Even if Beyoncé or Death Cab for Cutie aren’t your jam, the enhanced SEPTA train schedule this weekend might get you where you want to go quicker. SEPTA is beefing up some of its schedules this weekend – Sept. 5 and 6 – to accommodate traffic to and from the annual Made in America show on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway.

SEPTA announced that local train service will be available on the El (Market-Frankford Line) and the Broad Street Line every five minutes on Saturday and Sunday beginning at noon and lasting “throughout the day.” Additional trains will also be deployed when the concert ends.

Additional evening trips will be added on Trolley Routes 10, 11, 13, 15, 34, and 36.

There will also be additional late-night regional rail trains leaving from Center City and 30th Street Station. The special schedules are available here.

On Wednesday evening, the Philadelphia Department of Public Health’s Vector Control staff will be in the Mann Center area and on the streets surrounding the Mann Center (between Belmont Ave. and Parkside Ave. and the area between 52nd St, Parkside Ave., and Columbia Ave.) applying treatments to control adult mosquitoes. Samples taken by Vector Control staff in the area have revealed the presence of adult mosquito populations that carry the West Nile virus, which, when transmitted to people, can cause West Nile encephalitis, an infection that can result in an inflammation of the brain.

A truck-mounted apparatus will be spraying fine aerosol droplets of Zenivex, a synthetic pyrethroid, which has no residual effects and evaporates quickly into the atmosphere, according to a Department of Public Health statement.

So far this season, one Philadelphia resident has developed severe West Nile virus infection and is recovering. Eighty-six positive mosquito samples have been found within the city and 1,819 statewide this year to date. Last season, there were 112 positive mosquito samples in Philadelphia.  Continue Reading

The New Tavern bar at the northwest corner of 45th and Locust Streets, which before last summer was known as the Watusi II, has recently reopened under a new name after being closed for renovations.

The new name, Dallol, is related to a place in Ethiopia with the world’s highest average temperature, and there is also a volcano with the same name in that area. As was reported earlier, the property at 232 S. 45th St., where the bar is located, was purchased last summer by Ethiopian American Temsgen Wolegzi.

Dallol is positioning itself as a sports bar, with six big flat-screen TV’s and a large beer selection, but it also has a dining room in the back. The bar offers both American and Ethiopian food menus (lunch and dinner). They also take reservations for parties. Finally, there may be outdoor seating coming soon, according to their Dallol Sports Bar site.

Dallol is open daily from 4 p.m. to 2 a.m.

Two people were robbed at gunpoint near 48th and Larchwood on early Sunday morning, according to police. The robbery took place around 1:30 a.m. when a 30-year-old man and 30-year-old woman were approached by two male teens (approximately 15-16 year-olds). One of them pointed a silver handgun at the man and said: “Give it up or it’s gonna be a homicide,” according to a police report. The suspects fled with two cell phones, keys, one of the victims’ ID and some cash.

Police say that the victims didn’t report the incident until 3:30 p.m. on Sunday and said they would not recognize the attackers if they saw them again.

Related post: Uptick in robberies reported by police, residents

Check out these two cool and free events happening in the neighborhood this weekend, in addition to the movies at Clark Park (Friday, 7 p.m.), 40th Street Summer Series concert (Saturday, 6 p.m.), and Back 2 School Extravaganza at Malcolm X Park (Sunday, 2-6 p.m.). For more events, or to submit an event please visit our Events Calendar.

Philadelphia Obon Festival at Clark Park (43rd and Baltimore)

Sunday, 2-5 p.m.

Here’s a great chance to learn more about Japan and its culture at the third annual Philadelphia Obon Festival taking place in Clark Park this Sunday. The festival is presented by the Japanese House and Gardens. Activities include a participatory Bon Odori circle dance, a Japanese tea ceremony, Japanese music, including taiko drumming, and more. Guests can also enjoy delicious Japanese/Hawaiian street food on sale from Poi Dog Philly food truck. This is a free and fun event for both adults and children.

Philly Zine Fest at The Rotunda (40th and Walnut)

Sunday, noon-7 p.m.

Also on Sunday, The Rotunda is hosting the annual festival celebrating independent publishing – the Philly Zine Fest. Nearly 40 exhibitors will present their publications, from radical to informative to humorous. West Philly’s independent publishing center, The Soapbox, will also participate in the event. Check out an article by Philly.com with some more details about the fest. Here‘s the event’s Facebook page. Free admission.

The Nehemiah Davis Foundation presents its 7th annual Back 2 School Extravaganza on Sunday, Aug. 30, 2-6 p.m., at Malcolm X Park (52nd and Pine). Kids and families are invited to enjoy some fun activities at the park, such as moon bounces, games, pony rides, live music and more. The organizers are also planning to provide 1,000 book bags to the kids who will attend (300 backpacks will go to those kids who were first to pre-register for the event). The event is free and includes free food. For more information, visit: www.nehemiahdavisfoundation.org.