Results tagged “running”

The city budget crisis threatens the only domestic violence shelter in the city.

Well then, this might be the video for you.

The onset of cold weather makes us feel like not leaving the couch, much less keep up with our nascent running scheduling. But we’ll try to compel ourselves to get out Sunday to cheer on folks who have more motivation than we quite possibly ever will: The 15th Anniversary Philadelphia Marathon starts at 7AM, an hour we must admit we don’t often see on a Sunday. For that reason we’ll probably chose a Cheer Zone further along, say maybe mile 18.5 at the Ridge Avenue transfer station… though the way some of these folks run that might not help us too much. The Philly Marathon is a qualifier for the Big One in Boston, and so attracts folks from all over, so many that slots have been sold out for weeks. If you can't bear to even stand in the cold Sunday, you'll be able to watch the action from the website (the link should be in the upper right corner).

We at Phillyist are longtime fans of local nonprofit Back On My Feet, and now the organization is poised to be a national favorite as well. Founder Anne Mahlum was selected as one of ten finalists in CNN's "Hero of the Year" search for her work with BOMF. The program focuses on giving homeless people in Philadelphia “a sense of community and accomplishment through physical fitness,” and includes daily runs, sponsorships for races, even help with job training and employment. In the short time it's been around (the inaugural morning run was in July 2007) the group has swelled to over 50 homeless members and more than 250 volunteers.

Every Tuesday and Thursday, we'll be posting events that are going on sale during the current week. This Thursday post only collects the latest announcements, so definitely check the Tuesday post for any you may have missed.

Phillyist, like untold thousands in the Delaware Valley, resolved to be more active this year. If you’re one of those thousands and are looking for a place to start, consider combining it with that other favorite resolution, volunteering in the community. Back On My Feet running club lets you do just that: you’ll run in Center City with homeless men from local shelters. It may seem odd at first glance, but the non-profit is committed to promoting self-sufficiency by using running as a way to build confidence, strength, and self-esteem. The organization just started this past summer, and already has gotten attention and accolades aplenty. The idea started with founder Anne Mahlum, who would pass by a homeless shelter on her morning run, and slowly established a good rapport with the men who were outside. July 3rd marked the first outing of the Homeless Running Club, and now there are four teams that work with three area shelters. Each team runs at least three times a week, giving you plenty of opportunity to build relationships with your teammates and work up to that four-minute mile. BOMF is establishing connections with local businesses and job training centers, and one member recently accepted a job, the first concrete success story of the program. From the sounds of it, though, the story of every runner is a successful one, as the goals set within the program and the dedication of the staff inspire members to not only reap the health benefits, but to use the confidence gained in the program to effect positive change in their lives. The line that made Phillyist cry? “No one ever runs by themselves because life is a lot harder when you go through it alone.” Amen, sister.

We love Christmas Carols, too – but a few days before Christmas, we begin to feel a little burned out on them. Enter The Cars, playing in Philadelphia at Live Aid.

I like this Top (Insert Your Number) thing that Phillyist has going right now. It allows you to write without a clear beginning-to-end narrative, something that comes in handy when you aren’t really watching the game that you are supposed to be “reporting” on. This week, I didn't have something as deathly important as getting my dog's photo taken with Jolly St. Nick. No, I blew the game off because my wife was having her family over for dinner. Now I like the in-laws, but, more importantly, I really like TACOS. The wife made some really delicious ones and I wasn’t going to let some game with “playoff” implications get in the way of my “Should I have beef or pork tacos” dilemma. It just really wouldn’t be fair to the family. That and the fact that I've officially graduated to the "don't really give an ass" mode of this season. But since I’m not going to let the fact that I didn’t really watch the game get in the way of a deadline, let’s start the fun and cheeriness!

A sad week for LAist as they lose their trusted and amazing editor Tony Pierce to the LA Times, but what a blast his last week was. He shared his 25 Favorite CDs of 2007 and wrote a great review of just a good movie, No Country For Old Men. At UCLA, thousands of students celebrated the end of their quarter by running around campus in their undies (lots of photos in a two-part photo essay, one, two). That wasn't the only photo essay either: Joss Whedon/Mutant Enemy friends and Star Trek actors all joined in at the Writers Strike and KROQ's Almost Acoustic Christmas brought two nights of amazing bands that included Avenged Sevenfold, Linkin Park (Part I), Modest Mouse, Muse, Spoon and The Killers (Part II). Not only is L.A. a great music town, it has just been named the best city for bookish types. For those who are looking for something a little more active, American Gladiators are back (yes!) and if that's not enough, how about a Christmas gift of action and adventure?

Phillyist's favorite birthday present this year was a pair of socks that had sock monkeys on them. We tried to engage our partner in a discussion of the possible philosophical implications of having socks with monkeys made of socks on them, but he didn't take the bait. In any event, one may say we are predisposed to sock monkeys, which is why we can't stop giggling with joy over Mew Gallery's upcoming Sock and Awe exhibit running this Saturday through January 25, featuring (you guessed it) art celebrating the monkey of the sock.

The best of the internet, squirted out in flavorful neon globules, just for you. This is one of the most awesome news stories we've ever read: a ring of guerrilla restorers spent a year secretly fixing an antique clock inside the Pantheon, only revealing themselves and their work to officials when they were done. They were cleared on Friday of breaking in. They are totally our heroes now. (Via Mike V.) Wired takes a look...

There's something about a French farce that has real staying power - not in that the play stays with you for days after you see it, but more in that these are plays that have been around for 350 years and are still, somehow, funny. Sure, there's always the risk that farce can delve into shtick, if the running gags run on too long or if too many people get hit in the face by...

A steaming hot pile of our favorite things from around the internets. Apparently it's National Fast Food Day! Is that a bell we hear? Perhaps a... taco bell? (Via Sarah) Rumor is that Tom Cruise will play Hugh Hefner in the upcoming biopic. It's kind of a creepy idea, but it sort of works, too. The secret, true name of Cloverfield is supposedly... Cloverfield. Also, there's a new trailer online, but it's a poor quality...

Let’s get this out of the way early: The Eagles season is still, for all intents and purposes, OVER. To have a chance at the playoffs, they would have to win every game but one. And that is good because the game against the Patriots can already be put in the books. The team from New England is going to stomp the Eagles like Editor Jill running into a disgusting, yet otherwise harmless, cockroach. When you factor in games like the visit to clearly superior Dallas, the trip to struggling yet dangerous New Orleans, and a likely chokejob against a stiff like Miami or Buffalo, the Eagles really have no chance in hell of making the playoffs. But that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy yourself and laugh your ass off when the Birds eke out a game that they had no business winning against the self-sabotaging Washington Redskins. If that team should happen to have a nickname that is abhorrent to a whole race of people, so be it! So sit back, relax and soak in the glory of this meaningless, mid-November victory against a hopeless also-ran! It’s diary-time!

I will admit that I am a faster walker than most. This fact can probably be attributed to two reasons: 1) the faithful consumption of four cans of Dr. Pepper per day and 2) a clear aversion to doing anything on my lunch break other than surfing the Internet and staining my khakis horrifically from my work desk. So maybe I am more inclined to see some Philadelphians’ funeral dirge-ian way of moving through the...

What's new and/or interesting in Philly theaters this weekend. Jimmy Carter: Man From Plains - A documentary by director Jonathan Demme following Jimmy Carter on his recent book tour for his controversial book Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid. A great director and an interesting subject should make for a good film. Trailer Showing at: Ritz at the Bourse Joe Strummer: The Future Is Unwritten - Another documentary opening at the Ritz at the Bourse this weekend...

Fun around town, for $10 or less:

Sorry, folks. No diary today. Simply put, now is not the time for witty jokes and non sequiturs about my English Bulldog or P.J. Harvey’s latest work. I am not even going to ramble on about how brilliant Radiohead’s latest album is, and how they make overrated, whiny droners like The National look like rank amateurs. Sometimes one must discard structure, and get their rant on…and this is one of those times.

What's new and/or interesting in theaters this weekend.

The best of the internet, squirted out in flavorful neon globules, just for you.

Last night, I was at the Trocadero to see MGMT and what they’re all about. What I can tell you, amigos, is that these gangly dudes put out pure, unadulterated funk. The first song that I heard in its entirety was "Electric Feel." These are my thoughts, in retroactive real time, regarding what was going on in front of me:

LAist began the month with a new food series exploring the popular and unknown late night eats around town. If a Top Chef winner opened up a late night spot in Los Angeles, denizens would flock it, yet the LA Times and other media might be wary. Turning to sports, the Dodger season was quite memorable in the way that it imploded and the LA County Sheriff's Department made some games of their own such as "Operation Any Booking," where the object was to arrest as many people as possible within a specific 24-hour period (some might suspect these cops can be found on HotChicksWithDoucheBags). The crazy stories continue in an interview with Brandon D. Christopher, author of Dirty Little Altar Boy, and a Santa Monica College Professor being blamed for the Burma web blackout.

Walking to work through Love Park today, we noticed that the fountain was off and the water had been dyed a dark shade of red (as opposed to October/Breast Cancer Awareness Month pink). A few people were milling about, installing caution tape around the perimeter of the fountain. We decided to investigate.

The shapeless dough of the internet, formed into tasty pellets and baked to perfection, just for you.

The shapeless dough of the internet, formed into tasty pellets and baked to perfection, just for you.

A steaming hot pile of our favorite things from around the internets.

(Bobbi Block) (no future performances)

Shoot 'Em Up is quite aware of what it is, and isn't trying to hide it, either. Just look at the title. This is an action film that features men shooting each other, as well as the other things that action films tend to have: a hot woman, a terrible villain, a sex scene, and a tough hero protecting the innocent while uncovering and destroying an evil conspiracy. The film was written and directed by Michael Davis, whose filmography up until this point is not particularly encouraging (he wrote Double Dragon, people). And indeed this film is so completely unbelievable, over-the-top, and ridiculous that it ultimately lost me. Of course, it's quite aware that it's completely unbelievable, over-the-top, and ridiculous. But that doesn't change the fact that it's completely unbelievable, over-the-top, and ridiculous.

By Bill Hayes and Pencopal