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  • ‘Club Fridays’ | Sports Daily Newsletter

    ‘Club Fridays’ | Sports Daily Newsletter

    How popular was Allen Iverson during his heyday with the Sixers? The Answer could turn a chain restaurant into a jam-packed nightclub — and Iverson did just that more than two decades ago.

    You may remember the fuss around TGI Fridays on City Avenue, when fans would line up around the block, all the way to the bus stop at Presidential Boulevard, just to catch a glimpse of the superstar. This was around the time that Iverson led the Sixers to the NBA Finals in 2001, when the City Line restaurant became “Club Fridays.”

    The Sixers had been regulars at TGI Fridays for years because it was close to their practice facilities at St. Joseph’s and Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. But when Iverson arrived, the place was incorporated into Philadelphia’s nightlife scene. “It was exactly like a club,” said former Sixers forward Jumaine Jones.

    The Inquirer’s Alex Coffey has the story.

    — Jim Swan, @phillysport, sports.daily@inquirer.com.

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    Holding the (D) line

    Jordan Davis finishing off a sack of Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert on Monday night.

    Aside from that hiccup against the Chicago Bears on Black Friday, the defense has been keeping the Eagles in games. With Jalen Carter sidelined after a shoulder procedure, Jordan Davis has picked up the slack. The defensive tackle collected 1½ sacks and six pressures Monday against the Chargers, although the Birds still lost their third straight.

    The offense hasn’t scored more than 21 points in those losses, but Davis is keeping the faith. “Offense is going to have their games,” he says. “And I’m so deep into this faith in the offense that I have, that one day, hopefully very, very soon, it’s going to click. And when it does click, watch out.”

    Brandon Graham played a season-high 30 snaps against the Chargers, with more than a third of them coming at defensive tackle. That’s a new twist for the unretired Graham at age 37.

    The other side of the ball is where the problem lies for the Eagles, of course. They have often played it too safe in under-two-minute situations this season, and it cost them three vital points in their latest loss.

    Maybe the hand-wringing will end on Sunday when the 2-11 Las Vegas Raiders visit Lincoln Financial Field. Here are our writers’ predictions for the Eagles-Raiders game.

    They like their chances

    Sixers forward Paul George believes his team still has a shot in the Eastern Conference.

    The 76ers have coped with injuries and poor shooting from Joel Embiid. Tyrese Maxey has been pushed to the max, leading the NBA in minutes. And supporting players Kelly Oubre and Trendon Watford aren’t healthy enough to play in practice. Still, the Sixers, at 13-10, are in the hunt in the Eastern Conference and sit 1½ games out of third place. All things considered, they like their chances.

    “You look at the East, it’s kind of clumped,” Paul George says. “No one’s really pulled away yet, so we do have the opportunity to kind of write our future out from this point forward.”

    No Hart

    Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Carter Hart returned to Philly on Thursday night for the first time as a visitor.

    Thursday marked the return of Carter Hart to Philadelphia … kind of.

    The former Flyers netminder, who was charged and later acquitted on sexual assault charges over the last two years, recently signed with Vegas but did not get the start against his old team.

    Hart, now 27, took a leave of absence from the Flyers in January 2024 and was later charged alongside four of his 2018 Canadian World Junior teammates. All five players were acquitted this summer in London, Ontario, but Hart, who was no longer under contract with the Flyers, opted for a fresh start with the Golden Knights.

    On the ice, the Flyers hung tough with Vegas but fell short in overtime with a 3-2 loss. The Flyers are now 2-4 in games decided in the extra session.

    Speaking of returns, the Flyers could soon get a pair of injured defenseman back in the lineup in Cam York and Rasmus Ristolainen.

    College football focus

    Quarterback Blake Horvath will lead Navy against Army on Saturday in Baltimore.

    Devin Jackson’s weekly notebook looks at the mess created by the College Football Playoff selections, an award for Delaware State’s DeSean Jackson, the Army-Navy game, and more.

    Villanova will play the underdog role Saturday in an FCS quarterfinal against Tarleton State in Stephenville, Texas.

    New coach Matt Campbell is bringing several assistants with him from Iowa State to fill out Penn State’s coaching staff.

    Join us before kickoff

    Gameday Central: Raiders at Eagles

    Live from Lincoln Financial Field: Beat writers Jeff McLane and Olivia Reiner will preview the Eagles game against the Las Vegas Raiders at 11:30 a.m. Sunday. Tune in to Gameday Central.

    Sports snapshot

    Coatesville’s Colton Hiller has received offers from Alabama, BYU, Louisville, Kansas State, and Maryland.

    Our best sports 📸 of the week

    Chargers cornerback Donte Jackson intercepts a pass in front of Eagles tight end Dallas Goedert on Monday night.

    Each Friday, Inquirer photo editors will pick our best shots from the last seven days and share them with you, our readers. This week, coverage includes a Flyers resurgence, Villanova’s victorious women, and that disappointing Eagles loss to the Chargers.

    Who said it?

    Catcher J.T. Realmuto is a free agent after seven seasons with the Phillies.

    J.T. Realmuto is on the free-agent market and this Phillie clearly wants him back. Think you know who said it? Check here.

    What you’re saying about holiday traditions

    We asked: What’s your favorite holiday sports-themed tradition? Among your responses:

    Not so much now, but in the past the Bowl games were a big part of my holiday times, and especially when Joe Pa’s Nittany Lions were often involved with two national championship bowl games and many other holiday wins. Saw them twice in person at the Rose Bowl, and then twice at the Fiesta Bowl, beating USC 26-10 in [1983] and then upsetting Jerome Brown and the Miami Hurricanes in the 1987 national championship game. — Everett S.

    We compiled today’s newsletter using reporting from Alex Coffey, Olivia Reiner, Jeff Neiburg, Keith Pompey, Jackie Spiegel, Kerith Gabriel, Scott Lauber, Devin Jackson, Dylan Johnson, Joe Santoliquito, Ellen Dunkel, Greg Finberg, and Inquirer Staff Photographers.

    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.

    Thank you for reading Sports Daily. Have a great weekend and I’ll see you in Monday’s newsletter. — Jim

  • ✨ The whimsical wonders of the holiday season | Things to do

    With Christmas two weeks away, I’m sure the last thing you want is a list of events that distract you from your holiday plans. But believe me, there are too many good ones to pass up. And I, being your guide to what’s happening in Philly, am here to offer what I call “welcome distractions.”

    I get it. Finalizing Christmas dinner plans and checking off your last-minute shopping list come first. But between a new Scandinavian sauna retreat, a hot chocolate bar crawl, and an adult night at Legoland Discover Center, there are plenty of ways to pass the time this season.

    Read below, and I’ll show you.

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

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    Olivia DiEmedio, 16, is rehearsing for the Nutcracker in Philadelphia, Pa., on Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025.

    The family of dancers that has danced the Philadelphia Ballet ‘Nutcracker’ for at least a dozen years

    The holidays are all about tradition — and few Philly traditions run deeper than the DiEmedio family dancing The Nutcracker. Three sisters, each at a different stage in the Philadelphia Ballet pipeline, return to the Academy of Music this year as snowflakes, flowers, and even the occasional piece of candy. Their mother, former company dancer and current schoolteacher Charity Eagens, sometimes takes the stage alongside them. Together, they’ve formed a 12-year-long thread through Balanchine’s classic, a living reminder that this ballet isn’t just a seasonal ritual. For some families, it’s a way of life.

    Philadelphia Ballet performs “George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker” Dec. 5—31 at the Academy of Music.

    The best things to do this week

    🎄 Want the tree without the hassle? Philly and the suburbs have multiple delivery options that’ll drop a fresh-cut fir — and sometimes even set it up — right in your living room.

    ❄️ Philly’s first measurable snow is likely early Sunday — up to 3 inches — and the deep freeze will stick around all day. If your plans involve the Eagles game or outdoor events, layer up and plan for wind chills in the teens.

    ☕ A sip of hot cocoa: Sip the finest of specialty and boozy hot chocolate offerings during East Passyunk’s 4th Annual Hot Chocolate Crawl on Saturday. All you have to do is purchase a commemorative mug to join the fun.

    🔨 Unleash the holiday stress: As part of Pluto TV’s new Holidays are Brutal campaign, the streaming service is offering a free, one-day-only rage room in Northeast Philly this Thursday. Get in on this furious fun.

    🎶 It’s giving fa-la-la: Through Sunday, the Bearded Ladies will join the Philadelphia Voices of Pride for a joyous and humorous sing-along at the Wanamaker Building. It will be a drag spectacle.

    🧱 Stack ‘em up: The kiddos can’t have all the fun. On Friday, adults are encouraged to break out their inner child at Legoland for the annual Holiday Bricktacular.

    📅 My calendar picks this week: Carols & Cocktails in East Market, uCity Square Holiday Fest, Adult Gingerbread House Decorating at Bloomsday

    Thing of the Week: FringeArts is back in year-round action

    Big things are ahead for FringeArts in 2026. After a record-breaking Philly Fringe Festival, the organization is restoring year-round programming for the first time since 2020. Kicking off with its Winter—Spring 2026 season, FringeArts will bring four productions from local and international artists to its Old City venue, plus a monthly Scratch Night series where creators share works in progress. Tickets go on sale Friday at fringearts.com — and longtime readers will recognize the byline on Rosa Cartagena’s full story.

    Christmas Village features a new 30 foot ‘Christmas Pyramid’ at LOVE Park on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025 in Philadelphia. Christmas Village is open until December 24.

    Winter fun this week and beyond

    🩰 Philly’s Nutcracker season is in full swing: There are four versions to choose from — classic Balanchine, a new one-act for little kids, a tap-dancing trip through Paris, and a vibrant Chocolate Ballerina Company twist.

    🇺🇸 Historic walk across the Delaware: Join thousands at Washington Crossing Historic Park to watch the 73rd reenactment of General George Washington’s daring trek across the Delaware River on Sunday. A second reenactment will take place on Christmas Day.

    🎁 From Center City’s Christmas Village and Dilworth Park’s Made in Philadelphia market to Bucks County’s Peddler’s Village and Bethlehem’s iconic Christkindlmarkt, these holiday markets are worth a look.

    🐟 Seven-fishes feasts are popping up all over Philly — and selling out fast. If you’re planning a no-cook Christmas Eve, get your reservations or takeout orders in now.

    🔵 Filled with lights: This Saturday, the historic Boathouse Row will illuminate nearly 6,400 LED lights in blue and white for Hanukkah. Don’t miss it on your routine walk or drive along Kelly Drive.

    🧖🏼‍♂️ Bask in a steamy Scandinavian tradition: The Ebba Sparre Sauna Collective at the American Swedish Historical Museum is opening a pop-up Scandinavian retreat that offers a steamy solo cedar barrel and group sauna experience. The ancient Swedish tradition is available starting Saturday through March 29, 2026.

    Staffer picks

    Pop music critic Dan DeLuca lists the top concerts this weekend and a few holiday pop-up jams happening this month.

    🎤 Thursday: Pittstown, N.J.-born and Philly-based pop-rock quartet, the Happy Fits, headline the Fillmore on Thursday.

    🎤 Friday: Off the heels of his ninth album, Rhett Miller will play Free at Noon at Ardmore Music Hall on Friday.

    🎸 Saturday: Philly pop-punk band the Starting Line, which released its first album in 18 years, plays back-to-back nights at the Fillmore Philly.

    🎤 Saturday: Inspired and eccentric Detroit rapper Danny Brown plays the Theatre of Living Arts on South Street on Saturday. He’s touring behind his new album Stardust.

    🎤 Sunday: Rapper-turned-rocker MGK is touring behind his new album, Lost Americana, which was accompanied by a trailer narrated by the iconic Bob Dylan. He takes the stage for the “Lost Americana” tour at Xfinity Mobile Arena on Sunday.

    🎤 Monday: This year’s Q102’s Jingle Ball, featuring a lineup of musical stars such as Alex Warren, BigXthaPlug, Laufey, Monsta X, Miles Smith, Raven Lenae, and others, will take center stage at Xfinity Mobile Arena on Monday.

    Click here for more music picks.

    Between your last-minute Christmas shopping and holiday dinner plans, make sure you check out some of these seasonal events.

    — Earl

    Courtesy of Giphy.com
  • The danger next door | Real Estate Newsletter

    The danger next door | Real Estate Newsletter

    Hundreds of Philadelphians live next to dangerous abandoned buildings.

    That includes Emily Phillips and her family, whose North Philly rowhouse is attached to a home they didn’t know was vacant when they moved in. The empty house now has a gaping hole in the back of it, and a tree is growing inside.

    The city labeled the rowhouse “imminently dangerous” and at risk of collapse.

    That was four months ago.

    Phillips told me her family is afraid that something as simple as a slammed door could send the rowhouse next door crashing down.

    My colleague Joe Yerardi and I investigated how the city tracks and handles vacant properties. We found problems.

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

    — Michaelle Bond

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    Vacant and dangerous homes

    Residents rely on the city to keep an eye on vacant properties that are or could become dangerous.

    My colleague and I started looking into the link between unsafe buildings and vacancy in April as I was writing about a Sharswood family who lived next to a rowhouse that collapsed.

    We had a lot of questions for the city’s Department of Licenses and Inspections. During months of reporting, we found out that L&I stopped using a tool that it once said would make the department more proactive in protecting the public from deteriorating vacant buildings.

    We also found that:

    • predominately Black areas of the city are more likely to have vacant and dangerous rowhouses
    • nearly eight in 10 vacant and dangerous rowhouses are in the poorest 25% of the city’s zip codes

    When people who live next to vacant properties complain to the city, they’re often left in the dark as they worry about their families’ safety.

    Keep reading to hear neighbors’ stories, learn about issues with the city’s handling of vacant properties, and see what the city has to say.

    And if you’re living next to a vacant property and you’re worried about what could happen, I have some tips on what you should do.

    Who all’s living in Center City’s new apartments?

    Here’s an eye-popping stat: 3,500 new apartments have opened just in the area between Pine and Vine Streets and between the Schuylkill and the Delaware River since 2023.

    You may have asked yourself who’s living in all the pricey pads popping up over the last few years. Philadelphians I’ve talked to have wondered the same.

    They’ve suggested that these renters are New York transplants. And some of them are. More New Yorkers and other out-of-towners are looking for apartments in Philly.

    Center City’s business improvement district surveyed renters at more than two dozen apartment buildings that have been constructed downtown in the last decade.

    Of the people who responded to the survey:

    • most are between the ages of 25 and 34
    • they’re paying more in rent than the typical Philadelphia renter
    • almost a third of them work in one industry in particular

    Keep reading to learn more about the residents of Center City’s newest apartment buildings.

    The latest news to pay attention to

    Home tour: Maximalist in North Philly

    Abel Tootle Jr. calls himself “a maximalist at heart.” And his North Philly rowhouse reflects the title.

    Patterned rugs cover floors, tables, and walls. A canopy bed in the double parlor is framed by velvet and tasseled curtains. Throughout the house, books are displayed on shelves but also thoughtfully arranged on tables and stacked on floors.

    Tootle estimates he owns about 3,000 of them — “the culmination of 40-plus years of book collecting, trading, and selling,” he said.

    He had rented small apartments before he bought his house. So he took the purchase as the opportunity he’s always wanted to do his thing as an amateur interior designer. He experiments with lighting, colors, and textures.

    Peek inside Tootle’s home and see one of his most prized antiques, made in the late Victorian era.

    📊 The market

    Across the Mid-Atlantic region and the Philly area, the housing market was kinda meh in November.

    In our area, the number of closed home sales was down compared to the same time last year. And properties were taking longer to sell, so home listings piled up.

    Lisa Sturtevant, chief economist at the multiple listing service Bright MLS, explained what’s going on.

    “Even with somewhat lower mortgage rates, homebuyers and sellers are still very cautious,” she said in a statement. “Economic uncertainty and ongoing affordability challenges remain the biggest constraints on the Mid-Atlantic housing market as we head into the final stretch of 2025.”

    In the Philadelphia metro area last month:

    🔻There were 4,754 closed sales, down about 4% from the same time last year.

    🔺The number of homes actively listed for sale — 11,685 — was up almost 8% from last year.

    🔺The median sale price was $390,000, up more than 3% from last year.

    📷 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 featured a photo of the Man Full of Trouble Tavern at 2nd and Spruce Streets.

    I learned that a lot of my readers are fans of the tavern. Shoutout to Ilya S., Evan N., and Don L. — my most enthusiastic respondents.

    ―

    The words “cute” and “construction site” don’t usually go together in our stories.

    But my colleague Kristen A. Graham wrote about some adorable second-graders who had a lot of questions for the workers building an addition on a house next to their school. And they got answers when folks from the construction company came to visit.

    Story sneak peek: The students guessed that the project used “four thousand million” bricks.

    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.

  • 🏢 Who lives in Center City, anyway? | Morning Newsletter

    🏢 Who lives in Center City, anyway? | Morning Newsletter

    Morning, Philly. Today’s newsletter is all about buildings.

    Thousands of new apartments have sprung up in Center City since 2015. But who, exactly, is living in all of them?

    And demolition has started at the mosaic-clad former Painted Bride Art Center building. See how the Old City space went from art haven to neighborhood battleground.

    — Julie Zeglen (morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)

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    New neighbors

    Between Pine and Vine Streets, river to river, 3,500 new apartments have opened since 2023. If you’ve lived in Philly for a while, you might have looked up at all those high-rise towers and wondered: Who’s up there?

    The answer is, more than likely, a bunch of carless, 30-something transplants who work at Jefferson.

    🏢 Most of these renters are young — under 45 — and probably don’t own a car, a Center City District survey found. Nearly half moved from beyond the region, but they want to stay for at least the next few years. Many work in Center City or very close by, and they’re in healthcare more than any other sector.

    🏢 They say they’re attracted by the downtown area’s density and walkability. They’re also likely to pay nearly double the median Philadelphia rent, for an average of $2,645.

    🏢 Case in point: “I love that Philadelphia has so much energy,” said a Logan Square data analyst who moved to the city with his wife, a Cooper University Hospital employee, from Baltimore last year. Next, they hope to buy a condo nearby.

    Commercial real estate reporter Jake Blumgart has more on a changing Center City.

    In other housing news: Airbnb expects to host 17,000 guests at its short-term rentals across the region when the FIFA World Cup comes here next summer.

    The fall of the Painted Bride

    The former site of the Painted Bride at 230 Vine St. is in the process of being demolished to make way for apartments and commercial space.

    This unceremonious ending follows a nearly six-year legal battle that pitted artists and preservationists against neighbors, who opposed developer Shimi Zakin’s plans to save the arts space. Zakin said he now hopes to incorporate pieces of the exterior’s 7,000-square-foot mirror-and-tile mosaic by Isaiah Zagar into his new building.

    But the celebrated structure had faced tumult before.

    See the full timeline of the Painted Bride’s stay in Old City, and the complicated legal battles that led to its building’s razing.

    More arts funding news: A Roxborough nonprofit thought it had $170,000 in the bank. Then the payroll didn’t clear.

    What you should know today

    Quote of the day

    Richardson is now making “bus-driver rap” in a different way: He has become a go-to artist for Philly-set TV show Abbott Elementary, plus Albie’s Elevator and other local productions .

    🧠 Trivia time

    Beginning Jan. 5, twice-weekly trash pickup is coming to which area of the city?

    A) North Philadelphia

    B) West Philadelphia

    C) Northeast Philadelphia

    D) Northwest Philadelphia

    Think you know? Check your answer.

    What (and whom) we’re…

    🪙 Collecting: The new Semiquincentennial coins featuring three Philly landmarks.

    🥊 Following: The latest plans to keep a Rocky statue at the top of the Art Museum steps.

    🫗 Glad to know: The Ridley Creek oil spill cleanup is almost complete.

    ⛸️ Cheering on: This Mount Laurel figure skater and Olympic hopeful.

    🥔 Eager to try: South Philly’s Mod Spuds, a monthlong jacket potato pop-up, plus South Street’s new Banshee from Cheu alums.

    🧩 Unscramble the anagram

    Hint: Lt. Gov. _ _

    UNSAID VISTA

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

    Cheers to Fatima Lee, who solved Wednesday’s anagram: Wissinoming. Jeff Brown, whose family operates a dozen local ShopRites, recently purchased the Shoppes at Wissinoming shopping center in Northeast Philadelphia for $30.8 million.

    Photo of the day

    Abel Tootle sits for a portrait in his double parlor room at his home in North Philadelphia.

    📚 One last homey thing: When Abel Tootle Jr. bought his home 13 years ago, it gave him full freedom to design a space reflecting his interests — most importantly his many, many books. Check out his “maximalist” North Philly rowhouse.

    Sounds like a dream home to me. I’ll be OOO through next week, so Paola and Sam will bring you the weekday news. ‘Til we meet again in your inbox, be well.

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

  • A new village makes it easier to age in place | Inquirer Lower Merion

    A new village makes it easier to age in place | Inquirer Lower Merion

    Hi, Lower Merion! 👋

    A group of township residents has formed a network aimed at helping older adults age in place. Also this week, SEPTA plans to wrap up Regional Rail car updates shortly, Narberth parking permits are available for 2026, plus where to get unique and crafty gifts around town.

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    For older Lower Merion residents, it takes a village to age in place

    The Lower Merion Village offers social activities and volunteer opportunities for older adults and people with disabilities in the Main Line community.

    A group of Lower Merion residents has come together to help one another age in place. More and more older adults prefer to remain in their homes, a choice that comes with some logistical concerns.

    Lower Merion Village, part of the national Village to Village Network, is setting out to ease some of those burdens by connecting residents to social events, as well as transportation, household help, and other services.

    While Lower Merion Village isn’t accepting members yet, its organizers have their sights set on being a resource to help longtime residents thrive in the community they love.

    Read more about Lower Merion Village here.

    💡 Community News

    • SEPTA missed Friday’s federally imposed deadline to finish repairs to the heat-detection system on its Regional Rail cars. The agency said the lapse was due to a shortage of the thermal wire required to make the repairs. Installation of the backordered wire for 30 of SEPTA’s remaining trains is expected to be completed next week.
    • Narberth residential parking permits for 2026 are now available. Fees range from $10 for a single car to $100 for a fourth vehicle.
    • Bryn Mawr College last week announced Airea “Dee” Matthews, professor and co-chair of the creative writing department, as its next provost. Matthews will assume the role on Jan. 1.
    • Looking for a crafty holiday gift for those on your list? Several Lower Merion shops, including Past Present Future in Ardmore, and Something Different by Eric in Bryn Mawr, have goods like funky snow globes, cat-themed pillows, and other unique housewares.
    • For those shopping in Ardmore, township metered parking spaces and the township garage on Cricket Avenue are free on Saturdays this month.
    • On Sunday and Monday, Santa will be visiting parts of Lower Merion aboard a Merion Fire Company of Ardmore fire truck. The big man will visit Wynnewood, Ardmore north of the railroad tracks, and Haverford on Sunday, and then the Ardmore section south of the railroad tracks on Monday.
    • Brook J. Lenfest sold his 14,000-square-foot Haverford home, which was the most expensive recorded residential sale in the Philadelphia area among public records last week. The CEO of telecommunications company NetCarrier’s Avonwood Road home went for $5.9 million. (Philadelphia Business Journal)
    • Narberth’s GET Café is the subject of a new documentary that will debut at the Bryn Mawr Film Institute tonight at 7 p.m. David Block’s Brewing Possibilities focuses on the cafe’s mission to support neurodivergent individuals through employment and community building. Tickets to the premiere are $30. (Patch)
    • It may not even officially be winter yet, but Holy Child School at Rosemont has opened registration for its 2026 summer camps.

    🏫 Schools Briefing

    • Black Rocks’ book fair runs through tomorrow and winter concerts continue throughout this week and next. See the district’s full calendar here.
    • Lower Merion tackle/defensive tackle Kechan Miller has signed on to play college football at Temple University next year.

    🍽️ On our Plate

    • Hanukkah begins Sunday night. Looking for takeout or catering options? Main Line Today has rounded up 10 local spots offering everything from sides to main dishes. 

    🎳 Things to Do

    🎄 Home for the Holidays: Take a look inside the main house at Stoneleigh, all decked out for the holidays. There will also be seasonal treats and musical performances. ⏰ Saturday, Dec. 13-Sunday, Dec. 14, times vary 💵 $15 for Natural Lands members and $20 for non-members 📍Stoneleigh

    🛍️ Ardmore Holiday Market: Over 20 vendors will be selling handcrafted goods at this inaugural event. ⏰ Saturday, Dec. 13, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. 💵 Pay as you go 📍Schauffele Plaza

    🎵 Funky Brunch: Holiday Edition: Shop local vendors while sipping beer and enjoying brunch at this family-friendly event. ⏰ Sunday, Dec. 14, 11 a.m.- 3 p.m. 💵 Pay as you go 📍 Ardmore Music Hall

    🍫 Happy Hanukkah Menorah Making and More: Kids ages 5 to 12 can make edible Hanukkah-themed crafts. ⏰ Sunday, Dec. 14, 4-5 p.m. 💵 $21.20 📍The Candy Lab

    ✡️ Menorah Lighting: Celebrate the first night of Hanukkah with a lighting of the giant menorah at Suburban Square. There will also be food, drinks, and activities like donut decorating. ⏰ Sunday, Dec. 14, 5 p.m. 💵 Free 📍Suburban Square

    🖌️ Kwanzaa Crafternoon: Kids can make a colorful Kwanzaa craft out of paper, stickers, and markers during this drop-in event. ⏰ Wednesday, Dec. 17, 3-5 p.m. 💵 Free 📍 Gladwyne Library

    🏡 On the Market

    This midcentury modern Penn Valley home has an indoor pool

    The home has a midcentury modern design.

    This Penn Valley home has a distinctive look thanks to its midcentury modern design. The majority of the home’s living space is on the first floor, which has an updated eat-in kitchen and six of the home’s seven bedrooms. The primary suite has three walk-in closets and sliding glass doors that lead to an atrium and an office. There’s another suite on the lower level, but perhaps most unique is the glass-encased indoor pool. The home also has a large deck and patio.

    See more photos of the home here.

    Price: $2.485M | Size: 5,881 SF | Acreage: 1.29

    🗞️ 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.

  • WSSD seeks ideas to fix its dire budget issues | Inquirer Greater Media

    WSSD seeks ideas to fix its dire budget issues | Inquirer Greater Media

    Hi, Greater Media! 👋

    Last night, Delaware County Council approved a tax hike for 2026. We share more details below. Also this week, Wallingford-Swarthmore School District is looking at ways to stem its budget deficit, plus Ridley Creek remediation to clean up a September oil spill is nearing completion.

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    Wallingford-Swarthmore is looking for ways to dig out of its budget deficit

    Wallingford-Swarthmore School District held listening sessions about its budget at Strath Haven Middle School on Monday.

    Facing a $2.6 million budget deficit for the 2027-28 school year, Wallingford-Swarthmore School District is considering any idea to trim that figure.

    That was the takeaway from a Monday listening session, where Superintendent Russell Johnston said the district is “turning over every stone” in its quest and took suggestions from the public.

    Unlike neighboring districts, WSSD is predominately supported by homeowners’ tax dollars, many of whom already feel stretched thin, The Inquirer’s Denali Sagner reports.

    While some attendees left the meeting feeling better about the school’s objectives, others still wonder how it got in this hole in the first place.

    Read more about Wallingford-Swarthmore’s plans to address its budget woes here.

    Ridley Creek cleanup is nearing the finish line after an oil tanker crash earlier this year

    Remediation work to clean up a September oil spill that contaminated Ridley Creek is nearing completion.

    Work to clean up oil that spilled into Ridley Creek when a tanker crashed on the Route 1 Bypass in September is nearly finished. Officials expect to wrap up next week, with road closures on Ridley Creek Road continuing until then.

    Crews have been remediating the area, where an estimated 1,000 to 2,000 gallons of oil spilled, including removing contaminated soil and refilling the site, The Inquirer’s Torin Sweeney reports.

    Read more about how crews have tackled the cleanup here.

    💡 Community News

    • Last night, Delaware County Council voted to approve a 19% property tax hike for 2026. Despite pushback from residents, the council enacted a double-digit increase for the second consecutive year. For the average assessed home, taxes will go up an additional $188 annually.
    • Delaware County Council voted unanimously last week to enact a policy protecting LGBTQ+ individuals from discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression. It is one of at least 79 local governments in Pennsylvania to adopt similar nondiscrimination ordinances.
    • SEPTA missed Friday’s federally imposed deadline to finish repairs to the heat-detection system on its Regional Rail cars. The agency said the lapse was due to a shortage of the thermal wire required to make the repairs. Installation of the backordered wire for 30 of SEPTA’s remaining trains is expected to be completed next week.
    • Now in its 50th year, the Festival of Lights officially got underway last week at Rose Tree County Park in Media, and will be lit nightly through Jan. 3. We take a look back at highlights from the opening night.
    • An Inquirer analysis of a year’s worth of Riddle Hospital inspections found that the Media hospital was cited once between last November and this October for failing to properly monitor a patient’s vital signs while waiting for care in the emergency department.
    • Residential parking permits for 2026 are now available for Media borough residents. Fees are $5 each for a household’s first two cars and $15 each thereafter. New for 2026, the borough will not distribute a physical sticker, but will instead track registration through the Passport Parking app.
    • Newlin Grist Mill has named a new executive director to lead the historic Concord Township site. Amy Ricci, who most recently held that same role at former Philadelphia paper mill Historic Rittenhouse Town, will assume the position in January, becoming the organization’s fourth executive director.
    • Wawa is opening its 1,000th fuel store today at 675 Baltimore Pike in Springfield. The first 250 guests will get a free T-shirt and coffee. (Daily Times)

    🏫 Schools Briefing

    • Notre Dame de Lourdes School in Swarthmore took home first place in the kindergarten through eighth grade category of B101’s annual Christmas Choir Competition for its rendition of Like It’s Christmas. The school will receive $5,000 for its music program and will perform the winning song at the Philly Pops’ A Philly Holiday Spectacular on Sunday.
    • There’s a school board meeting tonight at Penncrest High School. On Monday and Tuesday, Rose Tree Elementary will host its fifth grade band concert. Penncrest High School’s winter choral concert is on Wednesday. See RTMSD’s full calendar here.
    • Tonight is Swarthmore-Rutledge School’s winter concert, Strath Haven High’s orchestra concert is Monday, and its choral concert is Tuesday. Wallingford Elementary is hosting winter concerts on Wednesday and Thursday. See WSSD’s full calendar here.
    • WSSD is also hosting a community artificial intelligence forum tonight from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Strath Haven Middle School’s library, where attendees can provide feedback about policies.

    🍽️ On our Plate

    • Wonder is opening next week at the Promenade at Granite Run. The food hall at 1145 W. Baltimore Pike will host a “friends and family” preview Monday through Wednesday ahead of its grand opening next Thursday.
    • The Towne House in Media has been transformed for the five-week run of “Holly Jolly.” The holiday décor will be on display through Jan. 4, during which time festive drinks can also be ordered. Options include the Mistletoe Kiss, made with vodka, rosemary simple syrup, lemon, and club soda, or Holly’s Hot Chocolate, which gives hot cocoa a kick thanks to vanilla vodka and Irish cream.
    • Santa will be making a stop in Glen Mills this weekend alongside Mrs. Claus when the duo visit Harvest Seasonal Grill Saturday from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Kids can also decorate cookies during the holiday brunch buffet. Tickets are $25 for children and $35 for adults. Reservations are required.

    🎳 Things to Do

    🌃 Night Market: Swarthmore merchants will stay open later on Friday, and there will also be pop-up vendors, food, drinks, and an ugly sweater competition. ⏰ Friday, Dec. 12, 5-8 p.m. 💵 Pay as you go 📍 Swarthmore town center

    🎙️ The Newspaper Taxis: Hear tunes from this Beatles tribute band. ⏰ Friday, Dec. 12, 8 p.m. 💵 Free 📍 Shere-E-Punjab, Media

    🍪 Cookie Walk: Love holiday cookies but don’t love baking? Or just want to get a larger array? This annual event lets attendees pick and pay for the homemade sweets they want. ⏰ Saturday, Dec. 13, 9 a.m. 💵 Pay as you go 📍 Middletown Church, Media

    ☕ Cocoa and Photos with the Clauses and Friends: Write a letter to Santa, decorate cookies, and pose for festive photos with Olaf, Jolly Bear, and the big man himself. ⏰ Saturday, Dec. 13, 10 a.m.-noon 💵 Free 📍 Media Community Center

    🕎 Chanukah Village: A number of stores throughout Media will host crafts and other activities in celebration of the first night of the holiday. A 4:30 p.m. menorah lighting will be held at the Delaware County Courthouse. ⏰ Sunday, Dec. 14, 3-5 p.m. 💵 Free 📍 Various locations

    🏡 On the Market

    A modern four-bedroom townhouse in Middletown Township

    The townhome spans over 3,600 square feet and backs up to woods.

    Built in 2022, this spacious townhouse’s first floor features an open-concept kitchen, dining, and living area, which has access to a deck overlooking the woods. There are four bedrooms upstairs, including a primary suite with double vanities and a walk-in closet. It also has a finished walk-out basement with a full bathroom, and access to the community clubhouse and a tot lot. There’s an open house this Saturday from noon to 3 p.m.

    See more photos of the townhouse here.

    Price: $815,000 | Size: 3,640 SF

    🗞️ 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.

  • 🧸 Anything for the kids | Sports Daily Newsletter

    🧸 Anything for the kids | Sports Daily Newsletter

    For over 20 years, at three locations, former Daily News sportswriters Ed Barkowitz and Mike Kern have made the Christmas season special in South Philly in their other roles as guest bartenders.

    Here’s the thing: The good vibes have nothing to do with the drinks they were slinging (well, somewhat, as someone who has attended a few), but everything to do with what the event’s proceeds ensured.

    Scores of kids from the neighborhood would have something to open under the tree.

    Friday will mark the 23rd time their annual toy drive takes place, now at Wolf Burger on Front and Wolf Streets. In place of Kern will be fellow former Daily News sports scribe Bob Cooney, but Barkowitz, who has used his platform and notoriety at the paper for good, is scheduled to attend, doing what he does best: anything for the kids.

    Inquirer reporter Matt Breen is first up on this frigid Thursday, delivering the holiday cheer with this fantastic story.

    Also, could securing athletes with multiyear deals be the key to retaining top talent for college programs outside the Power Four? Temple thinks so, and might be on to something.

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

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

    ❓What’s your favorite holiday sports-themed tradition? Email us back for a chance to be featured in the newsletter.

    Rebound jawn

    Eagles offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo and the Birds offense will look to turn things around against the visiting Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday.

    It’s been a rough few weeks for the Eagles, but surely the end has to be near by way of the visiting Las Vegas Raiders, a team that enters 2-11 and hasn’t won a game since October.

    Right?

    Well, that remains to be seen, and it’s too early to assume, especially after the Eagles were in a similar situation in the 2023 season in what looked to be a surefire win against the Arizona Cardinals that turned into anything but.

    So what do we know about these Raiders, next up in a Week 15 matchup for the Birds at the Linc on Sunday (1 p.m., Fox29)? Inquirer writer Olivia Reiner offers this look.

    What we’re …

    🙏🏾 Hoping: Philly soccer fans looking for World Cup tickets are successful in obtaining some through this latest FIFA presale lottery, which opens today.

    🤔 Wondering: With Pittsburgh up next, what, if anything, did Villanova learn in its blowout loss against Michigan this week?

    👀 Watching: This fan’s hilarious interaction with Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown in the latest episode of HBO’s Hard Knocks.

    ⚾ Reading: Who is Zach McCambley, the Rule 5 pitching prospect the Phillies are high on?

    Efficiency, meet consistency

    Sixers forward Paul George playing against the Clippers on Nov. 17.

    Paul George and Joel Embiid want to be more efficient on the basketball court. First, they need to be on the court together more than they have this season.

    The pair have played only two games together, and in those games, Embiid averaged 17 points while shooting 28.5%. Meanwhile, George averaged 14 points on 36% shooting.

    So what’s the secret to upping those numbers as two of the top names on the roster?

    “Just keep at it,” George says. “Keep getting opportunities on the floor together. Keep presenting healthy … and continue to keep logging minutes.”

    The Inquirer’s Keith Pompey looks at the general plan and how soon the duo might get their opportunity.

    What’s next for the Phillies?

    Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski still has work to do on the 2026 roster.

    The Phillies’ contingent left Disney World on Wednesday with more clarity than when it arrived. After signing Kyle Schwarber to a five-year, $150 million deal during the winter meetings, the Phillies now have a better sense of direction for the rest of their offseason.

    And now, instead of worrying about contingency plans to fill a Schwarber-sized hole in the lineup, the Phillies can focus their attention on other areas of need.

    With his third child due any day now, Schwarber returned to the Phillies with a new contract. He’s hoping J.T. Realmuto does the same.

    The Phillies selected three players in the Rule 5 draft on Wednesday, including a pitcher they think can make the team in 2026.

    Fits like a glove?

    Flyers center Christian Dvorak has been producing at a high clip since joining the club via NHL free agency.

    When the Flyers secured Christian Dvorak during the first day of NHL free agency in July, he was primarily viewed as a potential midseason trade option if need be.

    Not so fast.

    Just 28 games into the season, the 29-year-old center has 19 points and is on pace to finish with 56. A big part? His developing relationship with Trevor Zegras and Travis Konecny, on the Flyers’ top line. His play hasn’t gone unnoticed as coach Rick Tocchet noted: “He saw the opportunity here with our situation, and I think that he’s grabbing it.”

    The Inquirer’s Jackie Spiegel has more on Dvorak and his upside.

    On this date

    Dec. 11, 1981: Boxing legend Muhammad Ali entered the ring for the final time, culminating a 21-year career with a loss by unanimous decision to Trevor Berbick in the Bahamas. Ali’s first fight? Oct. 29, 1960, when he was still known as Cassius Clay.

    Mike Sielski’s take …

    In the middle of Jalen Hurts’ awful game on Monday: The Chargers’ Jamaree Caldwell strips the ball from him after the Eagles QB recovered it on a wacky second-quarter play.

    We’re getting to the point where removing Hurts and inserting Tanner McKee would be helpful, just to create a control in this ugly experiment that is the Eagles offense. Read this latest from Sielski here.

    The Phillies locked in Kyle Schwarber with a five-year, $150 million contract. Here’s what readers had to say about it.

    What you’re saying about the Phillies

    We asked: What was your reaction to the Phillies re-signing Kyle Schwarber and extending manager Rob Thomson?

    Wise decision. [J.T.] Realmuto should be next, since the Phillies have no backup plans — Bill M.

    I love Schwarber and agree that the Phillies really needed to re-sign him. On the practical side, I can’t see Kyle hitting 50-plus homers four or five years from now. I think the players like Topper, and maybe that is good, but I can’t see him managing a team to a WS win. In that tragic inning at Dodger Stadium when Kerkering tossed the ball over JT [Realmuto’s] head, Rob should have been out there before that, reviewing all the options with his players. He did not, but Dave Roberts would have. — Everett S.

    Absolutely thrilled about Schwarber. So so about Thomson. When he’s good, he’s really good. But he’s often not good. I am hoping for re-signings from Realmuto and Suarez. In a perfect world, that would happen. — Kathy T.

    We compiled today’s newsletter using reporting from Matt Breen, Olivia Reiner, Ryan Mack, Henry Savage, Jeff Neiburg, Jackie Spiegel, Lochlahn March, Scott Lauber, Keith Pompey, and Mike Sielski.

    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.

    That’s what I have for you today. Stay warm, and we’ll see you tomorrow. — Kerith

  • 🍷 Philly’s best indie bottle shops | Let’s Eat

    🍷 Philly’s best indie bottle shops | Let’s Eat

    Whether you know a lot about wine or very little, you’ll love these 11 independent shops.

    Also in this edition:

    • Seven fishes: A guide to the traditional feasts.
    • Gorgeous coffee house: The new Trung Nguyên Legend even has a roof deck.
    • The best things we ate: Sweet, salty, hearty — and sticky.
    • West Philly restaurant drought? Read on and I will explain.

    — Mike Klein

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

    Where to find that special wine bottle

    It’s easier than ever to swing by a neighborhood shop and leave with a special wine bottle at a friendly price. Sande Friedman shares her favorite indie wine merchants in Philly and the suburbs.

    🍷 In these cold days, here’s a luxe Chardonnay worth warming up to, says Marnie Old.

    Where to feast on the seven fishes

    If you’re after squid ink risotto, surf and turf, or mostly just pasta, Kiki Aranita has you covered for this year’s crop of seven fishes feasts with an array of festive, mostly fishy Philly restaurants.

    Coffee shop that’s ‘something gorgeous’

    The largest U.S. location of the Vietnamese coffee brand Trung Nguyên Legend has opened near the Mummers Museum in Pennsport. Beatrice Forman stopped to visit the onetime cabinetry showroom, now a two-story destination with a year-round roof deck for espresso tonics, Vietnamese egg coffees, and phin pour-overs.

    Craig LaBan on Sao: ‘No rules,’ plenty of energy

    Critic Craig LaBan found much to enjoy at Phila and Rachel Lorn’s Sao — a love letter to Philly, set to a soundtrack mix of vintage R&B, Cambodian rap, and Frank Sinatra.

    An accolade for Omar Tate

    Chef Omar Tate, who co-owns the Michelin-recommended Honeysuckle on North Broad Street with his wife, Cybille St.Aude-Tate, just received an $85,000, no-strings-attached grant from the Pew Center for Arts & Heritage. Pew says the grants support timely and compelling new projects and long-term stability. “Tate uses food as a medium for storytelling and cultural preservation,” it blurbed. “His curated culinary experiences assert cooking as a fine art that can express complex narratives about identity, memory, and history. In his visual artworks, collaborations with other artists, and his Philadelphia restaurant Honeysuckle, Tate connects people with Black creative lineages and cuisine.”

    The best things we ate last week

    A sweet (and spicy) Market Street pop-up … belly-warming Indian food … a sticky dessert at Paffuto … a Greek spin on American Sardine Bar’s namesake food. Read on to see where we’ve been eating.

    Scoops

    Barcelona Wine Bar, the syndicated Spanish tapas house, appears to be in the initial stages of planning a second Philadelphia location, complementing its eight-year-old spot in East Passyunk. A real estate solicitation mentions Barcelona as a tenant in an adaptive reuse of an old warehouse on North Lee Street in Fishtown, next to Pizzeria Beddia and Hiroki and across from the new Pip’s, the cider bar by Ploughman Cider. No comment from a Barcelona rep.

    Vons Chicken, a South Korean-rooted chain big on the West Coast, ventures east next month to open at 1714 Washington Ave., next to AutoZone. Vons’ menu includes Korean fried as well as baked chicken, plus sides such as mandu and tteokbokki. Local franchisee Thao Le, who found Vons in California while visiting family, has assorted restaurant experience, including serving at Pietro’s Italian in Center City.

    Restaurant report

    Hira Qureshi tried falafel at more than 20 restaurants while scouting Middle Eastern cuisine for The Inquirer’s 76. Here’s her rule: good falafel = good restaurant. She maps her picks.

    Briefly noted

    Eric Berley of Old City’s Franklin Fountain and Shane Confectionery now has a third business on the block. The Cacao Pod — a private event space that doubles as head chocolate maker Kevin Paschall’s chocolate roastery — rocks the same ye olde look at 104 Market. The space, which fits 24 guests (18 seated), is equipped with an ice cream counter, soda fountain, and hot chocolate bar.

    Bombay Express completes its move from Marlton to 219 Haddonfield-Berlin Rd., the Centrum Shoppes in Cherry Hill, opening Thursday.

    Homegrown 215 opens its second location, at the former Bison Coffee shop at 1600 Callowhill St. (enter on Carlton), on Saturday.

    The Concourse at Comcast Center (1701 JFK Blvd.) has two openings teed up for Dec. 15: Pagano’s Market (Italian classics, prepared foods, and desserts) and Kenny’s Wok (a fast-casual pan-Asian concept creating dishes using robotic-wok technology; it’s a version of InstaFooz, the Chinatown shop Poon owns with David Taing).

    Panchoʼs Mexican Taqueria in Atlantic Cityʼs Ducktown neighborhood — which has been running 12 hours a day, seven days a week, for 20 years — will close for what owner Josh Cruz predicts will be a five-week-long renovation.

    Sisterly Love Collective, the alliance of women in the food and hospitality industries, will host a pop-up holiday market from noon to 4 p.m. this weekend at the old High Street Bakery space (101 S. Ninth St.).

    Oyster House’s latest guest chef in its lobster-roll series is Amá chef Frankie Ramirez. His roll ($39), whose proceeds will benefit PAWS, includes butter-poached lobster, salsa macha, refried beans, and cilantro macho on a split-top bun, served with hand-cut fries. It’s on through Saturday.

    Red Gravy Goods is a new gift shop from Valerie Safran and Marcie Turney (of Barbuzzo, Bud & Marilyn’s, Little Nonna’s, and Darling Jacks) at 1335 E. Passyunk Ave., across from Cartesian Brewing/CJ & D’s Trenton Tomato Pies. Kitchen wares are part of the line and the big sell is a hat patch bar: about 100 patches designed by Safran and team that can be applied on-site.

    Center City District Restaurant Week returns Jan. 18-31 with 100-plus restaurants offering three-course, prix-fixe dinners for $45 or $60 and two-course lunches for $20. (The district skipped the promotion this fall for the first time in 22 years.) Here’s the rundown.

    ❓Pop quiz

    A bar is on the way to Center City whose specialty will be:

    A) “the most tequilas under one roof in Philadelphia”

    B) 50 varieties of Champagne, plus caviars

    C) an espresso martini fountain

    D) snacks whose names all start with the letter “G”

    Find out if you know the answer.

    Ask Mike anything

    I would have thought that with the college campuses nearby and booming University City business in general, the big spaces that formerly housed Pod, Distrito, and City Tap House would have been taken over by new restaurants already. Why do you think that is not the case? — Lyndsey M.

    My real estate sources say the main force that makes large spaces tougher to fill in University City are the colleges’ schedules, which create slow summers and winter breaks. One also cited a lack of older architecture (which restaurateurs gravitate toward) and the surfeit of new construction, which tends to make rents more expensive.

    On the bright side, I’m hearing that a tenant may be on the way to the Pod space next to the Inn at Penn (3636 Sansom St.). This year, the UCity/West Philly area has seen the new Gather Food Hall at the Bulletin Building, as well as a slate of smaller destinations: Out West Cafe (5127 Walnut), Corio at uCity Square (37th and Chestnut), Haraz Coffee House (3421 Chestnut), and Good Hatch Eatery (4721 Pine). Next year’s crop will include Mi Casa and a Tous Les Jours bakery at Schuylkill Yards.

    📮 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.

  • 📱 Losing it all to FanDuel | Morning Newsletter

    📱 Losing it all to FanDuel | Morning Newsletter

    Good morning, Philly.

    Philadelphia is now the top market for online gambling companies — and addiction helplines are ringing off the hook.

    And approximately 2.7 million state agency letters were never mailed to Pennsylvania residents last month, officials say, after a state-contracted vendor failed to send them.

    — Julie Zeglen (morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)

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

    ‘A national crisis’ centered on Philly

    “I have nothing. I’ve gambled everything away on FanDuel.”

    📱 In Pennsylvania and New Jersey, two of only six states in the U.S. where both sports betting and online casino games are legal, gambling helpline calls have tripled since 2021. Half cite online gambling as their main problem.

    📱 Many of those who call the helplines report the devastating impact the activity has on their lives, from blown paychecks and foreclosed homes to ruined relationships. In New Jersey, debt averages to about $34,000 for each caller.

    📱 Meanwhile, advertisers have pounced on the fast-growing market, spending $37 million in the Philadelphia area in 2025 — more than New York City and much more than Las Vegas. Experts say lawmakers have struggled to keep pace with the industry’s rise.

    Reporters Max Marin and Lizzie Mulvey dig into the data, plus anonymized helpline call logs and state revenue reports, for this investigation.

    Mail fail

    More details are emerging about the millions of pieces of mail from Pennsylvania agencies that never made it to residents last month.

    A state-contracted vendor was fired last week after officials discovered the mistake, which affected PennDot and Department of Human Services correspondence from Nov. 3 through Dec. 3.

    Missing mail from PennDot included driver’s license and vehicle registration renewal invitations. It’s not yet clear what type of communications went unsent from DHS, a representative said, though Electronic Benefit Transfer cards and some other benefits-related items were not affected.

    Questions remain, too, about why it took a full month for officials to determine that the mail had not been reaching residents, and how the issue was discovered.

    State politics reporter Gillian McGoldrick has more.

    What you should know today

    Quote of the day

    A five-week-long, multidisciplinary arts festival called What Now: 2026 will launch in May as part of the county’s Semiquincentennial. Collaborators include BlackStar, Philadanco!, and Theatre in the X.

    P.S. Also coming in 2026? Year-round FringeArts programming, a souped-up RockyFest (possibly including a permanent Rocky statue atop the Art Museum steps), and lots of Liberty Bells.

    🧠 Trivia time

    Philly native Sheinelle Jones is taking over Hoda Kotb’s chair at Today permanently. She once worked as cohost of which other morning show?

    A) Morning Joe

    B) Good Day Philadelphia

    C) Preston & Steve Show

    D) Good Morning America

    Think you know? Check your answer.

    What (and where) we’re…

    🏢 Eyeing: The Wanamaker building owners’ plans for a rooftop pool and a sunny Grand Court.

    🍾 Living it up: Center City’s newest bar, which plans to serve caviar and $600 glasses of Champagne.

    🍷 Shopping: These excellent wine shops in Philly and the suburbs.

    ☕ Checking out: Trung Nguyên, the Starbucks of Vietnamese coffee.

    ⚽ Considering: Philly’s Haitian soccer fans’ excitement for their team’s World Cup match at the Linc.

    🧩 Unscramble the anagram

    Hint: Area in Northeast Philadelphia

    MISSION WING

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

    Cheers to Rohit Lal, who solved Tuesday’s anagram: Wynnewood. Residents of the Main Line community are building a Village to help Lower Merion’s older adults age in place.

    Photo of the day

    Wayne P. James plays jazz at Portabello’s of Kennett Square.

    🎄 One last festive thing: Brandywine Valley businesses get a Christmas boom from Longwood Gardens visitors. In the run-up to the Kennett Square attraction’s light show festival, “we know that we need to be staffed up and ready,” one local restaurateur told The Inquirer.

    Thanks for starting your day with The Inquirer. Stay warm out there.

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

  • Christmas at Longwood Gardens is an ‘economic engine’ | Inquirer Chester County

    Christmas at Longwood Gardens is an ‘economic engine’ | Inquirer Chester County

    Hi, Chester County! 👋

    A Longwood Christmas is more than an annual staple for many — it’s an economic boon for businesses in and around Kennett Square. Also this week, the county has certified the November election results, philanthropist MacKenzie Scott has made another gift to Lincoln University, plus a new restaurant has opened at the former Lotus Inn.

    We want your feedback! Tell us what you think of the newsletter by taking our survey or emailing us at chestercounty@inquirer.com.

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

    A Longwood Christmas makes for a bright economic season in Kennett Square

    State Street in Kennett Square sees lots of additional visitors during the holiday season.

    Kennett Square is buzzing thanks to a holiday swell of visitors in town for the annual Longwood Gardens holiday display.

    To capitalize on the “economic engine” that is “A Longwood Christmas,” merchants kicked off the holiday season a little early this year, including with a festive parade a week ahead of its usual schedule. That decision was a boon for businesses, which reported “record-breaking” sales during Thanksgiving week, something they plan to replicate next year.

    The Longwood effect isn’t just great for the gardens or area shops — it also means increased hotel bookings and full restaurant dining rooms.

    The Inquirer’s Tony Wood delves into Longwood’s year-round impact on neighboring businesses.

    📍 Countywide News

    • The county’s Board of Elections certified November’s general election results on Friday as it continues to investigate why third-party voters weren’t included in poll books. (WHYY)
    • The Chester County Economic Development Council launched a new program last week aimed at helping startups and entrepreneurs throughout southeastern Pennsylvania. The investment group, i2n Angels, will fund promising early-stage companies with between $50,00 and $500,000, as well as provide coaching and advice.
    • The Chester County Department of Community Development was recently recognized by community solutions organization Built for Zero for its efforts in reducing homelessness. County CEO David Byerman said there was a 33% decrease in first-time homelessness in 2024 compared to 2022 and that the number of people entering emergency shelters was slashed by nearly half over the past five years.
    • SEPTA missed Friday’s federally imposed deadline to finish repairs to the heat-detection system on its Regional Rail cars. The agency said the lapse was due to a shortage of the thermal wire required to make the repairs. Installation of the backordered wire for 30 of SEPTA’s remaining trains is expected to be completed next week.

    💡 Community News

    • Philanthropist MacKenzie Scott has made another donation to Lincoln University, this time for $25 million. The no-strings-attached gift to the historically Black college will support scholarships and other initiatives.
    • Last week, PennDot outlined its updated plans for the busy intersection at Old Baltimore Pike and Newark Road in New Garden Township, a project that is expected to cost upward of $11 million and has already been pushed from its original timeline. In 2022, the agency projected work would get underway in 2025, but plans now call for the three-phase project to begin in 2028 and is expected to take several years to complete. (Daily Local)
    • South Coatesville Borough has been awarded a $200,000 grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development to hire a full-time municipal manager. There’s no timeline yet for when the hiring process will begin.
    • After 45 years, Brandywine Conservancy announced last week that 2026 will be its last year as the sole operator and beneficiary of the Radnor Hunt Races. The popular Malvern steeplechase event is looking for a new operator going forward. The 2026 races will take place May 16.
    • Still in search of a fresh-cut Christmas tree? Wiggins Farm, which has locations in Cochranville and West Chester, is one of a number of area farms offering delivery this year. The service runs about $50 near West Chester and jumps to $75 for deliveries more than 30 minutes away.
    • Residents in West Bradford Township are expressing concern over skyrocketing sewer bills after being switched to a metered rate for running water rather than the previous flat rate. The change doesn’t differentiate between interior and exterior water use, causing some residents to say they’re now being charged for a service that isn’t being provided. (CBS News Philadelphia)
    • NBC10 recently profiled The Barn at Spring Brook Farm in West Chester, a nonprofit that connects children and teens with disabilities to nature- and animal-based programming. The organization launched in 2005 and served 477 children last year alone. See the segment here.
    • Gadaleto’s Seafood Market in West Chester will continue providing family meals for free to those in need throughout the holiday season. (6abc)
    • Santa is making a stop in Spring City and East Vincent Township this weekend. At 11 a.m. on Sunday, Santa, Mrs. Claus, and Rudolph will hop aboard one of Liberty Fire Company’s trucks and travel around town.

    🏫 Schools Briefing

    • New student registration for kindergarten through 12th grade is now open for the 2026-27 school year at Downingtown Area School District.
    • Last Friday, several school districts throughout the county held reorganization meetings, swearing in new members as well as voting on leadership. In Tredyffrin/Easttown School District, Sue Tiede was elected president and Kenneth Hong as vice president. In the Unionville-Chadds Ford School District, the board reelected Victoria Baratta and Erin Talbert as president and vice president, respectively. And Avon Grove School District’s board reelected Dorothy Linn as president, and elected Ruchira Singh as vice president.
    • Some local high school football players have signed on to play college ball. Last week, Malvern Prep edge rusher Jackson Ford committed to playing with Penn State next year. Fellow Prep teammates Max Mohring, a linebacker, will head to Northwestern University, and running back Ezekiel Bates will play for Minnesota. Kennett Square kicker Shay Barker is headed to Syracuse University and West Chester East offensive tackle Tyler Duell is off to Rutgers.

    🍽️ On our Plate

    • The former Lotus Inn in Berwyn has gotten new life. Karthic Venkatachalam and Gopal Dhandpani of Nalal Indian Cuisine in Downingtown and Adyar Cafe in Exton opened Vibe Haus Indian Plates & Taps there last week. The restaurant, at 402 Swedesford Rd., features Indian-meets-American pub food, with plans to add a brewery in the coming months.
    • Our Deli Café expanded to its second location on Monday, opening at 498 Nutt Rd. in Phoenixville. The Paoli-based eatery serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, including staples like burgers, sandwiches, wraps, and milkshakes.
    • After nearly two years in business, Bookstore Bakery in West Chester has announced it will close at the end of the year. Located at 145 W. Gay St., the shop was known for its selection of both books and baked goods, including customized cakes.

    🎳 Things to Do

    🎁 There are more holiday markets and events taking place this weekend, including the Downingtown Good Neighbor Christmas Parade on Saturday. That same day, Christkindlmarkt takes over part of Gay Street in West Chester, and on Sunday, shoppers can browse vendors at the Berwyn Holiday Market at Bronze Plaza. On Saturday and Sunday, the Kennett Square Holiday Village Market returns for its second weekend at The Creamery, while in Phoenixville, Fitzwater Station’s Christmas Village continues. On Sunday evening, Congregation B’nai Jacob in Phoenixville will host its Hanukkah Celebration with a menorah lighting, jelly donuts, and games of dreidel.

    Here’s what else is happening around Chester County:

    🎭 Anastasia: It’s the final weekend to catch SALT Performing Arts’ stage performance of the lost Romanov. ⏰ Saturday, Dec. 13 and Sunday, Dec. 14, times vary 💵 $31.60-$36.70 📍 SALT Performing Arts, Chester Springs

    🏡 Home Alone: Catch a screening of the beloved holiday classic, which celebrates its 35th anniversary this year. ⏰ Saturday, Dec. 13, 12:15, 4:30 and 7 p.m. 💵 $10-$15 📍 The Colonial Theatre, Phoenixville

    🐦‍🔥 Phoenixville Firebird Festival: Now in its 22nd year, the festival inspired by ancient mythology and the symbols of resurrection and renewal returns to Phoenixville, where a 20-foot phoenix will be burned. There will also be a Festival Village. ⏰ Saturday, Dec. 13, 4 p.m. 💵 Pay as you go 📍 Reservoir Park, Phoenixville

    🏡 On the Market

    A fully updated five-bedroom West Chester home

    Part of the family room’s ceiling reaches two stories, while another part has a stone fireplace.

    Located just outside the borough, this West Goshen Township home recently underwent a full update, with over $560,000 in improvements. The sprawling home features an office, dining and living rooms, and an open-concept kitchen on the first floor. A sunny family room, part of which spans two stories, features a stone fireplace. There are four bedrooms upstairs, including a primary suite with two vanities, a soaking tub, and dressing area with a wardrobe and separate walk-in closets. Other features include a finished walk-out basement and a new deck overlooking the pool.

    See more photos of the property here.

    Price: $1.65M | Size: 6,579 SF | Acreage: 1.81

    🗞️ What other Chester County residents are reading this week:

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