#BILLYPENNGRAM OF THE DAY
Shelter from the storm
(Photo by @peterptobia)
‘A slow burn’: Uncertainty and anxiety as region preps for SEPTA cuts
The first phase of SEPTA’s service cuts and fare hikes lands on the region this Sunday and — absent some stalemate-breaking relief from Harrisburg — will keep on coming into 2026.
It’s hard to predict how it will all play out. “It will be a slow burn that starts to reveal itself more and more over the next few months,” said one official. Billy Penn’s Meir Rinde walks us through the possible hassles and hardships. Continue reading …
Everybody agrees: There should be an Indigenous Peoples Day
A recent court ruling said that former Mayor Jim Kenney overstepped his authority when he replaced Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples Day.
But the folks who challenged Kenney’s order and those who advocated for the change both agree on this: We should celebrate the people whose history preceded the arrival of Europeans here. Continue reading …
RECAP: What else happened?
$ = paywalled
• A report of an active shooter at Villanova University was a “cruel hoax”; thankfully, no one was injured. [WHYY]
• Reports says many Pa. school districts haven’t addressed environmental concerns. [WHYY]
• Local climate activists celebrate a win over PGW. [WHYY]
• Seniors are reshaping Philly’s rental market. [Axios]
• For the second time this year, a facility in the South Philadelphia Sports Complex is changing its name. This time, Xfinity Live! sports bar will become Stateside Live! [WHYY]
• Aubrey Plaza wore a Watch Party PHL “Philly is a women’s sports town” T-shirt at a WNBA game in NYC this past weekend. [CBS3]
• This outspoken vegan bakery in Manayunk is expanding. [Technical.ly]
MAYOR WATCH
Mayor Parker has no public events scheduled for today.
ON THE CALENDAR
📚 Philly Bookstore Crawl, Aug. 23
🎉 EarlyBirds Club party in Philly, Sept. 6
🏮 All about the 2025 Philly Lantern Festival
🏊🏽 Public pools in Philly 2025
🏃🏽 Philly Runners Guide
Saturday, Aug. 23: Society Hill Sacred Sites Tour
Meet at the gates of St. Peters Church at 313 Pine St. for this guided audio tour of Philly’s history of welcoming worshipers of many faiths. $18 tickets. (10 a.m.)
Saturday, Aug. 23: 3rd annual Curator Festival
A family-friendly event highlighting upcoming artists, bands, DJs, creators across the tri-state area. Plus resources for creatives to thrive and network. And food, games, contests, and shopping at Cherry Street Pier. $10 tickets. (1 to 8 p.m.)
Saturday, Aug. 23: Fungadelphia 2025
The second annual celebration of all things mushrooms is at the Schuylkill Center and includes guided trail walks, fungi lectures, live music, mushroom- and nature-themed art, games, DIY naturally-dyed mushrooms, myco alchemy and tincture making, and food demos. Free. (11 a.m. to 3 p.m.)
Saturday, Aug. 23: Urban Art Fest 52
The second annual celebration of visual arts, live music, culture and connection in West Philly. 50+ local and emerging artists, 4 live bands, kids art stations and more. Free; RSVP required. (12 to 7 p.m.)
Saturday, Aug. 23: Love Your Park Carroll Park
Hang with the Philly Goats for a walk, eating weeds, reading stories, helping with beautification by picking up litter and enjoying this green space. Free. (1 to 3 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. At the Lakes. (1 to 6 p.m.)
Saturday, Aug. 23: Young Got Flavors Food Truck Fest
Meet at 1447 American St for a block party with food trucks, vendors, florals and plants, backpack and school supply giveaway, and more. (1 to 8 p.m.)
Saturday, Aug. 23: Street Movies! with Friends of Vernon Park & Germantown Info Hub
Free outdoor screening series bringing independent short films and videos to vibrant public spaces throughout Philly. (7:30 to 9:30 p.m.)
Saturday, Aug. 23: PhillyPOP Discussion #3 | FunnyPOP: Musical humor, jokes, and cleverness
Celebrate everything that makes music funny: jokes, irony, clever lines, unintentional humor, and more. PhillyPOP is a meetup group for discussing popular music–it’s like a book club for playlists. (8 to 10 p.m.)
Saturday, Aug. 23: Class of ’84 at Evil Genius Beer Co.
Dance to an 80s tribute band for free at Evil Genius. (8 to 11 p.m.)
Sunday, Aug. 24: Paws & Poses
Stretch, relax & meet adoptable pups at Paws & Poses at The Logan Hotel. Flow, cuddle, and maybe find your new best friend. $28.52 tickets. (9:30 to 10:30 a.m.)
Sunday, Aug. 24: Navy Yard Tour
BYO water and sun protection for this guided audio tour of the former Philadelphia Naval Shipyard that has been transformed into a mixed-use riverfront community. Learn about the Navy Yard’s past and see their plans for the future. Meet at the Picnic Benches near the corner of Normandy Place and S. 11th Street. $18 tickets. (10 a.m.)
Sunday, Aug. 24: Split Thy Skull: Reemergence, at Doom Bar
A celebration of heavy, dark, and adventurous beverages, art, and music, with support from local artists and a metal soundtrack. The event returns to Philly after an initial run from 1995 to 2017. $45.10 tickets raise money for Circular Philadelphia’s mission of focusing on sustainability and true recycling/minimal waste. (2 p.m.)
Sunday, Aug. 24: Souletri Sundays open mic
Every 4th Sunday of the month through 2025 at Two Locals Brewing: an afternoon filled with raw emotions, laughter, and inspiring performances. (2 to 5 p.m.)
Sunday, Aug. 24: “The Mummy Returns” — A Live Reading
Join Theatre Contra at Tattooed Mom in the fight of mummies AND scorpion kings all while trying to avoid getting shot in the arse…again. First come, first served. $10 general admission. (7 p.m.)
