A Few Thanksgiving Thoughts

Around the Block: 11/22/24

Hi Readers,

There will be no ATB next week, so I want to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving.

I have so much to be grateful for, and I thank my friends, family, clients, team members, colleagues, vendors, and neighbors (past and present) for all that they do.

Thank you to Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, who pulled a rabbit out of the hat by diverting $153M in federal highway funds to SEPTA to forestall the impending 21.5% fare increase that was slated for January. There will still be a 7.5% fare increase next month, which is fair and reasonable compared to the 29% increase SEPTA originally announced. Just like the Governor’s superb response to the I-95 bridge collapse in 2023, this response was quick, timely, and decisive. This stands in sharp contrast to the Pennsylvania Senate’s partisan bickering, which curtailed SEPTA’s funding to the detriment of ordinary Pennsylvanians in the first place. This is just a temporary reprieve for SEPTA, as it will ultimately need a dedicated source of funding from the Commonwealth. Hopefully, the state senate can get it together.

How about those Birds? They are 8-2. In other words, they have as many losses as the Sixers have wins. How crazy is that? Well, at least Jared McCain is awesome—both his nail polish and incredible rookie season.

The neighborhood where I grew up is now among the hottest food neighborhoods in Philly? Check out this Michael Klein article for 30 (YES, 30) new or coming soon eateries in Queen Village. A lot of places I want to try, including ESO Ramen Workshop (but is it in any way realistic that I will be able to make it to a 6-seater open for a few hours just two days a week?), Majdal Bakery, and Shiso. Perhaps the most shocking development based on current Philly food trends is all these new places and not one specializing in hot chicken. BTW, I grew up on the border of Queen Village and Society Hill. Now, if only a few new restaurants would come to my current neighborhood of West Mt Airy.

Some of you may remember the ATB I wrote last year about the plight of Philly’s intercity bus riders once they closed the Greyhound Bus Terminal in Chinatown. Things have been pretty bad for a year with riders having to wait outside in the heat and cold with a lack of bathrooms. Well, things are not much better, and no permanent waiting room yet, but at least a conditioned trailer with portable bathroom facilities will be installed at Front & Spring Garden. As winter approaches, much better than nothing.

The Philadelphia Marathon is this weekend, and road closures have already started. Check out these traffic and parking restrictions, course maps, and other race information here. Not quite at the marathon level yet, but our 9-year-old son Ezra has started running through a cool prgram for 8-10 year old boys called Let Me Run. Here he is running a 5K last week.

I hope everyone has a nice and (if possible) relaxing Thanksgiving weekend.

Warm regards,

Jeff