East Passyunk

Flip the Script (Part 7): 65 More Ways to Beat the Blues

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When we dreamed up our anti-angst, South Philadelphia window project this summer,  we knew this election season was going to get rough.

16_10_21-1-vote-tasker-side-dc_8280Click here to learn more about the upbeat artists in our lighted windows at E. Passyunk Avenue and Tasker Street – and our quest to photograph hundreds more smiling Philadelphians.

But we had no idea how ugly it was going to get….

16_11_3-kate-in-door-2-dc_1289Go away!   I’ll be out on Nov. 9….of,  uhm,  2020.

NO  RETREAT,  BABY….

But it’s hard to abandon all hope when you can still find such goodness right outside your studio door.

So we are especially happy today to share more photos taken during last Saturday’s East Passyunk Fall Fest — along with another group of artists we’d like to introduce….

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Flip the Script (Part 5): Halloween Edition

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When we opened our South Philadelphia studio on Saturday,  over 130 people poured in to add their upbeat images to our anti-election-stress,  flip-the-script photo campaign….

16_10_25-01-vote-corner-view-dc_0137Click here to learn about those reassuring artists and musicians in our windows – and the hundreds of other Philadelphians we’re photographing for our blog.

THERE’S  SOMETHING  STRANGE  IN  YOUR  NEIGHBORHOOD

Given that the East Passyunk Avenue Fall Fest was in full swing Saturday,  it’s no surprise that the crowd included a mad mix of superheroes,  frogs,  princesses and one extremely large chicken.

So to celebrate Halloween,  we’re featuring all our costumed  players and their parents today.

And,  yes,  even the bear and the chicken got along this weekend – which makes us think there’s an over-sized metaphor there for this high-stress election season….

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Flip the Script (Part 4): Beat the Election Blues, Dumpster Diver Style

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Over the past several posts, we’ve told you about our new South Philadelphia window display,  a do-it-yourself remedy for the pre-election blues….

16_10_21-1-vote-tasker-side-dc_8280Twenty-eight smiling artists light up our windows at E. Passyunk & Tasker to remind you that the apocalypse isn’t quite here yet.

And,  yes,  regular readers of our  Unexpected Philadelphia  blog and website might recognize a few familiar faces…..

16_10_28-3-window-dumpster-diversSay, haven’t I wandered through your living room?

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Flip the Script (Part 3): A Cure for the Pre-Election Blues

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Sometimes the anger and angst on the national stage makes it impossible to see the goodness on your own corner.

That’s why we gathered over two dozen Philadelphia artists,  writers,  performers and musicians,  and asked them to pose for our windows holding upbeat signs with words like create,  collaborate,  envision and – yes – VOTE….

16_10_25-01-vote-corner-view-dc_0137Click here to learn more about our pre-election window display on the corner E. Passyunk Avenue and Tasker Street.

16_10_02-9-tasker-street-photos-cm_5602You can see it just across  from South Philadelphia’s  “Singing Fountain”  through election week.

WE CAN WORK IT OUT

That’s also why today – and several more times until the election – we’ll share photos here of scores more optimistic Philadelphians holding these same signs.

And,  yes,  they really are out there by the thousands – even though it’s sometimes hard to see them through the haze of the evening news….

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It Seemed Like a Good Idea at the Time….

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“You will do foolish things,  but do them with enthusiasm.”   Colette

After four years of postponing outside repairs on our South Philadelphia home,  we finally decided to bite the proverbial paintbrush.

Not because the building desperately needed painting,  but because our metal bump-out windows had so many leaks that birds were nesting inside….

16_09_27-1-linn-street-before-dc_6305“Besides,  I am so over this green and tan color scheme….”

 SHOW  ME  THE  MONEY

So this summer,  we dug into our piggy bank and hired Mexcon,  the  cheerful, talented, and very popular local cooperative that has helped us with everything from kitchen cabinets to sidewalk repair…

16_09_27-2-linn-scaffolding-cm_3860Heaven bless those Mexcon guys,  who spent endless days in the 90-degree heat sanding and repairing our vintage bay windows

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South Philadelphia Classics: A Man’s Image

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When we moved to increasingly trendy East Passyunk Avenue four years ago,  we were delighted by the great classic shops still in the mix:    The King of Jeans.   Frankie’s on the Avenue.    Tom’s Prime Meats.

Then,  one by one,  they disappeared.

“DON’T  IT  ALWAYS  SEEM  TO  GO….”

16_03_24 1 A Man's Image CM_1189

Still,  one of our favorite storefronts – A Man’s Image – remained,  its eye-catching sign visible a block away.    And,  oh,  those windows,  lovingly updated for every occasion….

16_03_24 2 A Man's Image DC_1569

16_03_24 3 A Man's Image DC_1564           16_03_24 4 A Man's Image DC_6452  (Windows decorated for Valentine’s Day 2016,  top and bottom left,  and an “everyday” sale window from fall,  2015.)

That’s why we mourned when the “Going Out of Business” signs appeared in March.

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Neighborhood Holiday Windows Are Up!

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They’re back!  On Sunday,  we lit our 27 holiday windows with portraits of the many great neighbors,  shop owners, and dogs  (lots of dogs…)  we’ve met since moving to South Philadelphia in 2012.

So,  if you’re dining or playing near the  “Singing Fountain”  between now and New Year’s Day,  we hope you’ll check out our windows at East Passyunk Avenue and Tasker Street.

15_11_23 1 Tasker Street Windows(Our first holiday window display in December, 2013.)
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