1.21
West Philadelphia
Side gigs for good across Penn
Side gigs for good across Penn
For many, 2020 was a difficult year. Despite that, the community found ways to go above and beyond, in their own backyards and across the world.
Fall foliage puts Penn’s Tree Campus accolades on display
Fall foliage puts Penn’s Tree Campus accolades on display
The fall colors on display this season highlight Penn’s lush campus, despite being an urban University. In fact, Penn’s tree stewardship has won honors eleven years in a row.
Ancil George’s legacy reaches outside the stacks
Ancil George’s legacy reaches outside the stacks
After retiring in 2019, the long-serving Penn figure continues his work in community outreach in West Philadelphia.
Towering bronze sculpture installed at the entrance to Penn’s campus
Towering bronze sculpture installed at the entrance to Penn’s campus
The generosity of Penn Alumni Glenn and Amanda Fuhrman has brought the work of noted artist Simone Leigh to the University of Pennsylvania.
At the Clyde Barker Transplant House, respite and comfort food for the soul
At the Clyde Barker Transplant House, respite and comfort food for the soul
A partnership between the Clyde F. Barker Penn Transplant House and the Walnut Hill College culinary school gives transplant patients and their families hearty meals and much-needed comfort from the West Philadelphia community.
Rare sparrows make guest appearance at Penn
Rare sparrows make guest appearance at Penn
Earlier this year, Penn Medicine epidemiologist Doug Wiebe glimpsed two small all-white birds outside Van Pelt Library that turned out to be albino house sparrows. Their coloration is likely the result of a genetic condition in which a bird’s feathers lack pigment.
New ACME at 40th and Walnut streets opens
New ACME at 40th and Walnut streets opens
Partnering with Penn, the grocery store has invested in a University City market with a fresh concept based on research and neighborhood trends. ACME will also contribute $50,000 to local hunger relief programs, including the Netter Center.
Fostering kittens, plus more side gigs for good
Fostering kittens, plus more side gigs for good
Around nearly any corner, the Penn community’s selflessness shines through, despite months apart due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Quakers of all ages
Quakers of all ages
Every year since 2013, the Penn track and field teams have joined forces with the Netter Center for Community Partnerships in a program called Young Quakers Community Athletics (YQCA).
How Penn first responders are dealing with the coronavirus on the front lines
How Penn first responders are dealing with the coronavirus on the front lines
COVID-19 presents challenges faced by first responders, including PennComm dispatchers and police officers.
In the News
The New York Times
What are the greatest 2,020 songs ever? Philadelphia is deciding
WXPN is airing a countdown of the greatest 2,020 songs, as decided by their listeners.
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Generocity
Stretch your charitable dollar with Penn’s 2019 High Impact Giving Guide
The Center for High Impact Philanthropy has released its annual giving guide. This year, the guide focused on three main areas: “Those recovering from substance abuse, hard-to-reach communities lacking basic healthcare, and students at various stages of life at risk of being left behind.”
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Philadelphia Inquirer
Truck traffic is clogging Center City streets. What’s Philly going to do about it?
The School of Design’s Erick Guerra discussed the issue of delivery trucks blocking major streets in Philadelphia. “One of the big first steps is closely analyzing and understanding the problem,” he said. “I’m not sure that’s quite been done yet.”
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WHYY (Philadelphia)
Renter Beware: Philly’s Deadly Housing Problem
Robert Fairbanks of the School of Arts and Sciences explained how unmet demands for affordable housing contribute to the proliferation of unregulated, and often unsafe, rooming houses in Philadelphia.
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NextCity.org
Can Fighting Blight Prevent Gun Violence?
John MacDonald of the School of Arts and Sciences was cited for his research on the impact that cleaning vacant lots can have on reducing violence in urban environments.
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