South Philadelphia: Co-op President Advances Local Food Access
Jessica Calter, a South Philadelphia resident, is inspired by her neighbors’ willingness to come together to solve problems in the neighborhood — including access to local, healthy foods. Calter is the president of the South Philly Food Co-op, a cooperative that is currently working to open a grocery store at 2031 S. Juniper St. How did you […]
East Passyunk: Keeping the Faith In The Italian Community
Nicholas Martorano is an Augustinian priest who has been the pastor at St. Nicholas of Tolentine Church in East Passyunk for the past 33 years. Raised in the area, he has brought the long-standing traditions of his Italian upbringing, a strong emphasis on faith and family, to enhance the quality of life for the people […]
South Philadelphia West: At OFC Philly, Kids Are Encouraged To Screw Up
Finding an educational yet fun activity for children can be a difficult task. Many times, kids aren’t doing more than coloring outside the lines and playing with dolls or trucks. At OFC Philly in South Philadelphia, Nick and Erin Offenbacher are teaching local children how to build their own toy trucks. The Children’s Woodworking Class finds its home inside a […]
South Philadelphia: Local Tree Planters Breathe Life Into Community
Finding the time and energy to maintain one’s property can be a daunting task in a city like Philadelphia. In certain neighborhoods, having “curb appeal” can be as simple as not having a pileup of trash on your sidewalk. For the many local groups involved with the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society’s Tree Tenders program, beautification takes […]
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 […]
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 […]
Sustainability: The Philadelphia Orchard Project Provides Fresh Fruit to Communities
Just when you think the fast-paced, industrialized, city life is dry and desolate, the Philadelphia Orchard Project brings nature’s beauties to brighten up Philly’s urban neighborhoods. As a nonprofit, community-based organization, the Philadelphia Orchard Project transforms vacant lots, schoolyards, community gardens and areas in low-wealth neighborhoods into green spaces to harvest useful and edible plants for the […]
East Passyunk: After Success In South Philly, Brothers Expand Grocery Business
More than six years ago, two brothers dove into their savings and maxed out their credit cards to follow their passion and share it with the people around them. “There was a demand for a store specializing in this (local and organic) kind of food, and we thought if we don’t do it, someone else […]
South Philly: Police Athletic League Provides A Safe Haven For Youths
The Police Athletic League of Philadelphia was created in 1947 by a police sergeant who wanted to create a baseball team made up of neighborhood kids who wanted to play. Since then, PAL has worked to build strong relationships in the communities around the city. PAL has also worked to keep the image of the […]
South Philly: Retro Video Game Lover Opens Shop For People Who Love Tech
“I’ve made a lot of friends – the customers that come, most of the time they’re really good friends,” said Oscar Sosa Tapia, owner of King DVDs and Video Games. Kings DVDs and Video Games is a small store located at 1146 S. 9th St. in the Italian Market. Virtually every wall is covered with […]