#BILLYPENNGRAM OF THE DAY
Wawa in winter
(Photo by @denisewalksphilly)
Why Philly’s warm-up won’t save us (yet)
Philadelphia is flirting with something that feels downright balmy this week: daytime highs nudging close to 40 degrees, starting Tuesday.
But if you’re counting on this warm-up to wipe winter clean, meteorologists have some bad news. Most of that snow and ice isn’t going anywhere — at least not in the way residents might wish. When will it depart? Continue reading …
Sugar cane bushes and Super Bowl ads: How Philly repped during Sunday’s game
The Super Bowl was about bunnies more than birds, but Philadelphians definitely made their presence known Sunday — including a Philadelphia Zoo chicken named Chick Pea that correctly picked the winner. Here’s the list of local representation from Sunday night, including a local who was on the field for Bad Bunny’s halftime spectacle. Continue reading …
RECAP: What else happened?
$ = paywalled
• Pennie enrollment plummets as health insurance premiums increase by 102%. In the Philly area, residents are dropping coverage entirely and older adults are especially hard-hit. [PhillyVoice/WHYY]
• Creating art for U.S. coins is tricky. These Pa. artists have made a career of it. [Spotlight PA]
• This snowstorm made one thing clear: Philly needs better ways to get around. [GreenPHL]
• Philly firefighters are providing smoke detectors and fire safety tips for residents in areas affected by fatal fires. [NBC10]
• The Philadelphia Asian American Film Foundation is in a “critical” financial position amid cuts to arts funding and donations. They hope fundraising, collaborations, public input and varied programming will help. [WHYY]
• Do you love books, or want to? We have a guide for you. [Billy Penn]
MAYOR WATCH
Mayor Parker to hold a bill signing to protect homeowners from deed fraud at City Hall. (2 p.m.)
ON THE CALENDAR
🍹 Non-alcoholic options beyond Dry January
🏃🏽 Philly Runners Guide
Tuesday, Feb. 10: Tamale Workshop
Join the library and Cantina la Martina to learn how to make tamales. Also, enjoy a story with McPherson Square’s new children’s librarian, Flan. (3:30 p.m.)
Tuesday, Feb. 10: Story Quilting with Mama Carla
Combine the tales of the African diaspora with the opportunity to create your very own tied quilt square. Mama Carla Wiley will show you how to tell your stories in words and cloth. At Queen Memorial Library. (4 p.m.)
Tuesday, Feb. 10: Cobbs Creek Little Nature Playground Design Workshop #1
Join your neighbors in designing new Little Nature Playgrounds and child-friendly murals for Cobb’s Creek Park. (4:30 to 6:30 p.m.)
Wednesday, Feb. 11: Or Not to Be: Curator-Led Tour
The Free Library’s exhibition, “Or Not to Be: Representations of Death” in Special Collections, is inspired by Shakespeare’s famed “To be, or not to be” soliloquy in Hamlet, and looks at death from a wide variety of cultural perspectives. The exhibit provides a lens focused on the various ways death has inspired the living. Meet at 10 a.m. in the Dietrich Gallery in the Rare Book Department on the 3rd Floor of Parkway Central Library for this free tour led by the exhibition’s curator. (10 a.m.)
Wednesday, Feb. 11: How to Run for Committee Person in Philadelphia
Join the Committee of Seventy for a practical breakdown of the city’s ward system – the behind-the-scenes structure that shapes elections, endorsements, and turnout – and learn how becoming a committee person is one of the simplest ways to get involved locally. At the Philadelphia Ethical Society. (6 to 7:30 p.m.)
Wednesday, Feb. 11: Philadelphia Romance Book Swap
Head to Yowie Hotel to hang out with fellow romance heads and swap your recent reads for new-to-you ones. Free with registration. (6:30 p.m.)
Wednesday, Feb. 11: Profs & Pints Philadelphia: The Dark Side of Fairy-Tale Romance
Examine nightmarish elements of the tales we’ve repackaged as the stuff of lovers’ dreams, from romcoms to reality TV shows to wedding venues to Valentine’s Day, which idealize the idea of a “fairy-tale romance,” while the fairy tales underlying all the hype actually can be profoundly unsettling and full of reasons to run like hell. $14.77 in advance, $17 at the door. (6:30 p.m.)
Thursday, Feb. 12: ‘Tis Well… The Life and Death of George Washington
Come discover the highs and lows of George Washington’s personal life at Historic Gloria Dei (Old Swedes’) Church. $10 tickets. (7 p.m.)
Friday, Feb. 13: Great Backyard Bird Count
A global event that connects people through bird watching. Participants will practice bird identification, learn about local bird species, and submit their sightings to support global conservation research. At Glen Foerd. Free with registration. BYO binoculars. (4 to 5:30 p.m.)
Friday, Feb 13: Lunar New Year Celebration
How do people celebrate Lunar New Year, and what traditions make this holiday special? Learn about Lunar New Year customs and share good wishes with friends and the community. At FACTS Charter School, 1023 Callowhill Street. (4 to 6 p.m.)
Friday, Feb. 13: Glue Sticks and Feelings: an Anti Valentine’s Day Grief Crafting Circle
Valentine’s Day. Grief. Both can be messy and heavy and complicated. Also funny and strange. Hang out with other grievers, crafters, grieving crafters, and crafting grievers. Share what you feel comfortable sharing, and make a collage, a mini zine, a Valentine to what or whomever you’re grieving – or BYO craft, so long as there is no glitter / oil paints / physical mess that would impact the space. All griefs welcome. At Wooden Shoe Books. $0-25 suggested donation. (7 to 8:30 p.m.)
