Turning a parking lot into a pocket forest in Manayunk
A parking lot is being transformed into a thriving indigenous forest at Manayunk Timber. The father-daughter team at Philly’s only sustainable sawmill, which processes salvaged and reclaimed wood, has already spent $30k on the space, which has benches, a fire pit, and a bakery next door.
The mini forest will also feature a grand gate entrance carved by an internationally renowned wood artist, Nick Jaramillo reports. Continue reading…
Breezy’s Deli and Market is coming to Washington Avenue
Retail shops are continuing to pop up along the formerly industrial western stretch of Washington Avenue. The latest is Breezy’s, a marketplace-deli-smoothie shop set to open this winter. It’s a project from chef Chad Durkin, who runs nearby Porco’s and Small Oven Pastry Shop.
The new spot will offer drinks and sandwiches, but also essential market goods. “Think of it like your local, very small version of Wawa,” the chef told Ali Mohsen. Continue reading…
RECAP: What else happened?
$ = paywalled
• A month and a half before the year ends, Philly has already surpassed 2022’s total for fatal hit-and-runs — the 38 recorded this year are double the number in 2019. [WHYY’s PlanPhilly]
• As neighborhood groups mobilize against the proposed Sixers arena in Market East, there may be lessons from other cities. In D.C., the stadium got built. In El Paso, however, residents were successful in stopping the plans.
[Billy Penn/Next City]
• Public transit in Philly is getting a rebrand, building on a concept from two years ago. Starting in 2024, you’ll see new wayfinding signage for three systems: the SEPTA Bus Network, SEPTA Regional Rail Network, and SEPTA Metro Network. [BP 2021/CBS3]
• The theme of next year’s Philadelphia Flower Show is “United by Flowers,” and there’s a new pricing structure, with evening tickets starting at $30. [6ABC/PHS]
• The latest single from the Eagles Xmas album features icon Patti LaBelle joining Jordan Mailata for “This Christmas” — and there’s a cute stop-motion video to go along. [Billy Penn/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.• It’s been more than 175 days since the Pa. House passed gun reform bills, some of the first in decades, and state reps are now considering other measures. But the Pa. Senate still hasn’t acted on any of the legislation, and anti-violence advocates are frustrated. [Spotlight PA/WITF]
• City Council is holding hearings to find ways to improve Philly’s 911 dispatch system after a flubbed address led to a mix-up before a mass shooting on the eve of July 4. [NBC10/Billy Penn]
• Longtime anti-violence activist Jamal Johnson, a North Philly-raised Marine veteran, is stepping away from the day-to-day work. “I think the youth need to take this over,” he said at his retirement party. [BP 2021/KYW]
• A mother describes the anticipation of having her lost son painted for the Souls Shot Portrait Project — “What if I didn’t like it? What if it didn’t look like him?” — and her gratitude after seeing the result. [Philly Obit Project]
By the numbers in Philadelphia
- 23: Shooting victims recorded last week, vs. 22 the week prior. [PCGVR]
- 1,513: Shooting victims this year so far, down 27% vs. this time last year. [PCGVR]
- 368: Year-to-date homicides, down 20% vs. last year’s pace; up 26% vs. five years ago [Philly Police]
MAYOR WATCH
Mayor Kenney announces the return of six-day service at several Free Library branches (9 a.m.). We’ll have more details tomorrow from Asha Prihar.
ON THE CALENDAR
🍻 Danya’s last BP Quizzo! Our monthly news and history trivia night lands in Germantown at Attic Brewing Co., with happy hour specials and prizes. Free with RSVP. (6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 16)
⛪ Take a tour of North Broad architecture with Hidden City Philadelphia, ending at the famed Church of the Advocate. Tickets start at $15. (1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 18)
😽 Adopt your next cutie or just get your fill of purrs at the nonprofit Cat Collaborative’s pop-up cat cafe at Fitler Club. Refreshments provided. (1 to 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 19)
Catch up on the previous week
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