Here’s something that might put you in the holiday spirit: SEPTA’s decorated holiday trolleys are back in service, operating on Routes 10, 11, 13, 34 or 36!

Operators Gary Mason and Dave Musgrave used hundreds of lights, yards of garland and tons of ornaments to decorate the “holly, jolly trolleys” in an effort to make the season brighter for their passengers.

The festive trolleys can be found on the following routes:
• Trolley #9104, operating on Route 10
• Trolley #9055, operating on Routes 11, 13, 34 or 36

If you haven’t yet, we hope you’re lucky enough to catch a ride on one of these festive trolleys.

It has become a solid holiday tradition in West Philly: The Winter Express Shoppers’ Trolley will be back this Saturday, Dec. 2, touring Baltimore and Lancaster Avenues. This is a great opportunity to visit dozens of local businesses and to get a head start on your holiday shopping (while keeping your money in your neighborhood). Many participating businesses will be offering discounts off their retail items and other special offers.

Here’s how you can get on this trolley:  Continue Reading

A woman’s body was found late Tuesday morning on the 200 block of S. 49th Street, according to police. A suspect has been arrested in connection with the murder.

Police told 6ABC Action News that the suspect told his parents that he had killed the unidentified woman. He reportedly directed police to an alley where the body was found. The suspect, who is reportedly the victim’s boyfriend, lives in the apartment building near where the body was found. A police source said that the victim’s body was set on fire after she was killed.

The motive is currently unknown and the names of neither the victim nor the suspect have been released. An autopsy is scheduled for Wednesday morning.

After Black Friday and Cyber Monday comes Giving Tuesday when people are encouraged to support not-for-profit organizations. There are so many great nonprofit organizations with many great causes in our area. We don’t want to point out any specific ones, but you can check out our Civic Life page and choose one or more organizations with a cause you’re most passionate about. Here are also Twitter messages from some local non-profits:  Continue Reading

Cedar Park Neighbors in cooperation with area churches and other nonprofit organizations, will again prepare and distribute food baskets for those in need during the holiday season. The 2017 CPN Holiday Food Drive is currently underway. The suggested donation is $36. Support at this amount will help CPN supply meals for two families.

In 2016, CPN was able to reach over 150 local families.  Continue Reading

Former Apple Storage facility at 780 S. 52nd St (Google Street View image).

The real estate development firm Post Brothers has bought the long vacant Apple Storage facility on South 52nd Street and plans to build a 153-unit residential building.

Philly.com reported that the Post Brothers, which has acquired several buildings in recent years including The Netherlands at 4300 Chestnut, Hamilton Court at 3800 Chestnut, and Garden Court Plaza, paid $2.4 million for the hulking shell at 780 S. 52nd St., a couple blocks south of Baltimore Avenue. That price reflects the fact that the zoning approval had already been granted in 2012 for “Apple Lofts,” a residential housing proposal that drew mostly praise but prompted discussions about gentrification.

A zoning permit approved last week expanded the proposed project from 112 to 153 units and commercial space. The original zoning permit also includes 92 “accessory” parking spaces.  Continue Reading