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  • The puck club 🏒| Sports Daily Newsletter

    The puck club 🏒| Sports Daily Newsletter

    It may have been a myth you heard before: The Flyers once inducted fans into a secret club if they got hit by a puck. Well, I’m here to tell you it’s true.

    In the early 1970s, pucks flew into the stands at the Spectrum. So the Flyers created an exclusive club, the “Loyal Order of the Unducked Puck,” partly as a way to dissuade fans from suing them if they were hit by a puck.

    Though, this club wasn’t for everyone. You could not purchase a membership. You had to earn it.

    The pucks were sent to fans for years, easing the pain of being hit by a frozen piece of rubber and making a bruise feel like initiation. The Flyers later created plaques for members. They also sent a letter signed by a player.

    In 2002, the NHL mandated teams to install protective netting, which has since stopped most pucks from entering the stands. It also eliminated the need for a Loyal Order.

    But it meant so much to fans that some had the honor in their obituaries. Matt Breen spoke with those families about how the club made them “feel special.”

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

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    ❓Let’s hear your Eagles vs. Cowboys predictions. Email us back for a chance to be featured in the newsletter.

    Brown says offense is close

    Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown warms up before playing the Detroit Lions in Week 11.

    There is a thought process out there in the ether that A.J. Brown is not the same player he was just last year or the season prior. What would he say to those who believe that? “I guess Saquon [Barkley] ain’t the same player either then.” Brown expressed optimism in the offense’s progress and made it clear that what he cares about is winning.

    After the defense carried the Eagles to wins over the Packers and Lions, how do our writers feel about the possibility of an Eagles sweep in Dallas? Here’s their Week 12 predictions.

    What we’re 


    🏀 Learning: In Villanova’s victory over La Salle, the Wildcats showed the allure of Kevin Willard’s small-ball lineup.

    đŸ€” Wondering: What are the Cowboys saying about the Eagles ahead of their matchup this Sunday?

    📖 Following: The status of Cam Jurgens, who returned to practice after missing Wednesday’s with a concussion.

    🏈 Reading: How Penn State running back Nicholas Singleton is playing the long game to “get better.”

    Third-quarter problems

    Sixers head coach Nick Nurse knows his team is pretty good in the fourth. They’re trying to figure out why they’re last in the third.

    Nick Nurse jokingly proclaimed that maybe the Sixers would play better in the third quarter if they spent halftime regrouping on the bench, instead of the locker room. However, the ongoing problem doomed the Sixers in a 121-112 loss to the Raptors on Wednesday night, where the Sixers were outscored 44-26 in the third quarter. Nurse attempted to make a lineup tweak, but it didn’t solve this issue. How do they plan to address this?

    And Joel Embiid missed his sixth straight game with a knee injury on Thursday against the Bucks, meanwhile Paul George played his second game of the season.

    Tyrese Maxey scored a career-high 54 points lift the Sixers to an overtime win in Milwaukee. George scored 21 points in his second game of the season.

    Fights Cancer night

    Several of the Flyers players worked with local kids who are cancer survivors to design custom equipment for Hockey Fights Cancer night.

    The Flyers held their annual Hockey Fights Cancer night against the Blues on Thursday night. Prior to puck drop, the celebration featured tributes, special guests, lavender jerseys, and some custom equipment collaborations between players and local survivors. Coach Rick Tocchet shared, “You’re in the day-to-day [as a] hockey coach, and you forget about what’s really more important in life.”

    Travis Sanheim scored the game-winning goal to give the Flyers their ninth comeback victory of the season in a 3-2 overtime win vs. the Blues.

    An ‘emotional’ postseason

    Brett Gordon and his late father, Drew, talk on the sidelines.

    Brett Gordon‘s memories of his dad have become more vivid, especially these last couple of weeks. His late father Drew, a Hall of Fame football coach at La Salle College High who died in 2023, led the program to its first state title in 2009 with his son on staff. Now, with Brett at the helm, the two could become the first father-son duo to win a PIAA crown as head coaches. The Explorers face District 11 champion Easton on Friday in the PIAA Class 6A quarterfinals.

    Speaking of playoffs, Belmont Charter is the smallest Public League school with a football team, and it is one of only 10 teams from the city or suburbs among 48 teams still alive for six state championships. Despite lack of players and facilities, Belmont has a chance to make school history in the 1A quarterfinals.

    Sports snapshot

    In his first season as head coach, DeSean Jackson has led Delaware State to an 8-3 record, its most wins in a season since 2007.
    • College notebook: DeSean Jackson’s Delaware State could make history, plus an outlook of Villanova’s playoff projections.
    • ‘Good start’: Drew Allar underwent successful surgery to repair his fractured ankle and hopes to be a present member on the team.
    • Second-half surge: Temple men’s basketball secured a win over Hofstra, thanks to its defense and second-half offense.
    • Long journey: Kajiya Hollawayne was part of three college programs before joining Temple. Now, he’s the Owls’ top receiver.

    David Murphy’s take

    Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (center) shown with wide receiver A.J. Brown during the team’s win over the Lions on Sunday.

    Debating Jalen Hurts is like locking yourself in a clothes dryer. You spin around in circles a bunch of times and then walk away hot. But what are we arguing about? It’s a question everybody should be asking themselves. Any time an offense plays the way the Eagles offense has for most of this season, the quarterback will help matters by playing better — so yes, Hurts deserves criticism. Beyond that, there is little to say, writes columnist David Murphy.

    Join us!

    Gameday Central: Eagles at Cowboys

    Tune in with reporters Jeff McLane and Olivia Reiner on Sunday at 2:55 p.m., as they discuss insider insights before the Eagles take on the Cowboys.

    What you’re saying about sports scandals

    We asked: Is there a sports scandal you won’t soon forget? Among your responses:

    Being a lover of the game of baseball, the use of steroids is a scandal that I will never forget. It has forever changed how people like myself study and follow the game in many aspects including comparing individual player stats. No longer can one have a serious discussion on players careers based on stats as we always did in the past. No longer can we compare the overall abilities of players from the past with those of the steroid era and later without the cloud of steroids being part of the discussion. Barry Bonds vs. Hank Aaron? No-one can really be sure due to the steroids. It’s a terrible terrible thing for a stats/box score reading fan such as myself. — Bob A.

    The Houston Astros sign stealing scandal was number one for me. That entire team should have been suspended without pay and the Astros should have had to bring their AAA team up to fill in, but of course MLB will deal out punishments, but only up until the punishments would hurt the bottom line. And then Covid prevented them from being strongly rejected by the fans in visiting ballparks. Once loved Altuve but for me he is unforgiven along with the rest of the team and management. — Everett S.

    The 2007 NBA referee “the fix was in” scandal. They weren’t actually fixing the out come games, they were controlling the spread. I’ve never had much confidence in any of the sports that the games were on a level playing field. Especially with some of the egregious calls in the NFL. I stopped betting a couple years ago when that phantom holding call against the Eagles in the 2023 Super Bowl with Kansas City happened. There were only about two minutes to play and the call led to Kansas City winning the game on a field goal. I distinctly remember me yelling at the TV that Vegas made a call. My wife agreed. That was the end of my fun and games. Never again! — Ronald R.

    There are many but the Houston Astros sign stealing scandal is top on my list. They won the World Series in 2017 with help from a camera and a trash can. How low can you get? The worst thing about it is very few were held accountable with all the players basically getting off scott free. That team will always be a disgrace to me. — Kathy T.

    We compiled today’s newsletter using reporting from Matt Breen, David Murphy, Jeff Neiburg, Olivia Reiner, Jeff McLane, Jackie Spiegel, Devin Jackson, Kerith Gabriel, Ariel Simpson, Joseph Santoliquito, Dave Caldwell, Greg Finberg, and Ryan Mack.

    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 finishing the week with me. Have a wonderful weekend, and Jim will be back in your inbox on Monday. — Bella

  • đŸƒâ€â™‚ïžâ€âžĄïž Marathon weekend is here | Things to do

    đŸƒâ€â™‚ïžâ€âžĄïž Marathon weekend is here | Things to do

    Whether you’re gearing up to tackle 26.2 miles, crafting the perfect sign for your favorite runner, or mapping out kid-friendly plans outside the race zone, the 2025 Philadelphia Marathon has something for everyone.

    Marathon weekend is controlled chaos. About 30,000 athletes will wind through some of the city’s most scenic and historic neighborhoods, while spectators line the streets to cheer them on. Others will look for their escapes beyond the race, too — from on-site activations to kid-friendly restaurants and even a short fun run for non-marathoners who want their own adrenaline rush.

    The weekend also brings the unveiling of a new Rocky statue, the start of Christmas attractions, the opening of Back to the Future: The Musical, and plenty more happening around the city.

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

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    Runners on Walnut Street in Center City during the 2024 Philadelphia Marathon Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024.

    The Philadelphia Marathon is here

    The city’s largest marathon is back, with 15,000 runners set to take on the 26.2-mile course through Center City, Chinatown, Old City, Queen Village, Rittenhouse, and other iconic spots.

    Marathon weekend runs Friday through Sunday and also includes a half marathon and an 8K. Organizers expect about 30,000 athletes across all events.

    Even if you’re not lacing up, there’s plenty to check out — from hands-on experiences and family-friendly activities to a full health and fitness expo.

    And of course, we have you covered. Here’s more on the Philadelphia Marathon:

    The best things to do this week

    ❄ The Snow Queen at the Wilma: The timeless and enchanting tale of love and friendship will be on display at the Wilma Theatre for a final run of shows, concluding on Sunday.

    đŸ“œïž Cinephiles rejoice: The Philly Jewish Film and Media Festival will conclude on Sunday, with a string of Jewish international films and digital media from across the world.

    đŸ„Š Yep, another Rocky Statue: After months of planning, a third Rocky Statue will be unveiled at the Philadelphia International Airport’s Terminal A-West on Friday. A Rocky look-alike contest will be held immediately following the celebration.

    🩖 A night for Dinos: Dinos After Dark is back at the Academy of Natural Sciences. Guests can view the exhibit Neighborhood Naturalists, enjoy drinks from the Dino Drafts Beer Garden, and chat with scientists while dancing in Dinosaur Hall.

    đŸ•č Game on, Philly: The ultimate celebration for gaming, anime, comics, and other nerdy hobbies is back. PAX Unplugged 2025 will take over the Pennsylvania Convention Center from Friday to Sunday.

    📅 My calendar picks this week: Holiday Light Parade in Kennett Square, A Christmas Story: The Musical at Walnut Street Theatre, Tavern Night at the Museum of the American Revolution.

    This image released by Polk & Co. shows Casey Likes during a performance of “Back to the Future: The Musical.” (Matthew Murphy and Evan Zimmerman via AP)

    The thing of the week: The ‘Back to the Future’ musical is here

    Great Scott! The musical adaptation of the classic Back to the Future film arrived at the Academy of Music this week.

    The Broadway hit will transport audiences to 1955 with Marty McFly and the eccentric scientist Doc Brown, played by actors Lucas Hallauer and Don Stephenson, as they race against time on the theater stage — DeLorean style.

    For more information, visit ensembleartsphilly.org

    Fall fun this week and beyond

    🎄 Did someone say cookies and ornaments?: The second annual I Saw Santa at the Bakery event will boast Christmas cookies, ornament making, gifts, and professional photos with Santa Claus.

    đŸ–Œïž Exploring indigenous history: Penn Museum unveils its new Native North American gallery, showcasing more than 250 items from the institution’s North American collections alongside contemporary Native art pieces.

    🎅 Another classic holiday story: If you’re not already in the Christmas spirit, Walnut Street Theatre is offering a seasonal classic now set to the musical stage. A Christmas Story: The Musical will run through Jan. 4, 2026.

    🏼 Nature-inspired lights: LumiNature returns for another dazzling display at the Philadelphia Zoo, just in time for the whimsical holiday season. The experience will feature holiday fare, roaming animal characters, and more.

    🌊 Christmas underwater: Surf the Yule-tide for an explorative winter waterland, featuring indoor snow flurries, an underwater Christmas tree, and Scuba Santa in view starting Friday.

    Staffer picks

    Pop music critic Dan DeLuca lists the top concerts this weekend.

    🎾 Thursday: Hannah Cohen, alongside guests Sufjan Stevens and Clairo, and opener Salami Rose Joe Louis, will perform cuts from her dreamy and pastoral album, Earthstar Mountain, at Johnny Brenda’s.

    🎾 Friday: Ron Gallo will stir the Ardmore Music Hall crowd with subtly evocative folk, jazzy, and garage rock jams on Friday.

    đŸŽ€ Saturday: The iconic R&B duo Brandy and Monica are bringing their “The Boy Is Mine Tour” to Atlantic City’s Boardwalk Hall on Saturday.

    đŸŽ€ Sunday: Off the heels of his latest album, Baby!, Grammy-nominated singer and producer Dijon will play the Met Philly on Sunday.

    Read more music picks.

    While the talk of the town will be this year’s Philadelphia Marathon, there are other events and paths to venture toward this weekend. Whichever journey you choose, let ‘em know Earl sent you. That is all 🙂

    — Earl

    Courtesy of Giphy.com
  • Selling the family Shore house | Real Estate Newsletter

    Selling the family Shore house | Real Estate Newsletter

    The cottage on Asbury Avenue in Ocean City has been in the Smith family for seven decades. Now, it’s most likely at the end of its life.

    The 957-square-foot home two blocks from the beach is under contract with a developer for $1.4 million. And the family knows that the buyer will probably tear it down.

    That’s what happens down the Shore. The cottage sits on a large lot ripe for development and surrounded by larger neighbors.

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

    📼What type of nonresidential building would you want to live in if it were converted into a home? Maybe you even have a specific building in mind. Let me know.

    — Michaelle Bond

    P.S. The newsletter will be taking a break for Thanksgiving. So I’ll see you bright and early in your inbox the following Thursday, Dec. 4.

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    Selling a piece of family history

    Norman and Elizabeth Smith bought the two-bedroom, one-bathroom cottage in 1956 for $13,500. Generations of Smiths spent summers crammed into every corner of the home.

    And they watched over the years as small cottages like theirs were demolished and replaced with larger homes.

    After Norman and Elizabeth died, one of their sons moved in. But when he died in September, the family decided to sell the property that’s unique in the neighborhood for its small house and grass-covered yard.

    The home was listed for sale at the end of October. The family immediately received a bunch of offers, mostly from developers. Now the property is under contract with a developer for $1.4 million.

    My colleagues wrote last year about the owners of tiny Shore homes who refuse to sell their million-dollar properties.

    But that’s not the usual choice. Take a look inside the Smith’s Shore cottage before it’s gone.

    Fuel leak upends a Bucks neighborhood

    “We will never drink the water in this house again,” a Bucks County homeowner said.

    Kristine Wojnovich and her husband don’t bathe in their home either. That’s because they get their water from a well, and that well was one of six that a pipeline leak contaminated with jet fuel.

    The leak has disrupted life in a quiet, suburban neighborhood, which happens to have a 14-inch-wide pipeline running underneath it that carries jet fuel, diesel, or gasoline from Delaware County to Newark, N.J.

    State inspectors discovered the leak in January. But Wojnovich told my colleague that she first knew something was wrong with the water coming from her well in 2023.

    Many residents of the neighborhood won’t drink or cook with their water. They watch as neighbors put their houses up for sale.

    Keep reading to learn more details about the leak and what life is like now for the people who live in the neighborhood.

    The latest news to pay attention to

    Home tour: Church turned apartments

    The four women in their 20s all separately found Christ Reformed Church on Facebook. But they didn’t come to worship. They wanted to live there.

    The Romanesque-style brownstone structure was built in 1860 as a church, but now it’s an apartment building with 17 multilevel units.

    Corwynne Peterson, Riley Sperger, Ashlee Propst, and Magdalena Becker live in one of those units. They moved in at different times over the last 2œ years.

    Their four-level apartment includes soaring ceilings, stained glass, columns, and ornate carvings.

    The women throw parties in the home and screen movies on the dome of what used to be the church’s sanctuary. They call the sanctuary’s raised platform “the stage” and have furnished it with a dining table, chairs, and a rug.

    Peek inside their unique Spring Garden apartment.

    đŸ“· Photo quiz

    Do you know the location this photo shows?

    📼 If you think you do, email me back. You and your memories of visiting this spot might be featured in the newsletter.

    Shout-out to Janet P. and Gary G., the first readers to answer last week’s quiz correctly. That photo featured the statue of activist Octavius V. Catto on the south side of City Hall.

    Enjoy the rest of your week and your Thanksgiving. We’ll meet back here on Dec. 4.

    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.

  • 🍮 Stars, snubs, and surprises | Morning Newsletter

    🍮 Stars, snubs, and surprises | Morning Newsletter

    Morning, Philly. The sun returns from behind the clouds today.

    Michelin has officially entered the Philadelphia dining scene. Below, sample Inquirer food writers’ analysis of the honored — and the snubbed — plus the results of our reader poll that asked which restaurants you thought should get a nod.

    And nearly two years into the city’s efforts to shut down Kensington’s open-air drug market, some of the neighborhood’s most chronic challenges are slowly improving. But is the crisis too entrenched?

    — Julie Zeglen (morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)

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    Seeing stars

    By the end of Michelin’s Kimmel Center ceremony on Tuesday night, three local restaurants had gotten a one-star rating, and 31 others got recognition.

    But did the vaunted international arbiter of dining get it right in Philadelphia? Restaurant critic Craig LaBan sat down with food reporters Michael Klein and Kiki Aranita to compare notes, including which eateries they think deserve a second look.

    Here’s more from our Michelin review:

    🍮 Discerning palates: We asked readers last week to tell us which Philly restaurants you thought deserved a star. You agreed with Michelin on just one out of three.

    🍮 Taste test: Is there a difference between a Michelin star, Bib Gourmand, and recommendation? Yes, but they’re all a win. Dig into the distinctions.

    🍮 Closing time: Barely 12 hours after being included in Michelin’s recommended restaurants, East Passyunk Avenue’s Laurel said its final night of service would be Friday.

    🍮 Love at first bite: All three Philly men who earned Michelin stars share another common thread — they’re proud “Wife Guys.”

    In other food news:

    • The owner of the beleaguered Bistro at Cherry Hill, a longtime mall fixture that closed this summer amid bankruptcy proceedings, has been indicted on charges of tax fraud.
    • Percy on North Front Street has rebranded to become an all-day diner after receiving mixed reviews for its initial, pricier iteration.
    • And LaBan reviews Stephen Starr’s Borromini, which aims to be an Italian Parc. His take: The vibes are immaculate. The food, not so much.

    Signs of progress

    Under the renewed efforts of Mayor Cherelle L. Parker’s administration, some residents and city officials agree that many of Kensington’s most chronic challenges have been improving, albeit slowly.

    The neighborhood has fewer shootings and more drug arrests amid an expanded police presence. Riverview Wellness Village, Parker’s new $100 million recovery and treatment facility in Northeast Philadelphia, now houses more than 200 people.

    But the open-air drug market persists — an intractable problem that has been a main character in Kensington’s story for decades. Some critics, including harm-reduction groups, say the administration’s efforts push the issues to other areas of the city or don’t target the source of the ills.

    Reporter Ellie Rushing has the progress report, nearly two years in.

    What you should know today

    Quote of the day

    Philly-area federal workers are finally getting paid again. But after Jan. 30, if lawmakers once again fail to agree on keeping the government open, some federal workers could once again face a lapse in their pay.

    P.S. Philadelphia International Airport will reopen two U.S. Transportation Security Administration-run security checkpoints that were closed amid the government shutdown.

    🧠 Trivia time

    Philadelphia School District students this week were invited to give their honest (and sometimes brutal) reviews of what?

    A) Uniform proposals

    B) District leadership

    C) The pending facilities closure plan

    D) School lunch options

    Think you know? Check your answer.

    What we’re …

    🏈 Watching: The trailer for HBO’s in-season Hard Knocks featuring the Eagles and NFC East.

    🎾 Honoring: Late WMMR host Pierre Robert with a memorial concert.

    đŸŽ€ Saying goodbye to: REC Philly’s Fashion District space as it closes due to “unforeseen circumstances.”

    â›Ș Obsessed with: These four roommates’ church-turned-apartment in Spring Garden.

    đŸ„• Considering: How the uncertainty of SNAP benefits impacts children with autism.

    đŸ§© Unscramble the anagram

    Hint: Coming to a former refinery site in South Philadelphia

    BRITS CHEWED LITTLER

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

    Cheers to Nick Scola, who solved Wednesday’s anagram: DuPont. Axalta, a Philly-based spin-off of the Wilmington chemical company, hopes its merger with a global paint giant will boost sagging sales.

    Photo of the day

    “Crab Couch” by artist Rose Luardo at the cement triangle at the intersection of Washington Avenue, Passyunk Avenue, and Eighth Street.

    🩀 One last crabby thing: The artist behind the “Boob Garden” and “Rave Coffin” strikes again in South Philadelphia with “Crab Couch,” which, as columnist Stephanie Farr notes, comes with claws and killer side-eye.

    Thanks for starting your day with The Inquirer. Back at it tomorrow.

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  • The township changes you may want to brace for | Inquirer Lower Merion

    The township changes you may want to brace for | Inquirer Lower Merion

    Hi, Lower Merion! 👋

    Could the township see its first parking meter rate hike since 1999? The change is one of several ordinances considered at last night’s township meeting. Also, meet two Rhodes scholars with local ties, and catch up on the latest in the push to merge Lower Merion’s two high school football teams.

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    Parking meter rates may be going up for the first time since 1999

    Lower Merion Township’s administrative building. The township’s board of commissioners is set to raise parking meter rates, reduce the speed limit on a main artery, and regulate vape and smoke shops in upcoming votes.

    Lower Merion residents may want to brace for a few adjustments on the horizon, including a lower speed limit on parts of Lancaster Avenue and new rules surrounding where smoke and vape shops can operate.

    Township commissioners considered multiple ordinances at their meeting last night, including the speed limit reduction and a proposal that would up the cost of parking in the township for the first time in 25 years, potentially generating around $900,000 annually.

    Read the latest updates from reporter Denali Sagner here.

    💡 Community News

    đŸ« Schools Briefing

    • In case you missed it, Lower Merion Superintendent Frank Ranelli made an official recommendation during a recent school board meeting not to merge the district’s football programs. The move comes amid a push from parents to combine teams. A school spokesperson said any further action or vote on a potential football merger would be the school board’s decision.
    • Harriton is hosting a “High School Family Workshop Night” on Monday. It kicks off at 6:30 p.m.
    • Harriton High School’s boys soccer team recently won its first-ever Central Athletic League title, as well as the PIAA District One 3A title, before advancing to the state semifinals, where the team lost to Abington Heights.
    • Today is picture retake day. Also, the book fair continues today and tomorrow at Bala Cynwyd Middle School. And tonight, the high schools kick off their fall plays. Harriton is performing Clue, which runs through Saturday, while Lower Merion High is putting on Legally Blonde, which is on until Sunday. Reminder for families: Elementary and middle school students don’t have class on Tuesday, and all students are out on Wednesday. The district is closed next Thursday and Friday for Thanksgiving. See the full calendar here.

    đŸœïž On our Plate

    🎳 Things to Do

    đŸ€  Barn Dance: Brush up on your dancing skills or learn some new steps at this event. ⏰ Friday, Nov. 21, 6:30-9 p.m. đŸ’” $25 📍 Riverbend Environmental Education Center

    🎁 BHL Holiday Market: Belmont Hills Library is hosting the first of three holiday markets this weekend, where you can shop goods from local artisans. ⏰ Saturday, Nov. 22, 2-7 p.m. đŸ’” Pay as you go 📍 Belmont Hills Library

    đŸ§™â€â™€ïž Let’s Celebrate the Opening of Wicked: For Good: Kids ages 5 to 12 can make themed edible crafts inspired by Elphaba and Glinda. ⏰ Sunday, Nov. 23, 4-5 p.m. đŸ’” $21.20 📍 The Candy Lab

    🩕 Movie Matinee: Catch a screening of The Land Before Time at the library. Registration is required. ⏰ Tuesday, Nov. 25, 1-3 p.m. đŸ’” Free 📍 Penn Wynne Library

    🍂 Fall Cornucopia Creations: Create your own Thanksgiving centerpiece. ⏰ Tuesday, Nov. 25, 6-7:30 p.m. đŸ’” $95 📍 Plant 4 Good

    🚗 Worth the Drive: A Longwood Christmas: Longwood Gardens’ annual holiday display kicks off tomorrow and runs through early January. This year’s theme is inspired by jewels and gems. ⏰ Friday, Nov. 21-Sunday, Jan. 11, 10 a.m.-11 p.m. đŸ’” $25 for kids 5-18, $45 for adults 19 and older, free for members and kids under 5📍 Longwood Gardens

    🏡 On the Market

    Luxury and privacy in Bryn Mawr

    1075 Green Valley Road in Bryn Mawr is listed for $3.25 million.

    This sprawling, nearly 8,000-square-foot gated estate in Bryn Mawr boasts five bedrooms and five-and-a-half bathrooms. Among its highlights? A sweeping staircase, gym, sauna, wine cellar, and lagoon-style pool.

    See more photos of the property here.

    Price: $3,250,000 | Size: 7,931 | Acreage: 1.61

    đŸ—žïž 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.

  • A new Mexican BYOB is coming to town | Inquirer Greater Media

    A new Mexican BYOB is coming to town | Inquirer Greater Media

    Hi, Greater Media! 👋

    A new Mexican restaurant from a familiar chef is getting ready to open in Media. Also this week, the Wallingford-Swarthmore School District is facing a $2.6 million deficit, we round up where you can get a fresh turkey for Thanksgiving, and an Inquirer columnist stumbled upon an offensively Pennsylvanian outfit at Granite Run.

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    A new Mexican BYOB is opening in Media next week

    Chef Antonio Garcia (left) will balance being in the kitchen with being on the floor at his new restaurant, Taquero. He’s tapped Jose Rigoberto (right) as his sous chef.

    Media is getting a new Mexican restaurant on Monday, when Chef Antonio Garcia of Ariano opens his own eatery, Taquero.

    Garcia, who’s been in the kitchen at Ariano since it opened over a decade ago, has been working to bring his new BYOB on Veterans Square to life for over 18 months. There, he will be serving a range of modern and traditional dishes from his native Mexico, including some his grandmother used to make.

    “Everybody says their grandma is the best cook. My grandma was, like, insane,” Garcia said. “Everything she cooked was so delicious.”

    Taquero, which translates to taco-maker, will serve five types of tacos, as well as appetizers, soups, salads, entrĂ©es, and desserts. It will also offer mixers for people who bring their own alcohol. In crafting the menu, Garcia said he wanted to do “something that’s going to make me proud, for me and my family.”

    Read more about Garcia and the forthcoming Taquero here.

    💡 Community News

    • The state’s long-awaited $50.1 billion budget, signed last week, includes $3 million in supplemental payments for Riddle Hospital, which has seen an increase in patients since Crozer-Chester Medical Center closed earlier this year. There was no additional funding for mass transit, however.
    • Meanwhile, Delaware County last week reported that during the state budget impasse — which began after a missed July 1 deadline — it had spent about $12 million monthly through October from its reserves to backfill for state funding. The county expects to be reimbursed by the state, but it’s unclear when.
    • SEPTA has finished inspecting all 223 of its Silverliner IV Regional Rail cars, but normal service on the commuter system may not return until at least mid-December.
    • Staff members arrived at the Delaware County Republican Party headquarters in Media yesterday morning to find the building’s glass door shattered — the second such incident in 13 months. “It’s just a sign of the times unfortunately,” said party chair Frank Agovino, who also said police are investigating the apparent vandalism.
    • In Philly and Delco, listings and sales of luxury homes are down from last year while prices have grown. In the combined market of both counties, 285 luxury homes sold between July and September of this year — down 16% from the same period in 2024, according to a Redfin analysis.
    • A Delaware County Overdose Response Team was recently added to Riddle Hospital in Media. The partnership between paramedics and a certified recovery specialist team is intended to reduce some of the burden on emergency services. Through the program, a Main Line Health certified recovery specialist will follow ambulances to certain 911 calls and provide additional support to those who have overdosed. (Daily Times)
    • Delaware County libraries have been impacted by the impending closure of one of the largest library book distributors in the country. The county’s 28 libraries used Baker & Taylor to varying degrees, but its abrupt shutdown has meant many librarians are having to do extra work, like applying a protective layer to book covers.
    • When shopping at the Promenade at Granite Run recently, Inquirer columnist Stephanie Farr came across what she believes to be the most offensively Pennsylvanian outfit: matching camouflage sweat suits. “Here were outfits that managed to do what no state legislature or psychological expert ever has: They married rural and urban Pennsylvania,” she writes.
    • A reminder that the Thanksgiving holiday will impact your trash and recycling pickup next week. Not sure when your holiday collection will be? Check the Media or Swarthmore websites. If you live in Nether Providence Township, check with your private trash collector.
    • Nether Providence Township is hosting a bulk trash drop-off event on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., or until the bins are full, at Hepford Park and the South Media Fire Station.
    • Saturday is the last day of the Swarthmore Farmers Market for 2025.

    đŸ« Schools Briefing

    • Wallingford-Swarthmore School District is headed for a $2.6 million budget deficit that officials blame on a “spending problem.” Without implementing a “cultural shift” around spending, the district is staring down major fiscal problems for the 2027-28 school year, said business administrator DeJuana Mosley.
    • Book fairs continue at a couple RMTSD schools through Tuesday, and there are parent-teacher conferences at several schools on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday next week. There are no classes for kindergarten through eighth grade students starting Tuesday, and the high school has an early dismissal Wednesday. The district is closed next Thursday and Friday for Thanksgiving. See the full calendar here.
    • Tara Irey, a Wallingford-Swarthmore School District first grade teacher who brings “learning to life every day,” was recently named the winner of Welch’s Fruit Snacks and Crayola’s “Thank You Teacher Sweepstakes.” Her prize? A $10,000 classroom makeover.
    • Wallingford Elementary’s book fair continues through tomorrow, and Saturday and Sunday are fall drama performances. There will be no classes next Wednesday, and the district is closed next Thursday and Friday for Thanksgiving. See the full calendar here.

    đŸœïž On our Plate

    • Tomorrow is the last day to place takeout Thanksgiving orders from White Dog Cafe. The popular eatery, which has a location in Glen Mills, is offering a feast to feed eight or Ă  la carte options.
    • Speaking of Thanksgiving, if you’re still in search of a fresh turkey, we’ve rounded up where you can buy them locally, including at Linvilla Orchards, which has whole birds or breasts. Preorders for turkeys are due today.

    🎳 Things to Do

    đŸ›ïž Penncrest Band Annual Craft Show: Shop over 125 vendors, hear the band play, sample food, and try your luck at a raffle. ⏰ Saturday, Nov. 22, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. đŸ’” Pay as you go 📍 Penncrest High School, Media

    đŸ”„ Fire Pit Fridays: At the YMCA’s final fire pit event of the year, roast s’mores while connecting with other attendees. Hot chocolate will be available for purchase. ⏰ Friday, Nov. 21, 6-8 p.m. đŸ’” Free 📍 Rocky Run YMCA, Media

    đŸ„§ 2nd Annual Hoedown and Pie Raffle Fundraiser: Put on your dancing boots for this family-friendly fundraiser that includes barbecue, kids’ crafts, a pie raffle, and a live band with a professional caller to shout out the steps. ⏰ Saturday, Nov. 22, 5 p.m. đŸ’” $15 for children ages 4 to 9, $35 for attendees 10 and older 📍 Park Avenue Community Center, Swarthmore

    đŸŒČ Cut-Your-Own Christmas Tree: Find your perfect Christmas tree among the pre-cut options or venture into the fields to chop down your own. ⏰ Opening Saturday, Nov. 22 through Tuesday, Dec. 23, times and days vary đŸ’” $119 per tree plus tax 📍 Linvilla Orchards, Media

    🎭 Little Women: Hedgerow Theatre’s newest show kicks off and is a stage adaptation of Louisa May Alcott’s beloved book. ⏰ Wednesday, Nov. 26-Sunday, Dec. 28, times and days vary đŸ’” $20-$35 📍 Hedgerow Theatre, Rose Valley

    đŸƒâ€âžĄïž Delco Turkey Trot: Sunday is the last day to register for this year’s race, which includes a 5K or a one-mile “little drumstick” run to benefit Nether Providence Elementary School’s parent-teacher organization. ⏰ Thursday, Nov. 27, 8:30 a.m. đŸ’” $25 for kids under 12, $40 for everyone else 📍 Nether Providence Elementary School, Wallingford

    🚗 Worth the Drive: A Longwood Christmas: Longwood Gardens’ annual holiday display kicks off tomorrow and runs through early January. This year’s theme is inspired by gems. Timed reservations are required. ⏰ Friday, Nov. 21-Sunday, Jan. 11, 10 a.m.-11 p.m. đŸ’” $25 for kids 5-18, $45 for adults 19 and older, free for members and kids under 5 📍 Longwood Gardens

    🏡 On the Market

    A Media home that’s well equipped for entertaining

    703 Iris Lane is listed for $957,000.

    A custom bar and a hot tub? This four-bedroom, three-and-a-half bathroom home in Media boasts plenty of space for hosting. Other highlights include a farm sink, double ovens, multiple fireplaces, a two-story foyer, and more.

    See more photos of the property here.

    Price: $957,000 | Size: 3,538

    đŸ—žïž 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.

  • âšœ Owned goals | Sports Daily Newsletter

    ⚜ Owned goals | Sports Daily Newsletter

    On a week when the Union should be preparing for a crucial Eastern Conference semifinal against New York City FC on Sunday (7:55 p.m., Apple TV, MLS Season Pass), the prevailing news is drama of a different kind.

    On Tuesday, the Guardian unveiled a monthslong report revealing alleged misconduct by the Union’s sporting director, Ernst Tanner, who is considered the mastermind of the team’s prominence in Major League Soccer over the last few seasons.

    According to the report, Tanner is accused in a series of incidents involving racism, sexism, and homophobia directed toward people around American soccer. On Wednesday, we heard the latest from the stance of MLS, the club, and even Tanner himself, via his legal team after he was put on “administrative leave.”

    The situation puts the Union in a bind: The technical staff is focused on advancing to next week’s conference final, while the front office seeks to distance itself from serious allegations against the guy in charge of its future.

    It’s what we’re leading off your Thursday with, one expected to remain cloudy, but peaking into the 50s today.

    — Kerith Gabriel, @phillysport, sports.daily@inquirer.com.

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

    ❓Is there a sports scandal you won’t soon forget? Email us back for a chance to be featured in the newsletter.

    Hurts, on Hurts

    Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts during a break against the Detroit Lions last Sunday.

    We all know the Eagles quarterback is good for a great quote or two, but what does he have to say about himself when asked? In a moment in which pundits once again are starting to doubt Jalen Hurts, here’s a snippet of what he said, gathered by Inquirer reporter Olivia Reiner:

    “I guess I get a lot of attention when things are going well and when things are not going so well,” Hurts said. “So I never run away from holding myself accountable and I think that’s exactly what I’ve taken the approach of doing. Even when I look at this last game, I take great pride in what we do on offense. I take great pride in how we go out there and play as a team and what our flow is.

    “So we obviously got work to do, and I think that obviously starts with me. That’s always my approach. That’s always me looking internally first in everything that we do. And in due time, rising above.”

    According to Hurts, scrutiny is par for the course. But he doesn’t plan on caving in to the rumors.

    What can George give the Sixers?

    Sixers forward Paul George joined the team in 2024 with expectations that he would help the team compete for a title.

    Paul George wasted no time getting in on the action in his first game of the 2025-26 season. Just 36 seconds into regulation Monday, George picked up a block against James Harden and turned a quick give-and-go with Tyrese Maxey into a catch-and-shoot three-pointer. Of course, the rest of George’s night wasn’t quite as smooth.

    It’s tough to draw too many sweeping conclusions from George’s season debut. But The Inquirer takes a closer look at how his return could help the Sixers improve at both ends while lightening the load on Maxey. We look at what George can give to the Sixers — and what might be a thing of the past.

    The Sixers could not overcome a third-quarter surge by the Raptors in a 121-112 loss to Toronto. Tyrese Maxey paced the Sixers with 24 points, but the team committed a season-high 21 turnovers that led to 31 Raptors points.

    Maddon talks Phillies

    Joe Maddon (left) managed Kyle Schwarber for the first five years of his career with the Cubs.

    Kyle Schwarber spent much of his first five major league seasons trying to get things right against lefties.

    Joe Maddon watched the struggle up close as manager of the Cubs.

    Schwarber became a complete hitter in four seasons with the Phillies — and put himself in position to cash in this offseason in free agency. As Schwarber’s market develops, Maddon sat down with Phillies Extra, The Inquirer’s baseball podcast, to discuss the slugger’s maturation as a hitter.

    Get your Eagles fix!

    Gameday Central: Eagles at Cowboys

    Get up to speed before kickoff as the Inquirer’s Olivia Reiner and Jeff McLane break down everything you need to know ahead of Sunday’s game against the Cowboys. Watch here.

    Eric Lindros

    On this date

    Nov. 20, 1997: Flyers great Eric Lindros is alleged to have bitten San Jose Sharks defenseman Marty McSorley. However, two days later, the NHL cleared Lindros of any wrongdoing, despite video appearing to show Lindros in full bite mode.

    Standings, stats, and more

    Want to see the full breakdown of last night’s Sixers game against the Toronto Raptors? Here’s a place to access your favorite Philadelphia teams’ statistics, schedules, and standings in real time.

    David Murphy’s take 


    Nick Castellanos and the Phillies will likely part ways before the start of next season.

    The most important variable in any negotiation is what the other side thinks you are willing to pay. Right now, the other 29 teams in Major League Baseball have every reason to think the Phillies aren’t willing to pay Nick Castellanos anything. — The latest from Inquirer columnist David Murphy on the upside of Castellanos’ situation for the Phillies.

    What you’re saying about Temple football

    We asked: Can K.C. Keeler bring success back to Temple in football?

    Success for Temple football is fielding a competitive team capable of earning a bid for a Bowl Game. Following four years of three-win seasons, KC [Keeler] has worked miracles on North Broad this season. He brought in 46 new players and totally revamped the culture. The team believes they can win and are on the brink of potentially qualifying for a bowl bid. Choosing a successful head coach who is committed to Temple, not the next job, is a big win for the Owls. Now, we need fans in the stands when Penn State visits next September. — Bob C.

    Yes. They were competitive in the conference this year in his first year at Temple. He knows the area, he can recruit, he can coach and the American conference is not impossible to win (see Army and Navy this year and last). — Richard V.

    Short answer on KC Keeler NO. Temple is not a football school. They should forget football and put all their money and efforts into becoming a big-name basketball school. Lifetime, the Owls are 499-622-52. They have played nine Bowl Games and won three. From 1887 to 2025, Penn State has had 16 coaches. From 1894 to 2025, Temple has had 34. They have played in multiple conferences and were expelled from the Big East in 2019 for a lack of commitment. Their greatest years were the Pop Warner era that ended in 1938 when I was born. Wayne Harden and Matt Rhule also had success there, but very limited success since then. —Everett S.

    We compiled today’s newsletter using reporting from Jonathan Tannenwald, Kerith Gabriel, Olivia Reiner, Keith Pompey, Scott Lauber, David Murphy, and Neil Pane.

    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.

    Hey, thanks for allowing us to get your days started — or just to feel better informed. Bella returns to your inbox tomorrow to get you ready for the weekend. — Kerith

  • Philly’s big Michelin night! | Let’s Eat

    Philly’s big Michelin night! | Let’s Eat

    What a night! Nearly three dozen Michelin restaurants in the 215!

    Also in this edition:

    — Mike Klein

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

    A very Philly Michelin night

    For the first time ever, Philadelphia has a Michelin star. Three, in fact. Plus 31 other restaurants with Michelin acclaim, including three cheesesteak spots!

    We lay out last night’s winners and what it all means. (Beyond the fact that you might never be able to be a walk-in anymore.)

    Our favorite pies

    You say you’re not baking this year? No worries. We scouted outlets for pie, and we’ve found bakeries that are a cut above. Check out our map.

    Where to eat along Marathon route

    Sunday’s Philadelphia Marathon wends from Old City out to Manayunk. If you’re watching with kids, here are 10 restaurants that can accommodate everyone relatively painlessly.

    Chef puts his stock in milk buns

    Chef Yehuda Sichel of the sandwich shop Huda has gone into the burger biz with Huda Burger, set right in the middle of everything in Fishtown. The secret sauce, as it were, is his fluffy, house-made milk buns.

    A look back at the Inquirer Food Fest

    đŸ€€ A recap of some of the tastier bites from last weekend’s Inquirer Food Fest.

    🧁 Watch Eagles star Jordan Mailata and his wife, Niki, judge the Great Inquirer Bake-Off.

    Scoops

    Luna Cafe in Kensington is making a short but substantial move, ceding its home at Third Street and Cecil B. Moore Avenue for a new space two blocks away at the Luxe (1705 N. American St.), allowing owner Sarah Varisano to grow the brand without leaving the neighborhood she’s called home for 13 years. Varisano, who started Luna in Old City 10 years ago as a new Drexel University MBA grad, will close the current cafe after brunch service on Dec. 14 and expects an April reopening. Luna’s familiar identity — full-service brunch, breakfast, coffee-to-go — will remain, while its bar and beverage program will expand. Evening hours will be added Thursday through Saturday. A key Luxe draw is the large outdoor courtyard, which Varisano expects to activate with about 50 seats for brunch, evening service, collaborations, and pop-ups.

    Palm Vintage Cafe — cafe by day, high-end cocktails and sushi by night — is on the way this winter to 1414 S. Penn Square (next to La Colombe and across from City Hall at the Residences at the Ritz Carlton). Houston Yang, who also owns the new Fushimi sushi counter at Two Liberty Place, and friend Mike Beja, an engineer, plan to offer pastries, breakfast sandwiches, salads, lunch sandwiches, and coffee from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Then it goes to cocktails, sushi, caviar, oysters, and light food till 10 p.m. The tropical motif is meant to evoke a relaxed island escape in the middle of Center City.

    Mei Mei in Old City is undergoing renovations. Meanwhile, owner Jay Ho is taking over the former Izakaya Fishtown space next spring with Kato, an homage to his Taiwanese father and the food he grew up eating, amped by his love of Korean, Thai, and Vietnamese cooking. Ho plans to keep the front bar intact but will transform the back sushi counter area into additional dining space with the option for private dining.

    Capperini, a luxe spot serving an Italian-Mediterranean menu with a liquor license, is on its way to 137 S. Easton Rd. (at Wesley Avenue) in Glenside. Co-owner Ilya Vorobey, whose partners include the crew from Capri in Queen Village, says it should open next spring.

    Restaurant report

    Antonio Garcia, longtime chef of Italian restaurant Ariano in downtown Media, will open his own BYOB, Taquero, on the same block. The menu will pay homage to his Mexican roots. Above is fideo seco — noodles in a chipotle broth, served with queso fresco, crema, lump crab, and avocado. Read on as Lisa Dukart runs down the other specialties in advance of Taquero’s opening Monday on Veterans Square.

    Briefly noted

    Rocket Cat Cafe is not coming back to Fishtown. The long-delayed LeoFigs decided to have some fun with its neighbors with a bit of a ruse.

    Percy in Fishtown has rebranded to all-day diner after mixed reviews. Pancakes for dinner under the El!

    Nan Xiang Soup Dumplings, the acclaimed Shanghainese restaurant that scored a “Michelin-recommended” tag at its flagship in Queens, has set Thursday for the opening of its first Delaware location in the Christiana Shopping District, 101 Geoffrey Drive, Newark.

    St. Oners, Tired Hands Brewing Co.’s eatery at 2218 Frankford Ave., will mark the release of its cannabis-inspired beer Stoner Hands on Thursday (3-10 p.m.) with an a la carte Mexican pairing menu from chef Antonio Hidalgo. Attendees get a sample pint of Stoner Hands, a 5.5% ABV terpene-infused pale ale.

    Chef Nana Araba Wilmot, whose cooking is shaped by her Ghanaian heritage and informed by French, Spanish, Southern, and Asian traditions, will host a Love That I Knead Supperclub installment themed to the cultural and culinary ties between Ghana and Jamaica. The BYO dinner, hosted by 5to9 Hospitality Group, will be from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Sunday in Fishtown. It’s three courses plus welcome bites ($120 for chef’s table, $95 for general seating). A portion of proceeds benefits the Walkgood Jamaica Hurricane Relief Fund. Details are here.

    Paris Baguette’s first South Jersey location will ribbon-cut at 3:30 p.m. Monday at Moorestown’s East Gate Shopping Center (105 Mall Link Rd.). Franchisees are IT professionals Ami and David Shah.

    Tickets for the James Beard Foundation’s Taste America: Philadelphia 2026 — it’s March 18 at the Grand Belle at the Bellevue — are now online.

    ❓Pop quiz

    What is the manufacturer PepsiCo doing with Doritos and Cheetos to make them more healthful?

    A) frying them in avocado oil

    B) baking them first in olive oil

    C) eliminating artificial colors

    D) making the chips thinner

    Find out if you know the answer.

    Ask Mike anything

    What is happening on Washington Avenue near Front Street? It looks like a huge space, and yet from what I can tell online, it is a coffee shop? — Amanda J.

    It will be the first Philadelphia location of Trung NguyĂȘn Legend, the powerhouse Vietnamese coffee brand behind the G7 instant line and animal-free “weasel” coffee. Grand opening is noted in its social media as Nov. 29. It started in 1996 in Vietnam’s Central Highlands and has grown into a global chain of philosophically themed cafĂ©s and franchises, now pushing into the United States. “Weasel coffee?” you ask. That’s Vietnam’s famed civet-style brew; traditionally made from beans eaten and excreted by civets, it’s now recreated by Trung NguyĂȘn through an enzyme-fermentation process that mimics the flavor without using animals.

    📼 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.

  • 👟 26.2 miles of fans | Morning Newsletter

    👟 26.2 miles of fans | Morning Newsletter

    Hi, Philly. Expect clouds and possibly rain this morning.

    It’s almost time for the most ambitious among us to lace up their sneakers and run for hours through the city’s scenic and historic neighborhoods. For the rest, there’s the spectator’s guide to the 2025 Philadelphia Marathon.

    And a pipeline leak disrupted a quiet Bucks County community. Some residents say they’ll never drink the water in their homes again.

    Plus, the Michelin Guide has announced which Philly restaurants are worthy of its coveted stars. See the latest analysis at Inquirer.com and on Instagram.

    — Julie Zeglen (morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)

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

    A spectator’s guide to the marathon

    Philadelphia Marathon Weekend is upon us. This year, organizers expect roughly 30,000 athletes across Saturday’s half marathon and 8K, and Sunday’s full marathon and children’s run.

    Not running, but want to be one of the thousands of spectators supporting those who are? We have some advice.

    đŸȘ§ Pick your position: If you want the energy of a crowd, consider posting up at Chestnut Street in Center City or Main Street in Manayunk. If you’re looking for a calmer vibe, head to Kelly Drive.

    👟 Get around: With road closures, parking restrictions, and heavy traffic expected, driving anywhere near the race is a risk. Metro lines and Regional Rail are your friends. Or, you can always travel by foot, like the runners.

    🎉 Bring the party: But also layers, snacks, and the Philadelphia Marathon app downloaded on your phone to track participants in real time.

    Here’s the full spectator’s guide to the 2025 marathon, including a map of the race route and closures.

    More on navigating the marathon:

    ‘Something off with the water’

    Life has gotten more stressful for residents of a suburban Bucks County community after a pipeline leaked jet fuel under their homes, contaminating their water supply.

    The 67-year-old Twin Oaks Pipeline is owned by Sunoco and its parent company, Energy Transfer. As part of the more than 2.5 million miles of pipelines that transport fuels in the United States, it tunnels under the Delaware River and runs below a school’s grounds and state and local parks.

    State inspectors uncovered the leak in January. Regulators say it likely began much earlier.

    Energy Transfer has apologized and taken steps to remediate the issue. But now, most people in the neighborhood won’t drink the water. Many won’t cook with it. Some even bathe elsewhere.

    Reporter Frank Kummer has the story.

    In other environmental news: A Conshohocken-area data center proposal was abruptly withdrawn over legal issues. Neighbors have cited concerns about light, noise, and air pollution, as well as water usage and electricity costs.

    What you should know today

    Quote of the day

    West Philly’s Jubilee School on Monday commemorated the 1967 student walkout, when thousands of Philadelphia School District students demanded better treatment of Black students.

    🧠 Trivia time

    As shown during Sunday’s Eagles broadcast, Boathouse Row recently glowed pink and green as a nod to what?

    A) The Eagles’ belated celebration of Breast Cancer Awareness Month

    B) The eventual return of spring

    C) The theatrical release of Wicked: For Good

    D) Preppy vibes

    Think you know? Check your answer.

    What we’re 


    đŸ„§ Mapping: The best pies in the Philly area, from apple crumb and salted honey.

    👖 Asking: Is Boscov’s selling the most offensively Pennsylvania outfit ever?

    🏈 Following: The pushes for and against merging these Main Line schools’ football teams.

    🌳 Studying: What makes older residents stay in Cherry Hill.

    ✊ Considering: What comes after the “No Kings” rallies.

    đŸ§© Unscramble the anagram

    Hint: Wilmington chemical company

    NUT POD

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

    Cheers to Diane Marcakis, who solved Tuesday’s anagram: The College of Physicians of Philadelphia. The MĂŒtter Museum’s parent org announced plans Monday for a $27 million expansion and renovation at 22nd and Chestnut Streets.

    Photo of the day

    Crossing guard Terri Ashwood shields her head and face from cold winds while working on the 4700 block of Germantown Avenue.

    Stay warm today. I’ll be back with you tomorrow.

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

  • What draws the 55+ population to Cherry Hill? | Inquirer Cherry Hill

    What draws the 55+ population to Cherry Hill? | Inquirer Cherry Hill

    Hello, Cherry Hill! 👋

    First up this week, a $70,000 grant from the state will help the township explore a key question: What makes Cherry Hill such a desirable place to live for people 55 and older? Also this week, a Say Yes to the Dress star is coming to town, and we explain why the library is experiencing disruptions.

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

    A new assessment will explore what draws older residents to Cherry Hill

    Cherry Hill will be doing a needs assessment to determine what makes older residents want to stay.

    One-third of Cherry Hill’s residents are 55 or older. As the township’s population continues to grow, local leaders want to understand what makes its older residents stick around.

    “For those that have the means, it’s a conscious decision to stay,” said Mayor Dave Fleisher. “They want to stay close to their kids, close to their grandkids.”

    Cherry Hill will be using a $70,000 grant from the New Jersey Department of Human Services to do a needs assessment, including focus groups, listening sessions, and a survey. The goal of the grant, given to 17 communities in total, is to “make communities more welcoming and livable for people of all ages.”

    Read more about what Cherry Hill leaders hope to learn.

    💡 Community News

    đŸ« Schools Briefing

    • In case you missed it, last week, Cherry Hill Public Schools Superintendent Kwame Morton assured parents that the district will not ban or censor library books. The clarification came after an internal memo suggested that students would need parental permission to check out “sensitive” books.
    • Morton also last week released a report on the first quarter of the school year. It outlined key actions, currents challenges, and next steps across five areas, including academic achievement, the school’s climate, and staffing.
    • The district will hold its final meeting about elementary school enrollment “balancing” tomorrow at 7 p.m. over Zoom.
    • Reminder to families: There will be an early dismissal next Wednesday to kick off Thanksgiving break. See the district’s full calendar here.
    • Inspire A Learner, a new Islamic youth education and daycare center, has received zoning approval to operate in a converted office building on Marlkress Road. (70 and 73)

    đŸœïž On our Plate

    • The owners of Cherry Hill’s Old World-style Italian restaurant Il Villaggio have an agreement to buy popular Haddon Township pub Keg & Kitchen. It will remain a pub, but undergo a few changes, including to its name, menu, and decor.
    • Bombay Express, an Indian restaurant that recently closed its Marlton location, is heading to Cherry Hill. The eatery, which offers chicken, lamb, and vegetable dishes, in addition to biryanis and tandoori, will open in the Centrum Shoppes on Haddonfield-Berlin Road, though an exact timeline has not yet been shared.
    • Umai Ramen is one of the 20 best ramen shops in the Garden State, according to BestofNJ.com. The food outlet noted the Brace Road restaurant “brings a taste of authentic Japanese street food to Cherry Hill,” suggesting diners try the classic miso, tonkotsu, or the black garlic ramen.

    🎳 Things to Do

    đŸŽ…đŸ» Coca‑Cola Holiday Caravan: The bright red touring truck is making a stop in Cherry Hill tonight, where you can take photos with Santa, enjoy seasonal activities, and purchase Coca-Cola-themed gifts. ⏰ Wednesday, Nov. 19, 5:30-7:30 p.m. đŸ’” Pay as you go 📍 Roy Rogers

    đŸ›ïž Eyez on U Pop-Up Market: Beat the Black Friday rush and shop local businesses at the mall’s Grand Court. ⏰ Friday, Nov. 21-Sunday, Nov. 23, times vary đŸ’” Pay as you go 📍 Cherry Hill Mall

    🎄 Holiday House: See Barclay Farmstead decked out for the holidays. ⏰ Friday, Nov. 21-Sunday, Nov. 23, times vary đŸ’” $5.49 for adults, $3.49 for children 10 and under📍 Barclay Farmstead

    đŸ€– Philcon 2025: Science fiction, fantasy, and horror buffs will gather to celebrate the genres in books, film, television, and more. This year’s principal speaker is writer Charles Gannon, who is known for his Caine Riordan series. ⏰ Friday, Nov. 21-Sunday, Nov. 23, times vary đŸ’” $35-$75 📍 DoubleTree by Hilton

    🎧 R&B Night: Drinksgiving: Three DJs will play tunes during this R&B-themed event. ⏰ Friday, Nov. 21, 9 p.m.-2 a.m. đŸ’” $13.34 📍 Vera

    💎 Holiday Gift Bazaar: Over 40 vendors will be selling everything from accessories and beauty products to home goods at this event. ⏰ Sunday, Nov. 23, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. đŸ’” Pay as you go 📍 Congregation Kol Ami

    🎁 Holiday Craft Fair: Browse an array of vendors selling items like jewelry, scrapbooking supplies, and pottery. ⏰ Sunday, Nov. 23, 1-4 p.m. đŸ’” Pay as you go 📍 Cherry Hill Public Library

    🏡 On the Market

    This four-bedroom Short Hills home has a heated covered patio

    The four-bedroom home spans more than 5,100 square feet.

    Built in 1999, this spacious brick-fronted Short Hills home has a variety of unique features. Its first floor features a two-story foyer; a living room; an office; a family room with a fireplace set into a stone accent wall and vaulted ceilings; a dining room with a quartz waterfall island in lieu of a table; and a kitchen with granite countertops and high-end appliances. It has four bedrooms, including a primary suite, with a massive walk-in closet, a fireplace, a spa-like bathroom, and a balcony. The finished basement has a full bathroom and a home gym. Outside, there’s a heated covered patio and a saltwater fiberglass pool with a rock waterfall.

    See more photos of the property here.

    Price: $1.165M | Size: 5,100 SF | Acreage: 0.38

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