City Cast Philly
Man killed by police at psychiatric hospital
March 21, 2025 · — Siani Colón
Meet me at the Eagle! If you want to hear the Wanamaker Organ one last time, there will be a concert at Macy’s on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. to mark the closing of the iconic Wanamaker Building. 🎶
What's CITY Talking About?
🤼♂️ Penn State Wrestling Demolishes Any Other Competition
Penn State is on a roll as its coach is on track to win his 12th title with the program. Coach Cael Sanderson’s team has outscored competitors 599-62 and aims to secure a fourth consecutive national title this weekend at the NCAA championship at the Wells Fargo Center. [🔒The Inquirer]
- Related: Speaking of the wrestling championship, President Trump will be there. On today’s Friday News Roundup, Trenae, Matt, and I speculate on whether there will be any Trump-related protests during his visit. Plus, we dive into the chaos at the Sheriff’s Office, three elderly retired cops on trial, and the Community College of Philadelphia’s possible faculty strike. [🎧 City Cast Philly]
📞 Disconnect Between Philadelphians and 311
If you’re wondering why your 311 case was marked closed even though the whole issue you complained about persists, you’re not alone. L&I Deputy Commissioner Ralph DiPetro said a third of 20,000 cases come back “unfounded,” usually because no code violations were recorded. City Council’s waiting to hear from Philly 311 reps on funding requests as budget season continues on. [Metro Philly]
📬 Ballot Secrecy at Potential Risk
Roughly 10,000 ballots are at risk of being tied to specific voters after the Commonwealth Court ruled that mail ballots are public record. While the ballots would not include voters' names, there’s concern that they could be identified through other publicly available information. The ruling is being appealed. [Spotlight PA]
🚓 Man Killed by Police After In-Take Gone Wrong
A 36-year-old man was shot and killed by a Philadelphia police officer after he allegedly grabbed an officer’s gun as he was being voluntarily committed to Friends Hospital for a psychological evaluation, police said. The man, who was not identified, shot another officer before he was killed. That officer was protected by his bulletproof vest, and is recovering. [🔒The Inquirer]
How Well Do You Know Philly Coffee History?
📝 It’s time for another quiz! This time we’re talking about coffee.
Are you a Philly coffee shop expert? Take your best guess!
What To Do
Friday, March 21
- 🏀 NBA 2K Basketball Gaming Tournament | 4-7 p.m. | Free | Germantown
- 🍸 Stir Takeover Pop-up Dinner: Chef Sofia Deleon | 5-8 p.m. | $80 | Philadelphia Museum of Art
- 🖼️ Shifting Realities Opening Reception | 5-8 p.m. | Free | Fairhill
- ✍️ Drink (Or Not) & Draw | 7:30-10 p.m. | $10 | Northern Liberties
- 😆 Live Comedy with Mel Harris | 8 p.m. | $10 | Germantown
- 🪩 Chrysalis Party |10 p.m.-3 a.m. | $20-25 | Callowhill
Saturday, March 22
- 🌱 Sankofa Community Farm Volunteer Day | 9:30-12 p.m. | Free | Bartram’s Garden
- 🛍️ Community Yard Sale | 10-1 p.m. | Pay As You Go | Germantown
- 🥕 Vegetable Seed Starting Workshop | 10:30-noon | Free | Northeast Philadelphia
- 💬 ASL Guide-Led Prison Tour and Discussion | 11-noon | $21 | Eastern State Penitentiary
- 🧵 Craft Supply Swap | noon-5 p.m. | Free | Queen Village
- 🎨 Hands-on Screenprinting and Studio Tour | $10 | 1-3 p.m. | Center City
- 🧑🍳 Honoring Ancestral Foodways Cooking Demo | 2-4:30 p.m. | $20 | Old City
- 🎺 Harlem Samba | Philly Salsa | 3-5 p.m. | $20 | Hunting Park
- ⛸️ Beards on Ice (Day One) | 8 p.m. | Donation | Oxford Circle
- 🎶 Music Behind the Bars | 6-8 p.m. | $50 | Old Kensington
- 🧜♀️ Las Cosas Que Brillan Dance Party Fundraiser | 7 p.m. | $15 Sliding Scale | Callowhill
Sunday, March 23
- 🐦 Birdwatching with InColor Birding | 8 a.m. | Shofuso Japanese Cultural Center
- 👟 On a Walk with Sunday Girl | 11:30-12:30 p.m. | Free | Old City
- 🍽️ Habibi Supper Club x Philly Hummus Girl Pop-Up | 1 p.m. | Pay As You Go | South Philly
- 🤼 Wrestle Cup 3 | 1-4 p.m. | $25 | Society Hill
- 🎨 Family Art Day | 1-3 p.m. | Free | Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts
- 🌱 Seed Starting Workshop | 1-3 p.m. | Free | Hartranft
- 🎨 Vision Boarding to Unity | 2-4 p.m. | Donation | Germantown
- 🍲 Community Potluck | 5:30 p.m. | Free | Fitler Square
🍕 So long, Pica’s! The Upper Darby restaurant best known for its square pizza is closing after 70 years this summer. Its West Chester location will remain open.
Free · Daily