With little public movement on providing an indoor intercity bus terminal after Greyhound closed theirs over a year ago, transit activists earlier this week took to the curb along Spring Garden Street near Front Street with cold bottled water for sun-baked bus travelers and an online petition demanding an indoor shelter.
“They are exposed to all sorts of elements — heat, cold, wind, smog,” 5th Square organizer Micah Fiedler said of the passengers. “The very least that any bus company or government can do to provide for them is to provide water.”
BP’s Meir Rinde spoke with passengers, activists and officials about the long-standing effort and what might be next, including a possible next location. Continue reading…
As sure as fireworks on the Fourth, Herr’s has brought out a new trio of Philly-themed chip flavors, culled from customer suggestions for favorite Philly restaurants. They are: Special Hot Stromboli, inspired by Romano’s Stromboli in Essington; Potato Pierogi, inspired by Mom Mom’s Kitchen in Southwest Center City; and Cheese Ravioli and Marinara, inspired by Talluto’s in South Philly.
And for the third straight year, we grabbed a couple bags of each flavor and the Billy Penn team, along with some of our WHYY colleagues, gave them a try. What hot takes did they and BP readers on Instagram have? Continue reading…
RECAP: What else happened?
$ = paywalled
• One person was killed and eight injured in a mass shooting late Thursday night in Southwest Philly. [CBS3]
• Mayor Parker said “everything is hanging in the balance” and criticized the SCOTUS decision on presidential immunity during a ceremony giving North Philly native and three-time NCAA women’s basketball champion head coach Dawn Staley the first-ever “One Philly Award.” [Inquirer$]
• Hundreds of Palestine activists protested in Philly on Independence Daysaying they see little hope in a “hypocritical” U.S.–backed peace plan. [WHYY]
• The city’ Citizens Police Oversight Commission suspended one of its own members at Tuesday night’s meeting. That leaves four open seats on the nine-member commission. [KYW]
• Philly’s new parks superintendent talks Fourth of July celebrations and the importance of public spaces year-round. [WHYY]
• The Liberty Bell is not immune to suffering the price of famein the form of indignities like being plastered with chewing gum and car decals, and even being licked. [Billy Penn]
MAYOR WATCH
Mayor Parker has no public appearances scheduled today.
ON THE CALENDAR
🖨️ Friday, July 5: Perimeter Printmaking Workshop
Make your own unique handmade letterpress map of the Philadelphia perimeter and Delaware River watershed during the First Friday Artist & Artisans Market at Cherry Street Pier. Free. (4 to 9 p.m.)
🧘🏽♀️ Saturday, July 6: We Walk PHL spring season all-park party
Celebrate everyone’s (solo & group) steps and goals while enjoying yoga, farm fresh samples, line dancing lessons, and more at Carousel House. Free. (9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.)
🌿 Saturday, July 6: Land-Based Block Party
What’s in your go/grow bag? How do you make DIY bug spray? What wild plants are edible? How do you pitch a tent? Learn this and more at this event by Land Based Jawns at Bartram’s Garden. Free. (12 to 4 p.m.)
🤟🏽 Saturday, July 6: Sweet Juice Fest
Head to Germantown’s Awbury Arboretum with the queer-led artist collective Sweet Juice for a community celebration of local musicians, artists, and local groups who work towards joyful connection. $1 to $28 tickets. (1:30 p.m.)
Saturday, July 6: Summer Sounds Concert Series
Enjoy this week’s live performance featuring the hometown sounds of June Divided and Foxtrot & The Getdown. (5 to 10 p.m.)
Sunday, July 7: Family Fun Day Sunday
Create a Working Catapult with PopUpPlay and enjoy a 4 p.m. screening of “National Treasure” at Spruce Street Harbor Park. (12 to 6 p.m.)
📜 Monday, July 8: 248th Anniversary of the July 8 reading of the Declaration of Independence
Commemorate the first advertised public reading of the Declaration of Independence. Free Declarations will be available for visitors to follow along! Free, but allow 20 minutes for security screening. (11:45 a.m.)
Catch up on the previous week
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