Schuylkill River Park: A Great Urban Green Space

The Schuylkill River Park is a true urban gem, stretching along the bank of the Schuylkill River as it passes through Philadelphia’s Center City. The creation and maintenance of this park represent a true community effort, and while the park is a favorite destination for everyone in the neighborhood, it is particularly popular with dog owners, as it has two separate dog park areas: one for larger dogs and another for smaller pets.

Sports enthusiasts will appreciate the tennis and basketball courts, and kids will enjoy the modern, colorful playground equipment. Everyone will like the shady tree-lined paths and benches that are perfect for relaxing in the sun and reading a book or chatting with friends. The riverside path for biking and running gives access to the Fairmount network of riverside paths, too. Vegetables and flowers bloom throughout the summer in the park's community garden, while festivals and other special events regularly enliven the park's open plaza spaces.

Schuylkill River Park
2500 Lombard Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
www.fsrp.org
www.yelp.com/biz/schuylkill-river-park-philadelphia

Happy Labor Day!

We hope everyone has a happy and safe Labor Day!

South Philadelphia Tap Room: Craft Beer and Good Food

This trendy little gastro-pub has quickly won over Philadelphians with a rockin’ roster of craft beer, a great wine selection and some tasty artisan cocktails. It’s a great spot to sidle up to a pint of Allagash White, Firestone Walker Wookie Jack, or Sly Fox O’Reilly’s Stout while you catch up with friends.

If you're craving a bite to eat, some Mushroom & Goat Cheese Toast, Pork Albondigas, or Grilled Flatbread with chickpea hummus might do the trick. Heartier appetites will want the Grass Feed Cheeseburger, 3 Cheese Grilled Cheese, or Seitan & Sweet Pepper Cheesesteak. Entrees include Roasted Pumpkin Rotini, Salisbury Steak, and Fried Trout. Don’t neglect a tantalizing dessert like Brown Sugar Pound Cake with chocolate stout sauce & dulce de leche whipped cream. The South Philadelphia Tap Room even serves brunch on the weekends!

South Philadelphia Tap Room
1509 Mifflin Street
Philadelphia, PA 19145
(215) 271-7787
http://southphiladelphiataproom.com/index2.html
http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-south-philadelphia-tap-room-philadelphia

4 Must-Read Tips for Becoming a Better Public Speaker

Public speaking is a dreaded task that many people hate, and if you’re faced with speaking in public at work or at school, it can put a great deal of stress on your shoulders. These four smart tips will help you to shake your fear of public speaking—and maybe even become quite skilled at it in the process.

  1. Start from the ending. Though this may seem counterproductive, it’s very important to keep your end goal in mind before speaking in public. How do you want your audience to feel when your speech is over? What is your main idea? Once you decide on these things, it will be much easier to stay focused during your presentation.
  2. Simplify. Don’t use big words or elaborate phrases in your speech in an attempt to sound smarter; it will only make you sound flustered and, most likely, make you more nervous. Deliver concise, clear thoughts using basic language.
  3. Tone down your visuals. If you use PowerPoint or another visual aid in your presentation, keep it minimal. You don’t want to rely on reading off of your slides, and neither does your audience.
  4. Practice, practice, practice. The only real way to prepare for public speaking is to get a bit of experience under your belt. Don’t just read your speech in front of the mirror, give a mock presentation to friends, family or close coworkers. This will help you to shake the nerves once the real thing comes around.

Want to Be a Better Public Speaker? Do What the Pros Do. [Forbes]
Seven Principles of Effective Public Speaking [AMA]
5 Ways to Become a Better Public Speaker [The VAR Guy]
10 Tips to Be a Better Public Speaker [CBS News]

Philadelphia Zoo: Lions and Tigers and Bears (and More)

Whether you’re looking for an afternoon activity for the kids or a fun daytime date idea, the Philadelphia Zoo has something for all ages. This impressive wild animal zoo is the first zoo in the country, dating back to 1859. Today, the zoo is home to more than 1,300 animals, birds, reptiles, and aquatic creatures, many of which are on the endangered species list.

This zoo is unique because of how open the animals’ areas are, with spacious walkways that enable the larger animals to have space to roam while still maintaining a safe distance from visitors. Large, sprawling areas emulating the animals’ natural habitats house exotic creatures like gorillas, elephants, polar bears, and everyone’s favorite big cats, including the endangered Amur leopard.

The Philadelphia Zoo also offers a kids’ zoo, a variety of food options, and a gift shop to take home a souvenir. The zoo is open 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

Philadelphia Zoo
3400 W. Girard Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19104
(215) 243-1100
www.philadelphiazoo.org
www.yelp.com/biz/philadelphia-zoo-philadelphia

Mood Cafe: Enjoy Chaat in Cedar Park

Mood Cafe specializes in yummy Indian fare, including Lassi – cold fruit and yogurt drinks, fresh juices, ice cream, milkshakes and shaved ice. It’s a friendly little spot, with nice prices and some tasty things to eat and drink. This Cedar Park restaurant also serves Chaat, which is a type of spicy, flavorful Indian street food.

Lassi drinks are creamy and delicious and feature flavors like Strawberry, Grape, Rose, Mango, Sandelwood, Almond, and Raspberry. Yummy ice cream flavors include Chocolate, Mango, Chikku, Pistachio and Tutti Frutti.

If you'd like a bite of something more substantial, order up one of their Chaat dishes. Options include Bhel Puri – with puffed rice, onions, potatoes, raw mango & chutney, Kashmiri Chaat – spicy split green lentils, noodles, potato sticks, cashew nuts & melon seeds, and Shahi Chaat – spicy cashew nuts, green lentil flour, melon seeds, spinach, almonds, pistachio, & bean seeds.

Mood Cafe
4618 Baltimore Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19143
(215) 222-1037
http://www.moodcafephilly.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/mood-cafe-philadelphia

Public Domain/Public Domain

Philadelphia’s Most Popular Vegetarian Restaurants

In a city whose most famous food is the cheese steak, it may seem difficult to maintain a meat-free lifestyle. Don’t fret, vegetarians, because Philadelphia is home to many more vegetarian restaurants than you may realize. Here are a few favorite spots for veggie lovers.

1) Vedge
This award-winning gourmet vegan restaurant is owned and operated by two renowned vegetarian chefs. The menu includes all-vegetable dishes inspired by cuisines from around the world, though all of the ingredients are locally sourced. Vedge’s handcrafted cocktails and an impressive wine selection also make the perfect additions to any dish.
1221 Locust St. Philadelphia, Pa. 19107; (215) 320-7500

2) HipCityVeg
For a more casual vegetarian lunch or dinner spot, HipCityVeg offers fresh, fast food made without any animal products. Each dish is 100% plant based, and everything from the food containers to the restaurant’s furnishings are recycled and made from energy-efficient materials. Flavorful salads, hearty veggie burgers, and sandwiches stacked high with toppings are all part of HipCityVeg’s tasty menu. Don't miss the eatery's signature Groothie!
127 S. 18th St. Philadelphia, Pa. 19103; (215) 278-7605

3) P.S. & Co.
With an industrial-style, light filled interior that’s just as appealing as its healthy menu, Locust Street’s P.S. & Co. is a must-try spot for Philly vegetarians and carnivores alike. The restaurant prides itself on being entirely organic, gluten-free, vegan, and kosher, but each dish is prepared in such a way that even non-vegetarians will love the taste. Breakfast includes yogurts and porridges, while lunch and dinner soups, salads, and wraps will fill you up and make you feel good about what you’re consuming.
1706 Locust St. Philadelphia, Pa 19103; (215) 985-1706

Third Street Habit: One of Philly’s Favorite Women’s Boutiques

This independent Old City women's boutique is known for carrying sought-after designers such as J Brand, Free People, Joie, and Etoile by Isabel Marant. Since opening in 2004, it has landed on “best of” lists in publications from the New York Times to People thanks to a large selection of ready-to-wear, denim, accessories, and retooled vintage items.

Owner January Bartle selects items that straddle the line of trendy and timeless, with the goal of offering a selection of well-made that will last for years. Expect to pay more at this shop, but it offers a healthy selection of sale items, too.

Hours are Mondays through Saturdays, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.; noon to 6 p.m. on Sundays.

Third Street Habit
153 N. 3rd Street
Philadelphia, PA 19106
http://www.thirdstreethabit.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/third-street-habit-philadelphia

Expect Limited-Edition Sneakers and Street Fashion at Ubiq

If you’re looking for limited-edition or just-released kicks, Ubiq is the place. This sleek, modern Center City store carries popular footwear and apparel brands (Reebok, Nike, New Balance, Vans, and Puma), as well as lesser-known brands (The Hundreds, Herschel Supply Co.).

Ubiq’s reputation for kicks goes beyond Philly; the store was named one of 2013’s ten best sneaker shops by Conde Nast’s Footwear News. You'll also find a wide selection of bags, belts, streetwear, hats, and iPhone cases. Be sure to check out the museum-like display of Vans on the third floor.

Located on Walnut Street, Ubiq is open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and noon to 6 p.m. Sundays. Ubiq has an additional location in The Gallery at Market East.

Ubiq
1509 Walnut Street
Philadelphia, PA 19102
(215) 988-0194
www.ubiqlife.com
www.yelp.com/biz/ubiq-life-philadelphia-2

Happy 4th of July

We hope everyone has a safe and happy day as we celebrate America's Independence. Happy 4th of July!

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