Giving some props

Know somebody who’s made a difference and ought to get recognized for it?

Nominations for the prestigious Philadelphia Award are due in two weeks, and the sponsors are looking for ideas. The award goes to someone who’s contributed an outstanding service or completed a body of work that advances “the best and largest interest of the community.” It carries a cash prize of $25,000.

Past recipients have included major philanthropists and political leaders like Gerry Lenfest and Mayor Rendell, and community and non-profit leaders like Gloria Guard, who ran the People’ Emergency Center in Powelton for many years.

You can learn more about the award and nominate someone here.

Posts have been less frequent this week because I’ve been recording interviews for NPR’s Fresh Air, which I’ll host next week while Terry Gross gets some well-deserved R&R. I’ll tell you more about my guests as we move through the week.

Meanwhile, I’m still watching the public radio program On The Media’s efforts to track down the cowardly U.S. Senator who put a “secret hold” that effectively killed a bill that would have provided government whistleblowers protection from persecution.

Read about the issue here.

OTM asked its listeners to contact their senators and ask them if they put the secret hold on the whistleblower bill. Of the 87 Senators still serving who could have put this anonymous hold on the bill, the search has ruled out 32, leaving 55 suspects.You can track the results, or help here.

Have a great weekend.