Philly politics might have a power vacuum; Center City bars battle for Christmas decoration supremacy | Morning Newsletter
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Waking up to temps in the 30s really made it feel like winter this morning. But one positive of getting deeper into December: a high-stakes Christmas decoration contest and Center City bar crawl. That’s happening today, and you can find more details below.
We also have a couple of stories that could warm your heart. One of my colleagues writes about a shared meal between Amish people and refugees. Also, a Fishtown family adopted a malnourished stray dog that wandered into their home this weekend.
— Josh Rosenblat (@joshrosenblat, morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)
Ivan Beiler’s family has lived in the United States for centuries. Last weekend, he listened to a Somalian refugee talk about his new life in the U.S. Beiler, who is Amish; the refugee; and over 70 others ate together at Beiler’s farm in Strasburg, Pa. It was a cross-cultural exchange for the Amish, refugees, and the surrounding community.
“I can actually relate to their stories of moving here and trying to fit in, because we’re so different, too, and that’s the way it is,” Beiler, 54, told the crowd. “We are different, and you can feel that.”
When Pennsylvania’s political class landed in New York City recently for its annual gathering, there was a sort of void. It used to the “Johnny Doc” show. But John Dougherty, leader of Philadelphia’s powerful Electricians union, is under federal indictment for public corruption and misuse of union funds. He’s denied all charges.
Corruption scandals, insurgents targeting the Democratic City Committee, and the business community’s struggle to stay relevant have some political players saying there might be a political power vacuum developing.
General manager of Jose Pistola’s, Sara Walker, says she cuts paper snowflakes in July. She also says she’s spent about $2,000 this year to make handcrafted decorations. “It’s crazy, but I love it," she says.
Walker’s favorite day of the year is the Jose Pistola’s Smackdown Bar Crawl, which pits Center City bars against each other in a heated decorating contest. Today is the fifth iteration of the smackdown, and as tradition holds, a panel of Jewish beer reps and brewers will judge the event and declare the winner.
What you need to know today
Jeff Van Drew staff members are leaving the South Jersey congressman as he prepares to switch to the GOP. But, his soon-to-be Republican peers in New Jersey aren’t rushing to get out of his way.
West Point and the Naval Academy are investigating a possible “white power” hand gesture made at the Army-Navy Game in Philadelphia last weekend. What’s the story behind the controversial sign?
A political strategist who worked for ex-U.S. Rep. Bob Brady is headed to federal prison for paying a challenger to drop out of the race.
An undocumented Philadelphia couple’s July arrest by ICE led to a viral opinion essay by a friend desperate to find them. Yesterday morning, a judge ruled that the couple could be released.
Tensions again boiled over in the Rittenhouse Square stabbing case when the city’s top public defender suggested that interviews and social media posts made by supporters of Sean Schellenger — the man fatally stabbed last year — had led to death threats against Michael White. White was found not guilty of voluntary manslaughter in the killing.
Wells Fargo will pay Philadelphia millions to resolve a settlement that alleges the bank engaged in lending discrimination against minorities.
Gov. Tom Wolf announced a new effort to overhaul Pennsylvania’s juvenile justice system.
Through your eyes | #OurPhilly
Wow, what a shot from Valley Forge. Thanks for sharing, @mikelaytonphoto!
Tag your Instagram posts or tweets with #OurPhilly and we’ll pick our favorite each day to feature in this newsletter and give you a shout out!
That’s interesting
🏆 After their win this weekend, there are a couple of ways the Eagles could secure a playoff bid. Both involve beating the Cowboys on Sunday.
💊 “Clean” and “natural” beauty products might be more likely to cause you irritation and allergies, according to a Penn dermatologist.
🐔 Former chicken farm + arts camp = one of South Jersey’s newest charter schools
🎤 My colleague Dan DeLuca dishes on his favorite Philly pop music of the year.
🤢 National and local chains highlight this edition of Clean Plates, our compilation of local eateries closed for violations that include mouse droppings and fruit flies.
🗳️ Enough with the “I VOTED TODAY” stickers that don’t actually stick. Philadelphia is looking for new designs. Now’s your chance to create a Philly-centric version of the iconic election day memento.
Opinions
“But what good is technically having Democratic control when that majority includes the likes of a waffling, weaselly politician such as Van Drew? His only allegiance has been to himself, Trump, and the conservative voters he thinks can help him win in 2020.” — Rachel Kramer Bussell, a voter from Rep. Jeff Van Drew’s district and the treasurer of the Egg Harbor Township Democratic Club, writes about Van Drew’s switch to the Republican Party.
The Philadelphia Board of Education hasn’t done enough to restore the public’s faith, writes Lisa Haver, a retired Philly teacher and founder of the Alliance for Philadelphia Public Schools.
The Inquirer Editorial Board writes that the “Opportunity Zones” in Philadelphia and Camden must be used for the neighborhoods’ benefit.
What we’re reading
Billy Penn reports that a pivotal leader in a Kensington harm reduction nonprofit who taught thousands to use the opioid reversal drug naloxone is leaving Prevention Point to concentrate on his own mental health.
On the anniversary of the shooting that killed 26 children and educators at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn., the local high school football team won the state championship on a last-second play. The Washington Post has the story.
The Los Angeles Times reports that acidity levels of California’s coastal waters are rising twice as fast as the world’s average, threatening fisheries and indicating that oceans can only take so much of Earth’s pollution.
Your Daily Dose of | A new family
Jack and Emily Jokinen found a malnourished stray dog in their Fishtown home over the weekend. The dog had damaged teeth, fleas, no vaccinations, and a pad missing on her feet, Jack tweeted. They found out the dog was 9 years old and decided to take her in. “We’re going to turn this negative into a positive for the holiday season," he said.