☀️ What to do this August

🧑‍⚖️ Former Trump Lawyer Gets Lifetime Seat on Federal Court

Emil Bove, who represented President Trump in the criminal cases surrounding possession of classified documents and efforts to discredit the 2020 election, just got a big promotion. The 44-year-old attorney will serve on the Third Circuit Court of Appeals, which includes Philadelphia in its jurisdiction, despite allegations that as a Justice Department official he recommended flouting court orders on immigration.

[Politico]

🏠 Philly’s Historic Preservation Process Is a Boon to Some, Burden to Others

Philly’s historic districts give a neighborhood a sense of character, but that character can come at a cost. Some residents are voicing frustration at the regulations restricting changes to their homes’ exteriors and the hurdles to get approvals. Now, they’re trying to take the issue to court. [🔒 The Inquirer]

🀄 New Mahjong Clubhouse To Open Next Month in Philly

There are already a few places in the city where you can play table-top and card games, and now a new spot has joined Philly’s gaming ecosystem. Philly Mah-Jawn is embracing mahjong’s growing popularity and is opening an Old City clubhouse that will be home to tournaments. [📝 Hey Philly, Billy Penn]

🖼️ The Efforts To Save What UArts Abandoned

Work is underway to prepare the University of the Arts’ former buildings for new development, but the buildings are far from empty. Thunderbird Salvage is working to save artwork, books, and equipment for a pop-up sale with discounts and free gifts for former students. The thrift store is also helping the UArts community find artwork that was left behind. [Instagram]

• Related: Art isn’t the only thing being saved after UArts’ sudden closure. A small Vermont college saved the university’s dance program, which is expected to return to Philly for the 2026-2027 semester. [🎧 City Cast Philly]

Students are returning to school and workers are returning from vacations, but we still have over a month of the sunny season left. Now that August has arrived, here’s how you can get through the dog days of summer.

🕵️ Solve a Wild Mystery

Step back in time and solve this puzzling crime at the Philadelphia Zoo. Figure out “Zoo Done It?” on Aug. 2 for the chance to win flex passes to the Red Rum Theatre and other grand prizes. And if you miss out on this adventure, visit the zoo on Aug. 9 and Aug. 10 for African Culture Fest in partnership with Odunde.

🌊 One Last Summer Splash

If you still haven’t gone boating this summer, now is the time. The Southeast Asian Water Festival will have dragon boat races, cultural dances, and free community boating at the FDR Park Boathouse on Aug. 2 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

🏛️ Last Chance at These Galleries

Some exhibitions at Philly’s art institutions are completing their run.

Vox Populi’s “first, then, next, finally” poses the questions: “What can we gain from following the sequence? What can we find if we choose another route?” This concludes Aug. 3.

The clothes we wear and the accessories we hold are not just for utility but are outward expressions of who we are. Through Aug. 17, Fabric Workshop and Museum’s “Soft/Cover” highlights how artists uniquely use fabric and screenprinting to create day-to-day objects.

Navigate the in-between of presence and erasure in this William Villalongo exhibit at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts. Explore art and design shaped by war, politics, and culture in the 1940s at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. These exhibitions end Aug. 31 and Sept. 1, respectively.

Thursdays will look a bit different! Each week, our City Cast Philly Neighbors get to shout out their favorite local people, places, and things.

📣 Mark J. recommends eating at McMenamin’s Tavern in Mount Airy. Mark says it has “awesome food, great beer, fabulous staff. Wings are the best anywhere.”

Want to shout out your Philly faves? Become a Neighbor!