West Philly Tool Library staff (Photo courtesy WPTL).

West Philly Tool Library (WPTL) is Philadelphia’s only library that lends tools to community members, both individuals and organizations. WPTL’s members borrow tools for home repairs, construction projects, gardening and even creating art. Recently, the tool library has announced some big plans that include increasing the number of members in more neighborhoods and their access to most needed tools and expanding their education and outreach programs.

Sounds great, but the problem is that WPTL can’t meet this demand without community help. Their current memberships fund only 34 percent of their annual operating budget of $40,000. So an online crowdfunding campaign was launched to help them make ends meet.

WPTL is currently raising $10,000 through Indiegogo and has already raised over $3,000. The money donated through this campaign will help the following projects, according to the campaign page:

• Increase availability of the tools they can’t keep on the shelves, like table saws, weed whackers, tile saws, and cordless drills
• Develop a robust education program to ensure that community members have the skills they need to properly leverage their tools
• Develop programs to reach into the neighborhoods they don’t fully serve

For more information and to donate, click here.

If you want to learn more about how to become the tool library member, visit this page.

Earlier this week we reported about the plans to install new benches inscribed with Charles Dickens quotes at Clark Park. The work began today and is expected to take two days.

Photo: The old benches are being removed near the Dickens statue at 43rd and Chester.

Cedar Park residents can now check out and try the loopy chairs. Since last fall, the loopy seating structures, a new type of social seating called Looped In, have been moving around various neighborhoods in the University City area and recently were installed in front of Dock Street Brewery (50th and Baltimore). They will remain in this location until early September, according to University City District.

The 2014 West Philadelphia Block Captains Forum will take place August 2 at Boys’ Latin School (5501 Cedar Ave) and registration is open until Monday, July 28. The forum, organized by The Partnership Community Development Corporation (TPCDC), is a great networking and skill-building opportunity for local block captains, filled with useful free workshops , such as Crisis and Emergency Management, Crime and Safety, Community Organizing 101, Vacant Lot Management and more.

Breakfast and lunch will also be served at the event. Click here to download the registration form. Note: only official block captains can attend this event.

For more information or if you have questions, please contact Leon Robinson at the TPCDC Neighborhood Advisory Committee office at: 215-662-1612 ext. 24 or stop by the office located at 4020 Market Street.

One of the best transportation organization slogans of all time is SEPTA’s simple and self-deprecating: “We’re Getting There.” So Philly.

Now SEPTA is asking you how they are doing. SEPTA is inviting the public to suggest modifications to current SEPTA routes and requests for additional services. If they make sense, SEPTA may work them into its next annual service plan – for 2016. The service plan will go through a public hearing process before a final vote.

SEPTA received a record number of submissions for its last service plan, perhaps a reflection of the growing interest in public transportation. The recent reintroduction of all-night trains is another indicator.

“We’re seeing a renewed interest in transit, with many residents embracing SEPTA as their primary and preferred choice for travel,” Richard Burnfield, SEPTA’s chief financial officer, said in a press release. “Many riders are showing a great interest in service improvements, and we welcome those suggestions.”

It sounds like complaints about drivers, schedules or the delays in updating the fare payment system won’t go far, but constructive suggestions might.

Send your ideas to serviceplanning@septa.org. You can also mail them to: SEPTA – Service Planning Department, 1234 Market St. 9th Fl., Philadelphia, PA 19107.

They will be accepted through Aug. 31.
 

Saunders Park Greene (39th and Powelton) is the place to be this Saturday (July 19) where the Lancaster Avenue Jazz and Arts Festival, a free one-day celebration of the rich history of jazz and the arts in Philadelphia, will be held. One of the most exciting community jazz events of the summer will feature a wide variety of both international and local jazz performers, as well as mobile food trucks, vendors, and family friendly activities.

The lineup of the musicians participating in the festival includes jazz saxophonist Azar Lawrence, headlining the event, Glenn Bryan & Friends, Charlene Holloway Band, kids orchestra Play On, Philly!, and more.

Complimentary free parking for guests will be available at Penn Presbyterian’s lot at Powelton Ave. and State St.

The event, hosted by People’s Emergency Center, will start at noon and end at 7 p.m. For more information and a full list of performers, visit www.lancasteravejazzfest.com.

Lancaster Avenue Jazz Festival map / Courtesy of Lancaster Ave Jazz.