The Philly Download (TPDL), a hyper-local, “hyper-black” digital newspaper, is releasing a limited-edition 2025 Election Zine. This free exclusive collector’s edition is the Download’s first-ever print publication and will serve as a one-stop shop guide for Philadelphians as they head to the polls for the Tuesday, Nov. 4 General Election.

The Election Zine will include detailed information on which candidates are on the ballot, when and how residents can vote, and more. It will also include art and poetry, alongside in-depth reporting and photojournalism on a range of topics directly impacting Black voters in Philadelphia and across the nation. This includes the issue of Black voter exhaustion, Pennsylvania’s fight for fundamental rights, as well as a celebration of the legacy of Octavius V. Catto.

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Students and teachers from the HMS School gather for the ribbon cutting of the new “little library” at 45th and Chester, near their school. (Photo by West Philly Local)

This morning, HMS School for Children with Cerebral Palsy students and staff gathered outside the school playground gate at 45th and Chester for a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the completion and reopening of the Little Free Library, a student-driven community care initiative designed to promote literacy and neighborhood connection.

The project began when students in Classroom G44, led by teacher Paige Halligan, noticed that the neighborhood’s Little Free Library outside HMS needed attention. Coinciding with a classroom unit on “community care,” the students identified the library’s restoration as an opportunity to engage in meaningful, hands-on service to their community.

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West Philadelphia is known for celebrating creative people – musicians, performers, visual artists, craftspeople and more. As the fall season settles in, there is an exciting opportunity to bring neighborhoods together with the 10th Annual Halloween-themed House, Block and Business decoration contest organized by the HopePHL Neighborhood Advisory Committee (NAC). This fun, community-wide activity offers more than just a chance for creativity and a few frights—it has fostered a sense of unity, safety, and holiday spirit among residents.

HopePHL’s NAC uses the annual contest to promote their services, supported by funding from the City of Philadelphia Division of Housing and Community Development. The NAC assists community members with delinquent property taxes, mortgage Foreclosure Prevention and Tangled Title deed issues. The NAC also connects residents to many city services like 311 and City ID and assistance with utility costs.

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UPDATE (10/15/25): The “Save the Tool Library” fundraiser will take place at 1314 S 47th St. on Saturday, Oct. 25, from 3-9 p.m. and will include an Open House (3-5 p.m.). The main event (5-9 p.m.) will include pumpkin carving, local food and drinks, and a raffle from local businesses and artists. Click here for more details and to RSVP.

10/3/25: The West Philly Tool Library (WPTL), which has been lending a wide variety of tools to community members from their warehouse on S. 47th Street for nearly 15 years, is being forced to move to a new location due to their lease not being renewed, according to an announcement on social media.

Due to the unexpected move, which must happen before the end of the year, the WPTL staff are asking for help from the community.

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The Wynnefield Library now has an outdoor learning and playing space (see more photos below).

Another West Philly public library has been renovated thanks to the city’s Rebuild program, which invests millions of dollars in neighborhood parks, recreation centers, and libraries across Philadelphia.

Community members and officials gathered Wednesday for a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate a grand reopening of the Wynnefield Library after a $700,000 renovation. The library, which serves the communities of Wynnefield and Overbook Farms, received a complete renovation of the exterior courtyard, transforming the space with new landscaping and hardscaping, a refreshed exterior wall, cameras and lighting, ADA upgrades, and more. This project was part of ongoing improvements to the library, totaling $1.4 million, that included roof repairs completed in 2019.

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Photo courtesy of Aunt Flow.

The City of Philadelphia is partnering with period product company Aunt Flow to launch Phlow Philly, a citywide initiative which provides access to free period products in schools, public spaces, and neighborhoods.

This week, more than 200 free-vend dispensers have been installed across city libraries, recreation centers, and schools. In addition, 4,500 period kits, which is equivalent to 90,000 organic cotton pads, are being distributed through trusted community organizations at “Period Party” events as part of this initiative.

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