
City Cast Philly
Will Philly schools be open year-round?
May 19, 2023
Hi neighbor. The 2023 Stotesbury Cup Regatta is returning to the Schuylkill River this weekend. Here’s all you need to know about road closures and detours 🚦

What's CITY Talking About?
📓 Philly Schools Open All Year?
Democratic mayoral nominee Cherelle Parker campaigned on keeping public schools open year-round and lengthening the school day. As a part of his five year-plan, School District of Philadelphia Superintendent Tony Watlington now wants to roll out a pilot program to test the benefits of year-round schooling. The school board is expected to vote on the plan next week. [KYW News]
🏠 New Online Portal for Landlords
Philadelphia recently launched the Landlord Gateway Program, an online portal that keeps current and prospective landlords informed on topics such as regulations, rental licenses, and property assessments. It also provides information on the Eviction Diversion Program, and gives landlords the opportunity to become a Housing Choice landlord through the Philadelphia Housing Authority. [WHYY]
- Aaron Moselle, housing reporter for PlanPhilly, breaks down the battle between affordable housing and rising rents 🎧
🤼♀️ Girls Wrestling Becomes Official State Sport
The Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) has unanimously voted to make high school girls wrestling an officially sanctioned sport. This allows the PIAA to host district and state championships open only to girls. PA is now the 38th state to recognize girls wrestling. [6ABC]
- Hear from three state qualifying wrestlers and their coach at Penn Wood High School about what this sport means to them 🎧
🍅 Team Hoagie
Would you eat a fancy $700 burger from Drury Beer Garden in Center City? It may be dripping with edible gold, but it’s no hoagie! If you’d rather stick with a classic sandwich that won’t break the bank, local food blogger Dave Wesolowski is your guy. Find out what makes the ‘perfect’ hoagie and where to find the most delicious ones in Philly. [City Cast Philly]


What To Do
🐾 SPCA Fundraiser | Friday | 6 p.m.
Support the Pennsylvania SPCA at The Trestle Inn with a pet-friendly happy hour. Enjoy live entertainment, cocktail specials, and take home a line drawing of your pet from artist Kate Lowe. [0-$100, Callowhill]
🦋 Play Day | Saturday | 11 a.m.
Bring the family to Sister Cities Park for a full day of play including book readings, interactive performances, sing-a-longs, a butterfly release, and bubble magic. [free, Logan Square]
🌸 Spring Fest | Saturday | 12 p.m.
Head to Ridge Avenue for a fun-filled spring festival featuring performances from local musicians, 50-plus artisans and crafters, food trucks, and axe throwing. [pay-as-you-go, Roxborough]
🛍️ Now + Then Market | Saturday | 12 p.m.
Stop by Bonk’s Bar for an outdoor marketplace and summer kickoff bash featuring 30 vendors and live music. [pay-as-you-go, Port Richmond]
🪴 Terrarium Workshop | Saturday | 4:30 p.m.
Learn to make a terrarium at Foliage Plant Boutique. Light refreshments included. [$71.21, Chestnut Hill]
🪩 90s vs 2000s | Saturday | 9 p.m.
Dance the night away to all your favorite throwback hits at IHL Philly. [$0-$20, Juniata]
🖼️ Arts Crawl | Sunday | 12 p.m
Take a leisurely stroll through the Art Museum area and check out eclectic paintings, photography, sculptures, and mixed-media pieces from local artists. [free, Fairmount Ave.]
✨ Glitter & Gore | Sunday | 8 p.m.
Head to Tattooed Mom for a drag show centered on all things weird and creepy, if you dare. [$10-$20, South Philly]
🇮🇹 Italian Market Fest | Through Sunday | 11 a.m.
Bring the whole family to 9th Street for the Italian Market Festival, featuring live music, arts and crafts, cornhole games, and plenty of food. Oh, and there’s a greased pole climbing contest! [pay-as-you-go, Bella Vista]
- Philly loves climbing greased poles 🎧
💗Magic Gardens Art Tour | Through July 16 | Various times
Head to Magic Gardens and go behind-the-scenes of Isaiah Zagar’s mosaic pieces in South Philly. The tour highlights the folk art store Eye’s Gallery, Isaiah’s current studio, a former rental property, and more. [free, South Philly]

Where Is It?

Last week, I posted this photo of a vibrant, floral mural and asked you where it’s located. Hey Philly reader Sonya L. was right. Faysal Adger painted this music-themed mural on the side of The Fillmore in Fishtown.

I found this cool piece of artwork recently and had to take a picture. Can you tell me what street this mural is on? If you get it right, you have the chance to submit a photo for next week 🤗

Today on City Cast
Election Debrief, Philly's Jailbreakers Caught & Loving Fairmount Park
It’s the Friday News Roundup! Host Trenae Nuri is joined by Chris Palmer, criminal justice and law enforcement reporter at the Philadelphia Inquirer, and Lauren Cristella, Interim President and Chief Operating Officer (COO) at The Committee of 70. We discuss how two men broke out of the Philadelphia Industrial Correctional Center, this week's historic primary election, and the Fairmount Park Conservancy’s Love Your Park Week.

Have a great weekend, friend!
- Brittany Valentine
Free · Daily