🌱 Joseph August Zarelli + Comcast Raises Rates + The Shorti Out West

Hello again, everybody. It's Friday in Philadelphia and I'm back in your inbox with everything that's fit to print about what's happening locally. Today you'll read about these stories and more:

• After 65 years, Philadelphia Police identify the 'Boy in the Box.'
• On December 20, Comcast will raise its rates 3.8%.
• Hoagies are coming to the Midwest as Wawa announces expansion to Indiana, Kentucky and Ohio.

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But first, today's weather:

Plenty of sunshine. High: 49 Low: 31.

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Here are the top stories in Philadelphia today:

1. Nearly 66 years later, the identity of a young boy found beaten and wrapped in a blanket in a box in Philadelphia has been revealed: Joseph August Zarelli. At a news conference Thursday, Philadelphia authorities and private investigators named the "Boy in the Box," also referred to as America's Unknown Child. "Joseph August Zarelli will no longer be the boy in the box," William C. Fleisher of the Vidocq Society said. (Philadelphia, PA Patch)
2. Comcast users in Philadelphia will soon see price increases on their bills as the company raises fees for a number of services. The company, headquartered in Philadelphia, recently announced that it will increase its rates for customers nationwide by 3.8% on average, with different regions seeing slightly different rate increases. The price increases are set to go into effect Dec. 20. (phillytrib.com)
3. They already traveled south and started making Shorti Hoagies and Gobbler Bowls in Florida with great success, so now Wawa has it's goose mascot flying to the Midwest. Philadelphia sandwich culture is slowly taking over the nation. Making good on massive expansion plans promised last spring, Wawa announced it's targeting locations in Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky. Wawa's latest moves are making a splash in Indiana and Kentucky, with local media outlets trumpeting the news, and Midwesterners who've spent time in the Philly region touting the chain as "life-changing." (billypenn.com)

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Today in Philadelphia:

• uCity Square Holiday Fest at The Lawn (12:00 AM)
• Yule Log (7:30 AM)
• The Holidays Are For Decorating! (7:30 AM)
• Lankenau Medical Center's 35th Annual Tree of Life Celebration Illuminates the Isolation of Those Li (10:00 AM)
• Freshman Movie Night - Julia R Masterman (4:00 PM)
• Kick Off to the Holidays (6:00 PM)
• The Battle Academy Presents "Frenemies" (7:00 PM)
• Philly Pops Christmas Spectacular 2022 (8:00 PM)
• Jefferson Starship Headlines the Event Center at Live! Casino & Hotel Philadelphia (8:00 PM)

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From my notebook:

• Get your Gypsy scarves and your Piano Man sunglasses ready because Stevie Nicks and Billy Joel are touring together — and they're coming to Citizens Bank Park! Two of music's most storied performers are playing a joint concert at Lincoln Financial Field in summer 2023. Tickets go on sale Dec. 16. (PA Patch)
• Well, not everybody is on the Boy in the Box Bandwagon. ... Nextdoor Neighbor, East Mt-Airy-Pleasant: "Phila Homicide Unit has spent 65 years and 1000's of manpower hours on a "boy in a box" while there are numerous unsolved murders in Phila. - this year. Who knows if he has any family living, but there are a lot of grieving families." (Nextdoor)
• And yes, you can still go out for Chinese Food! The National Museum of American Jewish History is Hosting a Christmas Day: Carnival-Like Event - Wooder Ice

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More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Events:

• Berwyn Indoor / Outdoor Vintage Flea Market Grand Opening Dec 10th & 11th! (December 10)
• Philadelphia Premium Outlets Invites Locals To Holiday Celebration (December 10)
• Berwyn Indoor / Outdoor Vintage Flea Market Grand Opening Dec 10th & 11th! (December 11)
• Mary Ellen Desmond's Comfort & Joy Concert 2022 (December 11)
• Holiday Shopping Event (December 14)
• Holiday Divine Desserts & Trivia Par-Tea (December 17)
• Add your event

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Thanks for following along and staying informed. I'll see you soon!

— 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 Daily? Contact me at philadelphia@patch.com