Eviction prevention program gets Council nod for permanence
Philly’s temporary, pandemic-inspired Eviction Diversion Program is slated to sunset at the end of June. Housing advocates say it should be made permanent, and now they have the support of City Council’s Committee on Housing, Neighborhood Development, and the Homeless.
The program — now considered a national model — requires landlords to try to resolve disputes with tenants outside of court. Since 2020, more than 7,000 landlord-tenant pairs have participated in mediation — with around 70% of them reaching an agreement. Aaron Moselle from WHYY’s PlanPhilly explains the program and its impact amid an affordable housing crisis. Continue reading…
Retro arcade joins Queen & Rook’s new South Philly gaming café
Inside what was once a pizzeria on South Street now stands three floors of gaming fun, featuring more than 2,000 board games, 30-plus retro arcade cabinets, two bars and dining service.
BP’s Nick Kariuki explored the new Queen & Rook Game Café — literally a stone’s throw from its previous spot — and found a setting founder and co-owner Edward Garcia hopes will overwhelm visitors of all ages with an unimaginable variety of options. Continue reading…
RECAP: What else happened?
$ = paywalled
• Pro-Palestinian protesters at Drexel leave encampment as police arrive. [6ABC/WHYY]
• Pa. LGBTQ+ advocates are wary of a new advocacy group called Fairness Pennsylvania, led by West Virginia activists described as lacking transparency. [PGN]
• State Rep. Kevin Boyle returned to Harrisburg after he lost his primary race for re-election and an arrest warrant was withdrawn over violating a restraining order. [PhillyVoice]
• Starting June 3, parents and caregivers will be able to use one simplified application portal to sign up for the city’s free public preschool programs. [Chalkbeat]
• Philly’s Wilma Theater won a Tony Award for Best Regional Theater. [WHYY]
• The Wells Fargo Center is one of one of the top 10 sports venues in the U.S., according to Front Office Sports Awards, which cited its “cutting-edge in-venue technology,” food options, and more. [Crossing Broad/Front Office Sports]
MAYOR WATCH
Mayor Parker speaks at the inaugural Rise & Shine legislative brunch with city and state hospitality groups. (10 a.m.)
ON THE CALENDAR
🎨 Thursday, May 23: Zero Hunger Mural Art Unveiling
A mural by Branche Coverdale focused on the global issue of hunger and food insecurity will be unveiled at the Budd Innovation Center as part of World Heritage Week. It’s a joint effort between the Global Philadelphia Association, GIANT, and Philabundance. (4 to 6 p.m. at 2450 West Hunting Park Avenue)
🎸 Friday, May 24: Twilight in the Gardens
The art-after-dark fourth Friday tradition continues with a live performance from indie folk artist Kristin Daelyn inside the mosaic maze of Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens. Artist Lara Bedewi also demonstrates how to use hand-carved stamps representing Arab culture to colorfully decorate take-home bookmarks and notebooks. Tickets required: $16-25. (7-10 p.m.)
💃🏽 Friday, May 24 – Tuesday, May 28: Philadelphia Tango Festival
The 12th annual festival explores the theme of La Poesia del Abrazo (The Poetry of the Tango Embrace) with dancers, musicians, vocalists, poets / lectures, and DJs guiding you through the events. Tickets from $90 to $700.
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