đ Get these kids a gym | Morning Newsletter
And a cleaner block can be yours.
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âïž Today will be another sun-dappled day.
Today, reporter Matt Breenâs bringing you the inside story about how the long-running youth basketball league Liga Del Barrio needs an assist.
And if you want a cleaner block, let reporter Nick Vadala be your guide to organizing your cleanup.
If you see this đ in todayâs newsletter, that means weâre highlighting our exclusive journalism. You need to be a subscriber to read these stories.
â Ashley Hoffman (@_AshleyHoffman, morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)
đ€ And now, Iâm passing the mic to reporter Matt Breen to present todayâs top story:
An editor forwarded me a Facebook post from La Liga Del Barrio, a basketball league geared toward Latino youth in Philadelphia. They started a young adult league last year to counter the cityâs rise in gun violence and were looking for their own gym after 22 years of bouncing around Philly. Sounded like a good story.
I talked to their president, Raymond Alvarez, about how the league started with a phone call from Pat Croce and grew into a thriving organization, as well as their plans for an upcoming gala to raise money for the gym. At the end, he mentioned they were trying to invite Croce to the gala but couldnât get in touch with him.
I told Ray I had spoken to Croce â the 76ers president during the Allen Iverson era â and would send along his number. Maybe that would help. A month later, Ray reached back out. Not only did they reunite with Croce but he pledged $25,000 toward their new gym and challenged others to match him. The league has served nearly 10,000 Philadelphia youth. They hope a new gym can help serve even more.
What you should know today
Reporter Michaelle Bond goes deep into how Philly home buyers are behaving in a highly competitive market.
Philadelphia sheriffâs officers and police raided a home looking for a man who had died months earlier â and traumatized his family.
The Center City bar bouncer who allegedly punched a patron who later died of his injuries turned himself in and was charged with third-degree murder.
Hereâs how to protect your dogs from ticks.
Philly Black Prideâs already starting the celebration, and 41 other great things to do in Philly.
Local Coronavirus numbers: Track the latest COVD-19 data.
Letâs talk trash. If you want a cleaner block, consider our tips and resources in our full guide beyond the tips below. And visit our How to Philly hub for more guides on navigating Philly, all in one place.
đïž Go to your highest-ranking official cleaner, a.k.a. the âblock captain,â if youâve got one. They can help mobilize volunteers and make arrangements for the garbage you collect.
đ§č The city can lend you supplies like rake shovels, brooms, litter grabbers, and curb edgers.
đ Pro tip: Try not to overdo your supply requests. (Youâre not an octopus â you only have two hands.)
đ Do a giveaway. Give people an incentive to pitch in. Mochi doughnut party, anyone?
Keep reading for reporter Nick Vadalaâs full guide to organizing your block cleanup.
đ§ Philly Trivia Time đ§
Who did Philadelphiaâs newest mascot, Blob, beat out for the honor of being a USFL mascot?
A) Cosmo
B) Wacky Willam
C) Flubber
D) Julia Fox
Find out if you know the answer.
𧩠Unscramble the Anagram đ§©
Who played loving partner Miguel Alvarez in the acclaimed movie âPhiladelphiaâ?
Hint: First name: đ + đč Last name: đ·+đș+đ„ (band.)
ABANDON NOTARIES
Weâll select a reader at random to shout out here. Email us if you know the answer. Todayâs shoutout goes to Mary Ellen Quindlen, who correctly guessed CLARK PARK as Thursdayâs answer.
Photo of the day
Itâs been a pleasure since October 2020 talking with you as your morning newsletter writer, and as P Diddy once said, we wonât stop. See you on Sunday.