Dear college students,

It’s going to be a long four years. Welcome to Philadelphia, a city of one way streets, crazed sports fans, and a cracked bell. And that’s the good part.

Call it part of our Philly Charm. But as it serves as the sixth largest city in the nation, we have much to brag about. We are the birthplace of Democracy, we have the largest outdoor art gallery in the world and our Phillies are the World Champions.

Our restaurants are raved about nationally and the arts and culture scene flourish to no end. To give you a taste of what’s in store, head “off campus� to explore Campus Philly’s College Day this Saturday Sept 27. With your College ID, get free admission to some of our finest cultural institutions including the Franklin Institute and the Philadelphia Museum of Art- yes where Rocky Balboa ran up the steps.

But what’s all this sightseeing without getting some good grub. Enjoy discounts from over 20 restaurants, coffee shops and eateries scattered all throughout the city. Why even snack on one of those legendary philly cheesesteaks at Steaks on South,- the winner of the Visitor’s Center first ever Steak Out.

Did I neglect to mention there will be plenty of discounts on shopping as well? With no sales taxes on clothes, staying true to the penniless college student mentality won’t be too hard to keep up. Best of all, there will be a free shuttle to take you all over Philly. And I hope you stop by the Center for brochures, maps and guides to help give you that “local� feeling.

Don’t worry, we’re always free!

Campus Philly Presents CollegeDay.
Sat Sept 26
Free Admission to Museums
Discounts on food and shopping +
Free Transportation
www.campusphilly.org

"We the People " Who is that?

It’s you, me, Cousin Johnny in San Diego and even Aunt Joanne in Houston. It is three words that hold infinite possibilities. On July 4, 1776- we declared our freedom from England. But it was on Sept 17, 1787 that we became a “union�, and a “people� by approving and ratifying our United States Constitution here in Philadelphia. Two hundred twenty -two years to the day, we celebrate these freedoms on the very grounds that seek to protect, embrace and honor “we the people�- the National Constitution Center.

Beginning at 8:30AM with a reading of the preamble of this honored work kicks off a day long festival complete with a giant sized Constitution for you to sign, print and calligraphy demonstrations to make your own constitution and a naturalization ceremony where dozen of foreign born people will take the oath of citizenship to become official citizens of our great nation. Not to mention, free cake!

To learn more about Constitution Day, log on here or stop by the Visitor Desk. 39 men ratified the Constitution but it takes a nation to embrace it; “We the People.�

Constitution Day

Sept 17, 2009- Anniversary of the Signing of the Constitution

@ the National Constitution Center

For tickets- click here

Join me this weekend as Philly goes all “green in the city.� Two wheels, not four will be the preferred vehicle of choice as - TD Bank Presents Bike Philly 2009 - 20 miles of car free and care free cycling. You can joyride through the streets of Philly with no signs of cars, buses, horse and carriages or even “ducks.� The only sounds made will be coming from the cranking of the pedals and the crunching of the chain. It may just be bicycle utopia. Beginning at the steps of the Art Museum (where else), ride through the Ben Franklin Parkway, Chinatown, Old City and the shambles of Headhouse Square without worrying about any gas guzzlers or the sounds of a roaring engine.

After your ride, shoot back to South Street for - Green Fest Philly the Delaware Valley’s largest one day environmental event. With over 200 exhibitors from organic baby clothes to solar energy, learning how to be green was never so easy. This year’s theme is sustainable food which means lots of free samples! Did I forget to mention an eco-friendly fashion show and live music all day!

Save the Planet. Save Money. Save the Date! Sunday- It’s all about being green!

Real Philly Real Easy!

TD Bank Presents Bike Philly 2009
Sun Sept 13 beginning at 8am
at the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art
bicylcecoalition.org

GreenFest Philly
Sun Sept 13
11am-6pm
2nd South Streets
greenfestphilly.org

Oh Summer wherever did you go? As we come ever closer to Labor Day Weekend, we have to say goodbye to the outdoor concerts at Penns Landing , the storytelling benches of Historic Philadelphia and dare I say it, the alfresco dining throughout but as the mercury cools and we trade flip flop for shoes, the arts have only just begun!

Celebrating their 13th Year in Philadelphia, the Philadelphia Live Arts and Philly Fringe Festival is a joint collaboration showcasing artistic talent from across the globe along with Philly’s finest in improv, dance and whole lot of theater.

To categorize the various themes and subject matter is to do the impossible, for what the mind can imagine; these Festivals will present! Whether it’s superheroes,zombies or being friends on Facebook, everything, and I do mean everything is certainly fair game. With close to 200 different shows to see, I’d be a bit tongue tied to hear that there isn’t something for you.

And the best part, the theater venues range from art gallery spaces to bars to well, parking lots. Come for our history but stay for the arts. The Liberty Bell is only the beginning!

For more info log on to livearts-fringe.org and be sure to pick a free program guide from our Visitor Desk. You’re going to LOVE THE ARTS in Philadelphia! Real Philly. Real Easy

Philadelphia Live Arts and Philly Fringe Festival
9/4- 9/19