Uwishunu.com

Three storyboard designs for 'Outside Over There.' Pen and ink. © 1976 by Maurice Sendak.

On the heels of his epically hilarious two-part Colbert Report interview, celebrated children’s author and illustrator Maurice Sendak is ushering in 2012 with a new exhibit of his life’s work at Rittenhouse Square’s Rosenbach Museum & Library.

“Pen to Publisher” features two full galleries of Sendak’s creations, ranging from his early 1960 work The Sign on Rosie’s Door to 2003′s Brundibar, a story written by Tony Kushner based on a Czech opera performed for the children of a Nazi concentration camp.

The exhibit focuses on the process of publication and the relationships between Sendak and his collaborators. It will include illustration layouts, color separations, press proofs and publicity materials from Sendak’s published and unpublished work.

As a recipient of the Library of Congress’ “Living Legend” award and countless other accolades, Maurice Sendak truly is one of the greats. Check out this awesome new show running through mid-July.

“Pen to Publisher: The Life of Three Sendak Picture Books”
Where: The Rosenbach Museum & Library, 2008-10 Delancey Place
When: Now through July 15
Cost: $10, $8 for seniors, $5 for students, free for children under the age of 5
More Info: www.rosenbach.org

The food-and-drink-enthusiasts over at the Philly-based blog BigBite are inviting area chili-makers and eaters to join them at the 3rd Annual Philly Chili Bowl on Saturday, March 3.

BigBite is calling on Philadelphia’s chili connoisseurs to submit an application to compete by Wednesday, February 29. Applicants, which may consist of individuals or teams, will be asked to prepare six quarts of chili from scratch for the event, with excess chili being donated to Project H.O.M.E. after the competition.

If you’re more into the chili-eating than you are the making, then come out and try all the delicious bowls, grab some drinks provided by Narragansett Beer and judge the contestants in the People’s Choice round — all for just 5 bucks.

Three winners will be selected by a panel of judges including Drew Lazor, Editor of CityPaper’s “Meal Ticket,” Chef Kevin Sbraga and Emilio Mignucci, 3rd generation owner of DiBruno Bros. Winners will receive 2 seats at any upcoming class at Audrey Claire’s COOK.

To register to participate, check here.

3rd Annual Philly Chili Bowl
When: Saturday, March 3, starts at 4 p.m. for contestants, 5:30 p.m. for spectators
Where: Fleisher Art Memorial, 719 Catharine Street
Cost: $10 to compete, $5 to eat, drink and judge
More info: www.bigbiteblog.wordpress.com

Acclaimed photographer Tal Shochat's work will be on display courtesy of the Andrea Meislin Gallery in New York. (Photo courtesy Andrea Meislin Gallery)

The National Museum of American Jewish History invites you to help celebrate Tu B’Shevat, the Festival of the Trees, as it opens its new exhibit “In Praise of a Dream,” a special photo collection by acclaimed Israeli artist Tal Shochat.

Shochat’s work will keep with this theme as she highlights only the most beautiful fruit trees that she has found in her travels throughout Israel.

Shochat’s distinctive photographs produce an ethereal, dream-like feel, as each tree is impeccably pruned and photographed against a black background. The result is a symbol of strength in an otherwise unnatural environment, and a hand-picked reminder of the beauty in nature that surrounds us daily.

“In Praise of a Dream” will be the inaugural exhibit on the Museum’s concourse level, opening up an exciting new chapter for the Museum.

In case you haven’t had a chance to make it over to this phenomenally-designed building, “In Praise of a Dream” will be running, very appropriately, through Earth Day, April 22.

Advance ticket purchase is required for Saturday visits, and is available online.

“In Praise of a Dream”
When: Wednesday, February 1-April 22
Where: National Museum of American Jewish History, 101 S. Independence Mall East
Cost: $11-$12, Free for members, active military and children under the age of 12
More info: www.nmajh.org

Spanish artists María Jesús González and Patricia Gómez have created large-scale prints, photographs and related videos during their artist residency at the now decommissioned Holmesburg Prison in Northeast Philadelphia. (Photo courtesy Philagrafika)

Here’s something for anyone who’s ever walked the empty halls of Eastern State Penitentiary: “Doing Time | Depth of Surface,” a print exhibition of the drawings, paintings and graffiti left behind on the walls of the historic, abandoned Holmesburg Prison.

After operating for nearly 100 years, the Northeast Philadelphia prison closed in 1995, leaving behind remarkable records of the lives of its inmates and prison guards.

In 2011, Philagrafika, which promotes the art of printmaking through collaborative print exhibitions, invited Spanish artists Patricia Gómez and María Jesús González to document the writing on Holmesburg’s walls.

Gómez and González gained recognition in their home country after completing two similar projects documenting the written messages and images on the walls of abandoned prisons in Spain.

The exhibit’s opening reception will be held this Friday, January 27. There will also be a special Artist and Curator Brunch this Saturday, January 28 from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. that’s free and open to the public.

Staff-guided tours will be led on Saturdays starting February 4 from noon-12:30 p.m. and 1-1:30 p.m., and will include stories about the artists, their experiences in the prison and the extraordinary prison itself.

Philagrafika presents “Doing Time | Depth of Surface” at Moore College
When: Opening Reception Friday, January 27, 6-8 p.m., exhibit runs through March 17
Where: 20th Street & Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Cost: Free
More info: www.thegalleriesatmoore.org

As the oldest continually operational farmers’ market in the country, Reading Terminal Market isn’t just a must-see Philadelphia landmark; it’s home to thousands of area merchants and loyal, fresh-food-loving customers.

On Saturday, February 25, show your support for this beloved Philadelphia establishment as part of its annual fundraiser, “Valentine to the Market.”

Lovers of the Market will be treated to dining, dancing, drinks, two stages of live entertainment and appearances by some famous Philadelphia area guests.

In addition to the impressive three-hour party, tickets are also available for an additional $175 for a special VIP pre-party event starting at 7 p.m. featuring cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, celebrity guests and a celebrity chef cook-off.

This year marks the Reading Terminal’s 120th Anniversary, so join your fellow food enthusiasts as they help to keep this phenomenal space running for another 120 years.

Ticket purchase is available and donations accepted online. All proceeds go to benefit the Reading Terminal Market Preservation Fund.

“Valentine to the Market”
When: Saturday, February 25, 8-11 p.m.
Where: Reading Terminal Market, 12th & Arch Streets
Cost: $125
More info: www.readingterminalmarket.org

Here’s some seriously exciting news for lovers of the local microbrew: on Monday, January 30, Dock Street Brewing Co. and Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia will be debuting their first of four seasonal beer collaborations with their Winter 2012 installment, the Truffled Old Ale.

The event marks the launch of “A Beer Four All Seasons,” a year-long collaboration that’s set to feature new seasonal brews in April, June and late September to early October.

As part of the January 30 debut, Executive Chef Rafael Gonzalez of the Hotel’s Swann Lounge will also be featuring two new mouth-watering additions to the Hotel’s Bar menu: a truffle burger with caramelized onions, sautéed mushrooms and sottocenere truffle cheese, and truffle French fries with truffle salt and truffle aioli.

And while Dock Street and Four Seasons might seem like a world apart, the two are building upon a years-long relationship that started when Dock Street originally opened in 1985 at Two Logan Square, right next door to Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia.

So mark your calendar and come out for the first taste. With great beer, great food and one of the best views of the Swann Fountain that this city has to offer, it’ll be a night to remember.

Debut Event: Dock Street Brewing Co. and Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia present “A Beer Four All Seasons”
When: Monday, January 30, 6-8 p.m.
Where: Swann Lounge, Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia, One Logan Square
Cost: Pay as you go
More info: www.fourseasons.com/Philadelphia

Celebrate MLK Day early this weekend, with events at the Free Library. (Photo courtesy Murphey Quigley Co. for the Free Library)

This Monday, January 16, hundreds of thousands of Philadelphians will be helping out in honor of the 17th Annual Greater Philadelphia Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service, the largest King Day of Service event in the nation.

In celebration of Dr. King’s January 15 birthday and volunteer and advocacy events throughout the city, the Free Library of Philadelphia is inviting you and your family to “An Afternoon with Martin Luther King Jr.”, an introduction to Dr. King’s life work through readings, arts and crafts.

At the event, held this Saturday, January 14, kids will have the opportunity to learn about the late Dr. King’s iconic place in the history of the civil rights movement and how, in 1964, he became the youngest person ever to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.

Also being held in honor of MLK Day this year will be a free concert by the Philadelphia Orchestra, service opportunities at the National Constitution Center and family programming at the National Museum of American Jewish History and the Franklin Institute.

For a full calendar of all the great events and classes taking place at the Free Library of Philadelphia, check here.

“An Afternoon with Martin Luther King Jr.” at the Free Library of Philadelphia
When: Saturday, January 14, 2:30 p.m.
Where: Northeast Regional Library, 2228 Cottman Avenue
Cost: Free
More info: www.freelibrary.org

This Thursday, January 12, join fellow social media junkies as the National Constitution Center hosts “What Would the Founding Fathers Think of Facebook?,” a discussion on the often unrealized effects of social networking on both our private and public lives.

On hand will be New York Times political reporter Jennifer Preston, Forbes social media blogger Kashmir Hill and famed privacy lawyer and author Lori Andrews, who’s celebrating the release of her new book, I Know Who You Are and I Saw What You Did: Social Networks and the Death of Privacy.

While most of us just use Facebook to keep up with friends and check out our favorite brands and businesses, Andrews found that the lives of people around the world had been upended by oftentimes harmless social media posts.

Her book and the discussion will delve into ways that we can protect ourselves and our children, and posit ways in which our legal system can deal with changing trends in tech.

Because our Founding Fathers never could have guessed what a Facebook Timeline would be, hear how social media could in fact be at the center of the next Amendment to the Bill of Rights.

Advance ticket purchase is required and available online.

“What Would the Founding Fathers Think of Facebook?” at the National Constitution Center
When: Thursday, January 12, 6:30 p.m.
Where: 525 Arch Street
Cost: $10, $7 for Members, students and teachers
More info: www.constitutioncenter.org

Orchid Extravaganza brings a taste of spring to winter, with this year's display boasting a 13-foot living arch, made of 350 white orchids and surrounded by six violet orchid orbs, each made from more than 100 blossoms. (Photo courtesy Longwood Gardens)

This winter, Longwood Gardens has your cure for the winter blues with the opening of its latest installment in floral artistry: Orchid Extravaganza.

Opening next Friday, January 20, Orchid Extravaganza will feature thousands of the stunning blossoms throughout the Gardens’ four-acre Conservatory.

Drawing inspiration from the building’s natural architectural elements, this year’s Extravaganza will be home to a 13-foot living arch, made of 350 white orchids and surrounded by six violet orchid orbs, each made from more than 100 blossoms.

And it won’t just be the orchids getting you into the springtime spirit this winter. There will also be some four dozen additional species of flowers and shrubbery in bloom throughout the extensive indoor and outdoor gardens, including butterfly bushes, pansies, hollies, lilies, roses and tulips.

Plan your trip for Friday, March 23 through Sunday, March 25 and treat yourself to the fruits of some of the world’s best orchid growers and collectors as part of the International Orchid Show & Sale. Special orchids will be on display and for sale by growers hailing from as far as Hawaii and South America.

Advance ticket purchase is available online.

Orchid Extravaganza at Longwood Gardens
When: January 20-March 25
Where: 1001 Longwood Road, Kennett Square
Cost: $18 for adults, $15 for seniors age 62 and over, $8 for students and children age 5-18, free for children age 4 and under
More info: www.longwoodgardens.org

Besides serving as the Fringe Festival's official Festival Bar, RUBA is a great spot for community events, as you'll see tonight. (Photo courtesy Philly Fringe)

If you’re like many holiday shoppers, you’ve probably got a few more holiday gifts to pick up before you can cross all those names off your shopping list.

Let the awesome Northern Liberties venue RUBA help you out as it hosts a special Draughts ‘N Crafts night tonight, chock-full of unique, handmade Christmas gifts on sale, and some that you can create yourself.

On sale will be the works of the talented men and women of the Traveling Wares, a group of craftspeople that sells handmade jewelry, handbags, ceramics, photograph, textiles, clothing, accessories and other gift items in the Philadelphia area.

Perhaps more exciting than the the gift shopping is the terrarium Christmas ornament-making that all visitors can try their hands at. There will be instruction by Co-Artistic Director Madi Distefano on how to get that tiny little cactus into that tiny little hole in that fragile little glass ornament.

They’ll be serving up winter ales, Bailey’s and whiskey, so come out for a relaxing holiday break. Grab a drink, a stocking-stuffer and put your DIY skills to the test.

Draughts ‘N Crafts at RUBA
When: Thursday, December 22, 6-9 p.m.
Where: 416 Green Street
Cost: Pay as you go
More info: www.bratproductions.org