Here’s a chance to check out one of the most beautiful neighborhoods in West Philly and hang out and share in the holiday joy with your neighbors. Garden Court Community Association is hosting a Winter Stroll and Holiday House Tour on Saturday, Dec. 28. The event will also include, music, fun and entertainment. Note to participants: Festive attire is encouraged.

The stroll and house tour will take place from 5 to 8 p.m., followed by dancing at Take the Lead Dance Studio located at 47th and Pine. Light refreshments will also be served. The stroll starts at 4603 Cedar Avenue.

Cost is $10 with advanced registration; $15 at the door. No cost for children under 12.
The event will take place rain or snow. To RSVP email: hwrdlowell@yahoo.com or call 215-747-6371.

Here’s information on holiday hours for some local shops, cafes and restaurants. If you want to add your business hours, please do so in the comments below.

We wish happy holidays to all our readers!

Cafe Renata (43rd & Locust)

Dec. 23-Dec. 28 – Closed
Dec. 29 – Open for brunch
Dec. 31 – 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m.
Jan. 1 – Open for brunch

Honest Tom’s Taco Shop (44th & Spruce)

Dec. 24-26 – Closed
Dec. 30-Jan. 2 – Closed

Mariposa Food Coop (49th & Baltimore)

Dec. 24: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Dec. 25: Closed
Dec. 26: 9 a.m.-5 p.m
Dec. 27: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Jan. 1: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Milk & Honey Market (45th & Baltimore)

Dec. 24 – 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Dec. 25 – Closed
Dec. 31 – 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Jan. 1 – Closed

Supreme Shop ‘N Bag (43rd & Walnut)

Dec. 24 – 7 a.m.-7 p.m.
Dec. 25 – 8 a.m.-8 p.m.
Dec. 30 – 7 a.m.-12 a.m.
Dec. 31 – 7 a.m.-7 p.m.
Jan. 1 – 8 a.m.-8 p.m.

VIX Emporium (5009 Baltimore Ave)

Dec. 24 – 11 a.m.–3 p.m.
Dec. 25 & 26 – Closed
Dec. 27 & 28: 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
Dec. 29-Jan. 1 – Closed

As West Philly Local recently reported, The Blockley, a popular music venue located at 38th and Chestnut, is closing at the end of the year and has announced its final shows this weekend (Dec. 26-29). For more information, go to The Blockley’s Facebook page.

Thursday, Dec. 26 – Hip-Hop Finale feat. Schoolly D, Reef the Lost Cauze, Cee Knowledge (Doodlebug of Digable Planets), Mic Stew, Beano, Voss, and Chase Allen. Doors – 8 p.m. , Show – 9 p.m. 21+. $10 adv/$12 D.O.S.

Friday, Dec. 27 – Splintered Sunlight (Grateful Dead tribute) w/ Sakima. Doors – 8 p.m., Show – 9 p.m. 21+. $7 adv/$10 D.O.S.

Saturday, Dec. 28 – Long Miles w/ Spiritual Rez. Doors – 8 pm , Show – 9 p.m. 18+. $10 adv/$13 D.O.S.

Sunday, Dec. 29 – A Funky Farewell feat. The Everyone Orchestra. Late night DJ Battle 1-3 am feat. DJ Logic & Special Guest TBA. Doors – 5:30 p.m., Show – 6 p.m. All Ages. $20.

The Green Line Cafe located at 43rd and Baltimore was broken into and burglarized over the weekend, according to police. The burglar or burglars smashed the front window with a brick and stole a cash register. The burglary happened some time between Friday at 11:30 p.m. and Saturday morning at around 8:30 a.m.

The cash register contained approximately $300, according to a police report.

In August, West Philly Local reported about similar break-ins at Pho & Cafe Saigon and RX the Farmacy. In both of these cases, a brick was used to smash the front door or windows and cash was stolen. Police are still investigating those.

The University City Historical Society (UCHS), an organization interested in enhancing and preserving the heritage of West Philadelphia, is working on increasing community involvement. The UCHS will launch a new website next year where resources and information about UCHS events will be available. UCHS has also prepared a short online questionnaire and would appreciate any input from neighbors.

The survey should take about 5 to 10 minutes to complete. Besides a few questions related to UCHS membership, the survey asks neighbors about their favorite part of University City and what programming you would you like to see from UCHS.

To access the survey, please follow this link.

For more information please visit the UCHS website or Facebook page.

Updated with details at 12:57 p.m.

Police caught two men yesterday after a report of a gunpoint robbery at 45th and Pine. The robbery took place around 5:20 p.m., according to police, and the victim was also pistol-whipped. The police arrived quickly after the incident was reported, chased and caught both men. One of them was armed with a gun, according to a tweet by officer Joe Murray (@PPDJoeMurray) of the Southwest Police Detectives.

The victim, a 41-year-old male, said he was walking down the 4500 block of Pine Street, stopped at his mother’s house and pulled out his cell phone, according to a police report. He said two males approached him and when he looked down again at his cell phone, he felt an object strike him in the side of the head. He fell to the ground, looked up and saw one man holding a gun. One suspect said “Take the phone” to other, the victim told police.

The victim quickly ran into his mother’s home and called police. After a brief foot pursuit, police apprehended one of the suspects near 47th and Spruce. He had a 25-caliber handgun. The other suspect was captured on the 4600 block of Spruce Street. The victim identified the suspects, both of whom were 17 years old, according to a police report.

The victim received five stitches at Mercy Hospital and was released.