Philly’s ruling coffee can; Schools risk losing relief funds; RIP Shamrock Shake mascot | Morning roundup

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Horn & Hardart coffee can still holds sway over city elections

It felt like the fate of Philadelphia rested with a small brown-and-orange tin Wednesday morning, as contenders for office gathered in City Hall.  

• Using a Horn & Hardart container for the drawing that determines ballot order — which studies show can be influential in deciding election victory — is one of Philly’s decades-old political traditions

As candidates picked their numbers, and a relative unknown snagged the top mayoral spot, some voiced complaints about the process, Kira Wang reports.

→ Keep the coffee can of destiny?

Philly and Uncle O’Grimacey, the Shamrock Shake mascot

As Shamrock Shake season comes around, so does the rumor that Philly deposed the onetime mascot for the sippable McDonald’s treat.

• Uncle O’Grimacey was said to hail from the plains of Ireland. The green monster was introduced in the 1970s, around the time the shake soared in popularity, thanks to a connection with the Philadelphia Eagles.

The mascot was soon discontinued — which the internet credits to pro-IRA comments made by a Philly actor playing the character.

→ Jordan Levy looks into the urban legend

RECAP: What else happened?

$ = paywalled

• Former Mayor Michael Nutter endorsed Rhynhart for mayor, saying “it’s about time” a woman is in charge of the city. Catch up with all the mayoral endorsements in our candidate tracker. [WHYY/Billy Penn]
   
• Philly schools risk losing millions in COVID relief funding for facility repair, as pressure mounts on the district to finalize a plan. [Billy Penn]
   
• Temple got a state grant to upgrade its police department’s tech and fund officer recruitment, retention, de-escalation training. [PhillyVoice]
   
• Penn’s move to take action against law professor Amy Wax over her alleged “incessant racist, sexist, xenophobic and homophobic actions and statements” has sparked a heated national debate over free speech and academic freedom. [Vox/Daily Pennsylvanian/NYT$]
   
• Boathouse Row will go dark for 8 months as the iconic lights are upgraded and replaced. The current system controlling 6,400 LED bulbs was last refurbished in 2016 in advance of the DNC. [WHYY/BP 2016]
   
• The third annual South Street Egg Hunt starts this weekend, kicking off a few weeks of festivities that culminate in the famous Easter Promenade on April 9. [SSHD/BP 2016]

MAYOR WATCH

A day of Rebuild activities for Mayor Kenney. He kicks off the long-awaited $7 million renovation of Kingsessing Library at a groundbreaking ceremony in Southwest Philly (9 a.m.), then swings out to Port Richmond for a ribbon cutting at Frank Glavin Playground (3:30 p.m.).

ON THE CALENDAR

🌮 BP Quizzo: Join Billy Penn for a night of local trivia with Taco Tuesday deals! We’ll be at Pistolas Del Sur on East Passyunk, handing out prizes for high scores and best team name. Free with RSVP. (6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 21)

🎸 Skip the shamrocks and go for old school rock ‘n’ roll at The Trestle Inn’s happy hour dance party featuring tunes by the Rolling Stones. (6 to 9 p.m. Friday, March 17)

👗 Shop arts, crafts, jewelry, vintage clothing and other goods from 80 local vendors at the Now + Then Lucky Ducky Market popping up next to Yards and Target on Spring Garden. (12 to 6 p.m. Saturday, March 18)