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Newsletter for Oct. 8, 2014
INSTAGRAM OF THE DAY
Fall on UPenn’s campus — via Billy Penn on Instagram.
MEDICAL MARIJUANA BILL HITS WALL IN THE HOUSE
Let’s just say marijuana advocates’ hopes were high last week; the state Senate passed a bill legalizing marijuana for medical uses, and Philly became the largest city in the U.S. to decriminalize small amounts of weed. But now the state House is bringing everyone down: There’s no vote planned in that chamber on the medical marijuana measure, the Harrisburg Patriot-News reports. Why? 1. It’s an election year, and 2. It took the Senate a full year to figure out their bill. Pennsylvania state Reps are proud creatures; they’d like the same amount of time to do the mental gymnastics required to partially legalize a drug. Sigh. Maybe next year.
COOPER CEO’S DEATH: FUNERAL HELD, BUT HOW HE DIED IS STILL UNCLEAR
Hundreds turned out Tuesday in Trenton to remember Cooper Hospital CEO John Sheridan and his wife Joyce. Both were both found dead Sept. 28 after firefighters responded to a small, second-story blaze at their Montgomery home. Among the attendees at the memorial service yesterday were New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, three former governors, and political boss George Norcross, according to NJ.com. John Sheridan, 72, was remembered as a successful leader and a well-known political figure. While NJ officials say the late-September fire was set intentionally, they won’t say if that’s what killed the couple — but they have apparently told neighbors there’s nothing to fear.
VAMPIRE DUDE SCARES THE CRAP OUT OF PHILLY PEDESTRIANS
Can’t a Philly guy just get a little bit of blood? Ed Bassmaster — who has made several funny videos in the city — staked out several neighborhoods downtown, begging for plasma while looking like a vampire Blade or Buffy would have killed. (Let’s be clear: NOT a Robert Pattinson/Twilight sexy vampire.). Responses ranged from profanities to shoves to the best of all: An apology. That’s right. Somehow, the faux-vampire actually convinces folks that they scared him.
TO DO: WATCH AN NBA GAME FOR $3
WHAT: Sixers vs. Hornets
WHERE: The Wells Fargo Center, at the Sports Complex on South Broad
WHEN: 7 PM
HOW MUCH: Ticket prices start at $3.01 on StubHub. You can get good seats for like $6.
BILLY PENN LIKES
PATRIOT-NEWS: HEY LAWMAKERS, PASS EQUALITY BILLS THIS YEAR
In the wake of the Supreme Court’s decision to let pro-gay-marriage laws stand in 11 states, the Patriot-News is calling on lawmakers in Harrisburg to pass bills that ban discrimination, or expand protection from crimes based on sexual and gender identity. One expands the state’s hate-crime statute and the other bans housing, employment and other discrimination. “The Supreme Court was wise enough to step out of the way,” the P-N notes. “Pennsylvania lawmakers should follow the justices’ lead before they pack it in for the year.”
PHILLY’S ORIGINAL TWEETING COP TAKES OVER FEDNUTS’ FEED
“Terribly dressed businessmen, we appreciate your business. Thank you.” That’s not the usual message from Philly’s Federal Donuts, the hyper-popular sweets and fried chicken shop. But Tuesday, @PPDJoeMurray (formerly known on the Twitters as “The Fuzz”), took over the @FederalDonuts account, and cops and donuts have never been funnier. Other things Joe Murray should take over for a day: live-tweeting City Council hearings, answering 311 requests and handling Comcast customer service calls.
