Teach Me How To...

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Here is a list that Philadelphia Weekly put together of classes and events for people to gain new skills and knowledge. With the working world more competitive than ever, it can only help to learn something new or simply find an activity to provide a release from the normal drag.

One that caught my eye was the Prison Break weekend at Eastern State Penitentiary. Another is Hive 76 who have an open house every Wednesday night. They are a club that teach's various things with computers and anything else a hacker dreams about.

The City's Latest to Make It Big, Goes Unnoticed

You would think if a person was to top Billboard's album chart, they wouldn't be able to walk five feet in their home town without someone coming up to them. That is not the case for Amos Lee. His fourth studio album Mission Bell debuted at #1 a few months back.

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The 33 year-old singer/songwriter grew up in South Philly and Kensington, before moving to Cherry Hill, New Jersey where he graduated from Cherry Hill High School East (as did I). After attending the University of South Carolina, Amos Lee returned home to Philadelphia. He began teaching second grade, but then decided on chasing a career in music. Lee began playing at small spots like the Tin Angel. There he began as a waiter and was given open slots to perform on stage. He eventually gained a following and signed with Blue Note records in 2005.

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A combination of folk and jazz, Amos Lee realizes his music does not appeal to the masses. Mission Bell is Lee's fourth studio album. However, that isn't the basis of his career. Lee continues to work hard because of the passion he has for music. Many celebrities call Philadelphia "home," but most have moved on to seek out greater fame and fortune. Then you look at Amos Lee, a home grown product that has accomplished so much for all the right reasons and continues to go unnoticed.

Amos Lee is currently on a country wide tour which includes a sold out show at Philadelphia's Marriam Theatre tomorrow (Tuesday 4/5).

Website Lets Citizens Follow the Growth of Philly

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A view from the Comcast Center as it was under construction

PlanPhilly is a website that lets Philadelphian's in on the future of the city. Run by PennPraxis of the University of Pennsylvania, PlanPhilly is a independent news source that has on staff former Inquirer writers and editors as well as citizen journalists. Originally developed in 2006 to cover the Delaware Riverfront project, the site is now updated daily with news and events from around the city. You can even maneuver around the site according to your neighborhood and various issues. PlanPhilly is a great way for Philadelphians to get educated and participate in important matters pertaining to the city.

Hello Twitter!

Good News Philly is the 269,834,799'th member of Twitter. So far it is a little strange only being able to type messages in 140 characters or less. Basically I will be posting updates on stories I am doing or planning, events in the city, pictures, and basically anything that stays true to good news and/or Philadelphia.

To follow just look to your right and click the logo...

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Curbside Eatery's Provide Great Food With a Side of Character

Scattered all around the city are lunch trucks of all different shapes, sizes, and colors. Most of whom offer up some of the cities most exquisite eats. Philadelphia has a number of outstanding restaurants, but these four wheeled eateries show the true personality of the city. Most do not move from their street side homes and are outfitted with generators.

One of the many lunch trucks on the campus of Temple

While I will not be taking a first date to a lunch truck, many offer a menu that will not be found anywhere else. Numerous trucks have the standard cheesesteaks and soft pretzels. However, if you examine further you will find some rare bites. For example, on Temple University's campus is The Creperie. The crowd in front of the red, white, and blue (or I should say blue, white, and red) truck is staggering, but so I here is well worth the wait.

If you work or attend school in the city, give some different trucks a try. They are quick, cheap, and not your usual meal. 

Good News Philly Promo Video!

A little something I put together:

Proof That Chivalry Still Exists

A scenario that is often asked is if you found a bag of money on the street; what would you do? Most of us would like to believe that we would return it, but i'm sure a handful would pocket the money. John Kavanaugh of West Chester, who is homeless, was faced with this exact choice.

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The envelope contained $1,440 cash, belonging to Pottstown attorney Robert Stauffer. While walking from his car into the Chester County Recorder of Deeds, the money fell through Stauffer's hole in his coat, as well as his overcoat. The homeless Kavanaugh stepped on the snow covered envelope and didn't hesitate to turn it into police. Stauffer thought it might have been turned in to the address on the envelope, until he was relived to get a call from the police. The two men plan on meeting so Stauffer can give a reward for the humanity Kavanaugh has displayed.