Power of the Press

This sculpture located at JFK Boulevard and North Broad St., just outside Thomas Paine Plaza, depicts Benjamin Franklin in 1728 as a 22 year old printer. Franklin believed in the “power of the press.” The Pennsylvania Gazette and the annual Poor Richard’s Almanac were the most famous publications he printed.

Many people don’t know that Franklin’s successful print shop printed Pennsylvania’s first currency. By the late 1740s, Franklin had become one of the wealthiest colonists. Sculptor Joseph Brown, a 1931 Temple University grad, captured Franklin’s energy as a craftsman and entrepreneur, a most positive image of an iconic Philadelphian.

- Collaboration of Steve Ehrlich (photographer) and Lisa Simon (writer)

Philly P.I. Returns

As the blogosphere ebbs and flows so too did Simon PR’s Philly P.I. (Positive Image.) We’re now pleased to bring Philly P.I. back with an emphasis on the Image. Beginning today, Philly P.I. posts will feature positive images of our fair City accompanied by brief descriptions.

So, check out today’s beautiful skyline shot from New Jersey. It looks like the Spirit of Philadelphia is making a U-Turn. With calm waters and bright skies, this photo captures the calm of a recent weekend.

- Collaboration of Steve Ehrlich (photographer) and Lisa Simon (writer)

A Phestive Philadelphia Tradition

You can’t miss it. Garlands of pine spotted with brilliant red bows twist up street lamps; festive window displays are adorned with scarves, snowflakes, and sweaters; songs of the season echo throughout restaurants and retailers; and is it just me, or do we all have an extra bounce in our step, a wider smile on our face? The holidays are here, and with them come traditions, both old and new.

The annual holiday light show at Macy’s has been a Philadelphia tradition since 1955— and a Wertz/Sibley family tradition since 1981, when my grandparents and parents first bundled up my older sister for a three generation trip into the big city for the holiday light-and-sound spectacular in the historic Wanamaker building.

A tradition I was born into is still a tradition I look forward to each year. Our group has grown from two toddlers dressed in identical smocked dresses to herds of strollers as cousins joined, to awkward teens “forced” to attend, and now to young professionals and adults. With it, the wonder, magic, and appreciation have also grown as the ballerinas, toy soldiers, and reindeer dance to classic carols across the four-story screen boasting more than 100,000 LED lights.

Last year, a new Philadelphia, and Wertz/Sibley family, tradition emerged— the impressive and innovative Comcast Holiday Spectacular, a vivid holiday LED light show on one of the largest HDTVs in the world, located in the lobby of Philadelphia’s Comcast Center. The Nutcracker comes to life, ice skaters sweep across the screen, a children’s choir performs holiday favorites, and you embark on a souring journey over Philadelphia at night and through a snow-covered forest. The word on the street is this year’s show has even managed to top last year’s, as the spectacular is now in 3-D.

Establish your own tradition this year. Start at the Comcast Center with the futuristic Holiday Spectacular, then walk down JFK Boulevard, pass through City Hall— you can even stop at Dilworth Plaza on the west side of City Hall for the first Christmas Village—and for the finale, gaze in awe at the Macy’s Holiday Light Show that dates back half a century.

The two light shows combine to create a truly magical holiday experience and Philadelphia tradition, one that I hope to pass from generation to generation. Each season, as Santa arrives to hear wish lists, twinkling holiday lights are switched on, and the first snow begins to fall, I know it is time for another year, another light show, another memory.                                       -Meredith Wertz

Wonder Behind the Walls

Sean Kelly was one of my best employees ever: creative, engaged, articulate and energetic. So when he left the Prince Music Theater to make the Eastern State Penitentiary a tourist attraction, I knew that this forgotten Philadelphia landmark was in good hands.

Years later, I saw Sean on the History Channel and wondered what had become of America’s first prison designed specifically for penitence. This weekend I discovered the wonders of religion, architecture, sports and legend that are held behind those massive stone walls.

Envisioned by a group of Quakers who believed that jail was a place to inspire true regret, Eastern State’s legendary spoke and wheel design started with a design contest, with a $100 prize for the winning architect. The excellent audio tour, included with admission, offers 40 minutes of fascinating details like that one. You’ll also hear how prison guards wore socks over their shoes to maintain the atmosphere of total silence and that the single circular skylight in each cell was called the ‘eye of God.’

Venture through the maze of cellblocks and you discover stories of notable inmates. Sure, there’s Al Capone, whose cell sported a wood desk, silk lampshade and red bedspread.

There’s Slick Willie Sutton, the notorious bank robber. My personal favorite? Pep the Dog who was incarcerated for killing the Governor of Pennsylvania’s cat (no one could make up that one up!)

An avid baseball fan, I was intrigued with the story of how drugs were smuggled into the prison during the 1960s in baseballs hit over the stone wall and then thrown back by fans—or was it drug dealers?

Is Eastern State haunted? A stop on the audio tour whispers details that send a shiver down your back, even if it isn’t Halloween.

Open almost every day of the year, Eastern State Penitentiary is a fortress of discovery that will leave you wondering ‘how soon can we come back?’    -Bev Volpe

Talkin’ Turkey

There’s nothing quite like Thanksgiving. The family get-togethers, the giant turkey and enough overeating to put an elephant in a coma. It’s also time for another one of Philadelphia’s great traditions: The Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Dating back to 1920, the Philadelphia Thanksgiving Day Parade is the nation's oldest. That’s right – it all started here in the City of Brotherly Love. Beautiful floats and giant balloons are escorted down the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, with dance teams and musical performances kicking-off the official start of the holiday season in grand style. And what Thanksgiving Day Parade would be complete without Santa!

The parade starts at 8:30 tomorrow and lasts until Noon. It’s a great event to watch from the comfort of home, but there’s nothing quite like being there. And with temperatures reaching the 60’s tomorrow, there’s no excuse! And the Boy Scouts will be collecting food for the needy during the parade, so make sure to bring a non-perishable food item too.

As a one-time participant in the Mummers Parade, I know the importance of these great events to Philadelphia. They’re part of our identity and a wonderful opportunity to get together and celebrate as a community. To be truly thankful for what we have, and to strive for better days ahead. The parade route may be shorter, but the outpouring of goodwill and caring are just as big.

- Frank Sinatra

Penang Packs a Philly Punch of Flavor

I grew up in Columbus, Ohio, a City that’s known for its chain restaurants. In fact, Columbus may be the birth place of the most chain restaurants. I even grew up with a red-headed Wendy whose Dad, Dave Thomas, started the eponymous food chain.

In high school I worked at two chains; Ponderosa Steak House, where I rotated the salad bar and Friendly’s, where I was a grill cook.

Formulaic food can be tasty if it’s prepared exactly according to the manual but it’s usually a little pricey and what’s good about it is bad about it, it’s predictable and rarely spicy or served hot!

Philadelphia is a bottomless pit of exciting, inexpensive eateries to discover. I love how you can eat on the cheap and there’s always a new place to try. Anyone who knows me knows I love to stuff my face and for me it’s often all about the food.

Penang on 10th in between Arch and Race Streets in the heart of Philadelphia’s China Town is one of my favorites. It’s Malaysian. The dishes are delectable and the combination of Asian and Indian flavors is over-the-top fabulous. My husband and I had lunch there last Friday. For $28.30, including the tip, we enjoyed Roti Toleur, ($5.50,) which we always order. It’s a “traditional Indian pancake with egg and onion served with curry chicken dipping sauce.” We also had Spicy Crispy Squid ($9.50,) tentacles in chef’s special sauce – which is sort of black and gooey sweet and sour coating – and, Chow Kueh Teow ($7.50,) Malaysian Stir Fry Flat Rice Noodle with Shrimp, Bean Sprouts and Eggs. Everything is served fresh and piping hot.

For years Penang only took cash, but now you can pay with a Credit Card. Unfortunately, our waiter wouldn’t let me take his picture! We were so stuffed after lunch we had to waddle over to the Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft Show at the Convention Center. There’s no better food base to put down before the Show, any Show. – Lisa Simon

‘Tis the Season for The Nutcracker

The Mouse King was in his full glory this week. Standing in front of the Academy of Music, the Pennsylvania Ballet’s most storied character supervised new Nutcracker banners being installed on the Avenue of the Arts.

It was an exciting moment, one that heralded the beginning of the holiday theater season.

Philadelphia is chock full of entertainment in November and December, but the Nutcracker stands out as a not-to-be-missed holiday event. Its breathtaking beauty, sense of tradition and focus on family make it a treat that can be enjoyed time after time after time. I’ve seen the Nutcracker with various friends and relatives, and believe me, there’s something for everyone.

For my friend the violinist, it’s all about the music. Tchaikovsky’s glorious score, played by the Pennsylvania Ballet’s 45-piece live orchestra and accentuated by the Philadelphia Boys’ Choir  at the end of Act I is simply heavenly. For little girls, the magical, growing Christmas tree is a highlight, as are the tiny, angelic ballerinas who crisscross onstage in the Land of the Sweets. Even jocks like my husband appreciate the dancers’ athleticism, the way they work as a team, their precision and the endurance they need for those unbelievable leaps and turns.

For me, it’s all about the visual splendor, and this production, with new sets and costumes thanks to the generous support of our client, PNC Bank, is magnificent.

Even this pup and baby were excited to meet the Mouse King, proving, that yes Virginia, The Nutcracker really is for everyone.          -Bev Volpe