#BILLYPENNGRAM OF THE DAY
Ghosts of the past and present at Eastern State Penitentiary
(Photo by @photolope)
After 5 Regional Rail fires, federal agency orders new round of SEPTA crew trainings, urges replacing fleet
The Federal Rail Administration has ordered SEPTA to immediately conduct another round of employee safety training in response to a report that the agency had five Regional Rail car fires this year, including two in late September.
It’s also urging the transit agency to replace its aging fleet of railcars. Continue reading …
Your guide to Día de Los Muertos in Philly
The Day of the Dead is about a month away, but there are events on the schedule already. Here is your guide for how to participate in the celebrations around Philly. Continue reading …
RECAP: What else happened?
$ = paywalled
• Why was a Glenside veteran aboard the flotilla that was bringing aid to Gaza? [WHYY]
• The Pa. House passed a bill that changes pet’s status in a divorce. [WFMJ]
• Pa. Rep. Madeline Dean confronted House Speaker Johnson over the shutdown and an AI-generated sombrero video targeting Dem lawmakers. [CNN]
• Trump’s move to add a $100k per year price tag for work visas could mean big changes for the region. [WHYY]
• More than half of Philly libraries closed for some time this summer due to cooling issues. [WHYY]
• It was a record-breaking Fringe Festival, but it wasn’t without its issues. [WHYY]
MAYOR WATCH
Mayor Parker has no public events scheduled for Friday.
ON THE CALENDAR
🍂 Autumn festival lineup
🎃 Halloween events across Philly, now through October
👻 Dia de los Muertos events
🏃🏽 Philly Runners Guide
Friday, Oct. 3: Remembering HitchBOT
Commemorate the quirky tale of HitchBOT, the friendly hitchhiking robot whose journey came to an infamous end at the top of Elfreth’s Alley 10 years ago. Build your own HitchBOT, get robot gear or tattoos, enjoy Human Robot Brewery beer, and more. (4:30 to 7:30 p.m.)
Friday, Oct. 3: First Friday: Start Talking Science
Meet researchers from local universities, presenting innovative projects and answering your questions live. Try out cool, quirky and engaging science toys and games at the Science History Institute in Old City. (5 to 8 p.m.)
Through Sunday, Oct. 3-5: People’s Media Camp and People’s Bazaar
A free, three-day gathering for Philly’s grassroots memory workers and storytellers alike. Featuring workshops, skill-shares, roundtables, breakout sessions, screenings, collective mapping, art and, on Sunday, The People’s Bazaar (a free vendor market). (Friday at 5 p.m. at Calvary Center for Culture and Community, 4740 Baltimore Ave. and Saturday-Sunday at 8 a.m. at FACTS Charter School, 1023 Callowhill St.)
Friday, Oct. 3: Bridging Worlds: Voices at the Intersection of Art and Immigration
The PMA hosts an evening of dialogue on art, migration, and belonging, feat. artists Njideka Akunyili Crosby and Michelle Angela Ortiz, and Anuj Gupta of The Welcoming Center, moderated by Aviva Kapust. Free with registration. (6 to 8:15 p.m.)
Saturday, Oct. 4: The Great Swap
At Gustine Recreation Center, 4868 Ridge Ave. Bring no-longer-needed-but-still-usable household and clothing items, and take home whatever you’d like. You don’t need to donate to shop, and you don’t need to shop to donate — it’s all about sharing and reusing. Free. (9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.)
Saturday, Oct. 4: Walking in William Still’s Steps: Hike + Community Conversation
Join this Underground Railroad history hike in West Fairmount Park to honor the 204th birthday of “Father of the Underground Railroad”, William Still. (10 a.m. to 2 p.m.)
Saturday, Oct. 4: Philly Comics Expo
160+ artists and publishers meet fans at Old Pine Community Center. Book signings, too. (10 a.m. to 6 p.m.)
Saturday, Oct. 4: 19th Annual Mutt Strut
The Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) hosts this lively dog walk and fall festival at the Navy Yard for a day of fun and festivities designed to celebrate rescue pets and raise critical funds for animals in need. (11 a.m. to 2 p.m.)
Saturday, Oct. 4: Latin American Book Fair
Families and book lovers are invited to the Kimmel Center for a celebration of stories, art and culture. Meet authors, illustrators and designers from across Latin America, and connect with the voices behind the stories. Free; RSVP welcome but not required. (11 a.m.)
Saturday, Oct. 4: Pepsi Philly Eats Fest
Food, fun and music at Eakins Oval! Celebrate iconic Philly restaurants and dishes ahead of the Eagles game. RSVP is free. (12 to 5 p.m.)
Saturday, Oct. 4: 13th annual Roxtoberfest
Stretching between Lyceum and Leverington Avenues, this beloved fall tradition brings together neighbors for an afternoon packed with live music on three stages, food trucks, art, stein-holding contests, a dog costume parade, Scarecrow Walk, multiple bars and more! (12 to 5 p.m.)
Saturday, Oct. 4: 30th annual Chinatown Mid-Autumn Festival
Come to Philadelphia’s Chinatown to reconnect and give thanks under the Harvest Moon. The festival is a family-friendly event with lion dances, martial arts displays, Chinese opera, carnival games, arts & crafts, and the mooncake eating contest. (12 to 6:45 p.m.)
Saturday, Oct. 4: OURfest Roundtable: Out Loud, Out Front: Power, Protection & Pride
Part of the week of programming leading up to the OURfest 2025 festival on Oct. 12. Hosted at Voyeur Nightclub. Advocates, long-term HIV survivors, and health experts will participate in an intergenerational discussion about HIV awareness and prevention alongside political and community leaders. (7 to 9 p.m.)
Saturday-Sunday, Oct. 4-5: A Rose-Colored Murder
This Schitt’s Creek Murder Mystery parody comes to Red Rum Theater from Without A Cue Productions. Come treat yourself to a glass of fruit wine and help solve the case. $35+fees tickets. (Saturday at 4 p.m.; Sunday at 3 p.m.)
Sunday, Oct. 5: Art Swap Meet Flea Market
Cool vendors selling their art, savvy trinket swaps, and an open mic. Free! At 990 Spring Garden. (11 a.m. to 4 p.m.)
Sunday, Oct. 5: St. Nicholas Of Tolentine Italian festival
Faith, family and tradition combine at this annual festival on the first Sunday of October every year. Since 1987. Live music, rides, food, games, shopping for religious novelties and gifts, and a parade of saints. At 1700 South 9th Street. (12 to 5 p.m.)
Sunday, Oct. 5: Cheese and Teas
After hours at The Random Tea Room, join an intimate collaboration between local artisans—a tasting event that explores the delicious intersections of cheese, tea, and freshly baked bread from Merzbacher’s. Discuss the craft of cheesemaking and tea brewing, followed by a guided pairing of a five-cheese plate and a thoughtfully curated tea flight. $65 tickets. (5 to 7 p.m.)
The post SEPTA Rail warnings; Philly local on Gaza aid flotilla; Day of the Dead events | Morning roundup appeared first on Billy Penn at WHYY.
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