You’ve known her all your life, but you still don’t know what to get Mom for Mother’s Day. Here are three events worthy of your matriarch …
• Mom will gaze wantingly at the lean, mean bods of the Cirque du Soleil troupe, which just last night opened its KOOZA show under the big blue top at the normally decrepit and deserted corner of Broad and Washington. A good number of seats remain for tonight’s show. The rest of the weekend, it’s fairly sketchy. But doable. If you want a primer on KOOZA, check out this Q&A with Cirque’s acrobatic coach.
Sometimes, something happens in local retail that is so big, so obvious, so overwhelmingly amazing, that the local retail/style media kinda misses the boat on actually reporting on it. This recently, shamefully, happened with we, Philadelphia magazine, and them, Terrain at Styer’s.
Terrain, Urban Outfitters’ brand-new concept, a garden lifestyle center that should arguably have previewed weeks ago, is now in full operational mode. All 11 acres of it. Gardeners — you know who you are — probably know the location, which, until last year, went by J. Franklin Styer Nurseries, a century-plus old spot that was once housed one of the country’s first mushroom farms.
Anyways. Now, thanks to no small amount of Urban magic — which included a Best in Show award at this year’s flower show — the place is something else, something else indeed. It’s hard to describe, but I think utopia kinda fits the bill. Apparently, the concept is geared toward the post-Anthro (read: 40-plus) set, but I can’t imagine anyone not absolutely falling in love with the barns o’ plants and antique tools and crazy-chic patio furniture and silver plant spritzers, and even elegant rolls of twine, not to mention the botanical skin care and sculptural fountains and full-fledged café (with living wall of thyme varieties and — get this — a toast bar).
I suggest going, just to wander. Maybe taking Mom for a treat this weekend. Or, pitching a tent and moving in.
Renewed call for assault-weapons ban: Still reeling from the murder of a police officer with a Chinese-made SKS rifle, local officials are pushing on Congress to reinstate the federal assault weapons ban that expired in 2004. While this particular weapon would not fall under the federal ban, Gov. Rendell, Mayor Nutter and Police Commissioner Ramsey all believe its use in the recent murder illustrates a need for stronger regulations. [Inquirer]
Preaching to the choir: Vice President Dick Cheney checked in on a government check-printing plant in Northeast Philadelphia yesterday to ballyhoo the refund headed for many taxpayers’ bank accounts. The gist of his speech? These checks you’re printing will help you pay for the gas it takes for you to get to work to print these checks — it’s like the circle of life. [6 ABC]
When it comes to dessert, people tend to settle into one of two camps: chocolate and not chocolate. While I appreciate a nice piece of 70 percent, I’m firmly in the non-chocolate camp. I belong to a renegade faction of dessert fans who pledge allegiance to the lemon. And I’m not talking about the kind of lemon pound cakes that have just a whiff of citrus. I like dishes that embrace the fruit’s tart personality and chefs who aren’t afraid to make diners pucker. Conveniently, these three desserts are all found in restaurants along the revitalized East Passyunk Ave. for an easy dessert-tasting tour.
Mancuso’s
Less sweet than most other ices, Mr. Mancuso’s homemade cup of lemon water ice has the bracing acidity of an actual fresh lemon.
Le Virtù
The airy lemon mouse here is the perfect balance of sweet and tart for citrus lovers. Served in a martini glass, the light dessert tastes like the foamy essence of the fruit.
Mr. Martino’s
This homey throwback may have quirky hours, but its menu is totally reliable. It always features one of my favorite desserts: a simple lemon tart with a creamy filling and the perfect buttery crust.
Thousands to pay respects to murdered police officer: A public viewing for Sgt. Stephen Liczbinski at Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul on Logan Circle, which began at 7:30 this morning, is expected to draw large crowds despite the rain. A burial mass will be said at noon, and portions of I-676 and I-95 will be closed this afternoon for the funeral procession to a cemetery in Bensalem. [KYW]
Remember the Mob?: The FBI certainly does. Yesterday they searched the Atlantic County homes of Nicodemo S. Scarfo — former boss “Little Nicky” Scarfo’s boy — and the younger Scarfo’s ex-wife as part of an investigation into mail fraud, bank fraud, interstate transport of stolen property, extortion, wire fraud, conspiracy, and money-laundering. [Inquirer]
Innovative East Falls housing experiment in trouble: Eleven units in a private townhouse development built by John Westrum next to a revitalized Philadelphia Housing Authority property will be auctioned off next month with opening bids less than half their original prices. Both Westrum and PHA head Carl Greene tell the Daily News’s Jill Porter it’s market conditions, not a conceptual failure, that’s prompting the auction. [Daily News]
Lately, I’ve been in a funk. I’ve been grumbling about the million little things still left to do for my upcoming wedding, complaining about the five extra pounds that insist on clinging to me, and ranting about the fact that the appliances in our new house don’t exactly match. Which is why today’s trunk show at Town Home couldn’t have come at a better time.
From 10 a.m.-8 p.m. (wine and cheese are set out at 6 p.m.!), Town Home will be debuting Gratitude Etc.’s brand-new, totally lust-worthy line of 14K-, 18K- and 22K-gold handcrafted bangles (shown), along with a few pendants and cufflinks. But, oh, the bangles! Each is engraved with “Gratitude is the most precious jewel,” a sweet reminder to be thankful for what you’ve got (instead of walking around cranky and cantankerous like, um, me). And they’re customizable, so you can choose your metal, stones, diamonds and inscription.
So drop in, meet Gratitude Etc. founder Liz Flavin, and snag one of her pieces (10 percent of all purchases go one of three charities — Living Beyond Breast Cancer, Laurel House or Women’s Way — you choose which). And, well, it’s quite easy to be grateful when you’ve got one of Liz’s oh-so-stackable, semi-precious-stone-and-diamond-studded gold bangles encircling your wrist. As far as being grateful for mismatched appliances? I’ll have to work on it.
Charmed by the South: Temple’s women’s basketball coach, Dawn Staley, left yesterday for the University of South Carolina. The Olympic gold medalist and Philadelphia native led the Owls to six NCAA appearances and four A-10 conference titles, but she heads south to compete with the top women’s b-ball teams as part of the Southeastern Conference. [Inquirer]
Beat it: A city police sergeant and five officers have been suspended from duty after footage was released showing about 15 police officers violently arresting three shooting suspects. A Fox 29 news chopper caught the beating on video, prompting an investigation into the conduct of the officers and their supervisor. [Inquirer]
Win a copy of SMITH Magazine’s Not Quite What I Was Planning: Six-Word Memoirs by Writers Famous and Obscure and a one-year subscription to Philadelphia magazine in phillymag.com’s Six-Word Memoir Contest!
To get into the spirit of two upcoming readings by Larry Smith, founder of storytelling website SMITHmag.net and editor of Not Quite What I Was Planning, phillymag.com is looking for the story of your life in Philly — in exactly six words. (Need some inspiration? See SMITHmag’s latest featured submissions.)
We’ll choose ten finalists based on creativity and Philadelphia flavor, then give the list to Larry Smith, who will select three winners and announce them on May 16th at the Rittenhouse Square Barnes & Noble.
The contest runs through 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, May 11th — ENTER TODAY!
Most people appreciate an awesome chicken taco, and with Philadelphia’s taqueria era in full bloom these days, many of us have come to love pork tacos, too. But that’s hardly the width and breath of what can be folded into a tortilla.
The Cantina Los Caballitos, sister bar-restaurant to Royal Tavern, offers a goat-stuffed taco in addition to the regular suspects. The unusual meat takes well to a slow braise; it’s shredded into tender bites before becoming part of the final dish. The goat tacos are savory and rich, with notes that detractors might call gamey.
Goat meat is hardly sweeping the restaurant scene, but you can find it in restaurants as fancy as Vetri, where a baby goat is spit roasted, and as casual as South Street’s Caribbean Delight, where the hearty protein gets the spicy curry treatment.
You’ve known her all your life, but you still don’t know what to get Mom for Mother’s Day. Here are three events worthy of your matriarch …
The most important opening … since Anthro
Renewed call for assault-weapons ban: Still reeling from the murder of a police officer with a Chinese-made SKS rifle, local officials are pushing on Congress to reinstate the federal assault weapons ban that expired in 2004. While this particular weapon would not fall under the federal ban, Gov. Rendell, Mayor Nutter and Police Commissioner Ramsey all believe its use in the recent murder illustrates a need for stronger regulations. [
When it comes to dessert, people tend to settle into one of two camps: chocolate and not chocolate. While I appreciate a nice piece of 70 percent, I’m firmly in the non-chocolate camp. I belong to a renegade faction of dessert fans who pledge allegiance to the lemon. And I’m not talking about the kind of lemon pound cakes that have just a whiff of citrus. I like dishes that embrace the fruit’s tart personality and chefs who aren’t afraid to make diners pucker. Conveniently, these three desserts are all found in restaurants along the revitalized East Passyunk Ave. for an easy dessert-tasting tour. 
Thousands to pay respects to murdered police officer: A public viewing for Sgt. Stephen Liczbinski at Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul on Logan Circle, which began at 7:30 this morning, is expected to draw large crowds despite the rain. A burial mass will be said at noon, and portions of I-676 and I-95 will be closed this afternoon for the funeral procession to a cemetery in Bensalem. [
Lately, I’ve been in a funk. I’ve been grumbling about the million little things still left to do for my upcoming wedding, complaining about the five extra pounds that insist on clinging to me, and ranting about the fact that the appliances in our new house don’t exactly match. Which is why today’s trunk show at 
Charmed by the South: Temple’s women’s basketball coach, Dawn Staley, left yesterday for the University of South Carolina. The Olympic gold medalist and Philadelphia native led the Owls to six NCAA appearances and four A-10 conference titles, but she heads south to compete with the top women’s b-ball teams as part of the Southeastern Conference. [
Win a copy of SMITH Magazine’s Not Quite What I Was Planning: Six-Word Memoirs by Writers Famous and Obscure and a one-year subscription to Philadelphia magazine in phillymag.com’s 
Most people appreciate an awesome chicken taco, and with Philadelphia’s taqueria era in full bloom these days, many of us have come to love pork tacos, too. But that’s hardly the width and breath of what can be folded into a tortilla.