🩸 Philly hospitals need your blood

It’s Simple: Philly Doesn’t Want More Schools To Close

Before drafting a long-awaited plan for how to better use (or get rid of) its buildings, the school district solicited feedback from the public. The results from that survey are now out. Philadelphians suggested smaller class sizes and more magnet schools, while also raising concerns about overcrowding, safety, inadequate staffing, and lack of student support. A draft facilities plan, which could include school closures, will be released this winter. [🔒The Inquirer]

• Related: While talk of potential closures persist, two new school buildings recently opened in Northeast Philly, and two year-round schools replicating the Harlem Children's Zone are coming to North Philly. [Northeast Times, 🔒 The Inquirer]

Red Cross Needs Your Blood

Bad weather, holiday scheduling, and winter illnesses have contributed to a slowdown in blood donations needed to serve hospitals across the Philly region. And while there’s no shortage yet, supplies are tight. To encourage donations, anyone who donates blood by Jan. 25 will be entered into a drawing to win Super Bowl tickets. [CBS Philly]

• Not sure if you’re eligible to donate? Here are the requirements. [American Red Cross]

Anyone Interested in Buying a Mall?

The Shops at Liberty Place is up for sale. With the recent addition of Puttshack and given its location in a highly trafficked intersection, there’s hope that new owners will see an “opportunity.” And maybe a sale will protect us from another dead mall. [🔒 Philadelphia Business Journal, Hidden City]

• Related: In other big building real estate news, the Carpenters union just bought the former GSK Building at the Navy Yard for $52 million, and will be moving out of its Spring Garden HQ. [🔒 Philadelphia Business Journal]

In 2025, Philadelphia third graders were less proficient in reading compared to the year before. Meanwhile over 50% of Philadelphia adults read at a fifth-grade level or less. And nationwide, 4 of every 10 people didn’t read a single book last year.

With this in mind, one Philadelphia restaurant is trying to bridge the literacy gap by amplifying the work of authors, generating excitement about books, and supporting local charities — all over a shared meal.

Wilder, a new American restaurant in Rittenhouse, hosts book dinners in its dining space, with recent guest appearances from authors Jo Piazza, Emma Copley Eisenberg, Liz Moore, and Leni Zumas. Co-owners Nicole Barrick and Brett Naylor, who have supported local causes through happy hour fundraisers, discussed different ideas before landing on the dinners.

“I love reading, but I also love the arts,” Barrick said. “Part of our thing has been to really try to figure out ways to also incorporate our support for the arts and creative work that people do.”

Participating authors are usually local, but Wilder has branched out to invite other authors if they have a new book and if a food connection can be made.

Barrick said the draw for the experience is that readers can share an intimate space with an author alongside only about 20 other guests. And though books are at the top of the discussion, the talk feels nothing like a lecture.

“People are eating and drinking, and it's a more relaxed atmosphere that allows for just deeper discussions and also just sharing,” Barrick said. “Almost everyone ends up participating and asking questions or sharing stories that are related to what we're talking about.”

So how does one craft the perfect menu that revolves around a book?

Liz Kleppinger, general manager for Wilder, said executive chef Ryan LaFrance and beverage manager Tom Brander were up for the challenge. Sometimes the interpretations are literal, while others are more imaginative, depending on the scene and available local ingredients.

“When we did ‘The God of the Woods’ book dinner with Liz Moore, that's taking place in upstate, primarily in the woods,” Kleppinger said. “So we did things that we could forage for in that area, or things that were kind of nostalgic to camping.” The dishes included baked trout piccata, dandelion-marinated cucumbers, and a s’mores tart for dessert, channeling the woodsy theme.

📣 Caleb W. suggests you check out the Transcendent Choir of Philadelphia: “Come celebrate Philly’s rich music and history with this choir jawn that consists entirely of works by or about Philly composers, lyricists, poets, and historical figures. Go birds! (Nonprofit, Gender Inclusive choir).”

Thanks, Caleb! 🧡