Varga bar owner remembered as champion for Philly beer scene, and putting people first
Philly has lost a giant in its beer community. Rich Colli, owner of Varga Bar, beloved for its craft tap list, died last week at 44. Colli was active in the Philly drink scene and a board member at Philly Loves Beer, a nonprofit that hosts events, including Philly Beer Week. We spoke to those who knew him best. Continue reading ...
Fabiola Lara is a Chilean-American artist with a unique approach to distributing her art -- through a vending machine. She has five of them across the city, where a patron can spend $1 and be surprised and delighted by what they receive. Learn more ...
* Three years after Philly limited police stops, research offers a glimpse into who's still getting pulled over. [WHYY]
* Forever 21 is closing stores at the Fashion District and Franklin Mall this spring, among a nationwide change ahead of a potential sale. [PhillyVoice]
* The Philadelphia Foundation named an inaugural chief impact officer to focus on economic mobility, community safety and youth development. [WHYY]
* The Eagles made Saquon Barkley the highest-paid RB in NFL history with a two-year contract extension worth $41.2 million. [USA Today]
We publish this report each week in partnership with the Philadelphia Center for Gun Violence Reporting.
By the numbers in Philadelphia
Mayor Parker has no public events scheduled for Wednesday.
😋 East Passyunk Restaurant Week runs through March 7
👭🏽 Women's History Month events in Philly
💬 Wednesday, March 5: Beyond the Seen: Invisible Labor of the Working Mom
This virtual Women's History Month event features Sheryl Meck, PHRC Civil Rights Outreach Director. Free with RSVP. (1 to 2 p.m.)
🎨 Thursday, March 6: Petrykivka Garden & Cities of the War Reception
Mural Arts hosts the opening of a new exhibit on the war in Ukraine, at Drexel's Pearlstein Gallery. Hear from the lead artist, Mat Tomezsko, and the Senior Program Manager for the Color Me Back program, Emily Crane. Free. (5 to 8 p.m.)
🎶 Friday, March 7: First Friday at the Barnes: Black Pearl Chamber Orchestra
Philly's own Black Pearl Chamber Orchestra performs at the Barnes, for an evening of art, live music, cocktails and light fare. $35 tickets. (5 to 8 p.m.)
✍🏼 Friday, March 7: Your Story workshop at Full Moon Blends
Create the book cover of the story inside you at this 1.5-hour workshop with writing exercises, tea and light snacks in Society Hill. $60 tickets. (6 to 7:30 p.m.)
🎭 Friday through Sunday, March 7-9: Ink & Paint musical
Philly's Pier Players presents this new musical by Danielle E. Moore, in the Media Theatre in Media. $30 tickets. (7 p.m. Friday/Saturday, 2 p.m. Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday)
🏋🏼 Saturday, March 8: Second Street Fitness Crawl
This inaugural event in Northern Liberties features three back-to-back workouts of barbells, boxing and heated power flow yoga, followed by a celebration at Indy Hall. (8 a.m. to noon)