#BILLYPENNGRAM OF THE DAY
Bridge into the weekend
(Photo by @burtonlens)
With shutdown over, Liberty Bell reopens, but Independence Hall won’t for a while
The longest government shutdown ever ended this week, and the wheels of federal governance began to spin again. The Liberty Bell pavilion is open again. But Independence Hall isn’t, air travel remains a mess, and people — from SNAP recipients to air traffic controllers and TSA workers, await checks. Continue reading …
Let there by light! Seasonal tree-lighting ceremonies start tonight
Neighborhoods around Philadelphia are getting ready with various Christmas tree-lighting ceremonies and holiday light shows. From City Hall’s giant Christmas tree to the Wanamaker Light Show, we’ve put together a list of Philly festive events to help launch all the winter fun. It starts tonight, actually. Continue reading …
RECAP: What else happened?
$ = paywalled
• Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman was hospitalized after a fall caused by an apparent heart issue. [WHYY]
• City Council approved a resolution recognizing abortion rights as human rights, with supporters criticizing the city’s decision not to provide funding to reproductive health care and potential clinic closures. [WHYY]
• At some Philly doctors’ offices, artificial intelligence (AI) is listening in the exam room, including note-taking tools gaining traction at health systems across the country. [Inq$]
• Plastic bags are already banned in Philadelphia. Soon, paper bags will also come with a 10-cent fee. [WHYY]
• A permanent, immersive art experience dubbed the “Ministry of Awe” will open inside a historic 19th-century bank building in Old City on March 14, 2026. [WHYY]
• “Relationships beyond clothes”: The Wardrobe celebrates 30 years of community and clothing. (BP)
• James Garfield, the focus of a new Netflix show, didn’t want to be president. But a Philly man’s ploy put him on the ballot. [PhillyVoice]
• Starbucks workers in Philadelphia joined a 65-store U.S. strike on the company’s busy Red Cup Day. [AP]
MAYOR WATCH
Mayor Parker will join the Department of Sanitation to celebrate the opening of the city-owned facility used to transfer solid waste and recycling, at 300 Domino Lane. (4 p.m.)
ON THE CALENDAR
💬 Billy Penn Town Hall on opioid addiction (Weds., 11/19 @ 5:30 p.m.)
🎄 Holiday lightings around Philly
🏃🏽 Philly Runners Guide
🎞️ Ongoing: The Declaration’s Journey — Available on the WHYY YouTube Channel. New episodes will appear every two weeks.
Through Sunday, Nov. 16: Love Your Park weekend
The annual citywide volunteer event that helps clean up our parks after a busy summer season and prepare these public green spaces for winter. This fall, Gorgas Park in northwest Philadelphia is the signature site, joining over 100 other neighborhood parks across the city.
Saturday to Sunday, Nov. 15-16: Philly Camera Show
30 free workshops led by industry professionals cover everything from studio lighting and storytelling to gimbal mastery and high-speed sync. Plus live models, drone demos, exclusive services, and a photo contest. Free to RSVP. (10 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
Saturday to Sunday, Nov. 15-16: 2nd Annual Tacony LAB 24 Hour Knitathon!
Set your watch, knit a swatch, enjoy demos, contests (judged at Hour 22) and giveaways at this 24-hour fiber fest from noon to noon Saturday to Sunday. The focus is on knitting and crocheting, along with spinning and weaving demos, and round the clock hands-on knit and crochet help. Open to fiber artists of all levels and backgrounds. (12 p.m.)
Saturday, Nov. 15: Basketball on Broad: Autumn Invitational
Hosted at Xfinity Mobile Arena. $28 to $316 tickets. (1 p.m.)
Saturday, Nov. 15: Pocket of Paradise Neighborhood Tour
Tour the history of the area, as well as the more recent past as it has been experienced firsthand by neighborhood residents. At Laurel Hill East. $0-17 tickets. (1 to 3 p.m.)
Saturday, Nov. 15: The Philly Pops Jazz Combo w/ vocalist Paula Johns in West Philly
“Who Did it First?” A musical journey of African American singers who paved the way. You’ll hear songs and stories about Nat King Cole, Ella Fitzgerald, Aretha Franklin and more. $7-13 tickets. (2 p.m.)
Saturday, Nov. 15: PLAYFEST 2025: Great Game Day,
A free, interactive event at Cherry Street Pier, hosted by PopUpPlay. From giant board games and craft-your-own game pieces to robot-building and puppet shows, this festival is packed with playful experiences for kids (and kids at heart). RSVP for free. (2 to 4 p.m.)
Saturday, Nov. 15: Philatino Music & Culture Fest
This inaugural festival features Bilingual Yoga, Son Revoltura, La Plena Del Puente, Alba Musik, Tanicha Lopez Meets Philly and more. At Black Squirrel Club in Fishtown. $25 tickets. (3 p.m. to late)
Saturday, Nov. 15: City to City: A Youth Choir Celebration
Experience the power and beauty of the acclaimed Brooklyn Youth Chorus, Philadelphia Boys Choir and Chorale, Philadelphia Girls Choir, and Commonwealth Youth Choir, as they fill the historic Grand Court of the Wanamaker Building. Standby line only. (7 p.m.)
Saturday, Nov. 15: Nutmeg Presents – Funksgiving!
Come out to support a great space and great musicians Pocket Flowers, Harvest Groove, Wadess and Soul Hatch. Non-alcoholic beverages available. $15-25 sliding scale tickets. (7 to 9:30 p.m.)
Sunday, Nov. 16: The Philly Tweed Ride
Starts at the Rocky statue at the Art Museum. BYO bike while wearing tweeds for this 10-mile casual ride that features several photo stops before wrapping up at an after-party where accolades are handed out for things like best dressed, best bicycle and even best picnic. Minors are welcome only if accompanied by a parent or guardian. (10 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
Sunday, Nov. 16: American Color Print Society exhibit artist talks
The fall exhibition will include work in all the traditional and non-traditional print techniques. In addition to work by 52 ACPS members, they are welcoming work by 31 artists. At the Plastic Club. Free. (1 to 5 p.m.)
Sunday, Nov. 16: Profs & Pints Philadelphia: Tolkien’s Fight Against Futurism
A look at a beloved fantasy author as fundamentally engaged in a battle to preserve beauty, with Graham McAleer, professor of philosophy at Loyola University (Md.) and teacher of a course on the morals and politics of Lord of the Rings. At Black Squirrel Club. $14.77 tickets. (4 to 6:30 p.m.)
Sunday, Nov. 16: Light Up The Market Tour & Food Tasting
Experience the magic of 9th Street after dark—where art, food, and community come alive. Enjoy the lights, sample food, and hear vendor stories. Sign up here. (6 p.m.)
Through Nov. 16: Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival
PAAFF returns for its 18th year of screenings and yearround workshops, panels and more. Various prices and locations.
Through Sunday, Nov. 23: Philadelphia Jewish Film + Media Festival
25+ films, documentaries, shorts and digital media focused on Jewish-themed storytelling. Plus, live events, networking parties, digital installations and a “Digital Chutzpah” mini-fest, focused on innovation. The festival is also available virtually.
The post National parks reopen; Fetterman hospitalized; Wardrobe at 30 | Morning Roundup appeared first on Billy Penn at WHYY.
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