If you are out looking for a tree any time between now and Christmas Eve, we highly recommend stopping to see Curtis and his merry crew, who are back again this year at 50th and Baltimore. Like past years, Curtis has a fairly wide selection of trees (we picked up a nice Scotch pine today) at a lot of different prices. They have the string and are really good at tying trees to the tops of cars or wrapping it up to fit in a shopping cart. They also have tree stands.

One of the things we love about Curtis is that he leaves several trees out after he closes up shop each night for those who can’t afford to buy one. Curtis will be on the triangle in front of Dock Street Brewing Co. until Christmas Eve. You can complete the buy local experience by popping in for a beer at Dock Street or crossing the street for a gift at VIX Emporium near the northwest corner of 50th and Baltimore.

Two more awesome holiday events are happening in the neighborhood this weekend.

• This Saturday, Dec. 10 come and see what Stanford Thompson (director of Play On, Philly!) and his student musicians at Saint Francis de Sales have achieved when they present their Holiday Concert. Guest conductor is Rossen Milanov, who has conducted the Philadelphia Orchestra at the Mann. The concert begins at 2 p.m. in the school auditorium (917 S. 47th St., at Windsor Ave.). Admission is free.

• Are you up for caroling this weekend? If yes, come to Clark Park “B” (45th & Regent) on Sunday, Dec. 11 at 5:00 p.m. for the annual Clark Park Christmas Caroling. Sing traditional Christmas carols around the Community Christmas tree with your neighbors and enjoy some refreshments afterwards. For more information call 215-222-2255.

Have you finished your holiday shopping yet? If not, International House Philly (3701 Chestnut Street) invites you to  “shop ‘til you drop” at the International Holiday Bazaar tomorrow, Dec. 9. Come and check out great bargains from around the world at this all-day shopping event running from 1 – 7 p.m. when IHP’s Galleria gets transformed into a holiday village.

There will be something for everyone’s taste and wallet: crafts, food, jewelry, custom prints, toys and fashion from around the world.

The Rotunda (4014 Walnut Street) is hosting Go West! Craft Fest’s Holiday show this Saturday, Dec. 3 from 11:00 a.m. – 5 p.m. Forty artisans will present their handmade creations, including unique, affordable jewelry and ornaments, art originals and reproductions, ceramics, and cozy hand-stitched woolens. There will also be an opportunity to buy children’s toys and clothes, soaps, candles and special holiday gifts for those you love. Everything is made locally.

For the entire list of crafty vendors and their profiles go to: gowestcraftfest.blogspot.com.

Here’s another opportunity to shop local for the holidays. The University City Arts League (4226 Spruce Street) is opening its annual Holiday Craft Show and Sale on Friday, Dec. 2.

Over 30 artists and crafts people will be selling their work, including jewelry, hand-painted silk scarves, pottery, hand-made gift cards, small paintings and prints. All work is hand-made and reasonably priced.

The artisans at the Arts League Crafts Show include Kelly Ann Mifflin (jewelry, pictured), Ken Beidler, Priscilla Sepe, Art Cohen, Dave (Fatman) Fowler (pottery), and Aubrey Levinthal (paintings).

The show is running December 2 through December 15 with the following hours: Dec. 2 & 3: 6 – 9 p.m., daily hours: 3 – 9 p.m., weekend hours: noon – 6 p.m.

60 percent of the proceeds will go to the artists and the remainder to support community arts programs provided by the Arts League.

Here’s one of the holiday volunteer opportunities. Project MEOW is looking for foster parents for their cats this holiday season.

Project MEOW adoptables (like Dewey, pictured) are nurtured in individual foster homes, allowing for personal assessments of their character, to make the best matches possible with their future forever homes. Project MEOW covers medical and health care, promotes the cat’s adoptable status, and reviews the adoption applications – you provide food, litter, toys, and most rewarding of all, the love and attention the kitty needs. Please contact projectmeowadoptions[at]gmail.com to meet your holiday cuddler, and give the gift of fostering.

Project MEOW is an all-volunteer, animal welfare group that humanely reduces the stray cat population in West Philadelphia through rescue, trap-neuter-return and building strong relationships with the residents who feed and care for stray cats.