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  • 🏀 A cultural phenomenon | Sports Daily Newsletter

    🏀 A cultural phenomenon | Sports Daily Newsletter

    In the summer of 1993, Tom Austin, a Wharton grad, was in the process of creating a start-up with a fellow Penn alum, Seth Berger, and a friend, Jay Coen Gilbert.

    The company was going named “AND1,” and Austin wanted to take edgy slogans — the kind you’d hear in a local pickup basketball game — and print them on T-shirts. Six months later, the T-shirts became a cultural phenomenon.

    AND1 sold $1.6 million worth of apparel in its first year. Then came AND1’s mixtapes, which were video compilations of street ball moves, but because the first mixtape was shot at Rucker Park in Harlem, the company became known with New York basketball.

    Though, at its core, AND1 was a Philadelphia brand.

    Alex Coffey gives us a deep dive into how AND1 came to be, and even after the company was sold, its roots remain very much intact.

    — Isabella DiAmore, @phillysport, sports.daily@inquirer.com.

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    ❓What will it take for the Phillies to make the playoffs and go on a run? Email us back for a chance to be featured in the newsletter.

    Complete the sweep

    Alec Bohm, celebrates after hitting a three-run home run during the sixth inning against the Twins on Sunday.Bailey Hillesheim

    Things were looking bleak, then a funny thing happened on Sunday. The Phillies rallied from an early five-run deficit to pull ahead in the eighth inning of a 7-5 victory to complete a three-game, two-state sweep of the Twins.

    It marked the second-largest comeback of the season for the Phillies. They have now inched ahead of the Diamondbacks and back into sole possession of a wild card spot.

    And the infield did some shuffling on Sunday with Trea Turner out for the game. But Don Mattingly confirmed that their star shortstop avoided an injury after fouling a pitch off his leg. He could’ve started Sunday, but the interim manager didn’t want to push it.

    What we’re…

    👊 Reminiscing: The highlight moments from UFC 330 taking over Xfinity Mobile Arena — did you see who lost their teeth?

    👏 Celebrating: Before the Women’s Lacrosse League championship, Tina Sloan Green was honored for her legacy in the sport.

    🏌️ Reading: On a rainy Sunday, Jack Whaley, a 22-year-old rising senior at Florida State, won the U.S. Amateur Golf Championship.

    🏀 Learning: Dawn Staley doesn’t want to coach in the WNBA, she wants ownership. Philly has yet to extend the offer.

    Sean Mannion’s debut

    The Eagles played backups across the board on offense, and Sean Mannion’s scheme intentionally featured vanilla looks.David Maialetti / Staff Photographer

    The Eagles’ 24-7 loss to the Ravens on Saturday night didn’t reveal much, especially their new offensive scheme.

    It was difficult to identify Sean Mannion’s version of the Kyle Shanahan-Sean McVay system, let alone any functioning NFL offense, but Jeff McLane writes, that’s not surprising … or all that concerning as of now.

    In other news, Joshua Weru and Uar Bernard suited up for their first football game at any level. Neither player lit up the stat sheet, but they certainly showed glimpses of potential.

    And while there wasn’t a whole lot to take away from the Eagles’ first preseason game, it was enough to stir some movement in our latest 53-man roster projection.

    Past meets future

    Joe Girardi manages the West team in the All-American Classic on Sunday.David Maialetti / Staff Photographer

    The Perfect Game All-American Classic brought together 60 of the top high school baseball players in the country and former major leaguers at Citizens Bank Park on Sunday.

    Former Phillies manager Joe Girardi and former Phillies center fielder Shane Victorino coached Team West and East, respectively. With several other coaches involved in the event, Victorino said it’s a testament to the “Phillie way.”

    Offseason grades

    Were the Jamie Drysdale and Trevor Zegras contract extensions enough to give the Flyers passing offseason grades?Yong Kim / Staff Photographer

    It looked as if the Flyers were making the biggest splash of the NHL offseason by offer-sheeting Leo Carlsson, but ultimately, Carlsson is still an Anaheim Duck — and the Flyers still don’t have a young center on the roster.

    With training camp a month away, how do we assess the Flyers’ actual offseason moves? Here’s what those in the national media are saying about the 2026-27 version of the team.

    Marcus Hayes’ take

    Chris DiJulia’s funeral drew around 600 attendees.Ed Hille / For the Inquirer

    More than 600 people crowded into St. Denis Catholic Church in Haverford last Wednesday for an 80-minute celebration of 56 years of life well-lived.

    Chris DiJulia was a fixture at St. Joe’s basketball games. He had cerebral palsy and spent his life in a wheelchair. On July 27, he died of natural causes related to his condition. DiJulia was inspirational to all who knew him, and last Wednesday, he was the king of Philadelphia basketball, writes Marcus Hayes.

    We compiled today’s newsletter using reporting from Marcus Hayes, Alex Coffey, Scott Lauber, Jeff Neiburg, Jeff McLane, Olivia Reiner, Ryan Novozinsky, Ariel Simpson, Gabriela Carroll, Mia Messina, Lauren Jones, and Conor Smith.

    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.

    Happy Monday! Thanks for getting your morning started with me. We’ll be back in your inbox tomorrow. — Bella

  • Manayunk’s evolution | Morning Newsletter

    Welcome to Sunday. Showers and thunderstorms are likely throughout the day.

    Our main read examines a riverside neighborhood in Northwest Philly as it embarks on another new era.

    And a new tool has forged a faster path to fill the ranks of Philadelphia’s police force.

    Scroll along for these stories and more.

    — Paola Pérez (morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)

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    From Banana Republic to boutiques

    Manayunk has taken different shapes from its textile mill days in the 19th century to chain retailers in the 1990s. Today, you’ll find a collection of local upstarts scattered across its main corridor.

    More changes are coming, including:

    🏠 More housing. An apartment boom promises to add more than 1,800 residential units, though neighbors have concerns about traffic and parking.

    🛍️ New commerce. In the last two years, 12 new businesses have opened along Main Street, and others are on the way. Retailers have hopes that the ongoing residential development will be good for business.

    One thing is for certain: Manayunk’s future depends on neighborhood support.

    Olivia Prusky and Jake Blumgart report on what’s next for the community.

    Ranks on the rebound

    A software called Guardian is helping the Philadelphia Police Department expedite a hiring process that once took nearly a year. Now, it can be done in less than two months.

    The department has scrapped paper applications in exchange for the system. In turn, officials are beginning to see something of a reversal from yearslong staffing deficits, according to Capt. John Walker, who oversees the police academy’s recruiting efforts.

    Justin Biedinger, a former California officer who founded Guardian Alliance Technologies, said Philadelphia is one of its largest clients. He said the service quickens hiring timelines, and provides increased scrutiny of potential candidates.

    In his own words: “With Guardian, these applicants can’t lie.”

    Jesse Bunch has the story on the technology and its impact.

    What you should know today

    This week in history

    🎤 Here’s Tommy Rowan with a look back at the work of a local “Monuments Man.”

    Not all Philadelphians who answered President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s call to action were soldiers and civilians.

    There were also artists.

    Local legends like Walker Kirtland Hancock — who would become one of the United States’ most distinguished sculptors — headed for World War II’s battlefields to try and pry Europe’s cultural treasures from the grip of the Gestapo.

    Read on for the full story.

    ❓Pop quiz

    Eagles fans are freaking out after the team teased the return of a vintage white and kelly green helmet the Birds haven’t used in decades.

    In what year did the Eagles last wear the helmet?

    A) 1991

    B) 1983

    C) 1973

    D) 1965

    Think you know? Check your answer.

    What we’re …

    🏐 Intrigued by: The tradition of competitive Amish volleyball.

    ☀️ Basking in: The abundance of the Italian Market with cookbook shop owner Catie Gainor on her perfect day in Philly.

    🍗 Savoring: Chicken roulade at the Academy Grill in Fort Washington.

    🤩 Gawking at: The inside of the iconic “Mondrian” house in Queen Village, thanks to a rare antique sale.

    🌳 Considering: The pros and cons of new planters on South Broad Street.

    🧩 Unscramble the anagram

    Hint: A Delco kid is reeling with fame after catching a piranha in a lake in this borough

    DIRK REPLAY

    Email us if you know the answer. We’ll select a reader at random to shout out here.

    Cheers to Rick Brash and Jim Diamond, who were the only readers to correctly guess Saturday’s answer: Knight Foundation. 45 affordable apartments for artists on Broad Street will be partly funded by the philanthropic organization.

    Photo of the day

    A member of a U.S. Army honor guard carries an American flag as part of an interment ceremony for 15 military veterans whose remains were in the possession of the Delaware County Medical Examiner’s Office.Brett Sholtis / Staff

    🎶 Today’s song goes like this: “To get the good vibe, I need snow and sunshine.” Shoutout to Born at Midnite for making my week with their incredibly groovy set at Johnny Brenda’s.

    👋🏽 Thanks for starting your day with The Inquirer. Have a good one!

    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.

  • 🧀 Wit or witout authenticity | Morning Newsletter

    Good morning. It’s set to be a hot and sunny Saturday.

    Are some cheesesteaks really that much better? Inquirer staffers try to settle a beef over what makes one authentic.

    Plus, feds looked into a Philly lobbyist linked to Mayor Cherelle L. Parker, a sprawling King of Prussia data center complex was rejected, and we’ve got our report card for this week in Philly news.

    — Paola Pérez and Laura Benshoff (morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)

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    What you should know today

    • Federal investigators last summer subpoenaed records about William F. Dunbar Sr., a Philly lobbyist who was key to Mayor Parker’s 2023 campaign. None of the sources said they were aware of an investigation centered on Parker.
    • Three Philly men allegedly stole hundreds of federal government checks between 2024 and 2026, reselling them online. Federal prosecutors said their haul totaled $68 million.
    • Upper Merion Township’s Board of Supervisors unanimously rejected a data center campus proposal that had sparked a backlash from constituents.
    • A Main Line psychiatrist who lost her medical license following an investigation into a sexual relationship with a patient can keep working while she appeals that decision, a judge ruled.
    • Iemad Saifo, the owner of Zena’s American Mediterranean Cuisine in Collingswood, was released from ICE detention.
    • Kensington High School will temporarily close its building over asbestos concerns. Students and staff will move into the old Austin Meehan Middle School.
    • Aramark, one of the region’s major employers, struck a deal directly with Penn Medicine to provide more affordable healthcare to its workers.
    • From a Jersey Shore vacation that cost $10,000 to Philly sports taking over the holidays, catch up on the good, bad, and weird from recent stories out of Philly.

    The real cheesesteak beef

    A reader asked: 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?

    To help, we enlisted the palates of features columnist Stephanie Farr and programming editor Tommy Rowan.

    Farr admitted she took the local pizza shop route when her dad came to town, but now laments her decision. “Missteaks were made, obviously,” Farr said.

    Rowan, a cheesesteak connoisseur in his own right, described himself as picky. “If you are passionate about something you have rules,” he said.

    They also touched on an important ingredient that flavors the cheesesteak experience in Philly: the people you meet.

    Read their full discussion here. Need advice, or want to share your thoughts? We want to hear it. Email us here.

    One viewpoint

    In this week’s Shackamaxon, Inquirer columnist Daniel Pearson unpacks how data centers are shaping the election landscape.

    Gov. Josh Shapiro, for example, has shifted his stance from an early embrace of data centers. The issue is testing his high approval ratings in Pennsylvania.

    “Of course, there’s a certain opportunism to state Treasurer Stacy Garrity’s embrace of the techlash,” Pearson writes of Shapiro’s gubernatorial opponent.

    Hear Pearson’s perspective on how Shapiro is trying to thread the needle on data centers, as well as other happenings in Harrisburg and City Hall.

    ❓Pop quiz

    The Union’s new third jersey pays tribute to the entire Philadelphia professional sports landscape. What landmark is the jersey’s centerpiece?

    A) Commodore Barry Bridge

    B) Art Museum steps

    C) Center City skyline

    D) None of the above

    Think you know? Check your answer.

    🧩 Unscramble the anagram

    Hint: Philanthropic organization (two words)

    KIND HUNTING AFOOT

    Email us if you know the answer. We’ll select a reader at random to shout out here.

    Cheers to Deborah Solo who correctly guessed Friday’s answer: Dito van Reigersberg. Two new scholarships named for the beloved artist — who performed as Philly’s legendary drag queen Martha Graham Cracker — will support local artists in drag, cabaret, and theater.

    We were there

    Before the Phillies bested the Minnesota Twins in Dyersville, Iowa, this week, the players and their families had a chance to visit the set of the 1989 baseball classic Field of Dreams.

    Staff writer Lochlahn March and photographer Yong Kim traveled with the team and captured the Phillies soaking up some movie magic.

    Somewhere on the internet in Philly

    🧠 Another week, another brand-new Pillars to solve. Have you played our new game yet?

    🚲 Ariane Datil shows us the best spots to watch the Cycling Classic later this month.

    💍 The Foo Fighters rocked the Linc on Thursday night for three whole hours, and that doesn’t include the terrific openers. Someone on Reddit caught the moment a proposal happened in the crowd.

    👋🏽 Take care, and I’ll catch up with you again tomorrow.

    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.

  • Meet Soupy Island’s longtime caretaker | Inquirer South Jersey

    Good morning, South Jersey. It’s Friday! It looks like a mixed bag in the weather department this weekend. Saturday seems promising, but storms (potentially severe) are forecast for Sunday.

    Have you heard of Soupy Island? It’s a fun, quirky play spot for kids in West Deptford that is open only about one month a year. One man has been running it for nearly 30 years.

    Speaking of children, young athletes will participate next week in an international baseball tournament in Marlton.

    Plus, nearly 30 dead sharks washed ashore in Sea Isle City, and more news of the day.

    — Ellen Dunkel (southjersey@inquirer.com)

    P.S. Thank you for your continuing support. We want your thoughts! Tell us your opinion of the newsletter by taking our survey or replying to this email.

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

    A quirky hidden oasis for children

    Armando Roberto Perez, 70, is the caretaker for Soupy Island, a public pool and park in West Deptford. It is known for its century-old carousel, free soup, and the tall, enclosed slide guests glide down on wax paper, crashing into sand.

    Perez, fondly called Mr. Soupy, has been running Soupy Island for 28 years. It’s a family calling. His father-in-law was the previous caretaker and his grandfather-in-law before that.

    Part of Soupy Island’s appeal is that it’s open only about one month a year, three days a week from July to mid-August. Admission is free. Not surprisingly, soup is on the menu.

    Inquirer reporter Sarah Nicell explored Soupy Island with Perez.

    Very young international athletes

    International competition doesn’t usually involve 8-year-olds, most of whom are prepping for second or third grade.

    But next week, young athletes will be playing in an international youth baseball tournament in Marlton.

    The field in the 2026 Cal Ripken 8U World Series will include 11 U.S. teams as well as teams from Mexico, Curaçao, Bonaire, and Latin America.

    Inquirer reporter Becca O’Reilly has the details.

    What to know today

    🧠 Trivia time

    Where is Michelin headed for its 2026 award ceremony?

    Hint: Sorry to say, but it’s not near us

    A) Chicago

    B) New York City

    C) Baltimore

    D) Los Angeles

    Think you know? Check your answer.

    What we’re …

    🏠 Touring: The Underground Railroad Museum of Burlington County.

    🛍️ Shopping for: Unique decor at Clutter Vintage in Collingswood.

    🏺 Exploring: Cafes and cozy inns in Lambertville and Stockton.

    🏖️ Down the Shore

    This “Ask Down the Shore” feature appears as part of our weekly summertime series from Shore reporter Amy S. Rosenberg. Subscribe to her free Down the Shore newsletter here.

    A reader asked what effect all the teardowns of smaller cottages were having on the Shore. We asked our Shore Line texters. Here’s a sampling of the replies, lightly edited.

    1. The classic old shore homes are disappearing. It is sad. Most of the new homes look alike. We should try to protect the old charm. It can’t be replicated.
    2. The shore is already overbuilt and has been for years. Adding ginormous sized houses only depletes the natural resources that make the shore unique. When my family drove to the shore when I was a kid in the ’60s you could smell the sea air before you could see anything that looked like the shore on the Expressway. I remember that smell fondly (mostly) and miss it greatly. I can’t pinpoint when it stopped. It gradually decreased in the ’90s and now it no longer exists.
    3. It is unrealistic to expect people not to tear down older homes. Yes there will be more traffic but maybe that will be self limiting.

    What do you think? Do you like the look of the old homes? Do you prefer the newer houses? Is it realistic to ask homeowners to update older homes? Be part of conversation and email Rosenberg at downtheshore@inquirer.com.

    📸 Photo of the week

    Teacher Grey Hamilton (on his back) instructs students in the Cooper River Yacht Club’s summer Learn-to-Sail program on the Cooper River in Collingswood. Tom Gralish / Staff Photographer

    Enjoy your weekend!

    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.

  • 🚲 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.

  • 🏭 Steam workers may strike | Morning Newsletter

    Happy Friday, Philly. It’s looking like a mostly sunny day with a high around 88.

    Two Liberty Place, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, and hundreds of other buildings rely on Vicinity Energy’s steam plants for heat, air-conditioning, and chilled water. Its workers are bargaining for better pay and safer facilities — and they’re prepared to walk off the job.

    And if you’ve ever wondered what a black hole sounds like, a Villanova professor enlisted the help of a composer to make that a reality.

    Plus, Pennsylvania won’t change its childhood vaccine guidelines, despite President Donald Trump’s latest executive order, and more news of the day.

    — Paola Pérez and Laura Benshoff (morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)

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

    ‘We’re not asking for extraordinary things’

    Philadelphia’s steam system was originally built by Peco at the start of the 20th century. Run by Vicinity Energy today, its employees manage some 41 miles of underground pipe infrastructure and services 400 buildings in the city.

    Those workers, represented by IBEW Local 614, could launch a strike if they do not reach a deal as they negotiate a new contract with the company. They voted to authorize a strike on Saturday if the union calls for it.

    Among their asks, workers want:

    💰 More money. That includes raises on “substandard” wages, better short-term disability pay, and adequate compensation for time spent training new hires.

    ⚠️ Workplace safety. Some plants are in need of repair, leading to unsafe conditions, such as asbestos and standing water in work areas.

    Ariana Perez-Castells reports on what a day on the job looks like for Philly’s steam workers, as well as allegations of threats to “discharge” employees who strike.

    The sound of space

    Most of space is empty and “deathly silent,” said Villanova physics professor Becka Phillipson. So Phillipson, who researches black holes, gave herself an astronomical challenge: translating these remote cosmic objects into sound.

    That took some creative license. While black holes are invisible, the environment around them brightens or dims depending on the material interacting with them.

    Phillipson decided that brighter light near a black hole would equal a higher pitch, and in that way turned data she was collecting into sounds.

    Composer LJ White then layered those sounds with singing, percussion, and recordings of Phillipson talking about black holes. The resulting 13-minute piece debuted during a sold out concert at the Chestnut Hill Skyspace last weekend.

    But you can still hear it, and learn more about the process of turning distant celestial bodies into music, by reading on.

    What you should know today

    • Philadelphia health officials said earlier this week that the city has seen 22 confirmed cases of cyclosporiasis. Across the state, cases are even higher.
    • Gov. Josh Shapiro said the state will not follow President Trump’s executive order reducing the number of recommended childhood vaccinations.
    • Gunfire directed toward a couple in North Philly, killing 61-year-old Michelle Wilson, may have been retaliation for an earlier killing involving their son, according to law enforcement sources.
    • An effort using cameras to police loading zones in Center City is working, according to PPA officials. So they’re doubling down.
    • Immigration courts in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware are ordering people to leave the country in droves. The number of removal and voluntary deportation orders from the three states has topped 46,000 since January 2025.
    • A “historic” El Niño developing in the Pacific Ocean could mean a gentler Atlantic hurricane season, and maybe less risk of flooding in Philadelphia.

    Plus: What’s next for the Rizzo statue?

    Welcome back to Curious Philly Friday. We’ll feature both new and timeless stories from our forum for readers to ask about the city’s quirks.

    This week, we have an explainer from Michelle Myers on the future of the 10-foot bronze statue of Frank Rizzo, the former mayor and police commissioner.

    The monument of Rizzo, who died 35 years ago, was removed from public display following civil rights protests in 2020. Reader JJ Cutuli wanted to know: “Where is the Frank Rizzo statue, right now?”

    In short, it has undergone expensive repairs, and now it’s looking for a new home. Here’s what Myers discovered.

    Have your own burning question about Philadelphia, its local oddities, or how the region works? Submit it here and you might find the answer featured in this space.

    🧠 Trivia time

    Philadelphia is the latest locale for vigilante Jack Reacher’s shadowy dealings in season four of Reacher, streaming now on Amazon Video. What location has NOT been spotted in a season four episode?

    A) Pat’s King of Steaks

    B) City Hall

    C) Parc

    D) LOVE Park

    Think you know? Test your local news know-how and check your answer in our weekly quiz.

    What we’re …

    🗓️ Tracking: A timeline of the police investigation into Eugene Horsch and missing women in Olney.

    ⚾ Rooting for: This Philly-area Little League team is just one win away from stamping its ticket to Williamsport.

    🪕 Attending: Philly Folk Festival, Foo Fighters, a free Snacktime show, and more concerts this week.

    🥊 Prepping you for: UFC 330 in Philly this weekend. Get the match schedule, hometown competitors, and more.

    ☕ Sipping: Coffee from a new Yemeni- and Saudi-inspired cafe in Willow Grove.

    🧩 Unscramble the anagram

    Hint: The beloved artist _ a.k.a. Martha Graham Cracker

    REGARDING OVERBITES

    Email us if you know the answer. We’ll select a reader at random to shout out here.

    Cheers to Bobbi Harris, who solved Thursday’s anagram: Ross Tucker. He’s jumping to the No. 2 booth at CBS alongside veteran play-by-play voice Ian Eagle. The big promotion stems from Tony Romo’s arrest.

    Here’s what one reader said about the situation:

    As a longtime Eagles fan, I would not miss Tony Romo at all, if he’s out of the broadcast booth that long. It’s funny, but Romo, just like Dak Prescott today, is the “greatest quarterback who never won anything.” Ten seasons (I believe) with the “elite” Dallas Cowboys and he won all of two playoff games. But he was able to leverage that into being one of the highest paid football announcers working today. (Or not working…)

    Photo of the day

    Natalia Mejia (left) and Lili Daliessio (right) hug during a vigil for the people of Colombia at Philadelphia’s City Hall.Elizabeth Robertson / Staff Photographer

    A powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake devastated Colombia earlier this week. Community nonprofit Acción Colombia will be holding multiple events Saturday and Sunday in and around Philly to collect donations.

    👋 Thanks, as always, for reading. Have a wonderful weekend when you get 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.

  • 📍Weekend sports guide | Sports Daily Newsletter

    📍Weekend sports guide | Sports Daily Newsletter

    Three of Philadelphia’s five professional sport teams are not in season yet, but there’s still plenty of sports action happening around the area this weekend.

    First, let’s talk about UFC 330. On Saturday night, Xfinity Mobile Arena will host the city’s first numbered event since 2011. The 12-fight slate includes two title bouts, with the main event featuring Russia’s Islam Makhachev and Irish challenger Ian Machado Garry in the men’s welterweight championship.

    Ariel Simpson tells us more about those fighters, plus other names to know. The main card begins at 8 p.m., you’ll need a Paramount+ account to watch from home.

    Earlier that day, the inaugural Women’s Lacrosse League championship is in town at Subaru Park (2 p.m., ESPN). Becca O’Reilly chatted with Rachael DeCecco, a Delco native who is the senior vice president of the Premier Lacrosse League and WLL, about paving the way for more opportunities in the sport.

    And it’s that time of the year again. The Little League World Series starts next Wednesday. If this team from West Chester wins on Friday, they’ll advance to Williamsport.

    Oh! The Eagles preseason opener is also Saturday night in Baltimore — after Thursday’s heated fight in training camp, the Birds could use some time playing a different team.

    — Isabella DiAmore, @phillysport, sports.daily@inquirer.com.

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    Competing for a spot

    Rookie tackle Markel Bell has had an impressive training camp so far. How will he look in his first game action on Saturday night?Jose F. Moreno / Staff Photographer

    Preseason games are generally meaningless from the standpoint that they don’t count toward a team’s regular-season record, but when the Eagles face the Ravens on Saturday, some players will be fighting to make the initial 53-man roster or the practice squad. Here’s 12 who will have the most on the line.

    And Andrew Mukuba is ready to move on after a fractured fibula ruined his rookie season. His resurgence would be crucial to the Eagles finding success in the safety room.

    What we’re …

    🏀 Learning: Archbishop Wood’s Caleb Lundy is staying home to play basketball at Drexel. He’s the Dragons’ first verbal pledge in the 2027 class.

    👕 Donning: The Union unveiled a third new kit, which pays tribute to the rest of Philly’s sports scene. They’ll debut it next Wednesday.

    🏈 Watching: Eagles fans are freaking out after the team posted a video with a helmet they haven’t worn since 1973.

    📖 Reading: While ‘Shoeless’ Joe Jackson is known for ‘Field of Dreams’ and the Black Sox, his career started in Philly.

    Breaking out of their rut

    Phillies and Twins players walk on to the field from the cornfield before the start of the Field of Dreams game on Thursday in Dyersville, Iowa.Yong Kim / Staff Photographer

    Long before he was a major league manager, Don Mattingly was a kid playing baseball in Indiana.

    One of the ballparks he played in with his brothers, growing up in Evansville, was down a dirt road surrounded by cornfields. And he couldn’t help but be reminded of it as the Phillies filed off their bus Thursday afternoon in Dyersville, Iowa, at the site of their Field of Dreams game.

    The team explored Field of Dreams site like fans pregame, and even played a game of catch with their families.

    “Just kind of seeing the house and making sure when I crossed over the chalk line, I didn’t turn into a normal human being,” Bryce Harper said pregame. “Seeing just all of it. Just really cool to be able to be part of it, and be here, and enjoy it.”

    An excursion to Iowa seemed to be the cure for the Phillies’ recent woes as they delivered a much-needed 7-1 win against the Twins, led by two homers from Kyle Schwarber.

    Schedule observations

    VJ Edgecombe (left), Jaylen Brown and the Sixers will visit Boston on Jan. 21.Monica Herndon / Staff Photographer

    The NBA schedule dropped Thursday, and there are several marquee games to look out for this season. The Sixers are viewed as preseason championship contenders, thanks to the addition of LeBron James and Jaylen Brown.

    The pair will come across their former teams during the season. The Sixers will go to Boston on Jan. 21, and they’ll travel to Cleveland on Nov. 6 and March 1, and Miami on Jan. 30 and April 8.

    Gina Mizell further details the highlights from the remaining slate of games.

    Mike Sielski’s take

    The hazing incident at Cheltenham High School and alleged assaults at Cheltenham Elementary School are not two crises on distinct, parallel tracks. They are linked.Tom Gralish / Staff Photographer

    One parent after another stepped to a lectern at a Cheltenham school board meeting Tuesday night, each of them bemoaning the district’s handling of either the recent hazing incident within the high school’s football program or a string of student-on-student assaults at Cheltenham Elementary.

    In youth and high school athletics, certain patterns, even the worst kind, tend to repeat themselves, especially without proper oversight from the adults who are supposed to be in charge, writes columnist Mike Sielski.

    What you’re saying about favorite sports movie

    We asked: What is your favorite sports movie? Among your responses:

    Without a doubt “The Natural.” Followed by: “Hoosiers,” “Bad News Bears,” “Fear Strikes Out,” and “Rocky.” — Bob A.

    Field of Dreams with James Earl Jones and Kevin Costner is hard to beat, but when you asked this question previously my daughter Lisa reminded me to not forget the classic Brian’s Song, the story of the cancer stricken Chicago Bear’s player Brian Piccolo and his devoted super star friend Gale Sayers. This is the movie that Howard Cosell said allowed men to know it was ok to cry. — Everett S.

    My favorite sports movie was about Shoeless Joe and the Black Sox, “Eight Men Out”. It didn’t excuse their actions but showed how the mostly uneducated players were treated and underpaid was one of the reasons they gave in to gamblers. A close second would be “The Natural”. The ending was a little silly but uplifting just the same – a very entertaining movie. — Tom E.

    It has to be “The Natural”. I get chills when I remember Roy Hobbs saying something like “When I walk down the street I want people to say There goes Roy Hobbs – The best there ever was in the game.” Somebody did a youtube post using Randy Newman’s musical theme with Matt Stairs 2008 bomb at Dodger Stadium. If you don’t get chills watching that you’re dead! — Jerry Miller

    We compiled today’s newsletter using reporting from Mike Sielski, Matt Breen, Scott Lauber, Olivia Reiner, Jeff Neiburg, Jeff McLane, Lochlahn March, Gina Mizell, Ariel Simpson, Conor Smith, Becca O’Reilly, Owen Hewitt, and Jonathan Tannenwald.

    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.

    Thanks for closing out the week with me. Have a wonderful weekend, and I’ll be back in your inbox on Monday. — Bella

  • 🪕 Tune into Philly Folk Fest | Things to do

    🪕 Tune into Philly Folk Fest | Things to do

    This weekend is serving up some of the best of late summer in our beloved city.

    Settle into a laid-back evening at the Philadelphia Folk Festival, sample regional flavors at the Ice Cream Festival on Filbert, or embrace the brine with pickle-flavored cocktails at Pickle Palooza.

    And that’s only a taste of what’s in store this weekend.

    While I’m away at the 2026 National Association of Black Journalists Convention in Atlanta, you’ll attend some of the summer’s best music, food, and cultural festivals.

    Here are some of the best things you could be doing this week:

    — Earl Hopkins (@earlhopkins_, Email me at thingstodo@inquirer.com)

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

    Tune in to the return of the Philly Folk Festival

    Sam Gellerstein of Philly band Snacktime backstage at the Newport Folk Festival in 2025 with Glen Hansard.Danny Clinch

    The 63rd iteration of the Philadelphia Folk Festival returns this weekend at the Old Pool Farm.

    This year’s lineup kicks off with three Philly bands with roots in the rock and roll spirit: Ben Arnold & the 48 Hour Orchestra, Roberta Faceplant, and Lazy Villains will be the campers-only openers on Thursday night.

    On Friday, the Folk Fest will be an all-day event, with highlights that include bluesy guitarist Eddie 9V, bluegrass trio Damn Tall Buildings, country-folk duo Kieran Kane and Reyna Gellart, and more.

    Saturday standouts include festival regular Tom Rush, Celtic roots group Runa, Terrance Simien & the Zydeco Experience, and John Flynn, who will also serve as main stage emcee throughout the fest.

    To close out the fest, Sacred Steel with the Campbell Brothers will open in the morning. The Campbells will be on the Martin Stage later in the day, as well as York, Pa.-native Robbie Fulks and Gauthier. The final stage act is Kentucky mandolin and fiddler player Sam Bush.

    Check out the full lineup and purchase tickets here.

    The best things to do this week

    FILE – Charlie Woods hits onto the 17th green during the first round of stroke play of the U.S. Junior Amateur Golf Championship, in Bloomfield Township, Mich., July 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio, File)Carlos Osorio

    ⛳ Big swings in Ardmore: The 126th United States Amateur Championship is back at Merion Golf Club for the first time since 2005. The weeklong event features top-end male amateur golfers, including locals such as Nicholas Gross, Hunter Stetson, and Hank Kancher. Grab your tickets to see the competition take its course.

    🎨 Celebrate Dominican arts and culture: Check out From Page To Screen at Esperanza Arts Center. The event is part of a three-part series that celebrates authors and filmmakers from the Dominican Republic. The evening will feature film screenings, artist conversations, local vendors, Merengue music, and dance lessons.

    🍨 A scoop of local sweets: The annual Ice Cream Festival on Filbert is back at Reading Terminal Market. Participating ice creameries include regional favorites such as Milk Jawn, The Franklin Fountain, Scoop DeVille, Siddiq’s Water Ice, and others.

    🥒 Relish in pickle heaven: Pull up to the Pickle Palooza at Neshaminy Creek Brewing. It’s kind of a big dill. (I couldn’t resist). Local vendors will be on-site selling pickles, and bartenders will be mixing dill-flavored cocktails.

    📅 My calendar picks this week: Deviled Eggs & Rosé, Festival of India, and Philadelphia Taco Festival. Here’s our full list for the week.

    Oddities & Curiosities Expo is coming to Montgomery County

    There’s no room for “normal” at the Oddities & Curiosities Expo.

    Starting Saturday, one of the world’s largest showcases of oddities is coming to Montgomery County.

    The touring expo will set up shop at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center. There will be a selection of artists and vendors selling clothes, taxidermy, and other items that lean into the bizarre.

    There will also be sideshow performers outside of the venue throughout the two-day event.

    Grab your tickets and embrace all things weird.

    Summer fun this week and beyond

    🎷 Funk and jazz in North Philly: The Jazz on the Ave Music Fest, hosted by radio legends Patty Jackson, Dyana Williams, and Mina Say What, returns for an evening of soothing performances by headliners Vertical Current, Kyng Musik, and Jessie Renee.

    🥩 Luck up at Live! Casino: Restaurant Week returns to Live! Casino & Hotel through Aug. 20. Stop in for sizzling, seven-ounce steaks at The Prim Rib, Jet Tila’s pad thai at Luk Fu, and special dine-and-drink deals at the casino’s bars and lounges.

    🍿 Grab your popcorn: Free Street Movies, presented by Scribe Video Center, is back with a touring outdoor theater experience for movie lovers throughout Philadelphia. The 29th edition of the film series is offering free, family-friendly screenings through Aug. 30.

    🎨 The creatives behind Philly street art: Dig deep into the stories of legendary graffiti writers and street artists such as Darryl “Cornbread” McCray at Platform X in Suburban Station. The new art exhibit, “Evolution of the Revolution,” opens on Friday and runs through September.

    Staffer picks

    Foo Fighters play Lincoln Financial Field on Aug. 13.Courtesy of the Artist

    Here’s pop music critic Dan DeLuca’s list of the best concerts this weekend.

    Thursday: The Foo Fighters, smack in the middle of their yearlong “Take Cover” tour, is dropping into South Philly on Thursday. The Dave Grohl-led band will step onto Lincoln Financial Field with Queens of the Stone Age and Philadelphia’s own Mannequin Pussy.

    Friday: Jazz trio Trash Gadget, comprised of Philly pianist and bandleader Orrin Evans, bassist Matthew Parrish, and drummer Byron Landham, are celebrating their new album and 30 years of collaboration with two shows at Chris’ Jazz Cafe.

    Saturday: Louisville rapper Jack Harlow, who shifted from straight-up hip-hop to neo-soul on his latest album, Monica, will hit the Fillmore Philly stage on Saturday.

    Sunday: Miami’s own Flo Rida, who scored several party anthems in the late 2000s, is bringing the South Florida heat to Citizens Bank Park. He performs after the Phillies play the Miami Marlins.

    Check out Dan’s full concert list here.

    ❓Pop quiz

    The Philadelphia Folk Festival is one of the nation’s longest-running folk music festivals in the country. What year did it start?

    A) 1962

    B) 1964

    C) 1967

    D) 1961

    Here’s the answer to last week’s question: Before filmmaker Maori Karmael Holmes founded BlackStar Film Festival, what other festival did she help develop in Philly? Answer: Black Lily Film & Music Festival

    Ask Earl anything

    Many of you have questions about each week’s listings, and others about Philly’s arts, culture, and entertainment scene.

    I have you covered. Have a question? Email me for a chance to have it answered in an upcoming newsletter.

    That’s a wrap for this week’s edition of Things To Do. I may be signing out from Atlanta, but you know my heart and mind are forever home in Philly, baby. Enjoy the weekend ahead, and I’ll be back soon to hear about it. Peace!

    — Earl Hopkins

    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.

    Heading to the Jersey Shore.GIPHY
  • 🤳 Influenced at the beach | Down the Shore

    🤳 Influenced at the beach | Down the Shore

    The algorithm has been working overtime down the Shore, with influencers riding those waves of attention.

    There was Philly mom influencer Cait Vogel, whose video of herself walking to the beach in Sea Isle complaining about her $10,000 rental — where she still had to bring sheets, toilet paper, and her own coffee — went viral on TikTok and landed her in the New York Post (while still on vacation with her parents, she noted in a later post). She also lamented that despite her usually carefully curated posts, the one that went viral featured her in an oversized faux-bikini T-shirt.

    “Basically, we’re paying $10,000 to camp,” she said to what grew to more than 600,000 views. The post sparked debate on Jersey Shore rental prices and comparison vacations. (See our annual take on that discussion here.)

    Besides Vogel, this summer’s breakout influencers included Indy Atlantic City, who chronicles life on the Atlantic City Boardwalk, with regular updates on A.C. Batman. There’s Destiny Benway, whose amusing day in the life of a Jersey Shore lifeguard features an awkward, blurred-out interview with her beach patrol standmate, also her ex.

    And working hard with videos of himself standing in a clear and sparkling ocean in Lavallette is Jersey Shore Marcus.

    Consider me influenced; be right back after a dip in the ocean.

    Meanwhile, there’s a luau update. Last week, we talked about the Deauville Inn canceling its annual luau because of a complaint by a neighbor. The Deauville, which dates to 1881 but has been under new ownership since 2019, characterized it as a “premature noise complaint.”

    However, Upper Township’s administrator, James Van Zlike, tells me the township planning board limited the Inn in 2021 to six outdoor live musical events a year, and those are restricted to Memorial Day, Fourth of July, and Labor Day weekends. So the luau, as advertised, would have potentially been in violation of that resolution.

    Van Zlike says there was a complaint made to the township, but that the Inn canceled last week’s event on its own. Neighbors, meanwhile, are furious about the Deauville’s widely shared Facebook post, which they say unfairly puts the spotlight on them, not the Deauville. (The Deauville’s promise to give refunds and “Karen Krush” drinks to ticket holders also didn’t help.)

    📮 With time running out on Summer 2026 (but not until Sept. 7, practically Halloween), we’re pivoting from complaints and looking for solutions. What are some of the ways you would fix the Shore? Be specific! Let me know by replying to this email and I’ll include your most interesting responses in a future newsletter and possibly an Inquirer story.

    Have ideas or news tips about the Shore or this newsletter? Send them to me here.

    🌊 Forecasters like NorEaster Nick were side-eyeing Tropical Storm Cristobal way out in the central subtropical Atlantic.

    — Amy S. Rosenberg (Follow me @amysrosenberg, on Instagram at @amysrosenberg. 📧 Email me here.)

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

    Join The Shore Line, our text message group, where you can message us and we’ll message you back.

    Shore talk

    🐟 A dearth of Atlantic menhaden may be behind a decline in osprey offspring and some osprey deaths.

    🏖️ Strathmere residents told council they oppose the proposed $10 beach tags. “We are not an elitist community.”

    🦋 Planting native species is gaining popularity. Terri Akman explains how Jersey Shore gardeners do it.

    🚰 Cape May, Woodbine water systems were targeted in a cyber attack.

    🎡 Ocean City community groups have filed suit challenging the designation of the old Wonderland Pier as an area in need of rehabilitation.

    🏀 New York Knicks star and Philly native Mikal Bridges is fighting with Avalon’s floodplain manager over whether he can store gym equipment in his Shore house garage.

    💸 Bart Blatstein’s Showboat Hotel is under threat of foreclosure after a lender sued to recoup $13.4 million in debt.

    📈 The African American Heritage Museum of Southern New Jersey received a $100,000 donation from the Mack family to hire an executive director and move into a larger space in the Tanger Outlets in Atlantic City.

    What to eat/What to do

    🍔 Michael Solomonov of Zahav and Federal Donuts fame got maybe a bit carried away by his cheeseburger and called the Margate Burger Bar “the best restaurant in America.” (The veggie burger is great, too.)

    🍦 Richman’s Ice Cream is throwing a block party Saturday in Brigantine. Mojoz Gummicone, the first cone designed for water ice, will be there.

    🛟 The South Jersey Lifeguard Championships are Friday in Avalon, featuring the debut of the newly renamed Murray Wolf Singles Row in memory of the legendary Beach Patrol chief.

    🎸 Phish is returning to Atlantic City this fall.

    🎹 Atlantic City’s events this weekend feature a lot of musical nostalgia, including the Marshall Tucker Band at Borgata; Howard Jones, Wang Chung, the English Beat, and Modern English, also at Borgata; Widespread Panic at Hard Rock; and the Stray Cats at Ovation Hall. Melvin Seals, who played organ in the Jerry Garcia Band, will be at Tropicana.

    Shore snapshot

    David Kyle, vice president of Custom Mobile Food Equipment, in Hammonton, N.J., stands near one of his completed food carts on July 21. Douglass Creamery is a well-known candy company in Wildwood.Vernon Ogrodnek / For The Inquirer

    🧠 Trivia time

    I stumped everyone last week with the shower question. The current price for a shower at Daytrippers in North Wildwood is $7 for an adult, $3 for kids (up from $5 a few years ago).

    This week’s question: Avalon used to round up underaged drinkers in a white school bus until a judge ordered them not to. Was the bus nicknamed:

    A. The Magic Bus

    B. The Teen Tram

    C. The Sober Van

    D. The Call Your Parents Express

    If you think you know the answer, email me here. If you ever rode on this vehicle, also email me. First one gets a shout-out in next week’s newsletter.

    Ask Down the Shore

    A reader asked what effect all the teardowns of smaller cottages were having on the Shore. We asked our Shore Line texters. Here’s a sampling of the replies, lightly edited.

    • The classic old shore homes are disappearing. It is sad. Most of the new homes look alike. We should try to protect the old charm. It can’t be replicated.
    • The shore is already overbuilt and has been for years. Adding ginormous sized houses only depletes the natural resources that make the shore unique. When my family drove to the shore when I was a kid in the ’60s you could smell the sea air before you could see anything that looked like the shore on the Expressway. I remember that smell fondly (mostly) and miss it greatly. I can’t pinpoint when it stopped. It gradually decreased in the ’90s and now it no longer exists.
    • It is unrealistic to expect people not to tear down older homes. Yes there will be more traffic but maybe that will be self limiting.

    Your Shore memory

    Cathy Phillips sent us this memory awhile back. It’s just lovely, and sorry it took so long to publish it, Cathy!

    I now live near Oak Island beach in N.C. but I was practically born on the beach in North Wildwood 77 years ago. Family lore has it that I picked up a sand crab and tried to stuff it in my mouth at about nine months old. My mom struggled with seven kids living in Kensington but got us to the shore as much as she could. I have a cherished photo of her with her Mom when she was about 10 years old, circa 1920, taken around 17th Street. Her mom is in an old fashioned bathing costume. We rented old rooming houses all over when I was a kid. We’re heading to the shore now in advance of a family wedding. Love reading the stories of others both old memories and new.

    Thank you Cathy! Send us your Shore memory! In 200 words, tell us how the Shore taps into something deep for you, and we will publish them in this space during the summer.

    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.

  • A big upgrade for Big J | Inquirer South Jersey

    Good morning, South Jersey. I’m with you for a few days from my little corner of our region. I’ve been a New Jersey resident almost all my life, and I can’t help but notice that even critics of our state like to visit our Shore towns. 🤷‍♀️

    In Camden, Battleship New Jersey will be getting a two-year, $24.25 million upgrade. Some will be on the vessel itself, while other work will improve the visitor’s experience.

    And New Jersey — along with Pennsylvania and Delaware — had more deportation orders issued in June than in any other month since 1997.

    Plus, food insecurity is way up in New Jersey, and more news of the day.

    — Ellen Dunkel (southjersey@inquirer.com)

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

    New-look battleship

    Battleship New Jersey is about to get another facelift, this one costing $24.25 million and involving work on and off the ship.

    The project could take about two years to complete and will make it more visitor friendly, with an expanded visitor center, double the parking, and a new event space.

    Big J, as it is known, is nearly 2½ football fields long. The World War II-era ship returned to the Camden waterfront in June 2024 after being dry-docked in Philadelphia for 78 days. At that time, it got a paint job for the first time in three decades, as well as multimillion-dollar routine maintenance and repairs.

    The Inquirer’s Sarah Nicell has more details.

    Record deportations from New Jersey

    Immigration courts in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware are ordering people removed from the country in numbers not seen since at least 1997.

    In New Jersey’s courts, orders of removal or voluntary departure rose 47%, from 2,348 in May to 3,446 in June. (At the Philadelphia immigration court — which hears cases for most Pennsylvania and Delaware residents — orders rose 71%, from 1,230 in May to 2,105 in June.)

    The figures are the highest since at least late 1997.

    More than 46,000 removal and voluntary deportation orders have been issued in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware since President Donald Trump’s return to office, slightly more than the total issued over former President Joe Biden’s entire term.

    Inquirer reporter Joe Yerardi has the story.

    What to know today

    • Food insecurity in N.J. has nearly doubled over four years, New Jersey Monitor reports.
    • A New Jersey resident won $500,000 in a Powerball Double Play drawing, the Courier Post reports. The person’s name and location have not yet been released.
    • This North Wildwood cottage was too small for a big family. The owner rebuilt it from scratch with the home’s history in mind.
    • The owner of Chicken or the Egg in Marlton and Beach Haven and LaScala’s Fire in Marlton and other locations has bought a Bucks County restaurant to add to his LaScala’s Fire collection. He also plans to expand the concept in Jersey.
    • A Voorhees seafood restaurant is closing after 35 years, NJ.com reports.

    🗓️ The best things to do this week

    🌭 The Glizzy Gauntlet: The hot dog eating competition is back for its third year at the board game café pdk. NINE. The contest will test both speed and endurance as contestants compete in multiple rounds to claim the title of the Glizzy Gladiator. ⏰ Saturday, Aug. 15, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.💵 Free for spectators, $20 for participants 📍 pdk. NINE, Mount Laurel.

    🎨 Collingswood Crafts & Fine Art Festival: The annual festival is back for its 20th year. The two-day event highlights the work of more than 190 artists mostly from across the tristate area. There will also be live music, various dining options, and family craft activities. ⏰ Saturday, Aug. 15, and Sunday, Aug. 16, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. 💵 Pay as you go 📍Haddon Avenue, Downtown Collingswood.

    🎉 Dominican Restoration Day Parade and Concert: Celebrate Dominican culture with a parade that kicks off at noon at Market and Fifth Streets with floats, music, and community pride. At 3 p.m., the party shifts to Wiggins Waterfront Park for live music, cultural performances, and various vendors. ⏰ Saturday, Aug. 15, and Sunday, Aug. 16, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. 💵 Pay as you go 📍Wiggins Park, Camden.

    See more event listings here.

    🧠 Trivia time

    Swedesboro was established in what year?

    A) 1638

    B) 1738

    C) 1842

    D) 2005

    Think you know? Check your answer.

    What we’re …

    🪐 Anticipating: The forthcoming world premiere exhibit, Star Wars: The Experience, coming to the Franklin Institute.

    🎶 Considering: An appreciation for country music.

    🏀 Hunting for: Tickets for the Sixers’ season opener.

    Enjoy your Thursday!

    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.