2014 Cedar Park Neighbors scholarship recipients. (Photo courtesy CPN)

Tomorrow evening is a good chance to catch some outdoor jazz at Cedar Park (49th and Baltimore) and congratulate a hard-working group of neighborhood young people who are heading off to college.

Gretchen Elise and Friends is scheduled to take the stage at 6 p.m. as part of the Summer Live Jazz Fridays in Cedar Park series. In between sets, folks from the community group Cedar Park Neighbors will announce the recipients of college scholarships from the Gary Bronson Memorial Scholarship Fund. Each year Cedar Park Neighbors award scholarships to students in the neighborhood.

As always, the concerts are free and open to everyone.

Upcoming concerts in the Jazz Fridays series include:

• July 10th – Gretchen Elise and Friends
• July 17th – Dahi Divine and Friends
• July 24th – Broke and Blue Band
• July 31st – Side by Soul

Tangle Movement Arts performs at The Rotunda. (Photo courtesy of Tangle Movement Arts)

The Rotunda at 40th and Walnut is one of West Philly’s cultural landmarks, hosting over 300 art and community events and 17,000 visitors each year. It’s an early 20th century building, and those who work, perform or gather there in the summer know that it may be tough to deal with the heat. The only cooling at the space comes from some old industrial fans in the windows and some weak house fans on the floor. The Rotunda is part of the University of Pennsylvania Facilities and Real Estate Services Arts Portfolio (FRES ARTS). Penn purchased the building in 1995 as part of a community investment strategy. Now a petition is being distributed on Change.org, asking Penn’s Board of Trustees and university administration to fund installation of a much needed air-conditioning system at the space.

“The challenge is that the venue lacks the air-conditioning needed to support summer events without creating dangerous conditions for audiences and artists alike. We think it is time for the University of Pennsylvania, which sits on a $9 billion+ endowment, to upgrade the facility so that it can be utilized fully during summer months,” the petition reads.

The petition was started about a week ago, and has already been signed by over 500 people. To read the petition and sign it, go to: https://www.change.org/p/university-of-pennsylvania-air-condition-the-rotunda-for-the-community

Police released more information on the robbery and assault that took place on Monday night, shortly after 10 p.m., near 45th and Osage Ave. A 23-year-old man was walking in the area and noticed a group of five young males walking on the other side of the street. The males ran up to the young man, punched him, knocked him to the ground and continued punching him repeatedly. They ran away when a car pulled over to help. The attackers took the victim’s cell phone, according to police.

The young man, a Spruce Hill resident, suffered a chipped tooth and other injuries. The investigation continues.

Former Transition To Independent Living Center building at 4534 Spruce St.

Following up on Monday’s post about Mission First Housing Group’s decision to withdraw their application for zoning variance at 4534-36 Spruce St, which would allow them to build a four-story 24-unit affordable housing structure, we have some more information from Mission First and Spruce Hill Community Association (SHCA).

Mission First had to withdraw their application because the “project was not allocated funding in the 2015 round,” according to Mission First’s spokesperson Becky Lang Staffieri. The project was contingent on state funding. Staffieri could not provide more details about the future of the property, but said that Mission First still owns it and are weighing their options on next steps.

According to SHCA Zoning Chair Barry Grossbach, opposition from at least one immediate neighbor may have contributed to the decision to withdraw the application. Mission First “sensed that the immediate neighbor was prepared to challenge any positive ruling by the zoning board in court, and they were not willing to withstand a protracted process that could stretch for months or longer,” Grossbach said.  Continue Reading

This dog was rescued from ACCT and got out of her home about a week ago. She has been seen in the Overbrook area and possibly near 54th and Lancaster. Her owners are desperate to find her and are offering a cash reward (see the flier for more information).

4534-36 Spruce St.

UPDATE (3:05 p.m.): We have just heard from Mission First that they withdrew their application for zoning variance at 4534 Spruce St. They have also notified Spruce Hill Community Association about their decision, according to the organization’s spokesperson Becky Lang Staffieri. Stay tuned for more information.

Mission First Housing Group’s affordable housing proposal at 4534-36 Spruce St is scheduled to go before the Zoning Board of Adjustment this Tuesday (July 7). The hearing was originally scheduled for April 28, but was postponed. The proposal is for a four-story 24-unit building aimed at low-income single residents. Public input is encouraged. Click here to read our original story about this project, which will replace a deteriorating Transition To Independent Living Center building damaged by fire in 2011.

Also on Tuesday, there will be another attempt to consider the proposal for a live action puzzle game venue at 4751 Woodland Avenue. The hearing for this project was also rescheduled from an earlier date. The new venue is proposed for the warehouse currently at this location, which requires a special permit from the city.

Hearings are scheduled to start at 9:30 a.m. The Zoning Board of Adjustment is located at 1515 Arch Street, 18th Floor.