EASY STREATS DINING EVENT THIS SATURDAY IS NOW POSTPONED
Philadelphia, PA – After further consulting with the City about planned street closures for Saturday, July 11, the Office of Transportation Infrastructure and Sustainability asked that Northern Liberties Business Improvement District postpone the street closure. All parties had concerns over weather, and felt that additional time would be needed to coordinate on logistical issues so any concerns over public health and safety could be more squarely addressed. The City will continue to work with Northern Liberties Business Improvement District to ensure the rescheduled closure is a success.
“Closing a street is a complex process with many considerations,” said NLBID Executive Director Kris Kennedy. “The unique geography of N. 2nd St presents a great opportunity for social distancing and safe enjoyment of outdoor dining, but also logistical challenges. We feel confident that, working with the City’s multi-agency team and other business districts, we can strike the right balance for expanded outdoor seating that meets the requirements of public health officials and evolving needs of businesses. We have notified and been working with the restaurants – and we will continue to work with them hand-in-hand to best meet their needs during this difficult year. A new date and event logistics have not been selected but we will advise as soon as those details are 100% confirmed with all participants and coordinating agencies.” She added, “While the street closure will not take place this week, for those looking to keep with the original spirit of the event and support our restaurateurs, over two dozen restaurants in our District and adjacent neighborhood streets have wonderful, inventive and welcoming outdoor seating areas, sidewalk cafes and parklette extensions.”
These restaurants include brand new, refurbished and/or expanded seating outside popular Northern Liberty favorites like Urban Village Brewing Company, El Camino, Heritage, Jerry’s Bar, Bourbon and Branch, and North Bowl. Sidewalk seating is also available at N. 3rd, Jaxon, Hello Vietnam and other popular restaurants. In the next week or two, please watch as we welcome several brand new restaurants with outdoor seating, including the soon-to-open, first outside New York City location for Anejo. Additionally, restaurants along Liberties Walk also feature outdoor seating that is available for this weekend and beyond for those looking for a meal under the stars and festive lights, including Apricot Stone, Baan Thai, Hikari Sushi, and D’Oliva evoo Pizza & Grill. On behalf of the Northern Liberties Business Improvement District, and businesses working hard on this project, we thank everyone for their interest and support – and we look forward to sharing many open-air meals with food lovers and neighbors this summer.
The Philadelphia Zoo is once again up to the public. Thursday marks the first day the general public can visit the zoo since it closed on March 17.
On Monday the Philadelphia Zoo officially opened with remarks by Zoo President and CEO Vikram H. Dewan, Philadelphia Health Commissioner Dr. Thomas Farley, Rep. Donna Bullock and Councilwoman Jamie Gauthier. Afterwards members were welcomed to enjoy the park.
Vikram H. Dewan
Dr. Thomas Farley
Rep. Donna Bullock
Councilwoman Jamie Gauthier
The Zoo has new safety precautions put in place for your comfort.
NEW SAFETY PROTOCOLS: * All visitors MUST reserve / pre-purchase timed-tickets for admission. * Tickets will not be available for purchase onsite. * Social distancing and Masks are required for guests 2+ * Indoor animal exhibits and attractions remain closed.* Touchless toilets, faucets, paper towel and soap dispensers. * Hand sanitizing stations throughout the campus. * More grab and go food selections and touchless transactions at food locations. * Guests can bring their own food in the Zoo. * “Clean Team”- staffers dedicated to sanitizing and cleaning high touch areas. * New procedures that allow public safety officers to check bags without touching.
Kory Aversa, Aversa PR represents the Philly Zoo
How cute, these girls each found a peacock feather for a souvenir.
High-touch attractions — such as the swan boats, carousel, and WildWorks climbing course — will stay closed to create less touch and more distance. Also on hold are activities like educational talks from zookeepers to avoice large crowds gathering.
Although the beer garden is closed for now, food is still being served outdoor dining is still happening at a social distance.
Animals are on the move like never before at Philadelphia Zoo with Zoo360, a first-in-the-world system of see-through trails passing through treetops, crossing over pathways and connecting habitats, giving animals like amazing big cats, majestic primates and marvelous meerkats the opportunities to travel and explore.
Visit our young western lowland gorillas, baby sloth bear cub, giraffes, hippos, white rhino, zebras, Amur tigers and more at America’s first Zoo.
Philly Chit Chat is Lucky 13 today, in 2020 and that’s a good thing. The business is but the concept is not. In fact it reminds me of when PhillyChitChat first started, it wasn’t a business, it was a hobby. That’s where we are today. PCC covering things I find interesting, that I think you might find interesting as well. Thanks so much to all my subscribers for supporting me over the years, nearly 40,000, ok more like 39, 261 but that’s a darn lot of you who put up with my run on sentences, and writing as if I’m having a conversation.
Thanks to hubby Michael Toub who is my everything. He supports my unorthodox career, it was his idea for me to do a blog to share my photos, he’s my IT guy, he’s my best friend, the nicest guy you could ever meet, funny and friendly. I’ve become a better person because of him. Happy 26 years together too, and your birthday next week. Thanks to his parents for raising a great kid.
What started as a hobby has now turned into a career. I had no idea, nor did I ever plan it to go that way. I am grateful to you my readers who support me in this endeavor & especially for those who allow me to photograph them.
Since I was a little kid, I was always the one friends and family would come to and ask what the latest chit chat happening, and I enjoyed sharing it; dad called me Hedda Hopper (google it). Fast forward to when I was a paralegal at a law firm, Kohn, Swift & Graf, (yes I took those pixs on the website) where at one time one of the partners told me I had to stop gossiping and concentrate more on my work. Eventually in the 1990s I would become the traveling paralegal of the firm….
KSG, specifically my boss Bill Hoese, sent me to NYC to work on a great case. I figured out how to live there cheaper than commuting every day thus crossing off a goal I wanted to do all my life – live in NYC. After working 8 – 12hr days, I found I still had time to explore, and discovered I liked chronicling the celebrity nightlife in Manhattan. It was so much fun, and this was before many of the current celebrity sites were online, before FB got big, or twitter or Instagram were added to the Webster Dictionary.
At the urging of Mike Toub I started a blog about photographing celebrities, the photographers, the fans, the professional autograph seekers, basically the whole scene calledConfessions of a Paparazzi. It was exciting time, I had a knack at finding out info on where the celebs would be, and using the info to my advantage where celebrity photographers would let me tag along with them as long as I didn’t get in their photos. The blog allowed me to share these adventures with a larger audience. I also contributed stories and photos to Perez Hilton and Gawker for links back to my blog.
A few of my paparazzi friends at the Waverly Inn in NYC capturing Anne Hathaway and her boyfriend in 2007
After returning to Philly when the assignment was up, surprisingly to none, I became a professional celebrity photographer, part time. I would continue to travel to NYC to photograph celebrities for the next 5 years after work, over night and then would go to work in Philly the next day very tired. It was a lot of fun. All my vacation days – 4 weeks, were spent living in NYC so I could pursue my hobby
Over the July 4th weekend 2007 with my friends Kati & SimonCurtis, who were visiting from NYC, we brainstormed. Simon coined PhillyChitChat and the rest is history. Thanks!! (We wanted to be able to include a lot of topics, not just celebrities.) Greta and Alan Greenberger on right. (2007) Greta has been a great mentor and friend for years.
Although over the years I have been able to shoot a lot of celebrities in Philly. I have to thank many of my readers, businesses and friends for their kind tips over the years in order for me to shoot so many of these celebrities or report on their whereabouts. Thank you so much!! (Thanks Michael Klein and Dan Gross for publishing my photos in the Inquirer and Daily News so many years ago, which really helped me grow.)
Renee Reese, GN Kang, Big Rube, Michelle Miller and Erin Elmore at the opening of the Barney’s Co-OP in 2009 (Thanks GN Kang & Michelle Miller for introducing me to the Phila Eagles – Brent, Stewart, LeSean, AJ & Todd and the Phillies – Cole, Chase, Shane, Kyle, which helped me establish trust from back in the day until now)
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Stewart Bradley (what a great guy, boy did we have fun), AJ Feeley and Brent Celek
Thanks Marilyn Russell for my radio gigs and being a great mentor
Thanks Justin Pizzi for more than a decade of friendship and advice. Thanks to Justin for getting me on the air doing Philly Gossip segments, on NBC10 on his “The Scene” in 2009
For many years I was “Paralegal by day, Paparazzi by night” until I parted ways with Kohn Swift 12/31/10, Mike said let’s see if you can make a living doing your blog cause I know you love it so much. I’ll support you for a year. A few months later I realized the only way I could make money was to be hired by PR/Clients to shoot parties as an event photographer, I would suggest they keep their house photographer if they had one, and I would use the photos took to place in the media as well as on my blog, promote their events on Social Media and pr give them photos for their social media. I then told my readers I would be starting an event photography business, but would still write as I did the previous 3 years – who, what, when and where of the parties and the rest as they say is history. (These days they call it a pivot.)
Thanks Nicole Cashman for all you do.
Lance Bass clubbing at G Lounge Saturday Night. Thanks Aly Green, Reggie Berry and Jacky Wright for always hooking me up with the right people as I made my way. (2008)
Thanks to Jen Fred, Fox 29 who then said I’d be perfect for Fox 29 in 2011
Fox 29 came calling, where I appeared weekly for about 3 years, these days I contribute my work weekly (And appear occasionally. I was just on 2 weeks ago) This month, I celebrate 9 years as a regular contributor to Fox 29 and Philly Mag with my own column in the magazine. I also create content for PhillyStyle Magazine, Metro Philly, Phila Business Journal, Phila Tribune, Philly Voice, and my pride and joy CBS3Philly, and am often featured on TV news shows, and I appreciate that people appreciate my mission of Philly cheerleader. I’m so glad to have played a part in photographing the City as it came into it’s own in the last 13 years. I now have 3 photographers that work for me Andre Flewellen, Mike Hirata and Talya Hailey, and my sister Janine DeFeo who does our scheduling, and invoicing. We Will All Be Back Before You Know It!!
Thanks Stacey Kracher for believing in me.
Thanks to Thom Cardwell for mentoring me in the beginning, and Laura Burkhardt for many years, even today she’s there for me to bounce things off of.
Grace Flanigan (r RIP Grace)
Philly Chit Chat’s 6th Anniversary Party, but really it was my 50th Birthday Party and that was a real surprise as more than half my friends never knew how old I was, and I never revealed my age in interviews, they never asked, LOL. Thanks Christie Mandia for organizing the party.
Former Governor Ed Rendell, Mayor Michael Nutter, Holly Kinser, Charlotte Bascomb, Lucy Flannigan and Lena Kinser after blowing out the birthday candles.
David Maser, Zoe Maser and Alison Young
Thanks Sabrina TamburinoThorne for being my first “It” girl.
Philly Mag took notice of the who’s who of who I photographed and wrote this piece: I really did p/o a few Mainliner’s calling my girls “socialites” Just like I called me a paparazzi, when it should have been paparazzo, I felt anyone who went out socially, especially supporting charities even if it was buying a bar drink, should be called socialites. It worked. I got noticed.
Kristen Alderson, Jordon Matthews and Eddie Alderson
Thanks Phyllis Halpern for being a good friend and for introducing me to Gov Ed Rendell and Thom Cardwell in 2007 (here w/Bob Connolly)
Judy Munroe, Ellen Churchill and Fran Lallie
Robin Stevens and Shirley Kaplan
Kristen Herrmann, 95.7 BEN FM, Cartney Herrmann, and Ashton Wagner
Zack James, nosh Poobalan, Bryan Clark, Kyree Terrell and Bonh Nguyen, all of MyNewPhilly.com
Mary Dougherty, Mitchell Kaplan, Zarwin Baum and Nicole Miller
Philly Mag wrote about another “it” girl I featured – Maria Papadakis. This was a fun story, so much behind the scenes. Ahh I’ll never write a book.
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Gwendolyn Jenkins, Dara Byrd, Michelle Green and Linda Harrison
Brandon Morrison (Custon Tux by LR2, and walking stick by Tobox) and Stacey Kracher, wearing Nicole Miller
Happy Anniversary Alex & Mike (standing)
Jim Donovan, Dr. Thanuja Hamilton, Alicia Vitarelli and Rosemary Connors
There has never been a better friend, mentor, I’ve got your back to me in my life than Kory Aversa. Especially magnified in these trying times. Thank you so much for your friendship and for making me take selfies to chronicle moments even during that frightful storm yesterday, LOL. I’m glad you didn’t video me whimpering with fright from the lightning.
Thanks to the Ritz-Carlton and Aqiremo for hosting my 10th Anniversary Party; and Lynsie Solomon for organizing the party. She was fierce and kept the guest list at 325 people. Sorry for those I missed on the list. Only 7 more years until my 20th Anniversary Party and I’ll make sure you get an invite. Check out photos from my 5th Anniversary Party Here. Thank You All So Very Much, my heart is full with gratitude. To read more about my story head to Philly Mag,Philly MetroBilly Penn. Thanks again. Stay Safe, wear a mask (I know i hate it too) and be kind to one another. xoxo HughE
Hope everyone had a safe and relaxing Fourth of July weekend. I escaped to Cape May, which I will write more about later this week. It was the first time in decades when I left town. Even before I was PhillyChitChat I stayed in town to enjoy our activities. Let’s chit chat about this and that.
Last week I shot the announcement and a key exchange celebrating Independence (photo provided)
From left to right: Gregory E. Deavens, CFO Independence Health Group; Mayor Jim Kenney; Dan Hilferty, CEO, Independence Health Group and Sharmain Matlock-Turner, CEO, Urban Affairs Coalition, at an event Tuesday at 1901 Market St
Independence Health Group (“Independence”) announced that it has completed the purchase of its corporate headquarters located at 1901 Market Street in Center City Philadelphia. The purchase builds upon Independence’s ongoing commitment to the Greater Philadelphia region and continued investment in the West Market Street neighborhood. In addition to 1901 Market Street, Independence’s Center City campus includes a leased state-of-the-art customer service call center at 1900 Market Street and Independence LIVE, an award-winning customer experience center at 1919 Market Street, which connects to the company’s headquarters via a courtyard that is open to the community.
Mayor Jim Kenney greets Dan Hilferty, CEO, Independence Health Group with what will now be the norm handshake going forward.
Menu Planning for the weekend with Feast–Well Foods. no minimum for curbside pick-up delivery minimum: $65 + delivery. Philly center delivery: +$12. Delivery Friday, July 10th 3pm – 5pm or Curbside pick-up Thursday, July 9th 4:00 – 5:00pm Friday, July 10th 1pm – 5:30pm
Congrats to Fabiana Ferrarini Creator of “QueenWarrior” Workout who went sky diving for her birthday this weekend. She’s super inspirational and g good follow.
Design by Sara Brown, Misha Kachman, Matt Saunders
In this age of comminicable diseases so many business are hurting, as well as arts & culture. Last week the Wilma is thinking outside of the box you could say. The Wilma, seeking to reopen in Philadelphia, says it will erect a new seating structure in which every party is in its own separate box, creating the Wilma Globe. You can read more about it on their site, as well as help them achieve their goals.
15 years ago, on 2 July 2005, a Live 8 concert was held in Phila in front of Phila Museum of Art, with a densely packed audience of nearly a million people stretched out along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. The event was organized by the ONE Campaign. #JayZ performed at the concert and no doubt envisioned a future concert here ~ #MadeInAmerica, which was cancelled this year because of COVID19. But you knew it’d be cancelled as I wrote about it on This and That a few weeks ago when I noted they weren’t selling tickets anymore on their website. See you on Social Media, although I am going to do less of it in the coming days as I have to finish a few projects before I pivot with a new business venture in the coming weeks.
Thanks Kimmie Ragone for inviting Mike and I to the Fitler Club to enjoy the Philly Drag Mafia performance. It was one of the first “events” we have attended in months and it was so much fun. The Fitler Club (1 S. 24th Street) is now serving food the public and members in their outdoor space. Members have to make reservations, for the rest of us it’s walk up and wait for a table. Trust me it’s worth it. The food and ambiance are terrific.
There are a few safety protocols you must pass before your entrance into the dining area. First you must sign this health form which asks you if you have traveled to the 14 day quarantine states. Then they take your temperature. Remember to take off your hat as it keeps your head warm. It was the difference of 3 degrees for me. Then you are taken to your table and to begin your dining experience.
This is the special drag brunch menu but I’m sure the prices are the same for the regular menu. Very reasonable. **** Hours are 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday to Friday for lunch; 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday to Thursday and 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday for dinner; and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. for Sunday brunch.
Crab Salad, $14 Heirloom Tomatoes, Cucumber Chili Vinaigrette
Mike had the burger which he loved: Fitler Burger, $16American Cheese, Special Sauce, Lettuce, Tomato Onion, Fries Add Bacon – $3, Add Avocado – $3. Now on with the show.
Aaah my friends, how are you today. These fireworks are crazy. Monday night wasn’t as bad as Sunday night in my area. I heard on Fox29 that the supply is getting exhausted. Makes sense as fireworks is not an all year production product since they’re mainly used in the USA around July 4th. Maybe the summer will be quieter. Maybe the dogs can finally sleep. Let’s check out This & That on PhillyChitChat. I like that title better than Around Philly with Hughe, or HughE Around Town. What are your thoughts. Leave comments on my FB page. Thanks.
Congrats to Ben Waxman, who I first heard about when he worked on DA Larry Krasner campaign, and then became his spokesperson for the first year in office. I was surprised when he left, thinking he was going to run for office. I had never met him before, and ironically on his last day I ran into him on the street. He said stay tuned: Yesterday I received a press release from him, I didn’t know he had a consulting firm, which he founded in 2017, A. Waxman & Company. Here’s what was written: Today, Philly business owners Ben Waxman of A. Waxman & Company, LLC and Nathaniel Parks of Print for Progress, announced a new partnership to make PPE vending machines widely available in Philadelphia. More information, including how to request a machine online, can be found at PhillyPPEVending.com Head over to Billy Penn for an article on them.
Macy’s is open, and although it’s a national chain, it’s our local Macy’s. It’s nice to have a large department store in Center City. It’s also nice to keep the memories alive “Meet Me At The Eagle”, come here the organ concert and the annual holiday light shows.
Grammy and Emmy winner Harry Connick Jr. hosted United We Sing: A Grammy Tribute to the Unsung Heroes last week on June 21 on CBS. He highlighted an Mainline company ANEU and their pivot during the pandemic. Check out the interview here with Janelle Burrell, CBS3Philly and read about who else they visited in our area on Penn Live. BTW Harry Connick Jr’s mother in law Glenna Goodacre, the renowned sculptor created our very own Irish Memorial near Penn’s Landing.
Dilworth Park is open for socially distancing. Their a food truck near the umbrella tables for delicious bites to enjoy while people watching or reading that book you need to get to before we all return to work.
The best dish I ate all week was this crab and shrimp gazpacho at Pinefish. So good. I can’t wait to go back.
And now a word from our sponsor. Pass me a napkin, whenever I talk about their food I get a little messy.
The sweetest little handmade flower cupcakes made for Feast Your Eyes latest socially distanced wedding! This weeks Feast Well Foods take out menu it out. Going down the shore? Get your bbq or other foods on your way out of town. Don’t cook tonight, call Feastwell for take out delights:
BBQ spare ribs full rack, whole bbl chicken pit smoked, extra BBQ sauce, Monterey mac and cheese, sweet potato salad, lime cilantro slaw, corn bread $98.75
1 1/2 lobster whole steamed and cracked lobster, steamed shrimp, drawn butter and lemon, corn on the cob, steamed potatoes, lime cilantro slaw $38
I have ordered the BBQ spare ribs meal and it was so so good. Let’s chit chat tomorrow. See you on Social Media. Have a great day, stay safe, wear a mask!!
We are on the verge of the new normal and Broad Street and we’ll be complaining about traffic once again. I for one am excited for this. I took a walk around Center City this week to see what’s happening.
A lot of dining out, which is terrific. One thing I’ve been asking my readers is to really take care of your servers. These folks have come off of unemployment to serve us, taking a risk with their health. Remember when they come for your order, put your mask back on for those few minutes. When the food gets served, put it on again. When you go to the bathroom, don’t forget your mask and wash your hands. AND if you can leave a 20-25% tip, sometimes they’re pooling their tips, sometimes they’re sharing with the line cooks. Thanks
Last week I walked around Philly to highlight which restaurants were opening for dining out. The photos ran on the blog, CBSPhilly and in the BizJournal. One place I noticed which wasn’t opening was Jamonera. Marcie Turney & Valerie Safran’s Spanish wine bar on 13th Street. Seems it just never caught on as well as their other nearby hotspots (Lolita, Barbuzzo, Bud & Marilyn’s, and Little Nonna’s.) (I will miss their Paella.) Look for something special to pop up in this location. Check out this PhillyMag article on the duo.
Barbuzzo is taking it to the streets in Midtown Village
Over the past year the owners of this parking garage at 12th and Walnut have forced out many of their small shops and the Starbuck’s. I was wondering what they were going to put there, and now I know.
A gigantic CVS. Well at least they’re not blocking the sunlight and they kept the windows visible. You can thank the Walgreen’s at Broad & Chestnut for that concept, which was written into their contract about a decade ago. One of the first City drugstores where the windows remained at least half visible free from displays.
Walnut Street is slowly coming back to life, but it’ll still be awhile before it’s bustling again. The other day I walked on Walnut Street with a friend. It was the first time they had been to town in 3 months. They turned to me and said I thought you wrote the other day that stores were opening, and life was on the verge of getting back to normal. I said to me they will be, it will be, the new normal is coming.
I’m sure in the coming weeks a lot of these boards will be coming off as we head into green and return to our offices. Remember we are not going into green because the health crisis is over, we are going into green to restart our economy.
What happens to the boards used on the windows. No really I want to know. I tweeted about it a few times and didn’t get a response. Email me at HughE @PhillyChitChat.com
I just got a email from Cashman PR: Some exciting restaurant news! Drury Beer Garden will be re-opening on Wednesday, June 24th with a new look and completely new menu. The revamped space has expanded into the area formerly occupied by Opa and will feature outdoor and indoor seating (indoor opening Friday) and a global street-food inspired menu. The Drury Beer Garden expansion is Phase I of a two-phase project that will conclude with the return of Opa on the 2nd floor of the building in 2021.
Drury Beer Garden
· The colorful and energetic space was re-designed by co-owners Vasiliki and George Tsiouris, with help from George’s wife Annette. Notable design features include two murals by Philadelphia artist, Paul Santoleri, a lush green canopy wall, a concert-poster collage, seven TV’s, a vintage coke machine that doubles as a backdoor, and a metal wrapped bar.
· The new menu will feature cocktails such as the “All About the Benjamins Baby”, a whiskey cocktail featuring an edible $100 bill and the” Purple Haze Froze” made with froze, citrus vodka, and blackberry
· Drury Beer Garden will also feature a Craftsman Row Saloon (also co-owned by George and Vasiliki) pop-up featuring their famed Milkshakes and Milkwich (details below)
Monday, June 22, 2020 ~ Bensalem, PA – Parx Casino® is set to reopen its doors to the public at 9am on Monday, June 29, 2020 in accordance with directives from the Centers for Disease Control, Pennsylvania Department of Health, and the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board.
Parx Casino® will implement new health and safety procedures to enhance its existing protocols on the property. The owners and operators of Parx Casino® are focused on the well-being of all team members and guests and are working to create an environment with superior standards of cleanliness and social distancing practices. Slot machines and table games will be reconfigured with limited seating and additional safety measures put in place. Select dining and bar options will be available with limited hours during this first phase of reopening.
The new hours of operation at Parx Casino® will be Monday through Thursday, 9am to 3am
and beginning at 9am on Friday through 3am on Monday, the casino will operate on a 24-hour schedule.
In preparation for the reopening, Parx has created a comprehensive new Health & Safety Plan which includes the following procedures:
Guest arrival process:
o For now, valet parking will not be available to guests.
o Entry will be limited to certain marked doors at each of the three main entry areas.
o Guests will enter through doors that are either propped open, automated, or manually opened by a Parx employee.
o If the property has reached capacity, guests may be asked to wait in an outside queue. These queues will be sectioned off, covered from the elements, marked for appropriate social distancing and monitored by security. We will establish a dedicated queue and entry for our Elite and Premium XClub guests.
o A security officer will greet each visitor, screen them and ask them to use hand sanitizer.
o The screening process involves some questions and a temperature check upon entry. All guests will have their temperature checked using contactless thermal cameras or infrared thermometers. If a guest registers a temperature at or above 100.4°F, the guest will be asked to take a secondary temperature screening in a non-invasive manner. If the secondary temperature check also registers a temperature at or above 100.4°F, the guest will not be allowed entry into the property. If the guest refuses the secondary screening, the guest will be denied entry.
o Guests will be required to wear approved masks at all times while on the property. If a guest does not have a clean, approved mask with them, Parx will provide the guest with a mask. Guests who refuse to wear masks will be denied entry.
Additional guest safety procedures:
o Guests will be advised to practice appropriate social distancing as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and the Pennsylvania Department of Health.
o Slot machines, table games, restaurant tables and other physical layouts have been arranged to promote distancing. Per governmental guidance, the poker room will be closed until further notice.
o Hand sanitizer dispensers will be placed at all entrances and contact surfaces throughout the casino floor, restaurant entrances and service counters. We encourage guests to use these stations regularly.
o Health and hygiene reminders will be displayed throughout the property demonstrating the correct manner to wear, handle and dispose of masks.
o We have increased the frequency of cleaning and sanitizing throughout the premises, with emphasis on frequent contact surfaces, including, but not limited to, door handles, bathrooms, ATMs, TRMs, kiosks, cage counters, gaming machines, gaming tables, dining surfaces and seating areas.
o We have increased the frequency of air filter replacement and HVAC system cleaning and maximized fresh air exchange.
Employee safety procedures:
o All employees will submit to the same temperature check process as guests upon their entry to the property. Employees with a temperature at or above 100.4°F will be denied entry.
o All employees will wear masks in all public guest interaction areas and public office areas. Other PPE including gloves will be available to all team members and mandated for certain activities.
o All employees have been instructed to wash their hands (or use hand sanitizer if a sink is not available) every 60 minutes and after any of the following activities: using the restroom, sneezing, touching their face, blowing their nose, cleaning, sweeping, mopping, smoking, eating, drinking, entering the gaming floor, going on and returning from break and before and after starting their shift.
o Our employees will be provided training in our new safety, sanitation and social distancing protocols.
ABOUT PARX CASINO® Parx Casino® is owned and operated by Greenwood Racing, Inc. and is the #1 revenue generating casino property in Pennsylvania. Parx Casino® is conveniently located 20 minutes north of center city Philadelphia, I-95 exit 37 or PA Turnpike exit 351 (westbound), exit 352 (eastbound) on Street Road in Bensalem Bucks County. Parx features over 200,000 square feet of gaming; 3,270 slot machines and 124 live table games; 48 poker tables in custom built private room; live racing & simulcast action; Xcite Center, 1,500 seat live entertainment venue, Liberty Bell Gastropub, farm-to-fork inspired menu; Parx Grill, an upscale signature restaurant; Foodies quick service dining; Chickie’s& Pete’s Crab House and SportsBar; Jax sports bar; Circle Bar; Bambu Noodle House; The Lucky Cheese ~ gourmet grilled cheese eatery; XLounge, luxury casino lounge; a massive year-round Beer Garden and complimentary parking for over 5,000 cars. In 2019, Parx Casino® launched sports betting with a $10M world-class sportsbook. Also in 2019, Parx launched online gaming and online sports betting. For more information on Parx Casino®, visit http://www.parxcasino.com.
It’s Friday and time for another column of “This and That” where we cover what’s happening and interesting in greater Philly area. Some of these posts appeared on my Social Media, but I like to save nuggets for us on the blog as well.
Let’s just start off on a sweet note. Kory Aversa, Aversa PR and I went to Morgan’s Pier (Kory’s client) for dinner this week. The view of the Delaware River was spectacular. Folks were socially distant, masks were up when people entered the eatery and relaxed when guests sat table side. You must wear your mask if you walk around the restaurant or use the bathroom. The food was delicious, but I had the best dessert of the year there – Fluffernutter Baklava – only $6 of deliciousness. Make Reservations, I like to ask people not to use their gift cards until 2021 if possible, and to tip the servers 25% for good service. Times are tough. I even tip the folks at my favorite fast food places and Nuts To You. And please wear your mask when you pick up your fast food while you’re in the car.
A sure sign of summer, the Art Museum Whole Foods is setting up their outside dining. No doubt the tables are out there as I type this. Definitely one of the best views of the City skyline from the 22nd and Callowhill location.
Philly is heading into the Green Phase beginning July 3, but next Friday the outdoor area of the Zoo will be open for guests. Plan your future visit by purchasing a membership today. My favorite benefit of the membership is definitely the free parking. Spice up your quarantine wardrobe and help support Philadelphia Zoo!
A portion of our limited-edition t-shirts directly benefits our SPRING BACK Fund and the animals at the Zoo. Buy One Here Saxbys announced a new line of coffee, Make Life Proud: Love Speaks, and 100% of proceeds go towards theAttic Youth Center dedicated to supporting LGTBQ young people. You can learn more at hellosaxbys.com/LoveSpeaks#PHSGARDENINGCONTEST UPDATE: We’ve extended our deadline to enter to Friday, June 26!
Enter your garden, volunteer to be a judge, and learn more about this annual contest. Enter your garden for free
A few days ago I saw @98rouge build these wood structures which to me were obviously going to be an extension of their dining outdoors. Last night I was in @northliberties@elcaminophilly and got photos of what it would look like. Quickly drove by Rouge afterwards and they are serving dinner in the street now. Looks great, I couldn’t get a photo as the light was green, LOL.
