🌱 Carjacker Shot + Who Is John Wood? + Chinatown Opposes 76ers Arena

Hello, friends. Patty-Pat Kozlowski here with your Friday edition of the Philadelphia Patch newsletter, full of everything you need to know about what's happening in town. Today you'll learn about these stories and more...

• An 18 year-old carjacker was shot while trying to steal a car in Tacony.
• Out of nowhere, Democrat John Wood pulled the No. 1 ballot position in a very crowded field.
• Chinatown: Surveys found more than 90% of business owners, residents and visitors oppose the new 76ers basketball arena project.

---

But first, today's weather:

Rather cloudy. High: 62 Low: 41.

---

Business owners and marketers in Philadelphia: Do you want to build awareness with local customers? I have a limited number of sponsorships available to introduce our readers to local businesses they need to know. Click here to learn more.

---

Here are the top three stories today in Philadelphia:

1. An 18-year old alleged car thief is in critical condition after being shot four times. This after he and an accomplice tried stealing a car on Cottage Street in Tacony and was caught by the car's owner-who was also armed. A shootout ensued on the residential northeast Philadelphia block and the car thief was hit four times. The car owner was legally licensed to carry a firearm and is cooperating with police while the car thief accomplice is still on the loose. ( 6abc Philadelphia)
2. There are 12 democrats running for mayor in Philadelphia. Do you know who John Wood is? The former Philadelphia Police Officer and U.S. Marine pulled the coveted No. 1 ballot position in the race. He managed to get on the ballot by circulating petitions and has 30 years on the police force and lives in Roxborough. (phillymag.com)
3. Chinatown doesn't want the 76ers arena in it's backyard. For the past year, the Philadelphia Chinatown Development Corporation (PCDC) has been opposing and fighting a huge $1.3 billion development project to bring the 76ers basketball arena into their sacred crevice of Philadelphia. "The arena deeply imperils the future of Chinatown," the PCDC issued in a statement. Meanwhile, a groundswell of hundreds of posters, blaring the message"NO ARENA" has been plastered on homes, businesses and storefronts." (inquirer.com)

---

Today in Philadelphia:

• Lucky's St. Patrick's Day Crawl - Philadelphia (Fri & Sat) - 6th Annual (4:00 PM)
• St. Patrick's Day Trap Rock Festival: D4M $loan with sounds by DJ Nico Oso, The Prince of Philly (9:00 PM)

---

From my notebook:

• The cheapest way to get to NYC: Amtrak has announced $10 train rides to NYC from Philly — as long as you're a night owl. The new Night Owl fares also include discounted tickets to Baltimore and Washington. (PhillyVoice)
• Happy St. Paddy's Day! Did you get your Shamrock Shake? What does the green minty milkshake from McDonald's have to do with Philadelphia? Psst, yes, it's the Eagles! Did Philadelphia kill Uncle O'Grimacey, McD's Shamrock Shake mascot? (billypenn.com)
• A Stranger Chicken Sandwich-TenderFix by Noah Schnapp is now available in Philadelphia. Schapp is the actor who plays Will Byers in the Sci-Fi TV Show, "Stranger Things" and he is now a freshman at University of Penn, living in the dorms. He also has midnight cravings and his go-to is chicken sandwiches and tenders. And because he's a student at Penn, of course he created his own chicken sandwich/tenders delivery service. (Philadelphia, PA Patch)

---

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured businesses:

• 1600 Spruce Street Home, Design & Gift — (Visit website)
• Add your business here

Featured events:

• Mada & Hugh Piano Duo perform at St. Mark Lutheran Church in Clifton Heights, PA (March 18)
• Add your event

Featured gigs & services:

• Save $50 on Award-Winning Pest Control (Details)
• Add your gig or service

---

Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Friday. See you all tomorrow morning for another update!

— Patty-Pat Kozlowski

About me: Patty-Pat Kozlowski has been writing community news and Philly-cenric Op/Eds for over 20 years. A Jill of all trades she's been a stand-up comedian, chef, DJ, newspaper editor, food trucker and Parks Director for Philadelphia Parks & Rec as well as a community relations/legislative aide for the Pennsylvania House of Representatives and Philadelphia City Council.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Philadelphia Patch newsletter? Contact me at philadelphia@patch.com