#BILLYPENNGRAM OF THE DAY
Stone and steel sentinels through time
(Photo by @karenbenson.eyeful)
SEPTA honors Caroline Rebecca LeCount, who helped desegregate Philly’s transit system
Long before Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on an Alabama bus, another civil rights hero made a similar stand in Philadelphia.
As part of its recognition of Black History Month, SEPTA honored the life and courage of Caroline Rebecca LeCount, the first Black woman in the Philadelphia area to pass the city’s teacher exam and a civil rights advocate whose legacy is rooted in her work in desegregating public transit. Continue reading…
Philly’s top chefs are teaming up for Amá’s new Taco Novela series
Ever wonder what a taco from Her Place’s Amanda Shulman would look like? Or perhaps, a Filipino-inspired taco from Tabachoy’s Chance Anies? Well, we’re about to find out.
Amá’s James Beard Best Emerging Chef semifinalist Frankie Ramirez is bringing the culinary drama in collaboration with a strong lineup of Philly chefs for a new “Taco Novela” series, with 10% of the proceeds going to a charity of each chef’s choice. Continue reading…
RECAP: What else happened?
$ = paywalled
• A federal judge ordered the immediate restoration of Philly’s President’s House slavery exhibit, even as more lawsuits in other cities allege the Trump administration is erasing history and science at national parks around the U.S. [WHYY/AP]
• Bird flu concerns grow in New Jersey as Pennsylvania boosts farm protections. [WHYY]
• Howard Lutnick’s name is on the library at Haverford College. Will that change after his appearance in the Epstein files? [Inq$]
• A new network of 76 air monitors throughout Philadelphia provides detailed look at air quality. [WHYY]
• A new workshop series asks Kensington residents to help shape greener public spaces. [Kensington Voice]
• Philadelphia Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel spoke to concerned neighbors after a string of violent robberies targeted victims in South Philly. [NBC10]
• The Boss is back. Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band return to Philly May 8 as part of new U.S. tour that he says is “in defense of America.” [CBS3]
MAYOR WATCH
Mayor Parker will attend the Philadelphia Tribune’s Black History celebration at 12 p.m., honoring the oldest continuously published newspaper reflecting the African American experience in the U.S.
ON THE CALENDAR
🧨 Lunar New Year events guide
📚 Book lovers’ guide to Philly
🍹 Non-alcoholic options
🏃🏽 Philly Runners Guide
Thursday, Feb. 19: Chinese New Year – Calligraphy Workshop
This interactive workshop explores one of the oldest and most respected art forms in China. Chinese calligraphy’s history stretches back more than 3,000 years. At the Crane Community Center. $5 registration. (6:30 to 7:30 p.m.)
Thursday, Feb. 19: Sideworld Video Festival
See what’s new in Philly’s video and short film scene at this event in the tasting room at Philadelphia Brewing. Free. (7 to 9 p.m.)
Thursday, Feb. 19: Bitty and Friends: An Anti-Valentine’s Day Cabaret
Join Bitty Fitzleapord as she and her closest friends lament the glory of unrequited love. This is a cabaret event to celebrate lost loves, found loves who left, and loves so lost they ended up found again. At the Trestle Inn in Callowhill. $17.85 tickets. (7 to 8:30 p.m.)
Friday, Feb. 20: Philly Bike Party
Meet at the Art Museum steps for a 10 mile run at party pace while collecting supplies for a handful of local community fridges and pantries. Mutual aid for introverts/Solidarity, not charity! Bring non-perishable food, personal care items and first aid. (8 p.m. meetup, 8:30 p.m. start)
Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 21-22: Punk Rock Flea Market
This is an indoor event, rain or shine, inside the 23rd Street Armory. $10 in advance, $12 cash at the door, $15 credit day-of. Kids 12 and under are free. 1 dog per attendee welcome, must be leashed. (10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day)
Saturday, Feb. 21: For Love to Thrive Black Cultural Heritage Celebration
A free, 4-hour cultural heritage resource fair in Parkway Central Library’s Skyline Room celebrating African-American heritage sites and initiatives throughout the Greater Philadelphia region. (12 to 4 p.m.)
Saturday, Feb. 21: HISTORY MATTERS: Free Talks by Tour Guides
A teach-in at various sites within Independence National Historic Park. Featuring the history of Black and other marginalized Americans. Pop in and out for brief snippets. Feel free to join longer free tours at 1:15, 2:15 and 3:15 leaving from the Independence Visitor Center, hosted by tours at the APT table. Free. (Anytime between 1 and 4 p.m.)
Saturday, Feb. 21: Poetry is for Everyone Book Club
it can be daunting to dip your toes into poetry. You may not be sure where to start. That’s why H&H Books started a new book club. Today’s meeting discusses “Regaining Unconsciousness: Poems” by Harryette Mullen. Free; $22 book. BYO pencil and paper for a writing exercise. (2 p.m.)
Saturday, Feb. 21: Book Launch of “Last Seen: The Enduring Search by Formerly Enslaved People to Find Their Lost Families”
Ebenezer Maxwell Mansion’s annual African History Month lecture welcomes Villanova University professor Judith Giesberg for a discussion of a critical, often overlooked aspect of nineteenth-century Black life. $12 tickets or $27.75 for talk and book. (3 p.m.)
Saturday, Feb. 21: Fishtails Retro Prom
Fishtails Animal Rescue is rolling out the disco ball for their Retro Prom Fundraiser at Star|Bolt. $35 tickets include live DJ spinning throwback hits, snacks, silent auction and raffle, votes for adoptable Prom King & Queen. (7 to 10 p.m.)
Saturday, Feb. 21: Lunar New Year at Quig’s
Support Plays & Players Theatre while celebrating lunar new year traditions, playing games, watching Kpop dance, and snacking on foods from Vietnamese, Chinese and other Asian cultures. $17.85 tickets. (6 to 9 p.m.)
Saturday, Feb. 21: From PhilHarmonia with Love: Between Us
Annual choral concert and cabaret, chocolate fountain and drinks included. Featuring music inspired by the supportive bonds of friendship and shared among friends — from the salons of Paris and Queenly courts to Motown and Spice Girls. At Trinity Memorial Church in Fitler Square. $42 tickets. (7:30 to 10 p.m.)
Sunday, Feb. 22: A Century of Black History commemoration
A public program to commemorate the history, legacy, and preservation of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History and its founder, Carter G. Woodson. Kick off a year-long celebration. Feat. historian Dr. Evelyn Brooks Higginbotham, historical readings, a light reception and community sharing. In-person or via Zoom. Free with registration. (2 to 5 p.m.)
