Philly at DNC; Italian Market Cookbook Store; Weekly Gun Violence Review | Morning Review

On the second day of the Democratic National Convention, delegates from all 50 states cast their votes for Vice President Kamala Harris in a ceremonial ballot, and among those doing so in the chamber was Pennsylvania Gov. Shapiro. The evening ended Michelle and Barack Obama’s speeches.

Pennsylvania state Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta also spoke on stage, warning against Project 2025, a transition plan developed by a number of former Trump White House staffers now employed at right-wing think tanks as a blueprint for implementing their economic and social policy goals.

Meanwhile, Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker and Council Speaker Kenyatta Johnson spoke at a breakfast of the Pa. delegation..

Binding Agents, a soon-to-open Italian market cookbook store, was conceived by owner Catie Gainor in a literal fever dream. While ill in bed, the 34-year-old scrolled through social media when she stumbled upon a Seattle store that she thought would complement the Philadelphia culinary scene.

In October, Gainor’s dream will become a reality at 908 Catharine Street, where the fresh store will feature cookbooks, culinary fiction and nonfiction, Silent Book Club-style programming, author readings and cooking classes.

SUMMARY: What else happened?

$ = paid

• Montco Republican Committee unanimously voted to remove Upper Merion GOP leader for endorsing Kamala Harris. Matthew McCaffery publicly expressed his support in July, then reported being a victim of “SWATting” pranks and called the police. [WHYY/CBS3]

• Public opinions must be submitted by September 2nd proposed increases in health insurance premiums requested by insurers for Pa. health insurance plans through 2025. Average increases would range from 2.9% to 15.2% for individual plans sold on the ACA marketplace. [WHYY]

• Philadelphia Area Teachers and Students debate on proposed ban on mobile phones in schoolsafter Pa. approved a pilot plan earlier this year. [The Pulse]

• Human remains discovered eight years ago at the Old Town construction site were reburied after years of identification processes, but problems still exist. [WHYY]

• 75-foot, lime-green, floating observation deck over the Schuylkill River will be installed near Bartram’s Garden after years of delaysand is scheduled to open in 2026. [PhillyVoice]

• East Germantown Basketball League still fills the park. [Germantown Info Hub]

Gun Violence Prevention Weekly Review (from PCGVR)

We publish this report every week in cooperation with Philadelphia Gun Violence Reporting Center.

• Preventing Gun Violence advocates and community members gathered to discuss efforts during the Bridging Blocks community event. [WHYY]

• Pennsylvania Lt. Gov. Austin Davis is in the spotlight as Gov. Shapiro runs for vice president, discussing his years of efforts advocating against gun violence. [Inquirer$]

• A fresh city task force is set to tackle problems with parental involvement and violence among youth. [NBC10]

• New The Gun Violence Reporting Association has launched its operations and is co-hosted by Sammy Caiola of Kensington Voice. [PCGVR]

By the numbers in Philadelphia

• 698: Shooting victims as of August 15 fell by 40% compared to the previous year. [PCGVR]
• 172: A year so far murdersdown 37% from last year’s pace; down 19% from five years ago [Philly Police]

MAYOR’S WATCH

Mayor Parker is in Chicago all week for the Democratic National Convention. She and Council Speaker Kenyatta Johnson spoke at the delegation breakfast in Pa. Day 2.

IN THE CALENDAR

🗳️ Thursday, August 22: Voting Machine Demonstration
Curious about how the fresh voting machines work? Come to the Northeast Regional Library and try it out.! Philadelphia City Commissioners Office staff will lead a demonstration and answer previously submitted questions about how elections are conducted. (1:00-4:00 p.m.)

🍨 Friday, August 23: End of Summer Library Party
The branch of the Independence Library in the Old Town is the host family celebration with water ice, drawings, pretzels and of course books! (from 11:30 to 13:00)

💃🏽 Friday, August 23: ¡BAILAR en FDR! Salsa Class + Social Dance
Join Fairmount Park Conservancy and DJ Valentin Flores for a one-hour dance lesson followed by ballroom dancing. The lesson is led by an experienced instructor and is suitable for all skill levels. Free upon confirmation of attendance. (from 19:30 to 23:30)

🪭 Saturday, August 24: No drag show at the arena
The all-Asian cast will combine art, performance, heritage and activism at Callowhill, with the aim of raising awareness of the dispute over the 76ers’ planned arena on the edge of Chinatown. Tickets on a sliding scale from $10 to $20. (from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.)