City Cast Philly
Your guide to Philly's indie bookstores
June 23, 2023
Happy Friday, neighbor. Summer is here, and it’s time to indulge in sweet treats. What is Philly’s best ice cream spot? Shoot me an email with your top picks and you might see your faves in an upcoming segment! 🍦
What's CITY Talking About?
🌻 Philly Regains Control of Community Gardens
The City will buy and reacquire 91 community gardens and green spaces for $1.1 million that are currently held by bank liens. In 1997, the city sold tax liens on 33,000 land parcels to U.S Bank for a vital cash infusion for the School District of Philadelphia. Their efforts failed, resulting in thousands of properties becoming privatized. This one-time investment will protect the gardens from potential sheriff sales. [PhillyVoice]
🚇 SEPTA Swears in New Officers
Amid a rise in violent crime on public transit, 21 new SEPA officers were sworn in this week and began patrolling the subways Wednesday. SEPTA’s budget allows for 194 officers, and this new class brings the total number to 178. SEPTA leadership expects to reach 194 officers bSey early next year. [Fox 29]
⚖️ Man Sentence for 2020 LOVE Park Sexual Assault
A Philadelphia Common Pleas Court Judge sentenced Quindell Campell to 13 to 40 years in prison. The 27-year-old Olney resident pleaded guilty to rape and aggravated assault and admitted to punching and knocking the then-41-year-old woman to the ground in LOVE Park in January 2020. District Attorney Larry Krasner applauded his staff and the police for their work and thanked the survivor for coming forward. [Inquirer 🔒]
📚 Philly’s Indie Bookstore Map
Philly artist Henry Crane created the first-ever Philadelphia Bookstore Map, featuring 46 of the city’s independent bookstores. Residents can pick up a free hand-printed map at any of the listed bookstores or Free Library branches. There’s also an interactive online map with a full list of the stores. Happy reading! [KYW News]
🥳 Free Summer Events in Philly
Living your best life this summer doesn’t have to mean breaking the bank. There’s an abundance of free and fun things to do all over Philly, and we’ve got the ultimate event roundup to keep your soul and wallet happy all season. [City Cast Philly 🎧]
What To Do
🎨 Art After Dark | Friday | 7 p.m.
Bring a blanket, snacks, and drinks to Magic Gardens for a picnic. Enjoy live music and a guided craft workshop. [$16-$25, South Philly]
🎉 Caribbean Heritage Day | Saturday | 10 a.m.
Join Reading Terminal Market for cultural performances, outdoor vendors, and cooking demos from Chef Careda Matthews. [pay-as-you-go, Center City]
🥳 Resource Fair | Saturday | 11 a.m.
Bring the family to Fairmount Park and enjoy face painting, raffle prizes, food, music, and more. [free, West Philly]
🎉 Hispanic Fiesta | Saturday | 2 p.m.
Head to Penn’s Landing Great Plaza for music, dance, entertainment, and crafts from nearly all Latin American countries. [pay-as-you-go, Penn’s Landing]
🎺 Jazz on the Green | Saturday | 3 p.m.
Enjoy live jazz performances at Fisher Park. [free, Olney]
🌸 Midsommarfest | Saturday | 4 p.m.
Join the American Swedish Historical Museum to celebrate the midsommar festival. Enjoy folk music, dancing, and family activities. [$5, South Philly]
🍻 Ale Fest | Saturday | 7 p.m.
Head to the Philadelphia Zoo for specialty brews, live entertainment, food trucks, and more. Register online first. [$45-95, West Philly]
🛍️ Art Star Market | Sunday | 11 a.m.
Shop from 20 local craft vendors at the Northern Liberties Community Center. [pay-as-you-go, NoLibs]
💃🏽 Drag Brunch | Sunday | 12 p.m.
Join Cantina Dos Segundos for a drag brunch hosted by Nikita Sinn Monroe. [$25, NoLibs]
🎉 Summer Bash | Sunday | 2 p.m.
Bring the family to Brauhaus Schmitz for face painting, sidewalk chalk art, water balloons, a bounce house, live music, and more. [pay-as-you-go, South Philly]
🖼️ Arts Festival | Through Sunday | 11 a.m.
Hit up Main Street for a two-day festival celebrating fine arts and crafts from across the country. [pay-as-you-go, Manayunk]
🐲 Chinese Lantern Festival | Through Aug 13 | 6 p.m.
Marvel at new lantern displays at Franklin Square Park, and enjoy live cultural performances, authentic Asian cuisine, and drinks from the Dragon Beer Garden. [$14-$25, Center City]
Where Is It?
Last week, I shared this photo of a gorgeous mural and asked you to locate it. Shout out to Hey Philly readers Ceddy, Shannon, and Kim for getting it right! “Philadelphia Muses” is on 13th and Locust.
Shannon submitted this photo of a Philly-themed heart mosaic. Have you seen this one? Tell me where it is and you can choose next Friday’s photo.
Today on City Cast
Keeping Roosevelt Boulevard Speed Cameras, Minimum Wage Bill, and New Philly Landmarks
It’s the Friday news roundup! Host Trenae Nuri is joined by Maggie Mancini, staff writer at Philly Voice, and Kimberly Haas, staff writer at Hidden City. They discuss speed cameras on Roosevelt Boulevard, the Pennsylvania House bill to raise the state minimum wage, and new landmarks added to the Philadelphia Register of Historic Places.
Have a lovely weekend, friend 💛
- Brittany Valentine
Free · Daily