Philadelphia is My Home

29
Aug

Fringe Benefits

Author: Momish, Category: Attractions, Current Events, Entertainment, Philly Tourist, Resources, Something to Do

Are you gonna be stuck in the city this weekend like me?

Still looking for something to do? 

Well, check out the Philadelphia Live Arts Festival schedule and see if anything tickles your fancy.

Be prepared to have your mind blown away.  There is so much going on!  Reading through that schedule is like scroll, scroll, scroll, still scrolling, holy high water still scrolling, mega more and still scrolling, my wrist hurts, still scrolling…

If you can’t find something to do with all that, then I am so sorry, but I can’t help ya! I don’t think anybody can.

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)   

16
Aug

Sid & Nancy Work It Out

Author: Momish, Category: Philly Finds, Something to Do, Sports

I don’t know about you, but even now at my ripe old age I still find the time to mash in my living room to the Sex Pistols or the Bad Brains.  I just can’t shake my youthful punk rock days, despite being “all grown up”.

Good music is just good music.

It gets you up and going, makes you want to jump around like an idiot.  That is why I think the Punk Rock Boot Camp makes perfect sense to me.  Working out to punk rock music is just the kind of inspiration I would need to push myself.  Then afterwards I would get to say something really cheesy like, “that was a real hardcore workout!”

Workout drills are weekdays @ 6:30 though.  UGH! I could never ever in a million years manage that.  So it’s a good thing they also have weekend drop in classes for just 5 bucks that start at 10:00 in the morning. Now that I can consider.  Consider, mind you.

Frankly, I am totally tempted to go just for the music.  I bet I’d get to hear a lot of the old stuff I never got around to replacing on CD’s.  It would be a nice walk run down memory lane!

Check out their website for more details, schedules and fees.

{Thanks again to Daily Candy for the great tip!)

05
Aug

Our Wild Backyard

Author: Momish, Category: Attractions, General, Kids, Philly Tourist, Something to Do

We often go the Philadelphia Zoo as we have maintained our yearly membership since my daughter was born.  I love taking her to the zoo and watching her face as she observes all those magnificent animals, most of which she has no clue how lucky she is to see in person.

If you read my personal blog Momish, then you probably know that I am somewhat of an animal lover and activist.  So, whenever I talk about going to the zoo or my zoo membership, I am often asked how I feel about animals in captivity. 

I think the Philadelphia Zoo is a shining example of how all zoos should be.  I think our zoo represents the minimal acceptance level of how animals should be treated and housed in a caged environment.  In other words, the Philly Zoo does it right.

I think there is a great advantage to zoos in that they educate the general public about exotic and domestic animals.  They infect visitors with an admiration and respect for all animal life.  They also are a wealth of information about the many plights and dangers facing animals all over the world, triggering a desire to help and care about them in a way that probably would have been overlooked or ignored.  In addition, if it weren’t for the efforts of major zoos across the world, I am convinced that many near extinct species would be long gone and reduced to a blurb in our history books.

That being said, I definitely hold a standard as to what I will support when it comes to caging and transporting wild animals away from their natural habitat.  I do think that the label “zoo” is too often abused.  There are so many rinky-dink “zoos” out there that are a disgrace to the human race and downright animal abuse.  They should be shut down. 

I know it takes loads of money and resources to properly house and maintain a respectful and humane zoo.  Such that only major cities with the proper financial backing would be able to have zoos.  Cities like Philadelphia, San Diego and New York.  And while it might be unfair to the rest of the country, my main response to that is tough sh*t.

It is inhumane and morally wrong to shove a bunch of chimpanzees into a two by four cage with a tree branch so that kids that live outside of a major city can have a substandard education and experience of a wild animal.

You should go to the Philadelphia Zoo if you haven’t been there in a while (the new Amur Tiger cubs should be open to the public by now).  You should take advantage of the good fortune you have to live in a city with wild animals right in your backyard.  Animals that are cared by the world’s top notch veterinarians, who’s housings were designed with the utmost of care and thought by top architects in the region and who thrive as a result of the many supports like myself.

The Philadelphia Zoo is not just the nation’s first zoo, but perhaps the nation’s finest as well.

<rant over>

So tell me, how do you feel about animals kept in zoos?  What do you think about the Philly Zoo?  When was the last time you were there?

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.

20
Jul

Vacation, Gotta Get Away

Author: Momish, Category: Randomness, Something to Do, The Shore

So it figures that the week we go live I am scheduled to go on vacation.  Just as I am getting into the swing of things, meeting new people, receiving (unpaid/non-bribery) feedback, getting my groove on…. Wham! Stop everything! I have to go down the shore and relax in the sun while doing absolutely nothing for the next seven days.

 Woe is me!

Other than the timing factor, we have no worries, trust me.  That is because I have figured out how to schedule publishing posts.  I practiced on today’s post. I actually wrote this last night and voila, it didn’t show up until this morning.

I know what you’re thinking.  You’re thinking that even a blind squirrel finds a nut now and then.  But I really do think I am getting the hang of this WordPress stuff.  I honestly think things will go smoothly next week.  You wait and see.

The Jersey shore is calling to me, people.  I have but no choice to go.

So, I have the sworn promise that the powers that be here at IsMyHome are going to moderate all comments.  As for me, I promise to respond as often as I can between my hours of sea, sun and surf.  And, if I find any great happening or bargains,  I will be sure to pass it along.

Just to prove my good faith, I will remind you that next Friday (the 28th) is the famous Night in Venice annual parade of boats in Ocean City.  I wanted to pass this one along early so you can make the necessary plans.  Just in case you aren’t already down there on your week long vacation like some of us.

So please don’t take my comment silence as a sign of not caring! Although, truth be told, I really won’t be caring about anything other than the next time I have to turn over or sand getting into my Mai Tai.  But hey, like they say… silence is golden.  Right?

Hello? Did you hear me?  I said silence is golden, right?

<cricket cricket>

Pfft.

16
Jul

Tell Me Why I Don’t Like Mondays

Author: Momish, Category: Something to Do

Well can you? Can you tell me why I don’t like Mondays? Here’s a hint: It has nothing to do with going back to work, although that sort of compounds the reason. Ok, seeing as you don’t know me so well, tell me this…

1. What band sang that song?
2. What event is the song about?
3. The lead singer of the band went on to do what major musical event?

A bit of trivia for ya.  Coincidentally, that is part of the reason I don’t like Mondays.  Mondays use to be my night to play bar trivia.  I was on a really good team that met every Monday at the Dark Horse.  We use to win a lot, which makes it all the better in my opinion.

My specialty was movie trivia.  I earned that distinction from my teammates the time I knew that Jean Paul Gaultier did the costume design for The Cook The Thief His Wife & Her Lover.  They bowed down before me over that one.  That was back in 1998 of course, but I am a firm believer that one should never forget one’s moments of glory.

Obviously, now with the hubby and kid and all that adult stuff, Mondays aren’t exactly the play night of the week for me.  So sad, really.  All my useless knowledge going to waste, and we all know that the mind is a terrible thing to waste.  Instead, Mondays are just blah again with nothing to look forward to, especially now that the 24 season is over. 

But hey, don’t let my sorry lot in life stop you from having a good time!  There are Pub Trivias going on all over this city.  Monday nights you can play Quizo at the New Deck in University City with my buddy Ronan (an old teammate back in the day).  Quizo is run by Pat, who we all know is one of the best because Pat originated Pub Trivia here in Philly.

Nothing can get rid of those Monday blahs like Quizo.  As for me, at least I still have Jeopardy.  I can usually get through the entire show as long as I keep throwing cookies at the kid.

Quizo@ The New Deck

Every Monday & Wednesday Night
Starts at 10pm
Come in early to get a seat!

$4 Guinness Pints on Monday
$4 Bass Pints on Wednesday
& $2 Domestic Pints all from 10pm - 12am

15
Jul

The City of Murals

Author: Momish, Category: Philly Tourist, Something to Do

Did you know that Philadelphia is the city with the most murals in all of America? I kid you not! According to the Mural Arts Program website, we’ve got over 2,700 murals gracing our city building, bridges, walls and billboards.  Beat that New York!

Philadelphia is internationally recognized as The City of Murals (hence the title of this post; very witty of me I know).

Ok, so you might have already known all that, granted.  I mean, ya’ll live here and all.  But, did you know that you can actually take a guided tour and visit some of the well known murals throughout the city?  But wait, there’s more. Mural Arts also has an experiential tour, where you get to meet one of the muralist (a true word, I didn’t just make it up) and learn about the artistic process in making murals.  Bet you didn’t know that!

Well, even if you did, you can at least act surprised. 

I find the entire process amazing, having witnessed it first hand.  A very good friend of mine use to be a member of the Anti-Graffi Network, which is where the Mural Arts Program began.  I use to spend hours watching them map out the squares and then make it come to life.  I definitely have to take this tour one day to see if any of those murals are part of it.  I can take a certain level of pride in knowing I played a part in its existence with my moral support.  Or, should I say mural support? (ok, that was weak)

Visit the Mural Arts website for more information and details about all their tours, including their Murals and Meals one, which personally would be my favorite.  This is a great thing to do for people who visit from out of town but aren’t into all that fine arts stuff.  Hey, like 15 year olds from Britain!!!

I am on a roll here with the alternative Philly tours so watch out! You just never know what I might come up with next.

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.