This was a week in which Philadelphians got many of the things they wanted: A state lawmaker has crafted legislation to make UberX legal here. And online voter registration is happening. Way to get with the times, PA.
Of course, we also had to deal with that damn “Great Controversy” book in our mailbox. So you can’t win ’em all! Billy Penn recaps these stories and more from this week and combines them with music as part of the #BillyPennPlaylist.
“The King of Wishful Thinking,” Go West
Maybe just maybe UberX could become legal in Philadelphia. A state senator from Western PA announced new legislation that would provide real framework for the ride-sharing service. The PPA’s horse sting days could be coming to an end.
“Rescue Me,” Fontella Bass
City Council wanted to push for stricter regulation of food trucks at Drexel. Then people got together to protest via social media and as of Thursday evening, with an announcement by councilwoman Jannie Blackwell saying she wouldn’t take any action, the food truck culture appears to be on solid ground.
“You Oughta Know,” Alanis Morrisette
The belief that AirBNB fares for the pope weekend would pay for a month’s worth of rent or a mortgage is not panning out. It’s looking as though people will be lucky to charge $200 a night. And that wasn’t sitting well with some jilted Philadelphia AirBNB hosts.
“Naked As We Came,” Iron & Wine
The annual Naked Bike Ride happens Saturday. However you feel about witnessing people wearing nothing on bicycles (and possibly that Indego you’ll be using next week), this is why it’s legal.
“Hey Mickey,” Toni Basil
The latest installment of City Hall pope prep featured the World Meeting of Families’ Donna Farrell going high school pep rally style to excite people for Pope Francis’ visit. And she tried to change the name of the traffic box to the Francis Festival.
“21st Century,” Red Hot Chili Peppers
Pennsylvania has become the 23rd state in the U.S. to allow online voter registration. Now if only people started voting.
“Trash Day,” Weird Al Yankovic
About 700,000 people received a free book in the mail the last few days. It is a book about the apocalypse and is from the leading Seventh Day Adventist publisher. Had Philadelphians ever collectively looked forward to trash day as much as this week? Probably not.
“Double Vision,” Foreigner
Kathleen Kane used the old twin trick to fake out the media during her court appearance Monday. Ellen Granahan Goffer, the twin, entered ahead of Kane and her legal team, while Kane was apparently at a different entrance and came in after Granahan Goffer. How’d Granahan Goffer get to miss work on a Monday for such a stunt? Well, she pretty much works for her sister.
