#BILLYPENNGRAM OF THE DAY
Parading into the holiday season
(Photo by @paulkleimanphoto)
‘His personal hype team’: First-timer crushed his marathon goal — with help from Philly Achilles
Sebastian Gomez, who is 23 and autistic, ran in his first-ever marathon on Sunday. He had supporters there every step of the way — guide runners Chris Aiello and Johnny Fitton, of Philly Achilles. The nonprofit helps people with disabilities compete and connect.
“They literally were like his personal hype team,” said Sebastian’s mom, Katie Curran. “It was unbelievable.” Continue reading …
Wondering where to get that perfect holiday gift? This Black Friday alternative may be your answer
Tis the season for holiday shopping. Still, Black Friday is chaotic and Cyber Monday can be a bit impersonal. Thankfully, there’s an alternative retail holiday this weekend that’s a win-win for everyone: Museum Store Sunday.
The event began at Philly’s Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History. Today, over 2,200 museum stores around the world participate in the holiday fun. Continue reading …
RECAP: What else happened?
$ = paywalled
• Campbell’s announced it had fired an IT exec who made racist remarks and disparaged the soup maker’s products. [AP]
• The William Way LGBT Community Center will close its Spruce Street location in December, its board announced, with a parting, “One Last Dance” event planned for Dec. 5. Meantime, Philly’s tourism agencies announced an LGBTQ+-friendly visitors center to open in the Gayborhood in 2026. [$$Inq/PGN/PhillyVoice]
• The SS United States, docked in Mobile, Ala., preps for its final voyage — with several documentaries in the offing. [Billy Penn]
• Black educators gathered in Philly to discuss the future of teaching. [WHYY]
• Thunderbird LLC offers second-hand items and events that bring Kensington together. [Kensington Voice]
• “Preston and Steve” contributor Nick McIlwain decides to step away. [PhillyVoice]
MAYOR WATCH
The mayor has no public events scheduled for today.
ON THE CALENDAR
🛍️ Museum Store Sunday
🎄 Holiday lightings around Philly
🏃🏽 Philly Runners Guide
🎞️ Ongoing: The Declaration’s Journey — Available on the WHYY YouTube Channel. New episodes will appear every two weeks.
Friday, Nov. 28: Opening night for “A Sherlock Carol”
Through Dec. 14, this holiday mystery masterfully weaves two classics, Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol and a famous Arthur Conan Doyle story featuring all the favorite characters of Scrooge, Sherlock Holmes, Dr. Watson and Tiny Tim and more. Audience Warning: This production includes flashing lights. $20-26 tickets. (8 p.m. opening night; various times)
Saturday, Nov. 29: Made@Bok: Small Business Saturday Market
From handcrafted goods to vintage finds and holiday gifts, it’s the perfect way to support local talent and kick off the season. Shop small and experience the creative energy of the Bok community. (11 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
Saturday, Nov. 29: Small Business Saturday at The Wardrobe
Shop “small” with your local Wardrobe and give back to a local non-profit that is doing good things for the community. Get 30% off, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. All items are high-quality, gently used, secondhand items.
Saturday, Nov. 29: Lenape History Walk and Talk
Meet the Philly Goats and walk together through the farm and Awbury Arboretum while learning about the culture and history of the Lenape nation in our area. Free. Rain date is Sunday, Nov. 30. (1 to 3 p.m.)
Saturday, Nov. 29: ART & B at american grammar
A night blending live Hip-Hop and R&B vibes, spoken word poetry, and live art on canvas. Sip your favorite coffee or wine surrounded by books and beats as a vinyl DJ spins smooth records between sets. Plus: live prints by Bombardment Printing. First 10 people get free T-shirts. (4 to 8 p.m.)
Sunday, Nov. 30: Opening Ceremony at Christmas Village
Kick off the holiday season in true German tradition at Christmas Village in LOVE Park! At 4 p.m., the original Christkind from Nuremberg will deliver her famous prologue and light the Pyramid, officially ushering in the festive season. (12 to 8 p.m.)
Sunday, Nov. 30: Juntos Benefit Show
Johnny Brenda’s hosts this fundraiser concert to support Juntos’ work supporting immigrant communities in Philadelphia. Live DJs, drag performances, burlesque, vintage and tattoo raffles, and more. $24.65 tickets. (6:30 p.m.)
Monday, Dec. 1: Special World AIDS Day Screening
“I Was Born This Way” by Sam Pollard and Daniel Junge is screened at Scribe Video Center in West Philly. $5 tickets. (7 to 9 p.m.)
Wednesday, Dec. 3: Bridging Blocks | Democracy in the United States: 250 Years in the Making
A discussion about the history of democracy and the future of it as a form of governance. How do you think this 3,000-year-old concept can evolve to meet the needs of modern society? Join WHYY News Community & Engagement team for Bridging Blocks, a civic dialogue series in partnership with The Free Library of Philadelphia. At Tredyffrin Public Library. (5:30 to 7:30 p.m.)
Through January 11: “Under $100, Under $1,000: Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens-inspired works”
A dynamic group exhibition that highlights the creativity and diversity of Philadelphia’s vibrant art scene. Featuring contemporary works by emerging, mid-career and established artists. (6 to 8 p.m.)
The post Marathon triumph; Museum gifts for holidays; SS US’s sinking feeling | Morning Roundup appeared first on Billy Penn at WHYY.
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