Obama stops in North Philly, then rallies at the ballpark

Former President Obama's first stop campaigning for Biden in Philly yesterday was at Hank Gathers Rec Center, where he met with several of the city's Black male elected officials. He stressed the importance of their leadership and cited dredlocked Pa. Rep. Kenyatta, the state's first elected LGBTQ legislator of color, as proof things are changing. At the main drive-in rally outside Citizens Bank Park, Obama exhorted Philadelphians to "vote like never before," WHYY reports. "America is a good and decent place. But we’ve just had so much noise that sometimes, it’s hard to remember,” Obama said. “Philadelphia, I’m asking you to remember.”

New SEPTA GM pushes for better signage across the system

It's called "wayfinding," and it's not SEPTA's strong point. The disparate signage and maps scattered across the region's multimodal transit system are confusing to anyone who didn't grow up with them. (Did you know you can get from 8th to 18th Street without going above ground?) New GM Leslie Richards is determined to push forward work on a long-simmering overhaul to the sprawling web of signage, the Inquirer reports. While there will be some cost involved, it'll make public transit easier to use — and hopefully attract badly needed customers.

Gift boxes from young Black women GOTV in Philadelphia

A new effort to get out the vote in Philly targets young Black women with gift boxes filled with local goodies. Called "Party at the Mailbox," the initiative started in Baltimore, where national org Black Girls Vote debuted it for the primary. The project had a measurable effect — recipient households with unlikely voters were 12.5% more likely to cast a ballot — so now it's expanded north. Local nonprofits are involved, and signups are still open for the 10,000 packages set to go out soon.

"You occupy a critical and otherwise-empty space in the local media market."
— new BP member Brenda H. 💯

Shout out to the 66 people who've stepped up to answer the call for support of our election coverage. We need 34 more people to donate by Nov. 3 → just $5/month makes a huge difference, and any amount helps.

RECAP: What else happened?

• Mayor Kenney removed the "acting" from Tumar Alexander's title, officially naming him Philadelphia Managing Director. He replaces Brian Abernathy, who resigned following outcry over his handling of social justice protests. Reporting to Alexander will be someone leading a new Office of Strategic Initiatives for Public Safety. [Tribune/Billy Penn]
   
• While other retailers struggle, Philly-based discount chain Five Below has opened over 100 new stores this year. [Business Journal$]
   
• The former Temple frat president convicted on sexual assault charges in February has been sentenced to 3½-to-seven years in state prison. [Inquirer$] 
   
• Christmas Village will return to City Hall and LOVE Park this season, with coronavirus safety protocols in place. [WHYY]
   
• There are a bunch of vineyards you can explore within a couple hours drive from Philadelphia. [Philly Mag]
   
• A restricted-attendance "Emo Night" party at Kung Fu Necktie was canceled after people threatened to boycott the dive venue over coronavirus safety worries. [VICE]
   
• The Roots rapped a mail ballot PSA on Jimmy Fallon on Tuesday night. [@fallontonight]
   
• Spotify's “Philly Knows Music" billboard advertising campaign pays tribute to local artists, including Patti LaBelle, Meek Mill and DJ Jazzy Jeff. [PhillyVoice]

MAYOR WATCH: Oct. 22, 2020

Nothing on the Thursday schedule for Mayor J.F.K.

ON THE CALENDAR

🎙️ Headlined by DJ Jazzy Jeff, the "OwnYourVote Performance Phest" features a lineup of the hip-hop artists, poets, visual creators, and community conversations celebrating your power of voting. (Monday to Sunday, Oct. 19-23)

🌡️ What was Philly like during the yellow fever epidemic of 1793? Join this Society Hill walking tour for a walk through past horrors. (1:30 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 25)