🌮 The best outdoor eateries in Philly

VP Harris to Meet with Labor Leaders in Philly

Philly is known as a union town, and Vice President Kamala Harris will visit on Tuesday to speak with labor leaders from across North America. Harris will also engage in a moderated discussion with Philadelphia’s service employees union, SEIU. Harris chairs the White House Labor Task Force, which recently announced a 20% increase in the number of unionized federal government employees over the past decade. [Inquirer 🔒]

Officials Admit to Shortcomings in Chemical Spill

“It’s bound to happen again, and we have to be ready,” said City Council member Anthony Phillips at a recent hearing criticizing the city’s communication and preparedness following the chemical spill along the Delaware River in March. Mike Carroll, a deputy managing director for the city, said officials will evaluate ways to improve the city's capacity to supply enough bottled water to residents whose tap water could be at-risk. [WHYY]

• Related: Should Philly worry about more chemical spills? Hear from an environmental reporter on Philly’s water infrastructure, and how it keeps your drinking water safe. [City Cast Philly 🎧]

School Board OKs Year-Round Schooling Pilot

The board unanimously approved the superintendent’s five-year improvement plan, including a program to try out year-round schooling in order to reduce school dropouts and increase graduation rates. But, some teachers oppose this concept. The pilot program won't start until the 2024 school year. [NBC Philadelphia]

Philly, You’ve Seen a Lot of Junkyard Fires

Plumes of smoke and the odor of burning trash and tires are unfortunate — and frequent — occurrences in the city. Philly saw two scrapyards burn last week alone. Billy Penn has compiled a list of the most recent junkyard fires, covering the past 12 months of combusting scrap piles and tire fires hitting the city. [BillyPenn]

After The Philadelphia Inquirer asked readers to help Philly design and vote for a new flag, Redditors have been engaging in a colorful debate on their favorite designs and whether the city even needs a new flag. Check out some highlights from that conversation:

Hoyarugby: “These are some nice looking flags. I love our blue and yellow color combo though, I think the base design of the columns should stay and the seal should just be updated. Still think the bell is the best but that turtle design is pretty sweet”

BobBombadil: “We aren’t Chicago - we don’t need a flag to be our ‘symbol’.”

Judgeman2021: “Just take our existing flag and remove the seal. The light blue and golden rod columns is a solid flag already.”

shawnwingsit: “Gritty. The flag redesign will need Gritty.”

All this begs the question, what makes for a “good” flag? We spoke with Alison McCook, an editor at The Philadelphia Inquirer and the descendant of the designer of Philly’s city flag, on why she thinks the current design is “terrible” and what we need for a memorable flag.

📽️ The Bankruptcy of Detroit | Monday | 6 p.m.

View a gripping film about Detroit’s slide into bankruptcy followed by a conversation with the director at the Comcast Technology Center. [Free, Logan Square]

🧘 Yoga on the Banks | Tuesday | 6 p.m.

Get into your downward dog stretch in the sunshine at this donation-based yoga class. [$5 - $20, Schuylkill Banks]

👯 Burlesque Dance Off | Wednesday | 9 p.m.

Head over to TABU to catch some burlesque pros and Philly Dance Fitness students competing in a strip-off. [$20, Gayborhood]

🎙️ Open Mic Night | Thursday | 8 p.m.

Listen to performers or get on stage and show the crowd your act at The Wine Garden. [Free, West Philly]

😆 Comedy and Magic Walking Tour | Friday | 3 p.m.

Experience a comedy-meets-magic walking tour of historic Philly led by an award-winning magician. The tour starts behind the Bourse Building. [$30, Old City]

Owning vs. Renting a Home in Philly

A new analysis by the online real estate brokerage company Redfin found that buying a home is slightly cheaper than renting in four U.S. metro areas: Philadelphia, Detroit, Cleveland, and Houston.

Podcast host Trenae Nuri talks with Michaelle Bond, residential real estate reporter for The Philadelphia Inquirer, about the pros and cons of buying or renting a home in Philly.