SEPTA transit cops reach deal after three-day strike
The SEPTA officers’ union reached a tentative contract agreement with the transit agency Saturday, ending the strike that began late Wednesday and sending regular patrols back to subway and bus routes.
SEPTA CEO Leslie Richards said Gov. Josh Shapiro played a key role in bringing the two sides together. The deal still needs to be approved by FOTP members and the SEPTA Board, but came quicker than the last two FOTP strikes in 2019 and 2012. [Billy Penn x 2]
Magic and creativity bring puppets to life at Arden
Somehow cardboard, fabric, and buttons – pieced and molded into puppets for Arden Theatre Company’s production of “The BFG (Big Friendly Giant)” — come alive, and Sebastienne Mundheim, the South Philadelphia artist who created them, can’t quite figure out how.
She credits the magic of her grandmother’s antique buttons and combined creativity and energy of herself, the actors and audience with the transformation. Mundheim described the interplay of play and reality to BP freelancer Jane M. Von Bergen. Continue reading…
RECAP: What else happened?
$ = paywalled
• A planned upgrade to the state’s system for managing voter rolls will be postponed, saving $10.7 million for now, but leaving an outdated and problematic system in place for upcoming elections. [Spotlight PA]
• Gov. Shapiro was joined by Philly rapper Meek Mill for the signing of bills reforming probation requirements and automatically clearing criminal records for individuals who receive a pardon. [WHYY]
• City Council approved a paper bag fee of 15 cents at all Philly stores, including restaurants, food trucks and clothing shops. Paper bag usage increased following the 2021 plastic bag ban. [NBC10]
• La Colombe, the coffee roaster and retailer that got its start in Philly in 1994 was purchased on Friday for $900 million by Greek-yogurt maker Chobani. [Billy Penn]
• The Philadelphia Eagles officially clinched a playoff spot on Sunday night. It’s the Eagles’ third straight postseason trip. [6ABC]
• Philly’s first kinara will go up outside City Hall in observance of Kwanzaa, the secular holiday that celebrates pan-African and African culture. The Dec. 26 candle-lighting ceremony will kick off a week of celebrations across the city. [PhillyVoice]
MAYOR WATCH
Mayor Kenney joins educators and students to celebrate early childhood education efforts and mark the release of a newly published PHLpreK by the Numbers review. (10:30 a.m.)
ON THE CALENDAR
🔍 Take a deep dive into Sherlock Holmes’ adventures in chronological order; tonight’s is the Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle. Free virtual tickets with RSVP. (7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 18)
⚕️Free COVID tests are available at Old Pine Community Center, first-come, first-served. (4 to 6 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, Dec. 20-21)
🛍️ Holiday markets abound across the Philly region. Check out our updated guide with the season’s latest offerings. Next up: Kwanzaa Quizzo and Evening Bazaar on Friday, Dec. 29
TK
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