Germantown: Church Welcomes First Generation Haitian-American Youth Ministries Director
The First United Methodist Church of Germantown (FUMCOG) has sat on the corner of East High Street and Germantown Avenue since 1796. In September, the congregation welcomed 33-year-old Jeanna Murat (pictured above). Murat is first generation Haitian-American who has dedicated her life to empowering youth and pushing them to explore their faith. “My role whenever […]
North Philadelphia: Indego Bike-Sharing Establishing Presence In Low-Income Areas
Indego bike share was established in Philadelphia three years ago with a specific goal of doing something other cities’ bike-sharing services have failed to do: establish a presence in lower-income neighborhoods. At its launch, Indego set up 70 stations across Philadelphia including 20 in low-income neighborhoods. “Philadelphia has probably done more than any other city […]
Strawberry Mansion: Preschools Are Important, But Underfunded
Amanda Bowman always imagined herself as a mother. When the time came for her to have children, she was presented with two surprises. The first: she would have to raise them as a single parent. The second: she was having twins. Despite the challenges that faced her, she knew she was going to send them […]
Tacony: Creativity Freshens Up Torresdale Avenue
Walking down Torresdale Avenue in Tacony guarantees plenty of windows to look though. But sometimes windows need more than Windex, and the refreshing of buildings can give more to look at. So in 2014, the Tacony Community Development Corporation started revitalizing the Torresdale Avenue business corridor in the neighborhood. Torresdale Avenue Storefront Improvement Program (TSIP) Project Manager Alex […]
Politics: Criminal Justice Reform Committee Focuses On Psychology
The Special Committee on Criminal Justice Reform met last month in the City Council chambers. Co-chairs Curtis Jones Jr. of City Council, retired Deputy Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel and the head of the Defender Association of Philadelphia, Kier Bradford-Grey all presided over the hearing that focused on the psychology of criminals and potential criminals, and […]
Mantua: “You’re Never Really Alone if You Come to Work Here.”
Branon Gilmore makes enrichment for youths and adults in the Mantua area his priority every day when coming to work in the morning. Gilmore, 44, is the Center Director for the West Philadelphia Community Center on Haverford Avenue near 35th Street. For 10 years, he has been working for Caring People Alliance, an agency partnering with the […]
Manayunk: W.P. Palmer Distillery Offers Free Tastes of Liberty Gin
Walter Palmer III of Palmer Distilling gets the word out about his Liberty gin best by simple advertising. “My wife and I are self-funding this business,” he said, “so a lot of what we do is through social media, word of mouth, or advertising free drinks on a small cardboard sign” The method is simple […]
North Philadelphia: Temple University Club Baseball Team Enters Season Two
The spring semester of 2014 marked the final season of Division I College baseball at Temple University. After 87 seasons on the diamond, the historic program was one of seven Division I teams cut at the university for financial reasons. Now, in the fall semester of 2015, the club team at Temple looks to kick […]
Manayunk: Johnny Destructo’s Hero Complex Comic Store Opens for Business
JD Korejko, better known as Johnny Destructo, recently opened up his Hero Complex shop in Manayunk to sell his collection of comics, action figures, T-shirts and personal illustrative art. He has been an avid comic book fan since he was young lad and loves to share his geekery with others. Korejko started his alter ego – Johnny […]
Manayunk: Acupuncture Practice Leads Community in Holistic Health
The Manayunk Roxborough Acupuncture Clinic has been providing treatment of holistic medicine since 2008. Practitioner Dave Schiman works to deliver his clients affordable treatment options using a sliding scale system, while maintaining a wholesome, community environment. You have been practicing in Manayunk since May. What brought you to the neighborhood? I live on the border […]