Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: Rare, Lucrative Beetles Illegally Smuggled Through Philadelphia: Feds

Be sure to catch Verason Young Singers Children's Choir Open House on the Philadelphia Patch calendar

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Wednesday September 16th Patch AM
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Hey there, Philadelphia! Let's get started with what's happening in and around town. Read on and stay in the loop. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • Philadelphia customs officers uncover rare beetles hidden in toy shipment
  • Where can you celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month at your neighborhood library?
  • See what's on the menu at South Philly's newest corner restaurant.

Also on today's calendar: Verason Young Singers Children's Choir Open House and 10 more events.

Today's riddle: What is the difference between black eyed peas and chick peas? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high of 84 and low of 70 degrees.
  • Thursday: Humid with clouds and sun, temps: high: 86, low: 71. 🌶 Hot!
  • Friday: Times of clouds and sun, with a high of 85 and low of 64 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Rare, Lucrative Beetles Illegally Smuggled Through Philadelphia: Feds (patch.com) — Philadelphia customs officers intercepted a package labeled as a children's toy that actually contained rare, live Chief Goliath beetles and beetle parts bound for Germany. Officials say the African rainforest species can fetch thousands of dollars on underground markets and require federal wildlife permits to move across borders. The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service is now investigating possible violations of federal wildlife laws.
   

2. Philadelphia Reads in Spanish (aldianews.com) — Philadelphia's Free Library is bringing Hispanic Heritage Month directly into neighborhood branches, with Spanish and bilingual programs running across more than 50 locations. From cooking tortillas with chef Cristina Martínez to rooftop Latin music and family-friendly storytimes and films, residents can find celebrations close to home without needing to travel downtown.
   

3. Tierra Viva Restaurante Opens at 13th & Federal in South Philly (phillygrub.blog) — A new Mexican-inspired restaurant, Tierra Viva Restaurante, has opened at 13th and Federal in South Philadelphia, taking over the former Lucky Star corner spot. Open daily from 4 to 9 p.m., it offers fresh dishes, vegan options, and relaxed family-friendly dining just off East Passyunk Avenue, giving neighbors another nearby dinner option.
   

4. Philadelphia defends low-ranking airport to visiting airport officials, citing recent improvements (audacy.com) — Major upgrades at Philadelphia International Airport are underway as city leaders defend its historically low rankings to visiting airport officials meeting at the Convention Center. With $2 billion already spent on improvements and hints of a large new capital project, officials say they're modernizing aging terminals, boosting safety, and preparing the airport to better serve Philadelphians for decades.
   

5. Philadelphia student survives being run over by dump truck (wgal.com) — A Philadelphia student walking home on Summerdale Avenue was accidentally run over by a dump truck but, astonishingly, suffered only minor scratches. Nearby shop workers and neighbors rushed in, signaling the driver to stop and helping the child crawl to safety, and the visibly shaken driver later returned to thank the rescuers.
   

📸 Around Philadelphia

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🪧 Patch Classifieds

  • Business Liquidation and Asset Recovery | Alderfer Auction
    Retiring? Inventory Reduction? ... (More info)

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Why Fall is the Best Time to Remove Trees from Your Bensalem Property —Jay Madison Read on Patch
  • I believe I've identified a root issue affecting many of our youth in Philadelphia, what happens after the school day ends.
    For many teens and youth, the hours between approximately 3 PM and 7 PM can be a gap where there are limited accessible, productive places to go, and… (Nextdoor Cobbs Creek-SW)
  • Hello All.
    On Saturday, Sept. 19th we will have Villanova students will be in our community in the Carroll Park/Hestonville areas to help us clean up our… (Nextdoor Carroll Park)
  • Government Jobs posted a job opening for Library Assistant I in Philadelphia. Apply here.
  • Philly Shipyard Inc posted a job opening for Welder - Manufacturing in Philadelphia. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Philadelphia here.

Ok Philadelphia! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: Black eyed peas can sing us a song but chick peas can only hummus one. (Thank you Bev H. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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