Yesterday in Philly
Kensington Fights Back, Philly Freezes Over
Hey Philly—quick rundown on Friday: Kensington is taking housing into its own hands, sports are a total mood, and Arctic temperatures are back. Also, there’s a burger inspired by childhood fast-food trauma, and Center City’s getting pickier about who can order a beer. Here’s what mattered yesterday:
🌬 Weather & Getting Around
- Arctic blast incoming: Snow squalls overnight with deep freeze through the weekend. Bundle up—and pothole repair crews are coming, so maybe there's hope for your axle yet (PENNDOT details).
- Reading Terminal Market saw a rush as folks prepped for freezer weather (More here).
🏘 Kensington & Housing Stuff
- Grassroots gentrification fight: The Kensington Corridor Trust is buying up properties to keep rent down and locals in charge, aiming to shape redevelopment before outside investors do.
- Dirty Franks crackdown: The Center City fixture is now banning under-25s after a wave of fake IDs. Sorry, college kids—come back for your 25th.
🚦 City Moves & Council Watch
- More 5am squats? Maybe: City Council might tweak the curfew so gyms can open earlier than 6am. Motivation for early birds—or maybe just CrossFit types.
- Aviation chief out: Philly International’s CEO stepped down right before the busy tourism and World Cup prep season. Expect some turbulence at the airport.
🎨 City Life & Food
- Boyz II Men mural incoming: The iconic R&B group is getting a new mural in South Philly, just blocks from their roots.
- Burgers get personal: Honeysuckle’s “McDonald’s Money Burger” is a nostalgia/tragedy-inspired hit. It’s as Philly as beef and childhood disappointment.
- Geno’s Steaks is expanding to Baltimore (next month), so the cheesesteak turf war officially crosses state lines (details here).
🏈 Sports & Vibes
- Eagles future: Stick figures explain what’s likely coming up for the Birds (visual calendar here), and the February sports vibe? Grim, in classic Philly fashion.
- Sixers in flux: The trade deadline came and went without a splash. Depth issues were on full display in the latest stretch run collapse.
- RIP Sonny Jurgensen: The legendary Eagles QB passed away at 91.
Quick Hits & Events
- Mount Airy: Adult circus prom for Valentine's Day, if that’s your thing (details).
- Lunar New Year festivities at Philly schools bring color to the cold (see more).
That’s the latest. Layer up out there, and if you see a pothole, just try to miss it. More tomorrow.
