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Holiday Spirit Lit Large
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Great Grannies push for peace The Granny Peace Brigade Philadelphia continues a 10year tradition of advocating for peaceful conďŹ&#x201A;ict resolution.
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R e v i e w S ta f f W r i t e r
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hen it comes to Christmas, South Philly goes for the gold and, as far as neighborhood festivity goes, gets it. From smaller collectives of block residents who try to outdo one another with inflatable Santas, strip lights, and elaborate window displays, to moreformally cooperative efforts to turn their displays of holiday spirit into a desirable attraction for even non-city dwellers, thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s no shortage of excitement for Dec. 25. In fact, there are a handful of guides
that roll out throughout December for where to find the biggest and best stretches of the city to catch the bug â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the magic of a holiday that, for some, is the best of the year. And South Philly wins as far as the city proper. On Dec. 10, Redfinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s blog published â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Best Neighborhoods to See Holiday Lights in 2015,â&#x20AC;? a nationwide survey of phenomenally lit-up celebrations of Santa and his magic. While Philly didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t make the nationwide Top 5 neighborhoods, there are Top 5s for the Top 25 cities to see holiday lights,
and South Philly is the king of the City of Brotherly Love. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Miracle on South 13th Streetâ&#x20AC;? and the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Smedley Street Christmas Light Spectacularâ&#x20AC;? are front and center, while spots in Levittown, Bethlehem and Reading are also noted. Both phenomena are the subject of great celebration in local media: PhillyMagâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Sunday edition features a brilliant VisitPhilly photograph of 13th Street emblazoned on its cover; MetroPhilly featured the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Miracleâ&#x20AC;? in its â&#x20AC;&#x153;Where to See Christmas Lights in
Philadelphiaâ&#x20AC;?; CBS3â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Holiday Special with Jessica Dean (airing regularly 12/17-25 on CBS3 and the CW) will feature both 13th Street and the 2700 block of South Smedley Street; last week running groups, South Philly Striders and Fishtown Beer Runners, teamed up for a South Philly Holidaly Lights Run; and last night, cyclists flooded 13th Street and South Smedley Street for the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia-organized Holiday Lights Bike Ride. ASS +2/,'$< ^OUS ,,