Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with Philadelphia

Excellent blues bars in Philadelphia

schroedinger — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 17:17:34 -0800

I'm looking for an excellent jazz/blues/blues-rock bar in Philly. Grizzled old guys on their guitars, grizzled old patrons, bad lighting, laid-back bartenders and a relaxed atmosphere with a little bit of room to sway if you're feeling it. If you've ever been to the Cat's Eye Pub in Baltimore, something like that. All of my bar exposure so far has been in Old City (too swank), University City (too fratty), or Northern Liberties or South Street (too hipster). The few blues bars I've been to were upscale and I am cheap and don't like dressing up. Where do the old tattooed men and women go to do their soulful Led Zeppelin covers and play John Lee Hooker?

How should I promote my anti-Westboro Baptist Church fundraiser online?

melodykramer — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 18:57:40 -0800

Westboro Baptist Church is coming to my area this upcoming week and I've started an economic counter protest (through Facebook) with people pledging $1/minute to the Matthew Shepard Foundation for every minute they're here. We've raised over 35,000 dollars so far -- and now I'm trying to brainstorm how to get some major blog coverage so we can up our donation amount even further. So far, I haven't really done much publicity for this movement -- it just kind of took off through word of mouth. BUT...the number of new members pledging a buck a minute seems to be slowing down some...and we still have 24 hours before they roll into town.

Any suggestions on how to get the word out on a Sunday?

Getting around Philadelphia on foot at night

Electrius — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 14:38:32 -0800

How do I walk around Philadelphia on Saturday night? Is there anything in particular I should know? I'm traveling from DC to Philly the night of the 28th of November, Saturday, to see the Mountain Goats in concert and visit with friends. I'm staying at the Windsor Suites near Suburban Station and arriving by Amtrak to 30th Street Station. Obviously, I need to get from one to the other and then back again without ending up tits-up in the Schuylkill. I'm not very familiar with Philadelphia. Here are my questions:

1) Is a good idea to walk from 30th Street Station to the hotel, which is next to Suburban Station? On Google Maps it looks like there's no sidewalk on some of the streets. If I can't walk, how much would a cab run me? Is SEPTA a viable option? This will be around 8:15-8:30.

2) Is it a good idea to walk from the hotel to the Theater of the Living Arts? Which route should I take? Google Maps suggests going through some public parks, but since it will be after dark, I'm a little skeptical about the idea. Of course, they could be like DuPont Circle Park in DC which doesn't have anywhere for people to hide after dark and is totally safe. This will be around 8:30-8:45. If not, what alternatives should I look into?

3) Is it a good idea to walk back to the hotel? Which route should I take? Same considerations apply as above, but this will probably be closer to 11:00-12:00. Once again, alternatives to walking are good if they're needed.

Philadelphia restaurant with ambiance?

millipede — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 09:24:55 -0800

Please recommend me a an excellent restaurant in Philadelphia. It is my sir's birthday. I would like to take him out to dinner. I want something with a romantic and lovely ambiance. I know Philly is all about BYOB, but I'd prefer to not BMOB if possible (unless the restaurant is otherwise so amazing that I must overlook this). Exact cuisine is not as important, as we like all food, but Italian or French would probably be best. I just want a place that has truly excellent food and the aforementioned ambiance. Dark, cozy, smallish, but not too loud.

We live in West Philly and love to take transit. We do not, however, drive, so please don't recommend anything out in the suburbs. Anything accessible by trolley, Market-Frankford El, the Broad Street line, or bus is great. I'd prefer to pay by credit card, but cash-only is not a dealbreaker.

What's the backstory behind "Beef and Beer" parties?

scblackman — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 17:50:09 -0800

PhillyFilter: So .... what's the story with the "Beef-and-Beer" benefit parties that I keep hearing about as a new arrival in Philadelphia? I understand the point (Pay $X.XX at the door, eat as much beef and drink as much beer as you can, proceeds to the designated charity). My question is, is this only a Philadelphia thing? Does anyone know the history of these things, or some other entertaining back story? Or is the Philadelphia "Beef and Beer" the gastronomical equivalent of the Bostoian "wicked" ... just part of the cuture of the place?

Ccaasseetteess

god particle — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 20:05:31 -0800

Where are the best places to buy tape cassettes in Philadelphia? I know there are a few record stores in Philly, but do these places (or any others) sell tape cassettes? I just recently got a tape player and I'm having a lot of fun with it, but want to find more cheap/obscure/fun tapes to listen to.

Running for the Greater Good

ginagina — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 10:11:07 -0800

Philly Runners: How do you combine running and volunteering? I'm working on compiling some resources for runners in Philadelphia. One aspect I'm having trouble with is finding ways to combine running and volunteer work. I know about Back on My Feet (http://www.backonmyfeet.org/) but I'd like to find other Philadelphia-based organizations that need people who run (dog shelters? after school programs, etc).

Thanks for your help!

Help us find a good World Series bet...

Towelie — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 07:59:47 -0800

World series bet: Philadelphia/New York office 'rivalry'…ideas? We have six offices - with the Main Office in NYC and an office in Philadelphia.
(Staffing is about 9-10 in NYC, and 3-4 in Philly) We have four other offices (each with similar staffing levels.)

Any ideas on a 'good bet' - this is mostly for fun/morale reasons. I'm thinking that it'd be interesting/vested for our other offices to pick/align with the split over the worlds series…and have an interesting bet…

I just can't think of something beyond cheesesteaks/cheesecakes or wearing phillies/yankees wear (for one day) that would be interesting.

a tex message to right!

joyceanmachine — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 14:59:07 -0800

Yankees fan in Philadelphia. Sports bar in Center City where I won't be lynched? I mean the lynching in only a three-quarters joking sense, as I'm told that there was a delivery truck driving around Center City today dragging a Yankees hat behind it.

Any suggestions about venues where I could catch a game and do a little discreet cheering, or am I doomed to choosing between streaming Suzyn Waldman and ESPN radio Joe Morgan?

How to get famous in 30 days?

GIMG — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 16:25:22 -0800

How could one acquire some degree of fame in 30 days? For a project of his, a documentarian has challenged me to become famous in 1 month - and as foolish as I am, I accepted. What are some ways someone foolish enough to take on this challenge could acquire some degree of fame within 30 days (local/cult fame accepted)? Part of the challenge is the lack of no discernible talents or resources, and fame is measured by the degree of mentions in local media, blogs, etc. (It would be preferable to be not despised, as well.)

I hate my job, and I don't know what to switch to... how screwed am I?

SansPoint — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 14:48:09 -0800

I need a new job, and I need one by the end of the year, because I'm very close to walking out of the one I have now. Help me, hive mind, as I'm at my wits end. What the hell can I do that's in Philadelphia, doesn't require a car, isn't sales, and pays around $30k? If you check my previous questions, you'll see that I've asked this thing before. At this point, though, it's getting dire. My needs are pretty damn specific, w/r/t pay, too, as I have student loans and other debt out the wazoo, as well as a $750/mo lease. I don't want to recap the ways my current job makes me hate myself and my life. I just want something else.

This is my résumé. I don't have a lot of skills. I've worked in tele-sales in some form or another for my entire professional life, and I hate it. I loathe it, I despise it. I hate cold-calling, I hate trying to convince people to buy something, give money, or accept a call from someone else, at least over the phone. I hate interrupting people, I hate being hung-up on, and I hate being brushed off. I need something else to maintain my sanity.

Thing is, I've officially run out of ideas as to what to search for. I thought I could move to a career in development for non-profits or performing arts, which Philly has no shortage of, but I can't even get an interview. I suspect this is because tele-fundraising has as much to do with proper development as LOGO has to do with programming in Assembler.

I'm barely making enough money. I tried going back to my second job doing tele-fundraising, but I lasted a week before illness sidelined me. I'm barely well enough to do my day job, and that's not paying enough because I'm not making my goal.

Please, please, PLEASE do not suggest volunteering, unpaid internships, or anything that will reduce my already poor income. Ways I can get better at my current, shitty job would be useful, but I don't want to do sales any more. I never wanted to.

So, I'm officially at my wit's end. Help me, Metafilter, as I'm totally out of ideas.

British or American sitcom suggestions?

PowerCat — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 17:02:00 -0800

I'm seeking to expand my repertoire of sitcom shows. Please suggest some series that have a similar type of humour as the shows I've outlined below. Like:

Spaced
Monty Python
Peep Show
Always Sunny in Philadelphia
Seinfeld
The IT Crowd
Curb your Enthusiasm

Too much dust in apartment

Aanidaani — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 10:13:24 -0800

Dust, dust, everywhere! I recently moved to a new apartment on the 12th floor of a high rise building in Philadelphia and find that dust accumulates all over everything like crazy. Is there something I can do to slow it down? I generally keep my windows open all day, which I'm sure contributes to my problem. I've looked at a few room air filters, but I don't know about their efficacy--has anyone else had experience with this?

Philadelphia suburbs?

bluejayk — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 14:32:18 -0800

Where in the Philadelphia suburbs should I live for two months? So, here we go again, new temporary job posting, and I'm counting on mefites out there familiar with the Philly area to help me out. I'm going to be working two days a week at or very near Bryn Mawn College, and two days a week in Harrisburg, PA. Extra time working will probably be spent in as yet unknown parts of the Philadelphia suburbs. So I need to find housing, where is the coolest/best place to live for someone like me? Here's the consideration:

Employer's budget is not set in stone, but probably maxes out around $1500. I will have a car. I like to bike and to walk, access to parks is nice. I am not scared of any but the very worst neighborhoods. I am cool with an apartment, or a small house if they are available for cheap. I would like an area that would help me avoid heavy traffic on the commute to Harrisburg (which will occur near the evening rush hour). Access to trains would be a great bonus, but not necessary.

What neighborhoods should I look at? I've only been to Philadelphia once in my life and have no experience with the suburbs there, so I really have no idea.

Also, of course, any general advice for someone new to the area would be much appreciated. Thanks!

Sliding-Scale Shrink Needed in Philly

Anonymous — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 07:53:54 -0800

Philadelphia Therapy: I really need a therapist. Unemployed, COBRA to run out soon, money running low, but therapy really, really, really needed. So, can you recommend a therapist in Philly who does sliding-scale treatment? I need specific names/numbers people. I don't have it in me to keep searching around. (I once called 45--literally, I kept a tally--therapists before I found one who accepted my insurance, was seeing new patients, and had an opening within the next two months. I cannot do that again.)

I am happy to go to the psych residents or whatever, but where are they? Who do I contact? "Call Penn" is not helpful. How do I find out who has sliding scales?

I have been unemployed for almost a year. I have no job prospects. Subsidized COBRA will be gone in a few months, and I just cashed out a retirement plan to pay rent for the next few months. So really, I can't afford more than $10-20 a session and most shrinks cost up to 10 times that.

Throwaway: shrinkadink@hotmail.com

Best books and websites about Philly

LaszloKv — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 07:42:57 -0800

What are your favorite books or websites about Philadelphia or heavily involving Philadelphia? Both historical or modern.

Oh baby, did I just blow it?

shiu mai baby — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 11:33:24 -0800

Are baby showers, by default, supposed to be surprises? A few weeks ago a few friends threw a lovely baby shower for me. It was supposed to be a surprise, but several out-of-town family members ruined the surprise for me. I was fairly peeved by their unintentional thoughtlessness until I found out that the organizers didn't actually specify that it was supposed to be a surprise. At the time, I just wrote it off to an oversight on the part of the planners, but now I'm not so sure.

Why? Because just now I was discussing baby showers with a pregnant friend of mine (one of the organizers of my party, btw), explaining that I might or might not be able to make hers, because I was totally going to try but that it's also just a few days after I'm supposed to have this kid, but I'm still going to do my very best to be there for her. She was perfectly gracious about it, but then she was like, "don't let anyone know you said anything to me!!"

Again: the shower invite said nothing about the party being a surprise, so I had no reason to keep mum about it, but somehow I feel like I've just committed a faux pas.

So: should one always assume that baby showers are surprises? Is this some sort of east coast/pennsylvania-area tradition? I consider myself fairly well-versed in all things etiquette, but in my mind if you're throwing a surprise party for a person, whether we're talking showers or birthdays or anniversaries or whatevers, YOU SAY EXPLICITLY ON THE INVITE THAT IT IS A SURPRISE. Am I wrong? Have I just completely stepped in it, or is it a simple case of regional culture clash?

Help me find a hotel a short subway ride away from a conference in Philadelphia

croutonsupafreak — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 16:04:57 -0800

Every hotel room within a mile of my upcoming Philadelphia conference is booked. Where can I stay that has easy weekend, weekday and evening public transit access to the University of Pennsylvania campus, specifically Jon M. Huntsman Hall at 3730 Walnut Street, Philadelphia? What do I need to know about using public transit to get back and forth? Must be safe after dark. Bonus points if it's affordable, as I'm paying for this out of my own pocket. My travel dates are Oct. 17 - Oct. 21, an apparently there's a much larger conference that's overlapping and eating up all the close-in hotel rooms during that time. I'll be arriving as early as 8 a.m., and leaving the conference as late as 9 p.m., and coming and going on weekdays and weekends both.

In the ultra-cheap realm, I found Apple Hostels, 32 Bank Street, which appears to be on a SEPTA line that connects directly to my conference. It looks like a pretty touristy/historic neighborhood, which leads me to guess that it's safe. But I've never been to Philly, and don't really know the ins and outs of anything.

I'd love advice on how SEPTA works, too. I've ridden subway systems in a number of systems, and most aren't too difficult to figure out. But SEPTA's Web site talks about tokens, which I've never used anywhere.

Please to help a Philly n00b have grand adventures there!

coppermoss — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 12:21:38 -0800

Tell me your Philadelphia secrets! I have never been to Philadelphia and I know next to nothing about it. My boyfriend just moved there. I'll be going out there on the 16th and staying for a whole week. What should we do?! The Mütter Museum, the Franklin Institute, and the Art Museum are already on my list. I want to hear about things like awesome parks that want walking around in or really-good-but-affordable restaurants. Where should we go to get a great milkshake? What about hearing live jazz? What tourist attractions should we see and which ones should we skip?

In short, tell me about your favorite things to do in Philly. What shouldn't we miss?

I'm looking for a good accountant for freelancers (and families) in the Philadelphia area

Deathalicious — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 07:06:58 -0800

I'm looking for a good accountant in the Philadelphia area. Ideally one that can help with both tax issues for a freelancer in the tech industry, as well as more general family accounting (I just got married and we just opened our joint account). Any recommendations? I reside within Philly city limits and I work from home, so I'd prefer someone familiar with Philadelphia tax issues (I have no idea what I owe the city) and with the particular needs of and deductions for freelancers in the tech industry.

I like building long term relationships, so I'd like to find someone who can help with all the other stuff that's going to come up in the next few years: children and raising a family, buying a house, saving for our potential kids' education, and retirement.

Also, if I want to figure out things like budgeting and getting on sound financial footing, is that something I would talk about with my accountant or is that someone else?

Help me jump start my career across the country

Skwirl — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 11:26:33 -0800

I have a $9000 open-ended scholarship (AmeriCorps education award, actually) and will have several grand in savings at the end of September. How can I use this to fund relocation and a mid-Atlantic coast job search? The education award can be used to pay for living expenses if and only if the college approves. Many people have used it to fund vocational school, European trips, Outward Bound, or a new computer by taking the right courses.

I'd like some idea of adult ed, certificate and distance learning courses that I could use to unlock some of that money for living expenses above and beyond tuition for several months after September, and to also have the freedom to jump a Chinatown bus or Amtrak at a moment's notice to interview for jobs. Having a next step in my career is the highest priority, but failing that, it'd be nice to have something like a certificate, extra training or renewed academic creditentials for grad school to show for the time. My academic interests are super broad but focus across non-profit administration, leadership, life coaching and technology. My undergrad degree was a double major in Journalism and Computer Science. I'd be peachy taking one of those As-Seen-On-TV video game production (ITT Tech?) courses, interesting community college stuff, getting a certificate in non-profit admin, starting a slow burn distance learning library sci or MPA distance degree, etc... The sky's the limit. Just to know that it's second to getting a regular job and travelling to do it.

Encouraging comments and any out of the box advice and school ideas are welcome. I could easily talk myself out of a cross-country move and don't need your help pointing out flaws or the economy. =) I am used to living and travelling on a budget and the money I have saved alone will last for at least a few months. Portland is way too small, too distant to other big cities and all of my first-runner-up job leads that would obviously further my career were outside of Portland and mostly east coast phone interviews. There are jobs in my field of expertise and I can make a strong case for myself.

I think I can up the ante if I dedicate myself to being within day's trip distance to high density population centers and face-to-face interviewing. Washington, DC, Richmond, VA, Charlottesville, VA, and Philadelphia, PA are places that I've recently visited and enjoyed. I have family, friends, couches and support systems to fall back on in South Carolina, Richmond, NYC and some points inbetween.

Where can I find temporary wifi office space in Philly?

Deathalicious — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 09:19:39 -0800

Monday morning I need access to a quiet location in Philadelphia (best: in Chestnut Hill or Mt Airy area) with inexpensive WiFi. Difficulty: I, myself, will not be quiet. Basically, I have an online conference call on Monday and due to various circumstances my normal location (home office) is not going to be available. So I need a place that could be kinda like a home office, only not in my home. I'm totally willing to pay, I know it would be rude to set myself up in a quiet coffee shop and mooch off their wireless and disturb others with my talking. However, ideally I'd pay less than $20 for two hours or so.

Renting a car for the first time ever. What should I know?

madcaptenor — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 08:09:03 -0800

Renting a car for the first time ever. What should I know? I'm renting a car the weekend after next to go to the wedding of some friends. It's local, and I could get there by public transit, but it's an evening wedding so I'd have trouble getting back. (Plus I don't really relish the idea of riding Philly public transit in a suit and carrying a gift that's supposed to still look nice when I get there.)

I've never rented a car before. What should I know about How Car Rental Works? I'm 25; I have no car insurance of my own because I don't currently own a car. I do, of course, have a valid driver's license.

If it matters, this is with Avis, picking up at a downtown Philadelphia location and dropping off at a different downtown Philadelphia location thanks to the hours of the various locations. I'm using Avis because they inconvenienced my mother about something and so she ended up with some coupons for them that she won't have a chance to use. I already made the reservation; they didn't ask for a credit card number or a phone number, which worries me a bit.

Also, is there some other obvious solution to my transportation problem that I've missed? Since the rental car folks don't have my credit card info I can back out of the reservation. The distance is far enough that a cab isn't really cost-effective.

City of brotherly love sign?

Awkward Philip — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 14:41:01 -0800

Where in Philadelphia can I see a sign/billboard/public display that says "City of Brotherly Love"? The LOVE sculpture doesn't count - it has to be the whole phrase.

Inner-tubing near Philadelphia?

catesbie — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 07:19:54 -0800

Where can we go tubing near Philadelphia? We're looking for as little activity as possible this weekend, and lying in an inner tube drifting down a river sounds pretty much ideal. We live in Philadelphia. Any recommendations on inner-tubing establishments within a reasonable (hour and a half, say) drive of the city?

Many bonus points if any of these places will let us bring a cooler full of beer, though I'm beginning to suspect that there is a state law against it. (No idea about neighboring states, though...)