17 posts tagged “philadelphia”
In many ways, cigar smoking is a sign of sophistication. Cigar bars have become fashionable, and celebrities from Arnold Schwarzenegger to Demi Moore are associated with the cigar movement. At any given cigar bar, you’re likely to find a number of Mercedes vehicles, often driven by the area’s most prominent figures.
Philadelphia has a number of interesting cigar bars. If you’re looking for an evening out on the town, why not drive your Mercedes to one of these locations:
The Vault at Ritz Carlton
Located at Ten Avenue of the Arts, this upscale lounge features amazingly colored tapestries and warm wood décor. You actually enter this establishment via the vault door for the original Girard Bank. The Vault features a number of fine cordials and classic cocktails, as well.
Liberties
Liberties is located at 705 North Second Street. This cigar bar is a part of living Philadelphia history. The façade is historically accurate, and it features a rich walnut interior. The interior fixtures date from the mid nineteenth century, and create a truly Victorian atmosphere.
Fox and Hound Smokehouse and Tavern
The Fox and Hound is at 1501 Spruce Street. Less refined but much more exciting than some of the other cigar bars in Philadelphia, this tavern features televised sports and fried foods. The atmosphere is more casual, and you’re as likely to find ball caps as you are suits and ties.
Mahogany on Walnut
This is, in many ways, the ultimate cigar bar in Philadelphia. Located at 1524 Walnut Street, Mahogany on Walnut features not only cigars and cocktails, but light dining and deserts, as well.
Bussola Trattoria and Lounge
This cigar bar is found at 3rd Street and Girard. It offers patrons Tuscan cuisine, as well as gelato martinis and Italian wines. Atop the restaurant you’ll find The Stogie Haven Cigar Lounge.
Each of these establishments features its own unique ambiance. Whether you smoke cigars as an occasional luxury, or whether you consider yourself a true cigar aficionado, these cigar bars are the best place in Philly to drive your Mercedes Benz vehicle and light up.
If you want a night out on the town in your Mercedes Benz vehicle, why not consider a visit to Downtown West Chester?
Nestled in the heart of the Brandywine Valley, downtown West Chester reflects the small-town charm and cosmopolitan tastes that prompted The Philadelphia Inquirer to call West Chester ". . . one of the world's most perfect small towns" (July 26, 2001).
Downtown West Chester has a thoroughly fascinating history. It was founded in 1769 when the Turks Head Inn opened, offering a refreshment stop to travelers. In 1788 it became the seat for Chester County, and it was incorporated as a borough in 1799.
The whole of the downtown West Chester district is on the National Register of Historic Places. You can drive your Mercedes vehicle past the Greek Revival architecture along high street, or view some of the more than 3,000 buildings that date all the way back to the colonial days.
Many famous figures have spent time in West Chester. The great folk artist Horace Pippin lived and painted in West Chester. Samuel barber, best known for his Adagio for String Orchestra, was born and raised in West Chester. Abraham Lincoln started his quest for the presidency here, as well. Eva Marie Saint and Claude Raines spent some of their days in West Chester, as well.
There are more than 25 restaurants in downtown West Chester. You can enjoy haute cuisine, a micro brewery, coffee shops and even a light lunch. Many of the restaurants in West Chester offer evening entertainment, as well.
You’ll find many other interesting establishments on your visit to downtown West Chester. The main streets feature a number of shopping opportunities, from apparel to art to antiques. There are jewelry shops, galleries, and collectible stores, as well.
There are plenty of activities in downtown West Chester to keep you busy, as well. For example, you might enjoy Lunchtime Concert at the Court House or Swingin' Summer Thursdays. Saturdays feature a grower’s market, as well.
Downtown West Chester is not only one of the most perfect small towns, it’s the perfect small town to take your Mercedes Benz vehicle for a relaxing excursion.
If you’re looking for something to do with your family in Philadelphia for the weekend, look no further. Here are three popular and kid friendly things to do in Philly, so pack climb into the Benz and explore.
Phillies Defend Their NL East Championship
For the first time in 14 years the Philadelphia Phillies stepped up to the plate and advanced to the Major League Baseball playoffs in 2007. With an incredible roster in 2008, this year might be the year for the Phillies. Visit the recently built Citizens Bank Park where there isn’t a bad seat in the stadium and take the kids to the Phanatics Fun Zone where they can play in the biggest play area in the Major Leagues.
Perhaps the most exciting part of the Phillies experience is the food. Voted Best Ballpark Eats in the Food Network Awards, Citizens Bank Park has something for everyone. From cheese steaks at Rick’s Steaks to Crab Fries at Chickie’s and Pete’s to roast pork sandwiches at Tony Luke’s -- whatever you do, arrive hungry.
Baseball As America Exhibit
There’s more than just Phillies games for baseball fans in Philadelphia this spring. The Baseball As America exhibit is on until May 11th and it features more than 500 artifacts from America’s favorite pastime’s history.
The first major exhibition of its kind, Baseball As America has a special section devoted to Philly’s rich baseball history. From the spikes Richie Ashburn wore in 1950 to Jimmy Rollins' helmet from the legendary 36-game hit streak to the 1980 Phillies World Championship ring, it’s a fascinating trip down memory lane for ball fans young and old.
Dad Vail Regatta
Visit the 70th racing of the Philadelphia tradition, the Dad Vail Regatta. This epic rowing event is the largest in the country and Philly welcomes over 3,500 athletes from over 100 teams across North America from May 9-10.
Witness the spectacle as crowds of over 10,000 watch two days of exciting racing. Make sure to come prepared, though -- during the regatta Kelly Drive is closed, so you’ll have to park the Benz the Art Museum or Boathouse Row and take the shuttle bus to the grandstands.
If you want to get your Mercedes ready for summer, visit your Philadelphia Mercedes dealers, Mercedes - Fort Washington, PA, or Mercedes Benz of Wilmington, DE to perform your routine maintenance and get your vehicle in tip top shape just in time for cruising season.
Looking for something to do in the Philadelphia area this spring? Spring and summer make Philadelphia come alive so make sure to check out some of these local events.
Ninth Street Italian Market Festival
Visit America’s oldest continuously operating open air market on the weekend it truly comes to life. Bring your appetite and take in the multitude of sensory delight as 9th Street is closed off for the entire weekend and you can dine alfresco to take in the sights and sounds. See stands offering fresh peppers and sausage, snack on roast pork sandwiches, famous mango roses, endless pastries and more.
If you’re in the mood for a walk, stroll down blocks of marketplace where merchants offer snacks made especially for the festival, musicians make their rounds and the area’s top chefs give live cooking demonstrations to show off the best they’ve got.
Brandywine River Blues Festival
Looking for something to do on Memorial Day weekend? Consider heading down to the gorgeous Brandywine Valley for their annual festival celebrating great music and great wine. You can bring your own picnic or eat at Chester County’s Chaddsford Winery.
There are two live blues bands playing each day, and admission to the festival gets you two concerts, wine tasting, and a souvenir wine glass. Take a tour of the wine making and barrel aging cellars or just sit back and have a picnic at this lively festival. Keep in mind, kids aren’t recommended at the River Blues Festival, and pets aren’t allowed.
Frida Kahlo Exhibit at the Philadelphia Museum of Art
In its only East coast stop, the Frida Kahlo exhibit is at the Philadelphia Museum of Art until May 18th. The exhibit, put together to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Kahlo’s birth, features over 40 of her works in the first major exhibit of its kind in the US in over 15 years.
Drink in the beauty of this iconic Mexican artist’s take on love, Mexican life, and family. Kahlo was known for her small and personal Surrealist paintings that burst with color, symbolism, and raw passion.
If you don’t have the Benz yet and you want to get one in time to cruise Philly in the spring, stop by your local Philadelphia Mercedes Benz dealers, your Fort Washington PA Mercedes dealers or you Wilmington DE Mercedes Benz dealers to get set up with the ride of your life and cruise around town in style.
If you’ve lived in Philadelphia for any length of time, you’ve likely heard of famed identity thief Jocelyn Kirsch. She hasn’t been around since December, when police arrested her and her boyfriend in the area. But sources have told a Daily News reporter of a recent sighting of her in Baltimore earlier this month, and it’s likely that she came back to Philadelphia from there.
Because of the couple’s history of breaking the law, police and others have referred to Kirsch and her boyfriend Edward Anderton as Bonnie and Clyde. Although their crimes don’t involve murdering people, the two have still been very busy stealing people’s identities, making terrorist threats and committing other illegal acts.
Since she got out on bail, though, Kirsch has been living in northern California, according to reporter Regina Medina. Kirsch is a good-looking brunette with big doe eyes and other features that attract many men. That’s probably why she’s able to gain people’s trust and steal their identities. Until someone spotted her in Baltimore, she was reportedly working at a Starbucks in Napa, California. As an added twist, the Federal Trade Commission reported that Napa had the highest rate of identity theft complaints in the entire country.
Things began making sense to Philadelphia police shortly before her arrest in December 2007. They went to her last recorded local address to find that she had moved. But she left behind many of her belongings, including a book on the coffee table entitled, The Art of Cheating: A Nasty Little Book for Tricky Little Schemers and Their Hapless Victims. Kirsch and her boyfriend allegedly used the book to defraud credit card companies, local businesses and even their neighbors. As a result, they enjoyed a lavish lifestyle typically reserved for the most affluent business people.
But these two aren’t your average hooligans simply hoping to steal people’s money. Kirsch attended Drexel University and was also a member of the Delta Phi Epsilon sorority. Her boyfriend graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 2005 and worked as an analyst for Lubert-Adler Real Estate Funds, a high-profile company in the area. Both of them sampled some of the best things in life with other people’s money. Reports indicate they traveled from Hawaii to Paris and other exotic parts of the world.
Travel wasn’t the only benefit Kirsch enjoyed. Sources say her large closet was so full of designer items that nothing else would even fit in there. The couple furnished their $3,000-a-month apartment with the latest electronics, upscale furniture and other expensive goods. Unfortunately, neither Kirsch nor Anderton had any feasible means of support. Police also found fake ID cards and equipment typically used to make those cards.
So if you’re in the Philadelphia area, hold onto your wallets, shred your sensitive documents and hide your new or used Mercedes-Benz. Bonnie and Clyde are back in town and there’s not much chance that they’ve changed their ways.
When you think of San Francisco, you immediately think of the Golden Gate Bridge. Similarly, the Brooklyn Bridge is synonymous with New York City. But how many people actually know about the Benjamin Franklin Bridge in Philadelphia?
Here are some facts about this famous structure that connects Philadelphia to New Jersey and other parts of the East Coast.
- The original name for the bridge was the Delaware River Bridge because it spans that body of water, and the Delaware River Port Authority owns the structure.
- Ralph Modjeski, a Polish-born engineer, helped design the Benjamin Franklin Bridge with Leon Moisseiff, a design engineer, and supervising architect Paul Philippe Cret.
- At its completion time, the Benjamin Franklin Bridge was the world’s longest suspension bridge. It held that honor until 1929, when builders completed the Ambassador Bridge from the United States to Canada.
- The bridge has pedestrian walkways on both sides for those who want to walk the distance between Philadelphia and Camden, New Jersey. There is a separation between the walkways and the vehicle traffic, and only one side is open at a time. Walkway hours are between 6:00 AM and 6:00 PM.
- There are seven lanes for vehicular traffic.
- Tolls for passenger cars going across the bridge are $3, but only motorists travelling from Camden to Philadelphia pay them.
- The Benjamin Franklin Bridge is only one of four bridges connecting Philadelphia to southern New Jersey. The three other bridges are the Betsy Ross Bridge, the Walt Whitman Bridge, and the Tacony-Palmyra Bridge.
- In 2006, director Ryan Oczkowski conducted a production of Godspell at Philadelphia’s Walnut Street Theater. The setting was underneath the Benjamin Franklin Bridge.
- At first, there were plans to include a trolley line over the bridge. But those plans fell through when engineers used a different type of track on each side of the bridge. The two tracks could not meet in the middle, and the line remained unfinished. Each of the two stone houses still contains a “phantom railway station” that would have served the trolley line.
- The total length of the bridge is 9,573 feet, or nearly two miles. It sits 135 feet above the Delaware River.
- Construction began on the bridge on January 6, 1922. The opening date for the Benjamin Franklin Bridge was July 1, 1926.
- In 1992, officials closed the bridge for three days when the steeple from Philad elphia’s St. Augustine church blew off and landed on the structure. A December windstorm was the culprit, but the incident did not injure anybody.
- Lights illuminate the bridge at night, and its cables resemble piano keys as they light up in succession. The lights were an addition made to the bridge for its Bicentennial anniversary.
The Benjamin Franklin Bridge is one of Philadelphia’s most recognizable structures and the best way to enjoy it is to drive across it at night in your Mercedes-Benz Car.
Don’t leave Philadelphia without experiencing this man-made achievement.
The story of Buddy Holly has intrigued the world for decades, and now fans old and new can experience a musical event dedicated to the music legend himself. From March 5th through 30th, the Media theatre in Media, Pennsylvania will be showing Buddy, a celebration of the life of the legendary singer and songwriter.
Sponsored in part by Mercedes Benz of West Chester, the musical event showcases the history of the modern legend. Buddy Holly’s story is one of American lore. His rapid ascension to stardom in 1957 was like nothing the world had ever seen. His tragic death in a plane crash only two years later -- following a promise to his pregnant wife that he wouldn’t fly -- devastated the public, but his story lives on.
The beginning of Buddy’s story is the stuff that dreams are made of. Formerly a country and western singer, Buddy and two friends started The Crickets and began their careers in Lubbock, Texas. Their start with record label Decca Records, the band signed up with record producer Norman Petty. Just a few hours after their first meeting they began recording what would go on to become Holly’s biggest hit, “That’ll Be The Day.” The song shot up the charts and within two weeks it was at number one.
No stranger to moving quickly, Buddy Holly proposed to the woman who would become his wife after only five hours of courtship. She soon became pregnant, and stayed home to hear stories of Buddy’s travels across America, feeding the hunger for rock and roll. On February 3rd, 1959, Buddy and J.P. Richardson -- or the “Big Bopper” -- and the 17-year-old Ritchie Valens boarded a plane that went on to crash into a field. American music history refers to this sad day as “the day the music died.”
"The Buddy Holly Story is a celebration of a legend and catches that unique mixture of innocence, determination, humour and charm that was Buddy Holly and wraps it all into a package that truly deserves the billing."
The energetic cast, headlined by Bennett Dunn playing Holly, will capture everyone in the theatre.
Tickets are still available for the show, which runs until Sunday, March 30th. Click here to order online now.
Do you get excited every time you hear the phrase, “Luke, I am your father” in a deep, breathy tone? Do you know the events that caused a young boy to turn into the beast that is Darth Vader? If so, you’re undoubtedly going to enjoy the new Star Wars exhibit coming to the Franklin Institute Science Museum in Philadelphia. This traveling exhibit will be in the City of Brotherly Love until May 4, so you have plenty of time to visit it as many times as you’ve seen the six installments of the Star Wars series.
The official name of the exhibit is Star Wars: Where Science Meets Imagination. And just like its name, the exhibit features a combination of displays that test the limits of science and imagination. Think of how exciting it would be to see Luke Skywalker’s landspeeder from the first Star Wars movie (which is actually the fourth episode in the series). Other than that, there are more than 100 other exhibits you’ll enjoy.
But wait! There’s more!
In addition to numerous displays, there are more than 20 exhibits that offer visitors the opportunity to interact. You can play the role of one of your favorite characters, whether it’s Hans Solo, C-3PO, or even Princess Leia. Sit in the driver’s seat of the Millennium Falcon and tour the galaxies while dodging comets, planets, and stars. Or see what it’s like to be in the body of a gold-plated, wise-cracking robot partnered with a smaller robot that only speaks in squeaks and beeps.
The exhibit also focuses on the possibility of making the science in Star Wars a reality today (or at least in the near future). Can you imagine your children being able to ride a hovercraft to school each day? Or learning about space exploration in school by actually going into space? With the technology used in the Star Wars movies, it could be a real possibility in your child’s lifetime.
If you want to visit the Philadelphia area so you can take part in fighting storm troopers and experience a “galaxy far, far away,” there are ten hotels in the area that are offering exclusive packages for fans. The Star Wars VIP Hotel Package includes a VIP pass, tickets to the exhibition that you can use any day of the week, and other features that only true fans will enjoy.
While you’re in the neighborhood, you can visit one of our 3 Philadelphia-area Mercedes-Benz dealerships and see the future of technology and luxury in the autos market. Our Product Specialists are ready to take you for a test drive so you can experience the smooth ride, true elegance, and special features that only a Mercedes provides. These cars may not take you through galaxies to fight cosmic invaders, but they are close to the next best thing. See what you’ve been missing and get behind the wheel today!
Big TV fans may have caught a few episodes of A&E’s new reality television series Parking Wars. This show follows the employees of the Philadelphia Parking Authority (PPA) on their day-to-day jobs in hopes of humanizing the workers. They're currently made out to be monsters - many of the area residents view the employees this way.
By showing the PPA process used to write tickets, the series sheds a light on the institution and highlights many times when the employees show compassion to some Philadelphians. But more importantly, the show brings awareness to the fact that drivers need to follow the rules in order to avoid consequences.
Here are some of what you should expect if you fail to comply with the parking laws throughout the city.
Tickets
This is the most common problem drivers face on Parking Wars. The PPA generally gives out tickets for a variety of offenses, including an expired meter, double parking and parking in front of a fire hydrant. Parking in a handicapped space is also a major offense and results in a $300 ticket for the offender. Other parking offenses that result in a ticket include taking up two spaces in a crowded parking lot and stealing a parking space that another person shoveled out. Fines vary, but there is a $23 increase for people who refuse to take their ticket and require the PPA to mail it to them.
Impound Lot
A large portion of the program takes place at the PPA’s impound lot. This is where the cars get towed when drivers commit more serious parking offenses. When a car is parked in a “Tow Zone,” it is susceptible to being towed away to the impound lot if a parking attendant happens across the vehicle. Cars that are towed away are typically interrupting the flow of traffic or creating a hazardous condition for other drivers. Car owners must present proper paperwork (license, registration and proof of insurance) to have their vehicles released from the lot. They must also pay all fines and penalties accumulated on the vehicle before the owners can drive their cars home home.
Boots
“The Boot” is reserved for cars that have at least three unpaid registered parking tickets. The PPA sends several notices to the owner before putting the car on “The Boot List.” Boot crews patrol different parts of the city looking for vehicles on the list. Once they put the boot on a car, it cannot be removed until the owner has paid the fines and penalties - along with a $100 boot fee.
While many Philadelphians hate the PPA, Parking Wars demonstrates that drivers need only follow the rules to avoid any tickets or penalties. The show also explains several regulations to viewers so they have a better understanding of how to avoid tickets and penalties. For new Philadelphia residents or long-time residents who don’t normally pay attention to the law, Parking Wars serves a public service by bringing awareness to increase the safety and flow of this major metropolitan city.
It doesn’t matter if you just drove your vehicle straight from the nearest Mercedes-Benz dealer or if it’s an old clunker, the PPA employees don’t show favoritism. They do what is in their power to keep the traffic safe and flowing smoothly.
The Northern Liberties area of Philadelphia continues to provide fun and excitement for its nearby residents. A while ago, a new Foodery opened on the corner of Poplar and Second Streets. And even more recently in July 2006, the North Bowl facility opened just a few doors away.
Philadelphia residents will like the North Bowl because it includes more than 21,000 square feet of space with more than 15 bowling lanes. That means less waiting on those nights when everybody has the same idea to go bowling! But that’s not the only thing this renovated mechanic’s garage offers to avid bowlers and those just looking for a night of fun. The North Bowl facility also has two full bars where you can get your favorite adult drink.
Or you can choose to visit the upstairs lounge and enjoy the comfort of plush Italian sofas, an arcade, and even a couple of pool tables when you feel like taking a break from the noise of knocking the pins down. Visitors can even get a bit to eat or simply use the lounge as a place to enjoy the company of friends. And with the glassed-in area, you can even look over all the fun going on among the bowlers without the racket.
The bowling alley floor isn’t without its own charm, either. Bowlers enjoy the retro furnishings that take you back to the 1950s every time you throw the colored ball down the lane. Pictures from bowling movies like The Big Lebowski hang on the walls, while the bars are decorated with stained wood. You’ll also notice a friendly staff that is always willing to make your bowling experience as fun and exciting as it can be.
With all of its features and unique opportunities for fun, North Bowl is the ideal place for your next big event in the Philadelphia area. Whether you want to throw a party for all of your employees, a birthday celebration for a friend, or a graduation get-together for that special nephew, North Bowl can accommodate large groups of up to 300 people who have varied interests. The facility is open throughout the week from 5:00 PM until 2:00 AM, and on the weekends from 11:00 AM until 2:00 AM. If you visit once, you’ll want to make it a weekly tradition for sure.
On the way to the North Bowl alleys, make a stop at one of our 3 Philadelphia-area Mercedes-Benz retail centers in West Chester, PA; Wilmington, DE; or Fort Washington, PA and see the finest vehicles Philadelphia has to offer. With the exquisite technology and unmatched luxury, it’s impossible to get a “gutter ball” when you’re sitting behind the wheel of a new or certified Benz. In fact, you’ll feel like you’re bowling all strikes every time you get an admiring glance from the driver next to you at the red light. Give one a try today!
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