{"id":678451,"date":"2026-03-24T13:59:14","date_gmt":"2026-03-24T13:59:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/678451\/"},"modified":"2026-03-24T13:59:14","modified_gmt":"2026-03-24T13:59:14","slug":"el-toro-forever-ice-at-phl-rideshare-tax-for-schools","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/678451\/","title":{"rendered":"El Toro forever; ICE at PHL; Rideshare tax for schools?"},"content":{"rendered":"

#BILLYPENNGRAM OF THE DAY<\/strong><\/p>\n

Spring in the city
(Photo by\u00a0@kslouf<\/a>)<\/p>\n

You cannot walk around Philly without seeing El Toro\u2019s work and legacy \u2014 a friendly yet mischievous cartoon buffalo on the back of a street sign, lamp post or brick wall. The artist, born Justin Nagtalon, who helped elevate sticker art in Philadelphia into a popular and respected medium, died earlier this month on March 7. He was 43 years old.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s Philly\u2019s street mascot,\u201d said street artist\u00a0Sean 9 Lugo. \u201cThe city lost a legend, and I can only speak for myself, but I\u2019m pretty sure a lot of people could agree that this one hurts.\u201d<\/p>\n

Nagtalon\u2019s family and friends\u00a0describe the man behind the art in this tribute on Billy Penn<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"\"Justin Nagtalon, the man behind El Toro (Photo by Landon Wise)<\/p>\n

Amid a real-life legal battle over the fate of the President\u2019s House historic site over its exhibits recognizing George Washington\u2019s ownership of enslaved people, Philly\u2019s\u00a0Wilma Theater presents\u00a0\u201cThe Most Spectacularly Lamentable Trial of Miz Martha Washington\u201d \u2014 a Dickensian satire that pits the former first lady against the people she and her husband once held in slavery.<\/p>\n

Like Ebenezer Scrooge before her in \u201cA Christmas Carol,\u201d Martha hallucinates, tormented by ghosts haunting her with the sorrow and grievous injustices she has caused.\u00a0Continue reading\u2026<\/a><\/p>\n

\"\"Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright James Ijames confronts American myth in his savage satire \u201cThe Most Spectacularly Lamentable Trial of Miz Martha Washington,\u201d onstage at the Wilma Theater from now through April 5. (Johanna Austin\/AustinArt.org)<\/p>\n

RECAP: What else happened?<\/p>\n

$ = paywalled<\/p>\n

\u2022 President Trump\u00a0deployed ICE agents to Philadelphia International Airport<\/a>\u00a0amid a shortage of TSA workers due to the government shutdown,\u00a0after rejecting a bipartisan deal to reopen the Department of Homeland Security without ICE funding<\/a>. [NBC10\/PBS]<\/p>\n

\u2022\u00a0Mayor Parker\u00a0wants to add a $1-per-ride tax to all rideshares in Philly<\/a>\u00a0to help fund the city\u2019s financially struggling school district. [WHYY]\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u2022\u00a0Students and advocates\u00a0call for expansion, not elimination, of five West Philly schools<\/a>. [WHYY]\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u2022\u00a0Philadelphia museums are\u00a0pooling resources \u2014 and telling bigger stories together<\/a>. Institutional collaborations have existed before, but the number of them occurring simultaneously and at the same place is unprecedented. [WHYY]\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u2022\u00a0Dr. Kermit Gosnell, convicted of killing babies at Philadelphia abortion clinic,\u00a0died at 85<\/a>. [WHYY\/AP]<\/p>\n

\u2022\u00a0What to know about the 2026 PGA Championship in Delco<\/a>\u00a0that\u2019s coming in just under 50 days. [Billy Penn]<\/p>\n

MAYOR WATCH<\/p>\n

Mayor Parker has no public events scheduled for Tuesday.<\/p>\n

ON THE CALENDAR<\/p>\n

\u26bd\u00a0Billy Penn\u2019s FIFA World Cup Guide\u00a0<\/a>
\ud83d\udecd\ufe0f\u00a0Thrifty in Philly guide<\/a>
\ud83d\udc6d\ud83c\udffd\u00a0Women\u2019s History Month in Philly<\/a>
\ud83d\udcda\u00a0Book lovers\u2019 guide to Philly<\/a>
\ud83c\udf79\u00a0Non-alcoholic Philly<\/a>
\ud83c\udfc3\ud83c\udffd\u00a0Philly Runners Guide<\/a><\/p>\n

Tuesday, March 24:\u00a0\u200bCommunity Conversations: At a Crossroads \u2014 School Closures, Community Priorities, and the Future of Philly Students<\/strong>
A citywide series hosted by Every Voice Every Vote. This event focuses on Philly\u2019s education system. From school funding and teacher retention to facilities modernization and student supports, this is an opportunity to engage in thoughtful dialogue about the future of Philadelphia\u2019s students and schools.\u00a0Free to register. In Germantown<\/a>. (5:30 to 7:30 p.m.)<\/p>\n

Tuesday, March 24:\u00a0Empathy in Problem Solving<\/strong>
Whether you\u2019re hosting an event or working on a tactile or strategic project, design begins before arriving and shaking hands. Find out how empathy is significant to the design thinking process.\u00a0At Design Gym at Colorspace Labs. $25 tickets<\/a>. (6 to 8 p.m.)<\/p>\n

Wednesday, March 25:\u00a0PA Provincial Conference: Virtual Lecture with Joel Fishman<\/strong>
A virtual lecture on the topic of \u201cExploring Pennsylvania\u2019s Governing Documents from 1682 Until Now.\u201d A look at the state\u2019s five constitutions: 1776, 1790, 1838, 1874, and 1968.\u00a0Free to RSVP<\/a>. (4 to 5 p.m.)<\/p>\n

Wednesday, March 25:\u00a0Find Your Philly: Cocktail Hour<\/strong>
A casual social series that combines networking and community building. Attendees receive cards with lighthearted ice-breaker prompts. At Rhythm & Spirits, 1617 JFK Blvd.\u00a0$6.64 tickets<\/a>. (5 to 10 p.m.)<\/p>\n

Wednesday, March 25:\u00a0Made by Immigrants dinner and a movie night\u00a0<\/strong>
\u200bFood, film and immigrant stories. Screening of \u201cRed Light Teachers,\u201d following a\u00a0Filipino immigrant narrative that explores identity, survival, and the quiet strength it takes to build a life far from home. It\u2019s a reminder that behind every dish, every family, and every dream, there is a journey. At Baby\u2019s Kusina + Market.\u00a0$15 tickets<\/a>. (6 to 9 p.m.)<\/p>\n

Thursday, March 26:\u00a0Launch Your Future: Philly College Fair<\/strong>
Philadelphia College Prep Roundtable and the Salvation Army Kroc Center\u00a0invite students and families to explore college opportunities from 2- and 4-year colleges<\/a>. (3:30 to 7:30 p.m.)<\/p>\n

Thursday and Saturday, March 26 & 28:\u00a0Voyage of Vignettes<\/strong>
Five shows in one!\u00a0Multiple short theatrical worlds unfold through a series of imaginative vignettes\u2014each with its own theme, visual style, and surprises. Expect\u00a0thrilling stunts, whimsical characters, an interactive game show, and unexpected sensory delights. At Fringe Arts.\u00a0$32.79 tickets<\/a>.\u00a0(7:15 to 8:50 p.m.)\u00a0<\/p>\n

Friday, March 27:\u00a0a little bit dramatic market<\/strong>
A free indoor and outdoor market featuring 30+ vendors selling \u201cvintage, Y2K and handmade\u201d items, plus $5 and $10 bins, jewelry and more.\u00a0At Thrive Career Cafe at 504 Cecil B. Moore Ave. Free RSVP<\/a>. (2 to 7 p.m.)\u00a0<\/p>\n

Saturday, March 28:\u00a0The Inquisitor: A WHYY Women\u2019s History Month Screening<\/strong>
A free WHYY screening of \u201cThe Inquisitor,\u201d a special documentary on Barbara Jordan, a revolutionary Texas congresswoman who shook up the political landscape with her work on civil rights and social reform. This is an examination of both her professional work and the very private life she led.\u00a0At Philadelphia City Institute at 19th and Locust<\/a>. (1 p.m.)<\/p>\n

Through March 29:\u00a0The Creative Alliance Show<\/strong>
Step into a world of color, connection, and creativity at this\u00a0group exhibition at Cherry Street Pier<\/a>\u00a0featuring works by 40+ artists from one of Philadelphia\u2019s most supportive artist communities.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Select Saturdays through April:\u00a0A Deeply Rooted Trolley Tour<\/strong>
Harriett\u2019s Bookshop brings back their\u00a0popular three hour, hop on-hop off tour that celebrates local culture, history, music, and deeply rooted tradition by visiting new and seasoned spaces throughout Philadelphia.\u00a0$73.34 tickets<\/a>. (11 a.m. and 3 p.m. tour times)<\/p>\n

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