State Sen. Anthony H. Williams is hosting a discussion this Saturday on the pros and cons of legalizing marijuana in Pennsylvania, as the Pennsylvania General Assembly considers legislation to legalize medical cannabis. The free public forum, called “The Great Marijuana Debate,” will take place at the University of Pennsylvania School of Law (see details below).

Some of the pros of legalizing marijuana in Pennsylvania to be discussed at tomorrow’s forum are: how potential revenue from a tax on legal marijuana would help Pennsylvania increase its funding of public education; impact the state’s pension problem; and the possibility of a multi-million dollar recurring revenue source.

The following officials from business, education, government, religion, and medicine are scheduled to participate in the forum, including:

• Derek Rosenzweig, Philly NORML and co-founder of Pennsylvanians for Medical Marijuana
• Yesha Ministries Bishop J. Darrell Robinson
• George Forsythe, former Maryland State Policeman and a member of Law Enforcement Against Prohibition, or LEAP
• Philadelphia City Councilman Jim Kenney
• Dr. Jahan Marcu, Americans for Safe Access Multidisciplinary Scientific Advisory Board and the 2012 “Cannabis Researcher of the Year”
• Kirsten Heine, Assistant Philadelphia District Attorney
• Capt. Thomas Davidson, Philly Police Department’s Narcotics Field Unit
• Rachelle Yeung, Esq., Marijuana Policy Project

Although this is a free event, tickets are required for admission. RSVP requests can be made at 215-492-2980.

WHO: Sen. Anthony H. Williams, advocates and opponents of marijuana legalization
WHEN: 9:30 a.m. (registration), 10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. (forum), Saturday, June 14
WHERE: Fitts Auditorium, University of Pennsylvania Law School, 3501 Sansom St., Philadelphia

Mount Moriah Cemetery. (Photos from The Friends of Mount Moriah Facebook page)

From Betsy Ross to former Philadelphia Mayor George Connell and famous local architect Samuel Sloan, the soil of Mount Moriah Cemetery in Southwest Philly is steeped in history.

In Mount Moriah’s heyday, the 380-acre estate with its elaborate Romanesque entrance and gatehouse, served as the burial grounds for Philadelphia’s elite. But now, the largest cemetery in Philadelphia is suffering from neglect, overrun by weeds and foliage as a result of years of failed management and confusion about ownership.

While the private group, The Friends of Mount Moriah Cemetery, is working to bring the cemetery back to a beautified state as legal issues over its ownership still go unresolved, the costs to maintain the grounds are steep. In an effort to help the West Philly Runners and the Fishtown Beer Runners have teamed up for a two-part fundraiser next week to support the Friends of Mount Moriah Cemetery’s work.

The two running groups will hold their respective fundraisers in tandem, with West Philly Runners’ hosting its event on Wed. June 18 at City Tap House Philly (3925 Walnut Street), from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. The group is asking for a $10 donation, which will be pooled together and given to Friends of Mount Moriah.

“The Mount Moriah Cemetery has the potential to be a great outdoor space, but right now it’s in limbo,” West Philly Runners member Stacey Ritzen, who co-organized the event, told West Philly Local. “We really want to clean up the space and make it nice, how it used to be back in the day. It used to be a cemetery for pretty wealthy West Philadelphia residents, and people would go and have picnics, just really enjoyed the space. It would be great to see it restored to what it was.”

During next Wednesday’s event, attendees can enjoy beer specials courtesy of Southern Tier Brewing Company and possibly win prizes from Honest Tom’s, Little Baby’s, Greensgrow West, Philadelphia Runner and other local businesses by taking part in the raffle. Fishtown Beer Runners will run a similar event the next day, Thurs. June 19, at Llama Tooth, with a portion of the proceeds received that night going to Friends of Mount Moriah.

West Philly Runners is also hosting a clean up day at the cemetery on Sat. June 22 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. “Hopefully through the efforts of these two fundraisers, we can get the word out and hopefully inspire people to come volunteer and put in the hours,” Ritzen said. “We really want to see it become a space everyone can use.”

–Annamarya Scaccia

Editor’s Note: Here’s a recent video, “In Memoriam,” made by Temple University. The history and current state of this massive, formerly abandoned cemetery are examined through interviews. The dramatic efforts by hundreds of volunteers to revitalize it are also addressed in the video.

Mixed People will perform this Friday in Cedar Park.

Last week, we reported about The Cedar Park Jazz Series, an annual celebration of summer, jazz and community in Cedar Park. The free outdoor series returned last Friday with a performance by Dr. Ketchup. This Friday, check out local band Mixed People whose performance will likely get you up on your feet and dancing and singing along. Mixed People was formed in 2012 by guitarist Paulette Branson. The band is a funky, soul fusion with hints of alternative rock and world music. The show begins at 6 p.m.

We have also finally been able to confirm that the annual summer Jazz Heritage Series will kick off tonight at Malcolm X Park (52nd and Pine), weather permitting. This year will mark the 14th anniversary of the series hosted by Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell and Friends of Malcolm X Park.

Here’s the schedule for the shows being held every other Thursday, starting at 7 p.m.:

June 12 – Drummer-Lucky Thomas & Friends
June 26 – The Barbara Walker Story
July 10 – Glenn Bryan and Friends
July 24 – Vocalist Shirley Lites
Aug 7 – The Little Jazz Giants of Camden N.J.
Aug 21 – Alto Saxist Immanuel Wilkins
Sept 4 – Philadelphia CLEF Club Jr. Band
Sept 19 – The Nate Murray Band

Finally, here’s something for our jazz lovers north of Market Street: Concluding the three-part series of Jazz Jams & Art Exhibits and gearing up for PEC’s 8th Annual Lancaster Avenue Jazz & Arts Festival on July 19th, there will be a live performance by Weez The Peeples (Facebook page) this Friday (see flier below). The show will take place at the lot next to 4110 Lancaster Ave. Neighbors are also invited to play along in the Jam and Open Mic session. The series is part of the Second Fridays on Lancaster Ave and is held in outdoor spaces in order to “float the beautiful tunes down the street.” For more information on what else is happening this Friday on Lancaster Ave, check out this Facebook page.

Here is a summary of some of the latest local news, upcoming events, and fundraising campaigns.

• Parents of West Philadelphia area school children are going to City Hall from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 12 to rally for funding for the public schools, according to an announcement by the Spruce Hill Community Association. A group is meeting outside the main entrance of Penn Alexander School (43rd & Locust) at 8:45 a.m. to travel by trolley together. The goal is to ask City Hall and Governor Corbett for much needed financial support for the school year 2014-15 and beyond. Children and community members are welcome to join the group.

Here’s the schedule:

10 – 10:15 a.m.: Press Conference Council 4th floor outside of Council chambers
10:20 – 10:40 a.m.: Make rounds and speak with other Council members
10:50 a.m.: Walk to Governor’s office at Broad and Walnut
11 a.m.: Press conference at Governor’s office
12 p.m.: Meeting with Governor’s staff and delivering letter to Governor’s office

• Curio Theatre is creating a ground breaking play about the Rev. Frank Schaefer who was defrocked in Lebanon PA for officiating his son’s gay wedding. The Frank Schaefer Project is Curio’s most ambitious production to date and needs help. The goal is $10,000 and there are 25 days to go. For more info and to donate, go here.

Magic Circle at PIC. (Photo from parentinfantcenter.org)

• The Parent Infant Center (PIC) is in the process of transforming their main play space into a nature-based outdoor classroom and playground for children, both at PIC and in the community, according to PIC’s Communication Manager Rachel Isaacson. The new space, called Magic Circle, will host a Make Music Philly event on Saturday, June 21 (more on this later). This will be a chance for PIC to not only celebrate music, but welcome their neighbors to the Magic Circle. Read more on the PIC News blog.

• If you’re looking to support a local cause this summer, try Ben & Jerry’s limited time “For the Birds” milkshake. $1.00 from each shake sold will benefit the Spruce Hill Bird Sanctuary. The shake features strawberry and vanilla ice cream blended together with chocolate sprinkles, with some Oreo’s on bottom, and topped off with fresh whipped cream and peanuts. From June 14th to June 28th at the 40th Street Ben & Jerry’s location (between Locust and Walnut).

• Local independent publisher The Head & The Hand Press will be hosting an opening at Milk & Honey Market (45th & Baltimore) on Thursday, June 12 at 6-7:30 p.m. to celebrate the new placement of their chapbook vending machine (a first one in West Philly!). The vending machine features $2 chapbooks from up-and-coming writers, many of which are Philadelphia area residents. The event will feature author readings from the Press’ newer chapbooks, including West Philly resident Patrick McNeil, Joey Sweeney (of local entertainment blog Philebrity), and Simone Zelitch (author of forthcoming novel, Waveland). The event is free and open to the public and light refreshments will be provided. No RSVP is required, but attendees are welcome to visit the event’s Facebook page.

Our #chapbook #vendingmachine is at @milkandhoneymkt! celebrate its new home w/ readings & refreshments this thurs! pic.twitter.com/4y82SV8YjR

— The Head & The Hand (@HeadandHand) June 8, 2014

The Philadelphia Student Union and the Media Mobilizing Project are hosting a screening on Thursday of short films students created in response to the school budget crisis.

Student Union members have been working with three filmmakers since January. The collaboration resulted in three short films about school closures, the “struggle for a high quality education in Philadelphia” and the school-to-prison pipeline. This is the first time these films will be screened and the public is invited. High school age youth and PSU sustainers will be admitted free of charge. Others are asked for a donation ranging from $5 to $20. There will also be pizza on hand.

The screening runs from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Media Mobilizing Project headquarters at 4233 Chestnut St. Get tickets here.

It’s not rare in our neck of the woods to come across wild animals. Many of you have probably seen raccoons, opossums, and groundhogs near your house, not  to mention squirrels. A wild turkey was roaming some West Philly neighborhoods last spring, which was well documented thanks to neighbor reports and photos. I came face to face with a young opossum on my porch last fall that I first confused with my cat. This post, though, is about what you should do if you encounter a wild animal that needs help, if it is sick, injured or if you found a baby animal with no mother in sight.

An opossum gets some TLC at the Schuylkill Center. (Photo from schuylkillcenter.org).

West Philly Local reader Kameliya Atanasova and her neighbors had a very close encounter with three seemingly lost baby raccoons off of 49th and Florence Streets on Monday. When they contacted the ACCT (Animal Care and Control Team) they were referred to the Schuylkill Wildlife Rehabilitation Clinic, which is part of The Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education. The clinic cares for injured, sick and orphaned wildlife native to Southeastern Pennsylvania. It is located in the Roxborough section of Philadelphia (304 Port Royal Avenue) and is open to accept animals during the following hours (April to September): 10:00 am – 6:00 pm seven days/week, according to information on their website.

However, before calling the clinic please read this page: “What Do I Do If …“.

For some reason, the clinic wasn’t open on Monday and Tuesday, Kameliya writes. Luckily, two of the three baby raccoons successfully found their momma on their own. It is not known what happened to the third one as it appeared rather scared by curious passersby. The Schuylkill Center’s page on what to do in these cases warns people to not interfere unless the animal is injured or the mother is dead.

“My neighbors and I all made the mistake of being in close proximity to the raccoons which scared them and only challenged/delayed their reunion with their mother. If more of us knew about the Schuylkill Center as a resource and their recommendations about how to handle such situations, we could all react in a more informed manner during close encounters with wildlife. I personally didn’t even know of its existence until I spoke with the ACCT,” writes Kameliya.