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Masked teens rob woman at gunpoint on 4900 block of Larchwood

Posted on 18 May 2011 by Mike Lyons

A neighborhood resident couldn’t believe that the two masked teenagers who were pointing a gun at her last night and demanding her car keys on the 4900 block of Larchwood were serious. Police say the unnamed woman tried to grab the gun thinking it was fake. It wasn’t.

The two young males, who the woman estimated to be between 15 and 18 years old, approached her at about 8:30 p.m. as she got out of her car. When she realized the gun they brandished was real, police added, she stopped resisting. The two teens forced their way into the passenger side of the car and grabbed her handbag, which contained credit cards and cash.

Southwest Detective Joseph Murray, who has gained Twitter fame as the TheFuzz9143, wrote early this morning that attempting to take a robber’s gun is not a good idea.

“Don’t try that,” he wrote. “These kids already don’t know how to handle a gun and it can go off too easily.”

No arrests have been made.

 

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Accident at 43rd and Spruce

Posted on 18 May 2011 by Mike Lyons

A pedestrian was struck by a vehicle at 43rd and Spruce this morning. No word yet on injuries. Traffic was closed for a block each way on Spruce and 43rd.

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Pooches and a juggler at the library

Posted on 17 May 2011 by Mike Lyons

Milo, Gus and Dandie love being read to at the Blackwell Library’s children’s department. Milo and Gus will be there later today and Dandie on Saturday. (Photo from the Lucien E. Blackwell West Philadelphia Regional Library Facebook page.)

 

Two upcoming events at the Lucien E. Blackwell West Philadelphia Regional Library (125 S. 52nd St.) look super fun for kids.

Tonight kids will have a chance to read to two therapy dogs, Gus and Milo, a couple of cool West Philly hounds, at 6 p.m. in the library’s great children’s section. If you miss tonight’s reading, the calm, cool and collected corgi Dandie will be at the library on Saturday at 2 p.m.

And for something completely different, the Library will host a juggling workshop with David Smith – also known as the “One Man Side Show” – at 4 p.m. tomorrow. Smith’s juggling prowess got him an audition for America’s Got Talent and is an expert at leading hands-on workshops for the whole family.

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Help wanted: West Philly Tool library moving and expanding

Posted on 17 May 2011 by Mike Lyons

tools

 

 

The West Philly Tool Library is moving and expanding this weekend and they need some help. This valuable neighborhood resource is currently located in a cramped space at 4620 Woodland Avenue. They have secured a new space around the corner in a warehouse at 1314 S. 47th Street. The new spot is nearly triple the size of the current one and will allow for more tools and more community workshops.

The plan is to move everything down to the last hammer on Saturday and Sunday between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. If you can spare an hour or two, the Tool Library folks would love some help. Write Jake at (jake — at — westphillytools.org) to sign up for a time.

If you are tied up during the weekend, there are other ways to help. The added space needs to get filled up. You can donate your spare tools to the Tool Library by clicking here.

The Tool Library also needs teachers. If you have a skill to share write Stacey at stacey — at — westphillytools.org to sign up to teach a class.

Lastly, more space means more costs. Memberships and late fees account for only about 40 percent of the library’s budget. Tax-deductible contributions are always welcome. Click here to make one.

 

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Parents’ forum tonight on school budget cuts

Posted on 17 May 2011 by Mike Lyons

The group Parents United for Public Education will host a forum tonight to discuss the impact of possible state cuts in education funding that could jeopardize full-day kindergarten, free student public transportation and many other programs in Philadelphia public schools.

The forum will take place from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the West Philadelphia Seventh Day Adventist Church at 46th and Haverford.

The School District of Philadelphia released a preliminary budget in late April that includes massive cuts in response to proposed cuts in state aid. The School Reform Commission has until May 31 to approve the budget.

 

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Primary primer: Catching up before tomorrow’s vote

Posted on 16 May 2011 by Mike Lyons

Primary elections are tomorrow and if you find yourself without a playbook or you just want to remind yourself what’s at stake in 15 minutes or less, we suggest two sources.

First, West Philly writer and journalist Patrick Kerkstra speculates on questions surrounding the primary in The Philly Post, a Philadelphia Magazine blog.

voteUp for grabs is each party’s nod for mayor, all 17 City Council ballot spots and the party favorites for the controversial sheriff’s post. For a complete rundown, we suggest you consult the City Paper’s informative and entertaining election primer.

Lastly, Committee of 70 has a nifty little thing to help you find your polling place.

 

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