Philadelphia considers reparations, may explore task force
The city’s Commission on Faith-based and Interfaith Affairs last week held a weeklong seminar on reparations, with about 100 faith leaders in attendance.
- A rally at the Catto statue yesterday called for further action, including creation of a formal task force. Councilmembers Bass and Gauthier spoke on the idea, which has the backing of mayoral candidate Derek Green.
Could that happen? The current administration is open to exploring it, a city spokesperson told Jordan Levy.
Philly’s jr. wheelchair basketball team preps for 25th tournament
The 25th annual Katie Kirlin Junior Wheelchair Basketball Tournament takes place this weekend, and Philadelphia’s team is ready.
- It’s been a rough year for Katie’s Komets, named in memory of the daughter of a Philly couple who funds the Parks & Rec program. Closure of the Carousel House rec center left the group with no practice home.
But they’re raring to go, with classic Philly underdog swagger. “We don’t win much, but we have a tough team,” a teen player told Rashaad Jorden.
RECAP: What else happened?
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- Nine Democratic candidates for Philly mayor — everyone except Amen Brown — answered questions on gun violence solutions at last night’s forum. They all said they’re against defunding police, but were split on whether they’d keep PPD Commissioner Outlaw. [6ABC/YouTube/Inquirer$]
- City Council is considering a permanent music office for Philadelphia, something the Music Industry Task Force has been exploring since 2017. Another recommendation being reviewed: loading zones outside concert venues to make it easier for bands to load in and out. [Inquirer$/Creative PHL/PHL Council]
- How fast is your Internet? To help the city negotiate a franchise renewal with Verizon — to fund public access channel PhillyCAM — officials are asking residents to take a speed test and short survey. [Phila Gov/ZenCity]
- Philly builder and entrepreneur Monica Miraglilo launched a platform called Girlbuild Lab to help other women get started in the construction industry. [Girlbuild/WHYY’s PlanPhilly]
- RIP Jerry Blavat. The legendary Philly entertainer who got his start on “Bandstand” at the age of 13, hung with the Rat Pack, and was known as “The Geator with the Heater,” died early this morning at 82. [NJ Stage/6ABC]
- The Eagles released a hype video featuring music by The Roots, the voices of Dawn Staley, Morris Chestnut, and Rob McElhenney, and their playoff slogan: “It’s a Philly thing.” Fox has the TV broadcast, here’s how to watch or listen. Go Birds. [@Eagles/Eagles]
MAYOR WATCH
Nothing on the public schedule today for Mayor Kenney, but he does appear on TV. He joins Miami Mayor Francis Suarez, Tucson Mayor Regina Romero, and Denver Mayor Michael Hancock on MSNBC from 10 to 11 a.m., to discuss “challenges and opportunities facing U.S. cities.”
ON THE CALENDAR
⚓ The 25th annual Philadelphia Tattoo Arts Festival takes over the Pa. Convention Center this weekend, and day passes go for $25. (Friday to Sunday, Jan. 20-21)
🧧 Lunar New Year celebrations fill Chinatown this weekend, and you can catch lion dancers parading through the neighborhood twice — Saturday night and Sunday morning. (10 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 21 and 11 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 22)
📜 At Philly’s Masonic Temple, a talk explores the story behind the Freemasons and “The Protocols of the Elders of Zion,” an antisemitic screed first published in 1905. (3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 21)
🏍️ What should the city do about ATVs and dirt bikes? WHYY’s Bridging Blocks hosts a community conversation at the Blackwell Library in West Philadelphia. (6 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 25)