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Take a look at weird and wonderful succulents of all kinds at PHS Headquarters' McLean Library.
(Photo courtesy PHS)

The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society has proved itself the king of creative horticulture lately, with the ragingly popular PHS Pop-Up Garden featuring a “Can You Dig It?”- emblazoned ad campaign; plus next year’s Hawaii-themed Flower Show.

PHS’s latest fun programming is located at its McLean Library, on the first floor of PHS headquarters, which will house the cool plant exhibition “Strange Beauties” beginning today, Halloween, and continuing through December 2.

The free exhibition features unusual and intriguing succulents and cacti from around the world, from Mexico to Madagascar. Many specimens are being grown right here at Meadowbrook Farm, the estate and garden center operated by PHS in Abington Township.

The exhibition will also include “green roof” plants, low-maintenance succulents often used on roofs to reduce storm water runoff and cut energy costs.

Visitors to the “Strange Beauties” exhibition will learn how to grow succulents themselves. Videos about the plants will also be on view through the run of the show.

There will be a special wine and cheese reception at 5 p.m. on November 2, plus a 6-8 p.m. lecture, “Living on the Edge: Orchids and Conservation in Amazonia,” $20.

Examples of beautiful cacti and succulents will be available for purchase throughout the run of “Strange Beauties,” and will culminate with a closing plant sale on December 2.

The exhibition is the first in a new series of plant shows in the McLean Library, harkening back to PHS’s history of mounting small exhibitions, such as orchid, bulb and rose shows, during the 19th and early 20th centuries. Good stuff.

“Strange Beauties” at PHS Headquarters
Where: 20th and Arch Streets
When: Now through December 2, Weekdays, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Cost: Free
More info: www.pennhort.net

Now in its 10th year, the First Person Festival of Memoir and Documentary Art returns November 10-20 with 11 days of performances at five venues.

There will be documentary film premieres, foodie events, live performances, workshops with artists, author readings, art exhibits, two one-woman shows AND nightly specials at the popular Khyber Pass Pub.

Starting Friday, November 11, head to Khyber Upstairs every night of the festival for drink specials and live performances. Happy Hour runs 6-8:30 p.m. and during The Adam Wade from NH Show performance on November 11 and 12.

Mingle with festival artists, talk about the shows, and get to know other members of the First Person Arts community.

First Person Festival ticket holders also get 10% off their food orders at the Khyber Pass Pub.

Ticket information is available online, and you can check out a full event calendar.

Stay tuned for more details on specific events!

10th Annual First Person Festival of Memoir and Documentary Art
When: November 10-20
Where: Venues throughout Old City
Cost: Prices range from free to $125 (most are $15); groups of 10 or more save 15% on tickets
More info: www.firstpersonarts.org

Previously: The 10th Anniversary First Person Arts Festival Set For November 10-20, Featuring More Performances At More Venues Than Ever Before

Think you can share why the hoagie is or is not the greatest sandwich on the planet in 140 characters or less? You'll be automatically entered to win a free weekend in Philadelphia plus free hoagies from one of five classic sandwich shops. (Image courtesy Trazzler)

Did you hear? Philadelphia is in the midst of a massive hoagie celebration.

In honor of the approaching National Sandwich Day on November 3, Visit Philly is celebrating Philadelphia’s quintessential cold sandwich with a series of special promotions and events.

You can vote in the Great Philadelphia Hoagie Debate, enter to win a year’s supply of hoagies, attend the With Love Hoagie Invitational, explore some of the region’s best hoagies and hoagie shops via an interactive map and much more. All the details are right here.

And that’s not all.

Visit Philly is also running a sweet two-week contest on Trazzler, a travel site that focuses on unique weekend getaways.

All you have to do is answer this super easy hoagie question: “The hefty hoagie is the best sandwich ever. Agree or disagree?”

To enter the contest, visit the contest page on Trazzler and follow the directions there to share your thoughts via Twitter on why the hoagie knocks out all other sandwiches, or else challenge the hoagie with the sandwich you think rules the land. The five most creative Tweets will win a free weekend in Philadelphia and loads of free hoagies.

Here are the five prizes:

• $250 at Sofitel Philadelphia Hotel and $25 for hoagies at Shank’s Original
• $250 at The Rittenhouse Hotel and $25 for hoagies at Reading Terminal Market
• $250 at The Morris House Hotel and $25 for hoagies at DiBruno Bros.
• One free night at Windsor Suites Philadelphia and $25 for hoagies at Campo’s
• $250 at Hilton Inn at Penn and $25 for hoagies at Tony Luke’s

Just when we thought all this hoagie mayhem couldn’t get any more awesome.

The Philadelphia Hoagie Challenge [Trazzler]
Authentic Philadelphia Hoagies – Our Complete Guide Of Where To Find, Eat And Enjoy Hoagies Across Philadelphia [Visit Philly]

CRISP is innovative in not only its menu and sustainable initiatives but also its unique packaging; the portable falafel 'handbag' is featured here. (Photo courtesy CRISP)

Last month, the Center City dining scene welcomed CRISP, the first outside-of-New-York outpost of the popular falafel chain.

Located, completely coincidentally, in the former Falafel Factory spot near Continental Midtown, CRISP offers fresh and fast 100% vegetarian food.

The menu combines centuries-old Mediterranean favorites with modern twists, and it’s all as green as green gets. CRISP uses renewable, recycled and recyclable resources exclusively.

The Story of the Philly Shop

Vlad Uchenik, owner of the Philly shop, came to town from Kiev, Ukraine in 1979. He has a Bachelor’s in Business Management from Rutgers, and a Master’s in Finance from Temple.

Uchenik started working in the financial services industry in 1997 and ended up commuting from Philly to New York in 2001. While working in the Big Apple, he discovered CRISP and shortly thereafter, thanks to the irresistible fare and clean green bent, became a regular customer.

Despite the myriad choices to eat in New York, Uchenik found himself constantly going back to CRISP to eat. As he puts it, “It was healthy and delicious; an unusual combination.”

While in between jobs in February of this year, Uchenik’s business partner Paul received an email from CRISP offering a limited number of franchises. Uchenik says, “I started looking into it and after much thought and research, I decided to give up the financial industry for a chance to open something special, a CRISP in Philly, which came to fruition on September 27, 2011.”

New Menu Additions

Since then, the CRISP Casablanca has been added to the opening menu; it comes with baba ghanoush, crispy eggplant, greens and Moroccan carrot salad. They also adding Chili Fries starting this week and recently added four types of Pita Pizza’s (Basil and Cheese, Mexican, Parisan and Greek). Check out the full menu below.

All pita is baked in-house, and the falafel is cooked according to authentic Israeli methods with the dried chickpeas being soaked overnight.

Special Uwishunu Promotion

Want to get your fresh falafel fix? CRISP is offering uwishunu readers 10% off their entire check; all you have to do is mention this very post. In addition, uwishunu readers will be entitled to a 10% discount on all catering orders.

CRISP Philly
32 S. 18th Street
www.eatatcrisp.com

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From Linvilla Orchards' PumpkinLand to Eastern State Penitentiary's Terror Behind the Walls to a special Halloween-themed performance of Act II Playhouse's 'Irma Vep' tonight, there's something for everyone to celebrate the spookiest day of the year.
(Photo credits, clockwise from top left: courtesy Linvilla Orchards, Sesame Place, Eastern State Penitentiary and Laurel Hill Cemetery)

Happy Halloween, Philadelphia!

Check out our guide to where to celebrate today and tonight, if you didn’t get your tricking and treating out of your system this past weekend.

And don’t forget you can still enter our Terror Behind the Walls & London Grill giveaway, through Wednesday, November 2.

Halloween in Philadelphia Itinerary [Visit Philly]

“If ever there was a showcase for actors who have all the tools in the kit and then some, this is it,” says Harriet Power, director of Act II Playhouse’s latest offering, The Mystery of Irma Vep, which opened Friday night to a full house and a ton of laughs.

The outrageous play, by Charles Ludlam, is a two-man show that spoofs various genres from penny dreadfuls (British 19th-Century lurid serial stories that cost a penny) to Alfred Hitchcock to classic horror movies to Shakespeare to Poe.

Set in Mandercrest, Lord Edgar Hillcrest’s mansion on the moors, it is the first night home for his new bride, Lady Enid, who without ado notices something sinister about the Lord’s late wife, Irma Vep (“which is ‘vampire’ anagrammatized,” Lady Enid realizes).

The two men who make up the cast play a total of eight characters, including men and women, mummies and werewolves.

The hilarious and spooky show is a whirlwind of 20 costume changes. The seasoned actors skillfully handle an array of accents and challenging physical comedy, as well as play instruments, sing and do somersaults to boot.

The Mystery of Irma Vep runs through November 20, with a special Halloween performance tonight, October 31, at 7 p.m. While most theaters are dark on Monday nights, Act II is encouraging audience members to come out and dress in costume for this special Halloween performance. The cast will award prizes to the best costumes.

Tickets are available online.

The Mystery of Irma Vep
Where: Act II Playhouse, 56 East Butler Avenue, Ambler
When: Now through November 20
Cost: $27-$33, $12 for students
More info: www.act2.org

In the spirit of Halloween, North Third in Northern Liberties is hosting a delicious pumpkin beer dinner, Wednesday, November 2.

You get three courses for $35, plus a greeting course which includes Rogue Dead Guy Ale paired with a tasty Pumpkin Butter and Chive Crostini.

The dishes are all fall-themed, the perfect complement to spicy pumpkin beer.

As always, North Third has a great assortment of local beers on tap and interesting Belgian bottles as well so if you want to supplement the meal you’re in good hands.

Call (215) 413-3666 for reservations.

North Third Pumpkin Beer Dinner
When: Wednesday, November 2, 6-10 p.m.
Where: 801 N. 3rd Street
Cost: $35
More info: www.norththird.com

Halloween in Philadelphia isn’t over after October 31.

Jose Garces’ modern Mexican joint Distrito is hosting a “Day of the Dead” blowout, Wednesday, November 2, beginning at 5 p.m.

There will be two floors of fun, including a “Dead or Alive” costume contest, drink specials and a strolling tequila and street food tasting, all in celebration of the traditional Mexican holiday.

Tickets for the tasting, 6:30-9:30 p.m. featuring 12+ tequilas and passed small plates (think Shrimp Tacos and Sweet Onion Sopes with poblano peppers), are $35 in advance and $45 at the door. Downstairs, admission is free.

All night, enjoy $2-$5 drinks including Margaritas, Red and White Sangria, Dos Equis Amber and Lager on draft plus cans of Tecate and Distrito’s “Especial de la Ciudad,” a can of Tecate and a shot of SoCo and lime.

Throughout the night, all revelers wearing “Dead or Alive” costumes will be photographed by staff members, who will enter the Polaroids into a drawing basket. At 9:30 p.m., one winner will be selected and awarded with a bottle of tequila! See you there.

“Day of the Dead” at Distrito
When: Wednesday, November 2, beginning at 5 p.m.
Where: 3945 Chestnut Street
Cost: $35 in advance, $45 at the door for the tasting; pay as you go otherwise
More info: www.distritorestaurant.com

The Today Show was in town last week to film a segment at Eastern State Penitentiary with the crew from the the SyFy Channel’s popular show Ghost Hunters. The two-part segment aired over the weekend.

Lester Holt and crew first checked out the penitentiary in the daylight and then returned for a spooky after-hours tour of the cells decked out with proper ghost hunting equipment.

Were there any ghost sightings? Watch the clip below to find out.

 
Part two of the visit is embedded below.

Happy Halloween!

Today Show Visits Eastern State Penitentiary For Halloween [MSNBC]

Previously:
National TV Takeover Of Philadelphia This Week: Today Show, Anderson Cooper, SyFy’s Ghost Hunters And ESPN All Filming In Town

(more…)

Drama, romance, suspense and true-life stories are all part of the lineup for the Philadelphia Jewish Film Festival, running November 5-19.

This popular annual event brings in an international array of independent films that explore Jewish values, history and culture.

Selections for the fall line-up include the opening night’s My Best Enemy (Mein Bester Feind) an action-packed thriller full of twists and turns; Restoration (Boker Tov Adon Fidelman), a moving family drama that has garnered numerous awards, including Best Script at the 2011 Sundance Film Festival; and more.

There are eye-opening documentaries, too, including Where I Stand: The Hank Greenspun Story, about a heroic man whose escapades include dealing with mobsters and embarking on secret missions during the Israeli War for Independence; and Jews and Baseball: An American Love Story, a chronicle of the Jewish legacy in baseball, which is not commonly known, but is sure to be a big hit.

Several of the screenings include post-show discussions with actors, directors and others who can add insights about the flicks. So hang around after the lights go up.

Browse the full schedule, and buy tickets, here.

Student bonus: the festival offers FREE admission to student groups (must be a part of a class and present IDs at the box office) for many of its films.

Philadelphia Jewish Film Festival
Where: Various theaters throughout the city and suburbs
When: November 5-19
Cost: $9-$15
More info: www.thegershmany.org