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City Council gets four new members to fill vacant seats
The newest members of Philadelphia City Council were sworn in at City Hall yesterday, bringing the body back up to 17 members.
- Handpicked by Democratic party leaders, the winners of November’s special election are replacing four members who stepped down to run for mayor.
They are at-large Councilmembers Sharon Vaughn and Jim Harrity, District 7 Councilmember Quetcy Lozada, and District 9 Councilmember Anthony Phillips.
A stoner’s guide to Philly murals
Dubbed the “Mural Capital of the World,” Philadelphia is home to over 4,000 works of painted public art — and they go great with a buzz.
- Murals might just be one of the best things to look at while high. You can get lost in the swirling colors, changing contrasts, and seemingly infinite amount of space for details.
BP intern Kira Wang mapped 11 of the trippiest murals you’ll find in the city, from an electric underpass to a billboard-sized kente cloth.
RECAP: What else happened?
$ = paywalled
- RIP Milton Street, a former housing activist, state senator, brother to ex-Mayor John Street, perrenial candidate for office, and uncle to Pa. Sen. Sharif Street. He was 81. [PhillyVoice/BP 2018/WHYY]
- When he leaves office at the end of the year, Philly state Rep. Brian Sims will take a position managing government affairs and policy work for NY-based consultancy Out Leadership. [Capital-Star]
- A Nicetown native is undertaking an $11 million restoration of Zion Educational Annex, with the goal of bringing programming focused on education, health, arts, technology, and employment. [WHYY’s PlanPhilly]
- Ready for a Christmas tree? There are a few nearby farms you can try, plus some local businesses that offer delivery. Tip: You can only transport it on SEPTA if it fits in your lap. [Philly Mag$BP 2018]
- The holiday gingerbread house display at the White House includes a sugar cookie Independence Hall. It fits the “We the People” theme, and First Lady Jill Biden is a self-proclaimed Philly girl. [Inquirer$/BP 2020]
It’s Giving Tuesday — or as the hashtag goes, #GivingNewsDay. We’re participating in NewsMatch, a nationwide program that will double your gift to our nonprofit newsroom. Any amount you’re able to donate — today only — will be matched dollar for dollar up to $12,500 by local NewsMatch grants. Keeping Billy Penn free depends on your donations, and now’s the time to give. Thanks so much. ❤️
MAYOR WATCH
The William Way Center is getting a big RACP grant from the state, and Mayor Kenney joins Gov. Wolf at the Gayborhood center to announce details (10 a.m.). He then speaks at the city’s second Palestinian Day of Solidarity event at MSB, which is also drawing a counter-protest from a pro-Israel coalition that decries it as anti-Jewish (12 p.m.).
ON THE CALENDAR
?? BP Quizzo is back! Join us at Padelphia on the Schuylkill River across from Manayunk. We’ll have three rounds of local trivia, drinks, snacks, prizes — and a chance to find out more about the apparently trendy racket sport called Padel. Free RSVP here. (7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 15)
?️ A discussion at the African American Museum explores what we might learn from the House of Umoja, known for a 1970s peace treaty that reduced city violence. (6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 30)
? Check out the treasures of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania at the Young Friends’ open house, where you can get exclusive access to pieces of state history for just $10. (6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 8)
