Philadelphia Metblogs » phi_craig

Ghostly Walks in Germantown

phi_craig — Sat, 15 Oct 2005 14:43:02 +0000

The most popular Halloween Haunt in Philadelphia is the Eastern State Penitentiary, for obvious and valid reasons. However, this year I am going to try something a bit closer to home…the Ebenezer Maxwell Mansion Ghost Walk. For three evenings, the Historical Society will be offering walking tours around Victorian Germantown. If these homes weren’t built in gothic grandeur, I do not know what would qualify…the wrought-iron fences, the turrets, the gabled roofs, even the slightly worn look add up to the textbook definition of a haunted house. Don’t wait, the event sells-out every year.

the cappuccino kid

Back from the Beyond (well Miami and Barcelona)

phi_craig — Mon, 10 Oct 2005 19:47:07 +0000

Well, after a month away, I have returned and I plan to make up for lost time with a series of postings. To start things off, I want to mention a great weekend jaunt around the city – the Philadelphia Open Studio Tours. I went last year to a number of the studios in Germantown and University City. Artists display their wares and their abodes in a way that allows you to discuss anything from paintings to green tea. Along the way you can pick up a few ouevres – if you so desire. This weekend includes everything east of Broad Street (Olde City, Northern Liberties, etc.) – think globally, peruse locally.

the cappuccino kid

A perplexing problem about prophylactics…

phi_craig — Thu, 04 Aug 2005 04:08:47 +0000

Why is that – of all the places I have been in this world – Philadelphia is the only one where all the straws at restaurants are capped. Straw condoms as my friend Mary Kay so astutely described them. Is this part of this city’s health code? Any clues? I noticed this AGAIN today while ordering my Thai Iced Tea at this great Laotian Restaurant in University City (Vientiane Cafe)!

Two Disparate Topics

phi_craig — Fri, 29 Jul 2005 13:36:31 +0000

While perusing through the Philadelphia weekly, I noticed an advert for the annual Concerts in the Park. The concerts are free and held in Rittenhouse Square. This year features an eclectic mix – from King Britt to Alô Brasil. Yes, the band I went to see a week ago. They will be playing in September and I cannot give them a higher recommendation (the same applies to the funky music of K.B.).

On a less upbeat note, what the hell is up with litter. It drives me crazy sometimes. While walking to the train station in Germantown yesterday, I was appalled at the number of plastic cans, fast food wrappers, etc. on the ground. It was concentrated on one block and only on one side of the street. I reasoned it only takes one residence littering to ruin the whole block. Any ideas to help with this problem – it is endemic in Philadelphia. I mean I don’t want a tidy Swiss Village city, but enough is enough!

the cappuccino kid

Whirling Dervishes

phi_craig — Tue, 26 Jul 2005 15:34:11 +0000

This past weekend I had the privilege of seeing a show at the World Cafe Live. It has been a very long time since music exerted its power to move me to another plane. However, that is what good samba music can do. On Saturday, Alo Brasil (a motley crew of local musicians with a strong interest in Brasilian music) were performing. They really know how to send the audience into a frenzy. Instead of coming out from backstage, they appear from a side door and meander through the crowd, clapping – playing percussion – blowing whistles. I knew I was in for an experience. The show featured everything from samba dancers with big tetas to capoeira dancers. Music segued from samba to bossa nova to less known styles, with which I am not familiar.

I advise anyone with a love of latin music to catch one of their shows. Their next performance is in Rittenhouse Square in September.

Besos…

the cappuccino kid

a blatant plug for a serious asset

phi_craig — Wed, 20 Jul 2005 04:17:24 +0000

Philadelphia is home to so many unique places, spaces, and faces – I can’t begin to come up with a list of Top 10’s. However, while browsing in my spare time, I came across a great site. The Fairmount Park System has a web-site chock full of information. By entering your zip code, you can find place to go near your home/apartment/commune. There is a section on tours and even a page dedicated to adopting buildings in need.

Any philanthropic Main Line, Chestnut Hill, or Rittenhouse Square readers, take heed!!!

-the cappuccino kid-

Always Look On The Bright Side of Life (with apologies to Monty Python)

phi_craig — Tue, 19 Jul 2005 15:09:53 +0000

Philadelphians are used to trailing behind other large cities like New York and Washington in polls (attractiveness to immigrants, hip factor, etc.) However, sometimes it is better to be last. In the 2005 Urban Mobility Report compiled by the Texas Transportation Institute, we came in last of 13 very large urban areas with a population of more than 3 million (p.12). What does this mean?

It means we have the least amount of congestion, per person of all large urban areas. Less than New York – less than Atlanta – even less than PHOENIX! With fewer annual delays per traveler there is more time to nosh on dim sum in Chinatown or stroll for objets d’art in Manayunk.

A major factor in quality of life is traffic. It has made such a HUGE negative impact in Atlanta – weekly coverage in local newspapers, consulting with engineers from Los Angeles, people leaving their homes at 5 am to beat rush hour. My parents are even leaving for a small town in Florida to get away from it all.

Three cheers to locals who ride a bike to work, take public transport, or live close to their work!!!

Better than flying…

phi_craig — Fri, 15 Jul 2005 13:39:38 +0000

This afternoon I am planning to travel to the fine metropolis of New York City. What is my modus transportandi, you ask? This may be known to many, but there is an unbelievably affordable bus system that has dozens of trips between Chinatowns in NYC and Philly. For $20 [thanks to Suzanne for noticing my faux pas], you can travel round-trip on New Century Travel. The profit margin must be based on high-throughput because ten dollars each way is a steal. There is stiff competition from Apex Bus and other companies – however, New Century seems to be the main attraction. This is my virgin trip so I will be sure to debrief with a synopsis of snacks, movies (House of Flying Daggers please!), and ease of use.

ADDED BONUS: you can even close your eyes during the trip and not be exposed to miles of office parks, shopping center, and tract housing that clog the arteries between cities.

(Chad Baker/AP Photo)

Fantastic Faye

phi_craig — Mon, 11 Jul 2005 13:08:42 +0000

WHYY Channel 12 has been doing an excellent job of showing movie classics on the weekends – that are not the usual rehash of Gone with the Wind or the Terminator. On Saturday, they showed the original Thomas Crown Affair. I consider myself a film buff, but I must have underestimated the magnetism of Faye Dunaway. Sure, I saw Chinatown in a Film Studies class in college, but now I plan to check out a few more of her roles, starting with Bonnie and Clyde. Thanks to Marisa for posting about the International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival…this is the 3rd largest gay/lesbian festival in the US. I plan to see at least two of the screenings (including one from Argentina with this HOT

HUGE FAUX PAS

phi_craig — Fri, 01 Jul 2005 14:16:18 +0000

Maybe I am a little cynical but when a local republican/democrat/republican candidate has been charged with child porn, (Inquirer article) a colleague should not describe him as someone who is ‘good with children’.

Am I crazy or is it the whole rest of the world????

the cappuccino kid