Team Panbo, known for their recent Halloween Data Project that collected information on West Philly kids’ most popular candy, has some exciting news. This past Friday the group, comprised of senior Penn students Melissa Nong, Ethan Markwalter, Turner Halle, and Julianna Cimillo, installed a solar-powered lights display at the triangle intersection on 45th and Baltimore (see map). The funds for the display (over $300!) were raised from selling the West Philly Variety packs containing local kids’ favorite candies at Clark Park Farmers Market.

The lights charge during the day and automatically turn on once it gets dark.

“We’re hoping it adds some warmth and brightness to an area that gets quite a lot of foot traffic but is pretty poorly lit at night,” Melissa Nong wrote to West Philly Local.

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Here’s a great local holiday event where you can buy unique handmade gifts made by West Philly artists and makers. The annual West Holiday Craft Fest is returning this weekend to The Rotunda (40th and Walnut).

The Fest kicks off on Saturday, Dec. 9 and will continue on Sunday, Dec. 10 (open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on both days). Both days will have completely different vendor lineups: Here’s the list for Saturday’s vendors, and here’s the list for Sunday. So come both days if you can!

And here’s what types of gifts you can buy at the Fest, according to the event website: “artisan jewelry, ceramics, ornaments, art prints and originals, home wares, clothing, cozy hand knits, natural bodycare, candles, stationery, toys, and all sorts of unique holiday gifts.”

For more details and updates, go to: https://westcraftfest.wixsite.com/home. Also check out the event’s Instagram page (see below).

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UCity Square Holiday Fest is a new annual West Philadelphia tradition first launched last year. This year, the two-day event is returning to The Lawn at uCity Square (3701 Filbert St) on Friday, Dec. 8 and will feature a lot of fun activities for all ages.

On Friday, from 6 to 7 p.m., community members are invited for a West Philadelphia public tree lighting ceremony. Councilmember Jamie Gauthier will have the honor of flipping the switch to light the tree! The event will also include a performance by the Ginger Trio. Other events and activities on Friday include Holiday Karaoke (from 4 to 8 p.m.), an inflatable Craft Cottage, live performers and DJ sets, a beer garden, a Holiday Vendor Marketplace, complimentary hot beverages, food trucks and more.

On Saturday, Dec. 9, the fest will continue with an opportunity for some skating at a pop-up skating rink (from 2 to 6 p.m.). Free skate rentals will be provided. Kids are invited to take photos with Santa (from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m.) and ride on a Trackless Train (from 2 to 6 p.m.). Saturday’s schedule also includes Craft Cottages, live performers and DJs, Holiday Vendor Marketplace, beer garden and food trucks.

UCity Square Holiday Fest is a free event open to the public. More information and free registration links are available here.

(Photo courtesy of uCity Square)

The Calvary Center for Culture and Community (CCCC), a nonprofit created by Calvary United Methodist Church in 2000 to manage staffing, space rental and fundraising related to the Calvary building, is in the process of restructuring its governance, organizational structure, and business model. The organization is hosting an informal meet-and-greet with current CCCC Board members, Calvary United Methodist Church leadership and other community stakeholders, on Monday, Dec. 11, 5-6 p.m.

The purpose of the gathering is three-fold:

1. To provide important updates on the Calvary building, including plans to restructure the CCCC Board to provide for broader community representation and more effective management and maintenance.

2. To encourage networking and relationship-building in support of Calvary’s ongoing function as a critical center of community activity.

3. To invite your consideration as to how you (and/or your office/organization) might be involved in or otherwise support the CCCC’s mission going forward.

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Walnut West Library Friends are holding the annual “Huge Holiday Book Sale” at the library located at 40th and Walnut on Tuesday, Dec. 5, noon to 7 p.m. and Wednesday, Dec. 6, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

At the sale, you will find the library’s best donated books, barely used, for all ages and interests, and priced from $1 to $3, with a few as low as $0.50.

Proceeds from this event help pay for programs, supplies and furniture at the library.

Last year’s book sale funds went toward purchasing 10 comfortable desk chairs for the hardworking library staff, a new beanbag chair in the Teen Corner, and a blowout party to launch Librarian Bruce Seibers into retirement, as well as supplies for several children’s programs.

You can find more details about the library, including events, on the Free Library of Philadelphia website, and the Friends’ Facebook page.

(Photo courtesy of Walnut West Library Friends)

UPDATE (11/30/2023): Curio is inviting kids to their dress rehearsal on Tuesday, Dec. 5 at 6:30 p.m. FREE of charge. Please call 215-921-8243 for reservations as space is limited. The show lasts approximately one hour including the immersive “Fab Lab” portion. All children must be accompanied by a parent/guardian. Also, please note that there will be photos taken for social media. 

Next month, Curio Theatre Company will present something unusual and innovative. Families are invited to take part in the  immersive theatre program –  Makerspace. The first play in this new program, Jack and the Beanstalk, will stage December 9-30, with previews taking place December 6, 7 and 8.

Here’s how it works:

Children who arrive to see a performance will have the opportunity to “make theatre” – create props, set pieces and voice recordings. They will even color a large cow on wheels! All these things will then be part of the show. Curio Theatre Company believes that “all children benefit not from just watching plays, but from making art.”

This event is fun for the whole family and people of all ages (3 to 99) are invited.

The play is written by Paul Kuhn and directed by Mya Flood. Performances begin at 2 p.m. except for the preview shows (6:30 p.m.)

Tickets are $15-$20 for adults and $10-$15 for children. Curio Theatre is located at the Calvary Center for Culture and Community (48th and Baltimore). For more information and to purchase tickets, click here.