Philadelphia is My Home

10
Dec

Fess Up

Author: Momish, Category: Attractions, Family Friendly, Free Events, Kids, Philly Tourist, Something to Do

Hello, my name is Momish and I am a Christmas junkie.

Fess up, people.  I know I am not alone here.  You too love this stuff, admit it.  If you’re a junkie like me, you’ve got your car radio tuned to B101, singing along to the six versions of ”Jingle Bell Rock” they play every day. 

You’ve changed your Windows wall paper to a winter wonderland scene, complete with falling snow. Forget that it slows everything down to a crawl on your PC… you gotta have the falling snow.

You’re spending every weekend searching for that perfect gift, ornament or decoration.  You’ve marched along with the Winter Warlock, putting “one foot in front of the other” on more than one occasion.  And before you even take your coat off, you’re eagerly sifting through the mail to see what new cards you got.

But most of all, you’ve already been to Macy’s to see the holiday light show.  You sat your adult bum down next to that eagle statue, then you watched, smiled and sang along with all the third graders, just like you did when you were in third grade. 

As cheesy as it is, you know you still love it.  C’mon, how can anyone resist a smile when Frosty’s arms blink up, down, up, down, up, down.  It’s classic. Personally, I think it is the organ music that lends itself to that magical feeling.  Well, that mixed with a big, fat dose of nostalgia.

So, have you been yet?  Fess up!

Check out Centercityphila.org for all Holiday Events going on around the city.

Photo by J. Smith for GPTMC

26
Nov

There’s Still Time

Author: Momish, Category: Attractions, Entertainment, Free Events, History, Philly Tourist, Something to Do

You have until December 31st, so there is still plenty of time really.  

I am not talking about any holiday stuff here.  No, nothing to do with shopping or decorating or cocktail parties or anything hectic like that. I am talking about culture.  Treating yourself by taking a nice needed break from the hectic. 

In between the endless commercialism and the agony of battling consumerism, wouldn’t you just love to squeeze in some culture?  Take a relaxing and educating stroll around a museum?  How about one that is actually doable, as in you can see all the exhibits in less than two hours.  

And for free!  Now that sure makes it a bit more doable, doesn’t it? No dipping into your Christmas Club savings.

The Perelman Building at the Philadelphia Museum of Art has free admission until the end of the year.  Right now, the exhibits include a great collection of evening gowns from three Philadelphian designers and a collection of modern decorative art among others. 

But the best part (aside from being free, of course) is that it is just enough without being overwhelming.  Because the last thing you need right now is more overwhelming. You want to escape overwhelming at all costs, right?

Just think, after a two hour stroll that awakens your visual and mental senses, you just might be ready to tackle those long lines and crowded stores again.  It might even inspire you to get a little more creative with your wrapping this year.

At the very least, you’ll have something interesting to talk about at all those holiday cocktail parties you’ve got lined up on your calendar.  I’m telling you, you need this.

 The museum is open Tuesday through Sunday: 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.

18
Oct

Urg (um, I mean Erg) Is Too A Word

Author: Momish, Category: Family Friendly, Free Events, Kids, Resources, Something to Do

It’s a work unit.

I know this because I do a lot of crossword puzzles.  Which is also why I play a mean game of Scrabble.  I love Scrabble, but no one will play with me because I always win.

This is why I was thrilled to death to find the Free Library’s Philly Plays Scrabble program which holds Scrabble competitions throughout this month.

If you are a Scrabble buff, here’s your chance to shine.  You might even find yourself amongst some serious competition.

Bring. It. On.

Check out the Librabry’s website for more details, as well as a slew of other great events they host.  When was the last time you actually went to the library?  With the world’s wealth of imformation a simple Google click away, I am sure it’s been quite some time you have walked through those doors.  I know I haven’t been here in ages.  And I miss that old beautiful building on the Parkway.  It’s the first free library in the country, you know.

So c’mon, put on your Scrabble thinking caps and and haul your Google addicted butts over to the library.  I could use some stiff competition.

(Philly Plays Scrabble has events throughout many Library branches.  Check the website for dates and times, since each vary.)

05
Sep

Sitting On The Dock Of The Bay

Author: Momish, Category: Current Events, Free Events, Local News, Something to Do

Well, river actually.

Anyway, tomorrow night you can check out the new dock along the river in Manayunk.  The dedication ceremony is at 5:00 PM.  Plus you get to meet the Manayunk Dragon Boat Racing team that will be heading to the World Championships in Sydney this year.

Or if you prefer, here’s just another excuse to hang out in Manayunk! Yeah!

Check out Manayunk’s website for more details!

22
Aug

Drive In Movies!

Author: Momish, Category: Free Events, Kids, Nightlife, Philly Finds, Something to Do

When my old car started giving me trouble, I quickly signed up for PhillyCarShare, just in case.  I figured if it finally did break down, I could just do the PhillyCarShare until all things were fixed.

Then I bought the new car.  (Relax! I am not going to go on and on about the new car.)  The point is, since I bought the new car, I never did get a chance to use PhillyCarShare in the end.

Still, I am glad we still belong to it, otherwise I wouldn’t know about the drive in movies they are sponsoring.  Once a week, all over South Philly, they will be hosting a drive in movie.  You don’t need a car, just maybe a cozy blanket or lawn chair.  And you don’t need money either!

Oh, and I called just to double check and they assured me it is free to the public, not just CarShare members.   

Tonight’s movies is Rocky being shown at Capitolo Park (where ever that is).  However, I won’t be going to this one because it’s freezing outside, for one thing.  Second, we have tickets to see Wicked tonight.  So, I may try to catch next week’s, An Inconvenient Truth, because I think I am one of maybe a dozen people who hasn’t seen it yet.

Click Here For Full Movie Schedule

All shows begin at dusk.

18
Aug

Penn’s Landing It Is Then

Author: Momish, Category: Family Friendly, Free Events, Kids, Something to Do

When making your plans this weekend, don’t forget about Penn’s Landing.  The annual PECO Multicultural Series is still going on and today’s featured culture is India!

Now you just know there is going to be great food and beautiful sights to see.  And with the weather being a tad cooler, you can actually enjoy being outside all day.

Tomorrow is the Caribbean festival.  I can’t promise you’ll see any authentic pirates (this is the busy season for them you know), but certainly more good food, not to mention amazing music.  I just love all those steel drums!

Both events go on all day from 12-8 at the great plaza and they are free! Free! Free! That is not to say that you won’t spend any money with all that cool shopping, sari to say.  (I couldn’t resist)   

21
Jul

Clark Park

Author: Momish, Category: Free Events, Something to Do

Clark Park is one of my old time favorite nooks in the city, where I have spent many a days and nights hanging out.  You always meet so many different people there due to the diversity of the neighborhood and surrounding universities.  Plus, the name is fun to say.

Clark Park. Clark Park. Clark Park.

Tonight the Philadelphia Orchestra is giving a free performance in Clark Park at 7:00 PM.  This is part of their Free Neighborhood Concerts.  Tonight’s line up:

CHABRIER   España

BIZET   Suite No. 2 from Carmen

RIMSKY-KORSAKOV   Capriccio espagnol

MARQUEZ   Danzon No. 2

BARBER   “Hesitation-tango,” from Souvenirs

RAVEL   Bolero

There is just something about listening to classical music out in the wide open, under the stars.  Well OK, you got me there.  Not only is it daylight at 7 PM, but even if it were pitch black you probably wouldn’t see stars in West Philly.  But the music and atmosphere is sure to be great none-the-less. 

So if you find yourself with nothing to do, head on out to Clark Park.  Just can’t say that enough.

13
Jul

Happy Friday 13th, Best of Luck To Ya!

Author: Momish, Category: Free Events, Kids, Philly Tourist, Something to Do

Ok, so it’s Friday the 13th, but don’t let that stop you from kick starting this weekend into gear.   As for me, It’s my birthday, so I can do whatever I want including breaking mirrors, stepping on cracks and walking under ladders. My 13th birthday fell on a Friday 13th and I survived that one just fine. Bring on the black cats, I say. I have no fear! None!

Anyway, as you know, after July 13th comes July 14th which happens to be an important day to the French.  So don’t forget about the Bastille Day celebrations going on this weekend! 

White Dog Cafe is having a Bastille Day Block Party  tonight with lots of snails, frog legs and other fun stuff.

Hedgegrove Theater is having a Bastille Storming and French Revolution performance Saturday @ 6:00.  FREE!

Fairmount Park is having their FREE French Fling weekend, but you already knew that because I told you about that already and you devour this blog on a daily basis, right?

Non?

C’est la vie.

In other matters, I just have to mention that my friend’s son is coming into town next week from England. So, I have been wracking my brain trying to figure out what we could do or where we could go one night next week.  He has visited Philly throughout his life, so the usual spots like the Liberty Bell or Art Museum aren’t really options.  Besides, he is only 15, so he isn’t into traveling during his summer break for the sake of a history lesson.  I need to come up with something different.

What to do, what to do…

Then it hit me! My husband recently went on a Philly Movie Tour with his work as a sort of team building event. He said it was interesting and fun despite the fact that it didn’t really bring him any closer to his co-workers in the end. C’est la vie.

During the tour, you drive you around in one of those quaint old fashion trolleys while your guide shows you a slew of places in the city where major films have been shot.  They even show the clips on a video screen so you see how they altered the area to suit their needs.  Plus, they give you all the inside dirt about how locations were picked, the problems that were encountered, not to mention juicy rumours about the spoiled movie stars. 

I am sure any 15 year old kid would enjoy that.  Heck, I would enjoy it. And in the end, it’s all about me anyway, non?

As for dinner, my first thought was to go the Continental.  I can get me some shoe string fries and a Buzz Aldrin (there’s just something about licking Tang off a martini glass that thrills me). But, then I remembered he is only 15, and while I am not a prude about such things, he is not exactly my child to corrupt. So, I have no idea where we’ll end up eating.  Any suggestions? Remember though, something I would like.  It’s really all about me even though it is suppose to be about him. C’est la vie.

****************

For more information on Philly Movie Tours, check their website.  And don’t forget that you can get discounted tickets to this and other events through the Fun Savers website.  Please, no applause.  It’s just my job to pass along such great bargains.

09
Jul

Triskaidekaphobia

Author: Momish, Category: Free Events, Something to Do

Well, in keeping with the luck theme going on here, I thought it would be a good idea to bring up the fact that this Friday is the 13th.

What are the chances we have 7/7/07 - what is being hailed as the luckiest day evah - and the notorious bad luck day both in the same week? Whoa, kinda freaky, huh? When I think of the magnitude of such a coincidence, my head hurts.

But, truth be told, I honestly do not consider Friday the 13th to be bad luck.  I am not a triskaidekaphobiac! This probably has more to do with the fact that this Friday is my birthday than the fact that I am not a superstitious person overall.  Being born on the 13th sort of makes you a natural born rebellion against all that ballyhoo about a random and arbitrary number.

Much ado about nothing, if you ask me.

Still, I won’t be going on any camping trips this weekend to celebrate my day.  It’s not the number 13 I fear, but the droves of weirdos out there that thrive on this stuff.  Plus, I hate camping - too much nature.

Nah, instead I might check out the Fairmount French Fling event going on at Fairmount Park all weekend.  Since I use to live in France, I feel a certain kinship, especially around Bastille Day.  Besides, it’s free!

Visit the official website for more information on all events.

02
Jul

BlogPhiladelphia

Author: Momish, Category: Current Events, Free Events, General, Something to Do

In keeping with my altruistic self, let me pass along another little juicy tidbit, just in case you were unaware of it.  Next week (7/12-7/13) marks the Blogphiladelphia event (or unconference as they refer to it) over at the Radisson Plaza. 

 It only seems fitting for me to relay to you an event happing in Philly that revolves around blogging, even if it would take an experienced fairy godmother along with a dozen guardian angels working overtime to get me there.  Work, you know.  Gotta pay the bills.

<big heavy, depressing sigh>

But, if you are at all interested in all things related to ”social media” (the latest buzzword to describe blogs, podcasts, vlogs and all the other cool stuff the internet has to offer these days), you should stop by and check it out.  Did I mention it was free? How could I forget that? Geesh, “free” is the all time magical buzzword.  The snag in all this?  Reservations are limited and available on a first come, first serve basis.  In other words, act NOW!

For more information, visit the Blogphiladelphia Blog or contact the Radisson.

1701 Locust Street, Philadelphia PA 19103 (215-735-6000)