Residents banded together to provided free WiFi in Norris Park. Projects such as these are part of a larger trend of communities finding ways to provide services and information — and even, sometimes, signage — when it isn’t provided by more formal means. Continue reading …
A section of Wissahickon Valley Park that exploded in popularity during the pandemic just got a major upgrade in the form of a new pedestrian bridge with an observation deck, a stream restoration, and a new trailhead.
The $3.5 million project revamped an area along the stream, Valley Green Run, that serves as an unofficial “front door” to the 2,000-acre, city-owned nature area in Northwest Philly. Continue reading …
RECAP: What else happened?
$ = paywalled
• President Biden designated a national monument at a former Native American boarding school in Carlisle, Pa., to honor the resilience of Indigenous tribes whose children were forced to attend the school and hundreds of similar abusive institutions.
• Luigi Mangione, accused of killing a health insurance CEO on a New York street last week, struggled with deputies and yelled to reporters when arriving at a brief hearing Tuesday. He is contesting his extradition to New York state. [WHYY]
• Pa. became the first state to approve a new bill that cracks down on AI-generated child sexual abuse material by outlawing the distribution of salacious or pornographic deepfakes. [AP]
• Palak Raval-Nelson has been named Philadelphia’s new health commissioner after working for the city for 30 years. [WHYY]
• Philadelphia is now spending over $100 million on its curriculum overhaul. Here’s a breakdown. [Capital-Star]
• The Philly school district and UPenn plan to launch an artificial intelligence professional development program for school staff that they hope will serve as a national model. [Chalkbeat]
• Jefferson Health system is among those facing federal lawsuits claiming it allowed third-party tracking of its private patient portals by Facebook’s Meta Pixel to collect information about users for ad purposes. [Inquirer$]
• The Eagles are soaring to the top of the NFC East, and the top of the Billboard charts, with their third annual Christmas album. [CBS3]
Weekly brief on gun violence prevention (with PCGVR)
We publish this report each week in partnership with the Philadelphia Center for Gun Violence Reporting.
- Including federal funding for gun violence research: Penn leaders warn of challenges during Trump presidency [The Daily Pennsylvanian]
- How centuries of discrimination against African Americans has contributed to what feels like a never-ending cycle of gun violence in Philadelphia [The Trace]
- A new study found that adolescent suicidal behavior is significantly associated with violence exposure. [Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health]
By the numbers in Philadelphia
- 11: Shooting victims recorded last week, including 1 fatality, vs. 12, with 3 fatalities, the week prior. [Philly Police]
- 1,014: Shooting victims as of Dec. 9 were down 37% vs. the previous year. [PCGVR]
- 244: Year-to-date homicides, down 38% vs. last year’s pace; down 27% vs. five years ago [Philly Police]
MAYOR WATCH
The Mayor will deliver remarks at a graduation ceremony for Correctional Officer Class 24-05, at Parkway Central Library, Montgomery Auditorium, 1901 Vine St. (10 a.m.)
The Mayor will join City officials and community members for a community meeting on the proposed Sixers arena, at McCall Elementary and Middle School, 325 S. 7th St. (5:30 p.m.)
ON THE CALENDAR
🎁 Friday, Dec. 13: “It’s a Wrap!” PMA Holiday Celebration
Join the PMA Friday Night Lounge for a holiday event celebrating the artistry and artwork of five 2024 Heritage Month Artist Collaborators, who created unique designs for festive wrapping paper. Live music, a winter edition of Pop Up Studio, and a Toiletry Drive to support Broad Street Love are among the activities. $7-15 tickets. (5 to 8:30 p.m.)
🥳 Friday, Dec. 13: PhillyCAM End of Year Party
Join Philly’s community media space for a holiday party with karaoke, food and camaraderie. Free with RSVP. (6 to 9 p.m.)
🐦⬛ Saturday, Dec. 14: Christmas Bird Count
Contribute to one of the longest-running bird counts in the country, with decades of info recording interesting avian activity around Delaware County and Southwest Philadelphia. The walk will begin at the John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center and span about 3 hours. Warm layers and boots are recommended. (8 to 11 a.m.)
🎶 Saturday, Dec. 14: Improvise Holiday A Capella Songs
Join for full- (or half-) day workshops of improvised songs with Philly Improv Theater and Baltimore Musical Improv, crafting hilarious holiday lyrics for every occasion, from Christmas to Pi Day! At Hamilton Family Arts Center in Old City. $175 for the full day; $125 for morning a capella; $125 for afternoon holiday improv. (10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.)
🛍️ Saturday-Sunday, Dec. 14-15: West Craft Fest
Shop 60+ local makers on Saturday, then a different lineup on Sunday, at the Rotunda at 4014 Walnut. Shop handmade holiday gifts and many more unique treasures by Philly’s most creative makers. (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.)
🌰 Through Dec. 29: One-Man Nutcracker by Chris Davis
What if the daughter Marie, little boy Fritz, creepy uncle Drosselmeyer, the mice, the Sugar Plum fairy, were all channeled through one actor? $15-35 tickets. Various times.
🎭 Saturday, Dec. 14: Opening Night of The Complete Works of Christmas, Abridged
A world-premiere solo romp through Christmas classics in 60 minutes, starring Barrymore Award winner Amanda Schoonover at the Drake. Runs through December 29. $20 tickets. (7 p.m.)
Catch up on the previous week
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