MarkZwick.com

Friday happy hour email. Had to get my costume set for the weekend. For those still looking for plans tonight, check out www.philly2night.com for their weekend parties (Lucky Strikes tongiht, Finnigans tomorrow) and www.UpcomingEvents.com (Manayunk and McFaddens).

The Cubs got a new GM....think they will hire Ryne Sandberg as their new manager? Think we shoudl fire Charilie and bring in Ryne.....? Last week I mentioned McNabb in Oakland who I assume they could have gotten for free from the Vikings. Feedback was one sided.....that Donovan is washed up and useless.....

Great news for the city....finally working to make Philly a better place to do business. For those like me who pay Business Privilege Tax (BPT), Net Profits Tax (NPT), city wage, real estate tax, rental licenses, vacant lot licenses, extra trash fees, and so on - it is a big deal. It feels like the city has their hand out and in my wallet all the time.

And I have been following this idea from a distance but the idea really intrigues me. I wonder how it will play out. Stay off drugs or stay off of welfare. Why should people have both? I was at Rite Aid yesterday and a guy was paying with his food stamps. He has two piles. One for his welfare card and a second for his cigarettes which he has to pay for with cash. How is it possible that someone who tax payers pay for their food (and future health care) can legally buy cigarettes? Feel free to send me your thoughts on this one....

As always, I am happy to help you (or your friends/family) with any real estate needs you have. My broker was just awarded a Philly Biz Journal Award for the third year in a row: http://www.philadelphia100.com/ - MZ

Welcome to TASTE 2011’s Official Ticket & Information Site! You are invited to spend an evening sampling food and drinks from the city’s most delectable restaurants & top chefs. Enjoy a night created for all five senses! A portion of proceeds will benefit City of Hope and Philabundance, bringing more healthy foods to area schools and neighborhoods. (see below for intro video for City of Hope’s “”Let Them Eat Cake”” event - which is another great event by the way!) Photos From Last Year: http://www.upcomingevents.com/photos/331/ The Taste of Philly event was created in 2007 to accompany PW’s annual dining guide. The event was such a huge hit that it has now become one of the best and most anticipated culinary events in Philadelphia. This year’s event promises to be even bigger and better! Use discount code UCE5 to save $5 off EACH ticket purchased! Additional discounts are available for groups of 8 or more.

Join us for our next event on Wednesday November 16th at Public House from 6-9pm. Our last event was attended by over 200 professionals and we are expecting this event to be even larger. To view photos from Ladder 15 click the link in the right column.

At The Ultimate Networking Event you’ll meet CEO’s, Business Leaders and Decision makers from a variety of leading companies. You will learn and have opportunities to grow your business from some of the area’s top business networking professional’s.Real world networking is essential for you to build and create relationships. Having the skills to network effectively in today’s challenging business climate, is critical and could make the difference between thriving or losing to your competitors. Everyone who purchases a ticket in advance for the Union Trust Event will have the opportunity to win an iPad 2 being given away at the event!

Come learn how KIPP Philadelphia Schools is changing the odds and how you can help.

at the 23rd Street Armory for a host of exhibitions, events, seminars, rides—even a fashion show!

Representatives from over 70 bike shops and cycling organizations will be on hand to display their products and answer questions. In the meantime, stop and watch the fastest mechanic contest on Saturday afternoon, followed by a fashion show featuring the latest in cycling couture. If you’re feeling inspired to get pedaling, join in the Philly Urban Mountain Bike Tour, a 10 to 12 mile ride on both park trails and road departing from the Armory on Saturday at 1 p.m.

The event will also include lots of helpful seminars, whether you bike for fitness, leisure, or your commute. Both days deal with a mix of technical topics—like finding the right fit and testing frame strength—and practical issues like navigating safely through traffic and schlepping your bike on SEPTA. For the fitness junkies, Yoga for Cyclists will be held both afternoons at First Unitarian Church, and Blake Strasser from PA Environment Ride will lead a Sunday discussion on how to train for your next big ride. Check out prices and get your tickets here.

October 29, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., October 30, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., 22 South 23^rd Street. Ticket prices range from $7 to $20.

QUIET 1BR CONDO AVAILABLE FOR RENT AT THE CASTINGS - GREAT LOCATION IN OLD CITY - Small one bedroom unit (+/-650 sf) on the top floor of The Castings (136 N. Bread St., between 2nd/3rd/Arch/Race) available Nov. 1. Central AC/Heat, new windows, washer/dryer, extra storage in basement are among the many nice features of this apartment. Sorry bath lovers, there is a shower only - no tub. Please contact Marc for additional information at 917.640.6076 or marcschulder@gmail.com.

TIME: 7:00 - midnight
LOCATION: Please Touch Museum, Philadelphia, PA

What's New At This Year's Stars Ball?

The event also includes dinner, dancing, silent auction, carousel rides, photo booth, wine tasting and much more! Help us honor some extraordinary young people and make this a night they will never forget.
Haven't Gotten Your Tickets Yet ?
Tickets can be purchased here:
http://littlesmilespa.ticketleap.com/starsball2011
Sponsorships are also available. Click here for details.
Contact Kate at kpatterson@littlesmiles.org for additional information.

Join Philadelphia's premier restaurants and chefs for an evening of fabulous food and fun at the March of Dimes 15th Annual Signature Chefs Auction on Thursday, November 17th at 7pm. The event will be held at the Please Touch Museum for $150 per person and guests will have the opportunity to meet local chefs, savor their best dishes and bid on auction items. The auction will benefit and help prevent baby prematurity, infant mortality and birth defects. Please call 610-945-6050 or visit March of Dimes to reserve your ticket or for further information.

LOCATION: Wagner Free Institute of Science 1700 W. Montgomery Avenue Philadelphia, PA 19121

Come enjoy an amazing evening to remember at the St Christopher's Foundation for Children's 8th Annual Applefest (http://bit.ly/fq7SoM) on Thursday, November 10th. Event highlights include:

The 2011 Applefest will be held at Philadelphia's newest luxury hotel, the Le Meridien. Tickets are $75, and can be purchased online (at http://bit.ly/Eiir3), or at the door.

Come out to support Shored Up, a doc about Surfing, Sea Level Rise and Long Beach Island...and have a good time!

We're having a party at L'Etage to celebrate the last week of our Kickstarter campaign for Shored Up. For more info about the film, directed by Ben Kalina, check out this link:

It'll be a mingly, low-key event with folks from the environmental, film, and surfing communities where we'll show some footage from the film, local surf shorts and raffle off a couple of cool prizes. The evening is co-sponsored by PIFVA and the Surfrider Foundation who will both be on hand talking about the work of their great organizations.

Thursday, November 10, 6pm @ Christ Church Neighborhood House, 20 N. American Street

The First Person Festival starts with juicy tales from Philly's favorite storytellers at the Fall Grand Slam and Soiree. Winners from monthly StorySlams at World Cafe Live and L'Etage compete for the title of "Best Storyteller in Philadelphia," lifelong free Slam admission and publication in the Painted Bride Quarterly literary magazine.

Get the evening started at the Slam Soiree with drinks by Triumph Brewing Company and food from Philadelphia Bar Restaurant, plus live jazz. Part of the The First Person Festival of Memoir and Documentary Art.

(NBA) basketball team has new owners, and they are implementing new fan relations and marketing ideas to increase interest in the team. The new owners have significantly cut ticket prices and have set up a website, www.newsixersowner.com, where fans can share their thoughts about the team. The first 1,776 fans to submit comments will receive tickets to a future 76ers game. The ownership group promises to read each and every submitted comment. (http://tiny.cc/65ffd)

Please join us at the 16^th Anniversary Stars for Stroke Gala and Silent Auction taking place on Saturday, November 12^th at 6:30 P.M. at the Hilton Philadelphia City Avenue Hotel located at 4200 City Avenue, Philadelphia, PA. If you would like further information about the event or are interested in purchasing tickets please call 215-772-9040 or email admin@phillystroke.org.

This year the Delaware Valley Stroke Council will be honoring those community members who have made a difference in promoting optimal stroke care over the past sixteen years. The event will be hosted by Shirleen Allicot of 6abc – Action News. All funds raised will remain in the Delaware Valley to sustain its programs that help reduce the incidence and impact of stroke, the number one adult disability in this country.

Since establishing in 1995, the Delaware Valley Stroke Council’s mission is to help reduce the incidence and impact of strokes by educating and communicating to the public how to reduce stroke risk and recognize stroke symptoms, as well as act as advocates for the patient and family during this trying time, throughout Southeastern Pennsylvania, Southern New Jersey and Delaware.

Due to the severe weather expected tomorrow, the Mutt Strut has been postponed until SUNDAY, November 6. This was a tough decision to make, and we apologize for any inconvenience it may cause, but we felt it was necessary for everyone's health and safety. We hope you can still join us on the 6th.

We know that many of you were ready to brave the weather - Mutt Strutters are a dedicated bunch! In previous years, we didn't let the rain stop us: the first three Mutt Struts were held in less-than-perfect weather, and we all had a wonderful, muddy time together. This time, however, the forecast calls for high winds and freezing temperatures that will pose a legitimate safety risk, so we felt it was in everyone's best interest to postpone.

We are so grateful to you for being a part of the Mutt Strut, and we can't wait to see you on Sunday, November 6 to celebrate our incredible lifesaving community! We've got a great event planned, with fun activities, entertainment, and tasty treats for humans and mutts alike.

Registration will remain open at www.pawsmuttstrut.org until November 5, and you can continue to collect donations through your personal fundraising pages. (If you haven't yet reached your fundraising goal, now there's time!)

5th Annual PAWS Mutt Strut:
Sunday, November 6 in FDR Park
Check-in opens at 9 a.m., start strutting at 11 a.m.!

20) UNIVERSITY OF DELAWARE Philadelphia Alumni Club Happy Hour
Thursday, November 3, 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Bourbon Blue (2 Rector Street, Philadelphia, PA)
Join our local young alumni for networking and conversation over a few drinks in downtown Manayunk. Specials include discounted drinks and free food. Ask for the “University of Delaware” section when you arrive. This event is free but please register for planning purposes.
Register now for this event

Dock Street Brewing Company, 701 South 50th Street
Honey and beer = the perfect pair! Join Youcie for a special happy hour at Dock Street Brewing Company and discover the flavors of local honey and beer together! Enjoy $4 house brews from 5pm to 7pm and $2.50 appetizer bites from 5pm to 6pm. After the happy hour we'll take an exclusive tour of Dock Street and taste their brews along with Milk and Honey's Urban Apiaries honey.