We reported two years ago, when the first Cultural Engagement Index was released, how psyched we were that it revealed Philly to be a vibrant, creative, and culturally engaged city. Now 2010’s CEI is out and oh boy, we did great. Overall, there was an 11% increase is cultural engagement, with 8 of 9 categories [...]

Just like he did a year ago, State Senator Daylin Leach (D-17) has introduced a medical marijuana bill to the PA House. (You can read the bill here.) Last year’s bill died on the vine, but things are a little different this year. For one, Senators Larry Farnese (whom many of you voted for), James [...]

Amazingly, Septa ridership has been up, bringing passenger revenue for the fiscal year to $10.5 million, 3.9 percent better than budgeted. A mini-website was also launched with more information about the Smart Card. The Septa Board also made a few amendments to sign contracts that will allow ad sales on the website. Yes Philly, we [...]

The good, really great, game-changing news: PlanPhilly reports that SEPTA finally has a financing plan in order to get a smart card system implemented, such as the one other civilizations have enjoyed for decades. The hah-news: It’s going to take three years. So there you have it: The world is not totally made of shit. [...]

A quite happy reader indeed writes to us: Ok, so it isn’t world peace, and won’t benefit starving puppies or anything, but I had my faith in humanity restored last night… I came off the El at Girard St. to find that someone had removed the rear wheel to my bike (a feat that is [...]

Well yea! Way to go Greensies!  Greensgrow Farms was honored with the “Sustainable Business of the Year” Award at Thursday’s 28th Annual Excellence Awards. Just thought you should know! FYI – only a few of spots are left in the Winter 2011 CSA, so sign up now to get winter-long seasonal produce, local treats, and [...]

Call up an angry old white person you know and offer them a piece of pie and a hanky: The Big Talker-1210 is dumping Glenn Beck and Sean Hannity for more local content. It’s part of a move for the station to feature more local talk content — applause — but for those of you [...]

Governor Rendell declared the Marcellus Shale tax dead for 2010 last week, due to Republicans being assholes who wouldn’t agree to anything higher than a 1.5% tax. One-point-five percent. Jesus. That’s what we get for subjecting our state to fracking and the threat of erupting natural gas wells? Anyway, the Governor today decided that if [...]

PA’s Department of Conservation and Natural Resources has just announced the winners of their Community Conservation Partnerships Program Grant Program (PDF), and Philly did really well! If you will pardon the grant-ese speak, here’s where some money went locally: Philadelphia Center City District, $250,000 for development of Sister Cities Park to include construction of a [...]

Gather round starving artists of Philadelphia, we’ve got good news. The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation is launching a three-year, $9 million, Arts Challenge to provide funding for the Philadelphia arts scene. And the better news? Anyone can enter. Knightfoundaation.org says “established arts institutions, independent artists of all types, businesses, service organizations, and [...]

The Philadelphia Orchestra will be celebrating their new endowment by “making it rain” with “champagne and titties” at an undisclosed location this weekend. Back in April, we tried to talk some sense into you regarding you sleeping on The Philadelphia Orchestra, who’ve suffered some sagging attendance even while being better than two Dr. Dogs, three [...]

The above is part of a spreadsheet released this morning by Vice President Biden, by way of announcing 94 Recovery Act investments in broadband projects all around the United States. As you can see, none of them directly benefit Philly, but they do paint a picture of how PA could, in time, become a very [...]

Today’s good news, believe it or not, comes to us via the Philly Streets Department: STARTING AUGUST 1: Recycle All Plastic Containers! You’ve been recycling plastic containers marked: #1: Soda, water bottles #2: Milk jugs, detergents, shampoo bottles Now you can add: #3: Rigid plastic containers and juice bottles #4: Plastic tubs and lids from [...]

Code for America, a program that helps city managers better serve citizens through web-based projects, has selected five cities to participate in its very first one-year fellows program and Philadelphia is one of them. According to a press release from Mayor Michael Nutter‘s office: “Philadelphia was selected due to strong leadership, innovative concepts for more [...]

The verdict is in: Despite hard times, University City is glowing. University City District, the area’s neighborhood improvement and economic development organization, just released the 2010 State of University City. The report details all kinds of cool shit about the neighborhood’s growth and development in various areas, like sustainability and commercial vitality. Take for example, [...]

Pop’s Playground, winner of Philebrity’s 2009 Collaboration of the Year, turns one this summer and the X Games are coming to party. So on Thursday, July 29, from 4-6 p.m. get over to 2135 E. Hazzard Street. On the docket: Skate demos by the X Games and Gears for Groms skate teams, guest appearance from the [...]

Or watch internet porn. Or get their “news” from Philebrity. Wait, what? Anyway. Philly was just awarded a $6.4  million stimulus grant from the government for a new public computing center project. This means that Philly’s Division of Technology, along with Parks & Recreation, the Free Library of Philadelphia and four other organizations, including the Media [...]

Coming soon: Stephen Starr’s “Life Aquatic” theme restaurant? After years of uncertainty with bits of nearly-certain doom mixed in, the SS United States — which still holds the record for fastest Atlantic crossing of all time, doncha know — has been partially rescued by local philanthropist Gerry Lenfest, who’s just sunk $5.8 million towards the [...]

The hooligans over in Harrisburg have reached a “final agreement in principle” on the state budget, according to State Rep. Dominic Pileggi. This means we’re one step closer to finalizing the budget on time (as opposed to the 3-month late mess last year that screwed state workers, and lots of others, left and right). While [...]

Bros, studies show, may soon stop icing bros.