UPDATE (8/22/2015): Demolition of the mid-19th century mansion at 40th and Pine has begun.

(8/18/2015): Demolition of the old mansion at 40th and Pine is expected to begin this week, according to the signs posted at the site:

Historical Commission cleared the way for demolition of the building in December 2014, after years of the dispute between the University of Pennsylvania, which owns the building, and the Woodland Terrace Homeowners Association over the mansion’s future. Architect Samuel Sloan-designed Italianate mansion was built in 1850’s. Penn purchased the property in 2008 and claimed financial hardship, which allowed them to demolish the building to make room for student housing. However, in 2013, they presented a compromise plan to incorporate the original part of the building into the proposed apartment complex, “Azalea Gardens.” The Woodland Terrace Homeowners Association rejected the proposal.

Police are investigating an overnight shooting on the 5400 block of Norfolk St., which left one person dead. A 21-year-old man was shot multiple times and was taken to Mercy Hospital by a private vehicle shortly before 1 a.m., according to a police report. The man was suffering from numerous gunshot wounds to his entire body, according to police. He was pronounced dead at around 1:20 a.m. on Saturday.

So far police have no suspects and no motive for the shooting. The investigation continues.

Photo from One Art Community Center’s Facebook page.

A great community effort is underway on North 52nd Street. An Earthship, a 100 percent sustainable, “green” home, is being built on a vacant lot at 5128-5146 Warren St., from both natural and recycled materials.

The project is spearheaded by the One Art Community Center (formerly Wall Street International), which is planning to create an urban sustainability center and expand its artistic and educational programs for the community. One Art has already been running an educational farm in the area, which includes an orchard and organic learning garden.

This is the second Earthship being built in West Philadelphia. The first project, led by non-profit organization LoveLovingLove Inc., began last year at 675 N. 41st Street.

One Art’s plan is to build a two-story, four-room solar-powered building complete with bathrooms by the end of the year, if they get enough funding and materials, according to CBS Philly.

By the way, this Saturday, One Art is hosting a big community festival, titled A Midsummer Night’s Dream, at their location at 5128-46 Warren Street. The festival, which will feature 15+ musical acts, workshops, a fashion show, art installations, live painting and glassblowing, vending and much more, will be held from 1 p.m. Aug. 22 to 4 a.m. Aug. 23. For more information and tickets ($30), visit the event’s Facebook page.

Free outdoor movies, from classics to more recent critically-acclaimed films, will be shown in Clark Park (43rd and Chester) every Friday from Aug. 21 to Sept. 18. The program is presented by the University City District, the City of Philadelphia and Friends of Clark Park.

This Friday, families are invited to watch the Pixar animated classic The Incredibles. There will also be prizes for kids dressed in super hero costumes, children’s activities, raffle, and food trucks. The programming starts at 7 p.m., and the movie starts at dusk.

Here’s what’s showing over the next four weeks:

Aug. 28 – Casablanca
Sept. 4 – Little Shop of Horrors
Sept. 11 – Selma
Sept. 18 – Best in Show

More details can be found here.

The Nesting House’s West Philly location is now open at 4501 Baltimore Ave. (Facebook photo)

In case you missed it, the West Philly location of locally owned children’s boutique and consignment store, The Nesting House, opened last week at 4501 Baltimore Ave. The West Philly store is currently looking for various items for its large consignment section, including strollers, high chairs, swings, bouncy seats, pack and plays, as well as books and toys up to age 6 (visit The Nesting House’s Facebook page for more information).

The store will also be offering workshops and classes for both kids and parents, starting next month. Rhythm Babies, an early childhood music class, will be held every Tuesday, beginning Sept. 8. A free cloth diaper workshop will take place on Sept. 24.

The store hours are: Monday – Saturday 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.; Sunday 11 a.m.- 4 p.m.

For more information, visit thenestinghouse.net.

University of the Sciences officials have some plans they want to share with the community and they are holding a community meeting on Thursday, Aug. 20. University leadership will provide updates on the Campus Master Plan and reveal their plans regarding a celebration of the long history of the Alexander Wilson School.

The meeting will be at the McNeil Science and Technology Center at 45th and Woodland from 7 – 8 p.m.

As a reminder, Alexander Wilson Elementary School was permanently closed in 2013, and USciences purchased the 1.03-acre parcel at 46th and Woodland last fall with the plans to convert it into student housing and student-focused retail.

Former Alexander Wilson School building at 46th and Woodland (Google Street View image).