#BILLYPENNGRAM OF THE DAY
Lights on at the U.S. Custom House
(Photo by @marsea2)
The long ride: Transit advocates riding SEPTA for 24 hours
Over the past day, advocates have been riding SEPTA’s buses, trains and trollies in an effort to draw attention to the transit agencies needs and to fend off potential budget cuts and fare increases.
“I think that riding SEPTA for 24 hours is a great way to show how this system powers our city,” Civic leader and disability advocate Nico Meyering said. Continue reading…
Tiny art draws big crowds in Queen Village
Big ideas expressed in small packages. That’s the idea behind the Mini Mini Art Show at vintage shop At My House, where most pieces are smaller than 1.5 inches by 1.5 inches.
“It’s a whimsical thing. I feel like there’s so much less whimsical things for us to enjoy lately, and miniature things just are automatically packed full of whimsy,” said Kelly Braun, owner and curator of At My House. Continue reading…
RECAP: What else happened?
$ = paywalled
• Pennsylvania takes an aggressive stance to prevent flesh-eating New World screwworm fly from coming into the state. [WHYY]
• Mayor Parker needs to do more to enforce ‘ICE Out’ legislation, activists say. [WHYY]
• Philadelphia Managing Director Adam Thiel steps down as Parker’s administration undergoes a staffing shuffle, is replaced by ‘Clean and Green’ head Carlton Williams. [WHYY]
• City Council members say they will “use every tool in our arsenal” to stop planned school closures. [Chalkbeat]
• Penn professor who translated ‘The Odyssey’ slams Christopher Nolan’s movie as ‘gimmicky’ and ‘abysmal.’ [PhillyVoice]
• Longtime Philadelphia musician Wanamaker Lewis reflects on Carnegie Hall, charcoal portraiture and a lifetime of teaching himself new crafts. [Fitler Focus]
MAYOR WATCH
Mayor Parker joins Wawa Welcome America and City Council at a ceremony honoring veterans from across Philadelphia for their outstanding service to their communities. (11 a.m.)
Parker later attends the Women’s Lacrosse League Championship Kick-Off at Dock Street Brewery South. (1 p.m.)
Weekly brief on gun violence prevention (with PCGVR)
We publish this report each week in partnership with the Philadelphia Center for Gun Violence Reporting.
- Can Americans still talk about guns? At this Philly gathering, they tried. [WHYY]
- Is 2026 the Safest Year in Philly’s History? Trenae Nuri talks with Mensah Dean, staff writer from the gun violence reporting newsroom, The Trace. [City Cast]
- A new study suggests that traffic deaths spike after deadly mass shootings — but it’s unclear why. [NYT]
By the numbers in Philadelphia
- 14: Shooting victims recorded from July 13 to 19, with zero fatalities, according to city data. During the previous week, 15 shooting victims were recorded, including 1 fatality. [Source: nickhand.dev]
- 97: Year-to-date homicides, down 25% vs. last year’s pace; down 69% vs. five years ago. [Philly Police]
Highlights from Billy Penn’s City Guide
How boutique fitness is offering a different kind of experience in Old City
A growing wave of boutique fitness studios is helping shape a new morning culture in the section of Philadelphia that’s uber-popular with tourists.
Mayfair Diner: Serving Northeast Philly and beyond for generations
As the classic Philly diner approaches its 100th birthday, the pancakes, potatoes and scrapple are still hot items.
ON THE CALENDAR
War of the Words dad joke quizzo (Wednesday),
Gayborhood mural walk (Thursday),
Night market on 9th Street (Friday),
AND MORE!
Send us events to add to the **FULL LIST** of this week’s events calendar at BillyPenn.com!
BILLY PENN GUIDES
🏙️ Billy Penn City Guide
🍦 Vegan ice cream guide
🌽 CSA farmshare guide
🛝 Kid-friendly summer guide
☕ Philly coffee guide
🚶🏽♀️ Alt Philly history walking tours guide
🌱 Spring in Philly guide
🎭 Philly’s comedy scene
🎤 Philly Record Store Guide
🛍️ Thrifty in Philly guide
📚 Book lovers’ guide to Philly
🍹 Non-alcoholic Philly
😋 Dining in Philly
🏃🏽 Philly Runners Guide
