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📺 Super Bowl watch parties, bare knuckle brawling, and a taste of Nola | Things to do

After a week of moderate winter temps, we’re back to single digit chills and snow-packed streets this weekend.

At this point, we’re used to the bone-numbing winds, so nothing will stop us from enjoying fun, brutally-entertaining, and dog-friendly events happening this weekend. Am I right?

While our beloved Birds didn’t make it to the Super Bowl this year, there’s plenty of watch parties for disheartened fans in need of support, and others looking forward to Bad Bunny’s electrifying half-time show.

Plus, a brutal bare knuckle brawl will take place in South Philly. Craftsman Row’s annual Mardi Gras pop-up experience will transport patrons to New Orleans’ French Quarter. And a reimagined Shakespearean classic will open at the Philadelphia Contemporary Theatre.

Whatever you choose, just please avoid ice fishing on the frozen Schuylkill. There’s enough events to go around before you need to risk your warmth (and life) on the river’s ice-solid surface.

Just look below, and you’ll find plenty of events worth reeling into your weekend plans.

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

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Schuylkill River as seen from former railroad bridge in Manayunk section, Philadelphia on snowy and cold Monday, Jan. 26, 2026.

The Schuylkill is frozen, so that means you can ice fish on it. Right? No!

With the surface of the Schuylkill frozen solid, a reader asked through Curious Philly if ice fishing is allowed on the grand tributary.

Short answer: no.

While fishing along the Schuylkill is accepted and celebrated in warmer temperatures, those dreaming of an Arctic lifestyle should be reconsider their plans.

Read more of my colleague Nate File’s story here.

The best things to do this week

⚜️ A taste of NOLA: Stop by Craftsman Row Saloon for a taste of New Orleans. The bar’s annual Fat Tuesday pop-up experience will feature Mardi Gras-inspired dishes and southern favorites like jambalaya, crawfish mac and cheese, and po boys.

🍷 The formula of love: Learn the science of romance at the Science History Institute’s event on Friday. Wine chemist André Isaacs, master chocolatier Jim St. John, essential oil specialist Kim Bleimann, and others will dive into the history of your favorite Valentine’s Day staples for “Wine, Roses, and Chocolate: How Romance and Science Work Together.”

🐶 The return of Bark Bowl: The fifth annual Bark Bowl returns to Craft Hall on Saturday. While their furry, four-legged friends are enjoying the indoor turf and doggie toys, pet-parents can enjoy a special menu of drinks, crafty-style pizza, BBQ platters, and other offerings.

🏈 Super Bowl Watch Parties: While our beloved Eagles didn’t make it to the biggest night in sports, it doesn’t mean you can’t stop by watch parties at Fringe Bar, Taller Puertorriqueño, Stateside Live!, and other venues and dive bars.

📅 My calendar picks this week: Step Afrika! at Miller Theater, First Friday in Chestnut Hill, Restaurant Week in Center City

Kiera Duffy (left) and Justin Vivian Bond perform in “Complications in Sue” during the final dress rehearsal at the Academy of Music in Center City Philadelphia on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026. The original libretto is based on an idea by Bond, and is playwright Michael R. Jackson’s operatic debut.

Opera Philadelphia’s ‘strange little roller coaster ride’ is rolling into town

Created to commemorate the Opera Philadelphia’s 50th anniversary, Complications in Sue opened on Wednesday with 10 composers commissioned to write eight-minute scenes. (Here’s our review!)

The scenes encompass the century-long life of a mythical everywoman named Sue, who does everything from saving Santa Clause from an existential crisis in a nonbelieving world, to fending off aggressive shopping algorithms. Impressive, right?

Complications in Sue plays through Sunday at the Academy of Music. All tickets are Pick Your Price, starting at $11.

Read more in writer David Patrick Stearns’ story here.

Winter fun this week and beyond

🏎️ One final lap: Stop by the Philadelphia Auto Show, and take a spin around the Pennsylvania Convention Center before the annual ends on Sunday. Hundreds of vehicles will be displayed throughout the exhibition, including some you can test drive in and outside the building.

🤜🏽 Put your dukes up: The biggest night in Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship returns to Philly for KnuckleMania VI at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Show-stoppers like heavyweight champion Ben Rothwell will defend his title against former UFC champ Andrei Arlovski in a main event clash.

🎭 A reimagined theater classic: A modern, fast-paced, and thrilling reimagining of Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar will take center stage at the Philadelphia Theatre Company on Froday. The show runs through Feb. 22.

🧗🏼‍♂️ Come Baa-aaa-ack to Please Touch Museum: Shaun the Sheep, Bitzer, and your kid’s other farmyard friends will guide them through a series of fun problem-solving activities at the Please Touch Museum. Kids can scale small climbing walls, form their own stop-motion animations, and test their agility on balance boards. The exhibit runs from Saturday to May 10.

Staffer picks

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

🎸 Thursday: Off the heels of the Oklahoma band’s seventh album, the Turnpike Troubadours bring their brand of Red Dirt country at the Met Philly. The band will be joined by wry Texas songwriter Robert Earl Keen.

🎤 Friday: Soulful Alabama singer Kashus Culpepper, whose new album, Act I, features guest appearances from Sierra Ferrell and Marcus King, will play World Cafe Live’s Free at Noon. Then, he’s headed to the Foundry at the Fillmore for a second gig that night.

🎤 Saturday: As part of the Fallser Club’s Black History Month Celebration of Black Excellence, spoken word poet Ursula Rocker will be joined on stage by DJ Sylo, dance music diva Lady Alma, and singer Carla Gamble.

🎤 Tuesday: Two days after singing “America the Beautiful” at Super Bowl LX in Santa Clara, Calif., on Sunday, Brandi Carlile will kick off her “Human Tour” at Xfinity Mobile Arena on Tuesday.

Assuming the roads are clear, and the snow isn’t too brutal this weekend, make your way to these stellar events.

Besides, I’m sure it helps to keep Eagles fans’ minds off Sunday’s game. And I’ll say it again — avoid any ice fishing, please.

— Earl Hopkins

Courtesy of Giphy.com

February 5, 2026
An architect who designs Shore homes | Real Estate Newsletter
Imagine a warm, sunny day at the Jersey Shore. You can hear the waves and feel the sand. And you can probably picture the houses.

Mark Asher is the architect whose style gave modern Jersey Shore homes their look.

Meet the man behind these properties.

Keep scrolling for that story and more in this week’s edition:
- Suspicious sales: Learn how real estate agents from major brokerages arranged questionable property deals around Temple University.
- Stars align: Find out how a first-time homebuyer was able to purchase a North Philly house that originally was out of his price range.
- Art imitates life: Read on for a preview of this James Ijames play about gentrification and a sports arena development that I went to with a colleague.
- Putting down roots: Peek inside this East Mount Airy rowhouse bought by a first-time homeowner who loves the neighborhood.
— Michaelle Bond

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Architect of the Shore

Mark Asher has been designing homes from Cape May to the Philly suburbs for more than 40 years.

When you’re at the Jersey Shore and see homes with cedar siding, wooden gambrel roofs, and indoor spaces that flow into outdoor patios and pools, you’re seeing Asher’s influence.

The first house he designed was in the ‘80s for his parents. It was an 1,800-square-foot Cape Cod in Ocean City.

Asher, who’s now based in Jenkintown, has since designed for yacht clubs and for families. His designs have evolved over the years to keep up with his clients’ changing needs.

Do you have strong feelings about rocks vs. grass at Shore properties? Asher does. The architect brought in green lawns. “The stones were hot in the summer, cold in the winter, and ugly all year round,” he said.

Keep reading to learn about Asher’s work and see some examples of homes he’s designed.

Suspicious sales near Temple

In December, my colleagues Ryan W. Briggs and William Bender told us about a mystery surrounding the sale of properties around Temple University.

Clients of real estate agent Patrick C. Fay were paying almost double the asking price for properties that had been sitting on the market. The sales looked suspicious.

But Fay didn’t handle transactions alone. In a follow-up investigation, my colleagues found that more than two dozen Philly-area real estate agents helped arrange $45 million worth of questionable deals involving student rentals.

The prices recorded on deeds and other official documents were much higher than what sellers actually received, which was closer to the original listing price. One appraiser said agents tried to pressure him to raise the valuation of a property.

As a former assistant U.S. attorney told my colleagues, “If you don’t present an accurate picture to the financial institution that is financing the loan, you’ve got problems.”

The Inquirer’s reporting on this possible mortgage fraud has led to investigations by at least two organizations: Coldwell Banker, Fay’s former employer; and Temple, which is looking into possible impacts on student renters.

Keep reading to learn more about the real estate deals at the center of my colleagues’ investigation and see the signs of trouble that are brewing in the neighborhood around Temple.

The latest news to pay attention to
- In Philadelphia and Delaware County, there are signs of a frozen housing market.
- This first-time homebuyer was able to purchase a house in Norris Square that was originally out of his price range.
- A colleague and I reviewed a James Ijames play that examines gentrification as a fictional new sports complex comes to town.
- Philadelphia City Council members are discussing a bill that would ban demolitions if property owners don’t have permits for new projects.
- Gov. Josh Shapiro says he’ll prevent data center developers from “saddling” Pennsylvanians with higher energy costs.
- Take a look inside Muhammad Ali’s former Cherry Hill mansion now that it’s back on the market.
- The Curtis Institute is vowing to rebuild the beloved Art Alliance building on Rittenhouse Square.
- A plan to redevelop Gladwyne has residents split on their community’s future.
- House of the week: For $785,000 in Media, a historical five-bedroom home that was once a general store.
Home tour: East Mount Airy rowhouse

Cooper Lee Kidd celebrated a milestone birthday in a big way.

He bought his first home one day before he turned 30. He wanted more indoor and outdoor space after living in small apartments in Queen Village and Rittenhouse Square.

He purchased a 900-square-foot rowhouse in East Mount Airy. It was actually the first home he toured during his home search.

The house has tall ceilings and gets lots of natural light. Kidd decorated with his photography, turned the second bedroom into an office, and cleared out the trash in the backyard to make room for a garden.

The previous owner left some furniture that Kidd was happy to have.

Peek inside Kidd’s birthday present to himself and learn the many reasons why he loves his neighborhood.

📷 Photo quiz

Do you know the location this photo shows?

📮 If you think you do, email me back.

Last week’s quiz featured a photo taken at the mini golf course in Franklin Square.

Props to Lars W. for getting that right.

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.
February 5, 2026
🏔️ The politics of snow | Morning Newsletter
Good morning, Philly. As the 2026 Winter Olympics kick off this week, it’s a great time to consider: What is curling, really? We have your explainer, courtesy of a visit to a local curling club.

Philadelphians are frustrated by the city’s snowstorm response. What does that mean for Mayor Cherelle L. Parker?

And four months after a new name and rebrand, the city’s most iconic cultural institution is now called the Philadelphia Museum of Art once again.

— Julie Zeglen (morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)

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Snow-going recovery

Eleven days past the region’s biggest snowfall in a decade, mounds of slush and ice are still blocking crosswalks and messing with commutes.

🏔️ Much of the city’s slow recovery from the 9.3 inches and icy sleet that fell on Jan. 25 can be attributed to the Arctic freeze that followed.

🏔️ Yet while the Parker administration says it has deployed 1,000 workers and 800 pieces of snow-removal equipment to deal with the emergency — an unusually large arsenal compared with what it has mobilized to battle storms in the past — mobility remains limited in many neighborhoods.

🏔️ Now, Parker, who campaigned on a promise to provide city services, is feeling the heat from fed-up Philadelphians. Such resentment has burned other cities’ mayors before.

Reporters Sean Collins Walsh and Ryan W. Briggs dig in.

Plus: A barge carrying 21,000 tons of salt reinforcements for Philadelphia got stuck in the frozen Delaware River. And after an ice-covered car in Fishtown went viral on TikTok, it was listed as a tourist attraction on Google Maps.

Return of the PMA

Following four months of tumult that included a panned rebrand, the ousting of its top executive, and the resignation of its marketing chief, the cultural institution formerly known as the Philadelphia Museum of Art has a new name: the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

Rebrand fallout: In October, the nearly 150-year-old museum announced its name would change to the Philadelphia Art Museum, or PhAM, in a bid to seem more accessible and attract new audiences. Critics quickly pounced (cue the unfortunate internet nickname “PhArt”). Board members said they had been given little notice before the rollout. A month later, director and CEO Sasha Suda was gone.

Changes to come: The board voted unanimously on Wednesday to revert to the old name. But much of the look of the rebrand, which cost around $1 million, will remain.

What leadership says: Daniel H. Weiss, who took over in November after Suda’s departure, called the entire rebrand episode “an unnecessary distraction for us. We want to move on and focus on things that matter most to our mission.”

Arts reporter Peter Dobrin has more on the museum’s about-face.

What you should know today
- Pennsylvania officials pushed back after President Donald Trump said federal officials should oversee elections in cities like Philadelphia and repeated unproven claims of election fraud.
- Philadelphia police are searching for a suspect in connection with the shooting deaths of two tow truck drivers.
- A teenager who was detained for 49 days over his friend’s killing at a SEPTA station contends police “buried” footage that showed he was innocent. Now he’s suing the city and transit officers.
- A former Villanova professor says in a federal lawsuit she was fired from the Catholic university after accusing its law school of racial discrimination involving one of her students.
- Philly’s crowded congressional race has yet to attract much money from political action committees or donors outside the region. That may change as the primary approaches.
- U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick of Bucks County has more cash on hand than any other GOP incumbent in a swing district nationwide as the party prepares for a tough election.
- Philadelphia biotech companies are worried about losing a key source of federal funding for early-stage innovation. The city’s new matching program offers a small boost.
- The new Norristown school board is moving to oust its superintendent, saying the district needs a new leader to reverse years of poor test scores.
Quote of the day

The developer wants to transform one of South Jersey’s deadest malls, now called the Voorhees Town Center, into a mixed-used development. But he says he needs money from the state to do it.

In other development news: A quarter-century-old zoning law threatens to block a restaurant and bar in Fishtown. And City Council is seeking to stop demolitions as an anti-blight measure, while a housing ban on the former Hahnemann campus is on hold.

🧠 Trivia time

The 76ers have traded guard Jared McCain to the Oklahoma City Thunder. Besides his basketball skills, which is a reason he became famous in Philadelphia?

A) His sock collection

B) His social media flair

C) His music side project

D) His celebrity friends

Think you know? Check your answer.

What (and whom) we’re …

🚍 Noting: How other Pennsylvania transit systems are dealing with the fiscal crunch that hit SEPTA last year.

🏠 Meeting: The architect whose style defined modern Jersey Shore homes.

🌴 Saying goodbye to: Bahama Breeze, including the King of Prussia and Cherry Hill locations.

🗣️ Not sure about: This Jersey Jeopardy! champ’s pronunciation of “Schuylkill.”

🕊️ Considering: The historic impact of faith in the African American community.

🧩 Unscramble the anagram

Hint: Delaware County borough

AIMED

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

Cheers to Marie Bacon, who solved Wednesday’s anagram: Philadelphia. America’s oldest warship, sunk by the British in 1776, is getting a 250th-birthday makeover.

Photo of the day

The bronze sculpture “Ben on the Bench” is covered with snow and ice on Locust Walk at the University of Pennsylvania.

At least we’re getting some sun this week. See you back here tomorrow.

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February 5, 2026
Why Di Bruno’s downsizing isn’t a huge surprise | Inquirer Lower Merion
Hi, Lower Merion! 👋

Di Bruno Bros. announced it was closing three of its stores last week, but the news wasn’t a surprise to some shoppers. Here’s why. Also this week, Narberth is home to one of the region’s under-the-radar romantic eateries, final construction on SEPTA’s Ardmore station is underway, plus one woman’s dismay at Lifecycle Wellness’ closing.

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

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Di Bruno Bros.’ downsizing wasn’t a huge surprise to some

Di Bruno Bros. is closing three of its five locations, including at the Ardmore Farmers Market.

Some Di Bruno Bros. shoppers were saddened last week to learn that the longtime beloved specialty grocery store was closing three of its locations, including at the Ardmore Farmers Market. But it didn’t come as a shock to everyone, with some who say there’s been a noticeable decline in quality in recent years.

“Why am I going to pay upmarket prices for a midmarket product?” one former shopper told The Inquirer’s Denali Sagner.

Some blamed the decline on Di Bruno’s new owner, Brown’s Super Stores, which purchased a stake in the stores in 2024. Its brand was later brought under the Wakefern Food Corp. portfolio. But Brown’s executive vice president said Di Bruno’s was “very distressed” and despite its efforts was unable to bring back lost business.

Here’s what other shoppers had to say about Di Bruno’s shrinking footprint.

💡 Community News
- The final phase of construction on the Ardmore SEPTA station got underway on Sunday and is expected to continue through the next few weeks, though a SEPTA spokesperson said the agency doesn’t yet have a date for completion. Work will take place weekdays from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. and on weekends from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. and will include finishing the roof, installing message boards, adjusting and testing elevators, making ADA-compliant adjustments, and painting.
- Lower Merion police said two people were taken into custody by ICE during a vehicle stop Friday. In response to community concerns, LMPD yesterday reiterated that it doesn’t participate in programs deputizing local police as federal immigration agents. The department added that residents who see police activity but no marked LMPD presence can call 911 so it can verify the legitimacy, but added that officers will not interfere if federal agents are acting legally.
- Lankenau Medical Center and Bryn Mawr Hospital both recently ranked among America’s 250 Best Hospitals by Healthgrades. The rankings, released last week, are awarded to the top 5% of institutions in the nation for “overall clinical excellence.”
- In an opinion piece, a local physician lamented the loss of Lifecycle Wellness in Bryn Mawr, which is closing its doors on Feb. 15 after facing financial pressure. Cara Lea Smith is one of the thousands who gave birth there and found comfort in its “homelike” setting. Read more about the physician’s experience and why she feels the closure is devastating.
- A former Villanova University professor has filed a federal lawsuit claiming she was fired in 2024 after accusing the law school of racial discrimination involving one of her students. The Inquirer’s Susan Snyder delves into the details.
- Main Line Today recently took a look inside a 1980s Gladwyne home that’s been updated with a timeless look, complete with a neutral color palette. The 8,000-square-foot home’s dining room has a hand-painted de Gournay wallcovering inspired by Japan’s Kiso Mountains and a large dressing room off the primary suite.
- Philadelphia Jewish Exponent recently profiled Rabbi Daniel Levitt, the director of adult Jewish learning at Gratz College. The Bala Cynwyd resident reflected on his passion for connecting people to “Jewish intellectual heritage.”
🏫 Schools Briefing
- Lower Merion and Harriton won’t be merging their football teams anytime soon. Lower Merion School District’s board of directors last week declined to add a vote to merge to the agenda, keeping in line with Superintendent Frank Ranelli’s previous recommendation not to merge the teams.
- Lower Merion High School’s winter drama, Eurydice, kicks off tonight and runs through Sunday. Penn Wynne is hosting its “Special Persons Dance” for second and third graders tomorrow evening. There are school board committee meetings Monday evening and home school association meetings on Tuesday. There are no classes next Thursday, which is a staff professional development day, and the district is closed on Friday. See the district’s full calendar here.
- Students in third through eighth grade who have a sibling with special needs can join an upcoming “SibShops” Zoom, where they can connect, share experiences, and play games. The six, one-hour sessions will take place Wednesdays from 5 to 6 p.m., starting on Feb. 18. Registration is required.
- Families interested in having a table at next month’s Taste of Penn Wynne must sign up by Feb. 7.
🍽️ On our Plate
- Looking for a place to dine this Valentine’s Day? Coco Thai Bistro in Narberth is among the region’s under-the-radar romantic dining spots, according to The Inquirer’s food reporters. The menu at the tropical greenhouse-inspired BYOB combines homestyle Thai curries with street food, Beatrice Forman reports.
🎳 Things to Do

🐉 The Neverending Story: Catch a screening of the 1984 cult classic. There’s another screening later this month. ⏰ Saturday, Feb. 7, 11 a.m. 💵 $6.75-$7.75 📍 Bryn Mawr Film Institute

🍪 Teen-Time Cookie Decorating: Teens 13 to 17 can decorate cookies then take some home. Registration is required. ⏰ Monday, Feb. 9, 7-8 p.m. 💵 Free 📍 Penn Wynne Library

🐎 Lunar New Year Crafternoon: Celebrate the start of the Year of the Horse by making a themed craft at this drop-in event. ⏰ Wednesday, Feb. 11, 3-5 p.m. 💵 Free 📍 Gladwyne Library

📜 Remember the Ladies: The Legacy of the Women of Stoneleigh: This presentation will highlight some of the most impactful women who lived or worked at Stoneleigh over the centuries. ⏰ Thursday, Feb. 12, 6:30-7:30 p.m. (Snow date: Feb. 19) 💵 $2-$20 📍 Stoneleigh, Villanova

🏡 On the Market

A newly built five-bedroom Penn Valley home with an impressive wine cellar

A living room adjoining the kitchen features coffered ceilings, built-ins, and a fireplace.

This newly built home blends classic design with modern amenities. The first floor features two living rooms, both with fireplaces, a dining room, an office, and an eat-in kitchen with an island and high-end appliances, plus an adjoining butler’s pantry and a wine cellar. There are five bedrooms upstairs, including a spacious primary suite with an oversized walk-in closet outfitted with built-ins, and a bathroom with a double vanity, marble floors, and a soaking tub. It also has a rear patio and a three-car garage. There’s an open house Sunday from noon to 2 p.m.

See more photos of the home here.

Price: $2.995M | Size: 4,830 SF | Acreage: 0.86

🗞️ What other Lower Merion residents are reading this week:
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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.
February 5, 2026
Joi Washington’s ‘whirlwind’ first weeks as mayor | Inquirer Greater Media
Hi, Greater Media! 👋

What have the first few weeks of Joi Washington’s time as mayor looked like? We recently caught up with her to discuss her path to the office. Also this week, the former Providence Village general store, which has since turned into a single-family home, is for sale, Media has one of the region’s most romantic under-the-radar restaurants, plus a new cheesesteak joint is opening.

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

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Joi Washington dives in headfirst as Media’s new mayor

Joi Washington was sworn in as Media’s mayor last month.

Joi Washington’s first few weeks as the mayor of Media have been a whirlwind. Less than three weeks after being sworn into office, the largest snow storm in years hit the region, forcing a snow emergency declaration and swift action on her part.

While Washington might have had to dive into running the borough headfirst, she’s no stranger to Media or local government. Washington was elected to borough council in 2021 and is described by Media’s tax collector as being civically and politically engaged.

The Inquirer’s Denali Sagner recently caught up with Washington to talk about what drew her to Media and what the last few weeks have looked like.

💡 Community News
- A historic five-bedroom Media home that was once the Providence Village general store is on the market for $785,000. The couple who live there expected to stay far longer than two years, but when one of them landed a dream job, those plans changed. Spanning over 4,300 square feet and three stories, the home has a newly renovated kitchen and a formal dining room with built-ins and a fireplace. Take a peek inside.
- The Delaware County housing market got a slow start to the year, with pending sales down 4% as of Jan. 25, compared to the same time a year ago, according to new Redfin data. While home sales were slow, prices were on the rise, with median sale prices in the county and Philadelphia up 10% from the same timeframe last year.
- Riddle Hospital was recently ranked among America’s 250 Best Hospitals by Healthgrades. The rankings, released last week, are awarded to the top 5% of institutions in the nation for “overall clinical excellence.”
- Speaking of Riddle, the hospital is expanding its gastroenterology care this month, offering routine screenings, digestive issue care, and minimally invasive treatments.
- Delaware County Council recently voted to increase the hotel occupancy tax for non-residents from 3% to 5% beginning April 1. The county projects the change will result in $6.4 million in revenue this year, funds which will be used to support the marketing of Delaware County elsewhere. The increase comes ahead of an anticipated influx of visitors to the region for events like the FIFA World Cup, the MLB All-Star Game, the PGA Championship, and celebrations for the nation’s 250th birthday. The hike also puts Delco on par with neighboring Bucks and Chester Counties.
- L.L. Bean is targeting an early May opening for its Glen Mills store. The apparel retailer is opening a 20,000-square-foot store in the Concordville Town Centre at 901 Byers Dr., taking over the former Staples space.
- The future of the Eddie Bauer location at The Shoppes at Brinton Lake in Glen Mills is uncertain with the outdoor apparel brand’s parent company planning to file for bankruptcy. When it does, most stores are expected to close. (Retail Dive)
🏫 Schools Briefing
- Some Rutledge Elementary School students were left standing in freezing temperatures last week after a miscommunication over an earlier bus pickup time. Wallingford-Swarthmore School District said it has reviewed its protocols to ensure it won’t happen again. (Fox 29)
- In the Wallingford-Swarthmore School District, tonight kicks off performances of Strath Haven Middle School’s musical, The Music Man, which runs through Sunday. Tomorrow and Saturday, Strath Haven High is hosting the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association District 12 band festival, which includes a free concert at 7 p.m. on Saturday.
- In the Rose Tree Media School District, Glenwood Elementary is hosting its Olympics opening ceremonies on Monday. There are Valentine’s parties for Indian Lane kindergartners on Wednesday and Media Elementary kindergartners on Thursday. The high school is also holding a student blood drive next Thursday. See the full calendar here.
🍽️ On our Plate
- After spending months converting the former House space at 110 S. Jackson St., Jackson St. Steaks is hosting its grand opening next Wednesday. Its menu includes cheesesteaks, pizzas, cutlet and focaccia sandwiches, grinders, and burgers, as well as drinks from Fishtown-based Meyers Brewing Co.
- Looking for a great date night spot? La Belle Epoque in Media is one of the region’s under-the-radar romantic dining spots, according to The Inquirer’s food reporters. It has an extensive wine list, bistro-style entrees like steak frites, and a dining room befitting Emily in Paris. If you really want to impress your date, try the escargots de Bourgogne, pan-roasted duck, or bucatini, reporter Beatrice Forman suggests.
- Amid shifting dining habits and increasing food costs, Harvest Seasonal Grill recently made changes that its leadership team said are paying off. Instead of raising prices, the restaurant, which has a location in Glen Mills, changed some of its meat and seafood sourcing and did away with garnishes to slash prices. The result has been an increase in visitors and revenue that founder Dave Magrogan said doesn’t sacrifice quality.
🎳 Things to Do

🩰 Ballet of Lights: Tickets are going fast for this take on Cinderella, which gives the classic fairytale a little extra shine thanks to dancers performing in glow-in-the-dark costumes. ⏰ Friday, Feb. 6, 9 p.m. 💵 $43-$69 📍The Media Theatre

🎭 And Then There Were None: See the Agatha Christie classic come to life on stage. ⏰ Friday, Feb. 6-Sunday, Feb. 8, and Thursday, Feb. 12-Saturday, Feb. 14, times vary 💵 $21.50-$23.50 📍Players Club of Swarthmore

🏛️ I Love Media Day: The borough event includes a scavenger hunt to find hidden hearts. There will also be board games, snacks, and bingo. Advanced registration is required. ⏰ Saturday, Feb. 7, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. 💵 Free 📍Downtown Media

❤️ Galentine’s Brunch: Towne House is hosting a themed brunch that includes dueling pianos. ⏰ Sunday, Feb. 8, noon-3 p.m. 💵 $40; minimum purchase of four tickets 📍Towne House, Media

💌 Dear Jack, Dear Louise: Catch the regional premiere of Ken Ludwig’s show about an unlikely courtship between two strangers exchanging letters during World War II. ⏰ Wednesday, Feb. 11-Sunday, March 1, times vary 💵 $20-$35 📍Hedgerow Theatre, Rose Valley

🏡 On the Market

A split-level Wallingford home with two family rooms

The updated kitchen has an island with pendant lights.

Located in Sproul Estates, this split-level home has hardwood floors throughout its main level, including the living room, eat-in-kitchen, and family room, which has a vaulted ceiling and a fireplace. It has an additional family room at ground level and three bedrooms upstairs. Other features include a walk-up attic, a patio, and a one-car garage.

See more photos of the home here.

Price: $625,000 | Size: 2,219 SF | Acreage: 0.33

🗞️ What other Greater Media residents are reading this week:
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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.
February 5, 2026
👋🏾 Take care, Jared | Sports Daily Newsletter

There better be a method to the madness the Sixers pulled yesterday, because a number of confused and upset fans are waking up this morning.

On the eve of the NBA’s trade deadline, the Sixers opted to trade second-year guard Jared McCain to Oklahoma City for a slew of draft selections over the next few seasons.

McCain, who one could argue until he tore his meniscus last season, was in the conversation for NBA Rookie of the Year honors, averaged 6.6 points this season, and was believed to be a key part of the team’s guard rotation.

Moving McCain did get the Sixers below the luxury tax threshold, also freeing up an additional roster spot, but the team’s decision to trade him was not necessarily met with a ton of understanding, judging by the reaction on social media yesterday.

Make sure you follow our Sixers live blog today for the latest on the team ahead of the deadline. Also, speaking of departures, did you hear about the Eagles coach who flew the nest?

Welcome to Thursday. It’ll be sunny, but zip that coat up, since we’re not expected to get above freezing today.

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

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❓Thoughts on the Sixers trading Jared McCain? Email us back for a chance to be featured in the newsletter.

Been around the block

Eagles offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland announced he’s stepping down from the role on Wednesday.

After 13 seasons and three head coaches, Jeff Stoutland, leader of the Eagles’ offensive line, took to social media to announce he was stepping down from the position.

It’s unknown if Stoutland will remain a member of the organization in some capacity, in what looks to be a bit of a shakeup on the offensive side of the ball, with new offensive coordinator Sean Mannion at the top and Josh Grizzard as entering as the new passing game coordinator.

Inquirer writer Jeff Neiburg has more on Stoutland, his time with the team, and what his exit might mean going forward.

As for defense? After contemplating retirement, defensive coordinator Vic Fangio will return in 2026.

What we’re…

🏀 Learning: Villanova basketball is back, and Devin Askew is a big reason why.

🏒 Realizing: One day, we’re introducing you to a top Flyers prospect; the next, we’re reporting he’s being charged with aggravated assault.

❄️ Sharing: Here’s how to make sure you watch the locals and more competing at the Winter Olympics, beginning this week.

🤔 Wondering: If someone said, “Don’t forget to bring the hot dog launcher,” as the Phillies packed up for the long drive to Clearwater, Fla., this week for spring training.

Quiet riot

Flyers defenseman Jamie Drysdale in action against the New York Islanders earlier this month.

Jamie Drysdale hasn’t scored much. In fact, his goal on Tuesday against the Washington Capitals was his first in 20 games. So why is he still receiving praise from head coach Rick Tocchet?

Because goals aside, Drysdale is arguably having his best season. He’s on pace for a career high in points, and according to Natural Stat Trick, the Flyers’ top three performing defensive pairs this season, with more than 30 minutes played, have all included Drysdale.

In the aftermath of his game-winner that keeps the Flyers competitive in the Metropolitan Division standings and snapped the team’s four-game losing streak, writer Gabriela Carroll takes a look at what it’s now going to take to get him firing on all cylinders.

Kerkering takes control

Orion Kerkering talked to former Phillies closer Brad Lidge, among many others, to help move past his error in Game 4 of the NLDS.

When Phillies pitchers and catchers hold their first official workout Wednesday in Clearwater, Fla., it will have been 125 days since Orion Kerkering bobbled a comebacker at his feet, threw home instead of to first base, and lobbed it over J.T. Realmuto’s outstretched mitt, ending the Phillies’ season in the 11th inning of the fourth game of the division series. It was only the second time ever that a playoff series ended on an error, and in the age of social media, clips of Kerkering’s blunder were everywhere.

“No matter what you do, whether it’s the internet, just basic browsing, even looking up a recipe or something, it’s going to be there. It’s like the first thing,” Kerkering said this week on The Inquirer’s Phillies Extra podcast, which drops today on Inquirer.com, Spotify and Apple Podcasts. “It’s going to always be brought up. You can’t get around it. It’s always going to be stuck there.

“But I don’t want it to like define who I am as a ballplayer in the future.”

In with the new

Penn State head coach Matt Campbell landed 40 new players to the Nittany Lions’ roster through the transfer portal.

Matt Campbell hasn’t had a lot of time to prepare for his new role as the head football coach at Penn State. He’s had even less time to recruit for the upcoming season.

Good thing a lot of those names came to him.

During Wednesday’s signing day period, the Nittany Lions landed 55 new names. The mix? 15 incoming freshmen and 40 by way of the seemingly always-on NCAA transfer portal. So what now? Here’s a list of the top names in the group and how they break down moving forward.

NFL Films founder Ed Sabol (left) watches as his son, Steve, unveils his bust at the Pro Football Hall of Fame induction in Canton, Ohio in 2011.

On this date

Feb. 5, 2011: Ed Sabol, who, alongside his son Steve, co-founded the Mount Laurel-based sports documentary house known as NFL Films, was elected for enshrinement into the Pro Football Hall of Fame at age 94.

Marcus Hayes’ take…

“We haven’t yet reached Super Bowl Sunday, but teams that win a Super Bowl within a calendar year and then return to the playoffs usually remain more stable than the Eagles have been the past few weeks.” — The Inquirer columnist examines the departure of Jeff Stoutland and more in his latest piece.

What you’re saying about Philly sports

We asked: What was your favorite era to be a sports fan in Philly and why?

Definitely, in 1980-81, all four teams reached the finals of their respective leagues. While only the Phillies became champions, we were thrilled to cheer on the Eagles, Sixers, and Flyers! — Bob C.

I will most likely be the only one to pick the 1950’s, but for this Springfield-Delco kid who saw his first Phillies game in 1948, it was my coming-out decade. No Flyers yet, and the 76ers were a long way away, but I fell in love with Paul Arizin and Villanova basketball, and then the Warriors, where Paul went after a short service in the Marine Corps. Wilt was tearing up the Public League, and then off to Kansas to be an all-American and be drafted by the Warriors in 1959. The Phillies, of course, won their first National League pennant since 1915, with Robin Roberts and Richie Ashburn leading the way. — Everett S.

In the 1970’s, Philadelphia was known as the“City of Champions.” Flyers in 1974 and 1975. In 1978, the Eagles played in a Wild Card game and lost. Was there! The Phillies played in the Championship Series in 1976 and lost to the Reds. The 76ers in the 70’s usually were in the playoffs but never advanced. I was in my 30’s and enjoyed every minute of it. — Ronald R.

We compiled today’s newsletter using reporting from Olivia Reiner, Keith Pompey, Jeff Neiburg, Scott Lauber, Gabriela Carroll, Brooke Ackerman, Jackie Spiegel, Rob Tornoe, Jonathan Tannenwald, Ariel Simpson, Owen Hewitt, and Marcus Hayes.

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

Appreciate you allowing me to get your day started. We’ll be back tomorrow to get you set for the weekend. Have a good one, Philly. — Kerith

February 5, 2026
Secret romantic restaurants | Let’s Eat
Need a date-night restaurant? We offer 12 that you may not know about.

Also in this edition:
- Hot chocolate: Here’s where to warm up over a tasty mug.
- Di Bruno’s closings: The gourmet grocer is closing three locations. Some customers are not surprised.
- Also: Read on for great Super Bowl food ideas, Cherry Hill deli drama, and first word of an offbeat restaurant.
— Mike Klein

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12 romantic restaurants you may have never heard of

Romantic meals aren’t all going down at buzzy hotspots or white-tablecloth institutions. They unfold in neighborhood fixtures you’ve overlooked, suburban newcomers flying under the radar, or dining rooms more popular among locals than Instagram. We feature 12 such spots around the region, including Northridge at the Woolverton Inn, tucked into the woods just outside of Stockton, N.J., where chef Lance Knowling (above) sauces a plate. Read on for our ideas.

💡Because Valentine’s Day falls on a Saturday this year, the reservation books at the city’s buzziest restaurants are already just about locked up. Consider this your reminder that love is flexible — and so is the calendar.

What’s hot in hot chocolate

Why settle for Swiss Miss when you could sip on velvety cioccolata calda, piquant cinnamon- and chili-laced dark chocolate, or creamy chocolat chaud in cozy cafes across the city? Let Hira Qureshi show you what’s hot in hot chocolate.

How to cater a Super Bowl party

This year’s Super Bowl may be Birds-less, but a watch party requires food even so. Our food team has you covered for tips on the best cheesesteaks, hoagies, wings, and tomato pie, plus beer and wine. (In our case, whine.)

Di Bruno’s cutting back

Gourmet grocer Di Bruno Bros. is closing three of its five locations, including two on the Main Line. Meanwhile, customers say they saw this coming, contending that quality had dipped in recent years.

Deli drama in Cherry Hill

The Kibitz Room in Cherry Hill’s Shoppes at Holly Ravine shut down last week without notice, and its future is unclear. Owner Sandy Parish — who took over last year when her former husband, Neil, and son, Brandon, left to open the Kibitz Room King of Prussia — did not reply to a message seeking comment.

Here’s the history: The Kibitz Room was founded in 2001 by Russ Cowan, who now owns the nearby Radin’s in Cherry Hill. Two years later, Cowan sold it to Neil Parish, his manager. The business evolved into a family-run operation, with son Brandon taking over after the Parishes divorced. Neil Parish moved to the Baltimore area, where he ran delis, until he and Brandon opened the unrelated Kibitz Room King of Prussia in Valley Forge Center in spring 2025. That location is still open.

The best things we ate last week

The food team has been out in the cold, and our tasty finds include a taste of home in Northern Liberties, two warming bowls in South Philly, and these yummy maritozzi from a bakery in Roxborough that keeps quirky hours.

Scoops

Fishtown and Kensington have a lot of restaurant variety nowadays. There’s the usual and now … the unusual. Here’s first word about Philly Curio, targeting a March opening at 2240 Frankford Ave. on the Fishtown–Kensington line. Troy Timpel, founder of Villain Arts and organizer of the Philadelphia Tattoo Arts Convention, is setting it up as an intimate, art-driven restaurant-bar built around his private collection of curiosities. Framed tribal masks will line the walls. Each table will be a glass enclosure featuring a different preserved animal form, including skeletal and taxidermy displays. (Gives new meaning to getting stuffed at dinner, I suppose.) Inspired by Alligator Soul in Savannah, Ga., Timpel is seeking a chef to execute his idea for a Cajun-Creole menu of small plates and unconventional proteins such as rattlesnake. Beverage offerings will include a limited draft list, bottled beers, an extensive wine selection — including natural and nonalcoholic options — and a full cocktail program.

Recent Rowan grad and Elixr Coffee barista Kaitlyn Tran and her mother, Sue Chen, are planning a summer launch for Sora Cafe, a matcha- and coffee-focused cafe at 12th and Sansom Streets, where Edible Arrangements was. Tran says they’ll take a serious, intentional approach to matcha. The menu also will include Taiwanese-style shaved ice desserts made with real fruit.

Restaurant report

February’s restaurant openings include two restaurants’ expansions to Narberth (including Malooga, shown above); a chic, two-level restaurant/lounge in Center City; and an intriguing wine bar/bottle shop in Chestnut Hill.

Briefly noted

The Tasties, the annual restaurant awards overseen by the Delicious City podcast, drew 600-plus revelers to Live! Casino the other night. Beatrice Forman presents the pageantry and the winners.

Zsa’s, the Mount Airy ice cream parlor, is coming back this weekend under a new owner.

Chateau Rouge, Jeannette Jean’s French/West African BYOB in Graduate Hospital (listed among The Inquirer’s 76), has extended its $45 Center City District Restaurant Week menu throughout February in recognition of Black History Month.

Sunrise Social has launched a surf-and-turf special at its Fishtown and Cherry Hill locations, with proceeds benefiting chef/photographer Reuben (“Big Rube”) Harley, who is battling stage 4B prostate cancer and coping with heart and kidney failure. The $32.99 dish features lamb chops, lobster tail, and three-cheese grits. Harley and Sunrise Social founder Aaron Anderson ran ghost kitchens during the pandemic as well as Big Rube’s Fried Chicken together at Subaru Park in Chester. Rube’s GoFundMe is here.

East Passyunk Restaurant Week returns for its 14th edition from Feb. 23 to March 6 with 21 participating restaurants offering $20, $40, and $60 options. Details are here.

New Ridge Brewing in Roxborough says it will be closed by fire longer than previously believed. Firefighters were called to 6168 Ridge Ave. on the morning of Jan. 29.

Miller’s Ale House’s Northeast Philadelphia location (Grant Avenue and the Boulevard) told the state that it will shut down March 30, putting 49 employees out of work.

Fourteen Bahama Breeze restaurants, including those in Cherry Hill and King of Prussia, will close on or before April 5, parent company Darden Restaurants has announced. Fourteen others will shut down over the next year and a half. Both Philly-area locations opened in late 2003.

The Original Charlie’s Pizza’s location in Northeast Philly’s Morrell Plaza announced that its last day will be Feb. 28. Owners say they were unable to negotiate a new lease. (Here’s a backgrounder on the original Charlie’s, which operated for decades on the Boulevard near Adams Avenue.)

❓Pop quiz

The shuttered dive bar McGlinchey’s is on the market. What is the asking price?

A) $2.45 million’

B) $1.2 million

C) $3.7 million

D) $5.2 million

Find out if you know the answer, and perhaps put in a bid of your own.

Ask Mike anything

There’s been signage for a cafe called Yolotl at the corner of 17th and Tasker Streets in Point Breeze for months, but no sign of an opening. Can you shed some light on what’s going on with it? — Will F.

Yolotl (Nahuatl for “heart” or “spirit”), a Mexican cafe, will be a joint venture between Drexel senior Yenni Meneses-Aparicio and her mother, Juana Aparicio, who owns Pancho’s Cafe in Northern Liberties. (No relation to El Chingon chef-owner Carlos Aparicio.) Meneses-Aparacio says it will offer specialty coffees, juices, tres leches cakes, and other desserts, plus a few light savory options. She attributes much of the delay to the fact that it’s a complete restaurant build-out. They’re hoping to open in March.

📮 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.

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February 4, 2026
⚡ Data centers and your electric bill | Morning Newsletter
Morning, Philly. The ice on your neighborhood’s crosswalks may finally be cleared soon as the city hires 300 additional workers to chip away at the lingering mounds. Meanwhile, police are begging people to not walk on the frozen Schuylkill.

Lawmakers in Pennsylvania and New Jersey are working to keep consumers’ bills from rising with demand for data centers, like those under construction in East Vincent Township and Vineland.

And ahead of Valentine’s Day, we found 12 romantic, under-the-radar restaurants in the city and suburbs.

— Julie Zeglen (morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)

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A plan to curb energy costs

Data centers require a lot of energy, which can increase consumers’ bills. Elected officials in Pennsylvania and New Jersey hope to help as the centers proliferate across the country and region.

⚡ Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro says he’ll prevent data center developers from “saddling” residents with higher energy costs with the Governor’s Responsible Infrastructure Development plan. Presented during his 2026-27 fiscal year budget address Tuesday, the GRID plan would require data centers to supply their own energy or pay for any new generation they need.

⚡ In New Jersey, Gov. Mikie Sherrill has prioritized energy costs by freezing utility rates, expanding programs to spur new power generation in the state, and ordering electric utilities to report energy requests from data centers.

⚡ Other lawmakers in the two states have proposed legislation related to data centers, too. Nearly 30 bills address the facilities’ energy sources, water usage, environmental impacts, and general regulation, as well as rising consumer costs.

Consumer reporter Erin McCarthy has more on the data center demands.

Further reading:
- See the full details on Shapiro’s proposed $53.2 billion state budget, which focuses on affordability, development, and raising Pennsylvania’s minimum wage.
- Learn what Montgomery County’s PJM has to do with data centers, and why the company has been a frequent target of Shapiro, officials from other states, consumer advocates, and the federal government.
- A developer wants to increase the size of a proposed data center on a remediated Superfund site in East Whiteland Township, stoking ire from nearby residents.
Feeling romantic

Not to alarm the procrastinators among us, but Valentine’s Day is in 10 days. Still need to make a dinner reso? Consider these picks beyond the typical date-night dining spots, courtesy The Inquirer’s food team:

🍷 Malbec Argentine Steakhouse in Society Hill offers heart-shaped flan (cute!) and special anniversary deserts alongside lots and lots of meat.

🍷 Abyssinia in West Philadelphia invites you to share a platter of Ethiopian comfort food, then cap off the night with a visit to the cozy cocktail bar upstairs.

🍷 Spring Mill Cafe in Conshohocken is a white tablecloth-type place, yes, but one set in a 19th-century farmhouse.

See the map of romantic, under-the-radar restaurants.

More food news: February brings a slew of Philly-area restaurant openings, including a slick lounge in Center City and the reboot of a South Jersey brewery. And you simply must try the pho cocktail at Gabriella’s Vietnam, an homage to family tradition.

What you should know today
- The U.S. House passed a bill to end the latest, brief government shutdown. See how your local representative voted.
- The Trump administration bought a nearly 520,000-square-foot warehouse in Berks County as it plans to convert such facilities across the country into immigration detention centers.
- Sen. Cory Booker, the Jersey Democrat widely considered a potential presidential contender for 2028, has out-fundraised almost every other 2026 candidate for Congress.
- A Pennsylvania couple bought a house on a quiet street. Then they found a swastika in the basement.
- A Montgomery County personal injury attorney has been suspended following allegations that he misled at least 16 clients on settlement offers that did not exist.
- The University of Pennsylvania’s October data breach impacted fewer than 10 people, despite hackers’ claims it was 1.2 million.
- Princeton University’s president said the school will make cuts, given “political threats” to its finances, as well as endowment projections.
- SEPTA will no longer post alerts on social media about potential delays and cancellations due to driver shortages following improvements to its tracking tools and staffing levels.
Quote of the day

The countdown to the 2026 baseball season began Tuesday as the Phillies loaded up the truck for spring training in Clearwater, Fla. Packed items included thousands of baseballs, hundreds of batting gloves, several children’s bicycles, and one very important hot dog launcher.

Plus: We rounded up everything you need to know about Phillies spring training, from key dates to storylines to watch.

🧠 Trivia time

Strip club Lou Turk’s, a Delaware County staple for more than 50 years, announced it is changing its name to The Carousel Delco — but that it will continue its annual sale of what?

A) Irish potatoes

B) Carnival goldfish

C) Unlimited beer raffle tickets

D) Mother’s Day flowers

Think you know? Check your answer.

What we’re …

🏛️ Noting: This Task stuntman’s turn as Kennett Square council appointee.

🎹 Watching: Sun Ra: Do the Impossible on PBS’s American Masters.

🐴 Obsessed with: Miniature horse Doug, the star of Jason Kelce’s stinky new Super Bowl ad.

🏘️ Reviewing: James Ijames’ Good Bones, a play about gentrification in Philadelphia.

📚 Considering: The enduring need for Black History Month, despite the president’s disdain.

🧩 Unscramble the anagram

Hint: The name of America’s oldest warship

PHILLIP AHEAD

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

Cheers to Lauri Jacobs, who solved Tuesday’s anagram: Starbucks. The coffee chain’s Schuylkill Yards location is the latest to unionize in Philadelphia.

Photo of the day

A pile of snow and ice sits on Eakins Oval in front of the Philadelphia Art Museum days after a fierce winter storm dropped more than nine inches of snow and sleet, with freezing temperatures leaving large banks of ice and snow on streets and sidewalks.

Someday, all that snow will melt. Probably. Until then, 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.
February 4, 2026
Mark Ruffalo’s ‘Task’ stuntman is now a council member | Inquirer Chester County
Hi, Chester County! 👋

The newest member of Kennett Square’s council was sworn in on Monday, and he’s got surprising ties to a popular HBO show. Also this week, we look at how a turnpike exit helped spur billions of dollars in economic development, two restaurants that are among the region’s under-the-radar romantic spots, plus a developer is looking to upsize plans for a proposed data center.

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 ‘Task’ stuntman is appointed to Kennett Square’s council

Actor, director, and producer Michael Bertrando was recently appointed to fill a vacancy on Kennett Square’s council.

Kennett Square Borough Council is getting a little brush with fame after Task stuntman Michael Bertrando was sworn in Monday to fill a vacant role, which he’ll hold until December 2027.

The longtime Kennett Square resident is no stranger to the borough. An actor, director, and producer, Bertrando has worked at his family’s 80-year-old sub shop for decades. Outside of his work at Sam’s Sub Shop, he has also been a stuntman for Mark Ruffalo on Task.

The Inquirer’s Brooke Schultz recently chatted with Bertrando about what attracted him to public service and some of his priorities on council.

📍 Countywide News
- It’s been just over 13 years since the Pennsylvania Turnpike opened Exit 320, connecting drivers to Route 29 and slashing commute times to communities like Malvern. The all E-ZPass interchange has since helped spur billions of dollars in economic development throughout Great Valley.
- Residents have until Friday to submit comments regarding upgrades PennDot is proposing to make to parts of U.S. 30. Read more about the proposed interchange updates here.
- Chester County and Paoli Hospitals both recently ranked among America’s 250 Best Hospitals by Healthgrades. The rankings, released last week, are awarded to the top 5% of institutions in the nation for “overall clinical excellence.”
💡 Community News
- Pulte Homes of Pennsylvania is looking to build a new residential community on the vacant land near Ludwigs Corner in Chester Springs at 1246 and 1320 Pottstown Pike and 603 Birchrun Road. Last month, the homebuilder submitted a conditional use application to West Vincent Township to develop Promenade Chester Springs, which would consist of 28 single-family homes and 46 townhomes, as well as a tot lot and dog park. The application is currently under review.
- Main Line Health has received a more than $530,000 state grant that will support its planned health center in Caln Township. The center will be at the corner of Lloyd and Manor Avenues and have primary, urgent, and specialty care, as well as imaging and lab services. Plans call for a roughly 145,000-square-foot, three-story facility on 14.5 acres. It’s slated to open in the summer of 2027.
- Construction is underway to transform the former Quality Inn and Suites at 943 S. High St. in West Chester into a senior living facility. Charter Senior Living of West Chester will be a 162-unit community with 32 memory-care, 59 senior-living, and 71 assisted-living apartments. Leasing is expected to start late this year, with the project completed in late 2027.
- The community is mourning the deaths of two area coaches. Joe Walsh, a longtime football, wrestling, lacrosse, and tennis coach at West Chester’s Henderson High School, where he was also a health and physical education teacher before his retirement, died of cancer last week at the age of 75. He is remembered as “an inspiration,” “a great coach,” and “a positive example for many, many young people.” John Robert Rohde, an Exton resident, West Chester University alum, and former Malvern Prep and Unionville High School lacrosse coach, died last week at the age of 77. Rohde served as commissioner of the Glenmoore Eagle Youth Association Little League and was a cofounder of Lionville Youth Association Lacrosse.
- Penn Township Park closed on Monday for construction of an inclusive playground, pickleball, basketball, and hockey courts, as well as other updates. Construction is expected to take about one year. Sports fields are expected to be added in the future.
- A monthslong $1.3 million Peco project to upgrade the electrical distribution system is set to begin Monday in Tredyffrin Township. Between now and August, work will take place on Westwind, Coldstream, and Churchill Drives, Contention and Stuart Lanes, Winston Way, and Tory Hollow, Cassatt and Old State Roads. There may be some temporary service interruptions, which Peco says will be communicated in advance.
- In case you missed it, a developer is looking to upsize a proposed data center at a Superfund site in East Whiteland Township, despite community pushback. Last week, the developer appeared before the planning commission with an amended proposal that calls for a more than 1.6-million-square-foot center.
- A new vintage shop is hosting a grand opening of its storefront at 26 S. Main St. in Phoenixville on Friday. Great Scott Vintage will sell vintage clothing, decor, and housewares.
- Penn Vet plans to expand its Chester County presence to the tune of $94 million. The University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine plans to build a new lab building at the New Bolton Center in East Marlborough Township that will combine the state-funded Pennsylvania Equine Toxicology Research Laboratory and the Pennsylvania Animal Diagnostic Laboratory System. (Philadelphia Business Journal)
🏫 Schools Briefing
- The Tredyffrin/Easttown School District’s board of directors adopted the preliminary 2026-27 budget last week, which has a $14.9 million operational deficit. Further budget discussion will take place at a finance committee meeting on Monday.
- Owen J. Roberts School District has released its 2026-27 academic calendar. The first day of school will be Aug. 24 and the last day will be June 4, which is comparable to the current academic year.
- There are parent-teacher conferences next Thursday and Friday in the Phoenixville Area School District. Sign up for a time here.
🍽️ On our Plate
- Looking for a great date night spot? Jolene’s in West Chester and L’Olivo Trattoria in Exton are among the region’s under-the-radar romantic dining spots, according to The Inquirer’s Food reporters. The chic and modern Jolene’s blends “French-leaning food with a strong cocktail and wine list in a moody, unstuffy dining room,” while L’Olivo has a warm, familiar vibe to pair with its Northern Italian cuisine, The Inquirer’s Michael Klein reports.
- A new takeout pizza and cheesesteak shop is planning a grand opening in West Caln this Friday. Bada Bing Steaks & Pizza is located at 691 W. Kings Highway and also offers sandwiches on house-made focaccia and wings.
- Midway Grill in Thorndale, which is known for its hot dogs, is now under new ownership. The Zambaras family, who owned it for 60 years and across four generations, sold the Lincoln Highway establishment to the Cantalicio family effective Sunday. In a note to diners, the Zambaras family said they were grateful for the “unwavering support and loyalty” over the years.
🎳 Things to Do

🪴 Make Your Own Pot Workshop: Make your own 4-inch pot and then add a plant before taking it home. ⏰ Friday, Feb. 6, 6 p.m. 💵 $80 📍 The Green House, West Chester

🛏️ Once Upon a Mattress: This comedic musical puts a spin on classic tale The Princess and the Pea. ⏰ Friday, Feb. 6-Sunday, Feb. 22, select days and times 💵 $31.60-$41.80 📍 SALT Performing Arts, Chester Springs

👜 Renaissance Faire Flight Night: People’s Light’s first “flight night” of the year will be Renaissance-themed, with a cash bar. Attendees are encouraged to dress for the occasion. ⏰ Wednesday, Feb. 11, 6 p.m. 💵 $45 📍 The Farmhouse at People’s Light, Malvern

🏡 On the Market

A spacious Landenberg home with a pool and hot tub

There’s a family room off of the kitchen, which has a chandelier, built-ins, and a stone fireplace.

Situated on 3.6 acres, this Landenberg home offers privacy without being too far off the beaten path. The updated home has a dining room with a statement chandelier, multiple sitting rooms, and an open-concept family room with a stone fireplace that adjoins the kitchen, where there’s an island and white cabinetry offset by dark granite countertops and a glass tile backsplash. There are four bedrooms upstairs, including the primary suite, which has vaulted ceilings and a large walk-in closet. There’s also a finished basement. Outside, there’s a deck, a hot tub, and an in-ground pool. There are open houses Friday from 5 to 6:30 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

See more photos of the home here.

Price: $799,999 | Size: 4,415 SF | Acreage: 3.6

🗞️ What other Chester County residents are reading this week:
By submitting your written, visual, and/or audio contributions, you agree to The Inquirer’s Terms of Use, including the grant of rights in Section 10.

This suburban content is produced with support from the Leslie Miller and Richard Worley Foundation and The Lenfest Institute for Journalism. Editorial content is created independently of the project donors. Gifts to support The Inquirer’s high-impact journalism can be made at inquirer.com/donate. A list of Lenfest Institute donors can be found at lenfestinstitute.org/supporters.
February 4, 2026
Muhammad Ali’s former home is for sale for nearly $2M | Inquirer Cherry Hill
Hello, Cherry Hill! 👋

Muhammad Ali’s one-time home has hit the market again, this time with a higher asking price. Also this week, The Kibitz Room’s future remains unclear after it unexpectedly closed last week, township council has approved over $15 million in bond ordinances, plus sewer work on Kresson Road has begun and will continue for several months.

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Muhammad Ali’s former Cherry Hill home is back on the market, this time for almost $2M

The Mediterranean-style home spans nearly 6,700 square feet and has a pool and tennis court.

Champion boxer Muhammad Ali’s one-time Cherry Hill home has hit the market again, this time with an asking price of $1.975 million. That’s an increase from the last time the Mediterranean-style home was listed three years ago.

The sprawling, nearly 6,700-square-foot Voken Tract home has six bedrooms, a greenhouse room, a gym, and a 12-foot wet bar. Situated on 1.5 acres, it also has an in-ground pool, a hot tub, and a tennis court.

While the home has been updated since Ali lived there over 50 years ago, his prayer room remains.

Take a peek inside the home.

💡 Community News
- One person died and a firefighter was injured over the weekend after a fire broke out at a Cherry Hill home Saturday night. (Patch)
- Township council last week voted unanimously to pass several ordinances appropriating over $15 million for improvements and purchases. The ordinances include nearly $5.6 million for township equipment, information technology equipment, parks and recreation site improvements, facility upgrades, and property or open space acquisition; over $7.7 million for road, sidewalk, and storm drainage improvements; and over $2 million for equipment upgrades and sewer improvements. Council also passed an ordinance appropriating an additional $50,000 for sewer improvements.
- Beck Middle School Spanish teacher Kelly Harris is thanking members of the community for their emotional and financial support after a car crashed into her family’s Mullica Hill home several weeks ago, causing a fire and destroying nearly all their possessions. She and her husband Steve are also using the unexpected attention to remember their neighbors, Tom and Lisa Hengel, who were in the SUV and died that day. (Courier Post)
- New Jersey American Water has begun construction to replace nearly one mile of an aging water main along Kresson Road between Springdale and Cropwell Roads. The $2.5 million upgrade is expected to take until June. Crews will be working most weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- This week, Red White & Blue Thrift Store announced an opening date for its Cherry Hill location. The store at 949 Church Rd., formerly a Big Lots, will host a grand opening on March 26. Red White & Blue Thrift is known for its selection of discounted clothing and accessories, houseware, toys, and sports equipment.
🏫 Schools Briefing
- The school’s board of education will give a presentation on elementary enrollment balancing at its meeting on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. The need for balancing comes as five of the district’s elementary schools face overcrowding by 2028.
- Preschool registration opened this week and continues through Feb. 13. Find more information on registration for 3- and 4-year-old preschoolers here.
- Superintendent Kwame Morton released the district’s latest quarterly goals update last week, outlining this academic year’s initiatives. Recent highlights include integrating career readiness standards into the curriculum, launching a new online internship portal and tracking system, and adding over 200 new preschool students at the Malberg Early Childhood Center and Joyce Kilmer Elementary School. In the next couple of months, the district is planning pre-Advanced Placement training for middle school teachers, and focusing on more career readiness initiatives, including a district-wide framework with grade-specific benchmarks. The district continues to work on elementary enrollment balancing and construction work funded by bonds.
- East boys basketball’s top scorer Jamieson Young was scheduled for surgery last week after suffering a fracture to the inside of his right ankle in a Jan. 17 game. Young was averaging 21.8 points per game. (NJ.com)
🍽️ On our Plate
- Popular Jewish deli The Kibitz Room closed unexpectedly last week, and its future remains unclear, The Inquirer’s Michael Klein reports. Owner Sandy Parish has been running the Shoppes at Holly Ravine staple solo after her former husband, Neil, and son, Brandon, left to open a King of Prussia location last year.
- Work continues on the H Mart on Route 70, including a new food court, and while there’s no reopening date yet, two new eateries have announced they’ll have locations there when it does. Jaws Topokki, which specializes in Korean dishes gimbap and topokki, is targeting a July opening date. It will be joined by Kyodong Noodles, which specializes in Korean-Chinese comfort foods like jjajangmyeon and jjambbong. Chain bakery Paris Baguette is also slated to have a location within H Mart.
- Bahama Breeze at the Cherry Hill Mall is closing its doors this spring. Darden Restaurant Group, which owns the tropical-inspired brand, announced yesterday that it was closing or converting 28 restaurants nationwide. The Cherry Hill location is expected to remain open through April 5.
- Looking to lock down your Super Bowl menu? The Inquirer’s reporters have put together guides to the best cheesesteaks, hoagies, tomato pies, and more. For party trays, Indeblue in the Barclay Farms Shopping Center offers an assortment of tandoori lollipop lamb chops, shashlik, and samosas, in addition to desserts. If you want wings, NJ.com put together a list of the best in the state, including two Cherry Hill spots, Dolsot House and Hen Vietnamese Eatery.
- Looking for a romantic place to dine out this Valentine’s Day? The Courier Post recently rounded up several South Jersey spots, including Caffe Aldo Lamberti, noting the Marlton Pike spot has an award-winning wine list, seafood, steaks, pastas, and a raw bar.
- Or if you want a sweet experience, Insomnia Cookies is offering 45-minute reserved seatings at its Cherry Hill outpost. The pop-up event takes place from 8 p.m. to midnight on Feb. 12 and 13, but seats are going fast. Order from the usual menu or try the holiday-themed pre-fixe menu that includes six cookies, three dips, and two bottles of milk.
🎳 Things to Do

💃 The Swing Loft Social Dance Party: Learn the popular “modern swing” at this all-levels dance class, where you can come alone or with a dance partner. ⏰ Saturday, Feb. 7, 7-11 p.m. 💵 $20 📍Storm Ballroom Dance Centre

🎨 I Heart Art: Check out works created by some of the township’s young artists in kindergarten through eighth grade. ⏰ Tuesdays and Thursdays, Feb. 10-19, 4-7 p.m. 💵 Free 📍Croft Farm Arts Center

🍿 Rom-Com Watch Party: Teens in sixth through 12th grade can watch a romantic comedy together. Registration is required. ⏰ Tuesday, Feb. 10, 7-8:30 p.m. 💵 Free 📍Cherry Hill Public Library

🧁 Cocktails and Cupcakes: Get tips and hands-on experience mixing up cocktails and decorating cupcakes at this 21-and-over event. Registration is required by Feb. 8. ⏰ Wednesday, Feb. 11, 7-9 p.m. 💵 $20 📍Congregation Kol Ami

🏡 On the Market

A four-bedroom Short Hills home with a large backyard

The four-bedroom home spans more than 4,200 square feet.

Located in Short Hills, this spacious four-bedroom, four-and-a-half-bathroom home features a two-story foyer, a living room, a dining room with coffered ceilings, a step-down family room with a fireplace, an office, a den, and an eat-in kitchen with an island, granite countertops, built-in wine storage, and high-end appliances. All four bedrooms are located on the second floor, including a large primary suite with a sitting room, dual walk-in closets, and a bathroom with dual vanities and a whirlpool tub. Other features include a finished basement with a wet bar, and a deck with a retractable awning.

See more photos of the home here.

Price: $1.4M | Size: 4,262 SF | Acreage: 0.67

🗞️ What other Cherry Hill residents are reading this week:
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February 4, 2026