Philadelphia is My Home

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.

05
Jul

Wanna Feel Good?

Author: Momish, Category: General, Something to Do

Have I mentioned yet what a devout animal lover I am? I’m sure I have, seeing as it is something I have a habit of droning on and on about. But, just in case, let me reiterate it right here, right now:  I am a complete sucker for our fine furry friends!

So, as you can only imagine, when I opened my Daily Candy* email today and read about Inner Bliss Yoga Center’s donation class, where all proceeds go to local charities like the ASPCA, I practically started salivating (get it? salivating? as in Pavlov’s dogs?…oh, never mind!).

Any hoo, it seems to me that if you are free tonight, then you have one heck of an excellent opportunity awaiting you over at Inner Bliss. You get to take a great class in yoga while helping out our four legged friends at the same time. In the end, you will walk away feeling really good about yourself, both inside and out!

Check out their website for more information and class times.

Inner Bliss Yoga Center

123 Chestnut Street

267-236-2783

*Yes, that would the same Daily Candy I wrote about last week. If you had signed up for it like I told you to do, then you would already be aware of the donation class going on tonight. So, don’t blame me if you didn’t read this post until it was too late. Shame on you!

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)

29
Jun

Stay Inline!

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

If you are an roller skating nut, then this is your lucky weekend! Philly Free Skate will be going on all weekend and it’s free, in case you didn’t catch that part.

According to their website, this is for intermediate and expert skaters, which more or less leaves me out because I haven’t roller skated in a dog’s age and so probably suck at it.  Although, there was a time I was a master on wheels, skating backwards to “Funkytown” like a regular Dorthy Hamill.  But alas, those days are long gone.

Anyhow, these events are bring-your-own-skates, which once again, leaves me out since I don’t have any.  But, see how nice I am to write about such a fun event even though I myself can’t go? I am completely unselfish like that sometimes.

But, between you and me, I think the reason they are claiming you need to be an intermediate or expert skater has nothing to do with the cobblestones, hills, curbs or length of the tours.  I think it has more to do with the bar stops along the way! Can you pop a few back and STILL skate over cobblestones is more like the question!

Check the Philly Free Skate website for schedule times and other relevant information. 

Have fun without me.

<sigh>

23
Jun

Erin Go Bragh

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

This is the weekend, folks!  

The weekend of the Irish American festival at Penn’s Landing during PECO’s series of cultural salutes throughout the summer. 

Now, no one likes to play favorites, but the Irish American festival is one of the best of the season, no denying it.  Well, that and the Italian American festival, which sadly is not part of the line up this year.  Damn, no tasty meatballs! So unfair.  But then again, I can just hit up my mom for them anytime, so all is good. 

Back to Erin’s day in the sun.  Good music, good fun, good entertainment and always a huge crowd.  And free, did I mention it is free? Can’t beat it.  Just the thought of all those good beers bagpipes makes me so giddy, I feel a gig coming on.

The event goes on all weekend 12-8 PM.    

For more information and musical guest concert details, visit the Penns Landing Corporation website.

More Upcoming Events in the PECO Multicultural Series:

June 23-24, 12-8 pm: Irish American Festival
July 7-8, 12-8 pm: Hispanic Fiesta
July 14, 12-6 pm: Southeastern Cherokee Celebration
August 18, 12-8 pm: Festival of India
August 19, 12-8 pm: Caribbean Festival
August 25-26, 12-8 pm: Philadelphia Multicultural Arts and Music Extravaganza
September 9, 12-8 pm: Russian Mosaic Festival
September 16, 12-8 pm: Mexican Independence Day Festival

22
Jun

America Starts Here

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

I love when people ask me, “What are your plans for the 4th of July holiday? Going away? Doing anything special?”

HELLO! People, this is Philadelphia! You know, the city where the piece of paper was signed on that day.  As in, the place that celebrates the holiday to the absolute fullest. 

Why leave and go to the shore, or anywhere else, on one of the biggest weekends in this city?  Especially when everyone else is coming here. You won’t see fireworks this good, I promise (well, Disney might put on as good a show).  And the concerts and the events that go on…  For free, I might add.  This year’s concert headliners are Philly’s own Hall and Oats.  Although, truth be told, I haven’t had the energy to deal with the crowds on the Parkway since my youth. 

Our new favorite spot to watch the fireworks is along the newly revamped river path.  But in my years I have watched them from some of the coolest places.  I use to love camping out on the bridges because the reflection off the river was really spectacular.   Anyone know of other great spots to view them? Maybe a nice place where the rest of the world has yet to catch on to?

Just in case anyone is unaware of this, let me tell you that Sunoco Welcomes America has a website that outlines all the activities and events going on, listing times for the fireworks, etc. 

19
Jun

Philly is More Fun When You Run Around in Pajamas

Author: Momish, Category: Kids, Something to Do

Philly is more fun when you sleep over, right?  You have heard the slogan a million times, I am sure.  Well, here is an excellent change to join in on that fun even though you live here.  After all, as a resident, you don’t get the chance to roam around Center City in your pajamas like those tourists do in the ads. And why, I ask, should they get all fun?

Well, relax.  Literally.  Because here is your chance to know what you are missing. Head on over to Barnes & Noble for their free Pajama-Rama Story Time.  Rabbi Ira Stone will read stories for children about (guess, just guess what the topic is…)

SUMMERTIME! 

C’mon, here’s your chance to be just like all those shiny happy people in the ads, romping around the city in your PJ’s!  Indulge yourself in a game of “weird looks”.  The person who collects the most wins!

Location: Barnes & Noble - 1805 Walnut St., Philadelphia, PA 19103  /  6:30-9:30 PM

I called to confirm that this event is still on since it was not listed on their website.  According to the nice gentleman I talked to, “you bet it is!”

Credit goes to Dancing Meatball for the find.  Check their website for more details as well as other kid friendly events that go on all the time.  And while your at it, sign up for their weekly news letter.  You can’t go wrong!

17
Jun

The Good Ole Moonbounce

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

If you are roaming around South Philly tonight, you might want to head over to St. Monica’s Parish.  They are having their annual carnival right now.

My sister was the one who told me about it yesterday.  Naturally, I jumped on the opportunity to get out of the house, not to mention get my hands on some funnel cake.  

Aside from the usual sugar laden junk, they have a slew of food stands hosted by local Italian restaurants, deli’s and bakeries.  So many, that it makes for a hard decision when your stomach can only fit so much, especially if you are trying to leave room for funnel cake and cotton candy and canolis and home made water ice…

Anyway, we ended up getting there a bit too early, which threw my niece into a tizzy because they hadn’t started any of the rides yet.  She was beside herself in angst, to the point of a complete meltdown.  Luckily, by the time we finished eating, they were beginning to blow up the two moonbouncy rides.  FINALLY!

She sat there (shoes already off) along with dozens of other kids, watching as they pumped air into the colorful sacks lying limp on the ground.  The mania mounted and mounted as they started growing bigger and bigger.  What is it about these blow up rides that turn kids into mini psycho spazzes?  I thought my niece’s head was going to pop off if she had to wait two more seconds longer. 

Little by little, they began to take shape until we were finally able to see that one of them was an obstacle course and the other was a three story slide.  I was impressed, these were way more sophisticated than the typical moonbounce, the big castle where it seems like all the kids do is jump around banging into each other. 

Truth be told, looking at that huge slide and watching my niece bounce her way through the obstacle course, I was jealous.  They never had such cool stuff when I was a kid.

16
Jun

Franklin Square

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

Take it from me, if you are stuck in the city all weekend long with a toddler, the last thing you should do is stay indoors, especially when the weather is this spectacular.

What to do, what to do?

Aside from the events that come and go, there is always Franklin Square.  This little park is the latest Philly nook to crop up.  They have miniature golf, a carousel in addition to the general park and playgrounds.  It adds a little more to the usual playground outing, yet is not overwhelming to the point where you start popping the Advil before you even leave the house.

Located at 6th and Race Streets, its easily accessible and within walking distance of other city places, so you are not “stuck” there once you get there.  (A must when you are dealing with the terrible twos)

For more information, call Once Upon A Nation @ 215-629-4026 

Cost is free to visit the park and playground areas, however the Miniature Gold and Carousel have fees.

Check it out!