The Japan Times - Morning Roundup: Cycling Classic Returns as Cruise Port Opens and Plant Library Grows

Philadelphia Cycling Classic Weekend is almost here — and you can enjoy it, too

Ten years ago, Philly’s cycling community mourned as the Classic was shuttered indefinitely. Most were resigned to the belief that it would never return.

Not Race Street Partners Carlos Rogers, Eric Robbins and former Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter. Now, the trio is just days away from seeing years of grinding finally pay off .

Top professional riders will take on the Manayunk Wall on Sunday, but there are also ways you can get your bike or feet out for the return of the festivities.

PhilaPort celebrates completion of new Delaware River cruise terminal

Cruises restarted departures from Philadelphia in April after a 15-year break, offering trips to Bermuda and Canada and creating 2,200 jobs.

The Delaware River Port Authority shut down the lightly used terminal in 2011, in part to avoid renovation costs. But with cruising booming again since the pandemic, PhilaPort became the beneficiary of an industry trend called homeporting.

RECAP: What else happened?

$ = paywalled

• Gov. Shapiro and RFK Jr. sparred online over the nation’s measles outbreak that killed two Pennsylvanians, with Shapiro urging vaccination while the HHS secretary questioned whether the deaths actually happened and criticized vaccines. [City & State]

• Meta will pay 47 other states up to $17.1 billion in a landmark child safety settlement — Pennsylvania is expected to receive at least $516 million over a period of years , and could see up to $729 million. [Capital-Star]

• The city’s new managing director Carlton Williams spoke on a city tragedy, why his position on Kensington has changed and whether or not the city can still have a pothole squad . [NBC10/Billy Penn]

• Do more than half of Philadelphia adults really read at or below fifth grade level? It’s more nuanced . [The Conversation]

• The free plant library brings “a little whimsy” to Northeast Philadelphia . [WHYY]

• Remembering Franklin Kury, who helped make Pennsylvania one of the first governments in the world to guarantee a healthy environment as a basic right . [Inside Climate News]

MAYOR WATCH

Mayor Parker joins former Mayor Nutter to kick off Philadelphia Cycling Classic Race Weekend. (11 a.m.)

Highlights from Billy Penn’s City Guide

Billy Penn City Guide: University City and The Woodlands Formerly a 600-acre estate on the west banks of the Schuylkill, The Woodlands is equal parts a space for historic preservation, recreation and a love of nature.

South Street Art Mart connects local artists and its community South Street Art Mart opened as a holiday pop-up shop during the winter of 2018, but while the holiday season came and went, the Art Mart remained.

ON THE CALENDAR

Listening to 80s music (Saturday), the Philly Pigeon offers a free writing and walking day trip (Saturday), Street Movies comes to West Philly (Sunday), AND MORE!

M.Fujitav--JT