How teaching in Philly district schools differs from charters
Extra resources. Public service. Job security and union support. Three teachers who have each worked in both public and charter schools discuss the breadth of challenges that teachers face across school systems.
Through different circumstances and stages of life, Miya Benintende, Oliver Bjeletich, and Lyssa Horvath spoke with Billy Penn and Temple University’s Logan Center about why each of them teach where they do today. Continue reading…
Chef Townsend Wentz returns to Rittenhouse with Oltremare
Oltremare marks a return to Rittenhouse for chef-owner Townsend Wentz. The space at 2121 Walnut Street had briefly been home to his flagship French bistro, Townsend, relocated from East Passyunk in early 2020. It shut down during the pandemic.
Today, the bistro is in East Passyunk and the Walnut Street spot has been redesigned into a coastally cozy reflection of Oltremare’s Amalfi-inspired cuisine. Join BP’s Ali Mohsen in diving into the menu — including lobster francobolli and charred polpo with pepperonata, saffron, and bouquerones. Continue reading…
RECAP: What else happened?
$ = paywalled
• Pa. lawmakers unanimously approved an extension of the state lottery law to protect 20,000 senior citizens from losing eligibility for prescription assistance programs through 2025. [Penn Live]
• City Council President Darrell Clarke spoke about Philly’s future and what he sees as his role in it after losing the mayoral primary and leaving a job he’s held for over a decade. [NBC10]
• Philly-based mall operator PREIT filed for bankruptcy and transferred full ownership and $350 million in debt for Center City’s Fashion District mall to a California-based company, which 76ers developers say doesn’t change their plans to take over the space for an arena. [WHYY]
• SEPTA plans to consolidate its bus routes from 125 to 106 in an effort to make service faster and more reliable. This fourth version of the redesign would be implemented from 2024-2025. [KYW/SEPTA]
• Philly’s take on a Yule Log is this two-hour video of a barrel burning in the Italian Market, set to slow piano renditions of holiday music. [PhillyVoice]
MAYOR WATCH
Mayor Kenney speaks at the virtual hearing of the City Council and Philadelphia Board of Education, which will be streamed live on Xfinity Channel 64, Fios Channel 40, and on the Council website. (3 p.m.)
ON THE CALENDAR
🐈 Cats and bingo are the center of attention at Meow Meow Holiday Bingo at O’Neals Pub off of South Street. $40 gets you games, drink tickets, and a door prize ticket. (7 p.m. Weds, Dec. 13)
🛍️ Holiday markets abound across the Philly region. Check out our updated guide with the season’s latest offerings. Next up: Church Street Holiday Pop-Up on Weds, Dec. 13 and Punk Rock Flea Market on Friday, Dec. 15.
📚 This book crawl through history and South Philly supports indie bookstores and an upcoming production of “The Angry Grammarian.” $15 tickets. (12 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 16)
Catch up on the previous week
Receive Billy Penn’s free daily roundup in your inbox every morning. Sign up here!
