🥊 Why is Rocky still relevant 50 years later?

Why Philly Still Roots for This Underdog

Visitors come from all over the world to run up the steps at the Philadelphia Museum of Art and recreate the iconic scene from the “Rocky” movie franchise. Rocky has become so ubiquitous that we have multiple sculptures honoring this fictional character. A new exhibition, “Rising Up: Rocky and the Making of Monuments,” digs into why we like to root for an underdog and the mythologies that we create around them. [🎧 City Cast Philly]

Removing the Clunker off Your Block Can Take Months

Reports of abandoned vehicles are down, thanks to a collaborative effort between the city, police, and the Philadelphia Parking Authority. But the Neighborhood Services Unit is still drowning in nearly 800 weekly abandoned vehicle complaints. What determines if a car is truly abandoned or if the owner might just be on vacation? [🔒 The Inquirer]

• Related: Report nuisance vehicles here. [PPA]

Will a Rideshare Tax Fund the School District’s $300M Deficit?

After Uber urged riders to speak out against the proposed $1 per-ride tax, Mayor Parker showed up at City Council Tuesday to warn that without new funding, schools could see more teaching cuts. She emphasized the deficit is due to years of chronic underfunding and loss of federal dollars, not mismanagement of funds. City councilmembers seem skeptical. [FOX29, NBC10]

Alter Your Health and Your Hairline at This Barbershop

Chopped P.H.D. brings registered nurses into its barbershop twice a month to offer blood pressure checks, blood sugar checks, and heart screenings to expand healthcare access and education. The next screening is today from noon to 2 p.m. [🔒 Philly Mag]

• Related: Philadelphians are at a greater risk of developing lung problems, as the city is once again ranked among the worst cities for air pollution. [KYW]

April 26 is National Pretzel Day, and there’s no better place to celebrate than in Pennsylvania, which produces 80% of the pretzels in the U.S. Philly’s contribution is our signature soft pretzel, with its tight figure 8 design and bronzy color. Whether you’re looking for a Philly pretzel or the classic style, here’s where we recommend grabbing a doughy bite.

Miller’s Twist

51 N. 12th St.

Operating in Reading Terminal Market since 2008, Miller’s offers “Amish-style” pretzels in honor of owner Roger Miller’s hometown of Lancaster. The stand sells classic soft, buttery pretzels along with flavors like garlic and sour cream-and-onion. You can also find pretzel roll-ups in flavors such as cheesesteak, chicken feta sausage, and jalapeño cheddar.

Rowhome Coffee

2536 Pine St. or 2152 N. Front St.

Next time you grab breakfast, forget about the bagels. Rowhome Coffee switches up your typical breakfast sandwich by offering it on a soft, hot pretzel. You can pick from cinnamon, salt, or everything seasoning and get two eggs and Cooper Sharp cheese with a choice of meat. If you want something lighter, grab a pretzel with cream cheese.

Center City Soft Pretzel Co.

816 Washington Ave.

If you really want a bagel, then behold, the zagel. Center City Pretzels sells the bagel/pretzel combo with a 48-hour advance notice, but you can also find classic Philly soft pretzels if you’re keeping it simple. The bakery prides itself on being nut-free, Kosher-certified, and vegan-friendly.

Em Wilson

4500 Worth St., Unit A (by appointment only)

Pastry Chef Em Wilson first gained notoriety in Philly’s pop-up scene by hosting bake sales in West Philly. While you can still find Wilson at a pop-up, you can also pre-order her popular pretzels when a drop is announced on Hotplate. Or sign up for a beginner-friendly pretzel-making workshop to learn about the history of pretzels and how to make your own.