#BILLYPENNGRAM OF THE DAY
Abstract sunset
(Photo by @karenbenson.eyeful)
Party likes it’s 1706! How to celebrate Ben Franklin’s 320th birthday
It’s the 320th birthday of Philly’s own Founding Father, Benjamin Franklin, this Saturday. For the occasion, the city toasts its most inventive neighbor with talks, toasts, and kid-friendly science chaos. Check it out here …
Philly’s Mandy Mango takes on RuPaul’s Drag Race
Drag performer Mandy Mango has an origin story and it involves, yes, dried mango.
Mango is currently competing on the 18th season of “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” which premiered last Friday. When she’s not on the stage spreading queer joy and Filipino pride, Mango works as a nurse in Philly, specializing in HIV care. Continue reading …
RECAP: What else happened?
$ = paywalled
• Pa. Pennie enrollment drops as Congress wrestles with whether to vote to extend health insurance tax credits. Some of those enrolled are paying tripled premiums in the meantime. [Capital-Star]
• Efforts to reopen the former Greyhound bus terminal on Filbert Street are moving forward, with plans for an official opening in May. [WHYY]
• Volunteers in support of Mount Moriah Cemetery are raising money to install security cameras and repair perimeter fences after last week’s capture of an alleged grave robber who targeted the property. [PhillyVoice]
• Philadelphia’s Stenton Museum is reexamining Quaker history – and reshaping its programming around a fuller, more honest history. [Next City]
• Temple assistant coach Bill Courtney died suddenly after three decades of shaping college basketball. [WHYY]
• That cheer you heard from Eagles fans yesterday? The team is moving on from OC Kevin Patullo after one lackluster season with him calling plays. Who might replace him? [AP/CBS3]
MAYOR WATCH
Mayor Parker and the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society will unveil the first look at the Philadelphia Flower Show, at the historic Union Trust Building, 717 Chestnut St. (10 a.m.)
Weekly brief on gun violence prevention (with PCGVR)
We publish this report each week in partnership with the Philadelphia Center for Gun Violence Reporting.
- The Mapping Philadelphia’s Gun Violence Crisis interactive online tool has returned to the Philadelphia City Controller site. [controller.phila.gov]
- Philly officials condemned the shooting death of a woman by ICE in Minneapolis, and DA Krasner vowed to prosecute any federal agents who commit crimes in the city. [Billy Penn]
- The next Souls Shot exhibition opens Friday in Chestnut Hill. [Souls Shot Portrait Project]
By the numbers in Philadelphia
- 8: Shooting victims recorded from Jan. 4 to 10, with zero fatalities, according to city data. During the previous week, 16 shooting victims were recorded, including 6 fatalities. [Source: nickhand.dev]
- 5: Year-to-date homicides, down 29% vs. last year’s pace; down 67% vs. five years ago. [Philly Police]
ON THE CALENDAR
✊🏾 MLK Jr Weekend at the African American Museum of Philly
🏃🏽 Philly Runners Guide
Wednesday, Jan. 14: Philadelphia: An Early American Dance City
Explore why the dance capital in the young U.S. was Philadelphia, full of social and theatrical dance. In-person and virtual. $11.19 tickets. (6:30 to 7:30 p.m.)
Wednesday, Jan. 14: Quiara Alegría Hudes & Ray Beauchamp author event
Tony- and Pulitzer-winning Alegria Hudes and criminal defense attorney Beauchamp speak at the latest Free Library author event. (7 to 8 p.m.)
Thursday, Jan. 15: Winter Workshop: Fire Cider Make-and-Take
Learn how to make “Fire Cider”, a wintertime immune-supporting herbal tonic. $17.85 tickets two-for-one. (5:30 to 6:30 p.m.)
Thursday, Jan. 15: Urbanist PowerPoint Party!
Join 5th Square Advocacy hosts this community discussion group about a range of topics, from Philly’s Intercity Bus saga, Transit funding, the Roosevelt Blvd subway, Bike parking, and more. $10 suggested donation towards hoagies, beer and seltzer. At Resurrection Church in Center City.(6 to 8 p.m.)
Thursday, Jan. 15: Jokes for Justice: A Standup Comedy Benefit for Gender Justice
A standup comedy benefit featuring women and queer comedians. Funds benefit Bread and Roses’ Gender Justice Organizing Fund. Age 18+. BYO but no red wine. Non-alcoholic drinks and snacks available $25 tickets. (6:30 p.m. doors open)
Friday, Jan. 16: Lunch with Ducks
Join BirdPhilly for the return of Lunch with Ducks at the Philadelphia Navy Yard. Meet at 13th and Admiral Peary Way. BYO binoculars and lunch. Do NOT feed the wildlife. (12 to 1 p.m.)
Friday through Sunday, Jan. 16, 17 and 18: Philadelphia Pen Show
Explore fountain pens, inks, paper, and writing accessories from top dealers and makers, plus nib tuning, repairs, and workshops—all open to the public. At the downtown Sheraton. $25 Friday, $20 weekend days. Cash only. (10 a.m. start each day; Until 5 p.m. Fri & Sat, and 2 p.m. on Sunday)
Saturday, Jan. 17: Shut Up & Write @ Harriett’s Bookshop
Write together, in a shared communal space, but in focused silence—so we finally get to The End of our current works in progress. $17.85 tickets. (10 a.m. to 12 p.m.)
Saturday, Jan. 17: Isaac Tin Wei Lin in conversation with Andrew Jeffrey Wright
Mark the closing of “Isaac Tin Wei Lin: Intertwined Infinities” at Fleisher Ollman in Spring Garden. Free. (2 p.m.)
Sunday, Jan. 18: Profs & Pints Philadelphia: Fake News and “War of the Worlds”
Take a look at an infamous Orson Welles broadcast as an early lesson on mass media’s dangers. It was October 30, 1938 when 6-12 million people listened to a theatrical reading of Welles’ novel about New Jersey being invaded by Martians — but many didn’t realize it was fiction. How does fake news work today and how can we detect lies before they cause irreparable harm? $14.77 advance tickets; $17 at the door. (4:30 p.m.)
Sunday, Jan. 18: Moon Alignment Series: New Moon
At Calder Gardens: This rhythmic alignment of full light and shadow marks an opportunity to contemplate motion and stillness in relationship with our closest celestial neighbors. Each session in the Moon Alignment Series opens with a brief discussion, followed by a walking meditation, a silent meditation, and closing reflections. $15 tickets. (5 to 6:30 p.m.)
The post Ben Franklin’s birthday; Meet Mandy Mango; Weekly gun violence brief | Morning Roundup appeared first on Billy Penn at WHYY.
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