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Category: Life

  • Wawa’s new Phanatic smoothie tastes like a ‘World Series win with a sprinkling of Mets tears’

    Wawa’s new Phanatic smoothie tastes like a ‘World Series win with a sprinkling of Mets tears’

    As Philly guys go, the Phanatic is one suave dude. His gyrating belly, chameleonlike tongue, and ability to burn our opponents without uttering a single word have charmed generations of Philadelphians.

    Now, this smoothie operator has a smoothie all his own and it tastes like the tears of our rivals — sweet, salty, and delicious.

    Kim Rodriguez, Wawa manager, along with the Wawa mascot Wally Goose and the Phillie Phanatic in Philadelphia on Aug. 17, 2026.Jessica Griffin / Staff Photographer

    Wawa debuted its new, limited-edition Phanatic Caramel Curveball Cream Smoothie during an event at the chain’s Penrose Avenue store Monday that was part news conference, part pep rally, and perfectly preposterous.

    Fans packed the store — for what, they weren’t exactly sure — they just knew it would be a chance to “hang with the Phillie Phanatic and Wally Goose,” according to Wawa’s Facebook page for the event.

    The two-birds-one-store offer was enough to bring out a flock of more than 75 people dressed in Phillies, Phanatic, and Wawa gear, including sisters Elizabeth and Jennifer Bertolet of Doylestown. They arrived 90 minutes before the event and decided that whatever was about to happen, it was “going to be awesome.”

    “Wally is going to be here and the Phanatic is going to be here. Why wouldn’t we be here?” Elizabeth Bertolet said.

    Maggie McNulty, who is dressed as Wally Goose, and her father, Glenn McNulty, attend an event at Wawa’s Penrose Avenue store celebrating the partnership between the Phillies and Wawa. Jessica Griffin / Staff Photographer

    Justin Tichy, chief operations officer for Wawa, announced during his remarks that the smoothie is part of a new partnership between Philly’s hometown baseball team and its hometown convenience store.

    Fans at Friday’s Phillies’ game against the St. Louis Cardinals will receive a Wawa Kyle Schwarber bobblehead, samples of the Phanatic smoothie, and a chance to see Wally Goose throw out the first ceremonial pitch.

    When asked how he’s feeling about taking the mound, Wally shuddered with nervous energy then practiced his pitching wing.

    She Willians, of Job Corps culinary, and the Wawa mascot Wally Goose at Wawa’s Penrose Avenue store Monday. Jessica Griffin / Staff Photographer

    Perhaps he’ll throw a curveball like Wawa did by not making its Phanatic smoothie green. A source said it’s because the Phanatic is unlikely to put anything green in his smoothie, which 100% tracks. You don’t get that bouncy belly by drinking kale.

    When asked what he thought about the new drink bearing his name, the Phanatic raised his arms overhead then circled his belly around in approval.

    The smoothie is made with vanilla ice cream, caramel sauce, whipped cream, salted caramel syrup, and sea salt pretzel pieces. It comes in a limited-edition cup featuring the Phanatic’s eyes and the tip of his snout and it only comes in one size — phanatically large — clocking in at 970 calories.

    The new Phanatic smoothie

    [image or embed]

    — Stephanie Farr (@farfarraway.bsky.social) August 17, 2026 at 1:39 PM

    Zack Sminkey of Woodstown, N.J., who wore a matching red shirt-and-shorts combo featuring repeating patterns of the Phanatic, brought his 7-year-old daughter Zoe to the event. Both approved of the new smoothie in the big green guy’s honor.

    “It’s really good. It’s very ballpark-tasting,” Sminkey said. “I almost feel like it tastes like Cracker Jacks. It’s delicious.”

    Jennifer Bertolet described it another way as she and her sister toasted their free samples of smoothie.

    “It tastes like World Series win with a sprinkling of Mets tears,” she said.

    Phillies ambassador Scott Palmer with a tray of new Wawa limited-edition Phanatic Caramel Curveball Cream Smoothies.Jessica Griffin / Staff Photographer

    When Wawa released a limited-edition Gritty Smoothie in the spring in honor of Philly’s prince of chaos, it was only a matter of time before the OG mascot king got one of his own, too.

    The partnership between Wawa and the Phillies solidified Wawa as the team’s official hoagie in June. Wawa hoagies now come wrapped in Phillies-themed paper, and the chain is selling red-and-white striped Phillies doughnuts and Phillies-themed kids meals, which come with stickers of the Phanatic and Wally Goose. A portion of the proceeds from the kids meals go to Philabundance.

    In turn, Wawa has an increased presence at Citizens Bank Park with new advertising and ballpark activations.

    Wally Goose and the Phillie Phanatic represent Wawa and the Phillies at a news conference on Monday about their recently-announced partnership. Jessica Griffin / Staff Photographer

    But the Phillies and Wawa were in a situationship long before they made things official this summer. Whenever the Phillies make the playoffs, Wawa brings back its Kyle Schwarber-themed Schwarberfest, a Hoagiefest spinoff featuring discounted hoagies. And in 2024, Bryce Harper was fined by MLB for showing his love for the chain by wearing custom-made Wawa cleats and a headband during a game.

    The Phillies and Wawa collaborations, including the Phanatic smoothie, will be available at stores in the region through Sept. 28.

    No word on if the offers will be extended in the event of a Red October.

    Today while interviewing a woman inside of a Wawa whose baby was dressed like Wally Goose, I was surprise-attacked from behind by the Phanatic, who put me inside of his shirt.

    That is a sentence only a Philly journalist could write – and believe and live through.

    [image or embed]

    — Stephanie Farr (@farfarraway.bsky.social) August 17, 2026 at 1:26 PM

  • Dear Abby | No-kids wedding reception plan upsets grandparents

    DEAR ABBY: My youngest son is getting married this spring, and they have decided they want a child-free wedding reception. We have three grandchildren, ages 3 to 7. The wedding is where my son and his fiancée live, so we are all traveling. They have asked all three kids to be in the wedding party as flower girls and the ring bearer, but afterward there is a sit-down meal, reception and dance to which the kids are not invited. The parents are expected to find or bring babysitters.

    Our grandchildren are extremely important to my husband and me, and we are devastated they have been excluded. We see them as part of the immediate family and have asked that they be included, but the bride and groom have declined our requests. They have also banned babies of any age, nursing or not, yet their dog is part of the wedding party.

    I was at the bride’s wedding shower this past weekend, along with my two other daughters-in-law, and I tried to feel enthusiastic about their upcoming wedding, but it is difficult. I have shed a few tears over this and have become resentful of both of them. Do you have any advice?

    — WEDDING WOES IN CANADA

    DEAR WEDDING WOES: I’m sorry the wedding reception isn’t going to be the joyous family moment you were hoping for. If you and your husband were to renew your vows, I’m sure the festivities would be much different. However, this day is for the bride and groom. They are planning the celebration they want, and that includes a reception they’ve deemed inappropriate for kids. Show your love and respect for them by leaving your expectations — and your grandchildren — at the hotel.

    ** ** **

    DEAR ABBY: An acquaintance of mine has posted pictures of his newly built mansion, from breaking ground to digging the huge pool to the house itself. I admit I’m jealous. But isn’t this rude of him? All our friends are middle to upper class. I find it terribly insensitive. Am I wrong?

    — FLIPPING MAD IN TEXAS

    DEAR FLIPPING MAD: I’m sorry your ego is bruised from looking at the photos your friend posted of creating his new home, but what he did isn’t rude. Perhaps if you start counting the blessings you have in your own life, you can combat the green-eyed monster you have been feeding. I wish you luck because there is nothing constructive about envy.

    ** ** **

    DEAR ABBY: Should I tell my two older grandchildren that my husband and I are divorcing? Although the divorce is in its early stages, our home is expected to be sold a year and a half from now. My daughter and grandchildren reside in that home. I’d like to know if this would be too early to let them know. Please give me your opinion.

    — MAKING A CHANGE IN FLORIDA

    DEAR MAKING A CHANGE: Your daughter should be told (if she doesn’t already know) because she will need time to find another home for herself and her children. When to share the news of the divorce with her children should be her decision. A year and a half is plenty of time for everyone to prepare for the changes that are coming. I hope that the divorce will be amicable.

  • Philly’s bike messengers are on call and on the move

    Philly’s bike messengers are on call and on the move

    In a world of autonomous food delivery robots and Amazon Prime, Philadelphians might be surprised to find bike messengers zooming across Center City streets, if they even know what one is. But what distinguishes the messengers from other cyclists and delivery drivers is not just the comically large bags they carry and the decked-out single-speed bikes they ride, but their ability to strategically and efficiently navigate the city. While most people rely on Google Maps, full-time bike messengers Brian Campbell, 31, and Orchid Newberger, 29, spend all day hustling through busy streets and traffic-filled intersections with addresses in hand and routes in mind. While Campbell starts his mornings in Old City delivering paystubs, Newberger finds herself riding between South Street and Spring Garden; they end up meeting at the 1700 Market plaza to catch up, smoke cigarettes, and play scratch-off tickets. They are expected to deliver legal documents for lawyers, safely transport medical samples for hospitals, and even serve people subpoenas, all while dodging motor vehicles and e-bikes. Although each dispatch could lead to a potential injury, what makes the job worth it is the freedom that the ride brings. “I’m as free as the breeze and I ride where I please,” Campbell said.

    Orchid Newberger, 29, of Fishtown, walks up the entrance stairs of the William and Lois Kelley Research Building on the University of Pennsylvania campus to pick up medical samples on July 30. Newberger graduated from Penn with bachelor’s and master’s degrees in material science engineering but found it hard to both land a job within that field and enjoy it. Newberger picked up bike courier work shortly afterward. “I spent a lot of time in school figuring out that that’s not what I wanted to do with my life.”Aidan T. Gallo / Staff Photographer
    Newberger inside an elevator at the Cira Centre building for a pickup. “This isn’t a ‘forever job,’ obviously,” Newberger said.Aidan T. Gallo / Staff Photographer
    Bike courier Brian Campbell, 31, knocks on a door at the Broad Street Love social services building to deliver payroll stubs on July 22.Aidan T. Gallo / Staff Photographer
    Campbell helps Newberger adjust her bike’s front wheel at Rittenhouse Square on July 14.Aidan T. Gallo / Staff Photographer
    Campbell wears a Philadelphia Bicycle Messenger Association (PBMA) cap on July 15. As many couriers ride without health insurance, PBMA provides donations to injured couriers for medical expenses. “It’d be really nice to have health insurance at a job like this, like, if I’m sick or hurt I just lose money, and that’s where PBMA comes in because we have to look out for ourselves on that front,” Campbell said.Aidan T. Gallo / Staff Photographer
    Campbell and Newberger at Rittenhouse Square after finishing their shifts July 30. They are among many bike couriers who hang out at the park before and after work.Aidan T. Gallo / Staff Photographer
    Campbell sorts through his messenger bag to deliver payroll stubs outside the Museum of the American Revolution on July 22.Aidan T. Gallo / Staff Photographer
    Campbell adjusts his messenger bag alongside Artemis Darrow (left), 24, and Newberger before participating in the Critical Mass Philly event at City Hall on July 31. The evening event was held to reclaim public streets, promote cyclist safety, and advocate for better bike infrastructure.Aidan T. Gallo / Staff Photographer
    Newberger rides past a bus stop on July 30.Aidan T. Gallo / Staff Photographer
    Campbell drinks from his water bottle outside the Liberty Place shopping center before heading out for more deliveries.Aidan T. Gallo / Staff Photographer
    Newberger drinks from her water bottle while Campbell (right) listens for a dispatch from his walkie talkie at the 1700 Market Plaza on July 30. Aidan T. Gallo / Staff Photographer
    Newberger at 16th and Market Streets during her evening shift on Aug. 4.Aidan T. Gallo / Staff Photographer

  • Dear Abby | Former spouse accused of murdering one of her offspring

    DEAR ABBY: I am writing for advice on how to be supportive of my adult children in light of an alleged crime committed by their mother. She was arrested for first-degree murder. The victim was my children’s younger half-sibling.

    I am especially challenged dealing with my daughter. She is supporting her mother in this. She says she has already lost a sibling and doesn’t want to lose her mother too. Their mother was always critical of psychotherapy. Not only did she doubt it, but she criticized anyone seeking mental health support. Abby, now she’s pleading not guilty by reason of insanity! How do I support and counsel my daughter?

    — MANAGING THE REPERCUSSIONS

    DEAR MANAGING: Women in their right minds do not kill their children. Sometimes people are critical of mental health care because they’re insecure about their own status. As upset as you are about this, your daughter has every right to support her mother through this tragedy if she wishes. The most effective way you can support your daughter would be to refrain from questioning her choice to be there for her mother.

    ** ** **

    DEAR ABBY: What are your thoughts about meeting another couple for lunch or dinner at a specific time only to find that they have already been seated and are enjoying appetizers? This has happened to us on numerous occasions, and, to us, it totally ruins the continuity of the meal together. We could understand it if we were late in arriving, but we’re not. This has happened with more than one couple.

    — FUMING IN TEXAS

    DEAR FUMING: Personally, I think what they did is rude. However, it’s one thing to be seated and chomp on a breadstick and quite another to be enjoying cocktails and calamari. It throws off the timing of the meal for the couple who arrive when they are supposed to. That said, when someone’s blood sugar level drops, they may not be at their best, so it might be better to get some food than stand on ceremony.

    ** ** **

    DEAR ABBY: I am a 48-year-old female who had to move in with my parents. It’s not working. I know I am messy and tend to procrastinate. The issue is my mother. She constantly goes into my room to snoop. She tells me I’m worthless and dumb. Last night, I was eating a pork chop, and she said I was using the wrong knife. She took my knife and gave me a butter knife! I lost my job, so moving out isn’t an option. But her comments and obvious disdain for me are not good for my self-esteem. Help!

    — TRAPPED IN LONG BEACH

    DEAR TRAPPED: This advice may seem to come from left field, but I’m suggesting that you talk to your doctor about your messiness, procrastination and job situation. There may be a medical explanation for these issues. If there is, proper treatment may make a world of difference. However, if your problem isn’t medical, your doctor can still refer you to a licensed family counselor who might help you coexist peacefully with your mom.

    As for moving out, it’s your best option in the long run. It’s true that you’re not ready now, but all your efforts must be focused on reaching that goal.

  • As Lemon Hill Park restoration begins after FIFA Fan Festival, park caretakers doubt long-term city support

    As Lemon Hill Park restoration begins after FIFA Fan Festival, park caretakers doubt long-term city support

    The marred fields of Lemon Hill Park are the remaining signs of the longest summer party the city has ever seen. Half a million people gathered in the park for 39 days straight, dancing to the All-American Rejects, cheering on World Cup matches, and sharing meals on blankets across more than a million square feet of the Fairmount park.

    The FIFA Fan Festival, by most accounts from the city, tourists, and residents, was a resounding success, offering a premium World Cup experience at a sliver of the cost of attending a game. Philly’s fan experience was considered one of the most affordable and popular in the country.

    Soccer fans gather to watch Mexico play South Africa on a giant screen during the opening day of the FIFA Fan Festival at Lemon Hill on June 11.Jose F. Moreno / Staff Photographer

    Now that the party is wrapped, the caretakers of Lemon Hill and nearby residents are hoping the city makes good on a promise to restore the park to its former glory, if not better.

    Philadelphia Soccer 2026, organizer of the FIFA Fan Festival, committed $4 million to park upgrades, from new picnic pavilions and a playground to safer sidewalks and traffic-calming measures at intersections. Additional funding will come from the city, but when asked, a city spokesperson declined to reveal the total budget and said more details will come during a groundbreaking celebration in September.

    The city gathered input from the community across nine public engagement sessions beginning in 2024 that netted 350 comments from 200 participants that helped shape which improvements would be prioritized.

    While residents and caretakers welcome park improvements, it is not lost on them that financial backing comes only after large companies use the space, though locals have been requesting help for years, said Shaun Cerborino, a co-organizer of Lemon Hill’s volunteer parks group. What’s more, without long-term maintenance funding, the upkeep of the park and its new upgrades will fall to caretakers once again.

    Large grass-less sections remain following FIFA Fan Festival at Lemon Hill on July 28. Fan Fest wrapped up on July 19.Monica Herndon / Staff Photographer

    Deferred maintenance billed as ‘legacy projects’

    A month after the World Cup ended, the largest Lemon Hill field that staged the festival is still mostly filled with dirt, patches of wilting grass, and the occasional leftover screw and other small construction waste. The city began aerating and preparing the soil for regrowth in July.

    The grass will grow back, said Cerborino and Nissa Eisenberg, Fairmount residents and co-organizers of the Lemon Hill Neighbors Association, which provides regular volunteer maintenance to the park. But what caretakers truly are concerned about is long-term support after the city finishes its upgrades months from now.

    Additionally, many of the improvements considered legacy projects are really “deferred maintenance” that had been requested for years, and came about only when corporations needed to use the park, Cerborino said.

    Large grass-less sections remain following FIFA Fan Festival at Lemon Hill on July 28. Fan Fest wrapped up on July 19.Monica Herndon / Staff Photographer

    “Instead of properly funding Parks and Recreation, the city looks toward private ventures to help keep the lights on and generate enough money to maintain — which we’re barely doing anyway,” Cerborino said.

    In Philadelphia, there is no dedicated budget for parks and open space; instead, the city and volunteers rely on the Philadelphia Parks and Recreation budget to maintain parks. They also look to grants, private nonprofits, and thousands of volunteers who weed, fix, and maintain trails and park space as part of “Friends” groups. Philadelphia relies on volunteers at more than twice the national average.

    Since taking office, Mayor Cherelle L. Parker has raised the parks and recreation department’s budget each year, doubling its spending from $53 per resident on parks in 2024 to $110 per resident in 2026. And while 97% of Philadelphians can walk 10 minutes and find a park, far exceeding the national average, Philadelphia still spends about half as much on its parks as the national average, according to the Trust for Public Land.

    Improvements like upgraded sidewalks, lighting, signage, and recreation areas are standards that should already be met by the city, which is home to some of the highest-ranked parks in the country, Cerborino said.

    Small holes line sections of the park, possibly following aeration, after FIFA Fan Festival at Lemon Hill on July 28. Fan Fest wrapped up on July 19.Monica Herndon / Staff Photographer

    Residents may have their park back, but restoration is far from over

    Fairmount residents are all but back to their usual park routines after the festival equipment was removed, but they say it is still a long way before Lemon Hill is back to normal.

    Last month, Samantha Tartaglino was walking her German shepherd, Marley, through the flattened fields. Marley sprinted through swaths of dead, brown grass, unfazed by the patches. Tartaglino said Marley was just happy to be back in wide-open spaces, as the dog had to make do with a smaller park nearby for weeks.

    Lemon Hill’s open fields are a key reason for why many move to this part of Fairmount, Tartaglino said, but even before the fan festival, residents felt the park was not being supported to its fullest potential.

    “I feel like FIFA and World Cup put the city under pressure and kicked them into gear,” Tartaglino said.

    The city has already put into place many of its legacy commitments, like new ADA-compliant sidewalks and ramps along Sedgley Drive, traffic-calming measures at the intersection of Sedgley and Poplar Drives, and additional lighting fixtures.

    But the community’s request for permanent bathrooms, water fountains, and portable water stations has gone unanswered, Eisenberg said. The city says those things can happen only if there is an on-site park staffer due to concerns about maintenance and vandalism.

    A project with a longer timeline will be a new 43,500-square-foot playground, with construction expected to stretch into April 2027, according to Philadelphia Soccer 2026 and the city. And while construction is underway, the playground and basketball courts will be closed.

    Eisenberg lamented that. What was once presented as a plan for residents to give up park space for two months during the World Cup will now last much longer, she said, as grass fields will need to grow back and other amenities are closed for renovation.

    “The basketball court is one of the most heavily used assets of the park, but they’re planning to use the court as a staging area for the construction,” Eisenberg said. “Which I get because it’s conveniently located, but you just put on this multimillion-dollar event; I’m sure you can find another area to stage construction materials so that at least the basketball court isn’t offline all winter.”

    City officials say the plan is worth the wait.

    “We expect the legacy improvements to be completed next spring and are excited for neighbors and future visitors to enjoy a renewed Lemon Hill … that builds on the excitement of this summer while serving Philadelphians for years to come,” a city spokesperson said.

    The playground and basketball courts at Lemon Hill Park in the Fairmount neighborhood of Philadelphia. Since the 2026 World Cup has ended and the FIFA Fan Festival staged at the park has left, restoration efforts are underway with funding from various private and public stakeholders.Henry Savage / Staff

    Lack of long-term maintenance funding

    While projects such as renovating the playgrounds, basketball courts, and baseball fields are welcome, the Lemon Hill Neighbors Association fears that once city crews finish the work, the caretakers will be right back where they started — working off “love and duct tape” with little financial support.

    This means park improvements come only after long periods of push and pull between Philadelphia Parks and Recreation staffers and volunteer park caretakers, leaving long-term maintenance to fall to volunteer groups that dedicate their time and money to keeping parks usable.

    “We understand that a lot of times Parks and Recreation is understaffed or underfunded, but then that means we’re going to have to pick up that role,” Eisenberg said. “We need help, and the Parks and Recreation budget needs to reflect it.”

    Earlier this week, Temple graduate student Kyle McCurly was lounging in the undamaged grass surrounding the large field that just housed the festival. Having grown up in rural Georgia and recently back from a trip to Austin, Texas, McCurly said Philly’s parks could be so much more with long-term maintenance, and not just at Lemon Hill. He noted that Austin invests twice as much money as Philadelphia does in its parks per resident, according to the Trust for Public Land.

    “Everyone’s going to have different opinions on how the funding itself is created,” McCurly said. “But I think that it’s worth consistent investment to make green spaces more accessible and enjoyable in the city.”

  • I have family visiting and they want an ‘authentic Philly cheesesteak.’ Can I just order takeout from our local pizza place?

    I have family visiting and they want an ‘authentic Philly cheesesteak.’ Can I just order takeout from our local pizza place?

    This week’s question (Have your own? Submit it here.):

    I have family visiting and they want an “authentic Philly cheesesteak.” Should I take the entire day, battle traffic and parking, and shuttle them down to South Philly? Or can I order takeout from our local pizza place in the burbs? Is there that much difference?

    Stephanie Farr, features columnist

    I don’t want to start any beef, but I’m a big believer that wherever you get your cheesesteak (as long as the shop is in Philly, the burbs, or from certain portions of South Jersey) it’s probably just fine for an authentic Philly cheesesteak meal to an outsider.

    Now, if they want the authentic Philly cheesesteak experience — standing in a ridiculous line, overhearing people argue, seriously pondering whether they want liquid cheese ladled onto something they will consume, now that is a different story. What do you think, Tommy?

    Tommy Rowan, programming editor and cheesesteak connoisseur

    That’s totally cool! You can find good sandwiches anywhere. But I’m a snob, and I want a certain type of roll, and a certain type of cut of meat, and certain cheese options. So I’m the kind of person who would brave the traffic and parking to get something that tastes as authentic as possible.

    Stephanie Farr

    Great, now I feel terrible that I just ordered my dad a cheesesteak from our local pizza shop when he came to visit last year! Missteaks were made, obviously.

    Tommy Rowan

    You should not feel terrible! If he enjoyed it, that’s all that matters!

    Stephanie Farr

    Let me ask, if your out-of-town guest wants an authentic cheesesteak experience and requests to go to Pat’s or Geno’s, as a cheesesteak snob, would you take them or try to convince them to let you take them somewhere else (and, if so, where)?

    Tommy Rowan

    I would absolutely convince them to go otherwise. At its best, cheesesteaks from John’s Roast Pork, Angelo’s, or Shay’s offer an authentic taste of home: a fresh-baked roll worth its salt, tender meat with taste, and cheese that doesn’t soak the whole thing into submission. And, to your excellent point, all three offer an interesting experience. All three are in uniquely Philadelphia buildings, in uniquely Philadelphia spots, and you can pick them up on the way to the ballgame. And the people you meet will add to the experience of eating an authentic sandwich.

    John’s Roast Pork cheesesteak at the Inquirer studio on March 5, 2025. Food styling by Emilie Fosnocht.Monica Herndon / Staff Photographer

    Stephanie Farr

    I fully support your last point. The people you meet when ordering a cheesesteak in Philly definitely flavor the experience.

    Would you feel the same way if this reader was asking about another of Philadelphia’s gastronomical delights: Is the hoagie from your local pizza shop the same as one from say a Cut Above Deli or Fink’s or Paesano’s?

    Tommy Rowan

    Absolutely!

    But again, I’m picky with these things. And variety is what makes life great. What is your favorite spot to get a steak, Steph?

    Stephanie Farr

    My local pizza shop! I’m really not very picky about my steaks and I don’t eat them often, maybe once or twice a season (is eight cheesesteaks a year a lot? When I write it out it sounds like it, but I feel like I’m below average).

    Now hoagies on the other hand, I do think it matters where you get those if you’re trying to impress someone with the local culture. I find serious hoagie shops seriously impressive. I’ve definitely called some hoagies works of art before, but I can’t recall ever doing the same for a cheesesteak.

    As a cheesesteak snob, do you go for taste or presentation when trying to impress an out-of-town guest? I feel like a lot of folks I’ve taken for cheesesteaks don’t find them as aesthetically pleasing as they’d imagine (where I come from cheese is usually placed on top of the steak and toasted, not mixed all up in it).

    Tommy Rowan

    I get it! I think cheesesteaks are to me what hoagies are to you. If you are passionate about something, you have rules.

    The cheesesteak is a heavy sandwich, but there is definitely an art to the composition. And the best places keep an eye on both taste and look. The key is making sure it’s not a soggy mess.

    Stephanie Farr

    I feel like the key to cheesesteaks, hoagies, and life is to make sure it’s not a soggy mess!

    Tommy Rowan

    Amen!!!

    Stephanie Farr

    Out here in Delco, I love the hoagies at A Cut Above in Newtown Square and Pagano’s in Drexel Hill, but this conversation has made me realize I need to try some new places — both for cheesesteaks and hoagies. I’m a creature of habit, so I tend to find a place I like and stick with it, but there are so many options in the region and so many I haven’t tried yet it’s embarrassing!

    Tommy Rowan

    We may have to do a part II. I’ll go with you to a few hoagie places and you come with me to a few cheesesteak places and we can compare notes!

    Stephanie Farr

    Oh, I am so in! Lettuce proceed on this noble quest before us!

  • A $10K Shore vacation, the LeBron tax, and Philly sports for the holidays | Weekly Report Card

    A $10K Shore vacation, the LeBron tax, and Philly sports for the holidays | Weekly Report Card

    Philly owns the holidays: A

    Hope the rest of the country likes Philadelphia, because apparently we’re coming to their holiday gatherings this year.

    The Eagles play on Thanksgiving and again on Christmas Eve. Then, we have the Sixers on Christmas Day. Really, can you blame the networks? The Eagles are one of the biggest draws in football, and the Sixers just added LeBron James. Basically if you need people to stop talking to their relatives and look at the TV for three hours, Philadelphia can help.

    Not everyone considers this a gift. One fan corrected “running” the holidays to “ruining” them, while another pointed out that getting together with family is stressful enough without adding an Eagles game. But nothing brings a family together quite like a holiday, until a questionable fourth-down call has Uncle Mike pacing around the living room refusing to speak to anyone.

    The only thing we need to complete the calendar, one fan noted, is the Eagles on Valentine’s Day in Super Bowl LXI.

    @cait.vogel

    Anyone outside the tri-state area will never understand 🤯 #jerseyshore #seaislecity #phillytiktok

    ♬ original sound – shannon

    The $10,000 Shore house: C

    Every summer, someone discovers how much it costs to vacation at the Jersey Shore and the internet holds a small trial.

    This year’s defendant is a Philly mom who went viral after revealing her family pays $10,000 for a Shore rental — one where they still have to bring their own sheets, toilet paper, paper towels, coffee, and, presumably, half the contents of their house, the New York Post reported.

    Her description was pretty devastating: “Basically, we’re paying $10,000 to camp.”

    Naturally, the internet had feelings. “For $10,000, you could go to Greece! The Caribbean! Somewhere with turquoise water where nobody makes you buy a beach tag!”

    And, OK, they’re not wrong. Ten grand is a ridiculous amount of money to spend on a house where you arrive Saturday afternoon and immediately realize someone forgot the cardboard box with the BYO ketchup bottle, olive oil, and salt and pepper shakers.

    But the Jersey Shore has never been a purely rational vacation decision. For a lot of families around here, it’s the same town every summer, the same pizza place, the same mini golf course, the same people crammed into a rental house together. You know exactly what you’re getting.

    Would $10,000 get you farther somewhere else? Sure. But Greece doesn’t have your family’s 25-year grudge over who gets the bedroom with the good air conditioner.

    Phillies pitcher Orion Kerkering leaves after allowing three runs during the eighth inning of the game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Citizens Bank Park on Aug. 9, 2026. The Phillies won in extra innings 7 to 6.Monica Herndon / Staff Photographer

    The Phillies bullpen experience: C-

    At this point, a Phillies starter leaving the game with a four-run lead feels less like good news and more like the beginning of a hostage situation.

    Jesús Luzardo gave them seven innings Sunday, struck out 12, and handed the bullpen a 5-2 lead. Orion Kerkering promptly helped turn it into a tie game. The Phillies eventually won, but only after 12 innings and considerably more stress than should have been required.

    Then came Monday, when the bullpen was so depleted that Don Mattingly essentially had one reliever left. If the Cardinals forced extra innings, the backup plan was Garrett Stubbs. Yes, the catcher.

    Luckily, Andrew Painter carried a no-hitter into the sixth, Alan Rangel got within one run of disaster before escaping the eighth, and Jonathan Bowlan needed only 10 pitches to record his first major league save. Mattingly summed up the evening afterward: “We survived, right?”

    That’s pretty much where we are. The Phillies have enough talent to get to October, but we’re getting awfully close to the part of the season when “we survived” needs to become a less eventful way to win a baseball game.

    The acclaimed chicken sandwich at the Point Breeze corner store owned by Lynda Cong and her husband, Jimmy Cong, on Aug. 5, 2026.Tyger Williams / Staff Photographer

    Philly’s nameless chicken sandwich: A+

    Apparently, one of Philly’s best chicken sandwiches comes from a corner store we’re not entirely sure how to name.

    Some people call it Mrs. Lee’s. Others call it Jimmy’s. Credit card receipts say Kim Woa Store. There’s no visible sign outside to settle the matter, which hasn’t stopped people from finding their way to 17th and Wharton for nearly three decades.

    In fact, former Point Breeze residents drive back from New Jersey, Delaware, and even North Carolina for the $9 sandwich, and TikTok has now sent customers from Canada. All for two crispy chicken cutlets on potato bread from a corner store where you can also grab a single roll of toilet paper.

    The Cong family says they’re selling about 50 sandwiches a day now, although they seem considerably less impressed by their newfound internet attention than everyone eating them.

    Philly vs. the universe: D

    The universe put on quite the show Wednesday: a partial eclipse, four planets lined up in the sky, and the Perseid meteor shower reaching its peak overnight.

    And Philadelphia got … clouds.

    To be fair, we weren’t missing much with the eclipse. Only about 8% of the sun was blocked here, which an actual astrophysicist said you probably wouldn’t even notice. But the Perseids were supposed to be the real prize, with a moonless sky making this one of the better nights to look up and catch a few meteors.

    Unfortunately, after a summer of heat, humidity, and random downpours, the weather couldn’t give us one night off.

    The Sixers’ P.J. Tucker tries to block a shot by LeBron James during the Los Angeles Lakers at Philadelphia 76ers game at the Wells Fargo Center on Dec. 9, 2022.Elizabeth Robertson / Staff Photographer

    The LeBron tax: B

    Remember when we were all having fun with this?

    LeBron James is a Sixer! People were sunburning his number into their backs! We’re getting a Christmas Day game! Maybe this really is the year!

    Well, here comes the invoice.

    Tickets haven’t even officially gone on sale yet, and the cheapest seats on the secondary market for the Sixers’ home opener against Cleveland are already flirting with $500, NBC reported. Last year, comparable seats for opening night were around $100.

    It’s not exactly surprising. The Sixers added LeBron James and Jaylen Brown to a team with Tyrese Maxey, and suddenly every game comes with the possibility of seeing something you’ll be talking about for years.

    Still, there’s something cruel about finally assembling the kind of Sixers team we’ve been begging for and immediately discovering we may have to enjoy it from the couch. At least it won’t be $30 for a beer at home.

  • VA loan helped two 23-year-olds buy a home in Germantown | How I Bought This House

    VA loan helped two 23-year-olds buy a home in Germantown | How I Bought This House

    The buyers: Mia Spolansky, 23, U.S. Air Force active duty military personnel, and Annabel Harp, 23, daycare worker and early childcare assistant

    The house: A 784-square-foot home in Germantown with two bedrooms and one bathroom built in 1950.

    The price: Listed for $250,000, sold for $265,000.

    The agent: Christine Mantwill with REMAX

    The ask: Mia Spolansky, originally from Willow Grove, and her partner, Annabel Harp, originally from Hagerstown, Md., were ready to move out of their one-bedroom rental apartment in Mount Airy and buy their first home. They both liked the area’s access to nature for running and biking in Wissahickon Valley Park, plus a location that allowed for easy commuting to their jobs. They didn’t want to stray too far.

    The kitchen in Mia Spolansky and Annabel Harp’s home in Germantown.Allie Ippolito / For The Inquirer

    “We were looking to buy in Mount Airy,” Spolansky said. “Those prices were out of our range, so we decided on Germantown.” They started their search in November.

    The search: Harp and Spolansky began touring homes in East Germantown with their real estate agent. They wanted to be efficient with their space, so they narrowed the search to smaller homes. They were seeking a rowhouse for both the neighborly feel and value.

    “A lot of detached homes were out of our price range,” Spolansky said.

    They also wanted an older home “with some character” but with modern amenities. They toured six houses and all of them felt too large or had issues. Their agent helped Spolansky access the multiple listings sites used by real estate professionals so she could browse, and one house caught her eye.

    The appeal: With their agent’s help, Harp and Spolansky went to see the house that day. It was a two-bedroom with a front patio and backyard, which was not yet on the market.

    When they visited, they were delighted that “the neighbors actually came up and introduced themselves,” Spolansky said, “We were like, whoa, this is an actual community.”

    The empty lot next to their home, which the pair uses to garden, growing peppers and cucumbers.Allie Ippolito / For The Inquirer

    The house was an older style with new appliances — exactly what they were looking for — and the owners had renovated both the bathroom and kitchen and installed central air and heat in 2021. “It was nicer than I grew up with,” Spolansky said. The couple put an offer in right away.

    The deal: Harp and Spolansky made an offer on a Thursday. The sellers had an open house scheduled for the following Saturday. The sellers said they would accept the offer and cancel the open house if the couple agreed to go $15,000 over asking to beat the potential offers they might get from the open house.

    Harp and Spolansky agreed and closed in mid-April.

    The money: They purchased the home for $265,000 after negotiation. They used a VA Home Loan of $270,000 and put 0% down. The mortgage interest rate is 5.625%. They received a $5,500 seller credit for some repairs needed. The closing costs were $1,780. The monthly payment is $1,834 with escrow, interest, and principal.

    The move: They moved in late May, with a two-month buffer period until the lease on the apartment ended.

    They used a moving company to ease the process, which helped, because the home had small doors and tight corners.

    The inspector had found some rotten floor joists in the basement, but after move-in, the couple realized there was water getting in as well. They brought in a masonry company to waterproof the wall and added a chimney liner when their carbon monoxide detector started going off. They also had some electrical and AC issues.

    The dining room in Mia Spolansky and Annabel Harp’s home.Allie Ippolito / For The Inquirer

    “I’ve only ever lived in rentals,” Spolansky said. “My family doesn’t have experience with upkeeping a house. I think having a buddy or known contractor come on the inspection would’ve been helpful, especially for negotiations because I didn’t know how much it costs to put in a chimney liner.”

    However, the pair remain satisfied with their choice and their ability to manage repairs themselves, rather than rely on a landlord.

    Life after close: The couple and their cat, Morty, have adjusted well. After living in a one-bedroom, they love the space, including their backyard and front porch, especially in the summer for barbecuing and being outside. The Wissahickon is a five-minute bike ride away. The rowhouse is exposed on one side to an empty lot, which the pair uses to garden, growing peppers and cucumbers they got from their neighbors. They especially love the community.

    “We go to parties, clean up the block, do community events,” Spolansky said. “I never had that before. Knowing our neighbors has been the biggest plus. Having good neighbors, you can’t replace that.”

    Did you recently buy a home in the Philadelphia area or South Jersey? Share the story of how you did it. Email Inquirer real estate reporters at properties@inquirer.com.

  • Dear Abby | Wife doesn’t want to be around husband’s grandchildren

    DEAR ABBY: I’ve been with my husband, “Ted,” for nearly 15 years, married for 11. He has two children, 38 and 33, and I have one who is 32. When we started dating, none of our children planned to have children of their own. I made it clear from the start that I have no desire to be a grandma. I’m a teacher and work with kids all day, every day, and that is enough for me. He said he felt the same way.

    His children now each have two children, while mine has stuck by her decision not to have any. I still have no desire to fill the grandma role. Ted’s kids are starting to make remarks about the fact I am not around much, and Ted recently told me this is causing a divide between us.

    I tried to explain that I haven’t changed; he has. We have a blast together and enjoy traveling and hanging out with friends, but our couple time is slowly fading away. I’m tired of being the bad guy because I prefer to spend my personal time with adults.

    Should I figure out how to be a single older lady, agree to live separate lives in the same house, or conform and be miserable, babysitting and spending all my free time doing what I absolutely do not want to do? I want my husband back, not the grandpa.

    — DON’T CALL ME GRANDMA

    DEAR DON’T CALL ME GRANDMA: You can’t expect your husband to turn his back on his grandchildren. If the shoe were on the other foot and your daughter had made you a grandmother, there’s a good chance you’d feel exactly as he does now.

    Because you and Ted still love each other, divorce doesn’t seem like a good solution. Would the two of you consider separating and returning to more of a dating relationship for a few years until Ted’s grandkids no longer need a babysitter? That way, you can continue to have fun with him while avoiding the grandma role.

    ** ** **

    DEAR ABBY: My husband’s distant cousin, whom we haven’t seen in more than 20 years, recently contacted us to say she wants to come for a visit. We have never really cared for her and do not want her to stay with us. Is there a polite way to tell her we are not open for her visit?

    — KEEPING TO OURSELVES IN FLORIDA

    DEAR KEEPING: The polite way to tell this distant cousin you do not want her as a houseguest would be to respond that you are unable to host her and suggest some nice hotels in the

    ** ** **

    DEAR ABBY: If a woman asks a man to go on a first date, how should the check be paid?

    — SADIE IN IOWA

    DEAR SADIE: The person who offers the invitation is expected to pay for the meal unless there is a prior arrangement to handle it differently. This applies in all relationships, not just romantic ones, but close friends usually have a standing agreement to request separate checks.

  • 🚲 Cycling down the Shore | Outdoorsy Newsletter

    🤩 How about those Perseid meteor showers? I think I caught four or five in the late night sky.

    Here’s what we’re doing today:

    ☀️ Your weekend weather outlook: Mostly sunny skies. Sunday may bring showers.

    — Paola Pérez (outdoorsy@inquirer.com)

    If someone forwarded you this email, sign up for free here.

    Hop on

    Last week, we scoped out some of the Jersey Shore’s best farmers markets. This time, we’re exploring the area on two wheels.

    🗺️ From Cape May to Long Beach Island, there are plenty of scenic routes to ride along, including breezy boardwalk paths, lighthouse rides, and wildlife trails.

    🚲 No bike? No problem. Our guide also shows you where to rent one nearby.

    💡 Important tips: Check local bike rules, bring a lock if you plan to stop for food or shopping, always wear a helmet (even on short trips), and don’t forget sunscreen and water, especially on longer routes.

    Find the full guide here.

    News worth knowing

    🌳 Your outdoorsy experience

    A partial solar eclipse is seen above the Houses of Parliament in London, Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)Kin Cheung

    Did you capture any cool visuals of the Perseid meteor showers or the solar eclipse this week? What else are you doing or seeing out there?

    This is your moment to shine, dear reader. I’m on the hunt for new stories and would love to hear from you. Email me with your recent or distant memories in nature (pictures, if you have them, are welcome). You may see it featured right here.

    One free lawn cut at a time

    🎤 Now we’re passing the microphone to New Jersey education reporter Melanie Burney.

    With the afternoon sun beating down, Keith Benson and his childhood friend Brian Turner meticulously tended to a lawn in Camden’s Parkside neighborhood on a recent Friday.

    They took turns pushing a red lawn mower that left neat lines in the lush grass. They edged up the perimeter and pulled weeds from the sidewalk in front of the property on Bradley Street.

    A short time later, the pair completed the job, packed up their equipment and sped off to their next assignment in Benson’s burgundy Ford-150 pickup.

    They didn’t get paid and they didn’t want any payment, except possibly a cold bottle of water.

    Benson, a Camden High history teacher, and Turner, a litigator and personal injury lawyer at a Cherry Hill law firm, are spending the summer working for free. They want to give back to the city where they have lived and worked.

    “I’m grateful to be able to do it,” said Benson, 46. “We have to pass that on.” — Melanie Burney

    Discover how and why the duo started to give back to their community through lawn care.

    Paola’s picks

    🎶 An oddity: A Villanova scientist translated data from black holes into sound. Take a listen.

    📸 A view: This week’s total solar eclipse as seen from Valencia, Spain.

    🦅 A tribute: Jackie, a famous bald eagle from Big Bear, California, died this week from illness.

    🌅 A song: “Golden Hour” by Luna Li.

    🥾 An activity: The Friends of the Wissahickon’s guided hike series kicks off this Sunday. The first hike is sold out, but you can register for future ones here (free).

    🦎 A friendly view

    Hi, little buddy.Paola Pérez

    I made a friend in New Orleans this summer.

    👋🏽 Take care out there!

    By submitting your written, visual, and/or audio contributions, you agree to The Inquirer’s Terms of Use, including the grant of rights in Section 10.