#BILLYPENNGRAM OF THE DAY
Icy bird bath
(Photo by @_mtkrupka)
A Pennsylvania judge has thrown out the designation of the Washington Square West Historic District, threatening demolition protections for more than 1,400 properties, as well as potentially undermining the broader effort to preserve thousands of historically significant buildings across the city.
If the judge’s decision survives a possible appeal, it could lead to more efforts to overturn designations, make it more difficult to nominate areas and win designation, or require the city to rewrite its standards for approving new districts. Continue reading…
Looking northeast from Camac and Locust streets along the 1300 block of Locust Street in the Washington Square West Historic District. (Philadelphia Historical Commission)
The 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup is almost here. The spectacle of global soccer will bring 48 national soccer teams to 16 cities across Canada, Mexico and the United States, for 104 games.
And Philly will be joining the party, hosting six games at Lincoln Financial Field, including one on the Fourth of July.
BP’s Nick Kariuki created this guide to help. Here are the games, the teams and lots of other important info you need to be ready for the first game in June. Continue reading…
Croatia’s Luka Modrić (from left), France’s Kylian Mbappé and Brazil’s Vinícius Junior. (AP Photo/ Ebrahim Noroozi, Christophe Ena and David Becker)
RECAP: What else happened?
$ = paywalled
• As Congress weighs Trump’s Iran war powers, here’s where Philly-area lawmakers stand. [WHYY]
• Philadelphia officials say the city’s pension system is recovering and is now on track to reach full funding ahead of schedule. [WHYY]
• New policy at Philadelphia public schools guarantees daily lunch, bathroom access and ends collective punishment. [CBS3]
• Activist Erin Brockovich joined environmentalists urging caution over the planned reefing of the SS United States, warning that the ship is coated in hazardous chemicals. [PhillyVoice]
• Restorative justice advocates in Philadelphia are rethinking accountability beyond incarceration. [WHYY]
• Angelo’s Pizzeria plans to expand into Federal Donuts & Chicken’s South Philadelphia location. [Inq$$]
• Nominate your favorite Philadelphia places for the 2026 Liberty Bells Awards. [Visit Philly]
MAYOR WATCH
Mayor Parker has no public events scheduled for Tuesday.
ON THE CALENDAR
🌷 Philly Flower Show guide
🧨 Lunar New Year events guide
📚 Book lovers’ guide to Philly
🍹 Non-alcoholic Philly
🏃🏽 Philly Runners Guide
Tuesday, March 3: Free Headshots
Get a FREE headshot photo taken at the Business Resource and Innovation Center in Parkway Central Library. Use your photo to enhance your professional portfolio and make your LinkedIn profile stand out among the selfies. (1 p.m.)
Tuesday, March 3: Lantern Making Workshop
Celebrate the end of Lunar New Year by learning the art of lantern making. In this workshop, participants will receive a DIY lantern kit, learn a brief history of the Lantern Festival, and get step-by-step guidance on creating their own lantern. $5 tickets/Sign up here: https://forms.gle/x9HxGBmwu4LbCq2h9. At Crane Community Center. (6:30 to 7:30 p.m.)
Wednesday, March 4: Community Meeting: What Should Happen to Market East?
Share your ideas on how to create a Market East that better serves the local community. A discussion about collectively advocating for community interests in its proposed redevelopment. At Winkel. Free RSVP. (5:30 to 7 p.m.)
Thursday, March 5: Vegan Seafood Pop-up
Philadelphia Brewing brings nostalgic New England-style seafood dishes, all vegan, back courtesy Oh My Cod Vegan Seafood Co. Enjoy beer-battered banana blossom fish and chips, buffalo shrymp, crabby cakes, lobsta mac and more. (4 to 8 p.m.)
Thursday, March 5: 52nd Street Commercial Corridor Design Open House
Learn about block-by-block initial design concepts and give your input and suggestions to help shape the 52nd Street Corridor, from Arch Street to Pine Street. At Global Leadership Academy Southwest, 5200 Pine Street. (6 to 8 p.m.)
Thursday, March 5: Profs & Pints Philadelphia: The Happiness Workshop
A look at what recent research and centuries of wisdom tell us about bringing more joy and contentment to our lives. What is the happiest day of the week? Can a specific place make you happy? What can we learn about happiness from travelling the world? Learn how the study of happiness is a growing, evidence-based field known as positive psychology, which aims to find solutions to happiness challenges that can bring positive change to our lives and environments. $14.77 tickets in advance; $17 at the door. (6 to 8:30 p.m.)
Thursday, March 5: Erotic Reading Night
Share your writing, 10 minutes per reading. At P.E.G. & Museum at 706 South Street. Doors open at 6 p.m., readings at 7 p.m. Sliding scale $5-$15 pay at door. Limited seating. Standing room after seats are full. (6 to 9 p.m.)
Friday, March 6: Philly Startup Expo
The Philly Startup Expo transforms the Pennovation Center in Grays Ferry into a high-energy, science fair-style demo floor — where founders host tables and attendees circulate freely, engaging directly with builders and investors. This is interactive. No long pitches. No hiding behind slides. Just real products, real traction, and real conversations. Register for free. (3 to 6 p.m.)
Through March 6: East Passyunk Restaurant Week
21 participating restaurants, including Michelin Recommended, local favorites, buzzy newcomers and diverse cuisines.
Saturday and Sunday, March 7 & 8: Participatory Design and Playable Theatre, 101
Participation is anti-authoritarian and your art can be too! In this workshop you’ll learn what playable theatre is and how to make it. At Pig Iron Studio A, 1417 N. 2nd Street. $40 tickets. (10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day)