Piazza Piazza

I’ve not posted nor taken pictures in a while, which is a shame since e has been growing by leaps and bounds. So much going on, so little time…

Well, the most recent pics I’ve managed to take center around the new Piazza at Schmidt’s in our neighborhood (Northern Liberties). The Piazza (constructed by Blatstein’s Tower Development) had its grand opening the same day as the Kensington Kinetic Sculpture Derby. I took e to the derby first:

As luck would have it, we ran into the Straights there…

Very different vibe at the Piazza opening — a whole different class of hipster, you might say…

But the space itself is nice and generous, and I like taking e over to run around. (He’s crazy about the fountain). It’d be nice to catch a movie in the evening sometime as well…

They don’t allow dogs and skateboards over at the Piazza; I wonder how it will be when kids play pickup baseball games over there?

ASIDE:
There’s currently a lot of local sensationalism going on about a shooting that recently took place at the Piazza. Yeah, I don’t have a lot to say about that right now, other than that it is both tragic and unsurprising.

Spring Garden Market

Northern Liberties can now proudly say that it has its own supermarket.

Yes, it’s Chinese! What can be more awesome than an Asian market on Spring Garden street?

Right now it has two major sections: frozen food, dried goods, and kitchen supplies on one half (seen in the foreground here) and meat, fish, and produce on the other (the dark opening in the background). I’m not sure about this but it looks like more sections are under construction.

Lots of dumplings. No cookie rolls.

Plenty of exotic products to experiment with. I’m already addicted to curry-flavored pumpkin seeds.

Cheap woks and cute bowls.

Produce looks good. Spring Garden is actually a pretty logical location for a place like this since there’s all those holding warehouses between NoLib and Chinatown.

Vegetables. And away from the steaming Chinatown stink.

The fish looks sad, though. Notice all the ones swimming (?) upside-down.

NoLib music happenings

There’s a Intercultural Family Services Inc. Music & Mentorship Program Instrument Drive/Benefit Concert at The Fire (4th & Girard) this Saturday, August 25th from 7pm until the wee hours of the night.

Come support this program, which strives to fill the void left by deleted arts programs in Philadelphia public schools. Free admission to the concert if you donate an instrument, mic, or music stand.

---

Looks like there’s going to be a Return of Back to Basics, the famed King Britt music nights, at Silk City, starting Monday, September 10th at 9pm. $5 at the door before midnight.

---

And, finally, there’s the Northern Liberties Fall Music Festival and Flea Market on Saturday, September 8th from 4-10pm at Liberty Lands park (3rd and Wildey Streets).

The Fall Northern Liberties Music Fest is scheduled for Saturday, September 8th. The music fest includes a day full of music, flea market, arts & crafts fair and donated Yards beer. A $10 donation is requested. Of course, we’ll need/want volunteers to help with setup, strike, and beer sales. It is a family event so bring the kids, set up with chairs and blankets and enjoy a wonderful event in a great neighborhood. Proceeds benefit the Northern Liberties Neighbors Association.

Tomorrow: Protest Sugarhouse

On Tuesday, August 21, Foxwoods Casino returns to the City Planning Commission seeking approval for their proposed site. Come tell the Planning Commission to say NO to bad development and to protect Philadelphia’s economy!

What: City Planning Commission Meeting
When: Tuesday, August 21, 1PM
Where: Philadelphia City Planning Commission, 1515 Arch Street, 18th Floor, Room No. 18029.

Update: Hearing has been changed, last minute, to City Hall, Room 400