City Cast Philly
🍽️ Why it’s hard to get a dinner reservation in Philly
November 7, 2025 · — Siani Colón
Good morning, Philly! After reading this email, be sure to step outside and get some fresh air. You never know who or what you might run into out there, like these green animal sculptures appearing around the city.
What's CITY Talking About
🚍 SEPTA Workers To Remain on the Job Amid Contract Talks
The contract for SEPTA’s largest employee union expires today, yet another challenge in what has been an intense year for the transit agency. Transit Workers Local 234 is looking for a new two-year deal and higher wages. A strike isn’t on the table at the moment. [🎧 City Cast Philly]
🍽️ Scalpers Are Now Ruining Your Dinner Plans
It’s hard enough to get concert tickets these days due to online scalpers, but now reselling restaurant reservations is a part of the game, resulting in no-shows and lost revenue. City Council is considering a bill that would crack down on the practice by requiring explicit permission from restaurants to resell reservations and issuing $1,000 fines per violation. [Axios]
💻 Penn Grapples With Fallout After Security Breach
After last week’s email breach at Penn, university officials say that systems have been restored. But the implications from the hackers supposedly accessing data from more than a million people remains unclear. Here’s what you can do to keep your digital life secure. [Technical.ly]
🐶 New Social Spot for Dogs and Humans Opens in Manayunk
Not all public spaces are accessible to dogs, but a new bar is looking to change that. Fetch Park, located in the former Bark Social in Manayunk, will have a play area for dogs while human patrons can enjoy Southern-style food and craft cocktails inside. [🎧City Cast Philly, NBC10]
- Related: Here are some other dog-friendly spots to take your pup in the city. [📝 City Cast Philly]
🎽 Races and Parades To Close Off City Streets
Several roads will be closed in the Center City area for the next three days due to the Rocky Run tomorrow, the Philadelphia Veterans Parade on Sunday, and the Marine Corps Birthday Block Party on Monday. Find all road closures and SEPTA detours here. [Office of Special Events]
- Related: If you missed the deadline to register for the Rocky Run, here are some tips to prepare you for the next big race in the city. [🎧 City Cast Philly]
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How Well Do You Know Philly?
This week on City Cast Philly, we talked about Philly’s architectural styles. Now, see how familiar you are with the styles that make up our city in today’s quiz.
Test your knowledge of these city streets 🏘️
What To Do
Friday, Nov. 7
- 🎷 Jazz Night at Settlement Music School (Queen Village)
- 🦪 Sweet Amalia Happy Hour at Vetri Community Partnership (Poplar)
- 💘 Pitch-a-Friend at Wissahickon Brewing Co. (Olde Kensington)
- 🛍️ The Art Within Us Night Market at The Jane Gallery (Old City)
- 🎶 Agata’s Cantata at Philadelphia Episcopal Cathedral (University City)
- 📖 Author Talk: “Too Poor to Die” at MAAS Building (Olde Kensington)
- 🛼 Philly Fall Skate Bash at Philly Skateplex (Somerton)
- 🔊 Hip-Hop Night: Sip n’ Shop at Urban Exchange Project (Fishtown)
- 🥁 Taiko Drumming at Christ Church Neighborhood House (Old City)
Saturday, Nov. 8
- 🌶️ Chili Cookoff at Star|Bolt (Fishtown)
- 🎉 Peoplehood Parade beginning at Paul Robeson House (West Philly)
- 🩺 Disease & Public Health Tour at Fairmount Water Works (Fairmount)
- 🛍️ The Thrift Project at MaKen Studios North (Harrowgate)
- 🖼️ At This Table: Exhibition Opening at Parkway Central Library (Logan Square)
- 🧇 Waffles & Wine Art Show at OCJAC (Old City)
- 🎭 Hansel & Gretel: A Philly Kid Opera Jawn at Olivet Covenant Presbyterian Church (Fairmount)
- 💀 Día de los Muertos Celebration at Open Kitchen Sculpture Garden (Norris Square)
- 🥊 Union Fights at 2300 Arena (South Philly)
- 🛍️ Makers Market at Elfreth’s Alley (Old City)
- 🎪 2nd Hand Circus Scrap Night at Thunderbird Hall (Kensington)
- 🎨 Olney Youth Arts Festival at Thurgood Marshall Elementary School (Olney)
Sunday, Nov. 9
- 🎨 Bring Your Own Craft at Faceclock Gallery (Norris Square)
- 🍰 “Anytime Cakes” Book Launch & Cake Party at The Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History (Old City)
- 👟 Tour of Tourison beginning at Lovett Memorial Library (Mt. Airy)
- 🎻 Philly Pops String Ensemble at Church of St. William (Lawncrest)
- 👖 Wardrobe Reset Style Class at Perfectly Flawless (Germantown)
🔊 Yesterday, we talked about how Philly talks. But how does Philly sound? One Northeast Philly resident is answering that question through ASMR TikToks. Turns out there’s a lot of everyday sounds making up the soundtrack of our city, for better or for worse.
While you’re out this weekend, let us know what sights and sounds are capturing your attention in the city!
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