#BILLYPENNGRAM OF THE DAY
Let your Philly phlag fly
(Photo by @barbhmphilly)
ChesCo lawmaker suggests Philly-area tax revenue should serve Philly-area concerns
As the SEPTA funding crisis nears a breaking point and sparks protests, state Rep. Melissa Shusterman, D-Chester, is circulating a radical idea — maybe southeastern Pennsylvania should divert its state tax revenue to support regional priorities.
“We are not OK with our tax dollars going to the rest of the state while we face those cuts,” Shusterman told WHYY News on the same day protesters dogged state Sen. Continue reading …
Philly’s Bookstore Crawl returns this weekend, bigger and better than ever
The third annual Philly Bookstore Crawl is back Saturday – and is bigger than ever.
The self-guided tour features more than 40 Philly and Philly-area bookstores hosting authors, events and discounted prices. Continue reading …
RECAP: What else happened?
$ = paywalled
• The big impact of Pennsylvania pharmacy closures, such as those at Rite Aid, explained in 3 maps. [Billy Penn/Spotlight PA]
• SEPTA’s looming service cuts could “lead to a deterioration in infrastructure condition and authorized train operating speeds” on Amtrak along the Northeast Corridor, officials said. [NBC10]
• Pennsylvanians face higher health insurance costs as insurers propose 19% increase to 2026 premiums. [WHYY]
• What small business owners need to know about the major changes coming to Philly’s tax code. [Inq$]
• Philadelphia’s most demolished street and what happens after almost 40% of the houses are gone. [WHYY]
• Clark Park is getting a Philly Phlush pre-fabricated public bathroom, the third location in the city to have one built. [West Philly Local/PhillyVoice]
• 400 trees and 12 new gardens: Nicetown-Tioga residents celebrate neighborhood greening initiatives. [WHYY]
MAYOR WATCH
Mayor Parker has no public events scheduled for today.
ON THE CALENDAR
📚 Philly Bookstore Crawl preview
🎉 EarlyBirds Club party in Philly, Sept. 6
🏮 All about the 2025 Philly Lantern Festival
🏊🏽 Public pools in Philly 2025
🌸 27 ways to get out and enjoy the warm weather
🏃🏽 Philly Runners Guide
Thursday, Aug. 21: Laid Off? Come socialize.
Join fellow unemployed neighbors at the Clark Park dog bowl to hang out without spending money. This is not a job opportunity or a networking event. Just BYO food, blanket, pen and paper, games, etc., to socialize in camaraderie. Noon.
Thursday, Aug. 21: Physical Media Swap
Bring VHS, cassettes, CDs, video games, records and DVDs to swap! Face masks are encouraged and will be available. At Funhouse Gallery on Frankford Ave. (3 to 9 p.m.)
Thursday, Aug. 21: Mayfair Third Thursday Night Markets
The Bogside Rogues perform at the last Mayfair summer night market of the season. (6 to 9:30 p.m.)
Thursday, Aug. 21: Singles Arcade Night
Singles aged 25 to 45 and above are invited to Dave & Busters in NoLibs for an arcade night. $25 tickets include a $10 game card. (7 to 9 p.m.)
Friday, Aug. 22: PowerPoint Night
Join the Athenaeum Young Friends to learn something new! $10 tickets for non-members. (6 p.m.)
Friday, Aug. 22: Storyville: Bumpa by Kayla Naomi Watkins
This work-in-progress documentary will explore the Afro-Caribbean dance, ‘whining’ alongside the practice of twerking to analyze respectability politics, pressures to accommodate whiteness, and gendered criticism of sexual expression within the Black diaspora. $5 tickets at Scribe Video Center. (7 to 9 p.m.)
Saturday, Aug. 23: Summer aBroad Health Fest
A morning pop-up hub of health and wellness activities like dance fitness, outdoor yoga, sound baths, DIY flower bouquets, vendors, and more. (9 a.m. to 1 p.m.)
Saturday, Aug. 23: Fungadelphia 2025
The 2nd annual celebration of all things mushrooms is at the Schuylkill Center and includes guided trail walks, live music, mushroom- and nature-themed art, guided Shroomscape gameplay, DIY naturally-dyed mushrooms, myco alchemy and tincture making, and food demos. Plus lectures on fungi! And food and yoga. Free. (11 a.m. to 3 p.m.)
Saturday, Aug. 23: Urban Art Fest 52
The 2nd annual explosion of creativity, music, and community in West Philly. A celebration of visual arts, live music, culture, and connection. 50+ local and emerging artists, 4 live bands, kids art stations, and more. Free; RSVP required. (12 to 7 p.m.)
Saturday, Aug. 23: Friends of FDR Park Summer Music Fest
The inaugural fest celebrates the diverse cultures and communities that represent FDR Park with live music, great food and fun activities for kids. At the Lakes. (1 to 6 p.m.)
