Walk Against Hate

On May 15, 2011 the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) held the first annual Walk Against Hate in Philadelphia on Martin Luther King Drive (formerly West River Drive).  This walk was an "initiative in which people from various backgrounds (were) united to stand together to embrace diversity."  It was my opportunity to lend support to an important cause and enjoy the day with a few friends.

The ADL web site adds this event was an "opportunity for both youth and adults to make strides against bigotry and hatred in their communities."  The walk benefited ADL’s programs including No Place For Hate®, which is a program available to schools and communities to educate people to counteract hatred and bigotry.

The day was warm and a storm was threatening.  That didn't keep people away from participating in this inaugural event.  While the crowd was certainly not as thick as for other established walks, such as the AIDS Walk, it was what I would guess was a pleasing number for the first walk of its kind.  (I couldn't find the number of people who attended. I must confess I made a lame attempt to find this information.) 

I imagine that most walks start with small numbers and increase each year.  If you would like to see a bigger crowd for this event next year, come out to walk against hate next May.  Check out the ADL web site in the future for more information.  In the meantime, let these pictures take you to the recent 2011 event.  If you choose to walk next year, you will see some of Philly's famous sights.

Boathouse Row

Art Museum and Waterworks

I love this picture. Do you see the faces? (Half-open eyes and frowns)

On the way back to the car...

How Sweet it Was

It is possible to plan the “perfect” day. Every now and then, however, we luck out and the perfect day happens by chance. This kind of day seems even sweeter than a planned “perfect” day – probably because it is so unexpected and effortless. I had this kind of day on Mother’s Day, May 8th.

Before you get ahead of the story, it is important to note I’m not a mother. So wipe out that vision of a pleased mom surrounded by her brood of well-behaved children.  I certainly have a mother and spent time with her the day before Mother’s Day but this year's Mother’s Day was more about sun and being on the water.  It was a beautiful day to try out several kayaks as I contemplated this big purchase.

EMS (Eastern Mountain Sports) held an event at Lum’s Pond State Park in Bear, Delaware for people to evaluate different kayaks. There was a good turn-out as folks test paddled about 25 different boats. But even before I got in a boat, my interest about the state park was piqued. This park, only about an hour (or less, depending on traffic) from Philadelphia, offers boat rentals, camping, and swimming. I’m thinking I’ll camp there in the Fall when I can paddle during the day and sit by a campfire at night. (I should add…I will paddle in my own kayak as a purchase – including a rack for transporting – was made.)

After spending a few hours learning about paddles and trying different boats, my partner, friend and I were ravenous. We didn’t want fast food but weren’t sure where to go. We relied on the GPS. It told us there was a restaurant just minutes away with “Waterside” (or something like that) in the name. Excited about the prospect of eating on the water, we decided to try it.

The GPS led us to a marina in Bear, Delaware. The restaurant name provided by the GPS was no longer accurate by we were taken to Aqua Sol.  Now remember, this was Mother’s Day, and we were dressed in kayaking clothing. I wondered if this was going to be a factor as I walked up to the attractive building with outdoor seating, including big umbrellas, overlooking the water.

I asked the hostess – very loudly since the jazz band was right near the hostess stand – if the way we were dressed was a problem. She said it wasn’t and, even though I felt a bit awkward as I looked at the nicely dressed diners dressed for the holiday, I decided this restful, sunny location was too good to give up. We were seated and decided to have a drink as we waited about 1 hour for the Mother’s Day brunch to end. (We didn’t want a repeat of the breakfast we had that morning at our local diner.)

Waiting to dine at Aqua Sol wasn't a problem.  The restaurant is a smile-maker.  It is such a pleasure to look down on the boats – some of which were huge yachts – in the marina. We could also see what we later learned was the old Summit Bridge spanning the C and D canal.

As for the food, we were able to choose between "Miami inspired" (Latino influenced) light fare as well as more serious dishes.  Since it was 4pm-ish, we had the lighter fare. Two of us had the slow-roast pork tacos and the other had the ancho rubbed short ribs. And no need to worry about prices here. I anticipated having to pay a premium for the view, and the jazz band, but that proved to be an unwarranted concern.

I left my credit card at the restaurant and had to return a few days later to get it. While this sounds like a drag, and they would have sent it to me, I actually enjoyed returning to the restaurant. As I drove into the marina , there were many more workers than there were on Sunday. The workers were readying the big boats – washing and waxing and inspecting. I paused near the dining area of the restaurant (no one was there at 3pm on a week day) and absorbed the view again.

The day was similar to the day I dined there. The sun was warm and I snuck out of work early to head south on I-95 to get my card. I felt like I was on vacation, just as I had on Mother’s Day. I was transported back to that “perfect day,” even as I headed back on the road to pick up the kayak at EMS. 

Weeks later, I'm am still happy to think about that day.  And I'm also thinking the kayak will provide me with many more perfect days.

 **********************************

Lums Pond Boat Rental Rates - 2010 (2011 rates not yet on the web site)
1/2 Hour Rentals
Pedal Boat  $6

1 Hour Rentals

• Rowboat $7
• Canoe $8
• Pedal Boat $10
• Kayak - Single $9, Tandem $11
• Sailboat $14

 Day Rentals

• Rowboat $35
• Canoe $40 
• Pedal Boat $50
• Kayak -Single $45, Tandem $55
• Sailboat $70

Philadelphia Race Street Pier Opening May 12th

Back in my Manhattan days I swooned over the Highline - the elevated-train-track-turned-park.  My pulse has recently started to quicken because Philadelphia is getting something reminiscent of my beloved Highline.  May 12th - less than one week - will begin a new era for the Philadelphia waterfront.

Artist Rendition of  the Race Street Pier

The Race Street Pier will turn an old, dilapidated pier into a city park complete with 30+ swamp oak trees, flowers, grass and benches.  This peninsula park will allow people to stroll along the Delaware River while enjoying a new view of the city skyline. 

Of course, we Philadelphians know that accessing the Delaware means having to get over or under Interstate 95.  (Don't even get me started on how city planners blocked easy access to the river "back in the day" when they put several lanes of an interstate between it and Center City.)  Fortunately, the Delaware River Waterfront Corporation (DRWC) seems to have a solid plan for making the I-95 crossing more fitting for the new pier park. 

According to the DRWC web site

It is only a 4 minute walk from the corner of Race and Second Streets to the river, but most Philadelphians rarely make the turn and don’t realize how close their waterfront actually is. A combination of design elements are proposed to enhance connectivity to the river and improve the pedestrian and bike experience including a dedicated bike lane, signage, benches, bollards, curb realignments, increased sidewalk widths, crosswalks, plantings and a dramatic light screen along the right-side wall of the underpasses.

The  web site has "before and after" pictures of the Race Street Connector. 

On May 11th, the day before the big opening, you can get a sneak preview of the Race Street Pier - for $150.  This "casual chic" party, called A Festive Evening on the Water's Edge, will be from 6p - 9p on the new pier - rain or shine.  Tickets can be purchased on the DRWC web site and include complimentary valet parking, entertainment, food, drinks, and fireworks.

This is an exciting time for the Philadelphia waterfront.  Mayor Michael Nutter is quoted on the DRWC web site as saying, "The development of the Central Delaware is a project that will reinvent Philadelphia’s relationship with its waterfront in 10, 20, 30 years from now."  Fortunately, we won't have to wait years for the Race Street Pier.  We have just a few days to wait.  I know I'm counting down.  If the pier is anything like the New York City Highline, it will be my new favorite place in Philadelphia.

Before

  

Before

Before

 Keep up with the Race Street Pier via Facebook: Friends of Race Street Pier

Philly Updates

Perch Pub
Way back on January 21st of this year I blogged about looking forward to trying Perch Pub for lunch.  This week I flew into this pub, which is perched above Broad and Locust Streets, to meet a friend for lunch. 

The space is warm with exposed brick walls and a nice bar.  The food was good, too - or at least our salads were.  The place was empty on a Tuesday at high noon.  I hope they make it as the pub seems like a great alternative to Sotto Varalli Restaurant, which is immediately downstairs, for the theater and after-work crowds.  And the "perched" perspective provides a great view of the streets below.  In fact, we saw Danny Bonaduce head down Locust Street on his scooter.  It was a bird's eye view of a Partridge!

 



PIFA

On April 1st I blogged about the Philadelphia International Festival of the Arts, with a focus on the final event - the Parisian Street Fair - the last day of the festival.  As it turns out, an estimated 150,000 people attended this event.  I believe it, too.  Broad Street between Chestnut and Lombard Streets was like being in a Tokyo subway at rush hour. I read that many of the poor folks going to the orchestra at the Kimmel Center that night were late because they had to work their way through the crowd.

The crowd in the Kimmel Center was deep at 7pm for the lighting of the "Eiffel Tower."  The lighting was coordinated with music.  It was a pleasant experience that left me dreaming of being in Paris. 

After the lighting of the tower was over, the crowd moved like a wave back onto Broad and Locust Streets for the main event - the high-flying La Comagnie Transe Express.  The show was supposed to begin at 7:30pm.  The crowd was getting restless - and some briefly booed - when the show still hadn't started at 8:10pm.  Someone near me had the crowd around us chuckle by screaming out, "Do something French!" 

My "bad" foot and the leg to which it's attached were dreaming of sitting at a Parisian cafe but they - and I -persevered.  And I'm glad I did.  What a show.  It was only 1/2 hour but the musicians - beating drums - and trapeze artists suspended hundreds of feet above Broad Street were a sight to behold.  They were hanging on a giant contraption that flapped up and down and spun them around.  It was a good night in Paris...uh...I mean Philly.

In the Heartland

Flying to Minneapolis from Philadelphia, it's easy to see why the Heartland is called "the flyover middle" of the country. That term is used pejoratively, and I don't understand it.  Looking down at the farms, rivers, lakes, wandering dirt roads and quilt-like pattern from 30,000 feet is calming to me.  It also makes me wonder about the people.  Do they struggle to maintain the family farm?  Do their little children dream of walking down that long dirt road to the "big" (paved) road?  Do families spend free time in the summer playing in all those streams and creeks?  With no cities close by, what do they do for entertainment?  I like to think some of them play the works of art I saw today at the Minneapolis airport.

Minneapolis wasn't my final stop.  I was en route to Madison, Wisconsin for work.  As I was walking to my gate thinking, "This is the first of a series of six trips over the next few months," I saw an amazingly beautiful guitar in a glass case.  I cut through the crowd to admire it.  You would think the first thing to grab my attention was the unusual location of the opening in the guitar.  It wasn't.  It was the wood and its tones; the guitar looked warm and alive.  I don't play the guitar but I really wanted to hold that one.

The showcase was an advertisement for McPherson Guitars.  I had never heard of these guitars but assumed they were made in Minnesota.  Turns out they are made in Sparta, Wisconsin.  This is where, over 30 years ago, the company made a guitar with "a unique Offset Soundhole Technology" that apparently makes a difference in the sound of the music.  In addition, the various "tonal woods" from which to choose for a custom guitar also makes a slight difference in the sound.  These beautiful guitars look like they average between $5,000 - $6,000.

I encourage you to visit the website - with your volume turned on.  The sound of the guitars is so crisp it is almost as though someone is playing right next to you.  These guitars are played by many people, per the web site, including names I recognize like Brad Paisley and Amy Grant.

I know it's a stereotype from a "city person" like me - or maybe it's a romanticized view of the hardworking people whose lives I think I can understand from the plane - but these guitars seem to fit a sensitivity I imagine the "heartlanders" having that we may have lost on the coasts.  The guitars, like the people, are seemingly simple from my vantage point, but I really know they are not.

Saffron Indian Restaurant in Bala Cynwyd, PA

Saffron is a Zagat 2011 "Noteworthy Newcomer" and Philadelphia Magazine "Best of Philly 2010" winner.  This restaurant has two locations - one in Bala Cynwyd and another in Ambler.  During a visit to the Bala Cynwyd location, I discovered the food was good but the service and noise level made it not worth the trip.

I visited Saffron yesterday (a Thursday night) during Main Line Restaurant Week.  For $20, I got an appetizer, entree, bread, and dessert.  My dining partner and I shared the Onion Bhajia (marinated, deep-fried vegetables in a chickpea batter; normally $4) and Chatpata Murg Tikka (Chicken tenders, marinated in yogurt spiced with coriander, ginger and cumin powder and baked in a charcoal clay oven;  normally $9) appetizers.  The Onion Bhajia was very crisp and tasty.  The chicken was extremely tender and came on a bed of peppers and onions.  I recommend both appetizers.

For our entrees, we had Murg Korma (Boneless pieces of chicken cooked in a rich almond and cream sauce; normally $14) and Chana Punjabi (more commonly known as Chana Masala - Chickpeas gently cooked with onions, herbs and tomatoes; normally $12).  I didn't sample the korma but my friend liked it.  I enjoyed my chickpeas.  I had the garlic and coriander naan as my bread choice and my friend had the tandoori roti (whole wheat bread with no oil).  These were normally $3 and $2, respectively.  The naan, and its buttery goodness, was more tasty - as you would expect - than the roti.

We ended our meals with rice pudding.  I was tempted to get a mango lassi as a "extra" but I was full.  While the entree portions were standard, I was filled by the appetizers, which I typically don't get when I eat Indian.

Go to Saffron for take-out.  The noise - largely due to a large table of about a dozen college-aged women - was so loud I could barely hold a conversation.  In fact, one couple got up and moved to another side of the small dining room in a desperate (and  probably futile attempt) to get away from the noise.  I suspect, however, that the restaurant is probably loud many nights when it is full.

I was most disappointed with the service.  After our meals were served, no one checked back with us to make sure everything was satisfactory.  Considering the restaurant was not full at that time, that is inexcusable.  Also, my water glass was empty for a 1/2 hour before I finally was able to find someone who could fill it.  I was told "OK" but that didn't happen.  I had to ask again when our check was brought to the table.  Even without these faux pas, I would say the service was chilly at best. 

It's a good thing the food is good - although not fabulous - or Saffron would not be worth a visit at all.  I encourage Zagat and Philly Magazine to visit again.

Paris Comes to Philadelphia

PIFA?  Never heard of it.  Turns out it's the Philadelphia International Festival of the Arts.  Or, for awhile, I'll pretend it stands for Philly's Interesting, Fun Activity. 

If you are anywhere in the Northeast, you know that Spring hasn't really arrived here. Cold weather does not want to leave us and snow made one (hopefully) last appearance today.  So what are most of us doing?  Waiting anxiously for warmer weather and fun, outdoor activities.  We seem to have a forecast for that soon in Philadelphia.

On Saturday,  April 30th, a sliver of Center City will look a little Parisian compliments of the PIFA Street Fair.  This free event from 11am - 8:30pm will turn Broad Street between Chestnut and Lombard into a Francophile's dream.  The fair will feature French street performers and food vendors, a public garden with a children's area, two stages for musical performances, and a giant Ferris wheel.  The fair will culminate with a "breathtaking routine" by La Comagnie Transe Express suspended 100 feet in the air. Just a brief glimpse of the company's web site (check it out!) looks like they can thrill the mere mortals left on the ground to watch.

This street fair is just one of many events planned between April 7 - May 1 as part of the festival.  The PIFA web site shows there are many entertainment options - from music, theater, speakers, dance, film, tours, etc.  I'm all for those things.  More than ever, however, I am ready for the outdoor events.  I plan on being at Philly's Interesting, Fun Activity on April 30th.  I hope warm weather is planning on being there, too.