MarkZwick.com

Fall and spring are great times to be living in town. So many good events going on each weekend and during the week. Tomorrow is the Midtown Fall festival for those that like outdoor day drinking. Next Saturday is Blocktoberfest which is more outdoor day drinking. This past Saturday we had a great Oktoberfest at Xfinity with 1200 people. Last night was a great Night Market in Chinatown And of course we have outdoor day drinking every Eagles home game. And I am sure there is more to do in town than drink but it does seem like a national past time going back to the days of Ben Franklin. Here are two of his many quotes: “In wine there is wisdom, in beer there is Freedom, in water there is bacteria.” and "Beer is living proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy."

Speaking of booze, I want to congratulate and best wishes to a good friend, Jay Willard, for his opening tonight of Growlers (the old Vesuvio's at 8th and Fitzwater). He has been getting some good press on the place and I am confident it will work out well for him. http://www.facebook.com/growlersbar. And speaking of new bars, did you know we now have a large outdoor 11th floor roof deck to enjoy?

I also want to congratulate a person who is responsible for me ending up in Philly, David Cooper. His latest project with Red Box will hopefully make ticket purchasing a whole lot easier and cheaper.

Had my first 3D TV experience this past week. Was cool for the Animal Planet type stuff. Bet it could be enjoyable for sports too. Just looked up the prices and they are not too bad.

Now on to Philly sports. Two games in a row I walked out in amazement of our win. It has been a while since we have had some great home games to smile at. Eagles special teams coverage killed us.....they released Brian Rolle to try and fix it. Great to see a balanced offense (36 runs 30 passes) but it amazes me we can not run power football at the goal line - always having to run towards the corners. And the idea of icing a kicker by giving him a warm up kick.....just do not get it. The Brian Dawkins portion was great too - running out on the field and then his half time speech - great Eagles moments. BTW, notice how few sacks there were for either team?

Phillies....no red October this year...but reading this about our 1929 Philadelphia A's made me think we should be rooting for Oakland this post season.

The mountains in Colorado and Utah are getting their first snow falls. So, for those who are looking forward to ski season, I thought I would share a video that was passed along to me this week. Some ski trips for you to consider to Vermont, Austria, and Colorado this year. Will send out more information in the coming weeks.

If you did not watch the first Presidential debate and plan to vote....maybe you should? Click here to watch.

1) Philadelphia Food on TV
Check out celebrity chef Chuck Hughes' new show on The Cooking Channel, Chuck's Eat the Street. In the premiere, on October 9 at 8:30pm, Hughes visits Philadelphia, stopping at Square Peg, Marabella Meatball Co., Zahav and Capogiro. The Cooking Channel, CookingChannelTV.com

It takes a special kind of person to become a Philadelphia Police Officer and meet the challenges of doing an incredibly tough job well. If you think you are up to the task, applications are now being accepted. All police officer recruits receive high-quality classroom instruction and hands-on training at the academy. The position offers paid medical, prescription, dental, legal and life insurance plans. For more information, visit www.phila.gov/personnel or call 215-683-COPS. The last day to apply is November 9, 2012

4) Free Meter Parking In Center and Old City

The Philadelphia Parking Authority (PPA) is offering free meter parking in:

Learn more at http://philapark.org/2012/03/free-meter-parking-on-wednedays/.

Join us for our next event on Tuesday October 9th at Brauhaus Schmitz from 6-9pm. We will not have a November event but will return in December. This will be a great venue to network and celebrate Octoberfest. Help us spread the word by using the Refer a Colleague link in the right column.

Tuesday October 9th, 6-9pm 718 South St., Philadelphia, PA 19147

When :: Friday, October 19 7:00-10:00pm

Where :: PHS Warehouse at the Navy Yard, 5201 South 13th Street, Building 611, Philadelphia, PA 19122

What :: PHeaSt is a new fundraising event that pairs Philadelphia's exceptional culinary and garden personalities to benefit the PHS City Harvest program

PHeaSt brings together the talents of the region's top chefs, including luminaries like Marc Vetri, Jon Cichon, Aimee Olexy, and more than 20 others - all in a casual, festive atmosphere unlike any event Philadelphia has seen. The evening promises to be a fantastic celebration of locally grown, farm-fresh food in a truly unique setting. So put on your boots, sweater, and scarf and enjoy live entertainment, outdoor fire pits, and more at this seasonal fete you won't soon forget!

Tickets are $150; VIP tickets are $30. Purchase online or call 215-988-8894

Sponsorship opportunities also available. lick here for more information.

All proceeds support the PHS City Harvest program, which grows fresh produce to feed more than 1,000 families in need each week. We hope we can count on you to join us for this fun, festive event that supports such important work. www.phsonline.org

Calling All Soccer Fans! Grab your friends & join us as we bus it to PPL park to see Philly's own soccer team - the Philadelphia Union - run all over a new opponent for each and every weekend home game. The Fado Express will run from Fado Irish Pub (15th and Locust St) to PPL Park. Bus will return to Fado immediately following each game.

The fee for the bus is $20. Everyone will be offered $7 Rattle Rita drinks made with the Union's official tequila sponsor El Jimador along with Palm beer specials at Fado before and after each game (get there early, stay late). PLUS, Palm beer on the bus and a sweet tailgate with hoagies and snacks when we get to PPL park. WHAT A DEAL! See you on the bus - Please Enjoy Yourself Responsibly.

Philadelphia's Love Park needs some love from its residents. A recent article by the Inquirer called out the park for its unkempt appearance. It's time to do something about this and restore Love Park to a condition the city can be proud of! A Flash Clean-Up will take place in Love Park on Monday October 8th at 5:30 pm. The cleaning supplies will be paid for by CleanItSupply.com. We need Philadelphia residents to show up in droves to do the actual cleaning! More info about the event is here. After the clean-up, participants are invited to nearby Tir Na Nog for a free beer or drink on CleanItSupply.com! We hope to see you there on October 8th!

Sat., Oct. 6
Spend the day celebrating one of Philly’s most vibrant neighborhoods while helping the Fishtown Neighbors Association reach its goal of raising $10,000 to benefit beautification projects, service awards and scholarship programs. It all kicks off with a 5K run with the Monster Milers. The rest of the afternoon, peruse one-of-a-kind wares from a variety of merchants, enjoy grub from several Fishtown eateries or chill out and listen to live tunes from a revolving lineup of local acts, including Rock to the Future, the Snails and the John Byrne Band with Wareika Hill. For the kiddies and young at heart, there will be a moon bounce, rock wall and obstacle course, circus performers and magicians. Although the event is free, those who make a donation of $20 will gain access to a private tent with a prime view of the main stage and bottomless cups of brews from Philadelphia Brewing Co., St. Benjamin’s Brewing and more. -Nicole Finkbiner. Noon. Free. Penn Treaty Park, 1199 N. Delaware Ave. rivercityfestival.org

10) Philly Step Out: Walk to Stop Diabetes
As the percentage of obese Americans rises, so does the number of those battling diabetes. Today, 26 million Americans are diagnosed with the disease, and the numbers continue to rise. This week, Philly joins forces with the American Diabetes Association to walk for awareness and to try to change the future of the disease. Join Philly Step Out and the nearly 2,500 already registered participants on their quest to reaching their fundraising goal of $615,000. Equipped with various teams sporting their homemade T-shirts, the 5K walk kicks off at the Art Museum and loops through the streets, painting the city red with awareness. Join as an individual or rally the office into a squad. Either way, the fight against diabetes will march on to spread the word. 8am. Free. Philadelphia Museum of Art.

Sun., Oct. 7
Beyond IKEA, beyond Volvo, beyond even the mighty ABBA, the greatest gift Sweden ever gave the world is its delectable meaty balls. Join the American Swedish Historical Museum in South Philly as it opens its doors for its third annual meatball contest. Local restaurants will compete to impress the master Swedes for culinary glory, like sufferers of gastronomic Stockholm Syndrome. The contestant list already reads like a “who’s who” of Philly meatball royalty, including the Italian Stallions at Villa Di Roma, ruthlessly efficient Germans of Brauhaus Schmitz, and—it had to be—actual dudes from the IKEA cafeteria (we kid you not). You get to sample all of their dishes, and entrance is free if you buy a ticket to the museum. So come for the balls, and stay for the history lesson. Because it’s surprising how fascinating the story of the Swedish diaspora can be with a mouthful of delicious meat. 4pm. $8. American Swedish Historical Museum, 1900 Pattison Ave. americanswedish.org

12) Red Bull Stratos
When you hear that Red Bull gives you wings, you usually interpret it to mean increased energy and sleepless nights, never a literal pair. But in the case of Red Bull Stratos, wings are what Austrian base jumper Felix Baumgartner will need when he skydives from 120,000 feet above solid ground. Equipped with a team of experts and a high pressurized space suit covered in little red bulls, Baumgartner will ride a “stratospheric balloon” to the edge of the atmosphere, where he will leap into the longest free fall ever timed, approximately 5 minutes and 35 seconds. Join Philly’s Red Bull team at the Piazza today to watch on the big screen as Felix attempts what will be a breakthrough in skydiving as well as a the sound barrier. On behalf of science, or maybe energy drinks, we wish Felix good luck and godspeed. 8am-6pm. Free. The Piazza, 1050 N. Hancock St.

Tues., Oct. 9
During two weekends in October, the Center for Emerging Visual Artists will provide a tour of artist studios and creative workspaces in the region. The tour will take place Oct. 6-7 for venues west of Broad Street and Oct. 20-21 for venues east of Broad Street. To kick-off the event, World Cafe Live hosts a party where participants will have a chance to win original artwork. The party’s MC, one-man sideshow David Darwin (who has appeared on America’s Got Talent and in PW), will entertain the crowd with juggling and comedy, and there will also be performances from Brazilian jazz group Sambagrilo, Philly’s Circus Arts School, Miss Mary Wanna’s sexy stylings and a burlesque show with the Liberty City Kings. All proceeds go to another awesome Philadelphia project, Made in Philly, which brings recognition to working artists across the city. -Brenda Hillegas

6:30pm. $35-$75. World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St. 215.222.1400. worldcafelive.com

14) Philly Pols, Actors and Media Celebs Speed Read to Raise Funds for Literacy

Actor David Morse, WMGK’s Debbi Calton and PA State Treasurer Rob McCord Lead All-Star Line-up at Literacy Fundraiser

2^nd Annual Event Brings Together Local Journalists, Sports and Political Figures to Raise Money for New Books for Kids in Need

First Book-Philadelphia today announced it will host its second annual Speed Read celebration on Thursday, October 11, 2012, at the Union League in Philadelphia. During the event, local celebrities will be read Dr. Seuss books tongue-trippingly fast, raising literacy awareness and funds for First Book-Philadelphia. First Book-Philadelphia is a non-profit organization that raises money to buy children in need their “first book,” helping those who have never owned a book embark on a lifelong journey of literacy.

The Speed Reading event runs from 6 p.m. – 8p.m. on Thursday, October 11^th at the Union League. The competition is open to the public and tickets for the event can be purchased online at www.firstbookphilly.org.

17) DesignPhiladelphia
For its eighth year, DesignPhiladelphia will once again partner with The University of the Arts for a five day celebration of all things design. Take part in more than 120 events across the city including exhibitions, lectures, runway shows, workshops, discussions and more during the nation’s largest festival of its kind. October 10-14.

20) Philadelphia Film Festival
Movie buffs get a chance to appreciate the art of film for 11 days in October when the 21st annual Philadelphia Film Festival takes over screens at a half-dozen theaters with screenings of more than 100 films from around the world. Enter to win two silver badges and get the full festival experience. October 18-24.

Independence Seaport Museum is launching the Old City Seaport Festival, October 6 and 7 inside and outside the Museum on Penn’s Landing. See Tall Ships & classic boats, take a river tour, bring the kids to the pirate’s lair featuring live parrots from the Philadelphia Zoo and a special appearance by the host of WXPN’s Kids Corner, Kathy O’Connell!The weekend will also feature live music, a beer garden and great food trucks, craft vendors and more. The weekend ends with a bang when the ships take to the river for the epic Pirate Battle! Tickets to the festival and more information are available on the Museum’s website.

The Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia, 7th & Arch Streets, Philadelphia, PA 19106 (*Due to construction, please enter at 100 N. 6th St.* )

Raising capital can be critical to the growth of your company, but the market is constantly changing. Recently you've heard about crowd funding and portals, but perhaps you're unsure of what those terms mean and if your company can take advantage of them. Join us for this panel, where you will learn about angel investments and venture capital, as well as the recently enacted Jumpstart Our Business Startups (JOBS) Act that will permit companies to raise money through crowd funding portals on the internet. Stay up to date on the current information about angel investment and venture capital markets in the Greater Philadelphia area, and what it takes to attract these investors. Register here

To taste is to believe. You're invited to join us for an exclusive tasting, where a Guinness Ambassador will take you on a journey, beginning with the story of how Guinness® is expertly crafted and culminating in the perfect pint. One taste and you'll be a Believer, too.

This is an invitation-only event. You must RSVP to secure your place at the tasting. You must be 21 years of age or older to attend.

Gourmet Shows presents this year’s TASTE Festival, featuring chefs like Bethenny Frankel, Rocky Fino, Darryl Harmon, Jennifer Mueller and many more. Sample the best in food, wine and spirits under one roof at this three-day festival in the Philly suburbs.

27) Reading Terminal Market Harvest Festival
Bring the entire family to celebrate the foods of the Pennsylvania harvest at the Reading Terminal Market's annual Harvest Festival on October 13 from 10am-4pm. Filbert Street (aka Harry Ochs Way) will be transformed into an urban farm with hay bales and corn stalks. Kids and adults alike will have the chance to climb on an authentic farm tractor for a hay ride around the Market, enjoy freshly made donuts, locally grown seasonal fruits and vegetables, candy apples, live music and much more.
Reading Terminal Market, 12th and Arch Streets, 215.922.2317, ReadingTerminalMarket.org

Smith Memorial Playground & Playhouse, East Fairmount Park, Philadelphia, PA

As a bit of a crash course, here is a little bit about us:
The Third Annual Taste of Fall Cooking Competition and Exhibition will host over 400 attendees. We invite you to support us for this festive afternoon in the outdoors filled with food, wine, and beer tastings, activities, and live music. Enjoy items for sale from local farms, specialty food vendors, and select artists. Bring your children to enjoy a variety of activities in the children’s area. Take a stroll around Smith Memorial Playground and Playhouse in East Fairmount Park, which will be stylishly transformed for these festivities. Proceeds will support our signature focus, Apple a Day™.
For over 100 years,The Junior League of Philadelphia, Inc. has been involved in programs that change lives. Whether it’s creating community gardens or educating children on the benefits of healthy food choices, the Junior League offers women an opportunity to make change happen. The Junior League is for all women who want to make a difference.
Each year, over 900 Junior League members volunteer their time, energy, and abilities to tackle urgent needs in the Philadelphia area. Our current community programming focuses on Healthy Living; through our Apple a Day™ initiative, we are helping local families gain access to healthy food and providing interactive education on nutrition and exercise.
For more information, visit our website https://www.jlphiladelphia.org/