City Cast Philly
📫 How the UPS strike could affect Philly
July 21, 2023
Good morning! This is Natalia Aldana, a newsletter editor at City Cast, filling in for Brittany for the next week. Let’s get started with what’s happening around Philly and the best events for your weekend 😎
What's CITY Talking About?
Philly Evictions Suspended Until Officers Complete Training
After a deputy landlord-tenant officer shot a 33-year-old woman who was being evicted from her Kensington home this week, the city’s landlord-tenant office is halting eviction proceedings until their employees receive training on de-escalation and use-of-force procedures. Three deputy landlord-tenant officers, who are private contractors and not municipal employees, have opened fire during evictions since March. [Philly Voice]
Shootings Plummet from Pandemic-Era Highs
Philadelphia shootings are declining. For the first time since October 2020, the number of gun violence victims in the previous 365 days has fallen below the 2,000-victim threshold. While the overall number of shootings remains high, the city is mirroring a national trend of rapid decline. [Philadelphia Magazine]
Cooling Centers Planned for Next Heat Emergency
City officials are planning to deploy at least 13 brick-and-mortar cooling centers this summer, including libraries, recreation centers, and senior centers. That's a departure from last year’s model when Philadelphia used parked SEPTA buses as cooling stations. The locations have yet to be confirmed, and the centers will only be activated during official heat emergencies. [WHYY]
‘Abbott Elementary’ Stars Join Actors’ Strike
Sheryl Lee Ralph and Lisa Ann Walter joined a SAG-AFTRA union protest in Philly’s LOVE Park on Thursday. The union, which is seeking better compensation and job protections, went on strike last week after not reaching a deal with major film and TV studios. The actors are joining the thousands of Writers Guild of America union members who have been on strike since May. [Inquirer]
What To Do
💖 Come on Barbie, Let’s Go Party | Friday - Sunday | Times Vary
Experience an immersive Barbie-themed pop-up at Blondie’s restaurant. Tickets are selling out fast! [Pay as you go, Manayunk]
🏮 Chinese Lantern Festival | Friday - Sunday | Times Vary
Don’t miss the interactive lantern displays and live cultural performances at Franklin Square. [$14+, Center City]
🍺 Parks on Tap | Friday - Sunday | Times Vary
Enjoy great beer and snacks from Philly’s traveling beer garden at Gorgas Park. [Pay as you go, Roxborough]
🎭 ‘Moulin Rouge’ | Friday - Sunday | Times Vary
Catch the final days of this award-winning musical at the Academy of Music. [$35-$179, Center City]
🛝 Kidchella | Friday | 4 - 7 p.m.
Bring the kiddos to celebrate Smith Memorial Playground’s birthday with live music and other festivities. [$12, Fairmount Park]
⚽ World Cup Watch Party | Friday | 9 p.m.
Root for the U.S. Women’s National Team as they compete against Vietnam in the first group match of the tournament at XFINITY Live! [Free, South Philly]
🍨 Ice Cream Festival | Saturday | 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Scream for ice cream at this Filbert Street festival featuring over a dozen ice cream artisans from around Philly. [Pay as you go, Center City]
🎨 Art Under the Stars | Saturday | 5 - 10 p.m.
Enjoy a summer night filled with unique art, dynamic sound, and connect with fellow art enthusiasts. [$30, Norris Square]
🧘 Yoga on the Banks | Sunday | 10 a.m.
Ease into the next week in this all-level outdoor class. [$5-$20, Schuylkill Banks]
🖌️ Queer Life Drawing | Sunday | 1 - 4 p.m.
Practice your drawing with a live model and build community at Tattooed Moms. [$5, Queen Village]
🎤 Sunday Soul Open Mic | Sunday | 1 - 4 p.m.
Join the monthly event at Meyers Brewing Company and share your energy and art. [Donation-based, Fishtown]
🦀 Crab Feast | Sunday | 5 - 9 p.m.
How much blue crab can you eat? Find out at Berks Street Seafood. [$78, North Philly]
Where Is It?
Congrats to Hey Philly reader Karen S. who correctly identified last week’s challenge! The above mural can be found near Cecil B. Moore and 2nd Street in Olde Kensington. Evan Lovett is the artist behind the floral mural.
Ready for this week’s challenge?
Email us your guess of this image’s location. The winner can submit a photo for next week's challenge!
Today on City Cast
Looming UPS Strike, Deadly Flash Food in Bucks County, and Philly Junk Food
City Cast Philly host Trenae Nuri talks with Lizzy McLellan Ravitch, workplace reporter for The Philadelphia Inquirer, and Sophia Schmidt, environmental reporter for WHYY’s PlanPhilly, about what a UPS strike could mean for package deliveries and workers in our area, and how to stay safe in a flash flood, like the one that recently claimed at least five victims in Bucks County.
Thanks for reading! Let’s meet back up here on Monday 😊
– Natalia Aldana
This newsletter was edited by Laura Benshoff.
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