Today  was the last day for the cafe.  The first restaurant inside a department store was in the original Wanamaker’s Grand Depot.

I bought out all their wonderful scones (to freeze) and had their carrot cake for lunch. Wednesday, I had my last tea there, complete with tea sandwiches.  I will miss the cafe…

The Friends of the Wissahickon (FOW) announces the 2008 Wissahickon Photography Contest. Deadline is: September 29, 2008 at 5 p.m. Photographers may submit work in five categories: people; wildlife; landscape; structures; and FOW activities. All winners will receive a Friends of the Wissahickon T-shirt.In the Adult Competition, prizes will be awarded as follows: Grand Prize (Best in Show), $100; First Prize in each category, $50; second prize in each category, a gift certificate.Aspiring young photographers are welcome to enter our Junior Competition. Submissions will be judged in two age categories: 12 years and under and 13 to 17 years. Best in each category will receive a prize of $25.Competitors may submit up to six photos in any category. There is no entrance fee. The Friends of the Wissahickon reserves the right to use photo submissions in FOW publications.An entry form with complete instructions can be obtained on FOW’s website at www.fow.org or at the FOW office, 8708 Germantown Avenue. For more information, contact Heather Davis Jones at davisjones@fow.org or 215-247-0417.

My first post today, the storming of the ‘Bastille’ (Eastern State Penitentiary) is reflected in this costume contest winner’s sunglasses.  Much merriment, Tastykake throwing, and watermelon beheading…

I shot this from up in City Hall Tower; definitely worth the $5 elevator ride! I like the way the distortion makes the flat street look like a steep hill, and the graceful lines of the road.

See the original on Flickr here

The amazing Rainbow Explosion, by Phillybits

See the original on Flickr here

The self-absorbed joy of the little boys playing in the Rittenhouse (?) fountain shines through in this photo by egnarorm

See original on Flickr here

An art sale for those of us who need to obtain our art on the cheap: Art for the Cash Poor 9 will be held this Saturday and Sunday from 1-6 at the Crane Arts Building (1400 N. American St.).

“AFTCP is a chance to meet local artists and purchase artwork at bargain prices. View a vast array of media, including photographs, paintings, prints, jewelry, clothing, and hand-made books, with nothing priced above $199. There will be food from top local restaurants and libations available, and live music for your enjoyment while you peruse the artwork.” (thank you to their website for letting me borrow that.)

Sounds gut to me! Look for me – I’ll be selling books for one of the sponsors, my very own quirky employer, Quirk Books.

What better on a ridiculously hot weekend than ice cream sodas from the fantastic Franklin Fountain?  For those of you who haven’t been there yet (go!), the Fountain is a authentic Victorian-style ice cream parlour at 115 Market Street.

Photo of the Day:

I couldn’t resist this wonderful capture by Brooklyn Bridge: read the gravestone carefully!

SAFECRACKER???

see the original on Flickr

I love the lines of the wires and the orange tones in ‘Philly Sunrise”, by Jason Rafferty.

<> Original on Flickr: