There are tons of festive events happening in the area this weekend, including one of the biggest local shopping events of the year, a new restaurant grand opening party, a craft show opening, a big FREE holiday family event, a dance party supporting a local non-profit, and more. More information about these and other upcoming events is below. If you want to buy a Christmas tree or holiday wreaths, greens and decorations this weekend, check out this post. For local gift ideas and more holiday shopping opportunities, visit our “Buy Local for the Holidays” page.

Friday, Dec. 4

• University City Arts League Holiday Craft Show Opening Reception, 6 – 8 p.m., 4226 Spruce St.

Thirty local artists will present their wares—just in time for the holidays! This is a great opportunity to shop for hand-made gifts for you and the whole family, such as cards, pottery, soaps, t-shirts, and more! Complimentary drinks and eats will be offered while you shop during the opening reception this Friday. The Craft Show is open daily Dec. 4-20. Monday-Friday, 5-8 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 12-6 p.m. Closing reception will take place on Dec. 20, 4-6 p.m. The list of 2015 vendors is available here.

• Clarkville Grand Opening Party, 5 p.m., 43rd and Baltimore

New Baltimore Avenue bar and restaurant, Clarkville, is opening this Friday. The grand opening party kicks off at 5 p.m.

• West Philly jeweler Amy Neukrug presents her holiday collection at Hello World, 5 – 9 p.m., 3610 Sansom St.

• The Bald Soprano opens at Curio Theatre, 8 p.m., 48th and Baltimore  Continue Reading

Clarkville growlers stand at the ready for Grand Opening Party. (Instagram photo)

Clarkville’s opening date has finally been announced, and it’s tomorrow! The Grand Opening Party for the new bar and restaurant located just across the street from Clark Park at 43rd and Baltimore, will take place on Friday, Dec. 4 at 5 p.m., according to an announcement from the owners, Leigh Maida, Brendan Hartranft and Brendan Kelly.

The opening night will include “complimentary nibbles from the kitchen, a line up of flagship beers from favorite breweries, a killer draft wine list and a whole lot of big love for the neighborhood that has been so patient and supportive while this crazy space was wrangled into submission,” according to the announcement.

In addition, Clarkville will be kicking off growler sales with a keg of Russian River Pliny the Elder available for take out only in a fancy 64oz Clarkville Growler for $35.

Regular service and the full menu, which includes comfort food out of a giant double-decker pizza oven, starts on Saturday, Dec. 5 at 11 a.m.

Starting this Saturday, Clarkville will be open 7 days a week from 11 a.m. – 1 a.m. (The kitchen is open until midnight daily). Weekend brunch is coming soon, too. It will be served on Saturdays and Sundays 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.

For more information, including menu and draft list, visit: www.clarkvillephilly.com.

There are a few efforts in the area to help neighbors in need during the holidays. Recently, we wrote about the annual Cedar Park Holiday Food Drive. Here are two more opportunities to help out:

Holiday Drive at Local 44 (44th and Spruce)

Get into the Holiday Spirit by donating new and unwrapped toys or personal care items for the People’s Emergency Center, a West Philly shelter offering support services to women and children. Click here for a list of most wanted items. Drop off your donations in the Bottle Shop through Dec. 18.

Winter Coat and Book Drive at Renewal Presbyterian Church (47th and Cedar)

Winter coat and book drive benefits Cradles to Crayons, a local charity that serves communities in the Philadelphia area. With cold weather on the way, there is an urgent need for coats, socks, gloves, and PJs for children of all ages. Only new and gently used items are accepted. Donations can be dropped off between 8:30 a.m.- 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 19 at Renewal Presbyterian Church, located on the corner of 47th and Cedar Ave. You can also contact Jeannette Bennicelli (jbennice[at]mail.med.upenn.edu) and bring donations to her house (now until Dec. 20).

Rendering of 4610 Cedar Ave. Photo from www.rolaarchitects.com.

Here’s more information on the new three-story building under construction in the triangle between Cedar and Baltimore Avenues, the former location of the Philadelphia Credit Union. Construction of the mixed-use structure, which will include six residential units and a commercial space on the ground floor, began in the summer and is expected to be completed in late spring 2016, according to Philly Curbed.

As was reported earlier, the lot belongs to the Lai family, who own several businesses and other properties in the area. An appeal was filed against the Philadelphia Board of Licenses and Inspections earlier this year, on the grounds that they “did not consider the impact of adjacent property with regard to air, light and use impairment” when issuing the building permit. The affected property was not mentioned. The appeal was denied last month, and the construction at 4610 Cedar continues. Check out more renderings and photos on Curbed.

This week’s featured adoptable cat is Sundae, a young female domestic medium-hair.

Personality Types: 1. Private Investigator: Sundae’s curiosity knows no bounds. She is always finding the hidden nooks and corners of your home. 2. Professional Cuddler: she can be found on or near you at all times.

Sundae is a very curious cat. When you open your closet or the door to another room, you can rest assured she will be at your heels ready to explore this interesting new space. If you open your window, make sure it has a screen because she’ll jump right up to the windowsill to stare out at the streets and listen to the cars and people outside.

She’ll start off kind of shy but will quickly warm up to you. Sundae loves being pet and will jump on the table next to you if you’re concentrating on your coffee or computer and demand attention! She also enjoys climbing onto the back of the chair you’re sitting on and nuzzling you from behind.

Occasionally, she’ll go on to your lap. Of course, she’ll let you know when she’s had enough with petting or playing with a little swipe or nip.  Continue Reading

Clarkville in September 2015 (Photo West Philly Local).

(12/3/2015): Here’s the latest update:

Official word—”Not opening today.” We’ve got our fingers crossed for tomorrow—Stay tuned! A special growler reward for your patience awaits!

— Clarkville (@clarkvillephl) December 3, 2015

(12/2/2015): The opening of Clarkville bar and restaurant at 43rd and Baltimore is getting closer. According to its owner Leigh Maida, who we spoke to in the fall, the tentative opening date was Dec. 1, but it hasn’t opened yet. Clarkville’s opening was postponed a couple of times before, with the latest reason for delay being problems with electricity in the building. Maida and her business partners Brendan Kelly and Brendan Hartranft are renting the two-story, former Best House Pizza space at 43rd and Baltimore. But here’s some encouraging news. According to their latest tweet, the restaurant’s opening is very close. The executive chef has also been revealed on the Clarkville website. It’s Justin Bennett, who has been in charge of Local 44’s menu for the past three years. Earlier this year, Clarkville owners said that it would be “a little less beer forward and a little more food forward” than Local 44. Stay tuned for more information. 

Clarkville’s opening is so close we can (quite literally) taste it. Stay tuned for our opening announcement! pic.twitter.com/G7leBzAL9K — Clarkville (@clarkvillephl) November 28, 2015