Trust us when we tell you that the wait for the re-opening of Locust Moon Comics (Facebook page) in its new digs on 40th Street is well worth the wait.

Check it out for yourself. Locust Moon’s new shop, which includes a great gallery space, quietly opened this week at 34 S. 40th Street. The shop’s grand opening – complete with comic and graphic novel decadence – is tomorrow. Do yourself a favor and check it out – even if you’re not into comics (yet).

Owners Josh O’Neil and Chris Stevens are comics creators themselves and their passion comes through in the renovation of the new space. Original artwork lines the walls and the bookshelves are packed with comics, graphic novels and awesome vintage and new action figures. They also have board games and movies for rent and sale. The shop moved from their old site – the old Urban Outfitters building on Locust Street near 40th –  last Fall.

In addition to the main retail space, the new Locust Moon also includes a gallery with original works that will double as a movie screening room complete with a ceiling mounted projection system.

The shop’s hours are 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., seven days a week. Oh, and by the way, you have to see their fish tank.

Here are the details on the grand opening and a tantalizing invitation from their Facebook page:

“Expect food, drinks, art, comix, and a super-sexy anything-goes atmosphere. Chris will dress as Mr. Peanut and perform a lengthy, emotionally complex tap routine. Other stuff too. Don’t miss it.”

Locust Moon Comics
34 S. 40th St.
7:30 p.m.

Here is a great video about the renovation of the new shop (sent by an anonymous e-mailer):

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Last night’s Dollar Stroll on Baltimore Avenue drew the now-customary big crowd. Here are some photos from the event. Click on any of the images below to start a slide show.

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Here’s some stuff to do this weekend for kids and adults alike. For more upcoming local events, visit our Happenings page.

• Saturday, July 21, 11:30-3 p.m., White Rock Baptist Church (5240 Chestnut St.) – Community Science Carnival

The First Annual Community Science Carnival is organized by the Science Education Academy, a community partnership between the White Rock Baptist Church and the Ernest E Just Biomedical Society at the University of Pennsylvania. Children from grades K-6 are invited to be Curious Scientific Investigators and assist Penn graduate students and Post-doctoral fellows with scientific experiments. Children will learn about microbes, how to make batteries with potatoes, how planes fly and how to solve mysteries using chemistry! Parents are welcome too – there will be a workshop on how to help your children with science fair projects. See the flyer for details. This is a free event and open to the public. RSVP is not required but appreciated – email sea.philly2008@gmail.com or call 215-882-9797.

• Saturday, noon-6 p.m., Saunders Park (39th & Powelton Ave.) – Lancaster Avenue Jazz and Community Arts Festival

Also this Saturday, don’t miss the Lancaster Avenue Jazz and Community Arts Festival taking place at Saunders Park in the Powelton Village section of West Philadelphia. Doc Gibbs & Friends, Glenn Bryan & Reference Point and Planet Jazz will perform. Also there will be free family activities, a moon bounce, crafts, a vendor market and more. We also hear that  a shredder truck will make a stop at the park from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., so bring all that used paper cluttering your house and then enjoy some great music. For more information, visit the event’s Facebook page.

• Sunday, July 22, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m., The Rotunda (4014 Walnut Street) – Kripalu Yoga Preview Class

Kripalu Yoga classes begin at The Rotunda in August and a free preview class is being held this Sunday, from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Kripalu Yoga is a form of Hatha Yoga using standard yoga poses, inner focus, breathwork, meditation and relaxation. For more information, contact Katie Bonier at kripaluyogaphilly@gmail.com or visit www.therotunda.org.

Here’s a great chance to help a woman entering or re-entering the workplace. Wash Cycle Laundry and Gearing Up will be doing pick-ups around Center City and West Philly of gently used, interview-ready professional attire for the fantastic non-profit Career Wardrobe, which works to support women transitioning to work. Studio 34 (4522 Baltimore Ave.) will serve as a drop-off point in West Philly.

Studio 34 will be collecting clothes now through Sunday, July 22. Bring your clothing in bags labeled “Career Wardrobe” to Studio 34’s front desk before 4 p.m. on Sunday, July 22.

Here are some guidelines from Studio 34:

• We accept clothes for all seasons!
• Donations should arrive ready to wear: clean, on hangers, with all buttons, working zippers, and no tears or stains. (If you don’t have hangers, don’t worry! the organization hosting this donations drive will find hangers for loose clothing. But if you have hangers, please include them.)
• Items not used for this program will be donated to other nonprofit organizations or sold at The Wardrobe Boutique, a recycled clothing boutique to benefit Career Wardrobe’s programs.

Here’s the detailed map of tonight’s Baltimore Avenue Dollar Stroll (5:30-8:30 p.m.). Click to enlarge.

(Courtesy of University City District).

Great news from Cedar Park: thanks to contributions from the community, Friday Night Jazz Series in Cedar Park has been extended for at least two more weeks. This Friday, July 20, Perseverance Jazz Band will perform and on July 27 Shirley Lites and Company will bring funk/jazz/R&B vibes to the park. Both performances begin at 6 p.m.

If you would like to support Friday Night Jazz Series, you can make a contribution on this page.