Philly, P.I.

Wawa Welcomes America's 234th Birthday in Philadelphia

2010-07-06T20:37:00.006-04:00

Enjoy the images of the positive patriotic fun enjoyed by Philadelphia residents and visitors during the Independence Day weekend as a part of the 2010 Wawa Welcome America celebration. Throughout the weekend, thousands attended the Independence Day Parade in historic Philadelphia and the "Life, Liberty and You Concert" and fireworks on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway.

Mayor Michael Nutter addresses the crowd at a "Celebration of Freedom" at Independence Hall to kick off the July 4th festivities.

Betsy Ross sews together “Old Glory” in a horse drawn carriage during the Independence Day Parade in historic Philadelphia.

Marines march with a proud display of the American flag.

Miss America Caressa Cameron attends the parade atop a float accompanied by members of the United States Armed Forces.

Historic re-enactors march in celebration of Independence Day.

Philadelphia’s famous Mummers joined the July 4th festivities.

The Goo Goo Dolls and The Roots perform in front of thousands of excited fans at Wawa Welcome America’s "Life, Liberty and You Concert" on the Parkway.

Fireworks mark the grand finale to Wawa Welcome America's celebration of America’s 234th birthday.

- Writer: Amanda Rittenhouse, Photographer: Lisa Simon

Picture the Liberty Bell at Philadelphia International Airport

2010-07-02T16:09:00.000-04:00

This morning as part of Wawa Welcome America (from l. to r.,) Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter, Philadelphia International Airport CEO Mark Gale and Curator Lee Douglas unveil “Picturing Liberty: Philadelphia’s Legendary Bell,” a photography exhibit.

Now the more than 2 million visitors who travel through the Airport annually will be treated to positive images of Philadelphia’s Liberty Bell, if they happen to be in Terminal A East. Nutter told the crowd at the unveiling, “We actually own this!” (the Bell.) The exhibit features 50 black and white photos of “a most celebrated icon,” that’s “considered one of the world’s sacred relics.” The Liberty Bell arrived in Philadelphia on September 1, 1752. Two hundred and fifty eight years later, it is an enduring symbol of liberty, one that will be celebrated often this holiday weekend.

- Lisa Simon, Photographer and Writer

Look-A-Likes Throw Gloves into Ring for Year's Supply of Hoagies

2010-07-01T17:06:00.002-04:00

Nearly thirty Rocky Balboa look-alikes put their best gloves forward at the Wawa Welcome America Rocky Look-Alike contest on Wednesday, June 30. The contest took place at the famous Rocky steps at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Rocky contenders were requested to provide vocal and physical impressions of the boxer and run up the art museum steps “Italian Stallion” style.

As the sun set on the museum, the winner of the match, pictured in red next to Rocky movie actor James Binns, celebrated his win of a year’s supply of Wawa hoagies. Afterwards, hundreds of attendees gathered on the art museum stairs and enjoyed an outdoor “Philly @ the Movies” screening of Rocky as a positive ending to the month of June.

-Photographer: Lisa Simon. Writer: Amanda Rittenhouse.

Indoor Fireworks at Franklin for 4th

2010-06-30T16:32:00.001-04:00

Wawa Welcome America continued its celebration on Tuesday with the Go 4th and Learn series. Young enthusiasts learned the inner workings of fireworks from a Franklin Institute scientist.

An aerial display was used to show what an exploded fire cracker looks like, and how the chemicals burned in the process cause the dissipation of all the different brilliant colors into the air. What a positive way to learn about an Independence Day tradition.

- Rachel Zanan and Sydina Williams

Steal Away and Catch a Movie

2010-06-29T16:35:00.000-04:00

People gathered on blankets in front of a large screen in Rittenhouse Square to view To Catch A Thief. The movie, set in France, centers around “Cat” who is a reformed jewel thief. He is brought out of retirement to clear his reputation as there is a copy cat on the prowl. He is pursued by Philadelphia’s own, Grace Kelly (better known as the Princess of Monaco).

This was the first of five Wawa Welcome America film screenings planned for this week. The serene scene on a balmy evening provided a positive image of a relaxed summer night in the City.

-Photographer: Meredith Wertz. Writers: Lisa Simon and Sydina Williams

Hezekiah Walker Ushers in a Cool Celebration to Beat the Heat at Wawa Welcome America

2010-06-28T15:27:00.006-04:00

In celebration of Simon PR’s engagement with the City of Philadelphia on behalf of the 2010 Wawa Welcome America Festival, for the next week, Philly P.I. will be showcasing positive images from the enormous, free 11 day 4th of July Festival.

Yesterday the photographer was up close and personal with the “pastor of hip hop” Hezekiah Walker and his Love Fellowship Crusade Choir. Here Hezekiah Walker inspires the audience with his “Raise the Praise” concert at Penn’s Landing as part of Welcome America’s “Taste of Philadelphia,” which ran from Friday through Sunday. Hezekiah combined with the heat and humidity made this the hottest crowd in America.

-Lisa Simon, Photographer and Writer

-

A Performance Tip

2010-06-21T09:44:00.000-04:00

Busking -- the practice of performing in public places for tips or gratuities. Busker -- a person who is performing for tips.

Many corners in Philadelphia have Buskers. And while many are not very good performers, occasionally there are exceptionally good performers who are Busking.

On one weekend afternoon, there was a troupe of young adult Buskers performing in Philadelphia's Love Park. These performers were amazing, with their gravity defying acrobatics. Their leaps and break dancing showed precision and amazing skill.

So the next time you are out walking in Center City Philadelphia, look and listen for Buskers, especially in the parks. And if you find that occasional good performance, take a moment and enjoy the show.
- Steve Ehrlich, Photographer and Writer

reference Wikipedia article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Busking

Power of the Press

2010-06-16T14:52:00.000-04:00

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

2010-06-12T07:56:00.005-04:00

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

2009-12-11T09:59:00.000-05:00

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

2009-12-03T13:34:00.000-05:00

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

2009-11-25T15:52:00.000-05:00

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

2009-11-20T10:22:00.000-05:00

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

2009-11-13T12:46:00.000-05:00

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

What a Phight!

2009-11-06T13:45:00.000-05:00

Game 6 has ended. The Yankees’ Mariano Rivera has gotten the 27th out and the whirlwind ride that was the Phillies’ 2009 season is officially over. Like so many of my red pin-stripped brothers and sisters, I am disappointed and exhausted. It’s a tough day to walk around Philadelphia. However, there’s also a sense of extreme satisfaction that the Phillies represented our city well.

After the magically 2008 season, the Phillies won the opportunity not many championship teams get to do: defend their title. Throughout the year, our Phightin’s were beset by injuries, slumps, the loss of Harry. They came into the playoffs with a pitching rotation in question and a patchwork bullpen. But the team took these things all in stride and always played hard, always swung for the fences. If Ryan Howard was slumping, Chase Utley stepped in. Senõr Octobre, our “Chooch,” found another gear in the postseason. And Cliff Lee was simply masterful on the mound.

And the buzz around the city was electric. From banners on Broad Street to school pep rallies, this town embraced its team, through all the blown saves and poor starts. The heart of Philadelphia and that of the Phillies were shared beat for beat. Another town will have a parade in a few days, but it was one heck of a ride.

The numbness we feel will fade. After a back-alley beating of the Giants, the Eagles will have an opportunity to grab the spotlight again, hopefully by putting a slobber knocker on the hated Dallas Cowboys. But we shouldn’t forget all the things our boys of summer have done for us and our city. The hope and cheers and late inning comebacks (albeit one or two few).

Thank you, Philadelphia Phillies for treating us to a wonderful year of baseball, one so often absent in our past. Here’s to the hope of April, and another season where the entire region takes notice of our Phightin’ Phils.

- Frank Sinatra

Boo!

2009-10-29T09:55:00.000-04:00

Jem, of Jem and the Holograms, complete with the pink wig and glittery guitar; a Penn State cheerleader with pom-poms— and a baby bottle; a velvet, pink bunny; a witch; a miniature bride. These are just a few of the homemade costumes, and characters, I have been for Halloween over the years. After all, Halloween is a chance to be anyone you want to be. It’s also a chance to eat lots of candy, carve pumpkins, and get scared silly- one of my favorite parts, and Philadelphia has several thrilling opportunities for all ages.

For years I have wanted to go to Philadelphia’s frightfully famous Eastern State Penitentiary, for its “Terror Behind the Walls” Haunted House; I finally had the chance this year, as a group of friends and I decided to give ourselves a scare. Voted the “Number One Haunted House in the Country” by AOL City Guide, “Terror Behind the Walls” is exactly what it names itself to be— a scary, creepy, and spooky experience in a 179-year old prison with castle-like walls, daunting dark corners, and a rich forbidding history. The disturbing factor that runs chills down your spine is that the Eastern State Penitentiary is rumored to be truly haunted, with officers and inmates reporting eerie sightings and mysterious experiences as early as the 1940’s.

And talk about elaborate costumes. Fourteen make-up artists take hours to transform 150 actors into tortured, traumatized, and terrifying prisoners and guards as they patrol, jump, grab, scream, and scare throughout the five feature attractions within the massive 11-acre complex. The Infirmary, new in 2009, is set in the prison’s long-abandoned medical wing, and in Lock Down, you reluctantly shuffle with eyes half-closed through one of the most haunted locations in the prison, Cellblock 12.

While “Terror Behind the Walls” is a great Halloween experience for the brave, there are also events in the Philadelphia area for children. Several of Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust’s (PREIT) Greater Philadelphia malls, Simon PR’s clients, are hosting Halloween events for families and shoppers.

On Friday, 10/30, Willow Grove Park’s Morning Club for tiny tots is having a Halloween Spooktacular with arts-and-crafts, games, and music, while The Gallery at Market East in Center City has Halloween-themed street entertainment for the busy lunchtime crowd. Springfield Mall is also having a Halloween celebration on Saturday, 10/31, with Halloween fun for young kids.

So break out your best Halloween costume, a big bag of candy corn, and get ready for another Halloween in Philadelphia.
-Meredith Wertz

Eureka! Discovering Science Philly Style

2009-10-23T12:19:00.000-04:00

Thankfully, Brad Lidge is back in rare form. Watching the Phillies’ NLCS win over the Dodgers, I wondered how he hurls that nasty slider. My son, a pitcher, explained that it’s all about grip, arm angle and release point.

Every pitch is a lesson in science, which plays a key role in my teenager’s life—even if he denies it vehemently.

So today, I’m excited. Not only because our beloved Phillies have won it again, but because my child is finally accepting the importance of science. And because I get to tell that story for our great client, PNC, which just launched Grow Up Great with Science.

In another show of incredible corporate citizenship, the PNC Foundation is giving more than $500,000 to the Academy of Natural Sciences and The Franklin Institute for preschool science education. The money will send their experts into classrooms to aid teachers with preschool science lessons, and the kids’ families will get free admission to the science centers.

PNC is also funding the first planetarium show for preschoolers. Called One World, One Sky: Big Bird’s Adventure, it made its Philadelphia debut yesterday at the Fels Planetarium.

My older sister’s chemistry set was strictly off limits, but that never stopped me from sneaking her microscope, and asking why & how—questions I use every day as a PR pro. I might have grown up to be a creative type, but I’ve never lost the sense of wonder about the world around us.

After all, science is everywhere, from the Phightin’ Phils to a preschoolers’ classroom.
-Bev Volpe

Phightin’ Back

2009-10-16T16:14:00.000-04:00

Swagger. That is what our Phabulous Phightin Phillies have had since the beginning of the postseason. Say the word. Let it roll off the tongue. SWAGGER.

The reigning World Series champs delegated to afternoon starts? Pundits doubting the team’s ability to get out of the first round? Snow days and baseball at 32 degrees? The Rockies coming from behind on the verge of forcing a Game 5? All wiped by a team with that strut synonymous with swagger.

Swagger comes from confidence. That you’ve been there before and you’ll move heaven and earth to get there again. That naysayers can talk about the bullpen, the past, the fans, snowballs and Santa. It won’t mean a thing. Swagger cures a variety of ills.

It’s a lot like Philadelphia itself. The city we work and play in. Like a cheesesteak hot off the griddle, it oozes swagger. The confidence to know that no matter what lies ahead, the city and the people who love it will pick themselves up, dust themselves off and find a way to win.

So with Game 1 of the NLCS in the win column and just seven more games to go before another parade, let’s look past another afternoon start. Move beyond the love affair with LA and Mannywood. Let’s root for our team that lives, eats and breathes the tough, confident spirit of our city. Let’s enjoy the swagger.

- Frank Sinatra

The Great Food Hall Endures

2009-10-11T10:33:00.001-04:00

Today I was invited by my clients at Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust (PREIT) to tour the building at 801 Market Street. With camera, pad and pen in hand, I learned all about how the behemoth space is being redeveloped.

The US Green Building Council’s LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) designation is pending with emphasis on historic preservation, sustainable sites, water efficiency, energy and atmosphere, materials and resources and environmental quality.

When completed, the rehabilitation project will be certified by the Department of the Interior for its conformance with the federal “Standards for Rehabilitation.”

The majestic shell, with its original 1920s era windows, still has many remnants of what the building once was; Philadelphia’s flagship Strawbridge & Clothier department store. PREIT is actively looking for hot retail and restaurant tenants for the beautiful ground floor shell.

Being inside the Great Food Hall brought back a lot of sweet memories for me. Many moons ago when I lived on the corner of 7th and Addison Streets in the Society Hill section of Philadelphia, Strawbridge & Clothier was my department store.

I used to go there often in the fall of 1992 with my son Max, who just turned 17. The September that he was born was stunning with near perfect weather. Every day there was warm sunshine with a fallsy nip in the air. I bought much of his first clothing in the gargantuan layette department. It looked so cute on his fat little body!

People who know me know that I think I was a housewares buyer in another life. I love to switch out bedding seasonally and to be well stocked with cloth napkins, tablecloths and monogrammed towels, which I also like to update according to the seasons. My love of the category was advanced in the very building I visited today. Armed with coupons on the way in, on the way out I had to layer my trophy finds on top of the baby and cart them home through the City in the carriage.

But the great Strawbridge & Clothier Food Hall was my favorite. There were four types of chocolate covered pretzels at the candy counter. How delightful to have a box filled before your very eyes with fresh ones, often 30 % off. That’s so much better than taking off plastic packaging. You could also buy fresh breads, sandwiches, imported pasta, gourmet vinegars and oil and salads, even dining in at the quaint wrought iron-legged tables.

These memories all came back to me this morning. The space is still so grand. My imagination was running wild. I truly can’t wait to see what it becomes! Knowing PREIT, the result will be extraordinary.

-Lisa Simon

Musicopia: Giving Philadelphia Students the Gift of Music

2009-10-01T11:36:00.000-04:00

Heading home from work last week, I heard the familiar sounds of the violin (I used to play in fourth grade) and looked up to find talented thirteen-year-old Sean Bennett diligently practicing his violin on the corner of Walnut and 15th street.

I recognized Sean from Musicopia; he is a member of the Musicopia String Orchestra and a student at McCall School here in Philadelphia. He also recently performed at Moorestown Mall.

PREIT’s eight Greater Philadelphia malls, clients of Simon PR, have partnered with local non-profit Musicopia to collect new and used musical instruments, music books, music stands, strings, and musical supplies for children in the Delaware Valley through the Gift of Music Instrument Donation Drive. The recycled musical instruments are donated to students who have the talent to study music but do not have the means to rent or purchase the necessary tools. Local students are also performing at PREIT malls in celebration of the partnership.

Sean reminded me of my first musical instrument experience, which began with the recorder in second grade. It was part of my elementary school’s music program, and an opportunity to learn to read sheet music, experience the magic of music, and grasp responsibility. I even had a solo performance- after convincing my Sunday School teacher to let me perform in my church’s annual Christmas play. In fourth grade, our music program gave us yet another chance to discover music, and I graduated to the violin.

Did you know that studies have shown music education has a positive effect on children’s emotional and intellectual growth? Musicopia calls it the “Power of Music.”

With the goal of inspiring a deep love and knowledge of great music, Musicopia reaches over 75,000 children each year through educational music enrichment programs in schools and communities throughout the Greater Philadelphia area.

Sean has been playing the violin for three years and is the concert masters assistant. He is also a member of the schools drama club and currently has the lead role in the school play. He is one of many of Musicopia’s success stories and will perform again, this time at Cherry Hill Mall on October 10 alongside nine-year old Eliana Yang on cello and eleventh grader Nakeya Simone Spence on violin.

Working with the School District of Philadelphia, Musicopia designed the Musicopia String Orchestra for students who lack cultural opportunities and constructive outlets. Musicopia also joined with The Clay Studio and Philadelphia Young Playwrights to create a comprehensive arts program in North Philadelphia schools.

Philadelphia schools Meade, Edmunds, and Duckrey participate in Musicopia’s Bridge to Music Program, where in-school, after school, and summer music programs are revitalized or implemented. Meade School Principal Frank Murphy is a strong supporter; he believes that music has the power to change the face of the school and its community.

Overall, Musicopia has made a difference in the lives of thousands of children, many of whom reside in Philadelphia, including Sean Bennett. This organization has given them a chance to learn, to grow, to succeed, and to hope.

(Donations for the Gift of Music Instrument Donation Drive are accepted now through October 31 at PREIT’s eight Philadelphia-area malls customer service centers during mall hours. For more information on Musicopia visit http://www.musicopia.net/. -Meredith Wertz

“If you build it, they will come"

2009-09-24T14:16:00.004-04:00

One of the best lines from one of my favorite movies—definitely rings true in Philadelphia.

Take Avenue of the Arts for example. Envisioned in 1993, the Avenue today is a magnificent destination dubbed one of America’s “Great Streets” by the American Planning Association. It’s also a huge economic driver, generating $500 million a year and supporting 6,000 jobs.

I’m proud to walk out of our offices in the Bellevue and onto the Avenue—to admire the the Kimmel’s dome, watch tractor trailers load in sets at the Academy and glimpse dance rehearsals at UArts. And I’m proud that Simon PR represents Avenue of the Arts, Inc.

Next week, Carl Dranoff and Jeffrey McFadden will convene the Avenue Council. It’s a group of business leaders who will use their clout to bring further commercial development and beauty to Broad Street—both South and North.

On a smaller, but no less important Philadelphia corridor, a group of business owners are joining forces to breathe new life into their Avenue—Germantown Avenue. This week, Simon PR client Mt. Airy, USA kicked off a major business renaissance with “Rock the Blocks” a $4 million streetscape improvement plan.

The pride of place runs deep in our City of Neighborhoods. It’s small but powerful non-profits such as AAI and Mt. Airy, USA that are energizing business people to keep building. The crowds are sure to come. - Bev Volpe

Old City Artist Finds the “Hidden Philadelphia”

2009-09-19T11:24:00.005-04:00

I was on my way to work last week when I bumped into a very familiar face, my old boss Charles Domsky. Charles gave me my first shot at being a PR Account Executive. But this isn’t a story about that (although that story isn’t turning out too badly).

In addition to Charles’ advertising/public relations acumen and business savvy, he’s an amazing painter. What makes it even more impressive is the fact that he actively paints while battling Parkinson’s disease for the past 25 years. He retired several years ago to focus on his art. In his own words, “At age 70, I decided to slow down. I wanted to go out on top.” Charles has good days and bad days with his disease, but when you put a paint brush in his hand, the tremors stop.

I had the opportunity this week to stop by the “office” in Old City, which has now been converted into Charles’ studio. His passion is abstract art, inspired by de Koonings, Twombly and Diebenkorn, as well as his memories of trips to Greece, Italy and France.

Charles is focused on finding the hidden energy and emotion of the places he’s visited. He explained, “Someone once told me, ‘Only those who can see the invisible can do the impossible.’ I interpret this into the impossible dream.” Charles has painted inventive aerial landscapes of many Philadelphia locales, the Ben Franklin Bridge, Broad and Walnut, Washington Square, Kelly Drive and Rittenhouse Square. He feels the vibration of the history that was made on the cobblestone streets hundreds of years ago. He lets the feelings and emotions he experiences flow onto the canvas.

Charles’ work can be found on the walls of public and private collections throughout the Delaware Valley. He is also one of four Pennsylvania artists with a disability whose work will on display in a traveling exhibit sponsored by the Pennsylvania Association of Rehabilitation Facilities and the Speaker of the House of Representatives Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

His artwork and his accomplishments are very inspiring. You can view his work here. And if you’re interested in his work, give him a call. He’ll give you a tour.

-Frank Sinatra

With Michael Vick the Media Faucet is Stuck in the “On” Position

2009-09-10T15:59:00.002-04:00

I have just been loving the hoopla associated with the Philadelphia Eagles’ hiring of Michael Vick. How often does someone who’s still alive receive that much coverage? Or, have that much power to inspire so much conversation in the media? It almost seemed like it was the only story in town in August.

When the announcement was made on Thursday, August 13, I was far away in a State that doesn’t even have professional football (New Hampshire.) We listened to a Phillies game in the car on Satellite radio but we didn’t tune in to any sports news or watch any TV all weekend. We did pick up the Valley News, but the only sports story they ran was about the recent Manchester Fisher Cats game. When we returned home on Saturday night, the story was gaining steam fast.

By Monday the radio air waves were jammed with commentary and TV news was clogged with shots of Vick in the red quarterback jersey at training camp at Lehigh University.

Of course the sports pages were drowning in the Vick story but it also seemed like every type of Philadelphia Inquirer columnist wrote about him too. Annette John Hall wrote two columns. Daniel Rubin wrote a column. So did Elizabeth Wellington the fashion reporter. Even Dr. Daniel Gottlieb wrote about him in his Monday column on relationships. I can honestly say that I feel like I know just about everything about this guy. And, as stories go, his is pretty interesting.

As a PR pro who’s under constant pressure to deliver media results, I’m so impressed by a breaking story that has multiple legs. This one’s a centipede. The Vick story kept going and going and now, a month later, it’s still going and going.

While I think he looks very good in Eagles green, as usual I’m not really taking a stand on any of the issues.

Was it a good idea for the Eagles to hire Vick? Can the Humane Society benefit from a celebrity spokesperson speaking out against dogfighting? Is dogfighting horrible? Does Coach Andy Reid want people to give his two wayward sons the second chance Vick is getting?

I don’t really have an opinion on these matters. I haven’t taken the time to study those issues. I’m just reveling in all the media coverage! -Lisa Simon

Fall Fashion in Philly

2009-09-03T12:43:00.002-04:00

Walking to work Monday morning in the brisk morning air, it hit me. Fall is poking its head around the corner, and with it comes football games, golden leaves, warm apple cider, and my favorite— shopping for the latest fall-fashion trends.

Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust’s (PREIT) nine East Region malls, Simon PR’s clients, embody shopping in Greater Philadelphia and are only a short commute from Center City, perfect for the fall must-have shopping experience. PREIT’s headquarters are also located in the heart of the city, in the Bellevue building.

With the brand new Nordstrom and seven retailers opening just this past summer alone, Cherry Hill Mall has a long list of designer and luxury stores. Located just over the Ben Franklin Bridge, the 15-minute drive is simple, and trust me, the new mix of specialty retailers is well worth the $4 toll. Not to mention what’s already on the books for the fall and winter – American Apparel and a massive Forever 21, nearly 26,000-square feet.

For my girlfriends that live in Philly, but work on the outskirts, Plymouth Meeting Mall is usually a stop on the drive home, and then there is my younger sister, Kiersten. At twenty-two, she has quite a bit of sophistication and style, although half the time I am still trying to figure out what exactly she is wearing. She always manages to be ready for the runway- and her office hallway. Her new favorite find? Willow Grove Park.

Shopping is everywhere you turn in Philly. The Gallery at Market East features the latest in urban wear, and did you fashionistas out there know the first Philadelphia Fashion Week is slated for October 8 – 10 at the 23rd Street Armory?

With endless racks of fall clothing, accessories, and shoes, decisions may be challenging. Can you really pull off the biker jacket? Don’t have a younger sister to consult for the ideal first-date outfit? My favorite Philly reads are Elizabeth Wellington’s weekly column in The Philadelphia Inquirer and Philadelphia Style Advice on Examiner.com by Eileen Smith, retail reporter for the Courier-Post. -Meredith Wertz

Philly 101

2009-08-27T14:11:00.004-04:00

With my daughter leaving for college today, I’ve got students on the mind. That must be why I’ve been noticing so many young people in town lately.

They’re sporting jeans, t-shirts and eager smiles. And they should be happy. They’re Philadelphia’s newest residents, the freshmen at Drexel, UArts, Temple and more. What a great decision they’ve made to study here: Philly, the college town.

The City has more than 20 colleges and universities, and regionally, there are more than 80. There’s something for everyone to study, and enjoy—including the night life.

According to the website onebigcampus.com, among the 12 most popular hangouts for students is the Avenue of the Arts, which Simon PR is proud to represent. And several Avenue organizations have specials just for students.

The Philadelphia Orchestra for example has ezSeatsU, a $25 membership that gives college kids unlimited access to more than 100 concerts. The Wilma, too has student rush tickets, subscriptions and single tickets. Both programs are supported by another wonderful client, PNC and its PNC Arts Alive initiative. It’s a five-year, $5 million investment to make the arts more accessible to diverse audiences in the region.

How great to start with college students—Philadelphia’s future audiences, arts patrons and leaders.

- Bev Volpe

Green Cities, Clean Water

2009-08-21T09:57:00.006-04:00

Now that the weather finally feels like summer – nice and hot with that wonderful humidity – there’s no better treat to beat the heat like water ice. The origin of the water ice begins in China. During his trip to Asia, Macro Polo brings the treat back to Italy and Europe. Long story short – it winds up in South Philly and the whole town loves it.

Good water ice is not hard to find in the city as many people eat it daily during the summer months. It’s also a great treat for special occasions. And for the past few days, water ice from Rita’s has been used for the latter, thanking attendees at a series of important public meetings.

One of Simon PR’s clients, the Philadelphia Water Department, is submitting a 20-year plan to the Environmental Protection Agency that outlines how to improve our waters and green our city. With a commitment of $1.6 billion, it’s one of the largest public works initiatives the city will undertake in the near future.

The Green Cities, Clean Waters program has been developed to capture 80 percent of the sewage and storm water that flows into the Schuylkill and Delaware Rivers and the Tacony and Cobbs creeks. A major part of the solution focuses on greening Philly’s streets, schools and public facilities. The Philadelphia Water Department wants to “test the waters” with the public and has encouraged citizens to attend public meetings throughout the city to provide important feedback before they present the plan to the EPA on September 1st.

There have already been public meetings in Germantown and Northern Liberties. Another meeting is scheduled tonight in South Philly. The final meeting is at Mercy Hospital of Philadelphia on the 25th.

And while the water ice is tasty, it’s the plan designed to keep our city greener and cleaner that’s truly “sweet.” You can find out more about it by clicking here.

- Frank Sinatra

KYW – AM, Always a Warm Welcome Home

2009-08-13T12:46:00.013-04:00

We usually drive to the Philadelphia Airport when we go on a trip and park in Economy Parking. The first thing I do when we get back to the car is turn on KYW-AM radio. The familiar sounds of the editor’s desk are like a comfortable old sweater and they scream Philadelphia to me. Any one who knows me will tell you I’m a newshound.

Last Monday was no different. After a whirlwind long weekend in Paris, we seamlessly landed at Terminal A West just after 2 pm. We grabbed our bags, breezed through customs and were on the Economy Lot bus within 10 minutes. Back in the car, it was “1060 on your am dial.”

It happened to be 2:32 pm so we got an instant traffic report. Dr. Marciene Mattelman did a story on the new and growing field of Nursing Forensics. News of the City councilman aide’s four year sentence was the big story. There was an explanation of why the heat index was 102 degrees. And pleas to check on your elderly friends and family. More weather down the Shore and in the Poconos. It’s always great to be back home. . .– Lisa Simon

Some Kids Love Summer School...Really

2009-08-07T09:48:00.005-04:00

I’ve been fortunate enough never to have to go to summer school. Sister Mary de Angelus and the teaching Filippini Sisters saw to that early enough in my academic career. But a group of young people entering high school couldn’t wait to hit the classroom… in July.

District 1199C and Drexel University’s College of Nursing and Health Professions (a Simon PR client for over seven years) have partnered together to expose students to healthcare careers and build their academic skills. Inner city teens from disadvantaged families throughout the City are learning what it takes to be successful in high school, in life and in the healthcare industry. It’s a six-week program, and the kids, aged 13- and 14-years old, get to visit Drexel on Fridays.

This is not some boring hum-drum class. These kids get to do some pretty cool stuff! Like interacting with animated manikins that mimic human behavior and medical conditions (think Transformers without the giant robots or the Michael Bay-type explosions) that nursing students use to hone their skills. Or shadowing nursing students in a teaching lab. They’ll even get to speak one-on-one with Drexel professors to learn about in-demand careers.

The program is funded by Federal Stimulus money, so you can thank President Obama for giving these kids this special opportunity. And with all the talk about the impending nursing shortage, it’s reassuring to see young people excited to learn about careers in health care.

So kudos to Drexel and District 1199C for putting together a summer school that kids are excited to attend. Here’s hoping this will inspire the next generation of health care innovators.

- Frank Sinatra

Painting a Fabulous Philadelphia

2009-07-30T11:14:00.021-04:00

I love painting on walls. Just check out the faux painting all around the Volpe home. Raised by my grandfather—a painting contractor and amateur artist—I expressed myself with a paintbrush from the age of six or seven.

So I’m enthralled with Philadelphia’s murals—the visually striking, super-sized artwork on walls in every corner of the City. They’re images of famous Philadelphians and neighborhood children, inspirational leaders and grandmothers from the community. There are 3,000 of them and they’ve earned us an international reputation as “the City of Murals.”

This week, I boarded a trolley at the Independence Visitor’s Center for an official Mural Arts Tour http://www.muralarts.org/. Ours was to West Philadelphia where among the abandoned buildings were massive displays of public art that told stories of community, of culture, of tradition. Among my favorites is Patti Labelle at the corner of 34th and Mantua, recently redone to bring Philadelphia’s native diva into the new millennium and show her support of breast cancer.

Philadelphia’s murals are the brainchild of Jane Golden, who redirected graffiti writers into positive creativity during the 1980s. Since then, hundreds of artists have turned Philly into an outdoor gallery. Each mural is the expression of a neighborhood to create pride, to engender hope and to pass on history.

A baseball fan, I was excited to see the Philadelphia Stars Negro baseball league http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philadelphia_Stars_(baseball) commemorated at 44th and Parkside, site of their ballpark.

There’s the Song of Hope which shimmers with a message of a bright future for children.

And on a dilapidated block of Aspen Street is a tiny oasis—a lush garden bordered by two matching murals called “Holding Grandmother’s Quilt.” Its message: wisdom will always be passed from generation to generation.

Next year, two new audio tours will be created: one on Center City and one on African American murals. They’re made possible with the support of PNC Arts Alive, a five-year, $5 million initiative to make the arts more accessible here. (I'm happy to say that we enjoy a 10-year relationship with PNC, as their local public relations agency of record.) http://www.pncartsalive.com/

If you’re like me, you won’t want to wait until then. So hop a trolley at the Visitor’s Center, or set out in your car or on foot to explore Philadelphia’s great outdoor art museum. For tour information and downloadable maps visit the Mural Arts Program website, http://www.muralarts.org/getinvolved/tours/. -Bev Volpe

All Roads Lead to Philly

2009-07-23T10:40:00.008-04:00

After four years in Hawaii, an island with only two “highways” in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, Philadelphia, the second-largest city on the East Coast, is a welcomed change. In terms of accessibility and travel, the City is truly in an ideal position, nestled amongst a vast network of well-connected streets and public transportation lines. Whether Washington D.C, the Shore, or the corner bar, it is easy to go from point A to point B.

Philly is in the top five of America’s best walking cities, behind New York, Boston, and San Francisco. We have city founder William Penn to thank for this. In 1682, Penn helped design a system of wide streets intersecting at right angles between the Schuylkill River to the west and the Delaware River to the east, making Philadelphia one of the first cities in North America to use the grid system.

His initial intent was to create an orderly design to prevent issues affecting European cities such as overcrowding, fire, and disease. Although, I like to think he had someone like me in mind—a young professional traveling by foot, most likely in heels, from the subway stop to my office building, and from here to a local lunch deli, Happy Hour favorite, or trendy boutique. The network of relatively short blocks and four-way intersections makes walking an efficient (and healthy) mode of transportation, with several direct routes, which I often decide depending on the color of the traffic signal.

When I am in the mood to trade skyscrapers for trees, Fairmont Park’s 63 neighborhood parks are always within walking distance. In just a few minutes, I can be on a hiking trail smack in the middle of nature.

The public transportation system is another plus of Philadelphia. The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) is the nation’s fifth largest public transportation system, providing transit services for Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia Counties.

Going to a Phillies game or the Bruce Springsteen concert? Take the Broad Street Line. Time to visit the parents in the suburbs? Hop on the Market-Frankford Line to 69th Street Station, and from here, the trolley’s Route 100 heads up the Main Line. Bachelorette party in New York City? Simple. 30th Street Station is the hub, with Amtrak train service to almost anywhere in the country.

Now, living in Philadelphia, walking or riding in any direction leads to more city secrets to explore, opposed to my time in Hawaii, where I always seemed to hit a dead end. -Meredith Wertz

PNC Jolts Local Arts Scene with PNC ARTS ALIVE, a $5 Million Funding Program

2009-07-15T10:49:00.008-04:00

What’s more positive than a Bank’s foundation funding 23 different Philadelphia and South Jersey arts organizations this year to the tune of $1 million in a down economy? The Bank is PNC and Simon PR is lucky to have worked with the philanthropic corporate leader since 2000. Pinch me!

“PNC opens the vault for 23 arts groups.” That’s the headline on Philadelphia Inquirer arts writer Stephen Salisbury’s article in yesterday‘s paper. It’s our job in this enviable partnership to draw mass media coverage of PNC Arts Alive, the monumental five year $5 million program. Thanks to longtime Simon PR media relations ace Beverly Volpe, there was a deluge of local market TV, radio and print coverage in the last 24 hours. What better way to let the entire Region know about this positive endeavor?

Our media blitz came a few months after PNC Arts Alive was introduced to the market in April. Arts groups submitted their applications in June. Yesterday’s festivities were in celebration of the 23 winning groups and their projects, all designed to make art more accessible to wider and more diverse audiences in our Region.

In an arty public ceremony in the lobby of the PNC tower at 1600 Market Street, representatives of the arts groups were called to a dais and awarded berets by PNC President Bill Mills. A lovely, intimate luncheon in the Bank’s event facility followed.

“It’s hard to know where PNC begins and Simon PR ends, they’re such wonderful partners and I’d like to recognize and thank Lisa Simon and Beverly Volpe from Simon PR.” Those words spoken at the podium by PNC Chief of Staff Jean Canfield will resonate with me for a very long time. I’m still choked up. For a small agency that thrives behind-the-scenes, this is a big slice of positive pie for us to relish for a very long time. We wholeheartedly welcome the opportunity to support this great company and the creative, dynamic individuals at the helm who have created PNC Arts Alive. They are positively impacting our community in Philadelphia and South Jersey in ways too numerous to measure. But, of course, we will try. . . –Lisa Simon

2009 PNC Arts Live Grantees:

Arts Groups

Appel Farm Arts & Music Center
Bay Atlantic Symphony
Cape May Stage
Fabric Workshop and Museum
Greater Philadelphia Film Office
Group Motion Dance Theater
James A. Michener Art Museum
Kimmel Center
Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts
Mural Arts Program
Pennsylvania Ballet
Philadelphia Folklore Project
Philadelphia Live Arts Festival/Philly Fringe
Philadelphia Museum of Art
Philadelphia Orchestra
Philadelphia Virtuosi Chamber Orchestra and The Pam Band
Philadelphia Young Playwrights
Spiral Q Puppet Theater
Wilma Theater

Service Partners:

Art & Business Council of Greater Philadelphia
Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance
City of Philadelphia, Office of Arts and Culture and the Creative Economy
South Jersey Cultural Alliance

Home Sweet Philly

2009-07-11T09:04:00.007-04:00

While growing up in the suburbs of Philadelphia, I always knew I wanted to live in the big city one day. So when that time finally came, I was intent on finding the right spot to call home.

Philadelphia is comprised of numerous neighborhoods, each with their own distinct personality. Center City is all about the hustle and bustle, while the posh Rittenhouse Square boasts a Parisian-style plaza and high-end boutiques, and the up-and-coming Northern Liberties is a hub for artists and musicians.

All of these areas are wonderful places to reside, but I was on the hunt for a community that paralleled my own disposition. My greatest love in life besides traveling is food, and when Bella Vista, home of the delectable Italian Market, was mentioned, my ears perked up, my stomach growled, and my decision was made.

Settled by Italian immigrants in the late 1800’s, Bella Vista, Italian for “beautiful sight,” is a historic neighborhood in South Philadelphia bordered by South and Wharton streets to the north and south, and 6th and 11th streets to the east and west. The old is blended with the new to create a cozy community with pocket parks, quaint row homes and my favorite-- the Italian Market.

The century-old, open-air Italian Market, nestled in the heart of Bella Vista, is famous for its food—from vegetables straight from the vine and fish from nearby ports to a multitude of gourmet cheeses, fresh-baked pastries, and fine-cut meats. Cafes, coffee shops with character, and gourmet restaurants line the streets, offering authentic Italian fare as well as International flavors and traditional Philly cheese steaks.

Come August 1, my childhood aspiration will turn into reality. We discovered a charming row house with restored original oak floors, exposed brick walls, and a view of the city skyline. It is perched along a tree-lined street in Bella Vista, and most importantly, just steps from the Italian Market. Home Sweet Philly.

-Meredith Wertz

Lincoln Has Philly Talking

2009-07-01T13:06:00.008-04:00

I had a great conversation with Abraham Lincoln today.

We talked about how Philadelphia was a hub, inspiration and support system for him back in the day. I expected his intelligence, his quiet intensity. What I didn’t expect was his unabashed enthusiasm. I should have known that our 16th president visited our city more than any other during his presidency. And he’s looking forward to a return trip this week, when he’ll greet the hordes flocking here to celebrate Independence Day in the best place in the world—Philadelphia, where liberty was born.

On Thursday morning, I’ll take Abe to Fox TV’s Good Day Philadelphia. He’s appearing live at 8:30 am to talk about his love of the City and the love he’s about to get back through Lincoln 200--the city’s official celebration of his 200th birthday.

Lincoln is actually Robert ‘Fritz’ Klein, the nation’s foremost Lincoln interpreter. And I couldn’t be more excited to have him on television so Philadelphia can get to know him, and the massive Lincoln 200 festival, filled with fun, education and entertainment.

Fritz fell into playing Lincoln by chance. Believe it or not, he was a landscaper in Hawaii and acting on the side when somebody noticed that he’s a dead ringer for Lincoln. It was 1976 and with all the U.S. Bicentennial events going, it was a great time to start his career as Honest Abe.

Fast forward 33 years. Fritz lives in Springfield, Illinois and travels around the country portraying the Great Emancipator. And this year—the Bicentennial of Lincoln’s birth—bookings are especially good.

Fritz’s is just one of the hundreds of interesting stories behind Lincoln 200, which goes well beyond the history books to tell Lincoln’s story—showcasing his life, his work, his interests and his influence.

There’s something for everyone at the Festival which runs through July 5 on Independence Mall. Want to be entertained? Check out the play, “My Dear Mrs. Lincoln,” watch the Lincoln Bicentennial Tap Celebration as incredible dancers pay tribute to tap’s origins in slavery, or “Ask Abe” (aka Fritz) your burning questions. Are you a science buff? You’ll love the College of Physicians’ forensic look at the Lincoln assassination (I can’t wait for that one!) and the Academy of Natural Sciences’ Hadrosaurus Foulkii dinosaur, which was found in Haddonfield a year prior to Lincoln’s election.

If you’ve got little ones, then Lincoln for Kids is the place to be for make and take crafts, face painting, jugglers, stilt walkers and of course, Lincoln Logs!

And, if you’re purely a history buff like I am, you’ve got to see the locket containing a lock of Lincoln’s hair, a cast of his face and hands and a large swath of the flag he raised at Independence Hall in 1861, all from the Civil War Museum of Philadelphia.

Lincoln 200 is a labor of love of two incredible women—Dianne Semingson, a good friend of Simon PR’s since our days representing the YMCA of Philadelphia & Vicinity and Mary Hagy, a new friend and one who is incredibly passionate about keeping our city’s civil war history riches right where they belong—in Philadelphia.

The two are founders of the Civil War History Consortium and Lincoln 200. Their mission: to help our region realize a new tourism opportunity in the story of Philadelphia as the engine that drove the Union victory at Gettysburg and nationally.

In an op-ed that Simon PR placed about Lincoln 200 in The Philadelphia Inquirer they wrote: “It will whet the appetites of the million or more expected to visit Independence Mall over the July 4 weekend. It will also set the stage for the region’s long-planned commemoration of the Civil War’s 150th anniversary set to begin in 2011. By 2015, we look forward to the road between Philadelphia and Gettysburg being worn bare by busloads of tourists eager to experience the state’s rich Civil War history.”

In the meantime, there will be boatloads of tourists and area residents alike on Independence Mall this weekend for Lincoln 200. I hope they all get to talk to Abe, and walk away as excited as I am to discover his Philadelphia story.

-Bev Volpe

Philly's Comic Scene

2009-06-26T11:37:00.004-04:00

Faster than a speeding bullet. More powerful than a locomotive. Able to leap tall buildings in a single bound… even typing it gives me chills. When I received my first comic book at age 8, the larger-than-life morality plays captivated my imagination. It still holds true today, as my twin brother and I have thousands of comic books between us.

And much to my mother’s – and my wife’s – chagrin, I’m not the only one. That was extremely apparent as the city hosted Wizard World Philly, a three-day event celebrating comics, sci-fi, anime and more. It’s sponsored by Wizard, the penultimate magazine of comics, entertainment and pop culture. Over 30,000 people attended the event last weekend, which celebrated its 11th year in Philly.

Now you might wonder, “Who attends these events? And do they still live above their parent’s garage?” While there are many hard core fans who dress up for these events, many are like me, who grow up enjoying the stories they read, imagining themselves alongside the Star-Spangled Sentinel of Liberty fighting threats to the American Dream, or skulking just beyond the shadows of the alleys of Gotham City, bringing justice to evil doers. And as I grew up, the stories and characters matured as well, with intricate story plots and complex heroes and villains.

There is no cooler place to get your comics than on the streets of Philly. When I worked in Old City, I looked forward to Wednesdays, the best day of the week for comic book fans, as new issues come in that day. I’d quickly walk from 8th and Pine to Atomic City Comics on South Street, where Joe and Mr. McIntyre would give me a warm greeting and hand me my comics from my pull list. Yes, I reserve my comics. It’s like valet parking for geeks. And it’s awesome. You’ll never miss an issue.

There are plenty of places to get your fix. From Fat Jack’s to Brave New Worlds, a comic book store in Philadelphia is just a short walk away. And from there, your imagination can take you beyond the City of Brotherly Love to worlds of excitement and wonder, just with a turn of a page.

- Frank Sinatra

Celebrating 19 years of blooming relationships and business

2009-06-18T10:13:00.004-04:00

Today is Simon PR’s 19th Anniversary. One of the mainstays of my public relations grounding in Philadelphia has been the Philadelphia Public Relations Association (PPRA.) I’ve belonged for longer than Simon PR has been around and it’s been the place where my love of our profession has been anchored. In the late eighties, employers paid for professional association memberships so I have Earle Palmer Brown & Spiro and Ketchum PR to thank – they both generously picked up the tab for membership and I couldn’t be more appreciative.

After I hung out my shingle and started Simon PR back on June 18, 1990, PPRA became more and more important to me. Simon PR’s first office was one room in the Foremost Building at the corner of 4th and South Street. We (just me) were on the 3rd floor, which was the Building’s most unsavory. Simon PR’s HQ was located in between an escort service and fight promoters and across the hall from a bar tending school and telemarketing firm where the furloughed staff came to work during the day and went back to jail at night. PPRA became an extended professional family, one that took the place of colleagues, staff and bosses.

Quickly, there were more people at the Agency and a few weeks before my son Max was born in 1992, we moved to the Lafayette Building at the corner of 5th and Chestnut where we spent 12 years before moving to our current home in The Bellevue. By this time, I had begun to cultivate mentors, supporters and professional friends, many through PPRA, in the little time I had after killing myself at the business and taking care of my growing family.

By the mid 90s, I started climbing my way up PPRA’s leadership ladder, first as a workshops chair, then membership chair, Gold Medal Award co-chair. I held most every post before my Presidency in 2004-2005 and Chairmanship in 2005-2006. I even led a team that overhauled our bylaws after I was Chair – how necessary, but not exactly the sexiest post! And I still continue to volunteer and lead programs.

As Simon PR’s business became more sophisticated and more stable, many PPRA relationships blossomed into business relationships. In truth, over the years, PPRA members have become wonderful friends of course, but also clients, staff, contractors, vendors and great, generous resources. One day I might even like to buy an agency owned by a fellow member. We hired a terrific new Account Executive this month and the fact that she is a PPRA member made her a stronger candidate than the people she outshined. These were never the reasons for belonging to PPRA, it’s just the way it evolved. And many PPRA members will tell you similar stories.

Just this week, I had lunch with one of my PPRA mentors. She’s recruiting me for a prestigious Philadelphia cultural board and advising me on a number of fronts. Tuesday was the Association’s trip to New York City where we had a once-in-a-lifetime, behind-the-scenes tour of the “CBS Evening News” and met with several high level PR pros, who are implementing innovative programs on a global and national stage. Today we have a workshop on social media, which is being led by two of our impressive young guns. It doesn’t get better than this!

But I guess nothing brings a lump to my throat and warms my heart more than having recently been invited to Sharla Feldscher’s 25th Anniversary celebration on the Moshulu. Finding oneself at the party of a competitor is more proof of the bond that forms among the members of PPRA. And Sharla and her business couldn’t be more impressive. She has accounts now that we used to handle. We have some that might have been hers. She’s referred business to us. We’re sharing an account. We used her daughter to assist us with a project and we’ve been friends and have worked with her first cousin, Marilyn Kleinberg, for more than 22 years. This is just one example. I couldn’t be more positive about PPRA and Philadelphia and what they have meant to Simon PR.

If you read this Blog and would like to celebrate Simon PR’s 19th Anniversary – the drink’s on me. Warning: You may have to withstand some passionate reminiscing with a look to the future. I couldn’t be more optimistic.

– Lisa Simon

Aloha Philadelphia: Rediscovering the mainland

2009-06-12T15:33:00.008-04:00

After residing for four years on Hawaii’s Big Island amidst palm trees, white sandy beaches and turquoise waters, Philadelphia seemed a daunting, peculiar place to move.

“Why?”

This was repeatedly the immediate response I received from friends, family and acquaintances. And to be honest, I wasn’t confident of an answer myself. A Havertown native, I was ready to return to my roots, right? I packed away my bathing suits and brought out my wool sweaters.

Then, after a long flight to the mainland and a 50-degree drop in temperature, I decided it was time to rediscover Philadelphia.

I spent the morning exploring Old City, where history seeps through the cracks in the cobblestone alleys, and revolutionary buildings whisper secrets of the past. This is where the Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution were created, where life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness were first encouraged. This is pretty amazing.

After tossing a penny on Benjamin Franklin’s grave at the Christ Church Burial Ground for good luck and examining the crack in the Liberty Bell out of curiosity, I walked the few short blocks to South Street.

Comprised of rows of eclectic shops, contemporary art galleries and cozy eateries, South Street radiates the same values that were cornerstones of the Declaration of Independence-- life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. To follow my own pursuit of happiness, my next stop was Jim’s Steaks for a long-awaited, authentic Philly cheese steak, ‘wiz wit’ of course.

While discovering new elements of Philadelphia, the old childhood memories returned-- rollerblading along West River Drive, climbing through the “Heart” at The Franklin and gazing in awe at Macy’s annual Holiday Light Show.

Instead of my purple jellies, I now donned black pumps, but I realized the City continues to hold the perpetual magic. From the Convention Center District with businessman and briefcases to Fairmont Park’s riverside trails and the Parkway’s public art, Philadelphia is truly a diverse city with a multitude of opportunities.

Home of the world champion Phillies and America’s first zoo, this is a city with charming historic homes and modern high-rises, quaint BYOBs and exciting nightlife, and where life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness are still encouraged.

That's more than enough to draw this native back home.

- by Meredith Wertz

A wave of nostalgia at historic Water Works

2009-06-04T12:29:00.006-04:00

I’m a sucker for history. Williamsburg, VA is my favorite place to visit (next to Philly of course), and I can easily get lost for hours in a good historical novel (Michener anyone?). So I fully expected that the Fairmount Water Works Interpretive Center would satisfy my thirst for nostalgia.

But what I didn’t expect is that this National Historic Landmark is all things Philadelphia—without the soft pretzels.

Inside is a marvel of invention and progress—from 1815 to today. Standing in the pump room next to a huge pipe, I marveled at the engineers who dreamed up technologies to pump water from the Schuylkill to a reservoir atop Faire Mount—where the Art Museum sits today.

Not to be outdone, today’s engineers have created the Fishway, a sort of underwater maze to guide fish upstream—with streaming live video at the Interpretive Center.

All of this technology is housed in a stately federal house on gorgeous grounds. It’s no wonder that this was an international tourist attraction in its heyday. What caught my fancy was a whimsical sculpture—a woman whose arm starts as water, and who seems to be presiding over the activity far below.

And there was plenty of it: a wedding party posing against the scenic backdrop, joggers, and a young teen fishing in solitude.

Art and architecture, technology and nature, tourists and neighbors—I loved finding the essence of Philadelphia in one place in two hours. And the best surprise—parking was plentiful, and free.

- by Beverly Volpe

Looking for answers? Look around Philly

2009-05-28T17:43:00.006-04:00

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

2009-05-20T17:21:00.003-04:00

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

2009-05-14T09:51:00.007-04:00

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

2009-05-08T12:46:00.008-04:00

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

2009-05-01T17:05:00.009-04:00

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.

One singular sensation in Philadelphia's City Hall

2009-04-22T18:05:00.008-04:00

Philadelphia City Councilwoman at-large Blondell Reynolds Brown is living proof that it's never to late to chase a dream, and there's always time left to make a difference.

Inspired as a young girl by the Lawrence Welk Show, the Philly born and bred spitfire didn't start taking dance lessons until she was 16, when she got a job at Geno's and could afford them on her own. A quick study with natural ability, she auditioned in college at Penn State and made the dance troupe there. That's no small feat considering most dancers have been taking instruction since they could walk. She turned down a chance to study abroad her senior year and performed with the school's jazz dance theater.

After graduation, Brown was considering the Peace Corps, but her mother convinced her to come back to Philly. A friend encouraged her to audition for Philadanco, the legendary Philadelphia dance company, and Brown spent the next eight years with a dance bag on her shoulder, traveling by subway to rehearsals and performances. Next came gut-check time: At a 1982 audition for a Broadway-themed show at an Atlantic City casino, Brown put on 3-inch heels to meet the 5-foot-6 requirement for dancers and was called back. She was selected to perform in the show, the shortest woman in the kickline -- but also the brightest -- and spent a year on stage in A.C.

She performed in Sunday matinees at 2 p.m., then slept underneath her dressing room table on a cement floor until it was time to prep for the 7 p.m. show. Still, she says "We were so happy."

After a year in the casino, Brown embarked on a 16-year career teaching dance at Philadanco. The only thing that took Brown away from her passion was a calling to public service. In 1999, she launched her campaign for City Council, and Brown, ever the late bloomer but always arriving in a big way, hasn't left City Hall since. She has earned a reputation as a leader in addressing issues facing children, public health, and arts and culture.

Brown still teaches dance, and is learning a little bit, too. She helps her 12 year-old daughter learn new routines, and Brown is proud to have recently perfected that new Beyonce dance that seems to mystify most who try it.

For Brown, natural ability has taken her only so far. Her fortitude to push forward and her passion for dance and helping people have allowed this Philly girl to rise to great heights despite jumping on the ladder late in the game. Brown has come a long way from that dressing room floor in Atlantic City, and aren't we all lucky she has?

Art in 30 Minutes at PAFA: Taken with Tooker

2009-04-17T11:49:00.003-04:00

Philadelphia’s best kept arts and culture secret is the 30 minute “loading zone” parking in front of the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts’ (PAFA) Hamilton building on Broad Street. You pull up, pop into the Portfolio Gift Shop to get your member button and then boom, you’re in the Hamilton Gallery. In 30 minutes, you’re back at the car and on with your weekend.

We were so blown away by “George Tooker: A Retrospective” we visited it twice, the day it opened, January 31 and the day before it closed, April 4. This was Tooker’s first museum retrospective in three decades.

I’m still haunted by Tooker’s take on America in the Cold War era, particularly his paintings of social protest. His facial expressions are so vivid and original, absolutely magnetic. But with the clock ticking you can’t let your self be transfixed. . .

Pictured above, “Landscape with Figures, (1965-1966)” is downright frightening, a sea of blank disturbing faces in office cubicles, showing “a dystopian society in which individualism is suppressed.”

How different our work life is at Simon PR in the posh Bellevue, with our Facebook pages up all day and our sunny yellow wall paint.

PAFA Curator of Modern Art Robert Cozzolino said, “Among the many reasons to look again at the hauntingly beautiful work of this quiet independent artist is the capacity his paintings have to reflect both the public and private aspects of humanity.”

With the sweetheart parking deal, there’s no reason not to enjoy this gem of Philadelphia. PAFA’s Hamilton Gallery is a welcome world class addition to our contemporary art scene and they’ve had one stellar exhibit after the other since they opened a few years ago. Have wheels but limited time, enjoy art in the City.

Culture blooms with Cherry Blossom Festival in Fairmount Park

2009-04-09T09:27:00.006-04:00

Regardless of the fluctuating weather we've been experiencing, spring is officially in the air and the Cherry Blossom trees are in full bloom, as evidenced by the thousands who attended Sakura Sunday at Fairmount Park on April 5.

Part of the Subaru Cherry Blossom Festival, hosted by the Japan America Society of Greater Philadelphia, this year's Sakura Sunday was the most successful ever as 40,000 people came to enjoy the wonderful foliage - double the number who attended last year. Kudos to Philly for having the fastest growing cherry blossom festival in the country! In addition to the gorgeous Cherry Blossom trees, attendees experienced a variety Japanese food, music and dance. From martial arts demonstrations to taiko drum performances to tea ceremonies, the day truly had something for everyone.

Philly's eagerness to embrace and enjoy so many different cultures is just another sign it is a world-class city.

Another Philadelphia championship? Why not 'Nova?

2009-04-01T17:50:00.004-04:00

For some of us it may have been way before our time; for others, it may be a faint memory as we crawled around the floor while our parents hooted and hollered; and others may have joined the revelers on Lancaster Avenue, rushing out of college parties or local watering holes in jubilation. But no matter where we were in the spring of 1985, most of us Philadelphians know that this was the year Villanova won the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament, put our city’s storied college basketball passion back on the map, and added one more sports championship to what some consider a short list. Nearly a quarter century later, the Wildcats have a chance to do it again.

As March Madness carries into April, this team of young hoopster phenoms will join the ranks of other Philadelphia sports teams that like to test our emotional limits. We’re a city that bleeds the color of whichever team we’re rooting for that season--whether it’s green, red, orange, or in this case, blue. We tint the lights on our skyscrapers; we dedicate a week’s, or month’s worth of Daily News covers; and we wait anxiously for another championship that, for at least one more season, will quiet the nay-sayers.

Sure, we all experienced a bit of ecstasy in October as our Boys of Summer triumphantly marched down Broad Street. But did that truly (to put in Philly terms) quench our thirst for victory or our hunger for conquest? Why settle for just one championship this year? Why not set our sights too high? At heart, we’re a city of winners, the longtime dark horse of the East Coast. So bring it home, 'Nova. Do it for a city of fans who continue to believe that we’re more than a one-hit wonder.

Saving a Playground, Lifting a Neighborhood

2009-03-25T09:46:00.012-04:00

Friday in Feltonville was perfectly Philadelphia--it snowed on the first day of spring, but the sun broke through to warm the day. In a working-class neighborhood that’s seen tough times, a world-class playground stood ready for 500 children who speak 27 different languages. And when a group of kids burst through a banner to celebrate with Mayor Nutter, it was as sweet as a Rocky knock-out punch: a moment of triumph, a reason for hope, a source of pride for a neighborhood needing a lift.

The hero behind the gleaming new playground at the Feltonville Recreation Center is Shire Pharmaceuticals. It’s a global biopharmaceutical company with major operations in Chester County. And in true hero fashion, Shire has defied the odds—casting its vision beyond its borders, responding to the Mayor’s call for regional cooperation, and going above and beyond, with an additional three-year $100,000 commitment to the City Department of Recreation.

“It’s a small corporation doing big things,” said City Recreation Commissioner Susan Slawson.

Cooperation, vision, celebration, hope—truly Philadelphia.

Photos by Gary Horn

Shire’s three-year $100,000 commitment to the City Department of Recreation will fund the opening of pools this summer.

City Department of Recreation Commissioner Susan Slawson says big companies should follow Shire’s lead.

Enthusiasm for Project Playground was contagious. City Year, a Philadelphia non-profit service organization refinished the iron fence that surrounds the facility.

Children from diverse backgrounds now have a place to come together through the common bond of play.

Welcome to Philly, P.I., where Philadelphia comes alive

2009-03-06T08:44:00.007-05:00

It wasn't difficult for us to settle on a concept for our new blog. Every day, the team at Simon Public Relations Group takes its perch on the 11th floor of the Bellevue on Broad Street, the heart of Philadelphia, along the Avenue of the Arts. It's an exciting place, where class meets grit and the pace rarely slows. We see a lot from our vantage point: the stars that shine on this city, the behind-the-scenes movers, and the trends before they emerge. The best part? We love what we see. Take, for example, the recently installed LED lights that make the Avenue of the Arts glow (photo by Jim Abbott for Center City District):

Of course, it's hard to miss such a breathtaking lighting display when it stares at you from across the street. But there are other, more subtle images and stories that are indicative of what makes Philadelphia a world-class city, and that's what we'll investigate and bring to you every week. We'd love to hear your ideas and suggestions, so please keep in touch.