If you purchased a SEPTA TransPass and could not use it due to the recent SEPTA transit strike, don’t throw it away. SEPTA is offering a credit voucher for unused Weekly or Monthly TransPasses (passes not punched in the validation block) that will be good towards the purchase of another SEPTA fare product. SEPTA customers may bring the unused TransPass product to any Pass Sales location – SEPTA Sales Offices and Retail Outlets.

Requests for fare credits for unused TransPasses will be honored through January 31, 2017.

Weekly TransPass valid for travel October 31 – November 6, 2016

• $20.00 Credit Voucher
• Credit available beginning Wednesday, November 9, 2016

Weekly TransPass valid for travel November 7 – November 13, 2016

• $4.00 Credit Voucher
• Credit available beginning Monday, November 14, 2016  Continue Reading

This morning, SEPTA and TWU Local 234 have announced a tentative five-year contract that will bring 4,700-plus employees back to work and end a six-day strike that shut down the City Transit Division.

Service will be phased back in today on the Market-Frankford Line, Broad Street Line subway, city buses and trolleys, with full schedules restored by the start of the service day on Tuesday.

Limited service on the Market-Frankford Line has been restored starting at 9 a.m. today. Limited bus and trolley service is expected to resume later today:

MFL: Starting at 9AM, service will operate every 15 minutes. Trains will not service 5th Street Station due to the Hillary Clinton Rally.

— SEPTA (@SEPTA_MFL) November 7, 2016

MFL: Limited bus, trolley, and subway service will resume later today. Check System Status for updates on your routes.

— SEPTA (@SEPTA_MFL) November 7, 2016

Hello, El, we've missed you. pic.twitter.com/TQhapHFFH1

— Ronnie Polaneczky (@RonniePhilly) November 7, 2016

City Transit Division service has been shut down since the start of the TWU Local 234 strike at 12:01 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 1.  Continue Reading

Community members are invited to attend the big annual meeting of the Spruce Hill Community Association on Nov. 15 at the Penn Alexander School (43rd and Locust).

Penn Alexander’s new principal, Michael Farrell, will address the meeting, which will be held in the school’s cafeteria. Farrel took over from founding principal Sheila Sydnor this fall. Read more about him here.

SHCA board members will also present the association’s activities over the year during the meeting and hold elections for a new board. Eric Santoro, SHCA’s current president, is running unopposed for a second one-year term. Election will also be held for four other officer positions and 10 board posts. Biographical information for those running will be available at the meeting.

Light snacks and refreshments will be served beginning at 7 p.m., and the meeting will start at 7:30 p.m.

Membership in SHCA is open to everyone. Dues are $20 per year.

Here’s some great news for local wine lovers: Both The Bottle Shop at Local 44 and Clarkville bar & restaurant began selling affordable take-out wine this week. Here are more details for each establishment, which as you may know are owned by the same people.

The Bottle Shop (44th and Spruce) is featuring a small but well curated list of ten red, ten white and two sparkling wines by the bottle. Arguably the best beer sales force in the city are now also “aspiring wine geeks” and will help guide you through their wine assortment.

Clarkville (43rd and Baltimore) is making all of the wines that pour on draft available for take out in a branded 750ml growler. You can buy one in house, or bring your own jug in for a refill.

In addition, a special November “Wine School” featuring The Artisan Cellar’s Sean Faeth is happening in the Bottle Shop at Local 44 on Wednesday, Nov 16 at 5 p.m. This is a free opportunity to get to know some of the bottles they are so excited about. As always, a donation to No Kid Hungry is required to attend Beer/Wine School. RSVP to bottles@local44beerbar.com to secure your seat.

(Photos courtesy of The Bottle Shop at Local 44)

Police shared information on some of the recent robberies in the area. Six gunpoint robberies were reported in the area in August and four gunpoint robberies total in June and July, according to the monthly University City Crime Update. Based on previous years, September and October are more active months in terms of crime. We’ll keep you posted. Also, check out the Crime Reports website for more crime reports.

Two people, a 34-year-old woman and a 39-year-old man were robbed at gunpoint on October 23 on the 5000 block of Pine Street by two teens (approximately 15-18 years old), according to a police report. The robbery took place at around 8:20 p.m. The suspects approached the victims from behind while they were walking in the area and one of them pointed a black handgun at the couple and demanded their property. The suspects took the victims’ wallets containing credit cards and some cash and their phones and then fled westbound on Pine Street, according to the report. This investigation is ongoing.  Continue Reading

Milky Joe, a male medium sized grey and white domestic short hair has been missing from 51st and Catharine since October 23. He was last seen near Cedar Park around 49th and Catharine. He is shy but sweet.

UPDATE (11/5/2016): Milky Joe has been found!