Here’s a good chance for R and R (reuse and recycle) this weekend. The West Philly Clothing Swap will be held on Saturday, Dec. 10 from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. at the A-Space Community Center (4722 Baltimore Avenue).

Here’s how it works:

Bring a bag or two of clean clothes, shoes and accessories (from baby to adult) and $5. You can recycle or upcycle your unwanted clothes, accessories and shoes or you can also turn them into new-to-you items. A sewing station complete with a sewing machine, needles, thread, buttons, ribbon and fabric will be provided.

Refreshments will be available, including vegan/gluten-free cookie samples from Liz Lovely and a Veg Fund table of vegan treats.

The $5 entrance fee per person will be donated to the A-Space that hosts such groups as Food Not Bombs and Books Through Bars.  Also, left-over clothing and items from the swap will be donated to Philly AIDS Thrift, a thrift shop that raises funds for AIDS-based charities.

To RSVP please visit this Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/events/143961645709722/

Have you finished your holiday shopping yet? If not, International House Philly (3701 Chestnut Street) invites you to  “shop ‘til you drop” at the International Holiday Bazaar tomorrow, Dec. 9. Come and check out great bargains from around the world at this all-day shopping event running from 1 – 7 p.m. when IHP’s Galleria gets transformed into a holiday village.

There will be something for everyone’s taste and wallet: crafts, food, jewelry, custom prints, toys and fashion from around the world.

The Parent Infant Center (4205 Spruce Street) is organizing its first Annual Toy Swap this Saturday, Dec. 10, from 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

How does it work? You can exchange your new or gently used toys for tickets to “buy” other toys of similar value, OR you can buy tickets at the door on the day of the event.

What kinds of toys? All toys and games for children, including sporting equipment, are accepted. No books, please.

What are the expected conditions of the toys? Only new or gently used items are accepted. All toy sets and games are expected to be complete and in appropriate containers (original boxes or see-through containers). Only the following “singles” from a set are accepted: vehicles, dolls, balls, wooden train tracks and Legos or Duplos.

When and where can I drop off my toys? Toys will be accepted on Friday, Dec. 9 between 3:00 and 6:00 p.m. and on Saturday at 9:00 a.m. at PIC’s small gym.

If you have questions or if you’d like to volunteer at the event, please contact Clara Flores at: clara.flores.studio34 [at] gmail.com

The Rotunda (4014 Walnut Street) is hosting Go West! Craft Fest’s Holiday show this Saturday, Dec. 3 from 11:00 a.m. – 5 p.m. Forty artisans will present their handmade creations, including unique, affordable jewelry and ornaments, art originals and reproductions, ceramics, and cozy hand-stitched woolens. There will also be an opportunity to buy children’s toys and clothes, soaps, candles and special holiday gifts for those you love. Everything is made locally.

For the entire list of crafty vendors and their profiles go to: gowestcraftfest.blogspot.com.

 
The AIDS Library of Philadelphia, the Institute of Contemporary Art at the University of Pennsylvania and West Philly Local collaborated to revive this image from the early days of AIDS cultural activism. In recognition of World AIDS Day, the over 25 million people who have died from AIDS, and the 30,000 Philadelphians living with HIV, we encourage you to get tested today.

2012 marks the 25^th Anniversary of the AIDS Library – the only lending library devoted to HIV/AIDS in the United States. A part of Philadelphia FIGHT and located at 1233 Locust Street, more information about the AIDS Library and HIV testing can be found at www.fight.org.

Free screenings of Untitled, a 60-minute film on the history of the AIDS Crisis, will be held at the ICA from 11 a.m – 5 p.m., every hour on the hour, throughout the day today. The ICA is located at 118 South 36^th Street.  For more information, visit www.icaphila.org.

Here’s another opportunity to shop local for the holidays. The University City Arts League (4226 Spruce Street) is opening its annual Holiday Craft Show and Sale on Friday, Dec. 2.

Over 30 artists and crafts people will be selling their work, including jewelry, hand-painted silk scarves, pottery, hand-made gift cards, small paintings and prints. All work is hand-made and reasonably priced.

The artisans at the Arts League Crafts Show include Kelly Ann Mifflin (jewelry, pictured), Ken Beidler, Priscilla Sepe, Art Cohen, Dave (Fatman) Fowler (pottery), and Aubrey Levinthal (paintings).

The show is running December 2 through December 15 with the following hours: Dec. 2 & 3: 6 – 9 p.m., daily hours: 3 – 9 p.m., weekend hours: noon – 6 p.m.

60 percent of the proceeds will go to the artists and the remainder to support community arts programs provided by the Arts League.