East Falls: Glassblowing Studio Is All Access To The Public
With the help of over-sized tweezers, a wooden paddle and a 2,000 degree furnace, Nikolaj Christensen and his coworkers at East Falls Glassworks are able to turn molten glass into a masterpiece. Nikolaj Christensen is the director and head glassblower at the East Falls Glassworks. Christensen’s passion for glassblowing began in 2001 when taking an […]
Mount Airy: Redevelopment Projects Look to Eliminate Blight, Improve Livelihood of Historic Neighborhood
Dating back to the 1680s, when it was a just small part of Germantown, the neighborhood of Mount Airy has a rich history that has shaped the diverse and tight-knit community that it is today. In 1750, William Allen, a chief justice for the province of Pennsylvania, built an estate at the corner of modern-day […]
Northwest Philadelphia: Jumpstart Germantown Looks to Revitalize the Community One Property at a Time
Jumpstart Germantown is a redevelopment program that was established in April, 2014 by Mount Airy real estate developer Ken Weinstein. The organization tackles the problems of blighted properties in the Northwest by training a new generation of developers how to invest in and revitalize real estate. “I liked taking junk, something like old buildings, and doing […]
Brewerytown: Brewerytown Garden Brings Neighbors Together Through Food and Fun
The Brewerytown Garden, located at 27th and Master streets, has become a staple in the community, bringing people together by welcoming them into the space, whether or not they have gardening experience. Nissa Eisenburg is a regular gardener at the garden. She explained what the garden means to the surrounding area. When was the garden […]
Chestnut Hill: Chestnut Hill Local Remains a Vital Part of Northwest Community
Since its inception in 1958, The Chestnut Hill Local newspaper has served neighborhoods in the Northwest section of Philadelphia, covering smaller-scale news stories pertaining to the local community, rather than the entire city. “The Chestnut Hill Local started off as the newsletter of the community association and then morphed into an independent newspaper,” said Larry […]
Chestnut Hill: Safety, Community Enhancement are Top Priorities for Business District Executive Director
Martha Sharkey is the executive director for the Chestnut Hill Business Association and is one of the primary people leading the way in bringing new businesses, programs and community safety projects to the local community. Sharkey, who has held her current position for three years, believes that helping bring new people to the neighborhood will ultimately […]
Mount Airy: Five Places to Grab a Bite on Germantown Avenue
Mount Airy is a quiet neighborhood in the Northwest portion of Philadelphia. Situated between Germantown and Chestnut Hill, Mount Airy is undergoing a “revival” of sorts with many new businesses and restaurants coming to the area. Historically, it has been one of the most diverse and safe communities throughout Philadelphia, allowing it to be a […]
West Oak Lane: Simons Recreation Center Director Offers “Safe Haven for the Kids”
For Amenah Claiborne, her role as center director at Simons Recreation Center doesn’t feel like work. Instead, her job reminds her of a family, one that is helping to provide a safe haven for kids living in the West Oak Lane community. Claiborne has worked within Philadelphia Parks and Recreation for 18 years. After graduating […]
Roxborough: Environmental Groups Work Together To Make Their Community A Better Place
Ivy Ridge Green was co-founded six years ago by Chris Kingsley, Annie Scott and Blaise Syrnick. Spearheaded by Destination Schuylkill River, Ivy Ridge Green’s goal is to add more green to the communities of Roxborough and Manayunk. Though Kingsley is no longer with Ivy Ridge Green, the organization continued to grow immensely thanks to dedicated volunteers such as Marlene Schleifer, […]
Chestnut Hill: Community Group Spearheads Change in Chestnut Hill
Will Detweiler moved his family from a small farm in Montgomery County to Chestnut Hill in the late 1960s. Detweiler was drawn there by a number of factors, but the community itself was at the forefront. “The ambiance, the quality of life, the spirit,” said Detweiler. “This community has love, appreciation and enthusiasm for Chestnut […]