If you were planning to head to Clark Park for some caroling tonight, you’re going to have to wait a week. The caroling that was planned to start at 5 p.m. today will now take place next Sunday, Dec. 19, at the maintenance shed near 45th and Regent.

We know. The easy thing to do is get some kind of worthless small appliance for your uncle or your in-laws. Maybe even two if they are on sale. Stay strong. Help is on the way.

We suggest: one sweet West Philly hoodie from Vix Emporium, two gift sets from Dock Street, three books from Bindlestiff, four meals from Desi Chaat House, five Green Line mugs, six Studio 34 Pilates classes, seven Community Acupunctures, eight Four Worlds loaves, nine Younglove’s purses…

OK, lame. But you get the point. There are lots of great, affordable, unique gift ideas around the neighborhoods. In addition to the shops above and a bunch of others, a couple of holiday fairs are also going on this weekend:

Second Saturday Holiday Craft Sale • Saturday, Dec. 11, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. • The Rotunda • 4014 Walnut St.

This is a big one. It includes more than 30 local vendors with local goods.

• Holiday Craft Sale • University City Arts League • 4226 Spruce Street • Saturday – 6 p.m.-9 p.m., Monday-Friday, 3 p.m.-9 p.m.

Several local artists will have jewelry, pottery, handwoven clothing, handmade cards and a bunch of other amazing stuff for sale.

Tonight is a good chance to hear some great music in a nice venue at a great price – if you live in West Philly and can prove it.  The Preservation Hall Jazz Band, a New Orleans staple, is playing tonight at 8 p.m. at the Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts‘ Zellerbach Theater (3680 Walnut St.)

The band is performing its “Creole Christmas” show, which is always a hot draw in New Orleans. If that weren’t enough enticement, tickets are only $10 if you have ID showing that you live in one of the following zip codes:  19104, 19131, 19139, 19142, 19143, 19151 and 19153. The ticket price is part of the West Philly Rush Hour Program.

Tickets are available two hours before the show for one hour. So tickets for tonight’s show are available from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. You can only buy them at the Center box office and a limited number are available on a first-come-first-serve basis. The seats will be located throughout the venue at the management’s discretion. Up to two tickets are available per person and the purchaser must show a valid driver’s license or non-driver’s license ID that shows the zip code.

A sampling of things going on around the hoods today. There may be more in the happenings section (our ever-expanding listings). Send your listings to editor [at] westphillylocal.com

• Members-only sneak preview • 7 p.m.-10 p.m. • University City Arts League • 4226 Spruce St.

UC Arts League members get a sneak preview of the handcrafted items up for sale in the annual Holiday Craft Show and Sale. The show is open to the general public on Saturday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. and then again Monday through Friday 3 p.m. to 9 p.m.

• The Philadelphia Science Fiction Society presents fantasy novelist Ellen Kushner • 9 p.m. • The Rotunda • 4014 Walnut St. • Free

Ellen Kushner is a writer of fantasy novels and the host of the radio program Sound & Spirit, produced by WGBH in Boston and distributed by Public Radio International.

• Emil Baumann: Return To The Future exhibition opens today at the Second Floor Gallery • 6 p.m.-9 p.m. • 3809 Pearl Street

Emil Baumann’s present body of work and his exploration of yet another dimension of painting: Still Life. Also on display, Emil Baumann’s recent ceramic art. The exhibition will run Dec 10-Dec 23. For more information call: 215-382-1541.

City and private planning officials last night unveiled an “action plan” to turn 500 acres of vacant lots, desolate schoolyards and derelict parks into revitalized green space.

Green2015: An Action Plan for the First 500 Acres is the result of cooperation between the city and PennPraxis, the hands-on branch of the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Design. It’s ambitious and expensive, although the city maintains that the costs will be kept low thanks to private and community partnerships and the fact that many of the sites under consideration will be relatively easy to green-up.

The idea is to create green space where there isn’t much, particularly for the 200,000 or so Philadelphians who live further than a 10-minute walk from a public park. A caveat: These spaces won’t necessarily be turned into “parks.” Some will be spruced up school playgrounds, for example. Many are an acre or less.

The city is inviting citizen feedback here.

Here are some “opportunity sites” in West Philly that the plan mentions:

• Walnut Hill Community Park and Farm (pictured left). This project on a quarter-acre lot near 46th and Market is actually already underway and will include a pocket park and an urban garden (p. 79).

Green 2015

The Provident Mutual Building at 46th and Market in its glory days from an old postcard.

(UPDATE: The Preservation Alliance is holding an art show Friday that includes pieces inspired by the buildings on the endangered list. The show is at the Globe Dye Works (4500 Worth Street) and starts at 7 p.m. Half the proceeds go toward the Alliance’s Advocacy Fund.)

The Provident Mutual Life Insurance Building at 46th and Market, that majestic, cupola topped building overlooking the El tracks, is eroding before our eyes and it is still unclear whether help is on the way. The building is one of many that the Preservation Alliance of Philadelphia has identified as “still endangered”  in its eighth annual Endangered Properties List released today. The list is full of sad stories of landmark buildings that have fallen into disrepair.

The list also includes the Divine Lorraine Hotel on North Broad Street, the Germantown Town Hall on Germantown Avenue and 109 Elfreth’s Alley.

Built in 1926 by Cram and Ferguson, the Provident Mutual building was abandoned when the company moved in 1983. Parts of the building have been occupied by a hodgepodge of agencies over the years. The building has been considered for the relocation of both the Philadelphia Family Court and the Philadelphia Police Headquarters. The Family Court contract went elsewhere (under a cloud of alleged corruption) and the estimated $70 million rehab price tag has made the police move doubtful, at least for now.

Sadly, the building is not on the Philadelphia Register of Historic Places, making it even more likely to be ignored, according to the Preservation Alliance.

Here is the Endangered Properties list:
Preservation Alliance 2010 Endangered Properties List