Why is pickleball everywhere right now? Ask these local experts
Pickleball has seemingly infiltrated all levels of American pop culture. Barbie is shopping for pickleball gear. “Dear Abby” is answering questions about player hookups. Last year, it was one of the most popular Google searches in Philly — and caused a big neighbor spat in Chestnut Hill.
The region’s first indoor courts just opened in Malvern, and more may be on their way to South Philly. What’s the attraction? BP intern Fallon Roth got the lowdown from a trio of Philadelphia pickleball experts.
Temple University has a new owl logo. What came before?
Temple is sporting a new look. The school yesterday unveiled a brand new athletics logo. Created by alum Joe Bosack and graphic design students, the design puts a fierce spin on the owl mark that appears on all college apparel.
The public university’s mascot — the first students were referred to as “night owls”— has gone through many evolutions. BP freelancer Ray Dunne looks back at 25 Temple owls from times gone by.
RECAP: What else happened?
$ = paywalled
• The state budget impasse could lead to missed payments to counties this summer, including on $1.1 billion in public schools funding, support for county-run child welfare programs, and assistance for unhoused people. [Spotlight PA]
• Pennsylvania’s state endangered species list has a new member: the little brown bat, which went from common in the area to decimated by a fungal pathogen. [Capital-Star]
• Philly’s trackless trolleys debuted 100 years ago and are still in use, making the city home to the longest-running trolley bus service in the hemisphere (only Shanghai has been doing it longer). [Billy Penn]
• A new exhibit at Cherry Street Pier tells the stories of Philadelphia’s Negro Leagues by spotlighting four “barrier breakers” in the sport: Octavius Catto, Ed Bolden, Dick Allen, and Mo’ne Davis. [Billy Penn]
• Pizzeria Beddia’s Joe Beddia is opening a second restaurant with partners in Kensington’s old Weisbrod & Hess brewhouse. Few details as of yet, but target launch is spring 2024. [Biz Journal$/Rising Real Estate]
• If you’re near the Italian Market today, check out the Salt & Vinegar boutique (a recent Best of Philly winner) for a pop-up featuring sweet and savory danishes by a pair of bakers from Germany. [Philly Mag$/Instagram]
Weekly brief on gun violence prevention (with PCGVR)
We publish this report each week in partnership with the Philadelphia Center for Gun Violence Reporting.
• The 2nd annual Credible Messenger Film Festival last week brought dozens of creators, media experts, and community members to Temple University for documentary screenings and discussion. [PCGVR]
• City Council’s Special Committee on Gun Violence, led by Councilmember Kenyatta Johnson, brought 100 young people together to share suggestions on ways to prevent gun violence. [Sunday Sun/South Philly Review]
• Local nonprofit Dare 2 Hope has launched a mobile therapy van, with the goal of normalizing mental health services by bringing them directly to communities surrounded by gun violence. [Instagram/6ABC]
• Suicide by firearm reached an all-time high in the United States last year, and the rate among Black teens surpassed that of white teens for the first time on record, new data shows. [USA Today/Johns Hopkins]
By the numbers in Philadelphia
- 36: Shooting victims recorded last week, vs. 41 the week prior. [PCGVR]
- 1,065: Shooting victims this year so far, down 23% vs. this time last year. [PCGVR]
- 247: Year-to-date homicides, down 22% vs. last year’s pace; up 40% vs. five years ago [Philly Police]
MAYOR WATCH
Each summer, the Camp Philly program offers local kids a scholarship to a weeklong sleepaway camp in the Poconos, and Mayor Kenney joins the Greater Philadelphia YMCA in Powelton Village to announce details (10 a.m.). Afternoon brings him to Roxborough for a groundbreaking on Rebuild renovations for the Al Pearlman Sports Complex (4 p.m.).
ON THE CALENDAR
🏛 DATE CHANGE! Billy Penn event: Pull out your thinking cap, because this month’s BP Quizzo is landing at the Divine Lorraine on North Broad. We’ll have lots of happy hour specials, and prizes for the winners. Space is limited, so RSVP today. (6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 24)
🍹 Missed Center City Sips? East Passyunk has you covered with Summer Swigs Wednesday happy hour, highlighting a rotating cast of food and drink providers. (5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 2)
🌼 Enjoy fresh air and flowers at Morris Arboretum’s community weekend, complete with a free icy treat for the first 500 guests each day. Tickets are $9; kids are free. (10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, Aug. 4 and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, Aug. 5-6)
📖 Billy Penn is proud to headline the inaugural Philly Story Fest, joining journalists from media outlets around Philadelphia to tell the city’s best stories on stage at the Bok. Early bird tix are $17. (7 to 10 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 5)
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