The Philadelphia Water Department (PWD) is planning green stormwater projects in the Cobbs Creek area of West Philadelphia and inviting community members to learn more about this plan and provide input at a public meeting, which will be held on Tuesday, Jan. 14 (see more info below).

The proposed projects in the Cobbs Creek neighborhood, called “West Philly Heat Relief,” are part of Philadelphia’s Green City, Clean Waters plan, which is reducing combined sewer overflow pollution in local waterways through the installation of neighborhood-based green stormwater infrastructure (GSI). Many of the GSI projects planned for Cobbs Creek will also increase the neighborhood’s tree cover, which will help residents stay cool in the summer months.

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West Philly pet owners have a chance to have their pets vaccinated at a free pet vaccination and wellness clinic, which will be held on Monday, Jan. 20, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. at Penn Vet’s Ryan Hospital, located at 3900 Spruce St. The clinic is part of the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service at the university.

Veterinarians will provide vaccinations and will also offer a low-cost, permanent microchip for pets. Vaccines for approximately 200 dogs and cats will be administered.

This year, Penn Medicine and CHOP will also provide free health screenings and influenza vaccines for pet owners during their pets’ appointments.

To schedule an appointment, call 215-898-4680 between 8 and 10 a.m. Monday through Friday. Appointments will be accepted until full, and there is a limit of 2 pets per household.

UPDATE: UC Green will host their annual TreeCycle event on Saturday, Jan. 11 at Clark Park and Malcolm X Park:

Clark Park (4300 Baltimore Ave): 10 a.m.-12 p.m.

Malcolm X Park (5100 Pine St): 1-3 p.m.

Suggested donation per tree is $5-$20. Trees will be mulched to help support local park trees.

The City’s Department of Sanitation will kick off its annual Christmas Tree Recycling Program on Monday, Jan. 6. The program offers residents various opportunities to dispose of their tree in an environmentally-friendly way. Recycled trees are sent to a vendor that chips them up as a bulking agent for composting.

While the program is running, residents may bring their Christmas tree at no charge to one of several designated locations or to a nearby sanitation convenience center.

In West Philadelphia, the designated drop-off locations include:

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A holiday pop-up, Chanukah Wonderland, opened on Wednesday at the corner of 47th and Pine Streets, in the ground-floor commercial space of Garden Court Towers. The pop-up, hosted by Chabad House at Penn, is open daily (except Saturday) through Tuesday, Dec. 31., from 12-6 p.m. It is offering fun activities for the whole family, including games, crafts, giant menorah lighting daily at 5 p.m., a story time daily at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m., traditional Jewish food and treats, and more (see picture).

Admission is $5 per person, $10/family.

Here’s information on holiday hours and closings at some popular local stores and supermarkets. But first, check out SEPTA’s holiday service schedule in case you’re planning some trips around the city.

SEPTA’s Holiday Service Schedule

On Christmas Eve, Metro (Market-Frankford and Broad Street lines and trolleys), buses and Regional Rail will operate on a weekday schedule. On Christmas Day, Metro and buses will operate on a Sunday schedule. Bus routes 204, 310, 311 and LUCY will not run on Christmas Day. All Regional Rail lines will run on special Christmas schedules (see more info here).

On New Year’s Eve, all metro lines and bus routes will operate on a weekday schedule. Additional trains on the Broad Street Line and Market-Frankford Line will operate before and after the New Year’s Eve fireworks at Penn’s Landing, with late night trains available. The New Year’s Eve Fireworks on the Waterfront features two shows, one at 6 p.m. and the second at midnight, over the Delaware River.

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UPDATE: Imani Ayala has been found safe! (We have removed the flyer)

The family of 14-year-old Imani Ayala, who went missing last week in West Philadelphia, is asking for the community’s help to find her. Imani was last seen on Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2024, at 9 p.m. at her residence in the Mill Creek/Mantua area. She left home and was captured on RTCC Cameras at the 52nd and Market Street SEPTA Eastbound Platform. Since then, Imani has not been seen or heard from.

Imani is 5 feet 1 inch tall and weighs 165 pounds. She was last seen wearing a dark grey hooded sweatshirt, black pants, and sneakers.

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