UPDATE (2/3/2014): The photo above is from the check presentation event on Sunday, Feb. 2, courtesy of Addisu Habte.

Since the 1960s, Ethiopian immigrants have moved to Philadelphia, settling largely in West Philadelphia—one of the largest African communities in the Greater Philadelphia region. Today, West Philadelphia is home to over 10 Ethiopian restaurants, bars, and businesses, and is the epicenter of the Ethiopian Community Association of Greater Philadelphia.

Male returnees arriving at the Bole Int’l Airport Processing Centre. © IOM 2014 (Photo: Alemayehu Seifeselassie)

West Philadelphia’s Ethiopian community will come together this Sunday, Feb. 2, in an effort to raise awareness regarding the treatment and deportation of Ethiopian immigrants in Saudi Arabia. The event will take place at 3 p.m. in the headquarters of the Ethiopian Community Association of Greater Philadelphia, located at 4400 Chestnut Street.

According to the International Organization of Migration (IOM), over 150,000 Ethiopian immigrants have returned to Ethiopia since Saudi Arabia began deporting undocumented migrant workers as part of a “crackdown” on irregular migration in November. Since deportation efforts started, IOM has helped Ethiopian returnees with emergency medical assistance, post-arrival health assistance, psychological aid, food, transportation, essential items, and reintegration allowances. The organization is also working with the Ethiopian government to manage the influx of vulnerable migrants.

Addisu Habte, a local community organizer, told West Philly Local that the Philadelphia Ethiopian community raised over $23,000 in funds to contribute to the IOM in its efforts to provide assistance to deported immigrants. The Ethiopian Community Association will present a formal donation check to a representative of the U.S. Association for International Migration, which works in partnership with the IOM, on Sunday.

A presentation on the situation of assistance in Ethiopia and to Ethiopians returning from Saudi Arabia will also be given during the event.

–Annamarya Scaccia

West Philly Local readers are reporting a water main break on Osage Ave between 47th and 48th Streets, with water running down to 47th Street and over to Pine. Please walk and drive carefully in that area as the streets are icy. (Photos by Joel DeGrands)

UPDATE (3:00 p.m.): Residents near 50th and Hazel, who lost their power last night, reported another power outage this morning, around 11:30 a.m. Power was restored by 12:30 p.m., according to a West Philly Local reader report.

11:09 a.m.: A blown transformer near 50th and Cedar caused power outage that left over 100 residents, PECO customers, without heat on one of the coldest nights of the year. The power outage happened on Wednesday night between 9:30 and 10 p.m. PECO crews responded, but power didn’t come back until 6 a.m. this morning, CBS Philly reports. Houses on and around 50th Street between Hazel and Cedar Avenues were affected by the outage.

The temperatures fell below 10 degrees last night. A shelter was set up at the Samuel B. Huey Elementary School at 52nd and Pine for those who needed relief from the cold.

If you or someone you know were affected by this power outage please leave a comment.

The snow emergency declared by the city of Philadelphia on Tuesday afternoon will remain in effect until 6 p.m. on Wednesday. Please avoid parking on snow emergency routes until that time. If you did park on one of the emergency routes and your car has been towed please call 215-686-SNOW to find out where it is. More information on snow emergency routes can be found here.

And here are a couple of beautiful photos of The Woodlands Cemetery during yesterday’s snowstorm taken by West Philly Local reader Katy. You can check out more photos here.

Photo via Campaign for Working Families’ Facebook page.

Starting Friday, Jan. 24, IRS-certified community volunteers will offer free tax preparation services at sites across the city, including West Philadelphia.

E-filing and direct deposit services will be offered as well. The sites are managed by the Campaign for Working Families (CWF) and free tax preparation services are available to families who earned less than $52,000 in 2013 or for singles with an income under $20,000.

Here are CWF sites in West and Southwest Philadelphia and their hours of operation:

West Philadelphia

Mt Pisgah AME Church, 428 N 41st Street (41st & Spring Garden)
Monday 2:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Saturday 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Dornsife Center for Neighborhood Partnerships, 3520 Fairmount Avenue
Wednesday 4:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Friday 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Scotia Gaither Community Resources Center, 1319 N 52nd Street (entering on Kershaw Street)
Tuesday and Thursday 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Southwest Philadelphia

Ebenezer Temple Church, 5649 Christian Street (near Baltimore Avenue)
Monday and Tuesday 3:30 – 6:30 p.m.
Saturday 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Here are a few other things to keep in mind if you want to have your taxes prepared at one of the above mentioned sites: CWF sites do not accept appointments; customers are seen on first-come-first-served walk-in basis. There is high demand for free tax preparation services in January and February, so there may be a shorter wait time if you visit them in March. All CWF sites will close on April 16, 2014. For more information, go to: www.cwfphilly.org

West Philly Local has already reported about public and parochial school closings this Wednesday due to the continuing snowstorm. Here’s what else local authorities want you to know:

– Regular Tuesday garbage and recycling collections have been cancelled. If your regular pick-up day is Tuesday please hold your trash until next week.

– With the current snowfall projections, the City expects to treat and plow all residential streets within 48 to 72 hours after the snow ends. All property owners are required to clear a path of at least three feet in front of their property within 6 hours of the snow event ending, including curb cuts.

– If you observe a homeless person(s) in need of assistance please contact the Project Home Outreach Hotline (215-232-1984). During the call, please provide the address, location and description of the person in need.