A DESIGN TO DINE FOR

THE DETAILS MATTER

HOLIDAY HOW-TOs

OUR TOP FOUR RESTAURANT DECORS

STEVE BILENKY: THE BIKE GUY

DECORATING CENTS2012

THE PHILADELPHIA AUTO SHOW

BENEFITING THE DIVISION OF GASTROENTEROLOGY

THE 2013 PHILADELPHIA AUTO SHOW

THE PHILADELPHIA AUTO SHOW

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PhillyCurrent F.indd 3 9/27/12 6:22 PM

[11] the second chance girl[12] super sandwich[14] q&a: d+w’s seun olubodun[17] really...?[18] homemade holiday how-tos

[22] art. undressed.[24] a design to dine for[30] the great philadelphia whoo-dunnit

[36] the great date debate [39] a tale of ‘woof’ in the city[40] cedric the entertainer[42] a day in the life: south fellini[45] fi x me a drink, brah[47] in the know...[50] photo quiz

photo by albert yee

cover : lindsay docherty photographylocation: tinto wine bar

[32] the details matter

[32]

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Philly Current Magazine is a publication of Philly Current LLC.Copyright © Philly Current LLC 2012. All rights reserved.

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cheri laspada herlinger

sherry ruczynski

d. g. cairone

albert yeerevati doshi

jackie rupp

Hello, fist-pound, howdy, and the always classic high-five. Welcome to the first issue of Philly Current. Our name says it all. Philly Current celebrates the now, the exciting, the things we love, and the things we’re just discovering about our great city. We will show you Philly in a whole new way, taking the ordinary and making it special, taking the unique and making it extraordinary. It’s time to get excited about our city.

We love Philly just as much as you do...quite possibly more! We’re not recreating the wheel...we’re just making it roll a whole lot better. Actually, we’re kind of like an indestructible wheel of amazing - brought to you in a neat, little package.

Design is all around us. In this issue, we sought to highlight the many ways in which design factors into our everyday life - from where we eat and what we do, to things we wear, ride, and read.

While we usually set our eyes on a restaurant’s menu, Cheri LaSpada Herlinger shows us how delicious a restaurant’s interior can actually be. Dana Cairone gives us some crafty holiday inspiration, while Jamie O’Neill introduces us to master bike builder, Steve Bilenky.

On our little square pages, you’ll also meet local designer, Ashleigh Loeffler, Buddakan’s chief sweets man, Cederic Barberet, and graphic novelist and local superhero, Johnny Zito.

We’ve designed this issue with you in mind, Philly.

be easy-eddie + jackie

Generally, a scrap of fabric is just a portion of textile and a fallen branch is simply mulch waiting to happen. Local designer, Ashleigh Loeffler, clearly doesn’t buy into “generally.”

Loeffler believes in second chances. Welcome to the world of up-cycled.

This local talent started her clothing and accessory business a few years ago. What started out as stylish baby wraps, for her newborn baby girl, grew into custom wear for the eco-minded consumer.

Her best-selling item, and what she is most proud of, is her neck-warmers. We can see why. Fusing the used with an unbelievable imagination, Loeffler explains that it’s all about the process. “It’s such a personal experience to be able to create something unique and original out of once-worn material. It’s almost a release

for me to simply cut a swatch of fabric, coordinate an inner-lining, and set it out into the world as something new.”

Loeffler’s process doesn’t stop at harmonizing colors and patterns, however. Every designer needs that one, signature touch. For this Port Richmond resident, it’s buttons. No, not those plastic, just-in-case buttons you can fi nd at the bottom of your grandmother’s sewing kit. These are one-off, wood masterpieces, individually crafted by Loeffler, herself. Growing up in woodsy Hazleton, she has always had the great outdoors running through her veins. Paying homage to her upbringing and nature, each button is produced from fallen tree branches (needless to say, no trees were harmed during the writing of this article…nor throughout Loeffler’s creative process). With a band saw, each branch is sliced to the perfect thickness for application, and

then sealed. And, yes, even the sealant is eco-friendly.

Clearly you’re now sold and want to know where to fi nd Loeffler and her amazing products. We have just that information. While you can fi nd her at street fairs all across Philly, a visit to www.wiseowlshop.com will give you a sneak peek into her story, her products, and her scheduled events.

So, to recap, what have we learned? [1] Up-cycled clothing is defi nitely where it’s at, [2] Ashleigh Loeffler is the bee’s knees, and [3] a girl with power tools is always a good thing.

The next time you see a fallen tree branch or scrap of material, maybe try seeing your surroundings as Loeffler does. The world’s a little cooler from her point of view.

photo by sherry ruczynski130 Chestnut Street | Philadelphia PA 19106

215.574.2095www.tundellasalon.com

[Ashleigh Loeffler]

The Second Chance Girl

by eddie keels

Philadelphia’s greatest exports, in order, are as follows: [1] Liberty, [2] Futuristic, pudding-fueled Cyborgs named Bill Cosby, and [3] Amazing sandwiches. Named America’s Greatest Sandwich City by Saveur Magazine in 2011, amongst other national accolades, Philadelphia’s sandwich scene is blowing up faster than my impending angioplasty. Odds are, if you’ve made it this far into the article, I’m going to assume it’s because you already have a sandwich in each hand and are simply unable to turn the page with your elbows. Below are some of Philadelphia’s greatest hits on the sandwich scene, ingredient by delicious ingredient.

[1] Liscio’s Bread - Liscio’s makes the perfect canvas for sandwich artisans to paint their masterpieces. Offering a wide variety of rolls, they supply to such Philly sandwich cornerstones as Gino’s Steaks and Primo Hoagies. Unlike Reuben Amaro Jr., they doled out cash to Hunter Pence to be their spokesperson in plastering his 20-foot face on the side of a bus.

[2] Roast Pork from John’s Roast Pork - John’s Roast Pork might be the only place in the country that has a James Beard Award and sells cans of grape soda. Rumor has it that it’s not uncommon for patrons to cash out their 401(k), live in the nearby Ikea, and go on a

roast pork binges that would make Hunter S. Thompson jealous.

[3] Fried Egg from Paesano’s - The masterminds behind Paesano’s, not content to simply make an amazing beef brisket sandwich for their self-named Paesano, decided to go the extra mile and put a fried egg on top. Now offering delivery through most of Philly, the fi re department should expect a spike in Philadelphians needing to be forklifted out of their homes in the coming months.

[4] Broccoli Rabe from DiNic’s Roast Beef (Reading Terminal Market ) - Some people think broccoli rabe is bitter. Those people are petty and shallow. There’s no better place in Philly to add rabe to your sandwich than at DiNic’s, and their recent move across the aisle within the Reading Terminal left those with poor peripheral vision in tears.

[5] Sharp Provolone from DiBruno Brothers - It’s ironic that slices of provolone are round, but can be classifi ed as sharp. If you are able to look past this metaphysical quandary, you can’t go wrong with this Philadelphia staple. Internationally known for their cheeses, Di Bruno Brothers is the saddest place on earth for the lactose intolerant.

illustration by eddie keels

BY JAMIE O’NEILL

Mark J. RagoMark J. RagoFuneral Director

In our 51st year, Monti-Rago offers many services for your loved one. While traditional funerals are still very much favored in the community, we are

highly experienced in cremation, memorial, graveside, pre-arranged, and any service a family

would like to give their loved one.

A dignified send-off starts at Monti-Rago.

DUKE & WINSTON’S SEUN OLUBODUNdun

Q&A

We sat down with Seun Olubodun, founder of guy clothing line Duke & Winston, who is single-handedly (correction...with the help of his trusty English Bulldog) trying to save the young Philadelphia male from the clutches of the evil, over-sized, graphic tee. Here, he tells us about his proper British upbringing, his new Fox & Tail line, and why he’s a

sucker for the Eagles, Wu, and bacon.

First thing’s first. Who is Duke? Who is Winston? Duke is my English Bulldog and Winston is Winston Churchill (English Prime Minister and also known as the British Bulldog).

What’s the deal with the dog? I’ve had my bulldog, Duke since he was 7 weeks old and he’s like my kid. So when I decided to come up with a clothing line, I thought he would make a great mascot for the line. He is really the one people care about anyway; so having his face on everything works out just fine.

Your line seems to have an affinity for all things British. Explain yourself to Philly and the founding fathers. I grew up in the UK before moving here when I was 13/14 – that’s why the line has so much British influence. We were taught a lot of British history in school and I hated every second of it. But it now helps because most of the concepts for the line are drawn from old British imagery.

Where does your inspiration for your clothing line come from most? My inspiration comes from Duke but also a lot of history. I’ve focused more on British history, but moving forward, I’m using world history (in general) when coming up with design concepts. The line is essentially a Philadelphia-based line so I think too much British imagery can be confusing.

Tell us one design element of Philly that the city could stand to lose. We put the liberty bell on everything. Most Philly-based graphic lines have a Liberty Bell design in there somewhere. I get why, because it’s some-thing the city is known for, but I feel like it’s too obvious and sometimes its ALL the city is know for (that and cheesesteaks or throwing batteries at Santa Clause).

Scrapple: yes or no? Scrapple is heinous (Sorry, all my roommates used to eat it all the time. Disgusting). I prefer bacon.

Why NoLibs for your store location? I’ve lived in N.Libs for 5 years or so now and I love that it’s so close to the center of town but it feels like a totally different city. I’m inspired by things I see down here every day and, unlike center city, it has a very eclectic feel to it. It’s also up and coming, as they say, and so is D&W so it’s been a perfect fit.

Give us the dish, what’s your current, favorite restaurant in town? Tampopo is my favorite takeout spot and Koozedoo, right here in N.Libs, is one of my favorite restaurants.

On an average weekend, where can we find you? ...And more importantly, where can we find Duke? On an average weekend, you’ll find me in my office researching new design ideas or doing trunk shows all over the East Coast. I don’t really go out anymore, so it’s all work.

Confess...your guilty pleasure song. Temptation by Heaven 17 (very random, but I secretly listen to it once a month and then Wu-Tang Clan the rest of the time)

Can you offer the fashion-challenged men of the city any easy style tips?I’m not really into telling people what they should wear. Whatever your style is works for me. I’d maybe sug-gest that wearing overly baggy suits or stone-washed jeans is not the greatest look (it’s something I notice a lot of in Philly). But, like I said, I think fashion rules are the worst...actually a great tip is: “be comfortable.”

Alright, the ladies want to know, what’s your status? Busy...a.k.a. single

What’s one article of clothing you cannot live without? I’m sure I can live without them, but I’m very very into my Levi 537 slim boot cut jeans. They’ve been discontinued for years but I find them on ebay every year or so and buy as many as I can. I have about 8 pairs of exactly the same ones and rotate them till they fall apart and then buy 8 more.

Best memory from your college days at Temple. I spent like 7 years in college and don’t remember a whole lot. I had a Van Wilder-ish type of college experience. Too much fun, very little to no school.

Tell us a little about the new Fox & Tail line! Fox & Tail is a simpler, more mass market version of D&W. I’m taking my time with Duke & Winston and want to hold out as much as I can from making it an over saturated brand - but sometimes that’s the only way to make money. Fox & Tail will be a purely wholesale brand that I can put out there and hopefully generate enough capital to keep Duke & Winston going the way I want it to. The imagery is more old-American also, as opposed to the British influences of Duke & Winston.

We see you went to grammar school. Whom or who? I went to a school is England called Heaton Manor School and another called Royal Grammar School for a short time.

And finally, what’s your favorite thing to do in Philly during the winter. My favorite thing to do is Philly in the winter is to be freezing my arse off at the Linc and watch those Eagles blow a 4th quarter lead early in the playoffs.

by jamie o’neill

Have you ever seen one of these? 16th and Locust, 17th and Walnut. Why do they

have to be so big? It’s like they’re trying to scare FedEx boxes off their corner like

it’s some kind of pimp war between the The Silky Velvets and Scarlet Pumpernickel

Connection. Do they even work? The mail slot is the same size. I assume the USPS

baskets are the same size. Wouldn’t mail just fall over the sides? Also, underlying

theme: who still sends mail?

Why do Consuls get their own parking spots? Is there some kind of Senate they’re

overseeing? The last time the public gave Consuls so much leeway, Rome became

an empire and Caesar got stabbed. Park your chariots somewhere else, Gaius.

I rode the R5 every day. The R5 was “blue”, the R7 was “red”, and the R6 was

“green”. Septa seems to have spent a decent amount of man hours and resources

doing a half-hearted attempt at removing the colors from these regional rail lines,

and flat-out eliminating the R- nomenclature in an obvious attempt to obfuscate

their riders. There’s a series of poorly placed stickers and haphazardly painted signs

all over train stations now. Why would you spend money to take away details that

distinguish one line versus another? Septa thought giving directions on the trains

was too clear? Perhaps it’s the greatest prank NJ Transit ever pulled...

[septa regional rail]

[consul parking only]

[fat mailboxes]

by jamie o’neill

?really...

246 MARKET STREET / PHILADELPHIA PA. TANTRALUXELOUNGE.COM

TANTRALUXE LOUNGE

TANTRALUXE LOUNGE

Thanksgiving – an evening dedicated to giving thanks for all of the blessings that we are in receipt of each year. Yeah, it’s also an opportunity for people to show up to their relatives’ homes, as close to dinnertime as possible, in order to stuff their faces with turkey and all the fixings. Let’s face it, undertaking host/hostess activities for Thanksgiving dinner is a daunting task – if you’re a decent host, you will prepare a bird whose weight corresponds to your guest count, make copious amounts of side dishes, and decorate for the occasion. It’s a great opportunity to distract your significant other from how bad your 600-year-old great uncle smells, or to even reacquaint feuding cousins, who are still reeling over that bouquet catch 27 years ago…with your impressive tabletop décor! Use plain, white table settings atop a plain white tablecloth. This way, you have created a crisp canvas for which your efforts will be showcased. I know you may be thinking, “but white shows all stains.” Guess what? One word: OxiClean. Buy it. Lather. Rinse. Repeat. Don’t be afraid of using organic elements when sprucing up the table. Sprigs of herbs and veggies serve as a natural and multipurpose means of decorating. That next day, you can take any of these elements – with the exception of branches, of course, unless you are an owl – and throw in the leftover mix. Rather than going out and springing for those great stained glass wine glasses you saw at Crate and Barrel (that go for entirely too much), why not get some decorative leaves and adhere them to the base of the wine glass? The ones you saw in the store aren’t worth it – your sloppy aunt will probably drop one and cause a kitchen riot. If you want to dress up your glasses more, add a little homemade wine charm to them, so everyone avoids getting each other’s cooties. Want to keep your annoying niece or nephew occupied, all while making them a part of the action? Grab some paints and ask them to go wild on some foamboard – you did need place mats, didn’t you? It will keep them quiet for hours and will add a nice DIY vibe to the scene. Remember the infamous chair feud of ‘05? Prevent it from reigniting with place cards. Tie up a short bundle of twigs and use them to designate where you’d like everyone to sit. Natural branches, against a stark white background, are striking and will align with the organic look your table will be sporting.

Wouldn’t you rather keep your wallet fat than line the pockets of the gift-wrap industry every holiday? Over the past 20 years, we have consumed more than 4 million tons of wrapping paper…which weighs more than your mom…and that’s a lot. Many would encourage you to stimulate the economy and hit up some big business, such as Papyrus or CVS (for the more frugal of us). I, on the other hand, would implore you to look beyond the roll and into your…hamper?!omemade

oliday ow-tosh

Been stressing over bleaching out that $65.00 sweatshirt your boy had to get you for your birthday? It’s ruined, it’s done, move on. You can lay the sweatshirt down and cut out a square of fabric. Then fold the square in half. Find the midpoint of the line and place a dot of hot glue. Pinch the other side. Now you should have a set crease. Beneath the crease, add another dot of hot glue. Continue doing this until you finish both sides. Cut another strip of fabric and wrap around the middle of your newly made bow – hot glue it and you have the perfect finishing touch.

Now, what if you have something classier? Still hoarding that collared dress shirt from your Holy Communion suit? It’s time. Cut along the seam between the sleeve and the body. Turning the sleeve inside-out, either staple or sew along the wider end. Flip the sleeve right-side-out and now you have a wine bottle gift bag. Use scraps from your beloved tee shirt to tie into a bow and you’re good to go.

So there you go – now you can spend some extra time on your appearance and some extra money on yourself. ‘Tis the season folks…now go out and spread some good cheer, you cheap bastards.

Have a gift that doesn’t quite lend itself to a standard wrapped box scenario and/or don’t feel like actually busting out the scotch tape? An abundance of crappy tees? Take your favorite pizza sauce and sweat-stained Jagermeister t-shirt and make a gift bag out of it. Lay the shirt flat and cut scoop-like shapes at the neckline and armholes. Your shirt should now resemble a 1980’s tank top – one that should be accessorized with a mullet and a pair of jean shorts. Cut the bottom of the tee shirt so that the bottom looks fringed. Now, flip the shirt inside-out and tie each fringe together (tie the back row to the front) throughout the entire bottom of the shirt. Flip your shirt right-side-out and voila a new gift bag! Clean up the edges and decorate if you wish. Most importantly, be proud that your gift vessel looks more impressive than your girlfriend’s $60.00 fake Coach bag from Chinatown!

decoratingcents

d.g. cairone | lindsay docherty photography

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Why do you think this is the only gallery of its kind? What has held this art form back from mainstream acceptance in the art community? I think it mostly has to do with a lack of exposure to this type of body painting, and the artists who use this as their medium. When some people hear “body painting” they think of a neon rainbow painted on someone’s stomach at a dance party, or body painting as it’s used in beer commercials and things like that. It’s turning a corner now, which is awesome. We’re just trying to offer some of that exposure, and help out however we can.

Okay, as much as I think the female form is a perfect canvas, I gotta ask...why no men? I kept waiting to see one, but maybe I missed him. Different artists have different preferences when it comes to male or female models. We actually have a solid number of pieces up right now that used men as the subjects - by artists like Paul Roustan and David Gilmore. You should come and check it out.

Can you tell me a little about the transformation, from before the gallery opened to its formation and the future? The gallery was actually started a couple of years ago by Noah, Lawren, and Tom. They had a smaller space on Market Street. Lawren is one of the best body painters in the world, and at the time, the other guys were photographers hired to shoot a big competition that she was in. They were so blown away by the talent they encountered that they converted their photo studio into a body painting gallery as soon as they returned. We opened this new space in April. It was an old upholstery shop and pretty gutted when we got it. We built most of the gallery, as it is now, ourselves. We’re just going to keep doing what we’re doing in the future. We have our second gallery now, which is not focused on body painting and makes our days a lot busier - but we stay active and involved in the body painting world. We have a pop-up show next week in LA and we have some great shows planned for the fall, too!

Did anything crazy or unexpected happen during your launch? We have a problem with ghosts, but that’s an ongoing issue.

Do you have any favorites? What was one of the most memorable creations for you? I have personal, favorite artists. David Gilmore, Paul Roustan, and Natasha Kudashkina have a few pieces that I love. Everything that Lawren Alice does is awesome. We’re working on something right now with Michael Rosner - he’s incredible.

What are your events like? So crazy.

How long does it generally take an artist? It depends, but I’d say most of the artists we’ve worked with average 4-8 hours for a session. Sometimes longer if it’s a really intricate piece, 10-14 hours even.

Can anyone be a model? Sure. You can be anything you want to be.

How does the gallery transfer living works of art into sell-able pieces. I imagine a photographer plays a significant role in the process? Some of the painters work with a photographer and some work as their own photographer. We take the series and will print the strongest image or images on canvas.

How do the artists typically learn this craft? They all have different background stories, but all of them encountered it, practiced it, and mastered it eventually. It suited them so well that they made it their medium.

Does the paint wash off easily? Yes, if you’re using the right stuff. It’s water-soluble.

Finally, have you or any of the other staff been painted? I haven’t yet, but who knows about the future. It could happen.

art.undressed.Patrick Shillenn, Director of Events & Marketing

for ML Gallery, dishes about the emerging art

form that uses the human body as its canvas.

art by natasha kudashkina

design dine fortoaTranslated, Tinto is used to describe the red wine served in pintxos (small plates) bars throughout Northern Spain. Quite fitting for a Basque-inspired restaurant designed after a wine cellar. A perfect place for a first date (or a 20th), this tapas restaurant and wine bar in Rittenhouse Square is the vision of famous chef-restaurateur Jose Garces.

Designed by Jun Aizaki of Crème design Inc., Tinto strikes the right balance of openness and intimacy. Its décor is inspired by the cultural and culinary traditions of Basque country, the regions of Northern Spain and Southern France. A variety of finish materials were used to create Tinto’s look – furniture made of re-claimed lumber, blackened metals, stained wood cabinetry, concrete floor with epoxy, mirrored walls, and a painted ceiling.

The entire space creates the illusion of a wine cellar from the lower level lounge to the bar area. A custom-crafted, wooden grid holding nearly a thousand bottles of wine surrounds the lower dining room. The artistic grid design is consistent down to the booth seating areas, which are separated by wood grids and candle holders. The room’s exposed brick wall, dark wood décor, mustard-colored upholstered seating, and tiled tables authenticate the rustic Spanish vibe.

Cage-like metal light fixtures, mirrored walls and warm amber candles illuminate the space throughout. In the bar area, you’ll find another oversized wooden grid carrying even more bottles, including those from Tinto’s excellent wine list, which feature more than 100 wines from Basque country. The 22-foot bar is made of reclaimed orange-stained lumber and black and white Spanish tile. Our favorite design feature in the bar is the collection of old wine bottles with unique hand-drawn labels from staff and guests. Sometimes it’s those little quirky details that catch your eye. The framed vintage corkscrews from European flea markets on the vestibule walls. The wooden menu holders. The corkscrew design element in Tinto’s logo.

Not sure if it’s the excellent wine selection or the authentic rustic wine cellar atmosphere, but you’ll want to take your time at Tinto. Soak up the sights. Savor the flavors of your destination. Relax and enjoy.

It’s no secret that Philadelphia is home to a pretty hot restaurant scene. But it’s more

than the food that brings us back again and again. We want the whole experience. A

great design can transport you to another time or place with the right mood, ambiance,

décor, and details. Welcome inside some of our favorite restaurant interiors in the city.

written by cheri laspada herlinger | lindsay docherty photography

Tinto114 South 20th Street

“A garden brings life and beauty to the table.” This quote from Alice Waters adorns the walls of Talula’s Garden. And it’s exactly what you will find here – life and beauty set in a refreshing urban oasis unlike any other in Philadelphia. Indoors and out, there is a distinct charm to Talula’s Garden. You feel at home as soon as you walk through the wrought iron gate into the courtyard – an eclectic patio lush with wildflowers, herbs and, yes, even a sugar plum tree. Mismatched outdoor dining furniture, hanging lanterns, illuminating trellises, and a slate-topped bar complete the magical garden setting. But it’s the simple, rustic working waterfall, made of vintage faucets, which really caught our eye.

Inside, a bright and airy décor complements the garden to table theme of the restaurant. The high-ceilinged space features a small dining nook at the entrance, a larger, elevated dining area, and a bar, overlooking Washington Square Park.

Restaurateur Aimee Olexy and her design team chose salvaged wood for the farmhouse dining tables, including a ten-seat communal table in the

main dining area. Throughout, framed prints of flowers and vegetables, hanging boxes of fresh herbs and spices, and candle-lit mason jars enhance the indoor garden feel. But the focal point of the main dining room is the beautiful cheese station – a long counter of salvaged marble adorned with glass bell jars of artisan cheeses. Makes you feel right at home.

“My focus on the staff and the guests inhabiting the space as part of design is unusual and critical to the comfort and life of Talula’s Garden. I’ve tried to communicate a small and detailed vision in a grand open space,” says Olexy.

And it is the little details that matter at Talula’s Garden. The mismatched silverware and appetizer plates. The dark green and amber water glasses made from the bottom of old wine bottles. The wooden birdhouses that perch above the bar area. The multi-colored, hand-blown glass jug pendants that illuminate the space. From the grand features to the small, Talula’s Garden has created an authentic haven in an urban setting. A perfect spot to escape the cold winter months ahead.

Talula’s Garden210 West Washington Square

This speakeasy meets beer hall is a one-of-a-kind in Philadelphia. Most known for its well-reviewed cocktails, it’s their unique interior that caught our eye.

When you step into The Farmer’s Cabinet, you are entering another time – pre-Prohibition? Victorian era? The owners – husband and wife Matt and Colleen Swartz and business partner Matt Scheller describe it as “a blend of a rustic 1800’s American saloon and an old world European pub, with splashes of Victorian-era and early-American elegance.”

In fact, they designed the place themselves with many hand-picked relics from antique stores around the region, including an early 1900s piano from The North Hampton Piano Company in Whitehall, Pa. Most of the materials used in the design were salvaged from old barns throughout the state.

Almost lit entirely by mason jars filled with candles and suspended by thick rope and oil lamps, this place is dark. Really dark. But that is part of its old-timey charm. At entry, the “beer” bar features a copper clad bar, which sits beneath one of the more unique bar menu designs in the city. Wooden

plank signs feature a list of European craft beers and the restaurant’s own brew – the Cabinet Artisanal Brewhouse. Back in the beer hall, a beautiful communal dining table made of reclaimed wood is the focus of the room. Suspended from above are large fragments of wood holding large candles to provide a soft glare. And along the wall are thousands of the old craft beer bottles. The entire look is a real throwback to the old saloon.

Large wooden barrels serve as high top tables in the beer bar and the separate cocktail bar where waiters and bartenders in old-fashioned suspenders chip their own ice, serve punch in a tea cup, and use jelly jars as water glasses. Taxidermy deer heads and heavy burlap drapes adorn the walls and windows throughout the bar and communal area to complete the dark, rustic look. Up the staircase is the formal dining area - a bit more refined with simple décor – gold tiled ceilings, blue and white damask wallpaper, Victorian paintings and oil lamps. But the small parlor nestled between the staircase and the dining room is the spot to claim. Where else can you enjoy a Union Daiquiri sitting on parlor furniture listening to hot jazz?

The Farmers’ Cabinet1113 Walnut Street

The spirit of Greece has been brought to life with Opa, a modern Greek restaurant and bar in Midtown Village. The restaurant was built in 2011 and it was quite a transformation. Designer Jun Aizaki of Crème and the brother and sister team of Opa George Tsiouris and Vasiliki Tsiouris definitely created something out of nothing at this Sansom Street spot. And the result is a real destination spot – the Gazi neighborhood of Athens to be specific.

The aesthetic here is sleek and stylish. A blue and white Mediterranean color scheme offsets a number of interesting textures throughout the space – whitewashed brick walls, terracotta fixtures, and natural wood. And that warm glow you see throughout comes from hanging, hand-made terra cotta pendants and the recessed candle-lit wall lanterns.

But the room’s design focus is the 24-seat Corian bar made of river rock from South America. This also happens to be Vasiliki Tsiouri’s favorite feature for its “impressive birch branch canopy, both for the aesthetic appeal and the way it provides energy flow to the remaining parts of the space.”

Opa knows how to balance the modern and the traditional by using reclaimed materials from around the globe. The dining tables are all made of salvaged oak from Lancaster county. Cousins of the Tsiouris’ made the terracotta light fixtures in Greece. And get this - the restaurant’s wood paneling was sourced from the stable of Kentucky Derby winner, Barbaro.

The space also includes a new Beer Garden offering al fresco dining behind the restaurant – complete with Ping-Pong tables! Something we’ll be sure to check out this Spring.

Opa1311 Sansom Street

Citizens of Philadelphia: do not be alarmed, but your city is infested with owls of all shapes and sizes. These owls, instead of perching in barns and scaring the daylights out of woodpeckers, are making themselves comfortable in your home.

The latest trend in home decor, owls are taking flight in a big way, for reasons entirely unknown. In fact, there is not one person who is wise enough to explain why these owls are taking over. A brief, unofficial survey of some of center city’s largest home decor centers has yielded a startling amount of owl products, ranging from lamps to stamps to cutting boards to tea sets and virtually everything in between.

If you give a hoot about owl decor, consider these fine retail owltlets, a veritable who’s who of home design:

[West Elm] Barowlmeter Reading: 21 Owl Products. West Elm sells, amongst a host of Owl-themed flatware and place settings, an owl lamp. This product seems a direct assault on the owl’s nocturnal nature, and it’s widely believed that the other 20 owl products are in the process of staging a coup.

[Paper Source] Barowlmeter Reading: 36 Owl Products (not including multiple owl cards). In Paper Source, owl products are displayed cheek by jowl. Paper Source has 6 different rubber stamps with owls on them, which makes one fundamentally question the economic law of supply and demand on it’s most basic level.

[Anthropologie] Barowlmeter Reading: 16 Owl Products. Looking for owl furniture hardware? Look no further than Anthropologie’s doorknobs. Anthropologie’s knit section also features an owl af-ghan, but surveyors were unable to find an owl knit cowl.

[Urban Outfitters] Barowlmeter Reading: 19 Owl Products. Oddly enough, there are no owls with ironic glasses for sale. That said, the majority of the owl products were located in the clearance section. Perhaps the owl trend is slowly running afowl? Based on the sheer number of owls for sale, it looks unlikely.

The strangest finding in our research noted that the only interior design store we couldn’t find a white porcelain owl figurine was at IKEA. Presumably, that’s because everybody knows the Emperor of Sweden is secretly an owl and those cagey Swedes don’t want to draw any more attention to Archimedes from Sword in the Stone than they have to.

the great

whoo-dunnitby jamie o’neill

PHILADELPHIA

photo by revati doshi

Enjoy extended hours from 10am until 5pm from Dec 15 through Dec 31.

Morris ArboretumHoliday Garden Railway

Open November 23 through December 31

Thousands of sparkling lights adorn a miniature village surrounded by a quarter mile track with model trains zipping in and out of tunnels, over bridges,

and through the woods... all outdoors in the winter garden.

Open daily Nov 23rd – Dec 31st (Closed Dec 24 and 25)

100 East Northwestern Avenue • Philadelphia, PA • 215.247.5777

www.morrisarboretum.org

the

by jamie o’neillphotography by albert yee

detailsmatter

When I first parked my bike at Bilenky Cycle Works in the Olney section of North Philadelphia, Steve Bilenky, owner and founder of BCW, came over and did a quick lookover of my bike, without even acknowledging the action. Bike people do this in the way that dogs sniff each other, and it was not unexpected.

Walking around BCW, one sees a number of relatively jarring spectacles wrought out of metal. BCW is one of the increasingly rare custom bike builders left, welding their own frames, designs, and craftwork, virtually unseen from large-scale bicycle makers around the world. At BCW, It’s not uncommon to see a titanium bike frame literally cut in half, tandem bikes with entire tubes missing, or a box full of unused, vintage lugs just lying in the middle of the floor. These spectacles, to him, are just part of the landscape of his shop; but to an outsider, they’re Frankenstein-esque. There are also a handful of completed bikes, and looking around the rafters, I start making a mental Christmas list, not just for myself, but for immediate family as well. These bikes are beautiful.

It’s well past closing time when I sit down with Steve Bilenky, and we’re alone while he’s finishing up orders, answering emails, and waiting for the UPS man to ship out his creations. Bilenky has ties to the area, saying he’s from the Northeast and, despite having a background in English frame building in the 70’s, has stayed close to his roots. Bilenky says that Philadelphia is a very bike-friendly city, and “While it’s not Portland of the East, the number of bike lanes, events, and bike people in the area makes it a pretty good place to be for a bike guy relative to other East-Coast cities”. BCW is also a key cog in the organization of the Philadelphia Bike Expo, an annual event, taking place in October.

When asked about his favorite bike ride in the area, Bilenky thinks for a second or two before answering, “Flemington... wait, no, Frenchtown? Is that it? This little town in Jersey”. Not content to leave it at that, for about 5 minutes, he talks about the ride, while simultaneously googling the town of Frenchtown, pulling up a map of the area, showing me the route - “it’s by the river!”- and searching for a road atlas to show me the ride. He then recommends a little Thai restaurant near the ride. The details definitely matter to Steve Bilenky.

One of the dozens of bike frames hanging from the ceiling is scrawled with the phrase “Artistry through Steel”. When I ask him about this, Bilenky lets a little smile poke through his big gray beard and says that was an old tagline for the shop. Bilenky believes that bikes are functional machines that “need to look nice, otherwise, what’s the point?” Taking the functionality a bit further, BCW also specializes in retrofitting frames with a coupling system that allows people to break down the frame for travel.

He then shows me a custom steel fender he’s making for the front of a commuter bike. “We wanted to get it just right. If the light on top is in the wrong spot, it’s either going to break or the girl is going to take it off or never use it...it’s not something that can be mass-produced.” He explains that a lot of the fine tuning of the details are somewhat trial and error, compared to the precise methods of engineering and construction of the actual frames he’s been perfecting for the past 44 years. Next up are custom lugs (metalwork detailing at the joints of a frame) for a tandem bike he’s building. He tells me that, because of the oval tubing, the original lugs “didn’t look right,” so they’re in the process of remaking them from scratch.

Bilenky still gets bike crushes, although on a level that he describes as “microscopic”. Rather than having an infatuation for the entire bike, he says he often covets a particular part or detail like dropouts or components.

He tells me about walking around downtown and seeing a fancy vintage bike locked up outside and snapping a picture - an activity that he describes in a manner that makes it seem commonplace. Without missing a beat, Bilenky tells me about a party he went to where someone pulled out a rare, Italian, vintage, caliper brake that he’d never seen before and how cool he thought that was. It’s clear that it takes an artisan’s eye and a craftsman’s skill to truly appreciate those subtle designs.

Because of Bilenky’s incredible knack for the details, even his parties are cooler than ours.

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Have you thought of Holiday Cards,Calendars and Memo Pads?

the great date debatecheri laspada herlinger | photography by revati doshi

Nearly seven years ago, I asked my husband out

on our first date. To an exhibit of corpses. In my

defense, I had two free passes to the popular

Bodyworlds exhibit at the Franklin Institute. Luckily, he

picked the restaurant that night - a perfectly casual, hip

meal at North Third in Northern Liberties.

Since then we’ve had our share of great dates – an intimate

concert at the Tin Angel in Old City, late night karaoke at

Yakitori Boy in Chinatown, and our weekend brunch ritual

at Café Lutecia in Fitler Square. But my perfect date would

be dinner al fresco at Parc, a walk through Rittenhouse

Square, and a nightcap at the Liberte Urban Chic Lounge

in the Sofitel Hotel. Tres chic.

Philadelphia is a one-of-a-kind landscape for dating.

From Fairmount Park to South Philly, each part of the city

offers a unique experience. Day or night (or both!), you can

explore all that Philadelphia has to offer. Given the chance,

how would you design the perfect date? We asked a few

fabulous single folks to share their thoughts…

Elise, 38 [Resides in Center City]

A mini tour of the city starting at the Fall Festival on 13th street where you can shop, sample foods, listen to great music, and have a drink or two. Next up you can head over to Northern Liberties for drinks and dinner at Bar Ferdinand followed by ice cream at Franklin Fountain in Old City.Best sundae to share: The Homemade Hot Fudge.

Ed, 28 [Resides in Graduate Hospital area]

Dinner at Chifa is a great start to the evening where the pork buns live up to their hype. Then get ready for a few rounds at Lucky Strike – who doesn’t like to bowl with neon lights and standard Top-40 dance music? Plus, they have a photo booth! End the evening with a nightcap at Milkboy - great beer list and cans in coosies. The bartenders are super friendly and have been known to hand out a free shot if the mood strikes them. And, if you are still going strong, you can head upstairs for live music or a DJ.Best first date spot: Tria - exceptional wine and cheese in a casual atmosphere to end a first date.

Jen, 40 [Resides in Northern Liberties]We live in a city that holds so many historical treasures. What better way to explore that than as a tourist in your own city? Take a bus tour around the historic area hitting everything from Independence Mall to the homes of Fairmount Park. Unlock the various treasures throughout the city from morning until night. A perfect fall day would be ideal! Best outdoor spot for a date: The Piazza in Northern Liberties – great food, drink, and social scene.

Caroline, 33 [Resides in Old City]A dog-walking adventure makes for a great date. You can meet near Independence Hall and walk through the historic district. Grab a cold beer at The Crosswalk Café near the National Constitution Center and head towards Queen Village. At Tapestry on Bainbridge, you can share a couple of paninis while the dogs are treated to a bowl of water. For the final stop, visit Beau Monde for a nightcap and one of their fantastic dessert crepes. An ideal date for a Saturday afternoon in the fall when the air is crisp and the leaves have started to turn.Best dog-friendly spots: Race Street Café, Dos Segundos, Varga Bar, and Parc.

Sean, 41 [Resides in Downingtown]

Nature and history can be romantic and fun, which is why a bike ride or hike at Valley Forge Park with its sweeping landscape and beautiful views is ideal. Pack a lunch and have a picnic near the Washington Memorial chapel. Later on, you can hit the city for drinks at XIX and dinner at the Bellevue – one of the most visually striking restaurants in the city. Sneak out to the balcony and enjoy a cocktail with a view of Center City. Best holiday date: A visit to the Comcast Holiday Spectacular and the Macy’s Holiday Light Show, followed by drinks at the Ritz Carlton.

To whom it may concern,

I feel like the odd man out amongst a sea of Juicy-emblazoned asses & bulky-calved Ugg wearers. People often share of their Uggs – “I have three pairs” or “They’re really comfy…until they get wet” or even “I wear mine with shorts.” Meanwhile, I am still trying to find an application where one would look acceptable as an abominable snowman, six months into a leg wax, with circulatory problems, in training. Still trying.

The sweat-suit issue: I know it’s cold out, so please let me clarify by saying that I love hoodies. Love. I own almost a dozen for the sole purpose of keeping me warm during the winter. Sure, I’ve been known to run out to Wawa, in the middle of the night, in my beat up SJU sweatshirt, but I can’t recall the last time that I have ventured into daylight wearing it. The sweatshirt doesn’t lend itself to anything other than sweatpants. When I say sweatpants, I do not mean the type of pants with company logos or self-affirmations such as ‘hottie’ on them. You don’t need to wear your self-esteem on your ass. We get it. If you’re going to be advertising for a company, you should be paid for it – not paying excessive amounts of money for bedazzled sweats that shed rhinestones in the dryer and start to read ‘J U I Y’ rather than their intended.

There’s really nothing cute about adults wearing pajamas in public. This also applies to slippers. Uggs are glorified slippers. Sure you can waterproof them in your parent’s basement, but there’s something about the way they look with pants tucked into them. The most unflattering look ever? Seriously, once you turn 13 years old, and your mom is off your case about peeing the bed, your stuffed animal shoes should be retired. Listen, I own a pair of hello kitty slippers. Do I wear them out in public? Never. I wouldn’t want to embarrass my momma like that. Besides, they are my only friends and I am a crazy cat lady…shut up.

The next time your friend attempts to meet you in public looking like an overgrown, little league, pageant enthusiast, in her bedazzled MLB velour jumpsuit, have the courage to just say “No.” Say no to being seen with someone who wears their pajamas outdoors and be amazed by the company that you will attract going forward.

rhinestones + faux fur + pink…oh my

a tale of ‘woof’ in the city

Dana

It takes both time and practice to become the best.

Our family has been serving Philly’s favorite cheesesteaks and hoagies since 1947. Whether you’re looking for a snack at the stadiums, a bite

near the sites, a sandwich shipped anywhere, or a cheesesteak packaged to travel, we’d love to cook

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Bring your family to visit our family at 214 Market St, and try Philly's favorite sandwiches for yourself!

the entertainercedric

If you’ve sat down recently to enjoy a scrumptious dessert at Buddakan, you have Cedric Barberet to thank for the lovely dance of flavors on your taste buds. As Executive Pastry Chef, Barberet crafts up precision desserts with the restaurant’s distinctive Asian-fusion edge.

Previously the Executive Pastry Chef for Le Bec Fin, Barberet got his start in quintessential French fashion. Cue the pastoral imagery and cafe music. Barberet hails from Lyon, France, and indeed was born with butter in his blood, growing up in the middle of his parent’s patisserie. Can we imagine a better childhood? France...pastries…we think not.

“That is how I got introduced to the world of pastry. I completed my apprenticeship at the age of 16, at my family’s bakery, and then at 18, traveled to Nice to perfect my skill.”

After completing the dessert equivalent of the Ivy Leagues - the Master in Pastry program, Mon Dieu - Barberet was off to America before he was even of legal age to sip a French wine stateside. With stints up and down the east coast, including being the Executive Pastry Chef at Mar A Lago Club for six years, Barberet created the decadent desserts at The Donald’s wedding to Melania - a highlight, he says, of his career.

So what goes into crafting a dessert that almost looks too good to eat? Barberet says flavor always comes fi rst. “Then I start to make drawings to have an idea of how I want to lay the dessert out. Then the plate factors in, to make sure we have the best presentation possible.” He says this design process can span many days from conception to peer-to-peer chef tasting (can we be invited next time?).

“When everything is to satisfaction then we start to make the production. It is a long process, but pastry needs more steps to preparation than savory dishes. You have no room for mistakes when you create pastries.”

Barberet defi nitely gets to flex his puff pastry muscle at his current culinary home, with offerings like the Wasabi Panacotta with Vanilla Crumble and Black Current Sorbet and White Chocolate Cheesecake with Raspberry Sorbet and Lemon Raspberry Marshmallow. “We have a palette of many different desserts from the most unusual to traditional, basically something for every taste bud.”

The sweet side of life doesn’t need to be complex though for this pastry master. His favorite dessert?

“A good and simple strawberry tart with fresh vanilla pastry cream on a shortbread dough!”

And speaking of desserts, how about a ‘wooder’ ice or Tastykake, Cedric?

“I am not a fan of water ice and company...that said, my kid loves it! But I have to say, I like a good chocolate chip cookie, nicely baked and moist...yummy.”

BY JACKIE RUPP

It’s 10pm and we’ve been working since lunch.

I’m at Woodshop Films, a production studio hidden away in Fishtown. My writing/directing/creative partner Tony Trov is chugging another green tea, “Maybe it was better the other way.”

Andrew Geller, the editor, sits at his Final Cut station and taps command+Z until the timeline is back to the way it was. A series of clips reverse order and a sequence is restored. Today we lock the edit on Alpha Girls, our first feature length film. Alpha Girls is a horror movie about devil worshiping sorority girls and soured friendships. All three of us are fighting the urge to put down our pencils and turn in the exam. We reassure each other “it’s done” one last time and finally export.

Later, at the bar, we celebrate even though we know there’s more work to be done. Sound mix, special effects, even the credits all need to be finalized. We are do-it-yourself artists, so there’s always another hurdle. Even after the movie is totally complete there are hours of graphic design ahead of us as we prepare to promote the film. Thinking about it too much is enough to give you an anxiety attack. So we try to go with the flow and get as much done as we can without busting a brain cell.

Next day Trov and I wake up early(ish) and grab croissants on the corner. With pastries in hand, we walk north to South Street yelling about whatever was in the news this morning. We don’t read the news, we read the internet and mostly just read the headlines. We’re visiting Cheesesteak Tees to meet with the owner and art director about some work we submitted. For a little over two years we’ve been pumping out sports puns and parody shirts. But the Phillies bombed this year and CST is branching out. Trov’s Pho tee is next in the printing queue and I’m here to discuss colors for a line of ironic tourism shirts.

[a day in the life]SOUTH FELLINIJohnny Zito, one of the founders of South Fellini, a local graphic novel and feature film creative group, gives us a peek inside his average day.

On our way back to South-est South Philly, we pop into the Glass on Glass pipe store that just opened. Comics and head shops are old friends, so Trov believes they may stock our latest graphic novel: DOGS of Mars. It turns out the proprietor is a neighborhood guy, we know some of the same people, he’s also a big comic book fan. He buys four copies for the store and one for himself. “It’s like Aliens meets Lord of The Flies” I tell him. We hang out and talk about Prometheus for an hour - everyone liked the movie, but was still let down.

Tonight is the first night we haven’t been at Woodshop in a month. Instead we head out for an ice coffee with Rahzzah. He’s just starting his day; after we crash, he’ll sit down at his computer and start drawing. He’s the artist on Moon Girl, a super hero comic Trov and I wrote about 1950’s vigilantes. Rahzzah lives around the corner from HQ and he’s finishing up the last few pages of Issue 5. We sit in front of the cafe sipping on bottomless mugs just waiting for the sun to go down. We argue about Lost, Batman, and The Red Hot Chili Peppers. Not because we disagree, just because we like arguing. So it goes until the barista collects the table and chairs before sending us away.

Tomorrow we’re cold calling comic shops to promote DOGS of Mars. Then we’re off to party supply stores in search of 3D glasses. We also plan to release a series of minimalist posters for Alpha Girls.

No two days are the same and everyday presents it’s own opportunities. It’s very challenging, but you get back what you put out.

Afterwards we pop over to Tattooed Mom to schedule an exhibition for later in the month. Trov and I are really into 3D right now, so we’d like to wheat paste some posters in the space upstairs...3D sexy ladies are the theme. We walk through the second floor bar and scout real estate for each piece we have in mind. The walls at Tattooed Mom are special, they are thick with generations of art that ooze out like a punk rock diarrhea. This is our second time at T-mom’s, but I’m very excited. I know that our work is going to wind up entombed here, buried under another artist and then another artist after that. Our work will congeal for ages, slowly mutating, until the walls sprout legs and walk away.

While we’re here we eat tots and meet with Christine Larsen, who teaches sequential story telling at University of the Arts. She’s also an amazing talent who illustrates Kung Fu Panda for Ape Entertainment. The three of us have gathered to talk about maybe, possibly, sort of, kinda starting a web comic. We all worked together on a similar project in 2010 for DC Comics - it was the fun but short lived LaMorte Sisters. A few PBRs later and we have a rough idea of what we’re gonna do, if we ever get around to doing it. Christine rides off on her bike, just a lil buzzed, dreaming of Lovecraftian super beasts and World War II battleships. That night she e-mails sketches to whet our appetite and it gets us working on the script.

Alpha Girls Minimalist Poster (1 of 5) by Izzy Ramos | DOGS of Mars (Image Comics) by Paul Maybury

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Listen up, Cousin. I’m Chad, and people like to hate on me because I pop more collars than a seminary, yo. I keep it fresh, and some people want to call me a douchebag, but really they’re just jealous of my swag. I’m here to let you in on a few design secrets for your bar to make it tight for me and my boys, while keeping out some of the stiffs from killing my buzz. I’m always bummed out when I get to a bar to get my drank on, and fi nd it totally unbecoming of a bro such as myself. Whether it’s the layout of the bar, the ambiance, or the menu itself, I have some defi nite standards when it comes to where I like to get crizzunked. Here’s my rules for how to best enhance your watering hole to maximize your Chadliness.

[1] Everybody knows that douchebags can’t cross bodies of water. Don’t ask me why, but it makes playing mini golf and marco-polo incredibly diffi cult. If your bar has some kind of moat around it, or series of intense fountains, I can pretty safely say that your bar is going to be a Chad-free zone. Weird exception? Pools in Vegas.

[2] Lighting plays a big role in Chad trying to get his swerve on. However, lighting is not without it’s caveats. If your bar is too bright, then I can’t wear my rhinestone Ed Hardy shirts without looking like a disco ball when I’m trying to buy your girlfriend a drink. This is a common misconception about bros such as myself, since I tend to wear sunglasses and/or hats indoors and at night. The Chadster’s vision has adapted to life in complete darkness. That said, if your bar is too dark, then nobody’s going to see my fresh look. Can’t see my tortoise-shell wayfarers? Get some halogens, bro. I read a book that chicks were attracted to bright colors (maybe that was hummingbirds?), so the ladies need to be able to discern my periwinkle polo from cerulean. It’s not 2009 anymore.

[3] If your bar is subterranean, in a cave or a basement or a sewer, you can count Chad out. The only thing going down when I hit up my clubs is my vocabulary. I need windows out onto the street so I can yell out to my boys about nothing in particular, right into your ear.

[4] If your bar doesn’t serve jello shots, you might as well burn it down. I have so many questions for bar owners that don’t serve jello shots. Well, actually just two: First, have you ever had a jello shot? It’s like putting angel wings directly into your mouth. Second, why aren’t you serving jello shots?

[5] Aside from jello shots, there’s a ton of other things I need on my menu. Chief among them for Chad is that Chad needs sweet beers that are perfect for spilling on people. Ideally, those beers stain and are impervious to current-day clothes washing/dry-cleaning techniques. How else am I going to leave my mark? I’m like Zorro with a solo cup.

[6] Do your bartenders know how to make drinks? If so, you’re probably going to lose a lot of Chad-related business. I like my drinks like I like my concrete: poorly mixed and incredibly unsafe. If your vodka well drinks don’t taste like razorblades going down, then you’ve failed as a bar owner.

[7] Speaking of bartenders, I’d prefer it if they are really hard of hearing. It keeps the non-Chads out, since they can’t yell “heeeeey-o!” and point directly in the face of the bartender and keep their humanity. Their loss is Chad’s gain - Chad always has a drink or 4, ready to spill all over you.

[8] What’s your floor made of? I love sticky floors. Who wouldn’t want to wade through a mystery patch that feels like you’re walking on velcro? If your floor is sticky, you’re doing a great job. It creates a sort of hottie flypaper where Chad can creep up and dance at you while you struggle for your freedom. I like to dance while holding my drinks and pointing, which makes the floor that much stickier. I think this is what Mufassa was talking about as the Circle of Life, but I can’t be sure. The Chadmeister typically wears some sick hi-top kicks, which have become impervious to sticky floors, allowing me to skate across your sticky floors like some kind of bro’ed-out Brian Boytano. Sticky floors are the new trucker hat (although last time I checked, trucker hats are still in).

[9] I like dope beats in my bars. I’m a huge fan of technodub, dubstep, electrodub, house dub, dub jazz, and Coldplay. Really, anything I can dance to, because when there’s a dance floor in sight, the Chadador will slice up your rug like a ginzu knife, cousin. I recommend having enormous speakers, since I don’t want to hear anything anyone has to say when I’m feeling my groove, even if those things are “stop bumping into me” or “get out of my house.”

In summary, if you follow my advice above, your bar will turn into a proverbial beehive of bro-dom. I know I’d patronize your bar and tip poorly, and I’m sure a lot of my fellow swagronauts will as well. Chad will be buzzing, jello shots will be flowing, and the dubstep won’t stop until something red starts coming out of your ears. I’ll see you out on the scene. Chad out.

Fix Me A Drink, Brah.Bar Advice From A Douchebag

by jamie “chad” o’neill

[Science on Tap] Greetings, nerd. Don’t worry, we’re right there with you (and couldn’t be prouder). Science on Tap is sort of a monthly, sudsy roundtable, where folks can grab a drink and discuss what’s going on in the science world. Hosted by National Mechanics (22 South 3rd Street, Old City), and put on by The Chemical Heritage Foundation (among others), this event has been going strong since 2009. For more info and scheduling, visit www.scienceontapphilly.com.

[Neshaminy Creek Brewing Company] We know you’re thirsty. Quench it in Bucks County. The NCBC (thank goodness for acronyms) is actually the fi rst production brewery in all of Bucks County, that just opened it’s doors – and taps – this past spring. Tours are held Fridays and Saturdays from 12 – 7pm and Sundays from 12 – 5pm. Don’t wait to jump on the bandwagon. Hit up www.neshaminycreekbrewing.com for more info.

[Longwood Gardens] Nestled in Kennett Square, there is a garden…a very big garden with special events for the whole family. “A Longwood Christmas,” celebrating the season’s best flora, coupled with a half million lights, is sure to entertain the whole family. And don’t miss out on their annual Christmas Fountain Show – a festive water show, set to lights and holiday tunes. www.longwoodgardens.org for all info.

places to go

photo by l. albeephoto by l. albee

[in the know...]by eddie keels

Cedrone’s Flowersfor the most important days of your lives

www.cedronesflowers.com

800 Lombard Street | Historic Washington Square West

215.629.9858215.990.7812

Kid or Adult

Private Parties! PaintYour Pet!BYO Public

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Relax, unwind & discover(or rediscover) your inner artist!

Whether you’re planning a Girls Night, Date Night, or just want some

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sip your favorite beverage (BYO), snack while you paint . . .

Girls’Night Out!

Entertaining Paint Parties

ABSOLUTELY No Experience Required. Promise!

Paint It Forward

www.TheUncorkedArtist.com 267-714-85451414 Old York Road • Suite B • Warminster, PA 18974

Kid or Adult

Private Parties!BYO PublicPaint Parties! Paint It Forward

FUNdraisers

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one-on-one with your creative side,

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[Bill Cosby] Yup, your favorite pudding-pusher is still at it. The Philly native is appearing at the Sovereign Performing Arts Center in Reading, PA. With an 8pm showing on 11/30, don’t miss your chance to see a legend at work. Why are we featuring this in our Design Issue? Have you seen this man’s sweaters? www.sovereigncenter.com.

[Straight No Chaser] A cappella is certainly hit-or-miss with a lot of folks. Those that do it right, rock it. Talentless collegians, who decide they just want to be part of a group, should have probably never left club badminton. To the former, one of the most acclaimed groups, Straight No Chaser, is appearing in Hershey and Allentown on 12/22 & 12/23. Not sold yet? YouTube their version of “The 12 Days of Christmas.” You’ll see… www.sncmusic.com.

[Ebenezer Scrooge] Walnut Street Theatre is retelling the classic story by Charles Dickens. “A Christmas Carol” will run from 12/1-12/22. Bring the kids, bring your mom, bring a date. Who doesn’t love timeless storytelling? www.walnutstreettheatre.org for info and tickets.

[Gingerbread] House Competition Proud of that gingerbread house you made in kindergarten? Ya know, the one affixed with indigestible paste and decorated with generic, peppermint swirls? Yea, it was pretty bad – but here’s your chance at redemption! Peddler’s Village is hosting their contest from 11/16 – 1/5. Show the world you now mean business. www.peddlersvillage.com for how to get involved.

[Linvilla Orchards] Remember all of those field trips to this place way back when? Relive your youth with a trip back. Thinking Linvilla is only good for pumpkins? Think again. Visit from 11/17-12/23 and you can cut down your own Christmas tree! It may not be your usual tree outing, to the oh-so-festive Walmart parking lot, but I think it’s about time to upgrade. Nature-up, people. www.linvilla.com for all event listings.

[BYOB Painting Classes] You read correctly. Art and boozing, finally becoming one. At The Uncorked Artist you actually get to create a masterpiece, hang out with your friends, and enjoy your favorite beverages and snacks. Worried you’re not the next Van Gogh? No sweat – this is a fun outing. Grab a group of people, pack the wine and cheese, and you’re on your way to Warminster. Visit www.theuncorkedartist.com for class info and timing.

people to see

things to do

photo by mark garvin

[how well do you know your philly landmarks?][answers] 1. city hall ceiling, 2. love park sculpture, 3. magic dream garden, 4. moshulu, 5. surburban station, 6. race street pier, 7. south street pedestrian bridge, 8. zoo balloon, 9. navy yard

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photo quizby sherry ruczynski

©20

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KERRY WASHINGTON, ACCLAIMED ACTOR.CERENA™ MODERN CERAMIC DESIGNWITH STAINLESS STEEL AND DIAMONDS.MOVADO.COM

1501 PACKER AVENUE | PHILADELPHIA PA215.465.6500