The 2009 National League Champion Phillies clinched Game 1 of the 2009 World Series against the New York Yankees last night!!

Cliff Lee dominated the Yankees in a remarkable 6-1 victory at Yankee Stadium. He threw a six-hitter as he continued one of the most impressive postseason performances in baseball history. Chase Utley hit a pair of home runs against Yankees left-hander CC Sabathia to join Babe Ruth as the only two left-handed hitters to hit two home runs against a lefty pitcher in a World Series game.

“It doesn’t really matter that much,” Utley said.

Here is what matters: The Phillies took a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven series, and 18 of the past 21 teams to win Game 1 have won the World Series, including the past six winners. But besides guaranteeing they will leave Yankee Stadium on Thursday (7:57 p.m. ET, FOX and Postseason.TV) with no worse than a split, the Phils let the favored Yankees know they are for real. They let New York know that Yankee Stadium does not intimidate them. They let the world know the Yankee mystique does not worry them.

The Phillies want to become the first National League team to win consecutive World Series since the 1975-76 Reds.

If they must beat the Yankees, they must.

“This is the same game I’ve been playing my whole life, and this is the stage that I’ve wanted to get to as a little kid,” Lee said.

Lee appeared positively unaffected by the Yankee pinstripes in a World Series atmosphere. He pitched the first complete game in the World Series since Marlins right-hander Josh Beckett threw one against the Yankees in Game 6 of the 2003 World Series. He was just the third pitcher in World Series history to have no walks and 10 strikeouts in a game. Pittsburgh’s Deacon Phillippe (Game 1 of the 1903 World Series against the Red Sox) and Brooklyn’s Don Newcombe (Game 1 of the 1949 World Series against the Yankees) were the others.

“It’s been a long time since I’ve been nervous playing this game,” Lee said. “It’s what I’ve been doing my whole life. I put all the work in. You do everything you need to do to prepare, and I try not to leave anything to chance. So what’s the point in being nervous? I’ve already done the work. It’s game time — time to go out there and have fun and execute and let your skills take over.”

NOW for all you Yankee’s fans staying at The Independent Hotel on Sunday, November 1st & Monday, November 2, 2009 here is the deal from The Independent Hotel located in the “City of Brotherly Love” - The Phillies have “STEAKed” their claim to the 2009 World Series Title  - Should the Yankees lose Game 4 or Game 5 - show your ID with a NYC area address at the Front Desk prior to checkout to receive a “Complimentary” $5 Gift Certificate to Reading Terminal to enjoy an Authentic Philadelphia CheeseSTEAK” - The Independent Hotel’s way of easing your pain - GO PHILLIES!

Opening October in Midtown Village

In October, Chef-partner Steve Gonzalez will debut Zavino (112 South 13th Street, 215-732-2400), an Italian pizza kitchen and wine bar. Featuring a seasonal menu, classic cocktails, an approachable selection of wine and beer and the areas best late-night menu, Zavino is sure to become a neighborhood favorite in the citys trendy Midtown Village.

The Independent Hotel, Philadelphia’s newest premier boutique hotel, has partnered with the Spirit of Philadelphia to bring you a most entertaining and unique dining experience. 

Come aboard and enjoy the most entertaining lunchtime experience in Philadelphia featuring our Grande Buffet! This two-hour cruise on Philadelphia’s historic harbor is perfect for an afternoon getaway, a birthday, office party, entertaining out-of-town guests, you name it.

Let us walk you through a cruise:

• Big smile - a keepsake photo of you and your party will be taken upon boarding, so go ahead and “mug” for the camera. (You can pre-purchase or decide at the dock when you return.)
• “This way please” - we will greet and seat you. Please note that many tables are designed for cabaret-style seating with other guests, reminiscent of ocean-going cruises. Order drinks, then feel free to get up and explore the ship - especially our outdoor strolling decks.
• Bon Voyage! - As the ship pulls away from the dock, grab your streamers and your drinks and join our Spirit entertainers in a festive Bon Voyage toast.
• Bon Appétit - Once you’ve been invited up to our Grande Buffet, take as little or as much as you like. You can even go back for seconds and thirds as long as the buffet is open!
• Oooo, ahhhh - while you dine, we’ll entertain you with a fascinating narrated tour of Philadelphia’s breathtaking skyline easily seen from our huge panoramic windows.
• Live Entertainment - Throughout the cruise, Spirit’s staff will dazzle you with impressive renditions of your favorite tunes. Sit back, relax and enjoy the talent.
• Stretch your legs - head topside for the largest outdoor patio deck in Philadelphia and catch a breath of fresh air and an amazing view.
• Rock ‘til you dock - from line dances to Top-40 hits, our DJs know how to get everyone up and dancing, right to the end of your cruise.

About the Spirit of Philadelphia
Perfect for parties of two to 500 guests, the three-deck Spirit of Philadelphia offers a sleek and fresh approach to dining and dancing on the water:

• Three climate-controlled dining & entertainment decks
• Huge panoramic windows all around
• Bathrooms on two interior decks
• Outdoor strolling decks at bow and stern
• Full outdoor patio deck topside with cafe-style seating
• Full-service bars
• Handicap accessible
• Two dance floors and staging areas
• Flexible seating arrangements

Packages starting at $264.00 and includes:

* Overnight accommodations for (2) people

*(2) Tickets aboard the Spirit of Philadelphia

*Two hour festive river cruise

*Bountiful Buffet

*Narrated skyline tour

*Vibrant entertainment with a lively DJ playing a full range of dance hits

To book your package click here:  http://theindependenthotel.com/philadelphia/?cat=22

The Independent Hotel, Philadelphia’s newest premier boutique hotel, has partnered with the Spirit of Philadelphia to bring you a most entertaining and unique dining experience. 

Come aboard and enjoy the most entertaining lunchtime experience in Philadelphia featuring our Grande Buffet! This three-hour cruise on Philadelphia’s historic harbor is perfect for an afternoon getaway, a birthday, office party, entertaining out-of-town guests, you name it.

Let us walk you through a cruise:

• Big smile - a keepsake photo of you and your party will be taken upon boarding, so go ahead and “mug” for the camera. (You can pre-purchase or decide at the dock when you return.)
• “This way please” - we will greet and seat you. Please note that many tables are designed for cabaret-style seating with other guests, reminiscent of ocean-going cruises. Order drinks, then feel free to get up and explore the ship - especially our outdoor strolling decks.
• Bon Voyage! - As the ship pulls away from the dock, grab your streamers and your drinks and join our Spirit entertainers in a festive Bon Voyage toast.
• Bon Appétit - Once you’ve been invited up to our Grande Buffet, take as little or as much as you like. You can even go back for seconds and thirds as long as the buffet is open!
• Oooo, ahhhh - while you dine, we’ll entertain you with a fascinating narrated tour of Philadelphia’s breathtaking skyline easily seen from our huge panoramic windows.
• Live Entertainment - Throughout the cruise, Spirit’s staff will dazzle you with impressive renditions of your favorite tunes. Sit back, relax and enjoy the talent.
• Stretch your legs - head topside for the largest outdoor patio deck in Philadelphia and catch a breath of fresh air and an amazing view.
• Rock ‘til you dock - from line dances to Top-40 hits, our DJs know how to get everyone up and dancing, right to the end of your cruise.

About the Spirit of Philadelphia
Perfect for parties of two to 500 guests, the three-deck Spirit of Philadelphia offers a sleek and fresh approach to dining and dancing on the water:

• Three climate-controlled dining & entertainment decks
• Huge panoramic windows all around
• Bathrooms on two interior decks
• Outdoor strolling decks at bow and stern
• Full outdoor patio deck topside with cafe-style seating
• Full-service bars
• Handicap accessible
• Two dance floors and staging areas
• Flexible seating arrangements

Packages starting at $329.00 and includes:

* Overnight accommodations for (2) people

*(2) Tickets aboard the Spirit of Philadelphia

*Three hour festive river cruise

*Bountiful Buffet

*Narrated skyline tour

*Vibrant entertainment with a lively DJ playing a full range of dance hits

To book your package click here:  http://theindependenthotel.com/philadelphia/?cat=22

20 Days until Opening Tap

Over 445 events at dozens of venues

in the city and suburbs
And more to come!

The second-annual Philly Beer Week (PBW) 2009 will kickoff on Friday, March 6 at 7 p.m., in the spectacular Comcast Center lobby and Winter Garden (17th street and JFK Boulevard) with the Opening Tap, a celebration honoring over 30 regional breweries whose beer help make Philadelphia “the best beer-drinking city in America.” The Opening Tap will begin with a ceremonial ‘first tap’ using the official Philly Beer Week Keg Mallet, followed by a strolling beer tasting and a festive awards ceremony. Opening Tap tickets cost $40 and can be purchased online at www.phillybeerweek.org ($50 at the door.)

“The Opening Tap is a one-of-a-kind event featuring our local breweries and their beers, as well as the men and women who create them,” says Don Russell, who along with Tom Peters and Bruce Nichols are the founders of Philly Beer Week.

Invited breweries for the Opening Tap include: Appalachian Brewing, Barley Creek Brewing Company, Brew Works, Dock Street, Dogfish Head, Earth + Bread, Erie Brewing Company, Flying Fish, General Lafayette, Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant, Lancaster Brewing Company, Legacy, Lion, Manayunk Brewpub, McKenzie’s, Nodding Head, Penn Brewery, Philadelphia Brewing Company, Porterhouse, Reading Brewing Company, Riverhorse, Rock Bottom, Roy Pitz, Sly Fox, Triumph, Stewart’s, Stoudts, Troegs, Twin Lakes, Victory, Weyerbacher, Yards and Yuengling.

A group of local beer writers created the awards that will honor each brewery represented at the event. An emcee will announce each award and invite the brewery representative to join them, get their photo taken and receive their PBW award.

“These are not your traditional “Best Of” awards. They have a definite Philly attitude! In this town, we may take our beer seriously, but we don’t take ourselves too seriously,” says Russell who created the awards with fellow beer writers George Hummel, Bryan Kolesar, Lew Bryson, Jack Curtin, Suzanne Woods, Rich Wagner, Woody Chandler and Carolyn Smagalski.

Food will be available for purchase from the Market at the Comcast Center, and live music is also planned. Attendees must be at least 21 years of age, and no children will be admitted.

Those wishing to take public transportation to Philly Beer Week, can purchase Sip Safely with SEPTA, an unlimited, all-day, bus-trolley-rail pass that will be sold for $9.00, valid any one day between March 6 and March 15. This pass is valid on SEPTA services, to encourage PBW participants to travel safely, rather than driving from event to event. Sip Safely with SEPTA passes are available for sale at most SEPTA locations.

Philadelphia has cultivated a renowned dining scene, full of distinct flavors and profound cultural influences.  Designed for guests looking to experience quality dining with a sense of culture coupled with an unbeatable atmosphere, this package features the best Philadelphia has to offer at one of the hottest spots by famed restaurateur Stephen Starr.

The Independent Philadelphia Hotel has partnered with Stephen Starr Restaurants to bring to you the most exquisite accommodations and dining experience you could imagine.  The Wine & Dine Independent Style Package starting at $179.00 single/double occupancy is inclusive of the following;

Overnight Deluxe Accommodations for Two

In-room Bottle of Wine

$50 Gift Card to be used at any one of (12) Stephen Starr Restaurants

2 p.m. Late Checkout

Visit http://www.starr-restaurant.com to select your restaurant of choice - advise us at the time of your reservation and it will be our pleasure to confirm.

Click here to make your reservation now and indulge in the best of Philadelphia Accommodations and Dining;  http://theindependenthotel.com/philadelphia/?cat=22 brought to you by the Independent Philadelphia Hotel, Philadelphia’s Premier Boutique Hotel for the Independently minded.

Join the Independent Philadelphia Hotel and Midtown Village & Washington Square Merchants for a “Sweetheart Sunday” - February 8, 2009 from noon - 6 p.m for a day of sweetheart shopping and dining specials in Midtown Village & Washington Square.  Enter to win the “My Center City Weekend” contest featuring an overnight stay at The Independent Philadelphia Hotel and one of many wonderful prizes to be given away!

The Independent Philadelphia Hotel is an official drop off location for the “My Center City Weekend” contest on February 8th from noon - 6 p.m. and will be hosting an “Open House”  offering Complimentary Refreshments and tours of Philadelphia’s “Newest” Boutique Hotel.  Plan to stop by, drop off your entry, enjoy the refreshments and meet our staff!  The Independent Philadelphia Hotel will be offering on the spot “discounts” to those that book their reservation during this time.  We look foward to “welcoming” you Independent Style on February 8th from noon - 6 p.m.! 

Please call 215-772-1440 for additional information and reservations.

“Scrumptious” - is what comes to mind when you think of Center City District Restaurant Week!

 Through Friday, January 30
Various Locations
Presented by Center City District
$35
buy it now!
> official website

Participating Center City restaurants offer a minimum of 3 courses for only $35† per person, and participating parking facilities offer diners discounted rates. Restaurants book up fast, so make your reservations today!

Come and dine at Center City’s fabulous restaurants throughout the year. Expect a wide variety of delicious foods from steak to sushi, Italian to Brazilian. Use the restaurant list and links to online reservation services at the official website. 

VISITOR INFORMATION

† Tax, alcohol and gratuity not included. Dinner only.

Ready to get your hands …  CLEAN?? 

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Only a few steps away from the Independent Hotel is a wonderful little Soapery (our word for a place where they concoct wonderful soaps) called duross & langel.  Here, YOU can participate in the development of a new generation of natural and organic cosmetics through their fun and delightful workshops each 1st and 3rd Sunday morning at 10AM.  Today, we all need to be socially responsible.  So why not have some “clean” fun doing it. 

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Socially Responsible Natural Soaps:  “our sea salts are purchased from family owned and operated salt farms on the dead sea and in the Caribbean, our shea butter is grown and harvested by a village co-op in burkina fasco, and many of the ingredients are from local market vendors here in the delaware valley. our commitment is to quality, fidelity and loyalty in all that we do. this is why we’ve placed our names on every label. we invite you to come by our modern apothecary shop and visit the soap makers at work, then test our scrubs and moisturizers, grab a free sample of soap and go have some good clean fun!” - quoting duross & langel…

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FUN WORKSHOPS!!  Leave your pencils and type-A personalities at the door because our workshops are all about the fun. it’s 2 hours of creativity and instruction on your favorite skin care products. as a group we work to create useable art in the form of luscious soaps and balms for our store. using our proprietary base ingredients, you’ll add extracts, oils and pigments while elbow deep in all-natural elements + you get to take home a sample of everything you make!  You must be 18 years old to attend (with the exception of our classes for kids).  The cost is a non-refundable $35 pre-paid. schedule conflicts are easily resolved by calling to reschedule class placement 48 hours prior to class. classes begin promptly at time listed. approximate class time is 2 hours unless otherwise specified.  Please dress appropriately for any splatters and splashes that might occur.  To reserve a space for a workshop please call 215.592.SOAP

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duross & langel savonniers
117 south 13th street philadelphia, pa 19107

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UPCOMING EVENTS AT duross & langel
july 9th: in-store event 6 PM to 8 PM
luscious grapefruit lip balms are on the menu and we’ll be brewing them before your eyes! bring the whole family for a FREE balm and a taste of capogiro’s pompelmo sorbetto which inspired us

july 12th: kezia read’s pre-party 6 PM to 8 PM
kezia is getting married and we are throwing her a pre-bachelorette bash in our kitchen.
we will laugh and play before they par-tay by creating some sensual wedding night treats for bride and groom

july 16th: in-store event 6 PM to 8 PM
lolita margaritas for everyone! come by to share the fun as we whip up a batch of margarita soap, sip on lolita’s signature cocktail and take home a FREE sample too!

july 20th: sunday school 10 AM to 12 PM
healing elements SOLD OUT- basic skin care to soothe and heal with extracts, oils and dried herbs. the class will create soaps, balms and salves

july 20th: katie reick’s birthday 1 PM to 3 PM
our little katie is having a party for all her friends in the d & l kitchen. though katie is anything but vanilla…every soap and sugar scrub we make with be dripping with vanilla!

july 23rd: in-store event 6 PM to 8 PM
capogiro’s peppermint stracciatella gelato has inspired us to light the cauldren. join us while we create this new, yummy summer soap and gobble up plenty of the inspirational gelato

july 30th: in-store event 6 PM to 8 PM
delightfully sweet nectar of mango spiced with indian cardamom inspired by bindi. both the soap and the cocktail will be flowing tonight
so join in the fun

august 6th: in-store event 6 PM to 8 PM
james’ favorite, capogiro thai coconut milk gelato will be served, soaped and sampled for your home bathing pleasure

august 20th: in-store event 6 PM to 8 PM
we are celebrating steve’s birthday with his favorite limoncello sorbetto from capogiro while we create yummy limoncello lip balms

august 27th: in-store event 6 PM to 8 PM
a surprise for us all

The Independent Hotel Philadelphia, a center city boutique hotel, is now taking reservations!  With only 24 gorgeous rooms, we feel that we’re offering a unique boutique experience! 

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TO CELEBRATE THE BIRTH OF OUR HOTEL AND OUR GREAT NATION, WE HAVE A JULY 4TH WEEKEND SPECIAL OF $139/NIGHT FOR MOST ROOMS.  CLICK HERE TO RESERVE YOUR’S!! or call 215-772-1440. 

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Yesterday, The Independent Hotel had its grand opening celebration.  We were thrilled that the news networks were there to celebrate with us:

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Click to hear Neil Shah being interviewed by a local radio station:  The Independent Hotel Owner Interviewed

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Yes, all the rumors are true! The Independent Hotel Philadelphia is now taking reservations. We are a boutique hotel, with so much more!

Visit the Hotel website at www.theindependenthotel.com to explore our wonderful boutique experience.

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