#BILLYPENNGRAM OF THE DAY
Plein air portrait in Fairmount Park
(Photo by @city_of_architectural_love)
In West Mt. Airy, residents wrestle with whether to pursue historic designation
Homeowners in the Pelham section of West Mt. Airy are passionate about their neighborhood. They love its tight-knit feel, its history of deliberate and thoughtful racial integration, and its distinctive collection of grand, turn-of-the-century homes designed by renowned architects.
But they are split on whether to seek official historic designation for the neighborhood. Continue reading …
What can older adults do to overcome isolation during winter?
Winter is a difficult time for older adults in Philly and elsewhere, as the cold and short days limit social connection. That’s dangerous to physical health, and can increase the likelihood of developing dementia up to 50%. What can you do? Billy Penn spoke to experts and has these recommendations. Continue reading …
RECAP: What else happened?
$ = paywalled
• Road salt remains in Pa., N.J. and Del. waterways months after winter storms, new data shows. [WHYY]
• In the wake of a Trump administration executive order striking state-level AI regulations, Pennsylvania will continue to prosecute its laws related to artificial intelligence, said state Attorney General Dave Sunday.
• Philadelphia’s water department wants to know whether your pipes are lead-free. [WHYY]
• The former UArts community comes together for holiday reunion: “It is a reminder of what we lost.” [CBS3]
• Fans wrapped around the block for the last days of Philly’s Wanamaker Light Show, with more than 73,000 visiting in the first three weeks of the possibly final Christmas light show season. [WHYY]
• Roberta Fallon, artist, writer, and Artblog cofounder, has died at 76. [Inq$]
MAYOR WATCH
The mayor has no public events scheduled for Wednesday.
Weekly brief on gun violence prevention (with PCGVR)
We publish this report each week in partnership with the Philadelphia Center for Gun Violence Reporting.
- Beautified blocks build community and safety in Philly. [New York Times$]
- Could Philly’s $2 billion bet on housing help reduce gun violence? [The Trace]
- Hospital-based anti-violence programs get $3 million in state funding [Inquirer$]
- New Report: Most of PA crime guns were bought at a small number of licensed firearm dealers .[CeaseFirePA]
By the numbers in Philadelphia
- 13: Shooting victims recorded from Dec. 7 to 13, including 4 fatalities, according to city data. During the previous week, 15 shooting victims were recorded, including 3 fatalities. [Source: nickhand.dev]
- 209: Year-to-date homicides, down 17% vs. last year’s pace; down 56% vs. five years ago. [Philly Police]
ON THE CALENDAR
🎄 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 Thursday, Dec. 18: Congee Kitchen + Sisterly Love Holiday Pop-Up
The final week of hot bowls of congee and locally made goods from Philly makers — cookies, jam, onesies, pickles, totes, tea and more! — with congee proceeds going to support SEAMACC’s food bank! At the old High Street Bakery at 101 S. 9th Street. (Congee from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Pop-up from 12 to 4 p.m.)
Wednesday, Dec. 17: Opera on Tap Philly Presents: The Longest Night
Opera on Tap’s annual winter solstice concert, this year at A Novel Idea bookstore in South Philly. No carols here — they will be singing about all things night, darkness, and winter with this solstice celebration. Space is limited to 16 seats! Tickets are $17.85 standing; $35 sitting. (7 to 9 p.m.)
Thursday, Dec. 18: Profs & Pints Philadelphia: What Awaits the Naughty
An adult’s guide to supernatural beings around the world who keep kids in line and Christmas weird, with Linda Lee, lecturer in folklore and fairy tales at UPenn. Featuring: Europe’s goat-like, devilish Krampus to Iceland’s Yule trolls and monstrous Yule Cat, Jólakötturinn, plus the Italian witch La Befana and the Pennsylvania-famous Belsnickel, a sketchy-looking import from southwest Germany. $14.77 advance tickets; $17 at the door. (6:30 p.m.)
Thursday, Dec. 18: Lady Laughs Philly and Rebekah Rickards Present… What That Mouth Do?
“Who’s naughty? Who’s nice? Who has the jingle balls to stuff your stocking right? Only ONE will leave with the crown. You decide!” Lady Laughs Philly and Rebekah Rickards join forces to bring you an all-woman-and-queer lineup of comedians. $17.85 tickets. (6 p.m. happy hour; 7 p.m. show)
Friday, Dec. 19: Winter Solstice at the Woodlands
Observe the shortest days of the year with a gathering in front of the Hamilton Mansion. Enjoy music and fire pits. Binoculars will be available for use if you’d like to explore the 54 acres of the site for birds. Free. (3 to 4:30 p.m.)
Friday, Dec. 19: Block Printed Wrapping Paper and Gift Tags
A series of festive workshops on creating sustainable and truly original wrapping paper and gift tags for all your holiday gifts. Block print with festive colors, choosing from a wide array of vintage and contemporary Indian wood blocks. At the Fabric Workshop on Arch Street. $25 tickets. (4 to 6 p.m.)
Saturday, Dec. 20: Winter Solstice celebration
Enjoy crafts, stories and hot chocolate at the Schuylkill Center to mark the start of winter! Crafts include tree cookie ornaments, naturally dyed candles, fireside snacks, and more. Chief Barbara “Bluejay” Michalski of the Lenape Nation of Pennsylvania will also share Lenape stories of the importance of wintertime by the fire. Tickets: $30, with 20% off for parties of 4 or more. Ages 3 and under are free with an adult ticket. (12 to 2 p.m.)
Saturday, Dec. 20: Holiday Family Fun Day
Evil Genius Beer Co. hosts this afternoon of shopping, snowman puppets, coloring books, Santa photo-ops, and more, set to a soundtrack of your favorite holiday movies on the TV and songs on the speakers. Plus, holiday-themed drinks! (12 to 5 p.m.)
Saturday, Dec. 20: Holiday Art Market at Phila. Brewing
The South Philly Handmade Brigade returns, this time heading to Philadelphia Brewing Co. for brews and last minute gifts. (12 to 6 p.m.)
Saturday, Dec. 20: JOY: A Christmas Concert
Join The Marian Anderson Museum to ring in the spirit of the holiday season at Settlement Music School (416 Queen Street). Performers include the Marian Anderson Scholar Artists, the MAHS Instrumental Ensemble and the MAHS Choral Ensemble. $35 tickets. (6 p.m.)
Saturday-Sunday, Dec. 20-21: Holiday Procrastinator Market
Gifts, festive vibes and free gift wrapping. Plus, collectible mini prints from Fabiola Lara’s art vending machine for $1 each (4 quarters). At the Independence Visitor Center in Old City. (11 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day)
Sunday, Dec. 21: A Merry Laurel Hill Christmas
What do Christmas and cemeteries have in common? As the secular aspects of the holiday evolved over the decades of the 19th century, those who contributed to that evolution have found their final resting place at Laurel Hill East. This tour will explore those individuals connected to events and incidents that have indelibly arisen from the holiday. $8.50 to $17 tickets. (1 to 3 p.m.)
The post “Historic” wrestling matches; Seniors and winter; Weekly gun violence brief | Morning Roundup appeared first on Billy Penn at WHYY.
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