#BILLYPENNGRAM OF THE DAY
Take a gander at these geese and that sunset
(Photo by @photolope)
Move over Rocky: ‘Smokin’’ Joe Frazier finally gets his due
A bronze statue honoring the real Philly legend now sits at the base of the Art Museum steps, where the statue honoring the film character Rocky has stood for two decades.
“We will forever remember that the city got right what it had gotten wrong for a long, long time,” Mayor Parker said during the unveiling ceremony Monday. Continue reading…
Croatia crashed their wedding party, and they were thrilled
Ashton and Zach Smith just wanted the quintessential photos outside City Hall. Now the newlyweds are one of the viral fan moments of soccer’s biggest celebration.
“It’s so funny because I think a lot of the headlines are ‘Croatia crashes wedding party pictures.’ And I’m like, ‘Actually, we kind of crashed their parade.’ They were there first.” Ashton said. Continue reading…
RECAP: What else happened?
$ = paywalled
• Supreme Court rules states can count late-arriving mailed ballots, rejecting a Trump-led challenge. However, the U.S. Postal Service says they will not deliver mail ballots in states that don’t share voter lists with the Trump admin. [AP/ABC]
• Under Trump, immigration arrests surge in Pennsylvania, Delaware and New Jersey. [WHYY]
• Dangerous heat and a few thunderstorms are possible on the Fourth of July around Philadelphia. [WHYY]
• Alexander Hamilton’s historic First Bank reopens as Philly museum in time for semiquincentennial. The 229-year-old classical building on 3rd Street has been closed to the public for decades. [WHYY]
• Pa. lawmakers push to ease housing costs by making accessory dwellings easier for homeowners to build. [WHYY’s PlanPhilly]
• ‘Rewilding Philadelphia’ greening project brings a pocket forest to Kensington. [WHYY]
MAYOR WATCH
Mayor Parker and city leaders attend the groundbreaking ceremony for the Turn the Key Affordable Homeownership Initiative in West Philly. (2 p.m.)
Later, Parker joins residents for “Line Dancing on the Lawn with the PHirst PHAmily” in Hunting Park. (6 p.m.)
⚽ World Cup Daily Recap ⚽
Start Here:
World Cup events guide
Billy Penn’s FIFA World Cup Guide
The Latest:
- Croatia tops Ghana in Philly’s final World Cup group stage match
- Meet the Philly couple who had their wedding photos crashed by Croatian World Cup fans
- FIFA fan fest organizers reveal steps to cut down lines for free DIY World Cup charm bracelets that have become a viral hit.
- ‘ICE Out’ protest art in Philly ramps up amid World Cup spotlight
On the Ground:
- World Cup fans can take a hike — literally. Soccer enthusiasts in Philly can access Lemon Hill fan fest and other sites via trails.
- A heat wave may be the most obvious health threat. But infectious diseases can spread in a crowd, and experts are set to scrutinize wastewater, hospital visits, even social media for any signs that an outbreak might be brewing.
- Nearly 50,000 volunteers help make the World Cup happen. Here’s how Philly’s crew will help out.
ON THE CALENDAR
IT IS FOURTH OF JULY WEEK!
Don’t miss a Mario Kart tournament (Tuesday),
+ a West Philly open mic poetry night (Tuesday),
+ Magic and the semiquincentennial (Weds/Thurs),
and more!
See the **FULL LIST** of this week’s events calendar at BillyPenn.com!
BILLY PENN GUIDES
🏙️ Billy Penn City Guide
🌽 CSA farmshare guide
🌈 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
