Philly’s David Sylvester Has Hugged More Than Half a Million People, and He’s Not Quitting Anytime Soon
He started his idiosyncratic quest 20 years ago in the aftermath of 9/11. This year, thanks to him, September 12th will be celebrated as National Hug and High-Five Day.
The Highs and Lows for Philly Public Figures During a Really Tough Year
A high: Jim Kenney landing $1.4 billion in federal COVID relief. A low: learning Tom Farley okayed the destruction of MOVE victims’ remains.
How the Pandemic Turned a South Philly Golf Course Into the City’s Best New Park
The former municipal golf course at FDR Park became an indispensable natural refuge for many locked-down South Philadelphians over the past year.
10 Philly Comforts We Hope to See Again in 2021
From cheap ballpark hot dogs to the warm human embrace of our neighbors, it’s time to start reclaiming the things we missed out on last year.
Philly Mag’s Power Talks
Join Philadelphia magazine for a free and virtual three-part speaker series featuring some of the region’s most influential people.
How Gritty (and His Entourage) Made it Okay to Laugh Again
2020 has sucked, but at least we still have the big orange furball.
Three Philadelphians Using Their Social Media Platforms to Effect Real Change
In a year where social media was more vital than ever, these Philadelphians stood out.
A Philly Trashman on Picking Up Your Garbage in the Middle of a Pandemic
Terrill Haigler, best known as @_yafavtrashman on Instagram, talks about aggressive rodents, becoming the public face of sanitation workers, and three simple things you can do to help his colleagues speed up trash collection.
The Pandemic Canceled Michael Smerconish’s Tour, So He Recorded His One-Man Show in an Empty Bucks County Theater
Things I Wish I Knew Before I Started Talking was written to be performed in theaters. It will air on CNN on Saturday night instead.
A First-Generation College Student Whose Summer Orientation May Be Canceled
Angelica Estevez, a first-generation immigrant and senior at Girls’ High, on starting at Cornell in the fall.
A Food Delivery Driver Working Six Days a Week
Nicholas Butler, a driver for Black and Mobile, on being out on the streets all day during a pandemic.
Flyers Star James Van Riemsdyk on Suspending the Season in the Midst of a Hot Streak
The Flyers left wing is back home and reflecting on an NHL season in limbo.
12 Philadelphians on How COVID-19 Turned Their Worlds Upside Down
In an instant, the crisis changed everything about how we live. A dozen perspectives on what that meant.
Philly Should Deploy an Army of Contact Tracers to Fight COVID-19’s Second Wave
Thomas Jefferson University population health expert David Nash wants to enlist people who’ve lost jobs to the shutdown.
Will the COVID-19 Shutdown Have a Lasting Impact on My Cooped-Up Kids?
“Is the coronavirus still here?” “Is the coronavirus here at night?” A child trauma expert helps me answer my toddler’s burning questions and my own.