The state has finally signed a lease and now the “premium” Wine and Spirits Shop proposed for the strip mall at 43rd and Chestnut that sparked some controversy in the Spruce Hill neighborhood last year is about three months away from opening.

The Zoning Board of Adjustment (ZBA) approved the project last June, but many residents began wondering if the 5,000-square-foot shop would ever become a reality. Barry Grossbach, who heads up zoning for the Spruce Hill Community Association, said renovation has begun on the end units – formerly a check cashing spot and Risque, an adult video store (pictured) – and will take about 45 days. State officials say it will take another 45 days to get the store stocked and ready to open.

Several residents who live near the proposed location, including Muslim residents from the nearby Masjid al-Jamia mosque, opposed the store. Their opposition was met with support from scores of other residents, which made for a contentious ZBA hearing last summer.

The Wine and Spirits Store at 4301 Chestnut St. will be a a “premium collection” store similar to the ones near 12th and Chestnut and 19th and Chestnut, which feature a broader selection of products than other stores and do not sell small package items such as pints and half pints. This will be the first premium store in West Philadelphia.

The new location will take some pressure off the store near 50th and Baltimore, where lines have swelled since the closing of the shop near 41st and Market in January 2012.

– Mike Lyons

Philly 311, the pretty awesome city service that will help you get information and help from City Hall, is hosting a Twitter chat on Thursday as part of its Neighborhood Liaison program.

Here’s how it works: Deputy Mayor/Managing Director Rich Negrin (@RichNegrin) and Deputy Managing Director Rosetta Carrington Lue (@Rosettalue) will be on Twitter to field questions, concerns and share ideas about how the city government can help empower neighborhoods. The hashtag for the chat is #Philly311NLP.

Specifically, the chat will address six questions:

• How do you define a “community hero”?
• How can city government empower community heroes?
• What can neighborhoods do to keep their communities safe and clean?
• The Philly311 Mobile App now translates to 16 different languages. How could this help unify neighborhoods?
• How can the city’s youth be inspired to keep their communities safe and clean?
• How should the city government communicate its services to Philadelphians without access to technology?

The Neighborhood Liaison Program is designed to connect Philly311 and City Hall to neighborhood organizations by creating a network of volunteer liaisons who can relay community concerns about everything from a pothole to a blighted property.

Two turkeys strolling through Bartram’s Garden last summer. (Photo by West Philly Local)

Some people have written us with concerns about the turkey that has been spotted strolling around the neighborhood in recent days. As suspected, the turkey appears to be from Bartram’s Garden.

The turkey apparently got into a territorial dispute with his brother and took off. Spokeswoman Kim Massare said the Bartram’s Garden staff is interested in getting updates on the turkey, but other than that there is not much that can be done.

“They are federally protected birds and they generally have a wide territory,” said Massare. “If it’s in good health and seems happy there’s no reason to be concerned.”

If the bird does appear to be injured, she suggested contacting the John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge or the Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education, which operates a wildlife rehabilitation clinic.

Otherwise, you can help document the bird’s whereabouts by snapping a photo, leaving a comment here or visiting the Bartram’s Garden Facebook page here.

A turkey, possibly one of those in the photo above, rambling down 50th Street near Springfield. (Photo courtesy of @kayasinfo on Twitter)

Here are a couple of shots from the neighborhood featuring volunteers cleaning up Cedar Park and wonderful spring blossoms.

Unfortunately, another shooting has been reported in West Philadelphia. A 44-year-old man was fatally shot Friday night at approximately 5:30 p.m. near 52nd and Chester. The victim, who was found in a car, had been shot multiple times, police said. Police believe he was the target.

UPDATE: Guncrisis.org is reporting that two men approached the man as he sat in a red Dodge Charger and fired 15 shots at close range. The man was pronounced dead at the scene.

Fatal shootings were down considerably during the first few months of 2013 compared to last year, but they are rising again quickly. Guncrisis.org reports that there have been 33 shooting incidents in the city over the past 48 hours, including at least seven fatalities.

– Mike Lyons

A turkey has been trotting around the neighborhood south of Baltimore from 45th to 49th streets the last few mornings. Several folks have spotted the bird. A neighbor, Claire, snapped the photos below this morning at about 7:30 a.m.

Be careful out there, little buddy!

Photos by Claire King.

This photo of a turkey strolling down 50th street near Springfield is courtesy of @Kayasinfo on Twitter.