A large tree snapped and fell into the middle of the 4300 block of Spruce at about 5:45 p.m., damaging two cars waiting for a red light.

High winds no doubt played a part in the down tree. No injuries were reported.

“The wind has been blowing and this tree has been dead for a long time and the city hasn’t done anything about it,” said the driver of one car. “This is what you get.”

As of 6 p.m. the both lanes of the 4300 block of Spruce are closed.

A film crew from the television show How to Get Away (that’s what the flyer says, but we’re wondering if it’s How to Get Away with Murder) will be shooting in the area through March 28. They are asking people to heed the temporary “No Stopping” signs that are (or will be) posted along the following blocks on the following dates:

• East side of 42nd Street, from Locust to Spruce – Wednesday, March 5 through Friday March 28 at 7 p.m.

• Both sides of 42nd Street from Locust to Spruce, south side of Locust Street from 40th to 42nd and north side of Spruce from 40th to 42nd – Today (Tuesday, March 11) at 10 p.m. until Thursday, March 13 at 8 a.m. and Sunday, March 16 at 10 p.m. through Wednesday, March 19 at 8 a.m.

Notes placed on car windshields in the area read:

“We are guests in your neighborhood and will do everything to minimize any disturbances caused by our presences. If you have any questions or concerns about deliveries or handicapped access, please contact Joshua Clarke at 843-408-3486.”

He also might be the guy to call if you get towed.

The aftermath of a crash Monday that left half a dozen cars damaged along the 4200 block of Locust Street.

Police are investigating an accident early Sunday morning along the 4200 block of Locust Street that left a trail of damage along the street and nearby yards. The driver was “driving recklessly at a high rate of speed” down the block at about 3:30 a.m., according to a police spokesman.

The woman lost control of the vehicle and struck six parked vehicles, including a Philadelphia Water Department truck. A neighbor said one of the vehicles hit a nearby home. The driver and a passenger were both taken to HUP.

The spokesman did not say if the woman had been charged in the accident.

Not a note you want to find on your car.

UPDATE (3/6/2014): Two men were taken to the hospital and listed in critical condition Wednesday night after the vehicle they were traveling in drove into a median at 48th and Market Streets, according to reports.

(3/5/2014, 10:51 p.m.): Two people are reported in extremely critical condition after a car crash at 48th and Market Streets. The crash happened around 9:40 p.m. and at least one vehicle was involved, CBS Philly reports. Market Street was shut down immediately after the accident. No other details are available at this time.

UPDATE (1:00 p.m.) The snow emergency was lifted at 11 a.m. this morning and it is now safe to park on all snow emergency routes.

(9:00 a.m.): A snow emergency was declared in the city at 10 p.m. on Sunday. If you parked your car on any of the snow emergency routes and haven’t moved it yet, please do so as soon as possible. Here are snow emergency routes in West Philadelphia:

• Chestnut Street from Cobbs Creek Parkway to 20th Street
• Walnut Street from Broad Street to Cobbs Creek Parkway
• Woodland Avenue from Cobbs Creek Parkway to University Avenue
• 34th Street from University Avenue to Grays Ferry Avenue
• 38th Street from Walnut to University Avenue
• 63rd Street from City Avenue to Walnut Street
• University Avenue from 38th Street to 34th Street
• Island Avenue from Woodland Avenue to Enterprise Avenue
• Cobbs Creek Parkway from Walnut Street to Woodland Avenue
• Schuylkill Avenue from Market Street to Walnut Street

Monday’s trash and recycling collections are suspended until next Monday. Also, there will be no rear driveway collections this week so please leave all trash and recycling at the curb. For more information, visit the Streets Department website.

All Philadelphia public schools, after-school and early childhood programs will be closed for students on Monday, March 3, due to another round of severe weather expected in the area, the Philadelphia School District announced this evening. Parochial schools will also be closed, according to an earlier announcement by Philadelphia Archdiocese.

A winter storm warning remains in effect until 1 p.m. on Monday, March 3, with some sleet and freezing rain expected at the start and snow accumulation between three and seven inches, according to Accuweather.com. Stay tuned to other weather-related announcements.

Representatives from The City School explain their plans to SHCA (Photo by Annamarya Scaccia / West Philly Local)

Last night, representatives from The City School unveiled plans to redesign the entry way of its Spruce Hill campus at 4115 Baltimore Avenue, building what they called “a more identifiable, uniformed” entrance that would better introduce the Christian academy in the neighborhood.

The Spruce Hill Community Association Zoning Committee considered The City School’s plans during a routine meeting Wednesday night. According to school representatives, the Spruce Hill campus redesign will include construction of a new facade that will build out the elementary school’s entrance right to the sidewalk. Currently, the frontage of the Baltimore Avenue site has multiple entrances for varying purposes, often confusing guests coming to the academy. Creating a singular front entrance, they claim, would rectify this issue.

As outlined at the meeting, the project would introduce a cedar wood terrace with iron wood brackets displaying the academy’s name, new black wrought iron gates, an art mosaic, and updated planting in the frontage.

The representatives did admit the redesign runs into property line issues, so once they hear the SHCA Zoning Committee’s feedback, they plan to seek a zoning variance within the next month in order to move the project forward. Jake Becker, head of The City School, said during the meeting that they hope to start construction in July and have it complete before the 2014 – 2015 school year starts in September.

Formerly known as the Spruce Hill Christian School, The City School’s Spruce Hill campus is one of three schools run by academy, which includes a middle school at 4501 Walnut Street and the former City Center Academy high school at 315 South 17th Street. In 2006, Spruce Hill Christian School merged with City Center Academy, but the unified school continued to operate under two names until last year.

“Being committed to the neighborhood is important to us,” Becker said at the meeting. “While we changed our name, we’re committed to being a good neighbor.”

During Wednesday night’s meeting, the SHCA Zoning Committee also heard from the owner of 517 South 41st Street regarding her application to convert her three two-bedroom apartments into six one-bedroom units, which she said she would market to graduate students and young professionals. In order to go forward, the owner, who bought the property in October, would have to seek a zoning change for the property, which is currently zoned as three-family dwelling. (The owner was already granted an interior alteration permit in January for renovations on the existing apartments.)

The plans received a lot of pushback from the Committee and other community members present, with one committee member suggesting creating smaller units “will not improve the urban condition on that block.” Committee Chair Barry Grossbach said plainly the owner’s desire to convert the house goes “against the grain” of what the SHCA “is encouraging,” which is the development of more single-family units. Grossbach and other members pressed to the owner that her building has existing features—like a large backyard and close proximity to transit—that would attract young families and couples as renters.

Grossbach said the Committee will get in touch with the owner about their opinion within the next few days. In the meantime, a zoning hearing is scheduled for the property on March 19.

–Annamarya Scaccia