Some long-anticipated accessibility improvements are finally coming to SEPTA’s 40th Street Market Frankford Line Station. Today, SEPTA, with state and city elected officials, disability advocates and West Philadelphia community and business leaders broke ground on the 40th St Station ADA Accessibility Project, which will include the installation of two elevators on the northwest and southeast corners of 40th and Market Streets. In addition to the two new elevators, the $7.4 million construction project includes four new head house entrances and overall station improvements.

“In addition to the accessibility enhancements, all users will benefit from the improvements to be made at this station,” according to SEPTA general manager Jeffrey D. Knueppel, who participated in the groundbreaking ceremony.  Continue Reading

The woman who police feared was abducted on Halloween night at the Sunoco station at 52nd and Spruce, was found safe. Police had asked for the public’s assistance in locating the woman after she was seen dragged into a minivan by an unknown man around 10:30 p.m. on Saturday. Police say that the woman was involved in a domestic matter and was not injured.

Once again, we received some great entries in our annual Pumpkin Carving Contest. Thank you to everyone who participated, and now it’s time to vote for your favorite pumpkin. Voting closes at 11:59 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 2. The Readers’ Choice winner, who will receive our grand prize, and winners in other categories (Scariest, Funniest, Best Philly-Themed, and Kids) will be announced on November 3.

First, check out the pumpkins (click on the images to enlarge them):

[poll id=”6″]

Dumpster Derby, a beloved West Philly tradition happening every year around Halloween time, took place last night near 44th and Osage. The event is held on a different street each year (the location is announced the day of the event) and is open to people of all ages, including children. Karts with younger drivers had parental supervision or participation.

The goal is for participants to ride unconventional modes of transportation, go carts made from recycled items on wheels. Rigs this year included a shopping cart, a book case and multiple office chairs.

This year drivers raced down Osage Ave. Participation is more important than victory, and audience members can share the glory with participants and hop on a kart during one of repeat runs.

After sharing a vehicle with a driver or another spectator, the experience often sparks conversation or even a new friendship with other residents in the neighborhood.

– Rana Fayez

The popular local dance group, Philly Thriller (Facebook page), which holds Michael Jackson inspired flash-mob performances on the streets of West Philly every Halloween, will be entertaining the crowds this year as well. We got in touch with the group director Rashida Holmes to see where folks can catch them this Saturday. According to Holmes, they’ll be at Clark Park (43rd and Baltimore) tomorrow from 5:30-6:45 p.m., so don’t miss their performances. For more Halloween events, go here.

Photo by West Philly Local reader Dan Chen.

The 5th annual West Philly Local Pumpkin Carving Contest is underway, and you can still enter it before it closes at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 31. Many thanks to everyone who already sent us photos of their pumpkins and jack-o’-lanterns! We hope to receive more though. Don’t be shy, take a snapshot of your pumpkin and email it along with your name and address to: contest@westphillylocal.com and who knows, maybe you can win some great prizes provided by our sponsors: Curio Theatre, Greensgrow Farms, Lil’ Pop Shop, Local 44, Mariposa Food Coop, Renata’s Kitchen, and VIX Emporium. More info on how to enter the contest can be found here.

By the way, you don’t have to be an artist to win our contest, you just have to be really into it, according to our multiple prize winner Bimal Desai. Bimal is a pediatrician at CHOP and lives with his wife Naomi, also a pediatrician, and 6-year-old twins, Sam and Mauli, in Spruce Hill. We interviewed Bimal last year, but didn’t get a chance to publish the interview then. We’re publishing some excerpts from the interview now and hope Bimal’s excitement about pumpkin carving will inspire you.  Continue Reading