{"id":284029,"date":"2025-10-07T13:17:11","date_gmt":"2025-10-07T13:17:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/284029\/"},"modified":"2025-10-07T13:17:11","modified_gmt":"2025-10-07T13:17:11","slug":"refugees-find-a-home-in-philly-hitchbot-remembered-u-s-navy-celebrated","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/284029\/","title":{"rendered":"Refugees find a home in Philly; Hitchbot remembered, U.S. Navy celebrated"},"content":{"rendered":"

#BILLYPENNGRAM OF THE DAY<\/strong><\/p>\n

Who is watching whom?
(Photo by\u00a0@wmdkenner<\/a>)<\/p>\n

The Karen people, refugees from Myanmar, what was once known as Burma, have had a harrowing passage to our city. As an ethnic minority in a repressive state, they were forced from their homes and into hiding.\u00a0\u201cMy whole life, I had to be afraid of everything,\u201d said an 87-year-old who now lives in Philly.<\/p>\n

A small nonprofit is trying to make their lives easier. Reporter Julia Binswanger shares that moving story.\u00a0Continue reading \u2026<\/a><\/p>\n

\"\"Gay Lay at a garden in Philadelphia. (Courtesy of Clara Varadi-True)<\/p>\n

Ten years after a hitchhiking robot reached the end of its road in Elfreth\u2019s Alley in Old City, a First Friday celebration drew more than 500 people to celebrate its legacy. Why did it resonate? Will it happen again?\u00a0Continue reading \u2026<\/a><\/p>\n

\"\"Attendees at the Elfreth\u2019s Alley Museum\u2019s \u201cRemembering hitchBOT\u201d event got to make their own robots with various activities. (Nick Kariuki\/Billy Penn)<\/p>\n

RECAP: What else happened?<\/p>\n

$ = paywalled<\/p>\n

\u2022 Planes, parades and, of course, lots of ships:\u00a0Here\u2019s how the U.S. Navy will celebrate its 250th anniversary in Philly<\/a>. [WHYY]\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u2022\u00a0What Philly Mayor Parker\u2019s\u00a0first housing plan budget could mean<\/a>\u00a0for renters and homeowners. [WHYY\u2019s PlanPhilly]<\/p>\n

\u2022\u00a0Union contracts have expired at eight Center City hotels, with\u00a0picket lines forming over the weekend outside the Sheraton and the Hampton Inn<\/a>. [WHYY]\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u2022\u00a0Almost 50 years after his death, the Paul Robeson House and Museum is\u00a0scheduled to reopen to the public on Oct. 10<\/a>\u00a0with a grand reopening celebration after eight months of major renovations. [Tribune]<\/p>\n

\u2022\u00a0Despite setbacks, Opera Philadelphia\u00a0will press on with Wanamaker building performances<\/a>. [WHYY]\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u2022\u00a0Iraq\u2019s Yazidis rediscovered lost history through\u00a0photos found in a museum archive at the\u00a0University of Pennsylvania<\/a>\u00a0Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology. [AP]\u00a0<\/p>\n

MAYOR WATCH<\/p>\n

Mayor Parker will attend the ceremony to announce the Firefighter of the Year and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Providers of the Year for 2025, at Fireman\u2019s Hall Museum, 147 N. 2nd Street. (11 a.m.)<\/p>\n

Mayor Parker will attend the pinning ceremony at Parkway Center City Middle College, 540 N. 13th St. (6 p.m.)<\/p>\n

ON THE CALENDAR<\/p>\n

\ud83c\udf42\u00a0Autumn festival lineup<\/a>
\ud83c\udf83\u00a0Halloween events across Philly, now through October
<\/a>\ud83d\udc7b\u00a0Dia de los Muertos events<\/a>
\ud83c\udfc3\ud83c\udffd\u00a0Philly Runners Guide<\/a><\/p>\n

Tuesday, Oct. 7:\u00a0Becoming Thurgood: America\u2019s Social Architect<\/strong>
WHYY hosts this screening and panel discussion celebrating the life and legacy of Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall.\u00a0RSVP free<\/a>. (Reception at 5:30 p.m.; program begins at 6:45 p.m.)<\/p>\n

Tuesday, Oct. 7:\u00a0Loud and Proud: A National Coming OUT Day Poetry Slam<\/strong>
The\u00a0official OURFest poetry slam debuts with an open mic and cultivated showcase featuring original works. LGBTQ+ poets and spoken word artists are invited to share their stories, read their work, or speak from the heart.\u00a0Hosted at Stir Lounge at 1705 Chancellor St.<\/a>\u00a0(7 to 9 p.m.)<\/p>\n

Wednesday, Oct. 8:\u00a0A Marvelous Night of Minerals: An \u2018Earthly Matters\u2019 Opening Celebration<\/strong>
Celebrate the opening of Science History Institute\u2019s new permanent exhibit, where elements, crystals, gemstones \u2014 and even a meteorite! \u2014 tell stories of human curiosity about the natural world around us.\u00a0Free with registration<\/a>. (5 to 8 p.m.)<\/p>\n

Wednesday, Oct. 8:\u00a0Black LGBTQ+ Collections Open House\u00a0<\/strong>
Reception and viewing of a wide selection of Black LGBTQ+ archival material from the archives at William Way LGBT Community Center. Food and drinks included, plus timed tours.\u00a0Free and open to the public<\/a>. (6 to 8 p.m.)<\/p>\n

Wednesday, Oct. 8:\u00a0Club for Connection<\/strong>
A reimagined night-life experience with tea, soft-seating, art stations, a lo-fi DJ set, tarot, and conversational games, journaling, oil pastels and more.\u00a0At the Bok Bar<\/a>. (6 to 9 p.m.)<\/p>\n

Wednesday, Oct. 8:\u00a0Impact Speaker Series | \u201cPaint Me a Road Out of Here\u201d Film Screening & Discussion<\/strong>
A feature documentary that explores the movement to end mass incarceration of Black women by means of liberating Faith Ringgold\u2019s 1971 painting For the Women\u2019s House from Rikers Island and the art of Mary Enoch Elizabeth Baxter.\u00a0At the Fitler Club<\/a>. (6 to 9 p.m.)<\/p>\n

Thursday, Oct. 9:\u00a0Clay and Conversations with Ehren Tool<\/strong>
Talk with Clay as Care artists Ehren Tool about his artistic career, his time at The Clay Studio, his dream of building and deconstructing a clay bunker, and his claim that he \u201cjust makes cups\u201d.\u00a0Sign up online<\/a>. (1 to 2 p.m.)<\/p>\n

Thursday, Oct. 9:\u00a0Preview screening of Ken Burns\u2019s upcoming documentary series, The American Revolution<\/strong>
As part of the nation\u2019s semiquincentennial commemoration, this event highlights Greater Philadelphia region\u2019s \u00a0pivotal role in the founding of the U.S..\u00a0Screening\u00a0followed by an exclusive interview by Terry Gross<\/a>, co-host of WHYY\u2019s \u201cFresh Air with Terry Gross and Tonya Mosley.\u201d\u00a0Ticket required<\/a>. (5:30 p.m. doors open; 7 p.m. start)<\/p>\n

Thursday, Oct. 9:\u00a02025 Y\u00e8Sh\u00ec Chinatown Night Market<\/strong>
The annual open-air, food and entertainment event meant to highlight Chinatown as a commercial hub and community.\u00a0Free<\/a>. (6 to 10 p.m.)<\/p>\n

Friday, Oct. 10:\u00a0Scrapple Sculpting Contest<\/strong>
All sculptors, artist and scrapple lovers are welcome to watch the\u00a02nd annual competition at Reading Terminal Market<\/a>. Emceed by Amy Strauss, local food and drink writer and author of Pennsylvania Scrapple. Two winners: 1 chosen Friday by PMA Director Sasha Suda, and 1 chosen Saturday by popular vote. (12 p.m.)<\/p>\n

Friday, Oct. 10: NoLibs Fall Movie Night: \u201cPractical Magic\u201d\u00a0<\/strong>
Enjoy spooky season with this classic starring Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman. PG-13.\u00a0At Liberty Lands. BYO chair or blanket<\/a>. (7 to 9 p.m.)\u00a0<\/p>\n

Friday, Oct. 10: Open Kitchen Sculpture Garden 10th Anniversary Celebration\u00a0<\/strong>
Celebrate 10 years of art, community, creativity, and gatherings with live music, homemade food, and garden magic. At 2241 N. Philip Street.\u00a0$20 to $25 at the door<\/a>. (7 to 11 p.m.)<\/p>\n

Friday to Saturday, Oct. 10-11:\u00a0Oktoberfest at the 23rd Street Armory<\/strong>
Armory Oktoberfest is 3 sessions over 2 days and each session has 3 kinds of\u00a0Tickets: $25 general admission includes first liter of beer, pay-as-you-go food and drink. $70 VIP tickets for early entry, 2 liters of beer, 1 platter of food and reserved seating with table service. Group tickets are $85 per person in groups of 4.<\/a>\u00a0(1 to 5 p.m.)<\/p>\n

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