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Refurbished Philadelphia house mines cryptocurrency for you

At one West Philly home that just went on the market, renovations included a unique addition: a device that mines cryptocurrency.

  • The Helium hotspot is meant to generate passive income for the new homeowner. The device is less energy intensive than Bitcoin mining, and sits in a tiny corner of a closet.

There aren’t any offers on the house yet, Beatrice Forman reports, but the realtor is hoping it’ll sell to someone from the neighborhood.

Women power West Philly’s thriving Ethiopian and Eritrean scene

Since the early 1980s, Baltimore Avenue in West Philadelphia has been a center for Ethiopian and Eritrean businesses — with many run by women.

  • The people behind these cafes, restaurants, and markets take inspiration from each other and their heritage, blending traditional dishes and coffee ceremonies into modern Philly life.

“There is a misconception of foreign women being behind the scenes,” one proprietor told Carrie Hagen, who weaves together their story for Billy Penn.

RECAP: What else happened?

$ = paywalled 

  • Philadelphia health officials acknowledged vax rates posted to its website recently were incorrect. The number of people getting the jab was accurate but the dashboard showed an inflated percentage, especially for children 5 to 11 years old. Instead of being over 50%, their first dose vax rate is more like 34%. [Inquirer$/phila.gov]
  • Some of the community groups awarded grants from Philly’s much-touted $22 million anti-violence program say they haven’t yet gotten the money, and have been forced to use their own funds instead. [Billy Penn/WHYY]
  • SEPTA says it doesn’t expect Regional Rail ridership to hit pre-pandemic levels anytime soon, but the transit agency is promising it won’t cut any rail lines. [Billy Penn/Chestnut Hill Local]
  • Need help filing taxes? Ceiba — a coalition of Latino-serving community orgs — is offering free tax prep to individuals who earn less than $70,000 annually. [Kensington Voice/Ceiba]
  • “My presence on the line is often confusing for some people and sometimes, myself,” writes Billy Penn contributor Nick DeSimone about what it means to be nonbinary in a professional kitchen. [Billy Penn/Eater]
  • Nature is healing? Erin Express is back this Saturday, with free buses, no cover and a route filled with University City bars. [@whenwherewhatphilly]
  • Philly might be seeing a lot more of Carson Wentz next season, because the former Eagles QB was traded away after one season in Indianapolis to the Washington Commanders. [Yahoo]

MAYOR WATCH

Mayor Kenney joins the city’s celebration of Harriet Tubman’s 200th birthday at the (temporary) statue of the civil rights leader at City Hall (1 p.m.). He then pivots to a press conference with federal and state officials to tout Philly’s pandemic rental assistance program (2 p.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)

? The Our House Culture Center in Northwest Philly hosts “Femme Noire,” a live music and happy hour reception showcasing works by six Black women photographers. Tickets are $10-$15. (4 to 8 p.m. Friday, March 11)

?️ Ready to dance to a night of hits from the Jonas Brothers, early 2010s Justin Bieber, Taylor Swift, and One Direction (before Zayn left)? Hit up this nostalgic boat party at the Moshulu. (10 p.m. to 2 a.m. Friday, March 11)