Savor the flavor of the menus of some of Philadelphia’s finest restaurants as the city’s best chefs convene at A Taste of Philadelphia to prepare their favorite dishes — a fitting tribute to the variety of eateries that make Philadelphia a diverse dining destination!

In 2008, this annual event found a new home, on the Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing. A Taste of Philadelphia will kick off the Sunoco Welcome America! Celebration, taking place on Friday, June 26 from 5:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday, June 27 and 28 from 11:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m., as part of the Sunoco Welcome America! Festival.

The creator and original cast of 'Mystery Science Theater 3000' take the stage to offer their signature brand of wit and sarcastic commentary on a screened movie. Like MST3K, the show was created by JOEL HODGSON and features the same team that first brought the Peabody award winning cult-classic series to life: TRACE BEAULIEU (Crow, Dr. Forrester), J. ELVIS WEINSTEIN (Tom Servo, Dr. Erhardt), FRANK CONNIFF (TV's Frank), and MARY JO PEHL (Pearl Forrester).
That is what Joel Hodgson says about the show:

Cinematic Titanic Live is the theatrical version of movie riffing-- the comedic art form we created over twenty years ago in the form of Mystery Science Theater 3000. Performed in a theater, the five members of the cast take the stage and riff on a feature film in front of a live audience.
Most of our engagements last the weekend, where we perform a different film on both Friday and Saturday nights, hence, our current tour is titled "Two Nights Two Movies".

The Walnut Street Theatre concludes its landmark 200th anniversary season with an all-new production of Mel Brooks’ Tony-Award winning masterpiece, The Producers.  Directed by Marc Robin and featuring some of the best talent from Philadelphia and abroad, The Producers starts May 12, opens May 20 and runs through July 19 on the Walnut Mainstage.
The Producer tells the story of a failed, scheming Broadway producer who teams up with an accountant to scam his investors. But the two find themselves in trouble when their ludicrous new production inexplicably finds itself a hit.

Click here to order tickets online.

PV America and PVSC have designated Tuesday, June 9 as Public Day. From 12:00 noon until 8:00 PM,
the PV America Expo will be open to the public and admission is free. This is your chance to check out
solar and see how it can work in your life‐ at home and at work.
The access is for the Expo only, in Halls A & B at the Pennsylvania Convention Center at 1101 Arch St.
When you arrive on site, go to PV America registration on the Bridge (2nd level, by the 200 level meeting
rooms), and fill out a very short form.

1. Free Audiobooks rental: fiction, non-fiction, language learning - there is a new addition every week. You can listen to an excerpt of the audiobook here before renting it or placing on hold.


2. Free DVD rental. Although a choice is rather limited, you can find new and old movies and some TV shows. There is also over 500 new downloadable videos at eFreeLibrary.


3. Free CDs for music lover. You can download some music titles for FREE. Also if you love listening to an opera, you will be delighted to find a collection of Opera DVDs. No need to pay Netflix or Blockbuster fees!


4. Looking for a grant? The Regional Foundation Center has free access to the Foundation Directory Online--the most comprehensive database of U.S. grant makers and their grants.


5. If English is not your native language, or you want to practice in a foreign language, there are books available in Spanish/German/French/Polish/Russian/etc


6. Free Internet Access and Wireless Internet.


7. Kids programs. Science in the Summer, Reading Olympics, Summer Reading


8. Author Events, Poetry Meetings and Free Concerts.


9. Learn computer and business skills by taking FREE courses. Also Free Library can help in a job search by offering Career Services and Workshops


10. Free Library will help you to find information about local social services and municipal resources.
    
    

    That should be enough of reasons to apply for your Library card! The Parkway Central Library is located only 0.4 miles from The Phoenix. Exercise your freedom to be informed!

    
    
    

Please Touch Museum continues a longtime museum favorite: 9th Annual ABC Games. The month of learning through sporty play will fill the museum’s Rainforest gallery, located next to the Woodside Park Dentzel Carousel, for more than three weeks, June 5-28. Activities for the 9th Annual ABC Games will encourage an interest in sportsmanship, physical fitness and fun.

Friday June 12 Tria Night at the Wilma - a complimentary event for all ticket holders to the evening's performance.
Before the show, enjoy exquisite wine tastings and snacks courtesy of Tria. Friday, June 12 from 7:00 - 8:00pm in the Wilma's lobby followed by the performance of Hysteria at 8:00pm.

That is a final week of Hysteria -a play by Terry Johnson directed by Jiri Zizka
Click here to buy tickets

Off-Broadway's musical hit! Winner of 4 Drama Desk Awards for Best Musical Revue!

For many years Forbidden Broadway has been one of New York theater's greatest pleasures: satirizing musicals with a lot of good-natured ribbing. If you've never had the chance to see it - the Walnut's new production of Forbidden Broadway's Greatest Hits is guaranteed to make you laugh. It's as smart as it is funny, and the jokes are served up with zest by a talented cast.
You will laugh with some of your favorite shows: Annie ("I'm 30 Years Old, Tomorrow"), Hairspray ("You Can't Stop the Camp"), West Side Story ("Chita/Rita America"), A Chorus Line ("What I Did For Laughs"), Les Misérables ("On My Phone") and more. The more you know about Broadway, of course, the more you'll enjoy the show. It's the greatest, it's the funniest and it's the hottest celebration in town!
Forbidden Broadway's Greatest Hits runs through June 28, 2009 at the Walnut Street Theatre Independence Studio on 3, 825 Walnut Street, Philadelphia. Tickets are $30, and are available by calling the box office at 215-574-3550, online at www.walnutstreettheatre.org or www.ticketmaster.com, or by visiting the box office.

Did you have a chance to see the permanent exhibit “Butterflies!” in Natural History Museum of Philadelphia? "Butterflies!" features a lush, tropical garden filled with colorful plants and a multitude of exotic butterflies from around the globe. As you walk through the world of these beautiful creatures, knowledgeable Academy staff will be on hand to answer all your questions.
In addition, “Butterflies!” features:

• computer stations with interactive games about butterfly habitats, body parts, responses to global warming and general trivia
• a chamber of live pupae from which you may see butterflies emerging (if you're there at the right time!)
• a live animal kiosk comparing different kinds of metamorphosis in insects and frogs.

There will be a $2 fee to enter “Butterflies!” in addition to museum admission. Members enter free.

The Philadelphia Orchestra at The Mann Center has Summer promotion - just pick your favorite 3 classics and call 215-893-1999 or visit Kimmel Center box office (Internet orders are not eligable). That's one ticket to each of three different concerts of your choice and savings of up to $45 (select orchestra sections only).
June 29 The Legendary Beethoven
June 30 Mozart and A Midsimmer Night's Dream
July 01 Firebird and The Four Seasons
July 21 Hollywood Classics Under The Stars: Star Wars And More
For more information visit www.Manncenter.org

I was pleasantly surprised to learn that Tir na Nog is, actually, the #4 Irish Bar in the Country! Both food and great selection of beer and ale (and of course, a  location!) make Tir Na Nog one of my favorite place to eat. Irish fare and more traditional food like Angus cheeseburgers and nachos - everything tastes great. Add a cozy atmosphere, great waiting staff and you definitely will come back again.  

For a long time I was wondering what "Tir Na Nog" means - Van Morrison devoted a song to Tir Na Nog yet didn't explain what kind of place is it, so that's what I found :

The direct translation of Tir na nÓg is "land of eternal youth". It refers to a mystical land in Gaelic mythology where the trees are always in bloom and there is always a bard to sing for you, where the food is always bountiful and the drink is always flowing, and, most of all, a place where you'll never grow a day older. You may live for blissful eternity in this enchanted land. 

Pronounced as:  Tír - as in 'tier' (of a cake), or 'tear' (that you weep)
                          na - as in 'ba-na-na'
                          nÓg - with a long o , as 'O say can you see'

Celebreate Mother's Day and listen to special concert that will feauture current and former students of The Curtis Institute of Music performing works by Beethover, Debussy and Piazzola.  Concert is free and open to public and  hosted by Chiurch of The Holy Trinity. Performance will begin at 6 pm, May 10, 2009

Tickets for the newest Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus show, "Zing Zang Zoom," have been reduced by 50%; This discount offer is available for performances at the Wachovia Spectrum, May 13-14  and May  18-25.

Available ticket levels:
- Middle Level ... $6.50 (reg.  $13)
- Center Middle Level ... $10.50 (reg.  $21)
- Lower Level ... $12.50 (reg.  $25)

Those prices are  valid for Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday matinee performances. Friday night, Saturday and Sunday performances are $1-$2.50 more.

Buy tickets on Wachovia online ticket office, Enter the code MAGIC in the promo box. Additional fees of $5.50 per ticket and $3.20 per order will be added. (Full price tickets are subject to the same fees.)

Lisa Lampanelli - Comedy's Lovable Queen of Mean - will be performing in Tower Theater on Saturday, May 9th at 8 pm. Get tickets exclusively at Live Nation Hailed as a cross between Don Rickles, Archie Bunker, and a vial of estrogen, she has even won accolades from The King of All Media, Howard Stern, who describes her as "a real funny broad."

Here is Lisa Lampanelli on Tonight Show  making Simon Cowell blush!

If there is one thing you should do this weekend, it will be watching The Dad Vail Regatta - the largest collegiate regatta in the United.

It will be the 71st time the Dad Vail is held and the 56th time Philadelphia has been the host city since the event moved here in 1953.

Here you can see 71st Dad Vail Regatta map

Friday's announced that all sandwiches and salads, sixteen items in total including the nine new menu items, all full portions, will be offered at an introductory price of $5 beginning today through May 31, 2009.

The new full portion sandwiches and salads include:

• BBQ Chicken Chopped Salad


• Santa Fe Chopped Salad


• Shanghai Salad


• Mediterranean Salad with Chicken


• Strawberry Fields Sala


• Meatball Sandwich


• Thai Chicken Wrap


• BBQ Chicken Wrap


• Jack Daniel's® Chicken Sandwich

All sandwiches come with a choice of fries, home-style potato chips or side salad with choice of dressing. Guests can substitute sweet potato fries for $.99.

If you are among those following news and updates about Swine Flu or H1N1 virus you might be interested in visiting a lecture given on May4 at 9 am at The College of Physicians of Philadelphia located on 22nd Street. Hear what officials in the Delaware Valley are doing to deal with the outbreak:
- what is it?
- protecting yourself
- treatment
- global picture
- local response & readiness

Presenters to date include:
Esther Chernak, MD, MPH, Medical Director, Acute Communicable Disease Control, Division of Disease Control, Philadelphia Department of Public Health
Thomas Fekete, MD, Temple University Section Chief, Infectious Diseases, Associate Professor, Microbiology and Immunology
Marla J. Gold, MD, Dean, Drexel University School of Public Health
Harvey Rubin, MD, PhD, Director of the Institute for Strategic Threat Analysis and Response (ISTAR) at the University of Pennsylvania

Start time: Monday May 04, 2009 at 9:00 AM
Where: The College of Physicians of Philadelphia, 19 South Twenty-Second Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103

The Pennsylvania Department of Health and the Philadelphia Department of Public Health today reported the state's first probable case of swine influenza. Currently,Pennsylvania does not have any confirmed cases of 2009 H1N1.However, officials stressed that this probable case may not be confirmed when additional testing on samples is conducted at the federal CDC.
Influenza is a serious disease and every year, on average, 36,000 people die in the U.S. from seasonal flu. Find more key facts about influenza here. As with any influenza, citizens are reminded to take the following steps to prevent spreading illness to others:

• Take everyday actions to stay healthy, strengthen your immune system.
  
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
  
• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hands cleaners are also effective.
  
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.
  
• Stay home if you get sick. CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.
  
• Follow public health advice regarding school closures, avoiding crowds and other social distancing measures.
  

Yesterday I was going to Starbucks located downstairs in the Phoenix planning to  get Starbucks Reward card and instead I learned about  Gold Card - even with $25 membership fee, it is a good deal since I stop at Starbucks at least 2-3 times a week for my tea latte.  It might be a good gift for someone who loves Starbucks coffee - this card can be preloaded as well.

Swedish Alt-Folk/Pop trio Peter Bjorn and John will perform in Wold Cafe Live on Friday, May 1 at 9 pm. Do you remember that addictive whistle of "Young Folks"? The band just came up with a new album Living Thing that reminiscent of the Beatles or Beach Boys, however has little in common with their previous hit.

Matt Lake, the author of the "Weird" travel guide series, will discuss and sign copies of his new book Weird U.S. The ODDyssey Continues: Your Travel Guide to America's Local Legends and Best Kept Secrets

I read Matt Lake's book Weird Pennsylvania: Your Travel Guide to Pennsylvania's Local Legends and Best Kept Secrets, that is very entertaining. Do you know that the author thinks, Pennsylvania is perhaps the weidest state in America? "There is a lot of high-grade weird in Pennsylvania," Lake says.


You can meet Matt Lake at 6:30 pm April 29th - Free Library of Philadelphia Tacony Branch, 6742 Torresdale Ave,

Next week I would like to try one of the most popular Gourmet Tasting Experience Tour with CityFoods - the company founded by Chef Robert Weinberg, along with partner Eric Matzke, both are well versed in all things food and Center City.
During 2.5 hours tour I am promised to have a lot of fun and sample 3 of the city's best artisanal and hand-crafted food shops that specialize in:
* Delicious Farmstead Cheeses
* Decadent hand-made chocolates and Truffles
* Exotic loose-leaf teas
Also the ad says: "in addition to discovering hidden gems in the city, you'll get the inside scoop about the foods you taste, have exclusive access to owners and chefs, and walk away with some valuable tips about what to look for in truly great food."
Also there is another tour available on the same dates -Flavors of Philly Food Tour - indulgence Philly's food, history, culture, and fun.
Tickets are sold out fast, you can check availability and order yours here.

On April 30 you might actually enjoy spending money on dining in one of many Philadelphia restaurants participating in natinalwide Dining Out For Life event.Restaurants will donate 33 percent of the night's earnings to the licensed AIDS agency in their cities. In Philadelphia more than 200 restaurants will participate, including Buddakan, Raw, Mexican Post. Also, you will have a chance to win a vacation for two in Mexico - if you will sign up for the charity raffle. Here is the list of restaurants and more details about Dining Oout For Life program.
You also can make a reservation through OpenTable website

If you didn't see HELLO!FASHION there is still a chance to see the exhibition
features work by Kansai Yamamoto, one of the founding father of Japanese contemporary fashion and creator of Ziggy Stardust's flamboyant wardrobe.
Kansai recently returned to fashion as a designer of traditional Japanese garments in a contemporary idiom including kimono

Runs through May 1.

Academy of Natural Science has its first annual Green Gala event - The Green Celebration on Saturday, May 2. The Gala will feature a delicious organic dinner, dancing, and behind-the-scenes tours, as well as an auction of “green” items . Separate "cocktail hour" and "dessert and dancing" tickets are available for those who cannot attend the entire party.
6 to 11:30 p.m.
Cocktails at 6 p.m.
Dinner at 8 p.m.
Dessert and Dancing at 9 p.m.
You can purchase tickets here

Davio's and Chef David Boyle’s present

Cézanne and Beyond Menu
Three-Course Dinner$35

* Pan Seared Jumbo Shrimp, Barolo Risotto, Lemon Herb Butter
* Grilled Brandt Prime Sirloin, Purple Potatoes, Spaghetti Squash, Port Wine Reduction
* Cézanne Cubed — Fried Rice Croquette, Hazelnut Gelée, Milk Chocolate Gelée

Wine Flight$15

• 2007 Blend Airlie “Seven” Willamette
• 2005 Rhone Blend Zaca Mesa “Z-Cuvée”

This weekend was devoted to Free Library Festival. I am still amazed by living in Center City where all my favorite places are within a walking distance! First, I stopped at Natural History Museum and listen to several presentations of the environmental scientists. One of presentation was on finding a chloride in the water. It was actually nice to see that the level of a chloride in a local water was normal. Next, I stopped at "Butterflies!" exhibition - that is truly enchanting experience - so many beautiful creatures ! Some of them didn't mind posing on my hand. Maybe, next week I will visit the exhibition again, since during Museum Week (April 27-May 3) there is no additional fee for "Butterflies!"

Although I was too late for so anticipated Molly O’Neill book presentation, Free Library Festival had a lot of other book writers meetings to offer. It was a pleasure itself to stroll through the fair looking through books and talking to authors. I really enjoyed talking to Surya Green, the author of The Call of the Sun: A Woman's Journey to the Heart of Wisdom - a sweet and inspiring woman. On Sunday I continue my "book hunting" and stopped at Skyline Salon to listen to Robert Goorlick, the author of A Reliable Wife

I love Seinfeld and I was happy to find out that the creator of arguably one of the best sitcom's in TV history, Seinfeld, will be on stage at the Academy of Music on June 20. The shows will be at 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Tickets go on sale on Friday, April 17 at 10 a.m. To get tickets call 215-893-1999, or buy at www.kimmelcenter.orgor visit Kimmel center box office.

The Free Library Festival in Philadelphia—a burst of books, music, and inspiration on the Parkway—will take place Saturday and Sunday, April 18 and 19, 2009. Join us at the Philadelphia Parkway Central Library for two days full of stimulating talks by award-winning writers, live music, children’s entertainment, and a bustling literary marketplace thronged with booklovers and booksellers. A fun, free way to spend the day, the Free Library Festival connects booklovers from throughout the mid-Atlantic region with the culture makers of the literary world.
Festival Program April 18th
Festival Program April 19th

Late tonight Eagles finalized a 6-year contract with Jason Peters - Bills' petulant left tackle.
"Jason Peters is the best left tackle in football," Eagles coach Andy Reid said. "He is a powerful and athletic tackle and I have admired his play over the last few years on film."
Well, based on his last year performance I wouldn't be careful with the guy who cares more about his bank account than his team. To get Peters, The Eagles sent the 28th overall pick, the second of the Eagles’ two first-round picks, and a fourth-round in next weekend’s draft. If Peters can return to his Pro Bowl form, it may constitute a good deal.

Barneys New York CO-OP opened its door in Philadelphia on 10, Ritenhouse.
The glamorous store will feature designers like Rag and Bone, Alexander Wang, A.L.C., Shipley & Halmos, Band of Outsiders, and Raf by Raf Simons, just to name few.
The store is located on the first two floors of the legendary Rittenhouse Club and will be open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m. and Sunday’s from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
For those who like me like online shopping, I recommend to check their website with great onlgoing sales