Local artist and Eagles stars collab; School A/C problems persist; Baby orangutan debuts

Jordan Spector is living out many artists’ — and sports fans’ — dream. The Willow Grove native, and former walk-on at Temple University, is making a full-time living from his art, and has collaborated with over a dozen professional athletes.

And not random athletes, either. Spector’s worked with some of the best of the best in the Philadelphia sports world, including Brandon Graham, Devonta Smith, and Bryce Harper. Continue reading …

Artist Jordan Spector (center) with the Eagles’ Brandon Graham (next to Spector) at an event introducing an exclusive trading card. (Santiago Ortiz/Billy Penn)

Clinging shyly to his mother, six-week-old Jambi made his public debut Wednesday morning in the Philadelphia Zoo’s orangutan enclosure. There’s a lot riding on Jambi. He is one of less than 14,000 of his species in the whole world. You could fit every one of them at a performance at the Mann Center. Continue reading …

Jambi, the new baby orangutan, with its mom at the Philadelphia Zoo. (Courtesy of the Philadelphia Zoo)

RECAP: What else happened?

$ = paywalled

• The Pa. budget surplus is on track to disappear, unless changes are made on the spending or revenue side. And that’s even before planned SEPTA negotiations this fall. [Spotlight PA]

• The Pa. Transportation Commission adopted an updated 12-year improvement plan that anticipates $88 billion will be available for upgrades to roads, bridges, transit systems, airports, railroads, and active transportation. [PennLive]

• A high-profile donation from Jalen Hurts landed A/C units in several more schools. But 63 school buildings still lack sufficient air conditioning, district officials say. [WHYY]

• Blink Fitness gym locations in Wissinoming and South Philly — its only two in all of Pa. — are shutting down at the end of the month after the national chain filed for bankruptcy. [PhillyVoice]

• A year after Eddie Irizarry was killed by a Philadelphia police officer, he was remembered in a poetry collection that paid witness to such shootings. [WHYY]

• SEPTA workers rescued a cat and 5 kittens trapped inside a Market-Frankford Line station. A rescue group is searching for homes for them. [CBS3]

• Is Kacey Musgraves a Sixers fan? A recent video of her singing a 76ers-themed song has the internet curious. [Inquirer$]

MAYOR WATCH

The mayor has no public events scheduled for today.

ON THE CALENDAR

🛍️ Friday-Saturday, August 16-17: Philly Phlair Pop-Up Shopping
Discover unique items from local boutiques, artists, home goods artisans, and more, all in Center City at the Philly Marriott Downtown. (11 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day)

🎨 Saturday, August 17: Urban Art Fest 52
The new festival showcasing visual arts and live music takes over South 52nd between Walnut and Spruce streets in West Philly with 20+ artists, 6 bands, and displays of African culture and crafts. Free; registration recommended. (12 to 8 p.m.)