Newsletter
Cash bail report riles city officials; Why the Philly Applebee’s will never go away; A symphony of local voices
Newsletter for Saturday, Oct 28 2017
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Spiders like the waterfront view, too
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Philly officials in ‘damage control’ mode following cash bail report
A coalition of Philadelphia criminal justice officials is slamming the lame-duck city controller, claiming his office’s recent report on abolishing the city’s cash bail system is riddled with errors. City Controller Alan Butkovitz says that’s not so and stands by the October missive, which indicated the city could save $75 million a year if it eliminated cash bail entirely. Here's more on the data they're fighting over.
Fear and loathing and $1 margaritas at Applebee's
This month, along with just about every Applebee’s in America, the Center City AB’s started selling margaritas for $1. What a country! Apparently it’s been quite a success. We’d heard the much-reviled-yet-popular establishment has been even more crowded than usual, so we headed over at 2 p.m. last Wednesday, ordered a bunch of $1 margaritas and tried to understand the essence of an Applebee’s located in the middle of the sixth-largest city in America. What follows is our best recollection of the experience.
Speak up to be part of the Philadelphia Orchestra's next symphony
MIT music prof and inventor Tod Machover wants you! Seriously, Machover is in town this weekend looking to record as many spoken sounds as he can to form the basis of a new symphony he's creating called "Philadelphia Voices." The Philadelphia Orchestra will perform the final result next spring, but from now through Thanksgiving, it's collection time. Sound weird? Well, Machover has done this before — to much acclaim. Here's the skinny on how it all works and the app you can download to participate.
On the Calendar
Scrapple and brunch at Pennsport’s best new cafe
After two months in biz, this Pennsport coffee shop is having a grand opening party. It involves scrapple and donuts, so you can forgive the lateness. Saturday is the scrapple part, with local author (and co-founder of Herman's) Amy Strauss signing copies of her scrapple history book and Chewys Philly grilling scrapple sandwiches. Sunday is the launch of brunch with special bagels from The Bagel Place, plus treats from Hello Donuts. Also, coffee.
Where: Herman's Coffee at 1313 S. 3rd St. 19147
When: October 28, 2017 at 7:00 a.m. to October 29, 2017 at 6:00 p.m.
How much: Pay as you go
Walk into McDonalds and say ‘rev up those fryers’
Remember that whole viral meme about college kids trolling Facebook by creating events to hit up chain restaurants and shout SpongeBob Squarepants lines? Well, the kicker was that no one actually does it. But, partially inspired by Billy Penn's article on the craze, it looks like one of those events might actually draw a physical crowd. If you want to be part of a unique social experiment, head to Mickey D's this afternoon and yell out the line above. Apparently people will be doing it in multiple cities. USA! USA!
Where: McDonald's at 1706 Walnut St. (or the one closest to wherever you are)
When: October 28, 2017 from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
How much: Free, baby
Party at the Shambles to help Bridget Foy’s staff
Bridget Foy's annual Halloween party was on the books for this weekend, but after the 39-year-old restaurant was destroyed by a fire Wednesday morning, it looked likely to be cancelled. Nope! The community has rallied around the South Street icon and is hosting the party anyway — as a fundraiser for staff. DJ Robert Drake will spin, Philadelphia Brewing Co. has donated beer and Absolut is kicking in vodka. All monies collected at the door and via food and drink sales will go directly to the cause.
Where: Headhouse Shambles at 2nd & Pine St. 19147
When: October 28, 2017 from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
How much: $5 donation at the door, pay-as-you-go food and drink
Bring the fam to a cemetery because Halloween
'Tis the season to spook the kids (and yourself) with a picnic and parade at one of Philly's historic graveyards. The location overlooking the Schuylkill offers a great leaf-peeping perspective, and activities include arts and crafts, pumpkin picking and of course plenty of treats.
Where: Laurel Hill Cemetery at 3822 Ridge Ave. 19132
When: October 29, 2017 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
How much: $5
Learn about and celebrate Día de los Muertos
Where did the "day of the dead" Halloween traditions stem from? The fifth annual celebration at the Bella Vista arts center with a theme of the Mayan afterworld begins with a series of workshops focused on the traditional Mexican holiday and concludes with two altar ceremonies, a vigil and a procession through South Philadelphia. Weather update: No procession, but the alter ceremonies are still on.
Where: Fleisher Art Memorial at 719 Catharine St. 19147
When: October 29, 2017 from 4:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
How much: Free