Many neighbors have been asking how they can help businesses and employees affected by the Christmas Eve fire near 49th and Baltimore and its aftermath. The fire destroyed Elena’s Soul Lounge and its demolition in the following days damaged two adjacent, popular business storefronts – Gary’s Nails and Cedar Park Cafe. On Friday, January 25, Cedar Park Neighbors and the Baltimore Avenue Business Association (Facebook page) are inviting everyone who wants to support these businesses to a community event held from 7-10 p.m. at The Cedar Works, the new community-oriented work and meeting space located at 4919 Pentridge Avenue. Donations for the affected businesses will be accepted at the door.

The event will include music and food & drink from local businesses. It’s also a great chance to meet and socialize with your neighbors and friends.

Here’s a Facebook page for the event where you can confirm if you’re coming: https://www.facebook.com/events/310834425703338/.

Also, if you are available to volunteer that night setting up or staffing the door, please email Michael Froehlich at: michaelrfroehlich@gmail.com.

UPDATE: Those who would like to donate to the businesses and employees affected by the Baltimore Avenue fire you can do so until Wednesday, Jan. 30 by going to the “Donate” section of the Cedar Park Neighbors website: http://www.cedarparkneighbors.org/join-cpn-donate/general-donation/ (indicate in the comments section that this is for the “Baltimore Avenue fire fund”).

Haile Gerima, a renowned Ethiopian filmmaker and a leading member of the L.A. Rebellion film movement, will stop by West Philly to host the Philadelphia premiere of his film Teza at International House tomorrow (Friday, Jan. 25) and to teach a Master Class on Saturday at Scribe Video Center. Both events are part of Scribe’s Producer’s Forum Series, which brings distinguished independent filmmakers to present their work. Teza is also presented in conjunction with the nationally touring film series, L.A. Rebellion: Creating a New Black Cinema, which has been running at International House this month.

Teza examines the displacement of African intellectuals and has achieved widespread popularity. It won numerous awards at festivals and screenings around the globe, including the Special Jury Prize and Best Screenplay award at the 2008 Venice International Film Festival.

Here’s more details on both events.

Teza (2008, Ethiopia/ Germany/France, 140 min) with director Haile Gerima
Friday, Jan. 25, 8:00 p.m.
International House, 3701 Chestnut St
Tickets: $10, $8 students/seniors, $5 Scribe members, Free for students, faculty, and staff of the University of Pennsylvania and Temple University

Master Class with Haile Gerima
Saturday, Jan. 26, 2:00-4:00 p.m.
Scribe Video Center, 4212 Chestnut St, 3rd Floor
Registration: $25, $15 for Scribe members
Tickets: $25, $15 for Scribe members

The Health Behavior Research Lab at the University of the Sciences is running a study about integrated treatment for obesity and pain and offering a free clinic for adults who are suffering from these conditions. Anyone who are obese and experience pain on a regular basis are eligible for treatment and are welcome to apply.

For more information about the clinic, visit this page, or contact the Health Behavior Research Lab at 215-596-7185 or hbrlab@usciences.edu.

Thanks to neighbor Christina Hopkins for sharing this information.

The Philadelphia School District is hosting a community meeting tonight, from 6-8 p.m. at the University City High School (36th and Filbert). The purpose of the meeting is to provide parents and community members with an opportunity to learn more about the Facilities Master Plan recommendations in the District’s West Planning Area. According to the recommendations, the following schools in the area are slated for closure: University City HS, Robeson, Wilson, Leidy, and McMichael. If the School Reform Commission (SRC) approves the proposed recommendations, these and many other schools in the city will be closed this summer. The SRC will vote on the proposed closure list in March.

Community members are welcome to ask questions, and share their input on the recommendations at tonight’s meeting. Please visit this page for more information on the Facilities Master Plan.

If you are not attending the meeting, you can watch it online here.

The row home at 4616 Larchwood Avenue this morning, after the fire was put out.

A woman was injured after jumping out of the 2nd floor window trying to escape a row home fire early this morning at 4616 Larchwood Avenue. The fire broke out shortly before 4:30 a.m. and was put out just before 5:30 a.m., NBC10 reports. The woman also sustained some burns and was taken to the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. Her condition is unknown at this time.

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A series of classes on basic home repair is starting this week, scheduled for every Thursday at Calvary Center (48th and Baltimore). All four classes are free and open to the public. The classes are presented by the West Philly Tool Library and The Other Carpenter (Facebook page), a company based in the Mantua neighborhood, both of which will familiarize you with the tools you might need for a job and show you how to tell if you can do a home repair project by yourself or if you need an expert’s help. The classes will be held from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. in the Calvary Center basement. To RSVP, please email Stacey at stacey@westphillytools.org or call the Tool Library at 215-833-3190.

Here’s the class schedule:

Thursday, Jan 24: Power Tools – Learn how to use power tools safely in a hands-on demonstration.

Thursday, Jan 31: Basic Carpentry – Learn about what’s in your walls while using hand and power tools to build a half-scale wall section including studs, drywall and trim. You’ll gain an understanding of wall anatomy and construction.

Thursday, Feb 7: Basic Plumbing – Learn how the plumbing in your house works and how to replace a bathroom faucet.

Thursday, Feb 14: Basic Electricity – Learn how the electrical in your house works and how to rewire a lamp while keeping yourself safe.