Kensington drug crackdown has some impact, but it’s still early days
City officials are giving each other tentative congratulations for progress made on taming Kensington’s open-air drug market over the past year.
But this week’s data dump was also a reminder of how much more work would need to be done to fulfill Mayor Cherelle Parker’s goal of shutting down the decades-old drug market — and of potential limits on what law enforcement, social service agencies and the legal system can do. Continue reading…
Culinary Collective helps Philly’s food entrepreneurs thrive together
Some of the cooks are caterers. Some are bakers. Some own food trucks. Others prepare packaged goods. And some run pop-up restaurants. Each of them is cooking something different, but they all are part of Culinary Collective, a family-owned coworking commercial kitchen space in the Frankford Arsenal. BP’s Natalia Sanchez Loayza takes us inside the culinary community. Continue reading…
RECAP: What else happened?
$ = paywalled
• There will be no Children’s World’s Fair for America’s 250th birthday, after all. The cancellation came as leaders of the Please Touch Museum, Mann Center and Philadelphia Zoo cited a lack of funding and not enough time for the semiquincentennial in 2026. [NBC10]
• Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker’s hiring of former elected officials with legal troubles or past controversies is drawing fresh scrutiny. [Northeast Times]
• Philly-area lawmakers walked out of a meeting with Penn president over DEI cuts. [WHYY]
• Here are four things to know about the Philadelphia Tax Reform Commission. [WHYY’s PlanPhilly]
• $7.8 million in upgrades are coming to Franklin Square Park, including renovated restrooms, new lighting, a playground makeover with climbing tower and zip line, and PATCO station improvements. [WHYY]
• Philly’s official FIFA World Cup poster will be revealed at the Philadelphia Flower Show next Wednesday, selected from over 400 artist submissions. [Billy Penn]
MAYOR WATCH
The Mayor will attend the Salvation Army Ray and Joan Kroc Center of Philadelphia’s “Shining a Light on Black History in Philadelphia” celebration to honor distinguished leaders in Philadelphia, at the Salvation Army Kroc Center of Philadelphia, 4200 Wissahickon Ave. (6 p.m.)
ON THE CALENDAR
😋 East Passyunk Restaurant Week runs through March 7
🫶🏾 Black History Month events
🤔 Thursday, Feb. 27: Democracy in the Making
Public Trust presents this participatory event on the relationship between arts and democracy. It includes a keynote, movement exercises, panel discussion and breakout groups with community and civic leaders from Philly and NYC. (5 to 7 p.m.)
🎭 Thursday, Feb. 27: “This Is America” Variety Show
A Philly-based sketch team presents “a drunkard’s walk through American politics, pop culture and daily life. It doesn’t so much explore modern society as stumbles through it.” $20 tickets; BYOB. At Sawubona Creativity Project in East Passyunk. (7 p.m.)
🎷 Friday, Feb. 28: Opening Reception: “Crescendo: How Art Makes Movements (1981-1999)”
Asian Arts Initiative’s new spring exhibit highlights multidisciplinary art projects created between 1981 and 1999, intersecting with Asian American social movements. Inspired by jazz and improvised music that was central to the Black Arts Movement, the artists featured in the exhibition used music as a vehicle to build solidarity beyond races and ethnicities. Enjoy a special concert afterwards. Free with registration. (5 to 8 p.m.)
🎉 Saturday, March 1: Philly Alaaf! A Karneval TanzParty
Join the German Society of Philadelphia for a Karneval dance party at the retro Ratskeller, full of glitz, glitter and over-the-top traditions. Dress in costume, be ready to throw confetti, join the Polonaise line and enjoy special guests! Bar will serve beer, wine and a signature cocktail. $10 tickets include one drink. (8 p.m. to midnight)
👩🏼🎨 Sunday, March 2: Family Festival: Drawn to Stories
Once upon a time, artists of all ages embarked on an enchanting storytelling journey through art. This month’s festival at the PMA celebrates Wanda Gág: Art For Life’s Sake and kicks off Women’s History Month. Pay-what-you-wish admission. (10 a.m. to 3 p.m.)
🍎 Sunday, March 2: “What the Health” at Easttown Library
Mobilization for Animals PA hosts this free screening of the 2017 documentary film, What the Health, a discussion with Dr. Ana Negrón, and a chance to sample some vegan refreshments. (1:45 to 4:15 p.m.)
🎶 Sunday, March 2: Soulful Sounds in Philly
Plays & Players Theatre presents a Harlem Nights-inspired evening of soulful music and irresistible charm. $35 tickets. (6 p.m.)
Catch up on the previous week
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