Archive for the ‘News’ Category
Party Like a Rock Star -TheLOFTS at Valley Forge
THE LOFTS at Valley Forge
LUXURY RIVERFRONT APARTMENTS IN VALLEY FORGE
1976 Minutemen Lane, West Norriton, PA 19403
Tel: 888.257.5218 Fax: 610.630.1295
Philadelphia Fashion Week Happy Hour at the Londonbury
Destination Philadelphia Fashion Week Happy Hour.
Enjoy a live fashion show from SA VA summer collection.
You must RSVP to attend | Limited Availability | Contact Jenna at jxrobinson@oneillproperties.com
Cedar House Opening Day 5k
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Fairmount Park Has A New Fitness Center
“Eat, Train & Run at The Cedars House.”
PHILADELPHIA, PA, June 21, 2010 — TheCedarsHouse.com is a new café and fitness spot located in Fairmount Park. Today, organizers announced its grand opening is this Friday June 25th. Come celebrate The Cedars House opening with a 5k evening run! A portion of the proceeds will support Friends of the Wissahickon, the oldest and largest non-profit volunteer group in Philadelphia’s Fairmount Park System.
The Cedars House will serve breakfast, lunch, and snacks from Wednesday through Saturday from 7:00 am to 5pm and Sundays from 8 am to 3pm. Owner, Ricki Gever Eisenstein said, “If you love to run competitively or recreationally or if you simply love a nice stroll in the park, The Cedars House is the spot for you to join us on June 25th for the opening race!” She added that there would be a kids yoga class, free sports massage, and celebration and bonfire following the race!
People can register here to participate: http://tinyurl.com/35aofah. The race begins at 7pm, and people can register live at the event at 6pm.
The Cedars House formerly was a simple frame and stucco building that was built in the late nineteenth century as a residence for the famous Andorra Nursery.
About The Cedars House
The Cedars House is a center for competitive and recreational runners who are looking to meet with others who share their passion for the trails. A menu of services is available for beginning and expert runners alike including group classes, workshops, personal training, pacing, and private coaching. A small retail corner features runners’ and park users’ essentials. Fitness is the focus of activities at the Cedars House. Indoor and outdoor (as weather permits) group classes are offered throughout the week and personal training in yoga, pilates, and general conditioning are available. The upstairs hosts a massage therapist who takes care of our athletic patrons. Children’s activities include story time, craft time, and, of course, fitness classes!
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Media Contacts Jennifer Sherlock, 609-369-3482, jsherlock@jennacommunications.com
Philly’s Phinest Profiles Ken Davies of City Fitness
The Memorial Day holiday just last week signals the beginning of the summer. And if you’re looking for a gym to get yourself in shape, you need to look no further than City Fitness, recently awarded by the Philadelphia Weekly Image Awards as the number one gym in Philadelphia.
The owner and president of City Fitness is Ken Davies. Although a self-expressed fitness fan, Davies had another career long before City Fitness launched into the stratosphere.
“I was in the commercial real estate business. After investing in a few properties, I decided that it would be better to live in the city so that I could keep a better finger on the pulse of investment opportunities,” says Davies. “After finding a place to live, I started to look around for a gym to join. I was surprised by how limited my options where for a city with so much to offer in other areas such as culture, restaurants and night life. After spending all day going from club to club and not finding one that I said to myself ‘Yes, I can see myself being a member here for a long time.’”
Although Davies may seem like an overnight success story, getting City Fitness off the ground was anything but an easy task.
“The process of getting City Fitness off the ground was a very long and tedious one,” recalls Davies. “I had no idea how hard it would be. The first step was finding a place in an area that really needed a fitness club. The location at 2nd and Spring Garden street offered a great opportunity to bring a state of the art facility, not only to the Northern Liberties area, but to many of the surrounding areas because of the convenient location to the EL, SEPTA, Columbus Blvd, 676 and 95.”
“The first time I started to question my ability to get this off the ground was with the banks and investors. This was the time of the real estate boom, so investors wanted their pound of flesh and then some to invest in something, as they called ’so risky.’ Knowing that is was going to take much more then a great business plan, I would need to invest more money then I wanted to to show that I had enough skin in the game. The only way to do that is to start selling memberships. I invested more money into the business and started off with 300 pre-sold memberships. After going through this process, which took about three months, I got the loan and construction began. After several delays we opened on August 27, 2007.”
Davies’ blood sweat and tears finally seemed to have paid off, and his gym is getting more recognition with each passing day.
“City Fitness offers a state-of-the-art fitness club at very reasonable pricing. We pride ourselves in being a very spacious, clean and friendly facility and also how friendly our staff and members are. People love that we have plenty of great equipment so there is no or very little wait to use something. Our four group classrooms allows us to offer a diverse and fun schedule of group classes (Spin, Yoga, Butts and Guts, Boot Camp and Zumba) to name a few. No matter if you are a fitness enthusiast or a beginner, you will truly have something for everyone!”
“We offer our standard membership, which provides use of the the fitness facility and is only $19.99/mth and no contract (other services, such as, unlimited classes, unlimited tanning and towel service can be added on for a nominal monthly charge). We also offer a Deluxe membership includes the standard membership and all the add on’s for $29.99/ per month and our NEW City FitPak, which includes the following: Standard Membership, Unlimited Classes, Unlimited Tanning, Towel Service, DotFIT (a on-line weight loss and nutrition tool), Three personal training sessions, 20% off any supplement purchases and monthly body fat tests for only $34.99/per month. We do ask for a one-year agreement on our deluxe and City FitPak’s. We want the member to really use what we are offering so we can help them reach their health and fitness goals.”
Despite the success of City Fitness however, Davies has never been one to rest on his laurels.
“We have been approached by a few developers and property owners to look into opening another City Fitness,” mentions Davies. “I look at all opportunities, but I am not sure where the next one will be yet. When I do, you guys will be the first to know!”
Contact Joe Vallee at jvallee@philly2philly.com
For more info, go to info@cityfitnessphilly.com
Photo: Aileen Bannon
GateHouse Cafe Opens in East Falls
The Gatehouse Cafe, located in East Falls recently celebrated its grand opening on Tuesday, June 1, 2010. Surely to become a neighborhood favorite, the Gatehouse Café located on 3300 Henry Avenue will be the new “hot spot” for fast casual dining.
Two local female entrepreneurs, Gina Bostic and Adrienne Williams are the owners of the Café. Both have devoted themselves to serve the needs of The Falls Center and local community by providing high quality, delectable food at affordable prices. The restaurant features free Wi-Fi for nearby students – adding a modern edge to old-fashioned charm.
Bostic says she’s ecstatic about the upcoming opening. “This café is a piece of history in our own backyard. With 18,000 cars driving by here everyday- we are sure this café will be a gem in the community,” she said.
Williams added, “This isn’t just any normal café. We kept the exposed roof beams and natural stonewalls, but transformed it with present day appeal.”
Currently in the last phases of extensive renovation, Gatehouse Café is located in an existing, historical building on the grounds of the Falls Center. Originally built in the 1900’s as a horse barn and later converted in the 1930’s as a tea house named, “The Inn,” this notable building was a place where students and faculty would gather and socialize on the college grounds of the Women’s Medical College of Pennsylvania.
Capturing an open, airy and stylishly rustic atmosphere, Gatehouse Café adds an elegant touch while still maintaining the historical feel of the past. With plenty of indoor and outdoor seating, Gatehouse Café is a cool, relaxed and historically significant place where the same idea applies from the past; to socialize with friends, unwind over lunch with co-workers, hold mini-conferences or just take a few minutes out of your busy day to decompress and enjoy a delicious meal.
The Gatehouse Café is open for breakfast and lunch, Monday through Friday from
7:00 a.m. to 3 p.m.
No reservations are required, but if you have a special request, please call us and we’ll be happy to arrange for your group.
Free on-site parking
GateHouse Cafe
3300 Henry Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19129
Open Mon – Fri, 7:00 a.m.-3 p.m.
Ph: 267-297-8234
Fax: 267-297-8239
Email: info@gatehousecafe.net
Philly2Philly interviews Steve Welch, author of “We Are All Born Entrepreneurs”
We Are All Born Entrepreneurs (WAABE) explains why so many of us have a passion to be entrepreneurs. WAABE focuses on real life people who have tapped into their inner entrepreneur and succeeded in the face of adversity. The book is written by Steve Welch, a successful entrepreneur in the biotech field who sold his first company and started a ground breaking venture capital firm by the age of 29, WAABE demonstrates that there is no single path to achieve one’s dreams — and in fact every path is different.
Philly2Philly’s Jen Sherlock interviewed Welch on the Philly2Philly flip cam. Check out what he had to say about his new book:
Buy the book on Amazon HERE:
Keep checking the website www.weareallbornentrepreneurs.com for more information on an upcoming contest where you can win money for sharing your most entertaining startup story.
Philly2Philly’s Chenoa Greene is a finalist for the 2010 Miss USA Pageant on NBC
Turns out we have a celebrity in our midst at Philly2Philly.com And no, not you Steve Olenski!!
The crew at P2P is extremely proud to have our own Chenoa Greene (Miss New Jersey 2010) as a finalist for Miss USA 2010!
The pageant will be broadcast live from the Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino in Las Vegas on Sunday, May 16th at 7pm ET. on NBC.
Before she left for Vegas, Chenoa sat down with our own Jen Sherlock to discuss the pageant as well as her future endeavors.
You can follow Chenoa on Twitter @MissNJUSA2010
Also, VOTE for her to win Miss Photogenic at www.MissUSA.com
Philly2Philly’s Jen Sherlock talks about her Blue Cross Broad Street Run experience
So now that I am fully recovered from the run, I can fully explain in detail what it was like this past Sunday.
First, let me just say it was hot as hell. (Excuse my language.) But this was my sixth year running, and I’ve only gotten better as far as my personal record every year, so what could possibly ruin my training this year? Well you guessed it- the heat! It was the hottest year that I’ve ever run it with temperatures reaching in the 80’s during the run. I knew it was going to be brutal around mile three when I looked at my friend Morgan. I never struggle at mile three, but the heat was exhausting with the sun beating down. But I wasn’t about to give up trying to beat my best personal record yet! My goal was 1:20.
Last year, I ran the race in 1:24, and I knew I could do it! The race organizers warned the runners of the heat and opened every fire hydrant along Broad Street as a pseudo-sprinkler. And you better believe I hit every one! I literally zig zagged across Broad Street in order to hit every little drop of water sprayed on me that I could get. I didn’t want to overheat. I was remembering a time in high school when I ran track and I over heated so badly that I felt nauseous and got the chills, and felt so cold during a hot day. I didn’t want that to happen, so I also drank water and Gatorade along the way as well. At times, I was psyching myself out, but I knew I had to do it. I wasn’t about to ever give up, even though the thought had crossed my mind.
On top of the race to the finish line, my iPod kept going out one speaker at a time. The fire hydrant sprinkler system was getting the best of it. And although I love to run to music, I didn’t care. At around mile seven I was still on par for a 1:20 finish, but around mile eight, I saw one man being carried away on a stretcher and that scared me to push myself to the max even though I was still going hard. But I have to say it was getting tougher and tougher, so at this point I just wanted the finish line and I knew I wasn’t making my personal best.
Once I reached closer to the Navy Yard where they took our photos, I knew I didn’t have too much to go. The end was in sight like a person in the desert hunting for water! I just kept thinking, “Where is the finish, it seems farther down than last year?!” But there it was, and at this point, I was probably going slower than usual. Most runners push themselves faster at the end, but I just wanted it over! Even though I finished at 1:25 and 5 minutes off what I had wanted, I was still extremely happy with my time despite the blazing conditions.
At the end, I was in such a zone, I immediately just wanted the shade and somewhere to sit and zone out and gain my momentum back. Once I did, I went on the search to find my sister, brother, brother-in-law and friends. We were all very proud and happy we defeated Broad Street once again!
Jen Sherlock is the President of Jenna Communications, LLC. You can contact Jen at jsherlock@jennacommunications.com
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Alumna, entrepreneur shares success advice with PRSSA
Courtesy: The Villanovan
Speaker discusses founding of public relations firm
By Julie Balzarini
The University’s chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America welcomed Jennifer Sherlock, president of Jenna Communications, LLC on March 9. Jenna Communications, founded by Sherlock in 2007, provides public relations, event planning and media training services.
Sherlock, a 2001 graduate of Villanova, majored in communication and always wanted to be a TV reporter.
The summer after graduating, she was hired at NBC 40 in Atlantic City and was an anchor within six months. Sherlock cites her persistence for this early success. She would contact stations and ask for a meeting even if they did not have any current job openings.
After holding several other anchor positions, Sherlock was hired as the PR Manager for the innovation team at Advanta Corp., a company that issued credit cards to small businesses.
When Advanta Corp. went bankrupt, Sherlock was laid off, but she turned this change into an opportunity and started Jenna Communications.
“It was always a dream of mine,” Sherlock said, whose experience as a reporter has been useful in the PR industry. “Being a reporter, I know all the aspects a PR person wants to know. Now I can deliver that.”
She discussed all the aspects that must come together to create a successful event, including catering, photography, publicity and even props.
“Sometimes I haul the props in myself,” Sherlock said. “Being a startup, sometimes that’s what you have to do.”
One of Sherlock’s recent events, “Laid off and Looking for Love,” combined career networking and a singles dating auction. A portion of the proceeds went to ’Nova Nation Project Haiti.
Sherlock provided some PR tips, including how to maintain good relationships with reporters, how to get press coverage and how to utilize social media.
She also offered tips for anyone looking for a job.
She suggested that students and young professionals should attend industry-specific networking events whenever possible.
Sherlock encouraged students to obtain leadership positions and develop good writing skills.
She said she is always drawn to hire people who are active and outgoing.
“You can’t be shy,” Sherlock said. “You have to get out there.”
She emphasized the importance of being persistent and following up after sending a résumé to an employer.
She also suggested contacting an employer for a “meet and greet,” even if they aren’t hiring at the moment.
“Jen’s tips were very helpful,” said PRSSA Event Planner Allison O’Donnell, a junior. “PRSSA likes to welcome alumni back to speak to our members because they have been in our shoes and know what advice will be useful to us.”
Sherlock encouraged students to reach out to Villanova alumni.
“There’s such a camaraderie here,” Sherlock said. “Villanovans want to help other Villanovans.”
PlaySay.com reinvents how to learn new languages, and its founder lives in Philly!
Have you ever wanted to learn a language besides having to be forced to in school? 
Have you ever bought a language learning book to fine tune some words for that trip to Spain?
Well now you can learn whether you are literally on a plane, train, or automobile. Philadelphia resident, Ryan Meinzer is the founder of PlaySay.com. He says he needed to learn Japanese fast, but hardly had any free time.
“I wanted to learn Japanese in the many sporadic idle minutes of my day, one word at a time, one minute at a time,” says Meinzer, “…and I didn’t have the $300 for those attractive yellow Rosetta Stone boxes.” Two years later, and two years more proficient in Japanese, Meinzer now runs his own language learning software company. “PlaySay empowers busy people to unlock value from any idle minute with the most practical language learning on the go,” says Meinzer. Before PlaySay, Ryan Meinzer led the international business of a Japanese marketing firm in Tokyo, Japan with Fortune 500 and major multinational clientele.
See a video demonstration of PlaySay on the Philly2Philly flipcam:
Through its private beta, many language departments of major universities across the United States have been rapidly integrating the products into their curriculums for students. With the ability to trash their paper flashcards, students around the world are raving about PlaySay.com: “I have been searching for what you have done for years. This is great!” says a PlaySayer from France.
Over 10 major universities in the USA have integrated PlaySay’s platform into their language departments through PlaySay’s private beta “Student Rewards Program”. In the recent Mid-Atlantic Mobile Monday DEMO, PlaySay won 3rd place and publicly opened their platform to be white labeled by universities across the USA. With its eclectic team, PlaySay is expanding into new languages each month.
Briefly, PlaySay empowers busy people to learn their dream language on the go. Anytime. Anywhere. On any mobile device. PlaySay turns cell phones into sexy walking, talking foreign language teachers. Try it at http://playsay.com.
PlaySay is currently collecting success stories from its more than 4,000 registered users. If PlaySay helped you fine-tune a few words to woo a loved one, or helped you pass a test (i.e. JLPT), get your dream job, start your own business, or get around a foreign country, etc., they want to hear from you!
You can send an email with your profile and a brief story to contact@playsay.com
PlaySay was launched in 2008, and is fully sustainable. It was initially funded by a PayPal Japan Executive, and has been featured in the Philadelphia Inquirer and the Tokyo Metropolis. PlaySay has 4,000+ users with 3,000+ products sold to date, and is currently seeking funding to continue its sustainable and profitable expansion (invest@playsay.com)
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