How do we know that spring is here? Yes, beautiful flowers and blossoms are all around, but also so many cool events now happen every weekend – parties, community fairs, markets, concerts, exhibitions and more! This weekend’s round up is below. For more events, please visit our Events Calendar.

Friday, April 17

• ‘The Imaginary App’ Book Launch with DJ Spooky

The Slought Foundation, 4017 Walnut Street

Global software company ThoughtWorks is sponsoring the launch of ‘The Imaginary App’, a new book about digital apps and the way they have changed our world, featuring essays and articles by writers, artists, and theoreticians. Co-editor DJ Spooky (pictured right), who is also a composer, performer, professor, and activist, will spin music and discuss the cultural and technical shifts that have accompanied the emergence of mobile app technology. 6:30 p.m. Free. More info.  Continue Reading

St. Francis de Sales Church (4625 Springfield Ave.) is holding its annual Red Cross Blood Drive on Saturday, April 18.

The drive runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the school auditorium. Feel free to swing by on Saturday to donate or you can set up an appointment by calling the church rectory at 215-222-5819.
 

Two events raising awareness to violence within the community are planned this weekend in Mantua. Neighborhood and church groups are organizing an anti-violence rally and march on Friday, April 17, and everyone is invited to join them and other community members, city officials, clergy, and other organizations as they rally and pray for peace.

“Violent crime in Black neighborhoods has reach(ed) epidemic proportions and requires everyone to commit to finding ways to solve the problem,” reads a press release by Transfiguration Baptist Church, signed by Reverend Dr. Charles L. McNeil. “In our effort to raise awareness to this problem, churches and organizations in the Mantua section of Philadelphia sponsor an anti-violence rally and march against black on black crime.”

The rally will begin at 6 p.m. with a prayer and introductions at Transfiguration Baptist Church at 3732 Fairmount Avenue, then will proceed to designated churches throughout Mantua, ending at Second Antioch Baptist Church at 912 North 41st Street for refreshments and conversation.  Continue Reading

Artist and West Philly resident Samantha Mayo and her partner Kevin Buttery have an interesting, West Philly-centered idea for the empty space at the corner of 45th and Baltimore, right across the street from Milk and Honey Market. They are planning to open “The Arty Bunker,” part art shop for local artists to sell their work to the community and part classroom for kids to take art classes during the day and for B.Y.O.B. painting classes for adults in the evening.

Samantha and Kevin have everything in place to start their business as soon as possible except for the funding, and are currently raising money that would help cover start-up costs and overhead of the shop and classroom. This past Saturday the pair went to Clark Park to spread the word (some of you probably saw The Arty Bunker flyers around the park), and next Saturday they are planning to set up a facepaint table in the park and talk to more people about their idea.

The fundraising goal is $12,000, and the money is being raised through Kickstarter. “No one would get charged until we reach our goal and we have until May 7 until our Kickstarter expires,” writes Samantha. “This is really West Philly community oriented so any support from the community helps!”

Samantha and Kevin say that they understand the risks associated with starting a business:

“We have the motivation and inspiration to overcome the challenges of starting a company. We are two, well-educated and passionate people who are determined to make The Arty Bunker a reality in West Philadelphia.”

If you like Samantha and Kevin’s idea and would like to support it, please go to their Kickstarter page for more information and to make a donation: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/239485913/bring-the-arty-bunker-to-west-philadelphia.

Also, check out the video the guys posted on Kickstarter:

Police are asking for the public’s assistance in locating two teenage girls who recently went missing in the area.

Lajaida Beverley

Lajaida Beverly, 15, was last seen on Thursday, April 9, at her residence on the 5800 block of Cedar Avenue. Lajaida is  5 feet 7 inches, 120 pounds, with brown eyes and black hair. She was last seen wearing a black/gray leather jacket, black pants with leather front and white sneakers. She may have run away with other female juveniles, according to police.

Jannat Williams is also 15, and she is from the 5700 block of Delancey Street. She was last seen at school (Freire Charter, 2027 Chestnut Street), on Thursday, April 9, at approximately 4:30 p.m. Jannat is 5 feet 2 inches, 120 pounds, and has green eyes and brown hair. She was last seen wearing a gray shirt with white block writing, black jeans, a black hooded jacket, and multi-colored Muslim garb.

Anyone with information about the whereabouts of these persons is asked to contact Southwest Detective Division at 215-686-3183/3184 or call 911.

Jannat Williams (Photos from Philly Police Blog)

As many of you know, the 115-year-old Frank Furness-designed church building at 47th and Kingsessing was saved from demolition last year and is currently undergoing renovation. Developer Guy Laren is planning to re-purpose the building by opening two local day care centers, Little Learners and Children’s Community School, in that location after the renovation has been completed. Rezoning is necessary for this plan to come to life, and the first community zoning meeting for the church conversion project will take place this week.

Community members are invited this Tuesday, April 14, at 6 p.m. to Kingsessing Recreation Center at 50th and Kingsessing to hear more about the project and provide their feedback. The meeting is being organized by the Registered Community Organization (RCO) for the area – Southwest District Services.

The project stakeholders also asked community members to show their support of the church conversion project by signing a petition last month. Over 250 people have so far signed the online petition on Change.org. Tuesday’s meeting is another opportunity to gauge the amount of support of the plan by the community.