WHYY to host five election-related events in April

We here under the NinetyNine/NewsWorks/WHYY umbrella do more than write and air stories about the city’s primary season. We also host related events!

And — wouldn’t you know it? — there are several good ones coming up in April.

Here are the basic details:

Thursday, April 2

Doors at WHYY (150 N. Sixth St.) open for the “City Council Candidate Convention” at 5:30 p.m. The speakers and meet-and-greet portion with the candidates will then run from 6 to 8 p.m. The event is co-sponsored by Young Involved Philadelphia and the Committee of Seventy.

Here’s YIP’s pitch for the event:

Philadelphia City Council decides how to spend $4.5 BILLION every year. They also decide what can get built in this city, where, and when. Council can veto bike lanes, change trash collection, and raise or reduce parking tickets.

And this spring, more than 15 candidates are running for Philadelphia City Council. Do you know who they are? Do you know where they stand on issues that are important to you? Do you know who you’re going to vote for? No? It’s a lot for any sane person to keep track of. But don’t worry — we have the perfect event for you.

As of mid-March, hundreds of attendees had RSVP’d in addition to the three dozen candidates who have opposition in the May 19 primary.

Interested in attending? Please register via this link.

Tuesday, April 14

The “City and Self: Bringing Humanity To Work” event will explore how to involve civic interests in day-to-day lives.

Each week in her blog “Human at Work,” Susan Richardson explores how we bring spirituality and our full humanity to work with us. The assistant minister of Christ Church in Philadelphia, Susan speaks to experts, business leaders and regular folks about how self and work intersect – whether it’s through purpose, ethics, spirituality or work-life balance.

Join Susan for a discussion with Philadelphians about finding meaning in the work we do, and connecting it with the city around us.

This event is co-sponsored by Christ Church. Doors open at 6 p.m. for an event which will run from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Christ Church Neighborhood House, 20 N. American St. (west side of Second Street between Filbert and Market sts.)

Registration is available via this link.

Wednesday, April 15

For all you early birds out there, the WHYY-Penjerdel Council Mayoral Forum will run from 8 to 9:30 a.m.

Doors open at 7:30 a.m. (150 N. Sixth St.) with the candidates forum and interviews to follow from 8 to 9:30 a.m.

Join WHYY and The Penjerdel Council for a mayoral forum moderated by WHYY’s Chris Satullo and PlanPhilly’s Matt Golas. Unlike typical political debates, the mayoral candidates will be invited to present their positions on business and infrastructure issues in 15 minute interviews.

To RSVP, please contact Emily Gann at egann@whyy.org.

Tuesday, April 21

The “Speak Easy Forums Series: Philadelphia Neighborhood In Flux” panel and group discussion will run from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at WHYY (150 N. Sixth St.)

Join other Philadelphia homeowners, renters, business owners and neighbors for a public forum about changing neighborhoods. How can we improve our communities for long-term residents while accommodating the interests of changing demographics? What would a fair future look like to you?

Leaders from five neighborhoods will each tell a story that sums up their experience with development where they live. A public discussion will dig into what the audience wants from city leadership. Your participation will influence WHYY/NewsWorks’s coverage of the city of Philadelphia and the 2015 elections.

 Registration is available via this link.

Monday, April 27

Finally, doors will open for WHYY’s “Leading Questions: Philadelphia Mayoral Debate” at 8 a.m. for an event cosponsored by Young Involved Philadelphia, Committee of Seventy and Philadelphia Business Journal (150 N. Sixth St.)

What does it take to lead a major city as mayor — and what makes a candidate qualified to claim that office? Before you vote in the mayoral primary, hear the Democratic candidates’ views on leadership during this important conversation about the future of Philadelphia.

The debate, which will be aired live on WHYY-FM, runs from 8:30 to 10 a.m.

Admission: This event is free and open to the public, but seating is limited and registration is required.