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Archive | December, 2011

West Philly Clothing Swap this Saturday

December 8, 2011

Here’s a good chance for R and R (reuse and recycle) this weekend. The West Philly Clothing Swap will be held on Saturday, Dec. 10 from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. at the A-Space Community Center (4722 Baltimore Avenue).

Here’s how it works:

Bring a bag or two of clean clothes, shoes and accessories (from baby to adult) and $5. You can recycle or upcycle your unwanted clothes, accessories and shoes or you can also turn them into new-to-you items. A sewing station complete with a sewing machine, needles, thread, buttons, ribbon and fabric will be provided.

Refreshments will be available, including vegan/gluten-free cookie samples from Liz Lovely and a Veg Fund table of vegan treats.

The $5 entrance fee per person will be donated to the A-Space that hosts such groups as Food Not Bombs and Books Through Bars.  Also, left-over clothing and items from the swap will be donated to Philly AIDS Thrift, a thrift shop that raises funds for AIDS-based charities.

To RSVP please visit this Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/events/143961645709722/

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International Holiday Bazaar tomorrow

December 8, 2011

Have you finished your holiday shopping yet? If not, International House Philly (3701 Chestnut Street) invites you to  “shop ‘til you drop” at the International Holiday Bazaar tomorrow, Dec. 9. Come and check out great bargains from around the world at this all-day shopping event running from 1 – 7 p.m. when IHP’s Galleria gets transformed into a holiday village.

There will be something for everyone’s taste and wallet: crafts, food, jewelry, custom prints, toys and fashion from around the world.

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Adopt-a-Dog: Brandy

December 7, 2011

This week’s dog is Brandy – a beautiful, smart, and playful brunette pit bull mix.

Brandy has the kinds of things that you want in a dog, the complete package! She has a huge, beautiful smile that she’ll show you just about any time you pet her, and her pen pal at the shelter has been teaching her some commands.

She already knows “sit” and “down,” and she’s even learning “roll over.” Basically, she’ll learn pretty much anything if there are treats involved!

It doesn’t take much to keep this dog happy. She has a lot of energy since she’s still in her prime, so she loves to play and run, but once she’s worn out she is content to plop down next to you (or on your lap if you’re okay with that) and relax. Brandy also loves belly rubs.

Please come and meet this dog and take her home with you. She wants a new home with people who will love her as much as she’ll love them (a lot!). If you have any other dogs (or cats) in your home, bring them with you to meet Brandy to see if they’d get along.

Please email Brandy’s pen pal Sarah for more information or if you want to meet Brandy: cortes.sarah [at] gmail.com

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Subway franchise eyes Baltimore Ave location

December 7, 2011

Former Pickles & Pies storefront. (Photo West Philly Local)

A deal is in the works to bring a Subway franchise to 4533 Baltimore Ave., the former site of Pickles and Pies. Franchise representatives reportedly shared plans with members of the Spruce Hill Community Association last night.

No zoning variance is required for the location, but there is a Zoning Board of Adjustment hearing scheduled for December.

Barry Grossbach, who handles zoning issues for the Spruce Hill Community Association,  said that the Subway franchise has applied for a takeout certificate, which is required of any restaurant. The Subway will likely have limited seating.

“Our zoning committee is still discussing the application for a take out certificate,” said Grossbach by e-mail. “[A zoning hearing] is scheduled for December 21st. We expect to have a decision before then.”

The zoning hearing will likely be at the regular ZBA spot – 1515 Arch St., 18th Fl.

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RENT School Edition playing at The Rotunda

December 7, 2011

Rent School Edition logoReminder: Locally produced musical RENT: School Edition is playing at The Rotunda (4014 Walnut Street) through December 23. The producers and high school students cast in the show have done an amazing job. There are eight shows remaining: Saturday Dec. 10 @1 p.m., Sunday Dec. 11 @1 p.m., Sunday Dec. 11 @7 .pm., Saturday Dec. 17 @1 p.m., Sunday Dec. 18 @1 p.m., Sunday Dec. 18 @7 p.m., Thursday Dec. 22 @7 p.m., and Friday Dec. 23 @3 p.m.

Tickets are $10 ($5 for under 18, college students w/ ID, and senior citizens). To buy tickets go here.

Here’s a story in City Paper on this project, and here are some scenes from the show:
 

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News briefs: Trolley Car eyes West Philly; Choosing Lea; and Stanford Thompson plays on

December 7, 2011

diner
The Trolley Car Diner location on Germantown Ave. in Mount Airy. (Photo courtesy of Diner History blog.)

Trolley Car Diner eyes West Philly

Newsworks is reporting that the Mount Airy-based Trolley Car Diner, which also has a location in East Falls, is considering opening a spot in West Philly. Trolley Car’s owner, Ken Weinstein, told Newsworks that the University City District came to him about opening a location in University City. “University City District approached us probably six months ago and asked if we were interested,” Weinstein told Newsworks. “I thought that the University City area would be a good match.” Weinstein said he is considering a spot that would include outdoor seating, but that one has not yet been chosen.

Why I Chose Lea

West Philly resident David Hincher and his family were featured this week in Philadelphia Inquirer columnist Miriam Hill’s “Raising Philadelphia” column. Hincher’s essay details why he plans to send his daughter to the Henry C. Lea School (47th and Locust). He writes:

“The collective hope of all those hundreds of other parents in our area all in the same situation we are in, all working together to find a solution, and improve one school, has soothed that old public school issue panic like a strange balm. For the first time in years, my wife and I are in agreement and will likely apply for a voluntary transfer for our daughter to Lea Elementary when the time comes.”

Play on, Stanford

West Philadelphia resident Stanford Thompson, the man behind the venture Play On, Philly, was profiled this week in the Inquirer. The story reveals his passion of bringing orchestral music to schools in the city. He is currently working at Saint Francis de Sales (4625 Springfield Ave.) and plans to bring the program to the Lea School in January. He hopes to have 10 programs running throughout the city by 2020. He tells Inquirer music critic Peter Dobrin in the piece:

“To be completely honest, I’ve always been obsessed with the – how do I say this? – the lack of engagement of underserved communities. I consider myself to be among the communities I see in West Philadelphia and North Philadelphia and South Philadelphia, and I sit on the trolley and I think: All of those kids could fall in love with the orchestra. I fell in love with it, they can fall in love with it – if we give these kids the opportunity.”

 

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