World

Remembering Philly musical giants; Three Mile Island reopening; Weekly gun violence brief

ADMIN 09/25/2024

It was announced yesterday that Philadelphia jazz great Benny Golson, a saxophonist and composer responsible for “I Remember Clifford” and “Along Came Betty,” had died Saturday. He was 95 years old.

Earlier this month, Maze founder Frankie Beverly passed away. BP contributor Rashad Grove wrote this appreciation of how Beverly rose from a prodigy born in Germantown to become a distinctly Philadelphian musical icon.

Legendary musician Frankie Beverly performs is final show in his hometown, Philadelphia, at the Dell Music Center July 6, 2024. (KDMorris Photography)

CT scanners use some radiation to quickly produce detailed images of the inside of people’s bodies. They’re used to check for diseases like cancer, issues like blood clots, or injuries to the brain and internal organs.

But Penn Medicine is offering the technology on off-hours for a different mission: to look deeply at centuries-old string musical instruments, with the goal of preserving them more effectively. Continue reading …

UPenn Phd.D student Leening Liu works to align the bass in the CT scanner. (Kimberly Paynter/WHYY)

RECAP: What else happened?

$ = paywalled

• Presidential candidates Kamala Harris and Donald Trump both say they want to build more housing. What would that mean for Pa.? [WHYY’s PlanPhilly]

• A Pa. lawmaker touted the planned reopening of Three Mile Island’s Unit 1 nuclear reactor, pending regulatory approval, despite the facility being home to the nation’s worst nuclear incident in 1979. [ABC27]

• Former State Rep. Movita Johnson-Harrell was quietly hired last month as Philadelphia Sheriff Rochelle Bilal’s new spokesperson, despite having been convicted in 2020 of stealing from a nonprofit she founded. [Axios]

• Philly’s Pier 40 gets new life as home to a CubeSmart self-storage facility. The building dates back to 1914. [WHYY’s PlanPhilly]

• A sizzling start and strong finish have the Phils poised for an exciting Red October after clinching the NL East title. [Hittin’ Season]

• South Street bar Bob & Barbara’s must knock down its $35,000 outdoor streetery after losing a legal fight with city. [PhillyVoice]

Weekly brief on gun violence prevention (with PCGVR)

We publish this report each week in partnership with the Philadelphia Center for Gun Violence Reporting.

• In Philadelphia, a new school year brings questions about who’s accountable for protecting students. [The Trace]

• Everytown for Gun Safety opened its first Philadelphia field office. [CBS3]

• Local violent crime victims joined thousands in D.C. for the first ever Crime Survivors Speak March. [NBC10]

• A Kensington workshop welds change, turning guns into garden tools. [6ABC]

By the numbers in Philadelphia

24: Shooting victims recorded last week, including 3 fatalities, vs. 10 with 2 fatalities the week prior. [Philly Police]
821: Shooting victims as of September 23 were down 38% vs. the previous year. [PCGVR]
192: Year-to-date homicides, down 40% vs. last year’s pace; down 23% vs. five years ago [Philly Police]

MAYOR WATCH

Mayor Parker will speak at a public town hall on the proposed 76ers arena at the Pennsylvania Convention Center at 5:30 p.m. The last-minute event follows her announcement last week that she endorses planned development despite widespread opposition from community groups in Center City, including Chinatown, Old City, and the Gayborhood.

ON THE CALENDAR

📖 Wednesday-Thursday, Sept. 25-26: Philly Story Fest
Award-winning journalists, writers, podcasters, performance artists, and musicians take to the stage at Bok for this annual storytelling event. $30 general admission. (7 p.m.)

🌃 Wednesday, Sept. 25: Point Breeze Night Market
Enjoy 32 food trucks, live performersand special guests, including appearances by Gritty, the West Powelton Steppers, Urban Guerilla Orchestra (UGO) Band, Soca performers, stilt walkers, and more. (5 to 9 p.m.)

💃🏽 Friday, Sept. 27: ¡BAILAR en FDR! Salsa Class + Social Dance
Want to learn how to dance salsa and bachata? ¡Vamos a bailar en FDR! The program is open to all levels and begins with a one-hour dance lesson from 7:30-8:30 PM followed by a social dance from 8:30-11:30 PM. FREE with registration.

⛴️ Saturday, Sept. 28: The Delaware River Festival
Penn’s Landing and Camden’s Wiggins Park host this festival on both sides of the river, connected by ferry service! Ferry rides, museum visits, pedal boats, face painting, a scavenger hunt, crafts, and more water-centered learning all day! (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.)

🎨 Saturday, Sept. 28: Goats at Mt. Airy Arts Fest
Celebrate all the arts at the Allens Lane Art Center while also visiting, playing and learning with the Philly Goats! FREE. (12 to 4 p.m.; Goats from 2-3 p.m.)