🥳 First Friday of October is up to bat!

🌤️ Mostly sunny with high temps topping out in the mid-80s during the day, with a chance of rain in the evening with a low around 60.

🎂 Happy belated birthday to our member Jay Sitkin.

Today's newsletter is 1,049 words — a 4-minute read.

You can call them the Fightin' Filthies: Block by Block Philly is leading more than a dozen neighborhood cleanups in a friendly competition with two other big cities.

The big picture: Community activists and environmental groups like Block by Block Philly are independently bolstering efforts to rid the city of its "Filthadelphia" moniker.

• That goal has been a cornerstone of Mayor Cherelle Parker's pledge to make Philadelphia one of the "greenest, cleanest, safest" big cities in the U.S.

Driving the news: Block by Block Philly is partnering with REACH Eastern Liberties for the first of two weekend cleanups Saturday from 9-11am at 901 New Market St., followed by another Sunday in South Philly.

• The group plans to host 15 cleanups citywide this month, from North Philly to Kensington.

Zoom in: Block by Block Philly's goal is to secure bragging rights by removing more tons of litter from Philly neighborhoods than competing groups in Los Angeles and Chicago.

• The head-to-head clean-off started last year as a one-off event with Cleanup Chicago Club.
• Collectively, the cities removed nearly 7 tons of trash from their streets — enough to fill 22 dump trucks, Block by Block Philly co-founder Amanda Block tells Axios.
• The Windy City group claimed the inaugural crown by just four bags — 927 to 923.

How it works: Anyone can participate, either as part of a cleanup or on their own. Just bag your trash, take a photo and log it with Block by Block.

The intrigue: Nearly 1,000 volunteers took part in 59 cleanups for last year's event— and those rookie numbers are likely to swell this year with a third group getting in on the action.

Between the lines: While the group's efforts are independent from Philly's Department of Sanitation, the city has supported its work, often stopping by at past cleanups with trucks to haul away litter, Block tells Axios.

• The city is hosting its own Clean Block Contest this month across two dozen blocks — an initiative that last year involved more than 26,000 volunteers who collected more than 21,000 bags of trash.

What they're saying: Philadelphians don't need much coaxing to turn anything competitive — whether it's picking up trash or scarfing down rotisserie chickens.

• "We're fully energized by watching the community impact," Block says.

Catch up quick: Block and her husband, local real estate agent David Evans, co-founded the nonprofit during the pandemic, when delayed trash pickups left Philly neighborhoods overflowing with garbage.

• Despite working day jobs, the couple has expanded the group, has secured grants and hopes to raise enough money to buy its own dump truck.
• Their children are also heavily involved in the cleanups.

What we're watching: The group has other greening initiatives up its sleeve, including a partnership with local street artist Irregular on art installations at what have long been trash-dumping sites across the city.

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Playing in their third elimination game, there was no magic for the Phillies — just another tragic playoff ending.

Why it matters: Red October turned to RIP October. Fans endured yet another early exit for the Fightin' Phils, who haven't recaptured the chutzpah that propelled them to the World Series in 2022.

Driving the news: The Phils never recovered from an early hole last night after the Braves' Michael Harris II crushed a three-run homer in the first inning

• Phillies starter Aaron Nola lasted only 1 ⅔ innings in the team's 6-2 loss.

Zoom in: Ozzie Albies piled on with a two-run shot in the fourth, stretching Atlanta's lead to 5-0.

Catch up quick: The Phillies barely slipped into the playoffs, clinching a wild-card spot on the final day of the regular season under interim manager Don Mattingly.

• Former skipper Rob Thomson, who led the Phils to four straight playoff appearances, was fired 28 games into the season following the team's 9-19 start.

The bottom line: Another year older, the Phillies look further away from a championship than they have in years.

🚢 Philly could lose ship traffic to East Coast rivals if it doesn't move faster on an expansion plan, per a new City Controller report.

• The plan — calling for expanded terminals, along with better rail and road connections — could be a huge boon, with PhilaPort estimating it would create 9,000 jobs and generate $3 billion in additional revenue. (WHYY)

🎨 Marcel Duchamp is getting his biggest U.S. spotlight in more than 50 years at the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

• The Oct. 10-Jan. 31 retrospective features more than 300 works spanning six decades — from paintings and sculptures to the everyday objects he famously turned into art. (Philly Voice)

☕ Philly lawmakers are boycotting pumpkin spice lattes — at least until Starbucks reaches a contract deal with its unionized workers.

• Philly joins St. Louis in backing Starbucks Workers United's call to boycott the coffee chain amid the labor impasse. (Inquirer)

🚨 First Friday is here! Look for special events and exhibits at galleries, showrooms and shops across the city.

🍿 Reel October will be showing classic flicks on 35mm all weekend, including "Birth" tonight and "A Separation" on Sunday at the Film Society's theater in Center City.

• An all-day movie marathon is also set for Saturday starting at noon. Tickets: $14-$30

🎃 Liberty Point's Cityside Pumpkin Patch brings the family-friendly fall experience to Philly's waterfront. Expect carnival games, Halloween-themed treats, a pumpkin smashing zone and other autumnal accoutrements. Runs through Nov. 1.

• Tickets: $13.90 per person, times vary each day.

👻 Halloween Nights is back at Eastern State Penitentiary. The immersive experience features five haunted houses, Halloween-themed bars, lounges and live performances.

• Tickets: $49+

😱 Get scared at the Fright Factory in South Philly. This haunted house is not for the faint of heart: 25,000 square feet of terror awaits you inside a more than century-old warehouse.

• Tickets: $35+

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🤗 Isaac is offering Phils' fans a digital embrace this am.

🍻 Mike is going to Roxtoberfest on Saturday.

Today's newsletter was edited by Jen Burkett.