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Kids will enjoy digging in the dirt to select a sweet birch seedling to take home at Morris Arboretum’s Tu B’Shevat Family Day this weekend. (Photo by Arnold Winkler courtesy Morris Arboretum)

Morris Arboretum invites everyone to celebrate the Jewish New Year of Trees at Tu B’Shevat Family Day this Sunday February 12, from 1–3 p.m.

Families will have the chance to learn about important food crop trees of Israel, and why they can’t be grown in Pennsylvania. Children will engage in various activities and will even receive their own seedling to take home.

If attending, you can expect to hear a speaker describe what the growing conditions are like in Israel, and how the trees are actually grown. You can then see visual displays of how these trees are used to make various products. The delicious foods these trees provide will also be available to sample (yum).

The event is free with regular admission.

Morris Arboretum Tu B’Shevat Family Day
When: Sunday, February 12, 1-3 p.m.
Where: 100 Northwestern Avenue
Cost: Free with admission
More info: www.business-services.upenn.edu

Iron Hill's brand new Chestnut Hill location is hosting its inaugural beer release event next Friday, February 10. (Photo courtesy Chestnut Hill)

What do you get when you combine chocolate, beer and employees sporting green hair and orange skin?

Iron Hill Bewery’s Oopma Loompa Stout release party.

For its very first brew event, Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant in Chestnut Hill, the most recent of nine locations to open, will treat guests with samples of their newest creation, Oompa Loompa Stout, from head brewer Paul Rutherford on Friday, February 10 from 5-8 p.m.

A medium-bodied chocolate stout that’s been aged for two weeks on Madagascar vanilla beans and cocoa nibs, Oompa Loompa Stout will be passed around for tastings by employees dressed as those odd little characters from the book and film, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (we weren’t kidding you).

To top it off, guests can also indulge in house-made chocolate truffles and purchase 16 oz. mugs of the stout.

No golden ticket is required for entrance.

Enjoy the chocolatey experience, but try not to pull an Augustus Gloop and be the first to get ejected from the factory for “over-indulging”.

Iron Hill Brewery Oompa Loompa Stout Release
Where: 8400 Germantown Avenue
When: Friday, February 10, 5-8 p.m.
Cost: Free tastings
More info: www.ironhillbrewery.com

A favorite at McNally’s Tavern in Chestnut Hill for more than 40 years, The Schmitter® is packed with sliced beef, extra cheese, fried onions, tomato, grilled salami and special sauce all onto a flash-broiled Kaiser roll. (Photo by J. Varney for GPTMC)

[This is the latest installment in our ongoing post series "Amuse Bouche Philadelphia," in which we highlight must-try menu items at restaurants and eateries around the city. We're calling the post series "Amuse Bouche" because, like a traditional amuse bouche that you might receive before a meal, these posts are intended to tease and excite your taste buds. Only we'll have to try to do it visually. Hope you enjoy.]

Amuse Bouche is back for 2012 and we’re starting it off by highlighting some of Philadelphia’s most iconic foods. Next up is the uniquely delicious Schmitter® Sandwich from McNally’s Tavern in Chestnut Hill. (So good, in fact, it has actually been copyrighted.)

McNally’s is a Chestnut Hill landmark, however it’s one without a big sign. Instead, there’s just a small plaque on the door and a green flag hanging above. But locals know how to find it just fine — it’s been located here near the top of Germantown Avenue for more than 80 years.

McNally’s, of course, is famous for its signature sandwich, the Schmitter®, which is a variation of Philadelphia’s famous cheesesteak sandwich. The Schmitter® includes the traditional grilled steak, fried onions and melted cheese but adds grilled salami, grilled tomatoes and a special sauce and comes on a toasted Kaiser roll instead of a long hoagie roll.

While the combination might sound strange, it’s famous for a reason — it’s frighteningly delicious. Go ahead and put it on your Philadelphia bucket list.

McNally’s Tavern
8634 Germantown Avenue
www.mcnallystavern.com

Impressive: the Chestnut Hill location is Iron Hill's second new location in just three years. (Image courtesy Iron Hill)

On Wednesday, January 4 at 4 p.m., Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant founders Kevin Finn, Kevin Davies and Mark Edelson will celebrate the opening of their first Philadelphia location at 8400 Germantown Avenue in Chestnut Hill with a festive toast.

Councilman Bill Green and Councilwoman Cindy Bass, along with the Iron Hill owners, will come together for a ceremonial “First Pour” from the taps of their new brewery. The restaurant, Iron Hill’s ninth location, will then officially open to the public at 5 p.m.

In what has become a long-standing Iron Hill tradition, the restaurant will offer seasonally changing American dishes by Executive Chef Mario Romero that transcend typical brewpub fare.

Open for lunch and dinner seven days a week, Iron Hill Chesntut Hill will offer soups, sandwiches, made-from-scratch pizzas, salads and entrées.

Through large plate glass windows that separate the restaurant from the brewery, beer enthusiasts will actually be able to watch the brewing process by Head Brewer Paul Rutherford.

There will be six house beers, monthly beer releases and selections from Bottled Reserves, the brewery’s most award-winning beers from over the years.

Chestnut Hill is a great location for Iron Hill, given the lively and comfortable restaurant and retail culture. We’re hoping their venturing into city limits portends another Iron Hill within Philadelphia in the near future!

Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant: Chestnut Hill — Opening January 4!
8400 Germantown Avenue
www.ironhillbrewery.com

Previously: Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant To Open A Chestnut Hill Location, Their Ninth Outpost And First In Philadelphia

Peddler's Village is all atwinkle for the holidays, just one of many spots hosting neighborhood social activities you'd be best to catch this week. (Photo by B. Krist for GPTMC)

A few weeks ago, we laid out all the holiday neighborhood social activities taking place in and around the city.

To make sure you capitalize on all the festivities, we’re now providing you with a quick run-down of neighborhood merriment still going on during this eleventh hour of Christmas time.

Get some local shopping done, mingle with others and enjoy this most wonderful time of the year with the help of the following activities:

• Chestnut Hill’s Stag & Doe Nights: Wednesday, December 21 from 6-9 p.m. is this season’s final Stag & Doe Night. Chestnut Hill truly shines as its one-of-a-kind shops open their doors and welcome you with wonderful gift ideas, refreshments and personalized service. Stroll Germantown Avenue and savor the festive decorations, including lights twinkling in the trees, carolers singing on the street and fresh pine boughs decorating the shops.

• Photos with Santa at the Alphabet Garden on East Passyunk: This Wednesday, December 21 (6-8 p.m.) and Saturday (1-3 p.m.) are your last chance to post with Old St. Nick at the Alphabet Garden, 1631 East Passyunk Avenue. Santa will also be strolling the Avenue on December 23 and 24.

• Fairmount Reindeer Romp: Head out to Fairmount for the 14th Annual Reindeer Romp on Thursday December 22, starting at 6 p.m. The Romp is a great excuse to get out to Fairmount to experience the neighborhood’s bounty of great restaurants and bars.

• Peddler’s Village’s Gingerbread House Competition and Display: A visual delight, these gingerbread house entries are displayed through January 1 in the Village Gazebo. While you’re there, enjoy all the village has to offer in the wintertime. Bonus: it’s beautifully decorated, Victorian-style, with fruit wreaths and greenery.

• Haddonfield’s Candlelight Shopping: On Friday nights through December 23, the streets will be aglow with holiday warmth for the town’s annual Candlelight Shopping, complete with light-lined streets, in-store holiday events, live entertainment and an appearance from Santa.

Chestnut Hill, hosting Stag & Doe Nights tonight, is all decked out for the holidays, just like the rest of Philadelphia. (Photo courtesy Chestnut Hill)

[Evenings during the holiday season in Philadelphia are always action-packed, and we want to help you cherry-pick from all the events and activities going on. On certain days that promise particularly bustling evenings, we round up our selections for the most can't-miss pursuits with which to fill your schedule. See you out there!]

• Raven Society’s 6th Annual Holiday Fete: The Raven Society, the Free Library of Philadelphia’s membership group for supporters in their 20s and 30s, is hosting its 6th Annual Holiday Fete inside the Central Branch’s newly renovated Popular Library, Besides the great view of the city skyline, you’ll be able to enjoy drinks (Victory beer!), hors d’oeuvres, live music and even livelier book talk with other library supporters and literary mavens.

Where: Central Library, newly renovated Popular Library, 1901 Vine Street
When: Wednesday, December 14, 6 p.m.
Cost: $10 for members, $20 for non-members

• Spirits & Suds with Santa East Passyunk Bar Crawl: A dozen bars and restaurants along East Passyunk Avenue will be offering one draft craft beer for $3 and one cocktail or wine-based drink for $4. Registration will be held at The Bottle Shop from 5:30-8 p.m. The $5 admission gets you the drink specials at each of the listed bars, a Santa or Elf hat and Santa’s Sipping Stamp Card.

Where: Along East Passyunk Avenue
When: Wednesday, December 14, 5:30-11 p.m.
Cost: $5 registration, then pay as you go

There are more ideas for how to spend your evening, below.

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Stag & Doe Nights take place on Wednesday evenings in December in Chestnut Hill and are an awesome holiday tradition. (Photo courtesy Chestnut Hill Business Association)

The holidays are the perfect time to tap into the virile community spirit in Philadelphia, which permeates every neighborhood from South Philly to Chestnut Hill to Fishtown, University City and more.

Below, we’ve picked out a few great ideas for neighborhood social activities during the holidays. Get some local shopping done, mingle with others and enjoy this most wonderful time of the year.

Our top picks:

• Chestnut Hill’s Stag & Doe Nights: Every Wednesday through December 21 from 6-9 p.m., Chestnut Hill truly shines as its one-of-a-kind shops open their doors and welcome you with wonderful gift ideas, refreshments and personalized service. Stroll Germantown Avenue and savor the festive decorations, including lights twinkling in the trees, carolers singing on the street and fresh pine boughs decorating the shops.

• Center City District Shopping Saturdays: In honor of the holidays, Center City merchants are offering great specials and events every Saturday through December 17. Each week a different neighborhood will be highlighted, and that area’s shops will host special holiday parties, huge sales and more. Plus, each week, you’ll find the special Shopping Saturday team in that Saturday’s featured neighborhood from noon-2 p.m., handing out hot chocolate, shopping bags and offering you a chance to enter to win a $500 Center City shopping spree. This Saturday, December 10, features The Gallery at Market East and next Saturday, December 17 spotlights Rittenhouse Row. Check out a complete list of specials right here.

• East Passyunk Super Sized Second Saturday: This Saturday, December 10, noon-10 p.m., is East Passyunk’s biggest Second Saturday of the year! In addition to the usual fun art openings, psychic readings, cocktails, yoga classes and great holiday sales, there will be Christmas carolers and Santa will be strolling the Avenue. Also look out for the Spirits & Suds with Santa pub crawl, Wednesday, December 14, 5:30-11 p.m.

• Kensington’s Greensgrow Holiday Bazaar: On December 10, 11, 17 and 18, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., head to the Greensgrow Holiday Bazaar for local, handmade gift ideas from some of the neighborhood’s most talented crafters and artists. The nursery will also be bursting with fresh, local holiday greens, including Pennsylvania trees, garlands & wreaths, fragrant rosemary trees and tabletop evergreens, holiday decorations and ornaments as well as winter flowering plants.

• Fairmount Reindeer Romp: Head out to Fairmount for the 14th Annual Reindeer Romp on Thursday December 22, starting at 6 p.m. While not necessarily shopping focused, the Romp is a great excuse to get out to Fairmount to experience the neighborhood’s bounty of great restaurants and bars.

• University City Arts League Holiday Craft Show & Sale: Running through December 15, UCAL helps you shop for the holidays in the neighborhood with its annual Holiday Craft Show and Sale. Daily hours are 3-9 p.m. Weekend hours are noon-6 p.m. The show takes place at 4226 Spruce Street, and it’s a great opportunity to tap into the West Philadelphia community spirit.

• Peddler’s Village’s Gingerbread House Competition and Display: The Philadelphia countryside has neighborhood charm, too. A visual delight, these gingerbread house entries are displayed throughout the holiday season in the Village Gazebo. While you’re there, enjoy all the village has to offer in the wintertime. Bonus: it’s beautifully decorated, Victorian-style, with fruit wreaths and greenery.

• Haddonfield’s Candlelight Shopping: On Friday nights through December 23, the streets will be aglow with holiday warmth for the town’s annual Candlelight Shopping, complete with light-lined streets, in-store holiday events, live entertainment and an appearance from Santa.

We're taking the stress out of date-planning, with 10 great pre-planned picks for how to spend an unforgettable evening in Philadelphia this season, such as dining at R2L for one of the most breathtaking panoramic views of the city. (Photo by G. Widman for GPTMC)

Now that the days are shorter and the temperatures are (much) cooler, it’s tempting to stay inside with your significant other and cozy up by the fireplace. Or, you know, the radiator.

But then you’d miss out on the legion of exciting holiday festivities that are taking place throughout the entire region.

So get off the couch and make a date (or two or three) with the one you love to experience as many merry events as possible.

Here are our top 10 picks for winter date ideas this holiday season:

1. The Nutcracker
See George Balanchine’s “The Nutcracker,” a true holiday classic, performed by the Pennsylvania Ballet at the Academy of Music, then enjoy the new theater prix-fixe menu at the Balcony at the DoubleTree directly across the street from the Academy.

2. HD Sugarplums
Catch the Comcast Holiday Spectacular, then head up to R2L at the tippy-top of Two Liberty Place for drinks, the dessert cart and a breathtaking panoramic view of the city. R2L won “Best Restaurant for a Last Date” in Philadelphia Magazine’s Best Of issue this summer, but we think it’s just as great a spot for a first (or 50th) date.

3. Macy’s & Milkboy
Watch the spectacular Macy’s Holiday Light Show in Center City, then grab a coffee after at MilkBoy, where you can also catch some live music upstairs.

4. Martinis On Ice
Ice skate at the Blue Cross RiverRink. Warm up with a hot cocoa or a Market St. Mocha martini at Continental Old City when you’re done.

5. Village Getaway
Drive up to Peddler’s Village in Lahaska, where a grand illumination of dazzling Christmas lights takes place. Check out their Gingerbread House competition and shop the many quaint stores in the village.

Numbers 6-10 are listed below.

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Enter into a magical Dickens Christmas in Chestnut Hill all December long, with special menu items, carolers strolling Germantown Avenue, visits from 'A Christmas Carol' characters and so much more. (Credit: GPTMC)

In October, Chestnut Hill transformed into Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley for a full-blown Harry Potter Weekend.

This December, the town is metamorphosing once again, this time into a festive Victorian village in celebration of iconic English author Charles Dickens, whose ties to Philadelphia are many.

For the month of December, Chestnut Hill will toast to Mr. Dickens with special performances, extended store hours and Dickens-themed activities up and down Germantown Avenue.

That main street will take you into the world of Charles Dickens’ famous holiday tale “A Christmas Carol” with decorated merchant windows featuring scenes from the story. Enjoy the famous Dickens sandwich and wassail at McNally’s Pub, or the Dickensian menu at Mica, meet Dickens characters as they stroll the Avenue, all while listening to Christmas carolers and street performers.

A free shuttle on Stag & Doe Nights (Wednesdays, December 7-21) will take you up and down the Avenue so you won’t miss a thing!

Check out our day-by-day guide to toasting to Charles Dickens in Chestnut Hill:

Saturday, December 3
• A Dickens Tea: 1-2 p.m., The Night Kitchen Bakery
• Courtney Carolers: 1:30-3:30 p.m.
• Victorian Holiday Card Making workshop: 2-3 p.m., Woodmere Art Museum
• Readings from “A Christmas Carol”: 3-3:30 p.m., Woodmere Art Museum
• Holiday Reception by the Philadelphia Girls Choir concert: 3:30–4:30 p.m., Woodmere Art Museum
• Holiday House Tour: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Sunday, December 4
• Tiny Tim & Bob Cratchit: 1-3 p.m., Germantown Avenue
• Roasted Chestnuts: 1-3 p.m., Weavers Way Co-op
• Children’s Holiday Concert at Buckley Park: 1-2 p.m.
• Santa: 1:30–3:30, Germantown Avenue

The rest of the schedule is included below.

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Nomad pop-up shop is open for the month of December only, an eclectic collection of modern, vintage and mid-century furnishings and accessories.
(Photo courtesy Nomad)

Looking for unique, locally made and collected gift items this holiday season?

Look no further. Nomad, a new home pop-up shop, is now open in Chestnut Hill and features an eclectic mix of modern, vintage and mid-century treasures, alongside a curated collection of original works by local designers and collectors.

Check out a few of Nomad’s featured local designers, collectors and vintage dealers below:

• Stable Tables: Hand-made farm tables and benches made from reclaimed wood from old barns and buildings.
• Philadelphia jewelry designer J. Rudy Lewis is creating new work this season that is catching the eyes and being acquired by top stylists.
• Mockingbird Moon: Kim Grant’s tabletop gardens, collages of found objects and photographs bring the exterior world indoors and feature natural imagery inspired by her rural environs.
• Cotillion: Fantastic treasures, antiques, art, designer accessories, clothes and more.
• Wing & Wood: Custom Furniture and Woodworking with a sustainable future in mind.

Click here for a full list of artists.

Be sure to swing by this Friday, December 2, from 5-8 p.m. for Nomad’s Holiday Party. A portion of sales at Nomad will be donated to the James Turrell project in Chestnut Hill.

Shop hours from now through December 31 are 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

Nomad Pop-Up Shop in Chestnut Hill
When: Now through December 31
Where: 12 West Willow Grove Avenue, Chestnut Hill
Cost: Pay as you go
More info: www.hellonomad.com