Enjoy a lot of chili and help a local pottery studio this Sunday, March 18 at University City Arts League’s annual Chili Bowl fundraiser. The event will be held from 1 – 5 p.m. at 4226 Spruce Street. Here’s how it works.

You can eat all the chili you want, just pay for the hand-crafted chili bowl made by Arts League potters. You can also vote for the best chili maker among neighbors (there will be an amateur competition between about 10 neighborhood residents).

It is a really fun event, with music and raffles, so make sure to bring your kids. It’s also an opportunity to learn more about the Arts League. If you’ve never been there before, you are welcome to take a look around or you can even get a tour.

Yards Brewery will be providing beer for the event. A bowl plus all you can eat chili will be $20. For more information, visit ucartsleague.org or call 215-382-7811.

Jazmin Idakaar, founder of the charity group Sweet Charity Sundays, has sent word that her group has got quite a few new members since our first publication about it, but more new members are welcome. The group meets every Sunday at The A-Space and knits, sews or crochets for those in need.

The group donated 28 items in February and 50 items in March and is always in search of new contacts for shelters in need. Also, once the cold weather is over, they will be reaching out to hospitals to make chemo caps and items for preemies, so contacts at hospitals or similar organizations would be most welcome.

If you would like to join the group or have ideas for places where the group can donate their handmade items, please email: sweetcharitycrafts[at]gmail.com. For more information, visit their website or Facebook page.

Reader Scott Buchanan emailed us with this information:

“…On Monday (Feb. 20) the house at Spring Garden & Budd Street (in West Powelton) burned out. The one resident, an older gentleman named Victor Martinez, had been living there for 14 years but now has no place to go. He’s able to stay at the Red Cross Home through Friday, but he doesn’t have any family and is on a very limited income, which is making finding a new residence extremely difficult.

Another neighbor (Sarah Esposito) and I have been trying to organize the neighbors to help get him afoot again.”

Scott and Sarah have set up this page where you can donate money to help Victor:

https://www.wepay.com/donations/gifts-for-victor-martinez

The first 2012 Friends of 40th Street general meeting will be held tonight at The Rotunda (4014 Walnut Street), from 6 to 7 p.m. Community members and business owners are encouraged to attend, learn about planning efforts in the area and share their neighborhood or organizational updates and announcements.

At tonight’s meeting, updates on the following planning efforts will be presented:

•    The Lighting Plan for 46th and Market.
•    The Peoples Emergency Center Neighborhood Planning Process.
•    The HUD Choice Neighborhood Planning Process happening in Mantua.
•    The Revelation Outreach Community Center’s plan to convert land at 39th and Haverford into the Walter Lundy Community Center.

Three more meetings are scheduled for this year:

Monday May 21
Monday August 20
Monday November 19

The Friends of 40th Street is a coalition comprised of residents, organizations, businesses, and anchor institutions working together on community-based issues. For more information on the Friends of 40th Street and what they do, visit this page.

Some town watch groups in the area have stepped up their work in the past few weeks due to an increased number of crime-related incidents. Many residents have joined the groups and are already actively patrolling the streets.

We are compiling a list of town watch groups if neighbors want to participate. Here’s information on two active groups. If you know of any other groups, please send us information at: editor [at] westphillylocal.com

Cedar Park Neighbors Watch

Patrol area: St. Bernard to 47th St. (inclusive ), and Kingsessing to Baltimore (inclusive).

Contact: Patty Bulack, pbulack@gmail.com

Mel-Lo Town Watch

From the Mel-Lo Town Watch website: “The Mel-Lo Town Watch is a group of neighbors who put watchful eyes on the streets in the neighborhood surrounding the intersection of Melville and Locust Streets in West Philadelphia.”

Patrol area: 44th to 46th and from Walnut to Spruce.

Contact: mltownwatch@gmail.com

Whether you’re looking to get involved in the Day of Service by lending a hand to a great West Philly school or organization, celebrate with others looking to think and explore King’s legacy, or donate to folks in need, check out the listings below to see how West Philadelphians will be paying tribute to the spirit of Dr. King this MLK day, Monday, Jan. 16.

SERVICE PROJECTS
 
Who: Bartram’s Garden

Where: 400 Lindbergh Boulevard

When: 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.

What: 4th annual Martin Luther King Day of Service Project! This year’s project is going to be working around a newly planted orchard as part of a larger farm and community resource center that we have been developing with The Urban Nutrition Initiative, Pennsylvania Horticulture Society, Philadelphia Orchard Project, and other community partners. On MLK Day we will be specifically focusing on clearing and preparing an area adjacent transitional border between the open orchard space and a wooded area. Our goal is to plant berry bushes, smaller understory fruiting trees such as pawpaw and persimmon, and maximize as much of the area for food producing and edible plants as part of the larger farm project. Volunteers will meet at Bartram’s Garden in our coach house (signs will be posted to direct folks when they arrive). Gloves, Tools, Water, and Lunch will be provided (lunch will be at noon). Please wear outdoor work attire such as warm clothes, sturdy foot wear, etc…as it is an outdoor project in mid January. This is a rain or shine event and moderate to heavy duty work. All are welcome to sign up but please keep in mind the nature of the project.

Lunch provided? Yes

Contact/RSVP: volunteer@bartramsgarden.org or call 215-729-5281 x 105

Who: The Church of the Holy Apostles & The Mediator

Where: 51st & Spruce Streets

When: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

What: Throwing out old and broken toys and equipment, repairing basketball nets. Painting and decorating the youth room and hall. Must be able to paint and use a ladder.

Lunch provided? Yes

Contact/RSVP: janispmoore@hotmail.com, 267-322-8795

Who: GEORGE T. CORNISH POST 292 (AMERICAN LEGION)

Where: 4812 FAIRMOUNT AVENUE

When: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.

What: During the month of December there will be a donation box located in the Post. We would like donations of new or gently used men’s clothing, new packages of socks and toiletries. On MLK Day the volunteers will assist in sorting of the clothing. The doors of the Post will then be open to those in need to come and select their items.

Lunch provided? no

Contact/RSVP: Bryant Horsely, 267-640-3516, BLHMLH@VERIZON.NET

Who: Philadelphia Veterans Comfort House

Where: 4108 Baltimore Avenue

When: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

What: The Philadelphia Veterans Comfort House (PVCH) provides services for our veterans while they undergo treatment for serious health issues at the local VA hospital and also a shelter for homeless veterans in their time of need. Through meals, comfortable beds and a helping hand, the PVCH gives a little back to the men and women who have given so much for our country. On MLK day, volunteers will be painting the floor and re-arranging the basement to make it more comfortable and pleasant for veterans who live there.

Lunch provided? yes

Contact/RSVP: David Kamioner at dkam@vetscomforthouse.org or 267-292-2052.

Who: Sherwood Christian Outreach Center

Where: 5543 Willows Ave.

When: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

What: Painting project of the gym area.

Lunch provided? yes

Contact/RSVP: Ann Marie Gore, 215-747-2685, marie8652@verizon.net

Who: University of Pennsylvania Community Beautification Projects

Where: Comegys and Huey Elementary Schools, Sayre Recreation Center, and the Community Education Center in West Philadelphia.

When: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.

What: Projects vary at the different sites.  Meet at Houston Hall, Hall of Flags, 3417 Spruce Street.  Come dressed for cleaning and painting. Complimentary parking for volunteers will be provided at the following locations: Lot #1 (between 32nd and 33rd and Walnut Sts) and Lot #19 (Northeast corner of 34th and Chestnut Sts). Transportation will be provided to and from Houston Hall (3417 Spruce Street) to the sites.

Lunch provided? Light refreshments only

Contact/RSVP: (please Cut and Paste into your browser): https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?hl=en_US&formkey=dFJpRC1uVk44ZlV2d2VkeVFnbC14N1E6MQ#gid=0

Who: University of Pennsylvania Helping Hands & Philadelphia Reads @ Houston Hall

Where: For Philadelphia Reads, meet in the Benjamin Franklin Room of Houston Hall. For Helping Hands, meet in the Reading Room and Bodek Lounge. Houston Hall is located at 3417 Spruce Street.

When: 9:30 – 12:30 p.m.

What: For Philadelphia Reads, volunteers will create books on tape to promote literacy for Philadelphia youth. Participants are asked to bring and donate a children’s book(s) that discusses multi-cultural issues relating to children. For Helping Hands, volunteers will create personal gifts that will be donated to West Philadelphia area shelters, nursing homes, hospitals, and other charities. Complimentary parking for volunteers will be provided at the following locations: Lot #1 (between 32nd and 33rd and Walnut Streets) and Lot #19 (Northeast corner of 34th and Chestnut Streets).

Lunch provided? no

Contact/RSVP: (please Cut and Paste into your browser): https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?hl=en_US&formkey=dFJpRC1uVk44ZlV2d2VkeVFnbC14N1E6MQ#gid=0

MARCHES/CELEBRATIONS

MLK Day with Reverend Paul “Earthquake” Moore
“Nobody wants peace on Philadelphia’s streets more than I do, and no Philadelphian has fought harder to reach that goal,” says Reverend Paul “Earthquake” Moore, a fighter turned Reverend that has worked tirelessly to serve the community of Southwest Philadelphia and improve quality of life through anti-violence work, youth advocacy and community beautification initiatives. The afternoon program kicks off with a re-enactment march at 65th and Woodland in which participants are encouraged to bring signs recalling the “we shall overcome” spirit of the MLK era. The march will end at the New Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church where Reverend Moore will deliver the famous “I Have A Dream” speech, followed by gospel singers and praise dancers from the church community.  4 p.m., New Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church, 7001 Woodland Ave. 215-385-2696. 

Stand Up for MLK’s Legacy with Occupy Philly
Martin Luther King died fighting for economic justice and dignity for all. The march will start at the east side of 30^th street station and go to the Post Office and then to American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) facility at 30th and Walnut Sts. for an indoor program. Labor struggles will be highlighted by Pete Matthews, AFSCME DC33, John Johnson Jr., Transport Workers Union 234, Henry Nicholas, Hospital Workers1199-C, Gwen Ivey of the American Postal Workers Union, UNITE HERE worker from Citizen’s Bank Park, Eileen Duffy, a Philadelphia Federation of Teachers school nurse.  Educator and activist Tony Monteiro and Poet/educator Ewuare Osayande will reflect on the legacy of Dr. King. Also, Josh Glenn from Youth Arts Self Empowerment Project will talk about the school to prison pipe line, and Whitney Larkins from the Occupy Labor Group will reenact a speech of Coretta Scott King. Video of Dr. King and the “Occupy Union Busters” Nursing Home Action will be shown. Music, poetry and more. 5 pm. Assemble at 30th St. Station (East Side). For more information email: occupyphillylabor@googlegroups.com

DONATION OPPORTUNITIES

Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia seeks new toys, games, and other supplies to help their child patients to cope and adjust to illness and hospitalization.  Year-round. 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.  34th Street and Civic Center Blvd. Contact the Toy Donation Line at 267-426-8174, ChildLife@email.chop.edu. http://www.chop.edu/service/child-life-education-and-creative-arts-therapy/donations/toy-donations.html

Operation Warm Hearts seeks blankets to help Philadelphia homeless through the cold winter months. Through 3/1. Contact Fareeda Mabry, 267-707-8979.

Drop off locations:
Rondney Harris Splitten Wigz Barbershop, 48 North 52nd Street, 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Bluford Elementary, 5801 Media Street 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Philadelphia Reads seeks new and gently used children’s books, Pre-K through Young Adult, for distribution to classroom teachers at the citywide Children’s Book Bank. Through 1/16. Contact  (215) 590-2819, info@philareads.org.

Drop off locations:
Beulah Baptist Church, 50th & Spruce Streets, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
American Legion Post 292, 4812 Fairmount Avenue, 4 p.m. – 9 p.m.
The Partnership CDC, 4020 Market Street, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Philadelphia Veterans Comfort House seeks men’s clothing, perishable or non-perishable food, household cleaners and personal hygiene items. Through 1/16.  4108 Baltimore Avenue. Call 267-292-2052 for drop-off hours. 

– Emma Eisenberg