Photo courtesy of SEPTA

To help put riders in the seasonal spirit, some SEPTA drivers have again decorated their trolleys with tinsel, lights, bows and bells, so … the Jolly Trolleys are back!

Operators used hundreds of lights, yards of garland and tons of ornaments, all to make the season brighter for their passengers.

The festive trolleys can be found on the following routes:

• Trolley # 2336, operated on Route 15
• Trolley #9053, operated on Route 10
• Trolley #9031 operated on the Routes 11 and 36

And this trolley even has music playing in the car. Pretty awesome!

Yo there’s another Jolly Trolley and it’s got 🎶 Car #9053 pic.twitter.com/tnKgCMwmIw

— Amara Rockar (@arockar) December 6, 2016

If you spot a Jolly Trolley or especially ride in one, let us know in the comments. We only got lucky once last year.

Cedar Park Neighbors, in cooperation with area churches and other nonprofit organizations, will prepare and distribute food baskets for those in need during the holiday season. To make this event a success, CPN is currently holding their annual Holiday Basket Drive. Suggested donation is $36, which will help feed two families.

In 2015, thanks to neighbors’ support, CPN were able to reach 130 families (over 550 people).

Click here for more information and to donate.

The baskets will be packed and distributed on Saturday, Dec. 17, from 8:30-10:30 a.m. at Renewal Presbyterian Church, located on the corner of 47th and Cedar Ave, and volunteers are welcome to help out. Please contact Michelle Lewis at mlewis1071@gmail.com to sign up or if you are interested in donating bulk items.

It doesn’t happen very often when the mayor wishes you a Happy Birthday. Garden Court resident Dr. Pearl Simpson, who just turned 90, received a letter from Mayor Jim Kinney congratulating her on her achievements. The letter was read to her at her birthday party held on Saturday.

About 50 people attended the party held in the Garden Court apartment complex community room, among them Dr. Pearl’s former colleagues, children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, friends and neighbors.

In his letter, the mayor praised Dr. Pearl’s skills and professional achievements, including her work as a Community College of Philadelphia professor and her service in the City’s Human Services Department.

(Photo by Elaine Fultz)

The winter holidays are almost here and if you’re decorating your house or apartment, check out these great opportunities to purchase beautiful, handmade wreaths and centerpieces in the area or sign up for one of the wreath-making workshops happening this weekend.

• On Saturday, Dec. 3, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Bartram’s Garden (5400 Lindbergh Blvd.) is hosting its annual Holiday Greens Sale. The sale features a beautiful selection of decorated and undecorated wreaths, centerpieces, fresh evergreens, and more. Visitors can also purchase ornamental greens and roping to create your own decorations for the holiday season. Also, enjoy seasonal music, stocking stuffers, and refreshments. For more information, go here.  Continue Reading

Here’s a chance to do something kind during the holiday season for a person trying to get back into the workforce after being homeless, incarcerated, in rehabilitation or raising children.

The University City District (UCD) is collecting donations of professional apparel for men and women to benefit the awesome Philly non-profit Career Wardrobe. The clothing goes into one of Career Wardrobe’s boutique where it is provided at no cost to people transitioning into the workforce to help them make a good impression at an interview. Career Wardrobe also offers skills building services. During the past fiscal year, Career Wardrobe outfitted more than 3,000 men and women.  Continue Reading

UPDATE: The woman who was struck by the car fleeing police near 52nd and Locust has died, according to NBC 10. She was inside one of the vehicles struck by the suspects. The victim was identified as 55-year-old Carol Isom who lived on the 200 block of S. 53rd Street. She was the driver of a Kia Soul and was traveling east on Locust Street when her car was struck by a dark gray Nissan Maxima driven by one of the suspects.

Police say an unidentified driver sped away from police and hit the unnamed woman at about 7:30 p.m. She was taken to Penn Presbyterian Medical Center and was listed in critical condition, according to NBC10.

Philly.com is reporting that police pursued two suspects after a gun was fired near 48th and Westminster. The crash included three other vehicles. Both men were arrested.