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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Halloween is in two days and if you’re planning to walk around the neighborhood with your kids, family or friends, check out the first-ever West Philly Fright Registry created by a West Philly resident, Dyresha Harris.

Dozens of West Philly residents and some organizations have registered their address for various spooky season happenings or activities since our first post about it in early October. You can browse the database or use the map (see the screenshot above), just enter your zip code in the search window, to find out what your neighbors are up to on Halloween – from giving out candy, to decorations, to events.

More information on how to use the Registry is available here. And to find out how Dyresha came up with this “spooktacular” idea, click here.

Also, don’t forget about the annual Spruce Hill Halloween Tot Parade (more info is here).

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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The 2024 Spruce Hill Halloween Tot Parade (Photo by West Philly Local)

The annual Spruce Hill Halloween Parade is back on October 31 (for the 27th time!) and we can’t wait to see our little neighbors showing off their creative spooky/funny/cute costumes. If you haven’t participated in this event before or need a reminder, here are some details:

The gathering for the parade begins at 45th and Larchwood at 4 p.m. The parade will kick off at 4:30 p.m. and head east on Larchwood. The parade concludes with a party at “Little Osage” (42nd and Osage) where participants are treated with cider and baked goods provided by local businesses and neighbors.

The long-time organizer, the Spruce Hill Community Association, is inviting “little tots” (6 and under) and their parents or guardians to join them at the parade and party. This year’s event is supported by such local businesses as Lil’ Pop Shop, Dotties Donuts, Loco Pez, Cleo Bagels, Knockbox Cafe, and more.

After the event, if you’re taking your kids trick-or-treating or looking for some entertainment for yourself, check out the West Philly Fright Registry created by a local Halloween enthusiast.

Photo: West Philly Local

The ground-floor commercial space in the Garden Court Towers that was occupied by Garden Court Eatery until last summer is no longer vacant. Good Hatch, a South Philly-based eatery, has just opened its second Philly location at this space at 4721 Pine St.

Good Hatch specializes in breakfast sandwiches and has other breakfast options, like bagels and toasts. If you want something more substantial, they serve breakfast platters. Various lunch options are also available. Plus, they serve coffee, tea and smoothies. There is some seating available inside, so you can eat in.

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