Publications

For the first time since the early 1980s, SEPTA is acquiring new trolleys. 

Philadelphia trolley history as SEPTA refreshes fleet (billypenn.com)

By Bonnie Eisenfeld

Philadelphia received two Gun Violence Investigation and Prosecution Grants federally funded by the American Rescue Plan.

The District Attorney’s Office in collaboration with the Police Department and Managing Director’s Office will receive $20 million to support citywide gun violence investigation and prosecution initiatives. GVIP funding will be used to support the Digital Forensics Lab’s expansion which will advance gun violence investigation and prosecution in Philadelphia by leveraging advanced technology with adequate staffing to improve multi-agency coordination by more effectively sharing intelligence and evidence, leading to increased arrests and convictions of the few individuals driving the majority of crime involving firearms. These investigative and prosecutorial technology upgrades will also assist law enforcement efforts to prevent and intervene before future incidents occur while helping further collect evidence for straw purchases cases and trace the origin of firearms found in Philadelphia.

Funding will be used to expand digital surveillance capabilities, including video analytics and license plate reader technology; camera installation and maintenance; implement investigator and prosecutor case management system; support technology upgrades to the crime scene kits used by investigators; support the salary, benefits, and training of new full-time staff to support and utilize technology upgrades for investigation and prosecution of gun violence in Philadelphia, and related office supplies for funded staff.

The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) will receive $4,993,639 to install ZeroEyes weapon detection technology on its security cameras and increase police overtime to reduce gun violence and aid prosecution of firearms offenses. The ZeroEyes system quickly identifies whether guns are visible in camera footage, and after verification by trained personnel, alerts emergency responders about their location. These funds will be used to install the ZeroEyes software on security cameras, support the annual DeepZero license subscription for a two-year pilot project, and increase Transit Police overtime in order to partner with the City of Philadelphia and local law enforcement agencies to target gun violence in the transit network.

In addition, 65 Philadelphia nonprofit organizations and institutions received money for gun violence prevention through the Violence Intervention and Prevention Grant Program, run through the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD). This program was funded by $30 million in State funds in 2022/23 and $75 million in Federal American Rescue Plan (ARP) State Fiscal Recovery dollars for a total of $105 million.

The 11-day festival features 100-plus performances across the region.

Philly Theatre Week is returning March 23rd through April 2nd, and from Shakespeare to ChatGPT, from improv comedy to musicals, there’s truly something for everyone.

Philly Theatre Week Returns With Pay-What-You-Can Tickets (phillymag.com)

Philly Celebrates Jazz is the City of Philadelphia’s annual celebration of Jazz Appreciation Month each April that infuses Philadelphia’s neighborhoods with live jazz music, jazz-inspired block parties, jazz poetry events, jazz walking tours, and more.

Philly Celebrates Jazz - The Philadelphia Office of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy (creativephl.org)

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM) — The King of Prussia Mall recently announced the arrival of seven new stores; five of them will be opening in Pennsylvania for the first time.

The King of Prussia Mall, located at 160 N. Gulph Rd., is welcoming the following ‘First-to-Market’ stores in the near future:

TravisMathew:

• TravisMathew is a men’s and women’s clothing brand that was founded back in 2007 and is inspired by the culture and lifestyle of Southern California. According to King of Prussia Mall, the new retailer is expected to open its doors in Spring 2023.

Under Armour Brand House:

• Though Pennsylvania already has several Under Armour Factory Houses, in Hershey and in Lancaster – for the first time Pennsylvania will be greeted with an Under Armour Brand House. Under Armour Brand House tends to be the store locations where Under Armour showcases its newest products and technologies. The store is expected to open in Spring 2023.

Balenciaga:

• This Paris-based luxury clothing brand, often mentioned in various forms of pop culture, is opening its doors this month for the first time in Pennsylvania. Balenciaga offers a wide range of designer shirts, jackets, hoodies, handbags, shoes, and more!

BruMate:

• BruMate is a popular drinkware company that specializes in creating modern and sleek cups, coolers, beer cooler sleeves, and a lot more! The new store will be opening for the first time in Pennsylvania sometime in March 2023.

Razer:

• This one is for all the Pennsylvania gamers – Razer recently opened its doors at the King of Prussia Mall back in January 2023. Razer offers a vast selection of gaming equipment, from gaming chairs, keyboards, microphones, PCs, headsets, and a whole lot more!

When the lights are flipped back on, sometime near the holidays, 16 million color combinations will be possible.

Why are the Boathouse Row lights out? Upgrades are underway | PhillyVoice

Dear Residents and Business Owners,

Due to Weather, our filming date of Friday March 17^th has shifted to Friday March 24th. Below is listed our new dates and times for Intermittent Traffic Control, and No Parking Zone. We apologize for the inconvenience.

Intermittent Traffic Control:

• Spruce Street (at 19^th Street) - Friday, March 24th: 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM
• 20^th Street (at Pine Street) - Friday, March 24th: 4:00 PM to 10:00 PM
• Rittenhouse Square (at W Rittenhouse Square) - Friday, March 24th: 4:00 PM to 10:00 PM

Our scenes will involve the production crew working with equipment on the street. For safety reasons this will require us implement  Intermittent Traffic Control during filming. Please see the information regarding the affected streets and times Above:

In addition, to support our equipment and production vehicles, streets will be permitted as NO PARKING zones marked by No Parking Signs. We kindly ask that residents move their vehicles prior to our arrival. Any vehicles not moved will be relocated to another street in the neighborhood by the Philadelphia Police Department. Below are the dates and times of the NO PARKING zones for the neighborhood:

Wednesday, March 22^nd, 6:00 AM to Saturday, March 25^th, 1:00 AM

• South side of Spruce St, between 20^th St. and 21^st St. (Bike Lane).

Thursday, March 23^rd, 12:00 PM to Saturday, March 25^th, 1:00 AM

• North side of Spruce St. between 19^th St and 21^st St.
• West side of 20^th St between Locust St and Pine St
• South side of Spruce St. Between 21^st St and 22^nd St (Bike Lane Only)
• East side of 21^st St between Locust St. and Pine St.
• East side of 23^rd St. between Armory St. and Ludlow St.
• Both sides of Spruce St between 22^nd St and 23^rd St
• North side of Rittenhouse St. between 21^st St. and 20^th St. Half block closer to 20^th St.
• Both sides of Market St. between 21^st St and 18^th St.

Monday, March 27^th, 6:00 AM to Tuesday, March 28^th, 9:00 PM

• South side of Spruce St, between 20^th St. and 21^th St. (Bike Lane).

To ensure our shoot is completed safely, and with minimal impact to the neighborhood, our production is working closely with the City of Philadelphia, the Philadelphia Police Department, and the Greater Philadelphia Film Office (215.686.2668). In order to safeguard the public as well as our cast and crew we are working under the protocols determined by the City of Philadelphia, Philadelphia Department of Public Health, Pennsylvania Department of Health, film industry COVID-19 specialists, and our own Health & Safety Advisory team. All our crew will be tested for COVID-19 prior to filming in your neighborhood. Symptoms will be monitored daily. All crewmembers will be required to wear PPE at all times and maintain social distancing when possible. Our crew will also be relegated to specific work areas while on site.

If you should have any questions or concerns about our filming, please call, Email, or look for a Location Department representative on set.

We look forward to filming in your neighborhood and thank you in advance for your cooperation and consideration.

Sincerely,

Apple Studios

Season 1 Locations Department

484-402-4873

Locations.Catamount@gmail.com

Winners of the “Making Space” program will lead no-cost programming for young people in their communities in exchange for free rent.

Philadelphia chooses 10 finalists in rec center entrepreneur contest (billypenn.com)

After two years in FDR Park, the exhibition is back at the Convention Center with a new spark.

Philadelphia Flower Show: Colorful photos of the 'Electric Garden' (billypenn.com)

Fresh off a surprising run to the World Series last year, the Philadelphia Phillies are looking to continue dancing on their own atop the National League as Spring Training gets underway. It’s easy to get excited about the Phillies—and Andrew Painter, the top pitching prospect in baseball, is a major reason why.

Phillies’ 19-year-old phenom lights up radar gun in spring training debut (msn.com)