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Sixers arena fight revs up with formal coalition
More than 40 organizations in Philly’s Chinatown yesterday announced a coalition against the proposed Center City 76ers arena.
- This formalizes the grassroots opposition that’s been brewing for months. With the support of a national civil rights law firm, the group hopes to show a critical mass of community opposition.
The coalition surveyed 100 Chinatown businesses, Jordan Levy reports, and 90 of them signed an anti-arena petition.
South Philly grandma is multi-year TikTok star
With 2.4 million followers, one of the city’s hottest TikTok stars is a 90-year-old grandmother from South Philadelphia.
- Dolores Paolino, better known as “Dolly Broadway,” started getting into social media vids three years ago with the help of her grandson. He’s since moved across country, but still does all the posting.
It’s a trend, Wall Street Journal reports — in a feed full of young faces, an older person stands out. Especially if they shake their hips in full Phillies bling.
RECAP: What else happened?
$ = paywalled
- After more than a decade, PHA is reopening its waiting list for federal housing vouchers. Applications for the program, commonly called Section 8, open at 6 a.m. Jan. 23. [WHYY’s PlanPhilly/PHA]
- Acting City Controller Christy Brady is suing the city over its “resign to run” rule — because she wants to campaign for the position she already holds. Since she was appointed when Rhynhart stepped down, she wouldn’t be running for reelection, the law’s only current exception. [Inquirer$/Phila Gov/BP]
- Experts think Philly’s housing market will settle into a “new normal,” with mortgage rates around 6% and a balance between buyers’ and sellers’ markets. November’s median sale price in Philly was $250k, down 4% from last year. [Biz Journal$/Redfin]
- Yesterday was the deadline for Philly restaurants to take down unlicensed streeteries, with fine enforcement due to ramp up. Fewer than 50 applied for a license, and officials admit the convoluted permit process might need to change. [CBS3/WHYY]
- The Broad Street Run will take place April 30 instead of the traditional first weekend in May — officials blame a Phillies/Red Sox game — and the finish line will be at the Linc instead of the Navy Yard, because of construction. [KYW]
- Jim’s Steaks, which was gutted by a two-alarm fire last summer, is hoping to finish rebuilding in time for a Labor Day weekend relaunch. [BP/NBC10]
MAYOR WATCH
Philadelphia’s annual Mayor’s Centenarian Celebration usually takes place at a big luncheon in spring, but it appears Mayor Kenney’s getting an early start. Today he visits the Paul’s Run Retirement Community in Northeast Philly to honor residents who are turning 100 (3:30 p.m.).
ON THE CALENDAR
? Start your MLK community service early with an evening helping pack donations at the African American Museum’s “Big Give Back” event. (5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 13)
? Tryna keep that Christmas tree till the last minute? The hungry munchers at Philly Goat Project will gobble it up a week from Saturday. A $20 donation is requested. (12 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 21)
