December 2018 Tip Sheet For Media Covering Philadelphia

Looking for a story to tell this month? Philadelphia has plenty of them. Here are some of the people, places and events on our radar this month:

STORY OF THE MONTH:

Tours often guide participants to well-known, heavily trafficked sites and attractions, right? That’s not the case with Philly Food Adventures, a by-appointment culinary tour of Chinatown run by small business advocate Jamie Shanker. Each tour begins at the Friendship Gate, the oldest of its kind in the United States. Shanker’s message, between fried taro cakes from Chinatown Restaurant on 10^th Street and tiny, hamburger-shaped chocolate cookies at below-ground Asia Supermarket: Small, owner-operated businesses deserve attention. That’s why Shanker switches up her tour often, taking hungry diners to places that they might pass by or that may not come up in a Google search.

PROFILE:

This time of year, Port Richmond brothers John (pictured), Dennis and Jeff Czerv crank out 400-500 pounds of kielbasa a day. The siblings own and run Czerv’s (pronounced “Chevz”) Kielbasy in an old horse stable at 3370 Tilton Street, just where their grandfather, Jan Czerv, from Mislsi, Poland, founded the business in 1938. In addition to their cherry and apple wood-smoked sausages, the Czervs make their own pierogi (most popular filling: cheesesteak), golabki and pickles. In the run-up to the holidays, they open early (7 a.m.). Regulars are often in line by 5:30 a.m.

STAFF PICKS:

What’s your favorite holiday tradition?

• Daniel Davis, media relations coordinator: The beautifully decorated historic houses in Fairmount Park
• Kevin Lessard, senior media relations analyst: Fireworks for the New Year
• Jenea Robinson, director of public relations: Deck the Alley on Elfreth’s Alley
• Courtney Smyth, visual assets manager: Neighborhood holiday lights from Fishtown to South Philly
• Jim Washkau, social media marketing manager: A Christmas Carol tour at Dickens Village

OPENINGS:

• Holocaust Memorial Plaza, Now Open –The new and expanded memorial pays tribute to the six million Jews who perished during an unforgettable moment in human history. The memorial’s additions include six paired pillars, remembrance wall and grove of trees. 16^th & Arch Streets
• The Met Philadelphia, December 3, 2018 – Oscar Hammerstein I’s North Broad opera house debuts soon as a concert hall from Live Nation. Bob Dylan & His Band open the joint on December 3, 2018. Performances by John Legend, John Oliver and Boyz II Men follow.
  Broad & Poplar Streets

EVENTS:

• Philly Holiday Festival, Through January 1, 2019 – City Hall, with its ice rink, Wintergarden, Made In Philadelphia Holiday Market and Deck the Hall Light show and carousel, and Christmas Village at LOVE Park, are at the heart of Philadelphia’s holiday celebration.
• Army-Navy Game, December 8, 2018. The Army Black Knights take on the Navy Midshipmen in this epic collegiate rivalry, now in its 119^th year and returning to Lincoln Financial Field.
• Being ______ at Christmas, December 25, 2018. The National Museum of American Jewish History hosts a variety of activities for folks who don’t celebrate Christmas during this annual event that includes crafts, live music, storytelling, movies and face painting. 

LOOKING AHEAD TO 2019:

• America to Zanzibar, Muslim Cultures Near and Far, Please Touch Museum^®, February 2-September 2, 2019
• Opening of the Fitler Club, February 2019
• Renovation of Franklin Square’s fountain, the nation’s oldest, to create a new fountain show featuring music, lights and dancing water, summer 2019

VISIT PHILADELPHIA^® is our name and our mission. As the region’s official tourism marketing agency, we build Greater Philadelphia’s image, drive visitation and boost the economy.

On Greater Philadelphia’s official visitor website and blog, visitphilly.com and uwishunu.com, visitors can explore things to do, upcoming events, themed itineraries and hotel packages. Compelling photography and videos, interactive maps and detailed visitor information make the sites effective trip-planning tools. Along with Visit Philly social media channels, the online platforms communicate directly with consumers. Travelers can also call and stop into the Independence Visitor Center for additional information and tickets.