Did you see this cool rainbow that showed up over the neighborhood the other day? If you missed it, here are some photos sent to us by our readers.

This photo was taken by Adam Rice. Looking down Locust towards 51st Street.

Stephan Heuer snapped this picture near 45th and Baltimore.

If you live between Baltimore and Kingsessing Avenues, and between 47th and 49th Streets, the 48th Street Neighbors group is inviting you to be one of the hosts at the next Porch Hop Party on Saturday, August 4. Nine porches participated in the first Porch Hop on May 19 and those who attended this event had a great time. The hosts reported that it was the easiest party they’ve ever thrown with little preparation and no clean up!

If you would like to host the next Porch Hop please or have questions, send an email to: slbumgarner@gmail.com. Please include your street address in your email. You can also leave a message on Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/events/361878197200583/

Please respond by Monday, July 2.

Salena Alberti, a meditation teacher with over 10 years experience in practicing and studying Buddhism, is teaching “Healing the Mind Through Meditation,” a series of new Buddhist meditation classes at Studio 34 (4522 Baltimore Ave). This series runs from July 2 to July 23 and classes are taught every Monday from 7 – 8 p.m. in the studio’s conference room. The cost is $8 per class.

Here are the topics of each class:

July 2 – The Nature of the Mind
July 9 – The Mind/Body Connection
July 16 – The Medicine of Forgiveness: Learning to Let Go
July 23 – Taking and Giving Meditation: The Power of a Superior Intention

These classes are great for beginners. Each class begins with a relaxation meditation, a brief teaching on Buddhist topics, and ends with another energizing meditation. It is not necessary to attend all 4 classes to benefit from this practice.

This 4-week series is being offered by Amitayus Kadampa Buddhist Center. For more information, visit www.meditationinphiladelphia.org or call 267-702-4083.

This is one way to use a burned-out building. This new piece of art emerged on the north side of the former Transition to Independent Living building at the corner of 46th and Spruce Streets. The building was damaged in fire in February 2011.

Anybody know anything about it? Please let others know in the comments.

Police are investigating robberies of two 7-Eleven stores and an attempted robbery of another 7/11 store in the area – at 42nd and Walnut Streets, 58th Street and Whitby Avenue, and 73rd Street and Elmwood Avenue. Police are still looking for the suspects.

The robbery spree started right after midnight at the 58th and Whitby store when a man walked in the store, pointed a long silver revolver at the clerks and demanded money. Both clerks were able to run into secured rooms at the store and the suspect fled without taking anything.

The store at 42nd and Walnut Streets was robbed about 15 minutes later, at approximately 12:15 a.m. by a person whose description matches the first attempted robbery. In this case the suspect also pointed the gun at the clerks, then went behind the counter, pulled out the entire register drawer and fled from the store with approximately $2,000.

The third robbery took place at about 1:30 a.m. at the 7-Eleven store located at 73rd Street and Elmwood Avenue. This time there were two suspects, one of whom was armed with a large silver handgun. The robbers removed cash from the registers (about $320), some scratch off tickets, the clerk’s phone, and also robbed one of the store customers (took his phone and car keys).

No injuries were reported.

The suspect with a gun is described as African American male, dark complexion, 6’2” to 6’4”, slight facial hair, 20 to 25yrs, thin to medium build. He was wearing a dark gray hooded sweat jacket, an orange brimmed baseball cap and dark blue jeans.

This dog was found near 50th and Hazel on Saturday night. If you have any information, please contact Pauline at 267-761-7872 or 215-430-2620.