What is that smell around the city? It may be the local pear trees
You’re not crazy if you think some of Philly’s beautiful, blooming trees smell a bit “off.” One expert tells us Bradford Pear trees have a distinct – and unpleasant – scent.
Latest news
Carousel House rec center design completed, construction to begin this summer
Philly’s only rec center designed for people with disabilities has been closed for six years.
Philly’s soccer summer ramping up: two new soccer fields to offer local fans their own place to play
A temporary field at City Hall and a permanent installation at Tip Top Playground in Northern Liberties are designed to build excitement for the World Cup.
Long before the Linc and the Bank, Philly paved the way for the nation’s sports fans with America’s first stadium
The iconic Franklin Field, where the Penn Relays, Penn football games and other sporting events are held, was the first stadium in the nation.
Curating connections: How Join Philly offers a ‘participation on-ramp’ to fun activities
Join Philly is a directory of Philly clubs and organizations. And next month, they’re hosting an activity fair so you can get more involved.
SEPTA aims to increase reliability with 24 new Canadian coach cars
The trains, purchased from a Montreal transit agency, will help supplement older SEPTA cars that may have caused issues in the past.
Philly weekly events calendar: April 1 through April 5
From exhibits and concerts to film festivals and egg hunts, Billy Penn highlights some of the best local activities to enjoy this week in Philly.
MORNING ROUNDUP: BILLY PENN’S DAILY NEWSLETTER
More Philly news
Philly Theatre Week launches pay-what-you-can to share ‘the value of live theater’
Nearly 50 productions are part of the effort to introduce more people to the experience of live theater in Philly and beyond.
Phanatic, Gritty, Ben Franklin and Betsy Ross join ‘hype squad’ for America250
The “people-powered” Visit PA Playmakers will help welcome visitors from around the world to Pennsylvania.
James Beard Foundation moves seven Philly contenders to final round
Out of 12 Philly chefs, bars or restaurants in the semifinals, seven are now one step closer to one of the top prizes in all of the food world.
Mayor Parker’s ‘pothole squads’ would be funded by proposed 25-cent delivery tax
E-commerce industry group lobbies against the fee, citing potential impact on workers and disadvantaged residents.
West Philly affordable housing: How a program pairs Drexel students with older adults
One West Philly program reimagines housing strategies, matching students with seniors.
Philly-based artist wants your toenails to make a replica FIFA World Cup trophy
Clancy Philbrick is asking the world to mail him their (clean) fingernail and toenail clippings for his critique on labor and the wealth divide. He already has years’ worth of his own.
Eminently popular ‘Sound of Music’ returns to Philly at a time ‘that feels terribly relevant’
The performance at the Academy of Music includes two songs cut from the film that allude to the coming Nazi threat.
SEPTA launches publicity blitz ahead of bus network overhaul
Dozens of bus routes will be cut, added, lengthened, realigned and sped up starting in August
Headlines of Yore
A 19th century Philly civic leader’s legacy includes this pop culture icon
C.C.A. Baldi was a major figure in Philadelphia’s Italian American community. His family would go on to lead in both politics and pop culture.
Food & Drink Scene
Phillies baseball is back! What new food, merch and events to look out for at Citizens Bank Park
This season, the menus and merchandise at the home of the reigning NL East Champs are being elevated to “All-Star” levels.
Neighborhoods
Here’s where you can see cherry blossoms in Philly
It’s cherry blossom season! We put together a guide to help you find the perfect spot to see the colorful, flowering trees.
Power & Politics
Market East will get retail pop-ups and murals as long-term revival strategizing continues
Business group aims to spruce up the struggling corridor ahead of FIFA and Philly250 events.
It’s Women’s History Month: Here’s how you can celebrate in Philly
Philly has lots of iconic history – and the role women have played in building up the city is a big part. Here are ways you can celebrate women this month.
Slavery exhibit restored at the President’s House site amid court battle
The panels depict the lives of nine people enslaved by George Washington while he was president.
Want to be more involved in your neighborhood but don’t know the difference between a civic association and an RCO? Let us help
Registered community organizations and civic associations help residents get more involved with their neighborhood. Here’s how you can join
Gun violence prevention
From trauma to teaching: Philly gun violence survivors are rewriting how gun violence gets covered
The launch of the Survivor Connection online website and the Association of Gun Violence Reporters both seek to provide training and support.
How Philly became ground zero for rethinking gun violence reporting
An effort led by local researchers and survivors is reshaping how journalists tell stories of trauma, healing, and prevention.
Krasner supports lawsuit against Trump’s $500 million cut to public safety programs
DA accuses president of wanting more urban violence and crime.
Toll the Bell calls for action, awareness of gun violence
The two day event started with a citywide ringing of bells and set of speeches and performances to call for community action
Education
New report shows struggles, successes of Philly area students
The Children First’s report highlights how mental health, violence, poverty and underfunding affects Philly schools and students.
Inside the unraveling of one of Philadelphia’s most successful charter schools
In 25 years, there’s been mostly public praise for MCS — but its methodology is unusual, and some question the founder’s motives in shutting it down.
How teaching in Philly district schools differs from charters: Three teachers share their stories
They each have their pros and cons, on issues ranging from resources to oversight.
Why a Southwest Philly charter is refusing to close after the school board voted to shut it down
Parents had good things to say about the K-8 academy, which was founded in 2007 and, like its neighborhood, is majority Black.
BP Quizzo
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secrets & Fun
The Ministry of Awe turns a historic bank into a trippy playground of art and oddity
Philly’s newest art space opens tomorrow, packed with moving murals, AI technology, modern art and surreal design.
Seed-bombing North Philly: Why you can thank cyclists for flowers that sprout this spring
We joined Wednesday Night Rides and Skype a Scientist to help boost biodiversity in Philadelphia.
Winter blues got you down? Plant native blooms in time for spring with Philly’s favorite squid scientist
Local butterflies and bees need more homes. Philly’s science community has some creative solutions.
Single on Valentine’s Day? Philly has plenty of Galentine’s parties and irreverent events to keep things fun this week
The holiday doesn’t have to mean a candlelit dinner for two. Philly has plenty of silly, fun celebrations to enjoy this February.
Sports Culture
Rocky statue heading into the Philadelphia Museum of Art for the first time
The sculpture will be part of the museum’s monuments exhibition, before it returns outside to a permanent spot at the top of the steps.
What to know about the 2026 PGA Championship in Delco
This May, the world’s best golfers will be competing in one of golf’s major tournaments, for a trophy with a very familiar name to Philadelphians.
‘Soccer Coachella’ coming to Philly’s Lemon Hill to celebrate FIFA World Cup
Up to 20,000 expected for the free fan fest that will feature live World Cup games, food vendors, music and much more.
Behind the scenes inside Xfinity Mobile Arena as Philly preps for March Madness
Comcast Spectacor’s COO Phil Laws, who led the arena’s eight-year transformation, showed us around the facility ahead of a Flyers game.
