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  • 🏀 Remembering a young star | Morning Newsletter

    Happy Monday, Philadelphia! Hope we all had a good weekend.

    The death of a 20-year-old former All-Public League guard has gutted his community. North Philly’s Jadin Aviles was a star athlete with a bright smile and maturity beyond his years.

    Developers are marketing new Navy Yard apartment complexes as “Philadelphia’s newest neighborhood,” and some who live there say they love it. But about 70% of the units remain empty.

    Plus, the Philadelphia Museum of Art is running record deficits, making the next few years financially rocky, and more news of the day.

    — Sam Stewart (morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)

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    ‘He just had a caring spirit’

    The first thing people noticed about Jadin Aviles was his smile. It was bright and big, and became part of his identity. To many, Aviles, with his beaming smile, was brightness incarnate.

    Aviles brought the same energy to basketball. He played in two youth leagues as well as on his high school team. Aviles wasn’t competing in front of a packed Palestra, but he did become a “street legend” in North Philadelphia, according to those who knew him.

    Now, his community is trying to keep his spirit alive. On May 12, Aviles was riding his moped in a bike lane on Aramingo Avenue. A pickup truck, turning left, ran him over. Aviles suffered extensive brain damage, and died that night. He had just turned 20.

    Perhaps the best way to honor him is to emulate him, some believe. To tell young people about a giant on the court and a leader off it, who was so remarkable, and so loved, that he drew hundreds to his funeral.

    🏢 A neighborhood in the Navy Yard

    Since moving into the new apartments at South Philly’s converted military base in January, Priya Brown said her daily routine has gotten much more relaxing — with far fewer brake lights. An assistant buyer at Anthropologie, Brown walks 10 minutes to her office at Urban Outfitters’ Navy Yard headquarters.

    AVE, the national apartment brand run by Korman Communities, is calling its neighboring Navy Yard complexes, Constitution and Normandy, “Philadelphia’s newest neighborhood.”

    More than a third of the 347 units in Constitution are leased, according to Sam Korman, AVE’s director of operations. Next door at Normandy, which opened this spring, more than 20% of the 267 units are leased, according to Korman.

    Navy Yard stakeholders eventually want the property to have 4,000 apartments, along with more retail space and a second hotel, according to its 2022 redevelopment plan.

    What you should know today

    • Police found a New Jersey teen with a deadly gunshot wound in the driver’s seat of a car that had been in a crash. Now a 15-year-old is facing charges for shooting the driver, said the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office.
    • U.S. Sen. Dave McCormick and other Pennsylvania Republicans aren’t pushing back against President Donald Trump’s new election fraud claims as they lobby for the SAVE America Act.
    • The U.S. military has paused its airstrikes on Iran after nearly two weeks of intensifying bombing, while diplomatic efforts have pushed forward to try to avert a return to all-out war.
    • Israel’s Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday that New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani is “fomenting hate” by calling the prime minister a war criminal who should be arrested over the war in Gaza if he visits the city for the United Nations General Assembly.
    • The Nuclear Regulatory Commission is proposing to eliminate a foundational safety principle that has for 50 years minimized the radiation people in the U.S. are exposed to and that has been adopted around the world.

    Quote of the day

    When art world veteran Daniel H. Weiss took over the Philadelphia Museum of Art in December, he quickly recruited a new team, including a chief financial officer and chief fundraiser. That team has begun to assess the museum’s financial condition and what can be done about it.

    The picture that is emerging is not a pretty one.

    🧠 Trivia time

    The “Olympics of Math” is in Philadelphia’s Convention Center for the first time ever. What’s the event called?

    A) American Mathematics Competition

    B) International Mathematical Olympiad

    C) International Congress of Mathematicians

    D) William Lowell Putnam Mathematical Competition

    Think you know? Check your answer.

    What (and whom) we’re…

    👀 Wanting: The collaboration tote from Wawa and Lands’ End that harnesses three separate trends into one sandwich-sized bag. The Inquirer’s Kiki Aranita is obsessed (and so am I.)

    🤩 Inspired by: A Philly tech founder who was a monk, worked for Meta, and is now building tech for local government. Lilly Chen wants people to stop thinking local government software “sucks.”

    👠 Analyzing: Our favorite looks from the WNBA All-Star Weekend. Some highlights include Breanna Stewart’s family fits to A’ja Wilson’s gown.

    🧩 Unscramble the anagram

    Hint: 🏀 The King

    JOBS MARLEEN

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

    Cheers to Nick Muzzillo, who solved Sunday’s anagram: Cecily Tynan. The beloved meteorologist is retiring after more than three decades at 6abc, a trailblazing career spanning major weather events like Hurricane Sandy, the Blizzard of 1996, and flooding in Philly following Hurricane Ida.

    Photo of the day

    Young fans with hopes for autographs hold out baseballs and sharpies before the New York Yankees at Philadelphia Phillies game at Citizens Bank Park Saturday.Elizabeth Robertson / Staff Photographer

    📬 Your ‘only in Philly’ story

    Think back to the night that changed your life that could only happen in Philly, a true example of the Philly spirit, the time you finally felt like you belonged in Philly if you’re not a lifer, something that made you fall in love with Philly all over again — or proud to be from here if you are. Then email it to us for a chance to be featured in the Monday edition of this newsletter.

    This “only in Philly” story comes from reader Jeffrey Rosenberg, who describes arriving in Philly:

    I arrived in Philly in late August of 1978, after receiving early admission to Temple University’s dental school.

    I had never been to Philadelphia and there was no GPS back then, so I entered this town on South Broad Street. You can imagine my surprise while I was driving up Broad to get to North Philadelphia. What were cars doing parked in the middle of a busy street?

    Proceeding with caution, my next surprise was literally running into City Hall. That was the only way to get to TUDS (the nickname for Temple University’s dental school.)

    I drove through Temple’s main campus, a much rougher looking neighborhood back then, and arrived at 3223 North Broad Street, my new home and professional training for the next four years.

    My first night in my new town, my girlfriend from Boston told me her sister went to Philadelphia College of Art and that there was a really cool restaurant with cold cucumber soup, so we went looking for it. We had no name and no map.

    I lived by Olney High School, so I just pointed my car south toward City Hall.

    I arrived at Fourth and South Streets an hour later to a hip looking area called South Street. We walked into a hip looking restaurant named Lickity Split, and guess what they had? Cold cucumber soup.

    I never really left South Street after that. I set up my dental office at 4th and Bainbridge before I even graduated.

    I practiced there for the next 40 years.

    👋 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.

  • 🏀 The Sixers’ summer revival | Morning Newsletter

    Happy Sunday! It looks like the start of another beautiful day in Philly.

    In today’s newsletter, now that we’ve caught our breath from the news that LeBron James would be joining the Sixers, we’re looking at 76ers president Mike Gansey’s first offseason as a whole.

    Also, Franklin Square is celebrating 20 years since its refurbishment from a dusty and dim outpost to a destination for family-friendly fun.

    — Ellen Dunkel (morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)

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    🏀 Grading Gansey’s choices

    The 76ers became the talk of the sports world Friday, when LeBron James announced he would sign with the team to finish out his illustrious NBA career.

    Some final roster tinkering still must occur before training camp begins in late September. But James’ addition means the bulk of business is finished. In short, it has been a heck of a first offseason for new president of basketball operations Mike Gansey.

    How does it all grade out, player-by-player? Reporter Gina Mizell breaks it down.

    A revitalized hub

    Franklin Square, the once-forgotten green space at Sixth and Race Streets, celebrated a milestone on Saturday: This July marks 20 years since the square’s dramatic revitalization, which transformed it from a dusty and dim outpost to a destination for family-friendly fun.

    Franklin Square (originally North East Publick Square and later renamed in honor of Benjamin Franklin) dates back to 1682, when William Penn designed Philadelphia. Penn anchored the city around a quintet of parks.

    Reporter Maggie Prosser explains its history and more recent status.

    What you should know today

    This week in history

    🎤 Now I’m passing the mic to Tommy Rowan with a look back at the first episodes of “Sesame Street,’ which were tested on Philly preschoolers in the 1960s.

    Sesame Street may be set in New York, but the iconic children’s show started in Philadelphia.

    Over five days in July 1969, producers of Sesame Street broadcast five hour-long test-pilot episodes on WHYY-TV’S UHF Channel 35 on televisions spread across 70 homes throughout Philly.

    The program, which can trace its roots to the mid-20th-century Civil Rights Movement, would go on to delight, instruct, and entertain, thanks to the worldview and genius of Jim Henson.

    But it wasn’t a complete home run.

    Read on for the full story.

    ❓Pop quiz

    Which of the following is not one of the cities where LeBron James played in the NBA on his path to Philadelphia?

    A) Los Angeles

    B) New York

    C) Miami

    D) Cleveland

    Think you know? Check your answer.

    What we’re …

    😋 Craving: Some of the airiest potato gnocchi Craig LaBan has eaten all year.

    🎨 Admiring: A shrine to the Wyeths that opened at the Brandywine Museum of Art.

    🗺️ Revisiting: Gettysburg, which offers loads of Civil War history, of course, but is not a one-trick pony.

    🧩 Unscramble the anagram

    Hint: This broadcaster announced her retirement.

    ANY CYNIC LET

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

    Cheers to David Laderman, who correctly guessed Saturday’s answer: SHERMAN BROTHERS. Philadelphia shoe retailer Sherman Brothers is moving to the Main Line after 73 years in Center City.

    Photo of the day

    The City Hall Courtyard’s rendering of William Penn’s grid plan for his 1,200-acre “Greene Countrie Towne” between the Delaware River and the Schuylkill.Tom Gralish / Staff Photographer

    Photographer Tom Gralish focuses his Scene Through the Lens photo essay on the beauty of walkable Philadelphia. “Center City is compact and easy to explore on foot,” Gralish writes, “with many stores, restaurants, museums, attractions, and parks all within a short walk.”

    Gralish is familiar with walks around Philly. In his early days at The Inquirer, Gralish spent weeks walking our streets, leading to this Pulitzer Prize-winning photo essay about how unhoused men survive.

    🎶 Today’s song: We’re enjoying “Here They Come” (because of course we are). We like this old-school video someone made years ago for a class.

    👋🏽 Enjoy your Sunday basking in the sun, the glow of the LeBron news, or whatever makes you happy.

    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.

  • 🏀 The King is coming to Philly | Morning Newsletter

    Good morning! It looks like the start of a beautiful weekend.

    It’s also a beautiful time to be a Sixers fan, since LeBron James announced he would be bringing his talents to South Broad Street. It’s an exclamation point to what has been a transformational summer for the team.

    Also, a reader asked us what to do about a neighbor’s doorbell camera that shows both of their porches.

    Plus, we have cyclosporiasis in Pennsylvania, curious results of forensic testing in an Olney home, and our report card for this week in Philly news.

    — Ellen Dunkel (morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)

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    What you should know today

    LeBron signing gives the Sixers a transformative offseason

    The 76ers signing LeBron James is an exclamation point on the Sixers’ transformational summer.

    It is gargantuan. For the NBA. And for Philly.

    Now LeBron is a Sixer. So is Jaylen Brown. And Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid and VJ Edgecombe, for that matter. And it all brings together arguably the most improbable-yet-transformative offseason in franchise history under new president of basketball operations Mike Gansey.

    Reporter Gina Mizell explains how everything has changed for the Sixers.

    In case you missed the basics, James, a legendary player and one of the most famous humans on planet Earth, will join the team on a two-year, $8 million contract.

    Mizell has these details as well.

    A little privacy please

    This week’s question is: My neighbor installed a camera doorbell that can see my entire porch. We do have packages taken occasionally, so I get the desire to have one, but I don’t want to be constantly filmed when I’m on my steps. Our houses are so narrow that I don’t know if it would be possible for him to have one of those doorbells without filming my steps. How do I approach this with him?

    To help, Inquirer reporters Mike Newall and Earl Hopkins talked about the neighborhood, the dimensions of the porch, and whether the camera can be repositioned. They agreed it’s worth having a conversation with the neighbor.

    “At worst, there will be clarity from both sides,” Hopkins wrote.

    Worth noting regardless of outcome, Newall wrote, “if you live in the city, you’re on tape.”

    Read their full conversation 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 a case going extremely slowly through the system about making bike lanes safer two years after a physician specializing in children’s cancer was killed riding her bicycle in Rittenhouse Square.

    “The blame for the holdup does not lie with City Hall,” Pearson writes. “Instead, it has been the courts that have stymied the proposal.”

    Read on for Pearson’s take, along with his perspectives on restrictions in a historic district vs. residents’ wishes to design their own homes, a series of housing projects in North Philadelphia, and the battle over the President’s House.

    📍 Find the location

    These moviegoers set up blankets for an outdoor screening in September.Kerry Hyland

    Think you know where to find this movie location? Our weekly game puts your knowledge of Philly’s streets and places to the test. Check your answer.

    🧩 Unscramble the anagram

    Hint: This family-owned store is moving to the Main Line after decades in Center City.

    ARM HORN SHERBETS

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

    Cheers to Alexander Englert, who correctly guessed Friday’s answer: HEIRLOOM TOMATO. Middle Child’s BLT season has arrived. This is how they prepare for the frenzy.

    We were there

    John Coltrane wasn’t born in Philadelphia, but we can claim him as the city where his musical identity was forged. His son, Ravi, performed Wednesday night in the Philadelphia Orchestra’s “Coltrane 100: Legacy″ concert at the Highmark Mann Center. Photographer Jose F. Moreno was there to capture the moment.

    Somewhere on the internet in Philly

    🏀 The King has spoken: It’s TIME, @lebron wrote.

    🇺🇸 Betsy Ross doesn’t usually welcome kings to Philly. But she’ll make an exception.

    🎶 Concert venues have set aside seats for the king.

    👋🏽 Enjoy your Saturday!

    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.

  • 🏝️ Exploring our islands | Outdoorsy Newsletter

    Step outside, take a deep breath, and enjoy the fresh air this week, friends. In today’s edition:

    • A view from above: Fly up the Delaware on a tour of the river’s most intriguing islands.
    • Chicken fight: A retired nurse has helped dozens of towns legalize backyard birds.
    • Your outdoorsy experience: A moment of peace among the butterflies.

    ☀️ Your weekend weather outlook: Mainly sunny skies during the days and deliciously cooler nights in the sixties.

    — Paola Pérez and Alyssa Passeggio (outdoorsy@inquirer.com)

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    A ride up the Delaware

    There is a string of more than 100 islands where visitors might find birds nesting, unusual plants, and old military forts.

    The 330 miles of Delaware River from Wilmington, Del., to New York state are home to shoals, sandbars, or hundreds of acres of uninhabited islands.

    Some were playgrounds for the wealthy. Others are owned by industrial giants. There are even tales of pirates.

    Our latest interactive will take you for a ride over the islands of the Delaware.

    News worth knowing

    🦋 Your outdoorsy experience

    My colleague Lizzy Ravitch wants to put us on to a natural respite that seems to be hiding in plain sight:

    In Whitemarsh Township, just minutes away from bustling suburban shopping centers in any direction, a stretch of road runs past the Erdenheim Farm, and nestled among it is the Dixon Meadow Preserve & Boardwalk.

    That’s where I have found myself on quite a few occasions, including the recent sultry Sunday after the Fourth, with my husband and two young kids. The morning promised too much heat for a long walk or hike, but at the preserve, with less than a mile of walking trail to tread, we didn’t have to worry about that.

    It may not seem like an escape into nature, given that cars passing by on Flourtown Road are in view from most of the area. Yet somehow, while walking the paved path and a raised boardwalk, one can feel as if a bubble has been created around the preserved space. It’s surprisingly quiet — well, except for the birdsong and occasional quack from a marsh-dwelling duck.

    The 14-acre preserve is home to native plants, and it’s frequented by a variety of colorful birds — and binocular-toting birders. Monarch butterflies also hang out there this time of year, and they were our favorite friends to see on that recent Sunday.

    After about 30 minutes of wandering, covered in sweat, we headed back home. We didn’t get in many steps, but that wasn’t the point. On a weekend when air conditioning and shade were the responsible choice, it had been nice to spend a moment among the butterflies.

    Beautiful! Thank you, Lizzy.

    📧 What are you enjoying out there? This is your spot to shine. Send your special stories and moments in an email — with a picture, if you have one. You may see it featured here.

    Fighting for Jersey’s backyard chickens

    🎤 Now we’re passing the microphone to South Jersey reporter Sarah Nicell.

    Any Collingswood resident over the last 18 years can remember the fight to legalize backyard chickens. Or the second attempt. Or the third.

    Gwenne Baile, 77, knows the efforts well. A Haddon Township resident and the unofficial “Chicken Lady of South Jersey,” Baile initially became interested when she saw Martha Stewart showing off her chickens on TV. After retiring in 2009 from a long career as an ob-gyn nurse, Baile decided she needed a hobby.

    “I started looking into it,” Baile said, “but it was illegal here.”

    Since then, Baile said, she has played some part in changing the ordinances in 35 municipalities across South Jersey, including in her hometown. She keeps a list of places with pro-chicken zoning rules, including the 19 municipalities in Camden County that allow them. Baile now has five hens, taken in as fosters, including those injured by predators or forced from owners whose municipalities do not allow coops. — Sarah Nicell

    Keep reading on the push for residential hens.

    Paola’s picks

    🐺 A win: There’s hope for the future of the most endangered species on the planet.

    🌡️ A song: “I feel like summer.”

    🐉 An activity: Philadelphia Chinese Lantern Festival at Franklin Square.

    🐻 A read: “I watched a bear eat from a bear-proof trash can.”

    An oceanic view

    Breathe in…and breathe out. Paola took this at Decatur Street beach in Cape May.Paola PĂŠrez

    There’s something about bodies of water…

    👋🏽 Happy trails.

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  • 🗳️ Beyond the glitch | Inquirer South Jersey

    🗳️ Beyond the glitch | Inquirer South Jersey

    Good morning, South Jersey.

    Gov. Mikie Sherrill is placing the blame on a vendor for the thousands of illegal voter registrations amid what she calls broader “disarray” at the Motor Vehicle Commission.

    And a bankrupt weed company is set to close two of its grow sites in Vineland and lay off 86 employees.

    Plus, a presumed lightning strike from Tuesday’s storm caused the closure of two Maple Shade businesses, and more news of the day.

    — Taylor Allen (southjersey@inquirer.com)

    P.S. Share your questions about the region with Curious South Jersey. The answers might end up in a future story. Stay tuned!

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    Beyond the voter registration error

    Tyger Williams / Staff Photographer

    Gov. Sherrill shared Thursday that she was already less than impressed with the vendor that she says is responsible for illegally registering 6,600 noncitizens to vote before she discovered the issue.

    In fact, she said, she had been trying to get rid of the company, IDEMIA, and that the new state Motor Vehicle Commission administrator “was already in the process of removing them for their incompetence.”

    Earlier this week, Sherrill disclosed that a software glitch at the MVC operated by IDEMIA registered people to vote through the state’s automatic motor vehicle voter registration program even after people identified themselves as noncitizens.

    The vendor responsible for the error is also to blame for long waits, bureaucracy, and red tape, according to Sherrill.

    Meanwhile, IDEMIA released a statement blaming the New Jersey Department of State’s Division of Elections, saying that the department is “ultimately responsible for verifying eligibility to vote.”

    The Inquirer’s Aliya Schneider and Michelle Baruchman have the latest.

    Bankrupt weed company layoffs

    The Cannabist Company dispensaries in New Jersey were among the first adult-use locations to open when the state began to allow recreational weed sales in 2022.

    Four years later, the company will shut the doors of its two Vineland grow sites in October after the company filed for bankruptcy back in March.

    Nearly all of the Cannabist’s cultivation and manufacturing employees in New Jersey will be laid off. That’s a total of 86 staff members out of a job.

    The company also plans to sell the rest of its operation in the state, including the retail store in Deptford.

    Reporter Henry Savage has the story.

    What to know today

    🧠 Trivia time

    Chef Nana Araba Wilmot, raised in South Jersey, competed in Season 23 of Top Chef, Bravo’s elimination-style reality culinary competition show. Where exactly was she raised?

    A) Maple Shade

    B) Paulsboro

    C) Glassboro

    D) Cherry Hill

    Think you know? Check your answer.

    What we’re…

    🏒 Cheering on: South Jersey native Blake Zielinski from Berlin who was drafted into the NHL.

    🛍️ Missing: The Carnival of Collectables antiques mall that closed in Sicklerville.

    🥄 Tasting: The new Rita’s Italian Ice & Frozen Custard water ice flavor inspired by The Office.

    🏖️ Down the Shore

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

    Amy recently published a story about how Sea Isle has undergone a transformation and has become an upscale Shore town. Whether or not that’s a good thing is up for debate.

    Below are two responses to the piece:

    “My wife and I had the good fortune to buy our home at 34th & Central in 1985. I was 35 and my wife was 33. Can you imagine two 30-year-olds being able to do that today? I do feel bad that isn’t possible in today’s day and age. Certainly, things have changed; I hate some of these housing monstrosities. Those changes aside, I love Sea Isle and consider ourselves absolutely blessed to call it home.”

    “We saw what the future of Sea Isle was becoming many years ago when the quaint little cottage next door was sold, demolished, and converted into a QUADRUPLEX!”

    How do you feel about Sea Isle’s changes? Is it that different compared to other Shore towns? Email Rosenberg your thoughts at downtheshore@inquirer.com.

    📸 Photo of the week

    Nahir Albright, of Sicklerville, right, fishes with his daughter Gia Albright, 5, on the Cooper River in Collingswood, N.J.
    Monica Herndon / Staff Photographer

    Have a wonderful weekend and I’ll see you on Monday!

    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.

  • 🚯 Mapping illegal dumps | Morning Newsletter

    Welcome to Friday!

    We’ve all heard heaps about Trashadelphia. A multigroup initiative is pinning its cleanup efforts on first mapping illegal dumping throughout the city.

    Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel wants the department to work on the less-glamorous side of policing — like customer service.

    Plus, surely not everyone was pro-Revolution. What happened to Philadelphians who supported the British?

    — Ellen Dunkel (morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)

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    Cleaning up Philly by mapping illegal dumps

    About 75 Philadelphia residents representing neighborhood groups and nonprofits gathered Thursday to map by hand illegal legacy dumps scattered throughout the city.

    The Clean Philadelphia NOW initiative, made up of multiple neighborhood organizations and nonprofits, wants to tackle the dump sites comprehensively and coordinate with city officials, the residents said.

    Legacy dumps are one of the biggest issues impacting the quality of life in Philadelphia, they said, and they want to find solutions.

    While the city has heavily invested in abatement, that falls short of addressing the root causes of the persistent “clean-dump-clean cycle,” said Shari Hersh, a codirector of Trash Academy, one of the groups collaborating with Clean Philadelphia NOW.

    Reporter Frank Kummer explains how they plan to do it.

    Treating the police department like a business

    When someone reports a minor crime, it can take hours for police to respond — if they do at all. Much of their paperwork is done by hand.

    To Bethel, those details capture something bigger: a department in need of a systems upgrade.

    In a new five-year strategic plan released Thursday, Bethel chose to treat the police department and its nearly $900 million budget like a business in need of modernizing. He plans to put an eye toward better “customer service” for residents.

    Reporter Ellie Rushing explains how Bethel plans to do it.

    What you should know today

    Plus: What happened to Philadelphians who supported the British in the American Revolution?

    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’re resurfacing an explainer on the Philly people who were loyal to the British crown in Revolutionary days.

    It might seem like Philly was always pro-Revolutionary, but “tons of people were against the Revolution, very lukewarm, or their opinions changed,” said Tyler Putman, senior manager of gallery interpretation at the Museum of the American Revolution.

    Ultimately you were either all in or you were out. Here’s the full story.

    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

    Nike calls its new Air Force 1 shoes “Horse of a Different Color.” The company says they contain pony hair. We suspect someone else’s fur. Which Philly mascot do they resemble?

    A) Swoop

    B) Gritty

    C) Philly Elmo

    D) Philly Phanatic

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

    What we’re …

    🍷 Drinking: Garnacha, a wine made from grapes native to Spain, although many think they’re French.

    🤔 Wondering: Is buying a home still the way to wealth? Some young Americans aren’t sure.

    🏀 Getting ready to watch: This weekend’s WNBA All-Star Game, with North Philly’s Kahleah Copper, who is a last-minute replacement. It’ll be her fifth WNBA All-Star Game.

    🧩 Unscramble the anagram

    Hint: This delicious reason this month is Middle Child’s “Super Bowl.”

    HOME MOLTO RATIO

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

    Cheers to Paula N., who solved Thursday’s anagram: Baltimore. Southwest Airlines will offer the one-hour flight twice daily next year.

    Photo of the day

    Fresh graduate Simone Smith poses with a diploma after Thursday’s 2026 Summer Graduation Ceremony at the Met.Bastiaan Slabbers / For The Inquirer

    Nearly 400 Philadelphia high school students almost didn’t make it to the finish line. But they completed their last credits and crossed the stage in joy and celebration at the district’s summer graduation.

    Have a great day. Hope you’re looking forward to some fun weekend plans.

    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.

  • Anticipation vs. expectation | Sports Daily Newsletter

    Anticipation vs. expectation | Sports Daily Newsletter

    It’s almost that time, Philly. NFL training camp is here.

    Starting on Tuesday, the Eagles will report to Jefferson Health Training Complex, with several looming questions awaiting them: How will the offense look under Sean Mannion? Will they be able to replace the production of A.J. Brown? What can we expect the defense to look like after the departure of key players?

    Those won’t be answered right away and might not be revealed until Week 1 or even Week 2 of the season. However, there’s still much anticipation heading into training camp — this is the Birds we’re talking about.

    There’s also a level of expectation for a team that took a step back in 2025, following an early playoff exit. Nick Sirianni is aware of this. But football is all about adaptation.

    Switching to the team on the other side of Pattison Ave., it looks like the Phillies should follow a similar mindset after losing two of three to the Dodgers. Throughout those three games, they couldn’t escape baserunning blunders, defensive miscues, and a bullpen implosion.

    Change is needed. If that doesn’t happen, there’s a question to raise of whether this team will make the postseason. Perhaps the trade deadline will help address their biggest needs?

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

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    Welcome to the majors

    Alex McFarlane made his MLB debut against the Dodgers on Wednesday night.Elizabeth Robertson / Staff Photographer

    As Alex McFarlane warmed up for his major league debut on Wednesday, the 25-year-old didn’t realize where the Dodgers were in their order.

    “It turned out to be that lefty,” as in four-time MVP Shohei Ohtani. Any left-handed batter would be a challenging first at-bat for the rookie righty, but the two-way Dodgers superstar, with a .940 OPS against right-handers, was a different beast.

    What we’re…

    ⚾ Cherishing: The friendship of two longtime baseball coaches who spent decades in the Catholic League.

    👕 Learning: St. Joseph’s became the first college in Pennsylvania to publicly announce a jersey patch sponsor for the upcoming year.

    👏 Applauding: North Philly’s Kahleah Copper is heading to the WNBA All-Star Game as a replacement selection.

    🤔 Wondering: Why Jaylen Brown was spotted in the Dominican Republic playing baseball?

    Seventh-round success?

    Eagles 2026 NFL draft pick Keyshawn James-Newby speaks during a news conference in April. Elizabeth Robertson / Staff Photographer

    Keyshawn James-Newby was a 2026 seventh-round pick who is considered undersized for an edge rusher at 6-foot-1 and 240 pounds. However, he makes up for it with speed and bend.

    His path to making the roster is a difficult one considering the state of the depth chart ahead of him. But he’s doing all he can to make a lasting impression and become the NFL’s next seventh-round success story.

    Stole the show

    Neil Pierre (left) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal in the Union’s 3-1 win over Red Bull New York on Wednesday.Philadelphia Union

    Neil Pierre, the Union’s prized centerback prospect, played 34 minutes as a second-half substitute in the club’s 3-1 win over Red Bull New York on Wednesday night, and showed he’s ready for the big leagues.

    It was only his second game with the first team, but he looked like a pro. So what’s next for Pierre and the Union? Well, besides welcoming Seattle to Subaru Park on Saturday (7:30 p.m., Apple TV), Inquirer writer Jonathan Tannenwald takes a look.

    Beyond the faceoff

    Andrew McMeekin ranks third in the Premier Lacrosse League in faceoff percentage.Premier Lacrosse League

    Delco’s Andrew McMeekin is a faceoff man who recently won a national championship with Princeton. After going undrafted in the Premier Lacrosse League, McMeekin has been making a name for himself with the Boston Cannons.

    He ranks third in the league in faceoff percentage and scored his first professional goal on July 11. The Episcopal Academy graduate says his success comes from being a student of the game first and faceoff specialist second.

    Mike Sielski’s take…

    The Flyers’ schedule came out last week, and I did not scan it immediately for games against the Penguins and Rangers and Capitals. My eyes fell on two dates: Saturday, Oct. 24, and Sunday, Jan. 3. A pair of matchups against the Flyers’ newest and most hated rivals: the … Anaheim Ducks?

    What you’re saying about Jalen Hurts

    We asked: Do you think Jalen Hurts is a Top 10 NFL quarterback? Among your responses:

    Hurts is a solid quarterback with solid, if not flashy, skills in all categories. The Eagles are built to be consistent, and he has led with a consistent presence despite a total lack of consistency at the offensive coordinator position. He fits perfectly with a solid running game around him. — Dale O.

    Yes, I do. Tough times last season, but the guy was again playing with a new coach and system, with a disgruntled me-me-me receiver and an aging and much-injured offensive line that was no longer able to spring Saquon loose multiple times per game to take the pressure off of him. One ranking had him way, way down the list and another had him as a tier two QB along with Mahones and others. Last season, the coaches grossly underused DeVonta Smith, one of the surest targets in the NFL. Jalen has performed admirably in two Super Bowls and can do it again. — Everett S.

    Jalen Hurts works out during mandatory mini-camp at the Jefferson Health Training Complex on June 10.Monica Herndon / Staff Photographer

    Jalen Hurts is a top 10 quarterback. The others mentioned have either not been to the Super Bowl or haven’t finished high in the playoffs. While I agree that all teams need to have an array of talent, Jalen Hurts has the right attitude and doesn’t let the media or fans get in his head. Plus, he has talent! Trust me, he will use this slight to kick ass in the 2026-27 season. Go Birds! — Joanne H.

    No. Despite winning a Super Bowl MVP, that award could have easily been given to the defense! Jalen doesn’t have a history of leading the team from behind in the 4th quarter. He has been reluctant to throw down the middle, settling for low-risk slants. Clearly not in the Joe Burrow, Josh Allen, Patrick Mahomes, Matt Stafford conversation. — Bob C.

    Please. Dak Prescott? Over the hill. Caleb Williams? Promise but no proof. Same with Drake Maye. I really wish I knew why Jalen does not get the respect he deserves. The proof is in his record. Whoever drew up this list is way off the mark. — Cathy J.

    We compiled today’s newsletter using reporting from Mike Sielski, Jonathan Tannenwald, Olivia Reiner, Jeff Neiburg, Lauren Jones, Lochlahn March, David Murphy, Conor Smith, Mia Messina, and Maria McIlwain.

    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. I’ll be back in your inbox on Monday. — Bella

  • ⚽ Post-World Cup blues? Fill that soccer-shaped void | Things to do

    ⚽ Post-World Cup blues? Fill that soccer-shaped void | Things to do

    I’m not going to lie, I’m still recovering from Argentina’s loss and the end of the FIFA World Cup.

    I watched Spain shutout the Lionel Messi-led team on the world stage, right next to five Spain fans at Old City Beer Garden. Their La Roja jerseys flew into the air, as they leaped from their seats like a weight-absorbed spring.

    In the days that have seemed empty since, I’ve barely mustered up the energy to go looking for events and attractions happening in the region this weekend.

    But like Spain’s late-game rally, I fought through the heart ache and delivered anyway. (I can at least get a point for that, right?). Let me know how you’re coping with your World Cup blues.

    Read below to see what’s happening in the region.

    Also in this week’s edition:

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

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

    Jill Scott takes over the Met starting Friday

    Jill Scott takes to the stage for One Philly: Unity Concert for America on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway on Saturday, July 4, 2026, in Philadelphia.Yong Kim / Staff Photographer

    Jilly from Philly is coming home! After a brief but riveting performance at the One Philly Unity Concert for America stage on Independence Day, Jill Scott is coming home to North Philly.

    In support of her new album, To Whom This May Concern, the iconic singer will headline four shows at the Met Philadelphia.

    Her run begins Friday night, followed by a show on Saturday, July 27, and July 29.

    Learn more from about her upcoming performances here.

    The best things to do this week

    Anchor, a beloved hammerhead shark from Camden’s Adventure Aquarium, passed away on Sunday.Photo Courtesy of Adventure Aquarium

    🎵 The orchestra strikes a chord: Watch the classic, Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back, but with the Philadelphia Orchestra playing the soundtrack to the space epic at the Highmark Mann Center.

    🎭 A love story across time: Experience the best-selling novel, turned beloved romance flick, on the theater stage. The Notebook is playing at the Academy of Music through Aug. 2.

    👣 Do like the Romans: Walk the streets of South Philly before you dine. The Passyunk Passeggiata, inspired by the Roman tradition, invites folks to an evening stroll before they enjoy speciality food and drink deals.

    🦈 Sip with the sharks: Head to the other side of the Delaware River for an undersea exploration, with a cocktail in hand. Adventure Aquarium’s Sunset with the Sharks offers views of the Philly skyline and the ocean’s apex predator.

    📅 My calendar picks this week: Jazzing on Ridge Festival, Liberty Flea Market, and Arte en Las Calles. Here’s our full list for the week.

    Make the World Better Weekend at the Dell Music Center

    Twisted Tens will open for Kurt Vile & the Violators and They Are Gutting A Body of Water at Connor Barwin’s Make The World Better Concert Weekend at the Dell Music Center in Strawberry Mansion on July 25.Courtesy of the Artist

    Former Philadelphia Eagle Connor Barwin’s two-night fundraising concert, Make The World Better Concert Weekend, launches at Dell Music Center on Friday.

    The annual festival’s lineup includes acts such as Pavement and Ratboys on Friday, and Kurt Vile and the Violators on Saturday.

    The proceeds will go toward Barwin’s Make the World Better Foundation, dedicated to improving local parks, rec centers, and playgrounds.

    Learn more about MTWB Concert Weekend here.

    Summer fun this week and beyond

    At the Colored Girls Museum, vanessa german stands next to “The Oracle” and “The Table,” two characters in her exhibit “The House, The Oracle and The Table.” She built and curated the exhibit for the Colored Girls Museum.Zamani Feelings

    🧵 A thread of history: Franklin Thread, a new 375-foot-long art installation, explores Benjamin Franklin’s foray into early agriculture. The flax-based thread was developed by Temple University professor Jeff Richards. It’s on view beginning this Thursday at Maya Park.

    🎨 Colored Girls Museum is transformed: Renowned artist vanessa german’s new art show, “The House, The Oracle and the Table,” adorns the Colored Girls Museum’s first floor. It’s a three-piece exhibit in honor of the museum’s 10th birthday.

    📚 From ‘micro bookshop’ to storefront: Little Yenta Books started as a pop-up shop at South Philly bars, but its new, expanded storefront boasts triple the number of titles – which means all the more fun for us book nerds.

    🍲 South Philly bites: Feast on specialty bites and dining deals at 20 restaurants during Queen Village Restaurant Week. If you miss this week’s opening, don’t fret. The South Philly celebration lasts until Aug. 9.

    Staffer picks

    Shakira performs during halftime during the World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)Matt Slocum

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

    🪕 Thursday: Country star Tim McGraw, fresh off performing at Taylor Swift’s wedding (or so we think), will perform his timeless classics and recent singles at Camden’s Freedom Mortgage Pavilion.

    🎸 Friday: Hannah Cohen, who released 2025’s Earthstar Mountain, is bringing her dreamy, pastoral collection to Wayne’s 118 North on Friday.

    💃 Saturday: The Colombian superstar Shakira, who performed her global hit “Dai Dai” at the FIFA World Cup final, is dropping into the Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall on Saturday.

    🎤 Saturday and Sunday: Electro-jam band Disco Biscuits is set to perform at King of Prussia’s Heuser Park Saturday and Sunday.

    Check out the full concert list here.

    ❓Pop quiz

    North Philly’s Jill Scott says her favorite cheesesteak is at Ishkabibbles. How does she take it? (Here’s a hint: Fried onions is a must, and the rest is a delicious mess.)

    A) Fried onions, whiz, mayo, hot sauce

    B) Fried onions, provolone, relish

    C) Fried onions, marinera, mozzarella, mustard and mayo

    d) Fried onions, hot sauce, hot peppers, mayo

    Here’s the answer to last week’s question: DJ and record producer Diplo largely grew up in Miami, but what local university did he graduate from? Answer: Temple University

    Ask Earl anything

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

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

    That’s all for this week’s edition, folks. Enjoy another weekend of theater, music festivals, restaurant specials, and interesting art installations.

    – 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.

    Courtesy of Giphy.comCourtesy of G
  • 🏖️ Overstuffed Sea Isle | Down the Shore

    🏖️ Overstuffed Sea Isle | Down the Shore

    Is Sea Isle City becoming Avalon (which already became Stone Harbor, which is basically the Hamptons)?

    I wrote about Delco’s favorite Shore destination, about how changes in visitor routines, upscaling, development, and new construction have transformed Sea Isle block by block.

    Some like it (like the Kelces, apparently, who are patiently on the wait list for the Sea Isle Yacht Club, at No. 78 of 251).

    Some don’t, like many Sea Isle loyalists who have been priced out and have watched the town change around and without them.

    Is that so different from what’s happening in other Shore towns?

    If you haven’t already, read my story here.

    Here’s a sampling of reaction to the piece:

    Jack Fleming, who splits his time between Sea Isle and L.A., says he loves living in a place people come to vacation and be happy in, with family-owned businesses like Dalrymple’s, Braca Cafe, and Basilicos.

    • “My wife and I had the good fortune to buy our home at 34th & Central in 1985. I was 35 and my wife was 33. Can you imagine two 30-year-olds being able to do that today? I do feel bad that isn’t possible in today’s day and age. Certainly, things have changed; I hate some of these housing monstrosities. Those changes aside, I love Sea Isle and consider ourselves absolutely blessed to call it home.”

    Bernadette Mastrogiovanni wrote that her in-laws purchased a large house in Sea Isle in 1946, and sold in 1997 after her husband’s 100-year-old grandmother passed away.

    • “We saw what the future of Sea Isle was becoming many years ago when the quaint little cottage next door was sold, demolished, and converted into a QUADRUPLEX!”

    Brian Smith thinks the city should focus on using its land for a parking garage.

    • “As a 45-year-old ‘shoobie’ to Sea Isle, your article was spot on. Sea Isle is trying its darnedest to become Avalon. More upscale and ritzier, pricing riffraff like myself out. But what they’ve done, in my opinion, has made ridiculous decisions with the real estate available to the city.”

    Another reader, who said he waited two years on the Yacht Club wait list, said he felt the story didn’t ring true.

    • “What shore point town in NJ have (real estate) prices not risen dramatically since COVID? I don’t know of any. Sea Isle is a popular family town and has always been crowded with limited parking on big summer weekends forever! The same as it was (50) years ago when my wife vacationed with her family in Sea Isle.”

    📮 Are changes in Shore towns like Sea Isle a good thing? Does the Shore feel like the Shore of your childhood? Should that matter? Can’t Shore towns be allowed grow up?

    Let me know what you think by replying to this email and I’ll include your most interesting responses in a future letter.

    ⬇️ Keep scrolling for news, what to do, your thoughts on dress codes, a Shore memory, trivia, and my thoughts about a $5 doughnut.

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

    🌞 After some wild weather last weekend and again on Tuesday, this weekend’s forecast looks lovely. The ocean has warmed up quite a bit from the low 60s to around 75.

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

    If someone forwarded you this email, sign up for free here. Join our text group, the Shore Line, here.

    Shore talk

    🌪️ Tornado warnings were issued in Cape May and Atlantic County on Tuesday, and there was a waterspout sighting in Cape May Point that the National Weather Service has confirmed came on shore briefly as a tornado.

    🏢 The Brigantine Citizens Alliance wants to know why commercial land continues to be rezoned residential.

    📸 Rosie O’Donnell and family were posting photos from Long Beach Island.

    💰 Strathmere, one of the last free beaches in South Jersey, is considering beach tags.

    🛻 Jeeps took over the Wildwood beaches, and Bob Kelly was there.

    🇺🇸 U.S. Sen. Andy Kim said he’d secured $1 million in funding for Cape May’s Harriet Tubman museum.

    🤍 Two children died after a family boat hit a buoy in Barnegat Bay.

    What to eat/What to do

    🌊 Watch the newly-renamed Chief Rod Aluise Atlantic City Lifeguard Classic at 6:30 p.m. Friday at the Albany Avenue beach.

    🏝️ Tour New Jersey’s islands along the Delaware River.

    🍋 Check out Nuso Cucina, the pretty new Italian restaurant in A.C.’s Orange Loop.

    🍝 A.C.’s extremely popular Cafe 2825 completed its expansion, but it’s still near-impossible to get through to make a reservation.

    🥂 The least dry day in this dry town’s summer, Ocean City’s Night in Venice, is upon us!

    🚴 Bike from the Ben Franklin Bridge to the Shore.

    🥙 Attend this weekend’s annual Lebanese Festival at Our lady Star of the Sea in Pleasantville.

    🚌 Take a $5 ride from Philly to the Shore courtesy of Pacifico.

    🍩 Sample a $5 donut from Sonny’s House of Donuts in Margate. I did. I’ve seen some grumbling about the price and if you’re getting a dozen or more, paying $4 or $5 each does add up. I tried a $5 Bavarian cream, and what I’ll say is, they’re big and can be shared. I still lean toward the $1.50 still-warm plain or cider donut found at Brown’s in Ocean City. The winner of the $5 sugar bomb category, for my money, is the Sesame Semolina Sugar Cookie from Ventnor’s Florida Cuts.

    Shore snapshot

    Smaller bungalows are becoming harder to find as they are replaced by larger construction, like here at 79th Street, in Sea Isle City, on June 24, 2026.Vernon Ogrodnek / For The Inquirer

    👗 Your thoughts on: Shore dress code

    Last week we raised the question of how to dress at the Shore, how casual, how intentional, how repetitive?

    Discreet reader “R from Cape May” has this advice:

    Wear what you want at the actual beach, but step it up if you are going for drinks or dinner at a nice establishment. Rule of thumb: If they have cloth napkins, dress to impress. In Cape May, many restaurants are a little more upscale; no flip-flops or hoodies. Guys — invest in a few nice outfits — shirts with collars and a pair of nice loafers. Ladies — summer dresses and cute sandals. Don’t forget a pedicure (both of you). If you are spending $20+ on a cocktail and $40+ on an entree, dress like you can afford it. No one wants to be publicly shamed by the (cringe- inducing) self-appointed shore social secretary Lady Whistledown.

    OK then!

    🧠 Trivia time

    Maureen Farrow was first with the correct answer to last week’s question about which two Shore towns never rebuilt their boardwalks after the 1944 hurricane: Beach Haven and Stone Harbor.

    This week’s question:

    This sweaty bar in Avalon closed 39 years ago this summer and featured the Greaseband on Sunday nights.

    Was it:

    A. The Bongo Room

    B. Maloney’s

    C. Jack’s Place

    D. Fred’s Tavern

    If you think you know the answer, email us here. First one with the right answer gets a shout-out.

    Any and all memories of this establishment encouraged!

    Your Shore memory

    Joe Farley titled this memory “Breathtaking.”

    The first time my grandson, Iggy, really saw the ocean, he was absolutely stunned. About twenty of us were staying at a large condo in Bethany Beach. We were a force in our caravan of pickup trucks packed to the hilt. We followed the highway to the parking lot where you have to deflate your tires so you wouldn’t get stuck in the sand; then a bumpy ride over dunes.

    I kept my eye on Iggy, who was about four. He was handed a raft which he hugged to his chest, then stumbled in the sand looking for where to set it. He dropped it next to my beach chair, turned toward the roaring ocean and froze. He looked out at the relentless waves splashing onto the shore and uttered his famous often-repeated line:

    “Wait a minute — does this go on all day?”

    📬 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.

  • How 6,600 noncitizens got registered | Inquirer South Jersey

    How 6,600 noncitizens got registered | Inquirer South Jersey

    Good morning, South Jersey.

    Our main story explains how 6,600 noncitizens in the state were registered to vote ahead of the 2024 election — and what happens next.

    And Audubon has a new history museum that covers more than a century of the borough’s past.

    Plus, the National Weather Service in Mount Holly confirmed there was a tornado as Tuesday’s storms swept through the state, and more news of the day.

    — Taylor Allen (southjersey@inquirer.com)

    P.S. Drop your burning questions about the region for Curious South Jersey. The answers might end up in our team’s reporting, and of course, in this newsletter.

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

    🗳️ ‘Accountability starts now’

    Gov. Mikie Sherrill disclosed Tuesday that 6,600 noncitizens between June 2023 and June 2024 were illegally registered to vote, and fewer than 400 of those cast a ballot.

    🗳️ How did this happen?

    New Jersey allows automatic voter registration when a citizen gets a driver’s license at the Motor Vehicle Commission unless they decline. According to Sherrill, the noncitizens who were improperly registered answered no when asked on a keypad if they were citizens, but were registered anyway through a software error.

    🗳️ What’s next?

    Sherrill said she ordered an investigation, and ordered noncitizens to be removed from voter rolls.

    For more answers — like how President Donald Trump’s administration is responding — see reporter Aliya Schneider’s latest.

    Plus: Within hours of Sherrill’s disclosure, the Department of Justice sent an updated request for New Jersey’s voter database and said it’s to ensure more noncitizens aren’t registered to vote.

    Audubon’s new history museum

    Camden County’s newest museum invites visitors to peruse items that cover more than a century of Audubon.

    The Audubon Borough Historical Society museum on the second floor of the Audubon Senior Center boasts a collection made up of donations from residents, including a few from historical society members.

    Items include a Monopoly board based on the borough, outdated land-use maps, and memorabilia featuring NFL star and Audubon High alum Joe Flacco.

    Starting Aug. 8, the museum will be open for two hours on the second Saturday of every month.

    The Inquirer’s Sarah Nicell has the sneak peek of the standouts on display.

    What to know today

    🗓️ The best things to do this week

    🚜 Burlington County Farm Fair: The 80th annual fair returns for five days, featuring agricultural exhibits, games, competitions, rides, various food vendors, and more. ⏰ Daily through Friday, July 24, from 2-10 p.m.; Saturday, July 25 from noon-10 p.m. 💵 Pay as you go 📍 1990 Jacksonville Jobstown Rd., Columbus

    🎵 Swedesboro’s Food Truck Festival & Dancing in the Park: Enjoy food trucks and live music from The Company. Bring your own lawn chair. ⏰ Thursday, July 23, 7-10 p.m. 💵 Pay as you go📍 Auction Park, 101 Leahy Ave., Swedesboro

    🚲 Spellbound Century: South Jersey’s largest summer cycling event is back for its 12th year. Participate or spectate as bikers ride various routes that pass local horse farms and historic towns. ⏰ Saturday, July 25, 6 a.m.-4 p.m. 💵 Free for spectators; rider registration is $75 📍 1 Park Dr., Mount Holly

    See more event listings here.

    🧠 Trivia time

    The South Jersey bakery Two Sweet Boutique made a treat based on inspiration from which two celebrities?

    A) Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce

    B) Jason and Travis Kelce

    C) Nick and Joe Jonas

    D) Bruce Springsteen and Jon Bon Jovi

    Think you know? Check your answer.

    What we’re …

    🧁 Hoping: “Little treat culture” is here to stay.

    🏀 Checking: The Bron-O-Meter to see if LeBron James will join the Sixers. Based on the latest info — and vibes — we’re at a maybe!

    🍴Touring: The Anthony Bourdain New Jersey food trail.

    Thanks for reading all the way through, and for starting your morning with The Inquirer. I’m off to grab my first cup of coffee. ☀️

    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.