Credit: Brightnoon Pictures, LLC

When Yao Nunoo first arrived in the United States from Ghana 16 years ago, the then 22-year-old African was building his life as a struggling immigrant artist.

He was a nomad in a strange land, passing through city after city before settling in West Philly in 2002. For 11 years, the now 37-year-old screenwriter/actor has thrived in his “home away from home,” blending into the motley crew of arts and culture alive west of the University of Pennsylvania. With a handful of small productions, a full-length feature, and acting credits under his belt, Nunoo has forged a name for himself in the community—one further elevated by his recent African Film Development Awards’ (AFDA) “Best African Actor in Diaspora” nomination for his role as Ghanaian National Police Inspector Boniface Koomsin in the Ghana-based thriller, The Destiny of Lesser Animals.

“It’s wonderful and flattering to be nominated,” said Nunoo. The AFDA take place June 29 in Tanzania. “The idea behind the African Film Consortium coming up with the AFDA is about contributions to the medium in Africa or about Africa that supports African development and progress. That focus makes the recognition doubly awesome.” Continue Reading

Photo by Jensen Larson Photography via Philly.com.

So Eagles’ owner Jeffrey Lurie’s new bride may look familiar to West Philadelphians. Or, maybe we should say that Tina Lai’s new husband may look familiar.

Lai, 39, a member of the vaunted Lai family of Vietnam Cafe and Fu-Wah fame, married Lurie, 61, in a private ceremony in Charleston, S.C. over the weekend, according to reports.

Lai’s family, which also owns Vietnam Restaurant in Chinatown, came to the United States from Vietnam in 1978. Tina, who was instrumental in getting the restaurants started, is no longer associated with their day-to-day operations.

Lurie announced last July that he and his wife of 20 years, Christina, were divorcing.

No word yet on what Tina thinks about the Chip Kelly offense.

Rep. Roebuck presents Ms. Hills (center) with a citation. She is joined by granddaughter Bridgette Jones, and neighbors Joan Spellman and Angela Shomate (left to right). Shomate said: “[Rosetta] told me she was here so long because God has a plan for her and she hasn’t did it yet.”

When Rosetta Hills moved here from Georgia in 1951, Philadelphia was a flashy destination. The Eagles were coming off two straight league championships. The city hit a peak population of 2.07 million people, placing behind only New York and Chicago. A few years earlier a young man named John Coltrane made a similar journey from North Carolina to North Philly.

Ms. Hills celebrated her 100^th birthday with a warmhearted party Friday afternoon at Renaissance Healthcare & Rehabilitation Center near 47th and Chester, where she has stayed since January. She was joined by her family and friends, as well as workers and residents of the center.

Ms. Hills with granddaughter Bridgette and great granddaughter, Tavonna Jones.

“She’s 100 years old and feisty as ever,” said her granddaughter, Bridgette Jones, who traveled from North Carolina to celebrate. “She said the reason why she’s still here is because she speaks her mind and don’t hold nothing in.”

Ms. Hills received a citation from State Representative James R. Roebuck, recognizing “the momentous occasion of her 100th birthday” and contribution to “the enrichment and betterment of succeeding generations.” The Georgia native, who moved to Philadelphia with her husband to look for work, was visibly teary-eyed and seemed overwhelmed with joy. She was also presented with a decorative “Happy 100th Birthday” cake.

“I speak it. I can’t hold it,” echoed Ms. Hills, a long-time resident of South Philadelphia. “If I have something to say, I’m gonna say it and it comes from the heart.”

– Annamarya Scaccia

West Philly resident Mike Howard has a 12-year-old brother, Christopher, who was diagnosed with cerebral palsy and a very rare chromosomal abnormality called Kleefstra syndrome. Christopher is only one of 50 to 60 people in the world diagnosed with this condition.

As you can imagine, life has been quite hard for Christopher and his family. The boy has been in and out of the hospital for years now and it’s getting harder and harder for his family to cover all the medical expenses as Christopher’s insurance company is becoming less and less helpful.

To help his brother and his family, Mike has set up a fundraising page on Gofundme.com. Mike’s family are unaware of his fundraising efforts as he wants to surprise them and Christopher on his birthday.

To read more about Christopher and to donate, click here.