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Beatrice Forman @beaforman.bsky.social · 2d

are we doing ~ personal news ~ on bluesky now??

because i am so delighted to share that i am officially a food writer for @inquirer.com! i'll be covering a mix of food trends, nightlife, and labor issues.

are you a chef, bartender, or FOH staff with an idea? DM or email bforman[at]inquirer[dot]com

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Beatrice Forman @beaforman.bsky.social · 4d

oh i specifically want to do the coward’s version with the tiny dawgs and baby beers.

i’m 5’0” and know myself — the standard version would incapacitate me

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Beatrice Forman @beaforman.bsky.social · 4d

i am asking my bosses if they can find me a ticket for game 2 so i can try this.

do not hold it against me if this doesn’t happen — i’m not part of the usual crew who has media credentials for CBP and this is pretty last min

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Beatrice Forman @beaforman.bsky.social · 4d

you find me 10 more followers and i will try to get the inky to let me face the 9-9-9 challenge for journalism

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Beatrice Forman @beaforman.bsky.social · 6d

Is Erewhon coming to Philly? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

For @phillyinqfood.bsky.social: I broke down how the viral bougie grocery chain from LA bait-and-switched us all with a single Instagram post.

www.inquirer.com/food/erewhon...

Is Erewhon coming to Philly? Even the bougie Los Angeles-based grocer isn’t sure

Erewhon posted an Instagram slideshow Tuesday morning with a map of Philly captioned, "The Taste of Erewhon in Your City. Coming soon." It doesn't mean what you think.

www.inquirer.com

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Beatrice Forman @beaforman.bsky.social · 14d

Philly’s most anticipated new shop has 3 rules: no slicing. no sandwiches. and, most importantly, no singles.

For @inquirer.com: I tried to understand the hype around viral chain PopUp Bagels, which plans to open 8 shops in the Philly area. Its first will be in Ardmore.

PopUp Bagels, Philly’s most anticipated new bagel shop, comes with rules and a viral TikTok following

PopUp Bagel’s concept is simple, if a little peculiar: no slicing, no sandwiches, and, most importantly, no loosies.

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Beatrice Forman @beaforman.bsky.social · 14d

Midtown Village’s fall fest will not happen this year as organizers struggle to manage the cost of required city services like police.

The festival dates back to 2004: It seems like we’re always in debt … It’s not a good idea to throw a party when you still owe for last year’s party.”

Midtown Village cancels its fall festival after 20 years, citing rising costs

Organizer Fergus Carey said that the Midtown Village Merchants Association — which hosts the festival — has been unable to pay back the city for costs associated with 2024.

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Beatrice Forman @beaforman.bsky.social · 20d

Before Mimmy was a TikTok sensation, she was Gov. Josh Shapiro’s favorite teacher.

For @inquirer.com: I wrote about Judith “Mimmy” Kalickman Bernstein, a diva whose tenacity and devotion to her family community knew no bounds. The TikTok fame was just a cherry on top.

Judith ‘Mimmy’ Kalickman Bernstein, beloved teacher turned TikTok star, dies at 82

A retired second grade teacher living with several cancers, Mrs. Kalickman Bernstein found a new purpose on TikTok, where she and her grandson amassed over 665,000 followers.

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Beatrice Forman @beaforman.bsky.social · 24d

what does it take to win a performative male contest? multiple labubu keychains, tampons, and having a passing knowledge of what an OB-GYN does.

i wrote about upenn’s performative male contest for @inquirer.com. (🎁 link.)

Matcha lattes, tote bags, and half-read Jane Austen: Penn students crown Philly’s most ‘performative male’

More than 100 onlookers turned out to watch the competition organized by 34th Street Magazine, where competitors were asked to answer trivia about the female experience. Not everyone excelled.

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Reposted by Beatrice Forman

Philadelphia Inquirer Food @phillyinqfood.bsky.social · 27d

Would you try O’Jung’s Dirty Spicy Caesar martini?

Inquirer reporter @beaforman.bsky.social did so you don’t have to (…but you should).

🔗 www.inquirer.com/food/bars/oj...

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Beatrice Forman @beaforman.bsky.social · 29d

Would you try Philly’s first Caesar salad martini?

Meet the Dirty Spicy Caesar ‘tini from O’Jung’s in South Philly, made with vodka, vermouth, olive juice, and a half shot each of Caesar dressing and buffalo sauce. And yes, that’s parm on top.

for my full review ➡️ share.inquirer.com/ueutZt

Would you drink a Caesar salad martini? South Philly bar O’Jung’s is betting on it

After a summerlong trial one, the cocktail is now a permanent menu item at South Philly dive bar O'Jung's.

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Beatrice Forman @beaforman.bsky.social · Sep 6

I chatted with @centercityphila.org CEO Prema Katari Gupta about how she spends a perfect Sept. Sunday in Philly.

It obviously includes hitting up Open Streets, but also strolling the Barnes with her daughter and a family dinner at Amma’s.

✍️ for @inquirer.com

share.inquirer.com/nVhknR

How to have the Perfect Philly Day, according to Center City’s biggest champion Prema Katari-Gupta

The Center City District CEO spends an ideal Sunday bonding with her daughter at Open Streets, taking in a Phillies game, and eating dosas with her family.

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Beatrice Forman @beaforman.bsky.social · Sep 5

The organizers of Philly's largest street festivals say the rising cost of police security has overtaken their budgets — and could force them to cancel.

"We’re limping along," said Gwen McCauley, who received a $24K bill from police for the 2024 Manayunk Arts Fest, over 23% of the event's budget.

Street festival organizers say the rising costs of Philadelphia police patrols are crushing them

Street festival organizers are considering shrinking or canceling events, as security consumes a higher portion of the event budget.

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Beatrice Forman @beaforman.bsky.social · Aug 28

"Jenny Han made [Belly] from Philly because it’s the City of Brotherly Love."

In honor of last night's wild TSITP episode, I asked local fans for @inquirer.com two very important questions: Belly Conklin is supposed to be from the Philly suburbs, but where? And do we claim her?

Belly Conklin is supposed to be from the Philly area on ‘The Summer I Turned Pretty.’ Are fans convinced?

The Conklins are supposed to hail from an unnamed Philly suburb in the hit book and TV series from Jenny Han. Fans, however, think Belly is a bit of a poser.

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Beatrice Forman @beaforman.bsky.social · Aug 23

For some athleisure-wearing Philly girlies, a perfect day starts with a sculpt class at Together. Classes at the Old City fitness studio are $$, but sell out in seconds.

How does Together's co-founder spend a perfect day? With a workout, Franklin Fountain, and a "fridge cig."

🖊️ for @inquirer.com

How to have the Perfect Philly day, according to go-to fitness instructor Kate Connelly

The Together pilates and aerobics co-owner starts her day with a class on the reformer and ends it with a burger, ice cream and a 'fridge cigarette.'

www.inquirer.com

Beatrice Forman @beaforman.bsky.social · Aug 12

So, why did Taylor Swift decide to announce her album on New Heights? Love — at least according to Philly’s biggest Swifties.

“Her going on [New Heights] is the best thing to ever happen to Swifties,” one 41-year-old superfan told @inquirer.com

Why did Taylor Swift decide to announce her 12th album on ‘New Heights’? Love, say Philly-area Swifties

Fans suspect Swift chose to announce "The Life of a Showgirl" on her boyfriend Travis Kelce's podcast to prove just how serious the couple is about one another.

www.inquirer.com

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Beatrice Forman @beaforman.bsky.social · Aug 11

Is Katy Perry's Lifetimes Tour as much of a garbage fire as the internet makes it seem? Not quite.

I reviewed the show for @inquirer.com and found that Katy did not flop, nor slay, but pulled off a secret third thing: being so bad you kind of root for her.

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Katy Perry’s Wells Fargo ‘Lifetimes Tour’ stop wasn’t exactly bad. We’re shocked, too.

Katy Perry’s much-maligned and derivative 'Lifetimes Tour' came to Philly. And the fans in fringed skirts lapped it all up.

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Beatrice Forman @beaforman.bsky.social · Aug 4

philly bald fest is real and i interviewed the organizer!!

tl;dr: the event will have a barber on site to do free head shavings in between performances. there will also be a moment of silence for “all the hair we lost this year.”

will i be there? probably.

www.inquirer.com/life/bald-fe...

A festival celebrating baldness went viral. It’s very real, and it’s happening in Philly.

Bald Fest is the brainchild of rapper Abstract Louv, who got the idea for the concert and skateboarding competition after shaving his head for the first time two months ago.

www.inquirer.com

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Beatrice Forman @beaforman.bsky.social · Aug 3

Hey Philly: What’s your happy place?

Life has felt especially stressful lately (we know) so the @inquirer.com and I are looking to map the best places to unwind, find community, or feel centered.

The rules: All happy places MUST be within Philly city limits.

Drop a reply or fill out this form:

What's your Philly happy place? The Inquirer wants to know.

This summer, Drexel University psychology professor (and literal happiness researcher) Eric Zillmer asked his Psych 101 students to map the places in Philly that made them the happiest. They chose hid...

inquirer.com

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Beatrice Forman @beaforman.bsky.social · Jul 17

The NoLibs Night Market is cancelled after organizers say the city is upcharging them for required services like police patrols and sanitation.

Costs have more than doubled from around $10K in 2023 to over $24K this summer despite the size of the food truck fest staying the same.

✍️ @inquirer.com

The Northern Liberties Night Market is canceled after the costs of required police patrols and sanitation services have more than doubled

The July 23 even on 2nd Street was canceled after the city quoted organizers more than $24,000 for police, sanitation, and inspections — a sharp increase from 2023.

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Beatrice Forman @beaforman.bsky.social · Jun 26

For @inquirer.com: Ever wonder how Questlove's celebrity game nights look casual yet elaborate, and just the right amount of rowdy? It's because of Cathy Rong, who plans them.

I asked Rong for tips on how to throw a game night so good a celeb might show up.

How to host the perfect game night, according to the woman who plans Questlove’s star-studded ones

Cathy Rong, Questlove's chief of staff, plans semi-regular game nights for the Roots frontman and documentarian. Here are her tips for elevating the gatherings.

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Beatrice Forman @beaforman.bsky.social · Jun 24

BREAKING: 3 bars pulled out of Center City SIPS last week, citing flagging sales and safety concerns.

Crowds have swarmed the street outside Time, DBG, and Vintage for 3 weeks straight, blocking traffic as owners say the groups bring their own booze and party for hours.

🖊️ for @inquirer.com

How rowdy crowds on one stretch of Sansom Street caused 3 bars to pull out of Center City Sips

Time, Vintage, and DBG withdrew from Sips over what owners describe as "mayhem" on one block on Sansom Street, with thick crowds blocking traffic and racking up citations.

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Beatrice Forman @beaforman.bsky.social · Jun 16

Despite DOGE attempting to pull $3.75 million from City Year Philadelphia, the AmeriCorps education program still graduated 77 volunteers.

Funding is still up in the air, but ~42% of graduates plan to return for another service year: "All of the students make us want to come back for more."

City Year Philadelphia graduates 77 volunteers, despite DOGE cuts and uncertainty over future federal funding

DOGE pulled $3.75 million from the AmeriCorps program, which is waiting on federal funding for next school year. That hasn't stopped some of its volunteers from returning for round two.

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Reposted by Beatrice Forman

Society of Professional Journalists @spj-posts.bsky.social · Jun 2

SPJ At-Large Director @beaforman.bsky.social‬ will moderate "The Fight for Student Voices," a webinar put on by SPJ and @splc.org.

Join us at 7 p.m. EDT Thursday to learn about the New Voices movement and what you can do to participate.

🔗Register now: us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...

A blue social media card that says "The Fight for Student Voices." The logos for SPJ and SPLC are in the middle, with text under that reads "Join SPJ and the Student Press Law Center to learn about the status of student press freedom in your state, as well as the New Voices movement meant to strengthen it." There is a QR code to register.

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Beatrice Forman @beaforman.bsky.social · Jun 2

Summer's hottest fashion trend? Renting clothes from a stranger's closet.

For @inquirer.com: I interviewed the co-founder of Pickle, the influencer-favorite fashion app that 1 in 4 Manhattan women are using to revamp their wardrobes.

Meet the Penn grad behind Pickle, the growing fashion app that lets you rent clothes from influencers’ closets

University of Pennsylvania graduate Julia O’Mara cofounded the app, which just raised $12 million in Series A funding from investors.

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