💗 Your Philly guide to February

🚔 Second Police Officer Shot in a Week

A Philly police officer was shot in the hand early yesterday morning in Yorktown when serving a narcotics warrant. They’re in stable condition. [Inquirer 🔒]

• Last Friday, an officer was wounded inside a Fairhill corner store. During that same incident, another officer shot and killed Alexander Spencer. Bystander and surveillance video show a struggle before the fatal shooting. [Inquirer 🔒]

🏒 Flyers Player Charged with Sexual Assault

Carter Hart, the NHL team’s goaltender, is one of four pro hockey players who’ve been charged by police in London, Ontario, in relation to a 2018 sexual assault case. Hart’s lawyers say it’s a “false allegation.” Hart has been on a leave of absence since last week. [PhillyVoice]

☑️ Former Mayoral Candidate Updates

Jeff Brown, a local businessman who ran in the Democratic mayoral primary last year, and his PAC, For a Better Philadelphia, are suing the city’s Board of Ethics over a previous investigation and allegations of illegal coordination. Brown’s lawyer asserts that it looked like he was “being targeted by the board.” [Billy Penn]

• In other news, David Oh — the Republican candidate in the 2023 mayoral race and a former City Council member — landed a new job: CEO of the Asian American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Philadelphia. [Philadelphia Business Journal 🔒]

🕳️ Fun Facts about Punxsutawney Phil

Pennsylvania’s most famous groundhog will emerge tomorrow morning to let us know whether to expect an early spring or an ongoing winter. Did you know he lives at a library and speaks “Groundhogese”? Our sister newsletter in Pittsburgh has this and even more tidbits on the PA icon. [City Cast Pittsburgh]

Welcome to February! It may be the shortest month of the year, but there are still plenty of things to do in Philadelphia.

The team here at City Cast Philly has a guide to making every single one of February’s 29 days count. (Stay tuned for some Valentine’s Day-specific recommendations in next’s week newsletter!)

🍽️ Eat, Drink, and Be Merry

• Enjoy the Afrocentric flavors of Honeysuckle Provisions, brought to you by James Beard semifinalist chefs Cybille St. Aude-Tate and Omar Tate. (Garden Court)
• Try the “Cruel Summer” cocktail or the “Pork Al Pastor Kelsadillas” at Taqueria Amor’s Taylor Swift-themed “Love Story” pop-up. (Every day through Feb. 25, Manayunk)
• Take a tour of Philly’s tamale scene at La Tamalada, a celebration of the dish featuring 10 Latino vendors. It’s pay-as-you-go — be sure to bring cash. (Feb. 4, 11 a.m.–4 p.m., Kensington)

🎉 Celebrate and Explore

• Check out one of the city’s many Lunar New Year events, including the parades led by The Philadelphia Suns featuring music, lion dancing, and firecrackers. (Feb. 9 at 10 p.m. and Feb. 11 at 11 a.m., Chinatown)
• Explore the various corners of Fairmount Park in the free WinTOUR Scavenger Hunt, a four-week-long, self-paced, all-ages challenge that includes the opportunity to win prizes. (Runs through Feb. 25, Fairmount Park)

📚 Channel Your Inner Book Lover

• Take a guided tour of The Rosenbach Museum and Library, a historic home that houses a collection of rare books and manuscripts. An hour-and-a-half visit costs $12.50 for adults. (Rittenhouse)
• Take your kids to meet award-winning authors at the 30th Annual African American Children’s Book Fair. Admission is free. (Feb. 3, 1–4 p.m., Pennsylvania Convention Center)

🎨 Get in Touch with Your Artsy Side

• Visit and take in “Workshop of the World: Works by Tabitha Arnold,” a collection of tapestry art and works on paper inspired by modern labor movements, created by an alumna of the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts. (Exhibit runs through Feb. 25, Swarthmore College)

Your Guide to February in Philly

Happy February! The City Cast Philly team is bringing you our recommendations for activities, food/drinks, free events, and Valentine’s Day plans this month. We’ve got something for everyone, from a BYO hangout with goats, to Lunar New Year parades, to tamale and beer festivals.