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Two Philadelphia museums cancel popular summer camps

The programs were a one-of-a-kind Philly experience.

Culture

The Academy of Natural Sciences and Penn Museum have unexpectedly nixed their longtime summer camp programs.Why it matters: The programs were a one-of-a-kind Philly experience for a generation of kids — offering fun, reliable spaces to play and learn among world-class museum collections while school was out.

Scoop: Ex-detective and "Mare of Easttown" muse sues for sex discrimination

Former Chester County detective Christine Bleiler was a "go-to" consultant on the show, shaping Kate Winslet's titular character.

News

The detective who inspired HBO&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="&quot;Mare of Easttown&quot;" data-vars-click-url="https://www.hbomax.com/shows/mare-of-easttown/c1517b80-50ab-4733-8208-ae2c2765c0e7" data-vars-content-id="aa205491-d4ee-4c5e-9756-f1d9781e2aec" data-vars-headline="Scoop: Ex-detective and &quot;Mare of Easttown&quot; muse sues for sex discrimination" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.hbomax.com/shows/mare-of-easttown/c1517b80-50ab-4733-8208-ae2c2765c0e7" target="_blank">&quot;Mare of Easttown&quot;</a> says she quit because of sex-based discrimination within her department, per a federal lawsuit filed this month.State of play: Former Chester County detective Christine Bleiler was a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="&quot;go-to&quot; consultant" data-vars-click-url="https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2021/04/kate-winslet-mare-of-easttown-accent?srsltid=AfmBOooDuR35Uml1FaBfuoJW5645xDRgcaRELPt-m_Jua6p0ezoUJC7t" data-vars-content-id="aa205491-d4ee-4c5e-9756-f1d9781e2aec" data-vars-headline="Scoop: Ex-detective and &quot;Mare of Easttown&quot; muse sues for sex discrimination" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2021/04/kate-winslet-mare-of-easttown-accent?srsltid=AfmBOooDuR35Uml1FaBfuoJW5645xDRgcaRELPt-m_Jua6p0ezoUJC7t" target="_blank">&quot;go-to&quot; consultant</a> on the show, shaping Kate Winslet&#x27;s titular character, Marianne &quot;Mare&quot; Sheehan, and helping her capture the realities of small-town policing.

Philadelphia region braces for Snowmaggedon 2.0

The second blockbuster storm of the winter could bring blizzard conditions and potentially record-breaking snowfall.

Climate

The second blockbuster storm of the winter is poised to bring blizzard conditions and potentially record-breaking snowfall to the Philadelphia region. Why it matters: &quot;Here we go again&quot; is the sentiment of many Philadelphians as Mayor Cherelle Parker&#x27;s administration tries to avoid a repeat of last month&#x27;s storm response, which crippled city services and transportation for days.

How THON helped this Penn State alum become a Philly kid's mom

Philadelphian Kionne Reese Abrams navigated cancer and foster care before finding his forever family.

A chain of events, set in motion years ago at Penn State, led Alyssa Abrams on a path to meeting a Philly boy who&#x27;d become her son.The big picture: After earning three degrees from the university, Abrams became a child psychologist, a wife, and now, a mom. For many alums, that kind of life-shaping connection is why they give back to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="THON" data-vars-click-url="https://thon.org/" data-vars-content-id="99b1b366-35f3-4879-837e-813d955275f1" data-vars-headline="How THON helped this Penn State alum become a Philly kid&#x27;s mom" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://thon.org/" target="_blank">THON</a>, Penn State&#x27;s largest annual fundraiser for childhood cancer.

Rebrand 2.0: Philly art museum backtracks on new name

That didn&#x27;t last long.State of play: The board of trustees of Philly&#x27;s largest and most prestigious art institution voted on Wednesday to nix <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="last year&#x27;s splashy renaming" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2025/10/09/philadelphia-art-museum-rebrand-pham" data-vars-content-id="479a04b7-1930-4774-bf61-a23cb0e0c819" data-vars-headline="Rebrand 2.0: Philly art museum backtracks on new name" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2025/10/09/philadelphia-art-museum-rebrand-pham" target="_self">last year&#x27;s splashy renaming</a>.<ul><li>✅ In: Philadelphia Museum of Art</li><li>🚫 Out: Philadelphia Art Museum </li></ul>Yes, but: The museum will retain the circular griffin logo and so-called brand identity that was introduced last year, per the board&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="news release" data-vars-click-url="https://press.philamuseum.org/brand-update-philadelphia-museum-of-art-will-return-as-name-of-institution-griffin-logo-and-brand-identity-will-remain/" data-vars-content-id="479a04b7-1930-4774-bf61-a23cb0e0c819" data-vars-headline="Rebrand 2.0: Philly art museum backtracks on new name" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://press.philamuseum.org/brand-update-philadelphia-museum-of-art-will-return-as-name-of-institution-griffin-logo-and-brand-identity-will-remain/" target="_blank">news release</a>. <ul><li>Visitors will see changes to the museum&#x27;s branding in the coming weeks — both IRL and on its website. </li><li>The museum&#x27;s website, emails and social media pages will revert back to &quot;philamuseum.&quot; </li></ul>Cost: The price tag for the rebrand: $1 million, per the Inquirer.<ul><li>And the re-rebrand: $50,000, a museum spokesperson tells Axios. </li></ul>Zoom in: A museum task force recommended the changes following a examination of the rebrand&#x27;s rollout, including surveys of museum trustees and staff, per the board.What they&#x27;re saying: Returning to the original name &quot;is an important gesture,&quot; Daniel Weiss, the new director and CEO of the museum, said in a news release.<ul><li>&quot;We now have a system that our entire community can rally around — so we can dedicate ourselves to the important opportunities of our mission.&quot;</li></ul>Context: The museum&#x27;s retreat follows the firing of museum director Sasha Suda, who was sacked in November <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="over allegations of theft." data-vars-click-url="https://www.inquirer.com/arts/philadelphia-art-museum-lawsuit-sasha-suda-20251121.html" data-vars-content-id="479a04b7-1930-4774-bf61-a23cb0e0c819" data-vars-headline="Rebrand 2.0: Philly art museum backtracks on new name" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.inquirer.com/arts/philadelphia-art-museum-lawsuit-sasha-suda-20251121.html" target="_blank">over allegations of theft.</a><ul><li>Suda, who was hired in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="2022" data-vars-click-url="https://press.philamuseum.org/philadelphia-museum-of-art-names-sasha-suda-as-new-director-and-ceo/" data-vars-content-id="479a04b7-1930-4774-bf61-a23cb0e0c819" data-vars-headline="Rebrand 2.0: Philly art museum backtracks on new name" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://press.philamuseum.org/philadelphia-museum-of-art-names-sasha-suda-as-new-director-and-ceo/" target="_blank">2022</a>, and her team led the rebrand, which was unpopular with many Philadelphians. </li><li>Plus: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Paul Dien" data-vars-click-url="https://press.philamuseum.org/the-philadelphia-museum-of-art-welcomes--two-new-members-to-its-senior-leadership-team/?utm_source=newsletter&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=newsletter_axioslocal_philadelphia&amp;stream=top" data-vars-content-id="479a04b7-1930-4774-bf61-a23cb0e0c819" data-vars-headline="Rebrand 2.0: Philly art museum backtracks on new name" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://press.philamuseum.org/the-philadelphia-museum-of-art-welcomes--two-new-members-to-its-senior-leadership-team/?utm_source=newsletter&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=newsletter_axioslocal_philadelphia&amp;stream=top" target="_blank">Paul Dien</a>, the museum&#x27;s head marketer, who oversaw the rebrand, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="resigned" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/newsletters/axios-philadelphia-a2cc1233-0fb2-4ba0-a71f-69a2127f45e7.html?utm_source=newsletter&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=newsletter_axioslocal_philadelphia&amp;stream=top" data-vars-content-id="479a04b7-1930-4774-bf61-a23cb0e0c819" data-vars-headline="Rebrand 2.0: Philly art museum backtracks on new name" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/newsletters/axios-philadelphia-a2cc1233-0fb2-4ba0-a71f-69a2127f45e7.html?utm_source=newsletter&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=newsletter_axioslocal_philadelphia&amp;stream=top" target="_self">resigned</a> Feb. 1. </li></ul>1 notable thing: The museum says it will no longer use the &quot;PhAM&quot; acronym, which was introduced as part of the rebrand. <ul><li>Yes, but: Does that mean people will stop calling the museum &quot;PhART&quot;? TBD.</li></ul>

Philly neighborhoods ring in America's 250th birthday with new bells

Artists worked on the designs and highlighted histories, heroes and cultures of the neighborhoods they're being placed in.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Chinatown gets a bell!" data-vars-click-url="https://www.google.com/search?sca_esv=d44b221d688bac1f&amp;rlz=1C5GCCM_en&amp;sxsrf=AE3TifMYU7a4Q-iBDlPC9N53fAeJXKiP2Q:1765386912414&amp;udm=7&amp;fbs=AIIjpHxU7SXXniUZfeShr2fp4giZ59Aj-dkSgmXWKpa2HWaBZDtyvvIn4PVHl081BMOU6hqePjkUQDxmNMZlAa2JorCvAOGwUaUqdk3KRaXOI5--gq_7fiT9L0HI8qPbO4wdfIKjLuPMZuuQ7hezWj86UFA3tv5evsmFvFYpYzSqRm20I32UC9pHRduAvxuySQj7DJIHMbzqSvqahKwWVnzFIHpAy-CpCw&amp;q=oprah+you+get+a+car&amp;sa=X&amp;ved=2ahUKEwj-x7jewrORAxVIF1kFHWirA1kQtKgLegQIEhAB&amp;biw=1887&amp;bih=926&amp;dpr=0.9#fpstate=ive&amp;vld=cid:17486ce7,vid:pviYWzu0dzk,st:0" data-vars-content-id="60b91801-0007-41a7-9709-8da5ecadffae" data-vars-headline="Philly neighborhoods ring in America&#x27;s 250th birthday with new bells" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.google.com/search?sca_esv=d44b221d688bac1f&amp;rlz=1C5GCCM_en&amp;sxsrf=AE3TifMYU7a4Q-iBDlPC9N53fAeJXKiP2Q:1765386912414&amp;udm=7&amp;fbs=AIIjpHxU7SXXniUZfeShr2fp4giZ59Aj-dkSgmXWKpa2HWaBZDtyvvIn4PVHl081BMOU6hqePjkUQDxmNMZlAa2JorCvAOGwUaUqdk3KRaXOI5--gq_7fiT9L0HI8qPbO4wdfIKjLuPMZuuQ7hezWj86UFA3tv5evsmFvFYpYzSqRm20I32UC9pHRduAvxuySQj7DJIHMbzqSvqahKwWVnzFIHpAy-CpCw&amp;q=oprah+you+get+a+car&amp;sa=X&amp;ved=2ahUKEwj-x7jewrORAxVIF1kFHWirA1kQtKgLegQIEhAB&amp;biw=1887&amp;bih=926&amp;dpr=0.9#fpstate=ive&amp;vld=cid:17486ce7,vid:pviYWzu0dzk,st:0" target="_blank">Chinatown gets a bell!</a> Mt. Airy gets a bell! South Philly gets a bell!State of play: Twenty city neighborhoods are getting replica Liberty Bells — but local artists are zhuzhing them up.

Manayunk's Restaurant Week starts today

Here's your reason to splurge on dining out during the workweek.

Food and Drink

Manayunk&#x27;s Restaurant Week kicks off today, offering menu deals at restaurants along the neighborhood&#x27;s popular Main Street.Why it matters: Here&#x27;s your reason to splurge on dining out during the workweek.

Philly Zoo's new flamingos

14 new African greater flamingos are now part of the exhibit.

Things to Do

Flamingo lovers, this is for you. Driving the news: The Philadelphia Zoo&#x27;s new <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Flamingo Cove" data-vars-click-url="https://www.philadelphiazoo.org/news/philadelphia-zoo-unveils-brand-new-walkthrough-aviary-flamingo-cove/" data-vars-content-id="7a771684-c266-4654-8ad6-d141a595654e" data-vars-headline="Philly Zoo&#x27;s new flamingos" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.philadelphiazoo.org/news/philadelphia-zoo-unveils-brand-new-walkthrough-aviary-flamingo-cove/" target="_blank">Flamingo Cove</a> opens on Saturday to all guests.

The fastest-growing areas in the Philadelphia region

Pennsylvania as a whole has seen modest population growth in recent years, signaling bigger challenges ahead.

The Philadelphia region accounted for more than half of Pennsylvania&#x27;s population growth between 2019 and 2023, per recent U.S. census data.The big picture: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Pennsylvania" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2024/10/04/pennsylvania-moving-out-of-state-migration" data-vars-content-id="90feb9be-4cb0-4916-b632-b6778cddcc72" data-vars-headline="The fastest-growing areas in the Philadelphia region" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2024/10/04/pennsylvania-moving-out-of-state-migration" target="_self">Pennsylvania</a> has seen a modest population increase in recent years, signaling bigger challenges ahead for the state.

Philadelphia's most expensive neighborhoods in 2024

Housing prices hit a two-year high last year.

Real Estate

The median <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="home sale" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2025/01/10/hottest-real-estate-markets-zillow-philly" data-vars-content-id="65ba2b78-6a10-481c-a7c2-aa89b29a2d53" data-vars-headline="Philadelphia&#x27;s most expensive neighborhoods in 2024" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2025/01/10/hottest-real-estate-markets-zillow-philly" target="_self">home sale</a> price in Philadelphia&#x27;s most expensive neighborhood was $751,000 last year — up nearly 7% from 2023, per <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Bright MLS" data-vars-click-url="https://www.brightmls.com/home" data-vars-content-id="65ba2b78-6a10-481c-a7c2-aa89b29a2d53" data-vars-headline="Philadelphia&#x27;s most expensive neighborhoods in 2024" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.brightmls.com/home" target="_blank">Bright MLS</a> data.Why it matters: Housing prices hit a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="two-year high" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2024/05/15/philadelphia-housing-prices-rise" data-vars-content-id="65ba2b78-6a10-481c-a7c2-aa89b29a2d53" data-vars-headline="Philadelphia&#x27;s most expensive neighborhoods in 2024" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2024/05/15/philadelphia-housing-prices-rise" target="_self">two-year high</a> last year as some buyers were active in certain parts of the city and undeterred by high interest rates.

First look at upcoming Philadelphia Flower Show

The fete to plants is a Philly rite of passage and signals the coming spring.

Take a glimpse at the &quot;Gardens of Tomorrow,&quot; this year&#x27;s theme for the upcoming <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Flower Show" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2024/09/26/philadelphia-flower-show-2025-gardens-of-tomorrow" data-vars-content-id="7f8a9b36-812f-47df-be0e-8dc525880e37" data-vars-headline="First look at upcoming Philadelphia Flower Show" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2024/09/26/philadelphia-flower-show-2025-gardens-of-tomorrow" target="_self">Flower Show</a>.Why it matters: The fete to plants is a Philly rite of passage and signals the coming spring.

Philadelphia drops in Milken Institute's "Best Performing Cities" list

Philly plummeted 59 spots from its 2024 rankings.

The Philadelphia area is 111th among the country&#x27;s best-performing big cities, per an <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="annual report" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/01/14/best-performing-us-cities" data-vars-content-id="97fa338d-fa66-4f41-9f84-4fd5e8a2c895" data-vars-headline="Philadelphia drops in Milken Institute&#x27;s &quot;Best Performing Cities&quot; list" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/01/14/best-performing-us-cities" target="_self">annual report</a> from the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Milken Institute" data-vars-click-url="https://milkeninstitute.org/content-hub/research-and-reports/research-and-data-tools/2025-best-performing-cities-mapping-economic-growth-across-us?utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_source=pitching_muckrack&amp;utm_campaign=2025_best_performing_cities_us" data-vars-content-id="97fa338d-fa66-4f41-9f84-4fd5e8a2c895" data-vars-headline="Philadelphia drops in Milken Institute&#x27;s &quot;Best Performing Cities&quot; list" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://milkeninstitute.org/content-hub/research-and-reports/research-and-data-tools/2025-best-performing-cities-mapping-economic-growth-across-us?utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_source=pitching_muckrack&amp;utm_campaign=2025_best_performing_cities_us" target="_blank">Milken Institute</a>.Why it matters: U.S. city metros are ranked on several economic factors, including job growth, affordable housing and economic equality.

Philadelphia: Mid-Atlantic or Northeast? The great debate

Hoo boy. Is Philly in the Mid-Atlantic — or the Northeast? We have true believers on both sides.Why it matters: After 701 people cast votes in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Axios Philadelphia&#x27;s poll" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2024/12/09/philadelphia-mid-atlantic-northeast-poll" data-vars-content-id="daa79888-9a5e-42b4-a040-f52ddbbdeca9" data-vars-headline="Philadelphia: Mid-Atlantic or Northeast? The great debate" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2024/12/09/philadelphia-mid-atlantic-northeast-poll" target="_self">Axios Philadelphia&#x27;s poll</a>, the jury is still out!

The most festive holiday markets in Philadelphia

Where to shop local with hot drinks, Christmas music and winter cheer.

&#x27;Tis the season to give and receive. So shop in-person this year to support local businesses and take in the holiday cheer at these markets throughout Philadelphia.🎄 <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Christmas Village" data-vars-click-url="https://www.philachristmas.com/index.html" data-vars-content-id="f069d297-a184-4a5e-aa26-99d2db717447" data-vars-headline="The most festive holiday markets in Philadelphia" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.philachristmas.com/index.html" target="_blank">Christmas Village</a><ul><li>Spanning LOVE Park and City Hall, this open-air German-style holiday market has <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="scores of vendors" data-vars-click-url="https://www.philachristmas.com/vendors.html" data-vars-content-id="f069d297-a184-4a5e-aa26-99d2db717447" data-vars-headline="The most festive holiday markets in Philadelphia" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.philachristmas.com/vendors.html" target="_blank">scores of vendors</a>, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="seasonal fare" data-vars-click-url="https://www.philachristmas.com/food-beverage.html" data-vars-content-id="f069d297-a184-4a5e-aa26-99d2db717447" data-vars-headline="The most festive holiday markets in Philadelphia" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.philachristmas.com/food-beverage.html" target="_blank">seasonal fare</a>, a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="ferris wheel, double-decker carousel, a kids train" data-vars-click-url="https://www.philachristmas.com/events.html#c2683" data-vars-content-id="f069d297-a184-4a5e-aa26-99d2db717447" data-vars-headline="The most festive holiday markets in Philadelphia" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.philachristmas.com/events.html#c2683" target="_blank">ferris wheel, double-decker carousel, a kids train</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="themed weekends" data-vars-click-url="https://www.philachristmas.com/events.html" data-vars-content-id="f069d297-a184-4a5e-aa26-99d2db717447" data-vars-headline="The most festive holiday markets in Philadelphia" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.philachristmas.com/events.html" target="_blank">themed weekends</a>.</li></ul>

Newcomers Guide

Rebrand 2.0: Philly art museum backtracks on new name

Philly neighborhoods ring in America's 250th birthday with new bells

Manayunk's Restaurant Week starts today

Philly Zoo's new flamingos

The fastest-growing areas in the Philadelphia region