Immigration: Councilman Mark Squilla Helps Serve Immigrant Communities
Councilman Mark Squilla is the councilman for the First District in Philadelphia City Council. Squilla is the representative for several Philadelphia neighborhoods such as Chinatown, Kensington, Bella Vista, Northern Liberties, Fishtown and Port Richmond. A native of South Philadelphia, Squilla has been engaged in public service for close to 30 years, serving on the Philadelphia Democratic […]
Bella Vista: An Immigrant Himself, Eugene Desyatnik Now Serves As The Bella Vista Neighbors Association President
Eugene Desyatnik is the president of the Bella Vista Neighbors Association. Desyatnik, a naturalized citizen hailing from the former Soviet Union, has lived in Center City for more than 12 years, recently moving to Bella Vista with his wife and children. The BVNA, a nonprofit organization, helps facilitate various city services to a very diverse […]
Bella Vista: Anastasi Seafood Is A Family Affair
Anastasi Seafood has become a household name in South Philadelphia, as this family-run business has stayed true to its claim of serving seafood in the Italian Market for more than 80 years. Located at 1101 S. Ninth St. since 1996, Anastasi Seafood features a dining room that seats its guests and serves a wide array of seafood […]
Bella Vista: Esposito’s Meats Transcends Generations
Esposito’s Meats has used its family-first and community-based business model to become the cornerstone butcher shop in South Philadelphia for its 106 years in existence. Attilio Esposito and his Italian-American immigrant family opened their first shop in 1911 at 1009 S. Ninth St., serving various meats for more than four generations. After success and local […]
South Philadelphia: Ready, Willing & Able Director Knows The Power Of Second Chances
Javier Rivera is the director of community improvement projects and operations at Ready, Willing & Able, a program that helps criminals, addicts and homeless individuals re-enter the workforce. A graduate of the program in 1997 in Harlem, N.Y., Rivera has risen through the ranks, holding supervisory positions before becoming director. How long have you been […]
Bella Vista: Five Non-Italian Places To Eat At The Italian Market
The Italian Market on South Ninth Street contains its fair share of restaurants and cafes. Its name, however, is a tad misleading. Along with its abundance of Italian restaurants, the Market has become a spot for dining diversity. Rather than take you through the best Italian cuisine, here are five non-Italian places south of Washington Avenue to […]
Bella Vista: Fearless Athletics Takes The Fear Out of CrossFit
As of 2013, nearly two out of three Philadelphia adults are either overweight or obese, according to reports from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That’s roughly a million Philadelphians. Many factors contribute to someone being overweight or obese. Some factors include physical inactivity and an unhealthy diet. In the last 10 years alone, […]
Queen Village: Five Can’t-Miss Places Around South Street
South Street, which serves as the northern border for Queen Village, Hawthorne and Bella Vista, is an urban melting pot. Located just southeast of Center City, the corridor has a unique edge and several can’t-miss places to eat in the area. Jim’s Steaks Ah, the classic Philadelphia cheesesteak. That’s what this city is known for! […]
Bella Vista: Community Blossoms With Help from Charles Santore Library
The Charles Santore Library’s exterior looks like your typical municipal building — it has white walls and an architectural style that was making waves in the 1950s and 60s. In the diverse and lively neighborhood of Bella Vista, the building may appear dull to some, but for those who have experienced the programs and the people […]
Bella Vista: Chef Georgeann Leaming ‘Chopped’ Her Way to Success in Philadelphia
Working in a professional kitchen is a career path that can be unforgiving. Enrolling in culinary school and finding a good job in the industry is anything but straightforward. Throw a newborn child into the mix and that makes things even more challenging. Georgeann Leaming knows this from personal experience. She entered culinary school at age 23 and gave birth […]