Press Release Source: Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation


Tours Showcase Philadelphia's Neighborhoods; Newest Tour Addition Takes Visitors to the City's Most Beautiful Community Gardens
Tuesday April 13, 3:31 pm ET


PHILADELPHIA, April 13 /PRNewswire/ -- Beginning on May 8, 2004, the Philadelphia Neighborhood Tourism Network (NTN) will roll out seven of its popular immersion tours of Philadelphia's neighborhoods. The newest addition to the spring schedule is "Urban Oases: The Gardens of West Philadelphia," taking a fun and in-depth look at community gardens and the residents who work together to beautify their neighborhood.
Developed by the Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation (GPTMC) in partnership with neighborhood organizations, the tours will be offered every Saturday at 10 a.m. from May 8 through June 26, and then again in the fall from September 18 through October 30, at which time two new tours, "Fishtown and Kensington: Traditions of Art and Industry" and "Urban Oases: Winning City Gardens," will be launched.

"Philadelphia's diversity is one of its great tourism assets. The Philadelphia Neighborhood Tourism Network takes visitors on an adventure to some of the city's most vibrant ethnic neighborhoods," says Patricia Washington, vice president, GPTMC. "The tours offer visitors an opportunity to see Philadelphia in a whole new light as they experience the culture and history of Philadelphia's richly diverse communities."

Since the tours began two years ago, more than 600 people have journeyed beyond the colonial icons of Center City into Philadelphia's neighborhoods, including North Philadelphia, South Philadelphia, Chinatown, University City, Germantown and North Philadelphia's Latino community. Ethnic food samples, shopping opportunities, performances with local artists and social history told by neighborhood guides ensure an authentic experience for tour participants. Here's what's in store for the 2004 season:

-- Latin Soul, Latin Flavor (May 8 and October 9, 2004): Learn about the
roots of Latin American music and sample authentic Caribbean coffees
and pastries during this trip to North 5th Street in the heart of
Philadelphia's growing Latino community.
-- Philadelphia's Civil Rights Struggle (May 15 and September 18, 2004):
Recount the moments when racism was challenged in Philadelphia's
streets, classrooms and churches during this visit to the North
Philadelphia neighborhood that was the epicenter of the city's Civil
Rights struggle. Hear about the dramatic demonstrations at Girard
College and join in a performance at Church of the Advocate.
-- Taking a Stand for Freedom (May 22 and October 16, 2004): Witness
moving first-person accounts and musical presentations that evoke the
drama of the Underground Railroad during visits to two documented
Underground Railroad stations, Mother Bethel AME Church and the
Johnson House Historical Site.
-- The Sound of Philadelphia (June 5, 2004): Listen to an array of
musical styles and innovations and learn about the social and
cultural trends that have contributed to Philadelphia's
African-American musical heritage. The tour, featuring classical,
gospel, jazz and rhythm and blues music, culminates with a behind-
the-scenes visit to the recording studios of Gamble & Huff.
-- Voices of Chinatown (June 12 and October 23, 2004): Get caught up in
the excitement of a lion dance, taste dim sum specialties and learn
about the curative power of herbs during a visit to a traditional
Chinese pharmacy in Chinatown.
-- Exotic Cuisine & Esoteric Culture (June 19 and October 9, 2004):
Experience a feast of the senses during this visit to University
City, where avant-garde artists, Amish farmers and a Laotian
restaurant are all part of the incredible diversity of cultures found
here.
-- Urban Oases: The Gardens of West Philadelphia (June 26, 2004):
Discover the bountiful array of plants cultivated in the city's
neighborhood gardens, tucked between row houses, plotted on corner
lots or tucked in city parks, and meet the residents who work
together to stabilize and beautify their community through gardening.
-- Urban Oases: Winning City Gardens (September 25, 2004): Sneak a peak
at some of the city's award-winning urban gardens. Flower gardens,
window boxes, community gardens and urban farms will be on display in
various communities throughout Philadelphia. Tour participants will
also have the opportunity to gather secrets from the city's top
gardeners.
-- Fishtown and Kensington: Traditions of Art and Industry (October 30,
2004): Enjoy "Philadelphia Made" goods during tours of the Yards
Brewery and the Metropolitan Bakery, and visit the cafe and artist
studios of the newly opened Rocket Cat. Take home vegetables from
Greensgrow Farms' hydraponic garden and other farmer's market
specialties.


Philadelphia Neighborhood Tours depart from the Independence Visitor Center, located at 6th and Market Streets, at 10 a.m. most Saturdays in May, June, September and October. Tickets are $30 for adults, $25 students and seniors over 65 years old, $25 for individuals purchasing two or more tours, $20 for children 8-12 and $20 per person for groups of 10 or more. Price includes trolley transportation, refreshments and performances. Call GPTMC at (215) 599-2295 for reservations or e-mail ntn@gophila.com to make a reservation.

The Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation (GPTMC), Philadelphia's regional tourism marketing agency, is a private, non-profit organization dedicated to building the region's economy and positive image through tourism and destination marketing. For more information about travel to Philadelphia, call the new Independence Visitor Center, located in Independence National Historical Park, at (800) 537-7676, or visit www.gophila.com.

(Found this on Dan Roth's fishtown.us. Thanks Dan!)

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Resident of Fishtown, Moderator of Fish/No. Libs/Kenzo forum, Real Estate Agent-Prudential Fox & Roach

-- Fishtown and Kensington: Traditions of Art and Industry (October 30,
2004): Enjoy "Philadelphia Made" goods during tours of the Yards Brewery and the Metropolitan Bakery, and visit the cafe and artist studios of the newly opened Rocket Cat. Take home vegetables from Greensgrow Farms' hydraponic garden and other farmer's market specialties.

And if you happen to see one of their promotional brochures created by Philadelphia Greater Tourism Bureau you will notice that they made a mistake when they said that one of the Philadelphia Made products served at the Rocket Cat is Bucks County Coffee. Wrong! It's Olde City Coffee... uh, yea, hence the Philly Made theme.

Number 1: Greater Philadelphia Tourist Marketing Corp is a regional organizaton - not just city. Hence, the word Greater.

Number 2: Olde City Coffee is spelled Old City Coffee dammit. Lose the damn stupid affected e.

:rolling_:

Blue, forgive Chris. He hasn't taken his pills today with his Olde City coffee.

Thanks for the info.

__________________
Resident of Fishtown, Moderator of Fish/No. Libs/Kenzo forum, Real Estate Agent-Prudential Fox & Roach

Hey Blue - Welcome but no breaks for the rookie. I got none and demanded none.

And Brooke - you just gotta stand up for your homies.

No, you just took your ball and went home. Now if s/he said she likes unions, the gloves come off. ;-)

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Resident of Fishtown, Moderator of Fish/No. Libs/Kenzo forum, Real Estate Agent-Prudential Fox & Roach

I left the ball . . . I just went home.

For those of you who were not at the last FNA meeting, Walk Philadelphia was there to discuss the new Fishtown Walking tour, that they will be developing. It will not be printed in the 2004 catalogs as they have already been printed, but if all goes well they tour will be developed and inserted into their 2005 Brochure!
:rolling_:

__________________
"Exceptional human beings must be given exceptional educational treatment."
Hans Asperger, 1944