🚘 The PPA’s new agenda

Philadelphia Elects First Woman Mayor

In her victory speech Tuesday night, Cherelle Parker said the hardships of her childhood, when she was raised by her grandparents and depended on food stamps, had prepared her to lead a city grappling with poverty, drug addiction, and crime. Parker’s successful campaign leaned into her personal story and emphasized a stricter, and sometimes controversial, approach to law enforcement. [New York Times/Inquirer]

Progressive City Council Candidates Prevail

Kendra Brooks and Nicolas O’Rourke of the progressive Working Families Party beat out two Republican candidates to win the at-large Philadelphia City Council seats reserved for minority parties. Meanwhile, Republican Brian O’Neill held on to his seat representing the 10th Council District, preventing his party from being eliminated from City Council altogether. [WHYY]

FBI Investigates Antisemitic Threats at Penn

The FBI has been called to aid in an investigation into emails some staff members at the University of Pennsylvania received that threatened the Jewish community on campus. Federal law enforcement deployed bomb-sniffing dogs to search two campus buildings, one housing the Jewish organization Penn Hillel and the Lauder College House, and found no credible threats. The latter building is named after a donor who had criticized the university’s handling of antisemitism. [WHYY]

🎻 Candlelight: Favorite Anime Themes | Thursday | 6 p.m.

A string quartet plays a program of anime scores in a candle-lit setting. [$45+, South Philly]

🎤 Certainly Funny at Veganish | Friday | 6:30 p.m.

A weekly free comedy show at a plant-based sandwich joint. [Free, West Philly]

🎶 An Evening with Judy Collins | Friday | 8 p.m.

Still performing at age 84, the singer-songwriter gives a concert in the ‘burbs. [$39.50+, Phoenixville]

🧀 Mocktails & Cheese Class | Friday | 6 p.m.

Enjoy a flight of mocktails paired with artisanal cheeses while learning what makes the pairings work. [$70, South Philly]

📚 Uncle Bobbie's X Tariq Trotter - Official Book Launch | Saturday | 6 p.m.

The Roots frontman Tariq Trotter joins Marc Lamont Hill for a conversation about his new memoir.  [$31.50, Germantown]

One Man’s Quest To Change the PPA

The Philadelphia Parking Authority (PPA), best known for doling out parking tickets and periodic corruption scandals, is hoping to cultivate a new image by focusing on quality-of-life issues. Host Trenae Nuri asks Rich Lazer, the executive director of the PPA, about his first year in that role and his vision for the agency. And, Lazer answers questions from our Hey Philly newsletter readers about their parking woes.