The spring semester has come to an end at the University of Pennsylvania, and its students will be moving out from their dorms this week. Due to the move-out, the university has announced the following street closures:

Spruce Street will be closed to all traffic except emergency vehicles from 34th to 40th Streets, in both directions, on Tuesday, May 14 and Wednesday, May 15 from 6:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Please note that bikes will need to be walked on Spruce Street while it is closed to traffic.

Septa Routes 40 and 42 will be re-routed during the street closure (visit septa.org for information on each bus route).

The national oral history recording project StoryCorps is coming to record at The Porch at 30th Street Station from May 28 through June 26.

The StoryCorps MobileBooth (Photo by Ryan Dorgan).

You can reserve a recording spot (there is a limited number) tomorrow, May 14, beginning at 10 a.m. by calling the project’s 24-hour reservation line at 1-800-850-4406 or by visiting WHYY.org/storycorpsPHL.

StoryCorps’ MobileBooth allows two people to record a conversation between them about “who they are, what they’ve learned in life, and how they want to be remembered,” according to the project. A StoryCorps facilitator will help with the interview. Here are some tips for effective interviews.  Continue Reading

On Saturday, May 11, the Streets Department will be holding a special event in West Philly for those who want to get rid of hazardous waste safely. If you have any used or unwanted toxic, flammable, corrosive or reactive products (check the label), you may bring them to the 1st District Highway Yard at 4800 Parkside Ave. from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. this Saturday.

Some of the items accepted at this hazardous waste drop-off event are:

– antifreeze
– moth balls
– pesticide
– gasoline
– oil-based paints
– spray paints
– acids
– lithium/NiCad batteries  Continue Reading

The presentation of revised plan for a 12-unit apartment building at 4820 Chester Ave. during a meeting last night at Kingsessing Recreation Center (photo by West Philly Local).

The owners of an empty lot at 4820 Chester Ave. presented a scaled-down proposal for a 12-unit apartment building during a zoning meeting last night. But in the end it didn’t really matter.

Last night’s meeting, hosted by Southwest Philadelphia District Services at the Kingsessing Recreation Center, was the latest iteration of an ongoing debate about the property at the corner of 49th and Chester. The lot is zoned for a semi-detached, two-family structure. The original proposal of a four-story, 18-unit building received considerable community pushback, so the developer hired a new architect and proposed a revised plan that included 12 units.  Continue Reading

The 61st Annual Spruce Hill May Fair will be held at Clark Park on Saturday, May 11th from noon to 6 p.m. (rain date is Sunday, May 12). The event is the primary fundraiser for the Spruce Hill Community Association (SHCA). Proceeds go to support local schools and other organizations and sponsor popular neighborhood activities.

This year’s May Fair will feature the following events and activities:

• Over 50 local vendors offering a wide range of arts and crafts and other unique products, including many gift ideas for Mother’s Day. Others will have information about local groups and causes seeking public support.
• Exciting musical line-up with Dan Blacksburg and the Haimishers and special guests Compas 48.
• The University City Garden Club will hold its annual plant sale.
• Food for every taste will be provided by some wonderful food vendors.
• For the kids, there will be a petting zoo, a bounce house and 40-foot-long inflatable obstacle course, and professional face-painting.
• $1 raffle will feature great prizes donated by local merchants.

Continue Reading

A sign inside Saad’s Halal restaurant.

The fasting month of Ramadan began on Sunday evening, and this is a reminder that some local businesses will be closed or have limited hours during this month.

As usual, Saad’s Halal (45th and Walnut) will be closed during the month and will reopen on June 8th.

Manakeesh Cafe and Bakery across the street will be closed during the day for the month of Ramadan (until June 4th). It will be open in the evening from 7:30 p.m. for order pickup and for dinner from 8:00 to 10:30 p.m. It’s also accepting iftar catering orders during this month (please email manakeesh@gmail.com).