CITIZEN OF THE YEAR AWARDS

Block Captain Mekia Elizabeth

The Southwest Germantown native is this year’s Block Captain of the Year for her commitment to fueling deep, joyful connections among neighbors

By Natalie Pompilio
Ideas We Should Steal

Make Restaurant Reuse Easy

A Seattle program has encouraged both mom-and-pop eateries and behemoths like Starbucks to pare down their customer-facing waste. Could litter-burdened Philly do the same?

By Courtney DuChene
Ideas We Should Steal

Free Food at the Free Library

A longtime university president suggests the city’s library system follow Chicago and Baltimore, and add food pantries to its community services

By Elaine Maimon

The Money Behind MAHA

What makes “Big Wellness” so dangerous? The renowned CHOP immunologist explains

By Paul Offit
The Citizen Recommends

Philly’s Newest Unstuffy Food Awards

The Tasties — a first-of-its-kind culinary awards ceremony for Philly and the city’s “biggest night in food” — just got bigger

By Shaunice Ajiwe

Breaking Bread For Citizenship

The Welcoming Center’s 2026 dinner series will bring immigrants and native-born Philadelphians together to explore the themes of neighborliness and good citizenship while bonding over the most human of activities: eating

By Roxanne Patel Shepelavy

The Best Ways To Not Drink in Philly for Dry January

Planning to hop on the wagon for the next 31 days, more or less? Check out these non-alcoholic bars, mocktails and bottle shops in Philadelphia

By Courtney DuChene

Can this New Food Hall Solve College Hunger?

University City’s Gather stands alone for its commitment to community, small local restaurants and fighting hunger — though you can just go for the tasty food

By Malcolm Burnley
LANE JOHNSON’S SEASON OF STRONG MENTAL HEALTH

Lemons, Lemonade … and Lemon Rind

The two-time Super Bowl champ admires Food Network Star Robert Irvine’s work with our military and first responders as much as he lauds his attitude on life

By Lane Johnson

20+ Black-Owned Businesses That Do Good

Shops, cafés, pizza and water ice joints, beauty boutiques, bookstores, and even an auto mechanic whose Black owners are committed to making our city better

By Amber Burns and Charissa Howard