Penn’s student move-out began Saturday and will continue through May 18. The key days to keep in mind are Tuesday and Wednesday, May 10 and 11, when Spruce Street will be closed between 34th and 38th Streets from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Penn Public Safety says that authorized vehicles (parents etc.) will be allowed to access Spruce Street at 38th and must exit Spruce at 34th.

The Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia reminded us that bikes will have access down Spruce on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Update: Mufasa has been found.

This came from our neighbors who live at 41st and Spruce:

One of our cats escaped last night or this morning through a broken window screen at 41st and Spruce. His name is Mufasa and is a skinny orange tabby. He’s a little flighty, so if you think you may have seen him, please call Chelsea 215-880-6868, Jess 410-916-7260, or Erin 717-818-6078.

We’re very worried about our little Mufasa. If you’re in the W
Philly area, please be on the lookout!

Rodney Camarce, an artist in the city’s Mural Arts Program, will lay down some urban flair on eight pairs of sneakers today at 34th and Walnut from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Camarce’s custom paint jobs are part of the Keds company’s “How Do You Do?” road trip to colleges across the country.

The stop at Penn will also feature live music and, we suspect, many things sneaker related.

Penn’s Chinese Music Society is holding their annual spring concerts on Saturday and Sunday from 6:30 p.m.-8 p.m. in the Bodek Lounge in Houston Hall (3417 Houston Hall) on Penn’s campus.  Fifteen percent of the proceeds from the “Resonance of Spring” concert will go to the Japan Relief Fund.

Tickets for the concert are $7 at the door, $5 if bought from a vendor on Locust Walk this week or $4 for groups of five or more.

Penn’s student newspaper, The Daily Pennsylvanian, has a story today on the McDonald’s at 40th and Walnut Street, which Penn officials characterize as a scourge in the neighborhood around campus.

The article’s author, Rachel Baye, writes:

Those involved with past and present development of the corner say McDonald’s is a hot spot for crime and a source of malnutrition. Getting rid of it, they say, will bring economic growth and make the neighborhood safer.

Baye quotes many Penn officials as saying that they would love to oust McDonald’s and add more upscale housing and shops. McDonald’s, apparently, is not interested in moving. The Daily Pennsylvanian included an article last week on the problems with public transportation near campus as well. Race and class, of course, are at the heart of the conversation in both stories.

The Freinds of Clark Park has a new website. Brian Siano said in an e-mail today that the new site is designed to be more of a community discussion site than the old site. The site also offers the ability to share content on Facebook, Twitter and other social media sites.

Here’s a sneak peak: