Cherry blossoms along Kelly Drive (Instagram by @farrylfindsphilly)

Philly’s partly cloudy eclipse still wows

Uncooperative weather during the eclipse could not darken the Delaware Valley’s celestial spirit.

With overcast skies blocking the view, some were disappointed at seeing the full view, but crowds still gathered in big numbers at events around the city, even at the Philadelphia Zoo, to experience the rare view as part of the community. Continue reading…

Joanne Jiang, 5, of Wayne, Pa., gazes at her first eclipse among the throng outside the Franklin Institute. (Emma Lee/WHYY)

VP talks student debt relief in North Philly

Vice President Kamala Harris joined U.S. Rep. Dwight Evans for Monday’s roundtable discussion on student loan debt forgiveness at William Cramp Elementary School with public service professionals.

WHYY’s Kristen Mosbrucker-Garza was there as Harris talked about the administration’s new student relief plans that, if successful, could help more than 30 million borrowers. Continue reading…

Vice President Kamala Harris joined U.S. Rep. Dwight Evans for a roundtable discussion on Monday about student loan debt forgiveness at William Cramp Elementary School. (Kristen Mosbrucker-Garza/WHYY)

RECAP: What else happened?

$ = paywalled

• Women in Bucks County are considering RFK as a presidential candidate amidst dissatisfaction with either President Biden or former President Donald Trump. [Atlantic$]

• Democratic ward leader Rev. Lewis Nash was removed from his post after offensive remarks he was recorded making about gay people and gender reassignment surgery. [Inquirer$/Billy Penn]

• The Wells Fargo Center officially lit up the final phase of its $400 million renovation Monday night as fans arrived for WWE Monday Night Raw. [BizJournal$]

• A look at how the Ambler Theater is keeping 35mm film—one of the closest things we have to magic—alive. [WHYY]

• The Phillies absolutely refuse to change. With no major changes, it’s no surprise this season is starting almost exactly the same as the 2023 campaign. [BP/Hittin’ Season]

• Sabrina’s Café is now fueling travelers at PHL, serving their well known breakfast items all day long, plus lunch and dinner at the airport. [PHL/Threads]

MAYOR WATCH

Mayor Parker appointed Michael Resnick as the new commissioner of the Department of Prison. Resnick served as acting prisons commissioner in 2016.

Today, Parker joins councilmembers at the #ItsASummerThing press conference to detail summer programs and job opportunities for Philly youth and young adults. (12:30 p.m.)

ON THE CALENDAR

🌿 It’s National Library Week and the Science Institute’s curators and librarians are holding an after-hours event all about the role herbs, plants, and flowers have played in the history of science and medicine. See archived treasures, taste a botanical cake, and more. Free with RSVP. (6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, April 10) 

🎲 Play board games, try hourly raffles, snack on savory and sweet treats, and get 20% off all retail board games at Thirsty Dice for National Board Game Day. Free. (4 p.m. Thursday, April 11) 

🌎 Join WHYY News for “Navigating Borders: Exploring the Issues of Immigration,” a Bridging Blocks discussion designed to foster understanding and empathy around immigration’s complexities and its effects on individuals and communities. (Parkway Central Library, 1901 Vine St., Thursday, April 11th, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.)

🥃 Sisterly Love Collective presents a “Women in Spirits” fundraiser at the Twisted Tail, celebrating women in the spirits industry. $35 ticket includes one cocktail, Tenango rum, and light snacks. (6:30 to 8 p.m. Friday, April 12)

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