On Friday Nov. 6, Philadelphia was recognized as a World Heritage City by the Organization of World Heritage Cities (OWCH), making it the first U.S. city to receive this title. This title is an acknowledgement of the city’s historical significance, and it puts Philly on equal ground with cities like Berlin, Cairo, Jerusalem, and Paris, […]
Philly Gets Global Recognition Read Post »
Lately, many of my friends are into HBO’s Game of Thrones and the History-channel-hit-turned-Comic-Con-favorite, Vikings. Perhaps—hot on the heels of Peter Jackson’s Oscar-winning adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings trilogy—these shows resonate with America’s growing fascination with the degeneration of urban, capitalist culture, and the prospect of a retreat to primitive societies filled
“While the World Lasted”: On Tolkien and the Vikings Read Post »
The advent of LGBTQ rights is upon us, not just in the United States, but around the world. Contrary to what the religious right and the liberal left will have you believe, LGBTQ rights are far more complex and numerous than just “gay marriage.” While they are not perfect or all-encompassing in any iteration, the
After Same-Sex Marriage Read Post »
On the evening of Nov. 10, droves of interested intellectuals trudged through the persistent rain to the Warner Library atrium, where Dr. RJ Snell presented a lecture titled “Rebuilding the City Upon a Hill,” commemorating the fifth anniversary of the Agora Institute for Civic Virtue and the Common Good. The Agora Institute was formed in
Agora Celebrates Fifth Anniversary Read Post »
Who knew red cups could cause such reactions? Starbucks’ red holiday cups have recently been in the news because some have interpreted their lack of Christmas imagery as evidence that Starbucks is waging a “war on Christmas.” Most of my friends have looked at this controversy with amusement, recognizing that it hardly qualifies as newsworthy.
When a Company Takes a Political Stance, What Should We Do? Read Post »
With Christmas creeping closer, my crafty side is starting to show, and I’ve turned to Pinterest for inspiration. DIY projects make the promise that you can create anything from gourmet meatballs to mosaic birdbaths all on your own, but these fancy projects are hardly ever friendly for a tight budget. For a single Pinterest project,
Christmas Crafting Read Post »
We’re a month and a half into the NHL’s five month season, and leaders are beginning to emerge. At the time of writing, this year’s three top teams are the Montréal Canadiens (13-2), the Dallas Stars (13-4), and the New York Rangers (12-2). Two of these are not terribly surprising. The Canadiens, with 24 Stanley
Who’s Hot in the NHL Read Post »
There is a word in the Spanish language that has been deemed one of the most difficult to translate into English: “duende.” It loosely translates to describe the profound feeling of awe during an artful experience. Sometimes we need to reach beyond our own language to fully communicate an emotion. Maybe there aren’t enough —
Mary Consoli: Cantata Soloist Read Post »
I love giving people presents, especially Christmas presents. Of course, I equally adore receiving presents. But there’s something utterly delightful in presenting someone with something you know will brighten their day and bring a smile to their face. It’s that burst of affectionate glee when you see something in a store, or online (or maybe you
Becoming Givers: Christmas Presents and Christ’s Presence Read Post »
Ah, how I enjoy “The Hunger Games.” You and your family sit down for Thanksgiving dinner, when suddenly your grandmother jams her fork into the table in a declaration of war, then your sister throws her knife at your head like it’s a dagger, then your parents proceed to slit each other’s throats in a
Smelly Potatoes: MockingJay Part 2 Read Post »
