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RECAP: Looking back on the week that was
• New coalition to combat Philly violence
There’s no shortage of orgs working to calm Philly gun violence, which has been increasing since 2015, and last week injured a PPA officer, a city sanitation worker, and dozens of other victims. But a broad new group hopes to make a difference by coordinating efforts and focusing on near-term solutions. In the works for about a year and led by the Philadelphia Foundation with William Penn and the UAC, the new Civic Coalition to Save Lives will start with a tactic that worked in Oakland: pinpointing high-risk individuals and mounting direct interventions. [PCGVR/Al Dia/WHYY/Save Lives Philly]
• Buses from Texas keep on coming
So far, about four buses full of individuals and families seeking asylum have been sent from Texas to Philadelphia, totaling approximately 150 people, per city officials, who are collecting donations to help. Placed on the bus by Texas officials with little coordination or explanation, they were unprepared for winter, wearing little more than t-shirts. Local advocates say many have been traveling for two months, and several plan to resettle in NY or NJ. [Phila Gov/Welcoming Fund/NBC10]
• Floating gallery for the Delaware
It won’t actually come into existence for a few years, but last week brought the reveal of a cool new project from Philadelphia Contemporary: a floating art gallery. Using a design by Atkin Olshin Schade Architects, plans call for it to dock on the Delaware River next to the Cherry Street Pier, and potentially travel up and down the East Coast to show off exhibits. [@RisingRealEst/AOS Architects/Inquirer$]
• A Jim Gardner Thanksgiving
The nation’s oldest Thanksgiving Day Parade brought old-fashioned cheer to the streets of Philadelphia, with talented high school bands escorting frumpy floats and kitschy balloons. It’s 6ABC’s last parade broadcast before the retirement of Action News anchor Jim Gardner, and tributes abounded: A big group of spectators dressed up as the venerable newscaster, and “Abbott Elementary” star Quinta Brunson stopped by on air to express her devotion. [BP x 2/@Jim_Gardner/6ABC]
VISION: Looking forward to the week ahead
• Senate to meet for impeachment planning
Before their current session ends and control of the Pa. Legislature is split between Democrats and Republicans, leaders in Harrisburg are rushing to move forward Larry Krasner’s impeachment. Already formalized by the Pa. House, the Pa. Senate plans to convene on Tuesday and Wednesday specifically to review the case against the Philly DA, with a trial slated to begin Jan. 18. [BP x 2/Senate GOP/Capital-Star]
• Will Helen Gym make her move?
With last week’s entry of former judge Jimmy DeLeon, the Philly mayor’s race already has seven Democratic contenders, but political observers expect a potential game-changer to announce this week. Councilmember Helen Gym, who gave what amounted to a farewell speech at Council’s pre-Thanksgiving session, has been eyed as a front-runner for years, ever since she garnered more votes than anyone else in the 2019 municipal elections. [Billy Penn/Inquirer$/BP 2019]
• UC Townhomes residents find new homes
Since protests began last summer over the pending sale of UC Townhomes, a West Philly apartment complex that had provided federally subsidized housing for decades, the move-out deadline has been pushed back multiple times. Word is landlords plan to extend it until all residents have found a new place to live — and some of them have. Look for these stories on Billy Penn and WHYY this week. [BP/34th Street/BP]
• The last Philly Pops Christmas
With the Philly Pops set to cease operations next June, there’s extra reason to hit up the annual Christmas show from the country’s largest standalone orchestra dedicated to American popular music. It runs Dec. 3-17 at Verizon Hall, and tickets start at $35. [6ABC/Philly Pops]
