Photo: Palmsolutions.org

Palms Solutions – the African Diaspora Global Initiative – in collaboration with the Friends of Clark Park (FOCP) and the Mayor’s Commission on African & Caribbean Immigrant Affairs, is hosting the kick off of its annual “West Philly African & Caribbean Multicultural Festival (Westpac Fest)” event at Clark Park (43rd and Baltimore) on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2-6 p.m. The kick-off event features Ethiopia and Mali. The celebration is an opportunity to experience Philadelphia’s vibrant and growing African and Caribbean immigrant population.

According to the event organizers, the goal of WestPac Fest is to “break down the cultural and ethnic barriers among communities in West Philly, promote a friendly, and welcoming environment for people of all backgrounds, and together build a place where diversity is recognized and valued.”

This year‘s celebration is a tribute to the late Ms. Frances P. Aulston, President and CEO of the West Philadelphia Cultural Alliance and the Paul Robeson House, who played a big role in the preservation of the last residence of Paul Robeson, a legendary artist, scholar, athlete, activist, and humanitarian.  Continue Reading

Each year, dozens of little monsters, princesses, supermen, cowboys, Mickey Mice and other Halloween costume-clad kids and parents, gather near 45th and Baltimore for the Spruce Hill Tot Parade, followed by a party on the 4200 block of Osage (“Little Osage”). This year is no exception to this great neighborhood tradition. More details, provided by the event organizer, Spruce Hill Community Association, are below. Also, check out photos from last year’s parade and party.

The 18th annual Spruce Hill Halloween Tot Parade and Party, organized in a joint effort between the Spruce Hill Community Association and neighbors on the 4200 block of Osage Avenue, will start at 45th and Larchwood at 3:30 p.m. with a rousing drum and cymbal band provided by the University of Penn DrumLine.

The parade and ‘trick or treating’ will then proceed East over Larchwood Avenue, ending on the 4200 block of Osage Avenue where the neighbors throw their annual block-party style Halloween celebration treating the children to cider and baked goods provided by neighbors and local businesses.

Later on, be sure your trick-or-treating route includes the Spruce Hill Center (257 S 45th St), where SHCA board member and Mel-Lo Townwatch leader Jackie Waiters will continue the long standing tradition of delighting trick-or-treaters with hand assembled goodie bags.

Where: Parade starts at 45th and Larchwood, ending on the 4200 block of Osage.
When: Saturday, Oct. 31. Assemble begins at 3 p.m. Parade starts at 3:30 p.m., followed by the Halloween Party

This is late notice, but we wanted to pass along news that the newly formed Cobbs Creek Neighborhood Association will meet for the first time this Friday at 7 p.m. at West Phillie Produce at 18 S. 62nd Street. Cobbs Creek Neighbors is working on community projects and events west of 52nd Street and south of Market. Here’s their Facebook post about the meeting:

“Hello friends and neighbors! We are very happy to announce that this Friday [Oct. 16] we will be having our first EVER meeting of the newly (finally!) formed, Cobbs Creek Neighbors Association. West Phillie Produce has kindly offered their upstairs space to us at 62nd and Ludlow (just a block or two from the 63rd St. El stop), and if we’re lucky we might also get to hear some live music by the Black Fridays house band. Here’s your chance to get involved and meet some like-minded neighbors. Please come out!”

Each fall the Philadelphia Open Studio Tours (POST) provide a unique opportunity to meet local artists and learn more about their work. Artists who live and work west of the Schuylkill will open their homes and studios for POST tours this weekend (Oct. 17 & 18), and everyone is welcome to visit them. There will be exhibitions and special demonstrations.

Here are this year’s participating studios and artists:

University City Arts League
4226 Spruce Street
Open all day Saturday and Sunday
Artists: Marie Alarcon – The opening reception for her Scientism, Divination, and the State exhibit will be held on Saturday at 6 p.m.

The Cedar Works
4919 Pentridge Street
Artists:
Deena Ball – Demonstration of unique textured watercolor process – 3 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 17.
Ken Beidler – Demonstration of how to make a pitcher – Saturday afternoon between 2:30-3:00 p.m.
Melinda Steffy – Translating music into abstract color patterns
Stefani Threet – Colorful handbuilt functional pottery by Threet Ceramics

40th Street AIR
4007 and 4013 Chestnut Street
Artists:
Jeane Cohen – Artist Books and Portrait Oil Paintings
Lori Waselchuk – BLOCK PARTY! A multimedia exhibit about community, neighbors, and friends
Erin Bernard
Dre Grigorpol
Quinha Faria
Genesis Crespo  Continue Reading

Dear West Philly Local readers,

We’re happy to announce our 5th Annual Pumpkin Carving Contest. Starting today (Oct 15) and through October 31, we’re accepting snapshots of your carved pumpkins at: contest@westphillylocal.com (one entry per person). As always, we’ll have some awesome prizes from local businesses.

Winners will be selected in the following categories:

• Scariest
• Funniest
• Kids (12 and under)
• Best Philly-themed
• Readers’ Choice (grand prize)

The entry deadline is 6 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 31.

Visit the Pumpkin Carving Contest page for more details on how to submit your entry. Happy carving!

Samuel Powel School (photo from greatphillyschools.org).

Great news for a small Powelton Village elementary school students, parents and staff. According to a recently released 2013-2014 Philadelphia school progress report, which measured school performance throughout the year across various dimensions, such as student progress, achievement and school climate, Samuel Powel is ranked the second best elementary school in the district. Anne Frank elementary located in Northeast Philadelphia is the leader among the city’s 61 K-4 schools. Powel School, which is located near 36th and Pearl streets and is led by principal Kimberly Ellerbee, enrolls about 260 students. Check out a recent piece about the school on Philly.com.

As concerns K-8 schools, here are the rankings of some West Philly schools (there are 126 K-8 schools in Philadelphia): Penn Alexander School (43rd and Locust) – 6th; Alain Locke (4550 Haverford Ave.) – 88th; Henry C. Lea (4700 Locust St.) – 70th; Samuel B. Huey (5200 Pine St.) – 97th. The city leader in this category is Folks Arts Cultural Treasures Charter School located at 1023 Callowhill St.

To download the reports, visit the Philadelphia School District website.