Ward leader ouster?; More SEPTA violence; Chibanos pop-up

Philly Dems weigh ousting ward leader over anti-LGBTQ remarks

City Democratic party officials are considering removing a ward leader for the first time in 25 years, describing as “disgraceful” remarks that Rev. Lewis Nash was recorded making about gay people and gender reassignment surgery.

Nash is leader of the 47th Ward near Temple University, serves on the influential Democratic City Committee, and is running for a state House seat against Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta, who is gay. BP’s Meir Rinde breaks down what to know about the clash. Continue reading…

Rev. Lewis Nash could be the first ward leader ousted in 25 years. (Citizens For Lewis C. Nash/Facebook)

Chibanos pop-up lands with Chinese-Cuban flavors at Solar Myth

Five years ago, Evan Fong Jaroff decided to shift gears from a career in finance to “something more closely related to my family, and my history.”

The result is Chibanos, a culinary “concept that’s been stuck in my mind,” Jaroff told BP’s Ali Mohsen, for over a decade. It was realized in late February, with a series of pop-ups at coffee shop-bar-live music venue Solar Myth at 1131 S. Broad St., that ends Sunday evening. Continue reading…

Evan Fong Jaroff with his wife Eliana and their son. “Without her support, there’s no way I’d be doing this,” Jaroff said. (Ali Mohsen/Billy Penn)

RECAP: What else happened?

$ = paywalled

• Sen. John Fetterman denies that he no longer supports funding for the renovation and expansion of the William Way LGBT Community Center, despite his signature appearing on a letter withdrawing support. [Newsweek]

• The Philly DA’s office is appealing a judge’s decision to overturn a 1982 murder conviction that allegedly relied on information secured by detectives exchanging drugs and sex for testimony. [NBC10]

• At least eight people were shot, half of them juveniles, at a SEPTA bus stop in Philadelphia’s Burholme neighborhood, in the fourth shooting in less than a week involving a SEPTA bus. [WHYY]

• Jumpstart Germantown has grown from a neighborhood-based program to a citywide effort to create more affordable housing, hitting $50 million in loans since 2015. [WHYY’s PlanPhilly]

• Protected bike lanes on Washington Avenue led to a 181% increase in cyclist volume and a spike in sidewalk parking, according to the first city evaluation since the project launched. [PhillyVoice]

• Zoning permits were issued for Penn’s new performing arts center at 33rd and Chestnut, which would join a planned expansion of the Annenberg Center. [West Philly Local/WHYY]

MAYOR WATCH

Mayor Parker will announce more senior leadership appointees in her administration Thursday afternoon at City Hall.

ON THE CALENDAR

💌 Laugh over language at this rom-com celebrating the grammar nerds among us. Enjoy the Angry Grammarian musical at Theatre Exile with $22 tickets. (Thursday, March 7 through Saturday, March 16)

🎨 South Philly Drink and Draw returns for monthly events featuring live nude models and complimentary beer from the Philadelphia Brewing Co. $10 tickets. (7 p.m. Thursday, March 7)

🖼️ The PMA celebrates Women’s History Month with pop-up art-making workshops, food, storytelling and guided tours. Pay-what-you-wish admission. (5 to 8:45 p.m. Friday, March 8)

🎤 South African a cappella group Ladysmith Black Mambazo returns to Philly after 10+ years, bringing their Grammy-winning music full of joy, classics, and gospel favorites. Tickets start at $100. (8 p.m. Saturday, March 9)