Carson Wentz returns, Brett Kavanaugh’s accuser set to testify this week | Morning Newsletter

Happy Sunday folks, hope you're staying warm and dry despite this dreary weather. The sunny side today: Carson Wentz will start for the Eagles in today's game against the Colts. Looking ahead to this week we have updates on some long-developing stories that take us from Montgomery County down to the nation's capital. Also, check out our latest #CuriousPhilly story on how we're trying to define Philadelphia's neighborhoods. It's not easy, and we want your feedback to help us create a better map of the city.

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— Ray Boyd and Tauhid Chappell   (morningnewsletter@philly.com)

Each week we'll go behind the scenes with one of our reporters to learn how they reported their latest story and the challenges they faced along the way. This week, we caught up with Brandon Harden, who decided to check out a Philly barber shop where community members and law enforcement come together to discuss tough issues.

How did you first hear about the "Blades, Fades, and Engage" town hall and what made you want to report on it?

I received a phone call from a colleague informing me about the monthly town hall meeting. I wanted to report on this story because I thought the concept was super innovative. Here you have a black barbershop, which is a cultural institution for folks of color, and police officers who want to hear from their community members. I thought it made a lot of sense and would make for a compelling story, especially since communities of color have historically had high levels of distrust with law enforcement. I saw this as an opportunity to change the narrative of police vs. community.

What were some of the most talked about issues and were there any that surprised you?

The most talked about issue was over policing, and the inherent bias that exists on both sides of the law. I imagine that the topics change with each session as different people show up to the meetings, but the intention is always the same: bridging the gap between law enforcement and communities of color.

How did the historical significance of the role that barbershops play in the black community influence the event?

Well, most black men get their hair cut at some point, regardless of their occupation. Cops, journalists, actors, chefs, doctors, everyone needs a haircut eventually. Because of this, I think men develop close relationships with their barbers and the shop itself. For some men, their barber is their therapist. For some men, their barber is their mentor. And also, most importantly, black barbers know how to cut black hair. Many men find identity in how their hair is cut; low fade, afro, bald, s-curl, you name it. For black men, the barbershop is so much more than a business. It's a space for fellowship and, in this case, healing.

Did you get a general sense of how community members and police felt after they had a chance to talk about these tough issues?

It was cathartic for sure. After the meeting, there was a sense of peace, a sense of understanding, and a sense of kindness. All of which I think are fundamental elements in reaching one's heightened self. A theme that kept coming up was self-love. Heal the community by healing yourself.

Contact Brandon Harden by email at BHarden@phillynews.com or on Twitter at @brandontrevion.

Just your typical, leisurely bike ride, right? Thanks for sharing @chris_bakerevens.

Tag your Instagram posts or tweets with #OurPhilly and we'll pick our favorite each day to feature in this newsletter and give you a shout out!

What have you always wondered about the greater Philadelphia region? Send us a question you'd like answered through Curious Philly, our new question-and-response forum that connects our readers with our journalists. Try us, no question is too big or small.

Our readers' latest question: How does Philadelphia define its neighborhoods?
The answer: It's a very complex question but in all honesty, there are no official boundaries to any neighborhood. We attempted to name several areas, from large down to the lesser-known neighborhoods. Let us know if you agree, and feel free to suggest your own names, too.

Billy, a beloved and well-worn Rittenhouse statue, was replaced with a new version over the weekend. And his biggest fans got to celebrate with real goats.