A West Philly based activist and programmer has built an app that allows people to visualize changes in income and racial diversity in their neighborhoods.

Aaron Kreider’s JusticeMap.org, an open online map layering race and income data across the United States, allows residents to analyze and visualize neighborhood’s socioeconomic shifts. Using data pulled by the U.S. Census Bureau, the comprehensive high resolution map — created with the support of the Sunlight Foundation — features the breakdown of race by block, county, census, and block group, while household income data are available by county or census tract. So, for example, JusticeMap.org allows you to easily find out the majority of residents in the 19143 zip code have a household income of $40,000 or less.

A map showing income levels for the 19143 zip code. Source: JusticeMap.org

“For several years I have wanted to make maps of the race and income data from the U.S. Census to help people visualize the large differences in race and income between counties, cities, neighborhoods and even blocks,” Kreider, who runs CampusActivism.org, wrote in a blog post for Sunlight Foundation in late January. “My goal is to help people, who do not have any map making or geographical information systems experience, to create maps that combine these open map layers with their own data.”

JusticeMap.org also includes some intriguing features that make visualizing and saving data with the open online map both easy and innovative. Users can save the map as an image, make their own map and host on their own site, add shapes to the map, use tile layers on an existing map, conduct statistical comparisons and different geographical intersections, and download the data. We’ve included a map of income levels in Philadelphia for readers to test below, but we suggest you head to the site and go through the data hands-on.

-Annamarya Scaccia

Summer is here so we took a stroll at today’s Farmers’ Market at Clark Park and checked what produce is available.

Here are a few things that stood out.

Tomatoes!

These organic tomatoes (they’ve never been sprayed by any pesticides) are $2.75/pound. Also for sale a few sorts of tomato plants – only $2 per plant. There’s a good selection of greens – lettuce for $2.50 each, fresh basil for $2/bunch and others.

Fresh organic berries are $4.50/pint – blueberries, strawberries and cherries.

Just a reminder that Saturday’s farmers’ market is open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Bartram’s Garden (54th St and Lindbergh Blvd) is inviting community members, especially families, on Sunday, June 22, to spend a day filled with activities on the banks of the Schuylkill River. The Bartram’s Garden Community River Fest will offer activities both on water and land and absolutely free! Activities are scheduled throughout the day – from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.!

Photo courtesy of Bartram’s Garden.

On the river: there will be free kayak and rowboat rentals, free ferry boat rides and kid-friendly water activities. The highlight of the event, the Tidal Schuylkill Boat Parade, will begin at noon, amping up the party vibe with “gussied up sailors, tricked out skiff masons, heavily adorned floaters and bedizen paddlers,” according to Danielle Redden, boat parade organizer. Now in its third year, the parade is a nautical costume party on homemade river crafts, accompanied by a floating brass band. Community members are invited to come in costume and take part in the parade.

On land: Throughout the day, there will be nature scavenger hunts, a petting zoo with alpacas, donkeys, sheep, goats and Indian fantails and pony rides. The Philadelphia Zoo on Wheels will showcase a variety of wetland creatures, including owls, hawks and turtles. A mega farmers’ market will also be offering a beautiful array of locally-grown produce for sale, the majority of which was grown on site at the Community Farm and Food Resource Center at Bartram’s Garden. Finally, there will be cool treats served up by Little Baby’s Ice Cream (checkout their brand new Oyster Ice Cream), and free hot dogs and refreshments provided by Philadelphia Energy Solutions (while supplies last).

The Community River Fest will kick off a new series of river-focused programming at Bartram’s Garden. Check out its website for more information: http://www.bartramsgarden.org/.

John B. Kelly Pool (Photo from Kelly Pool’s Facebook page).

Here’s some great summer news: The 2014 pool season in Philadelphia officially opens today, which means that dozens of public pools and spray grounds will begin welcoming visitors across the city (though it looks like many of them will start opening on June 23, 24). Overall, 69 pools and nine spray grounds will be open this summer, according to an announcement by Philadelphia Parks and Rec. Public pool hours of operation are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and noon to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Apart from recreational swimming, Philadelphia Parks and Rec will also offer youth swimming lessons at several public pools. It’s always a good idea to call your neighborhood recreation center before heading to the pool since there their hours of operation may change or some special activities may be scheduled.

Here’s again the list of pools and spray grounds located in West Philadelphia and vicinity.  Please let your neighbors know about your experience with these facilities in the comments below.

Pools

Baker Recreation Facility (Map)
5431-43 Lansdowne Ave.
Phone: 215-685-0261

Cobbs Creek Recreation Facility (Map)
280 Cobbs Creek Parkway
Phone: 215-685-1983

John B. Kelly Pool (Facebook page) – Opens June 23
4231 North Concourse Drive (Fairmount Park, by Please Touch Museum)
Phone: 215-685-0174

Kingsessing Recreation Center (Map)
4901 Kingsessing Avenue
Phone: 215-685-2694

Lee Cultural Center Recreation Facility (Map)
4328 Haverford Avenue
Phone: 215-685-7655

Mill Creek Recreation Facility (Map)
743-81 N. 48th Street
Phone: 215-685-0260

Myers Recreation Center (Map)
5800 Chester Avenue
Phone: 215-685-2698

O’Connor Pool (Website, Map) – Opens June 24
2601 South Street
Phone: 215-685-6593

Sayre Morris Recreation Center (Map)
5835 Spruce Street
Phone: 215-685-1993

Shepard Recreation Facility (Map)
5700 Haverford Avenue
Phone: 215-685-1992

Tustin Recreation Facility (Map)
5901-29 W. Columbia Avenue
Phone: 215-685-0258

39th & Olive Playground – Mantua (Map)
39th & Olive Streets

Spray Grounds

48th & Woodland Playground (Map)
1414 S 47th Street
Phone: 215-685-2692
Hours: 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. Mon-Sat, closed on Sunday.

Make Music Philly (MMP), the annual one-day only festival that features free music performances all across the city, will be back on Saturday, June 21. A bunch of music gigs, for kids and adults alike, are scheduled in our area as well, including at Clark Park, Penn Museum, Morris Park and more (see the list of added venues and performances below).

Also, check out the mobile venue Autographs & Aerosols (A&A), a converted U-Haul truck that uses its open-ended door lift as a stage. A&A will host performances in Cedar Park (49th and Baltimore).

Autographs & Aerosols (Mobile Venue, 49th and Baltimore)

3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. – Salamander Sunset (Hip-Hop, Indie-Rock, Jazz)
6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. – The Philly Gathering All-Star Rap Group (Hip-Hop)

Clark Park Music and Arts Festival (43rd and Chester)

11:45 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. – Rock to the Future (Kids, Rock, Other)
12:45 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. – Lazy Susan (Rock)
1:15 p.m. – 1:45 p.m. – Lover’s League (Blues, Folk)
2:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. – On The Cooling Board (Blues, Rock, Soul)
2:45 p.m. – 3:15 p.m. – Family Vacation (Indie-Rock)
3:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. – Commonwealth Choir (Indie-Rock)
4:15 p.m. – 4:45 p.m. – Brian Fitzy (Pop, Rock)
5:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. – City Rain (Electronic, Pop)

Morris Park (6601 Woodcrest Road)

1:45 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. – Bluesberry Blues Jamm (Blues)

Parent Infant Center (42nd and Locust)

10:00 a.m. – 10:15 a.m. – The Larks (Other)
10:15 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. – Brooks Wilson (Kids)
10:45 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. – Scott Weidman (Blues, World)
11:15 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. – Katie Foley (Folk, Rock)
11:45 a.m. – 12:00 a.m. – Brooks Wilson and the Troll Spit String Band (Americana/Bluegrass)
12:15 p.m – 12:30 p.m. – Barbara Gettes (Folk)

Penn Museum (3260 South St)

Update (6/21/14): Unfortunately, this concert has been cancelled: 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. – Bear Cave Tower (Folk, Indie-Folk, Other)

Click to enlarge. (Courtesy of UCD)

As we reported last week, one of the most popular local events of the year, the Baltimore Avenue Dollar Stroll, returns this Thursday and brings $1 specials from over 30 local businesses. There will be only one Dollar Stroll this year, so get ready for huge crowds in the area.

The stroll will take place from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. along Baltimore Avenue between 43rd and 51st streets. Check out the map for more information on the participants and their offers.

Just a reminder that there also will be a book sale to benefit the Kingsessing Library branch during the stroll. The sale will be held at three locations – 4740 Baltimore Ave, 50th and Baltimore (near VIX Emporium) and 45th and Baltimore (near Milk & Honey).

Also this Thursday, families are invited to stop by the Clark Park Farmers’ Market at 43rd and Baltimore for a free family activity. The Food Trust will be hosting Paul Smith of Tune Up Philly and the Philadelphia Youth Orchestra (Facebook page) at the market from 3 to 7 p.m. He’ll be doing interactive demonstrations on how to create musical instruments out of carrots! Every Thursday throughout June and July, Tune Up Philly will be at the market looking to grow their Vegetable Orchestra. This is the first week for this engaging musical experience which also nurtures awareness about healthy and local foods.

For an example of carrot instruments in action, here is a cool video of the Vienna Vegetable Orchestra making instruments and playing them.

The Food Trust is planning many events at the Clark Park Thursday farmers’ market this summer in an “attempt to revitalize the market and make it a fun destination for families on Thursday afternoons,” according to Food Trust Market Director Lisa Kelly. “We’re bringing in a few new vendors and food trucks as well as planning several free events over the course of the market season,” Kelly told West Philly Local by e-mail. Stay tuned for more details and also regularly check our Events Calendar.