RECAP: Looking back on the week that was
• PPD officer who shot Irizarry to be fired
At last week’s funeral for Eddie Irizarry, shot and killed by police at a traffic stop, many wore t-shirts reading “Justice for Junito.” Questions still swirl around why police initially said Irizarry “lunged” at officers with a knife. A day after his family’s lawyers released video showing he was still in his car when police fired multiple shots through his rolled up window, Commissioner Outlaw suspended the shooting officer with intent to fire him, citing “insubordination” — he apparently refused to participate in the departmental investigation. However, it’s common in Philadelphia for fired police to get their jobs back.
[CBS3/WHYY/ABC News/BP 2019]
• Art show after artists kicked out of Rittenhouse Square
Dozens of artists displayed work for sale along the sidewalks of Rittenhouse Square on Saturday, a gathering organized in response to the city’s unusual crackdown earlier in the week. Last Monday, three artists who’d set up there had their work confiscated by L&I officials after they refused to leave. They admit not having proper vending licenses, but many artists say they’ve frequented the Center City park for years without intervention. It’s still unclear what led to the original confrontation.
[@irregularsean/Billy Penn]
• Bozo for beer and a literary escape
The two new restaurants profiled by Ali Mohsen last week could hardly be more different, but both are extremely Philly. There’s Tapster in Rittenhouse, where 54 self-service taps offer beer, wine, cocktails, and kombucha to patrons who can sip from swinging chairs. Then there’s American Grammar, an elegant, hand-fashioned Kensington cafe where the coffee and tea form the backdrop for hundreds of books and community art.
[Billy Penn x 2]
• Philly Naked Bike Ride sweeps through
The Philly Naked Bike Ride returned for its 15th year on Saturday, with participants rolling through Center City wearing little more than paint and glitter to spread a message of body positivity and encourage less reliance on fossil fuels. Philadelphia’s ride has been happening near annually since 2009, and it’s one of the largest in the U.S. Check out our (slightly NSFW) photos here.
[Billy Penn]
VISION: Looking forward to the week ahead
• Pa. Senate returning for budget work
Gov. Shapiro signed Pennsylvania’s main budget bill in early August, but about $1.1 billion is still sequestered after the legislature went on summer break without hashing out agreements on fiscal code bills. The Republican-controlled Pa. Senate is reconvening Wednesday to get an early start on this work; the Pa. House is not expected back till Sept. 26, a week after a special election to fill a vacant seat that could solidify the Democrats’ majority.
[City & State/Politics PA]
• Philatinos hosts mayoral town hall
Even with Philly’s lopsided Democratic majority, non-incumbent candidates for mayor usually meet publicly in advance of the November election. Dem nominee Cherelle Parker hasn’t yet responded to Republican David Oh’s requests for debates, but there’s a possibility she’ll show up for a Latino town hall hosted Wednesday by Philatinos Media. Organizers tell Billy Penn they haven’t gotten a firm “yes,” but have heard “she should be there.”
[Billy Penn/Facebook]
• Work brings on permanent I-95 repair
Two months after traffic began flowing over I-95 again following the massive collapse that disrupted interstate and local commerce — but only for two weeks, thanks to a creative temporary fix — PennDOT crews are beginning work on the permanent repair. Commuters can expect some delays as lanes are reduced while workers install replacement beams to rebuild the overpass bridge.
[Billy Penn x 2/PennDOT]
• Local vendors return to Dilworth Park
Now that the roller rink in Dilworth Park is wrapped up for the season, the plaza in front of City Hall is ready to host a rotating series of local vendors. The Philadelphia Marketplace pop-up (from the city and the folks behind Christmas Village) returns this coming weekend with dozens of stalls offering art, crafts, clothing, jewelry, candles, pet products, and more. It’ll be there throughout September.
[Made in Phila/BP 2022]
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