UPDATE (Monday, June 29, 10:15 a.m.): It appears that the shooting was not random, according to police, who said that the victim was involved in criminal activity. “200[th block of] S. St Bernard just looks like where he decided to do a deal that led to this,” said a police source.

UPDATE (11:25 p.m.): A man is in critical condition after he was shot inside a car he was driving on the 200 block of S. Saint Bernard Street, according to police. The car was going northbound on S. St Bernard when an unknown male exited from an alley and fired one or two shots in its direction, a woman who was a passenger in the car told police. The driver was shot in his left arm, but continued driving until he crashed the vehicle at 51st and Locust. He was taken to Presbyterian Hospital, according to police.

Police said earlier that the shooting took place on Sunday night, around 9:45 p.m.. West Philly Local readers reported heavy police presence near 49th and Spruce Streets and 51st and Locust.

Tonight’s 40th Street Summer Series performance by BalletX and drum group Kyo Daiko has been postponed because of the rainy weather, University City District (UCD) has announced. UCD is working with The Rotunda and the artists to attempt to reschedule the event. We’ll let you know if there is a new date.

The owner of a Baltimore Avenue business was attacked overnight in an attempted gunpoint robbery, according to police. The attack took place around 12:30 a.m. on Friday when 65-year-old Thomas Lee, owner of One Stop Fresh Deli at the corner of 49th and Baltimore, was taking out the trash behind the store and was approached by an unknown young male who pointed a gun at his head and demanded money.

The man also tried to push his way into the back door of the store, according to a police report, but Lee resisted and tried to fight him off. A struggle ensued with both men rolling on the ground, which drew attention from passersby, according to police. The attacker fled without taking anything. Lee sustained minor injuries in the attack, police said. The description of the suspect is very vague.  Continue Reading

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Philadelphia has one of the highest rates of pedestrian traffic fatalities in the United States among large cities, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s data. The Bicycle Coalition of the Greater Philadelphia has just released the official Vision Zero report, which contains statistics on the safety of Philadelphia streets and a series of policies that aims to bring traffic deaths and injuries down to zero for pedestrians, cyclists and drivers. According to the report, traffic crashes kill about 100 people per year citywide and cost $1 billion in damages and economic activity.

The report breaks down traffic crashes and statistics by neighborhood (see map). In West Philadelphia, the report shows that 52nd Street, between Baltimore Avenue and Sansom Street is the fourth-worst corridor for pedestrian-involved crashes in the city. Also, 40th and Market Streets, where many people are crossing the street to use the Market-Frankford Line, is in the top 10 of crash sites in the city. The intersection saw 15 pedestrian-involved crashes between 2009 and 2013.

Vision Zero policies have already been successfully adopted in other U.S. cities, including New York, Chicago and San Francisco. Vision Zero Philadelphia proposes partnerships among various municipal agencies, and includes recommendations for safer road design, traffic calming strategies, and suggestions for funding sources. The document also stresses the importance of cultural shift and public education campaigns. Both of Philadelphia’s current mayoral candidates support the policies.

The full report can be downloaded here.

Jazz vocalist Barbara Walker will perform at Malcolm X. Park on July 9. (Photo from thebarbarawalkerstory.com)

Recently we let you know about the Cedar Park Summer Jazz series happening every Friday night, and here’s information on the annual West Philadelphia Jazz Heritage Series held at Malcolm X. Park (52nd and Pine). Concerts are set for every other Thursday from May 28 to Sept. 17, starting at 7 p.m. (weather permitting). This summer, the popular concert series returns for its 15th season! All concerts are free and open to the public.

Here’s the concert schedule and line up of performers.

June 25 – The Budesa Brothers
July 9 – The Barbara Walker Story (vocalist)
July 23 – Shirley Lites (vocalist)
Aug. 6 – Geo. Barron (tenor sax), Janet Barron (vocalist)
Aug. 20 – Lawrence Jones (tenor sax)
Sept. 3 – Michelle Beckham
Sept. 17 – The Nate Murray Band

If you missed the incredibly colorful sunset last night check out the photos below. What we witnessed is rare mammatus clouds (sagging pouch-like structures, an indication that a severe thunderstorm has passed) lit up by the Northern Lights (Aurora borealis). The color of the sky changed from yellow to orange to red to purple within minutes.

“People throughout the city stopped to witness the incredible sunset post storm. Cars were pulled over. Photographers were lined up the Walnut Street Bridge. Pedestrians on camera phones were snapping the incredible evening hues. The best way to describe the sunset? Mystical.” – Photo and quote by reader Veronica Alvarez

By the way, there will be another chance to see the Northern Lights tonight. Here‘s some more information.