📚 Check out Philly’s first bookstore crawl

🚗 Get Paid to Carpool

As part of the “Parent Flat Rate Program,” the School District of Philadelphia will pay parents $300 a month to drive their kids to and from school daily. The program seeks to reduce the number of students who rely on buses and combat a shortage of bus drivers. [WHYY]

📱State Police Social Media Ruling

The state Supreme Court ruled earlier this week that the Pennsylvania State Police must publicize its policy on monitoring social media for investigations. Advocates from the American Civil Liberties Union called the ruling a win for transparency. But the law enforcement agency insisted that disclosing its policy could make investigations less effective. The four Democratic state Supreme Court justices supported the decision, while the court’s two Republicans dissented. [PhillyVoice]

🚮 Philly Trashcan Upgrade

North Philadelphia just got 65 new BigBelly trash cans with upgraded technology. But some are skeptical that they will actually reduce litter. Residents have complained that this style of garbage can tends to overflow and can attract illegal dumping. “We need neighbors to not misuse the litter baskets and help to keep areas clean,” city spokesperson Keisha McCarty-Skelton told Billy Penn. [Billy Penn]

🚏 New Regional Rail Schedule

SEPTA’s Regional Rail lines will have new arrival and departure times beginning on Sunday, Aug. 27. The Wilmington/Newark line will see the biggest changes, in order to accommodate Amtrak bridge repairs in the Chester area. These changes will allow Regional Rail trains to maintain service at 75% of pre-pandemic levels, according to the transit agency. Riders can check online for a full list of updates. [NBC10]

🚙 Rejected PA Vanity Plates

Not all roads in Pennsylvania lead to getting a vanity plate green lit. Host Trenae Nuri chatted with City Cast Pittsburgh’s Megan Harris and Elizabeth Kauma to break down which phrases, acronyms or letter and number combinations get rejected, and why. [City Cast Philly 🎧]

🎥 Movie Night | Friday | 8 p.m.

Catch a screening of the animated film ‘Luca’ at Fernhill Park. BYO snacks, blankets, and chairs. [free, Germantown]

📚 Bookstore Crawl | Saturday | 12 p.m.

Explore Philly’s bookstore scene with signings, workshops, and giveaways at participating stores, including Iffy Books and Uncle Bobbie’s. [pay-as-you-go, citywide]

🏳️‍🌈 Philly Queer Flea | Saturday | 2 p.m.

Shop and sip at Mural City Wine Garden, featuring a lineup of LGBTQ+ vendors. Music by solar sounds. [pay-as-you-go, Fishtown]

🎉 Summer BBQ | Saturday | 2 p.m.

Head to MilkBoy for a pedestrian-only street festival featuring BBQ, food specials, live music, and local vendors. [pay-as-you-go, South Street]

🚲 Naked Bike Ride | Saturday | 5 p.m.

Join thousands of cyclists - clothed and unclothed - for the city’s annual bike ride focused on body positivity and fighting climate change. [free, location TBA]

🪩 Dance Party | Saturday | 10:30 pm.

Join Ortlieb’s for a ‘bejeweled’ Taylor Swift-themed party. [$7.17, Northern Liberties]

🤣 Comedy | Saturday & Sunday | Varies

Head to Helium Comedy Club for a standup show by Funny Marco. [$32-$42, Center City]

🐦 Bird Walk | Sunday | 8 a.m.

Join Pennypack on the Delaware for a guided bird walk. You can pick up a free birding backpack at these local library branches. [free, Holmesburg]

🍺 Parks On Tap | Through Sunday | Varies

Head to Matthias Baldwin Park for draft beers from Mainstay Independent Brewing, cocktails, appetizers, and sandwiches. [pay-as-you-go, Spring Garden]

🎺 Jazz Festival | Through Sunday | Varies

Enjoy performances by The Baylor Project, Jamison Ross and SNACKTIME at the Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing. [free, Penn’s Landing]

🦕 Jurassic Quest | Through Sunday | 9 a.m.

Explore the fascinating world of dinosaurs at the Philadelphia Expo Center. [$19-$36, Montgomery County]

Last week’s photo challenge was a tough one. This goofy piece of graffiti is hidden in an alleyway near 13th and Arch streets. Don’t worry, you have another chance to shine.

Can you tell me the location of this adorable panda mural? If you get it right, you can submit a photo for next week. (But feel free to send me pictures any time!)

Mayoral Campaign Plans, N. Philly Station Facelift, New Arena Opponents

It’s the Friday news roundup! Host Trenae Nuri talks with reporters Paul Schwedelson and Sean Collins Walsh about the plan to redevelop a five-acre area by the North Philly train station, what the city’s mayoral candidates have been doing this summer, and the design group opposing the 76ers stadium proposal.