#BILLYPENNGRAM OF THE DAY
Keeping warm outside Friday Saturday Sunday
(Photo by @therowhousecity)
Regional Rail crowding and delays expected to subside this month
Shortened trains, peak-hour crowding, delays and cancellations have plagued SEPTA Regional Rail riders for months.
The transit authority hopes to fix that thanks to newly arrived shipments of a scarce thermal wire product needed for federally-mandated safety upgrades to railcars. A spokesperson said around 8 repaired cars are back in service daily. Continue reading …
Philly’s State of Schools lists accomplishments, challenges
There was good news for Philly schools this past year. Test scores improved, student and teacher attendance rates increased, dropout rates dropped and graduation rates rose.
At the same time, funding and teacher shortages continued. And the district’s facilities planning process, which determines which schools in the district will be closed or remain open, was delayed several times and raised concerns about transparency and accountability
Superintendent Tony B. Watlington addressed it all, as well as efforts to connect more with parents and an effort to erase the district’s structural deficit. Continue reading …
RECAP: What else happened?
$ = paywalled
• Philadelphians will get a 15% discount on flood insurance in 2026. [WHYY]
• Area hospitals brace as flu cases continue to surge. [6ABC]
• Latest lawsuit claims residents of Bristol nursing home explosion were given cigarettes and lighters while gas leak was suspected. [Inq$$]
• Drivers who violate the red light cameras in front of the Philadelphia Museum of Art will be hit with fines beginning today, now that a 60-day warning period has come to an end. [NBC10]
• Want to volunteer on MLK Day? Here’s what’s available. [WHYY]
• The Eagles come into playoff game against Niners looking pretty healthy. [PhillyVoice]
MAYOR WATCH
The mayor will speak at a news conference announcing the launch of Sing That Jawn, a citywide high school vocal competition celebrating Philadelphia’s youth and connecting them to the music industry, in the mayor’s Reception Room at City Hall. (10 a.m.)
ON THE CALENDAR
🛍️ Philly-themed gifts: Where to shop
🏃🏽 Philly Runners Guide
Thursday, Jan. 8: Philly in Watercolor
Choose your favorite Philly mascot to paint and enjoy pretzels and water ice. Relaxed, fun and beginner-friendly. $60 ticket includes a brew from Love City Brewing. (6 to 8 p.m.)
Thursday, Jan. 8: Collage Meetup at Yards
Join Collage Philadelphia and Sidewalk Collage Library for a night of creativity and conversation. Materials provided. Free. (6 to 9 p.m.)
Thursday, Jan. 8: With Liberty and Justice for … A Few
As Philly preps for semiquincentennial celebrations, learn about how America treated local African Americans, Jews, and Catholics during America’s 150th birthday back in the 1920s. $10 tickets includes one drink. At Gloria Dei (Old Swedes) Church. (7 to 8 p.m.)
Thursday, Jan. 8: Sing Your Life Karaoke presents BOWIEOKE!
DJ Sara Sherr returns to present another very special Bowie edition of her amazing night of karaoke. FREE at Milkboy. Ages 21+. (8 p.m.)
Thursday, Jan. 8: Bowie Quizzo
Test your knowledge as Patti Brett – Philly’s premier David Bowie fan and one of the original Sigma Kids (and owner of Doobies Bar) — supplies a handcrafted night of Bowie Quizzo. Drinks and live music. First round starts at 8 p.m. No cover. At Ray’s Happy Birthday Bar (steps from Pat’s/Geno’s).
Friday, Jan 9: Philly’s Rockin’ Jazz
The Friday Night Jazz series at Woodmere Art Museum kicks off with a celebration of Philly’s homegrown giants of jazz. The series continues through March 27. $28 tickets. (6 to 7:30 p.m.)
Friday, Jan. 9: PhillyLovesBowie Week Happy Hour Dance Party
The Sound & Vision dance party at Trestle Inn features live DJs spinning Bowie on vinyl, go go dancing, classic videos, happy hour specials, and more. No cover. $1 from every purchase of the $9 Young Americans Sour gets donated to CHOP’s in Memory of David Bowie campaign. (6 to 9:30 p.m.)
Friday, Jan. 9: Bowie Night at Brooklyn Bowl
50th Anniversary Performance of Station To Station. $16-65 tickets. (8 p.m.)
Friday, Jan. 9: Bowie and Prince Dance Party
At Underground Arts. $21.06 tickets. (9 p.m. to 1 a.m.)
Saturday, Jan. 10: Philadelphia Mummers FreeWalk
Walk through the heart of South Philly, home of the New Year’s tradition of mummery, and the Mummers Museum. Celebrate the 125th anniversary of a Philly holiday tradition. Starts and ends at LOVE Park. 8 miles overall. (9:15 a.m.)
Saturday to Sunday, Jan. 10-11: 43rd Presentation of the Boar’s Head Festival
The Boars Head Festival is a 14th century festival that sees a full choir and orchestra retell Christmas. The Cameron Highland Pipe Band marches in ceremoniously, while the Beefeaters keep watch. There will be a live Nativity, medieval dancing, and plenty to keep the whole family entertained. At St. Peter’s Church Lafayette Hill. (Saturday: 1, 4 & 7 p.m.; Sunday: 1 and 4 p.m.)
Saturday, Jan. 10: Liberty Bell Laughs Standup Comedy Show
A hilarious night, courtesy of Sawubona Creativity Project. $12.51 tickets. (8:30 to 9:30 p.m.)
