Most Philly schools in ‘poor’ or ‘unsatisfactory’ condition
It’s no secret many Philadelphia school buildings are falling apart, but how bad is it, and where? The district paused its latest facilities assessment last fall, and an overall report has yet to be issued. However, about two-thirds of all facilities were scored — including most of the city’s public schools.
Per a Billy Penn/Logan Center analysis, nearly 4 in 10 showed “unsatisfactory” conditions, the lowest rating, while fewer than a third rated “fair” or higher. “Parents don’t know because they’re not in the school,” one parent told Colin Evans and Ella Lathan, “[but] the children know it.”
Inside Kensington ‘farm-to-glass’ cocktail bar Post Haste
Fred Beebe and Gabe Guerrero know the phrase “farm-to-table” gets thrown around a lot these days. It’s why they’ve set strict parameters for themselves at their “farm-to-glass” cocktail bar Post Haste, the elegantly refurbished, experimentally-minded East Kensington venue that opened early June.
If the early buzz is any indication, their formula is a success. BP food and drink reporter Ali Mohsen has a look at the menu, interior, and philosophy behind one of Philly’s hottest new bars.
RECAP: What else happened?
$ = paywalled
• Pennsylvania has a $1.2 billion federal grant to ensure everyone in the commonwealth has broadband internet access, but officials haven’t yet figured out how to best spend the money. [Spotlight PA]
• A man charged with boating under the influence crashed Saturday night on the Schuylkill River near Grays Ferry, injuring six of his passengers, including two 1-year-olds. Motor boats are allowed in that area, but there’s a no-wake zone around the bridges. [NBC10/Schuylkill Banks]
• Teamsters Local 623 held a “practice picket” at PHL Airport in advance of a looming national UPS strike. If a contract isn’t reached by the end of July, experts say it could be the country’s costliest strike in a century. [KYW/Reuters]
• The real-life horror story of Pennhurst, a Chester County asylum so terrible it forced changes in disability law. [Billy Penn]
• With the trade rumors flying, July baseball may be all about chaos, but things are looking up for the Phillies as they return from the All-Star break. Rookie outfielder Johan Rojas made a double play in his MLB debut, and Bryce Harper returns to defense to play first base this week. [Billy Penn/SI/MLB]
• Is FDR Park’s Southeast Asian Market one of the best in the U.S.? That’s the latest accolade for the group of vendors who started underground but went legit during the pandemic and are now flourishing in South Philly. [Food & Wine]
MAYOR WATCH
Mayor Kenney joins local and state officials at the groundbreaking for the Cobbs Creek Golf Course in West Philadelphia (10 a.m.). Evening finds Kenney across town at Old City’s Fork Restaurant, where he’ll celebrate the city’s many James Beard Award winners (6:30 p.m.).
ON THE CALENDAR
🌼 The Manayunk PHS Pop Up Garden hosts a garden party with live music by electroacoustic duo ARKAI. Free to attend, food and drink pay as you go. (6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 18)
😸 “Abbott Elementary” star Lisa Ann Walter brings her standup set to Helium Comedy Club in Rittenhouse. Tickets for the 21+ show start at $30. (Various times, Friday-Saturday, July 21-22)
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