#BILLYPENNGRAM OF THE DAY
Christian to Crescent connection
(Photo by @joe_in_philly)
How a Philly attorney invented the first matchbook
A festival in Old City on Saturday will commemorate the creation of the matchbook in 1892 by Joshua Pusey, a Philadelphia attorney and Delaware County resident. Historians believe being a commuter into the city “informed his work and his desire for a really lightweight, flexible match.”
“He was a big cigar smoker, and he was really frustrated with existing match technology,” said Jesse Smith, director of the museum at the Science History Institute. “You had a lot of historical threads coming together in this tiny, little, seemingly quotidian object.” Continue reading…
Behind the scenes at Xfinity Mobile Arena as Philly preps for March Madness
For nearly 30 years, what’s now known as Xfinity Mobile Arena has hosted fans for thrilling wins and disappointing defeats. It’s welcomed the nation’s top musical and comedy acts as well as circus elephants, monster trucks and both national party’s political conventions.
Comcast Spectacor’s COO Phil Laws, who led the arena’s eight-year transformation, showed us around the ahead of a Flyers game. Continue reading…
RECAP: What else happened?
$ = paywalled
• Pennsylvania publishes long-awaited study on radioactivity in landfill runoff. [Capital-Star]
• A court settlement has derailed a final vote on City Council legislation aimed at strengthening protections for Philadelphia renters. [WHYY’s PlanPhilly]
• West Philly tenants are racing to save 925 affordable rentals to prevent mass displacement. [WHYY’s PlanPhilly]
• For Philly-area immigrants, an ICE arrest can take them thousands of miles from home. Some say that’s by design. [Inq$$]
• Drexel University is rolling out a three-year medical degree program to help address the shortage of primary care doctors
• The Main Banking Room of the former Fidelity-Philadelphia Trust Company Building at 123 S. Broad Street has become only the 6th interior designation in the register’s 70-year history. [Hidden City]
• Philly PAWS is looking to find new homes for pets during ‘Match Madness.’ [WHYY]
MAYOR WATCH
Mayor Parker has no public events scheduled for Thursday.
ON THE CALENDAR
⚽ Billy Penn’s FIFA World Cup Guide
👭🏽 Women’s History Month in Philly
📚 Book lovers’ guide to Philly
🍹 Non-alcoholic Philly
🏃🏽 Philly Runners Guide
Friday, March 20: March for Art: BASH
Close out InLiquid’s two-week celebration of creativity, creators, and collectors with food, drink, art and the countdown to the end of the art auction by 200+ local artists. All proceeds split shared by artists and InLiquid. $125 tickets. (6:30 to 10 p.m.)
Saturday, March 21: Philly Whiskey Walk 2026
Your ticket includes admission and eight whiskey tastings throughout the Philadelphia Zoo. Adults-only. $68-75 tickets. (11 a.m. to 6 p.m.)
Saturday, March 21: LGBTQ+ Health Fair
In observance of National LGBTQ Health Awareness Week, Councilmember Rue Landau will host the fair. At The Church of Saint Luke & The Epiphany, 330 S. 13th St. (12 to 3 p.m.)
Saturday, March 21: Sprung! A Spring Block Party
Beer, food, local vendors, a live DJ and more at Evil Genius Brewing. Free, family-friendly, dog-friendly. (12 to 3 p.m.)
Saturday, March 21: Harmony of Korea: A 15th Anniversary Celebration
The Korean Culture Community Foundation invites you for an evening celebrating 15 years of community, culture and connection. Featured: cultural showcases and exhibits, dance and music. At Philadelphia Antioch Church. Free to sign up. (4:30 p.m.)
Saturday, March 21: 3rd annual Port— A Sustainable Fashion Show
An independent fashion show presenting emerging designers with environmentally conscious practices from the Greater Philadelphia Area and beyond. At Asian Arts Initiative, 1219 VIne Street. Masks mandatory unless eating/drinking. $23.18 tickets. (5 p.m.)
Saturday, March 21: (Marshmallow) Peep Show
Paper Doll Ensemble throws its most delightfully unhinged fundraiser of the year. This playful, family-friendly evening is packed with food, drinks, blind boxes filled with incredible handmade crafts, a silent auction, raffles, a 50/50, a little magic, a crowd-favorite Peep Decorating Contest, and plenty of delightful chaos. $23 to $52 tickets. (5 to 7 p.m.)
Sunday, March 22: Meet the Women of the Betsy Ross House
Meet Betsy at two different stages of her life, along with renter Hannah Lithgow and upholsterer Betsy Ashburn who made musket cartridges for the Continental Army. Included with House Tour admission. $12 adults; $10 children/students/seniors. (11 a.m. to 3 p.m.)
Sunday, March 22: Yours Truly Market
A curated art market for artists by artists. 60+ vendors with collections of pottery, one of a kind clothing, fine art, jewelry, home goods, comics and more. At the Bok building, 821 Dudley Street. $5 suggested donation to support Juntos. (11 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
Sunday, March 22: Philadelphia Wedding Walk
Explore 10 of the most sought after venues in Philadelphia, all fully styled as though a wedding was in full swing – complete with decor, food, drinks and entertainment. Plus 100+ Philly vendors. $39.19 advance tickets; $44.52 day-of. (12 to 5 p.m.)
Sunday, March 22: “Salt of the Earth” screening
A historic film about a Mexican American miners’ strike that centers labor rights, immigrant workers, and women’s leadership. At Nikki Lopez Philly at 304 South Street. $15.50 ticket includes hot dog. (1 to 4 p.m.)
Sunday, March 22: Women, Religion & Revolution
From making flags to hosting secret worship services in their homes during the British occupation and other courageous acts, learn how faithful women of Philadelphia made important contributions to the Revolutionary War effort. Featuring: Mary Andrews, Sarah Franklin, Miriam Simon Gratz, Jarena Lee, Mary Evans Thorne Parker, Betsy Ross, and Phillis Wheatley. At Historic St. George’s United Methodist Church; FREE to RSVP. (2 to 4 p.m.)
