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 […]
Bella Vista/Queen Village: Five Places to Grab a Cup of Joe
Bella Vista and Queen Village are neighborhoods in South Philadelphia that won’t stop growing. With a highly walkable neighborhood and an abundance of retail and restaurants, there are always great options to grab a cup of coffee or tea. Whether you want to enjoy a beverage in the comforts of these diverse coffee shops, or […]
Queen Village: Community Gardeners Prepare for Winter
As the temperatures dropped, local gardeners came out in droves to clean up their community garden before hanging up their racks, hoses, pruners and shovels for the season. The Southwark Queen Village Community Garden hosted its fifth cleanup before the approaching winter season after months of growing plants, fruits, herbs and vegetables. Gardeners pruned dry leaves […]
Hawthorne: Men are Ready, Willing and Able to Make a Change in Their Lives
Some days, Sylvester Cooper, spends seven consecutive days at work, cooking and serving breakfast, lunch and dinner to the men at Ready, Willing and Able on Bainbridge Street. Cooper, 55, is a kitchen supervisor at RWA but it wasn’t always that way. The Philadelphia native once struggled with drugs and alcohol addiction to the point where he […]
Bella Vista: Parishioners Study Family Teachings, Offer Church Tours Ahead of Papal Visit
People all over the world have anticipated the arrival of Pope Francis to Philadelphia for the World Meeting of Families, which is the largest gathering of Catholic families in the world. One local South Philadelphia parish in Bella Vista shared plans and preparation for the pope’s visit to Philadelphia. Saint Paul and Saint Mary Magdalen […]