#BILLYPENNGRAM OF THE DAY
Lobby with a view at Jefferson
(Photo by @therowhousecity)
Photos from Sunday’s Odunde Festival
Celebrating its 50th anniversary, the Odunde Festival transformed 16 city blocks into avenues of music, food and tradition steeped in the African and Caribbean diaspora under cloudy skies Sunday.
Also, meet the woman behind Odunde [WHYY’s PlanPhilly]. Learn more and see photos …
Toll the Bell calls for action, awareness of gun violence
Bells rang across the city Friday afternoon as part of a commemoration of National Gun Violence Awareness Day. In University City, where Penn Live Arts’ Toll the Bell event served as a focal point, faith leaders led a vigil and a march through city streets. Continue reading …
RECAP
$ = paywalled
• SCOTUS rejected a Republican appeal and left in place a Pa. court decision allowing people to cast provisional ballots when their mail-in votes are rejected for not following technical procedures in state law. [AP]
• Gov. Shapiro visited Philly to kick off a “deliberative polling’” experiment, designed to engage voters across partisan gaps. Pa. House Speaker Joanna McClinton joined a Q&A with state voters during the America in One Room event. [WHYYx2]
• The state’s largest water providers say they’re reducing toxic PFAS chemicals from drinking water — as the Trump administration threatens to weaken federal regulations on the so-called “forever chemicals.” [WHYY]
• Hundreds of new signs could be posted in public parks threatening $2,000 fines for dogs in animal-free zones, if a new bill in Philadelphia City Council becomes law. But critics say it may be “all bark and no bite.” [WHYY]
• A South Philly man reeled in 72-pound catfish from the Schuylkill River near the new trail extension in Grays Ferry. IT would have set a new state record, but he released the fish and did not register it. [PhillyVoice]
• WHYY News’ Black Men in Media Summit offered a glimpse into a changing industry. [WHYY]
• The Portrait Society of America awarded a painting of former Mayor Michael Nutter first place in its 2025 international portrait competition. [WHYY]
MAYOR WATCH
Philly voters give Mayor Parker mixed reviews and would like to see her be more visible, according to new survey results. [WHYY]
Mayor Parker will hold a press conference about City College for Municipal Employment to address talent gaps and training needs, at City Hall, 2 p.m.
The mayor will welcome the Big Brothers Big Sisters organization to Philadelphia for their National Conference, at Philadelphia Marriott Downtown, 1201 Market St., 5 p.m.
The Mayor, City officials, and local service providers will host a “One Philly 2.0” budget town hall to educate the public on the Fiscal Year 2026 Operating Budget and five-year plan, Preparatory Charter School, 1928 Point Breeze Ave., 6 p.m.
ON THE CALENDAR
🌈 Pride Month celebrations
🌸 27 ways to get out and enjoy the warm weather
🏃🏽 Philly Runners Guide
Monday, June 9: Summer Reading Kickoff Party (with Goats!)
Come to Cobbs Creek Library to sign up for Summer of Wonder, grab some water ice and soft pretzels. There will be prizes, free books, sand art and some GOAT friends will be making a special appearance. All ages welcome. (4 p.m.)
Monday, June 9: Juneteenth Cookbook Popup
An homage to liberation, Blackness, summer and good food featuring recipes from “Watermelons & Red Birds” by Nicole A. Taylor. At Walnut Street West Library. (5 to 6 p.m.)
Monday, June 9: Music 101: Listening
The first of 3 workshops led by musician and teacher Salina Kuo. Each workshop includes a 60-minute, hands-on class and 30 minutes to play with instruments and build on concepts with other participants. At Parkway Central. Free with RSVP. (5:30 p.m.)
Monday, June 9: 2nd District: Budget Town Hall Meeting
The penultimate in the Mayor’s Office’s town hall series comes to Point Breeze’s Preparatory Charter School, at1928 Point Breeze Ave. (6 to 8 p.m.)
Tuesday, June 10: Community Book Launch for Sarah Aziza’s THE HOLLOW HALF
A community celebration of Sarah Aziza’s debut memoir, followed by a post-reading conversation moderated by Camonghne Felix. Joining Aziza at the Asian Arts Initiative will be guest readers Candice Iloh and Angbeen Saleem. Hosted by: Denice Frohman and Jess X. Snow. Book sale proceeds will be donated to support Aziza’s family in Gaza. Food by Renata’s Kitchen. $45+ tickets includes signed book. (6 to 8 p.m.)
Wednesday, June 11: Read to a Therapy Dog!
Young readers are invited to Kingsessing Library to share stories with Cene, a local certified therapy dog from Comfort Caring Canines. Children can take turns of up to ten minutes reading aloud. Children under age 7 must be accompanied by a caregiver. First come, first served. (4 p.m.)
Wednesday, June 11: Nights at Eastern State Penitentiary
Tonight’s theme is Escape & Resistance. Experience an evening of immersive storytelling and uncover real accounts of daring escape attempts, test your problem-solving skills in a hands-on challenge, and step back in time to the era of Prohibition. $17 in advance, $20 at the door. (5:30 to 9:30 p.m.)
Wednesday, June 11: 3rd District: Budget Town Hall Meeting
The final town hall in the Mayor’s Office’s event series comes to West Philly HS from 6 to 8 p.m.
Through Wednesday, June 11: ‘Lost In Animation’ Film Series
This month’s movies at the Philadelphia Film Society showcase the genre’s range and innovation with screenings of “Love & Pop,” “Ghost In The Shell 2: Innocence,” and “Redline.” Various showtimes and dates. $14 tickets/$9 for PFS members.
Thursday, June 12: Memory Media Library: A Watch Party with Lois Cheaye
The Memory Workers Guild hosts this collective viewing of queer people of color in art, film, poetry and other archived testimonials, held in the Asian Arts Initiative’s Callowhill space. (6 to 8 p.m.)
