This Wednesday, May 8, there’s a chance to support a local art program and try delicious Mediterranean dishes prepared by Aksum Cafe (4630 Baltimore Ave). From 5 – 10 p.m. Aksum is hosting “Dining for the Arts” – a benefit for the artists and communities served by the Center For Emerging Visual Artists (CFEVA). The specially-prepared three-course, pre fixe dinner will include Aksum favorites and vegan options ($45 per person, BYOB.) 40 percent of the evening’s proceeds will benefit CFEVA. To make your reservation call 267.275.8195.

The Center For Emerging Visual Artists, formerly Creative Artists Network, was founded in 1983 by Felicity R. “Bebe” Benoliel and serves emerging artists who live and work within 100 miles of Philadelphia.
 

Mayor Michael Nutter and Seeds Gallery owner Saba Tedla speak about Cedar Park on Monday.

Michael Nutter chats with a local business owner outside the Seeds Gallery on Monday.

Mayor Michael Nutter dropped in at the Seeds Gallery near 50th and Baltimore as part of a multi-neighborhood tour of the city designed to publicize the launch of the Philadelphia Neighborhoods marketing campaign.

The campaign highlights neighborhoods as “visitor-ready” destinations surrounding Center City. One person traveling with Nutter called it “intra-city” tourism that would appeal to people already living in Philadelphia.

Seeds Gallery owner Saba Tedla, who also owns Aksum on Baltimore Avenue, joined Nutter at the gallery.

Nutter, a West Philly native who grew up about 10 blocks from the gallery, called the Cedar Park area an “amazing melting pot” that features what he called the “3 Rs” needed for vibrant neighborhoods – restaurants, retail and residential housing. He also visited East Passyunk and Bella Vista.

Photo by Jensen Larson Photography via Philly.com.

So Eagles’ owner Jeffrey Lurie’s new bride may look familiar to West Philadelphians. Or, maybe we should say that Tina Lai’s new husband may look familiar.

Lai, 39, a member of the vaunted Lai family of Vietnam Cafe and Fu-Wah fame, married Lurie, 61, in a private ceremony in Charleston, S.C. over the weekend, according to reports.

Lai’s family, which also owns Vietnam Restaurant in Chinatown, came to the United States from Vietnam in 1978. Tina, who was instrumental in getting the restaurants started, is no longer associated with their day-to-day operations.

Lurie announced last July that he and his wife of 20 years, Christina, were divorcing.

No word yet on what Tina thinks about the Chip Kelly offense.

If you live in the area between Market Street and Woodland Avenue and between 38th and 46th Streets (see map here) read on. For a limited time, the Spruce Hill Community Association is offering new members the first year of membership for free, no strings attached. Upon request from SHCA we are publishing their official statement regarding the membership drive:

SHCA is dedicated to serving the community, and we want you to get involved with us. We work on issues that matter – education, zoning, clean-ups, neighborhood plans, public safety. We put on great events like the annual May Fair and the Halloween Parade. And our communications keep members in the loop about community news and events.

To apply, please email Richard Guffanti at RichGuffanti@yahoo.com with your name, address, and phone number(s).

For more information about SHCA and what it does, visit the Spruce Hill Community Association website.

We hope that the incident described in this post will not deter anyone from helping people. But we agree with our reader, Edith, who sent us this information that this incident is rather disturbing. Here’s what happened to Edith on Saturday morning at the 46th Street El stop:

“I just wanted to give everyone a heads-up. This morning a little before 9:00 a man approached me going into the El station and asked for money. He said he had just gotten out of prison and needed a dollar to get to his mom’s house. When I said I didn’t have any money, he followed me towards the stairs and hit me across the back of my head.

I wasn’t hurt (he mostly got my ponytail) but I am concerned that something similar could happen to someone else with more serious results. I have seen the same man (African-American, middle-aged, clean-shaven, slight build and around 5’8″) other weekend mornings, so I would encourage everyone to exercise caution.”
 

The traveling exhibition featuring contemporary botanical artworks depicting plants discovered and introduced by two generations of the Bartram family is opening today at Bartram’s Garden (54th St & Lindbergh Blvd). The exhibit coincides with Bartram’s Spring Plant Sale (members-only preview of the plant sale is also today) and many of the plants depicted in the artists’ works will be available for purchase during the sale, which will run throughout the weekend.

The exhibition will be installed in the gallery of the restored Barn, built in 1775 by John Bartram, and the oldest barn in Philadelphia. It will be on display through May 24, then will travel to further venues throughout the southeastern US. For more information, go here.

Bartram’s Spring Plant Sale will be open for general public this Saturday and Sunday (May 4 & 5), 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. The plant sale is an annual fundraiser for the garden. For more information on what plants are available for sale this weekend, check out this page.