Looking for answers? Look around Philly

In the midst of the city’s hustle and bustle, it’s easy to get caught up in the daily grind. Meetings here, appointments there. From suits to students, the brisk-walking Philadelphian is alive and well.

But in all of the hectic schedules, Philadelphia is filled with oases, places away from the traffic and transit, where the weary traveler can recharge the spiritual batteries.

People don’t always remember that William Penn founded Philadelphia in 1682 as his “holy experiment,” showcasing the Quaker ideal of religious freedom and tolerance. The result of the experiment is that the city is filled with beautiful churches and synagogues some of which go back as far as the 1700s. Gloria Dei, the oldest church in Pennsylvania; Congregation Mikveh Israel, the second oldest synagogue in the country; and Old Saint Joseph’s, Philadelphia’s oldest Catholic community.

A recent visit to St. John the Evangelist Church, run by the Capuchin Friars and located in the heart of Center City provided a wonderful opportunity to push aside the material world and focus on loftier things. The church front recently received an extensive renovation to restore it to the beauty it showed at its consecration in 1832. Entrance into the lower church, filled with wood and marble, offered an instant respite to balance out a busy day.

So as you’re rushing around the city from Destination A to Destination B, try to block out some time to find your Philadelphia oasis. It’ll be time well spent.

All dolled up at the Philadelphia Antiques Show

My doll collection, which is actually now my daughter’s, is about 50 dolls strong with an emphasis on foreign dolls. Each in its native dress with a pretty little face, our collection is heavy on representation from the Middle East and Europe where I spent a lot of time as a child. Included were stints living in India as a toddler and two years in Tehran, Iran as a 4th and 5th grader. There was a lot of vacationing in Europe around those extended stays and lots of doll collecting.

My semi-retired parents continue to jump around the globe with several exotic vacations executed each year. Happily, there is often a doll added to our collection upon the return from these trips.

None of our dolls are antiques. But that could change moving forward. The Philadelphia Antiques Show was never on my list of must–sees. But this year, thanks to its new location at the Philadelphia Navy Yard and tickets from client Shire Pharmaceuticals, a sponsor, we attended for the first time.

Magnificent American paintings, porcelain, crafts and furnishings are beautifully displayed by well known antique purveyors from around the country. The Show, which benefits the University of Pennsylvania Health System, is considered one of the best in the world.
What blew me away was an antique Native American doll from the mid-19th century at the booth commandeered by Christopher T. Rebollo Antiques of Mechanicsville, Pa. A relic of the Plains Indians’ Crow tribe, the doll’s beauty almost drove me to tears. With her two braids, leather beaded dress and moccasin-clad dainty feet, the doll’s craftsmanship was spectacular. What a treat to see something so special and so well-preserved that was made in the mid-1800s. And it could be mine for $22,000!

Now that I’m interested in antique Native American dolls, my antenna will up. I can’t wait to see more of these gems and maybe even one day own one (or more – a collection?). In the meantime, you can bet I’ll be back at the Philadelphia Antiques Show next April.

A day for all that is outside Philadelphia

Because there's so much to do indoors in Philadelphia -- think the Art Museum, Steven Starr restaurants, or the Electric Factory for starters -- it's not often the City is known for its outdoor offerings. Sure, the Schuylkill River and Fairmount Park are treasures and make living in Philadelphia seem less like a concrete jungle and more like a placid town.

But a little further out in the Greater Philadelphia suburbs, the Brandywine Valley in Southern Chester County, is known throughout the country as the "cradle of horticulture." It's a big reason why Longwood Gardens, situated on more than 1,000 acres in Kennett Square, was the chosen as the local partner for the inaugural National Public Gardens Day on May 8.

Longwood is one of 30 members of Greater Philadelphia Public Gardens, which are all part of the American Public Gardens Association, the group that partnered with RainBird to turn National Public Gardens Day from a concept into reality. The goal is to raise awareness of the role the country's public gardens play in education the public on conservation and the environment. There are few public gardens that do that as well as Longwood, which is the living legacy of industrialist Pierre S. DuPont and inspires people through excellence in garden design, horticulture, education and the arts.

Longwood celebrated National Public Gardens Day, which kicked off Mother's Day weekend, by giving out free sunflower seeds to the first 1,000 visitors. They went quickly, and visitors were just as quickly drawn to the Grand Flower Bouquet Demonstration, as well as the Spring Blooms display of more than 230,000 blooming tulips in a dazzling array of colors.

Miles away, the city even got dressed up for the occasion. A digital flower graced the side of the Cira Center building, lit up in yellow, green and white on a mild, spring-like Friday night.

They came, they ran, they conquered Broad Street

If there is anything that’s going inspire someone to get off the couch, put down the remote and start living life to its fullest, it’s watching 27,000 people run 10 miles down Broad Street on one of the rainiest days of the year. In addition to the runners, there were thousands of spectators cheering them on while hundreds of volunteers stood by handing out water and juice. That was the scene this past weekend during the 30th annual Blue Cross Broad Street Run: one giant inspiration spanning from North Philadelphia all the way to the Navy Yard.

But it wasn’t only the masses that made such an impact on one’s conscience; it also was the miscellany of the runners. In the two-hour period while standing on the corner of Broad & Walnut Streets in front of the Bellevue, I witnessed everything from the seasoned athletes zipping by at mesmerizing speeds, to the mentally or physically disabled keeping an impressive pace, to mothers and fathers pushing infants in strollers, to seniors in steady jog making a ripple of the cliché, “Man, I hope I’m that fit when I’m their age” travel through the crowd. I began to regret not bringing a pair of running shoes so I could join the party.

While anxiously waiting for friends and loved ones to race by so I could shout my split-second cheer of “Go! Go! Go!,” something else hit me, aside from the persistent rain and mist on my face – this race is a symbol for which the city of Philadelphia stands: diversity in age, sex, race and physical stature; gritty, nothing-comes-easy motivation; and the masses coming together for one common goal. It was almost as if Billy Penn was looking down from his perch in admiration, as the tens of thousands ran beneath him, half way to the finish line.

So I end on this thought, for all those who didn’t run, and something any Philadelphia sports fan can relate to…there’s always next year.

Philadelphia is Paradise City for art lovers this weekend

Every artist has a story and there are 150 of them at the Paradise City Arts Festival in Philadelphia.

George Worthington was a jeweler for almost two decades. That was until he and his wife got the notion to carve a carousel horse out of wood—a move that ignited a passion for woodworking. Today, the couple creates breathtakingly beautiful sculptures of shoes, gloves, purses and hats from a variety of exotic and domestic woods and alabaster stone. So skillfully carved and finely sanded and oiled are their works that you just want to reach out and feel the silk of the white glove, try on one of the shoes or clutch that purse in your hands.

Then there’s Maxine Rosenthal, a former corporate executive whose severance package was enough to launch her contemporary jewelry business. Maxine works with fossils and stones, using their natural lines to guide her artistry.

And Jennifer Jordan Park, who was tired of sitting behind a computer as a graphic artist and decided to ‘get her hands dirty,’ now executes her imagery in enamel, gold, silver and gemstones.

These nationally juried and master craft designers are showcasing their cutting edge designs from May 1 – 3 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center. A preview party to benefit Avenue of the Arts, Inc. drew more than 100 art lovers for a sneak peak.

Party-goers were treated to a visual and performing arts smorgasbord hearty enough to fill anyone’s appetite for creativity. Young members of the Pennsylvania Ballet showcased their athleticism and grace, Rebecca Davis Dance Company gave a high energy performance and members of the Savoy Opera Company raised the roof with their glorious voices.

Both Paradise City and the Avenue of the Arts bring together artists and patrons, to share a passion for the creativity and innovation that inspires our lives. How fitting to pair them for the launch of this magnificent show.