While sitting at the kitchen just before 2 p.m. today we heard a glass start to move. We figured since it was garbage day on our block that the truck was coming through. Or our dog fell off the couch. Maybe someone moving in next door. Nope, it was an earthquake.

Folks in West Philly were among millions to feel the effect of an earthquake that rolled up the East Coast just before 2 p.m. today. Buildings in Center City were evacuated.

SEPTA sent out a warning that trains and subways would be up to 15 minutes behind schedule. Fire and police crews scoured the city for structural damage and gas leaks. Police asked that people only call 911 for an emergency.

The quake was reportedly felt as far north as Rhode Island.

chinwag (noun) – Light informal conversation for social occasions.

The idea of this site has always been conversation – about the news and about the neighborhood. “West Philly chinwag” is a conversation starter. Drop a rant, a rave or a well-reasoned comment below.

Today’s topic:

SEPTA ridership is at its highest level since 1989. Gas prices probably have something to do with it, but SEPTA officials surmise that the increase has much more to do with the increase of young professionals in the city. Folks took some 13 million more trips on SEPTA this year over last year. The overwhelming majority of those trips, 12 million, were on SEPTA’s “City Division” – city buses, subways and trolleys.

Are you using SEPTA more? What do they need to do to lure you aboard more?

Subway construction in Philadelphia. (Photo courtesy of Scribe Video Center)

Nine young documentarians will put their hard work on display tomorrow night at the Griffith Auditorium at the University of the Sciences (600 S. 43rd). Their 40-minute piece, The History of Mass Transit in Philadelphia, weaves themes of cultural expression, health, history and movement of goods. The work is part of the Scribe Video Center‘s Documentary History Project for Youth, a project aimed at youth in grades 8-12. The event is free and open to the public.