Philly kids will take on Federer, Djokovic at U.S. Open
Also: A "Big Brother" guy does good, Starbucks moves in to Fitler Square.
TWO PHILLY kids will play against tennis greats at this weekend's U.S. Open.
Tauheed Browning, 11, of West Philadelphia, and Brandon Caban, 14, of Drexel Hill, will be at the Open, where Browning will warm up the likes of Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic. Caban will then compete against the greats and some kids from across the country in a timed target-hitting competition.
The pros won't be taking it easy on Caban. They're playing for charity themselves. Caban could take home $15,000 for Legacy Youth Tennis and Education, which serves Philly, Chester and Camden.
Catch Caban's taped event at noon Sunday on CBS.
Legacy alums DreShaun Jarmon and Kyle Seelig have won for their organization in past years. They are now preparing for collegiate careers in tennis.
'Big' guy
Greg Burton may be a do-gooder by day, but he's a rock star by night.
The vice president of marketing, communications and external affairs for Big Brothers Big Sisters Southeastern Pennsylvania will play at the Performance Annex (6 Main Ave., Berwyn) on Friday, with proceeds benefiting BBBS. He also donates proceeds from his album, "The Better Part of Me" (available on iTunes), to Alex's Lemonade Stand.
Burton said he was inspired to give during a visit to a Children's Hospital of Philadelphia specialty-care facility in King of Prussia with his young son. "We saw kids where were just part of their everyday lives," he said. He wanted to give back in any way he could.
Burton said his sound is influenced by the likes of Damien Rice, James Taylor, Train and Jack Johnson.
Before entering the nonprofit world, Burton was in the a cappella group New Image, which was hired as a warm-up act on "The Cosby Show" for two years. He gave up the musician's life to have children and settle down.
* BBBS also will get a boost from the Eagles on Sept. 16 when Boyds and Zarwin Baum DeVito Kaplan Schaer Toddy P.C. host Fashion Touchdown, in which the Eagles' Jeremy Maclin, Fletcher Cox, Jon Dorenbos and DeMeco Ryans will don spiffy duds at Boyds (1818 Chestnut St.) to benefit the program. Get $99 (or VIP at $175) tickets by calling 215-569-2800. Fox 29's Mike Jerrick and Alex Holley will emcee the event.
Star-what?
Patti Brett, longtime owner of Doobie's (2201 Lombard St.), was not happy to learn that a two-story Starbucks would be taking over the spot of L2 (2201 South St.), the neighborhood mainstay that closed last year. Brett was outraged by the news that she heard at a South Street West Business Association meeting on Monday. "There are six cafes in a four-block radius, do we really need a Starbucks?" Brett told me, adding that chains opening in the neighborhood would kill small businesses. "It's hard enough unless you own the bricks," she said.
Brett told me a story that illustrated the importance of locally owned business. She noticed that the potted trees outside the shuttered L2 were turning brown with no care. She inquired about taking them back to Doobie's but was met with no response. So, last month, she and her staff just wheeled the rotting trees over to her place where they are now flourishing. "There will always be a piece of L2 in the neighborhood," she said.
Local journalist reports on Ferguson
Ryan Reilly, now writing for the Huffington Post, is one of many journalists reporting on the protests in Ferguson, Mo.
Reilly, who was arrested for doing his job last week, is a graduate of St. Joseph's Prep. Follow him on Twitter at @ryanjreilly.
Ready, set, 'Race'
Want to travel the world on CBS's dime? "The Amazing Race" will hold open auditions on Friday at the Trump Taj Mahal (1000 Boardwalk, Atlantic City) from noon to 3 p.m. Don't forget to bring your partner (21 and up only) with you.
OUT AND ABOUT
* Country star Brett Eldredge took a tour of the Philadelphia Zoo on Monday before performing at 92.5 WXTU's XTU at the Zoo concert.