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Ali Velshi Banned Book Club Sits Down with Randi Weingarten

The MSNBC host and Citizen board member interviews the new president of the American Federation of Teachers about her efforts to take on book bans

By Ali Velshi

Emma Eisenberg’s Local Book Recommendations

The Blue Stoop founder and author of the new novel, Housemates, on the best new books to read this summer by local authors

By Emma Copley Eisenberg

Building a City of Writerly Love

As she was writing Housemates, her new novel about creating art, Emma Copley Eisenberg helped start and foster an organization that makes it a little easier to create art in Philadelphia

By Courtney DuChene
Book Excerpt

Grace and Grit In a West Philly Boxing Gym

A local photographer’s new book features the “rich beauty” of the athletes, trainers and family of West Philly’s James Shuler Memorial Boxing Gym.

By Jano Cohen
Art for Change

When a Civics Lesson is also an Artwork

Phoebe Bachman builds opportunities for collaboration and civic engagement, including a pop-up space that artistically re-imagines the City’s budget office, open now at LOVE Park. The latest in a series with Forman Arts Initiative.

By RJ Rushmore
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Ali Velshi Banned Book Club reads The Giver

The MSNBC host and Citizen board member interviews author Lois Lowry about the dark themes in The Giver that guide young readers through discovering their humanity

By Ali Velshi
Art for Change

Visual Art as a Bullhorn

Chela Ixcopal became an artist by following his heart. That’s how he came to represent immigrants’ rights groups and kids pursuing art for the first time

By Logan Cryer

The Philly-est Outdoor Dining in Philadelphia

Follow our guide to outdoor dining in Philly to discover spots around town for delicious food and drink in gardens, on tucked-away patios and other Insta-worthy surrounds

By The Philadelphia Citizen Staff
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Ali Velshi Banned Book Club reads Bridge to Terabithia

The MSNBC host and Citizen board member interviews Katherine Paterson on the universal and sometimes dark themes of childhood in the enduring classic Bridge to Terabithia

By Ali Velshi
Big Rube’s Philly

Marc Jackson

The chef and photographer catches up with the former NBA player and current Sixers TV analyst, world traveler, fitness devotee and fashion plate

By Reuben Harley