COMMUNITY June 2010
EASTSIDE
Page 3
“Culture” your summer experiences ■ By Avra Bossov (‘11) Eastside News / Features Editor
Given that summer is just around the corner, many people have vacations planned to foreign countries in order to experience the delight of immersing themselves in another culture, exotic foods and unfamiliar sights. However, due to the increasingly penny-pinching habits developed by potential vacationers, as economic matters continue to limit all but essential elements of American life, many others must make do without vacationing. For those who will not be traveling thousands of miles across oceans this summer, here are a few options to check out within our community where one does not need to worry about carry-on items or booking hotels: 2. Shofuso Also referred to as the Japanese House and Garden, Shofuso is located in Philadelphia’s Fairmount Park. Shofuso is a seventeenth-cen3. Benjamin Franklin Parkway 1. The Italian Market tury-style shoin-zukuri (desk-centered) house, in Since Philadelphia is famous for its colonial Located on Ninth Street in South Philadelphia, which visitors witness the intricacies of the wood- influences of great thinkers such as Benjamin the Italian Market, filled with vendors, emulates work in the interior of the house as well as vibrant Franklin, Philly honors the man by dedicating the hustle and bustle of the streets of Rome. The flowers, such as the striking 110 dwarf Hino azal- the Parkway to his personal interests. The area vendors sell everything from fresh vegetables to eas that are currently in bloom inside of the lush allows visitors to dine and spend time with the gourmet pastries. While the Italian Market is a traditional Japanese gardens. Within the house, family while experiencing the history of our hubbub for Italians, it has become diversified with there is very little furniture, as is Japanese cus- nation. people of several ethnicities who wish to experi- tom, so that “any room could serve for sleeping, The Parkway is said to have French influence the delights of buying food that is not shrink- dining, meeting guests, or other functions,” accord- ences, which is only fitting since Franklin wrapped on a grocery store’s shelf. Along with ing to Shofuso’s website. On some of the walls and loved France and even considered making Italian food, visitors can taste the flavor of Mexican on the paper sliding doors, visitors are visually his home there rather than in Philadelphia food as well as Korean barbeque. Italian culture enchanted by the murals of prominent Japanese during his tenure as America’s first French and Philadelphian culture combine here to produce artist Hiroshi Senju. While a trip to Japan itself ambassador. The Parkway has several sights to two famous cheesesteak vendors, Pat’s and Geno’s. can cost thousands of dollars, admission to see, including the more popular tourist attracThe market is open Tuesday through Sunday and Shofuso, open Tuesday through Sunday, is only six tions such as the Philadelphia Museum of Art extends for about ten blocks. At the Italian Market, dollars. and the Franklin Institute. However, the Parkwithin a thirty-minute car ride, guests can experiway also contains LOVE Park on the west side of ence the taste of Italy without enduring an eightCity Hall and several sculptures, including the hour flight. . Henry Moore Sculpture and the Parkway Sculptures.
Photo courtesy of visitphilly.com
Shofuso displays blooming gardens. Nickee Plaksen (‘10)/ Eastside Photo Editor
Mia Holley (‘12)/ Eastside Staff
Lively vendors sell authentic goods. Art by Sally Yang (‘11)/ Eastside Art Director
Seniors reflect on Cherry Hill lifestyle
Phillie Phanatic makes appearances in the city ■ By Alana Kopelson (‘12) Eastside Opinions Editor
68% would not consider living in Cherry Hill in the future because of the town’s costly expenses and in order to experience something different.
The seniors’ most popular “hang-out” spot in Cherry Hill is Wawa, better known as “Club Wawa.”
The top three reason why seniors who are leaving Cherry Hill will miss the town are: the people, the location and Wawa.
32% would consider living in Cherry Hill in the future because of the town’s good education, convenient location and safe environment.
Art by Nicolle Rochino (‘10)/ Eastside Art Director
The Philadelphia Art Museum houses exciting cultural masterpieces.
Philadelphia has a new tourist attraction, and no, it is not another museum: it’s the Phillie Phanatic! On March 29, all twenty of the “Phanatic Around Town” statues were officially unveiled at the Please Touch Museum. All of the customized statues were displayed along with the many artists who created them. The event was free and open to the public. Each Phillie Phanatic statue stands at six-feet tall and weighs one hundred pounds. From “Phrankenstein” to “Ben Phranklin” to even the “Mad Hatter” and an astronaut, the artists used their creativity to the best of their abilities. The artists each spent almost 150 hours working on their statues to make sure they were perfect. One of the many artists, Lilliana DiDovic, said, “It [was] so great to see all this excitement.” DiDovic worked with coartist Ronnie Norpel on the “Philanatic” Phanatic,
which will be on display at the National Constitution Center. Another artist, Tom McLaughlin, shared the same feeling, although he did admit that he would miss seeing his “Phanatic in his living room.” McLaughlin created the Negro League “Tribute” statue, which will soon be on exhibit at the African American Museum. After the statues were displayed at the museum, they were moved to various spots around
Philadelphia, providing a fun way for people to tour the c i t y . Among the destinations are The Franklin Institute, the Philadelphia Zoo, Comcast Center, the P l e a s e T o u c h
Museum, Independence Visitors Center, the National Constitution Center, Philadelphia International Airport and the Phanatic’s home at Citizen’s Bank Park. Along with the presentation of the statues, there is also a photo cont e s t which started on A p r i l 13, called the “Phanatic Around T o w n ” photo submission contest. This contest will go on for t w e n t y weeks, featuring a different Phanatic every week. The “Phanatics Around Town” will not only lure in tourists, but they will also give fans who already love the Phillie Phanatic a brand new way to see him. The unique characteristics of each Phanatic will bring out the diverse spirit of Philadelphia. Phillie Phanatic photos courtesy of gophila.com