Some of our readers wrote to tell us about a loud, window-shaking boom they heard in the Spruce Hill area near 46th and Locust on Friday morning, shortly before 7 a.m., and were wondering if it was some kind of an explosion. So here’s what we found out: Police say the noise came from a blown transformer near 46th and Locust Streets, which caused temporary power loss in some households in the area.

No injuries were reported, according to police.

The Cedar Park Neighbors Scholarships Fund is currently accepting applications from neighborhood students who need help paying for their college expenses. Each year, the fund awards several scholarships, ranging from $600 to $1,000, and students living within Cedar Park boundaries (see map below) are welcome to apply. Applications must be received or postmarked by June 1, 2014. To download the application, click here. For more information, email: scholarships@cedarparkneighbors.org

We’re sad to report that one of Spruce Hill’s fixtures, Marigold Kitchen, is closing soon, according to various reports. The owner and chef, Robert Halpern, is moving on and selling the restaurant, which he has owned since 2009.

Marigold Kitchen has received great reviews and drawn customers from all over the city and beyond with its delectable dishes. Just recently, the restaurant went menu-free.

The final night of operation will be June 28, according to Philly.com’s The Insider. Regular dinner will be served until May 19, followed by a series of “small, super-seasonal ‘best of’ dinners” on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights from May 30 through June 28, 2014.

Go West! Craft Fest Event Map (click to enlarge).

It’s shaping up to be quite an eventful weekend in West Philly. We already wrote about plant sales at PIC and Bartram’s Garden, a free walking tour of Lancaster Avenue, a book release party, and a weight pulling competition for dogs. And here’s one of the year’s most raving events in this part of the city: The spring edition of Go West! Craft Fest is also scheduled for this weekend.

The festival returns on Saturday, May 3 to the Woodlands (40th & Woodland) and this time brings an absolutely ridiculous number of vendors – we hear that over 120 local artists and artisans will be there to present their work to West Philly residents and visitors.

As always, Go West! will also feature local musicians, acrobatic performances by Tangle Movement Arts (tinycircus), great food and fun for adults and kids alike (see the event map).

This year, the craft fest is extensively covered by Grid Magazine, which included a 16-page guide in its May 2014 edition. You can pick up a free copy of the magazine at these locations.

The fest starts at 11:00 a.m. and will go on until 5 p.m. (rain date is Sunday, May 4). For more information, go to: http://gowestcraftfest.blogspot.com

An aerial acrobat from Tangle Movement Arts (tinycircus) performs at Go West! Craft Fest (archived photo / West Philly Local).

Neighbors have set up a fund to help with the medical expenses of Philippe Holland, the 20-year-old pizza delivery driver who was shot by police in a tragic misunderstanding near 51st and Willows on April 22.

Philippe Holland

Holland, a Community College of Philadelphia student, is recovering in the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania (HUP) with three gunshot wounds, including one in the face.

Holland had just finished making a delivery when two plain-clothes officers attempted to stop and question him as he was walking along a sidewalk with his hands in his pockets and his hood up. The officers were investigating a shooting that had happened in the area minutes earlier. Holland, who police believe may have thought he was being robbed, ran to his car and drove toward the officers. The officers fired at least 14 shots into the car, according to reports. Holland was struck in the face, leg and neck.

Neighbors Patty Bulack and Kate Krauss, who live near where the shooting took place, have organized the “Fund for Phil.” Krauss said she recently spoke with Holland’s family at HUP.

“We want to offer the family some tangible solidarity,” Krauss said.

Holland will survive but needs facial reconstructive surgery and “probably a lot more,” she said.

Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey has visited Holland in the hospital. The shooting is still under investigation and the officers involved have been placed on desk duty.

Krauss said Holland’s mother asked her to convey to residents her hope that they keep Phillipe in their thoughts and prayers. She also hoped there could be a different way to get food to people at night other than drivers, who are often the target of violence.

There are two ways to help. You can drop a donation off at the Mariposa Food Coop at 4824 Baltimore Ave or you can go to Pay Pal, where the family has set up an account.  You will need to enter “FundforPhil – at – Gmail.com.”

An illustration from The Garden of Time by Zoe Cohen.

Nearly five years ago, when Zoe Cohen was pregnant with her first child, she knew she wanted to illustrate a children’s book. That book, the West Philly artist decided, would illuminate the Jewish holiday’s deep-rooted connection to nature and the seasons.

Come 2014, and that seed of thought has developed into The Garden of Time, an illustrated 32-page children’s book exploring this bond, both in history and spirit, through the eyes of Adam and Eve. Published in March by Skinner House, The Garden of Time features 12 illustrations by Cohen, which were crafted between 2009 and 2012, and the interweaving tale written by Rabbi Jill Hammer, author and co-founder of the Kohenet Institute.

To celebrate The Garden of Time, Cohen is hosting a book release party this Sunday, May 4th at The Cedarworks (4919 Pentridge St.) from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The free event will feature a potluck lunch and book reading, and will have copies of The Garden of Time available for sale and signed by the artist.

This week, West Philly Local had a chance to chat with Cohen about the book, how it came to fruition, and its ultimate message. Continue Reading