Will increasing fines help stop Philly’s illegal dumping scourge?
Over half of Philadelphians believe illegal dumping — more common in Black and brown communities, per the Inky — is one of the city’s biggest problems.
- A new bill from state Rep. Bullock would increase fines up to $20,000. But that may not be effective without more enforcement. A BP investigation last year found arrests have dropped precipitously.
What do mayoral candidates say? In our quiz, Gym and Brown say expanding PPD’s two-person unit should be the first priority, while Domb and Parker would first hire more staff to monitor surveillance cameras.
What to eat and drink around Philly this weekend
It’s a big weekend for runners, between the Penn Relays and Sunday’s Broad Street Run. But it’s also a big weekend for food lovers — when isn’t it, really?
- Dim sum at the Kimmel Center, a Rita’s Water Ice beer, a blowout street fest on East Passyunk Avenue, and a Harry Potter-themed dog quidditch match (yes, really) are some of your options.
Check out this week’s edition of Quick Bites for BP food and drink reporter Ali Mohsen’s top picks.
RECAP: What else happened?
$ = paywalled
• The $250 million renovation of FDR Park is receiving criticism again after recent flooding, which activists say is caused by faulty construction practices that threaten existing wildlife. [WHYY’s PlanPhilly]
• Temple University’s faculty union endorsed a “no confidence” vote against the school’s provost and board chair amid concerns over campus safety and labor disputes. [WHYY]
• Was there a huge mayonnaise spill by the Delaware waterfront? Nope, it was another fake Citizen alert — and sanitation crews sent out to clean it up are a li’l peeved. [Billy Penn]
• A chat with CNN anchor and Jake Tapper, who grew up in Philly and cited Jim Gardner as one of his biggest inspirations. [City & State]
• Since it started five years ago, dozens have joined the 40+ Double Dutch Club to jump rope, line dance, and have space for camaraderie and mentorship. [6ABC]
• Was Grace Kelly’s royal marriage set up by a beloved Wilmington priest? The latest “Headlines of Yore” is all about Father J.F. Tucker. [Billy Penn]
MAYOR WATCH
Back in 2018, PHA won a $1.3 million Choice Neighborhoods Initiative grant to revitalize the public housing at Bartram’s Village in Southwest Philly, and Mayor Kenney joins HUD officials on a tour of the area (9 a.m.).
ON THE CALENDAR
⚾ Billy Penn Phillies tailgate! Join us and the crew from the Hittin’ Season podcast at Citizens Bank Park for an afternoon tailgate with free hoagies from Nipotina, pizza from Slice, and beer from Evil Genius, plus a chance to be on the pod. We’ll be in M-N, aka the Jetro lot. RSVP to let us know you’ll be there. (3 to 6:30 p.m. Saturday, May 6)
🐦 Birding is a great way to get to know Philly’s many green spaces, but how do you do it with care? Anwar Abdul-Qawi leads a class in ethical bird photography at the Academy of Natural Sciences. (2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 29)
🎤 Celebrate jazz siren and activist Nina Simone with “Four Women” at Harriett’s Bookshop in Fishtown, with a free afternoon of song, dance, poetry, and visual art. (2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, April 30)
Catch up on the previous week
Receive Billy Penn’s free daily roundup in your inbox every morning
