The annual community art project, Fun-A-Day, is celebrating its 20th anniversary next month and inviting community members to participate in the 2024 project and art show.

Community members are encouraged to pick a creative project or activity to do every day during the month of January, then display their work in a big group art show at Studio 34 Yoga in February!

“You can do anything! Draw a picture, take a photo, sing a song, bake a cake, write a novel – come up with a daily creative practice and HAVE FUN!” reads the project description.

The Fun-A-Day project and art show is free, non-juried, non-commercial, and all-ages. All skill levels and mediums are welcome.

The project starts on January 1, 2024. The Fun-A-Day Community Art Show will take place on Friday, Feb. 9 and Saturday, Feb. 10 at Studio 34 Yoga (4522 Baltimore Ave).

Fun-A-Day was started by a group of artists known as the Artclash Collective in West Philadelphia and has spread to other cities throughout the world!

For more details and to sign up, visit artclash.com.

Homeowners in Philadelphia may qualify to receive a real estate tax credit, but the program application period expires soon.

This year, the city conducted property value re-assessment. If your home’s property value goes up, you will see an increase in your real estate tax bill. A special fund was set up in collaboration with the FORWARD program to help people who own a home in Philadelphia to pay their real estate tax bill. If your bill has increased, you may qualify for a one-time credit (up to $500) that will be added to your real estate tax account located at the City of Philadelphia’s Department of Revenue.

The money will be used to pay your 2023 or 2024 tax bill or will be added to your City of Philadelphia Real Estate Tax Account as a credit for future tax years.

To apply for the tax credit, fill out an application on this page. Application deadline has been extended until January 31, 2024 at 5 p.m.

A bridge construction on South 34th Street in Southwest Philadelphia is expected to begin January 3, according to a recent announcement by PennDOT. The project aims to replace the deteriorating 34th Street bridge over a former CSX rail line and future Schuylkill River Trail.

During the construction period, 34th Street will be reduced to a single lane in each direction between Grays Ferry Avenue and the ramp from I-76 East to Grays Ferry Avenue/University Avenue. Motorists are advised to allow extra time when traveling through the work area because backups and delays may occur.

The bridge construction is expected to continue through October 31, 2024.

Information on PennDOT’s planned and active construction projects is available at www.projects.penndot.gov.

If you’re planning to use SEPTA during the holidays, please make sure to check modified schedules for Metro, bus and regional rail services.

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day

On Christmas Eve, Metro (SEPTA’s new name for the Market-Frankford, Broad Street and Norristown High Speed lines, and trolleys), buses and regional rail operate on a Sunday schedule.

On Christmas Day, Metro and bus routes will also operate on a Sunday schedule. The following bus routes are not operating on Christmas Day: 204, 310, 311 and LUCY.

All Regional Rail lines will run on special Christmas schedules with reduced Sunday service.

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Amina Ocean Restaurant is coming to 3.0 University Place at 41st and Market.

The team behind Amina Restaurant & Lounge in Old City is opening up a new venture, Amina Ocean, in University City. The new seafood-focused restaurant has inked a deal with University Place Associates (UPA) to become the anchor retail tenant in 3.0 University Place’s ground floor retail space. The new 250,000 square-foot eight story commercial lab and office building is located at 4101 Market Street.

Encompassing 4,800 square-feet, the upscale dining and nightlife brand is the second retail partner to be announced by UPA, and will be located on the northeast corner of 41st and Market Streets. Lancaster, PA-based Fulton Bank, which occupies 2,250 square-feet in the center of the street level retail corridor, opened on August 7.

“My vision for Amina Ocean is ‘Southern Seafood Fusion,” entrepreneur Felicia Wilson said in a statement. “The theme and vibe of the restaurant will provide a Tulum-meets-Morocco feel.”

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The University City District (UCD) has announced the Green Giving Challenge that would support their greening efforts in the area. UCD’s Green Team has been taking care of the green spaces at The Porch at 30th Street Station, Trolley Portal Gardens at 40th and Baltimore, which have become beautiful urban oases. The team also maintains planters and pedestrian plazas in the neighborhood as well as participates in community cleanups.

Funds raised through the Green Giving Challenge will go to support the Green Team’s work. Here’s how it works:

Community members are invited to contribute to the Challenge online. Donations will be matched up to $25,000 thanks to a generous support from a longtime Spruce Hill resident and founding UCD Board member Barry Grossbach.

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