Two weeks in a row.....Philles are killing me.....Flyers thought they already won the cup after round 1, and the 76ers now think they did something although the team they beat was not a playoff team with the reigning MVP and all start forward on the sidelines....

Mortgage rates are historically low for the 2nd week in a row....  Here is a link to my newest purchase (1409 S 19th Street).

For those still thinking about the Preakness next weekend, there are a few spots left on the third and final bus if interested.

Summer is approaching....enjoy the nice spring weather. - Mark

SPONSOR :: Philadelphia Vino Voyage!

May 20th on the Ben Franklin Yacht from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
The warm breezes of Spring have arrived and Summer is just around the corner. Take advantage of the beautiful weather while it’s still here with a FABULOUS Sunday afternoon cruise on the Delaware River on
Your trip includes:
- Complimentary mimosas upon arrival
- 2 1/2 Hour cruise with breathtaking views of the Philadelphia bridges & skyline
- A variety of domestic & imported cheeses, fruits, crudite & chef inspired hors’d’ouvres
- Wines hand selected by PinotBoutique as the top picks for Summer 2012
  -Comlimentary Sparkling Wine from Gruet Winery, located in Albuquerque, NM
-Complimentary cocktails from Karlsson's Gold Vodka
-Complimentary beer from Triumph Brewing Company
As an added bonus, consider enhancing your cruise experience with intimate and informative wine seminars featuring PinotBoutique’s top wine educator’s:
- Develop Your Wine IQ (Versions A and B) - Hosted by Jeff Carroll
Take the mystery of wine. Explore how wine is made, where it is made and taste a variety of options. This class teaches it all!
- First Sips (Wine Varietals & Wine Regions) – Hosted by Dolores Peralta
Lover of Chardonnay? Or Italian wines? Step out of your comfort zone and explore wines of others varietals or regions. Let Pinot be your tour guide!
- Bubblicious! - Hosted by Joseph Niesley
Time to get bubbly! Sparkling wine is not just for New Years Eve and weddings anymore. They can be fantastic aperitifs, they pair easily with many foods, and yes, they are always fun when celebrating. Learn about various types of sparkling wines in this seminar hosted by Gruet expert, Joseph Niesley.
*Each session is 30 minutes and costs just $10 (in addition to cruise ticket). *A package of 3 different seminars may be purchased for just $25.

The cost of this event is $69/person. Tickets must be purchased in advance. Capacity is limited. The yacht is fully covered, air conditioned and heated, so cruising is wonderful in any kind of weather!
SPONSOR :: Philadelphia Vino Voyage!

1)  The Ultimate Networking Event Live at The Deck

Don't Miss Your Chance To Take Part In Philly's #1 B2B Networking Event5 Reasons Why You Should Attend!
Over...
70 Events Succuessfully Hosted.....75 New Businesses Have Been Launched....5,000 Business Professionals Have Attended....100,000 New B2B Relationships Have Been Created .....$12 Million In New Business Has Been Generated

Join In On The Excitement Of The Most Successful B2B Networking Event In The Philly/Delaware/New Jersey Region.
Our Last Event Sold Out, This Event Is Sure To Sell Out!

Date: Tuesday, May 15, 2012 at 6:00 PM (ET)
Location: The Deck at Harbor Pointe, 101 Taylor Ave, Essington, PA 19029

Can you attend? Respond Here

For more information, click here.

2)  ARTICLES

A) Vanity Fair on The Barnes Museum

B) Free noon concerts announced for Center City

C) Cycling championship shortens route, adds amateur race -

D) The American Lung Association named Philly the 10th most polluted city in America. Can anyone find a silver lining here? READ MORE

3)  Preakness Horse Race Bus Trip - All Day Concert & Festival!

Full Event Details & Discounted Parking Info: http://www.upcomingevents.com/event/9797/

A great action-packed, fun day bus trip here everyone! Everything is included for one low price. Go to the 137^th Preakness Stakes horse race just outside of Baltimore and have a blast sunning yourself, beverage in hand, all day long while watching the horse races and listening to live music from multiple national acts (Maroon 5 and more!) and Philly’s Own - Mr. Greengenes! Over the years, over 750 people traveled with us on this trip - do not miss out, this is a fun one! 3 Buses Heading Down - Get on! Get all the details below - there’s a TON included! Use discount code UCE10 to save a few bucks on us.

4) THE GRAND OPENING OF SISTER CITIES PARK
LOGAN SQUARE, 18TH ST & THE BENJAMIN FRANKLIN PARKWAY

SATURDAY, MAY 12 FROM 11AM - 2PM
Be part of the fun as we kick off the summer with the grand opening celebration of Sister Cities Park. The day will be filled with family-friendly activities and entertainment with the opportunity to explore the new Children's Discovery Garden, boat pond and other park amenities. Event will go on rain or shine.

THIS EVENT IS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH "LOVE YOUR PARK WEEK"
Love Your Park Week, May 12-19, is a citywide celebration of Philadelphia's diverse parks featuring eight days of service projects, fun events, educational programs, family activities, tours and more- at over 100 parks throughout Philadelphia. For more information, visit LoveYourPark.org.

215.440.5500 | WWW.SISTERCITIESPARK.ORG

5)  Devon Horse Show

May 24th - June 3rd

6) Susquehanna Bank Center Upcoming Show Calendar

7)  KAYAKS AND SWAN BOATS IN THE PENN’S LANDING MARINA

“Paddle Penn’s Landing” is making a splash as it returns for the 2012 season. The Pennsylvania Environmental Council (PEC) and the Delaware River Waterfront Corporation (DRWC) are partnering to bring back the popular “Paddle Penn’s Landing” program, which features kayaks and foot-pedaled swan boats. Beginning Saturday, May 19, outdoor enthusiasts, families and kayakers of all levels can rent boats and enjoy the river in a safe and supervised environment.  The program will be operated on-site by Hidden River Outfitters, Philadelphia’s premier kayak outfitting company.

The “Paddle Penn’s Landing” program is open to the public on Saturdays and Sundays from noon - 8:00 p.m. The kayaks and swan boats launch from the Penn’s Landing Marina, just south of the Independence Seaport Museum and Ferry Dock, where the water is calm and where boaters will be far removed from the boat traffic of the Delaware River.

The kayaking program is available for experienced and first-time paddlers, however, participants must be 12 years of age or older. Kayak rental is $8 per person and includes a 10-minute overview introduction to the sport, as well as instruction on basic strokes, safety tips and supervision while on the water. Eight solo kayaks and three two-person kayaks are available for rent. 

The pedal swan boats also cost $5 per person and are ideal for families with children under the age of 12, or for boaters who would like to leisurely experience the Delaware River and enjoy the great views. The 12 swan boats available for rent are easily powered by foot pedals and can seat two people and a small child. All kayak and swan boat participants will be required to wear life jackets.

For more information on “Paddle Penn’s Landing,” please visit www.delawareriverevents.com .

8) Adopt a Running Buddy With The Monster Milers

The Monster Milers founder Carrie Maria was profiled last week in the Inquirer as a second-year Broad Street Runner and inspiration for shelter dog running programs across the country. The volunteer organization, which pairs runners with shelter dogs, is offering new volunteer orientations in May. 

Upcoming orientations will be held at PAWS Wellness Clinic, Grays Ferry, May 24, 5:20 -7 p.m. and Street Tails Animal Rescue Adoption Center, Northern Liberties, May 31, 5:20-7 p.m.  

The Monster Milers also will be hosting two Adopt a Running Buddy Events this month; at the base of the multiuse Schuylkill River Trail on May 20 and at the ODDyssey Half Marathon May 26. The Milers will have adoptable dogs and answer questions about running with dogs, the importance of adoption, and how to get involved with the organization. Learn more about the Monster Milers online.

9)  Vivant Art Collection & The African American Museum in Philadelphia
for an Intimate Conversation, Book Signing, and Philadelphia Art Tour w/ DANNY SIMMONS
Artist, Poet, Writer, Producer, Art Collector, Curator, Philanthropist, & Advocate
 
Tuesday, May 22, 2012 | 6PM – 9PM
Vivant Art Collection | 60 North Second St Philadelphia | http://www.vivantartcollection.com/
Conversation on “The Role of an Artist, Collector, and Institution in the Urban Art Community - Guest Speaker Danny Simmons, Lead by Florcy Morisset
 
Wednesday, May 23, 2012 | 6PM – 9PM
African American Museum in Philadelphia | 701 Arch St Philadelphia | http://aampmuseum.org/
Book Reading & Signing of “Deep in Your Best Reflection” Poems in 160 Characters -  Written by  Danny Simmons

* Special Presentation by Spoken Soul 215 *
 
Free & Open to the Public - RSVP REQUIRED
http://dannysimmonsphilly.eventbrite.com/

10) SUMMER INTRAMURALS

A) http://www.philadelphiasportsnetwork.com/upcoming-pick-up-leagues/

B) http://www.manayunksportandsocial.com/Upcoming_Leagues.htm

11)  American Craft Beer Week  
Drink Philly's American Craft Beer Week -- From May 14 to 20, we'll be serving $3 pints of American craft beers on a rotating basis, including Yards, Flying Fish and McGillin's Ale & Lager by Stoudt.

12) 9th Annual Art Star Craft Bazaar

Mother’s Day Weekend, May 12^th & 13^th, 11-6pm
@ Penn’s Landing Great Plaza (on Columbus Blvd between Walnut & Chestnut Streets)  Free to Attend, RAIN OR SHINE

13)  ROOFTOP PARTY ON THE SKY DECK AT 777

Wednesday, May 16
5:30-8pm
(Rain Date: Tuesday, May 22)

Complimentary Hors D' Oeuvres by Tashan
Complimentary Cocktails
Fashion Display by Showroom 77

Take in the beautiful sunset while shopping on 777's majestic Sky Deck.  Enjoy exclusive shopping as Showroom 77 Presents The Must Paris Collection of Lebanon, The Sylvan's Collection, and more!

Kindly RSVP at RSVP@JessicaScottLLC.com

14) 2012 Rittenhouse Row Spring Festival

Saturday, May 19th from 12-5PM on Walnut Street.

15)  CELEBRATE THE DELAWARE RIVER
DELAWARE RIVER DAY AT PENN’S LANDING

Memorial Day Weekend not only marks the official start of summer, but is traditionally when hundreds of boaters in the Philadelphia region put their vessels in the water.  So in preparation for the start of boating season, Delaware River Day will be held on Saturday, May 19 from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. and is the perfect way to kick off the summer season! Produced by the Delaware River Waterfront Corporation, Delaware River Day encourages conscientious boating practices, stresses the importance of marine safety measures and encourages waterway preservation along the Delaware River. Delaware River day takes place during National Safe Boating Week, May 19-25.  www.delawareriverevents.com.  

16) RADNOR HUNT

Celebrate the 82^nd Anniversary of the Radnor Hunt Races on Saturday, May 19 with a day of tailgating, charity, and horse races. The grounds open at 10 AM, and the first of six hurdle-packed races kicks off at 1:30 PM. Attendees help play a part in the "race for open space," as all proceeds benefit the land and water preservation programs of the Brandywine Conservancy. Tailgate picnic spots are available for $100 to $500 per car, or $50 per car that is not tailgating. All tickets are advance sale only. For more information or to purchase tickets, please click here.

17) 10th Annual Yoga on the Steps

Sunday, 5/20

18) EAGLES NATIONAL ANTHEM TRY OUTS

Sunday, 5/13/12