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  • 🩅 Birds on the hunt| Sports Daily Newsletter

    🩅 Birds on the hunt| Sports Daily Newsletter

    Lincoln Financial Field is one of the toughest stadiums for a road team to play at in the NFL.

    While the Giants came up with a 34-17 win over the Eagles in Week 6, New York has yet to win a road game this season, and it might stay that way heading to Philadelphia in a rematch on Sunday afternoon.

    Rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart will experience what it’s like to play at the Linc for the first time, and his teammates have been trying to prepare him for the hostile crowd.

    Since their trip to MetLife Stadium, where they suffered maybe their worst loss of the season, the Birds snapped a two-game losing streak, thanks largely to DeVonta Smith.

    The 26-year-old led the team with a career-high 183 yards and a touchdown on nine receptions last week in a win over the Vikings. No matter how hard Smith gets hit with his 6-foot, 170-pound frame, “he pops back up like he’s the biggest guy,” teammate Jahan Dotson says.

    As an undersized receiver, Smith has been proving people wrong his entire football career. And the grittiness he once exhibited as a kid is evident in his game today.

    On defense, Vic Fangio is still searching for a counterpart to Quinyon Mitchell. Jakorian Bennett likely will be activated ahead of Sunday’s game. Given the team’s struggles at the position, he sees an opportunity.

    Before we part for the weekend, make sure to check out The Inquirer’s soccer coverage as the Union face Chicago on Sunday (5:30 p.m., FS1) in the first round of the MLS Cup playoffs.

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

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    ❓What are your Eagles-Giants predictions? Email us back for a chance to be featured in the newsletter.

    ‘He’s one of a kind’

    Blue Jays rookie pitcher Trey Yesavage speaks to the media on Thursday ahead of his Game 1 start against the Dodgers in the World Series on Friday in Toronto.

    Pottstown’s Trey Yesavage will start Game 1 of the World Series against the Dodgers. What the 22-year-old has done this year has never been done before. Just over 15 months ago, the right-hander, who graduated from Boyertown Area High School, was drafted 20th overall out of East Carolina University. He opened his first professional season in March with Toronto’s low-A affiliate, the Dunedin Blue Jays. And on Friday, he will be the youngest player to start a World Series game since 2010.

    What we’re 


    🏀 Remembering: VJ Edgecombe making history on Wednesday, when he dropped 34 points in his NBA debut.

    đŸ€” Wondering: What the Giants are saying about the Eagles ahead of their rematch at the Linc.

    🏒Following: Owen Tippett’s hot start to open the Flyers’ season and setting the tone.

    📖 Reading: A mourning Roman Catholic coach and his family find solace in their football community.

    Historic debut

    Sixers guard VJ Edgecombe received praised for his calm approach to his first NBA game.

    There were no jitters, butterflies, or even a restless night for VJ Edgecombe in his NBA debut against the Boston Celtics Wednesday night at TD Garden. The 6-foot-4 combo guard poured in 34 points, marking the third-highest scoring debut in league history, to help the Sixers beat the Celtics, 117-116. Here’s what he said postgame: “From a team standpoint, we got the win, which matters the most.”

    After the game, players were amazed to learn that the last time the Sixers started 1-0 was during the 2021-22 season. The Sixers opened last season with two straight losses and dropped 12 of their first 14 games. They never recovered and finished with the league’s fifth-worst record at 24-58. Now, they’re focused on opening with consecutive victories for the first time since 2020-21.

    The Sixers will entertain the Charlotte Hornets in Saturday’s home opener before hosting the Orlando Magic on Monday.

    Familiar faces

    Sean Couturier (left) and Claude Giroux played 11 seasons together with the Flyers.

    The Senators have several familiar faces who skated on Thursday night. Of course, there is Claude Giroux, the former Flyers captain, Nick Cousins, and Olle Lycksell, who was in Philly last season. The head coaches, Rick Tocchet and Travis Green, also are friends and former teammates. “It’s always going to be special playing against Philly.”

    The Flyers got off to a fast start, thanks to Tyson Foerster’s goal, but Ottawa scored goals in each of the first two periods to snap the Orange and Black’s two-game winning streak.

    Up next, the Flyers host the Islanders on Saturday (12:30 p.m., NBCSP).

    Sports snapshot

    Baptiste Masotti (left) watches Aly Abou El Einen return the ball during the 2025 Comcast Business U.S. Open Squash Championships on Tuesday at the Arlen Specter US Squash Center in Philadelphia.
    • Center stage: The biggest squash event in America is this week at the Specter Center in University City.
    • Better together: Syracuse coach Fran Brown and defensive coordinator Elijah Robinson shared a dream of being on the same sideline.
    • College football: In this week’s roundup, we’re giving Temple its praise. Penn and Villanova also have been on a roll.
    • Sports betting bust: Here’s everything you need to know about Terry Rozier, Chauncey Billups, and cash handoffs in Philly.
    Gameday Central: Eagles at Vikings

    Tune in Sunday at 11:30 a.m. as The Inquirer’s Olivia Reiner and Jeff McLane preview the Eagles’ rematch with the New York Giants.

    David Murphy’s take

    Terry Rozier and Chauncey Billups were both arrested Thursday in separate gambling investigations.

    The most important indictment announced Thursday wasn’t the one that laid out the charges against NBA guard Terry Rozier for his alleged role in a prop-bet-fixing scheme or the one that detailed NBA head coach Chauncey Billups’ alleged involvement in rigging illegal poker games. The important indictment was the metaphorical one handed down against the NBA itself. For embracing legalized sports gambling. For partnering with online sportsbooks like DraftKings. For prioritizing profit over the integrity of the game, writes columnist David Murphy.

    We compiled today’s newsletter using reporting from Jeff Neiburg, Olivia Reiner, David Murphy, Devin Jackson, Lochlahn March, Kerith Gabriel, Ethan Kopelman, Alex Coffey, Keith Pompey, Jackie Spiegel, Rob Tornoe, Gabriela Carroll, Max Marin, Ryan W. Briggs, and Sean McKeown.

    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 reading and have a great weekend. Jim will be back in your inbox on Monday. — Bella

  • 🧛 Screams, scares, and spooky affairs | Things to do

    🧛 Screams, scares, and spooky affairs | Things to do

    Ghouls, ghosts, goblins, and other monsters have arrived in Philadelphia, ready for a weekend of Halloween-themed activities and spooky strolls through the city.

    It’s time to embrace the season of costume parties, haunted houses, horror movie marathons, and Halloween-themed pop-ups. Lucky for you, we’ve got you covered on all fronts, plus a treat for East Passyunk festival-dwellers, and derby racing fans.

    Enjoy.

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

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    Peter Richard Conte plays the pipe organ at the Wanamaker building for the launch of Opera Philadelphia and Scene’s Pipe Up! Series in Philadelphia on Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025. The historic Wanamaker department store re-opened its doors – this time as a pop-up arts space.

    The Wanamaker Building is turning into a theater for spooky films

    The Wanamaker Building is transforming into a spooky film theater this week for Pipe Up!, a pop-up series of 1920s silent horror films — all accompanied by live music on a pristine 1929 Wurlitzer organ. Curated by former Inquirer critic Carrie Rickey, the lineup includes eerie masterpieces like Nosferatu, Faust, The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari, and more.

    Each night features a different organist improvising along to the film in the building’s Greek Hall, offering an experience straight out of cinema’s earliest days. Screenings begin at 7 p.m. and are free with advance registration at operaphila.org

    The best things to do this week

    đŸ›„ïž Scares at the Seaport: Celebrate the spookiest time of the year at the Independence Seaport Museum, where family-friendly crafts, activities, and candy will be on full display on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

    🎃 Pumpkins at East Passyunk: Bring the family out for pumpkin carving, live music, and tasty hidden treats stashed inside nearby businesses at East Passyunk Fall Fest on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

    đŸ‘» Spooks at the local zoo: Philadelphia Zoo’s beloved seasonal Halloween event wraps up on Sunday. Stop by for costumes, parades by Bird Lake, and animals munching on pumpkins. Don’t miss the $5 “trick-or-tree” dance party and sweet treats throughout the park for ages 1-9.

    đŸŽïž Derby Racing: Start your marks. Kensington Derby & Arts Festival brings the homemade, human-powered vehicles parade back to the neighborhood, and straight into a giant mud pit.

    🌊 Waterfront Fun: Cherry Street Pier will be the site of the hands-on Halloween party, “PopUpPlay,” where kids can make giant cardboard monsters, go skull-hunting, and explore a miniature Halloween village

    📅 My calendar picks this week: Day of the Dead at the Magic Gardens Studio, Tricks & Treats, Philadelphia Film Festival

    The thing of the week: Spend a spooky weekend in Sleepy Hollow, N.Y.

    Sleepy Hollow road trip
    Sleepy Hollow

    Want to take your Halloween endeavors on the road? Take a driving distance getaway for some twisting corn mazes, high-tech haunts, and other activities in New York’s Hudson Valley.

    The two and a half hour drive from Philly leads travelers to the setting of Washington Irving’s The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. The two blends colonial history, Halloween pageantry, and a distinctive flair for the supernatural.

    Fall fun this week and beyond

    🎃 Pick your patch: From Bucks to Lancaster County, farms near Philly are serving up peak fall fun — pumpkin picking, hayrides, corn mazes, cider doughnuts, and more. Find one near you.

    đŸČ Celebrating Filipino heritage: Celebrate Filipino American History Month on the waterfront at Cherry Street Pier on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The entertainment space will be filled with live music, dancing, handmade goods, and a savory lineup of traditional dishes.

    💀 Ready to scream? Haunted prisons, zombie farms, cursed mills, and a murder-filled motel — the Philly area has no shortage of Halloween haunts. From Eastern State Penitentiary’s Halloween Nights to the infamous Bates Motel and Pennhurst Asylum, these nine terrifying attractions are guaranteed to get your heart racing. See the full list.

    đŸŒ» Sunflower Days continue: Sunflower Days continue at Hellerick’s Farm in Doylestown, which blooms with 25 varieties of sunflowers. Plus, you can pick your own raspberries and blackberries, too, at its lush pastures. There are also farm activities like goat petting, mini golf, silo climbing wall, and more for all ages through Nov. 1.

    🍂 FallFest in full swing: FallFest at Shady Brook Farm in Yardley continues through Oct. 30. There will be pumpkins and apples galore, plus sunflowers, zinnias, and a Sesame Street-themed corn maze. So, don’t be a groach. Stop by for a bonfire, light shows, and live music all weekend.

    đŸ•žïž Spooky, not scary: Philly’s packed with kid-friendly Halloween fun this month — from Boo at the Zoo and pumpkin science at the Franklin Institute to trick-or-treat parades in Chestnut Hill and East Passyunk. Costumes encouraged, jump scares optional.

    The take

    Can you move your neighbor’s cones when they “save” a public parking spot? In this Very Philly Question, editors Evan Weiss, Sam Ruland, and Tommy Rowan tackle one of the city’s most sacred block-by-block debates.

    Spoiler: Cone savers get no love. “You don’t own the street — it’s public parking!” says Sam. Tommy allows a brief snow-day exception, but otherwise, “Cones are getting tossed.” The crew admits there’s a mix of adrenaline and fear in the act — “You move it like it’s a lit bomb,” Sam says — but agree the neighborhood’s quietly rooting for you.

    If the cone owner catches you? Smile, wave, and say, “Thanks for saving it for me!” — or just hit ’em with a confident “Go Birds.” What do you think?

    Our staffer picks

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

    đŸŽ€ Thursday: Billie Eilish returns to town for her “Happier Than Ever – The World Tour,“ which initially drew her to Philly in October 2024. Last time she played at Wells Fargo Center, but now it’s the Xfinity Mobile Arena.

    🎾 Friday: Off the heels of her highly anticipated album A Matter of Time, the Grammy-winning jazz-pop artist Laufey is coming to Xfinity Mobile Arena on Friday. She will be joined by English singer Suki Waterhouse.

    🎾 Saturday: After a decade-long break from music, The Autumn Defense have picked up the momentum following the release of the band’s sixth album, Here and Nowhere. The band is bringing its breezy and harmonious take on folk-rock to Ardmore Music Hall on Saturday.

    đŸŽ€ Sunday: Magdalena Bay will take fans on a mind-bending journey of pop music for the duo’s “Imaginal Mystery Tour” stop at the Fillmore Philadelphia on Sunday.

    If you’re like me, you’re still figuring out your Halloween plans as you go. But I hope this week’s newsletter got some things in order and offered a few surprising treats along the way.

    See you soon and thanks for reading!

    – Earl

    Courtesy of Giphy.com
  • 🚧 Parking garage wars | Morning Newsletter

    🚧 Parking garage wars | Morning Newsletter

    We made it to Thursday, Philly. In case you weren’t sure: Earth still has just one moon.

    Is 2025 Philadelphia’s year of the parking garage? An unusual number of stand-alone garages have been proposed in the city this year, even as costs to build and maintain them surge.

    And in Bucks County, plans for a massive data center has spurred a call to protect consumers from getting hit with power grid costs.

    — Julie Zeglen (morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)

    Editor’s note: We’re sending this morning’s Sports Daily a little late after contending with some technical challenges. We apologize for the delay.

    P.S. The Inquirer Food Fest at the Fillmore will assemble the Philly scene’s biggest stars for a day of food, live beats, and hands-on fun. Get your ticket to the Nov. 15 event now.

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    ‘It’s like building a house for a car’

    In a city with too many cars and not enough places to put them all, few civic issues are as polarizing to Philadelphians as parking, especially in densely developed areas like Fishtown.

    Three large stand-alone parking garages have been proposed for the city in recent months:

    🚧 A 372-unit garage, plus commercial and restaurant space, near the Fillmore and Rivers Casino

    🚧 A 495-unit garage in University City, about a fourth of which will be used by a new police forensic lab

    🚧 A 1,005-unit garage in Grays Ferry for Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia employees

    That last project has drawn criticism from neighbors concerned about lost green space and worsened air quality.

    Commercial real estate reporter Jake Blumgart explains why developers are keen on building, despite some community protest — and why longtime parking operators aren’t so sure the projects make sense.

    In other development news: Councilmember Jamie Gauthier has authored legislation that would increase community scrutiny of major land-use decisions by universities. An antiquated industrial building on North Broad Street near Race Street is being converted to 99 apartments and over 4,000 square feet in restaurant space. And a New York supermarket chain is expected to open a location inside a former South Philly Walgreens.

    Data center cost concerns

    The capacity and reliability of electrical grids across the United States has emerged as a major issue as data centers rush to go online — including in Bucks County.

    Gov. Josh Shapiro announced in June that a data center would be built on the site of a former Falls Township steel mill. It’s one of two big projects Amazon has planned in Pennsylvania to support its cloud computing and artificial intelligence efforts.

    An independent monitor is now calling for a transmission service agreement between Peco and Amazon Data Services be rejected, saying it doesn’t go far enough to ensure the cost of heightened energy use is not passed to local consumers.

    Environment reporter Frank Kummer has the story.

    What you should know today

    Quote of the day

    Cahillites coach Rick Prete once turned to football in a moment of need. Now it has become a community for him and his wife, Gabriela, to lean on after their daughter Arianna died in a 2024 car crash.

    🧠 Trivia time

    New Jersey officials have sued which company, saying it misclassified and exploited its workers?

    A) Comcast

    B) Google

    C) Amazon

    D) Johnson & Johnson

    Think you know? Check your answer.

    What we’re…

    🏀 Kicking off: Another season of wondering how our Sixers will perform.

    ⛳ Swinging at: Cherry Hill’s new PGA Tour Superstore.

    🔬 Considering: How medical experts are stepping up to share credible scientific guidance.

    đŸ§© Unscramble the anagram

    Hint: Elected position in local government

    LOT INCORRECTLY

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

    Cheers to Christine Sulat, who solved Wednesday’s anagram: Fort Washington. This suburb is home to one of 11 exciting new pizzerias around the region — plus, see four others our food team is eagerly awaiting.

    Photo of the day

    A single crimson tree in Cherry Hill’s Wallworth Park greets Michel and Brigitte Mistler, from Normandy, France, as they take a morning walk while visiting their daughter in the township.

    Take a stroll amid the changing foliage today, if you can. Either way, have a good one.

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

  • 🏈 Coaching for more | Sports Daily Newsletter

    🏈 Coaching for more | Sports Daily Newsletter

    Today, we’re switching it up.

    Instead of harping on one of the five major sports in town, we’re focusing on high school level for a story of how sports saved one man, not once — but twice.

    Roman Catholic head football coach Rick Prete has found joy through football. It guided him after his return from Iraq in 2009, where he served as an Army infantryman. Now, it’s healing the wounds he suffered just last year after losing his daughter in an auto accident.

    But this story isn’t about how football offers an escape; it’s about how the sport has shaped Prete into a rock for the rest of his family, both immediate and the boys who give their all for him on the gridiron.

    Inquirer writer Alex Coffey delivers this fantastic story for your reading pleasure. We’ll caution that it’s a deep read, so get your coffee and get settled in.

    That cup of Joe serves a dual purpose as it’ll hopefully warm you up, as temperatures are only supposed to creep into the high 50s across the region today.

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

    Editor’s note: We’re sending this morning’s Sports Daily a little late after contending with some technical challenges. We apologize for the delay.

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    ❓Do you have or know a coach who was an inspiration? Email us back for a chance to be featured in the newsletter.

    Edgecombe’s big debut

    Sixers guard VJ Edgecombe had a stellar NBA debut, producing 34 points, seven rebounds and three assists.

    The Sixers started their season off with a bang, beating the Celtics in Boston, 117-116, behind big games from Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe.

    The Sixers appear to have a dynamic duo in the backcourt as Maxey and Edgecombe combined to produce 74 points in the season-opening win, but Joel Embiid was limited to just four points on 1-of-9 shooting.

    “I’m good,” Embiid said after the game. “You know, it’s going to take a while, obviously, being on a minute restriction, playing shorter stints, it’s harder to kind of get into a rhythm. But I got to figure it out. That’s the way they got it set up.”

    Edgecombe’s debut was historic. His 14 points in the opening quarter set an NBA record for the most points in the first quarter of an NBA debut, surpassing LeBron James’ 12 points in 2003. It also set a Sixers franchise record for points scored in an NBA debut.

    Up next: The Sixers will host the Charlotte Hornets for their home opener on Saturday (7:30 p.m., NBCSP).

    Bad things come in threes

    Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown missed Wednesday’s practice with a hamstring injury.

    As the Eagles kicked off preparations for the New York Giants at home this Sunday (1 p.m., Fox 29), they were noticeably down a few starters, most notably A.J. Brown.

    Brown, who was left out of Wednesday’s practice, stood on the sideline in a sweatshirt alongside Dom DiSandro during the brief portion of practice open to the media on Wednesday. The reason why the Eagles target receiver is being sidelined was unknown until it was revealed he’s suffering from a hamstring injury.

    He’s one of three starters listed as Cam Jurgens (knee) and Adoree’ Jackson (concussion) were also inactive participants. Olivia Reiner has more on Brown and what happens next.

    What we’re 


    🏀 Wondering: How Sixers guard Tyrese Maxey is (mentally) preparing for the 2025-26 season.

    📚 Reading: How Sam Coffey added honorary Philadelphian to her role as U.S. women’s national soccer team midfielder.

    đŸ˜Č Taking in: What Sixers legend Allen Iverson had to say on the latest edition of New Heights.

    🏈 Learning: That on the same day he guided Temple to its most wins in quite some time, K.C. Keeler earned his 275th win in college football.

    đŸ—Łïž Reviewing: What national media pundits are saying about the Sixers.

    ‘Tipp’ of the iceberg

    Flyers winger Owen Tippett looks to be making a leap when it comes to his all-around play.

    Owen Tippett’s talent has never been up for debate. The 26-year-old winger combines breathtaking speed, a heavy shot, and tremendous power all into a 6-foot-1, 210-pound frame.

    But while Tippett has established himself as a solid NHL player and has hinted at an even higher ceiling since being acquired for Claude Giroux in 2022, he has yet to take the step that many expected, frustrating at times with his inconsistency.

    That might be changing, as the power forward is off to a scintillating start with five goals in six games under Rick Tocchet. Tippett has been a tempo setter on the ice for the Flyers this season, but as Jackie Spiegel writes, that’s not the only place where he’s taken on added responsibility this season.

    Phillies’ infield outlook for 2026

    Phillies president Dave Dombrowski said the Phillies’ infield is “pretty well solidified” with Bryson Stott, Bryce Harper, Alec Bohm and Trea Turner.

    While the Phillies are poised for some roster changes in 2026, at the moment, it doesn’t seem like those will occur in the infield.

    The Phillies’ outfield has been a revolving door for the past few seasons, but the infield continues to run it back. And according to Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski, that seems to be the plan again. At least, for now.

    But that doesn’t mean there aren’t questions for that group — and the prospects who could be part of the future — going into 2026.

    Let’s talk ball

    Gina Mizell and Keith Pompey break down the 2025 Sixers season

    Basketball is back. The Sixers are back. That means Gina Mizell and Keith Pompey breakdown what to expect this season — from roster shakeups to playoff hopes — on Gameday Central, your courtside seat to all things Sixers. Watch here.

    On this date

    Oct. 23, 1964: Philly boxing legend Joe Frazier won the Olympic heavyweight gold medal at the Summer Games in Tokyo following a defeat of German boxer Hans Huber.

    David Murphy’s take

    Sixers center Joel Embiid (left) with teammate Tyrese Maxey during Friday’s preseason game against Minnesota.

    “The Sixers have figured out the key to a stress-free life. You can’t let anybody down if they don’t have any expectations.” Read more from David Murphy right here.

    What you’re saying about the Sixers

    We asked: Can the Sixers be successful without Embiid and/or George playing every game?

    It’s sad, but 
 given past performances, the poor souls will again probably spend more time playing in the sick bay over in [Camden, New] Jersey than any moments on the court at Wells Fargo. Best we focus on building a new team by 2030 when B-ball is expected to return in Philly. — John B.

    We compiled today’s newsletter using reporting from Alex Coffey, Jeff Neiburg, David Murphy, Gina Mizell, Keith Pompey, Lochlahn March, Gabriela Carroll, Ariel Simpson, Jonathan Tannenwald, and Colin Schofield.

    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.

    Have a great day, Philly. We’re back tomorrow to get you ready for the weekend. — Kerith

  • A local architectural retreat | Real Estate Newsletter

    A local architectural retreat | Real Estate Newsletter

    Pamela and David Anderson were living in New Hope but “wanted a place to get away.”

    So they bought an 11-acre forested property in the little Bucks County borough of Riegelsville.

    Not only do they live there now, but they also host events and retreats there. The income helps the Andersons maintain the property.

    The couple built Copper House as an architectural retreat in the woods.

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

    — Michaelle Bond

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    ‘A place to get away’

    Pamela Anderson is a cookbook author, and she puts her skills to good use as cooking for the corporate events and retreats that she and her husband, an Episcopal priest, host on their 11-acre property in Bucks County.

    Groups come for yoga and sound baths and to meditate. On a recent afternoon, about a dozen architects and interior designers held a corporate retreat to learn about sustainable flooring.

    The Andersons added gravel trails, grottos, and fire pits to their property to make it a getaway. And the home’s living room has 180-degree forest views through floor-to-ceiling windows.

    Keep reading to learn more about the home that Pamela says is “like living in a snow globe” during the winter.

    📼Is your home your retreat? How’d you pull that off? We’re staring down the darkness and cold of winter, so please share your stories and tips.

    A will to protect the family home

    Do you have a will? Does everyone in your family?

    Besides telling loved ones what to do with your stuff, a signed will could help protect the family home.

    I’ve written a bunch of stories about tangled titles, Philly’s name for when it’s not clear who legally owns a property. A common way this happens is when a homeowner dies and the deed isn’t transferred to a new owner.

    People living in properties with tangled titles can’t:

    • use home equity
    • sell their homes
    • take advantage of home repair or other homeowner assistance programs

    And these properties are vulnerable to scammers who steal deeds.

    Fixing tangled titles is more complicated when the owner dies without a will that says who should inherit the property.

    For the last three years, two Philly-based nonprofits have been running the Will Power Program to help low- and moderate-income homeowners with estate planning so they can protect their properties.

    They’ve helped 1,000 Philly homeowners write wills, and that’s just the beginning.

    News to pay attention to

    Home tour: Staying in South Philly

    When Danielle Abrams was pregnant with her daughter, “everyone” asked whether she and her husband, Jonah, were moving to the suburbs.

    “Instead, we doubled down on our investment in our home by renovating,” Danielle said.

    The Abramses love their South Philly location and get along well with the other residents of their block.

    But they needed to make some upgrades to their two-story rowhouse so they could stay.

    That included redesigning their bathroom and adding a shelf for their daughter’s books and toys that is also a railing to the basement.

    Peek inside the family’s home and learn which kitchen feature Danielle is particularly proud of.

    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.

    Last week’s quiz showed a detail shot of statues atop the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

    Or I guess it’s the Philadelphia Art Museum now.

    Either way, a handful of readers knew where the photo was shot. Shoutout to Joe C. and Amanda C. for being the first two to give me the right answer.

    —

    Back in August, my colleague asked Inquirer readers, “What’s your happiest place in Philadelphia?” The question was inspired by a Drexel University professor’s project with his students that mapped their happiest places.

    Now, The Inquirer has its own map of 20 spots, based on readers’ favorite places. See where in Philly folks said they feel happy.

    Enjoy the rest of your week.

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

  • The new eateries we’re excited about this fall | Inquirer Lower Merion

    The new eateries we’re excited about this fall | Inquirer Lower Merion

    Hi, Lower Merion! 👋

    Several new eateries have recently opened in the area, with more on the way. Also this week, two men were charged in connection with an attempted robbery of an armored truck earlier this month, SEPTA is now a third of the way through its Regional Rail car inspections, and the former longtime leader of Bethel A.M.E. Church of Ardmore reflects on her first year in a historic new role.

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    The fall food openings we’re keeping tabs on

    Pinwheel Provisions opened in a new, larger space next to the Bryn Mawr Film Institute this week.

    We may only be a month into fall, but the area’s culinary scene has been booming this season. Two new eateries opened in the last few weeks, with a third debuting today, and more on the horizon.

    New Jersey sports-bar chain Tommy’s Tavern & Tap took over the former J. Alexander’s space at 256 Mall Blvd. in King of Prussia, while Pinwheel Provisions opened in a larger space adjacent to the Bryn Mawr Film Institute on Lancaster Avenue on Monday. And today, the duo behind Maison Lotus are opening cocktail bar Jade Rabbit Speakeasy beneath their Wayne French-Vietnamese restaurant.

    Also this week, the new location of Johnny’s Pizza (its original Bryn Mawr shop recently got a nod on The 76) is in its soft-opening phase. The new Wayne outpost is among the region’s hottest new pizzerias, according to The Inquirer’s Michael Klein.

    Looking ahead, Lafayette Hill BYOB Lassan Indian Traditional is opening a second location at 232 Woodbine Ave. in Narberth, where it will take over the former Margot space.

    💡 Community News

    • Two men were charged last week in connection with an attempted robbery of an armored truck on Oct. 3 that led to school lockdowns and a shelter-in-place order.
    • Heads up for drivers: Work on the North Narberth Avenue bridge between Elmwood and Haverford Avenues is set to begin next week, starting with vegetation clearing on Monday and Tuesday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Work will then transition to night hours, taking place from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. next Wednesday and Thursday.
    • Reminder for registered voters: Tuesday is the last day to request a mail-in ballot for the Nov. 4 election. You can apply for a mail-in or absentee ballot here.
    • Friends and family gathered outside Adath Israel in Merion Station last week to celebrate the release of Israeli hostage Alon Ohel from Hamas captivity following a ceasefire agreement earlier this month. Among those was Ohel’s cousin, Lower Merion resident Benjamin Mittman. A number of local residents have held vigils and rallies to support the families of hostages like Ohel. (6abc)
    • SEPTA’s inspections of 225 Silverliner IV Regional Rail cars are more than a third complete. The Inquirer is tracking the agency’s inspection progress here.
    • Rev. Carolyn Cavaness, who previously led the Bethel A.M.E. Church of Ardmore for 10 years, where she served as its first female pastor, recently reflected on her first full year as head of the historic Mother Bethel A.M.E. Church in Philadelphia, where she is also the first female pastor. The Inquirer’s Nate File spoke with her about what it’s like leading the oldest church property in the U.S. to be owned continuously by Black people.
    • Pilates studio Jetset, which is targeting the region for expansion, will be opening a location just down the road from Suburban Square at 354 W. Lancaster Ave. in Haverford. The studio is known for its high-intensity, low-impact classes.
    • A more than 9,000-square-foot Gladwyne mansion has hit the market with an asking price of $8.5 million. The six-bedroom, 11-bathroom home has a terrace, pool, sauna, and a media room. It sits on 12.75 acres and has the potential to be subdivided into three parcels. (Philadelphia Business Journal)
    • Lower Merion Township is hosting an open house on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. where residents can tour the police and fire stations, get a close-up look at emergency vehicles, and enjoy balloon animals, music, and food.
    • Bryn Mawr College this month released new guidelines for students protesting on campus, including the use of bullhorns and which campus spaces students can occupy. The school is also encouraging students to schedule demonstrations through its facilities platform, something that’s left both professors and students concerned. (The Bi-College News)

    đŸ« Schools Briefing

    • LMSD is hosting one of four community events regarding its new strategic plan next Wednesday from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. The event will be held in the Lower Merion High School cafeteria, where residents can hear ideas and offer input on the five-year plan running from 2026 to 2031.
    • Mark your calendars: The district’s book fairs continue today and tomorrow. There will be a trunk-or-treat event at Penn Valley Elementary on Saturday from 2:30 to 4 p.m., with another planned at Merion Elementary next Thursday at 5:30 p.m. Saturday is also Lower Merion High School’s homecoming dance and next week is LMHS spirit week. See all the district’s events here.
    • Tickets for Welsh Valley’s seventh grade dance, which takes place Nov. 7, are on sale now and must be purchased in advance.

    đŸœïž On our Plate

    • Carlino’s Market is expanding, now selling its products at 10 Wegmans stores in southeastern Pennsylvania. The popular Ardmore market expects to triple its sales and production as a result. Its signature sauces will roll out to other Wegmans locations in Delaware, New Jersey, and New York in the coming months. (Philadelphia Business Journal)

    🎳 Things to Do

    đŸ‘» Halloween Funky Brunch & Market: This family-friendly event includes craft vendors, live music, and trick-or-treating for kids. ⏰ Saturday, Oct. 25, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. đŸ’” Free 📍 Ardmore Music Hall

    đŸŽ¶ Wicked Singalong: In anticipation of the release of Wicked: For Good, watch the first movie and sing along to the hits. Registration is required. ⏰ Saturday, Oct. 25, noon-3 p.m. đŸ’” Free 📍 Penn Wynne Library

    đŸ§™â€â™€ïž The Witches of Narberth: Kids can scour the borough in search of witches and treats ahead of next week’s Halloween parade. The hunt runs from 1 to 4 p.m. ⏰ Saturday, Oct. 25, 1-4 p.m. đŸ’” Free 📍 Narberth

    🎃 Halloween Party: Now in its fifth year, the Sean King Fund for Inclusive Practices event includes games, face painting, music, and dancing. Costumes are welcome. ⏰ Saturday, Oct. 25, 2-4 p.m. đŸ’” Free 📍 Linwood Park

    🍎 Heirloom Apple Tasting & Baking Contest: Get a taste of apples you won’t find in the grocery store and buy ones to take home. There will also be a baking competition. ⏰ Saturday, Oct. 25, 2-4 p.m. đŸ’” $7.18-$12.51 📍 Harriton House

    🎭 The Phantom of the Opera: The original film, starring Lon Chaney and Mary Philbin, turns 100 this year. To mark the occasion, Bryn Mawr Film Institute will host two screenings of the silent horror flick, accompanied by a live performance from students at the School of Rock Main Line. ⏰ Saturday, Oct. 25 and Sunday, Oct. 26, 11:30 a.m. đŸ’” $11.75-$16.25 📍 Bryn Mawr Film Institute

    đŸ« Halloween Crafting: Kids can make four spooky, but edible Halloween-themed crafts while dressed in costumes. ⏰ Sunday, Oct. 26, 4-5 p.m. đŸ’” $21.20 📍 The Candy Lab

    🏡 On the Market

    A four-bedroom Penn Valley home with a wine cellar and outdoor kitchen

    The home spans nearly 4,000 square feet and has a pool and outdoor kitchen.

    This four-bedroom Penn Valley home has a sleek interior, with living and family rooms, a dining room, and an eat-in kitchen with an island on the first floor. Upstairs, the primary suite has a fireplace with a sitting area, two walk-in closets, access to a balcony, and a bathroom with a soaking tub and dual vanities. It also has a finished basement with another living room, a bar, media room, and a wine cellar, while outside there’s a patio with a built-in kitchen and a pool. There are open houses today from 4:30 to 6 p.m., and from noon to 2 p.m. tomorrow, Saturday, and Sunday.

    See more photos of the property here.

    Price: $1.999M | Size: 3,968 SF | Acreage: 0.71

    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.

  • Swarthmore is tabling an earned income tax | Inquirer Greater Media

    Swarthmore is tabling an earned income tax | Inquirer Greater Media

    Hi, Greater Media! 👋

    Swarthmore Borough residents won’t have to pay an earned income tax, at least for the time being. Also this week, Task, the Delco-set HBO mini-series, has wrapped up, the Media Business Authority is pursuing possible eateries to fill the now-empty Iron Hill Brewery space, and new entertainment venue and bar Martinique Deux is hosting its grand opening tonight.

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

    Swarthmore tables earned income tax for the time being

    Swarthmore has tabled a proposal to implement an earned income tax after Swarthmore College stepped up to help fill a budget hole.

    Swarthmore residents aren’t facing an earned income tax, at least for the time being.

    The borough last week agreed to table an unpopular proposal to implement an EIT after Swarthmore College agreed to contribute $638,000 to cover a funding gap left by the closure of Crozer-Chester Medical Center earlier this year, The Inquirer’s Denali Sagner reports.

    The borough is, however, considering implementing an emergency services tax. It will continue budget discussions at Monday’s finance committee meeting.

    Read more about the ongoing budget talks here.

    💡 Community News

    • Task wrapped up on Sunday, delivering a bittersweet conclusion to the seven-episode show starring Mark Ruffalo. While the Delco-set HBO mini-series was undoubtedly a cops and robbers-heavy story, it also provided “a brooding, layered examination of fatherhood in various forms,” The Inquirer’s Rosa Cartagena reports. Its ending is exactly what show creator and Berwyn native Brad Ingelsby wanted. Read more about the finale here. (Warning: Spoilers!)
    • With the conclusion of Task, we’ve also put together a final map of the show’s local filming locations, including the Delaware County Courthouse and Government Center in Media, which was featured in the finale. We also gathered video of some of the cast’s favorite Delco phrases, which you can watch here. Those who watched were treated to some of the region’s wooded scenery, so much so that it prompted The New York Times to refer to the region as “rural America.” The Inquirer’s Jason Nark took issue with that characterization and with another journalist calling the region “downtrodden,” noting “Delco’s not much different from Philadelphia’s other ring counties.”
    • The Promenade at Granite Run continues to evolve, and come spring, will be home to an IKEA “plan and order point with pick-up” store. Unlike traditional stores, which are shoppable, the smaller format allows customers to meet with IKEA team members to plan out home spaces and then arrange delivery or pick up of their goods. The new store, part of a pad site near Middletown Road, will span about 3,755 square feet.
    • Despite Democrats holding power in Delaware County Council for the past few years, Republicans see an opening to regain representation after a double-digit property tax increase last year. Voters will elect two members to the five-person board on Nov. 4, and Republicans are hoping to build up traction.
    • Speaking of the election, Tuesday is the last day for registered voters to request a mail-in ballot for next month’s election. You can apply for a mail-in or absentee ballot here.
    • SEPTA’s inspections of 225 Silverliner IV Regional Rail cars are more than a third complete. The Inquirer is tracking the agency’s inspection progress here.
    • Ahead of the holidays, the Media Food Bank is seeking donations for an array of goods, including shelf-stable foods, personal care items, pet food, household goods, and items for babies. Find a list of needed supplies here.
    • Artist Susan O’Reilly is relocating her eponymous studio from Aston to 415 Dartmouth Ave. in Swarthmore next month, taking over the space formerly home to barbershop Cutz to Cutz. She will offer fine art classes and workshops, as well as individual sessions, with plans to add children’s programming later. The same block will also be home to secondhand store Heart and Soul’d come the new year, which is relocating to 407 Dartmouth Ave. It will maintain its current space at 14 Park Ave. until then, using its new space to show larger pieces like furniture by request. (The Swarthmorean)
    • Swarthmore is hosting a flu vaccine clinic on Wednesday from 4 to 6 p.m. at the borough council room. Those interested must register in advance.

    đŸ« Schools Briefing

    • Media Elementary School is hosting a trunk-or-treat event Friday, and fall theater performances kick off Saturday and run through Tuesday. There’s also a boys basketball tournament this weekend and a community blood drive on Tuesday. See the district’s full calendar here.
    • Tomorrow is picture day makeups for Wallingford-Swarthmore students, and on Saturday, Wallingford Elementary is hosting its pancake breakfast and Halloween carnival from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. See the district’s full calendar here. WSSD is also hosting community conversation sessions on Tuesday with superintendent Russell D. Johnston. The morning session will be held from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. and an evening session will be from 6 to 7 p.m., both at Strath Haven Middle School.

    đŸœïž On our Plate

    🎳 Things to Do

    🎭 Young Frankenstein: It’s your last chance to catch this musical comedy about a doctor who’s inherited his grandfather’s estate in Transylvania. ⏰ Through Sunday, Oct. 26, times vary đŸ’” $27-$47 📍 The Media Theatre

    đŸ« Creekside’s Halloween Party: Creekside Swim Club’s community party includes a mad scientist’s lab, costumes, face painting, raffles, and, of course, candy. ⏰ Friday, Oct. 24, 5-7 p.m. đŸ’” $10 📍 Creekside Swim Club, Wallingford

    đŸ›ïž Merchant Night Market: Swarthmore stores will stay open later for this special shopping event. ⏰ Friday, Oct. 24, 5-9 p.m. đŸ’” Pay as you go 📍 Swarthmore

    đŸ‘» Halloween Parade: Media Borough is hosting its annual Halloween parade, complete with performances by Penncrest and Strath Haven’s marching bands. Put on your costume and join the fun along State Street, where there will also be appearances by the Philadelphia Ghostbusters, and Star Wars cosplayers Garrison Carida and Kyber Base. ⏰ Saturday, Oct. 25, 11 a.m. đŸ’” Free 📍 State Street, Media

    🍬 Haunted Trail: Middletown Township’s Halloween-themed event for kids ages 12 and under includes trick-or-treating and games. ⏰ Saturday, Oct. 25, 4-7:30 p.m. đŸ’” Free 📍 Sleighton Park

    đŸ§™â€â™€ïž Costume Party: This month’s Teen Activity Day at the Rocky Run YMCA is a Halloween-themed party. It’s open to 13- to 18-year-olds. ⏰ Saturday, Oct. 25, 5:30-7 p.m. đŸ’” Free 📍 Rocky Run YMCA, Media

    đŸ•ș Delco Dance Night: Put on your costume and dance to tunes at this 21-and-over Halloween-themed event. ⏰ Saturday, Oct. 25, 7-10 p.m. đŸ’” $15.75 in advance, $20 at the door 📍 Park Avenue Community Center, Swarthmore

    🎃 PumpkinPalooza: The Media borough’s event includes a jack-o-lantern stroll and contest, as well as yard games and fall treats. ⏰ Sunday, Oct. 26, 6-7:30 p.m. đŸ’” Free 📍 Media Community Center lawn

    đŸ—Ąïž Jack The Ripper: A Virtual London Walking Tour for Grown-Ups: Take a virtual walking tour following in the footsteps of the notorious 1800s serial killer. Registration is required. ⏰ Tuesday, Oct. 28, 5:30-6:45 p.m. đŸ’” Free 📍 Helen Kate Furness Free Library, Wallingford

    🏡 On the Market

    A Wallingford townhome with a cozy fireplace

    The home’s family room has a fireplace and connects to the kitchen and dining room.

    Situated in the Mills at Rose Valley, this two-story townhome has three bedrooms and three-and-a-half bathrooms. The first floor features a living room, a family room with a fireplace, a dining room, and an eat-in kitchen. The bedrooms are located on the second floor, including a primary suite with a walk-in closet and a bathroom with a soaking tub. The home also has a finished basement that has space for an additional bedroom or a home office, as well as a deck out back.

    See more photos of the property here.

    Price: $575,000 | Size: 2,983 SF

    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.

  • 11 new pizzerias you should know about | Let’s Eat

    11 new pizzerias you should know about | Let’s Eat

    Our pizza scene is revving up. Let me slice it up for you.

    Also in this edition:

    • Confessions of a hoagie maker: What happened when Craig LaBan picked up a knife.
    • Chilean bakery debuts: Folks are coming from far and wide for alfajores and empanadas.
    • A game for you: You know Philly restaurants? Play Citywide Quest.
    • Cuzzy’s is back: The Queen Village ice cream shop has a new home. Read on!

    — Mike Klein

    Hey there. I goofed last week on some key dates. The print edition of The Inquirer’s 76 will be included in newspapers on Thursday, Nov. 13. The Inquirer’s Food Fest at the Fillmore in Fishtown is Saturday, Nov. 15. And while we’re at it: Tuesday, Nov. 18 is the unveiling of the 2025 Michelin Northeast Cities winners in an exclusive ceremony at the Kimmel Center.

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

    The new pizzerias you should know about

    There’s been a recent bumper crop of fine new pizzerias in the city and suburbs. Let me tell you about the rustic grandma pies, the puffy Neapolitans, bar pizzas with verve, a gluten-free option, and even tasty slices sold out of a gas station.

    🍕 Tip: Do not miss the drunken grandma pie at the new Anomalia Pizza in Fort Washington — or anything else on the menu.

    I, hoagie maker

    Craig LaBan didn’t realize he was signing up for a hoagie-making contest. He realized he needed coaching, and learned from Philly’s very best.

    Chilean bakery’s warm reception

    Cote Tapia-Marmugi has opened Copihue Bakehouse in Montgomery County. It’s a sweet and savory tribute to her childhood in South America.

    Where are we?

    Play “Citywide Quest,” where we offer photos and you guess the location. You should ace this one, because this week’s quiz is restaurant-related.

    Scoop

    Cuzzy’s Ice Cream Parlor in Queen Village, which closed abruptly a year and a half ago, reopened last weekend at 762 S. Fourth St., two blocks from the previous shop, doling out such flavors as brown butter pecan, vanilla beans, chocolate cake, cinnamon apple streusel, pistachio biscotti, maple walnut pie, coffee, and grape sorbet. Watch Instagram for the shop’s hours.

    Restaurant report

    What’s tasty out there? In the current installment of “The Best Things We Ate This Week,” the Food team and friends chronicle their dining travels: Zorba’s for the shareable lamb platter (above), pasta from Fiorella, soft-serve from a brick-and-mortar Mr. Softee, and a smash burger that was so incredible, our correspondent forgot to photograph it.

    Briefly noted

    The Buttery’s Malvern flagship (233 E. King St.) will reopen Saturday after a redesign, an expansion from 18 seats to 62, and a new menu including pizza, tartines, sandwiches, and bowls. The first 100 customers Saturday will receive a free sable cookie with purchase.

    Pica’s Restaurant, the Upper Darby landmark, will close its dining room after service Sunday, as it readies for its move to Broomall. The restaurant will remain open for takeout for the foreseeable future.

    Philly Cider Week begins at 3 p.m. Sunday at the Headhouse shambles (Second and Lombard Streets) following Headhouse Farmers Market sales. Vendors will vend till 7 p.m.

    Ange Branca, owner of South Philly’s Kampar, took to Instagram earlier this week with an update on repairs to the restaurant, idled since February by a fire. Water damage was extensive, she reports. Kampar will set up an ikan bakar (grilled-fish) market pop-up at Jet Wine Bar (1525 South St.) from 4-9 p.m. Sunday. Two ways to go: Pick your whole fish and sambal from the outdoor stand, where it will be priced by weight and prepared (walk-ins OK), or dine inside for dinners at 5:30 and 7:30 p.m. ($75pp) featuring five Malaysian fish dishes. Cocktails and wines available. Reservations are here.

    Provenance (408 S. Second St.) will host an Oct. 29 collaboration dinner honoring the late chef Jim Burke and benefiting Twist Out Cancer, for which Burke’s wife and business partner, Kristina Benene Burke, works. Provenance chef-owner (and Burke disciple) Nicholas Bazik will be joined by chefs including Ron Mckinlay (formerly Canoe, Toronto), Alex Kemp (My Loup), Eli Collins (a. Kitchen), Evan Snyder (Emmett), Tim Dearing (Ule), Greg Heitzig (the Fountain Inn; former CDC of Pineapple & Pearls, Washington), as well as Provenance pastry chef Abby Dahan. It’s $395 per person (plus tax/gratuity/beverages) with all profits going to the foundation. Seatings in the wine cellar are available at 7 p.m., and at 5 and 8:30 p.m. upstairs.

    Honeysuckle’s first wine-centered event will be a ticketed five-course dinner with AndrĂ© Mack and Maison Noire Wines on Oct. 30. It’s $175 per person, plus tax, tip, and fees). Tickets via OpenTable.

    Opera Philadelphia will join Jean-Georges Philadelphia for a collaboration of music and food — a tasting menu interspersed with live performances — on Nov. 20. Details are here.

    Marcie Turney and Valerie Safran of Safran Turney Hospitality (Barbuzzo, Bud & Marilyn’s, Darling Jack’s, etc.) were named to Out magazine’s 31st annual Out100 list. They’ll join fellow honorees Nov. 21 at the Out100 event at Nya Studios West in Hollywood.

    ❓Pop quiz

    Old City’s Amada, chef Jose Garces’ flagship restaurant, marks its 20th anniversary this month. Can you name one of the restaurants where Garces was chef just before it opened?

    A) ÂĄPasion!

    B) Alma de Cuba

    C) Tequilas

    D) Buddakan

    Find out if you know the answer.

    A bonus: Anyone remember the name of the restaurant that preceded Amada’s Old City location? Email me.

    Ask Mike anything

    What’s going on with High Note Caffe at 13th and Tasker? From the outside, it looks like it’s been ready to open for at least a few years now. — Caitlin D.

    Owner Frank “Franco” Borda has taken his sweet time (four years!) converting his long-running restaurant into a supper club. It’ll be offering sporadic ticketed jazz and opera performances to start out. The first two dates, in early November, are sold out, but the next is Dec. 12. Here’s the calendar.

    📼 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.

  • 🏁 Escape the Linc | Morning Newsletter

    🏁 Escape the Linc | Morning Newsletter

    Good morning, Philly.

    Getting out of Lincoln Financial Field after an Eagles game can be a slow-moving nightmare. Inquirer staffers raced by car, bike, rideshare, and public transportation to find the fastest route.

    And Philadelphia’s violent Mafia power struggle of the 1990s is chronicled in a Netflix docuseries out today. Read on for a primer, told through reporting from that period by The Inquirer and the Daily News.

    — Julie Zeglen (morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)

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

    A race to beat the postgame rush

    Getting out of any event at the South Philly sports complex is a harrowing experience. That goes double for Eagles games, when nearly 70,000 fans are trying to exit the Linc at once. Besides my own tried-and-true method of getting ahead of the masses — leaving early — what’s the most efficient route out?

    For the sake of journalism, four colleagues and I agreed to put ourselves through mild torture via a race from Xfinity Gate to Dalessandro’s in Roxborough. We took off by foot a few minutes after the Oct. 5 Broncos game ended, then each traveled by a different mode:

    🚕 Sports reporter Ariel Simpson hailed an Uber.

    🚇 Graphics editor John Duchneskie took SEPTA.

    🚗 Breaking news reporter Henry Savage drove from the Q lot to I-95.

    đŸšČ Interactives developer Jasen Lo rode his bike along MLK Drive.

    🚙 And this newsletter editor drove from FDR Park to I-76.

    Was voluntarily inserting ourselves into postgame swarms of disappointed Birds fans more than a little stressful? Yes. Did I take the competition far too seriously, resulting in an end-of-race sprint from my car to Dalessandro’s? Unfortunately, also yes.

    See who won — and if you’re guessing, you’re probably wrong.

    Recounting Philadelphia’s Mafia power struggle

    Netflix’s Mob War: Philadelphia vs. The Mafia is out today. The docuseries chronicles a bloody 1990s power struggle in the local La Cosa Nostra through the eyes of investigators and former crime family members who were there.

    Throughout the decade, the violence led to several high-profile deaths and criminal trials, and a new mob leader in the city.

    Reporter Nick Vadala explains how the mob war unfolded in the news more than 30 years ago.

    Further reading: In the ’90s, mob boss John Stanfa didn’t have a nickname. The Daily News tried to change that. And a South Philly native was a central Mafia figure who now says he regrets ever having joined. Meet hitman-turned-informant John Veasey.

    P.S. Another Philly-tied production begins streaming this week: Allen Iv3rson, the former Sixers star’s new Prime Video doc.

    What you should know today

    Quote of the day

    The Rev. Carolyn Cavaness has become something of a celebrity in the last year. She is the first woman pastor of Mother Bethel, known as a hub for Black activism and the oldest church property in the United States to be owned continuously by Black people.

    🧠 Trivia time

    Another Pennsylvania politician is releasing a memoir, this one in January. Who is it?

    A) Gov. Josh Shapiro

    B) State Sen. Vincent Hughes

    C) Treasurer Stacy Garrity

    D) District Attorney Larry Krasner

    Think you know? Check your answer.

    What we’re …

    đŸ—ș Making one big map of: All the Philly-area locations you can see in the first season of Task.

    đŸ«Ž Understanding, kinda: The “six-seven” meme’s maybe-Philly origins.

    đŸŒČ Pretty sure that: Delco is not … rural.

    âšœ Wanting in on: The United States’ continent-wide bid for the 2031 women’s World Cup.

    đŸ„ Considering: How frontline workers can drive change to stop emergency room violence.

    đŸ§© Unscramble the anagram

    Hint: Place in Montgomery County

    FONTINA GROWTHS

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

    Cheers to Afrah Howlader, who solved Tuesday’s anagram: Point Breeze. A once-crumbling church in the South Philadelphia neighborhood is being preserved as a brewery and community space.

    Photo of the day

    Before gathering for a candlelight vigil on Monday at Ada H.H. Lewis Middle School, Julius Peden, 5, and Jaihanna Williams Peden, 14, pause at a memorial for Kada Scott.

    Wishing you an easy Wednesday. 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.

  • The new PGA store lets you hit at world-renowned links | Inquirer Cherry Hill

    The new PGA store lets you hit at world-renowned links | Inquirer Cherry Hill

    Hello, Cherry Hill! 👋

    The 40,000-square-foot PGA Tour Superstore is opening along Route 70 this weekend. We got a first look inside, including at its globe-trotting virtual hitting bays. Also, Jefferson announced layoffs last week impacting its Cherry Hill hospital, the community is mourning the recent passing of two entrenched residents, including the longtime co-owner of a coffee shop, plus Mission BBQ is opening next week in Garden State Park.

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

    The new PGA Tour Superstore lets golfers virtually visit world-famous courses

    Golfers can test their skills on a putting green at the new PGA Tour Superstore.

    Golfers don’t need to hop on a plane to tee off on the sunlit fairway of California’s Titleist Performance Institute. They just have to venture to the 40,000-square-foot PGA Tour Superstore at 2232 Route 70, where the shop will open this Saturday at 9 a.m.

    A major highlight is the golf simulation bay, where customers can cycle through a list of world-famous golf courses projected onto a screen and receive analytics on their swings, The Inquirer’s Henry Savage reports.

    The sprawling store also sells gear, offers club fittings, and will have $30,000 in giveaways during its grand opening.

    Take a first look inside the new store.

    💡 Community News

    • Last week, Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia laid off about 1%, or 600 to 700, of its employees as it contends with financial pressures. Over 100 South Jersey workers, including at Jefferson Cherry Hill Hospital, will be impacted come January. (Philadelphia Business Journal)
    • Cherry Hill police are warning residents about a calling and texting scam in which someone is claiming to be from the police department. Residents should not engage with the scammer and are encouraged to report incidents to the non-emergency line.
    • A local bakery helped a Cherry Hill doodle named Zeus celebrate a “bark mitzvah” last month by creating a bone-shaped cake dotted with bite-sized Stars of David. Zeus’ cake and the bakery behind it are part of a growing trend of upscale pet bakeries catering to pooches.
    • Temple University’s field hockey team has soared to new heights in recent years thanks to Cherry Hill native Michelle Vittese. She’s been coaching the team since 2021, turning it into a premier program and a regular contender in the Big East. Read more about how Vittese tapped into her own collegiate experience to lead the Owls.
    • Two township residents entrenched in the community died late last month. Chung Soon Hwang, longtime co-owner of Chung’s Coffee Shop in Philadelphia, died Sept. 24 at the age of 89. She and her husband, Oe Tok, arrived in South Jersey from South Korea in 1973. And on Sept. 23, Dorothy Womble-Wyatt died at the age of 84. She was an innovative teacher and celebrated school principal for the Camden City School District.
    • Longtime Cherry Hill contractor Craig Taylor tapped his friends and family to help grow a grassroots event to bring people together against hate. Known as “Kiss Hate Goodbye,” the event is slated to take place in Berlin on Nov. 20 and will include dinner, dancing, and throwback tunes. (6abc)
    • The township is hosting a free rabies clinic on Saturday from noon to 2 p.m. at Challenge Grove Park. Pet owners can bring their licensed cat or dog to get vaccinated. And on Sunday, there’s a free drive-up shredding and recycling event where residents can drop off up to four boxes of papers for shredding, as well as single-stream recyclables, tires, car batteries, rechargeable batteries, and CFL light bulbs. Read more about the event here.

    đŸ« Schools Briefing

    đŸœïž On our Plate

    • Mission BBQ is opening its latest location at Market Place at Garden State Park next week. The eatery, known for its array of barbecue dishes and a daily playing of the national anthem, will open Oct. 28 at noon. It is situated adjacent to Wonder food hall, which opened there this spring.
    • Lamberti’s Tutti Toscani is celebrating its 40th anniversary through the end of November with a menu that includes items from the past four decades. The Brace Road BYOB’s anniversary menu includes clams casino, manicotti, chicken cacciatore, and veal casalinga.
    • The recently opened Barclay Pies on Marlton Pike is serving up pizzas that meet certain dietary restrictions, like those with Celiac disease, something the families of owners TJ Hunton and Daniel Romero face. Not only can pizzas be made gluten-free, but so can the salads, chicken fingers, and wings. (Patch)

    🎳 Things to Do

    🔍 Killer Night Out: The library’s 21-and-over murder mystery event will transport participants back to the Roaring ‘20s where they must solve a murder. ⏰ Friday, Oct. 24, 6-9 p.m. đŸ’” $30 📍 Cherry Hill Library

    đŸŒœ Cherry Hill Harvest Fest: This fall-themed festival includes food vendors, a trunk-or-treat, games, and music. Costumes are encouraged. ⏰ Saturday, Oct. 25, 3-6 p.m. đŸ’” Pay as you go 📍 The Church of the Good Shepherd

    🎃 Pumpkin Picking Hayrides: It’s your last chance to take a hayride and go pumpkin picking at Springdale Farms for the season. ⏰ Saturday, Oct. 25-Sunday, Oct. 26, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. đŸ’” $7.50 for hayrides, pumpkins are priced by the pound 📍 Springdale Farms

    💗 Party in Pink: This breast cancer awareness event includes a discussion with a survivor, a 90-minute session with dancing and music, and access to other health and wellness resources. ⏰ Sunday, Oct. 26, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. đŸ’” $20-$25 📍 Katz JCC

    đŸ›Œ Mickey & Minnie Halloween Skatetacular: The beloved duo will be visiting for this skate party that includes trick-or-treating, a costume contest, face painting, and ICEEs. ⏰ Sunday, Oct. 26, 12:30-3:30 p.m. and 4:30-7:30 p.m. đŸ’” $14 admission plus $6 skate rental 📍 Hot Wheelz

    🎃 No-Carve Pumpkin Decorating: Kids in sixth through 12th grade can create a one-of-a-kind artificial mini pumpkin. ⏰ Wednesday, Oct. 29, 7-8 p.m. đŸ’” Free 📍 Cherry Hill Library

    🏡 On the Market

    A four-bedroom home in Kingston Estates

    The front of the home features white siding, red brick, and a white picket fence.

    Built in 1957, this white-siding and red-brick home has four bedrooms, including a primary suite with its own bathroom, all located on the upper level. On the home’s main level, there’s a family room with original hardwood flooring, a dining room, and an eat-in kitchen. It has updated appliances, floral wallpaper, and a white tile backsplash with fruits interspersed throughout. The home also has a living room off its entryway, complete with a wood-burning fireplace and log storage. Outside, there’s a covered front porch offset by a white picket fence, while out back there’s a fenced yard with a storage shed. The home has a newly installed roof, as well. There’s an open house Sunday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

    See more photos of the property here.

    Price: $435,000 | Size: 2,056 SF | Acreage: 0.23

    đŸ—žïž What other Cherry Hill residents are reading this week:

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