It doesn’t happen very often when the mayor wishes you a Happy Birthday. Garden Court resident Dr. Pearl Simpson, who just turned 90, received a letter from Mayor Jim Kinney congratulating her on her achievements. The letter was read to her at her birthday party held on Saturday.

About 50 people attended the party held in the Garden Court apartment complex community room, among them Dr. Pearl’s former colleagues, children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, friends and neighbors.

In his letter, the mayor praised Dr. Pearl’s skills and professional achievements, including her work as a Community College of Philadelphia professor and her service in the City’s Human Services Department.

(Photo by Elaine Fultz)

The winter holidays are almost here and if you’re decorating your house or apartment, check out these great opportunities to purchase beautiful, handmade wreaths and centerpieces in the area or sign up for one of the wreath-making workshops happening this weekend.

• On Saturday, Dec. 3, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Bartram’s Garden (5400 Lindbergh Blvd.) is hosting its annual Holiday Greens Sale. The sale features a beautiful selection of decorated and undecorated wreaths, centerpieces, fresh evergreens, and more. Visitors can also purchase ornamental greens and roping to create your own decorations for the holiday season. Also, enjoy seasonal music, stocking stuffers, and refreshments. For more information, go here.  Continue Reading

Here’s a chance to do something kind during the holiday season for a person trying to get back into the workforce after being homeless, incarcerated, in rehabilitation or raising children.

The University City District (UCD) is collecting donations of professional apparel for men and women to benefit the awesome Philly non-profit Career Wardrobe. The clothing goes into one of Career Wardrobe’s boutique where it is provided at no cost to people transitioning into the workforce to help them make a good impression at an interview. Career Wardrobe also offers skills building services. During the past fiscal year, Career Wardrobe outfitted more than 3,000 men and women.  Continue Reading

UPDATE: The woman who was struck by the car fleeing police near 52nd and Locust has died, according to NBC 10. She was inside one of the vehicles struck by the suspects. The victim was identified as 55-year-old Carol Isom who lived on the 200 block of S. 53rd Street. She was the driver of a Kia Soul and was traveling east on Locust Street when her car was struck by a dark gray Nissan Maxima driven by one of the suspects.

Police say an unidentified driver sped away from police and hit the unnamed woman at about 7:30 p.m. She was taken to Penn Presbyterian Medical Center and was listed in critical condition, according to NBC10.

Philly.com is reporting that police pursued two suspects after a gun was fired near 48th and Westminster. The crash included three other vehicles. Both men were arrested.

It’s not often you get to see a play’s world premiere. Here’s your chance with the debut of Antagonyms, which opens at the Curio Theatre Company on Friday, Dec. 2.

Written by playwright, actor and Curio member Rachel Gluck, Antagonyms tells the story of four young Philadelphians.

“In Antagonyms, four twenty-somethings wrestle with their sense of self and their relationship to each other as they find themselves at each other’s throats and in each other’s beds. Contemporary millennial anxieties fuel a stylized high-stakes power game, creating a world in which old Hollywood glamour mingles with the sticky floor of a West Philly dive bar,” said Gluck.

Artwork by Elizabeth Gallagher.

An antagonym is a word with two opposite meanings, such as “bound.” One could be on the move, “bound” to Center City for example. Or “bound,” as in tied up, unable to move.

The performance is directed by Jack Tamburri, and the cast includes Alee Spadoni, Alexander Scott Rioh, Andrew Carroll and Colleen Hughes.

This production has mature content and not recommended for children and there are themes related to sexual violence.

You can catch a preview performance tonight and Thursday night. Antagonyms runs on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays through Dec. 17. All performances begin at 8 p.m.

For tickets visit the Curio Theatre Company website or call 215-525-1350.

Police believe this vehicle struck and killed an 8-year-old West Philly girl, Jayanna Powell on November 18. (Photo from Philly Police Blog)

UPDATE (Nov. 30, 8:30 p.m.) NBC10 is reporting that a 24-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the hit and run. Police located the vehicle they believe was involved in the crash at an automotive repair shop in Fraser, a town in Chester County along Route 30 about 25 miles outside the city. 

After a week and a half since the hit-and-run that left a West Philly girl dead, police are still searching for the driver who struck the child while she was crossing 63rd St. near Lansdowne Avenue in Overbrook and fled the scene. A total of $45,000 is now being offered for information leading to the arrest of the suspect and their conviction.

 Jayanna Powell

The crash happened at about 3:15 p.m. on November 18 when 8-year-old Jayanna Powell was walking home from school with her siblings. The little girl was found unconscious on the street and was transported to Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia where she was pronounced dead at 3:35 p.m., according to police.

The vehicle is believed to be a silver 2009-2016 Nissan Maxima or Altima. The vehicle should have damage to one of the front headlights as well as damage to the front grill area.

The Mayor’s Office is offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the driver, and the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 5 is offering $15,000. In addition, the girl’s uncle is offering a $20,000 reward to anyone with information about the driver, according to Philly.com.

Anyone with information on the identity of the driver or the whereabouts of the vehicle, is asked to contact Accident Investigation District at 215-685-3180 / 3181 or call 911.