👮 Philly shops are hiring more armed guards

Augmented Reality Monuments Land in Philly

An app that uses augmented reality to create public art honoring people and communities who aren’t often recognized in monuments has launched in Philly. It’s called Kinfolk, and it commissioned four virtual monuments that users can plant anywhere in the city through the cameras on their phone, such as a spaceship honoring Rev. Leon H. Sullivan, a Black aerospace entrepreneur from North Philly. [Inquirer]

I-95 Ramp from Betsy Ross Bridge Reopens

The Monday morning commute will be a lot easier for people driving to the city from parts of New Jersey. After three years, the construction of a ramp restoring a direct connection between the Betsy Ross Bridge and I-95 in Northeast Philadelphia has been completed, sparing travelers a detour that can add 15 minutes to the trip into town. [Billy Penn]

Effort to De-Unionize South Philly Starbucks

An employee of the Starbucks at 9th and South streets has filed a petition for a vote to withdraw the store from membership in a national labor union. The location’s union steward says the effort is driven by workers’ desire to collect tips from credit card transactions, which Starbucks blocks in unionized cafes. The employees seeking to decertify the union are receiving support from The National Right to Work Legal Defense Fund, which has worked to disband unions in cafes in Philadelphia and nationwide. [KYW]

A few weeks ago, we asked you to share what you would change about parking and driving in Philly. Unsurprisingly, you had some strong opinions.

Driving

In some cases, our readers had some, er, feedback for fellow drivers. "OMG if people could just use their f-ing turn signals!” wrote Karen S., calling it her “biggest pet peeve” about driving in the Philly area.

Meanwhile, Hey Philly Reader Claire M. disapproved of those who “drive recklessly every single day.” While we don’t know exactly what she means, we’ve all seen someone blow through a red light or weave dangerously through traffic on I-95.

Parking

In a city where approximately 7 out of 10 households have a car, the fight for curbside parking is real.

A number of our Hey Philly readers shared their ideas for freeing up curb space by discouraging multi-car households.

• Derik C. suggested that Philadelphia charge more for parking permits, to discourage people from leaving a clunker they barely use on the curb. He wrote: "This would result in more revenue for the city which could be used to keep our streets in better condition and maybe even open up a few spots!"
• Lee O. had a similar suggestion, but took it a step further. He would "make all cars subject to annual sticker/registration fee, even if the car is parked in an off-street garage or parking space. In other words, add a fee for the privilege of owning a car.”

Others bemoaned the scarcity mindset created by limited parking.

• "I wind up not using my car except for unavoidable trips because I’m afraid when I return I won’t be able to get (any) spot,” said Laura I. “I‘m spending a ton on Amazon instead of the local economy because of parking spot anxiety,” she continued.
• Some of her other wishes: abolishing “save-sies,” parking garages in residential areas, and more designated loading areas for delivery vehicles.

We recently asked the head of the Philadelphia Parking Authority (PPA) about these and other parking challenges in an episode of City Cast Philly. Listen here 🎧

👩‍❤️‍👨 Philadelphia Distilling Daters Mixer | Tuesday | 6 p.m.

A singles mixer with craft cocktails hosted by two local matchmakers. [$25-40, Fishtown]

🌆 Networking with the Phoenix Club | Wednesday | 6:30 p.m.

A biweekly networking event at the JG Skyhigh bar on the 60th floor of the Comcast Center. [$0-10, Center City]

⚗️ Tang Ao-Qing and Lu Jiaxi: A Story of China and America | Thursday | 5:30 p.m.

A Nobel Prize-winning scientist gives a talk on science and immigration through the story of two American-trained 20th century Chinese chemists. [Free, Old City]

🤓 Quizzo for a Cause: Questioning Inequality with Families Forward Philly! | Thursday | 5 p.m.

A shelter for families experiencing homelessness hosts a quizzo-night fundraiser at Renata’s Kitchen. [$25, University City]

🧓 Finding your Roots: Ancestry & Genealogy Event by Filitalia | Thursday | 6:30 p.m.

A dinner and workshop on researching your family genealogy. [$35, South Philly]

Why More Philly Businesses Are Hiring Armed Guards

More businesses, event spaces, and religious institutions in Philly are hiring armed guards to stand watch. Patrons say the practice makes them feel safer, but critics say that the training required to become a private security guard is nowhere close to what a sworn law enforcement officer receives. Plus, it can be jarring to see someone openly carrying an assault rifle at your local gas station or cheesesteak restaurant. Host Trenae Nuri speaks with Mensah Dean, staff writer at The Trace, a non-profit newsroom covering gun violence, about what's driving the rise of these hired guns in Philly.