Philadelphia News Briefs: 5/22/17

1.) Philadelphia got in touch with its Italian side with weekend with the South 9th Street Italian Market Festival. Because it was all about Italy, you can bet that the food was dynamite. CBS Philly reported that, at the Italian festival, guests could be found roaming around chowing down on “pizza, pasta, sausage and peppers, meatballs and roast pork sandwiches and a whole lot more.” There’s a lot of tradition behind the Italian festival, and a feeling of soul that some interviewed participants say you just can’t find at other celebrations. Among the festivities was a shot to shimmy up a 30-foot greased pole with gifts and prizes at the top. Participants had to be at least 18 years old and sober, but if they could make the ascent there were Italian Market donated gift cards, meats and cheeses, and other goodies to be caught. The Italian festival ran both Saturday and Sunday.

Restaurants throughout the Italian Market section of Philly turned out for the Italian Market Festival held this past weekend. (THOM CARROLL/PHILLY VOICE)

2.) A Philadelphia Catholic church will be closing as the city Archdiocese attempts to consolidate resources. As per CBS, “Our Lady of Ransom Parish in Oxford Circle will be absorbed by the Resurrection of Our Lord Parish in Rhawnhurst.” The news broke to congregants of both parishes over the weekend. The closing is expected to happen next month. While there will no longer be regular services at Our Lady of Ransom, the site will still be available for celebrations like weddings and funerals. There are 216 parishes within the Philadelphia Archdiocese.

3.) The Philadelphia Housing Authority has signed on the dotted line to sell off the former Liddonfield public housing development in Northeast Philadelphia, which has been closed for the past seven years. Plagued by problems with drugs and violence, Liddonfield was a city nuisance until it was demolished back in 2010. The PHA made $5.5 million off the deal and will invest $60 million into making sure the new housing planned for the site stays affordable. “It’s 32 acres in a very good area in a very good part of the city,” Kelvyn Jeremiah, CEO of the Philadelphia Housing Authority, told CBS. New Courtland will be developing the new site.