City Cast Philly
🏘️ Where do Philly neighborhoods get their names?
July 28, 2025 · — Siani Colón
Good morning, Philly! Drum roll please 🥁 Today we’re launching City Cast Philly Neighbors — our brand-new membership program for folks like you who love this city and want to see it thrive.
City Cast Philly Neighbors get great perks that you can read about below. But more than that, becoming a Neighbor means investing in the work we do — spotlighting the local conversations shaping our neighborhoods, and the neighbors dedicated to making our city better.
If City Cast Philly is part of your daily routine, this is your chance to help make it happen — and get some cool perks!
Oh, did I mention we’ve got totes? Anyone who becomes a City Cast Philly Neighbor this week is getting an extra special tote as a thank you for supporting our work. 🫶
What's CITY Talking About?
🏠 What’s in a Name?
Philly is home to over 100 neighborhoods, but not everyone is in agreement on what their neighborhoods are called. What do you call where you live and how well do you know its history? Play along as we get quizzed on neighborhood names and dive into why certain parts of Philly are called what they are. [🎧 City Cast Philly]
🛣️ How Infrastructure Spending Is Delaying the Budget
One reason why SEPTA funding is in limbo as the state budget remains in a deadlock is because of PA’s aging roads. Top Republicans want repairs and expansions of roadways and bridges if they’re gonna send us money for our buses and trains. [🎧 City Cast Philly, Spotlight PA]
🚗 H8URPL8: PA’s New Banned Vanity Plates
If you have a cheeky idea for a personalized license plate, it’s not guaranteed PennDOT will approve it. A new list of rejected plates includes “FAFO,” “H8 KIDS,” and a bunch of digs at Elon Musk. [🎧 City Cast Philly, Axios]
🤍 Crime Scene Cleanup Program Aims To Expand
The remnants of a crime scene are traumatic to see and oftentimes, victims or their loved ones are left to scrub it all up. A cleanup initiative in the 25th and 26th police districts has been taking that emotional burden off of Philadelphians, and is now looking to expand across the city. [The Trace]
🗳️ Does Philly Have Its Own Zohran Mamdani?
New York’s mayoral race has drawn national attention in part because it may be an indication of what voters are looking for from the Democratic Party during Trump 2.0. So with Congressman Dwight Evans’ imminent retirement, could there be a contender that would shake up Philly’s Democratic machine? [The Download]
What To Do
Monday, July 28
- 💃 Cumbia Dance Class at Capitolo Playground (Passyunk Square)
- 🍽️ Kalaya x Stock Pop-Up Dinner at Bastia (Fishtown)
- 🚑 Red Cross Ready & CPR Class at Chestnut Hill Library (Chestnut Hill)
- 🎤 Shanice at City Winery (Center City)
Tuesday, July 29
- 🎶 Kesha at The Mann Center (Fairmount Park)
- 🎲 Game Night at the Athenaeum of Philadelphia (Center City)
- 🎷 Jazz-Funk-Soul Concert Series at Morris Estate Recreation Center (West Oak Lane)
- 📝 The Writing Room at Iffy Books (Southwest Center City)
- 📖 Book Club Series at Haraz Coffee House (University City)
- 🍦 Bassett Ice Cream Pop-Up at Hip City Veg (Rittenhouse)
I’ll be back in your inbox tomorrow morning with more of what Philly’s talking about. In the meantime, won’t you become a City Cast Philly Neighbor? Your support fuels this newsletter and helps me share with you the best that Philly has to offer. 🧡
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