First Lady Michelle Obama will visit West Philly on Thursday, August 9. She is expected to speak at the University of the Sciences’ Bobby Morgan Arena (730 South 43rd Street) at 2 p.m. As of 12:30 p.m. today, tickets (first-come, first-serve) were still available at the Obama West Philadelphia Headquarters, 209 South 52nd Street (between Walnut and Locust). As far as we know, stopping by and picking them up is the only way to get them.
 
 
 

Update: We are getting conflicting reports about the man’s university affiliation, so we have removed that detail until we can clarify.

Police say a recently dismissed professor jumped from the 4th floor of a brownstone apartment building at 4114 Spruce Street in an apparent suicide this morning. Police say the 44-year-old man lived on the 4th floor. He was pronounced dead at 6:49 a.m.

Update (08/06): A three-story residential building at 4238 Chestnut Street was on fire, the Fire Commissioner’s Office confirms. The fire was reported about 4:10 p.m. on Sunday and extinguished by 4:50 p.m. No injuries were reported.

A reader, Mike, reported a fire on Sunday at about 4:00 p.m. on the 4200 Block of Chestnut Street. Mike said that over a dozen fire trucks responded to the fire: “I saw the fire and tried to break in before the fire Dept. arrived. Smoke detectors were sounding and large flames were pouring from the side windows at the rear. But I could not open the door pounding on it with a large piece of lumber (about a  4′ piece of 4×10″). Fire department was on scene within moments and took over.”

It’s not known if anybody was injured in the fire. Stop back for more information.

Photo by Mike Lynch.

The legendary bicycle store at 4311 Lancaster Avenue is reopening under new ownership and inviting folks to their Grand Reopening Extravaganza, titled Dances with Wolves, this Saturday, July 28, from 2 p.m. to 2 a.m.Wolff Cycles store was recently purchased by West Philly’s Firehouse Bicycles (50th & Baltimore) and renamed to Wolf Cycles (with 50% less F). The shop has been in operation since the 1930’s.

The grand reopening celebration is free and open to the public. It will feature workshops, a bike ride, catered food and beer and an outdoor movie screening. Also there will be music by live DJ’s and raffle all day. Costumes are encouraged. Here are more details:

11 a.m. – Doors open

2 p.m. – Riding Basics Class hosted by the Bicycle Coalition, for riders 16+
For those who feel nervous navigating Philly’s aggressive drivers and trolley tracks.

3:30 p.m. – West Fairmount Park Public Art Ride
Check out public art and enjoy your wheels. For all ages, but under 18 must be accompanied by a guardian. The ride is approximately 5 miles. Helmets required.

5:30 p.m. – Legal Rights Workshop hosted by the National Lawyers Guild
Learn your rights and responsibilities as a bicyclist involved in a crash.

7 p.m. – Catered Food and Keg of Beer
Food will be provided, but if you want beer, you’ll have to buy a pint glass (only $5).

8:30 p.m. – Outdoor Screening of the movie “RAD”
If weather allows. RAD tells a fantastic fable of an unflappable BMX biker fighting the factory rider to win on the Helltrack.

For more information go to: www.firehousebicycles.com, email firehousebicycles@gmail.com or call 215 222 2171.

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):

[wpsgallery]

Do you live or own a business in Cedar Park? If so, your feedback is needed to help shape the future of this quickly changing neighborhood. The Cedar Park Neighbors community association has developed “The Future of Cedar Park” survey which will help them gather useful information as the Philadelphia City Planning Commission had asked community organizations to provide input on its new plan for Southwest Philadelphia and University City.

Although, it’s an exciting time for the neighborhood, with many new residents moving to Cedar Park and new businesses opening, there are also issues generated by this change, including affordability, land use, education, parking and others. This survey will help CPN figure out how to “best represent the interests of all neighbors.”

The survey can be found here. In addition to the online survey, a print version is being distributed through block captains, so feel free to pass this information along to your neighbors who do not have internet access.

As a reminder, here are the Cedar Park boundaries: Larchwood Avenue to Kingsessing Avenue and 46th Street to 52nd Street (see map below). For more information, visit www.cedarparkneighbors.org.