December 3, 2014
Bartram’s Garden signature wreath. (Photo courtesy Bartram’s Garden)
There will be a few local holiday shopping opportunities this week, which we are happy to pass along. We’ll start with a great festive annual event at the historic Bartram’s Garden.
On Saturday, Dec. 6, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Bartram’s Garden will be holding a Greens Sale and Holiday Market. The Greens Sale is a great opportunity to shop for beautiful handmade wreaths, centerpieces, and pine roping. Fresh evergreens and poinsettias will also be available for sale. There will also be an opportunity to decorate your own wreath at the DIY craft station or you can just purchase one made by volunteers.
The holiday market is a new event at the garden. It will feature local vendors and unique gifts for everyone on your list, including jewelry, pottery, handmade bags, natural apothecary and more! The event will also feature music and fresh apple cider.
The Bartram House, a national historic landmark, closes for restoration work next year, so guests are also invited to its tour while it’s still open.
Bartram members will get first pick of this year’s selection of wreaths and fresh cut greens during the preview party on Friday, December 5.
Bartram’s Garden is located in Southwest Philadelphia, at 54th Street and Lindbergh Boulevard (#36 Trolley line). For more information, click here.
December 2, 2014
Today is #GivingTuesday, a nationwide campaign encouraging people to support not-for-profit organizations. We’re joining in and would like to remind our readers that there are dozens of great non-profits in West Philly, working on improving communities and schools, and providing help to those who need it most. Please visit our Civic Life page and choose an organization you would like to support. We will also be tweeting and re-tweeting #GivingTuesday messages from local non-profits throughout the day (@westphillylocal). Here are some of them:
While many non-profit organizations would appreciate a monetary donation today, others are seeking volunteers. Repair The World: Philadelphia is teaming up with the West Philadelphia Alliance for Children (WePAC) to reopen a school library that has been closed for over a decade. Volunteers are welcome to help these organizations clean up the Andrew Hamilton Elementary School library this afternoon, from 4 to 7 p.m. The school is located at 5640 Spruce Street. Here’s the flier:
December 1, 2014
Public hearings on proposed charter schools in West Philly are set for Dec. 11 at the School District of Philadelphia’s headquarters at 440 N. Broad St.
The School District of Philadelphia received over a dozen applications from charter schools interested in opening new schools in West Philadelphia. The next step in the application process is the presentation and review of the applications at public hearings, which have been scheduled to start next Thursday.
The hearings will include a 15-minute presentation by the applicant followed by public comments, according to The Notebook. A second round of hearings will reportedly begin in January and will include evaluations from the District.
Here’s the list of the applicants, the zip codes where schools are proposed, and the schedule of the public meetings: Continue Reading
November 30, 2014
The Thanksgiving holiday is over and kids will be returning to school tomorrow. Here’s breakfast and lunch menu served at schools in the School District of Philadelphia from Monday, Dec. 1 through Friday, Dec. 5. If your schools uses the Satellite menu click here.
Come back every Sunday evening for the coming week’s menu.
BREAKFAST (K-12)
A variety of three cereals will be offered daily and served with a yogurt parfait or a mini loaf.
Monday
Choose 1: Mini Waffles or Bake Crafter Cereal Bar & Yogurt
Choose 1: Pineapple Juice or Fresh Pear
Variety of Milk
Tuesday
Choose 1: Steak, Egg & Cheese on a Bagel or Benefit Bar
Choose 1: Strawberry Cup or Fresh Apple
Variety of Milk Continue Reading
November 30, 2014
UPDATE (11/30/2014, 5:15 p.m.): Kalis Adams, a 14-year-old boy who went missing from his home at 62nd and Carpenter on Friday, has been found and is in good condition, according to police.
(11/29/2014): Police are asking for the public’s help locating a 14-year-old boy, Kalis Adams. Kalis was last seen at his residence on the 6200 block of Carpenter Street at approximately 9:30 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 28.
Kalis is described as 4’10”, 93 lbs, with a thin build, brown eyes, dark brown complexion, and black short hair. He was last seen wearing a white t-shirt, blue sweatpants, and blue/black Nike sneakers.
Kalis is autistic and also has ADHD. He is known to frequent the YMCA at 51st and Chestnut.
Anyone with information on Kalis’ whereabouts is asked to contact Southwest Detective Division at 215-686-3183 / 3184 or call 911.
November 27, 2014
Stuff the turkey, mash the potatoes, pour the gravy and sleep in because Black Friday is not the time to shop this holiday season. Instead, spend some holiday savings during Small Business Saturday! Buying local and supporting local business is a great way to give the community a boost.
West Philly is home to many great bookstores, including Bindlestiff Books (4530 Baltimore Ave), and Penn Book Center (130 S. 34th St), which is holding an Indies First event on Saturday, Nov. 29. Local authors are volunteering for a campaign spearheaded by Sherman Alexie (The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian) to support independent bookstores. Authors Anna Badkhen, Joan DeJean and Ken Kalfus will be helping all attendees pick out the perfect holiday reads for family and friends. Don’t miss out on this special opportunity to get advice from extraordinary authors.
From left to right: Anna Badkhen, Joan DeJean, and Ken Kalfus. (Photo courtesy Penn Book Center)
Badkhen, a West Philly based writer, is recommending “Citizen,” Claudia Rankins’ new book-length poem on racism and how our government deals with it as a way to sort through the recent events in Ferguson, Mo.
So, remember to attend Penn Book Center’s Indies First Small Business Saturday event on November 29th, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and as part of the Small Business Saturday package Penn Book Center will be offering a two for one Holiday Sale on titles from the Everyman’s Library and a selection of cookbooks! Mulled wine, hot cider, and holiday treats will be served as well.
– Andrew Foronda
EDITOR’S NOTE: Small Business Saturday is a great opportunity to kick off your holiday shopping and support local businesses. Many of them will have special events and offers on Nov. 29, including businesses like Baltimore Pet Shoppe, VIX Emporium and others. Please check this page for more information.
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