A very special reunion was held at Lynda Thomas Solomon’s home on Sunday, November 1. This was a reunion of seven successful and happy women who grew up on South 54th St during the 1950’s. Here’s a story and photos by one of them, Cynthia Brown:

“This was a reunion of  seven ladies who grew up on South 54th St during the 1950’s from childhood through high school during a time when neighbors knew each other. We were in and out each other homes and were loved and disciplined by our friend’s parents. We ate together, played together and vacationed together. We played all day safely, boys and girls together. At night we sat on the front steps and talked as we got older.  Continue Reading

We’re happy to announce the results of our 5th Annual Pumpkin Carving Contest.

Many thanks to everyone who voted for their favorite pumpkin. We received a record number of votes this year – over 400! This time around, there wasn’t a clear winner from the beginning; the winner pumpkin beat the second most favorite pumpkin by only seven votes (75 to 68). So here is the Readers’ Choice winner (drumroll…):

“Spooky Trumpkin” carved by Nate Johnson:

Congratulations, Nate! Many folks, including us, appreciate your pumpkin carving skills and your sense of humor. You will receive our grand prize: a $35 gift card from Renata’s Kitchen, a $25 gift card from a local business of your choice, and two Curio Theatre tickets ($50 value).

Just because it was so close, we also would like to mention Kathryn Kamowski whose “Skull” pumpkin finished second. Amazing work, Kathryn! We’ll also send you a prize.

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Once again, we received some great entries in our annual Pumpkin Carving Contest. Thank you to everyone who participated, and now it’s time to vote for your favorite pumpkin. Voting closes at 11:59 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 2. The Readers’ Choice winner, who will receive our grand prize, and winners in other categories (Scariest, Funniest, Best Philly-Themed, and Kids) will be announced on November 3.

First, check out the pumpkins (click on the images to enlarge them):

[poll id=”6″]

Dumpster Derby, a beloved West Philly tradition happening every year around Halloween time, took place last night near 44th and Osage. The event is held on a different street each year (the location is announced the day of the event) and is open to people of all ages, including children. Karts with younger drivers had parental supervision or participation.

The goal is for participants to ride unconventional modes of transportation, go carts made from recycled items on wheels. Rigs this year included a shopping cart, a book case and multiple office chairs.

This year drivers raced down Osage Ave. Participation is more important than victory, and audience members can share the glory with participants and hop on a kart during one of repeat runs.

After sharing a vehicle with a driver or another spectator, the experience often sparks conversation or even a new friendship with other residents in the neighborhood.

– Rana Fayez

Photo by West Philly Local reader Dan Chen.

The 5th annual West Philly Local Pumpkin Carving Contest is underway, and you can still enter it before it closes at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 31. Many thanks to everyone who already sent us photos of their pumpkins and jack-o’-lanterns! We hope to receive more though. Don’t be shy, take a snapshot of your pumpkin and email it along with your name and address to: contest@westphillylocal.com and who knows, maybe you can win some great prizes provided by our sponsors: Curio Theatre, Greensgrow Farms, Lil’ Pop Shop, Local 44, Mariposa Food Coop, Renata’s Kitchen, and VIX Emporium. More info on how to enter the contest can be found here.

By the way, you don’t have to be an artist to win our contest, you just have to be really into it, according to our multiple prize winner Bimal Desai. Bimal is a pediatrician at CHOP and lives with his wife Naomi, also a pediatrician, and 6-year-old twins, Sam and Mauli, in Spruce Hill. We interviewed Bimal last year, but didn’t get a chance to publish the interview then. We’re publishing some excerpts from the interview now and hope Bimal’s excitement about pumpkin carving will inspire you.  Continue Reading

We hope you’re already getting into the Halloween spirit. Here’s an assortment of spooky and fun events happening this Saturday. If you know of any other events that are not included in the list please email: editor@westphillylocal.com or use the comment section below. Also, don’t forget to submit a photo of your carved pumpkin or jack-o’-lantern for our Pumpkin Carving Contest. UPDATE: On Friday, Oct. 30, The Woodlands Cemetery and Curio Theatre are inviting everyone to spend a Mischief Night with them. The event starts at 6 p.m. Go here for more information.

Saturday, Oct 31 – Halloween!

• The annual Spruce Hill Halloween Parade starts at 45th and Larchwood at 3:30 p.m. (gathering begins at 3 p.m. near 45th and Baltimore). The parade is followed by a party on the 4200 block of Osage Ave.

• The Locust Moon Comics Festival, which will be held at The Rotunda (40th and Walnut) from 11 a.m. until 6 p.m., coincided this year with Halloween celebrations. The annual festival, organized by West Philly’s own comic shop, is a celebration of comics, illustration, and the graphic arts.

            Photo courtesy of Penn Museum.

• The Mexican Cultural Center, the Mexican Consulate in Philadelphia, and the Penn Museum present a Day of the Dead celebration at the museum (3260 South St.), from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.. Enjoy Mexican culture and the rich traditions of Día de los Muertos at this family-friendly afternoon filled with music and dance, puppetry and storytelling, and arts and crafts.

• International House Philadelphia (3701 Chestnut St.) is offering two “spooktacular” films. The first is a special Family Matinee showing of “Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit” at 2 p.m. Tickets are just $5 for kids and adults and free for IHP members. For adult moviegoers, the second film is “Vampyr“, a 1932 horror classic from Danish filmmaker Carl Theodor Dreyer that screens at 7 p.m. ($9).  Continue Reading