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Who’s funding the Cobbs Creek Golf Course?
After a positive start, public opinion soured on the revitalization of Cobbs Creek Golf Course when hundreds of trees were cut down.
- The West Conshohocken-based foundation behind the revamp pays just $1 to lease the public land. It says a donation to Councilmember Jones (prohibited for a nonprofit, Grid reports) was a “mistake.”
Per the lease, WHYY’s PlanPhilly reports, the city can inspect the foundation’s records and sources of revenue, but anonymous donors can stay secret.
Real talk: Cooper Sharp is Philadelphia’s true cheese
As an out-of-towner to name a signature Philly cheese and you might get “Cheez Whiz” or “cream cheese.” But there’s a better contender.
- Cooper Sharp has called Philadelphia home since 1918. Made like other “American” cheese, it has a stronger flavor, but retains the superior melting qualities.
Local chefs consider it the top pick for cheesesteaks, grilled cheese, breakfast sandwiches and more, Adam Horvath reports for Billy Penn.
RECAP: What else happened?
$ = paywalled
- Pa. is seeing its highest gasoline prices in 14 years amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The average price in the Philly region is around $4.22 per gallon, per AAA. [AP]
- Gov. Wolf asked lawmakers to allocate $2 million to the state’s refugee resettlement office to help Ukrainians fleeing their country resettle in Pennsylvania. [Metro]
- The U.S. Supreme Court has declined to review the Pa. Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Bill Cosby’s sexual assault conviction, leaving him a free man. [AP/WHYY]
- Pennsylvania affordable child care program enrollments dropped from 114,000 two years ago to less than 89,000 this year, and no one is sure why. [Spotlight PA]
- Hotels kept opening during the pandemic, and this year there are as many “citywide events” planned as in 2019, per the Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau — though each is booking about half as many rooms. [Billy Penn/Inquirer$]
- The former site of Jimmy G’s Steaks, which closed with no warning last summer, is slated to be redeveloped into an apartment building, adding to the furious pace of development at Broad and Ridge. [Billy Penn/Wooder Ice]
- Temple students launched the Umoja Community Fridge in the North Philly Peace Park. They’re looking for volunteers to help keep it stocked; sign-up link here. [Temple News/Linktree]
- In honor of International Women’s Day, a short history of Hannah Callowhill Penn, Pa.’s first and only woman leader. [Billy Penn]
MAYOR WATCH
The annual Police Athletic League at City Hall day is virtual again this year, so Mayor Kenney and City Rep. Sheila Hess join the kids and officers in the program for an online meet and greet (10 a.m.).
ON THE CALENDAR
? Billy Penn event: Join us for pub trivia about the city you love. Our monthly Philly Quizzo night is back at Jose Pistola’s in Center City. Free RSVP, happy hour specials, and prizes for the top score. See you there. (6:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 23)
? Pair Girl Scout cookies with booze at Sonny’s Cocktail Joint on South Street West, with a pay-as-you-go menu of drinks and sweets. (Friday to Sunday, March 11-13)
? Learn how to make your own syrup at the Cobbs Creek Maple Sugaring Festival, with tree tapping tours, sap boiling lessons, candy making and pancake tasting. (11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, March 12)
