Members of the St. Bernard Community Garden are rejoicing today after the City stepped in at the last second to save a piece of their garden.

The plot of land at 1010 S. Saint Bernard St. went up for Sheriff’s sale today, meaning a developer could have snatched up the plot and evicted the gardeners. Gardeners and their supporters have been frantically raising money to buy the land in case the City, which had pledged to help the gardeners if it could, was outbid. The City and the gardeners could not combine on a bid.

Auction bidding today on the property started at $10,000 and rose to $50,000, more than the gardeners could pay. No one from the City had bid, leading some to shout complaints. According to a report on the Saint Bernard Community Garden website, the bidding was put on hold. When it resumed the City bid $71,500 and the sale was closed.

The City’s purchase is the first in a number of steps that could ensure the long-term viability of the garden.

“Our goal is to see it eventually transferred to a land trust and remain a community green space and asset for decades to come,” the website reads.

Gardeners began turning soil at 1010 St. Bernard soon after burned-out buildings on the plot were removed in 1997, about the same time the plot’s owner stopped paying property taxes.

Though today’s bid was a victory for the gardeners, the story doesn’t end there. The garden is spread across two plots – 1010 and 1008 S. St. Bernard. Back taxes are also owed on 1008 and gardeners say will likely come up for sale next year. The money they have raised so far will be saved – and more will be raised – for that auction.

Police are investigating the origins of a package received at West Philadelphia High School this morning that contained racist materials and a news article about the killings at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn.

A police spokeswoman would only say that the material in the package, which was delivered just before 9 a.m., was “not so good.” She did confirm that the materials were racist in nature. Philly.com is reporting that the package also contained a note that read “you are next.”

We’ll update with details when we get them.

University City District is teaming up with EnergyWorks, a federally funded energy efficiency program, and inviting University City residents (see map below) to sign up for a discounted home energy audit. Application deadline is January 31, 2013. The audit will help identify areas in your home that need energy efficiency improvements that will make your home more comfortable and help reduce your utility bills.

Typically, the cost of a home energy audit is around $400, but with this program you can get a special $49 promotional rate. EnergyWorks also offers low-interest rate (%0.99) for energy retr0-fits.

For more information and to sign up, email: sustainability@universitycity.org

Hibiscus Juice Bar has Caribbean decor and limited seating. (Photo by Jen Horner)

At Hibiscus Juice Bar, which opened a few months ago at the corner of 49th and Catharine streets, owner Sarah Scandone and manager Jessica Matluck combine Caribbean flavors and healthy ingredients in a bright yellow decor. Drawing on experiences operating a juice bar in Belize, and driven by their passion for healthy foods, the longtime friends opened their shop just around the corner from where Scandone once lived.

A dozen or more blends and smoothies will please the most dedicated juice lovers. The magenta “Detox” blend of beets, celery, parsley, kale, pineapple and honeydew (small $4.29, large $5.29) is sweet with a sharp little bite. In addition to an array of vegetable, herb, and fruit choices, you can enhance your smoothie (small $3.99, large $4.99) with bee pollen, Irish Moss, and other healthy stuff. Hibiscus also sells a variety of snack breads, cookies, and cakes, baked on-site.

Savory foods include vegetarian and vegan wraps, quesadillas, salads, a few fish dishes, daily specials and soups. Everything I tried was saturated with flavor – the nutritional equivalent of sunshine. The spicy Jamaican Jerk Tofu wrap ($6.99) included chard, rice, and okra. Salads are served individually or in combination ($3.99 for one, 7.99 for two, and soon). Kale salad with nutritional yeast dressing paired with tuna salad made a crunchy, filling and satisfying lunch. Veggie quesadillas ($6.99) come with your choice of standard or vegan mozzarella cheese. If you want a small snack with your juice, try the veggie “chicken” empanada ($1.50). Most items on the menu can be prepared vegan, and if you avoid gluten, ask for rice tortillas instead of wheat.

At first glance, there are similarities between Hibiscus and Atiya Ola’s Spirit First Foods, located a half-mile east on Baltimore at 45^th street. Because of the focus on take-out, the seating is sparse at Hibiscus, while Atiya Ola’s provides table service. Hibiscus mixes a wider variety of juices on the spot, and Atyia Ola’s offers more different food choices, plus breakfast served all day. Both satisfy the growing demand for healthy, raw, and vegetarian foods in our neighborhood.

– Jen

Update: Police said Tuesday that they apprehended Eric Early near Erie and Torresedale avenues. They also added attempted murder to his list of charges. Police also changed his age from 16 to 17.

Police have apprehended one of two teenage brothers wanted in connection with the shooting at the 46th street El stop on Wednesday,  Dec. 12. 16-year-old Eric Early was taken into custody today and charged with Aggravated Assault. Police are still searching for his brother, 18-year-old Matthew Early.

Photo: Philly Police Blog.

Locust Moon Comics (34 S. 40th St.), our favorite neighborhood comics shop, is hosting the first ever Locust Moon Comics Festival this Sunday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. at The Rotunda (4014 Walnut St.). Refreshments will be provided by Kung Fu Hoagies and Little Baby’s Ice Cream.

The festival will host a bunch of exhibitors, including artists and publishers. Here are some:

· Brandon Graham
· Farel Dalrymple
· J.G. Jones
· David Mack
· Jim Rugg
· Terry LaBan
· Box Brown
· Benjamin Marra
· Ed Piskor
· Jeffro Kilpatrick & The Philadelphia Cartoonist Society
· Ad House Books
· Meathaus Enterprises
· Secret Acres
· Koyama Press
· Locust Moon Press

A full list of exhibitors is here. Admission is free, though a $5 donation is suggested. You can RSVP at the Facebook event page here.

Lastly, this might be the coolest announcement graphic we have ever published: