🍨 Philly’s best ice cream

🚔 Kensington Encampment Clearing Today

City workers are expected to start clearing encampments on Kensington Avenue today, asking people experiencing homelessness and drug users to leave the area and offering them access to social services. Mayor Cherelle Parker’s administration says it’s working on a long-term plan for policing and human services, but the timeline on that is unclear. [Billy Penn]

🏫 Jefferson Picks New President

Susan C. Aldridge, who’d been serving as interim president of Thomas Jefferson University since last summer, has been chosen for the permanent job — making her the first woman to hold the position. The post opened up last year after the former president came under scrutiny for liking tweets questioning COVID vaccines and subsequently resigned. [Inquirer 🔒]

🏈 Museum of Sports Effort in the Works

Organizers, led in part by former Philly sports exec Lou Scheinfield, are looking to raise money to build a Philadelphia Museum of Sports at the South Philly sports complex by 2026 or 2027. Investors have reportedly committed $2 million toward what’s expected to be a $10–$12 million project. [Business Journal 🔒]

🔥 Phillies on a Winning Streak

Our MLB team is on its third-longest home winning streak in the past 40 years. Out of the Phillies’ last 21 games, they’ve won 18. [Sports Illustrated]

• Heading to Citizens Bank Park any time soon? Here’s our guide to a great day at the ballpark. [Hey Philly]

It’s time for our weekly public art location challenge!

Last week, I asked you to guess the location of this mural, submitted by Hey Philly reader Ellen T.:

You can find this painting on the side of Mack’s Hair Studio, a barber shop located at 10th and Manning Streets in Washington Square West.

Congrats to Tori C. for guessing the correct location!

Now, onto this week’s street art, captured by yours truly:

Where is it? Here’s a hint — you may have passed this corner if you’ve been to a neighborhood I recently explored in this newsletter 👀 No Googling! Send your guess here or by email.

Washington Square West is an area with lots to talk about. Among other things, this piece of Center City is home to lots of Penn Medicine and Jefferson Health buildings, the Jewelers’ Row District, the Gayborhood, and a piece of a national park.

Where can you go and what can you do if you plan to visit this neighborhood? We’ve got a starter guide.

🍽️ Eat and Drink

Washington Square West is awash with restaurants and cafes to the point where it’s kind of overwhelming. Here’s a non-comprehensive list of spots that my team and I think are solid:

• ☕ Habitat Coffee House has an interesting tea list, a nice mix of indoor and outdoor seating, and speedy WiFi.
• 🥯 Knead Bagels and Munchies Cafe are breakfast go-tos for City Cast Philly host Trenae Nuri.
• 🥟 City Cast Philly executive producer Laura Benshoff can vouch for Sampan, which serves modern Asian cuisine, and its bustling happy hour.
• 🌮 Hi Lo Taco Co. impressed me with its handmade tortillas and wide variety of a la carte taco options.

🎨 Appreciate Literature and the Arts

Lovers of language can drop by Giovanni’s Room — the oldest surviving LGBT bookstore in the country — to browse a nice selection of used books, or stop by Fergie’s Pub on Wednesdays for poetry events hosted by Moonstone Arts Center. (If you stay at Fergie’s later into the night, you can also enjoy some free comedy!)

For Even More To Do in Washington Square West…

Visit our website!

The Best Ice Cream, Water Ice, and Gelato in Philly

You may have heard Mister Softee’s signature jingle coming from a truck in your neighborhood … because it’s ice cream season! So where (else) can you find a nice, cold treat? City Cast Philly podcast host Trenae Nuri and food contributor Dave Wez, creator of Feeding Time TV, share their favorite spots for ice cream, water ice, and other frozen treats.