🌷 Your guide to Philly in May

🚍 Final Plan for Bus Revolution

SEPTA has released its last Bus Revolution proposal. The transit agency’s board is expected to consider it for a vote at its May 23 meeting. [WHYY]

• You can find maps of and info about the proposed changes here. [SEPTA Bus Revolution]

🚏 New Intercity Bus Stop Proposal (Again)

The pickup/dropoff site for Greyhound and other intercity buses may shift to a PPA-run garage in Old City later this year. A neighborhood group has already formed to oppose the proposal. [Billy Penn]

• What’s up with all the commercial bus stop drama in Philly? Here’s some context. [City Cast Philly 🎧]

🗳️ District 10 Election Updates

West Philly state Rep. Amen Brown declared victory and challenger Cass Green conceded in a tight Pa. House primary race earlier this week. As of yesterday afternoon, Green trailed Brown by 50 votes with an estimated 99% of votes tallied — but the Associated Press had yet to call a winner. [Inquirer 🔒]

Ah, springtime! During May, we’re in the thick of the warm-but-not-too-warm season, and in Philly, there’s so much you can do at this time of year. To help you fill in your calendar, here’s our monthly guide to the best activities and events in the city.

😋 Eat Your Heart Out at a Festival

Whether you’re seeking new foods to try, the chance to shop at local vendors, or a feeling of togetherness with the community, street festivals are the place to be.

🍽️ Or, Dine at a Restaurant

We’ve got our eye on the new Mamajuana Cafe location in Fishtown … and the all-month Mi Madre menu (h/t to Philly Mag) at El Chingon in South Philly. Mother’s Day doesn’t have to just be one day!

🚶 Join a Walking Group

May is the perfect time to take advantage of all the free and low-cost fun Philly parks have to offer, and the We Walk PHL program is just one of them. Starting May 1, walking groups meet weekly (or more often) in green spaces across the city for free, one-hour walks. Find out which walking group is closest to you on the Fairmount Park Conservancy’s website.

👟 Go to the Broad Street Run — Even if You’re Not Running

Even if you didn’t manage (or didn’t try) to score a bib, you can soak in the fun, celebratory vibes and support the runners as a spectator at this classic Philly race on May 5. The catch: It starts at 7:30 a.m., so you’ll have to drag yourself out of bed on a Sunday morning. 🥱

🚣 Go Boating and Fishing … for Free!

Feeling drawn to water as the warm weather sets in? Bartram’s Garden is hosting free boating days every Saturday starting May 11, no registration required. In FDR Park, you can learn to fish for free on Wednesday evenings or enjoy some time on the water at a free community boating day (May 4 and 11).

🎧 Listen to the City Cast Philly podcast for more tips on how to make the most of these activities, from the best places to watch the Broad Street Run to what you need to do to get anytime access to the kayaks at Bartram’s Garden.

Welcome back to “Where Is It,” the weekly segment where I show you a piece of public art from somewhere in Philadelphia, and you tell me where you can find it.

Last week, I asked you to find Dr. J, a challenge submitted by Hey Philly reader Kavya U.:

This mural lives in West Poplar at 1234 Ridge Ave., at the Green Street intersection. California-based mural portraitist Kent Twitchell painted it in 1990, purposefully showing former Sixers player Julius Erving in a business suit (instead of a basketball uniform) to emphasize his status as a role model.

According to Mural Arts Philadelphia, this mural impressed many when it debuted and was influential in shifting public opinion about the mural program as a whole.

This might be a “Where Is It” record, at least for this calendar year — congrats to the 29 Hey Philly readers who guessed the answer right! Due to space constraints, I’m shouting out just the first 10 who responded: Keisha N., Joyce D., Kennan M., Mark H., Brian M., Tammy R., Kerry A., Carolyn M., Yvette C., and Jeannie M.

Now, onto this week’s challenge, which was submitted by Hey Philly reader Ellen T.:

Where can you find this mural? Let me know here, or send me an email.

Your Guide to May in Philly

We’re SO over the April showers. It’s time for some sun and outdoor fun in Philly! On this episode of the City Cast Philly podcast, you’ll hear our best tips for enjoying May food festivals, plus four free activity recommendations you won’t find elsewhere, and even more things to do, both outdoors and in.