Amid Fishtown boom, residents outraged by ear-piercing trash trucks
For years, residents of Crease Street in Fishtown have been tormented by noisy trash trucks that pick up from a neighboring La Colombe cafe as early as 4 or 5 a.m., six days a week. In addition to suffering through the noise and sleep disruptions, the neighbors say they also put up with delivery trucks — Amazon, UPS, the post office — that constantly block the street and park on the sidewalk.
After months of complaints that escalated in August when the building’s landlord applied for a loading zone permit on the street that would have brought more trucks and removed parking spots, La Colombe and local leaders acted to address their complaints. Continue reading…
Parker endorses 76ers arena despite community opposition
Touting her discussions with the Sixers development team for a $1.55 billion basketball arena on Market Street as “an historic agreement” and “the best financial deal ever entered into by a Philadelphia mayor for a local sports arena,” Parker said she will present a legislative package to City Council for approval, which 76 DevCorp hopes to get passed by the end of the year.
The mayor’s decision is a major blow to opponents, who have called the arena an “existential threat” to Chinatown, which sits feet from the proposed site, and a danger to small businesses, affordable housing, emergency services, and health care access due to traffic congestion and gentrification. Continue reading…
RECAP: What else happened?
$ = paywalled
• The contested election for Pa. auditor general is a race to watch, with Republican Timothy DeFoor, Democrat Malcolm Kenyatta and three other minor party candidates in the race. [WHYY]
• A new permanent “satellite” election office has opened in West Philly at 5610 Lancaster Avenue, offering voter registration, mail ballot processing, and daily essential services. Seven more are expected to open across the city in the near future. [West Philly Local]
• A Philly man faces charges as an adult for allegedly making and testing bombs at his home. The DA’s office says the suspect did extensive research about LGBTQ+ parades and planned to join a terrorist group in Syria. [WHYY]
• Parents are navigating the latest changes to Philadelphia high school admissions. [Chalkbeat]
• An overnight market for food trucks is headed to Fishtown outside the Fillmore, a space that Philly’s nighttime economy director hopes will be the first of many in Philly. [PhillyVoice]
• Widener University’s Beyoncé course invites students to explore her influence on African-American culture. [CBS3]
MAYOR WATCH
Mayor Parker speaks at the funeral mass of Philadelphia Police Officer Jaime J. Roman At Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul. (10:30 a.m.)
ON THE CALENDAR
✏️ Friday, Sept. 20: The Angry Grammarian
After its sold-out world premiere run in March 2024, The Angry Grammarian is returning, this time to the Arden’s Arcadia Stage. Laugh and learn grammar quirks in this musical romantic comedy. $26.50 tickets; $15 industry/student tickets. (Through Sept. 29)
👠 Through Sunday, Sept. 22: Philly Fashion Week
Emerging designers and their muses (also known as models) get to “werk” at Philly’s version of the heralded fashion weeks in New York, Paris and Milan. The week includes an Avantgarde Ball, Thursday’s free (with RSVP) NextUp Trend show and two runway shows on Saturday and Sunday night.
🍺 Saturday, Sept. 21: 16th Annual South Street Oktoberfest
Brauhaus Schmitz hosts the annual Oktoberfest celebration on South Street, with a VIP ticket including a buffet, beer tokens, and more. Pay-as-you-go. VIP tickets are $125. (12 to 8 p.m.)
🌭 Saturday, Sept. 21: 8th annual South Philly Sausage Fest & Flea Market
The sausage fest returns to West Passyunk Ave. from Broad to 16th Streets, while the vintage flea market, food trucks and beer garden. (12 to 7 p.m. sausage fest; 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. flea market)
📖 Saturday, Sept. 21: Backyard Poetry Reading
Hilltop Books holds its fall poetry series with three talented local poets. Free. (5 p.m.)
🚶🏽♀️Sunday, Sept. 22: Fall Equinox Walk
Find your balance in this Fall Equinox Walk! Fall Equinox is the day when the sun is above the equator, when day and night are the same length. Free. (8-9 a.m.)
Catch up on the previous week
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