McCrossen's Tavern

One of my favorite places to pop in for great food and a beer is McCrossen’s Tavern. Located @ 529 N. 20^th Street, McCrossen’s offers the perfect combination of a neighborhood pub and a fine dining experience. They offer lunch, dinner, and brunch and everything on the menu is under $20. Also on the weekends they have a awesome brunch special from 10:30am-2:30 pm, $20 for one brunch item and UNLIMITED Bloody Mary’s and Mimosas! You can’t beat it.  One item you definitely have to try if you go there for lunch or dinner is the McCrossen’s Hot Wings. What makes them unique is they dip them in breading before frying which makes them fabulous and some of the best chicken wings I’ve ever had, trust me. If you’re looking for something to do on Sunday Funday, you can head on over around 7:30ish for weekly 8pm Quizzo and enjoy yourself a nice basket of McCrossen’s Hot Wings. J

http://www.mccrossens.com/

Coffee, Cakes, & Capogiro Gelato, Oh My!

Did you get your mug shot this weekend? Cause I did. No not that silly…. Anyone can go grab a coffee from one of the thousands of Starbucks but next time you’re down around Fairmount Ave. stop into Mugshots, an organic Coffee House & Café on 21^st & Fairmount Ave. for your cup of coffee or a blueberry muffin. I love going to Mugshots on the weekends, especially knowing the atomosphere is so great, the people are friendly, and I’ll walk out of there with a delish breakfast and an amazing cup of hot chocolate! Since Mugshots is organic, they make food and coffee from local, organic ingredients whenever possible. In addition to their espresso and tea menu, they feature a daily selection of soups, salads, wraps and sandwiches, as well as a variety of traditional and vegan desserts, healthy shakes, and Capogiro Gelato! Just a little heads up though if its your first time going to Mugshots you might want to check out the menu online first. The reason being is their entire menu is written on panels of chalkboards and it’s a little hard to find what you’re looking for so if you check it online before hand it’ll save you a few minutes. Not only is Mugshots a great place to grab a coffee or some dessert but catch some entertainment as well. Every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday nights are always filled with some kind of entertainment, from open mic night to catching a movie. This Friday they’re featuring “The Princess Bride” from 7:00pm-9:00pm. On nights when you just want to chill and relax but still get some work done, Mugshots allows free Wi-Fi for an hour with purchase. 

For more additional specials or info be sure to check them out on the web at: http://www.mugshotscoffeehouse.com or follow them on twitter @MugshotsCoffee

Philadelphia Marathon and Half Marathon

Location: 22nd Street & Benjamin Franklin Parkway, 

Near the Philadelphia Museum of Art

 Sunday, November 21st at 7:00am

Registration: http://www.philadelphiamarathon.com/

Philadelphia truly is a city of neighborhoods, and runners will experience many of them - - from the hip to the historic. The marathon runs through the Revolutionary heritage at Independence Hall, the Betsy Ross House and the Liberty Bell, while showcasing Penn's Landing on the banks of the Delaware River and the Greek-inspired Fairmount Water Works on the Schuylkill River. 

The Half Marathon takes runners from the history-steeped streets of Old City, through one of the liveliest stretches of Center City, across the bridge through the campuses of University City, up through the picturesque routes of Fairmount Park, and back down along the Schuylkill River.

For those not interested in running you can still get involved in cheering on fellow runners or your friends. The Philadelphia Marathon will host a Drexel University cheer zone on Sunday, November 21, 2010 from 7:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. at 31st and Chestnut Streets. Each year, thousands of Philadelphians and visitors gather along the Philadelphia Marathon route to show their support to the runners. More than 25 cheer zones will be set up along the course this year, fully equipped with noisemakers, entertainment and hot chocolate to encourage the runners as they pass and cheer them across the finish line. For more information or other cheer zone locations check out the link below:   

CHEER ZONES

“I be up in the gym just working on my fitness ...”

There are many areas around the Art Museum to work on your fitness, however, with the temperature dropping some of you might be wanting to bring your outside workouts inside. Two places that came to mind which are in prime location are LifeSport Fitness (located  @2112 Fairmount Ave.) and Philadelphia Sports Club (located @2000 Hamilton St.).  Both gyms have completely different atmospheres but each can still serve as great places to put in a killer workout!

LifeSport Fitness Resource Center is a family owned and operated full service fitness facility. Owners Dick and Flossie Snyder purchased the building in 1985; they have created a relaxed, comfortable setting for a health club and have been serving the community from this location for the past 19 years. LifeSport offers a stylish space that invites you to work out using a wide assortment of free weights, Nautilus equipment, and exciting, personal, and friendly group exercise classes. One great feature that LifeSport offers is their facility is suited to fitting to your needs; they’re also suited to fitting your wallet as well. Prices are moderate with many a la carte options depending on the individual and what you want which is great because now you don’t have to commit to buying a gym package that includes options you don’t ever plan on partaking in.

Now compared to the family owned gym, Philadelphia Sports Club (Rodin Place) is your typical franchise sports gym. Some of the plus sides are it’s opened 24hrs Monday-Saturday, a larger facility which in turn equals more equipment, they offer numerous group exercise classes, and lots of other special features; like massage therapy and steam room. The downside however, they require a year commitment and a sign up fee or a month-to-month start up with an even greater sign up fee.  Its not your cheapest gym, so the prices aren’t really economy friendly right now.  But if you wanted to try it out before committing, PSC always offers trial memberships for a reasonable price.

When it comes down to it you really have to figure out what your looking for in a gym and what kind of options you will need to help meet your personal goals. Either way whichever gym you prefer, now is the perfect time to sign up with many gyms currently offering specials right before the holidays and get a great jump-start on that New Year’s Resolution. 

2nd Annual Lemon Run!

Looking for something to do this weekend?? Want to enjoy the nice fall weather AND help out a good cause AND throw in some exercise?? Well on Saturday, November 14, you and your family can be helping out, Alex's Lemonade Stand. Last year's run in Ridley Creek State Park had over 1,000 runners and walkers in attendance. So this year's Lemon Run is moving to beautiful Fairmount Park to accommodate all of the enthusiastic supporters. The new location will now be able to accommodate everyone and your family can now look forward to an inspiring day of running, walking, music, prizes and more! In addition to the actual event, those who wish to participate, but are not in the area can run or walk where they live. By registering as a virtual runner or walker on TheLemonRun.com, and completing a 5K run or walk on November 14, 2010, runners and walkers across the country and world can participate too. Virtual participants are not eligible for timed race prizes, but do qualify for the fundraising contest and t-shirt if they are within the first 1,000 to register. Prizes will be awarded to the top individual and team fundraisers.

Admissions Info & Check In

$30 (Per Individual, on Race Day)

$25 (if pre-registered by 11/10/10)

$15 (Kids’ Race (12 and under), on Race Day)

$10 (Kids’ Race (12 and under), if pre-registered)

~ ~

Check In, 6:30-8 am
4231 North Concourse Drive West Fairmount Park
Philadelphia, PA 19131

Kids’ Race @ 8 am

5K @ 8:30 am

This is a really great cause and it's nice that you can include everyone. No excuses! Plus the weather for this weekend is currently looking to be like a gorgeous fall day, so enjoy it and get outside!

"Yo Adrian!" - Rocky Balboa

One of the greatest underdog stories of our time is the “Rocky” movies. Rocky’s ability to defy all odds and never surrender even when the going gets touch reflects the culture of Philadelphia. People of Philadelphia are able to relate to the character of Rocky as everyone has struggled at times to achieve their goals in life. Rocky came from nothing and displayed how hard work really does pay off in the end.

This brings me to my next must-see in the Fairmount/Art Museum Area, the Rocky Balboa Statue. Located at the base of the steps of the Art Museum stands the statue of Rocky raising his hands in the air celebrating his victory. Everyday tourists come to take their picture posing as Rocky and run up the steps of the Art Museum just as Rocky did to train for his fights.

We are fortunate to still be able to see the statue as many art critics did not want it to be at the Art Museum. They felt it was a movie prop and should be taken down since it is not real art work. However, a compromise was reached to put it at the base of the Art Museum steps.

Therefore, if you have some time, a working camera, and the stamina to run up the steps of the Art Museum without giving yourself a heart attack, definitely check out the Rocky Balboa Statue and experience some of the Philly culture.

Reminder!

Hey everyone! Just a little reminder that this weekend is your last chance to be terrorized an experience Terror Behind the Walls. Friday and Saturday night are the only two days left available. Tickets can still be purchased online AND they're are offering student rates so be sure to whip out those college IDs for a nice discount!

The Belgian Cafe

The Belgian Café (located at the corner of 21st & Green) is one of my favorite places to go around my neighborhood. It’s a cute and quaint place that is always filled with every type of people. My friends and I always pop in and grab a bite to eat in between class or when we just need to get away and catch up.  I have also brought my family in numerous times when they’re in the area. First of all, the food is absolutely amazing. When I first ate at BC I thought the menu was a little strange, not in a bad way though. They just offer many different items from your typical restaurant but do also have some classics, like a burger and fries. Another great thing, the BC has many vegan items on their menu so if you’re worrying about finding something that fits your style of eating you’ll be able to find it here. I have eaten at BC for lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch and the service is always amazing. Everyone that works at BC is so welcoming and I give them two snaps for always having a smile on their faces and being friendly even when the place is packed. J

One of the things that the Belgian Café is noted for is its wide selection of brews. When you first are placed with the menu in your hands you’ll be thinking, “wow this place must have a lot of food”.  Well you’re wrong my friend, the BC just has a lot of brews. More than half of their menu consists of over 200 Bottled Brews, a long list of wines, and a rotating selection of 12 drafts but who ever said that was a bad thing.

Overall, the Belgian Café is a great place to dine and have a bottle of your favorite brew.  Here is their website http://www.thebelgiancafe.com/ for a complete list of their menu and their current list of beer on draft now.  If you have a Twitter account also be sure to follow them for their latest tweets @thebelgiancafe

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