If you are still feeling generous during this holiday season, there are a few local community organizations that could use some help. Plus, you might get the added benefit of a last-minute, 2015 tax write-off.

Here are some chances to help out:

• The West Philly Coalition for Neighborhood Schools has made great strides in remaking the Henry Lea School playground into a terrific community asset. But they’re not done. In 2016, the organization wants to repaint the basketball court, install seating and new flags. They need some more funding help to get it done. Go here to learn more and donate.

Some of the work done so far at the Henry Lea School playground at 47th and Spruce. (Photo from the West Philly Coalition for Neighborhood Schools website)

• Curio Theatre Company also relies on contributions to survive (along, of course, with income from their performances). In addition to its line-up of fabulous performances, Curio runs a a theatre school for neighborhood kids that has never turned a child away because of financial need. They want to keep that going in 2016. Click here to donate.

• The Soapbox Community Print Shop and Zine Library is in the middle of a fundraising effort to get its new 4,500-square-foot book arts and printmaking studio up and running. They are about halfway there and only have a couple of days left to hit their goal of $15,000. They have all kinds of cool stuff available for donors, including memberships, zine packs and even hand-bound sketchbooks. Check out their campaign here.

A cat and a Christmas tree. (Photo from Project MEOW’s Facebook page)

If there’s anything this community knows it’s lost cats. A lost or abandoned cat’s best friend, the West Philly-based feline rescue organization Project MEOW, had a busy year helping stray cats and kittens find homes. They also help keep feral cat population under control through their TNR (Trap-Neuter-Release) program. Here are a few numbers from 2015 in Project MEOW’s holiday card to the community, and an important note that none of this work would have been possible without volunteers. To learn more about Project MEOW, visit their website or Facebook page.

Here’s some useful information for those who have already started thinking about what to do with their Christmas tree. There will be a few opportunities to recycle your tree in the city, starting January 4, 2016.

• The annual Christmas Tree and Electronics Recycling event at Clark Park will take place on Saturday, Jan. 9, so you may want to hold on to your tree a little longer. You can bring your tree to the park from 10 a.m to 4 p.m., along with a $10 donation supporting UC Green programs. Trees will be recycled into wood chip mulch to be used in parks and community gardens. Stay tuned for more information about this event.

• The City’s Residential Christmas Tree Recycling Program will run from Monday, Jan. 4 through Saturday, Jan. 16. Residents who wish to drop off their trees to be recycled may take them to the Streets Department Sanitation Convenience Centers which are open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. from Monday through Saturday. The closest centers are located at: 5100 Grays Avenue and 3033 S. 63rd Street. 

Continue Reading

Good news for Philadelphia residents: this year, you don’t have to wait two weeks to dispose of your trash and recyclables if your collection falls on Christmas Day (Friday, Dec. 25). Set out your materials to be picked up on the following day – Saturday, Dec. 26. Fri, Jan. 1 collections will be picked up on Saturday, Jan. 2. UPDATE: Stay tuned for information on how to recycle your Christmas tree and waste from celebrations and presents.

Also, SEPTA has released its Holiday schedule. There will be some changes starting Thursday, Dec. 24 and through Friday, Jan. 1:

Thursday, Dec. 24 – Christmas Eve

• City Buses and Trolleys will operate on a modified weekday schedule. Amended timetables are available online at: http://www.septa.org/schedules/modified/modified-holiday-schedules.html.
• Suburban Buses, Trolley Routes 101/102 (Media Sharon Hill Lines), and the Norristown High Speed Line will operate on normal weekday schedules.
• On Regional Rail, a Midday Schedule providing earlier service from Center City will operate on selected trains. For details, go to: http://www.septa.org/schedules/rail/special/christmas-eve.html.
• The Market-Frankford and Broad Street Lines will operate with overnight train service Dec. 24 into Dec. 25.

Friday, Dec. 25 – Christmas Day: All SEPTA services will operate on a Sunday/Holiday schedule.  Continue Reading

The Lucien E. Blackwell West Philadelphia Regional Library, which serves the communities of Cedar Park, Walnut Hill, West Market, Mill Creek, Dunlap, and West Park, is set to close for maintenance at the end of the day on Thursday, Dec. 31, according to a recent announcement. The maintenance work, which may take many months to complete, will include a complete replacement of the building’s heating and air-conditioning system. Also, new ceilings and a new electrical system will be installed. Check the Blackwell Library’s Facebook page for updates.

The West Philadelphia Regional Library opened in 1976 and was the second regional library in the city, providing West Philadelphia with a larger collection of books, magazines and newspapers than neighborhood branches. Designed by architect William Mann, the library was built on the site of the Rivoli Theatre.

West Philadelphia neighborhood library branches include:

Blanche A. Nixon/Cobbs Creek, 59th and Baltimore
Charles L. Durham, 34th and Haverford
Haverford, 56th and Haverford
Kingsessing, 51st and Kingsessing
Walnut Street West, 40th and Walnut

Photos courtesy of Calvary Church.

The annual festive evening of Swing, Jazz, Salsa, Gospel and Christmas music returns on Sunday, Dec. 20 to the Calvary United Methodist Church (48th and Baltimore). The concert will feature original compositions and traditional favorites performed by Calvary UMC’s very own Greg Scott and his big band, Big Push, along with Philadelphia-area choirs.

Also featuring in the concert are vocalists Russell Thompkins of The Stylistics, Tony Perez, Mike Upshaw, Zara Simms and more! Tickets/suggested donations are $10 at the door, $5 for children. All proceeds from the concert will benefit the Cedar Park Neighbors Holiday Basket Drive in addition to other local hunger initiatives. Individual or institutional sponsors are also needed to help underwrite the concert, which always draws a huge crowd.

If you would like to help out, please go to the Donate page on the Calvary website (please indicate “Christmas Concert 2015” in the Comments/Questions section) or mail/deliver a check (payable to “Calvary UMC” – please indicate “Christmas Concert 2015” on the memo line) to the Calvary office at 801 S. 48th Street, 19143. There is no minimum amount to sponsor; all gifts are appreciated.

The concert starts at 7 p.m.