Photo by Paul J. Roane.

The folks at 4611 Springfield Avenue are again hosting a Halloween party for neighbors of all ages, an annual tradition in the Squirrel Hill neighborhood. On Halloween night, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., make sure to visit the Haunted Garden for treats and tricks. As usual, the garden will feature a dozen spooky sets and treat stations, with thousands of candy bars, fruits, pretzel bags and bite-sized treats. And while waiting in line, enjoy The Philly Thrillers group performing the zombie dance from the “Thriller” video.

Haunted Garden wouldn’t be such a success without all the help from people in the neighborhood. This year, too, the event organizers are looking for volunteers to help decorate the place this Saturday and Sunday, from 1-4, and on Halloween, from 4:30-7:30 to act in costume and distribute treats. If you would like to help, you can contact one of the organizers, Elizabeth, by email: home.in.phila@juno.com.

VIX Emporium has announced that the holiday edition of Go West! Craft Fest will take place in The Rotunda on December 15 and that any artists or craftspeople interested in being a vendor at the event are welcome to apply. Applications are free and available online here. The last day to apply is November 5.

Stay tuned for more details on the upcoming festival. If you missed the fall Craft Fest at The Woodlands, please go here and here to see photos. BTW, the new “West Philly is the Best Philly” hoodie (pictured below) was a hot item at the festival and if you missed it, you can buy it online.

This Saturday, Penn Museum celebrates the National Archaeology Day and invites folks of all ages for an afternoon filled with fun and adventures. A host of adventurous activities honor the fictional explorer-archaeologist Professor Henry Walton Jones (aka Indiana Jones). Here’s what will be happening at the museum tomorrow from 1 to 4 p.m.:

Guests to Indiana Jones Day can join in a What in the World? game show; hear real archaeology adventure stories from a world-traveling National Geographic archaeologist; take part in a hands-on program using archaeology to solve a mystery; and even touch a real ancient mummy (without a curse!). Kids and families can take a literal “run in Indy’s footsteps” in an outdoor obstacle course, make Indy-inspired arts and crafts, follow a scavenger hunt for (not so) hidden treasures, and try movie-inspired cuisine (monkey brains, anyone?).

This is a free event with Penn Museum admission ($12 for adults; $10 for seniors [65+]; $8 for full-time students [with ID] and children [6-17]; and free for children under 6). Visitors wearing an Indiana Jones-style fedora receive $2 off the price of admission!

Indiana Jones Day is cosponsored by The Philadelphia Chapter of the Archaeological Institute of America. For more information about the event, visit this page.

This Saturday (Oct. 20), join your neighbors and friends for the annual late fall Community Cleanup. Residents are encouraged to step outside their homes, offices, or schools and pick up leaves and trash. You can also help clean up your nearby park, or empty lot.

University City District will be organizing a few focused efforts throughout the neighborhood and can assist anyone interested in participating by providing trash bags, brooms, work gloves, and trash pickup.

To sign up for the cleanup, please contact UCD at cleanandsafe@universitycity.org or 215-243-0555.

Hollywood is taking over Philadelphia starting today as the 21st annual Philadelphia Film Festival kicks off right here in West Philly.

The opening screening of the new film Silver Linings Playbook (already sold out), starring Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence, is tonight at Penn’s Zellerbach Theater in the Annenberg Center. Other West Philly screenings throughout the festival (October 18-28) will be held at Shoemaker Green (217 S. 33rd St.), and the Rave University 6 (40th & Walnut) Cinemas. Films include American independent movies, international films, upcoming Hollywood and Oscar faire, as well as classics shown on the big screen. See below for a full list of showings in the West Philly area. Tickets can be purchased online at the Philadelphia Film Society’s site, with discounts and special deals for members. Check out the festival to see exotic and exciting movies right around the corner.

Friday October 19:

• Beware Mr. Baker 5:00pm, Rave University 6
• Waiting for Lightning 7:30pm, Rave University 6
• The ABCs of Death 9:45pm, Rave University 6
• Miami Connection 11:59pm, Rave University 6

Saturday October 20:

• Only the Young 12:45pm, Rave University 6
• The Zen of Bennet 3:00pm, Rave University 6
• We Are Legion: The Story of Hacktavists 5:05pm, Rave University 6
• The History of Future Folk 7:20pm, Rave University 6
• John Dies at the End 9:50pm, Rave University 6
• Universal Soldier: Day of Reckoning 3D 11:59pm, Rave University 6

Sunday October 21

• The Good Son 12:05pm, Rave University 6
• Leave Me Like You Found Me 2:20pm, Rave University 6
• The Final Member 4:45pm, Rave University 6
• The Comedy 7:05pm, Rave University 6
• Dragon 9:40pm, Rave University 6

Monday October 22

• This Time Tomorrow 5:20pm, Rave University 6
• Room 237, 7:30pm, Rave University 6
• Antiviral 10:00pm, Rave University 6

Tuesday October 23

• Alaskaland 5:00pm, Rave University 6
• Somebody Up there Likes Me 7:15pm, Rave University 6
• Thale 9:15pm, Rave University 6

Wednesday October 24

• The Missing Piece: The Truth About the Man Who Stole the Mona Lisa 3:10pm, Rave University 6
• Call Me Kuchu 5:20pm, Rave University 6
• La Comioneta: The Journey of One American Schoolbus 7:30pm, Rave University 6
• Dead Sushi 9:30pm, Rave University 6

Thursday October 25

• Seeking an Asian Female 5:00pm, Rave University 6
• Wreck-It Ralph 7:00pm, Rave University 6
• Here Comes the Devil 9:45pm, Rave University 6

Friday October 26

• American Scream, The 7:15pm, Shoemaker Green
• Poltergeist 9:30pm, Shoemaker Green

– Kelly Lawler

If you live between 45th and 52nd Streets and Locust and Cedar Avenues, Garden Court Community Association (GCCA) is your neighborhood association and you are invited to the general community meeting next Thursday (Oct. 25).

Here’s the GCCA meeting announcement:

Please join us at our next general community meeting:

GCCA General Community Meeting
Thursday, October 25, 2012
7:00 – 9:00 PM at 4725 Chestnut Street (Community College)

• Help us set goals for the year; tell us what you like and don’t like about our neighborhood.

• Do we need a Town Watch? Learn what’s involved from Tara Smith, Community Support Specialist for Philadelphia Town Watch Integrated Services.

• Learn how to develop a Household Emergency Plan from the City’s Office of Emergency Management.

• Meet our new officers and committee chairs.

• Hear updates on Lea School, Parks, Planning and Zoning, Business District.

• Enjoy refreshments and meet new neighbors!

For more information, contact Kate Mills, Corresponding Secretary, at katewmills@gmail.com or 267-254-3078.