Belmont: Bringing Authentic Jamaican Food to the Heart of West Philly
From a rural area in Manchester Parish, Jamaica to the bustling hustle of Lancaster Avenue in West Philadelphia, the Williams family is well known for making authentic and savory Jamaican cuisine. “We were the family back in Jamaica that would host all of the big block parties and cookouts for all of the neighbors,” said […]
West Oak Lane: Flowers Bring Family Closer
It all started in Virginia. The 15-year-old Paul Beale would rush to the flower shop after school and on weekends to be able to work with flowers. “I’ve always wanted to work with flowers,” Beale said. “It makes me feel closer to nature. You get to have so many different options to work with.” Shortly […]
Port Richmond: Five Bars Worth Rolling Into After Work
Port Richmond is working class stronghold nestled between Aramingo Avenue and the Delaware River. The area is filled with blue collar Philadelphians and in the tradition of working hard and then relaxing with a cold one, the watering holes are top notch. Here are some places locals grab a drink once quitting time rolls around. The […]
West Philadelphia: A Slice of Japan in Fairmount Park
Shofuso Japanese House and Garden is getting ready for a partial roof replacement later this summer. While most might find this subject to be of no interest, there is actually a unique story behind it. The roof on the home is made out of hinoki bark. “Hinoki roofs are a pretty rare thing to find […]
Bustleton: Neighborhood Boxing Gym Opens Up The Ring To Families
When people think of Philadelphia boxing gyms, a family environment is probably the last thing that comes to mind. At Philly’s Next Champ gym at 1810 Grant Ave. in Bustleton, families train together. “We have whole families here taking classes,” said 49-year-old boxing trainer Mike Cassell. “I never saw that in a gym growing up.” Cassell, […]
Fifth Street: Small Businesses Nourish the Neighborhood
North Fifth Street has been busy with small business, shoppers and community activists for years. The small businesses on the street have a waterfall effect that has nourished the neighborhoods it runs through. According to one store owner along the strip, a main concern is safety – providing a safe environment would allow for more […]
South Philadelphia: Five Places for After-Midnight Bites
When people think about late night food in the City of Brotherly Love and Sisterly Affection, many jump immediately to the thought of Pat’s and Geno’s steaks. The west side of South Broad Street, however, is where the after-midnight munchies thrive. From sit-down restaurants and bars to casual late night quick bites, here are five […]
Feltonville: Handball is uniting communities and keeping kids out of trouble
In a city where drugs and violence are easy to get wrapped up in, there’s a constant need to get the youth involved in safe outlets that keeps them off the streets. Wally Amaro, 38, is a role model for the kids in the neighborhoods. A humble man who works in commercial construction, his real […]
West Philadelphia: A Place to Learn About Japanese Culture
Derek Finn is the associate director of Shofuso Japanese House and Garden. He started at Shofuso in 2010 after earning his bachelor’s degree in East Asian studies from the University of Pennsylvania. His passion for Japanese culture kept him at Shofuso, where he started as a visitor service assistant and worked his way up to […]
Hunting Park: Esperanza Aims to Improve Neighborhood Conditions
Esperanza is a faith-based community development corporation and nonprofit organization. It was founded in 1986 by the Hispanic clergy of Philadelphia. At the time, the Hispanic clergy wanted to address some of the larger problems that the community faced – access to affordable housing, access to jobs, safe communities and an education. Philip Dawson, 29, […]