Primavera Fund
This arts org, named for former longtime Philadelphia Youth Orchestra music director Joseph Primavera, provides mentorship, instruction, instruments and more to promising young, local classical musicians who otherwise lack means. “If you told me years ago that I would be traveling to Vancouver, Canada, and being a guest performer at a TED Talk conference, I wouldn’t believe you,” says violinist Akili Farrow, who in 2018 toured with the National Youth Orchestra of the USA. primaverafund.org.
Soundwalk
Pioneering composer Ellen Reid pushes the definition of public art with this GPS-enabled immersive exhibition. An app sends location-based musical compositions featuring musicians from the Philadelphia Orchestra, sound effects and soundscapes into your earbuds as you walk through some of your favorite outdoor spaces in Fairmount Park. The exhibit ends on September 30th. manncenter.org/soundwalk.
Minimal Chaos
On family trips to the Middle East, Sarah Naji’s father spent hours scouring the souks for the perfect rug. The Point Breeze-based entrepreneur is following in his footsteps with her pandemic-born business. Naji sources hand-knotted works from Turkey and at local antique shops, prizing age (some are 100 years old) and clever colors. She even walks the walk: Her shoes are made from salvaged kilim rugs. minimalchaos.pink.
Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Upper Darby
In a business where customer service typically leaves plenty to be desired, this Delaware County branch of the national chain is a beacon of hope, with friendly, expeditious employees eager to make sure you're happy behind and beyond the wheel. And should you leave your E-ZPass in one of their cars (as one Philly Magger did), the branch manager just might drive to Collegeville to retrieve it for you (as the branch manager here did). 706 Garrett Road, Upper Darby, PA 19082, enterprise.com/car_rental/deeplinkmap.do?gpbr=1742&bid=004&cnty=US.
Chiquita Margarita at La Calaca Feliz
It must have been a total Eureka! moment the day someone in the kitchen at this Fairmount Mexican eatery perfected the Splenda simple syrup that would then go into its skinny margarita. Once you sip this limey drink of perfection, which reportedly has half the calories of regular margs, you'll have a moment, too—of the "I'll have what she's having" variety. Don't say we didn't warn you. 2321 Fairmount Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19130, lacalacafeliz.com.
The Wall Cycling Studio
Don't let the name fool you: What started as a small cycling spot in Manayunk has become a full-blown fitness studio. In the past year, it relocated to a larger, shinier space and added barre classes — including BYO Baby Barre, in which parents wear their little ones, Bjorn-style — and combo workouts that mix yoga with barre and cycling. And that's on top of unveiling a new Phoenixville location. Yep, they've been busy. (Manayunk and Phoenixville.) 107 Cotton Street, Manayunk, PA 19127, thewallcycling.com/index.html.
Philly's Fake-Injury Cops
As if the police department needed any more PR problems, the Inquirer reported that more than 650 officers — 11 percent of the force — are out on full-pay injury leave, many of them spending their “recuperation” doing things like running a roofing business or winning an MVP award in a slow-pitch softball league. This is the same department that just received a $30 million budget increase, mostly to cover — what else? — rising officer salaries.
Delaware River Trail
You can’t beat a waterfront view, and this new trail stretching from Penn Treaty Park in Fishtown to Pier 70 in Pennsport is 3.3 miles of just that. Besides connecting attractions like Cherry Street Pier and Spruce Street Harbor Park, it adds eco-friendly touches, including solar-powered lights and garden beds to help with stormwater management. Two miles of the trail have a separate dedicated bike path so you’re not busy jockeying with two-wheelers. delawareriverwaterfront.com.
Stephen Teichman
Do you own a horse? Neither do we! But if you did, you could do worse for all your horseshoe needs than the former head farrier for the U.S. Olympic equestrian team. The Unionville resident has spent the past 40-plus years hoofing around the region, hammering and forging along the way. And while he just retired from the day-to-day horseshoe business, he’s still available for consulting. steichmanfarrier.com.
SHIFT
This woman-owned business is so much more than a simple full-service refillery: It functions as an entire community’s eco-friendliness resource, providing sustainability education and events, drop-off of hard-to-recycle materials (those pesky batteries), and, of course, a vast menu of bulk products and self-care items, including Epsom salts and shower steamers. Originally operating as a pop-up at the American Family Market, it’s now a recently opened brick-and-mortar just doors down from its former digs. 252 Haverford Avenue, Narberth, PA 19072, mainlineshift.com.
70Six Boutique
With more than 15 businesses set to debut through 2022, NoLibs is in the midst of a neighborhood renaissance. 70Six, a trend-focused women’s-wear shop with a Cali-cool slant and affordable prices, was among the earliest to open its doors, in May. The first retail concept of its kind in the area is already a fast favorite for best-friend birthday gifts, self-care essentials (read: candles), and vacation-worthy going-out tops. 215 West Laurel Street, Philadelphia, PA 19123, shop70six.com.
Salt & Vinegar
The next time you’re looking for a gift for someone who loves food, beeline to Salt and Vinegar for small-batch coconut jam, local cheese CSA pickups, locally made masala spice packets, gluten-free pop-tarts and more. Jen Honovic Herczeg’s newly opened provisions shop has a mission to stock its shelves with products from women- and minority-owned businesses. This is exactly the kind of happy place where you can spend $50 without even realizing it. 905 Christian Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147, salt-and-vinegar.com.
Revival Letterpress
Matthew Hiller has been letterpress printing since 2011, and his equipment — antique Chandler & Price platen presses and a hand-cranked Challenge cylinder press — has been at work for more than a century longer. Inside his studio, Hiller designs everything from wedding invites and business cards to posters and custom packaging, then uses the finest paper and old-fashioned techniques to bring them to life. In a world where DM’d party invites and texted birthday GIFs have become the norm, these character-filled pieces convey the beauty of the human touch. 1901 South 9th Street, number 208, Philadelphia, PA 19148, revivalletterpress.com/project-gallery-page.
Cindy Carniecki
The Liquor Control Board isn't exactly famed for its knowledgeable staff. Which is why we were so pleasantly surprised to find Cindy Carniecki at the new PLCB-run boutique wine store in the Garces Trading Company, skillfully recommending a $15 French ros to go with our meal. It's nice doing business with a real wine enthusiast. (Cindy worked in the restaurant biz for 30 years before taking a job with the PLCB.) And apparently the feeling's mutual: The best part about working at the new store, she says, is customers who are excited about wine. 1111 Locust Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107, garcestradingcompany.com.
Dr. Thunder
At some point in the evening at Dr. Thunder's karaoke events, the following three things will probably happen: Dr. Thunder will strip down to a cape and shiny shorti-shorts with DR. THUNDER emblazoned across the butt in bright green letters; someone will sing Journey; and you will put on some ridiculous outfit and wig from his huge crate of costumes. Just know that those photos Dr. Thunder is taking of you while you're singing (read: making a fool of yourself) will wind up on Facebook the next morning. Mercifully, he rarely takes video. Find his busy schedule at facebook.com/thunderkaraoke. Call or see website for consultation, 00000, facebook.com/thunderkaraoke.