Blog Posts

The Hoagie vs. the Cheesesteak

published by Susan Russo on June 18, 2013 - 11:22am

Philly Cheesesteak, Photo by Mikey Il

Philadelphia may be the City of Brotherly Love, but when it comes to its signature sandwiches, the hoagie and cheesesteak, it’s more like a Civil War battleground.

Why the decades-long rivalry? Maybe because both sandwiches to varying degrees reflect the city itself: Rough around the edges with a heart of gold, reliable, hard-working, and self-assured.
 
After all, how do explain Pat’s King of Steaks in the heart of South Philly? This iconic Philly eatery founded in 1930 is open 24/7 (Thanksgiving & Christmas Day excluded) and boasts lines that snake around the building and spill onto neighboring blocks. It’s not because of their exemplary service, or is it?
 
When first-timers go to Pat’s, as I did a couple of years ago, they’ll find the servers fast and furious, and you’d better be too. You see, unlike other sandwiches, when it comes to ordering a cheesesteak, there is a correct way to do it. Do it incorrectly, and you’ll get hollered at by the guy taking your order. Dare to disagree with him or show your snarky side, and you may even get tossed from the joint. (Note: If that happens, go across the street to Geno’s, Pat’s rival.)

From Newshounds to Novelists: Four Writers who Got their Start in Journalism

published by Danielle Mohlman on June 17, 2013 - 11:58am

In honor of National Columnist Day on June 23, take a look back at these writers, poets, playwrights, and philosophers who got their start in journalism. Many of these men also sported fantastic facial hair. Coincidence? Yes.

At 22 years old, newly married with abandoned plans to create a Utopia in the Pennsylvania wilderness, English poet and philosopher Samuel Taylor Coleridge (1772-1834) created a journal called The Watchman, published every eight days to avoid the weekly newspaper tax (smart!).

The journal’s first issue was published in March of 1796 and ceased publication by May of the same year (okay, maybe not so smart). Coleridge’s journal contained essays, poems, news stories, reports on Parliamentary debates, and book reviews. Coleridge soon grew to detest his wife Sara Fricker, but at least their marriage lasted longer than The Watchman. The two were separated in 1808.

A Conversation with Ian Doescher, Author of William Shakespeare’s Star Wars®

published by Blair Thornburgh on June 17, 2013 - 11:57am

George Lucas and the Bard of Avon aren't the only two creative forces behind the upcoming William Shakespeare’s Star Wars®—author Ian Doescher had the genius to combine the two. We sat down with Ian to ask age-old questions about inspiration, iambic pentameter, and who shot first.

Five Weather Words Weirder than "Derecho"

published by Blair Thornburgh on June 13, 2013 - 3:53pm


(Image via flickr)

If there’s any upside to the crazily severe thunder- and wind storms that have been terrorizing large parts of the U.S., it’s the addition of a new word to our collective vocabulary. If you’ve been living under a hailstone, the word is derecho, derived from the Spanish for “straight.” Derechos are, according to Wikipedia, “convection-induced and take on a bow echo (backward "C") form of squall line, forming in an area of wind divergence in the upper levels of the troposphere, within a region of low-level warm air advection and rich low-level moisture.”

Yikes. You can see why they gave this meteorological mouthful a nickname. Still, weathermen countrywide are probably relishing the rare chance to trot out a term more colorful than “partly cloudy.” And, furthermore, why stop there? We should seize this opportunity to expand our storm-related wordbank. Here are 5 new words to learn, because hey, when it rains, it pours!

Celebrate Campfire Cuisine's 7th Birthday with Spicy-Cheesy Corn Cakes

published by Robin Donovan on June 13, 2013 - 12:13pm

I can hardly believe that my first “baby,” Campfire Cuisine, turned seven years old on May 1. And like any parent, I can’t help but wonder where the time has gone. But the coolest part is that to celebrate the occasion, Quirk Books released a new, upgraded, updated, spiffed up edition of the book. I couldn’t ask for a better birthday present.

I’m really excited about the new edition. Like the first, it looks adorable and is packed full of helpful tips and recipes for incredibly delicious camping cuisine (if I do say so myself). Plus, this new edition has a bunch of great new recipes. I’m
especially excited about this recipe for Spicy-Cheesy Corn Cakes spiked with red chiles, cilantro, and cheese (I like a tangy goat cheese here). They seem fancy enough to serve for an at-home brunch, but the recipe is so simple it can easily be made at a campsite and they’re perfect for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

Three Father's Day Gifts That Don't Exist--But, I Totally Want!

published by Brett Cohen on June 12, 2013 - 2:46pm

I'll be honest. I'm a total sucker for the DIY Father's Day gifts that my kids bring home from school. Something with their handprint on it or a homemade pencil case? Perfect. But, this year, I'd like something a bit more practical...

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