Firefighters at the scene of fire on the 5200 block of Larchwood Ave. (Twitter photo @a_butler)

A serious fire broke out this evening in a two-story vacant row home on the 5200 block of Larchwood Avenue. The fire began shortly before 5 p.m. and was put out after about 18 minutes, according to PhillyFireNews.com.

No people were found inside the building and no injuries were reported.

We hope you’re enjoying your summer in West Philly despite the heat. A lot of great events are still coming up, so here’s a reminder for our readers of what is scheduled for the rest of this month.

• University City Dining Days will continue through Sunday, July 24.

• On Saturday, July 23, Dendê & Band will bring Afro-Brazilian rhythms to 40th and Walnut, as part of the 40th Street Summer Series.

• Shakespeare in Clark Park will present The Two Gentlemen of Verona, July 27 – 31. Parks on Tap will also make a stop in Clark Park.  Continue Reading

The trolley tunnel will close down tonight at 10 p.m. and reopen at 5 a.m. on Monday, SEPTA has announced. The closure is due to maintenance of overhead wires and will impact all routes.

Routes 11, 13, 34, and 36 will divert to 40th and Market Streets and Route 10 will divert to 40th and Filbert Streets.

This closure is not related to the annual “Tunnel Blitz,” which was recently postponed due to the recent problems with Septa’s Regional Rail cars.

The scene on the west side of 52nd Street near Hazel (Photo West Philly Local)

Twelve children were hospitalized after a day care van crashed into an building at 52nd and Hazel Friday morning. The incident was reported at around 9:30 a.m. Children and the driver of an unmarked van were taken to area hospitals for observation, according to reports. Police said the children were not hurt, and the driver was in stable condition.

Reportedly, the driver experienced problems with the brakes before the crash. The investigation continues. Detours are expected in the area.

Walnut Hill Community Association is inviting families this Friday (July 15) to a free outdoor movie night which will be held at the newly upgraded Lea School Yard (47th and Locust). Popular new flick Zootopia will be screened beginning at 8 p.m. (rain date is Friday, July 22, 8 p.m.). Please bring your own beverages and snacks and also chairs or blankets (adult supervision is recommended).

There will be another movie night at Lea School – on August 12 at 8 p.m. For more information on this and other community events, please check the Walnut Hill Community Association website.

The annual Lancaster Avenue Jazz Festival returns on Saturday, July 16 to Powelton Village. This year’s festival, which runs from noon to 7 p.m. in Penn Presbyterian Saunders Park Greene (39th and Powelton), celebrates women in jazz and features a mix of dynamite artists.

A renowned pianist and composer with Philadelphia roots, Sumi Tonooka, will headline the festival and will also present a master class performance with local youth on Friday (see more info below). Also performing on the Lancaster Avenue Jazz & Arts Festival stage are saxophonist Nzinga Banks, poet and vocalist Pheralyn Dove, vocalist Laurin Talese, trumpeter Dr. Diane Lyle-Smith, guitarist Monnette Sudler, 12 year old Alesandra Pollack, a vocal artist and pianist, and the popular jazz, R&B and soul-spirited Charlene Holloway Band. The Universal African Dance and Drum Ensemble will also be back by popular demand.

Sumi Tonooka

The Lancaster Avenue Jazz & Arts Festival is a FREE family-friendly event showcasing the best of Philadelphia: it features some of the best musicians, a diverse gathering of people, a view of the city and a chance to enjoy a neighborhood that is rich in arts and culture. The festival has grown from a few hundred attendees to more than 3,000!

Artisans and vendors along with a variety of specialty food trucks will be on site. Activities such as a moon bounce, face painting, community resources and digital pop-up computer lab will be available for everyone’s enjoyment. Free parking is available one block away at Penn Presbyterian’s lot at Powelton Avenue and State Street.  Continue Reading