Photo courtesy of the St. Bernard Community Garden website.

A plot of land that dozens of gardeners have worked for over 15 years to convert from burned-out homes to a thriving community garden is going on the auction block.

Some 50 local residents garden at the St. Bernard Community Garden, which is now facing an obstacle that has ended many community gardens in the city. The land at 1010 S. St. Bernard (see map below), where many of the garden plots are, is privately owned and the owner stopped paying taxes in 1997, soon after fire destroyed homes on the plot.

On December 19, the property will go to sheriff’s sale. So the gardeners, with the help of some pro bono legal work, Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell and other community organizations, are trying to make sure the land remains a community garden. The city could step in and bid on the plot on behalf of the gardeners, but folks associated with the St. Bernard Community Garden say the city has a maximum bid it can’t exceed. So the gardeners are trying to raise more money to buy the land. So far they have raised more than $10,000. This is where you can help out.

There will be a fundraiser at Dock Street Brewery on December 15 that will include pizza, beer and a silent auction. 10 bucks at the door gets you a pint and a slice and there will be tons of items to bid on (can you say “holiday gifts”?) from a bunch of different local artists, artisans, restaurants and businesses.

Here is a Facebook page where you can RSVP.
 

View St. Bernard Community Garden in a larger map

If some of you have been postponing your investment in a good bike lock, this report we received from a reader, Christina, might persuade you to hurry up. Christina says that she and her boyfriend are lucky to still have their bikes, but it’s because they “practice good bike security.” Here’s what Christina wrote in an email:

“I just wanted to alert you to an attempted bike robbery at 45th and Osage last night. My boyfriend and I had locked up our bikes to a stop sign before going to a friend’s Chanukah party at around 8:30. When we left her house at 2, our bikes were all tangled up, pulled around the stop sign and out in the road a little bit. My front wheel and spokes were bent by my u-lock, my hand brakes were bent backwards, and my seat slashed. My boyfriend’s derailer was bent, but he claims it actually works better now than it did before. We’re lucky because we had locked up our bikes securely and we had good locks– for the damage and frustration, at least I still have a bike. I just wanted to alert my neighbors, because even though bike theft is pretty common, I think it’s always good to have a reminder to practice good bike security, especially when we live in what appears to be such a generally safe neighborhood.”

Here’s an opportunity to share your vision of the Spruce Hill neighborhood this upcoming Thursday (Dec. 13). The Spruce Hill Community Association is hosting a Community Visioning Workshop and all are welcome to come and offer their thoughts on what kind of a place you would like Spruce Hill to be. The workshop will be held at the Spruce Hill Christian School (42nd & Baltimore), beginning at 6:30 p.m.

Community input is needed for the planning process as the Philadelphia Planning Commission is working on a new District Plan and Re-zoning for West Philadelphia neighborhoods (University/Southwest District Plan). Many West Philly residents participated in the first University/Southwest public meeting on November 13 at the Enterprise Center. More details, including the summary and presentation from that meeting are available here.

For more information on the workshop, contact Barry Grossbach, chair of the Spruce Hill Community Trust, at b.grossbach@gmail.com, or leave a telephone message at the Spruce Hill Community Center, 215-349-7825.

Hanukkah, the Jewish festival of lights, began last night and we want to pass along information that Kol Tzedek, a Reconstructionist synagogue in West Philly, is inviting neighbors to its Annual Hanukkah Party/Fundraiser today from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at the Calvary Center for Culture and Community (48th & Baltimore).

Here’s more information from the Kol Tzedek website:

“Candlelighting is approximately at 4:30 pm… This is also vegetarian potluck dinner — bring along a dish to share and your own plates/cutlery if you are able. Come celebrate the Second Night of Hanukkah with the Kol Tzedek community! Light candles, nash on some latkes, play games, sing songs, listen to some classic klezmer brought to you by our Simcha Band, and enjoy the warmth of this holiday of Lights!

This event is also a fundraiser for the community. Suggested sliding scale donation: $8-18 for individuals, $18-36 for families. No one will be turned away! This year, we are aiming to have a bit of a marketplace, featuring local vendors, so bring along some extra cash for that last minute holiday shopping! We need lots of latkes! To volunteer for latke making or volunteer in other ways, contact religiouslife@kol-tzedek.org.

We invite you to bring any or all of these: a vegetarian dish to share, your own plate/napkin/cup/ silverware, your own menorah and candles so we can add to the beautiful lights, a donation of winter gear, coats, mittens, scarves, etc for a local charity.”

The Philadelphia Mobile Food Association is teaming up with Philabundance in an effort to make holidays brighter for those who can’t afford food.  PMFA is organizing a canned food drive this month and will be accepting non-perishable food donations until December 23. You can drop off your donation at any PMFA food truck (see the list of participating West Philly trucks below). The project launched last Saturday during the PMFA Holiday Round Up. Next time you visit your favorite truck remember to bring some canned goods for your fellow man.

Doll by Jessie Schwarz.

University City Arts League is holding its annual Holiday Craft Show and Sale from December 7 to 21 and inviting everyone to the opening reception this Saturday, 6:00-8:00 p.m. (members-only opening reception is on Friday, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.). Over 50 artists will present their work at this year’s show, including ceramics, dolls, drawings, felted animals, hand woven bags, glass, illustrations, jewelry, note cards, paintings, prints, purses, scarves, table linens, wallets and more!

The show hours are:

Monday – Friday, 3:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday, noon – 6:00 p.m.

For more information, visit www.ucartsleague.org.