#BILLYPENNGRAM OF THE DAY
Friday foliage frame in Chestnut Hill
(Photo by @therowhousecity)
Flight cuts start today at PHL, promising disruption and uncertainty
The federal shutdown will begin to have a dramatic new consequence today, as 40 high-volume airports, including Philadelphia International, begin reducing the number of flights they service by about 10%.
The move comes amid a shortage of air traffic controllers, who have not been paid since the start of the shutdown more than five weeks ago. TSA agents are in the same pickle, and security checkpoints at the airport have been reduced as well.
“I’m not aware in my 35-year history in the aviation market where we’ve had a situation where we’re taking these kinds of measures,” FAA administrator Bryan Bedford said. “We’re in new territory in terms of government shutdowns.” Continue reading …
After a fire, new hope for a garden in Kensington
The Ruth Street Garden in Kensington is a green oasis among the asphalt and concrete, its raised beds full of vegetables. It faced serious challenges, but the persistence of its founders and some well-timed funding has given it a bright future.
Billy Penn was there for a recent celebration of the garden’s resilience. “We’ve had a lot of deterrents and barriers here in five years,” said Britt Carpenter, whose organization, the Philly Unknown Project, created the garden in 2020. “But it hasn’t stopped us yet, and we’re not going to stop.” Continue reading …
RECAP: What else happened?
$ = paywalled
• LIHEAP is delayed in Pa. due to the government shutdown. Here are other resources for energy bills. [WHYY]
• Democrats sweep school board elections at Pine-Richland and across Pennsylvania. [WESA]
• Pennsylvanians grapple with surging premiums, expiring subsidies in Pennie Marketplace. [Capital-Star]
• Philly grocery stores are feeling the impact of the loss of SNAP customers, with one North Philly supermarket manager saying it had experienced a 50-60% loss in revenue. [NBC10]
• Penn researchers, students and expert volunteers launched a new digital history website and “monument” to the South Philly refinery, detailing over a century of a tumultuous, industrial history at the now demolished facility. [PhillyVoice]
• University City District (UCD) is asking community members who live, work or visit the area to complete a Community Survey to help “improve quality of life within the neighborhood.” [West Philly Local]
• Road closures are planned across Center City for Rocky Run, Veterans parade, and the Marine Corps block party. [CBS3]
MAYOR WATCH
The mayor has no public events scheduled for today.
ON THE CALENDAR
🍂 Autumn festival lineup
🏃🏽 Philly Runners Guide
🎞️ Ongoing: The Declaration’s Journey — Available on the WHYY YouTube Channel. New episodes will appear every two weeks.
Friday: Nov. 7: Too Poor to Die: A Book Reading & Discussion
Amy Shea discusses her new book, “Too Poor to Die: The Hidden Realities of Dying in the Margins,” with funeral director Pat Quigley’s work at Laurel Hill, unpacking the often-overlooked questions of equity, access, and dignity at the end of life. Donations accepted of new women’s and men’s t-shirts for Philly House. Free registration. (5:30 to 7 p.m.)
Friday, Nov. 7: The Art Within Us: A Night Market Experience
A collaborative celebration between The Jane Gallery and South Asian Americans for Change, featuring uplifting, art, poetry, jewelry, and handmade works. Free to attend. (5:30 to 9 p.m.)
Friday and Saturday, Nov. 7-8: Agata’s Cantata
An immersive journey to Venice with music composed by and for women at the Venetian Ospedali, the network of baroque-era orphanages that churned out top-tier female musicians. $35 tickets; Free for students with ID. (7 p.m. each night)
Friday to Sunday, Nov. 7-9: 49th Annual PMA Contemporary Craft Show
195 artists representing 13 categories of craft and design, with all work for sale and the artists receiving 100% of their sale proceeds. At the Pennsylvania Convention Center. $10-20 for one day, $25 for two days.
Saturday, Nov. 8: Cranksgiving Philly 2025
The bicyle-powered food drive returns to Penn Treaty Park and makes its way to the Philabundance Berks warehouse. 10 a.m. registration, 11 a.m. ride-and-shop start, 2-5 p.m. awards and refreshments, followed by 5 p.m. after-party at Tattooed Mom. Participants purchase food from various “checkpoints” listed on a manifest.
Saturday, Nov. 8: Fall Makers Market at Elfreth’s Alley
Centuries of artisans, craftspeople, and working class folks lived on this street, and this event celebrates that history by inviting present-day artisans and craftspeople to continue their business on the Alley. Pay-as-you-go. (11 a.m. to 4 p.m.)
Saturday, Nov. 8: Olney Youth Arts Festival (+ A Taste of Olney)
A multicultural celebration of youth creativity in dance and movement that highlights different cultural expressions all on one stage. Free. (12 to 6 p.m.)
Saturday, Nov. 8: Made on American Street Festival
Wissahickon Brewing Company and Punch Buggy Brewing invite you to this festival, filled with art, food, beer and community. Free to attend; VIP tickets available for $31.60. (12 to 6 p.m.)
Saturday, Nov. 8: Peoplehood 2025
The 25th annual parade and pageant celebrating PEOPLE, especially those at the forefront of fighting oppression and discrimination. Activists, artists, community members are invited to join in open art builds at Spiral Q’s West Philadelphia studio during the weeks leading up to the event. (1 p.m.)
Saturday, Nov. 8: Disease, Public Health and Fairmount Water Works Tour
Learn how an epidemic influenced the transition from wells to using the Schuylkill River as a drinking water source for Philadelphia. Free. (1 to 2:30 p.m.)
Saturday, Nov. 8: Philadelphia Street Food Festival
30+ vendors selling food at $5 or less. At Harrah’s Philadelphia Outdoor Pavilion & Racetrack. $16 tickets. (2 to 9 p.m.)
Saturday, Nov. 8: “Hansel & Gretel: A Philly Kid Opera Jawn”: Fairmount Edition
An interactive opera based on the Engelbert Humperdinck classic, reimagined with a true Philly twist. Think Philly rowhomes, Tastykakes, soft pretzels, Eagles chants and plenty of surprises. RSVP; Donations welcome. (5 p.m.)
Saturday, Nov. 8: Waffles and Wine Art Show
A night celebrating 25 local artists, Belgium waffles, and community with a one-night-only art exhibition in Old City. $15-35 tickets. (6 to 10 p.m.)
Saturday, Nov. 8: 2nd Hand Circus Scrap Night
In collaboration with Thunderbird Hall at 2856 Frankford Avenue, at 8 p.m., making a new circus out of old things!
Sunday, Nov. 9: 11th annual Philadelphia Veterans Parade and Festival
The parade kicks off at around 12 p.m. at 20th St and the Ben Franklin Parkway and ends just past the PMA at Eakins Oval, where the Festival continues until 4 p.m.
Sunday, Nov. 9: Tour of Tourison in East Mt. Airy
Meet in front of the Lovett Memorial Library, 6945 Germantown Ave, for this tour exploring the story of Ye Sedgwick Farms Company comprised of Tourison, together with his four sons, and reminds us to ask ourselves how we feel about the importance of incorporating values of architecturally different homes “in perfect harmony with all” in our built environment today. $18 tickets. (1:30 p.m.)
Sunday, Nov. 9: The Philly Pops String Ensemble in Lawncrest
Join the Philly Pops String Ensemble at the Church of St. William for Broadway, showtunes, and timeless popular hits that everyone loves to sing along to — from the stage to the silver screen and beyond. $7 to 13 tickets. (4 to 5 p.m.)
Through Nov. 16: Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival
PAAFF returns for its 18th year of screenings and year-round workshops, panels and more. Various prices and locations.
The post PHL flight cuts; Kensington garden blooms; LIHEAP payments delayed | Morning Roundup appeared first on Billy Penn at WHYY.
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