A brand-new family-oriented patriotic celebration with a parade, free concerts, restaurant deals and extended museum hours is coming to Old City this year — just a couple days before Philly’s traditional Independence Day festivities.
The inaugural Red, White & Blue To-Do Pomp & Parade will take place July 2 and repeat annually, including for the nation’s 250th birthday, or Semiquincentennial, which is expected to draw millions of visitors to Philly in 2026. BP’s Meir Rinde lists some of the highlights to expect. Continue reading…
Roughly a quarter of the electricity running Philadelphia’s municipal buildings now comes from solar power.
The Adams Solar Farm — a 230,000-panel solar array near Gettysburg — started generating energy in late March. The city has committed to buying most of the farm’s power for the next 20 years. Continue reading…
RECAP: What else happened?
$ = paywalled
• Penn has begun disciplinary proceedings for student organizers of the Gaza Solidarity Encampment. [TheDP.com]
• SEPTA released a final proposal for its Bus Revolution project. A vote from the agency’s board could come as soon as May. Changes include making routes 30% more frequent by reducing stops, but require some riders to travel travel longer distances to reach their bus stops. [WHYY]
• After years of vacancy and neglect, most of the housing once run by defunct nonprofit Germantown Settlement is being taken over by the Philadelphia Housing Authority. [Inquirer$]
• A Tyson Foods plant in Lancaster County is one of several Tyson plants that researchers say discharged pollutants such as nitrogen and phosphorous into waterways. [WHYY]
• Philly-based canned cocktail brand Surfside is expanding nationally for the 2024 summer season and adding new flavors of green teas and lemonades. [NBC10]
• Philly’s popular emotional support alligator ‘Wally’ may never be found after being stolen in Georgia, then released into a swamp, its owner says. [6ABC]
• Tyrese Maxey saved the Sixers from elimination with seven points in the final 25 seconds of regulation, which led to a Sixers win in overtime, 112-106. Game six of the first round series against the Knicks is Thursday at 9 p.m. in South Philly. [AP/WHYY]
Weekly brief on gun violence prevention (with PCGVR)
We publish this report each week in partnership with the Philadelphia Center for Gun Violence Reporting.• A ban on shooting live pigeons as targets advanced in the Pa. House for first time since 2011. [Capital-Star]
• Penn Medicine invests $28M in new weapons detection, security tools to limit violence against health workers. [WHYY]
• What would a future without guns look like? Ten artists were asked to imagine such a world and their responses range from the spiritual to sci-fi/fantasy. [WHYY]
By the numbers in Philadelphia
- 17: Shooting victims recorded last week, vs. 9 the week prior. [PCGVR]
- 322: Shooting victims as of April 27 were down 43% vs. the previous year. [PCGVR]
- 87: Year-to-date homicides, down 35% vs. last year’s pace; down 16.3% vs. five years ago [Philly Police]
MAYOR WATCH
Mayor Parker will speak at the city Board of Education’s swearing in ceremony at city Hall at 10 a.m. Later, she’ll speak at the African American Chamber of Commerce’s Women’s Business Empowerment Luncheon.
At noon, she’ll join other city leaders at Franklin Square Park to pay tribute to the deceased police officers & firefighters who have died in the line of duty at the annual Living Flame Memorial Service.
ON THE CALENDAR
🏡 Saturday, May 4: 1st Annual West Philly Community Yard Sale
Residents of 150+ yard/porch/garages are participating in this inaugural event that helps neighbors find bargains and community camaraderie at the same time. There’s even a convenient map and spreadsheet for advance planners. Pay-as-you-go. (9 a.m. onwards)
🍡 Saturday, May 4: Rittenhouse Row Spring Festival
Enjoy fun in the sun with local artists, fashion, live music, and some of Philly’s must-try food and drink, on Walnut Street and all-around Rittenhouse Square. Pay-as-you-go. (12 to 5 p.m.)
🍖 Sunday, May 5: Cinco de Mayo BBQ at Cantina La Martina
Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with an all-day parrillada (barbecue) at Cantina La Martina in Kensington. A special menu of bbq and cocktails will be available, along with clowns, magicians, face-painting, and more. (11 a.m. to 11 p.m.)
😆 Sunday, May 5: Neapolitan Improv
Beginners are welcome at this improv comedy workshop, jam session, and one-night-only live show at Sawubona Creativity Project on East Passyunk Ave. (6 to 8 p.m., every first Sunday)
Catch up on the previous week
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