Architect Cecil Baker discusses a proposed building plan for 4224 Baltimore Avenue at the previous community meeting on June 18, 2013. (Photo by Mike Lyons/West Philly Local)

The third and final community meeting on the widely publicized and discussed residential development project at 4224 Baltimore Avenue is scheduled for this Wednesday, July 24. Residents are invited to meet with the development team from 6:30-8:00 p.m. at the International House (37th and Chestnut, 2nd floor).

Architectural plans based on input from the previous sessions will be unveiled and residents will get a chance to learn about next steps in the development process. A couple of different designs were discussed during the last meeting. The land owners have provisional permission to build a 92-unit residential building on the site, which is across the street from Clark Park. Community input could help shape the project’s final design, which could include underground parking and ground-floor commercial space.

Community members were asked to provide their input on the project website and in a series of public meetings. Wednesday’s meeting is another opportunity to view and comment on the project.

We’ve been getting reports of a power outage near 46th and Farragut between Spruce and Locust Streets. A neighbor, Christina Bach, tweeted today: “51 residents of S. 46th St without power since 9:45 p.m. last night. We are sweltering!”

West Philly Local reader Ellen Liebman whose friend Christina lives on that block sent in a note that PECO is finally on scene. We are trying to contact them for more information about what’s going on.

“It seems to be underground, so they are just going to be digging holes in everyone’s back yard until they find the problem,” writes Ellen. “They have already spray painted the lines. Christina had to take her three dogs in her car to a friend’s house, but she can’t stay overnight. No one has been in contact about a place to shelter – and taking three dogs to a hotel is a challenge.”

UPDATE (5:20 p.m.): About 100 customers are experiencing a service interruption due to some issues with underground equipment and cable in the area, according to PECO spokesperson Liz Williamson. “Crews have been working to make repairs to both the equipment and the cable and we anticipate having power restored to those customers by this evening,” Williamson said in an email. But some neighbors affected by the outage were told that the power should be back by midnight.

We’ve also received a report from a resident near 57th and Market who says her power has been out since 8 p.m. last night. “This is a mess! Every time we call, there’s a different reason why the power is out and a different projected time as to when our power will be back on,” Lori Coleman posted on the West Philly Local Facebook page.

UPDATE (7/19/13): The power near 46th and Locust was restored on Thursday around 8 p.m.

Photo by West Philly Local reader Jazmin Idakaar.

It’s scorching in Philadelphia and many residents are looking for ways to cool off. Unfortunately, some ways of cooling off can be costly. An illegally opened fire hydrant caused a water outage on Tuesday, July 16 near 52nd and Locust Streets. The break disrupted water service for some fifty properties in the area for 11 hours (11:30 a.m. – 10:30 p.m.). and then took hours of clean-up. West Philly Local readers reported lots of water coming out of spots along the street at 52nd & Locust after the break.

“When you open a hydrant illegally, you run the risk of bodily harm, possibly death, property damage and situations like this, where you have a water main break and people on the block with no water,” John DiGiulio of the Philadelphia Water Department told ABC.

The sign on the front door of Saad’s Halal at 45th and Walnut is a familiar site this time of year.

Ramadan is here so that means a few good eating spots will be closed or have seriously reduced hours for the next few weeks.

Saad’s Halal at 45th and Walnut closed July 8 and will remain closed until August 12. Saad’s also has that special brown paper on its windows that usually means some sort of renovation is going on inside. We’ll see.

Manakeesh, across the street from Saad’s at 45th and Walnut, will be open 7:30 p.m. to midnight until August 9. Sweets to go only will be served from 7:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. The Manakeesh staff will begin taking orders for meals at 8:15 and will begin serving food at sunset – around 8:30 p.m. Special meals will be offered on Friday and Saturday.

Kabobeesh, the terrific Pakastani joint at 42nd and Chestnut, appears to be keeping regular hours (Monday though Sunday, noon to 11 p.m.) as it did last year. Last year they offered free iftar (the evening meal during Ramadan) for those fasting during the holiday.

Malcolm X Park will be the place to be this Saturday as the first annual Park Jam takes over the green space at 51st and Pine.

Billed as a “community dance party,” Park Jam (Facebook page) will feature dj sets by Danophonic Dan (Facebook page) and Friends and a live set from the West Philly-based band HighKick (Facebook page), which will offer a quirky mix of tunes from good old-fashioned throw downs (think The Allman Brothers or Phish) to a lovely rendition of the Paul McCartney tune “Another Day” (do,do,do,do,do,do) to, perhaps, a short ode to tacos.

Park Jam will also feature the usual assortment of West Philly festival fare like food trucks, a moon bounce, face painting, artisans selling cool stuff and, importantly, a “generous dance floor.”

The fun runs from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. The Garden Court Community Association is sponsoring this jawn.

Until next Monday, July 15, local nonprofit organizations with a strong community-centric focus are encouraged to apply for a $10,000 grant provided by West Philly-based Vineyard Community Church (VCC). Last year VCC developed “Building It Together,” a capital campaign to renovate a building at 123 S. 51st Street into a worship space and community center. Ten percent of the proceeds was set aside to fund a new capital grant program. The purpose of the grant program is to “support new capital-intensive, community-centric philanthropic endeavors in Philadelphia and around the world.”

To be eligible for the grant, your organization doesn’t have to be faith-based and doesn’t have to be located in West Philadelphia, but organizations that meet either of these criteria will receive preference for funding. Funding is to be used for capital projects only, and is not eligible for operating and maintenance activities. Eligible activities include labor for construction, purchase of equipment, materials, and supplies.

For more information on eligibility, evaluation criteria and how to apply, please visit: http://www.vineyardwestphilly.org/serve/bit-capital-grant/. Deadline for applications is 5 p.m. on July 15, 2013. All applications should be emailed to: erik.johanson@gmail.com.