Your Daily Guide

🥵 Philly’s Heat Health Emergency To Last Through Tomorrow

The city released a list of cooling centers operating as the heat emergency continues. The Philadelphia Water Department suspended utility shutoffs, though shutoffs for non-payment will resume after the emergency ends. [City of Philadelphia]

⚽ A Different Kind of Football Is Hyping Up Fans at the Linc

Philly may have some competition when it comes to die-hard fanbases. The FIFA Club World Cup has been in full swing this past week and will continue into July, with international fans making their presence known via chants, drums, and songs. Sunday was particularly chaotic, with seven fans ejected for setting off smoke bombs in the Linc. [Billy Penn, CBS Philly]

🍸 Add This Zero-Proof Bar to Your Happy Hour Rotation

Whether it's Center City SIPS or Passyunk Passeggiata, Philly’s bar scene has you covered this summer. But you don’t need alcohol to have a good time. Bar Palmina is serving up zero-proof drinks so good, you won’t miss the alcohol. And guess what? It’s participating in Fishtown Taps with special food and drink deals! [🎧 City Cast Philly]

• Related: Looking for even more spirit-free drinks? Here are other nonalcoholic selections in Philly to check out. [📝 Hey Philly]

🍽️ Kampar Returns To Pop-Up Roots As Restaurant Rebuilds

Speaking of dining dilemmas, you may have missed eating at Bella Vista’s Kampar since the devastating fire in February. Although there’s no official reopening date for the Malaysian restaurant yet, owner and chef Ange Branca has still been hard at work on making improvements to the menu and appearing at pop-ups around the city. [🔒 Philly Mag]

• Related: Kampar will be participating in the From Our Hands food festival on June 29, and Branca’s next Muhibbah Dinner is scheduled for Oct. 20. [📝 Hey Philly]

Block parties are a staple summer tradition in Philly, with partiers line dancing in the streets, cooks throwing hot dogs on the grill, and folks cooling off in the occasional dumpster pool. A piece of string and an array of cones blocking off a residential street isn’t an uncommon sight this time of year, but hosting a block party comes with certain requirements. Here’s how to plan your celebration without any problems from the city.

Get Buy-In From Other Residents

You’ll need 75% of households (and apartment complexes) on the block to sign a petition to get a block party approved. You just need one adult signature per household.

Make sure you have a clear date and time for the event listed on the petition. Block parties are allowed between 8 a.m. and 8:30 p.m., but can't go longer than eight hours. The party can take place on weekends, approved weekdays, and holidays.

This is a great way to get to know your neighbors, so get ready to knock on some doors. Leave a note if no one answers.

Consider connecting with your block captain to help break the ice or see what additional support is available.

Submit Your Application on Time

Getting things done through the city can sometimes be a slow process, so make sure to give yourself plenty of time to apply to close your street for the block party. You can apply online or print your application and mail it in to:

Department of Streets

Highway Division, Right of Way Unit

1401 John F. Kennedy Blvd., Room 960

Philadelphia, PA 19102

You can also pick up or drop off an application at the Municipal Services Building concourse.

Plan to turn your application in at least 21 days before your event to save money ($25 instead of $60). If you want to host a block party on a weekday, however, you’ll have to cough up $150 regardless of when you submit your application.

From there, your application will go to your local police district for review. If there are no issues, it’ll then be transferred to the Streets Department to check for impacts on traffic or potential construction. Once you receive final approval, you can make the required payment. You should then receive your permit within two weeks of your event. Call (215) 686-5500 to track the status of your application.