Eagles are alive....let's see what happens against Chicago.  I will be at the game on Monday night tailgating so if in the area, let me know.  For those looking for a tailgate, Green Legion has an open bar/food event at McFaddens.  Email them to see if they have room available if interested.  http://www.greenlegion.com/index.php.  They also have a big upcoming trip to Miami for the Eagles in December.  BTW, for those who use FDR Park on Eagle game days, be forewarned that they are now charging

This week, attended the annual Philly Weekly Taste event.  Good food, drink, and food.  Always recommended.  Went to the gun range for the first time last week - took an hour lesson on safety and gun use - highly recommend for any gun newbies.  Also, made it last night to my first Flyers game of the year.  The girls that clean the ice in between stoppage on the ices - some new outfits this year.... 

For anyone that has ever been in a situation where a policeman has lied about what really happened, this is the ultimate story.  I wonder how many people are actually surprised that a policeman would lie in court.

And this story was interesting as I am one of those people that eats while food shopping.

Last week I mentioned some potential legislation that the city was considering to lower costs to get small businesses of the ground.  Happy to report the bill passed this week.

Many of us are aware that Bank of America was going to charge for debit cards.  I told people to simply change banks as we all have options.  So....BoA decides to not move forward with their plan - the free market worked.  And TD then announces: TD Bank says no to monthly debit-card fees.  But then I read this info yesterday showing TD charges.

Other good things happening - New museum coming to old city and Roger Waters is coming to Philly.  The Waters show was the best one I saw last year.

Also, for those in Delaware County....a reader of this newsletter is running for judge and asked that I let you know:  http://lawrencedemarcoforjudge.com/

Lastly, interest rates are incredibly low if you need to refinance or are looking to purchase a home.  With these rates, owning can be cheaper than renting. 30-Year Fixed-Rate Mortgage Averages 4.00 Percent.  If you need a good mortgage person to speak to or want any help buying or selling a home, please let me know.... - Mark

SPONSOR: 2012 Parkette Calendar Launch Event

Fri Nov 18, 10:00 pm – 2:00 am

@ 360 Club @ Parx Casino,2999 Street Road, Bensalem, PA 19020

Please join the whole philly2night crew as we celebrate the official 2012 Parkette Calendar Launch & Date Auction Party. Here's what you can expect…the party starts at 10:00PM at 360 nightclub, with DJ Vito G & Maria Laina hosting. The first 50 people to sign-up on the philly2night list will receive a complimentary calendar at the door. At 10:30PM we will have a special calendar showcase and you can win a hot date with a super hot parkette! Proceeds from the date auction will benefit Susan G. Komen.

SPONSOR: 2012 Parkette Calendar Launch Event   

1) FREE SUNDAY CONCERT

Sunday, November 6, 2011
Concert: Music from Three Centuries
What kind of music do elephants like the best? Join the adventurous new music group counter)induction for a free-wheeling, family-friendly musical tour from the 18th century to tomorrow. Part re-enactment of a 1798 concert held for two Asian elephants, part cutting-edge electro-acoustic happening with music by Philadelphia composer Kyle Bartlett, and part anatomy lesson, this program will be 100% pure pachyderm fun.

2) LITTLE SMILES BALL

On Saturday, November 12, 2011 at 7:00 pm, Little Smiles Philadelphia and Susquehanna Bank will be hosting a black-tie (optional) gala at the Please Touch Museum at Memorial Hall in Fairmount Park. The proceeds from the event, silent and live auctions will benefit Little Smiles Philadelphia. Little Smiles Philadelphia is a 501c3 non profit which strives to put smiles on the faces of children who reside in hospitals, hospices, and shelters in the Philadelphia region. STARS are chronically and terminally ill children from the Philadelphia region

http://www.littlesmiles.org/v2/events/event_details.php?myevent=20110719193954

3)  LOVE Your Park

On Saturday, November 5, please join Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, Greater Philadelphia Cares and more than 2,000 volunteers for LOVE Your Park Day in neighborhood parks throughout Philadelphia. Volunteer activities will focus on leaf collection and composting. As always, we have great partners for this citywide event - Philadelphia Parks and Recreation, Fairmount Park Conservancy and the dozens of park friend groups who love their park all year long.

One special project is happening at McPherson Square. Impact Services will lead a cleanup from 10am to 12pm and would love your help! To join the crew at McPherson, please contact Awilda Ocasio at 215-739-1600.

If you would like to learn more about Love Your Park and see what other sites are participating, please visit: http://www.pennhort.net/lypvolunteers.

4) DALE CARNEGIE QUOTES

     "You can make more friends in two months by becoming interested in other people than you can in two years by trying to get people interested in you." - Dale Carnegie

     "Success is getting what you want.   Happiness is wanting what you get." Dale Carnegie

5) The Power Shift 2nd Annual Leadership Gala 

November 22nd

6) Craft Show

November 10-13
Philadelphia Museum of Art
Pennsylvania Convention Center, 12th and Arch Streets, PhilaMuseum.org

7)  Veterans Day Celebration

November 11
National Constitution Center, 525 Arch Street, 215.409.6600, ConstitutionCenter.org

8) Eagles Serving Steaks for a Cause

Philadelphia Eagles tight end Brent Celek will host his 2nd Annual Celebrity Server Night at Morton's The Steakhouse on November 14. The event will feature Celek and 15-20 of his teammates, serving up delicious steaks, with ticket proceeds benefitting sick children in the Philadelphia region through Brent Celek's Take Flight Foundation. The evening will begin with a special reception and silent auction at 7pm and continue with dinner and live auction at 8pm. Tickets are $250 per person (inclusive of tax and gratuity) and include four courses of Morton's The Steakhouse signature cuisine, fine wine and the auction, as well as valet parking.
Morton's The Steakhouse, 1411 Walnut Street, 215.557.0724, Mortons.com/philadelphia

 9) volunteer for the Philadelphia Marathon 

 Saturday, November 19th - Sunday, November 20th!

Be part of the action at this world-class race!  Register today to be among more than 3000 volunteers on hand to support this great Philadelphia event. 

All volunteers will receive a free 2011 Marathon sweat shirt or tee!

Register to volunteer as an individual or a group, please follow this link:  www.philadelphiamarathon.com/register-to-volunteer

10) Asian American Film Festival

Nov. 2-8, $8, various times and locations.   The fourth annual Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival is bigger than ever.  phillyasianfilmfest.org

11) Mr. Gay USA

Mr. Gay USA Competition! The US National Mr. Gay pageant is coming to Philadelphia! Be front row as the country's finest "out" men compete for the votes of celebrity judges and a chance to represent the US at the International Mr. Gay competition! Competition starts Friday, November 18th with OffTo.com Welcome Party and 1st Round of Q & A Time: 8:00 - 10:00 p.m. Hosted by Brittany Lynn - TruTV's Scott Nevins and NY Ink's Robear! Event includes a 8:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Smirnoff Open Bar & Hors D'oeuvres at Woody's - 202 S. 13th Street - Philadelphia Saturday, November 19th -...

12) PUMPKIN TOSSING CHAMPIONSHIP

http://www.punkinchunkin.com/

13) PHILLY RANDOM INFO

A) Dinosaur exhibit arriving soon in Phila.: A bunch of dinosaurs are headed for Philadelphia

B) Adult entertainment convention returns to NJ town

C) Thursday, November 10:  Hosted by the chief astrologer at The Franklin Institute, come explore the skies on the second Thursday of every month during Night Skies at the Observatory. Explore stars, planets and maybe even a galaxy as you enjoy the guest lectures and lessons offered each session.

D) A Park In The Sky: Reading Viaduct Project Design Study Now Underway

14) OPEN MIC NIGHT

Tuesday, November 8:
Helium Comedy Club's open mic night features amateurs and professionals from the tri-state area.

15) ELECTION DAY

This Tuesday, November 8th is Election Day in Philadelphia. Polls will be open from 7 am to 8 pm. Please take a few minutes out of your busy day to get out and vote.

After you vote, please come out and join us for our Election Night Victory Celebration beginning at 7:30 pm Tuesday evening in the Warwick Hotel Ballroom at 17th and Locust Streets.

If you're on Facebook, click here to visit the event page for our Election Night Celebration and invite your friends to join you.
I hope to see you at the polls and then at our party Tuesday night!
Sincerely,
Michael Nutter
Mayor, City of Philadelphia
P.S. - If you're not sure where to vote Tuesday, you can click here to find your polling place.

16) Longwood Gardens Chrysanthemum Festival

An annual favorite, the Chrysanthemum Festival at Longwood Gardens features more than 20,000 chrysanthemums. Longwood’s experts use the beautiful blooms to create cascades of color throughout the four-acre Conservatory. And of course, outdoors you have the unbelievable colors of autumn everywhere you look. (Through November 20)

17)Branding Your Company Through Social Media, Hosted by Jenna Communications

The team at Jenna Communications as well as Philadelphia lawyer Frank X. Taney Jr. are putting together a social media class that will take place over a four-week period.

The classes will all take place from 6:30 P.M.-8:30 P.M., starting on Wednesday, November 9.  The classes will continue on Wednesday, November 23; Thursday, December 1 and Thursday, December 8. It will take place on the 32nd floor of Two Liberty Place on 16th Street between Market and Chestnut Street.

The four classes will include topics on learning the basics of social media and email marketing, boosting your fan page, using social media to brand your company as well as to increase business and the ethical side of using social media. The package will cost $80 per person for all four classes.

Those who are interested in attending, but can't make it to all four classes will receive information from the classes that they missed.

Seating is limited and pre-registration is required so don't miss out, register now!

18) Join Black Pearl Chamber Orchestra this Saturday!

On November 5th, the BPCO heats up the Fall with three amazing works inspired by dance at the Philadelphia Cathedral in University City. The concert opens with Sibelius' Valse Triste and continues with Argentine composer Astor Piazzolla's sultry tango-inspired Four Seasons of Buenos Aires featuring Venezuelan violinist and BPCO co-concertmaster, Luigi Mazzocchi, as soloist. The concert closes with the heart-pounding rhythms of Beethoven's dynamic Symphony No. 7.

After the concert, show off your most elegant denim and smoothest pearl bling over cocktails and hors d'oeuvres at MidAtlantic Restaurant on 38th and Market Streets, just blocks away from the venue. All proceeds from our Denim and Pearls Gala Reception benefit the BPCO's educational and outreach activities in diverse Philadelphia communities. Bring friends and receive the discounted group rate!

$100 Premium General Admission Ticket and Gala Reception
$35 Premium General Admission Ticket
$25 General Admission Ticket
$10 Student/Senior Citizen Ticket

Season Opening Concert
November 5th, 2011, 7:30pm
Philadelphia Episcopal Cathedral
3723 Chestnut St | Philadelphia, PA 19104

To purchase tickets call (215) 717-7103 or email tickets@blackpearlco.org
Questions? Contact Julia Rubio, Executive Director. (215) 717-7103 or julia@blackpearlco.org

20) Raven Society Bookswap Nov. 10

As a reminder, the next 2nd Thursday event is happening one week from today on November 10: 

Raven Society Swap and Sip Bookswap

Thursday, November 10 

6:00 p.m.

Fergie's Pub, 1214 Sansom Street

Bring a book, take a book. Join us on the second Thursday of November to receive generous drink specials and pick up a great new book (or more!) for a low price and a great cause. We ask that all attendees please support the Library with a $5 donation, and be sure to bring at least one book if you would like to participate in the bookswap.  

RSVP to raven@freelibrary.org or to the event posted on the new Raven Society Facebook page.  

21) New section of Schuylkill River Trail opens

Helping complete one of the many priority gaps on the Schuylkill River Trail in Chester County, officials unveiled a 5.6 mile section in Spring City that will eventually connect the multi-use trail with the rest of the region. The opening of the Spring City portion of the trail was hailed as a significant accomplishment because it will spur economic growth for the borough. Times Herald; 10/27/2011

22) Pro Tennis Classic in South Jersey

Friday, November 11, 2011 @ Cherry Hill Health & Racquet Club

View Event Details » http://www.cherryhilltennis.com

A two day FUN family event! Play with former #4 in the world Todd Martin! Adult and Junior tickets available! Games, activities, food, prizes and more! VIP Party on Friday night with the Pros and special celebrity guests including Philadelphia Eagle Brent Celek, ESPN's Sal Paolantonio and more!

23)PRIVATE BEER TASTING

City Tap House invites you to sip in style. Sixpoint Craft Ales will host a Tap Takeover in our Private Tasting Room on 11.11.11 and will feature rarities like Sixpoint Autumnation & Triple Sweet Action. The fun includes music by Sixpoint’s own, DJ Jersey Dan, and starts at 9pm. For more information, contact Jessica at jmcgarvey@publichouseusa.com today!

24) Young Professional Networking Event at The Arden

http://www.philadelphiaweekly.com/mailings/3971698.html

25) SEMINAR : LABOR AND EMPLIYMENT ISSUES

You are invited to join fellow Philadelphia-area business leaders for "Avoiding FLSA Problems," on November 15th at the Four Seasons Philadelphia.

This complimentary session of Offit Kurman's Labor & Employment Breakfast Series, “Avoiding FLSA Problems,” will cover wage and hour, as well as other topics that pose great risk and expense for businesses as they attempt to deal with the complicated land mines that are covered by the Fair Labor Standards Act.  PA/NJ CLE as well as HRCI credit will be available. 

Don't miss this informative program.

Agenda:  7:30 AM – 8 AM: Check in and breakfast   8 AM – 9:45 AM:  Presentation  9:45 AM – 10 AM:  Q&A

Topics to be Addressed:

White collar exemptions in all their complexity; Compensatory time confusion; Docking rules and what can go wrong; On-call obligations; Travel time issues; Use of interns; Training time; Recordkeeping issues; Minimum wage issues including tips and commission-only employees; Independent contractor issues; Threat of class-based and collective actions under the FLSA;

Presented By:   Julius Steiner, Esq. and Howard Kurman, Esq. (Julius Steiner and Howard Kurman bring their combined 70 years of experience as lead Labor & Employment Counsel representing companies of all sizes throughout the United States.)

Who Should Attend:  Business Owners, In-House Counsel, C-Level Executives, Directors, and Managers who are responsible for labor and employment issues within their organization.

To Register:   To register or learn more about this seminar, please visit: http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?llr=5ehelrcab&oeidk=a07e4xxu589372ef77d  or contact Bernie Clark at (267) 338-1356 or bclark@offitkurman.com.

26) ENTREPRENEUR FORUM