Spruce Hill and Powelton Village residents have a chance this Sunday, Dec. 18 to show their Christmas carol singing prowess and help light and decorate community trees.

Friends of Clark Park will be hosting the annual Christmas Caroling in the park. The event begins at 5 p.m. at the Community Christmas Tree atop the maintenance house, near 45th and Regent Streets. This wonderful, longstanding event draws many neighbors each year as a hushed winter night falls. Everyone is welcome to come sing traditional Christmas favorites by candlelight with your neighbors, and then enjoy hot cider and cookies.

Also on Sunday, a tree lighting celebration will take place in Powelton, at 3750 Lancaster Avenue (United Bank building). Neighbors are invited to help light the tree and make decorations and memories together. This event will take place from 5 – 7:30 p.m.

People’s Emergency Center (PEC) and the Islamic Cultural Preservation and Information Council (ICPIC) this week launched Westphillyhistory.com, a website that includes an interactive map which pinpoints sites of historic significance in the area ranging from the Lenape Indian settlements in the 1600s to Malcolm X and the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in the 1960’s – up to the present day.

Visitors to the site can take a virtual tour, filter events by categories such as arts and culture or social movements, or walk through history using the timeline.

“West Philadelphia has often attracted national and international attention for its prominent role in our nation’s history. These neighborhoods west of the Schuylkill River have a rich cultural identity unique to the city of Philadelphia, making it a place of significance within a ‘city of firsts’,” reads a statement on the website.  Continue Reading

A fire broke out early Wednesday afternoon underground, reportedly after a gas leak, near 49th and Windsor and caused evacuations of nearby homes, according to neighbor and media reports. The fire was seen coming out of a manhole and reaching as high as six feet. Firefighters responded to the scene, and shuttle buses replaced trolleys due to the fire.

UPDATE: Two SEPTA workers were hospitalized with 1st and 2nd degree burns following the fire, according to reports.

SEPTA and PGW were doing some work in the area this morning, according to neighbor reports, but it’s not clear whether the fire was caused by this. The Philadelphia Fire Department is investigating the cause of the gas leak.

Hope everyone is staying warm today! #WhyILovePhilly pic.twitter.com/qkAUeZ06qY

— Phila. Bikes (@philabikes) December 14, 2016

Just saw the fire a block and a half from my house. Looks and smells like a @PECOconnect gas leak. @WestPhillyLocal @KYWNewsradio https://t.co/0b8aSgePKo

— Kate Garchinsky (@katesnowbird) December 14, 2016

Community members are invited to St. Francis de Sales Church (47th and Springfield) for a candlelight Christmas concert under the dome this Wednesday (Dec. 14). The church’s choir will preview pieces from their annual Midnight Mass carol service, and their lineup this year will showcase pieces by Vaughan-Williams, Victoria, Franck, Garau and others, as well as feature a carol sing-along.

The concert is free and open to the public, but donations are encouraged. All proceeds go toward restoration projects in the church building, which dates to 1907.

“Since the departure of the old pastor, there are a number of cultural and community events that SFDS is looking to relaunch,” writes SFDS sexton Michael Nevadomski. “Most of them are pretty Catholic, but we’re looking to start doing more regular concerts, the first of which is a candlelight Christmas concert by our very talented choir and organist on December 14.”  Continue Reading

Santa Claus and Hanukkah Harry Are Coming to Town!

Mark your calendars. On Saturday, Dec. 17 from 2-4 p.m., the one and only Santa Claus is loading up his sleigh with his best friend Hanukkah Harry to serve up family photos, Santa selfies, and the world’s best Latkes to you and your family. Everyone is invited, so don’t hesitate to just stop in and take some quick selfies with the legend… no, not Elvis!

Snacks and refreshments will be provided by Philly Homebrew Outlet, but feel free to bring some of your own treats and liquid concoctions to share.

Huge Selection of Bottles and DIY Kits including Bagels & Cream Cheese, Soap, Mozzeralla, Vegetable Fermentation, Kombucha, Beer, Wine, and More!

Looking to bottle up that special Limoncello, Bitters, Cordial, Hot Sauce or whatever other delicious liquid concoction that you made for gifts? Look no further. Philly Homebrew Outlet is a one stop place for bottles, caps, corks, shrink wrap, wax, and more.

The shop also has new vegetable fermentation kits, kombucha kits, soap making kits, and more!

Philly Homebrew Outlet West is located at 1314 S. 47th Street and open Mon-Fri: 11 a.m.-7 p.m. and Sat-Sun: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. For more info, call us at 215.596.5408 or visit our website.

https://www.facebook.com/phillyhomebrewoutletwest/
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https://www.instagram.com/phillyhomebrew/

Last week, we published information about the annual Cedar Park Neighbors Holiday Basket Drive. There are also a few opportunities to help local women and children in need this holiday season. Here’s information on some more holiday drives and donation opportunities:

Holiday Toy & Personal Care Drive at Local 44 (44th and Spruce)

Through Dec. 15

Join Local 44 once again this year in collecting toys and personal care items to benefit the residents of the People’s Emergency Center (PEC), a West Philly shelter that helps women and children battling homelessness. Bring your donations to the Bottle Shop at Local 44 any time through Thursday, Dec. 15. Click here for a list of useful personal care items accepted by PEC. NOTE: Please bring new and unwrapped items.  Continue Reading