Fire crews battled a two-alarm fire on the 4900 block of Chestnut Street on Friday morning. The fire broke out shortly after 11 a.m. on the second floor of a two-story row house at 4937 Chestnut St. The fire was brought under control at around 12:30 p.m.

Two firefighters suffered minor injuries, according to reports.

A SEPTA bus has been positioned at 50th and Chestnut to provide relief to anyone displaced by the fire and for the fire crews working in frigid conditions.

Responding to a fire on the 4900 block of Chestnut Street in West Philly. Please avoid the area.

— Philadelphia Fire (@PhillyFireDept) December 29, 2017

On-scene of the 4900 block of Chestnut St with the @PhillyFireDept standing by for any pet needs pic.twitter.com/0C2oBdxfpu

— Red Paw Relief Team (@RedPawRelief) December 29, 2017

Update on 49th & Chestnut: About 100 PFD members and 40 apparatus responded to this 2-alarm fire. pic.twitter.com/y47t3rwc9m

— Philadelphia Fire (@PhillyFireDept) December 29, 2017

On New Year’s Eve (Sunday, Dec. 31), neighbors and guests are invited to the Philadelphia Episcopal Cathedral (38th and Chestnut) for “Watch Night for Racial Justice” – an evening of jazz that will benefit interfaith organization P.O.W.E.R. (Philadelphians Organized to Witness, Empower, and Rebuild).

The event is in response to the alarming increase in racist violence and injustice over the past year. It celebrates the tradition of “Watch Night” which began on New Year’s Eve 1863 in black churches throughout the nation awaiting the announcement of the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1864.  Continue Reading

A robbery suspect was shot and critically wounded by a plainclothes police officer near 49th and Walnut Streets on Tuesday morning, according to reports.

Plainclothes police officers pursued an unidentified male suspect after he allegedly robbed a deli at 52nd and Irving Streets at around 9 a.m. The man reportedly got into a black Chevy SUV near 52nd and Hazel Streets. During the pursuit, the suspect’s SUV collided with another car at 49th and Walnut Street.

After the collision, one of the officers approached the suspect’s car and identified himself, according to a report by NBC Philadelphia, and then shot the suspect once in the chest after he didn’t comply. The suspect reportedly made a motion toward his waistband.  Continue Reading

Below is information on schedule changes for SEPTA and city services and special hours and closings at some local shops, cafes and restaurants. We’ll update this post when more information becomes available. If you want to add your business hours, please do so in the comments below. Information on holiday events can be found here. Happy Holidays!

SEPTA

Buses (except Route 204), Trains, and Trolleys will operate on a SUNDAY schedule on Christmas Day (Monday, Dec. 25) and on New Year’s Day. Customers should check the timetables for specific holiday service information.  Continue Reading

As SEPTA Key card sales have increased, SEPTA is phasing out token sales.

If you’re still using SEPTA tokens for your rides, take note: Starting in mid-January 2018, SEPTA will begin the process of phasing out token sales at cashiers’ booths and vending machines at Market-Frankford and Broad Street Line stations. Tokens will continue to be sold at major SEPTA sales offices, Regional Rail stations, and at over 200 third-party retailers until further notice.

More and more riders are making the transition to the SEPTA Key, and token sales have been steadily declining. About half of the station vending machines on the Market-Frankford and Broad Street Lines have already been removed. Beginning in mid-January, cashier sales will end and the 40 remaining token machines will be removed over a six-week period. Token sales at all these locations are expected to end on or about March 1, 2018. The full phase-out schedule will be posted on SEPTA’s website, www.septa.org, in early January.  Continue Reading

Here’s a great way to celebrate the longest night of the year. The Woodlands (40th and Woodland) will be hosting a special Winter Solstice bird walk on Thursday, Dec. 21, from 4 – 6 p.m.:

“Celebrate the Winter Solstice by exploring The Woodlands with Toribird, our resident birding expert! Toribird will lead a candlelit bird walk from 4:00 p.m. – 4:45 p.m. Then enjoy Center Circle after dark and create bird themed crafts by our firepits. Seasonal treats, music, and activities will take place until 6:00 p.m.”

Sounds like fun. More information can be found at woodlandsphila.org.