Opening reception for Julianna Foster’s photography exhibit, Latent Ground, Feb. 21, 2016.

Contemporary and collectively-run neighborhood art galleries seem to come and go often. Danger! Danger! Gallery and Gush Gallery were two solid ones in West Philadelphia, but closed in recent years. The most recent arrival to the area is Black Oak House, a contemporary fine art gallery which is based out of a house near 51st and Osage. This one might stick around for a while because the house owners live there too.

Catherine Pancake and her partner, Miriam Stewart, moved to the area from Chicago and decided to purchase a home in West Philadelphia and run the gallery together. While in Chicago, Pancake completed her MFA and was exposed to many types of art galleries, but was mainly drawn to those that were based out of homes. “There are a few spaces that are domestic and small but have very potent artwork,” said Pancake.

Works by photographer Julianna Foster are currently on display at Black Oak House.

Through her past and current work as a member of Vox Populi Gallery in Callowhill, Pancake built a large networking of contemporary artists in West Philadelphia and is optimistic about curating quality solo shows three to four times a year. “I have a lot of experience curating festivals and art events that are women and LGBTQ focused; we would like to do more studio visits with artists who are not usually represented.”

Pancake sees an in-home gallery as less intimidating than a public gallery or a First Friday opening and she’s especially intrigued by the idea of living with contemporary art. “It helps people see how contemporary art can be hung or installed in a house, versus a gallery environment,” she said.

Currently on display at Black Oak House is a show named Latent Ground, which showcases the work of photographer Julianna Foster. The next opening, which will present the works of Sharon Koelblinger, is in April.

Those interested in getting involved with the gallery are welcome to visit their website or by simply showing up to gallery openings and speaking with Pancake or Stewart.

– Rana Fayez (photos courtesy of Black Oak House)

The $3.5 billion development of 14 acres of parking lots and concrete dead space west of 30th Street into eight high rises connected by green public spaces and retail officially has a name – “Schuylkill Yards.”

The project, which was presented Wednesday by Drexel and master developer Brandywine Realty Trust, will begin with the conversion of the 1.3-acre parking lot across 30th Street from the train station into public space that includes a large, oval lawn criss-crossed with walkways. That project is scheduled to break ground later this year.

Other pieces of the plan include replacing the Bolt and Mega Bus stops along JFK Boulevard with glassy high-rise office and residential buildings, dedicated bike lanes along Market Street and a green and event space that will be called “The Grove.” The tallest high rise, which will sit a couple of blocks west of the 30th Street Station between Market and JFK will be about 950 feet tall, about the same height as the Comcast Center.  Continue Reading

Victim, 31-year-old Timothy Cary.

A Kingsessing man who fatally shot a West Philly resident outside of a University City restaurant two years ago was sentenced to life in prison on Wednesday, according to reports.

Corey Gaynor, 28, was found guilty of first-degree murder in the shooting death of 31-year-old Timothy Cary on the early morning of April 14, 2014 outside Copabanana restaurant at 40th and Spruce. Gaynor fired at least 10 shots at close range at Cary following an argument inside the restaurant.

The Philadelphia Common Pleas Court jury deliberated 22 days before they found Gaynor guilty of the murder, and the judge sentenced him to the mandatory life in prison without parole, Philly.com reports.

Snacks at Lulu Cafe (photo from Lulu Cafe’s Facebook page)

It took a little longer than planned, but Lulu Cafe, an Asian cafe and restaurant serving coffee, tea, snacks, and sweets, has finally opened at 4508 Walnut Street (next door to Hunter Gatherer Tattoo). The final inspection was on Tuesday, according to the cafe’s Facebook post, and it’s now ready to serve its customers.

The opening was anticipated and the wait was worth it. We checked on the new establishment on Friday, its opening day, and saw a sizable crowd inside.

The cafe’s specialty is milk tea. As one happy customer put it, “No more long trips to Chinatown for milk tea now!” The snack food menu includes popular Chinese and Taiwanese street food items (all garlicky and spicy), such as popcorn chicken, squid balls, sweet potato fries, and green beans. And you can top everything off with some shaved ice with three toppings of your choice.

Lulu Cafe is open daily 11:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. For more information, visit: www.lulucafeusa.com.

Three men were shot this afternoon on the 5500 block of Cedar Avenue, near Boys’ Latin Charter School.

Police say the drive-by shooting happened at about 1 p.m.. Three men ages 28-34 were found along the street when police arrived, according to Philly.com. All three were transported to Penn Presbyterian Hospital and will survive, a police source said.

Police said the men were targeted. “Those shot are known to us,” the police source said.

Police believe there were two gunmen. They were last seen in a white SUV traveling west on Pemberton Street near 55th.

Boys’ Latin Charter School was placed on temporary lockdown following the shooting. No students were injured.

Yesterday’s high winds battered many of the large trees around the area. Here’s what happened on the 4500 block of Regent Street across from Clark Park, according to reader Frank Innes:

“Around 7:15 last night a horse chestnut tree, on the south sidewalk in the middle of the 4500 block of Regent Street, came down and damaged several cars and snapped a wood light pole in half. The street, which is just west of the shed building in Clark Park, was completely blocked (see photo below).

Around 9:15 this morning a Philadelphia Parks and Recreation tree removal crew arrived with a heavy-duty chipper and a flat bed truck, among other vehicles, to remove the tree. This task was accomplished in about an hour by the expert crew.”