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How Black business owners in West Philly feel about Fetterman

Business owners on 52nd Street — known as West Philly’s “Black Broadway” —  got a surprise visit last week from Senate candidate John Fetterman.

  • A mix of expectation and ambivalence followed the Democratic nominee’s “photo op,” as one store proprietor described it, with most saying they’d choose him over his Republican rival, Mehmet Oz.

Even if they hadn’t paid much attention to campaign details, “Sometimes you vote to vote against somebody,” one business owner told Jordan Levy.

Khadir Abdur-Rahim outside the African Cultural Art Forum on 52nd Street in West Philadelphia Credit: Kimberly Paynter / WHYY

Tacony Creek Park has 6 new sculptures, and they’re interactive

A new learning trail called “River Alive,” brings sculptures, benches, crosswalk murals, and a dose of watershed education to Ferko Playground.

  • Six mosaic animals form the centerpiece of the collaboration between local artists, community members, and the nonprofit that cares for the park. It took three years to develop, and neighbors are thrilled.

“When I see something like this here, I’m so proud,” one resident told Asha Prihar, who checked out the sculptures that are delighting neighborhood kids.

Richard Feliciano Velez, 7, tests the water feature of the River Alive! Learning Trail turtle sculpture at Tacony Creek Park Credit: Kimberly Paynter / WHYY

RECAP: What else happened?

$ = paywalled

MAYOR WATCH

Benjamin Rush High School in Northeast Philly was one of just 10 in the city and fewer than 300 nationwide to be recognized as a National Blue Ribbon School, and Mayor Kenney joins Superintendent Watlington there to congratulate them (9 a.m.). Back at City Hall for an announcement about another promising young person: Kenney today announces a new youth poet laureate for Philadelphia (11 a.m.).

ON THE CALENDAR

?️ BP Quizzo lands at The Sidecar Bar & Grille! Join us at the Grad Hospital tavern for our special brand of local pub trivia. Enjoy happy hour specials and win prizes. Free with RSVP. (6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 27)

? Taller PR hosts a conversation with María Hinojosa and Luis González, winners of the Pulitzer Prize for the podcast “Suave,” at the Julia de Burgos Bookstore. (5 to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 21)

? The inaugural Philly Arts & Music Festival goes down at the Navy Yard, with live music, local vendors, and plenty of food trucks. Tickets start at $35. (1 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 24)