City Cast Philly
⚖️ Germantown business owner faces deportation
August 1, 2025 · — Siani Colón
Hey, Neighbors! We made it — today’s the final day of our campaign launching City Cast Philly Neighbors! 🎉
It’s been amazing and fulfilling to see so many of you step up to support the work we do each day. We’re all coming together to do one thing: Make this city feel more like a neighborhood.
Becoming a City Cast Philly Neighbor helps us keep this thing going. By helping you feel more connected, informed, and in on the local conversation, we can help make our city a better place to live.
If you want to be part of this community, this is your last chance to become a founding member for just $10/month (and get that City Cast Philly Neighbors tote.)
What's CITY Talking About?
📰 Shooting at Philly Recreation Center Injures 5
Residents are reeling after a gunman opened fire outside Christy Rec Center in West Philly on Wednesday. Five people were shot, including two 16-year-olds, an 11-year-old, and a 10-year-old. Take a deeper dive into the incident, plus other news from the week, on the podcast's Friday News Roundup. [🎧 City Cast Philly]
🚧 Ongoing Market Street Construction Is Hurting Business
The sidewalk closures along East Market Street have made it difficult to get around. With additional roadwork forthcoming, business owners are concerned about worsening foot traffic and its financial impact. But the construction is intended to ultimately make this strip of Old City more pedestrian friendly. [Billy Penn]
💡 Need Help With Those Energy Bills?
With energy costs on the rise, PECO is stepping in with a relief fund to help customers struggling to pay their bills. [Spotlight PA, KYW]
⚖️ Germantown Cafe Owner Facing Deportation
Barely a year into opening his business in Germantown, Das Good Cafe owner Anou Vongbandith is at risk of losing it all. Now his family is trying to stop his deportation to Laos, a country he has not lived in for 45 years. [Germantown Info Hub]
Poll Time: What Do City Cast Philly Neighbors Do for Fun?
It’s been just a few days since we launched our City Cast Philly Neighbors membership campaign, and we’re feeling the love! We want you to know that we care about you right back and value what you have to say. That said…
Whether you’re currently a City Cast Philly Neighbor or considering it, we want to know what you think. Take our poll or let us know if you have other ideas.
What To Do
Friday, Aug. 1
- 🎂 Cakes & Candles at Paddy Whacks Irish Sports Pub (Ashton-Woodenbridge)
- ☕ Coffee Workshop at La Colombe (Fishtown)
- 🎸 Funk-Rock Experience at Imperfect Gallery (Germantown)
- 🛍️ Indonesian Night Market at Pax Center (Melrose)
- 👨🍳 Cooking Demos at American Vegan Center (Old City)
- 🧵 Craft Supply Swap at Elektra Vintage (Old City)
- 🧙♀️ Moonlight Movie: “Wicked” at Mt. Airy Playground (Mt. Airy)
- 🖼️ First Friday at the Barnes Foundation (Logan Square)
- 🎨 First Friday at Cherry Street Pier (Old City)
- 🛼 Rollerskating at 5209 Parkside Ave. (Parkside)
- 🍿 Screening: “The Goonies” at Clark Park (Spruce Hill)
- 🎶 Music Night at El Chingón (Fishtown)
- 🎨 Philly of the Phuture Art Exhibition at The Space Lab (Headhouse Square)
Saturday, Aug. 2
- 🫐 Fruit Walk at FDR Park (South Philly)
- 📝 Junk Journal Club at 915 Spring Garden (West Poplar)
- 📽️ Street Movies at Masjidullah (West Oak Lane)
- 🚲 Free Bike Rentals at Bartram’s Garden (Kingsessing)
- 🧘 Yoga & Cleanup at Malcolm X Park (West Philly)
- 🎶 Sonic Sunsets Concert & Tour at Christ Church Burial Ground (Old City)
- 🔍 Zoo Done It? at the Philadelphia Zoo (West Fairmount Park)
- 🎵 Vinyl Block Party at Repo Records (Queen Village)
- 🎤 An Afternoon of Operetta at Ebenezer Maxwell Mansion (Germantown)
- 🍲 Peoplehood Dreaming Potluck at Spiral Q’s Warehouse (East Parkside)
- 👖 Upcycle Fest at Glen Fored (Torresdale)
- ⚾ Philly Sandlot Baseball at Gambrel Playground (Frankford)
- ✍️ Letter Writing Project at Drexel Writers Room (University City)
- 🚣 Southeast Asian Water Festival at FDR Park (South Philly)
- 🎸 School of Rock Block Party at Evil Genius Beer Co. (Fishtown)
Sunday, Aug. 3
- 🍰 Cake Decorating Class at Love City Brewing (Callowhill)
- 🎉 Day Party at Two Locals Brewing (University City)
- 🎂 Cake Picnic at Penn Treaty Park (Fishtown)
- 🛍️ Sunday Market at High Point (Mt. Airy)
- 🎶 Goo Goo Dolls at the Mann Center (West Fairmount Park)
- 🐐 Summer Garden Goat Stroll at Awbury Arboretum (Germantown)
- 📽️ Blackstar Film Festival (Final Day) at multiple locations (Center City)
- 😄 Comedy Show at City Winery (Center City)
- 🎉 2nd Street Festival between Girard & Spring Garden Streets (Northern Liberties)
- 📖 Book Swap at Encanto Kicks & Coffee (Fishtown)
- 💬 Honoring Rev. Dr. King’s Legacy at Plant and People (West Powelton)
- 🐖 Pig Roast at PHS Pop-Up Garden (Manayunk)
- 💻 Website Club at Iffy Books (Southwest Center City)
- 💃 All Levels Bachata at People’s Gallery Project (Center City)
- 🇮🇪 Irish Melodies at Bridget Foy’s (Queen Village)
- 🖼️ Community Canvas Opening Reception at 3rd Street Gallery (Queen Village)
- 🌿 Natural Dyes Workshop at Brewerytown Garden (Brewerytown)
🎥 What’s Quinta Brunson cooking up next? At San Diego’s Comic-Con, Quinta teased that “Abbott Elementary” will be filming a live event in Philly for the upcoming season.
Events bring us together, which is why members-only events are one of our exclusive perks if you become a City Cast Philly Neighbor. You also get an opportunity to shout out your fave local business or nonprofit, and we’ll send you that extra special tote.
This is my last chance to convince you to become a member so you can enjoy these perks and more. What are you waiting for? Join now!
P.S. A BIG thanks to Christine H., Amy G., Arindam B., Peter C., Ee D., Megan L., Daniel Z., Jena O., Mandy B., Troy T., Kyle P., Laurie M., Claire D., Chris V., Darren M., Russell R., and Michal G. for stepping up to support this newsletter. Welcome to the neighborhood! 🥳
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