Several news outlets are reporting that six students were stabbed near the El stop at 46th and Market Streets this morning. The teens reportedly got into a fight at the train station.

The students were taken to hospital but the injuries are reportedly not life threatening. Five of the students were from Boys Latin High School and the sixth was reportedly a student at nearby West Philadelphia Catholic High School, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer.

The Inquirer interviewed Byron Pugh, who runs a CD stand at the El station and said the fights between students are a regular occurrence.

Incidentally, the Inquirer story concludes that while police were investigating the stabbings a man robbed the nearby CVS at 48th and Market.

The Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts has extended the entry deadline for the West Philadelphia Gospel Choir Competition to January 31. Choirs can compete in one of three categories in the April 2 competition: Traditional Gospel; A Cappella; and Contemporary (Jazz/Rap). The winners in each category will open for the vocal jazz group Take 6 on April 30th at the Annenberg Center and receive a $250 cash prize and archival recording of the performance.

More information, including an entry application, is available on the Annenberg Center website here.

Here’s a story from NBC 10 on the tireless work by City Kitties, a West Philadelphia based feline rescue organization, to help cats lost and found from the Jan. 10 Windermere Court Apartments fire. The organization has a list of recovered and missing cats, including photos when possible, on its website here. Well over 100 people were made homeless from the fire at 48th and Walnut Streets.

The crisis in public education is perhaps the biggest challenge facing our city. You only have to go as far as our own neighborhoods to see the disparity among schools. To address these concerns, teachers, parents and students from some area schools are coming together tonight for a local screening of “A Community Concern,” a documentary about organizing for better urban public education, at the Enterprise Center CDC (4548 Market St.) in studio c. The film begins at 6:30 p.m. and doors open at 6.

From the organizers:

“A Community Concern is a new documentary about people who refuse to accept the system’s failures, and are working for change.Their spirit, passion and commitment shows that when organizers, parents, youth and educators work together, they are successful. It brings together stories of people who face different challenges, but share similar goals.”

The event co-Sponsored by The Enterprise Center, Philadelphia Student Union, Parents in Action Council, Teacher Action Group & The Notebook.

Several opportunities to help those made homeless by the Windermere Court Apartment fire are available around the neighborhoods. The Red Cross closed down its shelter at the Locke School yesterday after helping 132 people, including 10 children. But those folks still need help.

Many of you have passed along stories of donating clothing to the Salvation Army West Philadelphia Community Center at 5501 Market St.. That’s still an option. The center is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays. The phone number is 215-474-1010. The Red Cross is also still accepting cash donations at their website.

Here are some ways to help in the neighborhoods:

• The neighborhood pub Local 44 (44th and Spruce) is hosting a clothing drive on Monday, Jan. 17 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. There will be tables set up in front of the pub on Spruce Street for people to drop off clothing and for those displaced by the fire to pick up stuff they need. The idea here is to get people clothing that they need right now, so leave your worn out Bermuda shorts at home and dig out a winter coat. Spread the word to anyone who might know someone from Windermere Court who needs help.

• Wake Up Yoga West is holding a vinyasa yoga class on Friday, Jan. 21 from 6-7:30 p.m. to benefit fire victims. All proceeds from the class, which will be taught by Emily Wishnick, will go to the Red Cross. No minimum donation is required and all levels of practitioners are welcome. You are also welcome to bring clothing to the class, which Wake Up will pass along to the University City District for distribution to victims. You can donate on their website (pay for the class) here.

• Mariposa Co-op (4726 Baltimore Avenue) is collecting food and warm clothing for victims today and tomorrow. Their hours are 12 p.m. to 9 p.m.

• City Kitties has set up an emergency fund to help care for pets affected by the fire. Many people took their pets with them and they now need shelter, food and health care. City Kitties is helping provide that and the West Philly-based organization is also trying to reunite pets with their owners. To donate go to their website here.

• The University City District is collecting clothing , coats, shoes and personal hygiene items at its offices at 3940-42 Chestnut St. from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. The district will pass them along to the Salvation Army.

This is what we have so far. We will add more ways to help to this as we hear about them. If you know of other events or ways to help, please put them in a comment below.

Most of us have seen the Lebanese bakery and cafe take shape for the past several months at the old bank building on the southeast corner of 45th and Walnut. It appears the wait will be over on Monday. We don’t have a lot of details yet, but the Manakeesh is scheduled to open at 6 a.m. lunchtime (1 or 2 we’re told) on Jan. 17.

A “manakeesh” is a Lebanese flatbread sandwich and is the featured food item on the menu. There will be 14 kinds of manakeesh, both vegetarian and meat (halal, of course). A variety of soups, coffees and sweets (baklava!) are also on the menu.

Here is the full menu.