Say goodbye to those huge dominoes at Thomas Paine Plaza

🚨 Alternative Policing Program Expanding

Philly’s Police Assisted Diversion (PAD) pilot program is spreading to every district this summer. PAD allows law enforcement officers to address an individual’s immediate needs and connect them with social services instead of arresting them for a low-level crime such as shoplifting or drug possession. Since launching in 2017, the program has diverted thousands of people from the criminal justice system into services such as mental health treatment. [Philadelphia Citizen]

🏊‍♀️ Cobbs Creek Public Pool to Reopen

West Philly’s Sayre-Morris pool, which has been closed since 2017, finally has a clear path to reopening. On Thursday, Philadelphia's school board voted to revive the Olympic-sized indoor pool. The City pledged $3 million for the renovation project, and City Councilmember Jamie Gauthier is contributing $500,000 from her district’s capital funds. When the pool will reopen is still unknown. [Inquirer 🔒]

♟️ Big Changes at Thomas Paine Plaza

It’s time to say goodbye to the large chess pieces, dominoes and other popular board game sculptures at Thomas Paine Plaza, across from City Hall. City workers began removing the public art installation, “Your Move,” on Friday, May 26. A professional assessment found that the materials used in the artwork were not durable enough to survive at this high-traffic site. Longer term, the plaza will be redesigned to include more green space and seating. [PhillyVoice]

🚻 New Places to Pee in Philly

Philly now has a second Portland Loo restroom, at Fotterall Square near 12th and York Streets. These modular bathrooms are part of a pilot program that will bring relief areas to parks and public spaces across the city. Beyond these two loos, however, the city still has a major lack of public bathrooms. So where do you go when nature calls? [City Cast Philly 🎧]

🪡 Sewing Workshop | Wednesday | 6 p.m.

Stop by the Tacony LAB Community Arts Center to learn how to use a sewing machine and make your own pillowcase. [free, Tacony]

💪 Waterfront Wellness | Thursday | 6 p.m.

Head to Race Street Pier for yoga and mat pilates. BYO mat and water. [free, Penn’s Landing]

🎨 Art Show | Friday | 5 p.m.

Join Creative for an art show featuring written and visual art by K-12 students throughout Philly. [free, NoLibs]

🏳️‍🌈 Pride Concert | Saturday | 7 p.m.

Join the Kimmel Cultural Campus for a concert celebrating LGBTQ composers and allies. Featuring the Philadelphia Gay Men’s Chorus and Philadelphia Voices of Pride. [free, Avenue of the Arts]

Why SEPTA is Updating its Key System

SEPTA is updating the Key system, and searching for a new company to run it. Those are the electronic “smart cards” that replaced tokens and paper passes. But, that initial rollout took years and ran into tons of problems along the way. Host Trenae Nuri speaks with Jordan Levy, general assignment reporter for Billy Penn, about what we can learn from past transit mistakes, and what might be coming next.

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