ANNUAL PRMP-A-THON $35.00 HAIRCUTS, $35.00 1/2 HOUR MASSAGE, AND $35.00 1/2 HOUR FACIALS SPACES LIMITED CALL NOW TO RESERVE YOUR APPOINTMENTS!!!!!

When do we get to vote? Every Philadelphian that I have asked, doesn't seem to know. Somebody, anybody...

Packed bags in hands, Mom, Dad, and Roxy on either side of me. They smile and say, "We're taking a trip to Philly, except for when we get there, we're dropping you off." One-way flight to Philadelphia...wow! This is it.

I've always had a bug in me to live in the East Coast, and was never really sure why. Something intrigued me about this place - the weather, the people, the trendy-fashion, the fast-paced lifestyle - I don't know, I couldn't put my finger on it because I've never been until I stepped foot in the City of Philadelphia on February 18, 2006. (I've visited Lancaster, PA and New York City in 2004, but does an 11-day trip count?) I've read stories, watched the news, and kind of got an idea of what Philly was about before I moved here, but never did I imagine how I perceive it now.

Moving across the country from South San Francisco to the Port Richmond area in Philly, and working as an After School Counselor in an inner-city school changed my life instantly. I, for once, was the minority. I would look around and notice that I was the only "Asian" person. It was quite strange. I've even had people people drive by with their windows open and blurt out something like, "Ching, ching, chong" and laugh. To clear things up, I'm pretty sure that doesn't mean anything in any language AND I'm of Filipino decent. To those idiots that blurt stuff out like that, learn the difference.

Originally, I came to Philly to go to school at Temple University because I truly admired Bill Cosby and in some weird sense, I hoped to be like him. Yes, I realize that I'd never be...as funny as he, but I would try. ;) Realizing how dangerous the city really is, I decided to wait off for school and figure something else out. Luckily, I got a full-time position as a teacher in an inner-city school who will help me get my Master's in Education at St. Joseph's University.

Back home, I started to get bored with the same old pattern - Clear skies, 70 degrees, sunny - chance of rain - clear skies, 70 degrees, sunny - rain - fog. There wasn't much of difference in seasons, winter couldn't made you believe it was summer, and fall and spring were interchangable. I might be exaggerating to make a point, so don't take me too literally. The point is, I was bored and needed change. Philly provided such change - FOUR SEASONS, yay! We had three "snow storms" my first winter, and I loved the looks of it, but did not appreciate driving or walking in it. I spent 2 hours shoveling my front steps and sidewalk in West Philly (my second place in Philly), took me about half an hour to get my car out of the slush and ice that it was burried in, and I learned to drive like an East Coaster, better yet a Philadelphian. I just love it!

The fact that Philadelphians don't use (or most times, don't know) the term "jay-walking" is unusal to me! People here cross the street like their life is at risk, and for the most part...it is! Drivers will not stop for the love of them! Which is how IT SHOULD BE...none of this "Pedestrians have the right of way." Do you know how much more difficult it is to stop a 2-ton car? A lot more than a person crossing the street. It's law to stop for them, so I do, but I've seen some risky business out there. Drivers running red lights even before the lights turn green, barely stopping or not stopping at all at stop signs - it's ridiculous. Drivers speeding on, what you call, the Turn-Pikes. Back home, I've been pulled over for going 60 MPH on a 45 MPH, roll-stopping at a stop sign, and for NOT running over a possum. You heard me right, NOT running it over. I learned that it was law to hit all animals in Cali except for deer. I still second-guess it. So when I see these drivers speed up as a pedestrian steps onto the street, all I can do is scoff. I crack up even more when I see huge guys with bling, a do-rag, and baggy pants try to cross the street, not so hardcore running.

In San Francisco, people use the crosswalks like it's a protector of all harm, no car would dare hit them, and for the most part, they're right. Californian drivers will wait, even if someone hasn't set foot on the street yet...they'll just wait, and this is extremely annoying to me.

In high school, I had a friend who used the crosswalk, but didn't press the crosswalk button to cross, got hit by a car, broke his arm, and got fined for "jay-walking." Not in Philly, nope!

Sports fans here are absolutely CRAZY! I thought it was extreme back home, but I was completely off. I keep my SF-tendencies to myself just so that I won't get hurt in the mix of things. Phillies, Flyers, Sixers, and the E-A-G-L-E-S, I'll root for them, but you can't let my brothers know. I wouldn't be caught in their gear though, I promise you that, it'd be wrong of me. I love the dedication of the fans, win or lose. I've learned to stay indoors if there is a lose, people get rowdy and MEAN!

Before I end this, I have to give props to the most delicious food I've ever had, other than my grandma's cooking, of course. No wonder this place is so fatty, fat, fat. No offense, but if you're one of them, you know what I'm talking about when I say cheesesteaks, soft-pretzels, pizza, 'wooter' ice, hoagies, and the TastyKakes. This might be one of the reasons why I wouldn't go back to the west.

One fault though, that I've learned to live with - the potholes Philly just can't get enough of. Drive around them or bust.

Philly...best decision ever!

Philadelphia Slick was recently voted City Paper's Best Local Band by City Paper readers. I've seen the gang perform twice and emcee Noesis on his own at an emcee battle. The group is a fun live show with a gaggle of instrumentation always bringing out their own crew and legion of fans to each show. A ten-piece hip hop sound machine complete with horns, drums, keyboard, guitars and emcee Noesis, they're a party in a big box.

Their debut album Culture Industry is out and their album release party is tomorrow at the North Star Bar on 27/Poplar Sts. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased here. The show starts at 9p with The Last Emperor and Nouveau Riche, doors open at 8p.

I'm always worried that groups that are really good live won't put together a solid studio effort (and vice versa with studio groups shifting to live performances) as so much of who they are is the energy put into their live act. I'm no musician, but changing gears from the feedback from the audience to the cold studio must be a challenge. The Philadelphia Slick crew pulled it off. I'm quite happy to say listening to their songs, available on their MySpace page and on their jukebox on their homepage, brings another level of enjoyment to the Philadelphia Slick experience.

MySpace | Philadelphia Slick

Yo! I live in Fairmount. The home I have originally had two doors. I believe these were called Philadelphia Doors. The old doors were replaced by a single steel door. I want to replace the steel door with an original looking set of doors.
The big box stores do not carry them.
I have seen on 24th, 25th, Brown and Aspen etc. New wood double doors. Where were they purchased?

Thanks for the information.

Joe

Have you heard of Rose's Deli Too the deli on 21st and Parrish? Well if you haven’t it is a deli and they are now under new management. The food will be a lot better then it was before and it will be a great place. Come and try it. You will regret it if you don't. They have great food, trust me I am the daughter of the business owner. They have hoagies, sandwiches, salads, wraps, soup, meatballs, hot pork, hot beef, canned goods, and candy. Also, the owners have had lots of experience working with deli's. Their names are Tawn and Marge.

THANK YOU!

If you have any questions please call this number-
215-232-0302
ask for Tawn or Marge

Fairmount, Philadelphia (04.16.2007) -- The Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance and the Arts & Business Council of Greater Philadelphia hosted a mayoral forum on arts and culture issues yesterday. The forum, done in partnership with the Theatre Alliance of Greater Philadelphia and Dance/Philadelphia, ran from on Sunday afternoon at the Academy of Natural Sciences on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. Despite the poor weather, attendance was high.

Tomorrow night, local photogs (well, suburban) Dustin Fenstermacher and Laura Kicey are hosting an opening reception for their new photo show: Joints. They are an incredibly talented duo taking on similar scenes through two very different perspectives.

The show went up on the 4th and runs through March 4th and the work is hung in Mugshots up on 21/Fairmount Ave.

Lady and I are the proud owners of a photo of each of theirs. I don't have the money right now to pick up another couple, but I plan to head over to wish them luck and undoubtedly see some local photog friends.

Laura was interviewed here at Philly Future in October of 2005.

A lot of heads rolled during the French Revolution. Many powerful people met their death in the modern day Place de la Concorde, among them, Marie Antoinette. But she wasn't executed until October 16, 1793, but for the purposes of yesterday's Bastille Day celebration at Eastern State Penitentiary.

I walked all over town on Sunday, taking photos along the way, for four hours and one spot I didn't take any photos was from Kelly Drive looking across the river to the Waterworks. There was a ton of construction going on with mounds of dirt and vehicles everywhere. I had no idea what was going on. But reading this Daily News article, I see that some dude is opening up a restaurant there.

Michael Karloutsos, a local consultant and GOP fund-raiser, has created a Mediterranean oasis with al fresco "cliffside dining" that he hopes will draw Philadelphians and tourists by the thousands.

With its elaborate dining room, upscale menu, bar and lounge, Karloutsos wants it to be a place where people come to see and be seen. He's also banking on the fact that Philadelphians have long had a fascination with and nostalgia for the building - and they'll want to visit at least once.

"We're going to have something for everyone here," Karloutsos said. "What the restaurant will do is to pay respect to the history of the place, and to remind Philadelphians what was here."

Comic Energy would like to thank everyone who attended our May 18th performance at Rembrandt's! It was a big success and left many people laughing out the door.

In case you couldn't come and check us out here's a link to a video from the show on May 18th! CLICK HERE

Comic Energy embodies the Philadelphia spirit in every performance and has been deemed by many as, "The Attitude of Philly" when it comes to comedy.

For more info on Comic Energy,please visit us online at www.comicenergy.com

Thank you once again from C.E.!


P.S.: Comic Energy is at Rembrandt's June 22nd!

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SKETCH COMEDY AT REMBRANDTS WITH COMIC ENERGY

Comic Energy will perform for at Rembrandts for the first time Thursday night, May 18th at 9pm. Doors will open at 8pm for the, ‘Attitude of Philly’ as they will be continuing their 6th season in a different location.

Rembrandts is located at 23rd and Aspen Streets and hosts many events during the week, this will be the first time sketch comedy has been performed in the restaurant.

Comic Energy’s primary focus in this performance will be on the wide open free-for-all anything goes type of format that has given them comparisons to improv comedy giant “Second City” based in Chicago.

This show will feature impersonations of some of CE’s favorites; Ozzy Osbourne, Samuel L. Jackson, Drew Barrymore, and Tattoo from Fantasy Island.

The show will start at 9pm and conclude around 10:30pm. Tickets are available through Rembrandts or through Comic Energy at www.comicenergy.com , or by calling 215-514-7508.

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Sunday, May 21 from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. 500 breast cancer survivors and supporters gather for an outdoor yoga class and Healthy Living Expo to share the healing benefits of yoga, and to raise funds for Living Beyond Breast Cancer, a nonprofit organization serving women affected by breast cancer.

Early registration (by May 18) is $25 for adults and $10 for children ages 6 to 16. Day-of registration will be $35 for adults and $20 for children. Sign up at http://www.lbbc.org or call (610) 645-4567.

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One more week to check out BODY WORLDS - the coolest exhibit Ive ever seen! I wouldnt miss your chance - the exhibit is leaving Philly after April 23. For a look at the inside of your body like you have never seen before - go check it out! I heard that they are staying open for 24 hours next weekend. I might go back at like 2 am!
Check the museum's website for info www.fi.edu