The latest Center City District report on downtown retail offered a generally sunny economic view. Overall, the retail occupancy rate for the area, spanning from Girard Avenue to the north to Tasker Avenue in the south, has stabilized at 83%, the report says. That’s lower than the all-time high of 89% recorded around 2018, but shows a decent recovery since the lows of the pandemic and represents Center City’s “new normal,” said one expert.
BP’s Meir Rinde outlines the takeaways and what local leaders say comes next. Continue reading…
From an ultra-fast-paced Harry Potter to the classics, there are lots of stage performances for children in the greater Philly region this December. Fortunately, it’s not the only story being told.
The offerings are rich this season. There’s the usual smattering of the Charles Dickens’ classic “A Christmas Carol,” a “Cinderella,” an “Elf,” a “Peter Pan” and a “Peter Panto” version, plus a dazzling return of Cirque du Soleil in “Twas the Night Before,” as well as larger-than-life puppets in “Kea and the Ark.” Check out showtimes and options here. Continue reading…
RECAP: What else happened?
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• Chestnut Hill Hospital workers rallied to demand better working conditions and staffing levels, saying that these issues put patient care at risk. [WHYY]
• City Council will vote on parts of the 76ers arena proposal next Wednesday amid ongoing negotiations with the team over whether it would sweeten the pot on its community benefits agreement. [WHYY]
• Mayor Parker signed legislation to rename Taney Street and honor civil rights champion, Caroline LeCount, who fought to desegregate Philly trolley carts and education. [NBC10]
• Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Brandon Graham has been nominated for the 2024 Walter Payton Man of the Year Award, the team announced. [Fox29]
• The 2024 Philadelphia Eagles varsity snap jacket just dropped on the Fanatics store for $399.99 in Kelly green with gray on the sleeves, white elbow patches and a full Eagles logo on the back. [PennLive]
• The Rocky statue at the base of the steps of the PMA is now flanked by large-scale portraits of “Real Life Rockys” — actual Philadelphians who have lived heroic lives in the real world. [WHYY]
MAYOR WATCH
The mayor has no public events scheduled for today.
ON THE CALENDAR
🎄 Friday, Dec. 6: Holiday Tree Lighting at Penn’s Landing
Head to the Philly waterfront’s ice skating rink to kick off the holiday season with a tree lighting, fireworks finale, and performances from “America’s Got Talent” alum Christina Wells and social media performer Tyler Kingsley. (6 to 9 p.m.)
🧶 Saturday, Dec. 7: Threads of Tradition: The Art of Yakan Weaving in the Philippines
Fourth-generation Yakan weaver Evelinda Otong-Hamja will lead a demonstration and talk unraveling this beautiful and invaluable artistic practice at the Penn Museum. $18/$16 seniors/$13 youth and students museum admission. (12 to 3:30 p.m.)
🪁 Saturday-Sunday, Dec. 7-8: Winters around the World
Lemon Hill Mansion will showcase the seasonal and holiday traditions of the Caribbean (Saturday) and Japan (Sunday) with traditional food, Haitian kite making, origami, musical performances, and more. (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.)
🍺 Saturday, Dec. 7: Christmas in Kensington
Philadelphia Brewing Company hosts 25+ local artists and makers in their brewery and outdoor beer garden, offering beer, cider, hot chocolate, local shopping, and live music. Make your own custom ornament, and take photos with the Grinch (1-3 p.m.) and even Krampus once night falls. (11 a.m. to 8 p.m.)
🛍️ Saturday, Dec. 7: Last-Minute Market
Fishtown Neighbors Association hosts a local artist market at Starbolt from 1-5 p.m., featuring 20+ artists selling prints, stickers, ceramics, clothing, and miscellaneous art.
📯 Saturday, Dec. 7: Deck the Alley
Help fundraise to support Philadelphia’s most historic street, Elfreth’s Alley! Glimpse contemporary life inside 18th- and 19th-century houses, tour the museum, and enjoy cider, snacks, and carolers singing. Tickets are $11.20 for children, $26.50 for adults, and $62.20 for a family of 4. (2-4 p.m. or 4-6 p.m.)
🎅🏽 Saturday, Dec. 7: Santa 0.5K
Think you’re faster than Santa’s Sleigh? Then test your speed at our Santa 0.5K! That’s 0.31 miles or 19,685 inches, 50,000 centimeters, or 5e+8 micrometers. Runners receive a free beer from Evil Genius and a Santa hat. Tickets are $32.50 in-person or virtual; all proceeds go to buying gifts for families in need. (2:30 to 3 p.m.)
🎨 Sunday, Dec. 8: Trans Art Market
Trans Art Mart is hosting its 5th art market highlighting trans-, non-binary-, and gender-expansive artists and makers in Philly. Gather at Bok Building’s West Gym to shop local for the holidays! Masks required/Vaccine cards will be checked. $5 recommended entry. (11 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
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(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by PostX News and is published from a syndicated feed.)
