City Cast Philly
💸 How does Mayor Parker want to spend $6.7B?
March 14, 2025 · — Siani Colón
Happy Pi Day! Today’s date celebrates the mathematical constant π, which begins with “3.14…” Whether math was your favorite subject or the bane of your scholastic existence, you can celebrate with Home Slice Pies at a Pi(e) Day Pop-Up today and tomorrow at The Monkey and the Elephant Café. 🥧
What's CITY Talking About?
💰 Mayor Parker Presents Ambitious Wishlist for City Budget
Mayor Cherelle Parker addressed City Council and constituents yesterday to propose her budget for the next fiscal year. Included in her $6.7 billion plan is the allocation of $5 million to the street safety program Vision Zero, $800 million toward housing, and $300 million for the drug treatment facility Riverview Wellness Village in Northeast Philly. [🔒The Inquirer]
- Related: On this week’s Friday News Roundup, we discuss some highlights from Parker’s budget address, how federal cuts are impacting education in Philadelphia, and where former Mayor/Governor Ed Rendell wants to honor the USA’s 250th birthday. [🎧City Cast]
☘️ St. Patrick’s Day Parade, Road Closures, and Parking
Philadelphia’s annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade will take place Sunday at 11 a.m. The parade will have a new route, blocking roads along John F. Kennedy Boulevard, 16th Street, and the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. Closures, parking restrictions, and bus detours will begin that morning. [Office of Special Events]
👶 Baby on Board
SEPTA has been implementing many changes recently, including new wayfinding signage. Now buses will look slightly different inside, with the addition of designated “stroller spots” on Routes 23, 25, 32, 49, 58, and 84. [SEPTA, KYW]
⚾ South Philly Slugger Honored With Sculpture
Mo’ne Davis, who made history as the first girl to earn a win and pitch a shutout in the Little League World Series, will have a sculpture in her likeness displayed at the Louisville Slugger Museum in Kentucky. She will be the first non-MLB player honored. Davis, now 23, played for the Taney Dragons and made the cover of Sports Illustrated back in 2014 for her domination on the mound. [Philly Voice]
How Well Do You Know Philly?
If you tuned into our March 11 episode, you know Philly is getting plenty of screentime. In that show we asked how well Hollywood knows Philly, but: How well do you know Philly’s Hollywood moments?
Give your best guess and add these movies to your watchlist.
What To Do
Friday, March 14
- 👭 Women’s History Month Celebration | 5-8:30 p.m. | Pay What You Wish | Philadelphia Museum of Art
- 🏀 Sixers v. Pacers | 7 p.m. | $39+ | Wells Fargo Center
- 🎭 Friday Night Improv | 7 p.m. | $15 | East Passyunk
- 🇮🇪 Irish Music Night | 7:30-11 p.m. | $15+ | Manayunk
- 🎤 Broadway Dreams: A Sing A-Long | 8 p.m. | $35+ | Center City
- 🎉 Purim Party with West Philadelphia Orchestra and Mariposas Galacticas | 8 p.m. | $18+ | University City
Saturday, March 15
- 👟 Relics and Ruins Hike | 9-noon | $15 | Fairmount Park
- 🎨 Culturefest! Holi | 10-4 p.m. | Included with museum admission ($18) | Penn Museum
- ☕ Coffee Club: Gathering of Artists, Makers & Neighbors | 10:30-noon | Pay As You Go | South Philly
- 🍻 Erin Express St. Patrick’s Day Bar Crawl | noon | $19.95 | Rittenhouse
- 🗳️ Beyond the Vote: A Neighborhood Discussion on How Philly Works and What Works For Us | noon-2:30 p.m. | Free | Strawberry Mansion
- 🌺 Hapa Zome Bandanas Workshop | noon-3 p.m. | $85 | Center City
- 🛍️ Now and Then Marketplace | noon-5 p.m. | Pay As You Go | Love Park
- 💰 City Budget 101: Neighborhood Workshops | 1-3 p.m. | Free | Germantown
- 📖 Tree House Book Swap | 2 p.m. | Free | Brewerytown
- 🖌️ All Ages Ceramic Tile Workshop | 2-:30 p.m. | $40 | South Street
- 🎶 Di Buenos Dias si es de Noches | 3-5 p.m. | $20 | Hunting Park
- ⛸️ Beards on Ice (Day One) | Various Times | Donation | Oxford Circle
- 🎸 Time Zones: Zagreb -> Philly | 8-9:30 p.m. | $8+ | West Philly
- 💃 Sazón: Pura Chingona | 10 p.m.-2 a.m. | $10 | Queen Village
- 🪩 Jefatona All Girl Anniversary Party | 10 p.m.-2 a.m. | $20+ | Fishtown
Sunday, March 16
- 🍽️ Manna Bakery Pop Up | 10 a.m. | Pay As You Go | Headhouse Square
- 🎂 Cake Club | 11-1 p.m. | $100 | Old City
- 🐶 Pet Vaccine Clinic | noon-4 p.m. | Free | Fishtown
- 🪦 Daring Dames Walking Tour | 1-3 p.m. | $17 | Laurel Hill Cemetery
- 👟 The 1838 Black Metropolis Walking Tour | 2 p.m. | $35 | Old City
- 🧑🍳 West African Cooking Class with Chef Christine | 4-7 p.m. | $50 | Germantown
- 🎶 Abbots Cross | 7:30 p.m. | $20+ | Center City
ICYMI: If you’re a federal employee who has been impacted by recent cuts and policy changes, we want to hear from you. Share your story in this form and possibly be included in a future podcast or newsletter. You can remain anonymous.
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