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Philadelphia opens drop boxes for the November election
Philly’s election ballots are going out in the mail and drop box locations just dropped. If you haven’t yet applied, you have until Nov. 1 to do it.
- You can also pick up a ballot in person at the City Hall election office, open 9 to 5, Monday to Friday starting today. You have until polls close on Tuesday, Nov. 8 to return it. (Just make sure it’s not “naked.”)
Where’s the box closest to you, and how does it work? We have the details.
Meet Philly’s beloved bookstore cats
If you stop into an independent bookshop in Philadelphia, there’s a good chance you’ll find a fuzzy feline padding through the aisles.
- Bookstores and cats just go together — it’s a worldwide phenomenon. Most are rescues, and they bring a sense of coziness and sentimentality to the shops.
“It feels almost like a Norman Rockwell painting,” one bookseller told Asha Prihar, who has the story and pics of five bookstore kitties in Philly.
RECAP: What else happened?
$ = paywalled
- Roads, bridges, transit, broadband? Here’s a look at the different approaches to infrastructure Josh Shapiro and Doug Mastriano say they’d take if elected Pa. governor. [WHYY]
- If you’re a property owner who wants to dispute your new tax assessment, you now have until Dec. 2 to request a first-level review. [Tribune$]
- The school district is talking with the Free Library about helping with the lack of school librarians. But it’s still too early to know what that could look like, since the library is dealing with its own staff shortages. [KYW/Billy Penn]
- With more than 6,400 bicycles reported stolen since 2018 (and many more unreported), some local cyclists are taking matters into their own hands with GPS tracking tech and Facebook groups. [Inquirer$]
- Phillies manager Rob Thomson can take “interim” off his title with a new 2-year contract. At home playoff games this week, rally towels will be back — but they’ll be red, not white, per a rule change that went into effect a few years ago. [@Phillies/Phillies Nation]
- WTF? Philly is apparently locked in a four-way tie for the 4th most profane U.S. city, per a 1,500-person survey (read: marketing promotion) by a language learning company. [Fox 29/Preply]
The story you didn’t read
? Highlighting good articles few people clicked on ?
- The vice principal of Gloria Casarez Elementary in Kensington writes about the October practice of “leveling” that shuffles teachers between schools, calling it disruptive, damaging, and even a factor in gun violence.
MAYOR WATCH
Nothing on the public sked for Mayor Kenney today. On social media, he noted yesterday marked the anniversary of the day 19th century activist Octavius Catto was assassinated as he fought for African Americans’ right to vote.
ON THE CALENDAR
? BP Quizzo is sponsored by Mighty Writers this month! Join us for a night of Philly trivia at Hawthornes in Bella Vista. Win prizes and enjoy happy hour specials as we welcome the literacy nonprofit and its NEA Big Read program. RSVP to play Quizzo for free. (6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 18)
? Science writer Ed Yong joins WHYY’s Maiken Scott at the Academy of Natural Sciences for a conversation about his book “An Immense World.” Tix start at $15. (6:30 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 12)
? East Passyunk’s Le Virtu is turning 15 with a cash-only BBQ bash on the patio. Expect tunes from Snacktime, $6 beers from Troubles End, paninis, and handmade sausage. (5 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 12)
