‘Lemon law’ for Philly homes; School workers could strike; Fitler Square birdhouse house | Morning roundup

‘Lemon law’ for homes would protect from shoddy construction

Amid an ongoing building boom in the city — and dozens of homeowners left frustrated, even after legal help — state lawmakers from Philadelphia are proposing new legislation that would help prevent rowhomes from being damaged by adjacent demolitions, and reduce defects in newly built houses.

The bills have a good chance of passing, Meir Rinde reports, as bipartisan support seems likely and building industry groups aren’t mounting a fight.

Join the bandwagon: Your late-season 2023 Phillies guide

It’s September, when baseball goes from a sunburned slog to a whirlwind of excitement. Everyone is welcome on the Phillies bandwagon, because — like last year — the team is once again playing baseball that matters in the season’s final month.

If you want to join the excitement (and hand-wringing) as the playoffs approach, Justin Klugh of Hittin’ Season has a fun-to-read primer on everything Phils. 

RECAP: What else happened?

$ = paywalled

• The race is on for the open Pa. Supreme Court seat. Who wins in November — Democrat Daniel McCaffery or Republican Carolyn Carluccio — could influence the 2024 presidential election. [Spotlight PA] 

• Service workers in Philly schools, who serve food, oversee schoolyards, and “wipe noses” for kids as climate managers, have authorized a strike for their 1,900 members as negotiations near a Sept. 30 deadline. [Metro] 

• Once beloved for its restoration work, Philadelphia Salvage Co. dropped the ball on thousands of dollars worth of projects, angry customers say. The owner says he’s “gone bankrupt.” [Inquirer$]

• Kensington residents are using park “friends groups” to improve and advocate for green spaces in their neighborhoods. What are those groups and how does one get involved? Here’s a guide. [Kensington Voice]

• With “Carla the Conqueror,” Philly-area author Anna Maria DiDio hopes to help other families deal with the trauma of adoption by making the challenges easy to talk about. [Billy Penn]

• Here’s the story behind that cute Fitler Square rowhome with 28 birdhouses on it. [Fitler Focus]

• Caffeine aficionados, perk up: Sprudge, the news site dedicated to all things coffee, spotlights five local roasters around Philadelphia. [Sprudge]

MAYOR WATCH

No public appearances for Mayor Kenney today. Just over 110 days left in his tenure as leader of Philadelphia.

ON THE CALENDAR

💐 BP Quizzo at Fitler Club! Our monthly Philly trivia night lands at this sleek spot next to the Schuylkill in Center City. We’re doing things a little differently for this one — your $25 ticket includes an all-you-can-eat food buffet. Space is limited, RSVP today. (6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 20) 

🍺 The 15th annual South Street Oktoberfest block party from Brauhaus Schmitz features giant pretzels, German food, and live music. Pay as you go or snag an all-inclusive $120 VIP ticket. (12 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 16)

📾 Lancaster Avenue’s historic Leader Theater is reopening for the first time in decades for Velocities, a free “analog culture event” with live performances, food trucks, vendors, and film screenings. (12 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 16)

📘 Billy Penn is participating in Philly Story Fest, joining journalists from media outlets around Philadelphia to tell the city’s best stories on stage at the Bok. Tickets are $25. (7 to 10 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 5)