#BILLYPENNGRAM OF THE DAY
Capturing Geno’s orange motif
(Photo by _mtkrupka)
Parks Service restored slavery exhibit panels at President’s House site after court order
“It feels like history being made again,” said one man watching Thursday morning as workers replaced the signs the exhibit that tells the story of nine people enslaved by George Washington while he lived in Philadelphia as president.
The federal government has appealed a judge’s ruling this week that the signs be restored. Continue reading…
Gym workers face uphill climb to ink their first contract
After forming a union two and a half years ago, employees at Movement Gym on Callowhill Street say they’ve struggled to reach an agreement on a contract.
Their frustrations reflect similar efforts nationwide where 27 climbing gyms have unionized but only three have signed contracts. Continue reading…
RECAP: What else happened?
$ = paywalled
• What Mayor Cherelle Parker’s administration told the DOJ about Philly’s ‘sanctuary’ policies in a letter the city tried to keep secret. [Inq$]
• Just when you thought the snow was finally gone, forecasters say a nor’easter could bring another significant snowstorm to our region. [Fox29]
• An effort to provide more protections for Philly renters from retaliatory evictions is running into resistance. Councilmember Nicolas O’Rourke’s bill would apply “good cause” protections to all renters. [PlanPhilly]
• A dog breeding ban was approved in City Council. The goal is to control the pet population in a city that has thousands of strays. [WHYY]
• Artist Isaiah Zagar’s mosaic works can be seen across the city. Leaders at Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens, which he created, announced he died Thursday at 86. [BP/WHYY]
• Did you know that Native Americans sought to become the 14th state? Tribal leaders were negotiating statehood with the Continental Congress as the new nation was being formed at Independence Hall in 1776. [WHYY]
MAYOR WATCH
Mayor Parker’s office has not announced any public plans for today.
ON THE CALENDAR
🧨 Lunar New Year events guide
📚 Book lovers’ guide to Philly
🍹 Non-alcoholic options
🏃🏽 Philly Runners Guide
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: “52 Weeks of Firsts” celebrating the Chinatown Friendship Gate
The city hosts a firstival celebrating the first authentic Chinatown Gate in the U.S. At the Crane Community Center. (11 a.m. to 1 p.m.)
Saturday, Feb. 21: Winter Wellness Market
A day of shopping, socializing and more at Kirkbride Arts. All guests receive one free hot cocoa or coffee. (11 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
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. 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: Lunar New Year at the Rail Park
Lion dances, tai chi, taiko drumming, a KPop workshop, a flower market, horses from the Fletcher Street Urban Riding Club, plus the much-anticipated return of the Rail Park Bao Bar and Sego Food Truck. Free. (1 to 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: Lunar New Year Walking Tour + Parade
At 10 a.m., join a walking tour of Chinatown. The tour culminates with the 11 a.m. neighborhood parade: Watch lion dances, enjoy confetti firecrackers, local shops, and eat at local restaurants to welcome the Year of the Fire Horse. Free.
Sunday, Feb. 22: Mausoleum Makeout Marathon Online Festival
An online screening of the accepted short films, with a few secret feature length film picks. Screenings start at 12 p.m. While you watch, bid on the charity raffle, with funds supporting South Phillies Community Fridge, Food Not Bombs, and Punks with Lunch.
Sunday, Feb. 22: Reassembly Workshop: Situational Publishing & Latin American Postal Art
In this talk and workshop, librarian and arts organizer Sal Hamerman connects Can Can Press’ Reassembly “Situational Publishing” project to the broader histories of mail art as a networked and cross-cultural practice that is simultaneously playful and political. Carrión served as a key point of contact with Latin American mail artists whose work playfully subverted and made visible the conditions of censorship and violence that they were experiencing, using the mail to forge international solidarities. Free, at Ulises in Fishtown. (1 to 3 p.m.)
Sunday, Feb. 22: Poetry Open Mic + Book Fair
Promote literacy in our community with free books while hearing and sharing poetry. Food, beverages, jewelry, skin car, art and clothes vendors on-site. $10 entry. Free for children under age 5. (1 to 4 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.)
