Corey Regensburg’s working with a shiny chrome La Marzocco — the Cadillac of professional espresso machines. It purrs and whooshes as he pulls a double shot of espresso and sets it up for a latte tutorial. It’s well past Ox’s normal business hours, the sunset peers through the shop’s large windows and pulled-down shades.
Regensburg, one of the shop’s consultants, steams milk in a frothing pitcher and demonstrates his latte pour for a crowd of four people huddled around the quartz countertop at Ox Coffee in Queen Village.
“Pencil thin,” he narrates as the milk streams into the base of the mug, sinking under the espresso’s golden layer of crema. Then, “push, push, glide,” he instructs. The result is a tulip design, finished with two dainty hearts.
The spectators at Ox aren’t new employees — they’re at-home enthusiasts, including a father-daughter duo who took the class to perfect their kitchenside almond milk lattes.
Americans are buying all types of coffee makers and brewing at home more, according to the National Coffee Association, with ownership of countertop espresso machines growing by 50% in 2025 and still on the rise in 2026. Breville Kitchen Group, especially, has seen a surge in sales among amateur espresso makers, with a range of high-end automatic and semi-automatic machines.
“COVID triggered a rise in at-home espresso,” Regensburg said. “Breville boomed like 10 times, and everyone else — from Panasonic to Ninja — hopped on.”
Industry experts say the global espresso and coffee machine market is rapidly expanding, driven by a “prosumer” movement: enthusiasts at home who crave high-end gear to make cafe-style drinks.
Now, coffee shops are leaning into the phenomenon, offering lessons to hobbyists to help master the craft.It illustrates a larger trend across the food service industry: teaching as a way to diversify revenue, build relationships with customers, and fulfill patrons’ desire to peek behind the curtain.
Across Philly, you’ll find Mighty Bread teaching croissant classes, Jezabel’s hosting empanada-making courses, the Bread Room with pizza lessons, Bloomsday with wine 101 sessions, and plenty more.
“It’s really exciting because it adds something to the dynamic besides going to eat or drink, which is wonderful but one-dimensional,” Jonathan Deutsch, director of Drexel University’s Food Lab, said.
Corey Regensburg and Leo Dowd lead a Latte Art 101 class at Ox Coffee.Emily Bloch
Leo Dowd runs Ox’s coffee class program. He says the shop has hosted about 10 classes so far on topics including espresso 101 and latte art for beginners. The classes allow everyday customers to get behind the bar and learn from the pros.
“The rise of remote and hybrid work has played a big role [in coffee classes], along with DIY culture on social media,” Cody Wood, a barista trainer at Crema Coffee in Nashville, said. Crema runs a host of classes inside a training lab at its downtown location. “Overall, it seems more people are tackling home projects, baking bread, learning to cook, trying new experiences on their own, and learning to make the best coffee at home.”
At Ox, the students take turns behind the La Marzocco — a powerhouse compared to any home espresso machine. They sheepishly tinker with the steam valve under Regensburg’s tutelage, practicing with water before moving onto whole milk.
As the milk steams, he calls out cues for students to look out for, like the sound of paper tearing and the appearance of white paint. Dowd picks out a Sonny Stitt record and puts it on in the background.
Video: Ox Coffee consultant demonstrates pouring milk in a Latte Art 101 class
Coffee shops giving away tricks of the trade — including recipes — hasn’t hurt sales, either. If anything, the rise of the at-home barista has helped them.
“Zahav’s hummus recipe is published everywhere, for instance, and it doesn’t mean that you are going to necessarily make it,” Deutsch said. “Coffee’s different because on one hand, it’s really easy to make if you know what you’re doing. But on the other hand, to do espresso drinks really beautifully, you need the right equipment. And there’s awesome home equipment like the Breville, but it’s still not the same as going to a coffee shop and having a really properly pulled, professionally done espresso.”
Wood at Crema in Nashville says the same people who take their coffee classes are also coming back to try new roasts and to talk shop.
Cody Wood demonstrates a pour at Crema in Nashville. Wood, a barista trainer, also leads Crema’s public education program.Courtesy of Crema
“My hope is that we continue to see better coffee brewed and shared in both cafes and homes,” he said. “Coffee has always been a communal experience. Everyone I know who loves making coffee loves sharing it with others.”
Coffee classes nationwide average around $100 per session. Ox’s classes cost between $95-$135 depending on the intricacy.
“That’s a lot of cups of coffee you would have to sell to get that kind of revenue,” Deutsch said.
Deutsch said this approach is wise since during regular business hours, coffee sales rely on convenience and speed.
“If you’re standing in line at 7 a.m., it’s not really a great time to ask about the sustainability of the beans and provenance and all this kind of stuff you might be curious about as a coffee nerd,” he said. “The whole idea of building a relationship with guests on a more substantive level makes sense. Also, if you go out, you’re going to spend a hundred bucks easily on a few drinks and some music. Why not educate yourself and do something entertaining that will stay with you?”
Gloria Sullivan tired and reviewed 100 Philly coffee shops for her followers. Today, she creates her own signature drinks at home. She’s shown here trying an Ice Drip Coffee with half and half and an Iced Earl Gray Tea at Vault + Vine in Philadelphia, Friday, September 1, 2023.Jessica Griffin / Staff Photographer
On social media, TikTok feeds are flooded with content creators attempting to create (or recreate) their favorite lattes and little treats at home.
Philly-based creator Gloria Sullivan — aka @_gloyoyo_ — often documents her morning coffee ritual for her more than 700,000 followers. She alternates between her Breville Bambino, a moka pot, and other methods when making her coffee.
“In the beginning, a lot of coffee creators framed their videos as ‘stop buying coffee out, make this at home instead’ and now it feels more focused on creativity, finding fun ways to make drinks at home exciting,” Sullivan said. “Making coffee is as much of a hobby as knitting or reading or baking, coupled with the fact that a lot of people want to start making content online and there’s not a super high barrier to entry for making coffee at home.”
By the end of class at Ox, half empty mugs and rags are scattered across the bar. The level of proficiency after an hour and a half varies, but every guest has managed to get their milk to skate on top of their mug of espresso.
The amateur work isn’t close to Regensburg’s tulip, but he remains encouraging.
“I know that latte art is sexy and fun and it looks good on Instagram,” he said. “But this — milk texture — is what matters. Latte art got big because it’s indicative of good milk texture.”
Dowd anticipates Ox’s coffee class schedule will ramp up this fall and winter as locals look for indoor activities.
Currently, Ox appears to be the only Philly shop offering courses. But Deutsch wouldn’t be surprised if that changes soon enough.
“I think it’s a really good idea,” he said. “The positives outweigh the risks of teaching people your secrets. I really think that’s more a mythology than a reality that’s born out.”
Think you know your news? There’s only one way to find out. Welcome back to our weekly News Quiz — a quick way to see if your reading habits are sinking in and to put your local news knowledge to the test.
Question 1 of 10
This musical performance in Philadelphia this week observed a strict “no phones” policy, with audience members’ devices locked inside Yondr pouches:
CorrectIncorrect. XX% of other readers got this question right.
What was different about Phoebe Bridgers'The Lost Tour at the Xfinity Mobile Arena was that none of the 20,000 or so people in the room had their cell phones with them. Bridgers was accompanied by her nine-piece band and her opening act, Havertown’s own Alex G.
Question 2 of 10
Who is the new Sixers jersey sponsor this season?
CorrectIncorrect. XX% of other readers got this question right.
A Silicon Valley company that makes off-grid mini-power plants in Delaware, Bloom Energy, just joined the S&P 500 and became a Sixers sponsor.
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Question 3 of 10
A local grocery store has a large hay and pumpkin display people have dubbed the “Fauxnatic” for its off-brand resemblance to the Phanatic. Which grocery store has the Phanatic-like fall display outside?
CorrectIncorrect. XX% of other readers got this question right.
Rotund, snouted, and wearing a pinstripe baseball tee, the creature has all the trappings of our dear Phillie Phanatic. But somewhere along the way, the details in Sprouts’ new fall display got lost in translation.
Question 4 of 10
Saturday’s Parallel Parking Championship will feature social media influencer Betsy Kenney and Fergie of Fergie’s Pub as guest judges. A Philly figure who went viral will also judge. Who is it?
CorrectIncorrect. XX% of other readers got this question right.
In May, Jamele Ransom gave an animated interview to NBC10 about having witnessed a carjacked truck crash into a playground. He gave that interview while actively eating a soft-serve vanilla ice cream cone the entire time. The clip quickly went viral, with people hailing Ransom as a Philly “legend” and “hero.” Now, he’ll help judge parallel parking skills.
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Question 5 of 10
Which Philly cocktail bar is opening a bigger second act near Rittenhouse Square?
CorrectIncorrect. XX% of other readers got this question right.
Almanac co-owners Vy To and Victor Ng and bar manager Rob Scott are building a two-level bar in the former Franklin Mortgage & Investment Co. space at 112 S. 18th St. A name and opening date have not been announced.
Question 6 of 10
This Phillies player delivered a "career-altering performance" in his playoff debut during the wild-card series against the Atlanta Braves:
CorrectIncorrect. XX% of other readers got this question right.
Game 2 of the wild-card series Wednesday was deadlocked at 3 in the eighth inning, and one pitch could mean the difference between their season extending another day or the Phillies packing their bags. The 23-year-old pitched a scoreless eighth and ninth to force extra innings, and returned to close it out
Question 7 of 10
What beloved Chinatown restaurant reopened its renovated dining room this week?
CorrectIncorrect. XX% of other readers got this question right.
Since 2020, David’s Mai Lai Wah has only operated as a takeout restaurant (with no delivery). But on Monday, David’s Mai Lah Wah quietly opened up its dining room again, and the renovations were significant.
Question 8 of 10
Many of sculptor Zenos Frudakis' works of public art in Philadelphia are widely lauded. But the one depicting this figure has seen significant controversy since its debut in 1999:
CorrectIncorrect. XX% of other readers got this question right.
Frudakis recently told The Inquirer that he had second thoughts about the Rizzo statue — he didn’t vote for Rizzo, and has been concerned with civil rights and social issues. But working on it, he said, allowed him to survive "another day as an artist," and brought him additional work.
Question 9 of 10
A sickly peregrine falcon found at the Philadelphia Museum of Art in June was recently released into the wild after being rehabilitated at the Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education. What was the bird's name?
CorrectIncorrect. XX% of other readers got this question right.
Patient 718 — animals are rarely named at the Schuylkill Center — arrived thin and sickly on June 4, suffering from high levels of lead poisoning. It was released Tuesday afternoon, bolting from the tote that contained it into Roxborough.
Question 10 of 10
After nearly three decades in business, this music club — touted as the only woman-owned music venue in the city — closed for good this week:
CorrectIncorrect. XX% of other readers got this question right.
Karen Lauria Saillant, the owner of the club at 412 W. Girard Ave. that is housed within the Philadelphia Bar & Grille, announced the venue's closure Wednesday. Many rising stars played there, particularly between 2003 and 2017, including John Legend, Rilo Kiley, and My Chemical Romance.
Your Results
You have skipped .
You scored XX out of 10.
The average reader scored XX out of 10
Seems like you’ve been skimming more than reading there, buddy. There’s always next week.
You’ve read some articles (or made some educated guesses) but we wouldn’t come to you first for our local news recaps. Better luck next week!
Do you work here? You’re a local news stan with the latest updates on Philly happenings. Your friends definitely ask you for summaries on what’s going on and it shows.
Think you know your news? There’s only one way to find out. Welcome back to our weekly News Quiz — a quick way to see if your reading habits are sinking in and to put your local news knowledge to the test.
Question 1 of 10
A veteran Philly teacher and activist faced backlash this week after revealing that she had lied about her:
CorrectIncorrect. XX% of other readers got this question right.
The teacher activists who organized alongside Hannah Gann want accountability on behalf of the vulnerable students who believed the Philadelphia School District teacher was someone she was not. Gann claimed to be Black and Palestinian. She was active in the fight to defend Keziah Ridgeway, another Philadelphia teacher disciplined for her social media posts. But Gann has admitted she is a white, Jewish woman and the relative of Israeli settlers.
Question 2 of 10
The Rocky statue has moved again. It’s been installed in what’s being billed as its permanent space. Where is that?
CorrectIncorrect. XX% of other readers got this question right.
The city’s famed statue was installed atop the Philadelphia Museum of Art’s iconic steps Wednesday. The statue, which Sylvester Stallone commissioned for Rocky III, has long been a controversial piece of public art in the city. It arrived in town in 1981, and has since been moved about a half dozen times — including previous stints at the top of the steps.
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Question 3 of 10
Philly-based discount retailer Five Below is being sued for allegedly knowingly selling knock-offs of this company’s main product:
CorrectIncorrect. XX% of other readers got this question right.
Crocs’ attorneys say Five Below kept selling foam clog look-alikes and accessories even after being notified in March of trademark, patent, and intellectual property infringement. The allegations were detailed in a lawsuit filed last week by Crocs and its subsidiary, Jibbitz Charms, in federal court in Colorado, where Crocs is based. The plaintiffs take issue with Five Below’s “Juniors Charm Clog,” which look like trademarked Crocs, and the shoe’s accompanying charms, which resemble the patented Jibbitz ones that can be affixed to Crocs.
Question 4 of 10
Which Philly neighborhood housed the first Ronald McDonald House?
CorrectIncorrect. XX% of other readers got this question right.
On Tuesday, Oct. 15, 1974, officials hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the world’s first Ronald McDonald House at 4032 Spruce St. in West Philadelphia. What started as a collaboration by Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, the Eagles, and McDonald's is now a network of 400 houses in 62 countries, including three in the Philadelphia region.
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Question 5 of 10
Michelle Zauner has announced her second memoir. Thank You For Your Suffering follows the Crying in H Mart author and Philly bandleader on a journey to South Korea. What band is Zauner the frontwoman of?
CorrectIncorrect. XX% of other readers got this question right.
Thank You For Suffering chronicles the year that Zauner — who was born in Eugene, Ore., and graduated from Bryn Mawr College, before starting her Philly bands Little Big League and Japanese Breakfast — spent living in South Korea, learning the language, and connecting more deeply with her mother’s family.
Question 6 of 10
Little Bean, the West Philly coffee shop owned by the couple behind Cleo Bagels, has a new housemade syrup flavor just in time for fall. What is it?
CorrectIncorrect. XX% of other readers got this question right.
Little Bean’s new pumpernickel syrup is available in any coffee drink, but co-owner Alex Malamy says it’s best showcased in the form of a pumpernickel cortado. It’s savory and cozy, with notes of caraway seed and cocoa powder.
Question 7 of 10
This artist’s Saturday performance at Lincoln Financial Field drew ire and protests ahead of the show after the firing of opening act Macklemore because of the rapper’s pro-Palestinian comments. Their Philly concert marked the first of the tour since Macklemore’s removal, leading to other opening acts and musicians also quitting. Who was the headlining act?
CorrectIncorrect. XX% of other readers got this question right.
At his first concert since controversy roiled his North American tour, Ed Sheeran said he was“deeply worried” by venues influencing performances after the firing of Macklemore. Sheeran said the tour’s promoter was responsible for the firing, not him. Critics say Sheeran should’ve held firm on Macklemore’s inclusion. “I’ve had to take and make difficult decisions, and I am making mistakes, and I am so, so sorry,” Sheeran told the crowd Saturday night at Lincoln Financial Field.
Question 8 of 10
Elkins Park's Lynwood Hall is opening its doors to the public, honoring the characters of what HBO show?
CorrectIncorrect. XX% of other readers got this question right.
The historic Elkins Park mansion is opening to the public for the first time in 84 years. The 100,000-square-foot home will host “Fleurs de Villes: The Gilded Age,” a 10-day floral exhibition honoring the history of the period and the characters of the hit HBO series, The Gilded Age.
Question 9 of 10
Zach Ertz is rejoining the Eagles after Dallas Goedert’s injury. When was the last time he played for the Birds?
CorrectIncorrect. XX% of other readers got this question right.
Ertz, a 2013 second-round pick by the Eagles, was last with the team in 2021. The Eagles traded him that season to the Arizona Cardinals for cornerback Tay Gowan and a 2022 fifth-round draft pick. He spent parts of three seasons in Arizona before joining Washington in free agency in 2024. Ertz is expected to be ready to play Monday night in Chicago — and could outright be signed to the open Eagles spot — just over nine months removed from the gruesome knee injury that ended his 2025 season.
Question 10 of 10
What Shore icon is showing signs of collapse?
CorrectIncorrect. XX% of other readers got this question right.
The wall under the decking of Wonderland Pier is caving in and showing signs of collapse, say owner Eustace Mita and Ocean City inspectors. Ocean City has sent Mita a “Notice of Unsafe Structure,” along with a request for an engineer’s report and a plan of corrective action, city spokesperson Doug Bergen said.
Your Results
You have skipped .
You scored XX out of 10.
The average reader scored XX out of 10
Seems like you’ve been skimming more than reading there, buddy. There’s always next week.
You’ve read some articles (or made some educated guesses) but we wouldn’t come to you first for our local news recaps. Better luck next week!
Do you work here? You’re a local news stan with the latest updates on Philly happenings. Your friends definitely ask you for summaries on what’s going on and it shows.
Republican U.S. House contender Joseph “Dr. Joe” Arminio was removed from a panel Thursday featuring candidates in Delaware races after he repeatedly misgendered Democratic U.S. Rep. Sarah McBride.
Things unraveled at the Siegel Jewish Community Center in Wilmington, where the Jewish Federation of Delaware’s Jewish Community Relations Committee coordinates a candidates forum every two years. The event featured candidates for U.S. Senate, U.S. House of Representatives, attorney general, state treasurer, and auditor of accounts.
McBride will face Republican Arminio in November for the state’s only U.S. House seat.
Arminio, a Wilmington native, political scientist, author, and educator, campaigned largely on inflation. His responses to a 2026 voter questionnaire indicate several anti-LGBTQ+ policy positions. In 2008, he ran unsuccessfully for Congress in Maryland. He did not receive the Delaware GOP’s endorsement, which went to Earl Cooper.
At the public event, Arminio repeatedly referred to McBride using he/him pronouns and later called her a “gentleman.”
In the first incident, Arminio’s remarks were met with boos from the crowd. After he spoke, moderator Ken Grant warned him to follow the forum’s rules for proper decorum.
The first time Republican US House candidate “Dr. Joe” Arminio referred to Rep. Sarah McBride (D) as a man during Thursday’s debate at the Siegel Jewish Community Center in Talleyville. He was warned for his comment. #netdepic.twitter.com/j4EaMOL84W
“If you fail to show respect to anyone else on this stage, you’ll be asked to leave,” Grant said.
Arminio acknowledged the incident during one of his forum responses.
“I committed an error before,” he said. “I do acknowledge it. It’s not the first error I’ve made in this campaign, or at any point in my future life.”
But minutes later, Arminio misgendered McBride again, pointing at her and DemocraticSen. Chris Coons and calling the two of them “gentlemen.” The crowd started booing again, and Arminio’s microphone was cut off.
McBride said on stage she wanted Arminio to stay and be able to talk about his platform, but organizers held firm.
Arminio told 6abc he planned to address the incident. He did not immediately respond to The Inquirer’s request for comment.
The Human Rights Campaign describes the political climate for transgender people and the LGBTQ+ community as an ongoing crisis amid legislative hostility, federal rollbacks, and discrimination. The organization estimates there are more than 2 million transgender people across the country.
Experts say misgendering a trans person can range in severity from a microaggression or macroaggression to explicit harassment depending on the intent, frequency, and context. Studies show the LGBTQ+ community is more likely to experience harassment, discrimination, and violence than cisgender and heterosexual people.
Bella Bautista, 22, right, a trans woman, has a photo taken with Rep. Sarah McBride, D-Del., the first trans woman to be a member of Congress, during a reception held by the Christopher Project in June 2025.Jacquelyn Martin
McBride, who was previously a state senator, has been targeted by transphobic attacks across her career.
After being elected to Congress, Rep. Nancy Mace (R., S.C.) introduced a resolution banning transgender women from using women’s facilities in the U.S. Capitol. Speaker Mike Johnson also implemented a policy restricting restroom access in the Capitol and House offices to a person’s “biological sex,” which experts say is a politicized term to describe someone’s assigned sex at birth.
The policies were viewed as a way to directly target McBride, the only openly trans person serving in either chamber. McBride has also been repeatedly misgendered.
Last year, Rep. Keith Self (R., Texas) called McBride “Mr. McBride.” She quipped back, calling him “Madame Chair.” Others stepped in on McBride’s behalf, but the exchange got heated, and the session ended early with Self refusing to honor McBride’s identity.
Other House Republicans have continued to use male pronouns and honorifics while referring to McBride during interviews, debates, and on social media.
The representative has worked across the aisle with politicians whose views on the LGBTQ+ community don’t align with hers. She says her job in public office is to represent her state’s priorities and, in turn, normalize trans visibility.
At the forum, Mike Katz, a former Democratic state senator and now the GOP’s endorsed candidate for U.S. Senate, said Arminio’s actions were uncalled for and apologized to the crowd. Following the event, in a lengthy Facebook post, he called for Arminio to withdraw from the race, calling it a matter of “respect.”
Grant, the event’s moderator, said ground rules were shared with candidates in advance and were clear: “treat everyone on stage with respect.”
“When a candidate declined to do so after a clear and public warning, the rules were applied — as they would have been for any candidate, of any party, on any subject,” he said. “I want the focus to remain where it belongs: on the nine candidates who spent the evening answering voters’ questions thoughtfully and civilly, and on the hundreds of Delawareans who came, in person and online, to listen.”
McBride appears to be taking the incident in stride.
“I am always so proud to represent Delaware and Delawareans,” she wrote in a statement Friday. “Nothing — and certainly not politicians seeking to go viral — will ever distract me from my laser focus on lowering the cost of gas, groceries, housing, childcare, and healthcare.”
Just in time for fall, the drink of the season has arrived — but its creators caution, there’s no pumpkin here.
Little Bean, the West Philly coffee shop owned by the married couple behind Cleo Bagels, has debuted a pumpernickel syrup. It’s available in any coffee drink, but co-owner Alex Malamy says it’s best showcased in the form of a pumpernickel cortado.
The flavor is the newest permanent fixture on the shop’s list of housemade syrups, alongside chocolate, vanilla, and lavender.
“It’s not the ‘pump’ you were expecting,” Malamy, who runs the two shops alongside his wife, Ilana Silber, said. “It’s inspired by a beloved bagel that we don’t make.”
Pumpernickel bagels are too oftena vestige of the past. They were created by Jewish immigrants in New York who combined their bagel-making skills with the ingredients for German dark rye bread. Classic American pumpernickel bread and bagels include additives like molasses, cocoa, and sometimes brown sugar to help enhance the flavors and color. Traditional German pumpernickel, meanwhile, relies solely on rye for its flavor and hue.
These bagels also require more labor and ingredients compared to other classic bagels, including a blend of flours that typical base flavors don’t call for. In Philly, Bart’s Bagels is one of the few shops that offers the deep brown treats (along with a pumpernickel everything version).
Alex Malamy, owner of Little Bean, with his wife, Ilana Silber, and their dog Bean in their coffee shop in West Philadelphia in March.Tyger Williams / Staff Photographer
At Little Bean, the pumpernickel syrup features a proprietary blend of the same ingredients that go into a classic pumpernickel bagel, ingredients Cleo and its sister shop already had on hand anyway: molasses, cocoa powder, coffee, and caraway seeds.
“The toasted caraway really does pair so well with the coffee,” Malamy said. The syrup was a monthslong project, taking about six iterations to get just right. “It’s about getting the balance right of really bitter ingredients without being cloyingly sweet.” The end result is savory, warm, and cozy.
As the six-month-old coffee shop gets into its groove, Malamy says more inventive, bagel-inspired syrups, cold foams, and little treats are on the way. “We’re going for bespoke Little Bean and Cleo things that feel traditional but playful,” he said. “It feels specific to us.”
So, does a pumpernickel syrup mean pumpernickel bagels are also on the way? Not yet, Malamy says, citing Cleo’s modest floor plan, but it’s not entirely out of the question.
“If we were to do a pumpernickel, we would definitely take our time with it,” he said. “We like baby-stepping into things.”
Think you know your news? There’s only one way to find out. Welcome back to our weekly News Quiz — a quick way to see if your reading habits are sinking in and to put your local news knowledge to the test.
Question 1 of 10
This Philly sports team announced it was teaming up with the popular vending machine art designer, Anastasia Inciardi for an exclusive collection of $1 prints:
CorrectIncorrect. XX% of other readers got this question right.
The Eagles have teamed up with Inciardi, who's best known for popularizing vending machine art nationwide. Inciardi has Philly ties and has worked with many big brands, but never the NFL. The vending machines will be available at games and the fan pro shop all season.
Question 2 of 10
Biology students at Stockton University are monitoring this Jersey Shore icon and say the species could be in danger:
CorrectIncorrect. XX% of other readers got this question right.
The osprey, a raptor that feeds primarily on fish, was reclassified from “threatened” to “stable” by New Jersey’s Department of Environmental Protection’s Fish and Wildlife agency, but a recent study by Atlantic County University, whose mascot is the osprey, found staggering declines along the Mullica River and Great Bay. Biology students and instructors monitored 27 osprey nests along the Mullica River and Great Bay this year and discovered that chicks were surviving at a dismal rate.
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Question 3 of 10
Eagles outside linebacker Jalyx Hunt has established three scholarships for students at this school:
CorrectIncorrect. XX% of other readers got this question right.
Hunt has what he calls a “whole bunch of little sisters” in the hundreds of students at Little Flower Catholic High School for Girls in the Hunting Park section of North Philadelphia. His relationship with the school began in 2024, the year the Eagles drafted him in the third round out of Houston Christian, when he started a fundraiser for underfunded school sports programs.
Question 4 of 10
The Flyers updated a rendering last week of its upcoming new arena following backlash over this detail in the original:
CorrectIncorrect. XX% of other readers got this question right.
Critics worried the original Flyers arena rendering depicted a lack of women’s representation within sports and sports fandom, too with no visible women fans. Populous, the design firm behind the buildout, called it an oversight. The Flyers released an updated rendering following the outcry from fans.
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Question 5 of 10
Just one Philly restaurant made the New York Times’ best restaurant list this year. Who was it?
CorrectIncorrect. XX% of other readers got this question right.
Bomb Bomb Bar, the old-time South Philadelphia tavern revived last year by chef Joey Baldino, has been named to the New York Times’ 2026 list of the best restaurants in America — Philadelphia’s only entry this year. The city placed two restaurants — Mawn and Meetinghouse — on the list last year, Little Walter’s in 2024, and three — El Chingón, Kalaya, and My Loup — in 2023.
Question 6 of 10
The new Bathhouse opening in Philly uses this method to power its heated pools and seats:
CorrectIncorrect. XX% of other readers got this question right.
Since its 2019 founding, Bathhouse has used small on-site data centers of Bitcoin miners to warm its pools and heated seats, extracting excess energy from the machines via pipes. The practice, cofounder Travis Talmadge said, has helped significantly cut Bathhouses’ electricity bills while allowing them to make back some money, even as returns from the cryptocurrency have slowed.
Question 7 of 10
While Philadelphia-area TV shows racked up plenty of Emmy nominees, only one show took home the actual award. Which show won for outstanding supporting actor?
CorrectIncorrect. XX% of other readers got this question right.
Tom Pelphrey, a Rutgers University alum from Howell Township, N.J., won for outstanding supporting actor in a drama series for his performance as Robbie Prendergrast on Season 1 of the Delco-set HBO crime thriller Task.
Question 8 of 10
Union phenom Cavan Sullivan’s rapid rise in the soccer world reached a new milestone on Thursday, as he earned his first invitation to the senior U.S. men’s national team. How old is he?
CorrectIncorrect. XX% of other readers got this question right.
Sullivan is 16. Part of a three-generation soccer family with roots in Northeast Philadelphia’s Bridesburg neighborhood, Sullivan has seemed destined at times to get here.
Question 9 of 10
The renovations of a community space, led by Councilmember Jeffery Young Jr., have drawn contention because of the delayed timeline and a lack of community input. What space is at the center of the issue?
CorrectIncorrect. XX% of other readers got this question right.
A renovation project for the Cecil B. Moore Library has been anything but a win for Councilmember Jeffery Young Jr. Young and representatives from the Philadelphia Capital Program Office and the Free Library of Philadelphia gave further details on the $2 million in renovations planned for the North Philly library at a community meeting Tuesday. An additional $8 million previously raised and allocated for the project will remain unused for now. But the plans didn’t go over well with community members.
Question 10 of 10
A Point Breeze mural by this prominent artist just got through the next phase for consideration as a designated historic space. hello
CorrectIncorrect. XX% of other readers got this question right.
Keith Haring’s We the Youth is one step closer to being added to the city’s Register of Historic Places. On Wednesday, an advisory group of the Philadelphia Historical Commission unanimously approved its nomination to be included. If approved at next month’s Philadelphia Historical Commission meeting, the outdoor mural will be added to the Philadelphia Register of Historic Places. That would make it the first outdoor mural to be an officially designated and protected landmark in the city’s history.
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You have skipped .
You scored XX out of 10.
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Seems like you’ve been skimming more than reading there, buddy. There’s always next week.
You’ve read some articles (or made some educated guesses) but we wouldn’t come to you first for our local news recaps. Better luck next week!
Do you work here? You’re a local news stan with the latest updates on Philly happenings. Your friends definitely ask you for summaries on what’s going on and it shows.
Anastasia Inciardi’s art has made the rounds — her mini prints have become desirable collectibles at museums, arenas, and VIP red carpets nationwide. But her latest collab is particularly special because of what it means to her family.
This week, the Philadelphia Eagles announced that Inciardi’s mini-print vending machines would be stationed at Lincoln Financial Field all season. The machines are stocked with football-themed linocut art with designs ranging from a Go Birds sign to an Eagles pretzel.
Inciardi’s worked with big names and brands before — ranging from Harry Styles to Snoopy and the Peanuts gang. But her work with the Eagles marks the artist’s first foray into the NFL.
The Birds are touting the collab as an easy, affordable game-day souvenir. Prints cost $1, and they are about 2.5 inches by 3.5 inches — about the size of a playing card.
For Inciardi, who lives in Portland, Maine, and grew up in Brooklyn, N.Y., the partnership was a no-brainer, given her family’s Philly ties. Her grandmother, two aunts, two uncles, and cousins all live in Philly.
“It’s been an absolute dream come true to partner with the Eagles,” she said. “My family are all die-hard Philly sports fans, so it was an honor to create these prints as an homage to this incredibly dedicated fan base.”
This is the fifth Philly location to host Inciardi machines. Her prints became available in the area in 2024, at book and magazine shop Another Corner, Di Bruno Bros. (the Italian Market bottle shop and Rittenhouse grocery locations), and the Fabric Workshop and Museum.
“When I first started placing my vending machines, I wanted my grandmother to have one within walking distance,” Inciardi told The Inquirer last year. “She’s 85 and loves to walk to Di Bruno Bros., pick up some Romano, antipasti, and a few of my mini prints.”
Anastasia Inciardi, a Maine-based linocut artist, poses with one of her popular art vending machines, which have been making appearances nationwide — including in Philadelphia.Courtesy of Anastasia Inciardi
The novelty of vending-machine art has been on the rise because of the pieces’ small size and affordable pricing. Several other artists have since started putting their own spin on the concept — including Philly’s Fabiola Lara, a Latinx illustrator with machines all over town that hold her Riso-printed art. Those artists, including Lara, credit Inciardi for popularizing the concept.
The Linc will host three mini-print vending machines with seven designs at the stadium during games, in Pepsi Plaza, Section 107, and Section 113.
For fans not attending games, the machines will also be accessible at the stadium Pro Shop during the week.
Each print is $1 and redeemable through tokens — not cash. Tokens can be purchased at Pro Shop locations. Additional designs will be added throughout the season, according to the Eagles.
Two images, which were created by Populous, the global design firm responsible for the arena’s conception, showed fans attending basketball and hockey games in the new state-of-the-art digs. But somefans say the Flyers’ rendering was missing one key detail: female fans. What ensued was a Where’s Waldo? level of analysis by people on the internet. The Flyers have sinceupdated the rendering.
The original Sixers rendering had a handful of what appeared to be female-presenting fans, wearing crossbody purses over their jerseys, with long hairstyles and ponytails. The Flyers version was more ambiguous. There appeared to be some women sitting toward the top of the image, in clusters across the stairs, but none wearing Flyers gear.
A Populous spokesperson said the company accepted responsibility for the oversight and worked quickly to update the rendering as soon as it became aware of the issue.
“The website now reflects the updated image,” the spokesperson said.
Camille Barrière was one of the initial critics who pointed out the apparent lack of women via an X post. Barrière, who lives in Paris, studied architecture and is pursuing her master’s degree inmedia design at the School of Design Nantes Atlantique, with a focus on the delegitimization of women and non-male sports fans.
When the renderings came out, Barrière saidonline that it was “new source material” for her thesis. Her post has been viewed nearly 200,000 times on X and has since spread to other social media platforms, particularly Reddit and Instagram among women’s sports pages.
Some fans worry the lack of visibly female fans in the original rendering was more than an innocent mistake and is actually indicative of the male-centric way sports fandoms are still stereotypically viewed. Others say it’s not that serious and this much intense dialogue based off a rendering is laughable.
“As a woman, I’m hyper aware of the amount of men in public spaces, and it’s for that reason that the image struck me. I continued searching and couldn’t find a single woman in Flyers gear in that picture,” Barrière told The Inquirer.
no women in the flyers render …. new source material for my masters thesis just dropped https://t.co/FppeyyaJEO
Creating architectural renderings is not one size fits all and the process can vary considerably, but the final product can help represent the future of a space and who it belongs to, says Rashida Ng, an architecture professor at the University of Pennsylvania’s Stuart Weitzman School of Design.
“I wouldn’t presume to know how or why the particular Flyers image was produced, or suggest that the omission was intentional,” she said. “But something can be unintentional and still be meaningful. If an image of a major public venue inadvertently leaves out a substantial part of the public, I think it’s worth asking how that happened.”
The Gist and Togethxr, two popular women-founded sports media brands, called out the original renderings on Instagram. Reports show women are one of the fastest-growing audiences in sports.
“They’re buying season tickets, filling arenas, creating fan communities, and shaping sports culture across every major league. The future of sports already includes women,” the Gist wrote in its post. “The renderings should too.”
Ng says she sees the rendering debacle as a “teachable moment.”
“Design is not neutral. The spaces we create — and the images we use to imagine and communicate them — both reflect and shape ideas about who belongs, who is welcome, and whose experiences matter,” she said. “That doesn’t mean every design decision or omission is intentional, but it does mean that designers have a responsibility to think critically about the worlds their work helps to envision.”
Thursday morning, the Flyers updated the rendering on its website with a new version, one that added many new visibly female fans.
As for Barrière, she’s shocked that a non-fan’s observation from across the world sparked discussion.
“If my silly tweet that was just meant for my 40 followers can initiate a discussion on the issue, then I’m all for it,” she said. “I think inclusivity in hockey spaces, whether online or in real life, still has a long way to go, and calling out the teams directly is one of the ways we can help move the conversation forward in a positive direction.”
And thinking about those women fans is particularly pertinent for the new arena — it’s also the future home of Philadelphia’s new WNBA franchise.
Think you know your news? There’s only one way to find out. Welcome back to our weekly News Quiz — a quick way to see if your reading habits are sinking in and to put your local news knowledge to the test.
Question 1 of 10
Gov. Josh Shapiro announced this week that a local company plans to spend $1.2 billion to expand its manufacturing operations at a facility in Pennsylvania:
CorrectIncorrect. XX% of other readers got this question right.
Chobani, the yogurt company, plans to expand its operations at a manufacturing facility in Pennsylvania, which it is buying from Keurig Dr Pepper for $125 million. The company, which bought Philly-founded La Colombe in 2023 for $900 million, plans to convert the 1.5-million-square-foot site into a dairy plant, and expects to add 900 workers over the next five years in the Lehigh Valley.
Question 2 of 10
This eatery has been recently forced to stop its dinner service entirely following a failed health inspection:
CorrectIncorrect. XX% of other readers got this question right.
South Philly butcher shop Heavy Metal Sausage Co. indefinitely paused its after-hours Italian dinners last week following a failed health inspection that ordered the shop to remove all indoor seating. Co-owners Patrick Alfiero and Melissa Pellegrino say the resulting loss of revenue could close the business. An inspector with Philadelphia’s Department of Public Health ordered the shop to remove its eight seats and cease all food prep in the basement on Aug. 21.
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Question 3 of 10
What band or artist is releasing a 2016 recording of its performance in Philadelphia on vinyl?
CorrectIncorrect. XX% of other readers got this question right.
Pearl Jam is releasing Ten Live, a three-sided vinyl LP that captures live versions of the 13 songs from the band’s 1991 debut album, which includes songs that have long been centerpieces of the band’s repertoire, such as “Even Flow,” “Alive,” and “Jeremy.” The live album recorded April 29, 2016, in the building that is now known as Xfinity Mobile Arena comes out Nov. 27, or Record Store Day Black Friday.
Question 4 of 10
An established local business is opening a tasting room dedicated to this delicacy in Kensington:
CorrectIncorrect. XX% of other readers got this question right.
Fishtown Pickles is expanding, opening a larger production facility in Kensington, complete with a 500-square-foot pickle tasting room, where customers can sample varieties, buy pickles by the pound or jar, shop for pickle-themed merchandise, and eventually take classes and production tours. They are aiming for a summer 2027 opening. A pickle tasting room? Think brewery, only with cucumbers. The owners say customers will be able to sample the goods while watching production, calling the concept a “brinery.”
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Question 5 of 10
Before he played Anthony Bourdain in the coming-of-age biopic Tony, Dominic Sessa’s first brush with fame was working in Ocean City, N.J., washing dishes and making:
CorrectIncorrect. XX% of other readers got this question right.
Born in Cherry Hill, Sessa grew up in Egg Harbor Township and Ocean City, where he spent four summers working in the kitchen at Cathy’s 14th Street Bakery, which serves thousands of doughnuts a week. When Sessa started as a dishwasher there in 2016, he was 13. By the time he worked his last shift in 2019, he had worked his way up to a full-fledged baker, responsible for opening the shop and preparing batches of Cathy’s famous powdered and cream-filled doughnuts from scratch.
Question 6 of 10
When Gloria Steinem, who died this week at age 92, visited Philadelphia in 1982, she made plenty of stops, including the King of Prussia Mall at the furniture department of this store:
CorrectIncorrect. XX% of other readers got this question right.
As Steinem spoke, an entourage pored over her frenetic schedule, which had her popping up in places as disparate as the Women Organized Against Rape offices in Center City and the furniture department in Bloomingdale’s King of Prussia emporium.
Question 7 of 10
A man has been charged with attempted burglary of which famous Philadelphia athlete’s Chester County home?
CorrectIncorrect. XX% of other readers got this question right.
Jabir Parker, 24, is accused of attempting to burglarize Saquon Barkley's home in July. Parker allegedly stole nearly $800,000 in jewelry from two other homes.
Question 8 of 10
After 205 years, this famed magazine, which was founded in Philadelphia, will stop printing:
CorrectIncorrect. XX% of other readers got this question right.
The Saturday Evening Post, the famed magazine that printed its first issues on Ben Franklin’s Old City printing press and whose Norman Rockwell covers defined the optics of quintessential 20th-century Americana, will print its last issue early next year. The magazine catapulted Rockwell to fame. It was published from the Curtis Building at Sixth and Walnut Streets, from 1910 until 1969, was one of the standouts of 19th-century Philadelphia publisher Cyrus Curtis’ portfolio.
Question 9 of 10
A very stormy night put this performer’s Philadelphia tour stop in jeopardy, with several lengthy delays. But ultimately, they came on for a late but dazzling concert:
CorrectIncorrect. XX% of other readers got this question right.
By the time Bruno Mars got around to singing “It Will Rain” at Lincoln Financial Field on Tuesday, the thunderstorm had already passed. That was following a two-hour delay that cut opener Raye’s opening act down to one song.
Question 10 of 10
At Mr. Edison’s, customers can order a _____ covered in caviar for $88.
CorrectIncorrect. XX% of other readers got this question right.
The “blackout” crab au gratin stuffed baked potato, which comes covered in caviar at Mr. Edison draws a lot of curiosity. But food writer Kiki Aranita says it’s not worth the hype. Still, she notes, it’s one of several baked potatoes available across Philly right now.
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Seems like you’ve been skimming more than reading there, buddy. There’s always next week.
You’ve read some articles (or made some educated guesses) but we wouldn’t come to you first for our local news recaps. Better luck next week!
Do you work here? You’re a local news stan with the latest updates on Philly happenings. Your friends definitely ask you for summaries on what’s going on and it shows.
Police have identified the victim killed in a knife-wielding spree in Times Square as a 32-year-old from Chester, N.J.
Erin Piacenti was a vice president of business at Bank of America based out of Manhattan with a background in law, according to her LinkedIn profile. But before that, she was a singer at Penn.
As a young girl, Piacenti, whose given name was Guiltinan, attended the private Catholic girls’ school in Morristown, N.J., Villa Walsh Academy. She went on toenroll in the University of Pennsylvania, graduating in 2016, and, later, Fordham University for law school in 2021.
She had deep roots in New Jersey and made lifelong friends through her involvement in the New Jersey Youth Chorus and later, Penn’s Dischord A Cappella group. A spokesperson for the New Jersey Youth Chorus confirmed Piacenti’s involvement but declined to comment further, citing sensitivity and privacy.
In Dischord, Piacenti was a frequent soloist with an explosive alto range, taking on renditions of big pop and R&B divas, from Ariana Grande to Tina Turner with confidence. Even when she wasn’t soloing, Piacenti often worked on Dischord’s song arrangements, according to credits from past performances.
Piacenti recently celebrated her second wedding anniversary. The couple — who both attended Fordham law school — married in Manahawkin, N.J., in 2024. Piacenti’s husband could not immediately be reached for comment.
“We are shocked and deeply saddened by the tragic loss of our colleague,” Bank of America told The Inquirer in an emailed statement. “She was a valued teammate who will be greatly missed. Our hearts go out to her family and all of her loved ones.”
Piacenti was fatally stabbed by Pamela Cisneros of Queens, who reportedly had a documented history of mental health concerns, but no criminal history, NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said at a news conference.
Cisneros, 49, was caught on a string of now-viral videos waving around two large knives. Police fatally shot her Monday in the middle of Times Square after they said she injured two people at random: a 68-year-old man exiting the subway and, about 20 seconds later, Piacenti.
Piacenti was rushed to the hospital with a puncture to her abdomen and was pronounced dead, according to Tisch. The male victim, who has not been publicly named, was separately hospitalized and is recovering, according to police.
Tisch said that police attempted to negotiate with Cisneros, who held the knives toward officers for “four minutes,” but that she remained hostile and threatened to kill them instead. Responding officers deployed Tasers, but she advanced anyway, police said. Two officers opened fire at Cisneros, who was taken to the hospital where she died.
Tom Harris, the president of the Times Square Alliance, which represents the area’s businesses, said the stabbings were a “tragedy.”
“Our hearts go out to the victims and their families at this time,” Harris told the New York Times. “We are thankful that once again the NYPD was swift to act and put themselves in harm’s way to stop the perpetrator before more were injured.”
