#BILLYPENNGRAM OF THE DAY
High flyers
(Photo by @jrwvk)
‘The living room of the city’: Art museum expands education program
The Philadelphia Museum of Art continues to look for new ways to engage the city’s residents. One that worked last year: a free busing program for students.
Now it’s expanding its offerings for lifelong learners. Billy Penn’s Nick Kariuki reports on the new plans, which include a significant update that eventually will fill the north wing of the museum. Continue reading …
Herr’s reveals winner in ‘Flavored by Philly: Crunch Off’ contest
The voting results are in for the fourth edition of Herr’s annual “Flavored by Philly” chip contest, and the people have decided.
Not to brag, but Billy Penn’s summer taste test is 4 for 4 in picking the winner, which is now part of the permanent lineup. Continue reading…
RECAP: What else happened?
$ = paywalled
• Pennsylvania must stop throwing out mail ballots over date errors; A federal appeals court ruled unanimously that doing so is unconstitutional. [AP]
• A conservative election researcher from Pa., whose faulty findings on voter data were cited by President Trump as he tried to overturn his 2020 election loss, has been appointed to an election integrity role at the U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security. [AP]
• SEPTA cuts foreshadow possible similar moves by other agencies across the country. [AP]
• A major solar installer in Philly is ceasing most operations amid federal tax credit rollbacks. [WHYY’s PlanPhilly]
• Public feedback is being collected online for the 52nd Street Commercial Corridor Improvement Project, between Arch and Pine. [Phila.gov/West Philly Local]
• Delco woman gets engaged: Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce announced the news on Instagram. [IG: @taylorswift]
• Retired Eagles star Brandon Graham is joining the NFL Network’s Good Morning Football as a guest analyst. [Inq$]
Weekly brief on gun violence prevention (with PCGVR)
We publish this report each week in partnership with the Philadelphia Center for Gun Violence Reporting.
- Data-driven, early intervention strategies could revolutionize Philly’s approach to crime prevention. [The Conversation]
- Gun violence prevention advocates push for a safe storage law in Pennsylvania. [KYW]
- Philly nonprofits can apply for Violence Prevention Grant funding with the DA’s office. [City of Philadelphia]
- Workshop alert: Attend the upcoming Gun Violence Prevention Reporting National Certification Conference in Philly forum Oct. 1-3!
Learn more about the keynote and agenda here.
By the numbers in Philadelphia
- 17: Shooting victims recorded from Aug. 17 to 23, including 5 fatalities, according to city data. During the previous week, 15 shooting victims were recorded, including 5 fatalities. [Source: nickhand.dev]
- 149: Year-to-date homicides, down 17% vs. last year’s pace; down 49% vs. five years ago. [Philly Police]
MAYOR WATCH
Mayor Parker has no public events scheduled for Wednesday.
ON THE CALENDAR
🎉 EarlyBirds Club party in Philly, Sept. 6
✨ Drone Art Show Aug. 29-30
🏮 The 2025 Philly Lantern Festival ends Aug. 31
🏊🏽 Public pools in Philly 2025
🏃🏽 Philly Runners Guide
Thursday, Aug. 28: Passyunk Passeggiata
The final Italian-style promenade of the summer along East Passyunk Ave. feat. happy hour specials and a sidewalk market with participating independent small businesses. (5 p.m.)
Thursday, Aug. 28: Binding Agents Presents: KICKOFF KITCHEN with Chef Tim Lopez
Catch up with the former Eagles chef and check out his book of recipes from the Birds and an array of NFL teams. At Binding Agents in Bella Vista. $11.65 tickets. (6:30 p.m.)
Friday, Aug. 29: 19133 Farmers Market
Delicious fruit and veggies at Historic Fairhill. (10 a.m. to noon)
Friday, Aug. 29: Community Movie Night: “A Minecraft Movie”
The last free community movie night of the summer at Bartram’s Garden’s Upper Meadow. BYO picnic blankets, bug spray, and snacks. 5 p.m. family and kid activities, then 7:30 movie screening.
Friday, Aug. 29: Liberty City Arts Presents “Opera Meets Broadway”
BYO blanket, snacks and friends to NoLibs’ Liberty Lands, entering on Bodine Street. The family-friendly concert brings La Boheme and Rent, La Traviata and West Side Story, and more in this accessible exploration of how timeless human stories transcend musical genres. Free with a $10 suggested donation. (7 p.m.)
Saturday, Aug. 30: Public Art, Landmarks, and Transformations along the Schuylkill
Learn about the changes and development along the lower Schuylkill River and the industrialization that followed in historical landmarks, and public art spanning the early-18th to the mid-19th centuries. Starts at Lloyd Hall Rec Center and ends at the Ellen Phillips Samuel Memorial. 2 miles long. $18 tickets. (10 a.m.)
Saturday, Aug. 30: Community Block Party in NE Philly
Celebrate summer’s “last hurrah” outdoors, at Roosevelt’s campus at 7800 Bustleton Ave. (11 a.m. to 2 p.m.)
Saturday, Aug. 30: 3rd annual Island Country Indonesian Festival
Fleisher Art Memorial and Gapura again hosts this community festival and celebration of folk arts and culture, complete with food, dance, games and more. (11 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
Saturday, Aug. 30: North Philly Day
It’s a Carnival in the Hood at Fotterall Square. (12 to 6 p.m.)
Saturday, Aug. 30: SW Philly Night Market
An evening of food, music, shopping and community vibes at Richard Allen Prep (2601 S. 58th Street). Food trucks, local vendors, live DJ sets, kids’ activities, giveaways and more. Free to attend. (5 to 11 p.m.)
Saturday, Aug. 30: Singles Happy Hour
Mixer-style mingling and bingo icebreaker with local singles ages 25 to 45+ at Kite & Key in Callowhill. $23 tickets. (7 to 9 p.m.)
Sunday, Aug. 31: Labor of Love “Witness” Wrestling
A series of wrestling matches. At National Mechanics in Old City. $25 tickets. Not wheelchair accessible. (5 to 8 p.m.)
Sunday, Aug. 31: Pigeon Poetry Jam
Close out the summer with The Philly Pigeon’s open-mic and artist mixer, featuring Philadelphia’s Poet Laureate, Kai Davis. $17.85 tickets. (8 p.m.)
Monday, Sept. 1: 3rd annual Labor Day Celebration at FDR Park
A scavenger hunt, archery ages 10+, nature crafts, Smokey the Bear, food and more. Free. (12 to 2 p.m.)es and good vibes on the Brown Street Lawn in Fairmount. It’s Neighbors’ Night! (6 to 8 p.m.)
Thursday, Aug. 28: Streets Dept Presents: GIANTS II, An Artist Talk
A live event with three giants in Philly’s art world. Artists who not only have burgeoning solo careers, but who’ve also become curators and leaders in Philly’s art scene. Together, these three artists are curating walls, exhibitions, and even historic business corridors — talking with Doomed Future, Alloyius Mcilwaine, and Michelle Angela Ortiz! $26.50 tickets. (6 to 8 p.m.)
Thursday, Aug. 28: Secrets of the Schuylkill
Discover the sights, sounds, and history of the tidal Schuylkill River from the early 1700s at historic Bartram’s Garden, to the 1800s at the Fairmount Water Works, to award-winning 21st century skyscrapers on a one-hour riverboat tour. $25 adult tickets; $15 children under 12. (5:30 p.m.)
Thursday, Aug. 28: Binding Agents Presents: KICKOFF KITCHEN with Chef Tim Lopez
Catch up with the former Eagles chef and check out his book of recipes from the Birds and an array of NFL teams. At Binding Agents in Bella Vista. $11.65 tickets. (6:30 p.m.)
Thursday, Aug. 28: “Men In Black” screening
Relax at Schuylkill Banks for this outdoor screening. (8 p.m.)
Friday, Aug. 29: Art Battle Philadelphia
Art Battle returns with another round of live competition as talented artists race against the clock, bringing their visions to life while guests vote for favorites to help crown the champion across three rounds. Buy a unique masterpiece at auction, too! Tickets start at $22.05. (6 p.m.)
Friday, Aug. 29: Liberty City Arts Presents “Opera Meets Broadway”
BYO blanket, snacks and friends to NoLibs’ Liberty Lands, entering on Bodine Street. The family-friendly concert brings La Boheme and Rent, La Traviata and West Side Story, and more in this accessible exploration of how timeless human stories transcend musical genres. Free with a $10 suggested donation. (7 p.m.)
Saturday, Aug. 30: 3rd annual Island Country Indonesian Festival
Fleisher Art Memorial and Gapura again hosts this community festival and celebration of folk arts and culture, complete with food, dance, games and more.
Sunday, Aug. 31: Pigeon Poetry Jam
Close out the summer with The Philly Pigeon’s open-mic and artist mixer, featuring Philadelphia’s Poet Laureate, Kai Davis. $17.85 tickets. (8 p.m.)
