By: Maryanne Salvat

Chef Garces and his team have built 24 with the neighborhood’s needs in mind, offering a casual eatery with Garces’ signature brand of Latin-Inspired hospitality.  The menu focuses on wood-fired pizza, pasta and other Italian inspired dishes, including delicious meatballs, at approachable price points. It is the perfect spot for business luncheons, families with young children, and students. The beautiful private dining room, as well as the open patio, are perfect for all types celebratory events. Service is provided through several dayparts, including a morning café, opening at 7:00 a.m. with counter service offering Garces Trading Company coffees, freshly baked pastries and healthy grab-and-go breakfast options, including fresh cold pressed juices.  The restaurant shifts to full service for lunch and dinner, with lunch beginning at 11:30 a.m. daily.  The lively bar will host a daily “Aperitivo Time” happy hour from 4:30-6:30 p.m. and will include special offerings from a beverage program that offers 12 wines by the glass, 38 wines by the bottle, 20 craft beers, seasonal cocktails, bar snacks and complimentary small plates. Dinner will be served from 5:00-10:00 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and until 11:00 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. 24 will also offer a children’s menu.  A Parkway Corporation open air parking lot is located in the rear of the building, with access points from 24^th and Sansom Streets, and will offer $5 parking after 6:00 p.m. daily for guests dining at 24; for more information: www.24philly.com Phone: 215-333-3331.

Howl at the Moon at Valley Forge Casino

Howl at the Moon brings the dueling piano experience to Philadelphia’s suburbs starting this week. Valley Forge Casino Resort (1160 First Avenue) and The Vault nightclub and music venue welcome Howl at the Moon each and every Saturday, with the grand opening slated for January 14, 2017. Get ready to sing, dance and howl as the versatile and talented musicians perform live music from 80’s rock, 90’s pop and today’s dance hits on pianos. Doors open at 8:00pm and the live show from 9pm to 12:30am. The party continues at The Vault until 2am. Admission is free and open to those 21 and up only.

Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation Hosts the 11^th Annual Lemon Ball

Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF), a nonprofit dedicated to finding cures for all kids with cancer, will host the 11thAnnual Lemon Ball, presented by Applebee’s, Northwestern Mutual and Volvo on Saturday, January 14, 2017 at 6:30 PM at the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown, 1201 Market Street. The Lemon Ball is an evening of cocktails, dinner, raffle, silent and live auctions and entertainment. This event brings together supporters of the Foundation’s mission – a cure for all kids with cancer. Liz and Jay Scott, the parents of the late Alexandra “Alex” Scott, will co-chair the gala with Susan and Robert Stein. The Tenth Annual Lemon Ball raised nearly $940,000. The evening also features three awards: Stand Host of the Year, Volunteer of the Year and the Alex Scott Crystal Cup. The Stand Host of the Year Award to the Carpino family of Swedesboro, NJ. Mario Carpino, 12, has been battling inoperable brain tumors since 2007.  Mario is currently stable and gets MRIs every three months. In the past five years, the Carpino family’s efforts have raised almost $300,000 for ALSF and the fight against childhood cancer. Helping Mario along the way are his family, friends and supporters who are known as “Mario’s Fight.” The Volunteer of the Year Award will go to longtime ALSF supporters, Mary and Molly Hollway. Over nine years ago, Molly – a neuroblastoma survivor – and her family hosted their inaugural Alex’s Lemonade Stand at the Mall of America. Every year, the stand has grown and gained much more support. A few years ago, Molly and some friends started a Lemon Run, which has also been very successful. Molly also started a Lemon Club at her high school. In all, the Hollway family has raised over $100,000 for childhood cancer research and act as ambassadors for ALSF. Molly says, “My family and I will never stop holding the lemonade stand and run until a cure for childhood cancer is found.” The Alex Scott Crystal Cup will go to Penn Wynne Elementary, the school that Alex attended. Every year, on the second weekend of June, Penn Wynne Elementary has hosted Alex’s “Original” Lemonade Stand to honor Alex’s annual lemonade stand. Alex’s friends, family and the Penn Wynne community continue to hold her stand which has evolved into a family fun event complete with food, games, crafts and (of course) lemonade. Alex’s “Original” has raised over $1 million for pediatric cancer research since 2004. Principal Mr. Shawn Bernatowicz will accept the award on the school’s behalf. For more information about the evening, visit TheLemonBall.org.

photo courtesy of Christmas Village

Philadelphia’s Christmas Village Returns

The highly anticipated Christmas season is upon us! Along with holiday festivities and delightful displays, Philadelphia’s Christmas Village returns this year to the City Hall Courtyard. All the warm mulled cider, spiced gingerbread, brats and delicious German fare will now be available. The city’s open-air German market – one of the largest in the country –brings Santa’s workshop, live music stages, decorations and lights, wooden shopping huts, food booths, mulled wine and more.

Holiday Nights in Old City

Celebrate the season along America’s most historic square mile with Historic Holiday Nights in Old City, presented by VISIT PHILADELPHIA® and Old City District. Get all of your holiday shopping done in one place, and enjoy some seasonal dishes and sips in Old City! More than 45 participating boutiques, shops, art galleries, museums, restaurants and cafes around the neighborhood will treat visitors to special sales, discounts, promotions and menu items every Thursday in December from 5:00pm to 8:00pm through December 22nd. From its historic past to its artful present to its tech future, Old City is the place to be! Look for vibrant and diverse offerings that make the neighborhood the historic gem of Philadelphia. For more information about Old City District and Historic Holiday Nights in Old City, visit oldcitydistrict.org, tweet @OldCityDistrict or call (215) 592-7929.

Rittenhouse Row Fashion Crawl

Numerous Rittenhouse Row retailers will host simultaneous in store parties, with cocktails from some of the best mixologists in Rittenhouse.  In store parties include: Special discounts, trunk shows, gifts with purchase, DJs and much more. This year Rittenhouse Row has partnered with PAWS to, “Give a Home for the Holiday.” Adoptable dogs and PAWS representatives will be walking to select crawl locations throughout the day. Pick up your map at Capital One on the day of the crawl and receive free samples of hot chocolate from Peet’s Coffee and a chance to enter to win a fabulous gift basket with prizes from Rittenhouse Row’s health, beauty and fitness members.   Raffle package highlights include:  A five pack of classes from Flywheel, $55 gift certificate to Ursula’s About PHace, a five pack of classes to Ripped PHL, three Pure Barre classes, one month unlimited from Unite Fitness, a ten class gift card good for any class at Thrive Pilates and Philly Power Yoga and five pilates classes at Urbanfront Pilates and more.   The entire day is free and open to the public; event maps will be available at Capital One, 1636 Walnut Street, on Saturday, December 10^th from 12:00PM to 3:00PM.   Maps can also be downloaded from rittenhouserow.org starting the week of the crawl.   *Must be 21 or older to enjoy the cocktails

Einstein Healthcare Network Harvest Ball Weekend Friday, November 4/Saturday, November 5/Sunday, November 6

Einstein Healthcare Network celebrates the culmination of its 150^th Anniversary with Destination Einstein, Harvest Ball Weekend, Friday, November 4/Saturday, November 5/Sunday, November 6 at the Hyatt at the Bellevue. The weekend is open to the public. Tickets can be purchased at advance.einstein.edu/hbw   Events include:   Friday, November 4, 2016 • 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. “Taste of Philly” Reception and Einstein Showcase   Alumni, family, old friends and new—kickoff the weekend in style! Learn about the future of healthcare at Einstein, then join us on a hometown-style culinary journey and toast Einstein’s 150th anniversary. Begin your weekend adventure with a stroll through our indoor cityscape. Indulge your senses in sights, sounds and tastes of Philadelphia favorites from yesteryear and today. Then, journey into the future of healthcare with our Einstein Showcase.  Areas will highlight South Philly’s famous Italian Market specialties, Queen Village’s own “famous” deli delights, West Philly’s BBQ, and down home cooking. The best from Chinatown’s Friendship Gate, Philly’s hometown sweets from ice cream, candy and “kakes,” craft beers and wine under the Philly street lights just like a block party.   The Einstein Showcase will share the latest and greatest in patient care by Einstein’s best and brightest. More than 20 departments and programs highlight how advancements are serving the social, emotional and physical needs of Einstein patients. Interactive and informative displays will allow you to experience, first-hand, what’s new at Einstein and what’s next on the healthcare horizon.    Saturday, November 5, 2016 • 7:00 a.m. breakfast, 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. program Continuing Education Seminar: Confronting Healthcare Disparities-Free Program Understand the medical challenges faced around the world. Renowned speakers will open doors to discovery and continue Einstein’s Mission of “humanity, humility, and honor.” Featured Speakers include Carlos Castillo-Salgado, MD, JD, MPH, DrPH, Professor of Epidemiology at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health; Marc DuBois, Humanitarian Consultant/Analyst, Former Executive Director of Doctors Without Borders – UK/IE; and Harvey J. Makadon, MD, FACP, Director of Education and Training Programs, The Fenway Institute, Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School. CME credits available; non-medical professionals welcome.    -more-   Harvest Ball Weekend/Page 2   Saturday, November 5, 2016 • 7:00 p.m. 64th Annual Harvest Ball Celebrate the past, present, and future of Einstein Healthcare Network. Cocktail chic attire. Einstein presents a multi-sensory journey through the decades featuring food, drink and entertainment. Experience Einstein through the ages to see how our past has influenced our future. Honoring the Auxiliary of Einstein Healthcare Network for its 64-years of dedicated service and philanthropic support to Einstein’s patients, physicians, nurses, staff and communities.   Proceeds from Harvest Ball benefit Einstein’s new telehealth system. Designed to support patients with chronic disease, Einstein’s telehealth system will incorporate multiple components of telemedicine in an effort to reduce readmission rates. Telemedicine is the future of healthcare, allowing patients to connect with their physicians on a daily basis from the comfort of home. Better engagement between patient and physician will enhance the patient care experience and provide physicians with the tools they need to better assess patients and address issues before complications arise. This state-of-the-art telehealth system will be supported across Einstein Healthcare Network.      Sunday, November 6, 2016 • 11:30 a.m. Einstein Family Brunch End your weekend excursion by reuniting with the Einstein family – both past and present. For generations, Einstein doctors, nurses, patients, donors, board members and employees have created a legacy like no other. The brunch celebrates the uniqueness of the Einstein family. This is a fun, family oriented event – with music, games, crafts and fun for the kids. Special surprise guests and performances throughout the morning. Everyone who is #BornAtEinstein is welcome and invited to come back as well.

MossRehab’s All About Art event is a juried exposition and sale open to professional artists with physical, cognitive, visual and hearing disabilities. Eligible media include works on paper, works on canvas or board, mixed media, sculpture, jewelry, photography and fine crafts. The 2016 show will run through November 4, 2016. All activities will take place at MossRehab’s Main Campus at Einstein Medical Center Elkins Park, 60 Township Line Road in Elkins Park.  The exhibit is free and open to the public daily from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.  Proceeds this year support the Moss Rehabilitation Research Institute whose mission includes theory-driven research to clinical treatments in neurorehabilitation, by transforming scientific insights into assessments and rehabilitation treatments for individuals disabled by neurologic injury or disease. Founded in 1992 by Drs. John Whyte and Myrna Schwartz, MRRI achieves great success securing federal grant funding and attracting individual philanthropy. It is internationally known for its many accomplishments. To purchase art,  call 215-663 6366.

Sunday, October 16, marks the fourth year for the Simon Says Run 5K. Runners and families are welcome from all around the Greater Philadelphia area.  It begins and ends at Victory Fields in Plymouth Meeting and is almost entirely on private roads. The race will be chip timed and awards will be given out to the fastest times in a variety of age groups. The Family Walk is a one-mile loop on a wooded trail and is perfect for people of all ages. The marquis event, the Chain of Survival Relay, pits teams from area schools against each other. They must complete a relay that incorporates the steps taken to save a life from sudden cardiac arrest.This year Simon’s Fund welcomes special guest speaker, Annie FitzPartick and Officer Jeff Sullivan. Earlier this year 19-year-old Annie suffered an episode of cardiac arrest in the parking lot of the Penn Valley Wawa. Annie had been misdiagnosed with a seizure disorder but what they learned that day was that she was actually suffering from an undiagnosed condition of Long QT Syndrome.  Officer Sullivan saved Annie’s life using the AED training he had received that morning. Race starts at 9:00 a.m. On-site registration begins at 7:30 a.m. Click here to register.

PHS fundraiser brings together the region’s great chefs and local growers 

The region’s leading chefs and mixologists will showcase their garden-to-table creations at “PHeaSt,” the delicious, fundraising celebration on Friday, October 7, from 7:00to 10:00 p.m. at the Navy Yard. 

Hosted by the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, the fifth annual PHeaSt brings together renowned chefs, mixologists and urban growers for a special party to benefit the PHS City Harvest program, which supports community gardening and provides healthy, locally grown food for families in need throughout the Philadelphia region. This year the event celebrates the 10^th anniversary of City Harvest and will provide the opportunity to help “build” a new community garden. Guests will be invited to pull a plant stake from an interactive, model garden and choose from different levels of support that will fund the purchase of tools, soil, seeds, and other materials needed for the new garden.

The PHS Warehouse at the Navy Yard, home to repurposed props from the Philadelphia Flower Show, is transformed for PHeaSt into an industrial-chic party setting. Guests are invited to “graze” the garden-fresh dishes, chat with the chefs and mixologists, and get gardening tips from the City Harvest growers. The event has been a sell-out each year, as hundreds of area foodies come to sample new seasonal dishes by the culinary stars and the creative cocktails, spirits, wines and beers.

Culinary partners this year include Agno Grill and Yoku, Al Pastor, Bar Bombon, Bella Vista, Brûlée Bakery, Buddakan, Campbell’s Place, Capofitto, Charline was a sinner, Christina Cooks, Davio’s Northern Italian Steakhouse, Ela, Garces Trading Company, Melograno, Morimoto, Night Kitchen Bakery & Café, Red Owl Tavern,Stove & Tap, The Farm and Fisherman, Triangle Tavern, Whole Foods Markets, Your Personal Chef Joseph E. Shilling, and Zavino.

Sips partners include 13^th Street Cocktail Catering, Art in the Age, Backyard Beans Coffee Company, Bank & Bourbon, Bird Dog Whiskey, Boardroom Spirits Distillery, Caledonia Spirits, Don Julio, Fine Wine & Good Spirits, Firestone Brewery, Hendrick’s Gin, Jim Beam Apple Bourbon, Liberty Gin, Mac’s Tavern, Magical Spirits, Martin Millers Gin, Patrón, PHS Cider, Pinnacle Vodka, Round Guys Brewing Company, Russian Standard Vodka, Saint Benjamin Brewing Company, Saxbys Coffee, Stateside Urbancraft Vodka, Stoli Group USA, Tamworth Distilling, Tom Gore Vineyards, Whistle Pig Straight Rye, and Yards Brewing Company.

PHeaSt proceeds support the PHS mission to connect people with horticulture and create beautiful, healthy and sustainable communities. Through the PHS network of urban gardeners in the Philadelphia region, the City Harvest program feeds hundreds of families in need each week during the growing season. The growers involved in PHeaSt participate in City Harvest and also make affordable, locally produced food available at farmers markets in Philadelphia’s neighborhoods.

Tickets are on sale now. General admission tickets are $165 (PHS members $150). VIP tickets are $300 (PHS members $275) and include early admission at 6 p.m. PHeaSt is held in the PHS Warehouse at the Navy Yard, 5201 S.13^th Street, Philadelphia 19112.