🌱Officer Fitzgerald's Funeral Set + Shooting At Discount Grocery

Hi all. It's me, Patty-Pat Kozlowski, your host of the Philadelphia Patch newsletter — back in your inbox with all the most important things happening in town. Today you'll read about...

• The funeral arrangements have been made for fallen Temple Police Officer Chris Fitzgerald.
• Diddy, Lauryn Hill and Dave Chappelle are part of The Roots Picnic which is back this summer!
• A 54 year-old man was shot in the face at a Germantown Save A-Lot grocery store.

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But first, today's weather:

Cooler; a p.m. shower or two. High: 55 Low: 32.

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Here are the top stories today in Philadelphia:

1. Just two days after his murder, a city mourns and remembers Temple Police Officer Christopher Fitzgerald, killed in the line of duty. His funeral is set for Friday, February 24 and thousands of law enforcement officers from around the country as well as citizens, politicians, friends, family and Temple University students are planned to attend the burial. Already the Philadelphia F.O.P. Lodge 5 is having a massive fundraiser this week and Temple Police Association set up a Go Fund Me site for donation for his family, as he leaves four children behind. (6abc Philadelphia).
2. The Roots Picnic just dropped it's entertainment roster lineup and it's one of the biggest shows in Philadelphia. Dave Chappelle at the Wells Fargo Center, Lauryn Hill celebrating the 25th anniversary of her album, "The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill" and performances by Diddy, Busta Rhymes and for you old-school fans, The Isley Brothers. (nbcphiladelphia.com)
3. A 54 year-old man was shopping at the Germantown Save-A-Lot Supermarket on Chew Avenue when he was shot in the face. He was rushed to Einstein Medical Center and is in critical condition. Police are investigating and have made no arrests in the shooting. (6abc Philadelphia)

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Today in Philadelphia:

• Presidential Symposium: "BLACK ICE," Book Chat (11:00 AM)
• Geeks Who Drink Trivia Night at Dave and Buster's - Philadelphia (7:00 PM)
• HELLO DARKNESS, MY OLD FRIEND: A Discussion with Inventor, Entrepreneur, & Author Sanford Greenberg (7:00 PM)

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From my notebook:

• Chik-fil-A is taking over the world! Or at least Philadelphia as the southern chicken comfort food chain is set to open up its second South Philly location . The Penrose store, (Platt Bridge), located at 2650 Penrose Ave. in South Philly, is set to open in the coming months and needs to hire 150 staffers. Hey, you'll have Sundays off! (South Philly Review)
• White Men CAN Jump. Did you see the NBA Dunk Contest? Philadelphia 76ers own Mac McClung (who looks like he could manage the South Philly Chik-fil-A instead of hanging off NBA rims) not only won the tournament but he broke the internet and got big props from Shaq!( NPR)
• Be Food Generous-your neighbors might need it. During COVID-19, an act of Congress increased food stamp SNAP benefits to make sure families and those in need had enough groceries and food during the universal pandemic. Those extra benefits are now coming to an end and area food banks and food pantries are bracing for an avalanche of citizens needing food. So if you can spare it, look for the can-can sales, the BOGOS or throw your local church food closet a few bills to help those who need it. ( PhillyVoice)

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You're all caught up for today! I'll be in your inbox tomorrow morning with 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