#BILLYPENNGRAM OF THE DAY
Leave a light on in Fairmount
(Photo by @artfreddy)
For SEPTA Regional Rail riders, the headaches just keep coming
If you ride SEPTA’s Regional Rail, it’s not just you. The service has been less reliable this year. Part of that has been an audit of railcars after two fires. That’s been completed. And …
And, the system is now staring at significant cuts and a serious fare hike. How much is too much, and will rail commuters switch to cars and bikes and other commuting options? Continue reading …
Manayunk Restaurant Week returns after a 5-year hiatus
Brendan McCrew, the director of operations at Mia Ragazza and The Goat’s Beard, thinks many people are still hung up on what Manayunk used to be: a college-aged drinking town.
The current roster of restaurants is much more varied. And next week offers an opportunity for diners to sample that breadth. Continue reading …
RECAP: What else happened?
$ = paywalled
• Pennsylvania won’t take part in the national rush to redraw congressional maps. That means the Democratic Party is relying on recruiting good candidates for the 2026 midterm election. [Spotlight PA/AP]
• As Trump gears up to expand use of National Guard troops in cities, Shapiro says Pa. is prepared “for whatever the White House may try and send our way.” [Capital-Star]
• This tax credit for energy-efficient home upgrades has saved Pa., Del. and N.J. millions. It’s expiring at the end of 2025. [WHYY]
• Bicyclist killed by speeding car in Fairmount Park on Tuesday was identified as 67-year-old cyclist advocate Henry Fenton, part of Philly Bike Action. [NBC10]
• Overdose awareness march in Kensington pays homage to lost loved ones. [Kensington Voice]
• Wells Fargo Center officially becomes Xfinity Mobile Arena. [6ABC]
• Eagles issue travel advisory for Thursday’s home opener amid SEPTA cuts. [WHYY]
Weekly brief on gun violence prevention (with PCGVR)
We publish this report each week in partnership with the Philadelphia Center for Gun Violence Reporting.
- 52% of all gun homicides in the state occurred in Philadelphia County in 2023 even though it makes up 12% of Pennsylvania’s overall population. [Center for Gun Violence Solutions]
- Cybercrime group possibly linked to swatting calls at Villanova, other universities [Philly Voice]
- Lawsuit that claimed Philly school district contributed to student Nicolas Elizalde’s death is dismissed. [Inquirer$]
- Workshop alert: Attend the upcoming Gun Violence Prevention Reporting National Certification Conference in Philly forum Oct. 1-3! Learn more about the keynote and agenda here.
By the numbers in Philadelphia
- 18: Shooting victims recorded from Aug. 24 to 30, including 2 fatalities, according to city data. During the previous week, 17 shooting victims were recorded, including 5 fatalities. [Source: nickhand.dev]
- 150: Year-to-date homicides, down 18% vs. last year’s pace; down 51% vs. five years ago. [Philly Police]
MAYOR WATCH
Mayor Cherelle L. Parker will announce Philadelphia’s plans to bring the spirit of celebration to neighborhoods across the city in honor of America’s 250th anniversary, at Independence Visitor Center, 599 Market St. (12:30 p.m.)
ON THE CALENDAR
🎉 EarlyBirds Club party in Philly, Sept. 6
🏊🏽 Public pools in Philly 2025
🏃🏽 Philly Runners Guide
Thursday, Sept. 4: PlanPhilly Pop-Up Newsroom
WHYY and PlanPhilly invites you to join us at the Cobbs Creek Library to meet directly with reporters about local issues touching on housing, transportation, public spaces and more. Free RSVP. (1 to 4 p.m.)
Thursday, Sept. 4: Baltimore Avenue Dollar Stroll
The second and final edition of the season! Local businesses and community vendors offer one-night-only deals for $1, $3 or $5, while local musicians and artists provide entertainment up and down Baltimore Avenue, from 40th to 51st streets. (5 to 8 p.m.)
Thursday, Sept. 4: WNBA and NFL Watch Party
Pre-game at 6 p.m. at Dock Street Brewery for the Stonewall Philly end-of-season awards ceremony, followed by the WNBA matchup between Phoenix Mercury and Washington Mystics, then catch the Eagles opener with Black Girls Love Football. $5 at the door | FREE with Stonewall Tee and for BGLF Tailgaters.
Friday, Sept. 5: Water Orchestra Grand Opening Ceremony
In partnership with The Philadelphia Orchestra, Water Orchestra is an interactive art installation at Dilworth Park that responds to your gestures with music and dancing water jets. (2 to 3 p.m.)
Friday, Sept. 5: End of Summer Block Party
The Italian Market Piazza is the setting for this Di Bruno-hosted event featuring a mozzarella cheese pull, hot dogs, lots of food and drinks, prizes and live music. (4 to 7 p.m.)
Friday, Sept. 5: Artist and Artisans Market
Pick up one-of-a-kind finds at Cherry Street Pier while you stroll the marketplace, view artist studios and snack on food and drink amid views of the Ben Franklin Bridge and the Delaware River. Every First Friday through December. (4 to 9 p.m.)
Friday, Sept. 5: First Friday: Books, Meet Their Makers!
Learn about the history of parchment, try your hand at the bookmaking table, and kick off the opening of the Science History Institute’s exhibit on historic sample books on textiles, paints, and dyes with a gallery talk and presentation by the Delaware Valley Chapter of the Guild of Book Workers. Free. (5 to 7 p.m.)
Friday, Sept. 5: Cinema in the Cemetery: Rocky Horror
Join the Friends of Laurel Hill and the Transylvanian Nipple Productions shadowcast for a 50th anniversary screening of the 1975 cult classic “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” at 8:30 PM. Doors open at 7 p.m. with popup food trucks Dump-n-Roll, Dos Hermanos Tacos, and Philadelphia Brewing Company, followed by TNP’s preshow at 7:30 p.m. $25 tickets.
Saturday, Sept. 6: 8th PHL 5K Run/Walk
See commercial and general aviation aircraft taking off and landing and a display of airport equipment — all while enjoying the 5K and a free “Kid’s 50 Yard Dash” relay race in the parking lot, face painting, mascots, waffles food truck, and a variety of fun activities. Proceeds benefit March of Dimes, Eastwick Friends & Neighbors Coalition (EFNC) and Eastwick United CDC (EU). (7 a.m. pack pick-up, 8:30 a.m. race)
Saturday, Sept. 6: Philadelphia Honey Festival
Head to Wyck Historic House for a sweet finish to the summer season. Co-hosted with the Philadelphia Beekeepers Guild, learn about the honey bee’s impact, with honey tastings, presentations, bee-bearding, a mead and beer garden, shopping, G-Town Radio, and more! (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.)
