City Cast Philly
🥩 Your next cheesesteak may cost extra
July 25, 2025 · — Siani Colón
We made it to the weekend! And I’ve got big news for you, Philly.
On Monday, we’re officially launching City Cast Philly Neighbors — our brand-new membership program designed for folks like you who love this city and want to get even more from City Cast Philly.
For only $10 a month, City Cast Philly Neighbors will get great perks like invitations to members-only events, ad-free podcast listening, and a weekly roundup of Philly happenings. Plus, it’s the best way to support this daily newsletter so we can stick around for years to come.
Want to be one of the first in the neighborhood? You can become a founding member right now. We’d love to have you! 🧡
What's CITY Talking About?
🚲 Staying Safe on Philly Streets
In the same week that a driver was sentenced to a maximum of 20 years in prison for killing a CHOP doctor last year, yet another car crashed on Spruce Street in Center City. The dangers on Philly’s roads are angering commuters of all types who want to get around town safely. [🎧 City Cast Philly]
🥩 Do We Have To Eat Chicken Cheesesteaks Instead?
This city has so many great cheesesteak spots to choose from, but the iconic Philly sandwich could get costly. The average price of a pound of ground beef was $6.12 in June, up 12% from last year. [🎧 City Cast Philly, AP]
💧 How To Find Philly’s Public Amenities on the Go
Originally launched to help Philadelphians find drinking fountains, PHLASK has expanded to help you find the nearest bathroom, food pantry, or foraging spot. [Green Philly]
- Related: New to foraging? Here’s a guide to identifying useful plants and where to find them in Philly. [🎧 City Cast Philly]
🇺🇸 Philly Exhibits Under Scrutiny Amid Trump’s National Park Overhaul
Independence National Historic Park has flagged several displays that the Trump administration has deemed “corrosive ideology,” like references to slavery at the “President’s House” (where nine people were in fact enslaved by George Washington). [Axios]
💰 Feeling Antsy About SEPTA Cuts? Our State Legislature Isn’t
Last week’s reassurances that state budget negotiations were progressing have now faded, leaving services in the commonwealth in a funding limbo. While the school district figures out what to do with neither state funds nor SEPTA lines to get kids to schools, our legislators don’t even appear to be at work in Harrisburg to approve a budget that’s now 25 days late. [🎧 City Cast Philly, 🔒 The Inquirer]
Sponsored Content
North Philadelphia History Festival Transforms Historic Sites into Living Cultural Exhibits
The North Philadelphia History Festival is a cultural celebration of the African American and Puerto Rican communities in North Philadelphia. Across four days, historic sites along Ridge Avenue, North Broad Street and other locales will be transformed into living exhibits created by artists, historians, curators and other cultural workers. Learn more at scribe.org/nphf
Prove Your Weekly Philly News Knowledge
💥 Pop quiz time!
The Philadelphia Orchestra commenced celebrations for its 125th anniversary with a concert on July 23.
Test your knowledge on this and more Philly trivia by taking our quiz!
What To Do
Friday, July 25
- 🎒 Back-to-School Fair at Northern Children’s Services (Roxborough)
- 🎷 Jazz Night at 49th Street & Baltimore Avenue (Cedar Park)
- 🎤 Make the World Better Concert at FDR Park (South Philly)
- 💘 Pitch-a-Friend at Wissahickon Brewing Co. (East Falls)
- 🎭 Improv Comedy at Sawubona Creativity Project (East Passyunk)
- 🦁 “Mufasa” Screening at Bartram’s Garden (Kingsessing)
- 🛍️ Summer Sidewalk Sale along Germantown Avenue (Chestnut Hill)
- 💃 Queer Latin Night at Underground Arts (Callowhill)
- 🌙 Twilight in the Gardens at Magic Gardens (South Philly)
- 🎨 “Shake Your Yam” Exhibition Opening & Performance at Studio 34 (West Philly)
- 🛍️ Night Market at Life Do Grow Farm (North Philly)
- 🍺 Remote Worker Happy Hour at Indy Hall (Northern Liberties)
- 🐖 Summer Pig Roast at Other Half Brewing (Fishtown)
- 🎶 Sound Sessions at Our House Culture Center (Germantown)
- 🪴 Ceramic Planter Workshop at Plant and People (West Powelton)
Saturday, July 26
- 🎤 The Second City Anniversary Tour at Live! Casino (South Philly)
- 🎸 Faraquet at PhilaMOCA (Poplar)
- 🔍 Scavenger Hunt at Rittenhouse Square (Rittenhouse)
- 🩺 Community Health Fair at Sayre Health Center (Cobbs Creek)
- 🎶 Summer Sounds Concert at Spruce Street Harbor Park (Old City)
- 🪦 Sacred Spaces & Storied Spaces at Laurel Hill East (East Falls)
- 🎷 Jazz Jam at Studio 34 (West Philly)
- 🧘 The Art of Healing at One Art Community Center (Parkside)
- 🎨 Blockprinting Postcards at The Arts League (Spruce Hill)
- ❤️ All Love Block Party at West Philly Container Village (Parkside)
- 🏝️ Jabali Market: Island Vibes Jam at Maplewood Mall (Germantown)
- 🍽️ Knafeh Workshop at Naseeb Studio (South Philly)
- 🎞️ “Drop Dead Gorgeous” Screening at Philadelphia Film Society (Old City)
- 📖 Poetry is for Everyone at The Head & The Hand (East Kensington)
- 🛝 Dads at Play at Smith Memorial Playground (Fairmount Park)
- 🎛️ Surf Club at Fitler Club (Center City)
- 🍺 Smörgåsbeer at American Swedish Historical Museum (South Philly)
- 🎉 Millennial Day Party at the Barbary (Fishtown)
Sunday, July 27
- 🎤 Open Mic at Two Locals Brewing (University City)
- 🎶 Make the World Better Concert at FDR Park (South Philly)
- 🌿 Indigenous Plant Medicine at Bartram’s Garden (Kingsessing)
- 🧘 Storytelling through Yoga at Clark Park (Spruce Hill)
- 🎵 Record Release Show at Solar Myth (South Philly)
- 🧚 Felting Fairies Workshop at Cherry Street Pier (Old City)
- 🖼️ Artist Residency Closing Show at d’griot (Germantown)
- 🎨 Art Showcase at Sculpture Courtyard (Olde Kensington)
- 📖 Morning Storytime at the Head & the Hand (East Kensington)
- 🎉 KidStock Summer Festival at NLArts (Northern Liberties)
- 🍸 Yanaga Kappo Izakaya Pop-Up at Bar Palmina (Fishtown)
- 🏃🏾♀️ Ploggin’ the Streets at Plant and People (West Powelton)
🎶 Are you a musician or songwriter? The South Asian American Digital Archive needs your help creating a mixtape to tell the story of a hidden Philadelphia icon. Anyone based in Philly or with a strong Philly connection is welcome to participate. The application deadline is Aug. 17.
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