Philly embraces analog; hitchBOT party; Teens on election issues

#BILLYPENNGRAM OF THE DAY

Red sky at night, sailing into the weekend
(Photo by @neptunosvws)

Philly is embracing its ‘analog’ activities

In a world focused on scrolling, AI and technology, analog culture has been something more people are embracing.

These “grounding, hands-on” habits include everything from puzzles and drawing to listening to music on record players, birdwatching or using typewriters. Continue reading…

Philly’s Analog Lovers Club promotes connection through physical media. Some events, like CD and vinyl swaps, help Philadelphians connect over their love for analog media (Photo courtesy of Olive Zoya)

Elfreth’s Alley Museum is remembering hitchBOT again. Could it grow into a festival?

Last year marked the 10-year anniversary of one of the most infamous events of its 323-year existence: hitchBOT’s demise in Philly. The gathering drew a record 550 people to the museum’s First Friday.

So the museum is running it again today, with the hopes of eventually growing it into an annual festival. Continue reading…

A sign commemorating hitchBOT in front of Elfreth’s Alley in Old City, where the robot was found destroyed in 2015. (Nick Kariuki/Billy Penn)

BP Quizzo Question of the Day

In what year did “Bandstand” (later renamed “American Bandstand”) premiere on TV, broadcast live from Studio B at 46th and Market?

RECAP: What else happened?

$ = paywalled

• Pennsylvania WIC director resigns, says she faced discrimination and other “barriers.” [Spotlight PA]

• What went wrong at Philly’s Academy of Natural Sciences? Former museum staffers point to years of missteps. [WHYY]

• Philly tenants are waging a war against ‘junk’ fees. City Council may help. [WHYY’s PlanPhilly]

• Philly teens at WHYY’s Youth Town Hall talked about war, gun violence, AI, the environment and what they want elected leaders to address. [Billy Penn]

• Make Halloween analog again: A Philly artist’s snail-mail newsletter features TV horror movie listings for antenna TVs. [WHYY]

• The man at the center of a Pat’s cheesesteak assault surrenders, police say. [ABC7]

Celebrate Philly’s finest at the Billies!

Join us for Billy Penn’s 12th annual Billies Awards from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 8, at WHYY Studios!

We’ll honor the people and groups making Philly better — with food, refreshments and plenty of hometown spirit.

Admission is free with an RSVP. Optional donations support WHYY’s community programs. The Billies are supported in part by Every Voice, Every Vote.

Sign up to attend the Billies →

MAYOR WATCH

Mayor Parker attends the 14th Annual Airport Business Opportunity Forum. (9 a.m.)

Highlights from Billy Penn’s City Guide

More than a cemetery: Inside Laurel Hill
The East Falls cemetery is the final resting place for some historic and famous figures, but it’s way more than just a collection of tombstones.
11 great places to get out and run in PhillyExperts offer up the best routes — and some hidden gems — for a run alone or with a group.

ON THE CALENDAR

Firstival at Eastern State Penitentiary (Saturday),
14th annual Roxtoberfest + Mt. Airy Arts Festival (Saturday),
St. Nicholas of Tolentine Italian Festival (Sunday),
AND MORE!

See the **FULL LIST** of this week’s events calendar at BillyPenn.com!