North Philadelphia: After Transition, Duckrey Finds a Strong Leader
When the School District of Philadelphia proposed 37 school closings in 2013, Tanner Duckrey Elementary School was scheduled to close its doors to roughly 300 students. Duckrey’s fate changed when the School Reform Commission narrowed the list of closings to 24 and designated Duckrey as a receiving school. This meant Duckrey was now scheduled to […]
Education: Five Schools Impacted By Budget Cuts
As education budget cuts have spread throughout the state of Pennsylvania, building closures present a way for school districts to quickly lower their costs. In Philadelphia, a large wave of closings occurred in 2013. During this time, the School District of Philadelphia closed 23 schools to help shrink a looming financial deficit of more than […]
North Central: Philadelphia Celebrates Its Rich Jazz History
When Faye Anderson first saw Leroy Neiman’s painting “Big Band” at the National Museum of American History, she was struck by the musicians featured. “It’s a fantasy jam session featuring 18 jazz giants,” Anderson said. “Four of the 18 have Philadelphia roots – John Coltrane, Billie Holiday, Gerry Mulligan and Dizzy Gillespie.” The director of All […]
Francisville: More Than Just Another Furniture Store, Uhuru Seeks to Educate
When nonprofit Uhuru Furniture moved from Center City to Francisville, sales manager Ruby Gittelsohn remembers one community member’s surprise. “I remember one guy said, ‘I was watching while they were renovating this building, but I didn’t think it was going to be something for me,’” Gittelsohn said. “Meaning, it was going to be more gentrification. […]
North Central: Lynn Dorwaldt Uncovers History at the Wagner Institute
Lynn Dorwaldt has always loved puzzles. “Word puzzles, crossword puzzles, logic puzzles,” she said. “I love the journey of trying to find the answer to something.” Dorwaldt, the librarian at the Wagner Free Institute of Science, sees her work as a big, giant puzzle. “When you’re researching history, it’s never like, ‘Oh, there’s the answer,’ […]
Education: Looking at What’s Next for Five Closed High Schools in Philadelphia
Education is one of the foundations of society, and yet schools in Philadelphia are hemorrhaging cash due to rising costs and stagnant revenues. Many have been forced to cut back on everything from school supplies and textbooks to programs and staff. Some have even closed their doors due to decisions by the School Reform Commission […]
North Philadelphia: Neighborhoods’ History Has Not Been Forgotten
The neighborhoods of North Philadelphia are home to a number of historical landmarks. Reminders of the area’s 17th- and 18th-century history are scattered across the changing neighborhoods of Francisville, Sharswood, Spring Garden and North Central. Though some landmarks have been forgotten over the years, many still stand as proud reminders of the past. Founder’s Hall, […]
Olde Kensington: The Circus Comes to North Philly
Residents gawked from stoops and car windows as people flew dozens of feet above their heads. Nestled on the edge of Olde Kensington, Fly School Circus Arts treats residents to their very own circus in North Philadelphia. There are no elephants, lion tamers or clowns here, only a handful of students defying gravity on the […]
City Hall: Perceived Distrust Factored Into Failure of NID
As Temple University’s students have continued to move further into the area around the college’s North Philadelphia campus, residents have increasingly complained about the constant noise and trash generated by students and developers. In response, Councilman Darrell Clarke – now the council president – who represents the area where Temple is located, introduced the North […]
North Central Philadelphia: Luv’n Yogurt ‘Likes’ Social Media
Luv’n Spoonful is a self-serve yogurt bar located on the campus of Temple University. This yogurt bar opened on May 2nd at 1601 N. 15th St., under a Temple student housing facility. Luv’n Spoonful provides a convenient and healthy alternative for both Temple students and North Central Philadelphia residents. About three years ago, when self-serve […]