Domestic violence info; Haunted Philly; Weekly gun violence brief

#BILLYPENNGRAM OF THE DAY

Departing 63rd Street
(Photo by @lee_gentis_)

It’s Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Here’s what to know

According to the city of Philadelphia’s Domestic Violence Fact Sheet, one in three U.S. women will experience domestic violence in their lifetime. That statistic is one in four for men, and nearly 50% for LGBTQ+ community members.

Joanna Otero-Cruz, president of Women Against Abuse, talks DV warning signs and resources. Continue reading…

Women Against Abuse’s Sept 30 iPledge Campaign launch for Domestic Violence Awareness Month. (Photo by Demetric Beirne)

Philly’s past is still present: 15 haunted places to know about

There’s a reportedly cursed chair in Chestnut Hill, a mysterious woman wandering the Philadelphia Zoo and quite a few soldiers drifting through Fort Mifflin. Even Benjamin Franklin, who’s been dead for more than two centuries, supposedly hasn’t finished making trouble. Continue reading…

Regrowth at Mount Moriah Cemetery and Arboretum. (Courtesy Mount Moriah Cemetery and Arboretum)

BP Quizzo Question of the Day

What was Kensington’s Icebox Theater before it became a theater?

RECAP: What else happened?

$ = paywalled

• Philly voters care about local issues, but election integrity fears make them wonder if their vote matters. [The Conversation]

• The Commerce Connector in Old City officially opened, transforming a once-neglected alleyway into a green space connecting historical sites. [WHYY]

• Employees of World Stage — formerly World Cafe Live — aren’t surprised the West Philadelphia music venue is closing. [WHYY]

• Inside a Philadelphia clinic’s intensive approach to suicide prevention. [WHYY]

• Autumn is here, and leaves are falling. What should Philadelphia residents do with them? [WHYY]

• Want to make friends in Philly? These rugby players suggest a good tackle. [WHYY]

When you donate to Billy Penn, you’ll be automatically entered for a chance to win a pair of 76ers tickets to the Monday, Nov. 23 home game against the Portland Trail Blazers!

No donation is necessary, though. For details on how to enter and the eligibility requirements, see the official rules online here.

MAYOR WATCH

Mayor Parker attends the 33rd Annual March of Dimes Transportation, Building & Construction Awards Luncheon. (12:30 p.m.)

Weekly brief on gun violence prevention (with PCGVR)

We publish this report each week in partnership with the Philadelphia Center for Gun Violence Reporting.

Major parts of the 1934 National Firearms Act have been suspended. Here’s what that means. [The Trace]
What could help formerly incarcerated students return to school? Join Chalkbeat’s virtual event on Oct. 26. [Chalkbeat]

By the numbers in Philadelphia

15: Shooting victims recorded from Oct. 12 to Oct. 18 with 4 fatalities, according to city data. During the previous week, 10 shooting victims were recorded, including 2 fatalities. [Source: nickhand.dev]
143: Year-to-date homicides, down 24% vs. last year’s pace; down 68% vs. five years ago. [Philly Police]

Highlights from Billy Penn’s City Guide

Philly’s Francisville section follows its own angle
Along Ridge Avenue’s diagonal, new construction is reshaping the neighborhood. Shared gardens, a family church and neighbors who show up for one another help keep it grounded.
From the 215: The cultural imprint of Philadelphia’s area code
The 215 area code is an instant cultural identifier for the Philadelphia region. When you see it, you know it’s local.

ON THE CALENDAR

A Day of the Dead community art workshop in FDR Park (Thursday),
Adapting the Legend of Sleepy Hollow (Friday),
Neighborhood Jawnts takes on the River Wards,
AND MORE!

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