Update (1:40 pm): The rusty water problem should now be resolved, according to a message posted on PWD’s Facebook page. PWD is advising their customers to flush cold water taps, starting with the lowest floors, until the water runs clear.

10:54 am: The Philadelphia Water Department has issued a rusty water advisory for the area:

“While Philadelphia Water Department (PWD) crews were performing maintenance on the water distribution system in University City, rusty water resulted in some properties in the area. PWD crews are in the area and are in the process of establishing the extent of the impact.  Crews are also taking water samples and flushing hydrants to correct the issue.”

PWD has not specified where exactly in the area this issue has been found.

The advisory states that rusty water is not a health concern, but it is not pleasant to drink and shouldn’t be used to wash laundry. Residents with health concerns, however, are advised to contact their health care provider before drinking or using the water. If you have questions, please call PWD’s emergency hotline at 215-685-6300. You can also find more information and updates on PWD’s Facebook page.

If you have been affected by this problem, please let us know in the comments where you are.

More parklets are popping out around the University City area. Just recently, the University City District installed one on 44th Street between Spruce and Locust. A third parklet, although a little smaller (with just three tables), has emerged right next to recently opened Ramen Bar (4040 Locust Street).

Here’s a great campaign that helps improve our neighborhoods. Philadelphia Parks and Recreation’s tree planting initiate, TreePhilly, engages property owners, business and community residents to improve their communities by planting and maintaining trees. The fall campaign is underway now and residents can sign up until October 19 to receive their free trees.

This fall, residents are eligible to receive up to two free trees per address. Last spring, West Philly residents ordered hundreds of trees, per information provided by Parks & Rec.

To register for your free tree, please go to www.treephilly.org, or contact Erica Smith,
Tree Philly manager, at 215-683-0217 or email: erica.smith@phila.gov with your request.

Note: You have to be a property owner in order to be eligible and plant the trees in the ground in your private yard space, not in the sidewalk outside of your property.

It’s always great news to hear that a local business is doing well, especially when it’s expanding into other locations. One of the anchor businesses in the area, the Green Line Cafe, has posted an announcement that on October 1 it’s opening a shop in Center City, at 15th and Moravian – a couple blocks away from City Hall. Green Line will take over the Cafe Loftus currently operating in that location. This will be Green Line’s fourth shop, with other locations at 45th and Locust, 43rd and Baltimore and 37th and Lancaster. They also operate a kiosk inside the Veterinary Hospital at the University of Pennsylvania.

This news comes as Green Line, a family-owned business, begins celebrating their 10th anniversary. The first Green Line Cafe opened in January 2003 at 43rd and Baltimore.

A PennDOT crew grinding off a layer of asphalt from Baltimore Avenue last evening.

Many residents have been wondering what’s happening with Baltimore Avenue after SEPTA completed the 34 Trolley track reconstruction at the beginning of the month. The sides of the street were not resurfaced, which makes it hard to use, especially for bicyclists. Yesterday evening the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) crews began resurfacing work as part of a bigger pavement improvement project in Philadelphia that involves repavement of Baltimore Avenue between 61st Street and University Ave. The project is scheduled to be completed this fall.

Photo by reader Brendan McTear.

An 82-year-old male driver crashed his car into Rite Aid pharmacy at 47th and Chestnut this afternoon, according to police. Luckily, neither the driver nor anyone in the building was injured. The building sustained some structural damage and was evacuated, police said. It’s not clear what caused the accident. When we arrived at the scene the car was gone, but here’s what the building looks like.