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Amtrak renews promise to return 30th Street’s iconic flipboard
Nearly four years after the iconic split-flap departures board was removed from 30th Street Station, officials confirmed they’re bringing it back.
- The downside for fans of the classic Solari display, which was dismantled in January 2019 and taken to a railroad museum: it’s only returning as part of the decor, not a functional wayfinding device.
Thanks to advocacy from U.S. Rep. Brendan Boyle, Amtrak will incorporate the board as a decor element as part of the station’s $400 million renovation.
Inside Biederman’s, South Philly’s ‘appetizing store’
Living in Philadelphia during the pandemic, restaurant industry vet Lauren Biederman realized she was missing something: an “appetizing store.”
- Often found in neighborhoods with a large Jewish population, these stores carry pickled, smoked, and cured fish, salads, spreads — everything you could think of to go with bagels on Sunday mornings.
Seeking the flavors of her childhood, Biederman opened such a shop near the Italian Market. In the latest CravePhilly video, Hope Cohen takes us inside.
Sponsor note: You can also catch the video segment on Taxi TV powered by Curb, the ride-hailing app.
RECAP: What else happened?
$ = paywalled
- The Pa. House is evenly divided between Democrats and Republicans due to the death of Rep. Anthony DeLuca, leading to heavy debate over which party gets to call a special election for his seat. [Capital-Star]
- In a suit filed in Commonwealth Court, DA Krasner argued the impeachment process effectively ended when the Pa. Legislature’s two-year session closed last week. [NBC10]
- Among the eight declared Democrats vying to be Philly mayor so far, Derek Green stands alone in having directly taken aim at his competitors. [Billy Penn]
- Might the big hole in Jewelers Row finally get filled? Toll Brothers, which controversially demolished historic buildings then halted construction on a planned luxury tower, is reportedly selling the spot to Pearl Properties. [Inquirer$/WHYY/BP 2017]
- The Free Supply Library in West Philly is like a little free library but for craft supplies. Philly also has leave-and-take boxes that focus on yarn, movies, and…Shrek. [WHYY’s PlanPhilly/BP x 3]
- Volunteer collective PhilTel has plans to install free-to-use pay phones around Philadelphia. The first one is coming to Iffy Books on Dec. 17. [PhillyVoice/CNN]
The story you didn’t read
? Highlighting good BP articles few people clicked on ?
- Want to take a stoney-baloney tour of the Mural Capital of the World? We sorted through Philadelphia’s 4,000 works of public painted art and mapped 11 of the trippiest for your viewing pleasure.
MAYOR WATCH
Nothing today on Mayor Kenney’s public schedule, same as yesterday and the day before, when thousands attended the Visit Philly Holiday Parade — but apparently not the mayor.
ON THE CALENDAR
?? BP Quizzo on the Schuylkill River! Join us at Padelphia, just over City Line Avenue across from Manayunk. We’ll have three rounds of local trivia, drinks, snacks, prizes — and a chance to find out more about the racket sport called Padel. Free RSVP here. (7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 15)
? Join BP contributor Daisie Cardona at at the McPherson Square Library for the opening reception of an exhibit that celebrates her photography work with Kensington kids. Expect music, food, and open mic poetry. (4 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 6)
? 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. Tix are $10. (6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 8)
?Dreams filled with chocolate babka? Learn how to make your own when The Deacon hosts chef Tova du Plessis of Essen Bakery for a baking class. Tickets are $65. (6 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 13)
