We have good news and bad news. Curbside diners from Clark Park to Center City will be sad to hear that Honest Tom is retiring his taco truck. The good news is that an entrepreneur eager to get into the food truck game will get the colorful 1970 Chevy step van, one of the most vaunted food trucks in the city,  free of charge.

“Honest” Tom McCusker, who in December climbed out of the truck and into his new shop on 44th Street, is giving the truck away for a story.

“It runs like an old workhorse but definitely has its quirks,” said McCusker, who says he bought the truck off a man named Derek with credit card cash advances from “multiple credit cards.”

Here’s a post from his Facebook page that spells out the deal:

For those that have inquired or anyone else it may concern:

We have been trying to get the truck back into regular rotation for months now, but with the shop schedule being as demanding as it is we have realized that it is not going to be possible. So we’ve come up with a plan…

As good as the truck has been to us we’ve decided it cannot be burdened with a monetary value. We will be gifting it to a noble up and comer looking to dive into the dark scary world of food trucking. Email honesttoms – at – gmail.com with why you should be the chosen one and we will make a decision on monday the 9th of july,meaning emails must be in that Sunday by midnight.

So get your e-mail to Tom by midnight on July 8.

This enormous, gorgeous Akita shepherd was found near 49th and Chester. He looked hungry and was given food and water. The SPCA was informed and are on their way. Email Max at octobermax@gmail.com if you know this dog.

Police charged two men in connection with an alleged marijuana growing operation on S. 48th Street yesterday.

James Lippert, 49, and David Eisenstadt, 50, were charged with possession with intent to manufacture or deliver, which is a felony, and other drug-related charges, after police raided 1123 S. 48th St. (near Chester Ave.) yesterday afternoon.

Lippert is being held on $1.5 million bail, according to court records. Eisenstadt’s bail is $1 million. Both are being held at the Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility.

Witnesses say they saw police removing large trash bags and planting pots from the home, which property records show is owned by Lippert.

Seeds Gallery is coming to Baltimore Avenue soon and is seeking artists who would like to display their work for the opening event at the end of July. Seeds Gallery is a modern art studio with a focus on local artists and represents emerging and established career artists in all media and styles. Currently, the gallery is showcasing artwork collections throughout the city – in local restaurants, coffee shops, yoga studios, libraries and bookstores.

The gallery’s mission is to create a networking forum for local artists and to help seed them in the community. Also, they are trying to go beyond presenting artist’s work to help educate them in business practices such as risk and liabilities, contract management, financial management, product pricing, and marketing.

If you are a local artist and are looking to get your work out there, drop an email to artists@seedsgallery.com. For more information, visit www.seedsgallery.com.
 

Get ready for some sunshine and free music this Saturday, June 30, as the bi-annual Clark Park Music and Art Festival gets into gear. The summer edition of the festival, a 42-year-old tradition in the historic park, includes live music, children’s activities, arts and crafts vending, and other events and diversions to fill your Saturday.

The festival runs from noon-8 p.m. Some of the bands featured this year include Power Animal, The Horrible Department, and the West Philly based City Wide Specials, among others. See below for a full list and set times. The forecast for this Saturday is mostly sunny with a high of 94, so make sure to pack a lot of sunscreen.

12:00pm-12:30pm – Rock to the Future (stage 1) 
http://www.rocktothefuturephilly.org/

12:40pm-1:10pm – The Best Westerns (stage 1)
 http://www.facebook.com/thebestwesternsmusic

1:25pm-1:55pm – City Wide Specials (stage 2)
 The West Philadelphia-based City Wide Specials perform traditional and original songs as well as instrumental breakdowns and waltzes on guitar, dobro, banjo, mandolin, fiddle and upright bass

2:10pm-2:45pm – The Really Cooks (stage 1) 
http://www.thereallycooks.com/

3:00pm-3:30pm – Jampa (stage 2) 
http://www.jampaband.com/

3:45pm-4:15pm – The Downtown Club (stage 1) 
Delayed Female Vocals, Analog Snyth, Guitar, Drums and Bass

4:30pm-5pm – Break it Up (stage 1)
 http://breakitupband.wordpress.com/

5:15pm-5:45pm – On the Water (stage 2) 
http://onthewater.bandcamp.com/

5:45-6:15pm – Erode and Disappear (stage 1)

6:30-7:00pm – The Horrible Department (stage 2)
 http://www.myspace.com/thehorribledepartment

7:15-8:00pm – Power Animal (stage 1) 
http://poweranimal.tumblr.com/

– Kelly Lawler
 

Did you see this cool rainbow that showed up over the neighborhood the other day? If you missed it, here are some photos sent to us by our readers.

This photo was taken by Adam Rice. Looking down Locust towards 51st Street.

Stephan Heuer snapped this picture near 45th and Baltimore.