August 11, 2009
If there’s one thing I like more than art, it’s art paired with food and wine. The Comcast Center on 17th & JFK is hosting their Wine, Art & Food Festival this Saturday, August 15th from noon until 5PM. This is the third and final festival of the summer!
For a small fee of $10-$15, you get to see an art show and sale featuring local Philly artists. While perusing the paintings, photos & jewelry of the many talented artists, you will be able to wine taste, courtesy of Crossing Vineyards and Winery. I’ve heard their latest Chardonnay was a long awaited masterpiece.
Each selected wine will be paired with food from restaurants at the Market at Comcast Center. I’ve been to Table 31, and I can assure you that if the accompanying food is anything like theirs, it will be fabulous.
Mural Arts will also be providing a painting activity during the fest. Mural enthusiasts of all ages are encouraged to participate – free of charge! No experience is necessary and all supplies will be provided. Who knows, maybe you’ll find you have a hidden talent for painting murals.
After the festival winds down, stay at the Market for a full meal at one of the many restaurants like Table 31, LaScala’s Pizza or Mexican Post. Or just hang around to shop – there’s plenty of that available, too.
Cheers!
Wine, Art, & Food Fest @ Comcast
Saturday, August 15th | Noon to 5PM
The Market at the Comcast Center
1701 JFK Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA 19103
www.themarketatcomcastcenter.com
August 4, 2009
Photos courtesy of Please Touch Museum
I remember my one and only dollhouse. Every girl does. My brother probably remembers it, too, so I’m not leaving you guys out. It was painted blue with sand paper roof shingles (felt like real roof!). The wallpaper was yellow and green flowers (hey, I grew up in the 80′s), and it had “hardwood” floors. A pretty spacious home for my toys, though not big enough for Barbie & Ken, humph.
If you have a child, or want to steal your niece/nephew so you can let loose your inner child, sign up for the Please Touch Museum’s “Design the Dollhouse of Your Dreams” contest. Kids and parents, or caregivers, can work together on this city-wide project by creating their own version of the ideal dollhouse. I liked mine, but I would probably add a bay window here, or some tile flooring there.
This dollhouse contest is in collaboration with DesignPhiladelphia which takes place the week of October 7–13 to spotlight all things design. All winning dollhouses and designs will be on display in the Please Touch foyer during this week. Entries can be made in three categories: (1) renderings or drawings, (2) floor plans, (3) fully constructed 3-D models. Be creative and no cheating! Pre-made dollhouse kits not allowed! Plus, where’s the fun in that?
There is no entry fee, so submit your design proposals by August 14th here.
As the Please Touch Museum philosophizes, go “learn through play” and get your dollhouse design on.
Please Touch Museum
4231 Avenue of the Republic, Philadelphia, PA 19131
www.pleasetouchmuseum.org
July 28, 2009
I LOVE the beach. The ocean, sun, sand, dolphins – everything that goes along with it. So I’m down with anyone who wants to help preserve my favorite things. A young Temple grad started his own business, Sand Shack, his freshman year here in Philly. This eco-friendly apparel and jewelry line has emerged through the years and is now sold in over 150 stores in the U.S. with 5% of all proceeds supporting efforts to protect the world’s oceans and beaches, always. Go Temple grads!
An extra-special effort is going on in Philly during the first week of August. Many local spas and area salons are collaborating with Sand Shack for Ocean Week, including Eviama Life Spa, and Rejuvalux Body Klinic & Day Spa, located on Walnut St. During this week-long event, participating spas will offer special promotions and discounted rates on certain treatments and packages with 5% of all proceeds contributing to ocean conservation efforts.
Treat yourself to a mani-pedi, or get a soothing facial. All the while you are feeling and looking good, you’re helping the water world do the same. You’ll even receive a free Sand Shack gift for helping out, like a cool hat or pair of flip-flops!
Stay beautiful and keep the seashore beautiful, too.
Eviama Life Spa
262 S. 16th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102
(215) 545-3344
www.eviama.com
The Body Klinic Day Spa
2012 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215) 563-8888‎
www.thebodyklinic.com
July 23, 2009
Waiting to be seated at Table 31 can be a little bit intimidating with all the suits around. Especially if you are wearing jeans and a sweater. But once we were seated at the bar staring at our bartender and his shining face, it didn’t seem to matter. It might have helped that he was feeding us martinis and appetizers. Yeah, that was probably it. Delicious martinis and appetizers I might add.
My friend Kate and I sampled some of the new martinis on Table 31′s Happy Nights menu. Each cocktail is $7 a pop. Most of the martinis on the menu are made with Absolut vodka of some flavor. We started off with the Mandarin Sunset, one of the most popular drinks on the menu. And we could see why. This tangy, tropical martini has overwhelming citrus and pineapple flavors, in a good way. Next, the Espresso martini, thick and rich with Absolut Vanilla, Starbucks coffee liqueur, and of course, a shot of espresso.
Of course Kate and I couldn’t just sit and drink martinis, so we had the pleasure of trying the house-made French fries and the broiled calamari, which are available on the $9 Happy Nights bar menu. The French fries were great and came with three awesome dipping sauces: ketchup (duh), a wasabi aioli (my fave) and a chipotle sauce (Kate’s fave). The broiled calamari (above!) was unlike anything I’d ever had. I’m used to fried calamari, but the broiled stuff keeps the calamari taste intact. It was served fresh with zucchini, garlic, olive oil and lemon. Yum.
The entire experience was great. Table 31 is very clean, somewhat swanky, and very bright with its yellow, orange and red decor. Kate and I both said this would be a place we’d stop at on a Saturday evening to grab a few cocktails and shared appetizers before heading out elsewhere and for the great price! It’s a healthy mix of corporate and other social groups, hanging out at this place. I think I fit in there somewhere, and I’m going back.
Table 31
1701 JFK Boulevard @ the Comcast Building, Philadelphia, PA 19103
www.Table-31.com
July 20, 2009
July is the best month EVER.
1) It is the first full official month of summer, 2) We get to celebrate the Independence of our great nation with cook-outs and fireworks, 3) It’s my birthday month, and 4) It is National Ice Cream month! Hooray for July!
But I’m going to bend ice cream month a bit to tell you about the BEST frozen yogurt place in Philly. Frozen yogurt is almost ice cream, right? Anyway, Phileo Yogurt on South Street is a walk I make quite often. My friend discovered it two summers ago and I don’t stop raving about it. And I now live very close to the shop, so I like to take Phileo-virgins there as often as I can.
Phileo has a plethora of yogurt flavors to choose from, from plain tart to green tea to snicker doodle to pineapple (one of my favs), and your good old chocolate, vanilla and peanut butter. I personally like to mix chocolate with peanut butter or strawberry, then just go nuts with the toppings. The topping bar makes my eyes widen every time I’m in there – I want it all! You can add sprinkles (or Jimmies to some of you Jersey-folk), chocolate chips, mochi, fresh fruits like strawberries, blueberries and pineapple, M&Ms, even Fruity Pebbles and Cinnamon Toast Crunch. It’s the best way to make a snack that’s not so bad for you worse, but hey, it’s worth it.
I’ve heard some complaints about the prices at Phileo. Everyone knows that it’s 49 cents an ounce, but they don’t realize the cups are pretty big. Even the small is a decent size. So just be cautious when filling your cup (and soul) with fro-yo. But I’m OK with shelling out 6 bucks for a healthy (ahem) and delicious treat.
Celebrate July and get some Frozen ‘Ice Cream’ Yogurt at Phileo!
Phileo Yogurt
416 South St, Philadelphia, PA 19147
(215) 873-8361
June 19, 2009
Drum circle at the Kimmel Center on the Solstice
Looking for something to do on the longest day of the year? (That’s June 20th for those of you not following the calendar.) Well, we’ve got an idea for you. The PSPCA and the Kimmel Center throw together a Summer Solstice party every year for this first day of summer celebration. This year, however, you can bring the whole family – including canines!
Appropriately named, a Yappy Hour takes place from 5:30-10:30pm on the Broad Street side of the Kimmel Center. For the first time ever, the Kimmel is bringing its restaurant, Cadence, street side for the Summer Solstice event, which is what allows you to bring your pooch along and eat outside. The menu includes a Doggie menu, and 10% of food sales and anything bought from the doggie menu will help build the PSPCA’s new dog park on Erie Ave. You are helping build a sanctuary for shelter dogs to play, exercise and relax from the stresses of a past abusive life.
Other things to do at this 15-hour event: day time face painting, chair massages, dance performances, nighttime club dancing, drag show, henna tattoos, tarot card readers, and more! There will be plenty of food, drinks and entertainment to fill the extra time on this longest day of 2009.
Kimmel Center
260 South Broad Street on the Avenue of the Arts
Philadelphia, PA 19102
June 15, 2009
Photo by K. Ciappa for GPTMC
Usually I try to write witty posts on things you wish you knew about, but I’m going to try and take the serious route this time. There are currently around 10,000 school-aged children living in homeless shelters in the southeastern Pennsylvania region. That’s serious, right? These kids don’t have homes, so they clearly don’t have the normal childhood stuff we all did. Besides not having simple toys like dolls and board games, these kids don’t even have school supplies.
The United Way is hosting a benefit concert at World Café Live in response to this. It is the annual “Stuff the Bus” project. All proceeds from this show will go to stuffing backpacks full of new school supplies for the children around the region in homeless shelters. The goal is to have the brand new bookbags delivered by the first day of the 2009-10 school year.
If you plan on attending the concert, you can donate school supplies when you go. If you can’t make it on June 21, you could sponsor a bookbag online at www.liveunitedsepa.org/stuffthebus.
Now for the fun stuff! There will be four local bands playing this show, including headliner Pepi Ginsberg along with A Sunny Day in Glasgow, Oh! Pears, and Neighborhood Choir. Tickets can be purchased for $12 online at World Cafe Live’s website or at the door. Go listen to some great music at a great venue and help the kids start a wonderful year with new school supplies!
LIVE UNITED: Day of Action Concert for Stuff the Bus
June 21st, 2009
www.liveunitedphilly.org
World Café Live
3025 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104
www.worldcafelive.com
June 12, 2009
Have you ever realized how many murals there are in Philadelphia? You know you’ve passed some before – South Street, 3rd Street in Old City – they are all over. But do you know just how many there really are? 3000. 3000! This Sunday, the 3000th mural in the Mural Arts Program is being unveiled at 39th & Market streets.
This special mural by Marcus Akinlana is The Tuskegee Airmen: They Met The Challenge. This mural celebrates the achievements of the Tuskegee Airmen, the nation’s first African American military airmen and women. This group was comprised of the air crew, ground crew and operations support training in the Army Air Corp during WWII. Members of the Philadelphia Chapter of the Tuskegee Airmen were actively involved in putting together this mural, and will be in attendance on Sunday.
The mural includes images of some of the local members when they were younger, but still remains intergenerational. Other elements of the design were inspired by stories the men told of how they yearned to fly when there were young boys.
The dedication takes place from 2-3pm, where you can show your support for this fearless crew. Immediately following the dedication is a reception at The Rotunda, and exhibition of portraits of the Tuskegee Airmen created by students who participated in the Diego Rivera Mural Academy, with workshops led by the creator of this mural, Akinlana. The reception will feature a panel discussion reviewing the achievements of the Tuskegee Airmen and the evolution of this mural project.
The Tuskegee Airmen: They Met The Challenge Dedication
Sunday, June 14th @ 2pm
39th & Market Streets
June 12, 2009
Nothing says ‘I love you, Dad’ like 3.1 miles. Am I right? This father’s day, partake in the 7th Annual Run 4 Your Life… Beat Prostate Cancer 5K run, 5K walk, or 1 mile fun walk. This is the second year my dad and I are running the race, and my big sister is even joining us this time! It’s a nice event to participate in, especially if you run it with or for your father.
Each year the run unites prostate cancer survivors, their families, medical practitioners, supporters, and simply runners in the fight against the disease (like my dad & I). At the 2007 race, we got to meet Gary Papa and Vince Papale, both survivors.
The race starts and finishes near the steps of the Art Museum. If you’re feeling energetic after the run, race your dad up the steps Rocky-style. If not, take him out to a nice brunch in the Art Museum area instead, like at London Grill or Bishop’s Collar.
A $25 race registration fee benefits the Foundation for Breast and Prostate Health that works to help advance awareness and research. Hope to see you there!
Run 4 Your Life 5K
June 21st, 2009 @ 8:30AM
www.run4yourlife.org
June 12, 2009
F.U.E.L. has teamed up with the PSPCA and none other than my man (and Phillies’ second baseman) Chase Utley’s All-Star Animals, to create a new gallery exhibit “Dogs.” Straight to the point. The gallery features work from artists Denise Fike, Noelle Nardone, and Jay McClellan. Each artist displays his/her own interpretation of dogs in art.
For example, McClellan painted his three dogs – Drew, Tip and Honey – inside his home, in their natural state. He uses vivid colors & patterns making it a sort of Man’s Best Friend & the Amazing Technicolor Furcoat.
Fike goes a whole different route using pop art. She combines her love of and background in fashion, with her love of animals to dispute the notion that pets are ultimately accessories, and instead reminds us all that pets are our equal companions and friends.
Nardone also uses paintings, but on maple and oak boards, to convey her message of animal rights. Her punk rock roots help transform her artwork to be reminiscent of punk grunge skate culture.
If you check out the gallery, all proceeds of artwork sales will go towards helping dogs in PSPCA shelters. The exhibit is running now through June 25th. The F.U.E.L. collection is located at 249 Arch Street in historic Olde City. Walk on over!
F.U.E.L. Collection
249 Arch St., Phila, PA 19106
www.fuelcollection.com
