Metropolis
Make America Kind Again
The news report out of Jersey’s Gloucester Township in March was decidedly shocking: A kids’ weekend flag football tournament had devolved into a 40-person melee, […]
How Philly Became the Capital of American Squash
Even though she was only in seventh grade, Tempest Bowden clearly remembers the first time she was introduced to squash. A delegation from Philadelphia’s SquashSmarts […]
Joey Merlino Would Like to Get Some Things Off His Chest
In and out of prison and courtrooms for much of his life, accused — and acquitted — of multiple murders, and survivor of numerous assassination […]
What Happens to Friendships When Money Gets in the Way?
Some years back, a good friend of mine, whom I’ll call Margot, made the decision with her husband to send their two children to a […]
How Conshohocken Got Cool
It’s a gray day in mid-February, and I’m standing inside a bright shop in Conshohocken perusing the goods. There are crystals — glimmering Brazilian citrine […]
Lashes, Lipstick, and Leukemia: Philly Drag Legend Martha Graham Cracker Tells All
Raised in Virginia, trained in New York, and now a full-fledged local legend, South Philly resident Dito van Reigersberg talks platform boots, bone marrow, and […]
Our Phones Are Making Us Miserable — So Why Can’t We Let Go?
There are a few things I do in my daily life that aren’t particularly good for me but that I take great pleasure in. I […]
How the Pandemic Rewired My Sense of Place and Time
In general, I’ve lived a long and happy life. Sure, there have been intervals of hardship — I lost my mother and a sister too […]
From CAPA to Motown Philly: How One Philadelphia High School Made Boyz II Men
The following is an excerpt from the upcoming book Boyz II Men 40th Anniversary Celebration, which chronicles the group’s ascent from Philly teenagers to Grammy […]
Alicia Vitarelli Talks Fan Obsessions, Scuba Dresses, and Her Reluctant Main Line Move
Alicia Vitarelli may be a New York native, but after 15 years in the city she now calls home, she has fully embraced Philly — […]