#BILLYPENNGRAM OF THE DAY
Holiday sentinels
(Photo by @kslouf)
SEPTA, union reach contract agreement after Shapiro intervened over weekend
SEPTA has reached a tentative two-year contract agreement with Transportation Workers Union Local 234 following a weekend intervention by Gov. Josh Shapiro that got the two sides back to the bargaining table.
The agreement averts a strike the union had said was “imminent” on Friday because negotiations over pensions and healthcare contributions had reached an impasse. Continue reading …
In a naughty world, who makes the nice list? A new show tackles the question
In “The Nice List,” opening this week at the Bristol Riverside Theatre, Santa unexpectedly must leave town, so he deputizes two elves to finalize the nice list in time for delivery. But the two couldn’t be more opposite. There’s “Gumdrop,” the nice elf, and “Raisin,” the naughty elf.
As the two work on the list, one experiences a moral crisis. Continue reading …
RECAP: What else happened?
$ = paywalled
• Gov. Shapiro filed a lawsuit to block HUD funding restrictions that specifically target trans and nonbinary people. [PGN]
• The U.S. Health and Human Services Dept. changed the name of transgender health leader Admiral Rachel Levine — who was also Pa.’s former health secretary — on her official portrait. [NPR]
• Pa. lawmakers received their automatic annual raise. Rank and file members now make $113,000. Some want to change the practice. [Capital-Star]
• As the Trump administration moves away from solar energy, Philly doubles down with new 20-year Abes Run deal. [WHYY]
• A months-long construction project on I-76 West, also known as the Schuylkill Expressway, between 30th Street and the I-676 interchanges, will lead to lane reductions and closures until June. [NBC10]
• The Library Company of Philadelphia, once founded by Benjamin Franklin, will soon merge to become part of Temple Libraries. [Temple Now]
• The Eagles’ troubles deepen with their loss to the Los Angeles Chargers last night. [CBS3]
MAYOR WATCH
The mayor has no public events scheduled for today.
ON THE CALENDAR
🎄 Holiday lightings around Philly
🏃🏽 Philly Runners Guide
🎞️ Ongoing: The Declaration’s Journey — Available on the WHYY YouTube Channel. New episodes will appear every two weeks.
Tuesday to Weds, Dec. 9-10: Walnut West Library Friends’ Huge Holiday Book Sale
The annual fundraiser for library programs and repairs presents a large selection of gift-quality used children’s books as well as general fiction and nonfiction for the grownups. Prices range from $1.00 to $3.00. This year, large collections of math books and classical music LPs will also be available! At 40th and Walnut. (12 to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday)
Wednesday, Dec. 10: “We Here” documentary screening
Mural Arts Philadelphia will host a public screening and Q&A of the documentary film for their We Here project, which took place in 2023 and 2024. Documentary filmmaker Gustavo Garcia of Colibri Workshop, Kensington artist Roberto Lugo, and Community Advisory Council members Brenda Mosley and John Walsh will be on hand for a discussion following the screening. Free at the PMA. (3 to 5 p.m.)
Wednesday, Dec. 10: 2025 Billy Penn’s Billies Awards
Join us for a night of celebration at WHYY where we applaud the movers and shakers who make our city shine. From community leaders to artists, activists to entrepreneurs, we’ll recognize those who embody the spirit of the City of Brotherly Love. Don’t miss out on this special in-person event where we come together to showcase the incredible talent and dedication that make Philly great. And did we mention, food and drink are free? Free with RSVP. (5:30 to 7 p.m.)
Wednesday, Dec. 10: McGillin’s Annual Toy Drive
A festive night filled with seasonal brews, holiday food specials, giveaways, and photos with Santa, the toy drive directly benefits families served by the Ronald McDonald Houses of the Philadelphia Region. Click here for details. (6 to 9 p.m.)
Wednesday, Dec. 10: Growing Through Preservation: The Economic Impact of Historic Preservation in Philadelphia
Join UCHS at The Rotunda to learn about the recent study on historic preservation impacts in Philly. Free. (6 to 7:30 p.m.)
Wednesday, Dec. 10: “Show Off” at Theatre Exile
Set in 1920, in working-class North Philadelphia, this comedy tracks a family thrown into chaos by their daughter’s suitor, a pseudo-socialist buffoon. Show Off became a theatrical sensation as one of the first plays to depict the new American middle class. The playwright’s teenaged niece, Grace Kelly, made her stage debut in the show’s premiere. Call about tickets. (6:30 p.m.)
Wednesday, Dec. 10: Gingerbread House Decorating– for adults!
Nut-free event at Bloomsday in Headhouse Square. $68.25+tax ticket price includes one gingerbread house, and each person must decorate their own. (6:30 p.m.)
Thursday, Dec. 11: Tête-à-Tête Film Screening at Carpenters’ Hall
Part of Year of the Spy commemorative festivities. The film depicts a reenactment of the secret meetings held between French spy Julien-Alexandre Achard de Bonvouloir and Benjamin Franklin on the second floor of Carpenters’ Hall. $5 ticket. (5 to 7:30 p.m.)
Thursday, Dec. 11: Dinner with King Tut
What does history taste like? How about the smell? Sound and touch? Join author Sam Kean in an archaeological experience like no other. Free in-person or online. (5 to 7 p.m.)
Friday, Dec. 12: Philly Fights Hunger gallery and silent auction benefit
An art show to support Philabundance! 30+ tattoo artists from across Philly create according to the theme of skateboard decks! Every artist participating will be donating a hand painted board with their personal flair. All proceeds from the silent auction goes to help hungry neighbors. At Forin Cafe. (7 p.m.)
Friday, Dec. 12: AWFUL Wrestling: Spectacular Holiday Spectacle 2
The first of two consecutive nights of holiday wrestling at PhilaMOCA. $30.25 tickets. (8 p.m.)
Saturday, Dec. 13: AWFUL Wrestling: A Murder Mystery
The second of two nights at PhilaMOCA. $30.25 tickets. (8 p.m.)
Saturday-Sunday, Dec. 13-14: A Philly Holiday Spectacular
Sung by Broadway stars and returning Philly favorites Nikki Renée Daniels & Jeff Kready, with extra festive special guests. At Marian Anderson Hall. (3 p.m. Saturday; 7:30 p.m. Sunday)
Through Jan. 5: One-Man Nutcracker by Chris Davis
What if the ballet was performed by only one man? If the daughter Marie, little boy Fritz, creepy uncle Drosselmeyer, the mice, the Sugar Plum fairy, were all channeled through one actor. Various times. $17.85+ tickets.
