#BILLYPENNGRAM OF THE DAY
All smiles at Spruce Street Harbor Park
(Photo by @bookczuk)
‘We are ready.’ Philly taps familiar face for World Cup security
Former Philadelphia Police Chief Charles Ramsey is leading the effort to ensure safety as thousands of soccer fans and other visitors come to the city.
Among preparations, Philly police body-worn cameras are now equipped with translation, that will help cops communicate in 50 languages. Continue reading…
Beloved Philly drag performer Martha Graham Cracker has died
Drag performer Dito van Reigersberg, better known as Martha Graham Cracker, has passed away at the age of 53. The actor suffered complications from a 2023 bone marrow transplant, which was part of his ongoing fight against cancer.
Friends and co-workers remember Van Reigersberg as “a tender-hearted friend” who was “deeply passionate about fighting for the arts and fighting for the rights of artistic communities, queer communities, marginalized communities everywhere.” Continue reading…
RECAP: What else happened?
$ = paywalled
• As a federal appeals court weighs the fate of Philly’s slavery exhibit on Independence Mall, Republican U.S. Senator David McCormick joins the now-bipartisan fight to restore the President’s House Site. [WHYY]
• Lessons learned from Ida: Philadelphia must brace for the next big storm, Penn researchers say. [WHYY]
• Attendees say Open Streets: Midtown Village should become permanent after first night. [CBS3]
• A pastor-turned-pitmaster launched a BBQ restaurant to employ the people Philadelphia’s economy leaves behind. Now he’s expanding from Northwest Philly to a second location in Mt. Airy. [Next City/Germantown Info Hub]
• Temple researchers are building AI-powered health care ‘digital twins’ for people with ALS. [WHYY]
• Opera Philadelphia’s general director and president, Anthony Roth Costanzo, is profiled in The New York Times for his “creative fundraising” and approach to outreach.
• Giant will open a grocery store in the former Acme space at Andorra Shopping Center in Roxborough, its seventh location in Philly. [PhillyVoice]
MAYOR WATCH
Mayor Parker joins author, activist and former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick for a celebration of student literacy. (10 a.m.)
Parker later attends the District 1199C health care workers swearing-in ceremony honoring newly elected union officers, Executive Board members, and delegates. (5 p.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.
- Corners to Connections, a coalition of religious, business, education, and advocacy leader, aims to curb gun violence, one corner at a time. [CBS3]
- 713 flags honor victims of city’s gun violence. [The Philadlephia Tribune]
- A new Violence Policy Center study reveals hidden gun manufacturers across Pennsylvania. [Violence Policy Center]
By the numbers in Philadelphia
- 15: Shooting victims recorded from May 24 to May 30 with 4 fatalities, according to city data. During the previous week, 21 shooting victims were recorded, including 6 fatalities. [Source: nickhand.dev]
- 58: Year-to-date homicides, down 38% vs. last year’s pace; down 74% vs. five years ago. [Philly Police]
BILLY PENN GUIDES
🛝 Kid-friendly summer guide
☕ Philly coffee guide
🚶🏽♀️ Alt Philly history walking tours guide
🎭 Philly’s comedy scene
🌱 Spring in Philly guide
🎤 Philly Record Store Guide
⚽ Billy Penn’s FIFA World Cup Guide
🛍️ Thrifty in Philly guide
📚 Book lovers’ guide to Philly
🍹 Non-alcoholic Philly
😋 Dining in Philly
🏃🏽 Philly Runners Guide
ON THE CALENDAR
🗓️ For the **FULL LIST** of this week’s events calendar, visit BillyPenn.com!
Check out the Elsewhere Art Fair (Thursday through Saturday)
+ Vegan BBQ pop-up at Meyers Brewing (Thursday)
+ A student performance telling “Stories at the Bus Stop” (Friday)
+ #LoveIsLove Pride Block Party returns (Saturday)
and more!
