Several residents who live near 50th and Springfield are taking their complaints about the African Cultural Center (Facebook page), a banquet hall that hosts everything from baby showers to raucous late night dance parties, to police tonight.

Residents say they have been complaining to police, the Liquor Control Board and the District Attorney’s office for several months about problems of noise and public urination at the center, which sits between residential homes and the train bridge that crosses Springfield Avenue. The Center includes an 8,000-square-foot banquet hall, with a stage and sound system, and a 1,700-square-foot reception hall with bar, both of which are frequently rented out for large events. These events include biweekly parties that run from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m., require a $10 admission and include “tight security,” according to advertisements. Many of the large gatherings are organized by promoters who are not directly connected with the African Cultural Center.

Tonight some of these residents plan to take their complaints to a public forum at the Philadelphia Police Department’s 12th District headquarters at 6448 Woodland Ave. The meeting begins at 6:30 p.m.

Phone calls to the Center’s owner, Murphy Orji, were not returned.

Health Center 3 at 43rd and Chester (across from Clark Park) is inviting friends and neighbors to participate in a Walk-A-Thon this Saturday, June 2, from 9 to 11 a.m. This fundraiser will benefit preventive health programs at HC3. The event also raises awareness about healthy eating and a more active lifestyle through walking. Adults and children of all fitness levels can participate, and even family dogs are welcome.

You can choose one of the two routes – a full lap or a short lap around Clark Park. The full lap around Clark Park B and C is approximately 1/3 mile. The short lap around the “Dog Bowl” in Clark Park B is approximately 1/5 mile.

Registration fee is $5-$20 on a sliding scale at a discretion of each participant and participants experiencing financial hardship can register for free. Non-participants can make a donation. To register or donate, please follow this link. For more information, check out the event’s Facebook page.

A Girl Scouts information and registration meeting will be held tonight from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the St. Mary’s Nursery School, 3916 Locust Walk (near 40th and Locust on the Penn campus).

Girls entering 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th grades are eligible. If you can’t make tonight’s meeting but want more info, write:

Janine Van Patten (2nd and 3rd graders) – janinevanp919@yahoo.com

Amy Kwasnicki (3rd and 4th graders) – kwaszilla@gmail.com

Reader April Carter has just sent us this photo of stormy skies above 44th and Larchwood. Wow, looks menacing!

Keep sending us your neighborhood photos at editor@westphillylocal.com. To see more photos, go here.

Neighbor Tara is looking for a permanent home for her foster cat Lucky who has been living with her since last July. Lucky is a big kitty, around 16 lbs. He is an excellent mouser and spider killer, and he loves to play with the laser mouse and catnip fish. He wants company, not necessarily cuddling, but the same room is good. The same lap is better. A good scratch under his chin makes his day. He is quite a character and is very opinionated.

Lucky needs a very special owner. When he came to live with Tara he needed to learn that people wouldn’t hurt him. Sudden movements like reaching down to pet him on the head made him duck and cower. Anticipating being hit, he would come back fighting. For the first months Tara couldn’t pick him up. He would turn into an angry, yowling, hissing, critter. Now she can hold him on her shoulder and he purrs and gives kisses.

Lucky needs someone patient, kind but firm. He probably should not go into a house with other pets or young children. For the right person Lucky will be the perfect pet. He is about nine years old, has a recent rabies shot and is in good health. If you’re interested in adopting Lucky, please email Tara at: inkfishpress@mail.com

The School District of Philadelphia has announced early dismissal today due to excessive heat. All public schools will close at 1:30 p.m.

The early closure includes early childhood programs. Routine transportation will be in place at the 1:30 p.m. dismissal time. All after-school programs are also canceled. Staff will remain in the buildings until all students are picked up. For more information visit the District’s website at www.philasd.com or call the Information Hotline at 215-400-INFO (4636).