by: Maryanne Salvat

Luna Farm: Farm to the Table Exclusive Dinner

Chef Jose Garces put together a once in a lifetime Luna Farm dinner as an auction item during the Garces Foundation Gala that will be held on Saturday, June 6. Chef Garces will create a farm to table collaborative dinner prepared by fellow chefs, Rich Landau, Kevin Sbraga, Peter Serpico and Greg Vernick who will cook a private dinner at Jose’s farm with wine pairings.  Tickets are $1500 each and are limited to eight attendees. Chef Eli Kulp was originally planning to join the chefs as one of the collaborators of the dinner, The Garces Foundation will donate the proceeds from the dinner to the Kulp Family Medical Fund. For tickets or more information call 267.284.7905 or visit www.garcesfoundation.org.

The Second Annual Garces Foundation Summer Barbecue 

The Second Annual Garces Foundation Summer Barbecue celebratessummer with a barbecue lunch at Luna Farm in support of the Garces Foundation, the nonprofit organization committed to ensuring that Philadelphia’s underserved immigrant community has access to health and educational services. Guests will enjoy live music, farm tours, and much more on Sunday, June 7, from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.; for more information or to purchase tickets visit: call 267.284.7905 or visit www.garcesfoundation.org.

Open Source: Steps and Pyramid

Paine’s Park, Philadelphia’s premiere skatepark will debut the first completed project in Open Source: Steps and Pyramid, two skateable sculptures by British artist Jonathan Monk. Tomorrow night from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m., Open Source will be kicking it off with a party at Paine’s Park, featuring food trucks, live music by Chill Moody and DJ Ricochet, and a skate demo with skateboarders from Nocturnal Skateshop. Be sure to RSVP to Philly’s biggest launch party of the summer: https://www.facebook.com/events/829824580398899/. Curated by Pedro Alonzo, Open Source offers a bold redefinition of contemporary art, featuring a roster of world-renowned artists who run the gamut from sculpture to community muralism to street art. Throughout October 2015, the city will come alive with new works by 14 extraordinary artists, all of which will illuminate Philadelphia’s diverse urban identity.

The Great Chefs Event benefiting Alex’s Lemonade Stand and The Vetri Foundation

On Tuesday, June 9, The Great Chefs Event hosted by Chef Marc Vetri and Jeff Benjamin, co-founders of the Vetri Family restaurants and the Vetri Foundation for Children brings together more than 40 acclaimed chefs and mixologists from around the globe. Guests sample small plates prepared by each chef in the unique atmosphere of Urban Outfitters headquarters. In 2014, this event was attended by 1,200 guests and raised more than $750,000 for Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation & The Vetri Foundation for Children; for tickets visit: http://www.alexslemonade.org/campaign/great-chefs-event.

Alex’s Lemonade Stands across the Nation

Alex’s Lemonade Days are held each year during the second weekend of June commemorating the time of year when Alexandra “Alex” Scott held her annual lemonade stand. Her supporters across the country carry on this tradition during Lemonade Days weekend, this year during the weekend of June 12 through June 14, holding thousands of lemonade stands and grassroots events – all dedicated to fighting childhood cancer! CBS 3 and the CW Philly will host their 14-hour televised fundraiser that kicks off Alex’s Lemonade Days. CBS television personalities lead the effort, with special segments featuring Alex Scott and other childhood cancer heroes and their families. For more information visit: http://www.alexslemonade.org/

Alex’s “Original” Lemonade Stand will also be taking place on June 13. An uplifting, fun-filled, family-friendly day of remembrance at the school Alex once attended; this event is complete with food, games, crafts and raffles, held by Alex’s family and friends to raise money for childhood cancer research.

The James Beard Foundation’s (JBF) Better Burger Project™

The Village Whiskey will be participating in The James Beard Foundation’s (JBF) Better Burger Project™, a nationwide contest and challenge to make a “better burger” by blending ground meat with finely chopped, cultivated mushrooms to create a delicious, healthier, and more sustainable burger.

Chef de Cuisine Dave Conn has chosen to feature the Village Whiskey Woodland Jewel

Mushroom Burger, with Donko Shiitake Jus, Roasted Vidalia Onion, Shelburne Aged Farmhouse Cheddar ($21) to showcase a healthier burger, from now through July 31. Blending meat with mushrooms reduces calories, fat, and sodium while adding important nutrients like vitamin D, potassium, and B vitamins. A blended burger also brings more sustainable, plant-based items to menus allowing Americans to enjoy the taste and flavor of the burgers they love, knowing it’s a healthier and more sustainable preparation. America will vote for its favorites through an Instagram-based social media challenge. Diners can vote and support the Better Burger Project™ by visiting participating restaurants until July 31 and ordering the “better burger”; see participating restaurants at www.betterburgerproject.org.

Bar Volver Guest Bartender Series

Bar Volver will host Franky Bradley’s Adam Borrow as part of their guest bartender series on Wednesday May 20 from 5:00 to 7:30 p.m. Specialty drinks and bar bites will be available.

The Olde Bar Launches Brunch

Garces Group announces that The Olde Bar, located at the former Old Original Bookbinder’s at 125 Walnut Street in Old City will now be open for weekend brunch, as well as serving a new cocktail menu. Brunch and cocktail menus are available upon request.

Nic Grooming Barbershop

Nick Berardi, along with sons Joey and Nicky, announce the launch of Nic Grooming, their new barber shop located at 267 South 20^th Street in Rittenhouse. The Berardi family has been at the helm of Philadelphia’s beauty scene since the mid-1970s and also owns Rittenhouse mainstay Richard Nicholas Hair Studio, a cut and color studio located at 1716 Sansom Street and are the founders of the international beauty industry event and online community called Scissorcandy. Walk-ins are preferred, but day of appointments are available by calling 215.732.7767. Hours are 10:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. on Sundays.

The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia launches the 2015 Daisy Days Campaign, a month-long fundraising effort in May involving a variety of events and volunteers of all ages.  Daisy Days began more than a half century ago, where volunteers sold daisies on Philadelphia’s street corners to raise money for The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. This spring, Daisy Days will again celebrate its Philadelphia history and the community that so passionately supports CHOP, inspired this year by fashion partner Lilly Pulitzer.

CHOP Daisy Days Highlights:

Lilly Pulitzer® custom-designed Murfee scarf goes on sale May 1. This limited-edition printed scarf features a unique handpainted daisy print in signature Lilly Pulitzer brights – sapphire, teal and yellow – in a silk and cashmere blend. Can you find the hidden “Lilly loves CHOP” in the print?  This exclusive item will be available to the public on Friday, May 1^st at exclusively at www.CHOPDaisyDays.org and at the Rittenhouse Row Spring Festival. The scarf retails for $118 and proceeds benefit CHOP.

“Hope Blooms Here” Fashion Show at CHOP featuring CHOP patients, presented by Lilly Pulitzer and hosted by 6abc’s Karen Rogers. As the official media sponsor of CHOP Daisy Days 2015, 6abc will capture this private fashion show as part of a 30-minute CHOP Daisy Days TV special to air on May 16 at 7:30pm. Open to media with credentials; scarf available for preview. 

May 2: Rittenhouse Row Spring Festival; CHOP booth celebrates Daisy Days. Booth located on the 1700 block of Walnut Street.

May 3: Blue Cross Broad Street runners can join Team DAISY by creating a CHOP fundraising page.

Philadelphia Mural Arts designs custom Daisy Days murals in parlor area of CHOP Main Lobby and the bridge connecting the Colket and Abramson Research Buildings to be on display for the month of May.

May 8: Lilly Pulitzer Shop & Share Day. Make a purchase at their locations in Suburban Square and the King of Prussia mall and 10% will be donated to CHOP.

May 9: Passyunk Shop & Share Day from 12pm to 7pm, featuring 20 stores along Passyunk Avenue. Retailers will donate a portion of proceeds to CHOP.

The Rittenhouse Spa & Club – Hair By Paul Labrecque is proud to support the 2015 Daisy Days campaign through the Daisy Delight Pedicure for the month of May. This luxurious pedicure lasts an hour and fifteen minutes and includes your choice of Zents Concreta scrub, hot stone foot massage, and indulgent hydrating paraffin treatment. Twenty percent from each Daisy Delight Pedicure will be donated to The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. To book the ‘Daisy Delight Pedicure’ call 215.790.2500.

Margarita Apparel at The Rittenhouse Spa & Club: Let your inner Yogi bloom with the latest styles from Margarita Apparel. Visit the retail shop at The Rittenhouse Hotel Spa & Club where 20% of the sale price of Margarita Apparel purchased throughout the month of May will be donated to The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Certain restrictions apply.

Stop by any Norman’s Hallmark from May 15-17 and purchase one of their specially designed daisy totes* to receive 20% off your entire regular price purchase. Visit www.normanshallmark.com

This May, Duross & Langel will feature a special “Daisy Days” bar soap in their retail location in Center City and online at durossandlangel.com. The soap is made from fragrant plumeria shea butter, inspired by daisies. The scent is a delicate tropical spring floral with mellow notes. The bar sells for $7.50 and 100% of proceeds benefit CHOP.

Shop & Share throughout May: Join Philadelphia retailers Nino Brand, Philly Eyeworks, Elle Lauri, Calypso St. Barth, Nicole Miller, Realm for Shop for CHOP Days during the month of May when 10% of proceeds will be donated to the Campaign.

Tickets on Sale for Fifth Annual Burger Brawl

Tickets on sale for the Fifth Annual Burger Brawl! The Burger Brawl funds literacy programming through technology for Philadelphia’s underserved children in public elementary schools. The event has raised more than $500,000 in the last four years for the cause. This year’s event will take place on Sunday, June 14 at XFINITY Live. Tickets and more information are available at www.phillyburgerbrawl.com.

The King of Prussia Laundromat Grand Opening Party!

The King of Prussia Laundromat, a 3,400 square foot eco-friendly + energy sustainable laundromat, will be hosting its  GRAND OPENING party on May 9, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.  It’s a  FREE three hours of  good, clean fun for families. There will be music, a gourmet food cart with hot dogs, authentic Philly soft pretzels + ice cream, a balloon artist, face painting + a special appearance from Izzy, the Laundromat’s canine mascot, but the best part, KOP Laundromat will donate a portion of the day’s sales to  Alex’s Lemonade Stand; for more information go to Facebook invite:  https://www.facebook.com/events/499933406824909/.

Join Young Friends of Garces Foundation for the Second Annual Fundraiser at Hip Philly in The Piazza on Friday, April 10. VIP Cocktail Hour – 9:00pm-10:00pm – showcasing local craft beer & cheese pairings from Dock Street Brewery, Yard’s Brewing Company, Conshohocken Brewing Company, and Evil Genius Beer Company.

General Admission – 10:00pm-1:30am will feature music, dancing, an open bar featuring Tito’s Handmade Vodka, and Bluecoat Gin as well as light snacks provided by Philly Pretzel Factory and Famous 4th Street Cookie Company.

Hurry up and get your tickets before they sell out! For tickets visit: http://www.garcesfoundation.org/welcome/