Philadelphia Police arrested five men yesterday who were allegedly running a “black money” scam on Philadelphia businesses, including one in Overbrook whose owner alerted the cops. Police report that one of the men arrested, 27-year-old Patrick Sanyeah,  lived on the 4600 block of Chester Avenue. All five men are Liberian nationals.
Basically the scam involves a fairly elaborate demonstration of “washing” U.S. bills from West Africa that have been blackened to get through U.S. Customs. The men tell businesses owners that they need a small investment from them to help in the washing operation and that they would get a portion of the money when it was complete. Sometimes called the “wash, wash,” the scam began appearing int he United States in 2000. It often starts with a random e-mail.
The Channel 6 video below explains yesterday’s arrest…

The monthly installment of Philadelphia’s longest running and most authentic hip-hop happening is Thursday at The Rotunda (4014 Walnut St.) Dubbed the community-based celebration of “The struggle, the Love,and the culture of Hip Hop,” The Gathering has been running since 1996 and usually takes place on the last Thursday of the month, except for November (Thanksgiving and all). It features b-boys/b-girls, emcees, pop-lockers, grafitti artists, DJs and men, women and children of all ages.

The night also features open cyphers and a tag wall. Warning, the cyphers and such often trickle outside the Rotunda and last well into the wee hours. Yep, even on a school night.

Admission is $3.

Below is a video of Philadelphia Slick at a 2007 edition of The Gathering.

Guesses on where this 1934 photograph was taken? Leave them in the comments.

I know … it seems like just last week it was summer. Get over it. In fact, a good way to get over it – if you’re so inclined – is to pick up a holiday wreath or swag. We can help you out with that. Well, actually Lauren Leatherbarrow can help you out. The West Philly gardener extraordinaire is once again selling holiday greenery. Lauren advises everyone to pre-order and pre-pay for wreaths. The pre-order deadline for poinsettia plants is long gone. She will have some wreaths for sale on spec on Dec. 4 at 517 Woodland Terrace from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and that’s also where and when the pick-up is for pre-ordered stuff.

Proceeds from sales will go to the Boy Scout Troop 152 at St. Francies De Sales Parish, the University City Garden Club and UC Green, the youth choirs of St. Peter’s Church (3rd and Pine Streets) and the local chapter of the Habitat for Humanity.

A price list and order form is available below. For more information, call 215-386-3905.

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If spending a few hours being driven around to look at West Philadelphia murals while sipping a beer sounds better than fighting the mad Black Friday shopping crowds, then we’ve got something for you. The Ale and Arts Adventure begins Friday afternoon at World Cafe Live (3025 Walnut St.) where you can grab a cold one a board a “trolley” that will drive you around to several murals in West Philly before stopping at Dock Street Brewing Co. (701 South 50th St.) for another round and a brewery tour.

Riders then return to the trolley for a scenic ride back to World Cafe Live for a “spread that highlights their impressive menu.”

Tickets are $35. Here’s the itinerary:
1:30 p.m. • Meet at Wold Cafe Live
2:00 p.m. • Trolley departs
2:45: • Dock Street tour
4:00 • Trolley returns to World Cafe Live

Think you know where this 1927 photo was taken? Write a caption in the comments.