Love Park by Jim Zervanos

Local writer and high school teacher Jim Zervanos has crafted a touching and engaging first novel set in Philadelphia. Love Park (published by Cable Publishing) follows a Greek-American family living just outside the city, adeptly exploring their inner dynamics and family secrets. Philadelphia plays a major role as the backdrop to the story as the author brings to life its streets and public art. Philadelphia Magazine described the work as "funny, smart, and incisive."

Zervanos also published a story, "Georgie," in the anthology Philly Fiction, a collection of short stories set in Philadelphia and written by local writers. He also has a piece in the collection Philadelphia Noir, a set of gritty hard-boiled tales which take place around the city.

Find out more about the author at jimzervanos.com.

Philly cut-outs by Grand Circus

We've been seeing these around for some time now at craft fairs and cool artsy shops in the city. Little cardboard cut-outs of archetypal Philadelphia homes, including row homes, a "Fishtowner" town house, and a trinity (small three story homes that proliferate in parts of South Philly and Kensington). Small emblematically Philly vehicles are also available, including a Mambo movers truck, a Kenzinger beer truck, and a classic Philly food truck.

These little craft works are sold under the name Grand Circus Paper & Toy (though the previous incarnation, Daymaker Industries, also has an apparently active store on Etsy, with slightly different merchandise). If you see the company at a fair, they'll build the model for you. At stores, they are usually available both ready made or in flat form. But part of the thrill is putting together your very own miniature Kenzinger truck.

Prices range from $3 to $7. Products available at Grand Circus's Etsy site.

2wo One 5ive Tees from BreakawayINK

We all rock the 2-1-5, even when we're doing it from our 2-6-7 cell (or 6-1-0 or 4-8-4, or, god forbid, those NJ codes). We've seen a lot of 215 merch over the years, but something about BreakawayINK's design caught our eye. Perhaps it's the way the first letters seem to incongruously spell 205. Whatever, cool Philly T-shirt. Breakaway's 2wo One 5ives are available for $25.99 on their website, breakawayink.com, in three colors: red, green, or our favorite, blue. Some colors are on sale for $19.99, which might mean they're not going to be around for too long.