#BILLYPENNGRAM OF THE DAY
Poking through
(Photo by @postcardsfromsouthphilly)
Billies Awards return Dec. 10 for Billy Penn’s 11th anniversary
Billy Penn at WHYY’s Billies Awards are back this December, with our latest celebration to honor standout Philadelphians profiled by your favorite hyperlocal news site.
The 2025 event continues Billy Penn’s tradition of recognizing dynamic artists, activists, entrepreneurs, and cultural icons whose stories have shaped civic life and inspired their neighbors. It’s free, and held at WHYY’s Studio near Independence Mall. Join us! Continue reading …
Chestnut Hill lost a bunch of restaurant staples. Will they be replaced anytime soon?
Chestnut Hill is one of Philly’s most charming neighborhoods, yet recently, multiple restaurants in the area have faced closures, including Fiesta Pizza, Campbell’s Place, Iron Hill Brewery and Jansen, in nearby Mount Airy.
What’s more, what used to be Roller’s Express-O and Flying Fish have remained vacant storefronts for years now. What’s going on, and what’s coming? Billy Penn’s Julia Binswanger investigates. Continue reading …
RECAP: What else happened?
$ = paywalled
• Former Biden climate advisor Pablo McConnie-Saad enters a crowded field — he is the 12th candidate thus far — for Philadelphia’s 3rd Congressional District to replace Rep. Dwight Evans. [WHYY/Billy Penn]
• SEPTA gets $220M in state funds to help with capital issues and fixing trains. [WHYY]
• Council members want to expand subsidies for low-income customers’ water bills. [Billy Penn]
• PGW residential customers will see monthly bills jump by about $6 on average starting in December. [WHYY] 9
• Philly has started an educational campaign about the health risks of cocaine and meth use. Penn researchers developed a tool to predict who’s most at risk of overdosing. [PhillyVoice]
• A five-week, citywide festival of the arts is planned next summer to coincide with the nation’s 250th birthday. ArtPhilly, starting May 27, will feature over 30 performances and installations by regional artists. [WHYY]
• The Stoop Pigeon aims to be both a place to watch games and a community space celebrating women’s sports in Philly. [Billy Penn]
• Season 2 of “Task,” starring Mark Ruffalo, will be filmed entirely in Southeastern Pa. after scoring a record tax credit with hopes to create 3,700 jobs and inject more than $194 million into the economy. [WHYY] O for second season with Mark Ruffalo returning to Delco crime drama. [PhillyVoice]
MAYOR WATCH
The mayor has no public events scheduled for Tuesday.
ON THE CALENDAR
🎄 Holiday lightings around Philly
🍗 Thanksgiving in Philadelphia: How to get free food or help with donations
🏃🏽 Philly Runners Guide
🎞️ Ongoing: The Declaration’s Journey — Available on the WHYY YouTube Channel. New episodes will appear every two weeks.
Tuesday, Nov. 25: Intro to Mural Painting
Hosted by the Autistic Art Coalition of Philadelphia. Includes a 30-minute talk about The Neurospicey Magazine — a literary magazine that gives local artists the capability to have their art published. At Tacony Lab; snacks included. (6 to 8 p.m.)
Wednesday, Nov. 27: Thanksgiving Eve Karaoke Party
Join the Bridget Foy family and DJ Sarah Share for the restaurant’s 16th annual party. Sing your heart out, sip a hot toddy or cider slushee, and kick off the long weekend with some South Street spirit. (7 to 10 p.m.)
Thursday, Nov. 27: 2025 Thanksgiving Day Parade
The longest-running Thanksgiving Day parade in the country returns for its 106th year, all leading up to the arrival of Santa Claus. The parade starts at North 20th Street and JFK Boulevard, snakes around City Hall, and flows down the Ben Franklin Parkway to the Art Museum. (8:30 a.m. to noon)
Friday, Nov. 28: Makerspace Open Studio
Experiment with building, different materials, and new techniques as you create during open-ended free play time in the Please Touch Museum Makerspace Studio. (10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.)
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.)
Through Dec. 14: The Greatest Play in the History of the World
It’s 4:40 a.m., and time has quite literally stopped — for everyone except four neighbors who reach each other across space, time and loneliness to find that their universe is bigger than they knew. A magical, romantic and soul-stirring story for the holiday season, from Inis Nua and Tiny Dynamite. $21-33 tickets. Various times.
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 Billies Awards are here; Chestnut Hill dining check-in; Water bill affordability | Morning Roundup appeared first on Billy Penn at WHYY.
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