Mariposa Food Co-op is on target to move into its new building at 4824 Baltimore Ave by July 2011. Members got a sneak peak inside the new building during the general membership meeting on Sunday.

Originally built as a bank, the new space will increase Mariposa’s space five-fold and include community classrooms, offices and more storage. The bulk of the renovation will be to the main selling space and will begin in early spring. The entire project cost $2 million, including the purchase of the former bank building, and although the co-op has raised most of the money through loans and grants – about $1.5 million – it is still seeking investors for the remaining costs, said project manager Bull Gervasi. A number of fundraisers are being planned to help offset costs.

Members have already done some light renovation and have found some interesting design features in the 90-year-old building, including the solid marble entrance to the former vault and glazed brick in the basement, which used to serve as a fallout shelter.

The Mariposa membership has decided to offer a new shopping scheme along with the new location. The added space will make it feasible for non-members to shop as well, though members will still be the lifeblood of the organization.

An interview with Bull Gervasi and a quick tour of the main space:

• Mariposa Co-op membership meeting/tour • 4-7 p.m. • the future Mariposa location • 4824 Baltimore Ave.
Come and see Mariposa‘s soon-to-be-new digs. The general membership meeting is 4-6 p.m. and tours of the new building are from 6-7 p.m.

• Caroling in Clark Park • 5 p.m. • Park “B” next to the green and white storage house, near 45th and Regent
Originally scheduled for last week, the caroling is on for this week. So come out and sing or just work off some tension built up during the Eagles game.

Send information on events to: editor [at] westphillylocal.com

It turned out to be easier than West Catholic players ever could have imagined. West Catholic won the PIAA Class AA state title today with a 50-14 defeat of South Fayette at Hersheypark Stadium.

West Catholic dominated on the ground, rushing for 406 yards on 48 carries. West’s David Williams led the ground attack with 183 yards on 14 carries. The win will help West fans and players forget the 35-34 double overtime loss in the title game against Wilmington Area two years ago.

From Craigslist:

Lost Friday. She is golden, has no tags, and goes by Lily. Please help us get our pup back. There will be a reward! Please call Max at 267 229 1459.

West Catholic takes on South Fayette today in the PIAA Class AA state football championship at noon. If you didn’t make the trip to Hershey you can still catch the game live on television.

The game will be televised on the Pennsylvania Cable Network (PCN). Here is a listing of the channel numbers for a bunch of cable companies.

A sampling of things going on today. Check the happenings page for more. Send information on your event to: editor [at] westphillylocal.com

• Philly Youth Poetry and Open Mic Night • 8 p.m. • The Rotunda • 4014 Walnut St. • Tickets: $7 for youth, $10 for adults.

This festival of the word includes DEF POETS, Special guests, hip hop and more. The mic is open. You never know…someone from the Philly crew on HBO’s Brave New Voices might be in the house.

Here’s the leader of the 2009 Philly team, Josh Bennett, performing an amazing piece about his sister at the White House poetry slam last year:

• A Christmas Carol • 7:30 p.m. • St. Mary’s Church • 3916 Locust St. • Suggested donation: $10 for adults, $5 for children

Jared Reed from the Curio Theatre will star in the Dickens classic. The performance is a benefit for St. Mary’s Church, Hamilton Village. This would be a great show for older children.