The northern section of Clark Park (Park A) will officially reopen June 16, according to the Friends of Clark Park website.

An opening ceremony is tentatively scheduled for the afternoon (after 3 p.m., though an exact time is not set) and will include representatives of state and local government, Philadelphia Parks and Recreation, and cooperating partner organizations.

The park has been undergoing major renovations since September 2010, including the removal of several trees. Other changes include paved paths, lighting, drainage and resodding.

The central plaza area of the new “A” section will also include cafe style seating with small tables and chairs. We’re not sure how these are going to be secured. The tables and chairs were bought with a $3000 donation from Bryan and Lisa Hanes.

Today’s pet is Willie, a very sweet young male pitbull mix (1-2 yrs).

Willie gets along very well with other dogs and even cats. He is neutered, up to date with his vaccinations, dewormed and microchipped.

Willie is fully housetrained and crate trained. He does need more work with jumping up on people when he’s excited and pulling during walks. He’s a smart, responsive boy who is worth the effort of the fine tuning he needs with training. Willie would do best in a home without children.

Willie is currently in foster care through PAWS and urgently needs a permanent home.

If you’re interested in setting up a meeting with this charming fellow call Jessica Watson at 267-912-5517 or email: sadiedoogan [at] yahoo.com

Puerto Rican vocalist Taína Asili, flamenco dancer April Goltz, and guitarist Gaetano Vaccaro present an intimate and unforgettable performance of Latin American folk and flamenco tonight, at 7:30 p.m. at Crossroads Music (801 S 48th St.).

Taína Asili and April Goltz are former Philadelphians. Goltz took her first flamenco steps at the Arts League in West Philly beginning in 2002.

Tickets are still available here.

Before the main event, there will be a short children’s concert, from 6 p.m. to approximately 6:45 p.m. Tickets to this show are $5 for kids, with accompanying grownups free.

There are only six days left to help Mariposa‘s online fundraising campaign that will help it into a new home.

The popular local food co-op still needs about $5,000 to reach their goal of $10,000 collected from community members and supporters at the fundraising website Indiegogo.com. The money will go to cover the costs associated with the purchase and renovation of their new space at 4824 Baltimore Ave.

Even individual donations of $5 or $10 may help the co-op reach their goal. To donate, visit this page.

Check out the video about Mariposa’s fundraising campaign.

Mariposa Food Co-op Fundraiser from mariposa coop on Vimeo.

The Marathon Grill (200 South 40th St.) and its lounge MarBar closed their doors yesterday, May 23, after nearly seven years of operation due to declining business, according to a report today in the Penn student newspaper The Daily Pennsylvanian.

The paper quotes Penn’s Executive Director of Real Estate Ed Datz:

“When they [Marathon Grill] came to this location, they brought a renewed vitality to the 40th Street corridor, improving the economy, the activity, and safety of the area in conjunction with other neighborhood development in West Philadelphia.”

The restaurant and bar opened in 2004, replacing a Burger King on the southwest corner of 40th and Walnut. The establishment’s five other locations around the city will remain open, the paper reported. A new tenant for the space, which Penn owns, has not been named.

The Rita Jones Dance Company will present A Tribute To Billie Holiday concert tonight at 7:30 p.m. at The Rotunda (4014 Walnut St.). Proceeds from the event will go to Pancreatic Cancer Research program at Jefferson Hospital. General admission tickets: $10.