West Philly dive destroyed by fire is fundraising for staff
Staff members at the Bar(n) in West Philly have organized a GoFundMe following a fire that has put the popular dive bar out of business for the foreseeable future. Renovations are expected to cost at least $200k, with a target reopening months away.
The owner says the blaze was sparked by a faulty power strip, though the site does have a history of L&I violations, Ali Mohsen reports. Continue reading…
Fairmount Park’s ‘Trolley Trail’ is officially open
Did you know that there was once a trolley route in Fairmount Park? When it opened in 1897, the fare was just a nickel for a 22-minute scenic trip through the park. Now, officials are ready to cut the ribbon on a new trail tracing that vintage route.
Asha Prihar takes us on a peek into the 4.5-mile loop meant for biking, running, and hiking, with bits of Philly history on view throughout. Continue reading…
RECAP: What else happened?
$ = paywalled
• The Philly Palestine Coalition drew 160+ people to a rally that started at WHYY and ended at the Inquirer, protesting what they describe as “minimal” news coverage of Palestinian residents in the conflict between Israel and Hamas. [WHYY]
• As police continue the search for Robert Davis, 19, suspected of fatally shooting freelance journalist Josh Kruger in his Point Breeze home, Davis’s family is saying he was in a relationship with Kruger and that they shared drugs and sex for years. [Inquirer$]
• Watch how SEPTA’s new AI tech works in detecting cars that block bus stops and lanes. Since being deployed from April to June, the enforcement program flagged around 36,000 cars in violation. [Billy Penn]
• A Philly woman is hoping trips on her one-of-a-kind 1960 mahogany wooden charter boat can help diversify the city’s marine community. [CBS3]
• Uhuru Furniture is closing after 30 years of providing affordable and free wares and moving services to the local community. The nonprofit African People’s Education & Defense Fund, which ran the store, will continue operations. [APEDF]
• Nick Castellanos hit two homers for the second consecutive postseason game (a baseball history first) to help power the Phillies to an NLDS victory. The raucous postgame clubhouse party featured a shirt poking fun at Braves shortstop’s jab at Bryce Harper — who says his elbow is fine, btw. Next up: defending the National League pennant against the Arizona Diamondbacks, starting Monday. [SI/@matt_breen/Billy Penn/CBS Sports]
• We’d like to think we channeled this win with the great vibes at our Hittin’ Season tailgate on Wednesday, where dozens of fans came out to enjoy beer from 2SP and Iron Hill, hard seltzer from Boardroom Spirits, and cookies from Famous 4th. [Billy Penn]
MAYOR WATCH
Mayor Kenney, whose father was a firefighter, joins Fire Commissioner Adam Thiel at the Fireman’s Hall Museum to declare Oct. 8-14 Fire Prevention Week (yes…that’s the week now ending) and honor EMS and PFD providers of the year (11 a.m.).
ON THE CALENDAR
🚶🏽♀️ The 37th Annual AIDS Walk Philly comes to Kelly Drive, rain or shine, and features WHYY’s Cherri Gregg as an emcee. (7:30 a.m. registration begins Sunday, Oct. 15)
🎶 Support local hunger relief efforts while enjoying a Music for Food concert at the Philadelphia College of Physicians. Performers include internationally-acclaimed violinist Tessa Lark and pianist Amy Yang. $30 donation recommended. (7-9 p.m. Monday, Oct. 16)
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