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  • 🏀 The best hoopers in the world show Philly how to ball|Things to do

    🏀 The best hoopers in the world show Philly how to ball|Things to do

    After a foot of snow hit the region last weekend, there hasn’t been much movement in Philadelphia (or so it seems).

    The snow and slush has been as stubborn as Ben Simmons’ fans during his Sixers days. No matter how much sun has peeked out from under the winter clouds, the roads are still covered with mounds of snow, and cars are still boxed in from the plowed piles.

    But that hasn’t stopped Philadelphians from their weekly commute, and certainly won’t stop them from enjoying the many events happening this weekend.

    That includes the Philadelphia Auto Show, the celebration of Asian cultures for CultureFest!, and a clam chowder crawl in Manayunk. The best WNBA players in the world are also going head-to-head at Xfinity Mobile Arena on Friday for Philly is Unrivaled.

    And if the city still looks like the inside of a snow globe this weekend, maybe we all head to another impromptu sledding fest at the Rocky Steps.

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

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    Brooke Piazza prepares to takeoff sledding on a piece of cardboard at the Philadelphia Art Museum in Philadelphia, Pa., on January 29, 2022.

    The best sledding hills in the region

    Forecasts indicate another weekend of freezing temps is likely in the cards, giving Philly sledders plenty of terrain to enjoy the city’s winter wonderment.

    Along with the Philadelphia Art Museum steps, my colleagues Nick Vadala and Dugan Arnett suggest bundling up and taking a trip to places like Lemon Hill, Water Tower Recreation Center, Clark Park, and other nearby sledding havens.

    Read the rest of their suggestions here.

    The best things to do this week

    🏀 Show Philly how to ball: Philly Is Unrivaled, an offseason professional women’s basketball league, is coming to Xfinity Mobile Arena this Friday. The event will feature 3-on-3 games between four clubs, with the WNBA’s best players duking it out in playoff-style.

    🍺 A taste of international brew: On Saturday, craft beers from Japan, Mexico, Spain, and other distant lands will be front and center at Ardmore Passport: World Pours at Ardmore Music Hall. The event will include international menu items, music, and other activities for the one-day event.

    🇺🇸 Philly history is back, baby: After four months of closure, due to a government shut down and planned repairs, Independence Hall reopens to the public on Thursday.

    ❄️ Bundle up for a Freeze-Out: Manayunk’s signature Founders Philly Freeze-Out returns to Main Street, offering some winter fun. The day also includes a three-mile Founders Freeze Out Fun Run and the Manayunk Chowder Crawl.

    📅 My calendar picks this week: Jessie J at Theatre of the Living Arts and the Mummers String Band Competition at the Linc.

    Attendees hold up signs during an announcement about the Unrivaled Women’s Basketball League 2026 Philly tour stop at LOVE Park on Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025 in Philadelphia. Xfinity Mobile Arena was announced as Unrivaled’s first tour stop, with two games to be played here on Jan. 30.

    Unrivaled kicks off its tour in Philly Friday night

    Not to be confused with the WNBA, which begins its 30th season in May, Unrivaled is a three-on-three professional women’s basketball league that lands in Philly to kicks off its second season.

    Four of the eight teams will head to Xfinity Mobile Arena for a doubleheader on Friday. It will be a homecoming for North Philly native Kahleah Copper, and an ultimate win for fans of women’s hoops.

    Read more of my colleague Brooke Ackerman‘s story here.

    Winter fun this week and beyond

    🪭 Year of the fire horse: Learn more about Chinese, Vietnamese, Korean, Tibetan and other Asian cultural traditions at the 45th annual Lunar New Year celebration for Penn Museum’s signature CultureFest! series.

    🍜 NoLibs bites: Two dozen bars and eateries will offer special prix fixe menus for this year’s Northern Liberties Restaurant Week, which runs through Feb. 8.

    🏎️ Rev your engines: The Philadelphia Auto Show is a can’t miss annual winter classic. Hundreds of hot rides will be on display at the Pennsylvania Convention Center through Feb. 8, offering guests test drive opportunities in and outside the venue.

    📜 An ode to Black history: This Sunday, Black History Month programming kicks off at the National Constitution Center. The monthlong celebration will feature daily crafts, scavenger hunts, trivia, and discussions about some of the most influential figures in American history.

    Staffer picks

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

    🎸 Thursday: 1990s Seattle emo band Sunny Day Real Estate take the stage at Brooklyn Bowl with a lineup that includes original members Jeremy Enigk, Dan Horne, and William Goldsmith.

    🕺🏽 Friday: Former NPR host Ari Shapiro stars in a cabaret show, “Thank You for Listening,” which is adapted from his memoir, The Best Strangers in the World. He will flex his musical muscles at City Winery this Friday.

    🎸 Saturday: The Brooklyn indie rock band Wild Pink, still touring from the group’s 2024 album Dulling the Horns, stop by for a back-to-back show at MilkBoy Philly.

    🎤 Sunday: West Philly emcee Reef the Lost Cauze kicks of the first of the series, “A Month of Black Excellence at the Fallser Club.” The afternoon event will feature a mix of vendors, food, art, and community-centered activities.

    🎤 Monday: While Irish music season doesn’t fully kick off until March, brothers Brian and Diarmuid Mac Gloinn of Ye Vagabonds will bring their hauntingly modern jams to Johnny Brenda’s. Local bluegrass songwriter Daphne Ellen opens.

    Put your snow shovel to good use, so you can free yourself out of snow jail, and enjoy what’s in store this weekend. You won’t regret it.

    — Earl Hopkins

    Courtesy of Giphy.com
  • Turnpike-fueled development | Real Estate Newsletter

    Turnpike-fueled development | Real Estate Newsletter

    What difference does a turnpike ramp make? In tiny Malvern, an E-ZPass interchange helped pave the way for billions of dollars in commercial and residential development in Chester County’s Great Valley.

    The Pennsylvania Turnpike opened Exit 320 in December 2012. The Route 29 ramp has since transformed businesses and communities in the region.

    And now, as the demand for offices has slowed, the area is seeing another rise in residential projects.

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

    — Michaelle Bond

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    A residential wave

    Chester County’s Great Valley has a lot going for it, which helps explain why it’s grown so much. One of its assets is the Pennsylvania Turnpike’s Exit 320.

    After it opened, corporate office parks popped up and expanded, and thousands of people moved in, drawn by new jobs and suddenly easier commutes to Philly and the wider region.

    In the last few years, the real estate landscape has shifted, and there’s less demand for offices. That’s led to a new rise in residential development.

    • A 10.3-acre property on Swedesford Road is headed for demolition so it can be transformed into hundreds of apartments and thousands of square feet of dining and retail space.
    • A developer just turned an empty office building in Exton into “hotel-apartments.”
    • A 111-acre office park off Route 29 is for sale and is being marketed as a redevelopment opportunity.

    The residential shift isn’t a surprise. There’s more demand for homes than there is supply, and families are looking for anything they can afford.

    Keep reading to learn about other residential projects underway and find out why a project manager says he sees “a runway for more.”

    A church for a home

    Coming up with $2.5 million in cash actually seems like it was the easy part of the home search for Carrita Thomas and Jake Stein.

    When they started, they had one child and were expecting twins, so the family needed more space.

    Thomas and Stein loved Society Hill and wanted to stay in the neighborhood, but there weren’t many rowhouses for sale that had at least six bedrooms, on-site parking, and outdoor space. Houses that could work sold in a blink.

    Then they saw a for-sale sign on a long-vacant church two blocks from their home.

    They originally hadn’t wanted a fixer-upper, but they ended up with their neighborhood’s most glaring example.

    Keep reading to find out why the sale was difficult, what the church looks like now, and how the couple is approaching renovations.

    The latest news to pay attention to

    Home tour: Office turned apartment

    17 Market West was the first major project in Philly to turn offices into apartments in the post-pandemic era.

    Allison Levari and Frank DiMeo were some of the first tenants to move in last June.

    The couple’s 1,200-square-foot apartment has two bedrooms, two bathrooms, and an open layout. The corner unit gets lots of natural light through large windows that Levari likes to open to let in fresh air and city sounds.

    Light and views help define the transformed building, a property manager said. Alterra Property Group replaced old office windows when it converted the former Morgan Lewis building into a 299-unit apartment building.

    There’s a yoga studio and pickleball and basketball courts. The rooftop has a saltwater pool, sauna, and cold plunge. The lounge includes a chef’s prep kitchen.

    Peek inside Levari and DiMeo’s home and see whether you can tell it used to be office space.

    📷 Photo quiz

    Do you know the location this photo (from a friendlier snowfall) 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 “Staircases and Mountaintops: Ascending Beyond the Dream” mural on the Martin Luther King Jr. Recreation Center at 22nd Street and Cecil B. Moore Avenue.

    That answer evaded everyone except super reader Lars W. I remember stumping him only once or twice in the three years that I’ve been writing this newsletter.

    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.

  • Gladwyne residents are split on town revitalization plan | Inquirer Lower Merion

    Gladwyne residents are split on town revitalization plan | Inquirer Lower Merion

    Hi, Lower Merion! 👋

    Gladwyne residents are divided on a proposal to revitalize the town center. Here’s what they’re saying. Also this week, we take a peek inside a more than 9,000-square-foot Gladwyne home listed for $8.5 million, a man has been sentenced for his involvement in the death of a woman in a wheelchair in 2024, plus a new restaurant is taking over the former il Fiore space.

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    Gladwyne residents are split over a plan to revitalize the town center

    A proposal calls for revitalizing Gladwyne’s town center.

    Gladwyne residents are mixed on their support for a sweeping revitalization proposal of the town center, plans for which were revealed just a few weeks ago.

    Led by design firm Haldon House and backed by billionaire Jeff Yass, the project calls for historic architecture, green spaces, and businesses that “fit the character” of the area, The Inquirer’s Denali Sagner reports.

    One resident called the proposed changes an “absolute no-brainer,” but others are skeptical, particularly about one group having so much say over the town center. It’s even prompted a petition.

    Read more about the divide.

    Peek inside a gated Gladwyne estate on the market for $8.5M

    The $8.5 million property for sale in Gladwyne includes a 9,166-square-foot home.

    This Gladwyne estate situated on 12.76 acres on Country Club Road is on the market for $8.5 million. While the lot size is rare for the area, and provides plenty of privacy, a future owner has the option to subdivide it into three parcels.

    The property includes a more than 9,000-square-foot main home that was designed for entertaining. It has six bedrooms, eight full bathrooms, two kitchens, an elevator, a sauna, and a pool.

    Take a look inside the home and at its sprawling grounds.

    💡 Community News

    • The region saw its largest snowstorm in a decade over the weekend, with many spots recording more than nine inches, including Penn Wynne, which saw 9.4 inches, according to one figure reported to the National Weather Service — and there’s a small chance more is on the way this weekend. Freezing temperatures are expected to remain this week, meaning the snow and ice aren’t going anywhere. Check out a map of where the most snow fell.
    • Jamal McCullough was sentenced on Friday to three to six years in a state prison after fatally hitting 61-year-old Tracey Cary as she crossed City Avenue in her wheelchair in 2024. While prosecutors said McCullough was not at fault since Cary wasn’t in a posted crosswalk, he fled the scene, which carries criminal penalties. Cary’s sister said the hearing offered a chance to give the public a more complete picture of her sister, who was unhoused and had a love of reading, traveling, and the outdoors.
    • There’s a public meeting on Tuesday at 6 p.m. at the Lower Merion Township Building to discuss the Montgomery Avenue Corridor Traffic Calming and Safety Action Plan. The study, which is supported by a Safe Streets and Roads for All grant, focuses on Montgomery Avenue between Spring Mill Road and City Avenue, assessing things like traffic volume and crashes. Lower Merion Township and the Borough of Narberth will use the data and the public’s feedback to help improve safety.
    • St. Matthias Catholic Church’s former business manager, Sean Michael Sweeney, who is accused of stealing $1.1 million from the Bala Cynwyd institution, has been ordered to stand trial and is scheduled for an arraignment hearing on Feb. 25. (Main Line Times)
    • Club Studio Fitness is planning a late 2026 opening for its Wynnewood Shopping Center location. The high-end gym is taking over the 50,000-square-foot former Bed Bath & Beyond space and is known for premium amenities like cryotherapy and red-light therapy, a juice bar, and stretch stations.
    • The township’s planning commission will discuss a preliminary land development proposal for a portion of 1400 Waverly Rd. in Gladwyne on Monday. Retirement community Waverly Heights is seeking to demolish seven semi-attached single-family villas and put three buildings in their place. Two three-story buildings would be identical and house 12 units each, while the third would add 12 units onto the Blair Apartment Building. Plans also call for additional parking spaces. The meeting will take place at 7 p.m. at the Township Administration Building.
    • Lights are likely coming to Richie Ashburn Field in Gladwyne, after the Lower Merion Board of Commissioners voted to move forward with a memorandum of understanding to allow the Lower Merion Little League to build and operate lights there. The league will pay for the lights and can’t operate them after 10 p.m. (Main Line Times)
    • The Bryn Mawr Film Institute recently held the region’s first public showing of Ellen Jovin’s Rebel With a Clause, an indie grammar “docu-comedy” that’s as much about syntax as it is about human connection.
    • Members of the Lower Merion Township Police Department have donated a collective 800 hours of their time off to their colleague Dan Gilbert. The detective’s wife was diagnosed with Stage 4 colorectal cancer last year, and in a show of support, the department rallied to give him extra time to spend with his family. His wife, Lauren Gilbert, 42, has undergone surgeries and is currently on trial medications. (CBS News Philadelphia)

    🏫 Schools Briefing

    • Tonight is course selection night for LMHS students and tomorrow is the school choice deadline. Tomorrow is also movie night for Penn Wynne Elementary, and there are middle school conferences Tuesday evening. See the district’s full calendar here.
    • For families who missed last week’s eighth grade to high school transition meeting, the district posted a video from the event, which you can watch here.
    • The district is hosting a presentation for parents and guardians with students receiving special education services that will focus on positive behavior support. It will be held virtually via Zoom on Wednesday from 7 to 8:30 p.m.
    • On Saturday, LMHS is hosting the 12th Annual Hope Classic to benefit the Angelman Syndrome Foundation. Angelman Syndrome is caused by a gene change and can result in developmental delays, speech and balance problems, mental disability, and seizures, according to the Mayo Clinic. The doubleheader will see the boys and girls basketball teams take on Haverford High’s teams at 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m., respectively.

    🍽️ On our Plate

    • A new restaurant is getting ready to take over the former il Fiore space in Bryn Mawr Village. Restaurateur Alessandro “Alex” Fiorello, 28, is planning a bar-forward Italian eatery that he says will be “a step up” from his Wayne restaurant, Alessandro’s Wood Fired Italian. Expect house-made pasta, wood-fired pizzas, and dry-aged proteins at the as-yet-unnamed restaurant.
    • Lark is among the region’s 50 best restaurants, according to a new ranking from Philadelphia Magazine, which put Chef Nick Elmi’s Bala Cynwyd restaurant at No. 41. The outlet noted that “there’s hardly a dish that isn’t simultaneously approachable and elevated,” calling out the cavatelli with escargot and bone marrow and pork cheek agnolotti with Taleggio.

    🎳 Things to Do

    🌎 Ardmore Passport: World Pours: Take a trip around the world by sampling global cuisine, craft beers, and other sips at this festival-style event, which will also feature live music. ⏰ Saturday, Jan. 31, 12:30 p.m. 💵 $64.17-$124.20 📍 Ardmore Music Hall

    🍿 Monday Night Movie: In honor of Groundhog Day, catch a screening of the iconic 1993 film starring Bill Murray and Andie MacDowell. Registration is required. ⏰ Monday, Feb. 2, 6:30-8:30 p.m. 💵 Free 📍 Penn Wynne Library

    🏡 On the Market

    A century-old Wynnewood Tudor with a heated pool

    The Tudor-style home has a heated pool.

    Built in 1924, this four-bedroom, three-and-a-half-bathroom Wynnewood Tudor blends past and present. This home’s first floor features a living room with a gas fireplace, a dining room, a “bonus room,” and a kitchen, with granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, and a separate coffee bar area. There are three bedrooms on the second floor, including the primary suite, which has dual closets, and an additional suite on the third level. The home also has a finished basement, a detached three-car garage, and a heated pool with a spa and waterfall. There’s an open house today from noon to 2 p.m.

    See more photos of the home here.

    Price: $1.15M | Size: 3,706 SF | Acreage: 0.71

    📈 Lower Merion market report

    • Median listing price: $525,000 (down $65,000 from November) 📉
    • Median sold price: $699,000 (down $173,500 from November) 📉
    • Median days on the market: 60 (up 20 days from November) 📈

    This Lower Merion market report is published on a monthly basis. Above is data for December from realtor.com.

    🗞️ 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.

  • Why these local fire departments might merge | Inquirer Greater Media

    Why these local fire departments might merge | Inquirer Greater Media

    Hi, Greater Media! 👋

    Some local fire companies are weighing a merger. Here’s why. Also this week, we map snowfall totals from last weekend’s storm and take a look at the possibility of more snow to come, plus why our Delco is the one and only true Delco, according to an Inquirer columnist.

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    Several local fire companies are considering merging

    The Garden City Fire Department in Nether Providence is among the departments that could merge.

    A new report recommends combining several local fire departments to create a larger regional department covering Nether Providence, Swarthmore, and Rose Valley.

    The recommendation comes as several departments are facing a decline in volunteers and aging equipment, The Inquirer’s Torin Sweeney reports.

    The report, released last month, is just a first step, and a complete merger of South Media and Garden City fire companies in Nether Providence with the Swarthmore Fire & Protective Association could take up to three years.

    Read more about the proposed merger and where things currently stand.

    💡 Community News

    • The region saw its largest snowstorm in a decade over the weekend, with many spots recording over half-a-foot of snow, including Nether Providence Township, which saw 8 inches, according to one figure reported to the National Weather Service. Swarthmore saw 7.3 inches, and Media got 7 inches. Freezing temperatures are expected to remain this week, meaning the snow and ice aren’t going anywhere — and there’s a small chance more is on the way this weekend. Check out a map of where the most snow fell on Sunday.
    • There is only one true Delco, The Inquirer’s Stephanie Farr recently proclaimed, and it’s right here in Southeastern Pennsylvania. In her latest column, Farr defends this Delco as the original — it was, after all, founded before any other Delaware Counties in the country — and its claim to use the moniker on, well, just about everything. Her defense of the region came after discovering a fashion brand in New York is selling a line of apparel for a Delco there, which might have been fine if it wasn’t trying “to co-opt Delco as a culture,“ she writes.
    • A Springfield man, Chad Lauletta, 50, has been charged with 56 felonies and misdemeanor invasion of privacy for allegedly possessing multiple pieces of child sexual abuse materials, as well as engaging in a sexual act with a woman and filming it without her consent.
    • Ice sculptures in varying shapes, including a corn hole set, were on display on Media’s State Street over the weekend for the fourth annual Ice on State. Check out some of the scenes and sculptures in this video from 6abc.
    • Fox 29’s Bob Kelly recently paid a visit to Hidden Treasures Antique Mall in Gradyville, which has been open at 1176 Middletown Rd. for about 15 years. During his visit, he toured its nine rooms, which contain a wide range of vintage housewares, furniture, decor, jewelry, and instruments. Among the hottest sellers currently? Salt and pepper shakers. See the full segment here.
    • Former Wallingford resident Helen Cherry died earlier this month at the age of 101. Born in West Philadelphia, Cherry was a lifelong artist who illustrated 30 books and dozens of magazine stories throughout her career. A mother of three, Cherry also helped her husband operate Cherry’s Pharmacy in Ridley Park for years.

    🏫 Schools Briefing

    • Wallingford-Swarthmore School District’s Board of Education is considering a maximum 3.5% tax increase to help slash some of its budget deficit. The hike, discussed during a Facilities and Finance committee meeting last week, would generate about $2.3 million. The district, which is also weighing a $164 million capital improvement plan that calls for renovations to the high school, is facing a $2.6 million budget deficit for the 2027-28 school year. (The Swarthmorean)
    • Tonight is back-to-school night for Wallingford-Swarthmore School District, and Penncrest is hosting its “Jazz Night” on Saturday. See the district’s full calendar here.
    • WSSD is also hosting a community conversation on Wednesday about renovations to Strath Haven High School, where students, families, and residents can share ideas on project priorities. The discussion will take place at 6:30 p.m. at the high school’s library.
    • In the Rose Tree Media School District, tonight is course selection night for high school students. Tomorrow night is bingo night for Indian Lane, and Wednesday is the poetry slam. See the district’s full calendar here.

    🍽️ On our Plate

    • Looking for a sweet spot ahead of Valentine’s Day? Main Line Today recently rounded up nine local shops, including Bevan’s Own Make Candy in Media, noting the decades-old shop offers things like butter creams, chocolate-covered pretzels, mints, nut clusters, and truffles.

    🎳 Things to Do

    🎭 Draw the Circle: It’s your last chance to catch the one-person show that explores various identities. ⏰ Through Sunday, Feb. 1, times vary 💵 $20 for students and children, $35 for adults 📍Hedgerow Theatre Company, Rose Valley

    🎵 Acoustic Bob Marley Birthday Bash: Hear classic Bob Marley tunes ahead of what would have been his 81st birthday. ⏰ Thursday, Jan. 29, 7-11 p.m. 💵 Free 📍Shere-E-Punjab, Media

    😂 Huge Soup: Comedians will take cues from the audience during this improv show. ⏰ Saturday, Jan. 31, 7:30 p.m. 💵 $13.50 📍 PCS Theater, Swarthmore

    🏡 On the Market

    An updated mid-century home in Media

    The kitchen has an island with seating for four and opens onto an open-concept space with living and dining areas.

    This mid-century-style home has been fully updated inside and out, giving it a contemporary look befitting its architecture. The home’s first floor features an open-concept kitchen, living, and dining area. The kitchen features an island, quartz countertops, and stainless steel appliances. There’s also a flexible space on the first floor. There are four bedrooms upstairs, including the primary suite, which has a spacious walk-in closet. Other features include a finished basement, a new deck, and new landscaping for privacy.

    See more photos of the home here.

    Price: $1.395M | Size: 3,699 SF | Acreage: 0.54

    📈 Greater Media market report

    Media

    • Median listing price: $749,000 (up $71,500 from November) 📈
    • Median sold price: $528,000 (down $154,500 from November) 📉
    • Median days on the market: 56 (up 11 days from November) 📈

    Swarthmore

    • Median listing price: $599,900 (up $100,400 from November) 📈
    • Median sold price: $375,000 (down $24,000 from November) 📉
    • Median days on the market: 110 (up 31 days from November) 📈

    Wallingford

    • Median listing price: $279,000 (down $120,900 from November) 📉
    • Median sold price: $380,000 (down $82,500 from November) 📉
    • Median days on the market: 65 (up 22 days from November) 📈

    This Greater Media market report is published on a monthly basis. Above is data for December from realtor.com.

    🗞️ 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.

  • 🏀 Cover material | Sports Daily Newsletter

    🏀 Cover material | Sports Daily Newsletter

    Sure, the Sixers are barely past the .500 mark.

    Yes, it’s still a dice roll if Joel Embiid’s knees will hold up on any given night or if Paul George will consistently rip off the warmups. But let’s remove our collective Negadelphian tendencies for one second, and you’ll find a team that’s been pretty fun to watch underneath, with a pair of stars not named Embiid or George receiving national attention.

    Any hoophead will tell you that the cover of SLAM Magazine is the holy grail, and in their latest issue, the magazine features both Tyrese Maxey and rookie VJ Edgecombe in the Sixers’ signature throwback black uniforms.

    As my 9-year-old would say, the SLAM cover and the distinction “is tough.”

    It headlines a strong year for both players, with Maxey named a starter for the NBA’s All-Star game while Edgecombe is lauded as one of the league’s top rookies, averaging 15.4 points and a fan favorite of the prime minister of the Bahamas.

    Oh, and not discounting Embiid and George, let’s remember the two got together on Tuesday, combining for 61 points in a win over the Bucks. Now, they all collectively look to run it back inside Xfinity Mobile Arena against Sacramento tonight (7 p.m., NBCSP).

    As for today, expect sunny skies, but we’re still in a tundra across the region, with temperatures not expected to leave the teens — again.

    What was that about the Bahamas? Sheesh.

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

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    ❓Do you agree there’s an upside with the Sixers? Email us back for a chance to be featured in the newsletter.

    Healthy Kemp gets his shot

    The Phillies are excited about Otto Kemp’s bat, especially when he’s fully healthy, which he was not in 2025.

    Otto Kemp is hoping for a healthier 2026 with the Phillies. He underwent two procedures this winter to address injuries he’d been grinding through last year: a bone fragment removed from his left knee and what he described as a “shoulder cleanup.”

    Kemp had been playing with the bone fragment since June, but only missed a single game.

    “He’s just so tough. He really is,” said manager Rob Thomson. “He’s just one of those guys that can put all that pain and little dings behind them, and forget about it, and go out and play..”

    Kemp expects to be fully ready for spring training. The Phillies’ first full-squad workout is set for Feb. 16 in Clearwater, Fla.

    And it figures to be a big spring training for the 26-year-old.

    What we’re…

    ⚽ Sharing: The eight area organizations that shelled out big bucks to support World Cup soccer this summer.

    👏🏾 Applauding: Jared McCain’s breakout game and the resurgence that could coincide.

    🏈 Introducing: Philly’s next NFL Draft hopeful, USC linebacker and Neumann-Goretti alum Eric Gentry.

    ‼️ Watching: Gritty and the mayhem he caused visiting the Inquirer office earlier this month.

    Vive la Vladǎr

    Flyers goaltender Dan Vladar against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Monday, January 12, 2026 in Philadelphia.

    Win or lose, we’re sure it felt good for Flyers fans to see goalie Dan Vladǎr between the pipes against the Columbus Blue Jackets last night.

    After missing the last six games due to a lower-body injury, Vladǎr made 26 saves in a 5-3 loss in his 29th start, which matched a career-high.

    “He’s been very consistent for us, and a really competitive guy, and he adds a lot to our locker,” said Flyers head coach Rick Tocchet said, … [he] likes to be involved with the players with instructions, even just being positive with the guys. So he’s going to add a lot to our room, especially on the ice and off the ice.”

    Flyers writer Jackie Spiegel has more on what having Vladǎr back means going forward.

    Finding a fit

    Nathan Harriel is one part of a rotating corps of defenders that the Union are trying out at the outside back position.

    Union manager Bradley Carnell offered a good deal of insight into the team’s current state as they ramp up preseason training in Marbella, Spain. During his weekly press conference, Carnell exuded calm as he explained a number of issues that still need clarity before the season gets going in a few weeks.

    It was like watching a mallard hover gracefully on water, unable to see its feet flapping feverishly below the surface. Currently, the Union is trying to get players up to speed both defensively and on offense, the latter of which finds newcomer Ezekiel Alladoh looking to build chemistry with potential fellow strike partner Bruno Damiani up top.

    Ahead of another preseason game scheduled for later this morning, when they play an extended match against Montenegro’s FK Buducnost, Inquirer reporter Jonathan Tannenwald examines what the Union are still looking to perfect.

    Talkin’ baseball

    Inquirer reporter Scott Lauber sits down with Phillies manager Rob Thomson ahead of spring training.

    In less than three weeks, Phillies pitchers and catchers will hold their first spring-training workout. It’s a good time to sit down with manager Rob Thomson, who discussed the roster in the aftermath of not signing Bo Bichette, the potential impact of rookies Justin Crawford and Andrew Painter, the value of J.T. Realmuto, and, perhaps most importantly, if he thinks the Phillies are better now than at the end of last season. Watch here.

    On this date

    Jan. 29, 2023: The Eagles were headed to Super Bowl LIX following a 31-7 dismantling of the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship game at Lincoln Financial Field.

    Standings, stats, and more

    Looking for a deeper breakdown of last night’s Flyers game? Here’s a place to access your favorite Philadelphia teams’ statistics, schedules, and standings in real time.

    Marcus Hayes’ take…

    Former New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick is on the outside looking in at the ballot for the 2026 NFL Hall of Fame induction class.

    “In Bill Belichick’s hour of disappointment and shame, Philly can savor revenge…Why should Belichick, a proven and penalized two-time cheater, be treated any better than other scofflaw? He might not be Pete Rose, but he ain’t Bill Walsh, either.” — The latest from Hayes diving into the former Patriots head coach’s first ballot Hall of Fame snub.

    What you’re saying about the WNBA

    We asked: What are your thoughts on an WNBA team in Philly?

    Absolutely, Philadelphia should have a WNBA team. Philadelphia is a basketball city with a far richer basketball history and heritage than almost any other city in the U.S. Right now, there are no Philly-area schools in the top 25 women’s college rankings. I think the presence of a WNBA team might even help some of Philly’s Big 5 women’s teams become UConn- or South Carolina-level powerhouses. Maybe coach [Dawn] Staley would retire and be the first Philly coach. — Everett S.

    I think it’s great, especially for young women. It’s long overdue. — Tom G.

    We compiled today’s newsletter using reporting from Marcus Hayes, Gabriela Carroll, Kerith Gabriel, Jonathan Tannenwald, Lochlahn March, Jackie Spiegel, Gina Mizell, Devin Jackson, Vaughn Johnson, and Scott Lauber.

    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 Thursday. Stay warm, be safe, and we’ll be back tomorrow to get you ready for the weekend. — Kerith

  • The dive bars we love | Let’s Eat

    The dive bars we love | Let’s Eat

    Our main feature this week is a roundup of Philly’s top dive bars — where we find cold beer, warm stories, and nothing curated. We’ve mapped them out for you.

    Also in this edition:

    — Mike Klein

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    Our favorite dive bars

    A good dive bar doesn’t try to impress — it just pours a drink, remembers your face, and lets the night take care of itself. We asked for ideas and got 400 responses. Here are 20 favorites in Philly.

    Young chef(s) on the move

    To think that two years ago, culinary student RJ Smith was hosting four-seat dinners for friends. On Sunday, Smith begins a six-month chef’s residency at the Rittenhouse Hotel. Read on for the story — all the more remarkable when you realize that the creator of Ocho Supper Club is a 21-year-old college senior.

    🧑‍🍳 Alex Fiorello, 28, is taking over the shuttered Il Fiore in Bryn Mawr for his third suburban restaurant. Like the others, it will carry the Alessandro’s name.

    Cheesesteaks … in Tokyo

    There’s a little bit of Philly in Tokyo: a bar called Nihonbashi Philly, where the cheesesteak is the go-to sandwich. Critic Craig LaBan happened to be in the neighborhood and stopped for a bite.

    A perfect Philly day with the big cheese himself

    Our “Perfect Philly Day” series caught up with Emilio Mignucci of the Di Bruno Bros. family. His day revolves around cheese, but when lunchtime comes around, he heads to a stand that serves “the most succulent pork sandwich.”

    The best things we ate last week

    Now that we’ve dug out our sidewalks, we’re digging dishes, like these chewy, hand-pulled lagman noodles that wowed Craig LaBan. Meanwhile, Beatrice Forman found a pizza in Queen Village that is the real MVP and Patricia Madej capped off her meal in Kensington with caramel toast.

    Scoops

    Call Your Mother, a bagel shop and “Jew-ish” deli from D.C., is coming to Fishtown, and our Emily Bloch lox up the details: stuffed bagel sandwiches, babka muffins, and a special Philly menu item or two.

    Fergus Carey and Jim McNamara of Fergie’s Pub, the Jim, and the Goat Rittenhouse, are headed to Old City for a yet-to-be-named pub at the former Mac’s Tavern.

    Haraz Coffee House — the Yemeni coffee franchise that opened its third area location last week in a former Starbucks in Flourtown and will soon open in Marlton Crossing Shopping Center under a different ownership group — has a deal in Center City. It’s seeking zoning approval at 1822 Chestnut St., next door to Boyds.

    In other Rittenhouse little-treat news, I hear that Somedays Bakery out of Queens, N.Y., has signed a lease at the former Republic Bank at 16th and Walnut, on the 16th Street side.

    Restaurant report

    Greg Vernick is having a great week. He made the James Beard semifinals for Outstanding Restaurateur and he opened the cozy Emilia, an Italian restaurant in Kensington. (Shown above is the sea scallop crudo and burrata.) Walk-ins are welcome here; read on for the rundown.

    Shiroi Hana, one of Center City’s oldest Japanese restaurants, closed Saturday after 41 years at 222 S. 15th St. Owner Robert Moon, who bought it in 1998, has decamped to his other restaurant, Doma (1822 Callowhill St.), which opened in 2010.

    Briefly noted

    Thirteen chefs and restaurants are in the running for James Beard Awards. Mark your calendars for the announcement of the finalists on March 31.

    Honeysuckle chefs Omar Tate and Cybille St.Aude-Tate (on the Beard semifinalist list for Best Chef, Mid-Atlantic) will host an evening with culinary historian Jessica B. Harris, who will sign her latest cookbook, Braided Heritage, on Thursday from 6 p.m. Passed hors d’oeuvres, developed by Honeysuckle chef de cuisine Taylor Renée Threadgill, will be served, including beef boulettes with gravy aioli, wild rice-and-mustard green cakes, salt cod fritters with tomato sauce, calas fritters, cornbread dressing with marinated crab, fried catfish bites, and peanut brittle. Harris’ bestselling High on the Hog was turned into a four-part Netflix docuseries in 2021. Tickets are $135pp, bookable on OpenTable.

    Front Street Café in Fishtown will host a vegan French dinner on Thursday, featuring a fully plant-based four-course menu (think brandade with nori-poached hearts of palm; salad Niçoise; grilled broccoli steak with turnip purée and black garlic molasses; and a pear crêpe dessert) and wine pairings with each course. It’s $65pp plus 20% gratuity and 2% service charge. Reservations (required) are up on OpenTable.

    Milk Jawn will mark Ice Cream for Breakfast Day starting at 9 a.m. Feb. 7 at their East Passyunk and Northern Liberties locations with flights featuring four limited-edition, cereal-centric flavors for $12.50 apiece.

    Northern Liberties Restaurant Week is on through Feb. 8 with two dozen restos offering two-course (or more) lunches for $10, $15 and/or $20 and three-course (or more) dinners for $25, $35 and/or $45. Details are here.

    The Muhibbah Dinner series, founded by Ange Branca of Kampar, returns Feb. 16 from 6-9 p.m. at BLDG39 at the Arsenal, 5401 Tacony St. The family-style, multicourse charity dinner, benefiting Puentes de Salud, features Branca alongside chef Yun Fuentes (Bolo), Natalia Lepore Hagan (Midnight Pasta), Brizna Rojas and Aldo Obando (Mucho Peru), Enaas Sultan (Haraz Coffee House Fishtown), and David Suro (Tequilas and La Jefa). It’s BYOB. Tickets are $170pp and available here.

    Uchi will partner its Philly chef de cuisine, Ford Sonnenberg, with chef Marc Vetri to host a one-night, nine-course dinner on Feb. 26 blending Vetri Cucina and Uchi sensibilities. Highlights include A5 wagyu cheesesteak corzetti, pesce marinato with squid, shrimp, and scallop, smoked duck breast riso al salto, kurodai sashimi, and turnip nerui. A few à la carte items, including Vetri’s rigatoni, will be available. It’s $175pp plus tax/tip, with staggered seatings from 4 p.m. bookable on Uchi’s website; a portion of proceeds benefits Vetri Community Partnership.

    Cricket Club in Cape May will host a one-night, five-course pop-up dinner on March 1 honoring the cooking of the late local chef Joe Lotozo, with all proceeds benefiting the Cape May Food Bank. The menu ($188pp) revisits several of Lotozo’s specials from his time circa 1988 at the Bayberry Inn, the Congress Hall restaurant now known as the Blue Pig Tavern. Organized by his children, Eliza and Bo Lotozo — who, along with family and friends, will handle service — the dinner will be cooked by Lotozo’s former sous chef, Chris Shriver, a onetime Cape May restaurateur. The event is supported by the Cricket Club and its sister restaurant, the Mad Batter, where Lotozo, who died in 2018 at age 64, began his cooking career in the early 1970s and met his wife, Susan. Details are here.

    ❓Pop quiz

    A Southwest Philadelphia strip club is attracting attention for what?

    A) the better-than-sex cake

    B) naked fries

    C) naughty topiaries

    D) the strip-steak special

    Find out if you know the answer.

    Ask Mike anything

    Foodie living in Blue Bell here. I noted that you mentioned new places in Chestnut Hill and Fort Washington but I have not heard of any new or exciting places nearby. I don’t understand why in an affluent place like this there is such a boring array of restaurants. I frequent the old standards here and in Ambler, but nothing is really exciting, fresh, or new. Why? My theory is that Blue Bell is charming but has no real town center but rather two small shopping centers at Routes 202 and 73. — Bob

    Several factors may be at work, including your theory. Blue Bell, a slice of Whitpain Township, isn’t as walkable or dense as towns such as Ambler, Conshohocken, and Ardmore. Also, real estate is tight and expensive for independents, with few second-generation restaurant spaces to recycle and landlords seeking high rent and long-term leases. Labor is tougher in much of the burbs, where restaurants compete with hospitals, schools, corporate jobs, and other retailers for the same workforce. Also, customer patterns skew toward “known quantities” — e.g. chains. (Hence, the new Wonder in Centre Square Commons.) That makes opening a new independent restaurant feel riskier.

    Plus, much of the demand is already met — but spread out, as Blue Bellians already drive the 10 to 20 minutes to Conshy, Ambler, Skippack, Wayne, or King of Prussia, siphoning “destination dining” energy.

    Though not new, my own favorites include Blue Bell Inn, Radice, Saath Indian Grill, Su20 Sushi, and El Serape. While we’re at it, my kids are addicted to the fried chicken at Lovebird. And keep an eye on Fort Washington, where Academy Grill is taking shape st Cantina Feliz’s former location, as well as Ambler, where Dettera will give way this spring to a Mediterranean concept.

    📮 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.

  • Dismantled history | Morning Newsletter

    Dismantled history | Morning Newsletter

    Morning, Philly. First, a weather update: Yes, it’s still cold out, and will continue to be so as forecasters monitor the potential for another storm this weekend. City schools will be virtual again today.

    Designers of the President’s House are grappling with the dismantling of its slavery exhibits last week following orders from the Trump administration.

    And federal immigration tactics in Minneapolis have set off a political firestorm. Read on for the latest from Philadelphia City Hall, Harrisburg, and Washington.

    — Julie Zeglen (morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)

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    ‘A memorial to the death of democracy’

    The public received no notice that the President’s House exhibits at Independence National Historical Park would be coming down last week. Neither did the artists, architects, historians, attorneys, and writers who helped create the site in the early 2000s.

    Those exhibits, which memorialize the nine people George Washington enslaved at the house once located there, were removed alongside other national parks’ signage deemed by President Donald Trump’s administration to “inappropriately disparage Americans past or living.”

    The City of Philadelphia — now backed by Gov. Josh Shapiro — has sued the federal government to restore the panels. But in the meantime, the site’s creators are grappling with what its now-blank walls say about the country.

    In their own words: “It’s sort of now a memorial to the death of democracy and truth,” said Troy C. Leonard, an architect who helped design the site.

    Politics reporter Fallon Roth has more details, including why its creators say the exhibits wouldn’t make sense at any other location.

    Further viewing: Grassroots signs have replaced informational panels at the President’s House. See the resistance art left on Independence Mall.

    A political firestorm

    Political backlash to the tactics of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Border Patrol in Minneapolis is growing locally and across the United States.

    In Philadelphia: Two Council members on Tuesday unveiled legislation that would formally limit the city’s cooperation with ICE.

    In Harrisburg: A top Democrat floated making Pennsylvania a so-called sanctuary state to protect undocumented immigrants.

    In D.C.: Lawmakers face mounting pressure to hold up funding for the Department of Homeland Security, an effort that could result in a government shutdown by the end of the week. Members of the U.S. House representing Pennsylvania, for instance, cosigned a letter to Sens. John Fetterman and Dave McCormick calling them to vote against the funding.

    Reporters Sean Collins Walsh, Jeff Gammage, and Anna Orso have the full story.

    More ICE news: Activists demonstrated at Philly Target stores on Tuesday, attempting to slow business operations at a company that they say wrongly cooperates with federal immigration enforcement.

    What you should know today

    Quote of the day

    A rural county in New York is claiming a familiar moniker. Columnist Stephanie Farr needs to set the record straight: No one does Delco culture quite like Delaware County, Pennsylvania.

    🧠 Trivia time

    Lincoln, the bald eagle that soars across Lincoln Financial Field before Birds games, befriends what type of animal in a new Budweiser Super Bowl ad?

    A) Clydesdale

    B) Osprey

    C) Dalmatian

    D) Pigeon

    Think you know? Check your answer.

    What we’re …

    🦅 Noting: The Eagles players fans most — and least — want to see back next season, and the steps the team could take to get back to the Super Bowl next year.

    💸 Learning: How Philly helicopter makers cope with uncertainty at today’s Pentagon.

    🍝 Eager to visit: Chef Greg Vernick’s new restaurant, Emilia, now open in Kensington.

    🥯 Anticipating: The latest bagel chain coming to Philly.

    🗳️ Considering: Lessons from Chester County’s adaptation after election mistakes.

    🧩 Unscramble the anagram

    Hint: Center City commercial strip

    TEAMSTER TREK

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

    Cheers to Dawn Harris, who solved Tuesday’s anagram: Wistar Institute. The University City biomedical research org’s president and CEO, Dario Altieri, is stepping down after 11 years.

    Photo of the day

    A large pile of snow on the northeast corner of Seventh and Market Streets on Tuesday.

    Still waiting for your street to be plowed? You’re not alone. The city says it’s working through 311 requests while citing worker safety and the difficulty of navigating Philly’s narrowest roadways.

    Be safe out there. I’ll be back with more news tomorrow.

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

  • New grocery stores are coming your way | Inquirer Chester County

    New grocery stores are coming your way | Inquirer Chester County

    Hi, Chester County! 👋

    A handful of new grocery stores are in the works, including a pair of brick-and-mortar co-ops. Also this week, a developer is hopeful that remediation of a contaminated Kennett Square site can make way for housing, plus, a new report reveals why so many voters were left off the poll books in November.

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    Chester County is getting several new grocery stores this year

    Sprouts is looking to expand to Phoenixville.

    Chester County residents are getting more grocery store options thanks to three independent shops.

    West Chester Cooperative is working on a brick-and-mortar for its members and the public. Another co-op, the Kennett Community Grocer, is targeting a spring opening for its storefront, which will sell local produce, dairy, meats, and eggs, and will have a cafe.

    Kimberton Whole Foods is also adding to its footprint, with a new store — and its largest — slated to open at Eagleview Town Center in the coming months.

    Two other national chains are eyeing spots in Phoenixville, with one already under construction.

    Read more about the county’s growing grocery options.

    Can a contaminated former industrial site in Kennett Square be cleaned and make way for housing?

    A developer wants to transform the former National Vulcanized Fiber site in Kennett Square into housing.

    A developer wants to transform one of Kennett Square’s largest untouched parcels into housing, but the process would be years in the making and has some residents concerned.

    Rockhopper LLC purchased the 22-acre lot at 400 W. Mulberry St. in 2009, two years after National Vulcanized Fiber shut down. It had operated there for more than a century and the site now requires extensive remediation, government agency approvals, and rezoning.

    Some borough residents are concerned about the safety of building houses there given the contaminants.

    The Inquirer’s Brooke Schultz delves into those concerns and where Rockhopper is in the process.

    📍 Countywide News

    • The region saw its largest snowstorm in a decade over the weekend, and Chester County recorded some of the highest totals in our area, with several municipalities reporting over 10 inches of snow. East Nantmeal saw 12.8 inches, followed by Malvern (12.5), Paoli (11.2), East Coventry (10.5), and Phoenixville (10.4). Freezing temperatures are expected to remain this week, meaning the snow and ice aren’t going anywhere. Check out a map of where got the most snowfall.
    • Due to the storm, a number of municipalities have altered trash pickup schedules. See how yours is impacted here.
    • The county now has an answer as to why over 75,000 independent and unaffiliated voters were left off the poll books in the November election. An independent report found that human error was to blame, and that issues were made worse by insufficient training, poor oversight, and staffing challenges. The county plans to implement many of the more than a dozen recommendations made in the report, along with several additional steps.
    • The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission is hosting a pair of public meetings tomorrow about proposed water and wastewater rate changes impacting county residents. The hearings come about two months after the PUC voted unanimously to suspend and investigate Pennsylvania American Water Company’s proposed rate hike on water and wastewater services, which would have increased a typical water customer’s bill anywhere from $2.73 per month to $27.77 and potentially increased fees for the typical wastewater customer. The public input hearings will take place at Coatesville City Hall at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m.

    💡 Community News

    • A developer of a proposed data center along Swedesford Road in East Whiteland Township will come before the Planning Commission tonight to present changes to the plan, which calls for a more than 1.6-million-square-foot center, up from the previous 1 million square feet proposed. The developer, Charles Lyddane, has been working to build a data center in that area for several years. The commission is scheduled to meet from 7 to 9 p.m. at the township building. The meeting will also be live streamed. Find details here.
    • Caln Township is hosting a conditional use hearing tomorrow night for Sheetz to demolish the former Rite Aid at 3807 E. Lincoln Highway and redevelop the lot into a 6,139-square-foot convenience store with a drive-through window, six gas pumps, and 43 parking spaces. The meeting will take place at 6:30 p.m. at the municipal building. The first Sheetz in the Philadelphia area is slated to open next month in Montgomery County.
    • Heads up for drivers: Work to reconstruct and widen four miles of the Pennsylvania Turnpike between the Route 29 interchange in East Whiteland Township and the Valley Forge Service Plaza in Tredyffrin Township was slated to get underway this month. Plans call for widening the road from four to six lanes and replacing mainline bridges. Construction is expected to take five years. And Dutton Mill Road between Strasburg and Manley Roads in East Goshen Township will continue to be closed from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. through Friday for Peco work.
    • A Lincoln University woman, Fatima DeMaria, 65, has been charged with multiple counts of asylum fraud, mail fraud, and tax evasion for allegedly falsely representing herself as an immigration attorney who could help people obtain work authorizations in the U.S. DeMaria owned Immigration Matters Legal Services in Oxford and is accused of preparing fraudulent asylum forms in her clients’ names from 2021 to 2024, charging them between $6,000 and $9,000 per individual, and $12,000 to $15,000 per couple, totaling at least $1 million.
    • Easttown Township has been awarded nearly $1 million from the state’s Multimodal Transportation Fund for new sidewalks, ADA-compliant ramps, and crosswalks around Beaumont Elementary School and Hilltop Park.
    • Kennett Square-based Genesis HealthCare and its subsidiaries were officially sold last week to investment group 101 West State Street for $996 million. Once one of the largest skilled nursing providers in the U.S., Genesis filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in July. Genesis says it operates nearly 200 nursing centers and senior living communities in 17 states, including Highgate at Paoli Pointe in Paoli. (McKnights)
    • The founder of independent natural beauty store The Indie Shelf, which has locations in Malvern and Philadelphia, is helping drive the region’s clean beauty movement. Sabeen Zia came up with the storefront concept after struggling to gain traction for her makeup brand and is now using her business to showcase and support small local brands with similar missions.

    🏫 Schools Briefing

    • In case you missed it, Great Valley School District is being investigated by the Trump administration over its policies allowing transgender girls to compete on girls’ sports teams. President Trump last year threatened to strip federal funding from schools that recognize transgender students. The district said last week that it’s cooperating with the investigation and working to prepare a response.
    • Tredyffrin/Easttown School District’s Ad Hoc Redistricting Committee is meeting next Wednesday to review the district’s prior redistricting process and establish criteria for selecting the Redistricting Steering Committee members. The meeting comes in advance of the opening of Bear Hill Elementary School, which is slated for August 2027. The committee has also been reviewing parameters for new attendance boundaries across all six elementary schools.
    • In other news, TESD’s school board recently selected Henry Zink to fill a vacancy on the board during a special meeting earlier this month.
    • Oxford Area School District’s Advisory Council is hosting a guidance plan meeting to begin shaping goals for each school from 2026 through 2029. The meeting will be held next Wednesday at the district administration building from 8:30 to 10 a.m.
    • Due to Monday’s snow day, Coatesville Area School District has planned a make-up day for April 6, which was slated to be the last day of spring recess.

    🍽️ On our Plate

    • A new pizza joint opened yesterday in Phoenixville, taking over the former New Haven Deli space at 1442 Charlestown Rd. Matthew’s Pizza’s menu includes pizzas, hoagies, cheesesteaks, burgers, and wraps.
    • Bored Trading Cafe is hosting a grand opening for its West Chester location on Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon. Located at 139 W. Gay St., the cafe will serve coffee and other specialty drinks, baked goods, burgers, salads, and all-day breakfast.
    • And in Coatesville, Andrea’s Jazz Cafe is gearing up to open on Feb. 17. Andrea’s will offer live music and other entertainment, in addition to dining.

    🎳 Things to Do

    ❄️ Frozen: There’s hardly a more appropriate movie to watch this week than the beloved animated Disney film. ⏰ Friday, Jan. 30, 6-8 p.m. 💵 Free 📍 The Creamery, Kennett Square

    🎥 The Princess Bride: For those looking to catch a cult classic, the 1987 film will be screened seven times over the weekend. ⏰ Friday, Jan. 30-Sunday, Feb. 1, times vary 💵 $10-$15 📍 The Colonial Theatre, Phoenixville

    🍷 Wine and Chocolate Tasting: Taste five wines paired with chocolates during this guided one-hour event. There are additional tastings on Saturdays and Sundays in February. ⏰ Sunday, Feb. 1, noon-5 p.m. 💵 $40 📍 Chaddsford Winery

    🏡 On the Market

    A four-bedroom Colonial in Devon

    The home has a covered porch and a patio with a pergola.

    This four-bedroom, two-and-half-bathroom Devon Colonial’s recent updates include a new roof, fresh paint, and refinished hardwood floors. The first floor features a living room with a wood-burning fireplace, a dining room, also with a fireplace, a kitchen with granite countertops and high-end appliances, and a family room with a gas fireplace. All four bedrooms, including the primary suite, are on the second floor. Other features include a large patio with a pergola. There’s an open house Sunday from 1 to 3 p.m.

    See more photos of the home here.

    Price: $1.389M | Size: 2,543 SF | Acreage: 0.69

    📈 Chester County market report

    • Median listing price: $561,400 (down $8,600 from November) 📉
    • Median sold price: $555,000 (up $27,500 from November) 📈
    • Median days on the market: 61 (up 16 days from November) 📈

    This Chester County market report is published on a monthly basis. Above is data for December from realtor.com.

    🗞️ 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.

  • A Cherry Hill man with autism was kicked off a cruise | Inquirer Cherry Hill

    A Cherry Hill man with autism was kicked off a cruise | Inquirer Cherry Hill

    Hello, Cherry Hill! 👋

    A Cherry Hill mom is on a mission to increase understanding for people with autism after her adult son was kicked off a cruise last month. Also this week, we look at whether Wegmans is using biometric technology to spy on its customers, we’ve mapped how much snow fell around town this past weekend, plus a township resident has been charged in the hit-and-run death of a pedestrian.

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

    A Cherry Hill mom is advocating for greater autism awareness after her son was kicked off a cruise

    Cherry Hill resident Carolyn Piro poses for a portrait with her son Sean Curran, who has autism.

    Cherry Hill resident Carolyn Piro’s first vacation in a decade didn’t end how she expected. The mom of four — including a son with autism and two other sons with development disabilities — took her family on a Celebrity Cruise to the Caribbean last month to celebrate her 60th birthday.

    She chose the cruise line because the company, Royal Caribbean, claims to offer an “autism friendly” environment. But when her eldest son was kicked off the ship on Christmas Eve over an incident on board, Piro found staff lacked understanding about his needs.

    After having what she described as the “worst Christmas ever,” Piro is on a mission to increase awareness and acceptance for people with autism, The Inquirer’s Melanie Burney reports.

    Is the Cherry Hill Wegmans collecting shoppers’ biometric data?

    Wegmans has nine New Jersey locations, including in Cherry Hill and Mt. Laurel.

    Signs in New York City Wegmans grocery stores recently alerted shoppers that it was collecting biometrics, raising concerns about what it was doing with that data and whether it was collecting it from other stores, too.

    The popular Rochester, New York-based grocery store won’t say if it’s collecting similar data at its Cherry Hill location, but noted it does have cameras with facial recognition technology in “a small fraction of our stores that exhibit an elevated risk,” The Inquirer’s Denali Sagner reports.

    Read more about why biometric technology is gaining traction in stores beyond Wegmans.

    💡 Community News

    • The region saw its largest snowstorm in a decade over the weekend, with Cherry Hill recording 9.3 inches as of Monday morning, according to one figure reported to the National Weather Service. Freezing temperatures are expected to remain this week, meaning the snow and ice aren’t going anywhere. Check out a map of where the most snow fell.
    • Due to the storm, Monday’s township council meeting has been pushed to tonight. The caucus meeting is at 7 p.m., with the council meeting slated for 7:30 p.m.
    • A 34-year-old Cherry Hill resident has been charged in the death of a 75-year-old woman in a hit-and-run on Jan. 17. Shakira Carter allegedly hit Andrea Wilson and her dog, Ozzie, near a crosswalk in the Evesham Road and Alpha Avenue area. Carter, a juvenile detention officer, fled the scene before returning in a different vehicle. She has been suspended from work with the Camden County Juvenile Detention Center and charged with second-degree leaving the scene of a fatal motor vehicle accident. (NBC10)
    • Last week, Cherry Hill residents Giselle V. Brown and Ted Gallagher were recognized as recipients of the 2026 Camden County Freedom Medal for their contributions to the community. Township resident Jim Peeler was also presented with the 2026 Camden County Congressional Award.
    • Women’s apparel and accessories store Francesca’s, which has a location at the Cherry Hill Mall, is reportedly closing its remaining stores after years of financial turmoil. Francesca’s filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in late 2020. (Fox Business)
    • In case you missed it, Club Studio Fitness recently announced it will open a 30,240-square-foot location at Ellisburg Shopping Center in the former Buy Buy Baby space.
    • Gearing up for the Academy Awards? While they may still be six weeks out, the AMC Cherry Hill 24 is screening several of the nominated movies, including the William Shakespeare-inspired Hamnet, the Leonardo DiCaprio-led One Battle After Another, and the 1930s-set Sinners.

    🏫 Schools Briefing

    • Due to snow closures on Monday and Tuesday, the district has planned make-up days for Feb. 16, previously allocated as a holiday for President’s Day, and March 30, which was originally the first day of spring break.

    🍽️ On our Plate

    • In case you missed it, the James Beard Award semifinalists were announced last week, and there are two Cherry Hill ties among them: Russ Cowan of Radin’s Delicatessen was nominated in the Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic category, and township native Greg Vernick got the region’s lone nod in the Outstanding Restaurateur category.
    • Speaking of Greg Vernick, his latest restaurant, run by fellow Cherry Hill native Meredith Medoway, opened yesterday. Located in Kensington, Emilia is a neighborhood trattoria with a seasonal menu featuring house-made pasta and live-fire cooking.

    🎳 Things to Do

    🛍️ Hott’s Pop-Up Home and Lifestyle Show: Browse local businesses selling home decor, food, and art. ⏰ Friday, Jan. 30-Sunday, Feb. 1, times vary 💵 Pay as you go 📍Cherry Hill Mall

    🧸 The Winter Fever Toy Show: Browse over 180 tables of antique and collectible toys. ⏰ Saturday, Jan. 31, 9 a.m. admission for early buyers, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. for general admission 💵 $10 general admission, $20 for early buyers, free for kids under 12 📍Cherry Hill Army National Guard Recruiting Station

    📼 The Bygone Boomerang Vintage Show: If you’re in search of other vintage finds, this show features vendors selling goods like housewares, clothing, art, and more from the 1950s to ‘90s. ⏰ Sunday, Feb. 1, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. 💵 $5, free for kids under 12 📍Cherry Hill Army National Guard Recruiting Station

    ❤️ Galentine’s Besties Brunch: Tickets are going fast for this third annual event, which connects women with one another. Attendees are encouraged to wear red. ⏰ Sunday, Feb. 1, 1-4 p.m. 💵 $36.09 📍Vera

    🏡 On the Market

    A completely updated Ashland home

    The updated kitchen features two-tone cabinetry and an island.

    Located in the Ashland neighborhood, this three-bedroom, two-bathroom home recently underwent a full renovation down to the studs, and now has new windows, a new roof, new HVAC and electrical systems, as well as a completely updated interior. The first floor features a kitchen with an island, a living room, two bedrooms, including the primary, and a full bathroom. There’s another room and bathroom upstairs, and a basement downstairs. There’s an open house Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

    See more photos of the home here.

    Price: $395,000 | Size: 2,470 SF | Acreage: 0.17

    📈 Cherry Hill market report

    • Median listing price: $435,000 (down $25,000 from November) 📉
    • Median sold price: $492,500 (up $35,000 from November) 📈
    • Median days on the market: 52 (up 11 days from November) 📈

    This Cherry Hill market report is published on a monthly basis. Above is data for December from realtor.com.

    🗞️ What other Cherry Hill 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.

  • 🏀 Advocate for the WNBA | Sports Daily Newsletter

    🏀 Advocate for the WNBA | Sports Daily Newsletter

    Since becoming Temple’s women’s basketball coach in 2022, Diane Richardson has introduced her team to WNBA players and had them participate in community events.

    From Philly’s Kahleah Copper attending nearly every practice during Richardson’s first two seasons to having the Owls hold a camp for girls, Richardson has been an ongoing advocate for women’s basketball in the city.

    With an WNBA franchise set to come to Philadelphia in 2030, she hopes the fandom will continue to grow. In the meantime, Unrivaled will make its first trip out of Miami and play at Xfinity Mobile Arena on Friday — in front of a sold-out crowd.

    “To get Unrivaled sold out in a matter of days, that tells you we are ready for the WNBA,” Richardson said. “I think we’ll have sold-out stadiums when the WNBA gets here.”

    Richardson has been at the forefront of the push to grow women’s basketball in Philly. Unrivaled is another event to get the city ready — and the support has been encouraging.

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

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

    ❓What are your thoughts on an WNBA team in Philly? Email us back for a chance to be featured in the newsletter.

    Avoiding a repeat

    General manager Howie Roseman (left) and head coach Nick Sirianni have much to consider that goes beyond the offensive coordinator search.

    Jeffrey Lurie, Howie Roseman, and Nick Sirianni are tasked with making a variety of staffing and personnel decisions over the next several months to return the Eagles to Super Bowl contention next season. With the coaching carousel spinning and free agency and the draft looming, here’s where the Birds could start with their decision-making.

    And there’s a lot of anxiety surrounding the Eagles, particularly about the fact that they haven’t hired an offensive coordinator yet.

    Maybe that’s because the NFL’s passing game isn’t necessarily what it used to be. But that doesn’t mean it can’t evolve with the right strategy, and in the Eagles’ case, the right coordinator, writes Mike Sielski.

    What we’re…

    🤔 Wondering: This year’s Super Bowl will feature the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks. Are there any local connections?

    📺 Watching: A hometown favorite will appear on your television screens during a Budweiser Super Bowl ad: Lincoln the bald eagle.

    🏈 Debating: Who were your favorite NFL color analysts this season? Inquirer columnist Marcus Hayes ranks his.

    Clap ya hands, everybody

    Jared McCain (20) celebrates a three-pointer that was part of his 17-point night in a win against the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday.

    The one big takeaway from the Sixers’ 139-122 comeback win against Milwaukee last night is that despite the on-again, off-again nights from Joel Embiid and Paul George, it’s still electric when those two are on the floor — together. The duo accounted for 61 of the team’s total, with George finishing with a game-high 32 points.

    It allowed other important pieces not to be relied on as heavily in what was as close to a team performance as we’ve seen from the Sixers this season. Inquirer writer Keith Pompey has more on the pair and what appeared to also be a revival of Jared McCain.

    Next up, the Sixers will look to run it back against Sacramento in the second of a three-game homestand at Xfinity Mobile Arena on Thursday (7 p.m., NBCSP).

    Need more from No. 1

    Flyers’ Christian Dvorak, Travis Konecny and Trevor Zegras gather during stoppage on Jan. 17.

    The Flyers have been scuffling of late, having lost eight of their last 10, and a big reason why has been the dropoff from their No. 1 line of Trevor Zegras, Travis Konecny, and Christian Dvorak.

    The Flyers need more from the high-scoring trio and Rick Tocchet believes it starts with them playing a more honest 200-foot game.

    “I hate to use the word cheating; they’re cheating for offense,” Tocchet said of his top line’s game recently.

    “You’ve got to play the right way. You’ll get the same amount of chances in the long run, and that’s the way you’re supposed to play the game anyway.”

    Speaking of the Flyers’ struggles, here’s what the players had to say after Monday’s disappointing 4-0 loss.

    Sports snapshot

    Villanova’s Devin Askew goes for a loose ball during a win over Georgetown at Finneran Pavilion on Jan. 21.

    David Murphy’s take

    What do Phillies prospect Aidan Miller and the Dodgers have in common when it comes to World Series chances? A whole lot of upside.

    The Phillies were always going to enter spring training needing to look inward in order to catch up to the Dodgers. In more ways than one. They are going to need to get some sort of impact from their minor league system.

    Aidan Miller is the kind of prospect who can alter a team’s long-term trajectory. It’s the type of production the Dodgers are shelling out billions for, and what the Phillies are aspiring to, writes columnist David Murphy.

    Favorite Philly dive bar

    Al Luecke, 77, of Fishtown, a regular at J.R’s Saloon for 25 years, playing pool on Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025.

    Sure, the Super Bowl is basically just another football game when the Eagles aren’t playing, but it is the perfect excuse to scope out a new dive bar to become a regular before next season. Last month, our colleagues on the food team asked for recommendations for Philly’s best and most unsung dive bars.

    After combing through more than 400 responses, the final list includes dives of all stripes, from bars that only air the Mike & Merrill broadcast to ones with juicy roast beef sandwiches, pre- and post-game karaoke, and the occasional sub $5 Citywide.

    🧠 Trivia time answer

    Which athlete has won the most MVP awards while playing with Philadelphia’s professional teams?

    A) Wilt Chamberlain, who won four MVP awards — Michael P. was first with the correct answer.

    We compiled today’s newsletter using reporting from Keith Pompey, Colin Schofield, Olivia Reiner, David Murphy, Marcus Hayes, Mike Sielski, Ryan Mack, Jeff Neiburg, Jonathan Tannenwald, Jackie Spiegel, Jenn Ladd, Beatrice Forman, and Ariel Simpson.

    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.

    As always, thanks for reading. Stay warm this week. Kerith will be in your inbox with Thursday’s newsletter. — Bella