Here’s an interesting map showing racial and ethnic population distribution in our part of Philadelphia (though it will also work for any town in the country)  put together by the New York Times using 2005-2009 survey data. West Philly writer Patrick Kerkstra alerted us to this. The distribution in West Philly shouldn’t surprise anyone. Cedar Park, for example, shows up 47 percent white and 40 percent black. Walnut Hill is 60 percent black and 29 percent white.

The data comes from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey, not the 2010 Census itself. The data was released yesterday.

Thanks Patrick.

OK. Lets try this again. Anyone know where in West Philly this photo was taken. Extra credit for the year.  Take a shot and leave a reply. Those who guess correctly will win … our unending admiration.

A reward is being offered for lost Lhasa Apso. He is mid-length and cream colored. He has been missing since Dec. 5 near or around the area of 59th and Catherine.

Contact Ruth at: comm-xqb4d-2113750283@craigslist.org

A sampling of things going on today. There may be more in the happenings section (our ever-expanding listings). Send your listings to: editor [at] westphillylocal.com

• Advent concert • 7 p.m. • Saint Francis de Sales Parish • 4625 Springfield Ave. • Free

The annual Advent concert, Veni, Immanuel.

Ayca Yasmin

• Ayca Yesim at Penn Museum • 6 p.m. • 3260 South St. • Free with regular admission donation.

Ayca Yesim is a Turkish music singer who performs in New York Philadelphia area. Classical Turkish music is a centuries old music tradition which was passed from generation to generation by means of personal training rather than through written instructions. Free with regular museum admission donation.

• Folk Arts Roundtable • 6 p.m. • Philadelphia Folklore Project • 735 S. 50th St. • Free/RSVPs required

PFP invites you to gather with artists and cultural workers committed to folk arts to discuss what is on your mind and share your experiences.

We came across this video, which includes interviews with longtime Walnut Hill residents, on the website of The Enterprise Center. Asia Ray, a West Philadelphia High School graduate, shot the film a couple of years ago during the Walnut Hill planning process. It has only become available recently on The Enterprise Center’s website. The piece provides a good perspective on the past, present and future of the neighborhood, which runs from Spruce to Market Streets, 45th to 52nd Streets.

This is Home: The Story of Walnut Hill from The Enterprise Center CDC on Vimeo.

Nasty weather like today’s brings along high heating bills. There is help for folks who need it. A number of assistance programs exist to help pay gas and electric bills. The Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), for example, can provide grants  for energy bills for a family of three with a gross income below $29,296.

A complete list of assistance programs is here.