The Office of City Councilmember Jamie Gauthier is hosting a Holiday Toy Drive for youth in the Third District, which encompasses West and Southwest Philadelphia. Donations of new, unwrapped toys are accepted through Friday, Dec. 17 at City Hall, Room 586 (1400 JFK Blvd.). Check out the flier below with more information.

Donations of toys and other items are also welcome at various West Philly-based non-profit organizations working with families and youth, such as Achievability, People’s Emergency Center, and Families Forward.

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The annual Holiday Basket Drive has returned to Cedar Park in its usual format after taking a break last year due to the pandemic. This is a great chance for neighbors to help other neighbors in need during the holidays.

The campaign is run by the neighborhood association Cedar Park Neighbors (CPN), who with the help of area churches and other nonprofit organizations will prepare and distribute food baskets for those in need on December 18. Volunteers are also welcome!

Currently, CPN is accepting donations from its members and everyone who would like to help. Suggested donation this year is $45, which will help feed two families. Continue Reading

As COVID-19 continues its yet another surge in the city, all Philadelphia-area restaurants, eateries and bars will begin requiring proof of COVID-19 vaccination for eating and/or drinking in their indoor establishments starting next month, Philadelphia Health Commissioner Dr. Cheryl Bettigole announced today. All restaurant workers also must be vaccinated.

The plan’s rollout will begin on Monday, Jan. 3 and will initially also allow a recent negative COVID-19 test from patrons (made within the last 24 hours), to be able to be served at a restaurant or bar. However, starting Jan. 17, the negative test will no longer be accepted by restaurants for most patrons. The exception includes children younger than 5 and people with valid medical or religious exemptions. Continue Reading

UPDATE: The Holiday Craft Fest has been postponed until Sunday, Dec. 12.

West Holiday Craft Fest will return this Saturday Sunday after last year’s pandemic-related hiatus. This year, the popular arts and crafts festival will be held at a new, outdoor location in University City, since large gatherings are still limited at The Rotunda, where the fest was held in the past. The 2021 Holiday Craft Fest will be held at the LAWN and Pivot Park, located at 37th and Filbert Streets, just north of Market (see map).

VIX Emporium, the longtime organizer of the fest, has recently shared more details about the Fest, where folks are invited to shop for unique, handmade holiday gifts. Continue Reading

       One of SEPTA’s 2021 holiday buses.

Decorated SEPTA buses and “jolly trolleys” are coming to spread holiday cheer!

Folks are invited this Saturday, Dec. 11, to check out and tour the holiday buses at various West Philly locations. Here’s where and when you can find them:

40th St. Trolley Portal (40th and Baltimore Ave.)
10am – 4pm

Clark Park (43rd and Baltimore)
10am – 4pm

West Winter Craft Fest (37th and Market)
10am – 4pm Continue Reading

Booker’s outdoor dining space on Baltimore Ave. in December 2020 (Facebook photo)

Philadelphia City Council unanimously passed new legislation giving permission for permanent outdoor dining in some city areas, including West Philadelphia.

Businesses whose outdoor dining structures, aka “streeteries,” comply with city requirements for design and placement will not have to reapply for an outdoor dining permit, something they had to do every year in the past.

Restaurants would normally have to get such a permit from Department Licenses and Inspections before the start of the spring-summer season to provide additional seating for their customers during warmer months. However, outdoor dining quickly became a necessity when the city imposed a ban on indoor dining in 2020 due to the pandemic. Some West Philly restaurants, like Booker’s Restaurant & Bar, weatherized their outdoor seating areas last fall and continued operating in colder weather. Although, the ban on indoor dining was eventually lifted, outdoor dining still remains a safer option for many people. Continue Reading