The annual meeting of the Spruce Hill Community Association will take place Tuesday, Nov. 15, at 7:30 p.m. at the Spruce Hill Christian School (42nd and Baltimore Ave.). All are welcome.

Dr. Lisa Bell-Chiles, the principal of Lea Elementary School, is the featured speaker. You will also hear an update from the parents group Advocates for Great Elementary Education (AGREE), which is dealing with the enrollment cap issue at Penn Alexander.

There also will be reports on the Association’s activities and finances for the year, and election of new officers and 10 board members (all are running unopposed). Ed Halligan will be the new president, succeeding Mark Wagenveld.

On Saturday, Nov. 12, neighbors and friends are welcome to join the Friends of Clark Park, students of the HMS School and the Boy Scouts in honoring those who have served in the Armed Forces. Veterans Day Commemoration will begin at 11:00 a.m. near the Gettysburg Stone in Clark Park (44th and Baltimore Ave.). Everyone is welcome.

If you are a veteran, you will be recognized and honored too. Please call 215-222-2255 and leave your name and phone number.

The Rotunda (4014 Walnut Street) is hosting a few awesome, free events for all ages this weekend.

On Saturday, Nov. 12, from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. young children and their parents/guardians are invited to celebrate the joy of reading at the Family Book Festival. Organized by the Parent Infant Center, the festival will feature arts and crafts for ages 7-under, read-aloud stories by WXPN’s Kathy O’Connell (host of Kids’ Corner), a concert by award-winning musical group The Cat’s Pajamas, and presentation by author/illustrator Brian Biggs who will introduce “Everything Goes: On Land,” the first in a series of books for youngsters who love trains, trucks and anything on wheels.

Kids will also have an opportunity to learn how to make a book and there also will be a book swap table. You can bring a slightly used children’s book to take home some new stories to share with your family.

On Sunday, starting at 12 p.m., the Philly Zine Fest 2011 will open its doors. This festival showcases local artists and small press publishers. This is a good chance to connect with local writers and get involved with creating new forms of accessible media. For the full line-up of the participating artists go here.

Finally, also on Sunday at 8:30 p.m. don’t miss an evening with Alash, a Tuvan throat-singing and traditional Tuvan music ensemble. Tuva is a small republic in southern Siberia and the ancient art of throat singing (khoomei) developed among the nomadic herdsmen of this region. Singing in this style gives the impression of wind swirling among rocks.

There are only three performances of Curio Theatre‘s Eurydice left. This Thursday, Friday and Saturday are your last three chances to see this fabulous, critically acclaimed play. Tickets are $15-20 and can be purchased here. All performances begin at 8 p.m.

The Friends of 40th Street, a coalition of organizations focused on developments along 40th Street from Market to Baltimore, will present the feedback gathered this summer during a series of public meetings aimed at gathering feedback for a number of proposals.

The meeting will begin at 6:15 p.m. at The Rotunda (4014 Walnut St.).

The forums touched on issues such as commercial development, public space and transportation along the 40th Street corridor. Those who attended the meetings were also concerned about the role that Penn and Drexel would play in the development of the street and surrounding neighborhoods, according to previous reports.

Those representing organizations in the area are encouraged to bring updates or announcements to share.

Can you imagine fall without pumpkins? Another fun-filled pumpkin-centered event is happening this Sunday, Nov. 6, from 1 – 4 p.m. Community members and their families and friends are invited to celebrate the Autumn season during the annual Pumpkin Day at Clark Park (43rd & Chester Ave.). This is a free event featuring pumpkin decorating, face painting, fall crafts, prizes, and snacks. Families and children are especially welcome.

The event is hosted by the Vineyard Community Church – West Philly. If you would like to volunteer please email Erica Cheslock at echeslock[at]juno.com.