📍 How to spend a day in Lancaster, PA

Two Philly Legislators Resign

Special elections will be held Sept. 17 to replace Democratic state Reps. Donna Bullock and Stephen Kinsey, who both resigned this week. Kinsey had previously announced his intent to retire, while Bullock was recently chosen to be CEO of the nonprofit Project HOME. [Pennsylvania Capital-Star]

Joe ‘Jellybean’ Bryant Passes Away

The Philadelphian, former 76ers player, La Salle coach, and father of the late Kobe Bryant has died at age 69. [PhillyVoice]

Unannounced Kensington Sweeps

So far this summer, Kensington has seen two surprise multiblock shutdowns as police and city workers towed unregistered vehicles, cleaned vacant lots, and seized stolen cars. [Inquirer 🔒]

Free Period Products for Some PA Schools

It’s TBD which schools will be eligible and how they can apply, but this year’s state budget is allocating $3 million toward providing free menstrual products for students. [Spotlight PA]

• Wondering what else made it into the state budget, and what it all means for Philly? Here’s a breakdown. [City Cast Philly 🎧]

ICYMI: Approval for Spruce Hill Historic District

Almost four decades after a community group initially proposed the idea, the Philadelphia Historical Commission okayed the formation of a historic district in southeast Spruce Hill. [West Philly Local]

Welcome back to our weekly public art geolocation challenge!

Last week, I asked you to tell me the location of this mural, which was submitted by Hey Philly reader Antonina A.:

This mural, located at 21st and Ludlow Streets in Center City (between Market and Chestnut), is called “One World, A Monument to the Diaspora.”

The original version of it was painted in 2010 by artist Ann Northrup and a group of community members on the Independence Charter School building at 16th and Lombard. Inspired by a student-operated fruit market, the mural depicts “an international marketplace in diverse ecosystems, with vignettes of people from countries including Nigeria, Bangladesh, and Mexico,” according to Mural Arts Philadelphia.

When the school was expanding its building a few years ago in a way that threatened to block the full mural, a team worked to find a new location and re-create the mural there. The new 46-and-a-half-foot by 30-foot mural was dedicated in September 2022.

Shoutout to the Hey Philly readers who recognized the location: Laurie B., Bettie K., Evan C., Chris W., and Lexy M.!

Now, for this week’s challenge, brought to you by Hey Philly reader Elaine G.:

So … where is it? You know the drill: Submit your guess here, or by replying to this email. Remember, we’re using the honor system, so please refrain from looking the answer up on the internet.

If you’re looking to get away from Philly for a day but still want to spend your time in a city with walkable streets, delicious food, and lots of local character, you might enjoy a trip to Lancaster.

The City of Lancaster is located in the heart of Pennsylvania Dutch Country, and the train ride from Philly takes just over an hour. While there’s a ton to do across the whole county, exploring the city itself can take up a full day on its own.

Here are a few suggestions for how you can spend your time. (Visit our website for the full guide.)

😋 Fooooooooooooood!

Lancaster’s vast and diverse food scene deserves its own article. (The New York Times literally wrote one in 2019!) In addition to Pennsylvania Dutch classics, you can find cuisines ranging from Uruguayan to Scandinavian to Middle Eastern.

You can wander the streets to find a storefront that looks appealing to you, or you can stop by the historic Central Market to get a snapshot of the local food scene all in one place. Make sure to visit on a day when the market is open: Tuesday, Friday, or Saturday. Just don’t expect air conditioning or a ton of indoor seating.

You can sample even more of Lancaster’s food scene a few blocks away from there at the more recently opened (and climate controlled) Southern Market, a food hall with lots of seating and a smaller — but still diverse — selection of vendors. My rec: The basil fried rice at Lemon Grass, a Thai and Hawaiian food vendor. Delicious!

🎨 Explore Local Art

Lancaster has an active arts community. You can catch a glimpse of some of the work that local artists produce by visiting the DeMuth Museum and the Lancaster Museum of Art, or browsing Gallery Row on Prince Street.

🛍️ + 🍷 + 🤓 + 🚆 For Recommendations on Shopping, History, Affordable Wine-Tasting, and How To Get There …

… continue reading on our website!

Finding Philly’s Best Pizza Pie

You can never go wrong with pizza! Where in the city can you find the most satisfying slice of pie? City Cast Philly podcast host Trenae Nuri and food contributor Dave Wez dish about their favorite spots.