We’re continuing to post information on how to help those in need during the holidays. Several holiday drives are currently underway, including the Cedar Park Holiday Food Drive, which we wrote about last week.

There are more holiday drives going on in the area:

Socks for Homeless, Seniors, Students

State Rep. James Roebuck and community partners are collecting socks for seniors, homeless people and students in their annual “People for People” sock drive. New socks are being accepted through Dec. 16 at Roebuck’s office, 4712 Baltimore Ave., from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Monday through Friday, and at the Squirrel Hill Sub-Police Station, 4619 Chester Ave., from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Tuesdays. If you have questions, please call Roebuck’s office at 215.724.2227.  Continue Reading

Go West! Craft Fest is one of the biggest shopping events in the area that supports local artists and artisans. On Sunday, Dec. 10, the holiday edition of the Fest will return to The Rotunda at 40th and Walnut and will feature handmade items by 70 local makers.

If you’re looking to buy unique holiday gifts for your family, friends or colleagues, make sure to stop by The Rotunda on Sunday and check out such items as handmade jewelry, ceramics, knitted accessories, clothing, prints, original art, stationery, home wares, childrens’ items, soaps, candles, holiday items and much more. The vendor list is available here.

The Fest will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

For more information, visit: gowestcraftfest.com.

This holiday season, we’ll be sharing information on how community members can give back and help those in need.

University City District has just launched a new holiday pop-up at The Porch at 30th Street Station, which will run through Dec. 22. The pop-up is a collaboration between UCD, Project HOME and Schmear It and contributes to the fight against homelessness in Philadelphia.

From noon to 6 p.m. on weekdays, Project HOME will run a holiday shop selling items made by Project HOME residents. The HOME shop offers homemade candles, homemade soaps, and holiday cards with artwork created by Project HOME residents. The shop is a part of a social enterprise where the residents earn income from the sale of their unique items. This pop-up is an ongoing partnership between UCD and Project HOME.  Continue Reading

If you’re looking for a Christmas tree, one option is at 50th and Baltimore, where Curtis and Co. have been selling trees for more than 30 years. Also check out trees at 52nd and Spruce and 39th and Lancaster.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BcQW-wlBUaT/?taken-by=westphillylocal

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UPDATED (7:12 p.m.): A 23-year-old West Philly resident has been charged in the murder of a teenager whose body was found in an alley on the 200 block of South 49th Street earlier this week.

Police say Cole Herring led them to the body of 15-year-old Sabriyah McLean on Tuesday morning. Herring’s parents convinced him to turn himself in to police after he told them about the alleged murder. McLean, who turned 15 in October, was from Delaware, and her parents had reported her missing, according to police.

Herring, who lives in an apartment building near where McLean’s body was found, reportedly met her online.  Continue Reading

Here’s something that might put you in the holiday spirit: SEPTA’s decorated holiday trolleys are back in service, operating on Routes 10, 11, 13, 34 or 36!

Operators Gary Mason and Dave Musgrave used hundreds of lights, yards of garland and tons of ornaments to decorate the “holly, jolly trolleys” in an effort to make the season brighter for their passengers.

The festive trolleys can be found on the following routes:
• Trolley #9104, operating on Route 10
• Trolley #9055, operating on Routes 11, 13, 34 or 36

If you haven’t yet, we hope you’re lucky enough to catch a ride on one of these festive trolleys.