City Cast Philly
📜 The Free Library’s hidden treasures
March 29, 2024
Good morning! Did you know that the Free Library has an original Salem witch confession from 1692?! I saw it in person at the Parkway Central branch earlier this week. Keep scrolling to learn about more of the library’s hidden treasures ⬇️
What's CITY Talking About?
🚮 Street Cleaning As Violence Prevention
Academic studies have shown that cleaning up neighborhoods is correlated with lower gun violence rates, so a new $818,000 initiative in Mount Airy and Germantown will provide weekly street cleaning to 335 blocks with histories of gun violence. [Inquirer 🔒]
✉️ Court Upholds PA Mail Ballot Date Requirement
A federal court decided this week that it’s not a civil rights violation to disqualify mail ballots without accurate handwritten dates on the outer envelope. [AP]
🍫 Hershey's Kiss Bill Advances
The Pennsylvania House passed a bipartisan bill that would make Hershey's Kisses the official state candy, but not everyone is happy about that choice. [ABC 27]
- Pennsylvania is a candy company hotspot — beyond just Hershey. Last Halloween, the City Cast Philly podcast graded Philly’s best candy. 🎧
- 💬 Weigh in: Do you think Kisses are deserving of official state candy status? Send me an email with your own nomination for the title, and your thoughts may be included in a future segment.
What To Do
Friday, March 29
- 🐐 Philly School Break Farm Visit | 10 a.m.–12 p.m. | Free | Germantown
- 📖 Sidik Fofana, “Stories from the Tenants Downstairs” | 12:30 p.m. | Free | Moore College of Art & Design
- 🛼 Easter Sack Races Skate Party | 1–6 p.m. | $5+ | Mayfair
- 🏳️⚧️ Trans Day of Visibility Market and Fashion Show | 4 p.m. | Pay As You Go | William Way LGBT Center
- 🎭 The Last Yiddish Speaker (Opening Night) | 7 p.m. | $35 | Center City
- 🎵 Contemporary Persian Poetry and Music | 8–10 p.m. | $15–$25 | Callowhill
- 👠 The Madonna Show | 8–11 p.m. | $15–$20 | Gayborhood
Saturday, March 30
- ☕ Espresso Bar Pop-Up | 9 a.m.–1 p.m. | Free | East Falls
- 🌳 Creek Care Day: Tacony Creek Park | 10 a.m.–12 p.m. | Free | Crescentville
- 🐰 Hop-A-Long Trail | 11 a.m.–1 p.m. | Free | Franklin Square
- 🤠 Beyonce’s Renaissance Act 2: Hoedown Brunch | 11 a.m.–4 p.m. | $40 | Germantown
- 🎂 Port Richmond Birthday Festival | 12–5 p.m. | Pay As You Go | Port Richmond
- ⛸️ Public Skate | 1–3 p.m. | $0–$3 | Harrowgate
- 🐾 Dog Easter Egg Hunt | 1–3 p.m. | Free | Manayunk
- 🎤 Film Screening: Beyoncé Experience Live | 2 p.m. | Free | Cecil B. Moore
- 🎨 State of the Art Showcase: Women's History Month Edition | 7–11 p.m. | Free | Harrowgate
- 🎶 Silent Party: Hip Hop vs. RnB vs. Twerk Music | 10 p.m.–2 a.m. | $13+ | Lawncrest
Sunday, March 31
- 🥚 Easter Egg Hunt | 10 a.m.–11:30 a.m. | Free | Northern Liberties
- 🎉 Hoyu Folk Culture Festival | 10 a.m.–2 p.m. | Free | Chinatown
- 🍳 Easter Sunday: Egg Hunt, Breakfast, Dinner | 10 a.m.–5 p.m. | $45 | Torresdale
- 🍽️ Easter Brunch Buffet | 12–4 p.m. | $75 | Rittenhouse Square
- 🐇 Easter Promenade | 12:30–3:30 p.m. | Free | South Street
Today on City Cast
Contested State Rep. Race, School Trauma Pilot & Beer Gardens Return
On today’s City Cast Philly podcast, hear about the NE Philly state house primary that pits two politically-connected families against each other and a new program to help public school students manage trauma.
Here’s some cuteness to end the week: the Philadelphia Zoo’s newest addition.
Enjoy your weekend! Happy Easter to all who celebrate.
— Asha Prihar
Thanks to Laura Benshoff for editing!
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