May 29, 2010
Sorry, Jersey Shore on Memorial Day Weekend — we definitely love you and spending time with you…
But this year, we’re staying in the city to watch the Flyers play in the Stanley Cup.
Where? Feels like a perfect night to watch on the jumbotron at the Piazza.
Game 1, tonight. Flyers vs Blackhawks, 8 p.m. on NBC.
Let’s Go Flyers.
Philadelphia Flyers [Official Site]
May 28, 2010
There are two fun, family friendly festival taking place concurrently down at Penn’s Landing this Sunday. First is Delaware River Day, a celebration of conscientious boating practices, stresses the importance of marine safety measures and encourages waterway preservation along the Delaware River.
Attendees can take part in free kayaking, life jacket fitting, musical entertainment, free face painting for the kids and vessel tours. There will also be a Blessing of the Fleet at 1:00 p.m., hourly sailings aboard the Schooner Northwind, U.S. Coast Guard man overboard demonstrations and a Tug Boat Competition from 2:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m. This event is jointly hosted by United States Coast Guard Auxiliary and the Delaware River Waterfront Corporation and takes place from 12 noon until 6 p.m. behind the Independence Seaport Museum.
The Portuguese Heritage Festival runs 1 to 7 p.m. on Penn’s Land Great Plaza. The festivities will begin with a flag ceremony and playing of the national anthem of Portugal, followed by a blessing of the fleet aboard the Tall Ship Gazela. The Tall Ship Gazela is originally a Portuguese ship that is now berthed at Penn’s Landing.
The entertainment also begins at 1 p.m. and will feature folk dancing groups including Tamar Alto, A Eira, Casa do Ribatejo and Phila. Portuguese Club and live music by The Riverside Accordion Band, “Rusgas” from Arcos de Valdevez and Mena Leandro. Make sure to come hungry, as there will be plenty of Portuguese cuisine on offer, from BBQ sardines, chicken and pork to the famous BBQ Chourico. Activities for the kids will feature a clown, face painting and moon bounce.
Admission to both events is free.
May 28, 2010
Omelet & Sweet Potato Home Fries @ Mi Lah
“Mi Lah” comes from a Buddhist word denoting nature, harmony, happiness and kindness… expect to be treated genially, fed well, and be thanked by your friends for introducing them to one of Philly’s most under-the-radar restaurants. Mi Lah.
It’s the rare breed of vegetarian restaurant that can satisfy both your carnivore dining companions and veggie loving friends, but Mi Lah pulls it off. The food is locally sourced and seasonal, and the menu includes plenty of options to satisfy both parties
The Sunday vegan brunch is a good place to start. A beautiful plate of fresh fruit is complimentary with every meal. Mi Lah is a BYOB, so plan accordingly if you want to order the mimosa mix or sangria. Then challenge your palate with any of the wide-ranging food options. The creamy omelet, served with roasted-just-right red bliss and sweet potato home fries, plus toast, is made-to-order from a creamy egg-and-tofu base with your choice of wild or white mushrooms, American or Cheddar soy cheeses (can’t taste the difference!), spinach, tomatoes, red pepper, veggie sausage or veggie bacon.
The end result is a light concoction that satiates without giving you that about-to-pop feeling. The tofu Benedict is another popular option, served on a toasted English muffin with velvety hollandaise, kale and oven-roasted tomatoes. All the fresh vegetables give each dish the kick it needs. To satisfy a sweet tooth, go for the pancakes, made simply from soy, water and flour- it’s remarkable how cuisine that avoids the overdone pizazz in favor of clean classic flavors can often trump in taste. They’re served with garden-fresh blueberry butter, rich organic maple syrup, and strips of veggie bacon whose believably beefy taste belies their artificial appearance.
For a change of pace, try this alternative-style brunch in a convenient Center City location.
Mi Lah Vegetarian Restaurant
218 South 16th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102
(215) 732-8888
www.milahvegetarian.com
May 28, 2010
Last Year's Garden Railway, Photo courtesy the Arboretum
Tomorrow, the Morris Arboretum’s Garden Railway hits the tracks, bringing joy to each visitor who stops by the beautiful gardens.
This year’s theme? American Roadside Attractions. You’ll spot New Jersey’s Lucy the Elephant, The Big Duck of Hampton Bay, NY, the Teapot Dome of Zillah, WA, and many more. The train travels through the garden on a quarter mile track, created by the Arboretum’s landscape architect, Paul Busse.
The Garden Railway runs all summer form 10am to 4pm during the week, and 10am to 5pm on weekends.
The Arboretum has a handful of train-enthusiast events planned around the Garden Railway. Visit their website for full details.
Morris Arboretum
100 Northwestern Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19118
(215) 247-5777
www.morrisarboretum.org
May 28, 2010
Nighttime fountains at Longwood Gardens (photo by. L. Albee)
Friday
Waterfront Connection: Free For Memorial Day
That’s right, the bus that heads over to the Aquarium and Battleship New Jersey is free, all weekend long. Enjoy it!
Meet Your Cheesemaker @ Reading Terminal Market
Stop by Reading Terminal for a cheese happy hour with the Fair Food Farmstand. Marisa has all the details, here.
Memorial Day Weekend @ the National Constitution Center
Lots of events going on at the NCC this weekend, special programs and presentations planned. Check it out!
Free Admission @ the Academy of Natural Sciences for Military Personnel
In the military? Bring the family to the Academy this weekend, or any day through Labor Day, for free admission.
Saturday
Flyers Pep Rally @ Geno’s
Get psyched! Go support our boys. Check out our fun With Love letter to New York, Montreal, and Boston.
Festival of Fountains @ Longwood Gardens
Stop by the annual Festival of Fountains all weekend long. Marisa has the full scoop, dates, and times, here.
Carousel at the Plays & Players Theatre
The great show opens up today at the Plays & Players Theatre, and blogger Alex Irwin is excited. Look for a review, soon.
(more…)
May 28, 2010
Last year's race
On your mark, get set, go!
If you’re looking for some fun and fitness for the whole family to kick off your 2010 summer season, lace ‘em up and hit the pavement for the 31st Annual Media 5 Mile Race on Friday, June 18th at 7PM.
The race starts in the heart of Media’s downtown business district on State Street, loops two times through the beautiful, tree-lined residential neighborhoods of the town, and finishes up back on the main drag.
The 5 Miler, which grows in popularity each and every year, attracts a diverse group of runners from the Delaware Valley and beyond. Runners of all ages come out to participate.
Kids under 13 can join the Fun Run held prior to the 5 Mile at 6PM at John K. Barrall Field, which is located along the course. The children get prizes, and so do the adults, in a variety of categories. The night is capped off by an awards ceremony outside the Delaware County Courthouse.
While the course may make your legs burn, the neighborhoods are quaint, the people are friendly, and there are plenty of first aid and water stations along the way to put your mind at ease. Once the last runner crosses that line, grab a bite to eat at one of the many delicious restaurants along the race route, grab a cold cocktail at one of the bars or just stroll around, popping in and out of Media’s unique gift shops and galleries.
Runners, keep in mind that you should act now. There is a cap of 1400 participants due to the increase in turnout each year. To register, or for more information, visit www.media5milerace.com or call 610.566.5210 x555.
May 28, 2010
It’s true.
Case in point:
One day until Game 1.
Flyers vs Blackhawks, Saturday, May 29, 8 p.m. on NBC.
Go Flyers.
Philadelphia Flyers [Official Site]
May 28, 2010
Outside the Please Touch Museum
Like the Academy of Natural Sciences, the Please Touch Museum is offering up free admission to all active duty military personnel and their families, all Summer long.
The promotion starts on Memorial Day and runs through Labor Day 2010.
For more information on the Please Touch Museum, including hours and directions, visit their official website.
Please Touch Museum
4231 Avenue of the Republic, Philadelphia, PA 19131
(215) 581-3181
www.pleasetouchmuseum.org
May 27, 2010
We’re very excited and extremely proud to announce the launch of Summer Love Ale, a new craft beer from Victory Brewing Company and With Love, Philadelphia XOXO.
The golden brew will debut in Philadelphia on June 4th, 2010 just in time for Philly Beer Week before rolling out to bars and restaurants where Victory is available across the country later this summer.
Brewed locally at the Victory Brewery in Chester County, the Summer Love Ale is a golden ale made with pale malts, German hops and Brandywine Creek water. This specific style of beer was chosen because it has a broad appeal and will be accessible for casual beer drinkers, but will still retain exciting hop notes.
The brew has a vibrant and refreshing pale color derived from its lean and refreshing malt body. And the initially floral aroma of hops segues into a well integrated, refreshing hop dryness of European heritage.
You’ll be able to try the lovely new creation yourself at more than twelve bars and restaurants throughout the region beginning on June 4th, including Johnny Brenda’s, Standard Tap, Fork, PYT, Chifa and Nectar. For interested owners/managers who would like to serve Summer Love Ale, fill out this form.
Stay tuned for more information — about both the beer and where to find it — to come.
Victory Beer Blog [Official Site]
May 27, 2010
The cheese case at Milk and Honey Market (photo by M. McClellan)
When I was growing up, I understood cheese to be either muenster (white interior, orange exterior), cheddar (always yellow and typically made by Tillamook) or swiss (hole-y and in sandwich-ready slices). Happily, as I’ve gotten older I’ve learned that there’s a world of cheese to be explored and some of it is made right here in the Philadelphia region.
The Fairfood Farmstand in the Reading Terminal Market is hosting a series of free “Meet Your Local Cheesemaker Happy Hours” to help expose the cheese eating public to the delicious stuff that so many of our regional artisinal cheesemakers are creating. The happy hours take place at the RTM farmstand on the last Friday of the month from 4 – 6 p.m. In addition to noshing on some amazing cheeses, you’ll also get to see how well they pair with our many local brews.
This Friday, Philadelphia Brewing Company‘s Dean Browne will be pairing Walt Wit, Fleur de Lehigh and a third mystery beer with cheeses from Amazing Acres. Amazing Acres is a new, sustainable goat cheese operation based in Chester County. Cheesemakers Debbie and Fred Mikulak will be sampling their Banon, a liquor-laced grape leaf wrapped disc of goat, a Maine inspired ash-rubbed bloomy rind cheese called Sea Smoke and their fresh creme fraiche-like Fromagina.
