorrow (Facebook link) at 4909 Warrington Ave. $7 gets you into the door and a plate of good food.

They hope to start building infrastructure this fall and start farming in the spring.

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Erik Ruin’s stories of solitary confinement opens tonight

Posted on 07 July 2011 by WPL

Staring at the Cracks exhibit
Print by Erik Ruin.

Erik Ruin, the current 40th Street Artist-in-Resident, invites neighbors to the opening of his new exhibition tonight, from 7 to 9 p.m., at a temporary storefront gallery at 4212 Chestnut Street (below the Scribe Video Center).

The exhibition, titled “Staring at the Cracks,” features a combination of prints, projections and sound to tell stories of solitary confinement. Ruin managed to construct a unique environment to share the emotions and experiences of formerly incarcerated people.

Some rooms are populated with wall-size print installations, other rooms – by shadow-puppet and video projections by Ruin and award-winning Toronto filmmaker Brett Story.

Along with the installations speakers throughout the space will play snippets of audio interviews with men and women describing their experiences in solitary confinement. Finally, innovative klezmer and jazz trombonist Dan Blacksberg will play a unique and haunting bed of sound to enhance the dramatic atmosphere.

The exhibition will run until July 23 and will be the last in a series of exhibitions presented by Ruin as a 40th Street Artist-in-Resident. On July 23, Ruin will be bidding farewell with an all-day studio sale, live music, and closing reception (3 p.m.  to 11 p.m.).

To read more about the 40th Street Artist-in-Residence program click here.

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Stroll reminder

Posted on 07 July 2011 by Mike Lyons

stroll
 
In case you haven’t already heard … tonight is the Baltimore Avenue Dollar Stroll in West Philly. This thing (as the lines at participating shops and restaurants last month showed) has gotten big. People are coming from around the city.  Our insider advice? Get there early. It starts at 5:30 p.m.

Here’s a story from 6ABC last night:

 

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Spruce Hill Community Association’s letter opposing PAS enrollment cap

Posted on 07 July 2011 by Mike Lyons

The Spruce Hill Community Association (SHCA) has sent a letter to Superintendent Arlene Ackerman and Penn President Amy Gutmann to draw attention to the enrollment cap at the Penn Alexander School (4209 Spruce St.).

SHCA board members agreed last month to draft a response to the enrollment cap that would demand that children who live within the school’s boundaries be admitted to the school. The thrust of the letter includes that request. It reads:

“Any child living in the catchment area has the right to attend Penn Alexander and should have that right guaranteed from first grade through eighth grade.”

See a copy of the letter below.

 
Penn Alexander letter

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A little taste of Punjab

Posted on 07 July 2011 by Mike Lyons

Pssst. Do you like Indian food? The no-nonsense, $5 kind served as a Bollywood film plays nearby. If so, read on.

Philly.com includes a profile today of the backroom bistro at Rice & Spice, the unassuming international grocery store at 4205 Chestnut St. Mosey past the stacked bags of rice and spices to the rear of the store and you will find one of those hidden West Philly gems (And, believe me, I understand that writing this helps “unhide” it. Blame philly.com.)

Writer James Osborne talked to a number of customers for his story, many of them students who craved familiar food.

“It’s close to how you get food at home,” said Sachin Sachdeva, 27. “That’s the selling point. That, and it’s relatively cheap.”

Read the full article here.

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Adopt-a-Cat: Johnny and Cherry

Posted on 06 July 2011 by WPL

Today’s kittens are an adorable brother and sister pair, Johnny and Cherry.

The kittens were rescued from the streets of West Philly. Too young to fend for themselves, they were lucky to find a rescuer to take them in. Now they’re looking for a place to call home forever — preferably together.

Cherry (girl) and Johnny (boy) are both active, playful, and mischievous kittens who will keep you entertained for hours. Once playtime is over though, they’re just as happy to curl up and cuddle with you.

These kittens haven’t spent any time around dogs or kids yet, but they should do fine. They would probably do best in a home with older children.

Both kittens are spayed/neutered, FIV/FeLV negative, up to date on vaccinations (FVRCP and rabies), and received flea/parasite preventative medication and treatment as needed. Adoption application and $85 adoption fee (per animal) are required. Adoption application is available online at www.citykitties.org.

If you would like to meet Johnny and Cherry, stop by the Baltimore Pet Shoppe (4532 Baltimore Ave). The kittens will be in the shop window until Saturday, July 9, and will be moving back to foster care after that.

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