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Celebrate Easter in Philadelphia

Friday, March 1st, 2013

Easter is coming early this year, and Philadelphia is celebrating with dinners, brunches, Easter egg hunts, and parties. Whether you’re looking for a nice, quiet evening or an exciting day out with the kids, there’s something for everyone in in the city this year. Check out these Easter events in Philly and celebrate this fun spring holiday your way.

Glen Foerd

Glen Foerd

Lunch with the Easter Bunny
Glen Foerd on the Delaware
5001 Grant Ave, Far Northeast Philadelphia
Saturday, March 23, 11 a.m.
Enjoy a light lunch at the historic estate of Glen Foerd on the Delaware, then snap a photo with the guest of honor: the Easter Bunny himself. Tickets are $20 per person.

Easter Workshop and Egg Hunt
American Swedish Historical Museum
1900 Pattison Ave, South Philadelphia
Sunday, March 24, 2-4 p.m.
Easter in Sweden is similar to Halloween in America, with children dressing in costumes such as “Easter witches.” This year, your kids can put on their own Easter witch costumes and enjoy making Easter crafts, face painting, and an egg hunt at the American Swedish Historical Museum. Tickets are free for museum members and children under two years old; $8 for non-members.

Stenton Easter Egg Hunt

Stenton Easter Egg Hunt

Stenton’s Annual Easter Egg Hunt
Stenton
4601 N 18th St, North Philadelphia
Saturday, March 30, 1 p.m.
Visit the historic Stenton estate for a day of Easter fun for the whole family. Children can fill their own baskets with eggs and chocolate goodies at the Easter egg hunt, then dye eggs with all natural dyes made from flowers, vegetables, and animal products. Enjoy fun games and crafts too. This event is FREE to the public, but donations are appreciated.

Easter Lunch and Dinner Cruises
Spirit of Philadelphia
Departing from Penn’s Landing
Sunday, March 31, 12:30 or 5 p.m.
Enjoy a delicious meal while you cruise around Philadelphia on the beautiful Spirit. Choose your lunch or dinner from a Grande Buffet, celebrate with music and dancing, and take in the dazzling sites in a magical nautical setting. Tickets start at $49.90 for adults and $29.95 for children 12 and under.

opentable-specials

OpenTable Easter Brunch Specials
Sunday, March 31
Several fine Philadelphia restaurants have partnered with OpenTable.com to offer Easter Sunday brunch specials. Participating restaurants include Bourbon Blue in Manayunk, Fork in Old City, M in Washington Square, Popi’s in South Philly, and many more. Best of all, you can conveniently make your reservations online at OpenTable.com.

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Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day at a Famous Philadelphia Pub Crawl

Friday, February 22nd, 2013

No city does St. Patrick’s Day better than Philadelphia, and there’s no better way to spend St. Patrick’s Day than with an old fashioned Irish pub crawl.  This March, grab your four-leaf clover, dress up in green, and take a tour of some of the best Irish pubs in Philly at one of these famous St. Patrick’s Day pub crawls.

luckoftheirish

Official Saint Paddy’s Pub Crawl Philadelphia
Sunday, March 17, 3 p.m.-11 p.m.
Begins at Red Zone, 35 South Second Street, Old City

The producers of the world’s largest pub crawl, pubcrawls.com, presents Philadelphia’s “official” St. Patrick’s Day pub crawl.  Hang out in Old City’s best pubs, meet new friends, and enjoy drink specials like $1 (12 oz.) draft beers, $2 bottle beers, $3 well drinks, and $4 Irish whiskey.  Register for only $10, or paint the town green with 3 days of pub crawls with a special all-access pass.  Only $20 gets you access to the Happy Hour St. Paddy’s Day Pub Crawl on March 15, the Saint Paddy’s Day Luck of the Irish Pub Crawl on March 16, and finally the Official Saint Paddy’s Day Pub Crawl on March 17.  You can even add on a Saint Paddy’s Day T-shirt for an additional $10.

runningofthemicks

Running of the Micks
Saturday, March 9, 12 p.m.-11 p.m.
Begins at Finnigan’s Wake, Third and Spring Garden Streets, Northern Liberties

“Drink, ride, and run up the Art Museum steps,” Rocky-style, at the wildest pub crawl in Philadelphia.  Visit Philly’s hottest bars and enjoy live music, contests, and drink specials for 11 straight hours.  Finish off the evening with a historic run up the Art Museum steps.  General admission is only $15, and special VIP access, including an open beer bar, is $80.

erinexpress

Erin Express
Saturday, March 9 and Saturday, March 16, 12 p.m.-6 p.m.

Philly’s number one St. Patrick’s Day celebration is presented by Cavanaugh’s Restaurant and Sports Bar in University City.  Get absolutely free bus transportation for six whole hours, and visit the Erin Express “depots,” including Mill Creek Tavern, Smokey Joe’s, The Blarney Stone, Westy’s, and many more.  Buses run in a continuous loop every 15-20 minutes, so there is no starting or ending location.  Best of all, there is no registration charge!  All you have to do is show up at one of the depots, buy yourself a drink, and hop on the next bus.

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Posted in Articles, Center City, Food and Drink, Northern Liberties, Old City, South Philly, Uncategorized, University City | No Comments »

FreshDirect Delivers Fresh Groceries to the Philadelphia Area

Friday, February 15th, 2013

Fresh Direct imageAvoid the hassle of rushing out to the grocery store, pushing your way through the crowded aisles, and lugging around heavy bags.  Have your groceries delivered right to your door from FreshDirect.  Order online anytime from 6:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. and schedule your delivery for only a small fee.  It’s fast, it’s easy, and it’s guaranteed fresh.

Always Fresh

FreshDirect’s daily freshness ratings show that their food is always fresh.  Delicious artisan bread is fresh-baked daily, and every item is made to order and prepared to perfection, from the cut of your steak to the grind of your coffee.  FreshDriect provides produce grown by local farmers, so it’s like having your own personal online farmer’s market.  Local produce spends less time travelling, so it’s fresher and more delicious than imported product you would buy at your local supermarket.  FreshDirect also provides a wide selection of all-natural, organic, gluten-free, and kosher food.

Ready-made Meals

In addition to everyday groceries, FreshDirect also provides freshly made restaurant-quality meals to save you time.  Each meal is wholesome and nutritionally balanced with a full serving of fresh vegetables, so they’re great for the whole family.  Have your meals delivered the next day for quick, delicious entrees and sides without the work.

Fresh Food and More

FreshDirect provides more than just food.  You can also order your favorite household and personal items, like cleaning products, pet food, paper goods, and more.  Many items are available by the case or multipack, so you can stock up and save.

Convenient Delivery

FreshDirect is now delivering to the greater Philadelphia area for a delivery charge of only $7.99.  They deliver until 11:00 p.m. in most zip codes, and even weekends.  Orders can be delivered as soon as the very next day, or you can order up to a week in advance to get your grocery shopping out of the way.  Eco-friendly delivery times are available at a discounted rate.  These are times when someone in your neighborhood is already receiving a delivery, so by selecting these times you help conserve resources.

Buy the groceries you love with fresh food and ready-made meals for the same prices as grocery stores, and have everything delivered right to your door with FreshDirect.  Whether you’re looking for fresh local produce, all-natural or organic food, a quick and easy weeknight dinner, or bulk sizes that save you money, FreshDirect has something for everyone.  Visit www.freshdirect.com for more information or to place an order.

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What’s New at the Philadelphia Flower Show in 2013

Monday, February 11th, 2013
Philadelphia Flower Show

The annual Philadelphia Flower Show plants seeds of inspiration to thousands of gardeners and would-be gardeners each year. Here’s a rundown of some of this year’s more inspirational and inspired events.

The Philadelphia Flower Show is a cherished tradition dating back almost 200 years.  America’s first horticultural society, the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, held the first Flower Show in 1829, making it the longest-running indoor flower show in the world.  This year, the Flower Show is adding lots of new attractions and events, making it a show you won’t want to miss.

One Extra Day

This year, you can enjoy the beauty of the Philadelphia Flower Show for one extra day, for a total of nine whole days.  This gives you two full weekends to experience the show, along with all of the other exciting new attractions in 2013.

Pre-Show “Sneak Peek” Tours

For the first time ever, Flower Show guests can get an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the show during setup.  Watch the brilliance bloom around you as you walk the perimeter of the show before the general public.  Meet the exhibitors and the producers and see how the show is constructed.  You can even visit the Skybox for an interactive discussion with Flower Show ambassadors.  Enjoy complimentary coffee and “lite bites,” as well as a cash bar.  Tickets are $48 and include one general admission ticket.  Pre-show tours begin as early as February 25.

Preview Party on the Show Floor

This year’s preview party will be held right on the show floor.  Enjoy cocktails and food stations as you stroll around the exhibits.  Stay for the After Party sponsored by PHS Young Friends at 10pm and dance to the DJ all night long.  Proceeds from the Preview Party support the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, and programs like PHC City Harvest, which helps feed Philadelphians in need.  Tickets start at $200 and can be ordered from the PHC web site.

DIY Workshops

Craft something brilliant at Make & Take Brilliant Crafts, sponsored by A.C. Moore Arts & Crafts.  DIY experts help you create crafts like a fabulous fascinator, fashionable floral wristlet, or magic wand.  Tickets for these fun and creative workshops are only $10.

New Plant Showcase

The Flower Show continues its long tradition of introducing new plants and ideas to the public with a New Plant Showcase, highlighting beautiful new annuals, perennials, the “California Spring Trials,” and select West Coast growers.  All of these amazing new plants will be available for purchase at PHS Meadowbrook Farm in Abington Township.

The Backyard

Become an outdoor living expert with insider tips and tricks from The Backyard, a re-imagining of last year’s “Man Cave.”  The Backyard features lawn care products, fire pits, gardening tools, grills, and outdoor furniture.  Industry experts will be on hand to help you create the ultimate outdoor space at home.

Visit the Philadelphia Flower Show between March 1 and March 10 at the Philadelphia Convention Center, 12th and Arch Streets in Center City.  Order your tickets online today, starting at $15.  Visit theflowershow.com for more information.

- Jen Heller Meservey

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Take a Post-Holiday Break at One of the Best Ski Resorts in the Poconos

Friday, January 18th, 2013

Holiday breaks mean parties, visiting relatives, shopping, wrapping gifts, sending out cards, and lots of cooking.  If you feel like your holiday break wasn’t much of a break, take a post-holiday break with a day or weekend ski trip in the Poconos.  These two exciting and scenic ski resorts were voted the top two ski resorts in the Poconos in 2012 by “Greatest Around the Poconos.”  They offer day passes and weekend packages so you can take the perfect post-holiday winter break full of cold weather fun.  So bundle up in your warm winter coat, pack your snow boots and ski goggles, and plan your trip before the snow melts.

camelback

Camelback Mountain Resort
One Camelback Road, Tannersville, PA 18372

Camelback Mountain offers over 30 trails for skiing, snowboarding, and tubing.  Beginners can learn to ski or snowboard with interactive lessons from their trained instructors.  Order tickets and passes online and save money and time.  Bring the whole family and get a discounted group rate.  Take a break at the Fireside Club Locker room and enjoy a 55-inch flat screen TV, private changing rooms, private dining areas, and a cozy brick fireplace.  Children under 6 can spend the day learning and playing with the CamelCare Adventure program while parents enjoy a day of skiing.  The all new Mountain Coaster is a wild ride through the slopes on steel rails that’s year-round fun for the whole family.  Spend a weekend, or even a week, and stay at the Camelback condos and townhouses.

January is “Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month” at Camelback.  This month only, you can purchase the Learn-To package for only $36, which includes an all-day beginner lift ticket, a 90-minute group lesson, and an all -day equipment rental package.  Visit skicamelback.com to order your package before January is over.

shawneeinnShawnee Inn
1 River Road, Shawnee-on-Delaware, PA 18360

The popular Shawnee Inn and Golf Resort features 23 trails, two terrain parks, and a snow tubing park.  The Shawnee staff take pride in their “green” efforts.  They recycle and reduce waste, use no hazardous cleaning chemicals, provide a linen reuse program, and are working toward using alternative energy sources.  In addition to skiing and snowboarding, Shawnee offers a variety of other outdoor activities, including, kayaking, canoeing, rafting, biking, hiking, fishing, and of course golf.  Take a break and enjoy a delicious meal at one of two restaurants, or relax at the Shawnee Spa & Salon.  Guests can spend the night in Shawnee’s luxurious guest rooms, complete with all of the comforts of home.  Play & Stay packages offer discounted rates on overnight trips, including skiing and snowboarding, tubing, and lessons for beginners.

Throughout January and February, enjoy a series of concerts at the Shawnee Inn.  The series features entertainers like Pete Begley, pioneer of the “stick guitar,” on Jan. 29, and old school rock ‘n’ roller, Ron Richardson, on Feb. 5.  Visit shawneeinn.com to book your winter trip.

- Jen Heller Meservey

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Looking for real estate info? You now have a ‘License to Inspect’

Thursday, January 17th, 2013
License to Inspect screenshot

A new map-based tool gives users access to L&I data and historical information all in one place.

Want to know the whole story behind a Philadelphia address? You now have a way to find out everything you want to know in one click.

It’s a new map-based search engine called “License to Inspect.” This new tool, developed by Plan Philly and Azavea, lets you search Licenses & Inspections permit data for every address in the city – zoning, construction, use, the whole shebang. There are links to full documentation and zoning info as well. But wait! There’s more! You can also look up historical photos of the address from the PhillyHistory.org database.

Did we mention PhillyHistory.org? That site, our favorite repository of images of the city’s past, was also developed by Azavea, the company that grew out of the pioneering Cartographic Modeling Lab at the University of Pennsylvania.

Plan Philly is backed in part by the University of Pennsylvania School of Design’s professional practice arm, Penn Praxis. If we haven’t noted this before, we’ll note it here now: the city’s colleges and universities have evolved into agents of change in their own right and contribute mightily to this city’s economic vitality and forward momentum. And that’s good for the Philly real estate market too. We will no doubt spend many pleasurable hours burrowing into this database as we do our work – and just for fun.

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How Safe Is Your Neighborhood? There’s a Map for That

Wednesday, January 16th, 2013
PHL Crime Mapper graphic

The PHL Crime Mapper is straightforward and simple to understand. Image from Technically Philly.

Now that the City of Philadelphia is making all sorts of computerized data available to the general public, developers are rushing in to create ways the publie can access and make sense of it easily.

Technically Philly reported yesterday on a simple new application that lets users track serious crime in the city’s neighborhoods. The tool, which has the straightforward name PHL Crime Mapper, lets users plot incidences of serious crime on a map of the city. The map app, a side project of city employee Dave Walk, also lets you view crime data for specific areas of the city and within a specific time frame. We predict this will prove to be a useful tool for both residents and house-hunters looking to move to or within the city.

PHL Crime Mapper: use this tool to map serious crimes in any part of the city (Technically Philly)

 

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5 Do-It-Yourself Tips to Help Your Home Sell

Tuesday, January 15th, 2013
Kitchen cabinets

Updating your kitchen cabinets can work wonders for your home’s sales appeal, and you don’t need to hire a contractor for the makeover.

The experts agree that giving your home a fresh, updated look is a great way to appeal to potential buyers.  Completely redesigning or remodeling your home is costly and time-consuming.  You don’t have to break your budget to help your home sell.  Try making some of these 5 simple changes that make a big impact on potential buyers.

Modernize Kitchen Cabinets and Drawers

Replace Hardware
While you may not have the budget to replace all of your kitchen cabinets and drawers, you can easily give them a new look by replacing handles and knobs.  Clean, modern-style hardware will give even old fashioned cabinets an updated look.  Remove one handle and bring it with you to your local hardware store to find perfectly-sized replacement hardware.

Paint Cabinet Doors and Drawers
Remove cabinet doors and drawers and add a few coats of spray paint for an easy new look.  Choose a light, neutral color like white or beige.  Hand paint the area around the cabinets before reinstalling the doors and drawers.  The new paint job will easily freshen up old wooden cabinets without emptying your wallet.

Update Tile Floors

Replace Broken Tiles
If the tiles on your kitchen or bathroom floor are damaged, discolored, or missing, replacing them is an easy way to update the look of your floors.  If you’ve recently re-tiled, you most likely have a few extra tiles you can use to replace the old ones.  If not, bring a photo of your floor to the hardware store to find the closest match.

Use Vinyl Flooring
To easily re-tile your whole kitchen or bathroom floor, try vinyl flooring, which comes in a roll that you can cut to size and stick right to your floor.  Interlocking faux wood vinyl flooring is a quick and easy way to get the look of hardwood flooring without all of the maintenance.

Brighten Up Lighting

Replace Old Fixtures
Update old light fixtures by replacing them with simple globe lights.  Get rid of rickety old ceiling fans or dusty chandeliers.  Replace sticky light switches or light switch covers for an even quicker fix.

See New Light
In rooms with no overhead lighting, try a hanging lantern.  Plug it into a wall socket and add ceiling hooks to keep the cable in place.  Add floor and tabletop lamps for extra task lighting.

Add Area Rugs

Quickly cover stained or damaged floors by adding colorful area rugs.  Contrary to popular belief, you can place an area rug over carpeting.  Use them on threadbare or discolored areas of carpeting.  Add area rugs to warped damaged hardwood flooring for an updated look without replacing your floors.

Make these simple changes to give your home a modern, updated look that potential buyers will love, and you can sell your home even on a limited budget.

- Jen Heller Meservey

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5 Tips for the Perfect Open House

Wednesday, January 2nd, 2013

Open-Houses-in-Spring-TexasHolding an open house is a great way to introduce a large number of potential buyers to your home.  Make a great first impression with these 5 tips to have the perfect open house.

1.  Clean and Organize Inside and Out

It’s important to keep your home as clean and organized as possible before an open house.  A cluttered or messy home makes it difficult for potential buyers to see your home’s features, or to see themselves living in your home.  You should even organize closets and cabinets, as potential buyers will want to look inside.  Spruce things up with minor changes like a new welcome mat, mailbox, or kitchen cabinet fixtures.  Make sure windows and mirrors are shiny and smudge-free.  Don’t neglect the outside of your home.  Clean up the lawn and yard, rake the leaves, cut the grass, and plant flowers to make the outside as appealing as the inside.

2.  De-Personalize

Experts say that you should remove personal items from your home to help potential buyers picture themselves living there.  Take down family photos, posters, and knickknacks, and replace them with neutral artwork or other items.  Remove anything religious, political, or which could otherwise be considered controversial, to avoid putting off any potential buyers.

3.  Set the Mood

Create a bright and homey atmosphere by opening curtains and blinds to let in natural light.  Place candles or flowers around your home, and play soft music.  To add a pleasant smell, bake cookies or fresh bread, just make sure you leave some out for your guests.  Don’t use strong scents like potpourri, perfume, or air freshener, as some guests may find them overwhelming.  To freshen up your bathroom, run a scented bubble bath just before your open house.  This will leave a light scent long after the water has been drained.

4.  Schedule During Off Hours

Most open houses are held on either Saturday or Sunday between 2pm and 4pm.  Schedule your open house between 3pm and 5pm to make your home stand out to potential buyers.  Guests will be able to stop by later in the day, after work or after they’ve already visited other open houses.  Just be sure to keep your home bright when it gets dark by turning on lamps or overhead lights.

5.  Provide Handouts

Print out informational flyers or brochures for guests.  Include features like new appliances, remodeled rooms, or a large backyard.  Add photos of your home in different seasons.  Your handouts don’t have to be fancy or expensive.  You can print your own flyers on your home printer.  Just be sure to include at least one photo, your address, your realtor’s contact information, and important details like the number of bedrooms and bathrooms.  This will give potential buyers something to take home with them and reference later.

Follow these tips to emphasize your home’s best features, and potential buyers will be delighted by your open house.

- Jen Heller Meservey

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Newly Reopened Museum Celebrates What Makes Philly Unique

Friday, November 30th, 2012

After three years of being closed for extensive renovations, the Philadelphia History Museum at the Atwater Kent reopened its doors in September. With a brand new look and five new galleries, the museum is better than ever. More than 1600 people attended opening weekend September 22-23, and the reviews were outstanding.

Philadelphia History Museum at the Atwater KentHoused in a historic building a short walk from Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell, the 70-year-old museum celebrates “hometown history” with exhibits following the history of the city of Philadelphia from when it was founded to the election of Mayor Michael Nutter. Visitors can also preview new changes and exhibits planned for Phase Two of the museum’s reopening this summer.

Current exhibits include “Philadelphia Voices: Family Interrupted/Community Connected,” an annual showcase of three exhibits presented by local community groups, schools, or non-profit organizations; “Played in Philadelphia: Phillies Fandemonium,” which explores America’s favorite pastime through the eyes of a Philadelphia Phillies fan; and “Face to Facebook,” which explores portraits of Philadelphians from the 17th century to the 21st century. Visitors can even snap digital self-portraits behind a decorative frame and become part of the “Face to Facebook” exhibit themselves.

On December 6, the Philadelphia History Museum will partner with the Museum of the American Revolution to present a conversation on “Treacherous Beauty: Peggy Shippen, the Woman Behind Benedict Arnold’s Plot to Betray America”. Authors Mark Jacob and Stephen Case will discuss the story of Peggy Shippen, the wife of Benedict Arnold, who was instrumental in a conspiracy that nearly destroyed the American democracy. Afterwards the authors will sign copies of their new book. Visitors will also be invited to view a portrait of Peggy Shippen on display in the “Face to Facebook” exhibit.

The Philadelphia History Museum at the Atwater Kent is a 10-minute walk from Market East Station, and just steps from subway, bus, and PATCO stops. While there you can hop over to Honey Restaurant for a slice of pizza, or take a stroll down to Lore’s Chocolates for a sweet treat.

Learn about the rich and unique history of the city of Philadelphia at the newly renovated Philadelphia History Museum at the Atwater Kent. Their new exhibits follow the history of Philly through the eyes of proud Philadelphians. Locals and visitors alike will love the museum’s exciting new exhibits and upcoming events. Plan your visit at Philadelphiahistory.org.

-Jen Heller Meservey

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