We are mid-PIFA - Philadelphia International Festival of the Arts. With over 100 events around the city until May 1, PIFA nods to Paris in its inspiration. The festivities culiminate this Saturday with a Street Fair. Here's the description: "Join us as The Avenue of the Arts is transformed into a Parisian street fair with French street vendors and performers, a grass park with a children’s area, musical entertainment all day long, and a giant Ferris Wheel. All culminating with a breathtaking routine by La Compagnie Transe Express performing 100 feet in the air." Admission is...

Last week, the weather in Philly was in the 70s. This week, we have snowflakes on the doppler radar. Whether it wants to or not, summer will be here before we know it.

Summer for us means more than just beach weekends and water ice. It means that we get to share our office with motivated interns who are eager to learn the ins and outs of a design studio.

We are seeking applicants on the path to becoming a stellar designer or a savvy, marketing/business/communications specialist. Work flow will vary day to day. Part-time and full-time positions available.

Please send your resume...

Last fall, I attended an event during the First Person Arts Festival featuring Joan Nathan. She is a fabulous storyteller and brought the audience on her journey through France in an exploration of Jewish French cuisine. I learned that Jewish men introduced the eggplant to France by bringing seeds from India. Of course, you can't talk about food without eating! So, there were plates of Zahav's famous hummus and sandwiches from Hershel's East Side Deli. Yum! 

I'm a huge fan of cookbooks and food anthropology so the idea of listening to someone's stories about food while eating food...

One Book, One Philadelphia is in its ninth year of selecting one book to promote reading, literacy and library use across the city. This year's selection is Sherman Alexie's War Dances. The collection of short stories and poems examine the complexities of human relationships. War Dances has been called shocking, funny and poignant, bringing readers on a true tour of the intricacies of life.

For younger readers One Book has selected The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian (also by Sherman Alexie) and The Good Luck Cat by Joy Harjo. In coming months One book will host events around the...

Plans this Sunday? Mill Creek Farm is hosting their annual benefit party at Fairmount Water Works Interpretive Center from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

This is an opportunity to support community-based agriculture and environmental education
in this season of giving.

TICKETS and MORE information: www.millcreekurbanfarm.org
Tickets $25 online or at the door.

Last Thursday, Philadelphia experienced a TED conference in the form of TEDxPhilly. Developed to connect the local community with its own talent, the x version of the prestigious TED brings accessibility to a population used to watching the talks online rather than in the same room with the speakers.

From the first step into the Kimmel Center, you knew that something big was about to happen. The first presentor set the stage for the remaining speakers and I'm not sure any of them reached her bar. With her Presidential trivia and poetic enthusiasm, Cristin O'Keefe Aptowicz, reminded us...

It's finally here. Tomorrow 600 people will gather at the Kimmel Center to participate in a thought-provoking, dynamic event hosted by TEDxPhilly. For those of you who don't have the golden ticket, no worries. Live streaming will be available on the TEDxPhilly website and at the Piazza and National Mechanics. All are welcomed to celebrate and decompress at the afterparty at the University of the Arts starting at 6 p.m.

Seventeen speakers will frame their talks under the theme: Right Here, Right Now. For sessions -Systems & Societies, Culture & Meaning, Incredible Machines and Between the Ears. Some of...

We've been working with the Philadelphia Jewish Business Network (JBN) -a professional community organization -for the past few months on their website redesign project. Well, it's time to launch...

We'll be presenting the new site at today's JBN luncheon before their Political Panel.

Here's the details:
Moderator: Jeff Jubelirer, Principal Jubelirer Strategies
Panelist: Zachary Stalberg, President and CEO Committee of Seventy
Alex Roarty, Political Reporter
Michael G. Hagen, PhD, Associate Professor and Graduate Chair Department of Political Science, Temple University
Time: 12:00 - 1:30pm
$18 for Members
$25 for Non-Members

Hope to see you there!

The Major League Baseball season is winding down and our Philadelphia Phillies need to step up their game to clinch a playoff spot. As of now, we are the wild card seat, but as in any major league playoffs, anything could happen.

Last night's game lasted 16 innings and ended unfavorably for our Phils. Fans did, however, get to enjoy the second playing of "Take Me Out To The Ballgame" during the 14th inning stretch. Years ago, I went to one of the longest games ever in baseball history: Game 4 of the 1993 World Series clocked at 4 hours and...

"There is more to life than increasing its speed." - Gandhi

Thanks goodness it’s Friday and the weekend is just beginning! Hot days, long hours and crowded commutes make it hard to relax, but it is so important. Relaxation is crucial to maintaining your well-being and heath. Relaxation reduces blood pressure, decreases muscle tension and of course, lowers stress levels. The more relaxed you are, the more energy you will have, which makes you more effective at problem-solving and being efficient.