Uwishunu.com

Starting next week, view some of Dickens's earliest published works, his private correspondence, original art based on his richly imagined stories, and objects that he kept near him while writing, as part of the Free Library's Year of Dickens. (Image courtesy Free Library)

2012 is the 200th birthday of renowned author Charles Dickens, and the Free Library is celebrating all year long.

The official kick-off event was the Dickens Idol Contest, an open call audition to find a local actor who best embodies Charles Dickens. The results are in: Lisa Litman of Bala Cynwyd will be Philadelphia’s Charles Dickens throughout the year’s festivities.

Next up on the roster of activities are two exhibitions of rarely seen Dickens artifacts.

The first exhibition, “From the Desk of Charles Dickens,” opens November 28 and runs through May 25 in the Rare Book Department. It features original manuscripts, first editions of Dickens’s published works, and books and letters from his private collections in addition to personal items like his pen tray, paper knife and writing desk.

And running December 2 through March 23 in the West Gallery at Parkway Central Library, “Character Sketches from the World of Charles Dickens” brings Dickens’s celebrated characters to life within the settings of the author’s novels. Both through the work of illustrators who knew Dickens and those who were later inspired by his timeless creations, the exhibit offers a special look at Oliver Twist, David Copperfield, Ebenezer Scrooge and other iconic favorites.

The Free Library of Philadelphia has one of the largest collections of Dickens’s works and personal effects outside of the UK, and these two exhibitions are a wonderful showcase for that impressive treasure trove.

Check out the Year of Dickens event calendar to see what else is in store.

The Free Library of Philadelphia’s Year of Dickens
When: Now through 2012
Where: Throughout the city
Cost: Free
More info: libwww.freelibrary.org

Previously: The Free Library Is Honoring The 200th Birthday Of Charles Dickens With A Year-Long Celebration: Literary Salons, Dickens Idol Contest, Victorian London Specials At The Dandelion And Much More

Take a load off at Oyster House with a plate of delicious, fresh oysters and a glass of bubbly, plus a convenient parking voucher. (Photo courtesy Oyster House)

Holiday shopping season is upon us.

Luckily after you’ve shopped until you’ve nearly dropped, you can refuel yourself at Oyster House with its festive Bags and Bubbles deal.

Located in the middle of some of Center City’s finest shopping, Oyster House is offering ½ dozen oysters and a refreshing glass of Rosa Bianca Prosecco for just $15. Included in the deal is also a $10 voucher for parking at the lot across the street from the restaurant.

The deal is available every Saturday beginning November 26 and running through December from 11:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

Guests that stop by for “Bags and Bubbles,” but are hungrier for more than just oysters, can also indulge in the Oyster House’s brunch menu. Saturday brunch specials include Johnnycakes with shellfish sausage, Shrimp and Grits, and Hangtown Fry: eggs, fried oysters and bacon.

The best part: You don’t have to have shopping bags to get the deal, so even the scrooges out there can get in on this action.

Check out all our intel on local holiday shopping right here.

Bags and Bubbles
Where: Oyster House, 1516 Sansom Street
When: Every Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Starting November 26 through December
Cost: $15
More info: www.oysterhousephilly.com

The South Street Headhouse District is getting into the holiday spirit with its annual Winter Wonderland celebration.

Join in the festivities on Sunday, December 4 with an afternoon of caroling, face painting and balloon art. Take a horse and buggy tour and make a holiday ornament at the craft station. Children can write a letter to Santa and pose for holiday pictures.

Pop-up shops will be set up under the shambles of the historic Headhouse building, with items to purchase and sample.

At 5 p.m., Santa will arrive to greet the crowds, see the children, and prepare for the annual tree lighting ceremony at 6 p.m.

Leading up to the Winter Wonderland festivities, local businesses will be decorating their storefronts for a winter window display competition. The winners will be announced during the Wonderland Finale on December 7.

And throughout the entire month of December, the district will be transformed into a twinkling holiday retreat! Charge your cameras; there will be photo ops galore this season.

South Street Headhouse District Winter Wonderland Event
Where: Headhouse Square, 2nd & Lombard Streets
When: Sunday, December 4, 4-7 p.m.
Cost: Free
More info: www.southstreet.com

From Thanksgiving through New Year’s Day, the 15-minute Spectacular will run from 10 a.m.–8 p.m. except 5 p.m. on weekdays, every hour on the hour, seven days per week. (Photo by J. Smith for GPTMC)

A holiday spectacle unlike any other returns for its fourth year, beginning Thanksgiving Day, this Thursday, November 24.

Shown on the state-of-the-art Comcast Experience HD Video Wall at The Comcast Center — at 2,100 square feet the largest four-millimeter LED screen in the world — the spectacle includes stunning imagery and audio.

From Thanksgiving through New Year’s Day, the Spectacular will run from 10 a.m.–8 p.m. (except 5 p.m. on weekdays) every hour on the hour, seven days per week. The show lasts approximately 15 minutes.

This year Comcast is particularly excited about new and enchanting scenes from George Balanchine’s “The Nutcracker” performed by the renowned Pennsylvania Ballet, filmed this past October. The scenes provide a great first-hand glimpse into the beauty and grace of the dancers and their exquisite costumes in this holiday favorite.

The 2011 Comcast Holiday Spectacular will also have additional updated scenes, plus everyone’s favorite magical sleigh ride through the snow covered Pennsylvania countryside, the majestic sounds of a 64-piece orchestra and more.

You really have to see it to experience it (but you can get a video sneak peek right here). It’s one of the most exciting aspects of the holiday season in Philadelphia, and one that we can truly call our own.

Comcast Center Holiday Spectacular
When: Thanksgiving through New Year’s Day, 10 a.m.–8 p.m. (except 5 p.m. on weekdays) every hour on the hour, seven days a week
Where: 1701 JFK Boulevard
Cost: Free
More info: www.visitphilly.com

Shane Confectionery, a Philadelphia candy institution in Old City dating back to 1863, is slated to reopen this month thanks to The Franklin Fountain’s Eric and Ryan Berley.

According to the Inquirer, the Shane family sold their historic shop to the Berleys in early 2010 in order to renovate it; its condition at that point was fairly dilapidated, with broken antique machinery and a disheveled upstairs kitchen.

The Berley Brothers’ experience with their vintage ice cream parlor less than a block away makes them the perfect duo to tackle the revitalization of Shane’s, which the Inquirer reports has been thoroughly researched (think painstaking redesign of the company’s logo and careful sanding of salvaged pine floors).

Shane is among the handful of local candy makers still in operation; others include John & Kira’s, Marcie Blaine, Lore’s Chocolates and Chocolate By Mueller in Reading Terminal.

Sweets for sale will include many that the original shop sold, in addition to modern updates: chocolate dipped espresso creams, the famous butter creams whose recipe was hand-written by Barry Shane on the back of an envelope, and French specialties.

The shop’s voicemail says they aim to be reopened by the end of 2011. According to Plan Philly, Shane’s grand opening, with a ribbon cutting by the mayor, is set for 10:30 a.m. December 5.

Here’s to satisfying our holiday sweet tooth at one of the city’s most historical spots.

Shane Confectionery
110 Market Street
Website to come
(215) 922-1048

Browse for the perfect gift, enjoy European food, sweets and drinks, and watch live performances each night of the holiday season against the beautiful backdrop of City Hall. (Photo courtesy Christmas Village)

The annual Christmas Village in Philadelphia is back in a new venue, Love Park, to enrich the holiday season beginning Thanksgiving Day, this Thursday, November 24. A few highlights:

Holiday Gift Shopping

The European wonderland includes more than 50 international vendors selling arts, crafts and seasonal holiday gifts in quaint wooden booths and a 2,400 square foot Kathe Wohlfahrt tent selling a huge variety of special German Christmas ornaments and plenty of special events.

Other Attractions

There are new attractions this year including a Life Size Advent calendar, a Christkind photo wall where you can take pictures with friends or loved ones and a “Wish Wall” where visitors can write down a wish and hang it on the wall.

Special Events

Events include the Grand Opening Ceremony on November 26 with the original Christkind from Nuremburg, Germany; German American Day on December 10 featuring food, face painting and balloon-making; plus daily live performances by local choirs and bands at the central stage. The full event schedule is available online.

Food & Drink

When you’ve built up your appetite, head to the food tent for bratwursts, beer and other German specialties from Brahaus Schmitz, then quench your thirst with some hot German Gluhwien (mulled wine) from Chaddsford Winery.

Be sure to save some room for assorted pastries and European desserts, like Lebkuchen (Gingerbread Cookies), Stollen (traditional German Holiday Cake), Cinnamon Stars and Spekulatius (traditional German spicy Cookies).

The new, charming atmosphere at Love Park filled with thousands of lights, the Philadelphia Christmas tree and friendly vendors will get you and your friends and family into the holiday spirit.

Check out a map of the site, below.

Christmas Village in Philadelphia
Where: Love Park, 1500 Arch Street
When: November 24-December 24; Sunday-Thursday 11 a.m.–7 p.m., Friday-Saturday, 11 a.m.–8 p.m. (Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve, hours are 9 a.m.-5 p.m.)
Cost: Free
More info: www.philachristmas.com

(more…)

Uwishunu is here to help you shop locally this holiday season; stock up on locally crafted jewelry, art, home goods, clothes, food and drink and much more. (Credit: iStockPhoto

The tree lights are atwinkle, the store windows are bursting with red, green, silver and gold, the ribbon and wrapping paper and cards are calling your name from inside your cabinet.

It’s officially gift-giving holiday heyday, and there’s no time like the present to stock up on Philadelphia-made crafts, clothes, food and more for the lucky ones on your list.

Enter: uwishunu’s holiday gift guide, complete with the events you can rely on for gift-shopping, the best places to find local gifts and our curated selections for specific finds from each. Note that our roundup is solely comprised of Philadelphia-made gifts, so if we missed your go-to gift shop it may be because they don’t stock locally.

Everything that you need to give locally this season, below:

Gift-Shopping Events

• Center City District Shopping Saturdays: Support local, independently owned small businesses throughout Center City over the next month. Here are the featured dates and locations. November 26: Midtown Village. December 3: The Shops at Liberty Place. December 10: The Gallery at Market East.December 17: Rittenhouse Row.

• NOLIBS Holiday Shopping Spree: December 3-4, from 2nd to 3rd and from The Piazza to Spring Garden. At this annual boutique crawl, 10 independent boutiques will be offering refreshments, free gift wrap and an opportunity to get up to 25% off your purchases. Shoppers are given a Shopping Spree Card and collect a sticker for each store at which they make a purchase. You get 10% off the first store, 15% off at the second, 20% off at the third and 25% off at all shops after collecting all three stickers.

• Stag & Doe Nights in Chestnut Hill: Wednesdays, December 5, 14, 21, 28, 6-9 p.m., throughout Chestnut Hill. All the shops open their doors and welcome you with wonderful gift ideas, refreshments and personalized, friendly service.

• H.O.P.E. for the Holidays Craft Bazaar: December 8-10, St. James Hall, Elkins Park. H.O.P.E. stands for Helping Other People Endure. The event includes a theater performance followed by a bazaar stocked with local crafters and artisans’ work.

• Greensgrow Holiday Bazaar: December 10, 11, 17, 18, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., 2501 E. Cumberland Street. Make a dent in your Christmas shopping at Greensgrow Farms’ Holiday Bazaar featuring local, handmade gift ideas from some of the neighborhood’s most talented crafters and artists, Christmas trees and holiday greenery.

• Crafty Balboa Holiday Edition: Saturday, December 17, Broad Street Ministry. Rooted in South Philly, this annual local craft extravaganza is a treasure trove of gifts.

• Punk Rock Flea Market Holiday Edition: Sunday, December 11, Punk Rock Flea Market Dome. Get pumped for 300+ tables of vendors selling old records, clothes, art, music, bicycles, stereo equipment, instruments, automobiles, tools, posters, furniture, computers, skateboards and more.

• Rittenhouse Farmers Market: Saturdays, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Walnut Street between 18th and 19th Streets. In addition to fresh flowers, produce, meat, hot apple cider and other edibles, you can pick up locally made crafts likes Timothy Bahash of 4mula’s living ornaments and wreaths.

• Clark Park Farmers Market: Saturdays, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., 43rd Street at Baltimore Avenue. Participating vendors (all local of course) include Eden Garden Farm, Fahnestock Fruit Farm, Forest View Bakery, Slow Rise Bakery and plenty more. Pick up baked goods, handmade chocolates or locally made cider as great holiday gifts.

Where to Shop

Clothes & Accessories

• R.E.Load Bags: Create your own custom-designed messenger bag, choosing from seven styles of single-strap bags and three styles of double-straps, plus a trillion color combos. All construction work is done on site at the Northern Liberties shop. They also sell wallets, bike accessories and more. OUR PICK: The “Build Your Own” bag.

• Valerie Safran and Marcie Turney’s We ♥ Philly line: The 13th street dynamic duo has funneled their love for Philadelphia into a Philly-centric, everything-is-irresistible line of goods. The totes, cards, coasters, T-shirts, candles, paperweights and onesies are designed locally. Order online, at Open House or Verde, both in Midtown Village. OUR PICK: Pretzel necklace in silver or gold.

• SA VA: Local eco-friendly clothing designer and entrepreneur Sarah Van Aken is a true champion on the local Philly designer scene. Anything from her shop, above which her design studio is located, makes a special present. OUR PICK: Any of the wide range of eco-friendly and fair trade dresses, what SA VA is known for.

• Smak Parlour: This dollhouse-like establishment nestled in Old City is an edgy boutique where city-wise shoppers dabble in the hip and flirty. Founders Abby and Kate, who design all of the store’s garments and accessories, have created a perfect marriage of sugar and spice. OUR PICK: A chic warm sweater for the coming winter.

• Egan Day: Though not all the stock is made here in Philadelphia, much of it is. You’ll find gorgeous jewelry, from earrings to pendants to rings. OUR PICK: Jonathan Wahl’s cufflinks. Philly-born and -raised Wahl’s clients include Bruce Webber, Anne Hathaway and Caroline Kennedy.

Continue reading below for our top picks for home goods, food and drink selections and more.

(more…)

Families that visit Adventure Aquarium's Christmas Celebration, featuring Scuba Santa and other fun characters, between November 25 and December 24 are eligible to receive one free 4x6 photo of their choice, courtesy of Adventure Aquarium's H20 Photo. (Photo by Jason Staudenmayer courtesy Adventure Aquarium)

Adventure Aquarium’s Christmas Celebration is certainly one of the most unique annual Philadelphia holiday festivities.

You can meet Scuba Santa as he dives the 760,000-gallon Ocean Realm exhibit among rare sharks, gigantic sea turtles, hundreds of schooling fish and massive stingrays; delight in falling snow indoors; watch as “Bumble” the Abominable Snow Monster places the star atop Adventure Aquarium’s massive Christmas tree; and more.

Beginning November 25 and continuing through January 1, Adventure Aquarium will be transformed into a holiday wonderland under the sea, featuring larger-than-life decorations, twinkling lights, glowing trees and the above-mentioned characters plus more.

A full list of events and activities during the Christmas Celebration, including Gill’s Holiday Dance Party and Breakfast with Scuba Santa, is available online.

Adventure Aquarium’s Christmas Celebration
When: November 25-January 1
Where: 1 Riverside Drive, Camden
Cost: Adults $22.95; Children (2-12) $17.95, Children under 2 are free
More info: www.adventureaquarium.com

The festival is a historical Swedish tradition marking the beginning of the holiday season with children's performances, Swedish delicacies and locally made crafts. (Photo courtesy American Swedish Historical Museum)

The Festival of Saint Lucia marks the start of the Christmas season in Sweden.

Historically it began before dawn, when the oldest daughter in a family (representing Saint Lucia in her white robe), wearing a crown of lingonberry and seven candles, entered her parent’s room, followed by her siblings, and woke them with coffee and breakfast.

In 1927, Swedish cities brought these private celebrations public, hosting city-wide Lucia processions, during which 1,000 of Swedish boys and girls emerged from the darkness, lighting up the city with their candles and voices.

Now, Philadelphians can partake in the experience when the American Swedish Historical Museum celebrates this festival on December 3.

Doors open at 11:30 a/m/ so visitors can take their time strolling through the Christmas Market (or Julmarknad) where they can shop for Swedish delicacies, crafts, decorations and imported gifts. At 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. the lights will dim, the doors will be closed and the performance will begin.

The Swedish Christmas Café will be serving à la carte holiday foods and sweets.

Children of all ages dressed in costumes will sing Swedish Christmas songs and perform dances, culminating in the procession of Lucia in her white robes, wearing her crown of candles, and her white gowned attendants and star boys. Don’t miss this beautiful cultural holiday tradition. You can get tickets in advance online.

American Swedish Historical Museum’s Lucia Fest
Where: 1900 Pattison Avenue
When: Saturday, December 3, at 11:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Cost: $7 for Adults, $4 for Children 4-12 (Children under 4 are free)
More info: www.americanswedish.org

Esquire’s December issue includes the boldest of bold rankings: a “Top 20 Americans of the Year” list.

And guess what? Philadelphia’s holding it down, with 2 out of the 20 folks hailing from this fine city.

Mayor Nutter and La Colombe’s Todd Carmichael are both featured as Americans of the Year, a huge nod towards Philadelphia.

The Mayor’s profile isn’t included online, but the print copy holds him in high regard for his “no-nonsense truth teller” response to the flash mobs of this past summer and credits his tough decisions (payroll cuts, tax increases) for accomplishments like Philly’s 20% drop in murder rate since he’s been in office.

The article also calls out his championing of the Navy Yard redevelopment that has brought the city hundreds of millions in investments, and the fact that Philly’s population increased for the first time in decades.

As for Carmichael, the magazine is equally admiring, devoting four full pages to the story of his Philly-based coffee company La Colombe Torrefaction’s extreme devotion to charitable purposes. Carmichael goes so far as to say “that he wants to fix Haiti with coffee” and Esquire assures you, “you might want to listen.”

The magazine describes its roundup as “our honor roll of men and women who, in a year of catastrophe and chaos, demonstrated American decency and accomplished distinctively American deeds.” It’s pretty cool that Philly represents an entire tenth of that honor roll.

Bonus: AFL-CIO head Richard Trumka (a Pennsylvania native and Villanova Law Grad) is also listed as one of Esquire’s Americans Of The Year.

Americans of the Year 2011 [Esquire]