From Creek to Sewer: A history of Topographical Change in Philadelphia

November 3rd, 2010

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Illustrated lecture presented by Adam Levine, Historian and Author

Wed., Nov. 10, 2010, 7 pm
Falls of Schuylkill Library, 3501 Midvale Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19129

Beneath the streets you traverse every day are former streams passing
through pipes which are 20 feet in diameter. Have you heard of Mifflin Run?
You pass over it when you wend your way down Midvale Avenue. Since its founding in 1682 Philadelphia has made drastic changes to its topography as it developed its sewer and drainage systems. Adam Levine has been delving into the history of the obliteration of hundreds of miles of surface streams. His lecture will reveal a side of Philadelphia you have never seen and may change the way you think about cities in general. Sponsored by East Falls Historical Society, East Falls Tree Tenders, Free Library of Philadelphia, Friends of Falls of Schuylkill Library, and the Philadelphia Water Department.

Call the library at (215) 685-2093.

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Donations needed for the annual Paul “Earthquake” Moore Turkey Run

November 2nd, 2010

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE / NOV-2-2010

DONATIONS NEEDED FOR THE ANNUAL PAUL “EARTHQUAKE” MOORE TURKEY RUN

Philadelphia Community Activist Paul “Earthquake” Moore, needs donations of turkey and stuffing and running enthusiasts as well, to participate in his annual run down South Broad Street and food drive, Both events are to help reduce hunger among families during the holiday season.

What started as a one man jog-a-thon 10 years ago, has become the Paul “Earthquake” Moore Annual Celebrity Turkey Run, and will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, November 20, 2010. Quake, winner of the Wrice-Campbell Award for Neighborhood Safety, has asked for all Philadelphians to join him and support this effort. Deputy Police Commissioner Stephen Johnson, a longtime run supporter, will lead this year’s trek with Tia Gray and her fellow employees at Nova Care. In addition Moore will host his second annual, 24-hour food-a-thon drive the weekend before the run. Stop by, socialize and party while you donate.

The event will have live entertainment, a DJ and more in the parking lot at McDonalds, Grays Ferry Avenue, beginning at noon on Saturday, November 13 and ending at noon on Sunday, Nov. 14, 2010. He is asking for canned food donations of all kinds to be brought to McDonald’s parking lot to add to his Thanksgiving baskets for needy residents of Philadelphia and Delaware counties.

The run route will occur the following week. It begins at City Hall, and finds its way down South Broad Street to the finish line at Broad and Pattison. “Remember our goal is to get 1,000 turkey dinners, and in order to accomplish this we need you,” Moore emphatically emphasized.

Moore needs every runner to show up with a turkey and stuffing, to help reach his goal of feeding 1,000 families in Philadelphia and Delaware counties for Thanksgiving. Monetary donations and turkeys and stuffing from those unable to run will gladly be accepted on the day of the event.

Any well wisher can mail a donation to P.O. Box 5323 Phila., PA 19142.
Email earth_quake1@hotmail.com for other info.

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Local Realtors host “Shred Event”

October 28th, 2010

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Prudential Rittenhouse Realtors of Harleysville, PA invites you to our
2010 Fall Shred Event.

Saturday, November 13th, 2010 – 11:30 to 1:30 PM
To be held at our office at:
418 Main Street, Harleysville, PA 19438 – 215-256-6543

It’s time to clean out your filing cabinets and desk drawers. Get rid of those old papers and start the new year fresh.

Come join us for the 2010 Fall Shred Event. It’s totally safe, secure and green. A mobile shredder will be on site to shred your documents and then the paper will be recycled.

There’s no fee to you, its our way of helping.

If you like, you can bring a canned good (or 2) and join us in donating
to a local charity.

Staples and Paper Clips are OK, hanging folders need to have metal removed. Cardboard and ring binders cannot be shredded.

Any questions, please call us at 215-256-6543 or email us at homes@prudentialrittenhouse.com

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DogDaddy Fest in New Hope PA

September 20th, 2010

DogDaddy Fest 1st Annual Event to be Held at New Hope-Solebury High School

New Hope, PA, August 30. 2010 – Calling all dogs and their humans! DogDaddy.org and the New Hope Chamber of Commerce present the first annual DogDaddy Fest to be held at Solebury High School in New Hope, PA on Saturday, October 2, 2010 between 10 am – 6 pm. DogDaddy Fest will bring together education, activities and fun for both you and your four-legged friends. A portion of the proceeds will benefit local no-kill shelters and rescue organizations. Along with the festivities, DogDaddy Fest is hosting a food drive that will support local shelters. Please donate pet food and pet treats to this worthy cause.

Activities include square dancing for dogs, obedience training, pet adoption, and pet costume parade, dock diving, agility training, dog biscuit eating contest, live music and much more. The festival is designed to both educate and entertain with a wide array of on-site seminars on topics such as how to cook for your dog, holistic practices, traveling with your pet and dog training.

Dogdaddy fest features over 30 vendors specializing in pet care products and services. And for the their humans — authentic barbeque from Bitter Bob’s BBQ, locally grown produce from Homestead Market of Lambertville, and ciders, Hayrides for families and their pets courtesy of Thorpe Farm.

“DogDaddy Fest was created as a celebration of dogs and the infinite happiness that they bring to our lives,” says Dave Decker, creator of DogDaddy.org. “This event will provide pet owners with the tools and information to enrich their dog’s life while also bringing together friends, family and dog lovers alike to enjoy a fun and entertaining day. We hope this to be the first of many great dog-themed festivals for years to come.”

The event will take place outdoors – rain or shine . “Dog-cams” throughout the festival will broadcast DogDaddy Fest live via the Internet for a truly global canine experience. Tickets for DogDaddy Fest are available online and are $5.00 for adults.
Kids 12 and under are FREE.

For more information on DogDaddy Fest go to www.dogdaddy.org

About DogDaddy.org

DogDaddy.org is an online resource for dog lovers worldwide and provides information on the health, well-being and the happiness of our canine friends. Topics include homemade recipes along with advice from holistic and clinical veterinarians, nutritionists, trainers and herbalists and support the mission to provide a long and vital life for dogs and their people.

For more information contact Dave Decker at 800-511-7618 or 267-884-5719.

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Join Us for a Kirtan Concert!

September 13th, 2010

Friday September 24th, 2010
7:30 to 9:30pm
At East Eagle Yoga
18 East Eagle Road, Havertown, PA

Dear Philadelphia,

I’m excited to announce my first east coast Kirtan concert on Friday September 24th, at East Eagle Yoga in Havertown. I’ve had a chance to record and perform a little with David Newman since I moved to the area and contribute to the Ammachi satsang at the Groff’s. I enjoyed playing live music for East Eagle’s Friday nite candlelight yoga class. It’s been wonderful getting to know the yoga and kirtan community in the Philly area.

I wrote my first bhajan many years ago in a cave temple in India, reciting a mantra with guitar in hand and letting whatever melody come through. It was a deep experience. On the 24th I’ll be performing my first CD, “Offering”, with a few songs thrown in from my up-and-coming second CD, “Blessing”.

Kirtan, or devotional singing, is another branch of yoga that deepens all aspects of your practice. Practicing bhakti yoga via kirtan, even for one evening, tends to enhance the other branches of yoga. The chanting of these ancient mantras, set to my original melodies, has a wonderful effect on your mind, body and spirit. The combination of a group singing in unison, the breathing aspect and the meaning and energy of the mantras creates something rich and magical. It will be a joy to share my music with you for an evening of sweet devotion, community and uplifting singing.

We’d love to have you join us!

To Your Health,
Dr. Martin Orimenko
Live Well Holistic Health Center

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Lancaster Inns Open Their Doors To Vets

September 7th, 2010

For Immediate Release

Authentic Bed and Breakfast Association
1-800-552-2362 – www.authenticbandb.com
Contact Lynne Griffin (stay@walkaboutinn.com) or 717-464-0707

Lancaster Inns Open Their Doors To Vets

Lancaster, PA: Just how do you thank those who put themselves in the line of danger, risking their lives so that we enjoy ours in freedom?

Waving flags and attending Fourth of July parades don’t seem like enough, so when the innkeepers of the Authentic Bed and Breakfasts of Lancaster County Association heard of B & B’s For Vets (http://www.bnbsforvets.org/index.html), they jumped at the chance to help.

On Wednesday, November 10, innkeepers all over the country will open their doors and invite vets to stay a night “on the house” in observance of Veteran’s Day.

The Lancaster association boasts 41 inns located throughout the Lancaster County. Some bed and breakfasts are romantic; others cater to families or accept pets. Several inns are historic mansions, while others have been built specifically for the B & B traveler. And each room within a B & B tends to be very different too, for creative innkeepers have a way with decorating. But no matter which inn a vet picks, he or she is sure to encounter friendly hosts, clean and comfortable surroundings and a hearty breakfast.

Quoting Association President Dave Harvey, “It seems a small way to thank our service men and women for all they do.”

The program was started in 2009 by the West Virginia B&B Association (formerly called MABB) and this year has expanded to include over 35 states, a Canadian province and more than 200 Inns.

Please note that this offer will require military ID and is available for all military – those serving now or those who have served, as well as their spouse.

So if you’re a vet, don’t delay – this is a great way to enjoy a little getaway, and to give others a tangible way to express their gratitude for your service. For more information on Authentic Bed and Breakfasts of Lancaster County Association, please contact Marketing Chair Lynne Griffin, at 717-464-0707. For a list of inns, please see the website at http://www.authenticbandb.com/specials.htm.

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The Philadelphia Sketch Club’s 150th Anniversary Exhibition at City Hall

August 31st, 2010

JOIN US
Thursday, September 2nd,
City Hall 5th floor, NE corner
5-7 pm
in celebration of:

The Philadelphia Sketch Club’s
150th Anniversary Exhibition at City Hall

John Ennis, “Reservations”, oil on canvas.

Philadelphia – The City of Philadelphia’s Art In City Hall exhibition program introduces an exhibition by the Philadelphia Sketch Club in celebration of it’s 150th anniversary. 120 paintings, drawings, photographs and prints adorn the 5th floor corridor near the Offices of City Council and the balcony overlooking Council Chambers. The exhibit runs from September 2nd – October 22, 2010 and is located on the fifth floor, North corridor of City Hall. Visitors should sign in at the NE corner visitor’s entrance and take the elevator to the fifth floor. A reception open to the general public is scheduled for Thursday, September 2nd , from 5-7 pm.

The Philadelphia Sketch Club’s 150th Anniversary Members Exhibition at City Hall celebrates the 150th anniversary of America’s oldest artists club. The Sketch Club was founded on November 20, 1860, by six former students of the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (PAFA) who wanted to improve their skills at illustration. From these early meetings it became apparent the artists benefited from social exchange, seeing the works of others, mutual encouragement and a unique camaraderie. The Club’s membership soon included many painters, sculptors, print makers and art critics who would make their mark on American art history. Important early members included A. B. Frost, Thomas Moran, Edward Moran, Daniel Ridgway Knight and Howard Roberts. In the mid-1870s Thomas Eakins taught life classes at the Sketch Club and used that experience to become an instructor at PAFA when they opened the Furness building in 1876. It was during this time that Eakins painted Philadelphia’s most important painting, The Gross Clinic. In 1912 N. C. Wyeth held his first solo exhibition in the Sketch Club’s gallery. These are but a few of the important highlights from the Club’s history. Linked by their location on the 200 block of South Camac Street to the Plastic Club, an early women’s art club, both clubs remained single gender organizations until 1990. Today, over 50% of the Sketch Club’s members are women. The Club continues today with the same zeal as it did in its early days to fulfill its mission to support and nurture working visual artists, the appreciation of the visual arts, visual arts education and the value of the visual arts to the community.

This exhibition, supported by Art In City Hall and the Office of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy, presents a comprehensive look at art being produced by contemporary Philadelphia Sketch Club members. The exhibition is part of a number of 150th anniversary celebratory exhibitions arranged by the Sketch Club at important venues to include the National Constitution Center, Brandywine River Museum, Athenaeum of Philadelphia, Berman Museum of Art, James A. Michener Art Museum, Philadelphia Museum of Art, Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Woodmere Art Museum and the Free Library of Philadelphia. You can learn more about the Sketch Club at www.sketchclub.org.

Art In City Hall is a collaborative effort between the City of Philadelphia’s Office of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy and the arts community. It is supported by an independent Advisory Council made up of arts professionals and private citizens. Since the program began in 1984, over 2000 emerging artists have shown their talents in the hallways of City Hall through juried group exhibitions based on specific themes. In addition to these exhibitions, the program also displays artwork from Philadelphia’s schools, other city agencies, local non-profits, and community arts organizations. For more information, visit: www.phila.gov/artincityhall or join us on www.Facebook.com.

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=200049&id=106611054824&saved#!/album.php?aid=200049&id=106611054824&ref=mf

The mission of the Office of Arts Culture and the Creative Economy is to improve access to the arts for both residents and visitors and to expand arts education for young people. The Office also coordinates with relevant City agencies to unify the City’s arts efforts, oversees all the City’s arts programs, and serves as a liaison between the City’s many cultural institutions. Furthermore, the Office supports the growth and development of the City’s arts, culture, and creative economy sector, by promoting public and private investment. In addition to the Office’s focus on the nonprofit arts sector, it also focuses on the many aspects of the larger arts and culture industry including individual artists, design industries, music clubs and other entertainment ventures.

PRESS CONTACTS ONLY:
Tu Huynh, 215-686-9912 September 2010

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Quarrying Pennsylvania Bluestone in the Endless Mountains

August 24th, 2010

Tunkhannock, PA – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For more info contact Endless Mountain Fieldstone Supply at (888) 836-ROCK (7625).

Bluestone mines that dot the Meshoppen, Wyoming County PA, area contain a durable and colorful sandstone unique to the Endless Mountains of Pennsylvania.

For over 100 years, miners have been blasting into these jagged mountainsides to uncover bluish snad grains cemented by percolating marine waters over 350 million years ago. Owner and miner Matt McClain refers to his mines simply as “the quarry.”

In the quarry, mud puddles splash the surface as an employee, Porky, slices an 18-inch-square, glassy chunk using a gas-powered saw that operates like a lawn mower. Off to one side, Kerby, Matt’s older brother, and co-worker Hyram Stevens are layering chunks into thinner slices. “These men split 1,000 feet of stone a day,” McClain points out.

At McClain’s mill, Endless Mountain Fieldstone Supply located in neighboring Tunkhannock, bluestone slabs are trimmed and sized. The mill property consists of a gravel driveway and a sky-blue shed filled with the buzzing sound of an electric saw. Finished one- two- and three-foot squares of the stone are layered onto pallets. Building contractors order 24-ton tractor trailer loads of these for curbing, flagging and building materials.

Natural 1″ to 2″ thick layers are split and prepared for shipment.

Explaining the varieties of bluestone comes naturally to McClain, who started mining at the age of 8 in his family’s backyard quarry in Meshoppen. “In center deposits, you’ll find the blue-blue color,” he says. “Customers pay extra for its durability and natural look, although it fades to green in the sun.”

Irregular standing patios call for scraggy pieces found on the fringes of a quarry in shades of lilac, yellow, buff, brown and green. “People want natural, rustic-looking material that’s not necessarily blue in color,” McClain explains.

Tawny bluestone boulders called fieldstone add authenticity to waterfall landscapes, cob-textured porches, steps and paths. Said to be “glaciated in” from the highlands during an ice age, this type of stone was traditionally used by farmers as fencing to keep cattle away from crops.

McClain began mining over 40 years ago in a quarry behind his family’s two-story, white Meshoppen farmhouse. His father, George McClain, gave up being a pastor of a small Methodist church when his income wasn’t supporting his family of nine boys and one girl, and entered the bluestone mining market.

Leaving the family business at age 16, Matt traveled the countryside searching for a less strenuous livelihood. Construction work paid his bills over the next 10 years, until he felt the urge to return to the family tradition of mining bluestone in the Wyoming Valley of Pennsylvania.

His 29-year-old son, Stace, also left and then returned to the stone industry. He operates an area fieldstone yard. Sitting behind his desk in his office trailer, Stace discusses with his father why they both left and later returned to the bluestone business. Family pride, it seems, had a great deal to do with it, a quality as durable as the stone the family has mined for 40 years.

Endless Mountain Fieldstone Supply proudly serves Wyoming County PA, Lackawanna County PA, Luzerne County PA, ASUllivan County PA,
Susquehanna County PA, Bradford County PA. We will also deliver to large and small customers in Southeastern PA and the Philadelphia and Lehigh Valley regions.

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Fun Event on The Main Line

August 23rd, 2010

To celebrate the new beautiful Linwood Park in Ardmore, PA, the Live Well Holistic Health Center of Ardmore and LoopdiHoops will offer a free Hoop Jam and drum circle party on Tuesday August 24th from 6-7pm. This is the perfect place to try hooping again. Leah Troiano, certified Hoop Dance instructor and winner of the Best of the Main Line, will provide hula hoops and instruction at the event to help any “hoop challenged” participants and to teach new skills. The owners of the Live Well Holistic Health Center, sponsors of the Hoop Jam, will be on hand to answer any questions about ways to approach your health conditions using an all natural approach. Drummers are welcome.

Live Well Holistic Health Center Hoop Jam: Aug. 24, 6-7pm at Linwood Park, located at Linwood and Athens Aves in Ardmore, PA. To learn more about Live Well Holistic Health Center, please call us at 610-896-1554 or visit us online at www.livewellholistichealth.com.

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Celebration of Student Art in Philadelphia City Hall

August 18th, 2010

JOIN THE OFFICE OF ARTS, CULTURE AND THE CREATIVE ECONOMY
IN CELEBRATION OF STUDENT ART IN CITY HALL
SEPTEMBER 29, 2010 4-6 PM
THE ART GALLERY AT CITY HALL, ROOM 116
EAST PORTAL MARKET ST. ENTRANCE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

A-PLUS ART
Annual City Hall Celebration of Student Art

Philadelphia, PA – The Philadelphia Office of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy, in collaboration with The School District of Philadelphia’s Office of Comprehensive Arts Education presents “A-Plus Art”, a student art exhibition featuring some of the best works from Philadelphia’s public schools. The exhibition is located in the newly renovated Art Gallery At City Hall, Room 116 East Portal Market St. entrance. It runs thru October 1st. A reception is scheduled for September 29, from 4-6 pm.

“A-Plus Art” is a selection of some of the best art from students in Philadelphia’s public schools. Each year, The School District of Philadelphia organizes an exhibition of approximately 1,500 works of art at the School District Administration Building on North Broad St. 44 pieces were chosen by an independent panel, including group projects from grade K – 12 from a number of schools in all areas of the city. Each participating student will receive a Mayoral Certificate of Artistic Achievement.

The exhibition recognizes quality arts education as vitally important to the critical development of our youth. Dr. Dennis Creedon, the Director of Comprehensive Arts Education, and Tessie Varthas, Content Specialist-Art Education were instrumental in the organization of this exhibition.

Gary Steuer, Chief Cultural Officer and Director of the Philadelphia Office of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy:
When I was a young public school student in New York City MANY years ago, I exhibited in a similar show of the best work by public school students. I still remember the pride and optimism it gave me as a young artist. I am honored to now be able to pass on that experience to this very talented group of students, and I wish them great success!

The new Art Gallery At City Hall was created by the Office of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy to further enliven City Hall with arts and culture. The exhibitions highlight the work of Philadelphia arts and cultural organizations, including an annual exhibition of student art. As Gary Steuer notes, “It is a tangible representation of the value this City places on its arts, culture and heritage community, and will bring the power of the arts to the many City workers and visitors who pass through City Hall every day.”

The mission of the Office of Arts Culture and the Creative Economy is to improve access to the arts for both residents and visitors and to expand arts education for young people. The Office also coordinates with relevant City agencies to unify the City’s arts efforts, oversees all the City’s arts programs, and serves as a liaison between the City’s many cultural institutions. Furthermore, the Office supports the growth and development of the City’s arts, culture, and creative economy sector, by promoting public and private investment. In addition to the Office’s focus on the nonprofit arts sector, it also focuses on the many aspects of the larger arts and culture industry including individual artists, design industries, music clubs and other entertainment ventures.

PRESS CONTACTS ONLY:
Tu Huynh, 215-686-9912 August 2010
artincityhall@phila.gov

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