South Philadelphia: Community Organizations Combat Graffiti
In Philadelphia, large-scale murals, art installations from internationally renowned creatives and pop-up art pieces have become standard, with South Philadelphia being no exception. South Philadelphia is known for mosaics from Isaiah Zagar and murals of local greats. Despite this, an illegal artform also finds a home in this part of the city. The scribbling and […]
South Philadelphia: The Electric Street Mural Brings Community Together
In an alley on Percy Street, just a few blocks away from Pat’s King of Steaks and Geno’s Steaks, a mural attracts events such as music video tapings, parties and even church revivals. The Electric Street Mural, combining lighting and paint, is a street art piece created by street artist David Guinn and lighting designer Drew Billiau. The […]
South Philadelphia: Coach Finds Passion for Educating Through Basketball
Coach Troy Holiday took a circuitous route to rediscover his love for basketball. The New Jersey native was once himself a standout basketball player at Germantown Academy before attending Loyola University Maryland. After graduating, he became a salesman for a biotech company. But when the sales force for the company was released, Holiday was stuck […]
South Philadelphia: Athletics Crucial to Success of Southern
To find some of Philadelphia’s richest athletic history, one has to look no further than the halls of South Philadelphia High School. Trophy cases and plaques line the corridors, celebrating everyone from Eddie Gottlieb, one of the founding fathers of the NBA in 1946, to Lionel Simmons, a standout star at La Salle University who […]
Queen Village: Community Finds Alternative Ways to Recycle
Queen Village is doing its best to transform into Clean Village, an environmentally conscientious neighborhood. In hopes of living in a greener city, residents are doing what they can to make changes in their everyday lives to benefit Mother Earth. The Queen Village Neighborhood Association is helping by informing individuals about the city’s rules and restrictions on […]
Queen Village: Tree Tenders Put Down Roots In The Community
A group of volunteers in Queen Village known as the Tree Tenders came together on Nov. 19 for their bi-annual tree planting. They devoted their Saturday morning to improving the quality of life in the neighborhood. Volunteers were dispersed in groups of four throughout the community, as well as across other sections of the city. […]
Point Breeze: Redevelopment Brings Residents To The Table
In August, the group formally known as Newbold Neighbors Association took a leap in creating inclusivity in the Point Breeze community. The civic association that serves the area between 18th and Broad Streets and Washington and Passyunk Avenues chose to rename their organization to the East Point Breeze Neighbors (EPBN), to acknowledge the history of […]
South Philadelphia: Osagame’s Athletes Fall For Judo And Self-Defense Classes
According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, domestic violence accounts for 15 percent of all violent crime in the United States. Incidents can be found in most, if not all, communities across the country. People have looked to different methods to combat domestic violence and physical assaults. Most methods have included weapons such as […]
South Philadelphia: Women Have Options To Protecting Themselves Against Violence
The world can be a dangerous place. According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, domestic violence cases made up nearly 21 percent of violent victimization nationwide from 2003 to 2012. Acknowledging that danger can strike anywhere at any moment, organizations have shifted their focus toward how to combat or avoid a bad situation before it actually happens. […]
South Philadelphia: Inclusive Rugby Team Strives to Defy Stereotypes while Staying Competitive
In the summer of 2003, Joe Cruz showed up to rugby practice for the newly-formed Philadelphia Gryphons. The University of Pennsylvania grad was one of seven people at practice. The Gryphons started as an idea, a new team that was attempting to be assembled by members of New York City’s Gotham Knights and the Washington […]