#BILLYPENNGRAM OF THE DAY
Lady Liberty in Fishtown
(Photo by @artfreddy)
Philly’s COVID-era resource hubs are closing
Philadelphia’s neighborhood resource hubs, which opened as a COVID-19 pandemic measure to increase access to free masks, test kits and hand sanitizer, will close June 17.
Some advocates say dismantling and moving these hubs could create a disruption in services for people who depend on them. Continue reading…
Does freedom taste salty? Sweet? A bit spicy? Herr’s has some options.
According to Herr’s — and 100,000 chip fans who voted in their poll — freedom, liberty and unity taste like cheese, barbeque and more cheese.
The America 250-focused version of the Flavored by Philly competition will see Freedom Loaded Cheese Fries, Liberty Hickory Barbeque, and United Jalapeño Cream Cheese flavored chips hit store shelves this summer. Continue reading…
RECAP: What else happened?
$ = paywalled
• Police response to Gayborhood Pride festival drew criticism — and an emergency rally the next day — from some residents and revelers amid videos of officers with batons, on horseback and masked engaging with crowds and arresting 15 people. [Inq$$/NBC10]
• PennDOT launched a website offering travel tips to getting to World Cup matches, MLB All-Star Game and America 250 celebrations. It includes accidents and lane closures, real-time traffic camera streams and SEPTA updates. [PhillyVoice]
• The first pre-World Cup warm up game in the Philly region came last night in a friendly between the Ivory Coast and the Union II. [Billy Penn]
• ‘Pepperpot’ in Philly’s ‘What Now: 2026’ festival celebrates the Black women who made the liberating soup. [WHYY]
• A perfect afternoon in West Philly’s Garden Court: Canopies, curiosities and creativity. [WHYY]
• After 50 years as an interview host, Terry Gross of “Fresh Air” fielded questions from Philadelphia Orchestra conductor Yannick Nézet-Séguin about opera, life choices and smoking. [WHYY]
MAYOR WATCH
Mayor Parker joins officials at the opening of a new Joint Public Safety Hub in Center City at Jefferson Center (1101 Market Street), intended to help coordination between Jefferson, Philadelphia Police and SEPTA Transit Police. (10:30 a.m.)
Parker later attends a fundraising reception honoring Jeff Brown and benefitting Masjidullah Early Child Care Academy (MECCA), which provides Montessori-based early childhood education and family support services for vulnerable children in Philadelphia, including those with developmental and specialized needs. (5 p.m.)
Parker also will attend the Community College of Philadelphia 60th Anniversary Scholarship Celebration, where a Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented to Patti LaBelle. (6 p.m.)
ON THE CALENDAR
June 8 to 14 is chock full of events across Philly!
There is a week-long series of Odunde events ahead of Saturday’s big Odunde Festival,
+ two discussions about the Declaration of Independence, freedom, slavery and more (Tonight),
+ an interactive art project with the Philly Goat Project (Wednesday),
and more!
See the **FULL LIST** of this week’s events calendar at BillyPenn.com!
BILLY PENN GUIDES
🌈 Pride Month events guide
🥳 World Cup events guide
🛝 Kid-friendly summer guide
☕ Philly coffee guide
🚶🏽♀️ Alt Philly history walking tours guide
🌱 Spring in Philly guide
🎭 Philly’s comedy scene
🎤 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
