Letter From the Editor, November 2023
I took a class last fall that made me believe food is the center of the universe.
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I took a class last fall that made me believe food is the center of the universe.
Benson Gao (C’ 22) has gained a new perspective on education over the last five years—literally. After switching his major in the middle of his junior year and graduating from Penn in the fall, he is now a teacher.
With five years of experience being in therapy, I’d like to say I have a good grasp on life’s most complex questions. Lucky for you, I pay very close attention to my therapist’s answers, and I now consider myself qualified to step into the role of advice giver for you lovely readers based on questions you submitted to us here at 34th Street. I also took Intro Psych my freshman year, so I’m well on my way to being an expert.
If you're a fan of Matisse, Philadelphia is the place to be this fall.
Some of the most scrumptious food porn can be found on the big screen—in everything from mob flicks to rom coms to animated movies. But food scenes aren't just there to get the audience's mouth watering. Rather, the meals depicted on screen can represent bigger concepts and themes that drive the plot and reveal characters' true colors. Here are some of Street's all–time favorites:
Upon chatting with Justin Acheampong (C ‘23) for the first time, one thing is abundantly clear: They are dedicated to leaving Penn a better place than they found it. They foster a strong sense of community in each of their advocacy spaces, whether on or off campus. Justin's welcoming yet spunky personality makes them the kind of friend to show you a good time while also making sure you feel safe. And to top it all off, they have the coolest philosophy on fashion—it's an empowering form of self–care, love, and expression.
Manoj Simha (W ‘22) is not your typical finance bro.
Takeout boxes, streeeteries, Grubhub, Uber Eats, home–cooked meals, grocery store delivery—all of us have had to adapt and innovate food habits in the wake of the COVID–19 pandemic, and restaurants have certainly been no exception. From adapting their business models to focus on takeout, to changing their hours to deal with staffing shortages, to constructing outdoor huts to accommodate more outdoor dining, to even closing their businesses for good, adaptation has been the name of the game for restaurants in the COVID–19 era. But even as restaurants are going back to “normal,” owners are still being affected by the altered realities of the industry—and shifting their business models accordingly.
I’ve never been more in love than I am right now.
Nestled behind a wall of South Philly artist Isaiah Zagar’s mosaics is a warm wooden entryway. The satisfying sound of wind chimes welcomes you in, and a VHS tape of John Carpenter’s "The Thing" plays on an old–fashioned yellow television. It’s a whimsical and colorful room with potted plants and posters galore. The Chilly Banana is the perfect spot for an anytime pick–me–up that’s equal parts fun, tasty, and healthy.
Editor's Note: This article contains spoilers for Season 1 of 'The White Lotus.'
Bernie Wang (C, E '21) has a significantly more calm and humble demeanor when compared to any Penn student, so much so that his humility can hide how accomplished he is.
The following article contains spoilers for 'Made For Love.'
You know you're at a Jewish family gathering when overbearing relatives ask you about your weight, your grades, and your love life as if they’re asking about the weather. Bubbies bicker with zaydes, nosy aunts gossip in the corner, and you often find yourself wondering, “Wait ... how am I related to that guy again?” Oh, right. He’s your uncle’s wife’s mother’s cousin’s son.
Philadelphia is a city rich in history. Cobblestone streets are reminiscent of the horse and buggy carriages that once were the main form of transportation. Nowadays, paying for a horse and buggy ride is a novelty most often exploited by tourists and romantic comedy enthusiasts. However, you may be surprised to hear that there’s still a community of horseback riders on the streets of Philly.
The brilliant minds at Disney somehow never run out of ideas, and their latest installment of Raya and the Last Dragon is as mystical and adventurous as ever. The film follows young Raya on her hunt for the titular last dragon, the only remaining individual of its kind, so that it can help save her world from sinister monsters.
Jewish representation in entertainment is a slippery slope. Religious rituals are often portrayed inaccurately, stereotypes are perpetuated, and values are misconstrued. Every once in a while, though, a series or movie comes along that highlights the triumphs and talents of the Jewish community. The upcoming Oscars shine the spotlight on a handful of Jewish icons, in the wake of several antisemitic 'jokes' that recently aired in popular shows.
Watch one episode of The Eric Andre Show, and you’ll see just how much comedic chaos one man can bring into the world. A master of jokes and pranks, Eric Andre spends his screen time interviewing celebrities and celebrity impersonators, shocking innocent civilians, partaking in what producers describe as “deranged” man–on–the–street segments, and wreaking havoc in the studio.
Whether you see it after a quick walk to Clark Park or an Uber ride to the Philly suburbs, the brightly colored Grassroots Food Truck stands proudly in the sunlight like it’s the promised land. It might be a chilly Sunday, but chefs Troy Harris and Kareem Wallace greet you with enough warmth to keep you going for days—and the gooey mac and cheese, sticky sweet potato fries, and herb–flecked falafel certainly don’t hurt either.
As the salty smell of artificial butter swirls around, you lean back in your squeaky seat, and the lights begin to dim. The room is somehow both freezing and stuffy, but the surround–sound volume and larger–than–life screen transport you to a fantasy world of your choosing. There’s truly nothing that compares to the timeless movie theater experience, something cinephiles have been missing since the onset of the pandemic.
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