by Sr. Editor on April 6, 2010
Photo Credit: iStock Photo/drbueller
With its part in American history and numerous Georgian architectural wonders, it’s no wonder Philadelphia has been the set for more than 1,000 films. Philadelphia is where the busy streets of the sixth-largest city in the nation meet the quiet, surrounding Amish country. The city is home to multiple historical sites and landmarks, including Independence Hall, where the Declaration of Independence was signed, and the Liberty Bell, one of the most prominent symbols of the American Revolutionary War.
From vintage to modern, urban to rural and everything in between, Philadelphia has it all. Here are the top five movies that represent the City of Brotherly Love:
Philadelphia
About: A lawyer (Tom Hanks) with AIDS is fired by a conservative Philadelphia law firm because of his condition, and he fights back against the firm with a wrongful dismissal lawsuit.
Represent, Philly: The library scene was filmed in the Furness Building, a fine arts library at the University of Pennsylvania, and the courtroom scenes were filmed in an actual Philadelphia courtroom that the city let the producers use.
Fun Fact: In the film, Denzel Washington’s character says he prays the Philadelphia Phillies will win the National League Championship Series pennant, and in 1993, the year the movie was released, the Phillies did.
Rocky
About: An amateur boxer gets a once-in-a-lifetime chance to fight the heavyweight champion and have his one chance at making a better life for himself.
Represent, Philly: Despite the entire movie’s filming in Philadelphia, few movie scenes are as memorable as the training montage in “Rocky,” where Rocky runs up the 72 steps at the Philadelphia Museum of Art and “air boxes” at the top, all to the tune of “Gonna Fly Now,” the “Rocky” theme song.
Fun Fact: While shooting his famous jog through the streets of Philadelphia, Sylvester Stallone pulled a tendon in his leg and was taken to a nearby hospital in a wheelbarrow.
The Sixth Sense
About: A child (Haley Joel Osment) who sees ghosts who don’t know they’re dead seeks the help of a regretful child psychologist named Malcolm (Bruce Willis).
Represent, Philly: In the scene where Cole is playing with toy soldiers in the church, he is in St. Augustine Catholic Church on the corner of 4th and Vine Streets. The scene where Malcolm misses his anniversary date with his wife is filmed at The Striped Bass restaurant on Walnut Street.
Fun Fact: When Cole and his mother are sitting in the kitchen, an empty container of Penn Maid sour cream is one of the glasses on the table. Penn Maid sour cream is only available in Philadelphia.
Twelve Monkeys
About: James Cole (Bruce Willis) is a convicted criminal living in a post-apocalyptic future who, to earn a pardon, goes back in time to collect information on a deadly virus.
Represent, Philly: In addition to the various abandoned buildings and public Philadelphia landmarks shown throughout the movie, interior shots of the climatic airport scene were shot at the Pennsylvania Convention Center at Reading Terminal, and scenes at the psychiatric hospital were done at Eastern State Penitentiary.
Fun Fact: At the time of filming, the two newscasters shown in the movie were actual journalists on Philadelphia’s Channel 10 news.
Witness
About: After an Amish child witnesses a murder, policeman John Book (Harrison Ford) goes into hiding in Amish country to protect him until the trial.
Represent, Philly: Most of the movie was filmed in Philadelphia and surrounding towns. The scene where Book talks to the child witness in the train station was shot at the 30th Street Amtrak Station.
Fun Fact: The 30th Street Station has also the filming location of the films “Trading Places” and “The Happening,” as well as four other movies.
by Sr. Editor on February 15, 2010
Photo Credit: iStock Photo/stoffies
Imagine having your intimate wedding in a free, large, well-decorated space that overlooks an expansive, sparkling-blue pool, surrounded by dogwood trees in full bloom.
Imagine… your apartment complex clubhouse.
Hosting your wedding at an apartment clubhouse is probably not how you envisioned your wedding as a child, but it can be beautiful regardless. There are plenty of bathrooms, guests can swim in your complex pool during your wedding weekend and you can host a laid-back cookout for your rehearsal dinner. Plus, the wrought-iron railing that surrounds the pool, detailed landscaping and multiple lights provide instant ambiance.
If you do not live in a apartment complex but want to utilize a clubhouse you’ve seen, many apartment complexes will rent their spaces to you. Better yet, if you do live in an apartment clubhouse, you may not have to pay anything at all. Simply call the apartment manager and find out how you may reserve the space, but specify that you want to reserve the pool and grills as well so you have complete control of the space. Perhaps you could also arrange for your guests to stay in the complex’s furnished apartments instead of nearby hotels.
Having your wedding in your apartment complex clubhouse means that, for the most part, your wedding will be outdoors. The clubhouse is where guests can use the restroom and where the wedding party dresses. Since it’s equipped with a large kitchen, the clubhouse will also be where caterers or family members prepare the food. You can even have your bridesmaids’ luncheon inside a well-decorated clubhouse, as it often has café tables and chairs, as well as sofas and armchairs.
The ideal apartment clubhouse will have a balcony that overlooks the pool. The bride and groom can say their vows on the balcony and the wedding party can be there too, or the bride and groom can be alone on the balcony (with the officiator, of course). In this instance, guests’ chairs should be lined up around the pool. Or, arrange for the band or DJ to be on the balcony, and the bride and groom, wedding party and guests are on the same level as the pool.
To differentiate your wedding from your reception, divide the surrounding area of the pool into separate spaces simply by using décor. Designate one area for food display, one for dining, one for dancing, one for gift display and one for photos of the bride and groom, and separate them with varying light displays, sheer, draped cloth or rented tents. Indicate the focal point of the wedding – where the bride and groom will say their vows – with two large flower displays and a rented archway. To really set your romantic scene, display rented ferns in varying heights near the food, string white lights around the fence and set up an area with white paper lanterns overhead for dancing underneath. You can always have someone move the flower displays and archway, and put a rented dance floor in their place.
Of course, with a apartment complex wedding, you may worry about freeloaders or onlookers. Chances are, if you utilize a space in a luxury Philadelphia apartment complex, you will not have to worry about freeloaders. If you’re still worried, speak to the apartment manager about arranging security for the area, or have him send out advanced notice to nearby residents about the event, so they don’t think it’s an apartment-sponsored party.
Some residents may look from their balconies at the romantic scene happening at the pool, but they will most likely be respectful of the event. Besides, you’ll be having such a good time and saving so much money that you probably won’t even notice.
by Sr. Editor on February 15, 2010
Volunteerism in Philadelphia is alive and well. Whether you are a retiree looking for fulfilling and rewarding work to occupy your time or you are just looking for ways to connect with the Philadelphia community and make some like-minded friends, volunteering is a great way to bond with others and give back to the community.
Image by: firstbaptistnashville on Flickr
It’s easy to find a volunteer organization in Philadelphia that could use your talents and give you the great feeling of helping others. Here are a few great places to get started.
Philadelphia Cares
For those who are not sure what to volunteer for, the Philadelphia Cares Web site is a good place to start. The Philadelphia Cares site calendar features the latest events in need of volunteers and matches people with various nonprofit agencies. You can decide on a volunteer opportunity based on when it is convenient for you and which opportunity best matches your talents and resources. From fundraising events to working with animals, children and senior citizens, you can find something that has meaning to you.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Philadelphia
If you are looking to develop a bond with a youth in need, this is a great organization that fosters mutual bonds between an adult mentor and a child. According to the latest Census information, approximately 120,000 children in Chester, Delaware, Philadelphia and Montgomery counties are at risk of social and academic failure. You can be a positive influence on a child’s life, but you may discover that you need to mentor a child just as much as he or she needs you.
Philabundance
Philabundance is Philly’s largest food bank network in the area. Their mission is “to end hunger and malnutrition in the Delaware Valley by acquiring food and distributing it through organizations serving people in need.” According to a recent study by the Food Research and Action Center (FRAC), a national nonprofit company in Washington, Philadelphia is the second-hungriest area in the nation. Philabundance has volunteers of all ages and walks of life who donate their time to work in the warehouse, provide administrative support, and assist with special events.
Philadelphia Zoo
The Philadelphia Zoo relies heavily on volunteers of all ages to help with administration, give tours and even help as zookeeper assistants. The zoo has volunteer programs that are perfect for adults, teens and college interns. If you love working with animals and enjoy educating other people about animals, the Philadelphia Zoo would be a great place to give your time and interact with other animal lovers.
Habitat for Humanity in Philadelphia
Doing physical work with your hands can be very rewarding. Habitat for Humanity in Philadelphia focuses on building multiple homes in a community rather than scattered site houses. The organization rehabilitates entire neighborhoods by providing simple, decent, affordable homes for families in need. You can get involved with Habitat for Humanity in Philadelphia by providing some much-needed elbow grease in building homes or donating materials to the organization.
No matter how much time you have to give or what your interest, there is a volunteer organization that needs your help in Philadelphia. Discover the joys and benefits of being part of a bigger community in Philadelphia.
April Lentini writes for Philadelphia Apartment Guide near Restaurant Row.
