Philly News Briefs: 9/2016
1.) Public urination is a problem in any big city, especially on transit systems. The sight and smell of people relieving themselves at, say, bus stations is a public nuisance – and also really gross. Soon enough, however, inappropriate pee-ers may find themselves splashed back. The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) is said to be testing this fall a new, clear-coat paint that sprays back any liquid that is shot upon it… including urine. Called “Ultra-Ever,” the product has been used successfully in San Francisco and Humburg, Germany, Billy Penn reports. News from San Francisco is that the paint has been about 95% successful, according to the authorities’ daily monitoring for the sight and odor of urine in transit areas. It is unknown at this time where SEPTA will test the paint first. If not in public transit areas, it could be on walls, walkways, or in elevators – or some combination thereof. Just in case you were wondering, Philadelphia law holds that public urination is a misdemeanor carrying a $300 fine.
Geno’s Steaks will be opening in a food court at PHL later this fall.
2.) President Henry B. Eyring of the First Presidency of the Mormon church was in town to dedicate the new temple of the Church of Latter Day Saints. The day was special for Eyring, who was baptized into his faith in the City of Brotherly Love. The new temple is considered a source of tremendous celebration for Mormons in not just Philadelphia and Pennsylvania, but surrounding states as well. To have a spiritual home right in the midst of one of America’s greatest cities is a tremendous blessing, says Eyring. Joseph Smith himself spoke in Philadelphia during his lifetime, in a speech that has survived in church annals.
3.) New arrivals to Philadelphia won’t have to go far to get their first cheesesteak fix. News broke that Geno’s Steaks was opening a branch at Philadelphia International Airport (PHL), taking the food court spot vacated last summer by Philly Steak & Gyro. The food court is located between Terminals B and C. Hours will be 5 AM to 11 PM, and the menu will consist of cheesesteaks, roast pork sandwiches, and cheese fries, as well as a small breakfast menu.
