🎲 Monopoly adds a space for Philly

💨 Philly Flunks in Air Quality Rating

Hitting the trails is a good opportunity to get some fresh air, which can be hard to come by in Philly. The American Lung Association ranked us 26th on a list of 200 metro areas with the worst air quality in the nation. Freelance writer Jordan Teicher explains why it got so bad, how it’s impacting our health, and what we can do about it. [🎧 City Cast Philly]

• Related: Here’s how to make your own air purifier. [📝 Hey Philly]

🏫 Returning Program Supports School District Parents

The School District of Philadelphia isn’t just educating our kids. It has relaunched Parent and Family University, which provides online classes, physical and mental health information, and resources for parents to support children’s learning. [Chalkbeat]

• Related: Superintendent Tony Watlington vowed to bring back the program as part of the district’s strategic plan. Here’s what else is in Watlington’s vision for the school district. [🎧 City Cast Philly]

🎲 Bankrupt All Your Friends in a Philly-Themed Monopoly

A competitive game of Monopoly just got more personal. The classic Atlantic City-inspired board game is making a Philly edition and wants the public’s help making the squares. What local landmarks should be in Philly’s board? And if the Boardwalk is the most expensive property in traditional Monopoly, what’s the Philly equivalent? [Billy Penn]

🍽️ Local Restaurants Among Best in U.S.

Getting reservations at Kalaya, Friday Saturday Sunday, and Royal Sushi and Izakaya may get harder, and rightfully so. These three local restaurants were honored as one of North America’s 50 Best Restaurants at an awards ceremony in Las Vegas. [Eater]

• Related: These restaurants are also among 76 essential restaurants to dine at in Philly. [🎧 City Cast Philly]

Cooking is an essential skill that keeps you nourished and brings company around your table. One festival is combining a love for food and books to empower chefs, authors, and everyday cooks.

“Cookbooks and Convos,” presented by Sisterly Love Collective, is a culinary celebration of women in the hospitality industry. Occurring during National Cookbook Month, its events are centered around author talks, cooking demonstrations, and dinner parties.

“We're just really excited about the different types of events,” said Ellen Yin, co-founder of Sisterly Love Collective and High Street Hospitality Group. “Some of them are beverage-driven, some are food-driven, some are baking, some are savory. There's something for everyone.”

Finding Camaraderie in Dark Times

In the summer of 2020, restaurateurs Yin, Jennifer Carroll, and Jill Webber were inspired by Let’s Talk Womxn to co-found a Philly-focused group helping women restaurant owners work through their struggles in community. A report from the National Bureau of Economic Research had found that businesses owned by women were disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sisterly Love Collective members aided each other in navigating indoor dining policies, learning where to get supplies, and finding financial relief. Later the group evolved into hosting events, beginning with the Sisterly Love Food Fair, which visited women-owned restaurants across Philadelphia neighborhoods. As time went on the collective expanded to include early entrepreneurs whose work related to the food industry.

“It's been a great journey of just trying to figure out how to make sure that the door is open for women,” Yin said.

Why Cookbooks?

The in-person events built a sense of community at a time when face-to-face interactions were limited. One event the group hosted was Sunday Supper, hosted by cookbook author Lisa Donovan. That event stirred nostalgia for “The Cook and the Book,” a Philadelphia food series that took place from 1984 to 2007.

“It was a great feeling to have somebody from the outside come into your kitchen and bring life into it, bring a different perspective,” Yin said. “The community was really into it and it was an event that was successful for 20-some years and we all just felt like it was greatly missed.”

That sparked a new version for the annual festival, with its modern spin highlighting women and bringing programming across the city. “Cookbooks & Convos” launched its first iteration in 2023, spotlighting renowned cookbook authors.