Mayoral candidates to talk buildings, tourism, business, more
There are at least four chances to see and hear candidates for mayor this week:
- BUILDPhilly Mayoral Forum at the Kimmel Center (8 a.m. Tuesday, RSVP to attend)
- Mayoral Candidates Forum on Hospitality & Tourism at the Pa. Convention Center (7 p.m. Tuesday, livestreamed on 6ABC)
- Mayor 100: A Minority Owned Business Policy Forum, at The Enterprise Center in West Philly (6 p.m. Thursday, RSVP to attend)
- Philadelphia Muslim Community Mayoral Candidates Forum at Masjidullah in West Oak Lane (5 p.m. Saturday, RSVP to attend)
Two new contenders are not included in the forums above; their names weren’t really part of the discussion until they filed nominating petitions. Candidate John Wood is a former PPP lieutenant running on a public safety platform. Candidate Delscia Gray is still a mystery (reach out if you have info). → Our roundup of the candidates
You can skip the line at Hop Sing with a $75 ‘bar omakase’
Hop Sing Laundromat has been named one of the best bars in the nation. But there’s always a line, since idiosyncratic proprietor Lê keeps capacity low.
- There’s now a way to ensure a seat in the speakeasy-style Chinatown cocktail destination. The catch? It’ll cost you $75 per person, before tip.
It’s not actually a bad deal, since that sum nets you two hours worth of custom-created drinks by renowned bartender Toby Maloney.
RECAP: What else happened?
$ = paywalled
- Republican state Sen. Doug Mastriano, who lost the race for Pa. Governor by a double-digit margin, is mulling a 2024 challenge for Bob Casey’s U.S. Senate seat. [BP x 2/Politico]
- Cherelle Parker has two new TV ads running in Philly, joining Allan Domb and Jeff Brown in the game, though her spend is considerably less — about $57k vs. millions. [Parker for Mayor/Inquirer$]
- The FBI special agent who shot a dog last month in Rittenhouse will not face charges, per the District Attorney’s Office, which did not provide additional details. [Billy Penn/6ABC]
- St. Joe’s University officially has its first woman president. The Jesuit school’s board on Friday elected Cheryl McConnell, who was already serving as interim president. [PhillyVoice/SJU]
- Belmont Charter High School in West Philly has started holding classes at Smith Memorial Playground and other outdoor sites, adopting a place-based learning approach long used in wealthy suburbs like Radnor. [Citizen]
- Swanky drink destinations are in vogue, but they’re not all in Center City: Billionaire Cocktail Lounge recently opened in Bridesburg with a blinged-out steakhouse menu. [Wooder Ice/Instagram]
MAYOR WATCH
No, nothing on the public schedule today for Mayor Kenney, who still has 239 days in office before the November election officially determines his successor.
On social media Friday, he congratulated the entrepreneur finalists in the Making Space rec center competition.
ON THE CALENDAR
🌮 BP Quizzo: Join Billy Penn for a night of local trivia with Taco Tuesday deals at Pistolas Del Sur on East Passyunk. Win prizes for high scores and best team name. Free RSVP. (6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 21)
🥷🏾 The Philadelphia Orchestra does “Black Panther,” complete with a screening of the movie. A portion of proceeds benefits the United Negro College Fund. (Friday to Sunday, March 17-19)
🧉 Support Hispanic and Latine bartenders at Condesa’s industry night party, where a $50 ticket includes a welcome cocktail, two drinks, and unlimited light bites. (8 p.m. Monday, March 20)
Catch up on the previous week
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