🚆 Expect hours-long waits leaving World Cup

Moore College To Begin Accepting Men

The nation’s first art and design college for women will begin enrolling students of all genders in the next academic year. The closures of art education institutions such as the University of the Arts were among the reasons for the change. [CBS Philly]

Parker’s Proposed Hotel Tax Begins To Crumble

Mayor Parker wanted to reduce her hotel tax plan and implement a 6% hike on Airbnb rentals instead, but now neither tax plan is likely to move forward anytime soon. Tax increases need approval from Harrisburg, and state lawmakers aren’t eager to do such things in an election year. With that, City Council is postponing a vote. [🎧 City Cast Philly, 🔒 The Inquirer]

How Opera Philadelphia Bounced Back

When Opera Philadelphia director Anthony Roth Costanzo took the reins in 2024, the company had 12 weeks to fundraise $4 million or shut down entirely. Since then, it’s managed to attract new attendees through Pick Your Price ticketing, with 60% of this season’s attendees being first-time ticket buyers. Looking ahead to the upcoming season, Costanzo hopes to maintain momentum while blending fresh and traditional ideas. [🎧 City Cast Philly, 🔒 The New York Times]

Get Ready To Wait on the Way Back From World Cup

If you were lucky enough to score a ticket to one of the matches, I hope you’re not in a rush to get home. SEPTA warns that because it can only handle 15,000 passengers an hour but more than double that are expected to attend, so soccer fans may have to wait two to three hours at NRG station. [🔒 Philadelphia Business Journal]

• Related: If you’re not going to any of the games, here’s how you can still make the most out of the World Cup’s time in Philly. [🎧 City Cast Philly]

Now that we’re officially in June, we’re just about ready to harvest the last of the spring crops and the first of summer produce. While you can find just about any fruits and veggies at the grocery store, buying seasonal produce from a local farm stand or farmers market means the food you grab is at its freshest (and tastiest). Plus, you’re directly supporting farmers and reducing your carbon footprint.

If that all sounds great to you, here are some markets to shop at this season.

Strawberry Mansion Farmers Market

33rd & Dauphin Streets

The Historic Strawberry Mansion’s Strawberry Fest isn’t your only time to grab fresh berries in the neighborhood. The Fair Amount Food Forest, which promotes a gardening technique creating access to fresh food on public land, operates a farmers market from June through October. The market is open on Wednesdays from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., perfect for shoppers who can’t make it to morning market hours.

Sanctuary Farm

22nd Street & Cecil B. Moore Avenues

This urban farm in North Philly is different from the others: everything at its farm stand is free. You read that right. Every Tuesday from 9:30 a.m. to noon, the farm gives away fresh produce as part of its mission to address health disparities tied to systemic inequality.

East Passyunk Market

1430 Passyunk Ave.

Located in the driveway of the South Philly Older Adult Center, this farmers market has been operating for two decades. Every Wednesday from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., you can stock up on fresh veggies, meats, cheeses, and specialty foods.

Christ Church Neighborhood House Farmers Market

20 N. American St.

Another market you can visit after work is right in Old City. Just a block away from where Philly’s original farmers market was, the Christ Church Market invites vendors from the Philadelphia region to sell fresh fruit, baked goods, and even art. Some attend every other week, while others are only available on select days. Stop by on Wednesdays from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Lately, when I’ve been walking around the city, I’ve been seeing more and more people taking advantage of the extra daylight and exploring. Did you know that when you become a City Cast Philly Neighbor, you can learn about the best events before everyone else?

Just ask Binta E., who became a member because she likes “the local insider info and reliable intimate political details.”

As a Neighbor, you also get:

• 🎟️ Invites to exclusive members-only events
• 📅 A weekly curated list of the best things to do around town
• 🎧 Ad-free podcast listening
• 📣 An opportunity to spotlight your favorite biz in the city each week

Want to help keep others informed? You can also gift a membership to keep a loved one in the know about everything Philly.