Fishtown: Owner Vipul Patel Opened The City’s First Legal Marijuana Dispensary
Behind tinted storefront glass and an intercom-locked door, lies Vipul Patel’s vision: spotless walls and slick flooring, flanked by flat screen displays and colored bleach-white, with a painstakingly grown ivy backdrop behind the front desk. Restore does its best to subvert the stigma and stereotyping around marijuana culture, at least superficially, a move that Patel […]
Comedy: Laughing Matters
“I was wondering why stand-up is good,” said Shane Gillis, a stand-up comedian who has been performing for about six years. “It’s just because you get to pay money to sit in a room and hear a guy tell the truth and you don’t see that anywhere else.” When people go to a comedy show […]
City Hall: Former Obama Administration Employee Brings Leadership Skills to District Attorney’s Office
Robert Listenbee was lucky to have two supportive moms while growing up in the projects of Michigan. He had his biological mother, who was African American, and his “white mom,” a woman by the name of Hazel Persons. Persons’ primary role was as Listenbee’s high school activities director but she quickly became his chief motivator. […]
Center City: Veganism and Vegetarian Take Over One Menu At a Time
Just a few years ago, vegetarian and vegan food options in Philadelphia were mostly found in the grocery store aisles. But over the past few years, the city has seen an explosion of new restaurant options. Philadelphia Magazine now lists more than 20 establishments in Center City offering vegan and vegetarian menus. Tyler Burgese, who […]
Old City: 5 Ways Philadelphia Impacted American History
Philadelphia can be considered the birthplace of American politics. Although Philadelphia held a strong influence over the formation of the United States, politics in the city today remain detached from influencing the national political scene. To understand current Philadelphia politics, understanding the events of 18th century Philadelphia is paramount to feel the city’s passion for intense politics. […]
City Politics: Community Organizer And Activist Is Leading The Way For LGBT Affairs
Amber Hikes started her career in Philadelphia in social work, and became a well-known community organizer and an advocate for LGBT youth through her work at The Attic Youth Center, William Way Community Center and other youth-focused organizations. Following a move to California, she returned to serve as executive director of the Office of LGBT Affairs […]
Education: Councilwoman Helen Gym, “I need a big vision for the school district that people believe in.”
Helen Gym (D) is an at-large Philadelphia City Council member and vocal education advocate. Her goal in public office has been to to tackle widespread poverty through creating a quality public education system – the same system she taught in and put her children through. Philadelphia Neighborhoods spoke with Councilwoman Gym on the phone to discuss the […]
Olney: Citywide Career Fair, Scholarship Ceremony, Fish Fry And More This Week
Looking to find out what’s going on in Olney this week? Our calendar round-up lets you know what’s happening in your neighborhood. Bop & Cha-cha: Monday, July 31, 6-7:30 p.m., Greater Olney Library – Community Meeting Room, (5501 N. Fifth St.) Stay and Play (Pre-school aged children and caregivers): Tuesday, Aug. 1, 10-11:30 a.m., Greater Olney […]
Immigration: Philadelphia Embraces Refugee Resettlement
In response to President-elect Donald Trump’s promise to end the country’s refugee resettlement program shortly after taking office, Philadelphia mayor Jim Kenney signed an open letter requesting President Barack Obama and his administration to continue to protect immigrants, including those whose home countries are too unsafe to return to. In compliance with Governor Tom Wolf’s statement in 2015 […]
Politics: Philadelphia Works to Promote the Cannabis Industry
With medical marijuana now legal in Pennsylvania, Philadelphia business leaders and entrepreneurs are looking to get involved in the cannabis industry. Many who are new to the industry may seek the assistance of business accelerators, such as Greenhouse Ventures. Greenhouse Ventures is a Philadelphia based company that helps people start their cannabis businesses, primarily on […]