This is a call to all creative neighbors: Fun-A-Day, the annual community art project organized by the Artclash Collective, returns next month and your participation is very welcome. Here’s what you are asked to do:

Choose a project and make one piece of artwork every day for the entire month of January, then share your work in a group art show held the following month. The 31 resulting pieces create a narrative outlining each artist’s journey through the first month of the year. Projects may vary from lighthearted to serious, “high-brow” to “low-brow.” Past year’s list of mediums includes photos, drawings, paintings, songs, textiles and more.

Since its inception in 2005, Fun-A-Day has grown to inspire similar art shows around the country and internationally and shown tens of thousands of pieces by hundreds of artists. Fun-A-Day Philadelphia is organized by a group of local artists, including three of the founding members of the Artclash Collective.

Photo via Fun-A-Day on Facebook.

The 10th Annual Fun-A-Day Art Show will be held at Studio 34 (4522 Baltimore Ave) on Friday, Feb. 7, and Saturday, Feb. 8, 2014, 7 p.m.-11 p.m. Studio 34 has hosted the event since 2008. The “Fun-A-Day Lite” show will feature select pieces of various projects in the hallways of Studio 34 for an entire month after the show, until mid-March.

Participation in Fun-A-Day is free and open to all ages. No sign up is necessary. Everyone is invited to join in on the fun and come to the show to see what your friends and neighbors have been up to during the first month of 2014.

Please follow Fun-A-Day on Facebook or visit the Artclash Collective website for updates on the show.

Here’s a chance to check out one of the most beautiful neighborhoods in West Philly and hang out and share in the holiday joy with your neighbors. Garden Court Community Association is hosting a Winter Stroll and Holiday House Tour on Saturday, Dec. 28. The event will also include, music, fun and entertainment. Note to participants: Festive attire is encouraged.

The stroll and house tour will take place from 5 to 8 p.m., followed by dancing at Take the Lead Dance Studio located at 47th and Pine. Light refreshments will also be served. The stroll starts at 4603 Cedar Avenue.

Cost is $10 with advanced registration; $15 at the door. No cost for children under 12.
The event will take place rain or snow. To RSVP email: hwrdlowell@yahoo.com or call 215-747-6371.

Here’s information on holiday hours for some local shops, cafes and restaurants. If you want to add your business hours, please do so in the comments below.

We wish happy holidays to all our readers!

Cafe Renata (43rd & Locust)

Dec. 23-Dec. 28 – Closed
Dec. 29 – Open for brunch
Dec. 31 – 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m.
Jan. 1 – Open for brunch

Honest Tom’s Taco Shop (44th & Spruce)

Dec. 24-26 – Closed
Dec. 30-Jan. 2 – Closed

Mariposa Food Coop (49th & Baltimore)

Dec. 24: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Dec. 25: Closed
Dec. 26: 9 a.m.-5 p.m
Dec. 27: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Jan. 1: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Milk & Honey Market (45th & Baltimore)

Dec. 24 – 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Dec. 25 – Closed
Dec. 31 – 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Jan. 1 – Closed

Supreme Shop ‘N Bag (43rd & Walnut)

Dec. 24 – 7 a.m.-7 p.m.
Dec. 25 – 8 a.m.-8 p.m.
Dec. 30 – 7 a.m.-12 a.m.
Dec. 31 – 7 a.m.-7 p.m.
Jan. 1 – 8 a.m.-8 p.m.

VIX Emporium (5009 Baltimore Ave)

Dec. 24 – 11 a.m.–3 p.m.
Dec. 25 & 26 – Closed
Dec. 27 & 28: 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
Dec. 29-Jan. 1 – Closed

As West Philly Local recently reported, The Blockley, a popular music venue located at 38th and Chestnut, is closing at the end of the year and has announced its final shows this weekend (Dec. 26-29). For more information, go to The Blockley’s Facebook page.

Thursday, Dec. 26 – Hip-Hop Finale feat. Schoolly D, Reef the Lost Cauze, Cee Knowledge (Doodlebug of Digable Planets), Mic Stew, Beano, Voss, and Chase Allen. Doors – 8 p.m. , Show – 9 p.m. 21+. $10 adv/$12 D.O.S.

Friday, Dec. 27 – Splintered Sunlight (Grateful Dead tribute) w/ Sakima. Doors – 8 p.m., Show – 9 p.m. 21+. $7 adv/$10 D.O.S.

Saturday, Dec. 28 – Long Miles w/ Spiritual Rez. Doors – 8 pm , Show – 9 p.m. 18+. $10 adv/$13 D.O.S.

Sunday, Dec. 29 – A Funky Farewell feat. The Everyone Orchestra. Late night DJ Battle 1-3 am feat. DJ Logic & Special Guest TBA. Doors – 5:30 p.m., Show – 6 p.m. All Ages. $20.

The Green Line Cafe located at 43rd and Baltimore was broken into and burglarized over the weekend, according to police. The burglar or burglars smashed the front window with a brick and stole a cash register. The burglary happened some time between Friday at 11:30 p.m. and Saturday morning at around 8:30 a.m.

The cash register contained approximately $300, according to a police report.

In August, West Philly Local reported about similar break-ins at Pho & Cafe Saigon and RX the Farmacy. In both of these cases, a brick was used to smash the front door or windows and cash was stolen. Police are still investigating those.

The University City Historical Society (UCHS), an organization interested in enhancing and preserving the heritage of West Philadelphia, is working on increasing community involvement. The UCHS will launch a new website next year where resources and information about UCHS events will be available. UCHS has also prepared a short online questionnaire and would appreciate any input from neighbors.

The survey should take about 5 to 10 minutes to complete. Besides a few questions related to UCHS membership, the survey asks neighbors about their favorite part of University City and what programming you would you like to see from UCHS.

To access the survey, please follow this link.

For more information please visit the UCHS website or Facebook page.