🌱 Pop Goes The Pops + Help Find Theo + Public Housing Loophole

Hello, everybody! I'm back in your inbox this morning with everything you need to know about what's happening locally. In today's issue, you'll find these stories and more:

• The Philly Pops announce its final curtain call.
• Where's Theo? A dog is taken from a Wawa parking lot while his owners order sandwiches.
• There's a loophole that allows people to get Section 8 housing in Philly in the federal housing system, delaying the housing of Philly residents who have waited years for the same opportunity.

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But first, today's weather:

Partly sunny and windy. High: 47 Low: 33.

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Here are the top stories today in Philadelphia:

1. The Philly POPS, America's largest standalone POPS orchestra, has decided to cease operations following the 2022-23 season, per a press release on its website. Philly POPS has been a staple in the Philadelphia community since 1979, but due to several circumstances like the COVID-19 pandemic, the board of directors decided to end the orchestra. The POPS will finish its 2022-23 season, including the 10 scheduled dates for "A Philly POPS Christmas: Spectacular Sounds of the Season" in December. (ABC27)
2. What a doggone shame. Matt and Natalie Berk were inside the Wawa on Aramingo and Wheatsheaf avenues around 7:30 p.m. Tuesday night in the Port Richmond section of the city. Unfortunately, they left their two dogs, Frankie and Theo, inside their car as they ordered sandwiches and drinks. When they returned, they found their car door opened and Theo was missing. They are now begging everyone to help them get their pet back. (NBC 10 Philadelphia)
3. Since 2017, more than 700 families have been able to get Section 8 housing in Philly using a loophole in the federal housing system — and delaying the housing of Philly residents who have waited years for the same opportunity. The loophole is in a program called Portability, which allows people to transfer their Housing Choice (Section 8) voucher from one public housing agency to another — anywhere in the country. The idea is that voucher recipients have a choice of where to live. But some people have been "porting" to avoid the long waits in Philly and other large cities. (NBC 10 Philadelphia)

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Today in Philadelphia:

• PMEA District 3 Chorus Fest - Keystone Academy Charter School (8:00 AM)
• Quizzo: A Quizzo Experience Comedy Show (8:00 AM)
• Two New Exhibitions Opening at DVAA (4:00 PM)
• GNPCC 100th Celebration Gala! - Northeast Phila Chamber-Commerce (6:00 PM)
• Virtual Parent Vaping Presentation - MAST Community Charter School (6:00 PM)
• Board of Trustees Meeting - Philadelphia Academy CS (6:30 PM)
• Part 2- Where Did Your Ancestor Live? Researching and Platting Land in PA (7:00 PM)
• cinéSPEAK presents Best of Fests 2022 (7:00 PM)
• Flyers vs Bruins @ Misconduct Tavern (7:00 PM)
• Jewelry for Your Walls! (7:30 PM)

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From my notebook:

• We are never, ever, ever getting to see Taylor Swift in Concert! "The Great War" over Taylor Swift concert tickets has begun and "Swifties" are paying a lot to make sure they don't miss the music superstar on the road next year. Pre-sale tickets for Taylor Swift's Era tour — including a trio of spring shows in Philadelphia — went on sale Tuesday causing mayhem on Ticketmaster's site even causing it to glitch. Fans shared on social media that they waited hours, in some cases, to get through the queue. But wait, Taylor might just write a song about this! (NBC 10 Philadelphia)
• A World Series parade and ring would have been nice, but the Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau announced Wednesday that the games generated a combined economic impact of $78 million and a $49 million direct spend in the city.(bizjournals.com)
• Hate the game, not the player! One of our featured stories today is about a loophole in the federal public housing program that allows residents to skip the line if they are transferring from another city or state. One Philadelphia woman did her homework and used the loophole to score a two-bedroom public housing apartment in — Hawaii. (NBC 10 Philadelphia)
• Want fries with that? A Philadelphia area McDonald's drive-thru was held up at gunpoint after the alleged gunman placed his order. When the SUV pulled up to the window, instead of paying, he pulled a gun and demanded cash. No word on if the ice cream machine was broke. Check out the video here. (NBC 10 Philadelphia)

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Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Thursday off right! 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 Daily? Contact me at philadelphia@patch.com