Black clergy and biz leaders throw support behind Sixers arena
The Sixers have a new ally in their push to build a Center City arena: Philly’s powerful Black clergy and the African American Chamber of Commerce.
- Initiatives to boost Black firms’ and entrepreneurs’ involvement in construction and concessions for the arena helped get the new partners on board — despite the widespread opposition seen in Chinatown.
“We pray for all other communities, but we want to focus on the African American community,” one pastor told Jordan Levy.
→ Who’s for and who’s against?
How a senior pen pal turned a Flyers exec into a lifelong friend
Philadelphia Flyers exec Valerie Camillo and 94-year-old Harvey Ballen have known each other for 3 years. This week, they met for the very first time.
- The duo connected during the pandemic as part of the Flyers’ virtual “pen pal” program to help senior living residents deal with lockdown isolation — and they really hit it off.
“Harvey was one of the number one things in my life that I count as a blessing from that time,” Camillo told Asha Prihar.
→ Like gaining a new “family member”
RECAP: What else happened?
$ = paywalled
- Both chambers of the Pa. legislature are led by women for the first time, but women make up less than a third of the General Assembly — a percentage that ranks 27th in the nation. [Spotlight PA]
- Should Philly get a new Office of Public Safety with a cabinet-level director? Some think this is duplicative of existing positions, including Mayor Kenney, who vetoed a bill to place the charter change question on the May ballot. City Council overrode the veto, which was only Kenney’s third since taking office. [Tribune$/Citizen/WHYY]
- Eight mayoral candidates pledged their support for the city’s drag performers at a colorful photo op at City Hall. [PGN]
- SEPTA is considering taller faregates to stop turnstile jumpers — the kind with vertical shutters that slide open and closed. If approved by the board, a pilot would be installed at 13th and 34th Street on the MFL. [NBC10]
- Nooooooooooo! The collective sound of Phillies fans as Rhys Hoskins went down during spring training. He has a torn ACL, which will require surgery and likely take him out for the season. [CBS Sports/MLB]
- Happy National Cheesesteak Day to all who celebrate. From our archives: What other cities get wrong, the women behind the scenes, and 12 great steakeries that no longer exist. [BP x 3]
MAYOR WATCH
The city’s Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbility Services (DBHIDS) today hosts its inaugural Trauma, Equity & Community Conference at 801 Market St. and Mayor Kenney helps kick things off (9 a.m.).
ON THE CALENDAR
🗳️ Meet two dozen candidates for City Council’s at-large seats at Rodeph Shalom, at a forum hosted by the People’s Platform for a Just Philadelphia. (3 to 5 p.m. Sunday, March 26)
🎻 Music for Food hosts a chamber concert benefiting the Sunday Love Project, featuring performers on viola and violin at Mitchell Hall in Rittenhouse. Tickets start at $30. (3 to 5 p.m. Sunday, March 26)
🎷 Stop by LOVE Park to help the city set a new world record for the most jazz hands at once. The first 500 people get complimentary white gloves; the current record is 477. (12 to 1 p.m. Tuesday, March 28)
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