University City District is teaming up with EnergyWorks, a federally funded energy efficiency program, and inviting University City residents (see map below) to sign up for a discounted home energy audit. Application deadline is January 31, 2013. The audit will help identify areas in your home that need energy efficiency improvements that will make your home more comfortable and help reduce your utility bills.

Typically, the cost of a home energy audit is around $400, but with this program you can get a special $49 promotional rate. EnergyWorks also offers low-interest rate (%0.99) for energy retr0-fits.

For more information and to sign up, email: sustainability@universitycity.org

Update: Police said Tuesday that they apprehended Eric Early near Erie and Torresedale avenues. They also added attempted murder to his list of charges. Police also changed his age from 16 to 17.

Police have apprehended one of two teenage brothers wanted in connection with the shooting at the 46th street El stop on Wednesday,  Dec. 12. 16-year-old Eric Early was taken into custody today and charged with Aggravated Assault. Police are still searching for his brother, 18-year-old Matthew Early.

Photo: Philly Police Blog.

Police are searching for brothers Matthew Early (18 y.o.) and Eric Early (16 y.o.) of the 100 block of S. 49th St. in connection with the shooting of two men aboard an El train Wednesday night. The incident happened at about 10:40 p.m. at the stop at 46th and Market, police said.

The victims, a 30-year-old and 36-year-old, were shot after an argument with the teens. While exiting the train, one of the teens pulled a gun and shot the 36-year-old man in the stomach. The bullet passed through him and then hit the 30-year-old man who was sitting behind him. Both victims were transported to HUP where they were listed in stable condition this morning. Reportedly, the argument that led to shooting was about the 76ers-Bulls game, from which the older man was returning wearing a Bulls jersey.

The teens got off the train at 46th and Market and fled.

UPDATE: Police have released video that includes footage from the surveillance cameras on the train and on the 46th and Market station platform (see below). If you have any information about this crime, please call 911 or Southwest Detectives Division at 215-686-3183/3184. (source: Philly Police Blog)

A special holiday edition of popular Go West! Craft Fest is coming to the Rotunda (40th & Walnut) this Saturday, from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. This is a great opportunity for unique holiday gift shopping, with over 40 local artists and artisans taking part in the event. See the full vendor list here. Thanks to VIX Emporium for organizing this annual event once again!

Sweet, loveable Beatrix is in search of a forever home – not just for the holidays! She’s a 1-2 year old playful pretty girl! She loves playing tug and fetch! She also loooooves people! When she sees a new person she gets the butt wiggles! She’s a young girl so she still has some of her puppy ways! She’s actually named after Beatrix Potter because she hops and bounces and spins just like a bunny rabbit!

Beatrix is really good about sharing her toys. She’s kind of scared of other dogs though. She does well with really young puppies and her brother – she came in the shelter with her brother. His name is Cleveland and he’s awesome too, just like Beatrix.

Bea is up-to-date on all of her shots and will be spayed and microchipped when you take her home. Awesome, right? She has two special people dedicated to keeping her happy in the shelter. You can contact them by sending an email to: todorov.lulu@gmail.com. Come meet her soon and bring everyone in your family (dogs included) to make sure she is a good fit for everybody!

You love chocolate, right? Then you’ll love Murphy! He’s a young, handsome fella with a beautiful dark red brown coat. Murphy is trying to get out of the shelter and into a loving, caring home for the holidays.

Murphy loves to say hello to everyone and is very friendly. He loves to walk on a harness and will barely pull you which make the walks much more pleasant. He loves a game of fetch with a tennis ball and is learning “Drop it” very quickly.

He weighs in at only 50 lbs and is a medium-sized dude. And the best yet: he is housetrained too! He is also up-to-date on all of his shots and will be microchipped and neutered before he comes home with you.

Send an email to todorov.lulu@gmail.com with any additional questions or come on down to the shelter and meet him. You will not be disappointed once you see this handsome mug in person!

Beatrix and Murphy reside at:

ACCT (Philadelphia Animal Care and Control Team)
111 W. Hunting Park Ave.
Philadelphia, PA 19140
Tel.: 267-385-3800, Extension 0 for front desk and 116, 117, 118 for Adoptions.

Adoption hours:
M-F: 1pm-8pm
Sat & Sun: 10am-5pm

Interested in fostering? Here are the hours you can come in and talk about it:
Mon-Sun: 9am-6pm

Adoption Specials:

Saturday & Sunday, December 15 & 16: Santa Paws Adoption Extravaganza!
-All adoption fees are 50% off!

Thursday, December 20: National Re-gifting Day!
-All adoption fees are 50% off!

Friday, December 21: National Underdog Day!
-All animals that have been at ACCT more then 2 weeks are 50% off,
animals here more than 3 weeks are pick your own adoption price.

This upcoming weekend Milk & Honey Market is throwing two holiday celebrations: a Holiday Pop-Up Shop on Sunday at their West Philly store at 45th and Baltimore and Winterfest on Saturday at their Center City location at Sister Cities Park (18th St. and the Benjamin Franklin Parkway). Annie Baum-Stein, the owner, invites her West Philly neighbors to both events.

Winterfest will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and includes a lot of fun holiday activities for the whole family – a Treasure Hunt, Karaoke sing-a-long with Frosty the Snowman, and holiday arts and crafts. The event will kick off with a choir performing songs of the season. Throughout the day children will enjoy Story Art, Snowflake Science, Cold Weather Creatures, and cookie decorating. This page has a full schedule.

For Sunday’s Pop-Up Shop held at 11:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. in West Philly, Milk & Honey partnered with local artist/craft team Fennec Designs (many will recognize their wares from VIX Emporium or Go West Craft Fests) who have invited their neighborhood artisan friends to participate. In addition to the pop-up gift shop, Build-Your-Own gift baskets and Cookie decorating kits will be on tap at the event.  You can purchase anything in the store for a gift basket and receive the gift packaging and a custom gift card free.

And here are some examples of locally grown or made gift items:

Urban Apiaries Honey, unusual bitters, shrubs and syrups for cocktailers, Beer Kits for Home Brewers, local artisan made kitchen accessories, art works and beeswax candles, a great assortment of cookbooks and of course lots of delicious edible gifts!