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RECAP: A look back at the week that was
• Mayor’s race springs into action
With one election over, the next picks up speed. In addition to real estate mogul and former council member Allan Domb and grocery mogul Jeff Brown officially declaring himself for mayor of Philly, two new names emerged last week: progressive leader and council member Helen Gym, who delivered a swansong speech during what is likely to be his last session, and Rep. Amen Brown, a Democrat from Philadelphia whose recent campaign received funding from Pennsylvania’s richest man , pro-charter school billionaire Jeff Yass. [BP x 2/Inquirer$ x 2/BP 2021]
• Philadelphia welcomes bus travelers
The Texas governor’s ongoing political stunt landed softly in Philadelphia last week, when an uncoordinated shipment of 2-3 dozen asylum seekers arrived at 30th Street Station – and were greeted by an assortment coordination of municipal and non-profit organizations. Here are some ways to help. About 3 in 20 Philadelphians are foreign-born, and immigrants have played a key role in the city’s population growth. [Billy Penn/WHYY/Citizen/Census/WHYY]
• Pennsylvania politicians hook up with Taylor Swift
Despite her influence and popularity now compared to The Beatles, Taylor Swift has never forgotten her Pennsylvania roots – and vice versa. She was born in the same hospital as Senator-elect John Fetterman (he declined to provide his favorite T-Swift song, but his campaign often referenced her social media work), and now Governor-elect Josh Shapiro is leans into the Ticketmaster snafu that has left many fans frustrated and furious. [Billy Penn/Teen Vogue/Billy Penn]
• Marathon draws 30,000 runners to town
The weekend before Thanksgiving in Philadelphia, the roads are closed to traffic and neighbors take to the sidewalks to lend fan energy to people who have decided to take a ridiculous number of steps for fun. Lizzy McLellan Ravitch is one of them, and she goes over five of the most Philly things the 30,000 runners in all 50 states will hear and see at the Philadelphia Marathon. [Phila Gov/Billy Penn]
VISION: Looking forward to the week ahead
• Can AI help stop subway shootings?
To combat the recent pattern of gun violence on subway platforms, SEPTA will pilot technology that aims to alert law enforcement within 3-5 seconds of brandishing guns. Called ZeroEyes, the artificial intelligence technology was developed at Montco, and the company says it stores no identifying information. Plans are for it to soon be installed in 300 of the transit agency’s 30,000 existing security cameras as a test. [ZeroEyes/Axios/Inquirer$/CBS3]
• Help Philly determine budget priorities
Mayor Kenney’s latest city budget won’t be formalized until the spring, but the administration is starting early to solicit feedback from residents. He called for people to participate in virtual focus groups, which will be held in five languages over the next month. If you are chosen, you will receive $40 to compensate for your time. Here’s our look at how the city’s budget changed during Kenney’s tenure. [Phila Gov/Billy Penn]
• Holiday lights, music, parties and parades
It’s the time of the year! Philadelphia is about to explode with holiday festivities. Some highlights: the light show at the Hôtel de Ville; the Morris Arboretum train display; the oldest Thanksgiving parade in the country; the Visit Philly Holiday Parade; Macy’s Dickens Village; and Christmas Village at Love Park. We will have more details on this and several other interesting options in the coming week. [All links to event organizers]
• El Chingon opens in South Philadelphia
After decades of working in some of Philadelphia’s most acclaimed kitchens, chef Carlos Aparicio brings dishes from his home state of Puebla to his first solo restaurant. El Chingon – it means “someone or something cool” – opens on Tuesday just off East Passyunk Avenue. Expect dishes like rabbit tinga, smoked seafood aguachile, ayocote bean stew, giant adobo pork chops and platters filled with stewed beef. [PhillyVoice/@jcarlosaparicio/El Chingon]
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