Masonic Temple
A lot of people think that the architecturally stunning headquarters of Pennsylvania’s Masons — we’re talking the secret society, not the people who work with cement — is closed to the public. Not only is it not closed to the public, but it offers hour-long tours of the historic building five times a day, Wednesday through Saturday. Yes, there’s a gift shop, should you need some mystical-looking 19th-century Masonic art to display. Bonus: You’re just steps away from Reading Terminal Market and Chinatown. 1 North Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107, pamasonictemple.org.
Katalin Karikó and Drew Weissman
Ho-hum: another August, another honor for this pair of Penn researchers whose work in mRNA tech was key to the creation of the COVID vaccines. This time, it was the big one: the 2023 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine. Just days after the Nobel announcement came the publication of Hungarian émigré Karikó’s memoir, Breaking Through: My Life in Science. You could say it’s been a very good year.
Ilene "The Lice Queen" Steinberg
There’s possibly no worse message to get from your kid’s teacher: There’s lice in the classroom. But don’t despair — just call the Lice Queen. Steinberg owns the Center for Lice Control, and she’ll have the pests out of your hair in no time. Book an appointment at her Havertown salon for a quick treatment, call her seven-day-a-week hotline, or pick up some of her lice-removal products. Her panic-free YouTube channel is a great resource too. 68 West Eagle Road, Havertown, PA 19083, centerforlicecontrol.com.
Florian Francis
Some rugs are just too special to live out their days on the floor, being trampled and spilled upon. No, handmade tufted fiber art like that by Florian Francis earns a place on the wall. Francis’s pieces are often pop-culture referential (like the popular customizable TV dinner designs). Our favorites, though, are the hoagie and the Cheez Whiz. They’re both contenders for our kitchen decor. florianfrancis.bigcartel.com.
Fishtown Choir
If you’re the kind of person who sings at the top of your lungs in the shower, this community-based, all-are-welcome impromptu choir that performs everything from Marvin Gaye and Crowded House to Radiohead and Mariah Carey is exactly what you need. You simply show up, have some drinks, do a quick rehearsal, and then belt it out. Join in on August 28th at Ortlieb’s when the choir does Bruce Springsteen. fishtownchoir.org.
Cleo Bagels
From humble beginnings in a basement kitchen, Alex Malamy has been on a bagel-making odyssey that has captivated us for years. What began as Dodo Bagels, a beloved pop-up sensation offering surprising toppings like lavender and togarashi, has now found its brick-and-mortar home as Cleo Bagels. He’s still churning out inventive bagel creations like the Ramen Thing sandwich, but the more conventional plain bagels and savory bialys are just as delicious. 5013 Baltimore Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19143, cleobagels.com.
City Funding of University City Townhome Redevelopment
When, in 2021, the owners of the University City Townhomes complex declined to renew the property’s Section 8 contract, 70-some tenants’ housing was suddenly at risk. After years of consternation marked by protests and an encampment, the demolition began in March. And in June, Mayor Cherelle Parker pledged $14 million in her first city budget toward Councilmember Jamie Gauthier’s plan to redevelop part of the property as affordable housing. A promising first step, though one we’d have loved to see sooner.
C&C Appliance Repair
Freezer frozen over? Oven undercooking? Damp dryer? Call C&C. Last fall, our oven’s ignitor wasn’t working. We bought the part, disassembled the inside of the oven, and then … chickened out. (What if we broke the whole thing?!?) C&C came over in a split and, thanks to our own detective work, charged us only $100 for the installation. When’s the last time a repair cost you less than you expected?
Atlantic City
Some perennial Avaloners may roll their eyes at the notion that the beach we deemed the worst in 1974 could now be the best. But stick with us. No silly beach tags are required. The sand south of the casino strip has plenty of chill, quiet space for you to set up camp. The newly renovated boardwalk runs the entire length of the shorefront. And there’s no beach more diverse in these parts. Bonus? Our South Philly friends can clock the trip in under one hour.
Adam Blackstone
Blackstone has been the maestro behind some of TV’s biggest musical moments, in recent years directing ceremonies for the Oscars, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, and the NBA All-Star Game. And the musician’s musician is starting to get more mainstream recognition for his pursuits, which include directing Super Bowl halftime and pregame shows over the last several years (including that 2023 Rihanna banger). And this year, he received two Grammy noms in the jazz category. All recognition long overdue. adamblackstone.com.
The Landing Kitchen
The Landing Kitchen in Bala Cynwyd. Photograph by Jeff Fusco Up in Bala Cynwyd, Nick Elmi and Fia Berisha opened a little all-day cafe overlooking the Schuylkill, totally accessible to the ribbons of hiking and biking trails in the area. When you’re done with your morning trek, there are expert coffee drinks, breakfast sandwiches and pastries. When you’re about to go mountain-biking and need some fuel, there’s a brioche grilled cheese served (if you want) with a hefty dollop of black caviar (you do). 617 Righters Ferry Road, Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004, thelandingkitchen.com.
Tyrique Glasgow of Young Chances Foundation
This survivor-turned-advocate has been on the ground, building support for fighting gun violence even when the cameras aren’t rolling. Some other activists rattle off lots of stats, but he’s doing the work, creating coalitions with a diverse group of organizations in a valiant effort to get to the systemic causes of a crisis too many write off as intractable. youngchancesfoundation.com.
Di Bruno Bros.
Sande Friedman has bought and sold a lot of wine as the Di Bruno Bros. wine buyer. Now, in collaboration with some of her favorite wineries, Friedman helped create two new bottles — a barbera-zinfandel blend from La Clarine in California, and Rosé of Carmine, with WayVine Winery & Vineyard in Chester County — with stellar results. 1730 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103, dibruno.com/9th-street-bottle-shop.
Soundwalk
Pioneering composer Ellen Reid pushes the definition of public art with this GPS-enabled immersive exhibition. An app sends location-based musical compositions featuring musicians from the Philadelphia Orchestra, sound effects and soundscapes into your earbuds as you walk through some of your favorite outdoor spaces in Fairmount Park. The exhibit ends on September 30th. manncenter.org/soundwalk.