Philly Dame

A new feature starts today at Philly Dame. Based on the series One in Eight Million by the New York Times, 1.5 Million to One will profile a Philadelphian each Wednesday to ask some questions about our city’s past and future.

Albert Yee is a freelance photographer, an employee of the Fair Food Farmstand in Reading Terminal Market, a fig lover, a fiancee, and a prolific food blogger. He recently shot the cover of Grid Magazine’s November issue (see below) and was featured in the Philadelphia Inquirer for his SEPTA blog, SEPTA Fail.

1. Who’s your favorite Declaration signer and why?

(Albert Yee) I don’t know much about the signers other than they were old white men, but I’ll take Ben Rush. He was big into medicine – what we know as modern medicine and the good old bloodletting stuff – and was an abolitionist.

Mucca Pazza @ Johnny Brenda’s by Albert Yee

2. If you had unlimited money and resources, what one thing would you add/subtract/change in Philadelphia?

(Albert Yee) I would provide solid healthcare for all. That would allow people to concentrate on more important matters than finding a job –any job — with benefits for themselves and their families. People could pursue career paths previously unthinkable to them knowing that they would have their health intact.

Philadelphia Skyline by Albert Yee

3. Who’s your favorite Philadelphia-based artist?

(Albert Yee) I’ve been a HUGE fan of Zoe Strauss’s work for almost as long as I’ve been here in Philly. In the last 5+ years I’ve gotten to know her and we’ve become friends. I even stop by her house in the middle of the night down in South Philly leaving her notes while heading home from a late night out. I can’t think of another artist, currently based in Philly, who is more Philly than Zoe. She exudes Philly – the good side – to the max. She’s raw and polished; gritty and flawless.

Reading Terminal Market by Albert Yee

4. Betsy Ross or Ben Franklin?

(Albert Yee) Ben Franklin – you know, he invented blogs, wit and 5-question quizzes. Damn, he probably invented Betsy Ross.

City Hall by Albert Yee

5. Favorite Philadelphia website?

(Albert Yee) It was PhillySkyline.com, but Brad’s moving on to, literally, greener pastures and the site will be an archive very very soon. The city is losing one of it’s greatest advocates and a hell of a photog/storyteller/reporter. Goodbye drinks will be sad, but you gotta do what you gotta do.