It looks like the empty lot at 224 S. 44th Street sitting between two row homes just south of Walnut will not be empty much longer. A request has been submitted to the City’s Zoning Board of Adjustment by the owners to obtain a permit for construction of a four-unit residential building. The new building is being proposed as a semi-detached structure.

The plan for the building was presented to the Spruce Hill Community Association’s Zoning Board earlier this week, and will most likely be back before the SCHA Zoning Board at their next meeting in July, according to SCHA Zoning Chair Barry Grossbach. “We are at a preliminary stage on the 44th Street project,” he wrote in an e-mail.

We’ll keep you posted about the next meeting since community feedback is always welcome on new development projects in Spruce Hill.

Folks of all ages are invited to The Woodlands at 40th and Woodland to celebrate the official start of the summer. The annual Nature Nights series will kick off this Thursday (June 21) with a Firefly Night. The event will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. and will include some educational and fun activities.

This is a chance to spend some after-dark time inside the gates learning more about this important urban ecosystem and the creatures who call it home. Tangle Movement Arts will return to the Woodlands with their firefly inspired aerial performance. Snacks will be served by local Lil Pop Shop.

The event is free and open to all, just bring your flashlights pack a picnic and  The performance by Tangle Movement Arts will begin at 7:00 p.m.

Stay tuned for information on more Nature Nights in July and August.

The city has announced opening of its 2018 public pool season – just in time for this heat. Check out opening schedules for West Philly and Center City West pools below. Philadelphia public pools are free and open to everyone and usually stay open until early to mid-August. For more information, visit the Philadelphia Parks & Rec website. Also, check out this page with information on the spraygrounds in the city.

Wednesday, June 20

• Kelly Pool (4231 Landsdowne Dr., 19131)
• Lee Cultural Center (4328 Haverford Ave., 19104)

Thursday, June 21

• Christy Recreation Center (728 S. 55th St., 19143)

Saturday, June 23

• Baker Playground (5433 Landsdowne Ave., 19131)
• Cobbs Creek Recreation Center (280 Cobbs Creek Pkwy., 19139)  Continue Reading

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Beginning on Monday, June 18, there is an opportunity to help low-income families in the Greater Philadelphia region by participating in SEPTA’s annual food drive.

Since the academic year has come to an end, many local families will struggle to find a way to replace the free and reduced cost breakfasts and lunches their children receive at school every day. Food collected during SEPTA’s food drive for Philabundance and its member agencies will help families throughout the area supplement those meals.

The food drive will run for five days through Friday, June 22. During these days, food collection barrels will be placed at SEPTA stations across the Authority’s service area. SEPTA will collect donations of much needed food staples including peanut butter, canned tuna and meat, whole grain pasta and canned fruits and vegetables to help provide local children with nutritious meals during the summer months. Last year, SEPTA employees and customers contributed the equivalent of almost 35,000 meals.

Check out the flier for a list of Philabundance’s most needed items.

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Area residents looking for jobs are invited to the first annual West Philly Community Job Fair, which will take place on Friday, June 29.

Some of the companies who have registered so far include Comcast, SEPTA, UPS, Philadelphia Fire Department, Staffing Plus, and many more, according to job fair coordinator Charity R. Wells. These companies and organizations are looking to hire entry-level, full time, part time, seasonal, and temporary positions.

Attendees can register in advance using this link. Registration is free.

The event will take place from 10 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. at Beulah Baptist Church (5001-21 Spruce St).

See the flier for more information.

The popular Summer Nights at the Penn Museum concert series returns Wednesday, June 20, and we’re happy to announce the opening night special for our readers. The series features live music performances from some of Philadelphia’s best live bands—offering the sounds of Creole Zydeco, Latin Jazz, Middle Eastern folk, Pre-Revolutionary Cuba, and more. Concerts are held in the Penn Museum’s outdoor Stoner Courtyard every Wednesday night from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m., will run through Sept. 5.

The opening night will feature the Middle Eastern-fusion sounds of Animus,the perfect group to kick off the concert season as the museum celebrates the opening of its new Middle East Galleries. Primarily an Eastern Mediterranean/Middle Eastern/Latin/American fusion ensemble, Animus also performs traditional Eastern Mediterranean/Middle Eastern music.  Continue Reading