Category Archives: Philadelphia

October 5, 2012 · 12:41 pm

Just a Few Days Left to Register for Homecoming Weekend…

Author:  Amanda D’Amico

The air is crisp, and the leaves are starting to change color. It’s time to pull those sweaters and jackets out of your closet for fall. And while you’re digging in the back of your closet, grab your favorite Penn gear to wear at Penn’s Homecoming Weekend featuring arts & Culture, October 26 to 28, 2012.

After discussing contemporary jazz or modern libraries in our Classes without Quizzes and reconnecting with old friends at Quakerfest, you can head over to Franklin Field to watch Penn take on Brown. The weekend features social events, film screenings, other sporting events, and much more.

And, best of all, you get to add the newest Homecoming Weekend scarf (included in the cost of a Red or Blue Quaker Pass) to what I hope is a growing collection!

Here are just a few other reasons you should return to Penn for the weekend:

  1. Arts & Sciences Quizzo
  2. Beyond the Screen: Social Impact through Film
  3. California Impressionism: Masters of Light
  4. Classes without Quizzes: Arts@Homecoming Launch Party
  5. Penn Park Homecoming 5K Run
  6. PennGALA Homecoming Happy Hour
  7. Performing Arts and Children: Beyond the ‘Mozart Effect’
  8. The Philadelphia Film Festival presents Flight
  9. Rugby Alumni Social
  10. Taste of Penn Spectrum: A Celebration of Diversity

To learn more about the events at this year’s Homecoming and to register, visit www.alumni.upenn.edu/homecoming2012. See you in Philadelphia, Oct. 26 – 28!

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Filed under Alumni Programming, Alumnni Education, Amanda D., Campus Life, Homecoming Weekend featuring arts and culture, Philadelphia, The Arts, The Arts at Penn

October 2, 2012 · 1:55 am

Penn Pro bono Alumni Consulting (PennPAC)

Author: Stephanie Yee, C’08

When I became Chair of the Social Impact Committee of the Penn Alumni Club of Philadelphia, I made it our goal to host at least one service project per month. These monthly volunteer events have become wildly popular, and many of them sell out. We partner with a different non-profit in Philadelphia every month, and we are always looking for new ways to give back to our community. In addition to these one-day volunteer events, Penn alumni in the Philadelphia area can get involved in short-term projects through PennPAC.

Penn alumna, Jackie Einstein Astrof, C’93, founded PennPAC (Penn Pro bono Alumni Consulting) in 2010 as a way to engage Penn alumni together in rewarding, socially impactful work. As Chair of the Social Impact Committee of PennNYC, Jackie understands the importance of regional engagement and community engagement of Penn alumni. Through PennPAC, Penn alumni utilize their intellectual and professional skills to assist non-profits in their communities through short-term projects. In 2011, PennPAC joined forces with the Wharton Club of New York (WCNY), and in fall 2011, PennPAC launched its first projects in New York City.

Jackie reached out to me that fall about launching PennPAC through the Penn Alumni Club of Philadelphia, and I thought it was a brilliant idea. As External Vice President and Chair of the Social Impact Committee of the Penn Alumni Club of Philadelphia, I know there are many Penn alumni in the Philadelphia area who are always looking for new ways to give back to our community. With much excitement, I launched PennPAC Philly in spring 2012. Here is a sample of our current and past PennPAC Philly projects:

Spring 2012 Project:
Students Run Philly Style offers running training programs for youth. SRPS connects students with adult mentors who help them imagine and accomplish goals to succeed in life. Volunteers on this project will develop recommendations for SRPS to increase their visibility in the Philadelphia community.

Fall 2012 Project:
12+ is a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering students in underserved communities to achieve college access and completion. Volunteers in this project will increase and improve 12+ development through strategy and outreach. Note: 12+ was founded by a Penn alumnus, and the current CEO is a Penn alumna. Talk about a Penn connection!

Even though our Penn Alumni Club of Philadelphia volunteers love one-day volunteer events, many of them have expressed interest in longer-term projects. PennPAC is the perfect way for our volunteers to work closely with a non-profit in Philadelphia for 8-10 weeks. Penn alumni can get involved in PennPAC in many ways. The first step is to apply online:

Click here for the PennPAC Philly application.

Click here for the PennPAC NYC application.

Feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions about PennPAC Philly. You can email me at philly@pennpac.org. I look forward to growing PennPAC through the Penn Alumni Club of Philadelphia, and I hope to see PennPAC launched in more cities in the near future!

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Filed under Alumni Perspective, Alumni Programming, Penn Clubs, Philadelphia, Social Networking, Stephanie Y., Volunteering

September 25, 2012 · 2:38 pm

Philly Arts & Culture Fair

Author:  Lisa Marie Patzer

This Friday is the annual Philly Arts & Culture Fair at Penn.  The line up of art vendors from around Philadelphia is impressive.  Here are my personal top 10 from the list of over 40 participating organizations:

Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts

Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts

Arthur Ross Gallery

Arthur Ross Gallery

ICA

ICA

In Liquid Art and Design

In Liquid Art and Design

International House

International House Philadelphia

Kelly Writers House

Kelly Writers House

Live Arts Fringe

Live Arts Festival

Morris Arboretum

Morris Arboretum

Painted Bride Art Center

Painted Bride Arts Center

Philadelphia Orchestra

Philadelphia Orchestra

If you are on Penn’s campus this Friday between 11 AM and 1 PM, stop by the Wynn Commons to learn more about Philadelphia Arts Organizations.

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Filed under Lisa Marie Patzer, Philadelphia, The Arts, Top Ten, Uncategorized

September 18, 2012 · 2:01 pm

Hello, 20-Foot Ben Franklin

Author: Stephanie Yee, C08

I have been known to see red and blue everywhere, and I am always trying to find a Penn connection. However, I am really starting to think SAP loves Penn. Back in July, the Magic Carpet food truck was at SAP’s 40th Anniversary Newtown Square Summer Picnic. Flash forward a few months, and Ben Franklin is at the SAP Active Global Support Newtown Square Summit. Granted, the event was held at the Franklin Institute, so it’s no surprise Ben Franklin was all over the place.

I had visited the Franklin Institute a number of times but always for the special exhibits. This was my first time in the Benjamin Franklin National Memorial, and wow it’s beautiful! There is nothing quite like a 20-foot statue of Ben Franklin staring down at you while you eat your taco salad and chicken fingers. Too bad we can’t borrow the statue for Homecoming and Alumni Weekend. I would love to see the 20-foot Ben Franklin wearing the foam Quaker hat or a net-hat from Penn Men’s Basketball.

A 20-foot statue of Benjamin Franklin at the SAP Active Global Support Newtown Square Summit at the Franklin Institute.

Panoramic view of the Benjamin Franklin National Memorial at the Franklin Institute.

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Filed under Alumni Perspective, Alumni Programming, Alumni Weekend, Ben Franklin, Philadelphia, Stephanie Y.

August 28, 2012 · 12:23 pm

Philly Fringe

Author: Alex Fleischman

Throughout its history, the Penn Museum’s Warden Garden has had a surprising variety of residents—from the pond’s fish to the Sphinx, which now lives indoors, before Philly’s weather was deemed a threat, and once, even, a submarine used for underwater archaeology. Next month, “monsters” can be added to the list, when the Museum will host two Philly Fringe programs.

First, and unrelated to any monsters, the Underground Shakespeare Company, a Penn student theater troupe, will perform “Antony & Cleopatra: Infinite Lives,” Thursday through Saturday, September 13-15. Shakespeare’s play is adapted to the modern, turbulent events of contemporary Egypt, with the Museum’s Sphinx as the dramatic backdrop to their performance. I can’t wait to witness the always dramatic and impressive gallery transformed by the talents of Shakespeare and the performers.

On Sunday, September 16, the artist Douglas Repetto will lead a Monsters: A Workshop and Happening. The audience will help him make “foals”—small walking tables made with simple mechanical parts and scrap wood. The “herd” of them will be let loose in the Chinese Rotunda at 4 p.m.; afterward, they will led outdoors and into the Warden Garden. After the event, the foals are “up for adoption” for audience members—this sounds like a pet even a college student could handle, so I’m not going to miss out.

The 16th-annual Philadelphia Live Arts Festival and Philly Fringe takes place from September 7–22, 2012, with theater, music, and arts events all over Philadelphia. In addition to the two events at the Museum, two more will take place on Penn’s campus. On September 20 and 21, the Annenberg Center will host “red, black & GREEN: a blues,” an interactive program created by Marc Bamuthi Joseph of The Living Word Project. On September 22, the Platt Student Performing Arts House will host The Alternative Theatre Festival by iNtuitions Experimental Theatre.

 

More information about the events at the Museum can be found here and more information about Live Arts and Philly Fringe can be found here.

 

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Filed under Alex F., Campus Life, Penn Museum, Philadelphia, Student Perspective, The Arts, The Arts at Penn

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August 14, 2012 · 7:46 pm

“I road my bicycle past…”

Author: Lisa Marie Patzer

In 2006, when I moved to Philly from Denver, I decided to sell my Subaru and see if I could get by without a car.  I relied on SEPTA, Philly Car Share, and my two trusty bicycles for transportation.  Since then, I’ve developed a new appreciation for what people do with bikes.  This first picture is of a 1988 Pinarello Montello and is very similar to the bike I ride around town.  A very average bike.

Pinarello Cherry Red

Cherry Red Pinarello

But then there is this guy.

Wash Cycle Laundry

Wash Cycle Laundry

He works for Wash Cycle Laundry, Philadelphia’s sustainable laundry and linen rental service.  They haul tons of laundry every week using bicycles and trailers. Bilenky Cycle Works, (BCW) is a specialty bicycle shop in North Philly dedicated to making custom bicycles “one frame at a time.”  They can make you a pizza delivery bike similar to this one if you want.

Bilenky Cycle Works

Pizza Delivery Bike by Bilenky Cycle Works

In October of 2010, BCW organized the first ever Philly Bike Expo, bringing together bicycle makers and enthusiasts from around the country.  Here are a couple of my favorite photos from that event.

Wooden Bike Sculpture

Wooden Bike Sculpture

Fixed Gear Display

Fixed Gear Display

Pink Cargo Bike

Kensington Kinetic Sculpture Derby piece in reception area.

Kensington Kinetic Sculpture Derby display

The University of Pennsylvania has it’s own history with the bicycle.  This photo, made available by the University Archives Digital Image Collection, was taken in 1914 in front of College Hall.  I would like to see the woman in the white dress and big hat riding one of those bikes.

College Hall, 1914

College Hall, 1914

And this was taken in 1963 in front of Annenberg Center.

Annenberg Center, 1963

Annenberg Center, 1963

This illustration is from the University Calendar, September 1905, and below it is a black and white drawing by Morton Livingston Schamberg, circa 1900.

University Calendar, Illustration, September 1905

University Calendar, Illustration, September 1905

Illustration by Morton Livingston Schamberg, 1900

Illustration by Morton Livingston Schamberg, 1900

And here is a photo I took today on campus.

Schwinn Seat - Photo from 8/14/12 on Penn's Campu

Schwinn Seat

Old and new, bicycles are a part of the Philadephia experience and life on campus.  For more information about bicycling in Philadelphia, check out The Bicycle Coalition of Philadelphia web site.

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Filed under Campus Life, Historical, Lisa Marie Patzer, Penn in the Summer, Philadelphia, Photos, Uncategorized

May 29, 2012 · 1:55 pm

Penn Alumni Club of Philadelphia’s New Facebook Page

Author: Stephanie Yee, C’08

The Penn Alumni Club of Philadelphia recently decided to switch from a Facebook group to a page. I remember when Facebook first started Groups. They were only open to members in the same network, and there was no such thing as “liking.” I was a member of groups such as “John Doe’s Fan Club,” “Penn 08,” and “I went to public school….” I have no idea why John Doe had a Facebook group devoted to him, or why we were talking about public school, but it was cool. When I moved to Penn, I created a group for Penn students from Nevada, so I could meet everyone else from my state. I’m pretty sure there were only 15 of us in the group. Our group photo was the Nevada state flag. Oh, and be sure to pronounce Nevada correctly.

Fast forward several years and groups are a thing of the past. Pages are all the rage. Facebook has changed a lot since I joined in 2004, but I do like the new cover photo feature. Who can resist this awesome photo of Ben on the Bench? Like the Penn Alumni Club of Philadelphia here!

 

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Filed under Alumni Perspective, Clubs, GAN, Penn Clubs, Philadelphia, Social Networking, Stephanie Y.

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May 4, 2012 · 9:39 am

Penn Weddings

Author: Amanda D’Amico

In exactly one year to the day, I will be walking down the aisle. During my wedding planning, I’ve often searched online for local venues to hold the occasion. When I searched “weddings” and “Philadelphia,” I was surprised to find “Perelman Quadrangle” at 3417 Spruce Street come up on Google Map. Weddings in the Quad?

 Sure enough, weddings are time-honored tradition for the Quad. From ceremonies to receptions, Perelman Quad offers personalized attention and a unique atmosphere. For more information, go here.

But the Quad isn’t the only Penn place that can accommodate weddings. The Morris Arboretum of the University of Pennsylvania, located in the Chestnut Hill section of Philadelphia, was listed The Knot’s 2010 best of reception sites. With 92 acres of gardens and outdoor space, the Morris Arboretum makes an amazing background for wedding photos. For more information, visit their website.

 Or, I could try Penn Museum, right at the corner of 32nd and South in University City. Penn Museum is a large, historic venue, and is available for a number of different events (not just weddings). Who doesn’t want to hold their one-of-a-kind event near one-of-a-kind artifacts? For more information on events at the Penn Museum, click on this link.

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Filed under Amanda D., Campus Life, Events, Penn Museum, Philadelphia

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April 24, 2012 · 2:58 pm

Happy Philly Tech Week

Author: Lisa Marie Patzer

Ben Digitized

Ben Digitized

April 23 – 28 is Philly Tech Week.  According to the Philly Tech Week website, it is “a week-long celebration of technology and innovation in Philadelphia. The annual week of events is intended to grow the impact of this innovative region through programming focused on technology, collaboration and improving Philadelphia.”  Kicking off the week were several events throughout the region, including the Women in Tech Summit, April 21, at The Wharton School, University of Pennsylania.  The Women In Tech Summit brought women together to support, challenge, and empower other women at all stages of their careers. Their discussions included topics such as, “Get Better at Breaking Things: Test-Driven Development for Skill Building and Fun” and “Hacking the Gender Gap: A Hands-On Workshop for Boosting Gender Diversity in Tech.”  They also screened the film “Women in Technology is an OLD idea.”

As a new media artist and web designer, the topic of women and technology hits close to home.  This weekend, I will be presenting my interactive installation project VIDEO DIG at Hacking Big Art for Fun and Games, one of the panel discussions at the Grassroots Game Conference, happening concurrently with Philly Tech Week.  Here are a few images from VIDEO DIG, in case you are curious.

Arduino microcontroller

Arduino microcontroller

Interactive Video Projection and Light Display

Interactive Video Projection and Light Display

Video Still

Video Still

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Filed under Events, Lisa Marie Patzer, Philadelphia, The Arts, Uncategorized

April 19, 2012 · 5:30 pm

A Fun Night with Penn Baseball at “The Bank”

Author: Jonathan Cousins, SEAS’14

Last night, I hopped on SEPTA, and took the Broad Street Line down to AT&T station, and the Philadelphia sports complex. Upon my arrival, I saw many people walking towards the Wells Fargo Center, en route to the Sixers game. Farther along, Lincoln Financial Field and Citizens Bank Park sat, seemingly empty, as the Eagles are in the off-season and the Phillies were in San Francisco. But, at least for one night, there was baseball to be played, as Penn and St. Joes squared off in the final of the Liberty Bell Classic.

The Liberty Bell classic is a 20 year old tournament designed to allow the Philadelphia area schools to play each other in baseball. The tournament features eight teams, and the final two meet at Citizens Bank Park. Neither Penn nor St. Joes had ever won the tournament, so no matter who would win the game, it would be a new team engraved on the trophy.

As I walked up to the stadium, it was strange to see the third base gate closed off. Even when I got to the first base side, there were only two ticket windows open, and only one entrance gate.  The Phillies and their 42,000 faithful create a buzz at the park that simply can’t be replicated. So, walking into the ballpark, many of the concessions stands were closed, and everyone was being funneled into the seven sections right behind home plate. It was almost like I could hear the ghosts of baseball whispering. I knew what sounds I expected to hear, but they weren’t there.  There was no buzz of the crowd and no hot dog or beer vendors yelling. But it was still baseball, and there was something magical about seeing Penn’s entire roster being announced, and lining up in front of the dugout normally inhabited by major leaguers.

There were a lot of things missing from the park that night, but also many new things. It was strange looking out into the sea of empty blue seats, echoing the sounds of baseball across the stadium. But it was definitely the only time when $5 would allow me to sit directly behind home plate at a major league park. The Quaker also made an appearance, and quickly gained an entourage of five kids who followed him anywhere he went.

Once the game began, Penn fell behind on a home run early on, and failed to get the clutch hitting they needed to come back. Unfortunately, they lost 6-3. The night was something that I have never experienced before, getting to watch baseball in Citizens Bank Park with only 300 other people, and it was a lot of fun.  Hopefully, next year. Penn will take home the title!

 

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Filed under Athletics, Jonathan C., Philadelphia, Student Perspective

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