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  • Going native at the Shore | Real Estate Newsletter

    Going native at the Shore | Real Estate Newsletter

    Large groups of butterflies freak me out. I learned that the hard way as a kid during a nectar feeding incident on a field trip to the Philadelphia Zoo.

    So I personally wouldn’t want to attract the insects en masse to my home. But I know how important pollinators are and applaud homeowners who do their part to help them thrive.

    Planting native species can go a long way. At the Jersey Shore, gardeners are ditching manicured lawns and joining the growing trend that benefits the environment and wildlife.

    Read on to find out more.

    Keep scrolling for that story and more in this week’s edition:

    — Michaelle Bond

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    Ditching manicured lawns

    Virginia Rettig has about 200 varieties of native plants on her Cape May property. And she runs a business that helps other Shore residents go native, too.

    She said she’s found plenty of clients who are down for the cause.

    Why plant native species? These types of plants provide habitats and food for birds and other wildlife.

    Notable quote: “There has been a lot of focus for too many years on instant gratification — pretty things that are forced to be in bloom well before nature intends,” said Pat Sutton, a working naturalist. “The focus on native plants is a focus on making sure wildlife can persist.”

    Sutton says her tiny yard feels like a wilderness. She’s recorded hundreds of species of birds, butterflies, and other pollinators.

    In some places, areas that used to be covered in native vegetation have been cleared for development. In one Shore community, residents have come together to make native plantings a priority.

    Keep reading to learn about the Jersey Shore’s native plant varieties and the gardeners who love them.

    📮Do you have a native garden? I want to see it.

    Philly region = millennial homebuying hot spot

    Making the leap from renting to owning a home hasn’t been easy for millennials.

    In prime homebuying years, folks born between 1981 and 1996 have been challenged by low housing supply, skyrocketing home prices, high inflation, expensive financing, and student loans.

    But millennials are buying properties. And the Philadelphia area has been a homebuying hot spot for the country’s largest generation.

    Millennial homeownership in the Philly region almost doubled over five years. That growth outpaced increases in every other major Northeastern metro and the country as a whole.

    Our area has a lot going for it, and a combination of features make us stand out.

    Keep reading to learn why millennial homeownership has grown so much in the Philadelphia area and how we compare to other regions.

    The latest news to pay attention to

    Home tour: North Wildwood family retreat

    Dolly Kelly initially lost out on buying her favorite house in North Wildwood. But the owner’s deal with the buyer who outbid her fell through. A few months later, Kelly moved in to the cottage.

    But it actually wasn’t her dream home. Kelly has a big, close-knit family, and she wanted her house to be a gathering place for everybody.

    She wasn’t able to add on to the century-old, 675-square-foot house. So she knocked it down and spent a year and a half building her 2,400-square-foot home. Her nephew helped her design it.

    The new house includes a covered carport, open-concept living area, and primary bathroom that feels like a spa. There’s a heated pool in the backyard.

    Peek inside Kelly’s home and her family’s retreat.

    📊 The market

    Across the region, we’re seeing a trend play out that makes sense. As home prices and mortgage rates continue to rise, the folks who can most afford to buy homes are the ones driving sales.

    In the Philadelphia metro area, the high end of the market is outperforming the market overall.

    In July, the number of homes for sale was up from last year, but the number of showings was down, according to the multiple listing service Bright MLS. First-time and moderate-income buyers were less active.

    Across the Philadelphia metro area in July, according to Bright MLS:

    🔺The median sale price was $430,000 — $10,000 more than in July of last year.

    🔻 The number of showings dropped by about 4%. But home tours in Chester County increased.

    🔺The numbers of active and new home listings were up from last year, meaning buyers had more homes to choose from. Roughly 14,200 homes were on the market at the end of July.

    🔻The number of new pending sales dropped by 4%.

    📷 Photo quiz

    Where is this Philly mural?

    📮 If you think you know, email me back.

    Last week’s quiz featured a photo of Lemon Hill in East Fairmount Park.

    Shout-out to Susan T. and Bruce R. for knowing that. As Susan mentioned, the site is currently looking rough in the aftermath of this summer’s FIFA Fan Festival.

    Enjoy the rest of your week.

    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.

  • 💡 AI may raise your Peco bill | Morning Newsletter

    Good morning, Philly! 👋 We’re one day closer to the weekend.

    Your Peco bills could increase, thanks to new hyperscale AI data centers. The Inquirer has a full breakdown to help explain.

    And at least two women were likely killed inside the Olney home at the center of a sprawling missing persons investigation, police believe. But neither of the women had been previously linked to the case, according to investigators.

    Plus, half the 26 people charged in an NCAA gambling scandal have now pleaded guilty or admitted wrongdoing, and more news of the day.

    — Sam Stewart (morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)

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    How data centers could impact your bills

    If you give a computer a task, it’s going to need electricity to perform it. The more difficult the problem, the more resources it requires. This is at the heart of the fight against the data centers behind AI — often an incredibly complex and power-hungry process.

    You might think that tech giants that build and use data centers would cover 100% of the costs. However, the knock-on repercussions of this heavy power drain could affect the amount you owe on your Peco bill.

    “Hyperscale data centers” that power AI tools consume exponentially more resources than conventional ones. To put it in perspective, in a single hour, a hyperscale 1,000,000-kW data center running at peak capacity can consume more electricity than every household in Philadelphia combined.

    These hyperscale facilities and their projected demand for power could impact three categories on your bill: generation, transmission, and distribution.

    We’ll walk through each one and explain the rest.

    ‘Graphic and dark’ discoveries

    Philadelphia police believe Maribel Fresses, who was last seen in February 2018, and Gabriella Amarando, who has been missing since September 2012, were killed inside the Olney home at the center of a missing persons investigation.

    The Wednesday announcement was the latest and most striking development in a case that has drawn national attention since police launched an investigation in June into the disappearances of two other women last seen at the home of Eugene Albert Horsch and his late father, Raymond “R.C.” Horsch.

    Authorities say the two-month search of the home involved more than 95 search warrants and surfaced an “astonishing” array of evidence: five urns of cremated remains, more than 20 containers full of unknown chemicals and oily substances, and 50 hard drives and other electronic devices holding more than 600,000 images, 70,000 videos, and 10,000 pages of writings and drawings.

    Inside one of those hard drives, authorities said, detectives found images and videos that appeared to show Fresses and Amarando alive inside the house — followed by “graphic and dark” depictions of what appeared to be their bodies. But because no bodies have been found, police say they cannot officially declare the women dead.

    What you should know today

    • Two people charged with participating in an international scheme to rig basketball games for professional gamblers pleaded guilty in Philadelphia’s federal court Wednesday — the latest development in a scandal that shook the sports world when prosecutors unveiled a sprawling set of indictments earlier this year.
    • Pennsylvania Attorney General David Sunday filed a lawsuit against TikTok and its parent company, ByteDance, on Tuesday, alleging the social media giant failed to shield children from age-inappropriate material and from over-usage of the app.
    • A former cardiac thoracic surgeon at one of Main Line Health’s flagship programs says in a federal lawsuit that he was fired after reporting a series of bad patient outcomes. He accused the nonprofit hospital system of failing to thoroughly investigate a pattern of complications among the patients of another senior surgeon.
    • As it faced parents and community members during an emotional meeting Tuesday, the Cheltenham school board laid out several steps to address concerns about the 2025 locker-room assault scandal that led to criminal charges against four coaches and six players.
    • Philadelphia police are searching for a man they say walked up to a couple sitting on a porch and opened fire late Sunday night, killing the woman and injuring the man before fleeing.
    • White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, the youngest person to hold the role at 28 years old, will leave at month’s end, President Donald Trump announced Wednesday. Trump did not outline plans for who might replace her in the high-profile role.

    Quote of the day

    Battleship New Jersey will soon undergo another facelift through a $24.25 million redevelopment project tackling work on and off the ship. The project includes an expanded visitor center, double the parking, and a new event space.

    🧠 Trivia time

    The country’s first and last pennies were made in Pennsylvania. What city were they made in?

    A) Reading

    B) Allentown

    C) Philadelphia

    D) Pittsburgh

    Think you know? Check your answer.

    What we’re …

    🧑‍💻 Wondering: What do Gen Z workers want out of their jobs? A recent survey says they’re skeptical about what’s learned in college and want to build up more hard skills.

    🚴 Excited about: The forthcoming Philadelphia Cycling Classic! Check out some of the best spots around the city to watch the race’s return.

    🛍️ Shopping for: Antiques down the Shore. There are 11 shops we think are worth your while.

    🍝 Considering: Could Waltz, a new Italian restaurant in South Philly, be your next date-night destination? The Inquirer’s Craig LaBan believes so.

    🧩 Unscramble the anagram

    Hint: Eagles preseason announcer on NBC10 since 2019

    SORE STRUCK

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

    Cheers to Becky Bowlby, who solved Wednesday’s anagram: Keanu Reeves. His band, Dogstar, has reunited after a 20-year break, and they’re playing three Philly-area shows this week.

    Photo of the day

    Bryson Stott’s “Field of Dreams” cleats designed by Nxt Lvl Customs and Stadium Locker.Courtesy of Ryan Stevens

    ⚾ One last thing: Bryson Stott is expected to wear a custom pair of cleats for the Phillies’ Field of Dreams game. The design features late Phillies legends Harry Kalas, Tug McGraw, Roy Halladay, Darren Daulton, Robin Roberts, and Richie Ashburn. But forecasters warn that rain could impact the game.

    Have a good one, folks! 👋

    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.

  • Extreme weather tests the township | Inquirer Lower Merion

    Extreme weather tests the township | Inquirer Lower Merion

    Hi, Lower Merion! 👋

    If summer storms seem to be getting worse, you’re not wrong. We look at why, as well as the challenges they pose to local residents and infrastructure. Also this week, a former Main Line Health surgeon is suing the system, a Gladwyne company is looking to add senior housing nearby, plus, a township native’s Eagles fandom is making waves on the Vanderpump Rules spin-off.

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    How climate change and aging infrastructure are impacting Lower Merion residents

    A July 13 microburst brought down part of a tree in Narberth. Tom Gralish / Staff Photographer

    As summers grow hotter and more humid, residents throughout the region face increased climate threats that can lead to flooding, downed trees, and damaged property.

    That was the case for Tori Bauver, whose Wynnewood apartment was badly damaged in last months’ microburst.

    Once infrequent, intense weather events have ramped up due to climate change. “We get a 100-year storm every year,” said Ray Courtney, a Lower Merion commissioner and chair of the township’s sustainability committee.

    Many areas, including Lower Merion, also contend with aging stormwater infrastructure, which can exacerbate problems.

    The Inquirer’s Denali Sagner delves into how storm intensity has increased, what municipalities are doing to combat it, and why the issues are so complex to solve.

    💡 Community News

    • Gianluca Torregrossa, a former cardiac thoracic surgeon specializing in robotics at Main Line Health, is suing the system for allegedly firing him after he reported a series of bad patient outcomes at the hands of another doctor. The Inquirer’s Abraham Gutman has the details.
    • The Narberth Community Food Bank has abruptly shuttered its doors. In a note on the website, founder Gigi Tevlin-Moffat said the nonprofit didn’t make “this change lightly or quickly,” but also didn’t expand on why it was closing, only noting that “the past year has been overwhelming with challenges.”
    • The Ardmore Avenue Pool won’t open at all this summer, the township’s Parks and Recreation Department said this week. The pool, which the department hoped would open for part of the season, has been closed since last summer to make way for work on the nearby Ardmore Avenue Community Center and area park, which are expected to open early next year.
    • Lower Merion commissioners recently approved an expansion of the Indego bike share program, which will bring three docking stations to Bala Cynwyd. It will be the first expansion of the program outside of Philadelphia.
    • Bala Cynwyd native Rob Evors is currently starring in new Freeform and Hulu unscripted show House of Stassi, where his Eagles fandom has become an unexpected storyline. The Inquirer’s Maggie Prosser explains why.
    • Gladwyne-based Waverly Senior Services is looking to build an independent living community on the historic Glencoe estate property in Radnor Township, which is currently owned by the Haverford School.

    🍽️ On our Plate

    • Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy was in town last week and paid a visit to beloved Bryn Mawr joint Johnny’s Pizza for his “One Bite Pizza Reviews,” giving it an 8.3 on the spot (the official video has yet to be released). Inquirer food critic Craig LaBan noted the Lancaster Avenue eatery is a rare double threat, thanks to its excellent pies and cheesesteaks.

    🎳 Things to Do

    😂 Andrew’s Big Show: This drop-in event will feature juggling and comedy. ⏰ Friday, Aug. 14, 11 a.m.-noon 💵 Free 📍 Ludington Library

    🥽 Pool Party Family Shabbat: Cool down at the pool, where there will also be music, games, and crafts. ⏰ Friday, Aug. 14, 5-8 p.m. 💵 $15 📍 Kaiserman JCC

    🎭 Trial by Jury: The Savoy Company will perform the Gilbert and Sullivan comedic, one-act opera, along with some of the duo’s other works. ⏰ Saturday, Aug. 15, 6-7:30 p.m. 💵 $17-$42 📍 Stoneleigh

    🍿 9 to 5: Catch a screening of the 1980 film starring Dolly Parton, Jane Fonda, and Lily Tomlin. ⏰ Monday, Aug. 17, 7:15 p.m. 💵 $11.75-$16.25 📍 Bryn Mawr Film Institute

    🎵 Music in the Park: Bluegrass-forward Mark Schultz and the Wayne Rangers will take the stage. ⏰ Wednesday, Aug. 19, 7 p.m. 💵 Free 📍 Narberth Park gazebo

    🏡 On the Market

    A chic, reimagined Ardmore home

    The interior of the home has been reimagined, while maintaining some of its original elements.Courtesy of Robin Halpern/Compass RE

    This four-bedroom Ardmore home is 20th-century on the outside and 21st-century on the inside. Built in 1910, the stone estate has been overhauled to give it a modern interior while paying homage to its roots. Among its features is a chef’s kitchen, a wine room, a sun room, and a living room with its original carved wood mantel. It also has a primary suite with dual walk-in closets, a soaking tub, a steam shower, and a fireplace. Outside, there’s a patio with a fireplace, plus a detached two-car garage. There are open houses tomorrow from 2 to 4 p.m. and Saturday from noon to 2 p.m.

    See more photos of the home here.

    Price: $3.195M | Size: 5,626 SF | Acreage: 0.45

    🗞️ What other Lower Merion residents are reading this week:

    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.

    This suburban content is produced with support from the Leslie Miller and Richard Worley Foundation and The Lenfest Institute for Journalism. Editorial content is created independently of the project donors. Gifts to support The Inquirer’s high-impact journalism can be made at inquirer.com/donate. A list of Lenfest Institute donors can be found at lenfestinstitute.org/supporters.

  • K-1 center puts residents, school district at odds | Inquirer Greater Media

    K-1 center puts residents, school district at odds | Inquirer Greater Media

    Hi, Greater Media! 👋

    Rose Tree Media School District’s proposed early education center is getting pushback from some residents. Here’s why. Also this week, the developer seeking to reverse a Middletown Township decision preventing it from building a warehouse at the former Franklin Mint site has withdrawn its appeal, plus, Swiss Farms is looking to expand in the region.

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    Rose Tree Media faces residents’ ire over proposed K-1 center

    A rendering of the Rose Tree Media School District’s proposed K-1 center, which the district hopes to build behind Penncrest High School.ICS with Schradergroup

    Middletown Township residents continue to push back against a Rose Tree Media School District proposal to build a center dedicated to kindergarten and first grade students.

    At a planning commission meeting on Tuesday, residents held signs and wore buttons decrying the early education center that, if approved, would be built on open land behind Penncrest High School. Some neighbors who oppose the plan say it will worsen traffic and burden taxpayers.

    The district contends that it would alleviate overcrowding, which is expected to get worse as enrollment swells, and allow it to offer full-day kindergarten.

    The commission postponed its vote on making a recommendation to council and is expected to take the issue up again in the fall.

    The Inquirer’s Denali Sagner explores the disconnect and why residents are opposed to the center’s proposed location.

    💡 Community News

    • A year after Middletown Township’s council voted to deny Outrigger Industrial’s proposed 330,000-square-foot warehouse at the old Franklin Mint site, the company this week formally withdrew its appeal challenging the decision. It brings an end to a saga that drew considerable community pushback to keep the site from being developed into a warehouse.
    • The state has approved a $10 million fund known as the Freeze Disaster Assistance Recovery Grant to help farmers impacted by the unexpected spring cold snap that devastated certain fruit crops, including peaches and apples at Linvilla Orchards.
    • Delaware County council has appointed the first members of its human relations commission, which it voted to establish last year. The 12-person commission will adjudicate claims of discrimination in cases like housing, employment, healthcare, education, and public housing.
    • Delaware County residents and real estate leaders are at odds over the forthcoming $120 million open space bond referendum that will be on November’s ballot, according to the Philadelphia Business Journal. Some residents are in favor of enhancing green space in the county, while others worry about the cost to taxpayers. Some in the real estate industry say it could hinder housing development in an area already short on inventory.
    • Arasapha Farms owner Randy Bates died recently at the age of 68 after battling cancer, reports CBS News Philadelphia. The Glen Mills farm is home to beloved Halloween experience the Bates Motel, as well as a Christmas tree farm.
    • Elwyn Road will be closed tomorrow through Tuesday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. between Route 352 and Baltimore Pike for base repairs.

    🏫 Schools Briefing

    • Springton Lake Middle School in the Rose Tree Media School District has a new assistant principal as of this week. Christine Fleming was confirmed by the board to succeed Melissa McGuire. She has spent three decades in education, including most recently as coordinator of gifted education in the Lower Merion School District, according to her LinkedIn profile.

    🍽️ On our Plate

    • Fast-casual stir-fry chain Honeygrow is opening its newest location at the Promenade at Granite Run tomorrow. It’s located in the same area where wellness concepts HiLo House and Sweathouz, and food hall Wonder opened in the last year.
    • Could more Swiss Farms locations be on the way? New owner Arsh Pola is hoping to expand the local brand — which has locations in Swarthmore and Springfield — including eventually adding gas.

    🎳 Things to Do

    🎶 Rose Tree Summer Concert Festival: The final shows for the season include performances by the U.S. Army Field band and Soldiers’ Chorus tonight, California country rock group Cimarron 615 and fellow country artist Craig Bickhardt tomorrow, nine-piece outfit The Discoteks on Saturday, and Sensational Soul Cruisers on Sunday. ⏰ Thursday, Aug. 13-Sunday, Aug. 16, 7:30 p.m. 💵 Free 📍 Rose Tree Park, Media

    👚 Mean Girls: See the cult classic performed live. ⏰ Friday, Aug. 14-Sunday, Aug. 23, days and times vary 💵 $21-$27 📍 The Media Theatre

    😂 Huge Soup: Improv performers will take the stage. ⏰ Friday, Aug. 14, 8 p.m. 💵 $13.50 📍 Players Club of Swarthmore

    🎨 Couples Craft Night: Couples can create a piece of art that represents their relationship. ⏰ Wednesday, Aug. 19, 7-8:30 p.m. 💵 Pay what you wish 📍 Nimble Craft, Media

    🗞️ What other Greater Media residents are reading this week:

    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.

    This suburban content is produced with support from the Leslie Miller and Richard Worley Foundation and The Lenfest Institute for Journalism. Editorial content is created independently of the project donors. Gifts to support The Inquirer’s high-impact journalism can be made at inquirer.com/donate. A list of Lenfest Institute donors can be found at lenfestinstitute.org/supporters.

  • 🌽 There’s always a Philly connection | Sports Daily Newsletter

    🌽 There’s always a Philly connection | Sports Daily Newsletter

    Tonight, assuming the weather holds out, Phillies players will emerge from cornstalks and onto a field in Iowa, just like the characters in the iconic 1989 film Field of Dreams — and just like some legendary Phillies on Bryson Stott’s custom cleats for the game.

    One of the film’s most memorable characters was “Shoeless” Joe Jackson, who was banned from baseball for life after the 1919 Black Sox betting scandal but maintained until his death that he did not throw the World Series. Before Jackson, played by Ray Liotta, jogs back into the outfield and disappears into the cornfield, he famously asks Kevin Costner’s character, “Hey, is this heaven?”

    “No, it’s Iowa,” a stunned Costner replies.

    While Jackson is best known for his time with the White Sox, his big-league career actually got its start in Philly a year after he earned the “Shoeless” moniker. But he likely never confused the city with heaven.

    Despite manager Connie Mack’s best efforts to get Jackson to leave his hometown of Greenville, S.C., the then-minor leaguer just didn’t want to move North — so much so that after signing with the A’s, he hopped off a Philly-bound train overnight to avoid it. Jackson, who couldn’t read or write, went to work at a cotton mill instead.

    Mack didn’t give up, sending a man named Socks to land a player called Shoeless, and Jackson eventually arrived before the end of the 1908 season. But he only played 10 games in Philly over two years before moving on to fame in Cleveland and ultimately infamy in Chicago.

    New rules will allow Jackson to be inducted into the Hall of Fame as early as 2027, and if when he does, it won’t be as a member of the A’s. But his major-league career started right here. Although if you’ve been paying attention, that probably doesn’t shock you — there’s always a Philly angle.

    — Matt Mullin, @phillysport, sports.daily@inquirer.com.

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    ❓What is your favorite sports movie? Email us back for a chance to be featured in the newsletter.

    Happy marriage?

    Johnny Mundt (83) will help shape an Eagles offense that will ask more of its tight ends.Tyger Williams / Staff Photographer

    Johnny Mundt was not the Eagles’ most heralded offseason signing, but he’s a critical symbol of the team’s new direction.

    The veteran tight end’s familiarity with the new offensive scheme ushered in by coordinator Sean Mannion — he was also Mannion’s teammate once upon a time with the Rams — is a big reason why he’s here. The Eagles are asking their tight ends to do new things, with returnees including Dallas Goedert asked to block at the point of attack more than they ever have. Nick Sirianni has used the term “marrying the run and pass” so often that he’s probably at this point ordained to officiate a wedding.

    “We’re huge in that,” Mundt said. “Being attached to the line of scrimmage, being the point of attack on a lot of these blocks, you can do a lot of play-action stuff off that. The marriage of the run and the pass has been core to this offense ever since its start.”

    It’s a brand-new era for the tight ends.

    Next: The Eagles visit the Baltimore Ravens on Saturday (7 p.m., NBC10) for their preseason opener.

    What we’re …

    • 👀 Anticipating: The NBA has already revealed some of the Sixers’ marquee matchups and their slate of NBA Cup games. Today we get the rest of the schedule.
    • 📚 Studying: UFC 330 comes to town this weekend, and we’ve got you covered on everything you need to know, whether you plan on attending or you’re just MMA-curious.
    • 🤔 Wondering: Why wouldn’t every golfer playing in the U.S. Amateur Championship use one of the local caddies from Merion. Who knows the course better?
    • 💰 Counting: The NFL continues to explode in value, and the Eagles are no different. They’ve hit a new high, over 55 times what Jeffrey Lurie paid for the team in 1994. But where do they rank among other franchises?
    • 👟 Eyeing: LeBron James’ 24th signature sneakers — and first with the Sixers — dropped on Tuesday.

    Wheels fell off

    Zack Wheeler cruised through four innings before running into trouble in the fifth, when he gave up four runs.Scott Kane

    For four innings on Wednesday, Zack Wheeler looked back to form. Coming off a rough stretch, Wheeler had allowed one run against the Cardinals in the series finale in St. Louis.

    But then came the fifth inning: Four consecutive two-out hits turned into four runs and ballooned his ERA since the All-Star break to 6.04.

    So what gives for one of the Phillies’ aces?

    Said catcher J.T. Realmuto: “It looks like he might be fighting his mechanics a little bit.”

    Next: The Phillies travel to Dyersville, Iowa to take on Minnesota in the Field of Dreams game tonight (7:30, Netflix). Aaron Nola (3-9, 5.47 ERA) is scheduled to start against Twins right-hander Taj Bradley (9-4, 3.76).

    A work of art with a purpose

    James smith capture a photo with his phone of the LeBron James mural at 10th and Arch streets in Philadelphia’s Chinatown on Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2026.Jose F. Moreno / Staff Photographer

    The minute the Sixers landed LeBron James, Philly artist Chenlin Cai knew what his next mural would be. On Wednesday, two and a half weeks later, Cai was at the corner of 10th and Arch Streets in Chinatown applying the seal coat to his new mural, which he hopes can shine a positive light on and draw more business to the area.

    The mural pays tribute to Philadelphia (and LeBron’s) history with a bronze William Penn playing the role of Dwyane Wade in a recreation of the famous meme from their time together in Miami. More importantly, it honors his Chinese heritage with the wave on the right cresting to form an ancient Chinese legend known as the “Dragon’s Gate,” which symbolizes hard work, bravery, and good fortune.

    As pedestrians passed by and fist bumped Cai, some stopping to chat about their excitement over the upcoming season, he encouraged them to post on social media and continue to spread his message.

    “I am just so happy with the attention this has been getting,” Cai said. “It means so much for me and my family, and this is the true purpose of my art, to bring more traffic to Chinatown and help the small businesses here.”

    On the fast track

    Villanova center Luigi Suigo arrived on campus in late July. He’s expected to be a first-round NBA draft pick in 2027.Villanova Athletics

    Luigi Suigo has only been on campus for a few weeks, but he’s already had his Villanova rite of passage.

    Suigo, a 7-foot-3, 19-year-old from Italy who goes by “Gigi,” went to Campus Corner, the longtime pizza shop on Lancaster Ave., and had his first cheesesteak. He thought it was “crazy good” and said he may “have them in secret” after being warned not to eat too many.

    He better get them in while he can. Suigo’s stay on the Main Line is not expected to be long. The freshman big man, who played professionally in Serbia last season, is expected to join the short list of modern Villanova players who are on campus for one season before being selected in the NBA draft. His journey starts now.

    On this date

    Karl Wallenda, a high wire artist and founder of The Flying Wallendas, performed dangerous stunts, often without a safety net.WILLIAM H. GORDON / The Phillies

    On Aug. 13, 1972, 67-year-old daredevil Karl Wallenda completed his tightrope walk across Veterans Stadium between games of a Phillies doubleheader.

    “In the early ‘70s, we didn’t win a lot of games,” Larry Bowa said in 2022, on the 50th anniversary of the stunt. “So we had to get people in there. It was like a circus.”

    And indeed it was. In addition to the high-wire act, there was Kiteman, Cannon Man, Benny the Human Bomb, and a first pitch dropped from a helicopter. And while not everything went as planned, Wallenda successfully completed his walk.

    Marcus Hayes’ take

    Philadelphia Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio speaks to the media before training camp practice at the Jefferson Health Training Complex in Philadelphia on Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026.Jose F. Moreno / Staff Photographer

    Despite his implication that American hero Dr. Anthony Fauci somehow acted improperly during the COVID-19 pandemic, and despite his denials that he was considering retiring over the winter (he was), Vic Fangio is a compulsive truth-teller — at least, in his own mind. He dogged the Dolphins when he was there, he’s told us that Jalen Carter has been out of shape, and he said last year that Adoree’ Jackson was playing so badly he might not start.

    On Tuesday, Veritas Vic revealed a truth about 2025 that had been self-evident: Jalen Hurts lost a step.

    We compiled today’s newsletter using reporting from Matt Breen, Devin Jackson, Antony R. Wood, Jeff Neiburg, DeAntae Prince, Gina Mizell, Conor Smith, Lauren Jones, Becca O’Reilly, Lochlahn March, and Marcus Hayes.

    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.

  • We’re going bananas | Let’s Eat

    We’re going bananas | Let’s Eat

    Pumpkin spice is passé. Read on to see why banana is the flavor we now savor.

    Also in this edition:

    • Fare ball: You would not believe what foods Phillies fans are taking to games.
    • End of the line: A Northeast Philadelphia seafood landmark prepares to close.
    • News: Read on for word of a new Vietnamese bar-restaurant, news about this year’s Michelin Awards, and a sale offering for the Pub.

    — Mike Klein

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    Why bananas are appealing in Philly

    Bananas are trending everywhere, but especially at cocktail bars and cafes, which use fresh bananas, banana liqueur, banana extract, and even banana peel. Kiki Aranita isn’t alone in suggesting it might be “the next pumpkin spice.”

    Phillies fans have cracked the food game

    Phillies fans are bringing way more than hoagies and cheesesteaks into Citizens Bank Park. Beatrice Forman winds up and delivers a fun read about the BYO eats you’ll find in the stands. Curried tuna salad, anyone?

    Last call for Kelly’s Seafood

    Kelly’s Seafood has been a Northeast Philly fixture, serving generations of families — and plenty of snapper soup. Now, as the family prepares to close, longtime customers are returning for one last meal, stocking their freezers, and saying goodbye.

    A bakery cafe with comfy seating — and a drive-through

    Mazaj, an offshoot of the twin Malooga restaurants, has landed in Willow Grove with Yemeni coffee, Middle Eastern pastries, a drive-through, and a plan to expand.

    Eat, pray, sail: ‘Odyssey’ makes us hungry

    The Odyssey by Christopher Nolan has plenty of monsters, mayhem, and spectacle — but where’s the feast? Kiki Aranita, a classics scholar in her past life, explains what Homer’s heroes would have eaten, and where to embark on your own culinary odyssey around Philly.

    A pizzeria celebrating Black culture

    In Crust We Trust has joined the pizza boom now underway in Fishtown. Anyae Wilson-Worley’s pizzeria is offering something none of the others are: a taste of Philly-style Black culture.

    In other pizza news: Dave Portnoy, the Barstool Sports founder, visited the Philadelphia area last week to shoot a handful of “One Bite Pizza Reviews,” whose scores in previous years have transformed the fortunes of a neighborhood pizzeria.

    The best thing Hira Qureshi ate last week

    What a joy: Dunking chunks of octopus into the almond romesco and black garlic purée at Stina in West Passyunk. For another treat, writes Hira Qureshi, don’t miss the spanakopita.

    Scoop

    The Pub in Pennsauken, which sits on 6 acres, is being offered for sale for the first time in 26 years. The steakhouse institution is closed now for summer break, but the owner insists that it will reopen next month — unless a deal is magically struck.

    Restaurant report

    Recipe Philly, whose menu is built around recipes submitted by local home cooks, opens Monday at 1401 Arch St., a splashy, 175-seat redo of the long-ago McDonald’s at Broad and Arch. Funded by retired business executive Ed Baumstein (above), the restaurant will serve lunch and dinner, featuring dishes from 31 cooks who also will appear in a reality TV series now being shopped around.

    Among them:

    Germantown data analyst Chyan Adams Bentley (above), 30, drew inspiration for her honey-chipotle shrimp tostadas from a rooftop cooking class she took in Guatemala.

    Pete O’Byrne (above), 60, of Jeffersonville, contributed a pork chop crusted with Pecorino Romano, panko, and shortbread Girl Scout cookies. “The Girl Scouts are one of my customers,” said O’Byrne, who sells production printers and software. “I know when the truck comes in.”

    Nayha Hussain (above), 24, a Spring Garden software engineer who has cooked since age 12, elevated a home-style Pakistani coconut curry with Chilean sea bass. Since Recipe is a 15-minute walk from her place, “it’s my local neighborhood restaurant that has my dish on it,” she said.

    Read up on Recipe Philly here and here.

    You’ll be hearing a lot about Anh Em, which soft-opened last weekend at 21st and Titan Streets in Point Breeze. Anna Huynh and husband Victor Nguyen are behind the 50-or-so-seater specializing in Vietnamese comfort food, mixing classics with home-style dishes (like crispy bánh xèo, above, and the beef carpaccio dish known as bò tái chanh), inspired by what the couple grew up eating. Chef is Nguyen, who managed Tango and once co-owned a Chinatown bubble-tea shop; he oversees a 20-seat bar pouring local beers from 24 taps, plus cocktails. The couple retained the former Madeira Indian Grill’s exposed brick while adding burgundy booths, light-blue accents, lanterns, and shelving built by Nguyen and their son. Here’s the soft-opening menu.

    Anh Em, 1252 S. 21st St. Hours: 4 p.m.-2 a.m. Wednesday-Monday. Closed Tuesday.

    Briefly noted

    The 2026 Michelin Awards will return to New York City for its ceremony. Reminder that its inspectors are scouring Philadelphia in advance of the December announcements.

    Heytea, the expanding Chinese tea shop, enters the Philadelphia market Friday at 1001 Arch St. in Chinatown. Drinks will be buy-one/get-one from Friday-Sunday.

    With Ember & Ash still closed after a June 24 fire, chef Scott Calhoun will cook at Cartesian Brewing (1326 E. Passyunk Ave.) from 4-8 p.m. Saturday. Using yakitori grills in the courtyard, Calhoun will serve dishes including octopus “dogs,” a Filet-O-Fish-inspired skate sandwich, ’nduja-stuffed piquillo peppers, and sourdough with romesco, along with Cartesian’s beverages.

    Javelin (1811 Fairmount Ave.) will host chef Carlos Wills of Ogawa Sushi & Kappo for a maguro kaitai, or tuna-cutting ceremony, Aug. 18. Starting at 5 p.m., Wills will break down a 250- to 300-pound bluefin tuna for a multicourse tasting ($170 plus tax/tip) including sashimi, nigiri, hand rolls, and tuna marrow with uni and caviar. Richie Tray will serve Cambodian-inspired appetizers and cocktails. Reserve via Toast.

    Libertee Grounds (1600 W. Girard Ave.) will host a Cooper DeJean look-alike contest on Aug. 27. Doors/registration at 5 p.m., contest at 6:30 p.m. Signup via Instagram.

    ❓Pop quiz

    Why can red Côtes-du-Rhône wines such as Ogier Artésis remain relatively affordable?

    A) Rhône producers are prohibited from aging their wines in pricey oak barrels.

    B) Grenache can produce large crops of flavorful grapes even in dry conditions.

    C) French law limits the markup on Côtes-du-Rhône wines.

    D) The wines are made primarily from surplus Syrah grapes, and this is the source of the expression “Qué Syrah Syrah.”

    Find out if you know the answer.

    Ask Mike anything

    What do you know about the sale of Ardana in Bucks County? — Cindy S.

    The Cristou family announced last week that they’ve sold their Ardana Food & Drink location in Newtown, Bucks County, to Rob LaScala after 3½ years. LaScala tells me that the Ardana name and Cypriot-inspired menu will remain for about two months before he transitions to LaScala’s Fire, his semicasual Italian concept. LaScala, who also owns Chicken or the Egg in Marlton and Beach Haven, is on fire with Fire, as there are nearly a dozen locations now, plus New Jersey expansion plans for Freehold, Bridgewater, and Cherry Hill. The Cristous still retain their Ardana and KC Prime Steakhouse, both in Warrington.

    📮 Have a question about food in Philly? Email your questions to me at mklein@inquirer.com for a chance to be featured in my newsletter.

    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.

  • 🍌 Going bananas | Morning Newsletter

    Rise and shine, Philly. Wednesday’s looking sunny, but cloud cover conditions are unclear for the late-night Perseid meteor shower show.

    Bananas are making a big splash on menus across the city. We looked into what’s behind the boom in popularity.

    Hotter and more humid summers are putting pressure on the Philly suburbs’ aging infrastructure.

    Plus, Mural Arts Philadelphia has named a new executive director for the first time since 1996, and more news of the day.

    — Paola Pérez (morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)

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

    From cafes to cocktails

    The tropical fruit is hard to miss at the grocery store, but now it’s become more prevalent on menus across Philly.

    The rise of banana beverages is part of a national trend that was a long time coming, following the likes of matcha- and ube-flavored treats and drinks.

    “But what’s particularly unusual about it is that it straddles both the cafe and cocktail realms of beverage, when normally, these spheres do not intersect,” food writer Kiki Aranita reports.

    Cocktail bars, for instance, are getting creative to use the banana in its entirety (including its peel), and bartenders are reaching more for banana liquor.

    Aranita has the story, including where to try these drinks around the city.

    ‘We get a 100-year storm every year’

    Philly-area summers have intensified, making flash floods, extreme precipitation, and life-threatening storms more commonplace.

    In the suburbs, a unique challenge emerges as the region prepares for a future marked by climate change. Multiple facets of these communities play a role, including:

    The topography. Flooding is the “biggest and most common hazard,” according to Chris Linn, manager of the Office of Resilience and Environment at the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission.

    The infrastructure. Aging stormwater systems are in need of costly repairs across many municipalities. These systems are crucial to move water off impenetrable surfaces like parking lots and paved roads.

    The regulations. Municipalities differ in their desire and ability to use taxpayer dollars to tackle climate issues through various projects.

    Denali Sagner reports on the difficulties Philadelphia suburbs face in dealing with extreme weather today and in the future.

    What you should know today

    Quote of the day

    Mark Ringgold was killed in a hit-and-run crash in Cobbs Creek last year, near one of the city’s most dangerous roads. His mother, Angela McDonald, is pushing for the city to install speed bumps to slow down drivers.

    🧠 Trivia time

    President Donald Trump reportedly flew secretly on an alternate military aircraft last month because of an Iranian assassination threat.

    Which former president also took part in a similar plane ruse?

    A) George W. Bush

    B) Bill Clinton

    C) Jimmy Carter

    D) None of the above

    Think you know? Check your answer.

    What we’re …

    🍗 Intrigued by: An unnamed Point Breeze corner store is cooking up one of the neighborhood’s best chicken sandwiches.

    📍 Identifying: All the Philly locations featured in the opening episodes of the new season of Reacher.

    🥬 Visiting: The best weekly farmers markets down the Shore.

    🏀 Hearing: The buzz on record-breaking ticket prices, player reactions, and more on the Sixers-Knicks season opener.

    🎤 Considering: Inquirer writer Jason Nark’s changing perspective on country music and its alternatives.

    🧩 Unscramble the anagram

    Hint: Star of John Wick and The Matrix

    SEVEN EUREKA

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

    Cheers to Mary Jane Connolly, who solved Tuesday’s anagram: Snapper soup. Kelly’s Seafood is closing after 68 years in North Philadelphia. You have three weeks to get your last bowl of snapper soup.

    Photo of the day

    A LeBron James mural painted by Chenlin Cai at the intersection of 10th and Arch in Chinatown.Jaison Nieves

    👋🏽 Thanks for starting your morning here. 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.

  • Residents raise concerns over disbanding police | Inquirer Chester County

    Hi, Chester County! 👋

    As Oxford weighs the future of its police force, some residents are concerned about what those changes could mean for the borough. Also this week, a new timeline on the Boot Road bridge project is expected to have ripple effects in Downingtown, QVC has named an interim head, plus, here’s where to catch tonight’s meteor shower.

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    Oxford residents are concerned about potentially losing their homegrown police force

    Residents protest against the disbanding of Oxford borough’s police department. Photo courtesy of Danny Graham

    Residents in Oxford are concerned about the future of emergency response times and municipal protections in the 5,800-person borough if council moves ahead with disbanding its police department in favor of joining a regional agency.

    That’s a decision council will make at an Aug. 17 meeting as it grapples with rising costs to maintain a century-old police force.

    For some residents, the decision feels personal. “This is a small town. These guys, all 11 of them, mean something to us. We buy them coffee. We buy them donuts. They are part of our extended family. This matters to us, and how they’re being treated matters to us,” one said.

    The Inquirer’s Brooke Schultz looks at what a regional change could mean and how the borough got to this point.

    📍 Countywide News

    • Traffic signal and safety improvements are expected in six Chester County municipalities thanks to recently awarded state funds. The largest is a nearly $640,000 grant for Tredyffrin Township to make improvements along Lancaster Avenue.
    • The region will see two celestial events — a partial solar eclipse today and the Perseid’s meteor shower, which will peak tonight — and there are several great viewing spots nearby, including Valley Forge National Historical Park and French Creek State Park. Here’s what to know.
    • Expect roadwork, including on Route 30, to cause delays, detours, and some closures throughout the county this week.

    💡 Community News

    • A 9-year-old girl who was injured in an East Goshen home shooting last week, which left one woman dead, is recovering, according to the DA’s office.
    • Downingtown Mayor Erica Deuso is calling on Gov. Josh Shapiro and other state leaders to approach the delayed Boot Road bridge replacement over Amtrak with greater urgency. The East Caln Township project is now projected to continue into next year, further snarling local traffic, emergency routes, and even some other nearby projects.
    • West Chester-based home shopping giant QVC Group has named Mike George as its interim CEO after parting ways with David Rawlinson. George previously served as president and CEO of the company.
    • Honey Brook Township has named Nancy Freenock its next township manager and secretary. An attorney by trade, Freenock previously served as the city manager for Warren and borough manager for Clarion, both in Western Pennsylvania.
    • East Vincent Township is hosting a special planning commission meeting tomorrow at 6:30 p.m. at the municipal complex and on Zoom to consider AQ Dev, LLC’s conditional use application to build 53 single-family homes at 446 Stony Run Rd.
    • West Vincent Township’s board of supervisors is slated to consider Toll Brother’s proposal to build 46 homes near South Chester Springs and Conestoga Roads at its meeting on Monday.
    • The third season of Tires, which was created by comedian Shane Gillis and is set and was partly filmed in West Chester, drops on Netflix tomorrow.
    • Spooky season may still be a couple of months away, but Spirit Halloween has already opened at a former Rite Aid on Paoli Pike in West Chester. It’ll be joined this month by one at the former Tuesday Morning space in Downingtown.
    • A new coworking space, iThrive Coworking, recently opened at 10 Leopard Rd. in Paoli.

    🍽️ On our Plate

    🎳 Things to Do

    🎙️ Sound of Summer Free Concert Series: The final show of the season features a performance by Kennett Square’s own rock band The Holy Smokers. ⏰ Wednesday, Aug. 12, 6:30-8:30 p.m. 💵 Free 📍 Anson B. Nixon Park, Kennett Square

    🎸 80’s Revolution: The band will transport attendees back a few decades, playing some of the most iconic tunes from the 1980s (leg warmers optional). ⏰ Friday, Aug. 14, 7:30 p.m. 💵 $23-$28 📍 Uptown! Knauer Performing Arts Center

    🖼️ Look Around Music and Arts Festival: Hear live music, browse works of art, see skating demonstrations, and grab a bite to eat at this festival. ⏰ Saturday, Aug. 15, noon 💵 $25 in advance, $30 at the door 📍 The Elks Lodge, West Chester

    🎶 Eagleview Summer Concert Series: Old 97’s frontman Rhett Miller headlines the next show. Local trio The MAKs will also perform. ⏰ Tuesday, Aug. 18, 7-9 p.m. 💵 Free 📍 Eagleview Town Center, Exton

    🏡 On the Market

    A Kennett Square estate with a guest house and pool

    The property includes a sprawling residence, a guest house, and a pool.Next Door Photos | Courtesy of Pat McGowan/The Collective.Real Estate

    This Kennett Square property features not one but two homes, both situated on a large lot. The main six-bedroom home is a renovated and expanded mid-19th-century barn, complete with old beams, a stone fireplace, and an expansive walk-out lower level with a kitchenette. The second home, a restored 1800s farmhouse with two bedrooms, spans nearly 1,500 square feet and has its own driveway. Both overlook a pool and hot tub.

    See more photos of the property here.

    Price: $2.25M | Size: 7,402 SF | Acreage: 2.56

    🗞️ What other Chester County residents are reading this week:

    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.

    This suburban content is produced with support from the Leslie Miller and Richard Worley Foundation and The Lenfest Institute for Journalism. Editorial content is created independently of the project donors. Gifts to support The Inquirer’s high-impact journalism can be made at inquirer.com/donate. A list of Lenfest Institute donors can be found at lenfestinstitute.org/supporters.

  • MLS’ next head got his soccer start here | Inquirer Cherry Hill

    MLS’ next head got his soccer start here | Inquirer Cherry Hill

    Hello, Cherry Hill! 👋

    Major League Soccer’s next commissioner got his start in the sport right here in the township, where he was raised. Also this week, a judge has tossed the district’s lawsuit against a local journalist, a pair of friends with township ties are cutting lawns for free, plus, beloved eatery The Pub is for sale.

    P.S. This will be my last week writing the Cherry Hill newsletter as I pass the baton to my colleague, Laura Smythe. It’s been a pleasure bringing you township news week in and week out for the past year-and-a-half — thanks for making space in your inbox and sharing your feedback with me! Please continue to tell us your ideas and look for me to pop up here every now and again in the future.

    — Lisa Dukart (cherryhill@inquirer.com)

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

    Meet the township native who’ll soon lead Major League Soccer

    Cherry Hill native Larry Berg (right) has been named the next commissioner of Major League Soccer. Major League Soccer

    Major League Soccer has appointed Cherry Hill native Larry Berg its next commissioner, a role he’ll begin come January.

    Unlike his predecessors — he’ll be just the third individual to hold the job — Berg has a major soccer background that he’ll lean on to stoke its next era.

    His passion for the game began thanks in part to a poster for a youth soccer league his dad saw taped to a local telephone pole. Knowing nothing about the sport, Berg’s dad signed him up, and the rest is history.

    Read more about the township native and how he plans to capitalize on the recent World Cup buzz to bolster the MLS.

    💡 Community News

    • A judge has tossed a case against local freelance journalist and former East student Benjamin Shore, who the school district claimed was filing too many public records requests that amounted to harassment.
    • A Cherry Hill lawyer has teamed up with his longtime friend, a former Cherry Hill student who’s now a teacher in Camden, to cut lawns for free throughout Camden in an effort to give back. The Inquirer’s Melanie Burney explains how they got started and why.
    • Township resident, longtime teacher, former two-time chapter president of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., and community advocate Betty J. Wilson died recently at the age of 92. Her family remembered her as dynamic, outgoing, and a born leader.
    • A new indoor golf simulator concept is setting up shop in Cherry Hill. Back Nine will be located at 1409 Route 70, though a timeline for opening hasn’t been announced yet.
    • Roadwork continues on Cooper Landing, Haddonfield-Berlin, Kresson, Old Orchard, and Springfield Roads, as well as Chapel Avenue this week. Here’s what to know. There will also be roadwork on Greentree Road through tomorrow.
    • Camden County was scheduled to conduct mosquito spraying throughout Cherry Hill this morning.
    • The fire department is hosting a child safety seat event Friday from 9 a.m. to noon at the Deer Park Station.
    • Philadelphia Magazine recently profiled a couple who turned their Cherry Hill home into a colorful retreat amid the woods. Check it out here. (Want to have your home featured in The Inquirer? Nominate it as a “Haven” by sending some details and photos to properties@inquirer.com).

    🍽️ On our Plate

    • Landmark eatery The Pub in neighboring Pennsauken is for sale after its longtime owners, the Gelman family, who’ve helmed it for the past 26 years, said “it’s time for a new steward.” The Inquirer’s Michael Klein has the details.
    • Drive-through-only chain 7 Brew Coffee is looking to expand into Cherry Hill and is proposing one of its popular concepts at 800 Route 38. The former Delcrest Medical Services building would be demolished to make way for the 510-square-foot shop and its two-lane drive-through, plus a bypass lane. The township’s planning commission will consider the application at Tuesday’s 7:30 p.m. meeting.
    • Sweet Cherry, an ice cream joint that also serves food and Mexican snacks, has opened at 2442 Route 38, taking over the former Sushi House space. It serves burgers, hot dogs, and Mexican street food, in addition to scoops of ice cream, water ice, and shakes. (South Jersey Food Scene)

    🎳 Things to Do

    🎶 Twilight Concert Series: Be transported to the islands when Polynesian luau band Paradise Island takes the stage. ⏰ Thursday, Aug. 13, 8 p.m. 💵 Free 📍 Cooper River Park Jack Curtis Stadium

    👻 Monster-Mania Con: Meet celebrities from popular horror films, browse merchandise, and catch some spooky screenings at this three-day event. ⏰ Friday, Aug. 14-Saturday, Aug. 16, times vary 💵 $41.74-$72.49 📍 DoubleTree by Hilton Cherry Hill Philadelphia

    📽️ Oscar Movie Marathon: Catch screenings of Oscar-winning and -nominated films throughout the week. The lineup, Monday through Friday, is: One Battle After Another, F1, Hamnet, Sentimental Value, and Sinners. ⏰ Monday, Aug. 17-Friday, Aug. 21, times vary 💵 Free 📍 Cherry Hill Public Library

    🗓️ Looking for more things to do? Check out our guide to ongoing South Jersey events.

    🏡 On the Market

    A four-bedroom home with a cozy family room

    The family room has lots of windows that look out on the backyard.Derrick Kunzer | Courtesy of Amy Rossano/ Epique Realty

    This four-bedroom split-level home in the Old Orchard section of Cherry Hill has undergone a number of updates, including a renovated eat-in kitchen with white cabinetry and stainless steel appliances. Some of its features include a dining room, a family room with a brick fireplace, and a fenced backyard with a patio. There’s an open house Saturday from noon to 2 p.m.

    See more photos of the home here.

    Price: $559,000 | Size: 2,314 SF | Acreage: 0.2

    🗞️ What other Cherry Hill residents are reading this week:

    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.

    This suburban content is produced with support from the Leslie Miller and Richard Worley Foundation and The Lenfest Institute for Journalism. Editorial content is created independently of the project donors. Gifts to support The Inquirer’s high-impact journalism can be made at inquirer.com/donate. A list of Lenfest Institute donors can be found at lenfestinstitute.org/supporters.

  • 🏌️‍♂️ A shot at history | Sports Daily Newsletter

    🏌️‍♂️ A shot at history | Sports Daily Newsletter

    The Summer of Philly continues this week, with the arrival of UFC 330 and a women’s lacrosse championship at Subaru Park. While both of those events feature exclusively professional competitors, there’s another major sporting event underway on the Main Line this week that features amateur athletes ages 15 to 63 taking on one of its sports most historic venues: the U.S. Amateur Championship at Merion Golf Club.

    The second big men’s golf event in the area this year, after May’s PGA Championship at Aronimink, starts its second stage today, following Tuesday’s cut that trimmed field from 312 to its final 64 players. The remaining golfers will now square off head-to-head in a bracket-style, single-elimination, matchplay tournament that will be capped off by a 36-hole final on Sunday. And after the first two days, everything is coming up Philly.

    Among those making the cut at Merion, which will also host the 2030 men’s U.S. Open, is Norristown native Joshua Ryan. Not only did the 22-year-old former Liberty University golfer advance, but he finished the stroke-play portion of the tournament at 8-under par, two strokes better than the rest of the field. Merion member Drue Nicholas, a former Drexel golfer, finished at 3-over, one stroke over the cut.

    “The first hole, I chunked a 3-wood and it went like 280 [yards]. The hands were shaking. We were pretty excited,” Ryan said. “I wasn’t super nervous, just more excitement. Everyone kind of started buzzing right away.

    “That was fun.”

    If Ryan makes it all the way through and hoists the Havemeyer Trophy on Sunday, he’ll not only get a gold medal and his name etched onto the wall at the USGA Museum — alongside greats like Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, and Bobby Jones, who capped off his 1930 grand slam by winning the Amateur at Merion — but he’ll also earn invites to three of next year’s four majors, including the Masters.

    — Matt Mullin, @phillysport, sports.daily@inquirer.com.

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    ❓What has been your favorite sporting event in Philly so far this year? Email us back for a chance to be featured in the newsletter.

    A little bit of ‘Moonlight’

    Charles “Mickey” Harrington appeared in just one game for the Phillies — only as a baserunner. Julia Duarte / Staff Illustration, Courtesy of Harrington Family

    Following their series against the Cardinals — which included an X-2-0 loss Tuesday night — the Phillies will make the trip from St. Louis to Dyersville, Iowa, the setting of the classic baseball film Field of Dreams, where they’ll take on the Minnesota Twins.

    One of the film’s characters is Moonlight Graham, a longtime minor-league player who played one inning in the majors as a defensive substitute in 1905 but never had a chance to hit. The Phillies have their own version of Graham in Mickey Harrington.

    As for the current Phillies, Bryce Harper admitted Tuesday that his knee — which he “banged up” against the Detroit Tigers just before the All-Star break — has started to bother him again since his move back to right field.

    Next: Zack Wheeler and Phillies face the Cardinals in their series finale at 2:15 p.m. (NBCSP)

    What we’re …

    No more ‘big daddy meals’

    Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter said he lost 10 pounds this offseason.Monica Herndon / Staff Photographer

    Despite a down year in 2025, Jalen Carter signed a massive contract extension this offseason, one that made him the highest-paid defensive tackle in the NFL. By the time he reported to camp, the Eagles found out they’d be getting less of Carter — 10 pounds less, to be exact.

    That’s because Carter made a bet with defensive coordinator Vic Fangio over his weight. And according to the fourth-year lineman, he won by cutting out items including what he described as “big daddy meals” and Minute Maid blue raspberry juice. Winning the bet was more important even than a shiny new contract to Carter, who said this offseason his “biggest focus was putting a smile on Coach Vic’s face.” It’s already paying dividends on the field.

    On the other side of the ball, another Jalen — quarterback Jalen Hurts — is working on developing his rapport with new receivers Dontayvion Wicks, Hollywood Brown, and Elijah Moore, and continuing to work with Darius Cooper, the 2025 undrafted free agent out of Tarleton State, as the team’s top receivers, DeVonta Smith and Makai Lemon, deal with hamstring injuries.

    And as always, Jeff McLane has your practice recap from yesterday’s training camp session in South Philly.

    Next: The Eagles visit the Baltimore Ravens on Saturday (7 p.m., NBC10) for their preseason opener.

    Here come the Sixers

    The LeBron James era will begin in earnest on Oct. 20, per Tuesday’s NBA schedule release.Yong Kim / Staff Photographer

    The NBA will release its full schedule on Thursday afternoon, but the league is throwing out a few quick previews throughout the week. That started on Tuesday, when it shared the slate for its marquee games, including opening week and Christmas Day.

    It’s no surprise that the new-look Sixers factored heavily in both after adding LeBron James and Jaylen Brown this offseason. They will open the season against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden in a game that’s already breaking ticket-price records. Two of the Sixers’ big games — their home opener and Christmas Day — will come against a pair of James’ former teams.

    We’ll know more as the week progresses. The NBA Cup schedule will be released Wednesday and the full schedule will be here before we know it. Don’t look now, but here come the Sixers.

    Learning on the fly

    Cavan Sullivan has gotten solid experience despite the Union’s likely early Leagues Cup exit.Yong Kim / Staff Photographer

    The Union almost certainly won’t advance out of the group stage in this year’s Leagues Cup — they’d need a blowout win over Santos Laguna on Thursday night and so many other results to go their way that it’s not worth mentioning them all here. But that doesn’t mean the tournament has been a bust for the team from Chester … especially for its young American players who dream of representing their country on the game’s biggest stage.

    Which Union players have gained the most from these two games? Cavan Sullivan tops the list. He was a force in both, and he knew exactly what he was getting into.

    Next: The Union host Mexican side Santos Laguna on Thursday at Subaru Park (7 p.m., Apple TV) for their third and final Leagues Cup group-stage game.

    Who said it?

    The Birds open their preseason schedule this weekend in Baltimore, where we’ll get our first look at Sean Mannion’s offense. It remains to be seen whether Jalen Hurts or other starters take the field, but earlier this week a former Pro Bowl Eagles quarterback made a cameo at camp and had the above to say about Hurts, adding that he thinks the current QB will thrive in the new system. Check your answer here.

    What you’re saying about Trea Turner

    Phillies shortstop Trea Turner bobbles the ball while trying to turn a double play during on Sunday against the Toronto Blue Jays.Monica Herndon / Staff Photographer

    We asked: Do you think the Phillies should keep Turner at shortstop?

    Absolutely not. Trea is great offensively but he also had a four error game (that benefited from hometown scorekeeping to reduce the number of recorded errors) a few weeks ago. … If you don’t think he should play outfield, he should be playing first base instead of Alec Bohm, who is barely a MLB player at this point. — Anthony P.

    Hell, I don’t want to keep Turner at all. Needs to be traded for a player to be named later. — Bill M.

    With all of the infield shuffling, and the late date, Turner is our best option at shortstop for the balance of the season. I do not yet trust him in the outfield and he clearly will not be playing second base. — Bob C.

    I’m OK with keeping Turner at shortstop for the remainder of the season. However, if the Phillies are fortunate enough to sign Arraez for next season, I think they need to reshuffle the fielding positions again by bringing Harper back to first base, move Stott to shortstop, and Turner to one of the corner outfield positions. — Jim V.

    We compiled today’s newsletter using reporting from Lauren Jones, Owen Hewitt, Matt Breen, Lochlahn March, Conor Smith, Mia Messina, Rob Tornoe, Olivia Reiner, Ryan Novozinsky, Jeff McLane, DeAntae Prince, and Jonathan Tannenwald.

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    Thanks for reading the newsletter. We will be back in your inboxes on Thursday. — Matt