“Digital divide” leaping; Day of the Dead crafting; Weekly gun violence brief
#BILLYPENNGRAM OF THE DAY
People-watching perch
(Photo by @photolope)
Nonprofits often lack the deep resources and technical skills to compete in the modern, digital marketplace. The mission of the city’s new SPARK Innovation Academy is to bridge the “digital divide” between professionals in nonprofits and other industries — for free. Continue reading …
This Saturday, artist Ivonne Pinto-García celebrates Philly’s Mexican community by teaching visitors to create their own paper flowers and painted sugar skulls. Continue reading …
RECAP: What else happened?
$ = paywalled
• Gov. Shapiro has a book coming out in January; it will be a memoir described by HarperCollins as sharing the presidential hopeful’s “powerful stories about his family, his faith, and his career in public service.” [AP]
• City Council is expected to pass a bill requiring all supermarkets, corner stores and shops in Philly to charge customers 10 cents per paper bag. But it’s not clear whether Mayor Cherelle Parker would sign it. [WHYY]
• Philadelphia’s youngest learners aren’t getting support services they’re legally entitled to. [Chalkbeat]
• New Kensington “fast-track court” lands most with warrants back into the cycle of addiction and homelessness. [Kensington Voice]
• Mural Arts is seeking an artist to depict Philly’s trailblazing queer activists on the facade of Gayborhood nightclub Voyeur. [PhillyVoice/BP2023]
• Brandon Graham is out of retirement and back with the Eagles, seeking a third Super Bowl. [WHYY]
• Geno’s Steaks is expanding outside Philly with a new shop in Virginia. [PhillyVoice]
Weekly brief on gun violence prevention (with PCGVR)
We publish this report each week in partnership with the Philadelphia Center for Gun Violence Reporting.
By the numbers in Philadelphia
- 17: Shooting victims recorded from Oct. 12 to 18, including 4 fatalities, according to city data. During the previous week, 14 shooting victims were recorded, including 4 fatalities. [Source: nickhand.dev]
- 187: Year-to-date homicides, down 10% vs. last year’s pace; down 52% vs. five years ago. [Philly Police]
MAYOR WATCH
Mayor Parker will attend the 32nd Transportation, Building & Construction (TB&C) Awards Luncheon. This event recognizes top projects and honorees in the Philadelphia area, at theCrystal Tea Room, 100 E. Penn Square. (12:30 p.m.)
The mayor also announced the appointment of several new administration officials:
- Two new appointments to the Philadelphia Land Bank (PLB) Board of Directors, to begin work some time before the next public board meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 18. They are: Alex Balloon, who is also executive director of the Passyunk Avenue Revitalization Corporation, and Angela D. Brooks, chief housing and urban development officer in the Office of the Mayor.
- Benjamin C. Jewell as the next commissioner of the Philadelphia Water Department, effective as of last week.
ON THE CALENDAR
🍂 Autumn festival lineup
🎞️ Scary Movie screenings
🎃 Halloween events across Philly, now through October
👻 Dia de los Muertos events
🏃🏽 Philly Runners Guide
Wednesday, Oct. 22: DracYoga
A candlelit, Dracula-inspired yoga practice while working linking imagery and themes from this Gothic horror classic to a gentle flow yoga sequence. After yoga, participants can explore the Rosenbach’s vampire-related collection items during a private after-hours viewing. BYO yoga mat. Costumes welcome. $30 tickets. (6 to 7 p.m.)
Wednesday, Oct. 22: Constitutionalism in the Black Freedom Tradition with Joshua Kopin
Over 4 classes through December, this online course examines how African American artists, activists, and thinkers have utilized American Constitutionalism as a basis for arguments in support of Black freedom, from the U.S. founding to abolition and from emancipation to the Civil Rights Movement. Feat. primary texts by authors such as Phillis Wheatley, Frederick Douglass, Sojourner Truth, Zora Neale Hurston, Langston Hughes, MLK Jr., Huey Newton, Angela Davis, and Ta-Nehisi Coates. $200 tuition. (6 to 7:30 p.m.)
Wednesday, Oct. 22: The Elements of Marie Curie
Join an exciting evening exploring how the glow of radium lit a path for women in science. Online and in-person at the Science History Institute & Museum. Free with registration. (6 to 8 p.m.)
Wednesday, Oct. 22: Cadaveret
Get down to the Red Rum Theater at 601 Walnut Street to celebrate Halloween with the Love City Cabaret’s second “Cadavaret” (and third anniversary show), feat. music from Rocky Horror, Phantom of the Opera, Chicago, and Heathers. Costumes encouraged. Profits benefit Emerald Street Community Farm in Kensington. $20 tickets. (7 p.m. doors open; 7:30 p.m. show)
Thursday, Oct. 23: “Towards a More Perfect Union:” Accessibility and Preservation
A half-day symposium and optional tour of Arch Street Meetieng House about how accessibility has evolved beyond ADA regulations into human-centered, universal design that can be compatible with historic-preservation and interpretive standards. $75 to $250 tickets. (10:45 a.m. for tour; 12 p.m. program start)
Thursday, Oct. 23: Philadelphia Mosaic: Immigrant Film Showcase
Two films: “Expanding Sanctuary” and “Status Pending” serve as a centerpiece in an evening of Latin food, live music, and conversation highlighting stories of resilience, activism, and the cultural richness of Philadelphia’s immigrant communities. In commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Free with registration. At Esperanza Arts Center. (6 p.m.)
Friday, Oct. 24: Soul Crawl
At these annual after-dark tours of Laurel Hill East, hear the storied lives of restless spirits from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Knowledgeable tour guides will lead visitors by flashlight down winding pathways, and the night will conclude with festive beverages around roaring fire pits. $25 tickets. (7 to 10 p.m.)
Saturday, Oct. 25: Kensington Derby & Arts Festival
The annual Derby will be held on Frankford Avenue between Sargent & York with viewing of the epic Mud Pit on Hagert Street. (12 to 8 p.m.)
Saturday, Oct. 25: Study Hall-oween: Comedy Inspired By Halloween Lectures
Now celebrating its 11th year of lessons and laughs, guests from a wide variety of professions speak on a topic from their field — inspiring a cast of Philly’s best and funniest performers to use what they’ve learned to improvise hilarious scenes on the spot. $22.15 tickets. (7 p.m.)
Through Oct. 26: 34th Philadelphia Film Festival
The 34th annual festival lineup includes the Philadelphia premieres of Rian Johnson’s new “Knives Out” mystery, plus special event screenings and high-profile selections like Bradley Cooper’s “Is This Thing On” and Chloé Zhao’s “Hamnet.” The 10-day festival also includes panels, Q&As, parties, networking events and multiple independent films from Philly-based and international filmmakers.
Oct. 24 through Nov. 16: UniverSoul Circus: Rhythm of the World
31 years of acrobatics, extreme riders, soul skaters, kefeni, swing, and Caribbean Carnival comes to Philly, to 39th and Girard. Tickets and times are online.