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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.

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.

RECAP: What else happened?
$ = paywalled
- It’s still not clear if former PPD Deputy Commissioner Coulter stepped down voluntarily or not, but she’s off the executive team as Commissioner Outlaw makes her first big changes to police leadership. [Inquirer$]
- About 200 workers at the Philadelphia Museum of Art staged a one-day strike Friday, forming picket lines at two entrances in a push for better wages and benefits. [6ABC/PhillyVoice]
- At Germantown’s MLK High School, a Philly public school first: Black men are teaching all four first-year core subjects: math, science, history, and English. [Chalkbeat]
- A group of student activists camped out on Penn’s lawn to push for divestment from the fossil fuel industry. [WHYY’s PlanPhilly]
- Elon Musk’s ex-girlfriend from Penn sold the mementos she saved from their relationship — including one photo from South Philly’s Victor Cafe, where servers sing opera — in an auction that raised $165,265. [Inquirer$/@carolinetiger]
- Eagles rookie Jordan Davis is excited about his first season in Philly, calling the city’s fans the best “by far” in the NFL. These diehard tailgaters surely agree. [Players’ Tribune/Billy Penn]
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)
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