#BILLYPENNGRAM OF THE DAY
Guarding the castle in Powelton Village
(Photo by @karenbenson.eyeful)
City Council will hold hearings looking into the troubled history of the Department of Human Services’ approach to child welfare. Advocates and others have hopes for solutions — and concerns based on a history of inaction — about what will come from it. Continue reading …
It finally feels like summer is near — so it’s the perfect time to check in on the newest ice cream vendors in town, as well as go-to classics. From go-tos like the Franklin Fountain to newbies like Malai, Billy Penn rounds up a list of some of our favorite frozen shops. Continue reading …
RECAP
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• Protestors gathered outside the federal detention center on Arch Street to demand the immediate release of a 23-year-old asylum seeker. [CBS3]
• Community pharmacists in Pa. say they’re struggling to absorb Rite Aid’s customers, who are saying goodbye to the drug store chain this month. [Capital-Star/Inquirer$]
• In solar power news, Philly plans to buy more solar power for municipal operations, inching closer to its climate goals. But the U.S. House budget bill would slash Pa. schools’ savings from planned solar projects, including in Upper Darby. [WHYYx2]
• Overnight curfew approved for bodegas in Kensington, Fairhill and Germantown. [PhillyVoice]
• Neighbors of Pine and Spruce streets file lawsuit to block Philadelphia’s new bicycle lane rules. [WHYY]
• Montco native Bradley Cooper helped produce a new documentary, “Caregiving,” which will air on WHYY-TV later this month. Get a preview of the conversation around the important topic. [WHYY]
MAYOR WATCH
Mayor Parker will join the Philadelphia Housing Authority for the grand opening ceremony for Somerset Station Apartments, at 2230 E. Somerset St., at 11:30 a.m.
Parker’s $2B housing proposal yesterday cleared a major hurdle with critical City Council votes. [WHYY]
ON THE CALENDAR
💜 UArts 1-year commemoration events
🌈 Pride Month celebrations
❤️ Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander month events
🌸 27 ways to get out and enjoy the warm weather
🏃🏽 Philly Runners Guide
Friday-Sunday, June 6 to 8: Rittenhouse Square Fine Art Show
The country’s oldest outdoor fine art show returns with 140+ artists from across the U.S. (Fri-Sat: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sun: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
Saturday, June 7: Independence Dragon Boat Regatta
The only Dragon Boat race in the United States run by active members of Team USA — 2007 and 2011 world champions — returns to the Schuylkill, with 100+ teams competing! (8 a.m. to 6 p.m.)
Saturday, June 7: Black Men in Media Summit
Join WHYY for a conference that centers Black voices in a discussion of media, storytelling and changing narratives. At WHYY’s Studios, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.. Register here.
Saturday, June 7: Frankford Fish Fest
A fun, free afternoon down by the riverfront at the Frankford Boat Launch. Learn how to fish, take bike rides on trails, kayak on the Delaware, Double Dutch with Philly Girls Jump, create art, and enjoy more nature-based activities. (11 a.m. to 2 p.m.)
Saturday, June 7: Disability Pride Philly Party
This year’s parade and party celebrates the 35th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Start with a parade from City Hall to the Parkway, where a daylong festival includes live DJs, guest speakers, accessible games and activities, face painting and giveaways, a sensory-friendly zone and multiple food trucks. Free. (11 a.m. to 4 p.m.)
Saturday, June 7: Juneteenth: Celebrating Literacy & Artistic Freedom with E.B. Lewis
The Athenaeum of Philadelphia and the African American Children’s Book Project present E.B. Lewis with a presentation for both young readers and adults. Art will be available for purchase, and a book signing will follow the program. Come celebrate the power of story, art and freedom. Free. (12 p.m.)
Saturday, June 7: Elfreth’s Alley Day: A Neighborhood Fete
This event, which dates back to 1934 (90 years!), is when residents of Elfreth’s Alley open their doors to allow visitors a glimpse of 21st century life in 18th- and 19th-century houses. Entertainment includes musical groups, reenactors, historians, vendors and artisan crafters. $26.50 adults/$11.20 children tickets for 1 or 3 p.m. time slots. (1 to 5 p.m.)
Saturday, June 7: Navy Yard Spring Family Fest: Happy Birthday to Us!
Immerse yourself in live music, family-friendly activities, food trucks, local arts/crafts vendors and more. Pay-as-you-go. Sign up for free updates. (1 to 6 p.m.)
Saturday, June 7: Bacon, Beer, Bourbon & Country Music Festival
Come for the food, the beer and the music at this event in the Philly Zoo. $31.43 to $56.45 tickets. (1 to 6 p.m.)
Saturday, June 7: Youth Set The Stage Showcase
A media showcase presenting new works ranging from narrative and documentary films to recorded musical EPs and a fashion zine. At Temple’s Walk Auditorium. (4 to 8 p.m.)
Saturday, June 7: Emerald Street Chockablock Party: Love
For their Philadelphia debut, UK-based In The Dark’s curator Talia Augustidis curates a program inspired by the theme of “Love”. What is love? Who does it belong to? How can we access it? Join this intimate selection of audio that will make your heart full, exploring love in all of its forms — romantic, familial, erotic, conditional and unconditional. Expect heartbreaks, hookups and plenty of pining. Free/Donations welcome. (7:30 p.m.)
Sunday, June 8: Odunde Festival
A full week of activities dedicated to sharing information about the African diaspora concludes with the 15-block-long festival. Over 100 vendors will be on South Street and the fest’s adjacent blocks. This year’s headliners are hip-hop icons Doug E. Fresh and Rakim. (10 a.m. to 8 p.m.)
Sunday, June 8: Open Streets: Midtown Village
The popular traffic-tree program returns each Sunday in June, this time to 13th Street from Chestnut to Locust, Sansom Street from 12th to Juniper and Drury Street. (11 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
Monday, June 9: Juneteenth Cookbook Popup
An homage to liberation, Blackness, summer, and good food featuring recipes from “Watermelons & Red Birds” by Nicole A. Taylor. At Walnut Street West Library. (5 to 6 p.m.)
