Published: Distinctively Delancey

http://issuu.com/gono/docs/prhspring2011v2

pg. 20~21

On the Block section

Philadelphia Rowhome Magazine (Spring, 2011 issue)

As you step into this palatial home, you are awash in natural light and greeted by a cool, fresh pine floor. Let the ambiance embrace you as you take in all of its ultimate amenities including a separate living and dining room, each with its own fireplace.

This grand, four-story row home at 504 Delancey Street is nestled on a quiet, tree-lined street just a few convenient blocks away from a Superfresh and McCall Magnet School.

It has 3 to 4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths and is just a stone’s throw away from Independence Hall and the City’s historic district. It is also within walking distance to many popular Center City spots including restaurants, theaters, gyms, parks and shopping centers.

The custom kitchen promises a whole new cooking experience. Surrounded by the gleam of stainless steel appliances, you’ll feel as though you’re prepping for your own cable cooking show. Granite counters made of stunning plutonic rock, mineral and crystal particles add the ultimate sense of luxury to your culinary surroundings.

Wind your way through the kitchen and you’ll happen upon the perfect red brick patio, a heavenly haven for those breezy spring mornings or sizzling summer barbecue nights.

On the upper level, two lavish bedrooms will dazzle you. An adjacent tiled bathroom complete with a linen closet is designed to keep you pampered and organized.

The third level mirrors the design of the second floor with a few exceptions. A laundry room, walk-in closet and fabulous full bath await. On the final level, create your own retreat in a fished, lovely dormer-style room with a view that is also well-equipped with its own cooling and heating system. Perfect for an office, den or guest bedroom.

This spectacular home is listed at $875,000.

The seller offers one year of prepaid parking for two cars in a freestanding two-car garage with additional storage space.

Make this dream home your dream-come-true, today!

Local News: The Festival that is good for everyone.

You can check out the video at http://vimeo.com/24179519

Last Saturday on May 21st, when the weather was warm and sunny, Rittenhouse Row, located at 18th and Walnut Streets, was packed with thousands of people because of the Annual Spring Festival. The festival on Walnut was created by Rittenhouse Row as an opportunity to showcase the best of what Rittenhouse Row has to offer.

Rittenhouse Row was eligible to host this festival because it is a destination marking organization responsible for marketing and promoting the businesses and organizations in the uptown area between the Avenue of the Arts and the river from The Parkway to South.

Ilan Waber, Membership Coordinator of Rittenhouse Row, said, “We serve as a voice for the businesses in the area and make a bridge between them and the residents in the community.” She also explained that they work with the City of Philadelphia to get permits to close the street.

She was rushing around with walkie talkies on her hands and communicating with co-workers.

There were smiles on people’s faces and everyone got to hold hands, date and chat. People greeted one another with hugs and kisses. It seemed to be a great opportunity to meet up with friends and neighbors after a long, cold winter.

Dozens upon dozens of white-roof tents were lined up all the way down from the 1400 to 1800 block of Walnut Streets.

Each tent represented a specific company. Friends and couples gathered around tables underneath those tents. Long lines of people waited either for free food including hot dogs, donuts, cup cakes or hair salon treatments. People crowded close to watch, receive or to be exposed to something new.

Jason Milton of Miami, Fl. Said, “We started up at a 15th and locust and worked their way up, visited couple tents, it’s pretty neat, met a couple people, interacted, met a couple culture, and had a few drinks. I think the atmosphere is very good, very positive."

Standing underneath the red “Rittenhouse Row Spring Festival Philadelphia Magazine” sign on the front part of a tent, people who represent the magazine were dressed in black T-shirts. In front of them, this month’s issue of magazines, pamphlets, affiliated products and small application forms were spread nicely and neatly on the table.

Like all other tents, they advertised their company in various ways. They were giving away what was on the table. They tried to get people to sign up for their websites as well. Finally they encouraged visitors to purchase their products.

John O’Brien, the subscription manager for the Philadelphia Magazine, wished that this festival would boost the downturned businesses. “We hope the festival helps this economy that went down. This is a good event to get things going,” O’Brien said. “We hope to get a lot of publicity, even helped get our advertising, because part of the problem with the economy is advertising.”

Local News: The Korean Restaurant

Launching a restaurant in a great location may be somebody’s long lasting vision. A group of Korean Americans from Philadelphia realized a long-term vision 18 months ago when they opened a high-end Korean restaurant in Center City.

With freshly painted red sign, the restaurant's central location greatly benefited business.

“People walk in to see what we have,” says floor manager Jinny Kim. About 70 per cent of restaurant’s customers are non-Koreans, she said.

The taste of Korean food can be very different to a first-time diner. Miga tries to bridge the gap between Korean and American tastes with familiar side dishes such as coleslaw and applesauce.

"Other Korean restaurants are more Korean-fusion, little more Americanized, but our restaurant is trying to keep the authentic," Kim said. "We try to have a conversation with customers, sharing their interests and supporting them."

Although Kim has worked at many different jobs, such as real estate agent, T-shirt store worker, this is her first time being in a managerial position. She said that every moment she has worked at the restaurant has been a memorable experience, but when customers request Korean food from her by name, she is most happy.

“Our target is the whole residents in the city,” she said.

Local News: David Sylvester's Travel Lessons

David Sylvester, a personal trainer who works at The Union League, located at 140 S. Broad St., just released his first book called Traveling at the Speed of Life. When I first encountered him, he was high-fiving and hugging acquaintances, which indicated his outgoing personality.

Despite his muscular arms and such high energy, no one would have imaged that David Sylvester bore a deep sorrow inside of him. After his friend was killed in Sept. 11, he wanted to memorialize his friend and raise money for a charity. Then, he took his bicycle onto the road and started traveling around the world from Istanbul, Turkey to Beijing, China.

When asked of his writing experience, he said, “It was relieving. It depends on the memory you have and you get to start remember the habits he[friend] had. Writing makes you hold onto those things and makes you search for right words.”

Sylvester said that his article called Across continent, rider delivers message of will, passion hit two million readers, as he handed me a stapled copy. Since 2002, he stopped different places each week.

“If I didn’t push my boundary, I wouldn’t have met those people. I didn’t think this was possible 10 years ago, but I’ve done it,” he said.

According to his article, when he stopped by Egypt, he was surprised to see the human capacity to build the pyramid. In Bahir Dar, Ethiopia, he learned hospitality is always a good thing. In Xian, China, he found that there really are no language barriers.

He appreciated all these empowering feeling and confidence he learned throughout his travels.

“I think every individual should be impressed by themselves, because the better you are, the better you want to become,” he said. “The only thing that can stop me is me,” he added.