Philadelphia – Page 28

HitchBOT Hijacked In Philadelphia

Posted on August 3, 2015August 3, 2015 by admin

PHILADELPHIA, PA — HitchBOT is… was a hitchhiking robot from Port Credit, Ontario. HitchBOT traveled over 10,000 km in Canada from Halifax, Nova Scotia to Victoria, British Columbia. “We want to see what people do with this kind of technology when we leave it up to them,” Frauke Zeller, one of the creators and an assistant professor in professional communication at Toronto’s Ryerson University, told the AP. “It’s an art project in the wild — it invites people to participate.”

But, after only two weeks traveling in the USA, HitchBOT was vandalized and destroyed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

The HitchBOT team has issued a statement:

Oh dear, my body was damaged, but I live on back home and with all my friends. I guess sometimes bad things happen to good robots! My trip must come to an end for now, but my love for humans will never fade. Thank you to all my friends.

A message from the family:

hitchBOT’s trip came to an end last night in Philadelphia after having spent a little over two weeks hitchhiking and visiting sites in Boston, Salem, Gloucester, Marblehead, and New York City. Unfortunately, hitchBOT was vandalized overnight in Philadelphia; sometimes bad things happen to good robots. We know that many of hitchBOT’s fans will be disappointed, but we want them to be assured that this great experiment is not over. For now we will focus on the question “what can be learned from this?” and explore future adventures for robots and humans.

We have no interest in pressing charges or finding the people who vandalized hitchBOT; we wish to remember the good times, and we encourage hitchBOT’s friends and fans to do the same.

The Squares Of Philadelphia

Posted on July 31, 2015July 31, 2015 by admin

Rittenhouse Square in Center City Philadelphia is an example of one of the city’s squares originally planned by William Penn when he laid out the city of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1682. The public park is a great place to stroll, eat lunch or listen to street performers play music. On a regular basis, the Square hosts festivals and markets.

Franklin Square is another of the five original open-space parks. It is located in the Center City area, between North 6th and 7th Streets, and between Race Street and the Vine Street Expressway (I-676). Local legend maintains that Franklin Square is where Benjamin Franklin conducted his “kite and key” electricity experiment in 1752. Franklin Square offers these attractions:

* The Franklin Square Fountain was built in 1838, but fell into disrepair by the late 1970s and was turned off. It was refurbished and repaired during the park’s restoration. The fence and stone work of the fountain are original.
* The Parx Liberty Carousel is located just northwest of the Fountain. Many of the carousel’s animals recall Philadelphia’s historical heritage.
* Philly Mini Golf, located north of the Fountain, is the only miniature golf course in Center City. The holes are based on some of the city’s best-known tourist spots, such as Elfreth’s Alley, the Ben Franklin Bridge, and the Liberty Bell.
* In 1976, the city dedicated the Living Flame Memorial, which honors the city’s fallen police officers and firefighters. It centers on a sculpture by local sculptor Reginald E. Beauchamp. The memorial is unusual in being one of the few to honor the two groups together. A design competition was held in 2011 to choose a design for a replacement memorial.
* Two playgrounds, one for younger children, and the other for older ones, are located in the park’s southeast quadrant.

Southwest (Rittenhouse) Square, Southeast (Washington) Square, Northwest Square (Logan Circle), Northeast (Franklin) Square and Centre Square (City Hall) all offer something free to do in Philly.

More Free Things to Do in Philadelphia

Warming: Philadelphia Hold Your Breath

Posted on July 19, 2015July 20, 2015 by admin

By Daniel Brouse

Do Not Breath in Philly on This Day / NOTE: Graphics are from the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency of the United States of America)

Many days in the Philadelphia region are not good for breathing. On “Ozone Action Alert Days” you are advised to avoid activity outside. Children should not play outdoors. Avoid running and other fitness activities. Do not breathe in un-conditioned air.

View the current air quality for Philadelphia.

July 19, 2015 is one of those days:

NOTE: Graphics are from the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency of the United States of America)

Ozone is not only killing humans, it is also killing the trees.

In 2005, the EPA and NGO’s were contacted about the deforestation problem:

Dying Trees, The Membrane Domain (2009)