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RECAP: Looking back on the week that was
• Mayor’s race: Gym declares and Green attacks
Considered a front-runner since 2019, when she garnered more primary votes than any Council candidate in decades, Helen Gym officially launched her campaign for Philadelphia mayor. She’s the eighth Democrat to declare — and the second to spark a rebuttal from fellow mayoral hopeful Derek Green, who issued a statement decrying Gym’s “socialist agenda.” [Billy Penn x 2]
• Pa. politicos sweep through New York
The annual retreat known as Pennsylvania Society — back for its 124th year; here’s the Waldorf Astoria menu from a century ago — drew hundreds of Pa. politicians and business leaders to NYC, where they made deals and exchanged gossip. Among the jockeying: who’ll run in 2024 for state attorney general. Potential names, per the Inky, include Bill McSwain, Conor Lamb, Jared Solomon, and Keir Bradford Grey. [BP 2016/@adambonin/Patriot-News/Inquirer$]
• More efforts to keep kids safe
People under 18 make up about a tenth of the city’s shooting victims in 2022 so far, a higher number than last year. Hoping to reduce this, City Council voted to make permanent the city’s 10 p.m. curfew for minors — but teens don’t think it’ll change anything. Separately, Superintendent Watlington outlined new school safety measures, including more volunteers patrolling morning and afternoon routes, and additional mental health resources for teachers and students. [CBS3/Billy Penn/Tribune$]
• Arts institutions get a cash infusion
After a long campaign by advocates, Philadelphia’s arts and culture sector will get a $21 million infusion. The money is a small portion of City Council’s $275 million total midyear budget transfer — most is going to the pension fund — but it’s big for arts institutions crushed by the pandemic. Recipients include the African American Museum, the new Calder Gardens, the Franklin Institute, and more. [Phila Culture/WHYY/Inquirer$/PHL Council]
VISION: Looking forward to the week ahead
• Amen Brown to join mayoral field
State Rep. Amen Brown, a Democrat, is expected to announce his campaign for Philly mayor this Thursday. Financial backer Marty Burger, an NYC real estate developer, broke the news to a cigar-filled room at Pa. Society. Brown, who has received funding from conservative billionaire Jeff Yass and also been implicated in deed theft, made a splash in Harrisburg when he introduced a tough-on-crime bill to establish new mandatory minimums for gun offenders. [Inquirer$/Spotlight PA/Billy Penn/WHYY]
• Beware the flu, hitting hard this year
If you haven’t yet gotten the flu vaccine this year, you might want to consider it: influenza cases have spiked early in the Philadelphia region. The city’s weekly case count jumped from 50 to 500, following a national trend. It’s putting a strain on hospitals, especially children’s hospitals, as COVID and RSV also take up beds. The city has a finder for where to get your flu shot in Philly. [WHYY/CDC/NBC10/Phila Gov]
• Rare books in Center City
Bibliophiles will want to swing by the Trinity Memorial Church at 22nd and Spruce next weekend, as the Philadelphia Rare Book Fair takes over the historic space. There are some ticketed events, but the main Friday and Saturday exhibition is free to attend, and features dozens of special tomes, plus autographed copies and other literary ephemera. [PhillyVoice/Fine Fairs]
• New drop of Eagles Christmas album
If you didn’t get in on the first round of the holiday album featuring three Eagles players, fear not: a new set of “A Philly Special Christmas” will be released Friday. The green pressed vinyl record sells for $75, with all proceeds going to charity. Is it any good? Stay tuned for our review, out in advance of the drop. [Eagles/Philly Special Xmas]
