Kory M. Aversa, Philadelphia Blogger

City Year Names Comcast's Arthur Block the 2012 Idealist of the Year at Tribute Dinner

City Year Greater Philadelphia (CYGP), my newest client, announced that Arthur R. Block, Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of Comcast Corporation, is being honored with the 2012 Idealist of the Year Award at the annual Tribute Dinner on Thursday, May 17th, at 6:00 PM, at the Pennsylvania Convention Center, Philadelphia, PA.  Over 1,000 community leaders will join City Year corps members and champions for an engaging evening that celebrates Block and Comcast’s commitment to America’s youth.

The Tribute Dinner is supported by premiere event sponsor Davis Polk & Wardwell, LLP. Joe Banner, President of Philadelphia Eagles, David L. Cohen, Executive Vice President of Comcast Corporation, and M. Norman Goldberger, Partner of Ballard Spahr LLP, are serving as event co-chairs. Event sponsors Ballard Spahr LLP and Kasowitz, Benson, Torres & Friedman LLP join over 68 other major sponsors in supporting this evening. 

“Art has volunteered untold hours towards the expansion and improvement of City Year in his role as member and Co-Chair of the Board,” said Dinner Co-Chair and CYGP Advisory Board Chair Joe Banner.  “It is because of Art’s deep rooted values of passion, integrity and commitment that City Year has chosen to honor him with the 2012 Idealist of the Year Award.”

Block is Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of Comcast Corporation, one of the world’s leading media, entertainment, and communications companies.  He has been involved with Comcast since 1978, first as outside counsel at Wolf Block, a role he held until he joined the company as an in-house attorney in 1989.  He was named to his current position of General Counsel in 2000.  Block directs the law and corporate governance functions at Comcast, supervising over 300 attorneys.

Block is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School (BS Economics and BA 1975) and the University of Michigan Law School (JD 1978).  A lifelong Philadelphian, Block has been involved in various community organizations.  He currently serves as Chair of the Board of Managers of Moore College of Art & Design and Co-Chair of City Year Greater Philadelphia’s Advisory Board. Block has been married to his wife Janice, a clinical social worker, for over 30 years.  Their children Marissa (27, also a clinical social worker) and Alexander (23, a digital advertising manager), both live and work in New York City.

“No one better exemplifies Comcast’s commitment to active community engagement than Art Block,” said Loree Jones, CYGP Co-Executive Director.  “He has been instrumental in deepening Comcast’s ongoing dedication to City Year and our nation’s young people.”

Comcast’s initial involvement with City Year came in 2001 when The Comcast Foundation funded the City Year Detroit Leadership Development and Training program. Soon after in 2002, Comcast became a local sponsor for the team serving at Henry A. Brown School in Philadelphia. Today, the Comcast partnership supports all of City Year’s leadership development programs, sponsors City Year teams in nine cities, and donates significant communication and broadcasting resources to help City Year raise awareness about its mission and focus areas by reaching more young people across the country through cable and internet. Comcast’s partnership with City Year has been renewed to carry through 2013. This partnership renewal brings Comcast's total cash and in-kind support to more than $75 million.

The Idealist of the Year Award recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to the Philadelphia community and who have dedicated themselves to the greater good of the region through their "idealism."  Each year a committee of the CYGP Board selects the Idealist of the Year from a list of prominent civic and business leaders.  Past recipients of the organization’s highest honor have included Banner; Cohen; Andrew C. Kerin, Executive Vice President of ARAMARK Corporation; Lynn L. Elsenhans, former CEO of Sunoco; Bill McDermott, Co-CEO of SAP; Richard Green, CEO and Vice Chairman of Firstrust Bank; and former United States Senator Harris Wofford.

Since 2000, the Tribute Dinner has engaged over 5,000 civic and business leaders, and raised over $5,000,000 to support City Year. The 2012 Tribute Dinner is expected to be the largest Tribute Dinner and fundraising event in CYGP’s 15 year history.  Tickets and sponsorships are currently available by visiting www.cityyear.org/philadelphia or calling (267) 386-7033.

Photos:   Leading up the Tribute Dinner, City Year invited me to join them for Comcast Cares Day with the Today Show and their Board Co-Chair/Honree Arthur Block.  

South Philly Presents Annual Food Fest "Flavors of the Avenue"

One of my favorite events is coming to South Philly this week!  Join me on Saturday, April 28, 2012 for  Flavors of the Avenue!  East Passyunk Avenue brings together 21 award-winning restraurants and bars for a day of food, drink, music and fun.  The event is held under a giant tent - so it's rain or shine! This year’s participating restaurants are:

• Belle Cakery
• Birra
• Cantina Los Caballitos
• Chhaya
• Chiarella’s
• El Zarape
• Fond
• Fuel
• Garage
• Green Olives Café
• Izumi
• Kris
• Le Virtù
• Marra’s
• Mamma Maria Ristorante
• Ms. Goody Cupcake
• Noir
• Paradiso
• South Philly Bar & Grill
• Stogie Joe’s
• Tre Scalini

Outside of the Flavors tent, enjoy a free street festival with vendors, live music, and a craft market at the Singing Fountain hosted by Crafty Balboa with DJ Linz&Mars spinning eclectic electronic music. After Flavors, head down to Birra (pictured from last year) for a free outdoor concert featuring Cheers Elephant until 6pm.

This event traditionall sells out every year -- and the advance ticket deadline is FAST approaching.  For more information and tickets, click here.  For pictures and menu descriptions from the press preview, check out my Philly Loves Fun blog.  See you Saturday!

 

Congrats to Temple Men's Gymnastics Team for Winning ECAC on Road to Nationals!

Congratulations to my good friends on the Temple's men's gymnastics team.  The Owls, ranked 10th in the nation, scored a total 347.400 points to win the ECAC team championship at McGonigle Hall last night.

They now advance to the NCAA championships, which will be held in Norman, Oklahoma, on Friday April 20 and Saturday April 21, 2012.  Good luck! 

 

New Contest: Free Tickets to Next Big Food Fest, Flavors on the Avenue

Flavors on the Avenue takes us to East Passyunk Avenue on Saturday, April 28 for an outdoor day of eating, drinking and fun.  Win two tickets to Philadelphia's next big food fest - enter on my Philly Loves Fun website today!

Enjoy a true taste of East Passyunk Avenue from 21 award-winning restaurants, all offering samples of their signature dishes and drinks under the cover of a big top tent, making the event rain or shine! Outside of the Flavors tent, enjoy a free street festival with vendors, live music, and a craft market at the Singing Fountain hosted by Crafty Balboa with DJ Linz&Mars spinning eclectic electronic music. After Flavors, head down to Birra (pictured from last year) for a free outdoor concert featuring Cheers Elephant until 6pm.

For a list of restaurants, and to enter, visit Philly Loves Fun.  There are SIX ways to enter!  One winner will be selected to win two tickets. The last day to enter is Thursday, April 19 at 11:59 PM. The winner will be announced on Monday, April 23, 2012 on our Philly Loves Fun Facebook page!

Disclaimer: This post and contest is brought to you with support from East Passyunk Avenue! Facebook, Twitter and Google are not affiliated with this giveaway. Data collected may be shared with East Passyunk Avenue.

City of Hope Dishes Up Best Party of the Year: Cake, Cake and More Cake!

City of Hope hosted 40+ of Philadelphia top pastry chefs, cake decorators and bakeries for the Delaware Valley's premiere wedding cake competition -- and party of the year!  

Hundreds of people turned out Monday night at the Loews Philadelphia Hotel to join the fondant food fest that is formally known as "Let Them Eat Cake."  The night started with a celebrity judging, with a panel that included baking royalty Sylvia Weinstock.  After the judges had their sugar fix, VIPs swept into the room for a very private reception with their favorite desserts.  By the time the doors opened at 6:00 PM, the crowd was lined up with forks (and take-home containers) in hand. 

Each and every year, students and professionals create fun and fancy cakes of all sizes, shapes, colors and flavors.  There aren't your garden variety cake, however. Leave the crispy white frosting and white buttercream at home!  Each year, it is recommended that the cakes taste and decorations fit with the theme.  This year's theme had everyone running off to the circus, literally!   Cake makers used bright colors, off center designs, bold flavors, bright icings and familiar flavors (cotton candy, popcorn) to pay homage to the big top, popcorn, aerialists, ring masters and clowns.

Stay tuned for a second photo gallery from "Let Them Eat Cake," which will feature celebrity sightings, circus entertainment and non-cake exhibitors.

Disclaimer: This post and contest was brought to you with support of the City of Hope - special thanks to them for the free tickets! Facebook, Twitter and Google are not affiliated with this giveaway.  Data collected through this giveaway will not be shared without your consent.

 

It’s Time to Fly! Flying Trapeze Spring Season Opens in Bucks County

Fly through the air with the greatest of ease... Get your feet off the ground on the flying trapeze...With the spring comes a chance to soar 25 feet above the ground on the flying trapeze.   Northern Bucks County provides a beautiful backdrop for learning to swing in the open air as Fly School Circus Arts opens their 4th Spring season on Saturday, May 5, 2012.   Opening day lessons are a special price of only $45 (down from $55 per person). What a great deal!

“Flying trapeze lessons are a great activity that develops inner courage, trust, attention to detail and a sense of accomplishment,” said Fly School Executive Director Mary Kelly Rayel. “Trained instructors provide a motivating and inspirational atmosphere where students can open their mind and challenge their body.”

Last year, I did just that -- I challenged my body, mind and expectations not once, but twice!

 The first time I flew in Center City, soaring through the buildings on Broad Street as part of the Philadelphia International Festival of the Arts.  I always enjoy challenging myself with new and different activities -- and the trapeze seemed like the ultimate adventure.  During the lessons, I went up four times and learned everything from the take-off, to the swing, to basic positions, to the drop.  My start was a little shaky, just watch the funny video!  However, by my fourth and final time  I improved my technique enough to get caught by the catcher. What a thrill!  As soon as my feet touched the ground, I thought, "I want to do it again!"  

My second chance came when I took a group of friends for a fall day in Bucks County.  Before the pumpkin picking and cider sampling, we went to Fly School for a group lesson.  I started mentally practicing the entire week leading up to the lessons.  I also started stretching my legs, as I wanted the perfect Facebook profile picture (LOL).  When I set foot on the board, I was psyched and ready.  This time when they said "Hop" I hopped right into the air and flew like a bird.   The only thing that could have made it better was a fun pair of colorful, quirky circus socks!  (I had to leave something fun for 2012 didn't I?!)

This year, I plan on getting in on the high-flying action once more.   The Spring season runs May 5 to the end of June, although Mary Kelly hopes they might unofficially open earlier.  Let's keep our fingers crossed!

Fly School Circus Arts runs lessons out of Lions Camp Kirby, 1735 Narrows Hill Road, Upper Black Eddy, PA 18972. Information, schedules, and booking are available by visiting www.flyschoolcircusarts.com or calling (215) 262-7353.  

Tip: On your way to Lions Camp Kirby, check out the great shopping, food and other tourism attractions that beautiful Bucks County has to offer.  

Punk and Theatre Collide in Brat Productions' Let's Start a War

Punk and lounge music are waging battle at a government-sponsored cocktail during Brat Productions’ Rock & Awe:  Let’s Start a War.   The results are an awesome EXPLOSION of music, theatre, rock and roll, and art.  Choose your sides carefully.  You never know who will reign supreme!

CLICK for video preview!

This third installment of the Rock & Awe series takes place on Thursday March 29, Friday March 30 and Saturday March 31, from 10:00 PM to 11:30 PM, at the RUBA Club-Studios.  Tickets are on sale now for only $12 each at bratproductions.ticketleap.com.

Using the punk rock satire of the Dead Kennedys as a jumping off point, Let’s Start a War immerses audiences in a grand, decadent, carnival-inspired world that scrutinizes politics and class warfare. This is a fictional, government-sponsored cocktail party where the rich are gross exaggerations of themselves and the kitchen staff are plotting a violent uprising. Think The Cook, The Thief, His Wife, Her Lover meets 1984.  When the have-nots rise against the grimy, slimy, grotesque surfeit of an upper class, everyone should take care that they pick the right side.

Jess Conda and director John Greenbaum create a musical palate that uses punk rock as an inspiration, but blends a diverse assortment of musical styles. Expect song selections from The Dead Kennedys, Fear, Iggy Pop, Billy Bragg, Tom Waits and more.

The Rock & Awe guerilla art-making cabaret series is the focus of Conda’s residency at BRAT Productions. She conceived and developed this quarterly cabaret series that seeks to blend the theatre world and the cabaret world, but with a rock and roll edge.These are narrative cabarets where the words of the songs function as the script.

“I’ve always been interested in punk music as a political satire, and I’m also interested in lounge music as it is so much fun to sing. In Let’s Start a War, I get to flex my cabaret muscle by punking out a lounge song, or tripping out a punk song in a lounge way,” said Conda.

Tickets are on sale now! 

 Let’s Start a War runs nightly, from 10:00 PM through 11:30 PM, on Thursday March 29, Friday March 30 and Saturday March 31, at the RUBA Club Studios, 416 Green Street, Philadelphia, PA 19123.  Tickets are on sale now for $12 per person at Bratproductions.ticketleap.com.

Rock & Awe wraps up with the fourth installation on Thursday June 14, Friday June 15 and Saturday June 16 with Get Behind Me Satan, a romantic fantasia set to the White Stripes’ album of the same name.  Details are available at bratproductions.ticketleap.com.

Disclaimer:  No monetary compensation or in-kind items were provided for this post. 

 

XFINITY Live! Will Transform Philly's Food and Entertainment Scene

XFINITY Live!  is set to open in less than 30 days. Situated in the middle of the Wells Fargo Complex, this sports-themed dining and entertainment district sets out to redefine FUN with a little something for everyone.  Join me as I take a special hard hat tour...

 For years, Philadelphians have turned to the stadiums for sports games, concerts and traveling shows.

The Phillies, Eagles and Flyers all call this area their permanent home.  The teams share their turf with Ringling Bros. Barnum and Bailey Circus, Bon Jovi, Bruce Springsteen, American Idols and national touring productions.

On non-event days, you can stand and watch as a dust bunny rolls across the parking lot (cue in the old-style western music).  On event days, the area is teaming with screaming fans and tailgaters who make a near-instant disappearing act in the last inning.  They jump in their cars to head home, or they slip into the subway toward Center City for drinks and dancing.

XFINITY Live!  aspires to be a game changer in the dining and entertainment scene by shaking up these tried and true routines.    On non-game days XFINITY Live! sets out to attract foodies, locals and families.  On game days, it will compete head-to-hed with Center City and Old City by keeping the party in the heart of deep South Philly.  Let the fun begin!

HARD HAT PREVIEW

Just blocks from my house, construction crews hammer away on the site of the former Spectrum.  As I stand Broad Street,  XFINITY Live! looks tiny against the backdrop of Citizens Bank Park and the Wells Fargo Center. At this stage of the game, less than 30 days from its grand opening, there are pools of mud and puffs of concrete dust.  There is no landscaping to speak of, and plastic banners dangle from ropes.  Appearances, though, can be so deceiving!  

As I step around wiring and boards, I find myself shrinking faster than Alice in the rabbit hole as I entered the massive Marketplace hall.  From the outside, the building looked smaller than I imagined, but once inside it looked bigger than my wildest imagination.  While decorative touches weren't yet on the agenda, I could visualize the promise of a new high-end dining and entertainment "district."   I was in total awe!  

SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE

XFINITY Live! will be a 50,000 square foot, seven-day-a-week sports-themed food and entertainment district.    The expansive indoor and outdoor spaces will focus around six main components:

• Broad Street Bullies Pub -- Philly-style sports bar
• Spectrum Grille -- High end steak restaurant with cigar patio
• PBR Bar & Grill -- Tex-Mex style restaurant with mechanical bull
• Victory Beer Hall - German beer garden
• Philly Marketplace -- Oversized eatery with some retail spaces
• NBC Sports Arena --First-ever, one-of-a-kind sports viewing experience

The project will also boast an outside multi-purpose area with a mini-turf.  Inside, VIPs will get the red carpet treatment in exclusive party space that boasts the best seat in town.

It all sounds fun, but I wondered, "What makes it a "district" and not just a cool building or mini-mall?  For starters,  the new space will foster a sense of community, where everyone from bull riders, concert goers, sports fans, foodies, music fans and families will converge, mix and mingle.  Activities will transform the stadium area into a non-stop, must-do destination catering to sports and non-sports patrons.  Food and entertainment will satisfy every possible taste and desire -- all under one roof.  The liquor license extends from one end of the property to the other, inside and out.  This means drink connoisseurs can stroll with their microbrews into the Marketplace to wash down their cheese steak, or bring them outside to catch a glimpse of the city skyline.

Besides the beer and grub, what else makes it so special?  Flexible is the word my tour guides kept throwing around.  The new entertainment district will boast amazing indoor and outdoor spaces that can easily change and adapt to meet the needs of the day (or hour!) -- whether that means a mellow non-game night with a smaller intimate crowd, or a jam-packed day with a Phillies game and major concert on the calendar.  Flexible space, and a highly trained staff, mean seamless, unique and unforgettable event experience for patrons.

SPORTS TO THE MAX

XFINITY Live! will be marketed to stand on its own -- so that you don't have to be a sports fan to enjoy the fun.  However, for sports fans this will be the holy grail of sports viewing.  Get ready to churn out even more hometown spirit in your official new tailgating and game viewing spot.  Through a partnership with Sony, XFINITY Live! Philadelphia will open with state-of-the-art audio and video systems, including Sony flat panel televisions, to ensure everyone in the venue will have a high-definition view of the game.  The XFINITY™ On Demand Theater, a 24-foot wide, Sony LED video board, will show games outside.

Inside, Philadelphia has been chosen to host the first ever, NBC Sports Arena, which will boast  a 32-foot diagonal, 6mm, million dollar Sony LED HD television, high impact LED Rings displaying the NBC Sports Ticker, and in-game promotions that will rival any live sports experience in the world.  Philly folks will come to refer to this as the city's "fourth" stadium.  We also get bragging rights as it is the highest definition of its size in the world!  This massive arena  will be complimented with a wall of 60 inch high-definition TVs below.

FAMILY FUN

By day, XFINITY Live!  boasts a full line up of family-friendly activities and spaces.  The NBC Sports Field, an outdoor artificial turf field, will be a great place for families to picnic on a nice spring day.  The field will also be home to special events and free concerts.    From the field, families can view the XFINITY™ On Demand Theater, a 24-foot wide, Sony LED video board, which will show both sports game and movies.    Tour guides said movies will include "first-run" premium flicks that are appropriate for all ages.  Inside XFINITY Live!, kids will enjoy casual fair and games at Broad Street Bullies Pub.   If they are good, parents can treat them at the for ice cream and other sweets in the Philly Marketplace.  To keep up, exhausted parents can get a shot of high-end coffee inside the Marketplace.  When the kids are all tucked in, XFINITY Live!  is the perfect place for "Mom and Dad" to get a night on the town while staying close to home.  Free parking on non-game days is the cherry on top for families on a tight budget, or who don't want a lot of Center City hassle, parking tickets and traffic.

THINGS I LOVE

Parking will be free on non-game days -- which is great for locals (like me!) who want to drop by for a drink or bite to eat.  On game days, free parking will start one hour after the last game starts.  Over 20,000 spaces promise to give revelers an inexpensive alternative to $25 prices in Center City.

Drunk frat party!?  Heck, no.  My tour guides said they will be catering to neighborhood folks who will adopt Bullies as their "corner bar."  They also plan on catering to high-end revelers through the VIP spaces and the Spectrum Grille steak house.  If per chance things got out of hand, top of the line security is already being put into place to ensure a fun and orderly time for all.

Hail to the new corner bar!  As I get older, and busier, making the trek to my favorite haunts in Old City, Center City, Rittenhouse and Manayunk can be a real chore.  In less than five minutes I can walk down the street and claim my favorite chair at the city's fourth stadium and my new local hangout.  Fortunately, I will get to meet tens of thousands of new friends from all over the region.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

The formal grand opening is Friday, March 30 featuring a show by a yet-to-be-named "national headling act."  On March 28 and 29, starting at 4:00 PM, concert-goers will get an exclusive pre-concert preview before Bruce Springsteen. 

Stay tuned for the second post in this series that will focus specifically on the entertainment, food and drinks.  

Disclaimer:  No monetary compensation or in-kind items were provided for this post.   Philly Loves Fun brings you this preview as a courtesy, and is not involved in any planning or official promotion of this event.  Please verify final details, opening dates and times closer to the opening -- as it is still a work in progress until the formal unveiling.  

 

Aloha! Behind the Scenes at the 2012 Philadelphia Flower Show

The 2012 Philadelphia International Flower Show opened Sunday with waves of tropical fun!  This year I had the pleasure of experiencing the show from three perspectives, as a volunteer, an attendee and as a blogger.  From all sides of the coin, this year's show didn't disappoint.  Here's a run down of the fun....

Volunteering at the Show: Floral Designer Extraordinaire

Last year, my friends at MODA Botanical put out a call for volunteers.  Physically handling flowers and dirt isn't really my cup of tea.    But, all in the name of a fun and unique experience, I took the plunge.  The work was simple and easy to understand.  Our task was to put what seemed like a million (or was it two million?) roses into the tinyest little tubes you have ever seen, without knocking over the paper-thin fragile walls of the exhibit.  Tedious, but easy!  This year, when they put out their call for help I didn't hesitate.  It was a great way to be part of the show from the inside.  Selfishly, it was also a great way to sneak a peak without the crowds.  When I arrived they had what seemed like a simple task.  Put up these ten over sized leaves onto the mesh, tube them and then decorate over them with blue branches.  While this seemed easy, my mind was racing.  From doing this before, I have a small bit of understanding of how exhibits come together, and what can go wrong with them.  (Last year, while I didn't knock over the fragile, beautiful walls of MODA's exhibit, a small child and a party-goer knocked over their display TWICE!)  Panic set in...What if I ripped them?  What if I put them on wrong?  What if they didn't like where I put them?  What if I knocked over the mesh walls (...I'm not a small guy!)?  I had no idea I would be expected to be creative.  I also had no idea they would put so much trust in me.  So I set out on my work with the help of my good friend who came along to join me.  After the word "ridiculous" was dropped on me from my friend, thousands of reassuring looks from MODA staff, a few drops of sweat, and three hours of time, and I did it!  Whew.  While the exhibit was still under construction when I left, I saw the finished product during the media preview.  My work was on the back layer (pictured above to the left).

My oversize leaves would be covered with two other layers of Hawaiian plants to create a Hawaii-inspired canvas pattern.  Show spectators can even interact with the exhibit by cranking wheels on the sides to make colorful walls slide through the inside of the exhibit.   Check out the finished work in the picture above.  If you have the chance, I highly recommend volunteering to assemble a display.  Until you do, you have no idea all the time, planning, creativity and hard work that goes in to them.  You also wouldn't have any idea how many plastic ties and tiny little tubes are involved.  (Billions?!)

Friday at the Show:  Private Tour

Friday it was time to return to the show to officially cover it for Philly Loves Fun.  The things I was watching for weren't the largest or most beautiful flowers.  No!  This blog is about fun and unique experiences.  I had a watchful eye out for the interesting and unexpected elements that made me go "Wow!"  The show didn't disappoint.  Immediately upon entering the show I could tell it wasn't the same old flower show.  I was enveloped in digital cascading waves that took me the shores of Hawaii.

After I toweled off (figuratively), I was greeted by these very cool figures sporting a "Project Runway" twist.  All their colorful garbs were made entirely of living plants and flowers (pictured to the right).  After speculating what a cabana boy would like wearing this get-up, I moved on to the larger exhibits.

One of the show's highlights (and tallest exhibits) was a massive waterfall and Tiki Hut cascaded with blue lights.  We were told that the exhibit would change colors during the actual show.  I was inspired to start looking up airfare to Hawaii on my phone, until I remember my budget.  I then moved on to the other displays, where I was greeted by fun scenes of cabanas, surf boards, sands and pools.  In many of the exhibits, I loved checking out the fun Hawaiian totem poles.  They added a special element of fun as I tried to replicate their faces for the camera.  (On days when I haven't had my coffee I could easily rival one of their scary faces!)

The fun continued with a trip to the Lei Hut.  It wouldn't be Hawaii unless you put on an official Lei and had your friends snap your picture!  There was also a fun picture area, where you could make funny poses in front of beach or floral backdrops.  You can even enhance your picture fun by getting yourself a tropical frozen drink to sport.  While drink stations were open during the preview, I look forward to sampling them during my return next week.  (Hopefully, they will come with little colorful umbrellas to spin around and save as a keepsake!)

She's gonna blow!  The final thing that caught my eye during the preview was the volcano (pictured to the left).  Hot lava was created using red flowers, glass, lights and other materials.  The opening of the volcano is a great spot to sacrifice your family members -- or at least grab a cool picture.

For tickets and event information, visit the official Flower Show page.   See you at the show!

Disclaimer:  This post was brought to you with support of the Philadelphia International Flower Show - special thanks to them for my free ticket to get in and free tickets to giveaway! Find them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter.  

 

Last Day to Enter! Win Tickets to 2012 Flower Show, Hawaii Islands of Aloha

Today is the last day to enter my contest for two free tickets to the 2012 Philadelphia International Flower Show, which runs March 4-11, 2012 . Share the link on your wall, call your family members and get tweeting! If you entered already, do it again! You can enter once per day. Remember, the only thing more exciting than this year's show is experiencing it for FREE!

Enter by clicking here to visit my Philly Loves Fun blog!  Good luck...