Community members are invited this Tuesday (Nov 11) to the annual meeting of the Spruce Hill Community Association (SHCA). The meeting will be held at Griffith Hall at the University of the Sciences (entrance on 43rd near Woodland), beginning at 7:30 p.m.

The annual meeting is a great opportunity to find out about what’s happening in the neighborhood and be part of an organization that has an important voice in the shaping of the neighborhood.

Matthew Bergheiser, the executive director of the University City District, will speak on the topic, “The State of University City’s Development Boom.” The report will include information on the current construction and development projects and also those that are still on the drawing board.  Continue Reading

A reader, Adam, snapped these photos the other day of a guy playing the drums in the bed of a moving pick-up near 49th and Warrington.

Adam writes:

“I love my neighborhood. This guy was playing a full drum kit in the back of a moving pickup truck.  Unfortunately, the cops weren’t music lovers.”

Sure enough, the drummer had to explain himself to police.

The Calvary Center for Culture and Community, the beautiful old church building at 48th and Baltimore, needs some help. Over the last decade the building has undergone some critical restoration, which gave it a new vibrant life, but a lot of work still remains to be done. Current plans include construction of an elevator in the western section of the tower to accommodate neighbors on wheelchairs or with other physical difficulties. Several other major improvements, renovations, repairs and restorations are also planned.

The center, which hosts a myriad of activities each year and also is home to many community, art, religious, educational, social justice and other organizations, was recently offered a $100,000 challenge grant by the Wyncote Foundation. This amount has to be matched by the end of the year. The center was able to raise almost all of the match, but a few thousand dollars are still remaining. So here’s how you can help:

On Saturday, Nov. 8, come to the “Raise the Roof” Walkathon for Calvary Center. The 5 km walk around the neighborhood will start and end at the center. Participation fee is $25 ($10 for children) and you can register online here before the event or at the event itself (for $35), beginning at 9 a.m. on Nov. 8 at the 48th Street entrance to the building. The walk will be from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m., followed by a celebration of its completion (12 – 1 p.m.). The event will take place rain or shine.

Here’s a reminder of what organizations are located at Calvary Center: Cedar Park Neighbors, the University City Historical Society, West Philly Mennonite Fellowship, Kol Tzedek West Philly Synagogue, Calvary United Methodist Church, Grace Chapel, Children’s Community School, Curio Theatre, Crossroads Music, and more! These and other organizations will participate in Saturday’s event and encourage their members and all neighbors to join them.

If you can’t participate in the walkathon, you can support the center by making a donation online (please go here) or by sending a check to: Calvary Center, 801 S. 48th Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19143.

“Raise the Roof” Walkathon for Calvary Center
48th and Baltimore
Saturday, Nov. 8, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. (registration starts at 9 a.m.)
$25 online (children $10), $35 at the event

Many thanks to all who submitted their entries in this year’s Pumpkin Carving Contest. There were many amazing jack-o’-lanterns this year and our jury had a blast selecting winners in the Scariest, Funniest, Kids, Best Philly Themed, and Special Prize categories. Also, we’d like to thank everyone who voted for their favorite pumpkin and helped us select the Readers’ Choice winner.

Here are this year’s winners and we are already looking forward to next year’s contest!

Readers’ Choice: Bimal Desai (Dragon pumpkin)

Bimal Desai, a pediatrician and married father of two, did it again! His outstanding Dragon pumpkin was an absolute favorite in the Readers’ Choice category. Out of 289 votes submitted 112 were cast for this pumpkin. Congratulations to Bimal and he wins some great prizes from local businesses: a $40 gift certificate from Cafe Renata, a $40 gift card from Sabrina’s Cafe, a three-month membership to International House Philadelphia, a $25 gift certificate from Honest Tom’s Taco Shop and two Curio Theatre tickets.  Continue Reading

We received some great entries in this year’s Pumpkin Carving Contest, many of them from our young neighbors. Many thanks to everyone who participated! And now, it’s time to vote for your favorite pumpkin! All the entries are below. Please choose your favorite and cast your vote at the bottom of this post (please only one vote per person).

Just a reminder that the Readers’ Choice winner will receive our grand prize, which includes some great food and entertainment offers: a $40 gift card from Sabrina’s Cafe, a $40 gift certificate from Cafe Renata, a 3-month membership to International House Philadelphia, and Curio Theatre tickets. In addition to these prizes, a Readers’ Choice winner can also select one prize from the following businesses: Mariposa Food Coop, VIX Emporium, Honest Tom’s Taco Shop, and Rx The Farmacy.

Voting will end at 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 2 and the Readers’ Choice winner and winners in other categories (Scariest, Funniest, best Philly-themed, and Kids) and their prizes will be announced shortly after that. This year, to encourage participation, we’ll also have a random drawing among the entries that didn’t win in any other category.

OK, ready? Here you go (click to enlarge):

Voting has ended.

[poll id=”5″]

The usual host of zombies, ghosts, goblins and other assorted scary types turned out for Friday’s Halloween parade in the Spruce Hill neighborhood. The annual tradition began near 45th and Baltimore and concluded on the finely decorated 4200 block of Osage Ave, (“Little Osage”). We could go on about the costumes and the Thriller dancers, but it’s easier just to show you. Check out the photos below.

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