Snow Emergency, Mural Legend Lost, and Why Everyone’s Out of Salt
👀 The Short Version:
Philly’s got a snow emergency, schools are going virtual, Isaiah Zagar’s gone, PennDOT’s fixing potholes, and Jersey’s in full “blizzard shopping” mode. Here’s everything you actually should know from yesterday.
☃️ SNOW: PHILLY & JERSEY PREP (AGAIN)
- City declares snow emergency: Philly’s bracing for up to a foot (or more) of snow from this huge nor’easter rolling in. Prepare for near-blizzard conditions Sunday into Monday — strong winds, dumped snow, school closures. PHL17 has the city announcement.
- PSA for parents & commuters: Philly schools are going virtual on Monday. Postpone your travel or dust off those boots.
- Across the river: New Jersey is in a state of emergency, with shore towns like Atlantic City expecting as much as 24 inches. Also: Jersey stores are running seriously low on salt (link).
- PennDOT pothole patrol: Crews are hitting 30+ highways for emergency repairs. Translation: more lane closures, more traffic headaches, but maybe fewer craters eating your tires next week.
🎨 FAREWELL, MOSAIC ICON
- Isaiah Zagar (1939–2026): The man who turned South Philly into a living mosaic (Magic Gardens, anyone?) died at 86. His psychedelic glass-and-ceramic artwork is basically a Philly rite of passage. See WHYY’s tribute.
- Want to find Zagar’s hidden “Easter eggs” in his mosaics? Check this guide while you’re stuck inside.
👟 COMMUNITY & CULTURE
- Student protest in Quakertown gets messy: Bucks County DA is now investigating after arrests at a school walkout over ICE. Not the end of that story.
- Lunar New Year at the Rail Park: Live performances, dragons, community — if you’re looking for something not-so-snowy, here’s your reason to layer up and go out.
- Inclusive fashion at Jeff: Thomas Jefferson University students designed clothes for folks with disabilities — see their work.
⚾, 🏈 & ODDS & ENDS
- Eagles draft talk: Daniel Jeremiah’s take on what the Birds need next is worth a scroll if you’re plotting offseason hopes.
- Recent ex-Phillies like Nick Castellanos and Harrison Bader are out west now. Catch up on where they landed.
That’s it for Sunday. Make your snow game plan, pour one out for Zagar, keep warm. See you tomorrow.
