Parking Wars: Rittenhouse

There are so many events going on in the city this weekend, but if there is one that will totally screw up parking and driving on Saturday, it’s the Rittenhouse Fine Arts Show and Outdoor Street Café that’s planned.

The Fine Arts Show will encompass the square on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, September 16 – 18, beginning each day at 11am. No biggie there. Stroll the park and take in the art! Even buy some if you’re inspired.

It’s the Outdoor Café that’s really going to cause a traffic jam. From 11am – 10pm, Rouge, Devon and Parc will be serving not just curbside, but street side as well with 18^th Street being blocked off for traffic.

The forecast? 68 and Sunny. Hop on the subway, ride a bike, or walk. But whatever you do, Rittenhouse is off limits for cars. It’s not worth the road rage!

Finding Flea Markets: FDR Park

The American Swedish Museum in FDR Park is holding its 2^nd Annual Flea Market and Open House this Saturday, September 17 from 9am – 2pm. There will be cheap wares of all kinds, hand-made crafts, and food and drinks for sale.

The Museum is offering free admission throughout the day. 

There are still availabilities for vendors – spots cost $20, or $25, if you need a table. For more information on vending call (215) 729-3432 or (215) 677-2046.

The American Swedish Museum 1900 Pattison Avenue Philadelphia, PA 19145

Wiffle Ball Tourney in B-Town

Brewerytown’s been hosting a lot of events over the summer, and now, to finish up the season, they will be hosting the Connie Mack Classic Wiffle Ball Tournament this Saturday, September 17, at 1pm at 27^th & Master.

Organized by Philly Sport and Social Club, the event is $15 per player and $45 per team. There are still spots left.

The tourney will consist of 16 teams with three players on each. Rules can be found on Brewerytown Living’s site along with some more details.

Each player gets a tee shirt and beers for the day - Yards to be exact. The winning team will receive a $100 gift card to a local bar and second place gets one for $50.

uwishunu About the Puerto Rican Day Parade…

Apparently, it's gone mainstream.

Each year for nearly three decades, Philadelphia’s Latino community has come together to celebrate its rich history and culture and on Sunday, September 18, from noon–5:30 p.m., the celebration returns during the 27th Annual Feria del Barrio.

Happening in one of Philadelphia’s thriving Latino neighborhoods, along 5th Street from Cambria to Lehigh, this free, family-friendly event will feature crafts, activities, games, music, food and performances throughout the afternoon.

There will be more than 100 local merchants selling crafts and wares, and 50 different artists who will sing, dance and perform throughout the event.

There will be traditional Latino cooking, an appearance by Miss Puerto Rico, hours of performances and a grand finale by salsa singer Adriel Gonzalez.

Read the entire article on uwishunu.com.

Sweet as Apple Pie: Fall Cocktails at Davio's

I have yet to drink my first pumpkin spice latte of the season. Not that it’s too early, but home offices don’t have baristas. At least not mine.

This recipe for an Apple Pie Martini at Davio's, however, makes me want to shower, and leave the house just to try one. This sounds delicious, and I promise, I’m going to give one a go ($12). You probably should too. They also have an Autumn Rum Runner…sounds great.

Or, skip the shower, boycott restaurant week, and make one at home.
Davio’s was nice enough to share the recipe.

Apple Pie Martini

2 oz Absolut Orient Apple
1 oz Absolut Vanilla Vodka
Splash of Apple Cide
Garnish Cinnamon Sugar Rim

Combine ingredients in shaker full of ice, shake, strain into martini glass rimmed with cinnamon sugar & serve.

Volunteer & Be Green While Doing It

The Manayunk Eco Arts Festival, set for September 24 & 25, is looking for volunteers. And when attempting to stack up brownie points, volunteering for a green event gets a double dose. It’s like triple coupons for doing good.

Volunteers will receive a complimentary coffee and bagel and/or lunch, depending on the shift, a complimentary beverage, complimentary snacks throughout the day, a free MNYK Staff T-Shirt and a free Manayunk EcoArts Festival Poster.

Those interested in volunteering should email Martha Vidauri at mvidauri@manayunk.org.

Goings On on Grub Street

Sorry for my recent lapse in coverage. Somewhere between turing 30 midway through August and then actually being paid to write for other sites, I got tied up. But I'm still here, and in case you've missed it, here's a link to the week of Grub Street posts that I wrote.

Still some relevant stuff in there, and I'll repost the really good stuff here too.

This Week in Farmer's Markets: August 10 - August 14

Looking for some local veggies? Here's a lineup of this week’s Philly farmers’ markets.

Wednesday, August 10
Haddington Farmers' Market 1pm – 5pm 52nd & Haverford
South Street Farmers' Market 2pm – 7pm Broad & South
Cliveden Park Farmers' Market 2pm – 6pm Chew Ave & Johnson
Village of Arts & Humanities 2pm - 6pm 10th & Germantown Ave.
Schulkill River Park 3pm – 7pm 26th & Spruce
University Square Farmers' Market 10am - 3pm 36th St & Walnut
Fountain Farmers' Market 3pm - 7pm E. Passyunk Ave, 11th & Tasker


Thursday, August 11
Norris Square Farmers' Market 1pm – 5pm West Susquehanna & Howard
Cecil B Moore Farmers' Market 2pm – 6pm Broad & Cecil B.
Oxford Circle Farmers' Market 2pm – 6pm 900 E. Howell St.
Palmer Park Farmers' Market 2pm – 6pm Frankford Ave. & E. Palmer St.
Clark Park Farmers' Market 3pm - 7pm 43rd & Baltimore
Fairmount Farmers' Market 3pm - 7pm 22nd & Fairmount
Jefferson Farmers' Market 11am - 3:30pm 10th & Chestnut
Suburban Station Farmers’ Market 12pm – 6:30pm 16th St. Concourse btwn Market & JFK

Friday, August 12
Haddington Friday Farmers' Market 1pm - 5pm 52nd & Haverford
Germantown Farmers' Market 2pm – 6pm Germantown & Walnut Ln.
East Falls Farmers’ Market 3pm – 7pm Midvale Ave. near Ridge Ave.
Walnut Hill Farm Stand 3pm – 6pm 4610 Market St.

Saturday, August 13
Fitler Square Farmers' Market 9am – 2pm 23rd & Pine
Overbrook Farms Farmers' Market 9am – 1pm Lancaster Ave at City Avenue
Clark Park 10am – 2pm 43rd & Baltimore
Hunting Park Farmers' Market 10am – 2pm West Hunting Park Ave & Old York Rd.
Rittenhouse Farmers' Market 9:30am - 3pm 18th & Walnut
Chestnut Hill Growers’ Market 9:30am – 1:30pm Winston Rd. btwn Germantown Ave. & Mermaid Ln.

August 14
Headhouse Farmers' Market 10am - 2pm 2nd & Lombard
Dickinson Square Farmers’ Market 10am – 2pm Dickinson on Moyamensing near Morris

More Info on Farmers' Markets can be found at farmtocity.org & foodtrustmarkets.org.

Franklin Mortgage & Investment Nix's Required Reading for the Summer

Back in elementary school, there was nothing worse than a required reading list. If the Chronicles of Narnia haunted anyone else the way it haunted me, you know exactly what I mean. It’s this logic that has The Franklin Mortgage & Investment Co. revamping its summer cocktail program, giving its “Required Reading” section a much needed vaca.

Instead, The Franklin is expanding its punch bowls, “Because sometimes you need punch in your mouth.”

I agree. Whoever put Narnia on the summer reading list, could have used a crack.

Check out The Franklin’s website for more info.

The Franklin Mortgage & Investment Co.112 South 18th St. Lower Level, Philadelphia, PA 19103

This Week in Philly Farmers' Markets July 27 - July 31

Looking for some local veggies? Here's a lineup of this week’s Philly farmers’ markets.

Wednesday, July 20
Haddington Farmers' Market 1pm – 5pm 52nd & Haverford
South Street Farmers' Market 2pm – 7pm Broad & South
Cliveden Park Farmers' Market 2pm – 6pm Chew Ave & Johnson
Village of Arts & Humanities 2pm - 6pm 10th & Germantown Ave.
Schulkill River Park 3pm – 7pm 26th & Spruce
University Square Farmers' Market 10am - 3pm 36th St & Walnut
Fountain Farmers' Market 3pm - 7pm E. Passyunk Ave, 11th & Tasker

Thursday, July 21
Norris Square Farmers' Market 1pm – 5pm West Susquehanna & Howard
Cecil B Moore Farmers' Market 2pm – 6pm Broad & Cecil B.
Oxford Circle Farmers' Market 2pm – 6pm 900 E. Howell St.
Palmer Park Farmers' Market 2pm – 6pm Frankford Ave. & E. Palmer St.
Clark Park Farmers' Market 3pm - 7pm 43rd & Baltimore
Fairmount Farmers' Market 3pm - 7pm 22nd & Fairmount
Jefferson Farmers' Market 11am - 3:30pm 10th & Chestnut

Friday, July 22
Haddington Friday Farmers' Market 1pm - 5pm 52nd & Haverford
Germantown Farmers' Market 2pm – 6pm Germantown & Walnut Ln.

Saturday, July 23
Fitler Square Farmers' Market 9am – 2pm 23rd & Pine
Overbrook Farms Farmers' Market 9am – 1pm Lancaster Ave at City Avenue
Clark Park 10am – 2pm 43rd & Baltimore
Hunting Park Farmers' Market 10am – 2pm West Hunting Park Ave & Old York Rd.
Rittenhouse Farmers' Market 9:30am - 3pm 18th & Walnut

Sunday, July 24
Headhouse Farmers' Market 10am - 2pm 2nd & Lombard

More Info on Farmers' Markets can be found at farmtocity.org & foodtrustmarkets.org.

Style Me Hired is Looking for Participants

In September, Philadelphia’s beauty industry will come together for Style Me Hired, a worthy cause helping to give 100 unemployed women a much needed makeover. The event is meant to help boost the confidence of local women that have lost their jobs due to the recession. Marc Voci of Marc Voci Salon and Colorbar has partnered with the Career Wardrobe to champion this cause.

Style Me Hired is looking for salons to donate their time and effort, as well as participating women who are in need of a makeover.

Salon services will be done before the September 26th event, when winners will be revealed at a reception held at the Omni Hotel.

Women looking to be made-over can fill out an entry form here.

Salons interested in participating in the event can download the event participation form here.

For more information, visit www.stylemehired.com.

Celebrate Summer with a Swedish Tradition

The American Swedish Museum is having a summer Crayfish Party, Friday, August 5, at 6:30pm. Tickets to this event are $50 per person and include hors d’oeurves and drinks in the courtyard of the museum, as well as a crayfish dinner.

Potato salad, green salad, bread, Swedish cheese and desserts will accompany the crayfish. And for those who don’t eat crayfish, there will also be Swedish meatballs with ligonberry jam available.

Click Here for More Information

American Swedish Museum 1900 Pattison Ave. Philadelphia, PA 19145

Cheesecake Battle New York vs. Philly

In honor of National Cheesecake Day, Philly’s own Davio’s will be throwing down in a cheesecake competition with New York’s ‘Cesca. From Tuesday, July, 26 through Thursday, July 28, both the New York and Philly competitors will be offering tastes of their renowned cheesecake versions.

Davio’s Pastry Chef Thomas Heck will be offering up his Vanilla Bean Cheesecake with Blueberry Compote to go head to head with Cesca’s Mascarpone cheesecake with orange cream and orange brittle.

Each restaurant has shipped its popular desserts to the other city. Diners at Davio’s in Philadelphia and ‘Cesca in New York will be able to order the “Cheesecake War Dessert” and sample both renditions for $10. Diners will vote for their favorites and the winners will be announced via Facebook and Twitter, on July 30.

For more information or reservations in Philly, call Davio’s at 215-563-4810.

Eat & Drink at Square 1682 to Benefit Dress for Success

Over the next week, The Hotel Palomar’s Square 1682 will be donating a percentage of its proceeds to Dress for Success, an international, non-profit organization that provides business attire and a support network to women in over 100 different cities.

Five percent of Square 1682’s “Hot Fun” menu will go to benefit the cause beginning today, Monday, July 25, and running through Sunday, July 31. The Hot Fun menu includes 3-course prix fix menu for $35 per person as well as an optional bucket of beer, including four beers, for $10. The menu is below.

Corn Chowder with Soft Shell Crab, Pennsylvania sweet corn custard & grilled lime corn.
Bucks County BBQ Pork Ribs with sage corn bread, spicy slaw & Tex-Mex black beans.
Peach & Blueberry Cobbler topped with fresh whipped cream.

For more information or for reservations, visit Square 1682’s website.