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.

Flyers Wives Annual Charity Carnival

The 34th annual Flyers Wives Fight For Lives Carnival was held this past Sunday, February 27th. Every year the event seems to get bigger; which has raised a total of $23 million since its start in 1977. The money raised funds a number of different charities, including the Barry Ashbee Research Laboratories at Hahnemann University Hospital.

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This years Flyers Wives and girlfriends

This years carnival featured many opportunities for fun, all while helping out a great cause. Fans were treated with chances to meet current Flyers and Flyers alumni. Just some of the activities were take a shot on goal, dunk tank with a Flyer, and have your picture taken with the Stanley Cup. Also, auctions and sales were taking place for autographed jerseys, pucks, and other memorabilia.

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Barry Ashbee

One of the major influences of the carnival is former Flyers defenseman and assistant coach Barry Ashbee. He helped lead the Flyers to a Stanley Cup win in 1974 and his number 4 is retired by the franchise. A few months after the first Flyers Wives Carnival, Barry Ashbee passed away at the age of 38 from a form of leukemia. Ashbee continues to be a thriving force to keep this great event growing.

If you or someone you know is a Flyers fan; here are some auctions still taking place that benefit Flyers Charities.
Flyers Charities Auctions

Philadelphian is a Real Life Superhero

New York City is home to some of the most famous comic book superheros; Superman, Spider-man and so on. The latest hero to save the day in the Big Apple is a fellow Philadelphian.

Joseph Lozito helped New York police capture Maksim Gelman; who went on a spree of stabbings carjackings and hit-and-runs, killing four in a span of 28 hours. For whatever reason, Gelman went after 6 foot 1, 270 pound Lozito on a subway car under Time Square. Lozito fought off his attacker who then tried to reach the motorman, subdued him and NYPD took him into custody.

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Lozito in the hospital after the attack

Lozito is originally from Queens, but has been living in Philadelphia for almost a dozen years. Laid off from his job from Fleer trading-card company; which is why he took a job in Manhattan as a ticket taker at Lincoln Center. Him, his wife Andrea and their two sons reside in the Northeast.

Some news sources were reporting that Lozito is an expert mixed martial artiest, however he is just an everyday fan. Joseph buys Ultimate Fighting Championship on pay-per-view just like millions of others around the country. All of his watching off UFC paid off, because the move that brought down the suspect was a leg sweep which is common in mixed martial arts.

The 40 year old Lozito did endure some wounds from the attack. Gelman sliced him under his left eye, on his head, and left arm. Some of the scars may be permanent, but that does nothing to damper the feeling of getting to return home to his family.

Read the full article here and a see a video interview of Joseph Lozito