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Thanks to the Raab Collection, Philly-based collectors of historic letters, manuscripts and other documents, you can celebrate Inauguration Season by seeing the work of our Founding Fathers, up close and personal.

On Thursday, Jan. 29 from 6-8 p.m., Philadelphia’s esteemed Pyramid Club will open its doors to the public to showcase historical documents dating back to 1776 (an important date in Philly’s history!).

You’ll see:

• - A letter from George Washington at the turning point at Valley Forge in 1778, describing his audacious plan to attack the British stronghold in New York.
• - A letter from Abraham Lincoln, written in 1858 just days before his famed House Divided speech, refusing to charge orphans for his legal services.
• - …and a whole lot more.

Who knows “” maybe a letter from Barack Obama will be part of the Raab Collection someday.

Admission is $16.95 per guest, which includes a complimentary drink. Contact Thomas Allen at thomas.allen@ourclub.com to register.

CLICK HERE for more info.

The National Liberty Museum welcomes Eagles fans this Sunday, January 18th for the NFC Championship game. Throw on your green and white garb to receive free admission and a complimentary “All Heart” pin, and proceed to enjoy the game on the museum’s big screen!

Kickoff is at 3:00 p.m., but the National Liberty Museum opens at 10:00 a.m., so arrive early to ensure a great seat to watch the Birds fly!

Go Eagles!

Photo by D. Hallowell for the Philadelphia Eagles

No, the players won’t be there. But Swoop and the cheerleaders will be. So you’ve got that going for you.

WHAT:
Eagles Rally Featuring Eagles Cheerleaders, Mascot Swoop and Contests for Andy Reid Look A Like, Best Philly Fan, Male and Female!

WHEN:
1 PM Friday, January 16, 2009

WHERE:
The Bellevue’s Gourmet Food Court Broad and Walnut Streets, Philadelphia

WHY:
Cheer the team on in Center City!

VISUALS:
Andy Reid Look A Like Steve Odabashian will be among the judges of the Andy Reid Contest”¦ Eagles Cheerleaders leading Cheers”¦ Fans with Swoop”¦outrageously decorated fans!

Go Eagles!

For a restaurant named after a city in the U.K., London Grill sure is getting into the spirit of Barack Obama’s Inauguration.

And they’re even getting a head start on the festivities: On Friday, Jan. 16, they’re throwing a bash called “Party Favors, Champagne & $2.00 Freedom Beers!” Sounds good to me!

Then, on Inauguration Day (Jan. 20), London Grill is hosting an all-day, all-night (12 p.m. – 2 a.m.) Inauguration Bash. They’ll unveil their new “Inauguration Ale,” which they describe as a style “between a porter and stout, with a bit of Kriek and a touch of chocolate blended in.” Tasty! Plus, London Grill will donate a percentage of the brew’s sales to local charities.

The Inauguration Ale will be on tap throughout January and February, so stop by, get drinkin’ and help make a difference!

CLICK HERE to read more. Hope to see you there!

Photo by K. Ciappa for GPTMC

Ms. Tootsie’s “” named America’s “Best Soul Food” by Black Enterprise Magazine in August 2007 “” is celebrating Obama’s Inauguration with something everybody loves: Happy Hour!

Stop by on January 20 from 5-7 p.m. for a public happy hour featuring “” what else? “” Obama-tinis.

And while you’re there, why not try the signature drink: Ms. Tootsie’s Tootsie Roll. It’s a chocolate martini made with vanilla vodka in a cocoa-rimmed glass and has a Tootsie Roll as a garnish.

Looking to celebrate President-Elect Barack Obama’s inauguration but just don’t know exactly how? McGillin’s Olde Ale House in Center City, “Philadelphia’s oldest continually operating tavern”, has big plans for the big day. They’re celebrating in a style that Hawaii-native Obama would certainly approve of by throwing a luau in traditional Hawaiian style. Serving such culturally sensitive meals as Huli Huli Chicken, Macadamia Nut Crusted Coconut Shrimp, and Peachy Pork Roast Barbecue as well as preparing a whole mess of Hawaii-themed drinks (Blue Hawaiians, Red, White & Blue ‘Freedom Cocktails’, and the new ‘Obama Mama’ — a tropical concoction of rums and coconut), you’d be hard-pressed to find a better luau happening in Philly for the big day.

In case the mixed drink thing isn’t your scene, there’s a variety of tasty and refreshing American beers on tap (Stoudt’s American Pale Ale and Victory Hop Devil to name a few) and, unironically, ‘El Presidente’ bottles are available on the cheap for two bucks a piece. The party starts at 11 a.m. on Tuesday and doesn’t stop until 2 a.m. the next morning so you might want to take off of work… for a few days.

McGillin’s Olde Ale House
1310 Drury St, Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 735-5562
www.mcgillins.com

On the edge of what locals call Jewelers’ Row, sits a premier, high fashion jeweler “” Marchi Jewelers. This gem of a store is almost hidden on Walnut Street “” far enough from the glitz and bustle of its neighbors, but not far from the quality and fine jewelry it’s well known for.

John Marchiafava, owner of Marchi Jewelers has been in the business for well over 30 years and as an expert he knows the culture of fine jewelry.

It’s “worlds apart” feel is often synonymous with the fine, hand-crafted jewelry it often features and sells. And on a particularly rainy Philadelphia night, Marchi Jewelers played host to Emanuela Duca “” jeweler extraordinaire “” whose collections exhibit an “organic” and earthy feel. Much like what flies out the glass-enclosed cases at Marchi on any given day.

Whether you’re shopping for high-polished jewelry or something grittier and “earthy,” Marchi Jewelers is your one stop for everything unique.

Marchi Jewelers
737 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
(215) 627-3134

For those of you who are somewhat web savvy and utilize Twitter, you might have witnessed a bit of heat brewing up between Philadelphia’s tourism Twitter and the state of Arizona’s account.

Sunday, the Philadelphia Eagles play the Arizona Cardinals, and winner goes on to the Super Bowl in February. Both teams pulled off some serious plays this past weekend, and the Eagles are playing the best that they have all year. Their defense has been amazing!

If the Eagles win, Arizona’s tourism Twitter will sport an Eagles logo for a week, and if the Cardinals win, vice versa. The person who runs the Philadelphia Tourism twitter also might cry and sob quietly into their hands, though no photo evidence will be provided.

Let’s go Eagles!

Lunch at Nineteen; take it from Craig Laban:

The three-course lunch deal for $19 at XIX Nineteen (Park Hyatt Philadelphia at the Bellevue, Broad and Walnut, 215-790-1919) pairs one of the city’s loftiest high-rise views with a splendid buffet, a serious entree du jour (like the wild striped bass over white beans in a curried seafood froth) and a lavish dessert spread to finish.

He knows of what he speaks.

CLICK HERE to view the deal.

(*No coupon necessary.)

Asher Lev is a gifted painter who struggles with pursuing his art in the midst of a strict Jewish upbringing. His father considers painting to be a sacrilege, while his mother is torn between her love for her son and her husband, her commitment to her community, and her own personal calling.

Amid his turbulent relationship with his father, young Asher learns from his mentor, a secular Jewish artist, that Judaism and art are too strong in their traditions for one to commit to both, and realizes that he must choose between them.

Aaron Posner, in his second adaptation of a Chaim Potok novel, brings the world premiere of My Name Is Asher Lev to the Arden Theater, of which he is a co-founder. The play opened on January 8th and will run through March 15th. Stay tuned for a review, as well as an interview with Aaron Posner, here on Uwish.

My Name is Asher Lev @ The Arden Theatre
January 8 – March 15

The Arden Theatre
40 N. 2nd Street, Philadelphia, PA
(215) 922-1122
www.ardentheatre.org