John Fischer's Philadelphia
Vol. 1 - Number 28 - 07/30/99
Another week has gone by and the drought continues. It's the weekend so we can expect to see the temperatures rise and the humidity increase. How would you like to be of the Philadelphia Eagles who begin practicing today in full pads up in Lehigh Valley?
The big event in the area for the weekend is actually today at the Blockbuster/Sony E-Center where Lilith Fair returns for another year and what founder Sarah McLachlan says will be the last. The doors open at 3:00 p.m. and the event runs well into the night. Featured artists this year are Sheryl Crow, the Dixie Chicks, Me'Shell NdegeOcello, the Pretenders and founder Sarah McLachlan. Tickets range from $ 29 to $ 64.00.
Sunday is Friendship Day at Penn's Landing with an afternoon concert by Kenny Loggins in what is one of the last events to be held at the Great Plaza before construction of the new entertainment center begins.
Other outside activates this weekend include the New Jersey State Fair which is running at Garden State Park through August 8. Tonight's entertainment is the Amazing Kreskin. Saturday will feature Lauren Hart in the afternoon and Jennifer Paige on Saturday night. Sunday's entertainers include the Ron Dickenson Band and John Eddy.
The Philadelphia Zoo is hosting their seventh annual African Culture Festival on Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.. There will be demonstrations of African cloth making, hair-braiding as well as dance and music.
For those of you who prefer to stay inside, one of the summer's most anticipated movies opens today, "Runaway Bride". This film features the reuniting of Julia Roberts and Richard Gere along with their "Pretty Woman" director Garry Marshall. Initial reviews are quite good, so this may be one to catch.
Major League Baseball yesterday accepted the resignation of 13 National League Umpires including local resident and fan favorite Eric Gregg and controversial umpire Joe West. As local baseball pundit Stephen Paolucci says in reaction to the story, "Way to go, Major League Baseball." When asked for his thoughts about a potential suit by these umpires to retain their jobs, Mr. Paolucci is quoted as saying, "Fine, and I'll go to court to tell how Joe West kicked me out of a game". Paolucci may be the only fan ever to be kicked out of a game for yelling at an umpire.
Again, on a very serious note, a co-worker's 13 year old daughter is currently on the waiting list for a heart transplant at Children's Hospital in Philadelphia. Children's Hospital is one of the premier pediatric hospitals in the world. Check this link for more information on the Heart and Lung Transplantation Program at Children's Hospital.
My relationship with Children's Hospital began about 15 years ago when the daughter of a woman who worked for me was diagnosed with sickle cell anemia. I am well familiar with the miracles that are wrought every day at Children's Hospital.
If you have a chance and it is in your heart, please consider a donation to Children's Hospital.
The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
34th Street and Civic Center Boulevard
Philadelphia, Pa. 19104-4399
Have a great weekend! You can join me in our chat room almost every evening - Philly Chat - or drop me a note at philadelphia.guide@about.com. Also, be sure to check out our new Philadelphia Forum where you can share your comments and feelings, ask questions, post classifieds and much more
If you missed any of our recent columns you can still catch them:
John Fischer's
Philadelphia 07/19/99
John Fischer's Philadelphia 07/21/99
John Fischer's Philadelphia 07/23/99
John Fischer's Philadelphia 07/26/99
John Fischer's Philadelphia 07/28/99