#BILLYPENNGRAM OF THE DAY
Welcoming entrance in Rittenhouse
(Photo by @therowhousecity)
Philly could keep burning trash in Chester for just one more year
The city is evaluating waste disposal options, while also studying bacterial “digesters” and tip-toeing into composting. This surprise update on the battle over waste incineration emerged from City Council’s budget debates this week.
Other teases about future trash-management initiatives were also revealed — a public composting pilot, an exploration of waste “digesters,” 100 more cameras to detect illegal dumping, and the revival of a free trash can program. Continue reading…
Parking garage collapse leaves 1 dead, 2 missing
At least one person is dead and two others are believed to be unaccounted for after a parking garage partially collapsed in the city’s Grays Ferry section. The seven-level parking garage was under construction for the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. It was being built to expand CHOP employee parking.
Officials have expressed concern that the remaining structure could fail, prompting closures in the surrounding area to allow crews to bring in heavy equipment and remove debris. Continue reading…
RECAP: What else happened?
$ = paywalled
• Pa. data centers: How lawmakers are responding, from electricity and water use to tax breaks. [WHYY]
• ICE agents are due to leave Philadelphia International Airport by today now that all TSA checkpoints and terminals are open. [6ABC]
• The Trump administration wants to sanitize George Washington’s role in slavery at the President’s House site, uploading digital renderings of 11 new panels that it planned to replace existing panels with before a judge blocked it and ordered them to return the originals. [Inq$$/Billy Penn]
• Thomas Jefferson University and the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM) both submitted bids to operate Delaware’s first medical school. [Spotlight Delaware]
• Meet the Philly kids fighting to keep their schools from closing. [Chalkbeat]
• After more than a year of uncertainty, Uncle Bobbie’s is officially staying in Germantown. Now in its ninth year of operation, the bookstore cafe will move from 5445 Germantown Ave. to 6237 Germantown Ave. [Germantown Info Hub]
MAYOR WATCH
Mayor Parker has no public events scheduled for Thursday.
ON THE CALENDAR
⚽ Billy Penn’s FIFA World Cup Guide
🌸 Cherry blossoms around town
🛍️ Thrifty in Philly guide
📚 Book lovers’ guide to Philly
🍹 Non-alcoholic Philly
🏃🏽 Philly Runners Guide
For the **FULL LIST** of this week’s events calendar, visit BillyPenn.com!
Thursday, April 9: Philadelphia Beekeeping Before 1719
Join historian Miranda Mote for a free lecture at the Parkway Central Library that tells a story of beekeeping in Germantown before 1719. Preceded by a bee inspired children’s activity for children first grade and up. (5:30 p.m.)
Friday, April 10: Science After Hours: Rhythm and Booms
The ultimate adults-only (21+) night at the Franklin Institute is back, and it’s all about the music. Electric or euphoric, raucous or relaxed, think spring music festival meets science museum energy. A mix of live bands and DJs will set the soundtrack to your dance through exhibits and activities. $40 tickets. (7:30 to 11:30 p.m.)
Saturday, April 11: Uhuru Health Festival and Marketplace
Uhuru Flea Markets marks its 22nd season of economic self determination and self reliance at their first large event of the year. At Clark Park.
Saturday to Sunday, April 11-12: Rex Manning Day
Everyone’s favorite annual 90’s day on the 400 block of South Street, where South Street Art Mart will be shutting down the block with live bands, food vendors, the famous prize wheel, a scavenger hunt and Weezer gift package, and more. (12 to 7 p.m. both days)
Sunday, April 12: Workshop: Traditional Music of the Huejotzingo Carnival
The Huejotzingo Carnival, in the state of Puebla, is one of Mexico’s most spectacular and deeply rooted festivals. Become immersed in its rich musical tradition and learn about the music that brings life to the “battalions” of sappers, zouaves, Indians, and highlanders. Some musical instrument experience is encouraged. At the Mummers Museum. (1 to 3 p.m.)
Sunday, April 12: Profs & Pints Philadelphia: Satanic Panics
The 1980s found the U.S. gripped by fear of Satanic cults targeting children in daycare centers and through subliminal messages on heavy metal albums or through role-playing games. Satanic serial killers supposedly stalked the suburbs. Doctors helped patients uncover what were claimed to be repressed memories of ritualistic satanic abuse. This academic talk examines moral panics as a longstanding cultural tradition, with each new one stemming from fear of cultural shifts and shaped by the time and place where it occurred. Among the panics we’ll look into are the Red Scare of the 1950s and the public response to the gruesome 1969 murders committed by the Manson Family. $14.77 tickets. At Black Squirrel Club. (4 to 6:30 p.m.)
