Amateur Sports: Roller Derby Shows No Signs of Slowing Down
When reminiscing about the storied sports history of Philadelphia, roller derby isn’t exactly one of the first things that comes to mind. Despite its turbulent swings in popularity, the sport’s history in Philadelphia dates back almost 70 years. Philadelphia’s first roller derby team was founded before both the Flyers and 76ers were playing in the […]
Germantown: From Liberia To Philadelphia, Strengthening Community With History And Art
Trapeta Mayson has lived in the Germantown community for 20 years. She has served as the executive director at Historic Germantown since August 2014 and feels like it is a perfect fit for her interests. Mayson was born in Liberia before immigrating to the United States in May 1975 with her parents, Rebecca and Lysander, […]
Germantown: Bringing The Farm Life To The City
Philadelphia holds the fifth largest city population in the United States and largely is made up of rowhomes and businesses along busy streets. One of the major identifiers for large cities is that the high quantity of buildings leads to fewer green spaces than there are in rural areas. Located at 215 E. Penn St., Germantown […]
Germantown: Focusing On Neighborhood History And Community Outreach
Nina Coffin is the programs and communications coordinator for the nonprofit organization Historic Germantown. She grew up in the community and attended school at Germantown Friends, so she knows the community well. Coffin focuses on community outreach to help citizens remain informed about historic sites and events. What is the difference between Historic Germantown and […]
Mount Airy: Redevelopment Projects Look to Eliminate Blight, Improve Livelihood of Historic Neighborhood
Dating back to the 1680s, when it was a just small part of Germantown, the neighborhood of Mount Airy has a rich history that has shaped the diverse and tight-knit community that it is today. In 1750, William Allen, a chief justice for the province of Pennsylvania, built an estate at the corner of modern-day […]
Northwest Philadelphia: Jumpstart Germantown Looks to Revitalize the Community One Property at a Time
Jumpstart Germantown is a redevelopment program that was established in April, 2014 by Mount Airy real estate developer Ken Weinstein. The organization tackles the problems of blighted properties in the Northwest by training a new generation of developers how to invest in and revitalize real estate. “I liked taking junk, something like old buildings, and doing […]
Germantown: Performing Arts School Introduces The Circus To The Neighborhood
Germantown is home to several historical landmarks and small businesses. Located on Greene Street, in the heart of the neighborhood, is one of those small businesses. Whether one wants to stay fit, release stress or just have fun, the Philadelphia School of Circus Arts is a contemporary circus school teaching circus performing acts such as juggling, unicycling, tightrope and […]
Germantown: A Local Fashion Designer Caters To Muslim Women
The Muslim population in Germantown is a visible one, with many businesses supporting parishioners of the faith. As a Muslim community, there are several small Islamic clothing stores for men, but few for women. Sadika Fashions‘ owner Linda Cowins, known as Saadiqah, recently celebrated the 20th anniversary of her business. On Jan. 7, Saadiqah hosted a “Sisters Luncheon” where women came […]
Germantown: Small Businesses Impact The Unemployment Rate
One may have noticed the influx of small businesses in Germantown that have popped up throughout the past decade. With unemployment still an issue, many wonder if this growth of small businesses is having any effect on residents. Local resident Alisha Gillespie is frustrated about the list of job requirements businesses ask for and wants to see a change in the […]
Germantown: Leader Advocates Programs For Older Adults, “No More Bingo!”
Lynn Fields Harris is a Philadelphia native and executive director of Center in the Park, a senior center in Germantown. As an executive director for 14 years, Harris uses her background in community service, politics and marketing to serve as an advocate for older adults. As a way to continue the legacy of the center’s co-founders, […]