Rolling on the Delaware River (Instagram/@d_smoove)

Who had the best campaign fits? A mayoral fashion retrospective

Running for a large public office demands contenders put forth their best — their best policy ideas, best interviews, and yes, best outfits.

  • Conversation over which of Philly’s mayoral candidates served the best looks during the race to be the Democratic nominee was some of the least vitriolic discourse of the entire political cycle.

From Cherelle Parker’s orange to Derek Green’s hats, and everything in between, Asha Prihar looks back at how they dressed on the campaign trail.

Several of the Democratic candidate for Philly mayor had strong fashion games. (Pics via assorted campaign social media posts)

Center City’s 2-block tribute to France

Did you know Philadelphia has a “French Quarter”? Yep — it shows up on Google Maps, and is even marked on street signs.

  • Philly’s French Quarter is a tiny sliver of Rittenhouse (about 2 square blocks) designated by the city in 1999. It’s right by Sofitel Philadelphia, a French-owned hotel, and not too far from the honorary French consulate.

BP reporter Asha Prihar looked into the origins of the designation, meant to “salute the French presence in Center City.”

A street sign at 17th and Sansom marked with the “French Quarter” designation. (Google Street View)

RECAP: What else happened?

$ = paywalled

• Doug Mastriano will NOT run for U.S. Senate, the Pa. state senator and onetime gov candidate announced — at least, “not at this time.” [Politico]

• Temple prof Xiaoxing Xi, who in 2015 had his life upturned by federal agents over false accusations he was spying for China, has standing to sue the FBI, a court ruled. [WHYY/NBC News]

• Know someone who goes to Furness High School? As part of our reporting on educational disparities with Temple’s Logan Center, we’re hosting a “talkback” for the school community next Wednesday. RSVP here and spread the word. [Billy Penn/Eventbrite]

• Eastern State Penitentiary has a new CEO for the first time in 29 years: Kerry Sautner is leaving her post at the National Constitution Center to take over the reins of the modern ruin and educational center. [WHYY]

• Just in time for the holiday weekend, Morris Arboretum in Chestnut Hill reopens its famed model railway, featuring 300 new feet of track and a “public gardens” theme. [Penn Today]

• After the roughest start in all his nine seasons, Phillies’ slumping star shortstop Trea Turner finally got his mom to stop booing him. [Billy Penn] 

• If you’re trying to avoid gluten, dining out can be dicey. Here’s a list of 15 spots that do GF well, including Kalaya, EMei, Gilda’s Cafe, and El Merkury. [Eater]

MAYOR WATCH

Did you think the mayor would have something on his public schedule the day before a summer holiday weekend? Yeah, us neither.

ON THE CALENDAR

🍃Celebrate Indigenous cultures at a family-friendly Spring Social full of dance and music at the Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education. (12 to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 27)

🎭 Inspired by 76ers legend Dr. J, a new collaborative spoken word performance at Girard College called “Be Holding” asks how appearance and imagination can bring us closer together. $15 for students, $35 for the public. (Wednesday, May 31, to Saturday, June 3)