UPDATE: We’ve just learned of another fundraiser for a family displaced by the fire. They’re currently in a temporary housing and need some funding for a new apartment, clothing, and furniture. Here’s a GoFundMe page to help Marlon and Lulu.

The four-story Westover apartment building at 4730 Pine Street, which was damaged by a fire on Friday, Dec. 19, has been closed for repairs for at least six months, according to building resident Ruth Morgan.

“Everyone is looking for a place to live now,” Morgan posted this morning on our Facebook page.

This afternoon, we spoke to a policeman who was patrolling outside the building, and he confirmed that the section of the Westover Apartments where the fire broke out is now closed. Two adjacent sections of The Westover apartment complex, at 4720 and 4740 Pine St, were not damaged by the fire and are occupied. The Westover Apartments are managed by Campus Apartments.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation, according to the Fire Marshal’s office.

An online fundraising campaign has been going on for two of the building’s residents, who lost all of their belongings in the fire.

Dr. Helen Giles-Gee (photo via usciences.edu).

The University of the Sciences announced today that the school’s president, Helen Giles-Gee, will step down at the end of the year.

“As this year comes to a close, I continue to be proud of the many contributions made by the faculty, staff, and students at USciences and believe that the university moves strongly forward,” Giles-Gee said in a statement. “At this time and after serious reflection, I have decided to leave University of the Sciences. I am honored to have served as president and will hold this University dear in my heart.”

Her resignation becomes effective on Dec. 31.

Giles-Gee is USciences’ first female and first African American president. She came to USciences from Keene State College in New Hampshire where she served as president from 2005 through 2012. She earned a bachelor of arts in psychobiology, a master of science in science education, and a Ph.D. in measurement, evaluation, and techniques of experimental research from the University of Pennsylvania.

USciences board of trustees chairman Marvin Samson will serve as interim president.

Here are some news briefs from around West Philadelphia.

VA Hospital to be renamed

Photo via philadelphia.va.gov.

The Philadelphia’s Veterans Administration Hospital (3900 Woodland Ave) will be renamed in memory of Michael J. Crescenz, a Philadelphian who served in the Vietnam War. He was 19 when he was killed in action. President Obama signed a bill, sponsored by Rep. Chaka Fattah and Sen. Pat Toomey, to rename the hospital last week.  Continue Reading

UPDATE (10:15 p.m.): Unfortunately, we received another armed robbery report. A 24-year-old woman was robbed at knife point near 50th and Baltimore Sunday night, at around 8:30 p.m. The woman was walking home when an unknown man approached her from behind and demanded her purse. He was armed with a knife, according to police. He took the purse and ran away west on Baltimore Ave.

EARLIER: Police are searching for three armed men who robbed a 27-year-old woman at gunpoint Saturday night near 45th and Pine Streets. The robbery took place around 9:50 p.m. The men approached the woman, pushed her into a driveway, and pointed a handgun at her head, according to police.

The alleged robbers took the woman’s wallet and phone and ran off, according to police. She was not physically injured. The description of the suspects is not yet available.

Reader David Brown sent us photos of yesterday’s fire at The Westover apartment building near 47th and Pine Streets. Read more about the fire here.

Continue Reading

Less than a week to go until Christmas and Hanukkah has already started. So where to go for those local holiday gifts? Don’t worry, we got you covered. Here are some options from our Buy Local for the Holidays Guide:

• Local arts and crafts

The University City Arts League‘s Annual Holiday Crafts Show and Sale supports the work of area artists and crafts people. The show runs through Sunday, Dec. 21 and features hand-made, one-of-a-kind creations by 30 local artists. Open Friday 3 – 8 p.m.; Saturday & Sunday 12 – 6 p.m., 4226 Spruce St. Speaking of local artists, a great spot to find local gifts is VIX Emporium, where you can get everything from locally made West Philly t-shirts to handcrafted bags, jewelry and clothing.

• The gift of grub

Gift cards are always a safe bet. How about a festive brunch gift card? Check out Café Renata (4305 Locust St.). They have a bunch of new gift cards in stock and cookies and cakes for small holiday gatherings. Speaking of holiday get togethers, The Gold Standard Café (4800 Baltimore Ave.) is taking reservations for holiday festivities or just a great meal at 215-727-8247. Aksum Café (4630 Baltimore Ave.) is offering 15 percent off their unique Mediterranean fare for parties of 12 or more during the holidays. The offer is good on dinners Sunday through Thursday.

• Pets and pageturners

Don’t forget your pet (or pet owner) this holiday season. There’s a ton of ridiculously fun and useful stuff for dogs and cats down at Baltimore Pet Shoppe (4532 Baltimore Ave.) This is also a great place to go if the holiday stress has you down. Watch the cats up for adoption for a few minutes and you’ll be back to your old self. Another awesome way to unwind during the colder months is spend time with a great book, one of the all-time great gift ideas. Penn Book Center (130 S. 34th) is an independent locally owned and operated bookstore with great deals going on all kinds of books, from works by local authors and on local topics to cookbooks and everything in between. They currently have 2-for-1 deals and 20 percent off select gift books.

• Memberships

A fantastic way to support the local community is through memberships, which directly help support some of our favorite spots in West Philly. We highly recommend a membership to Bartram’s Garden, one of the true treasures of West Philadelphia. Another gift that keeps giving is a membership to Mariposa Food Co-op, which not only gets you discounts on fresh organic food and other items, but gives you a chance to have a say in how this vital community asset is operated.

• Beer, coffee and tasty treats

The holiday season is a time for food and drink. So if you are looking for anything from quality craft beer, to a delectable bag of coffee or a fine cheese, here are some suggestions. Local 44’s Bottle Shop (4333 Spruce St.) has one of the best bottle beer selections in the city. Great ideas for parties or stock stuffers. One of the most cosy coffee shops in West Philly, The Coffee Market (405 S. 45th) is a good spot to warm up during the winter and they also have a ton of different organic and fair trade roasts for sale by the bag. Gift cards are also available. Also, Milk and Honey Market (4435 Baltimore Ave.) is an all-around holiday haven, with loads of gift ideas for home brewers, hosts and hostesses and even kids. Want a little taste of summer during the holiday season? A gift card from Lil’ Pop Shop (265 S. 44th) might do the trick. The shop is open this winter and, in addition to the crazy good popsicles, is offering a selection of fresh-baked cookies and super-good hot chocolate.

Lastly, local merchants who make up the Baltimore Avenue Business Association would like to thank you for buying local and keeping your hard-earned money in the community. Happy Holidays everyone!