Nick Around Town

          No better time to visit Little Italy with my Italian-rooted family than parents weekend! As soon as you step into Little Italy, you feel as if you left Baltimore and entered another city. The streets themselves are narrow with Italian flags hanging from the rowhomes, mini Italian flags taped onto gates, fire hydrants painted in the colors of the Italian flag, and the old brick buildings give the neighborhood a historic and Italian feel. Moreover, strings of lights stretch across some of the streets, which adds to that homey and welcoming ambiance. However, the neighborhood is small, much smaller than Little Italy in New York or Boston, making the entire neighborhood more walkable and quiet. While it doesn’t cover many blocks, you can tell that the people take pride in keeping the Italian heritage alive in the area, adding to Baltimore's character.  The quietness was striking. I’m used to Italian neighborhoods feeling noisy and alive, whethe...

Hey everyone! My name is Nick and I am currently in my senior year of college, studying Finance at Loyola University of Maryland in Baltimore. I was born and raised in the city of brotherly love, in the heart of South Philadelphia, a part of town known for its Italian roots, passion for sports, and grit. Growing up there meant being surrounded by tight-knit family and friends. In South Philly, everybody knows each other, and the loyalty and respect that the environment comes with has helped shape the man I have become today.            Growing up, I was always involved in as many leagues as possible for every sport. My mother and father used to take me from one game to the next, which I am extremely grateful for, given what each game has taught me along with the relationships I’ve formed. Sundays at home meant three things growing up: attending church, heading to my aunt’s house with our family for a Sunday dinner, and football, especially our Eagles...