Philly's energy, infused with art

[billy ross]

Philly in a New Light

For years I had a very lonely belief/dream that Philly could regain its lost glory. I vowed to bang my head against the wall and to fight and to use my gifts to help make this a reality, at least in my small part of Philadelphia that I could influence, and I knew that I would end up either spent or victorious. I'm feeling more and more that the latter has occurred. Just yesterday two different lifelong Philadelphians at two different events, when trading stories about what parts of the city we were from and/or live in now, said exactly the same thing to me. They said that East Falls, where I live, is gorgeous, extremely pleasant, and has come a very long way these past few years. In between the events I took my mom to my old home where I moved to from my parents' house when I was 24 years old - she remarked about how all of the street trees that my wife and I had gotten planted had matured and were so gorgeous - it had been quite awhile since she had been to that street, since we moved out almost eight years ago. When I woke up this morning I filled out forms to get three more street trees in the neighborhood, since she was right - those trees are gorgeous and they really make that special block even more special. Then this morning I read this article above, to continue the theme, this time in a Center City milieu. We have been erasing ugliness and adding beauty, people are starting to take notice, and it's awesome to be a part of that, in a small way, or in a big way.

[JakeL]

Awesome article and such an encouragement to all of us that see the potential in this city and are striving to make it again what it once was. Glad to hear that you're feeling the upswing from all sorts of different people, I have been feeling a similar vibe recently. Good things are happening and the narrative of this city is changing from one of blight and neglect to one of hope and renewal.