Chinatown: Community Gives Feedback on Recommended Improvements to Vine Street Corridor
For many Chinatown residents, the time had come to see plans for a safer future. The Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission held an open house Thursday at the Holy Redeemer Chinese Catholic Church and School at 10th and Vine streets. The DVRPC — which is the federally designated metropolitan planning organization that serves Philadelphia and […]
Poplar: Five Pieces of Philadelphia History
The original city plans laid out on a map by William Penn only included the area between the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers between Vine and South streets. People, however, settled outside of those areas, including what is now known as the Poplar neighborhood. “Certain neighborhoods were settled by individuals from certain parts of Europe or were […]
Point Breeze: Meet Alex Kanderson; the Brains and the Brawn Behind Philadelphia Tech Repair
Just west of Broad Street on Dickinson Street is Philadelphia Tech Repair. Alex Kanderson–the store’s owner, manager and lone employee–sits inside the small shop. As the small chalk board outside 1411 Dickinson St. states, he fixes “phones, laptops, tablets and more” six days a week. Originally from Ocean City, New Jersey, Kanderson moved to the city […]
North Philadelphia: Coach Malik Wants to Give Back as Much as He Can
Malik Tape, 27, is currently the sports director for the Columbia North YMCA, located at 1400 North Broad St. Tape runs a city wide program called Get Hype Philly! that promotes children’s health and development. He’s doing everything he can to give back to the city of Philadelphia. How did you get your start in the […]
North Philadelphia: St. Joseph’s Prep Football Coach Gabriel Infante Empowers Boys to Become Men
St. Joseph’s Preparatory School head football coach Gabriel Infante (above) holds a 41-18 record over five seasons. That includes two consecutive PIAA AAAA State Championships. He previously served as the head coach at Paramus Catholic High School in New Jersey and before that, was a defensive coordinator at several high school. Infante tries to make leaders […]
South Philadelphia: PEP Helps Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities Develop Useful Life Skills
Several individuals sat at a large table, coloring, writing, working on puzzles, watching “The Price is Right” on television and waving happily at people passing by. All of these individuals have what is known as an intellectual disability, but that did not stop them from enjoying their day, chatting away and offering everyone who approached […]
South of South Street: Five Improvements in the Works
Residents living south of South Street have witnessed rapid change over the last decade. From Ori Feibush’s new construction and rehabilitated homes to closing shops and bars, the area has been in a constant state of flux. According to census data, the area’s African-American population decreased more than 25 percent between 2000 and 2010, while white residents have nearly doubled […]
South of South Street: From An Eyesore To An Art Canvas
Resting along Philadelphia’s Avenue of the Arts, the 4.5-acre vacant lot on the corner of Broad Street and Washington Avenue serves as a local artists canvas for a soon-to-be sculpture. Cirque du Soleil once occupied the gargantuan eyesore, using it as a tent station every-so-often. Hudson Reality Capital, LLC currently owns the land. This means […]
South Philadelphia: Brandywine Workshop Helps Artists Network
Brandywine Workshop has been a printmaking and arts education center since 1972. Located at 728 S. Broad St., it has attracted artists from 15 different countries which includes Russia, Europe, Whales and Caribbean countries. Although it started mostly with artists, teachers from the University of the Arts and Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts have all […]
Broad Street: Salvation Army Reaches Out to Japan
In the wake the recent devastation in Japan, one local organization is helping to make a difference to those most affected by the tsunami. The Salvation Army Headquarters, located at 701 North Broad St., is offering a special donation fund called Japanese Earthquake/Tsunami Relief. The proceeds of those who contribute will go straight to those […]