PD Primer - PennDesign - University of Pennsylvania
PD Primer - PennDesign - University of Pennsylvania
PD Primer - PennDesign - University of Pennsylvania
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content text<br />
IV <strong>PD</strong><strong>Primer</strong>
content text<br />
3<br />
5th Edition<br />
Fall 2011<br />
This book was produced independently by<br />
students <strong>of</strong> the School <strong>of</strong> Design, <strong>University</strong><br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>Pennsylvania</strong>, and funded by <strong>PennDesign</strong>.<br />
We wish to thank Dean Marilyn Jordan Taylor<br />
for the strongsupport and steadfast assistance that<br />
made this guide possible. We are also grateful to<br />
the Dean’s Office, the Business Office,<br />
<strong>PennDesign</strong> ITS and Facilities<br />
for their helpfulness and accommodation.<br />
CONTRIBUTORS<br />
Cara Berton<br />
Jordan Block<br />
Kelley Carroll<br />
Phillip Crosby<br />
Kim Davies<br />
David Dobkin<br />
Barrett Doherty<br />
alex Eney<br />
Barrett lane<br />
Janet lee<br />
Jesse lattig<br />
Quintin Marcus<br />
Chloe Reison<br />
Gideon Fink Shapiro<br />
Maurie Smith<br />
4
content text<br />
5<br />
PdPRimER<br />
The life <strong>of</strong> a graduate student outside school<br />
comes in ephemeral bits: detouring to the free<br />
ATM, grabbing a bite <strong>of</strong> lunch, sprinting to the<br />
art-supply store and maybe, every now and again,<br />
working out at the gym or tipping a glass<br />
with classmates. Activities that seem pedestrian<br />
on the surface, especially when held against the<br />
carefully constructed intellectual rigor <strong>of</strong> the<br />
classroom and studio.<br />
Mundane routines establish our essential conception<br />
<strong>of</strong> the city we inhabit—a truth difficult<br />
to appreciate from within the narrow alleyways <strong>of</strong><br />
workaday habitation. This book’s first ambition is<br />
to inject breadth, transparency and perhaps a bit<br />
<strong>of</strong> ease into everyday life. Its second is to compel<br />
forays into the city beyond campus.<br />
The third goal is to create a common experience<br />
in printed form. We too easily reproduce the single-mindedness<br />
<strong>of</strong> the outside world by sticking to<br />
the comfortable confines <strong>of</strong> departments and programs.<br />
Our school is rare in encompassing such a<br />
number and diversity <strong>of</strong> disciplines; its students<br />
are rare in their varied backgrounds and talents.<br />
We hope this book can draw out these assets and<br />
begin to construct new networks <strong>of</strong> possibility.<br />
THE <strong>PD</strong> PRIMER TEaM<br />
6
content text<br />
7<br />
ContEntS<br />
8 ABOUT THIS SCHOOL<br />
GETTING HERE<br />
aDMINISTRaTION<br />
LiGht BULBS<br />
STUDENT ORGaNIZaTIONS<br />
FINaNCIal aID<br />
HEalTH & DENTal<br />
StUdEnt hEALth<br />
lIBRaRIES<br />
ARChiVES<br />
COMPUTING<br />
54 FINDING HOUSING<br />
aPaRTMENTS<br />
CENTER CITY<br />
WEST PHIllY<br />
88 FINDING FOOD<br />
WaWa<br />
FaST FOOD<br />
FOOD CaRTS<br />
BURRitoS<br />
DINING alFRESCO<br />
CHEaP EaTS<br />
ChEESEStEAKS<br />
NEaR CaMPUS<br />
STEVEN STaRRS<br />
118 HAVING FUN<br />
OUTINGS<br />
RElaTIONSHIPS<br />
EXERCISE<br />
SPoRtS<br />
BEER & WINE<br />
nEW dECK<br />
BaR GUIDE<br />
DIVE BaRS<br />
oLd mAn CitY<br />
REEl WORlD<br />
MUSEUMS<br />
DaY TRIPS<br />
section text<br />
36 SURVIVAL GUIDES<br />
aRCHITECTURE<br />
PHD aRCHITECTURE<br />
CITY PlaNNING<br />
FINE aRTS<br />
HISTORIC PRESERVaTION<br />
SITE RESEaCH<br />
laNDSCaPE aRCHITECTURE<br />
66 GETTING AROUND<br />
PUBlIC TRaNSIT<br />
PENNTRaNSIT<br />
NEW YORK & DC<br />
DRIVING DIRECTIONS<br />
aIRPORTS<br />
CaRS & PaRKING<br />
BiKE PARtS<br />
BIKES & BIKING<br />
3 BIKE RIDES<br />
EMERGENCE<br />
108 BUYING STUFF<br />
STUDIO SUPPlIES<br />
SUPERMaRKETS<br />
MallS<br />
ERRaNDS<br />
THRIFT STORES<br />
148 FOREIGN AFFAIRS<br />
INTERNaTIONal STUDENTS<br />
CHINESE<br />
KOREaN<br />
WoRK ABRoAd<br />
<strong>PD</strong>PRIMER 2011 8
GETTING HERE<br />
aDMINISTRaTION<br />
lIGHT BUlBS<br />
STUDENT ORGaNIZaTIONS<br />
FINaNCIal aID<br />
HEalTH & DENTal<br />
STUDENT HEalTH<br />
lIBRaRIES<br />
aRCHIVES<br />
GETTING HERE<br />
ADMINISTRATION<br />
LIGHT BULBS<br />
STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS<br />
FINANCIAL AID<br />
COMPUTING<br />
HEALTH & DENTAL<br />
STUDENT HEALTH<br />
LIBRARIES<br />
ARCHIVES<br />
COMPUTING<br />
ABoUt<br />
SChooL<br />
ABOUT<br />
thiS THIS<br />
SCHOOL<br />
Powelton Village<br />
������<br />
Market-Frankford<br />
blue line subway<br />
Subway-Surface<br />
green line trolley<br />
� �<br />
3<br />
����<br />
P<br />
������ ����<br />
5<br />
College Green<br />
West Philly<br />
������<br />
��������<br />
������<br />
��������<br />
������<br />
������<br />
1<br />
4<br />
�<br />
�<br />
� �<br />
����<br />
P<br />
21 Bus<br />
from WP<br />
21 Bus<br />
from CC<br />
42 Bus<br />
from CC<br />
2<br />
����� ����<br />
P<br />
����<br />
�����<br />
30th Street<br />
Station<br />
Center City<br />
42 Bus<br />
from WP<br />
Center City<br />
��<br />
GEttinG hERE<br />
WhERE iS<br />
PEnndESiGn?<br />
Let’s keep this simple. <strong>PennDesign</strong> is<br />
in West Philadelphia.That’s the part<br />
GETTING HERE to the west <strong>of</strong> the Schuylkill River<br />
(pronounced skoo’-kuhl). Architecture,<br />
Landscape Architecture, City Planning,<br />
WHERE IS<br />
and Historic Preservation are housed<br />
PENNDESIGN?<br />
in the ponderous brick-and-concrete<br />
1 MEYERSON Hall on the southwest<br />
Let’s keep this simple. <strong>PennDesign</strong> is in West Philadelphia.<br />
corner That’s <strong>of</strong> the 34th part to and the west Walnut. <strong>of</strong> the Schuylkill The main River<br />
(pronounced entrance skoo’-kuhl). is on the Architecture, opposite Landscape side from<br />
Architecture, City Planning, and Historic Preservation<br />
are housed in the ponderous brick-and-concrete<br />
1 MEYERSON HALL on the southwest corner <strong>of</strong> 34th<br />
and Walnut. The main entrance is on the opposite side<br />
from 2 MORGaN Walnut (look BUIlDING, for the red Calder an sculpture). older brick Fine<br />
Arts is headquartered in the 2 MORGAN BUILDING, an<br />
structure with a porch across 34th<br />
older brick structure with a porch across 34th from<br />
Meyerson, from Meyerson, between Walnut between and Spruce Walnut Streets. and<br />
3 ADDAMS HALL (undergraduate studios) is on Walnut<br />
at Spruce 36th Street. Streets. The 4 FINE 3 aDDaMS ARTS LIBRARY Hall and DUHRING (un-<br />
WING dergraduate are located in studios) the ornate terra is on cotta Walnut gem at the at<br />
eastern end <strong>of</strong> the College Green.<br />
Walnut (look for the red Calder sculpture).<br />
Fine Arts is headquartered in the<br />
36th Street. The 4 FINE aRTS lIBRaRY<br />
DIRECTIONS and DUHRING FROM WING CENTER are located CITY in the<br />
WALK VIA WALNUT ST ornate terra cotta Go west gem on at Walnut, the eastern crossing the end<br />
Schuylkill, to 34th Street and turn left. The rear entrance<br />
<strong>of</strong> the College Green.<br />
to Meyerson is on the right, facing the street corner;<br />
Morgan is the third building on the left side <strong>of</strong> 34th.<br />
diRECtionS FRom CEntER<br />
WALK VIA SOUTH ST Cross the South Street bridge, then<br />
turn right on 33rd Street and bear left onto Smith<br />
Walk CitY which leads to 34th Street. Morgan is on the<br />
right; cross 34th and go up the stairs for Meyerson.<br />
WalK VIa WalNUT ST Go west on<br />
Walnut, crossing the Schuylkill, to<br />
BUS Westbound buses 21 and 42 run down Walnut<br />
Street and stop right in front <strong>of</strong> Meyerson at 34th. Bus<br />
34th Street and turn left. The rear en-<br />
40 stops at 34th and Spruce, one long block south.<br />
<strong>PD</strong>PRIMER 2011 10<br />
<strong>PD</strong>PRIMER 2006<br />
9
the school<br />
GEttinG hERE<br />
trance to Meyerson is on the right, facing the street<br />
corner; Morgan is the third building on the left side<br />
<strong>of</strong> 34th.<br />
WalK VIa SOUTH ST Cross the South Street bridge,<br />
then turn right on 33rd Street and bear left onto<br />
Smith Walk which leads to 34th Street. Morgan<br />
is on the right; cross 34th and go up the stairs for<br />
Meyerson.<br />
BUS Westbound buses 21 and 42 run down Walnut<br />
Street and stop right in front <strong>of</strong> Meyerson at 34th.<br />
Bus 40 stops at 34th and Spruce, one long block<br />
south.<br />
diRECtionS FRom WESt PhiLLY<br />
WalK Take Locust Street to 40th. Here it becomes<br />
Locust Walk, the main eastwest passage across campus.<br />
Locust Walk merges with Woodland Walk at<br />
the College Green. Meyerson is the last building on<br />
the right, just before Woodland Walk ends at 34th<br />
and Walnut. Immediately south <strong>of</strong> Meyerson is the<br />
Fine Arts Library. To reach Morgan, walk down the<br />
stairs betwee Meyerson and the Fine Arts Library<br />
and cross 34th.<br />
BUS Pick up the eastbound 42 along Spruce Street.<br />
At 38th Street it veers south through the medical<br />
supercity, then returns to campus along Civic<br />
Center Boulevard. Hop <strong>of</strong>f at 33rd and Walnut<br />
and walk one block to 34th. The rear entrance to<br />
Meyerson is on the right, facing the street corner;<br />
11 <strong>PD</strong>PRIMER 2011<br />
Morgan is the third building on the left side <strong>of</strong> 34th.<br />
GEttinG hERE<br />
ViA SUBWAY oR tRoLLEY<br />
SEPTa The Market-Frankford subway (Blue Line) is<br />
three blocks north at Market and 34th, while Green<br />
Line trolleys stop underground at 36th and Sansom (just<br />
north <strong>of</strong> Walnut) and 37th and Spruce. Turn to page 67<br />
for more information on riding SEPTA.<br />
ViA tRAin oR hiGhWAY<br />
TRaIN Amtrak stops at 30th Street Station on Market<br />
Street (see page 74). From there, take a cab, LUCY<br />
bus, or walk (less than 15 minutes) to campus. Septa’s<br />
Regional Rail lines also use 30th Street Station, and the<br />
R1, R2 and R3 pass by the more convenient <strong>University</strong><br />
City stop.<br />
CaR From I-76 E or W, exit at South Street and turn in<br />
the direction <strong>of</strong> the big blue Penn rail bridge. Turn right<br />
on 33rd Street, left on Walnut, and left on 34th. For<br />
driving instructions between Penn, New York and DC,<br />
turn to page 75.<br />
PARKinG<br />
Visitors might get lucky with a three-hour metered spot<br />
on Walnut or Chestnut. For a longer stay, head for one<br />
<strong>of</strong> the garages:<br />
lOT 37 GaRaGE 34th north <strong>of</strong> Chestnut ($11/day)<br />
SHERaTON 36th north <strong>of</strong> Chestnut ($15/day)<br />
PENN TOWER <strong>of</strong>f 34th south <strong>of</strong> Spruce ($17/day)<br />
<strong>PD</strong>PRIMER 2011 12
the school<br />
AdminiStRAtion<br />
thE BUCK<br />
StoPS thERE<br />
The School <strong>of</strong> Design is one <strong>of</strong> 12 graduate and<br />
pr<strong>of</strong>essional schools within the <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Pennsylvania</strong>.<br />
<strong>PennDesign</strong> has roughly 600 students<br />
spread among five departments: Architecture, City<br />
& Regional Planning, Fine Arts, Historic Preservation,<br />
and Landscape Architecture. The School<br />
is housed in a collection <strong>of</strong> buildings: 3 aDDaMS<br />
Hall (undergraduate Fine Arts and Architecture);<br />
4 DUHRING WING, 5 FRaNKlIN aNNEX and the<br />
2 MORGaN BUIlDING (graduate Fine Arts); the 4<br />
FURNESS BUIlDING (Fisher Fine Arts Library, the<br />
Architectural Archives, and PhD students), and 1<br />
MEYERSON Hall (everything else).<br />
<strong>PennDesign</strong> Offices<br />
With the exception <strong>of</strong> Computing and Facilities,<br />
the following school-wide <strong>of</strong>fices are all located<br />
in Meyerson Hall on Dean’s Alley (from the main<br />
entrance, up the first set <strong>of</strong> stairs on the left).<br />
oFFiCE oF thE dEAn<br />
Dean Taylor handles school-wide issues. The<br />
woman herself is not always around, but her stead-<br />
13 <strong>PD</strong>PRIMER 2011<br />
fast assistant (Kait Ellis) is. The best person to<br />
approach about student concerns is Associate<br />
Dean Janet Kroll. The Development and<br />
Alumni Relations <strong>of</strong>fice (Suzann Morris) and<br />
Office <strong>of</strong> Communications (Megan Schmidgal)<br />
are great sources <strong>of</strong> information for<br />
everything else.<br />
REGiStRAR<br />
The Registrar’s Office (Andrea Porter, Lauren<br />
Hoover) oversees class registration, course<br />
schedules, credits and graduation requirements.<br />
For an overview <strong>of</strong> program sequences,<br />
refer to the online <strong>PennDesign</strong> Student<br />
Handbook—the <strong>of</strong>ficial one, not this rag.<br />
AdmiSSionS And FinAnCiAL Aid<br />
The admissions staff (Joan Weston, Yuan Liu)<br />
doesn’t want to see you now that you’ve managed<br />
to weasel your way in. No, no… your<br />
first contact with the school will continue to<br />
give you sage advice on financial aid.<br />
FinAnCE oFFiCE<br />
The hard-working folks here (Chris Cataldo,<br />
Christine Reid, Naima Woodson) handle<br />
departmental finances, student group finances,<br />
and most importantly, paychecks. Director<br />
<strong>of</strong> Finance Chris Cataldo also provides notary<br />
services to the school community.<br />
AdminiStRAtion<br />
<strong>PD</strong>PRIMER 2011 14
school<br />
AdminiStRAtion<br />
ComPUtinG<br />
On the south side <strong>of</strong> the third floor <strong>of</strong> Meyerson,<br />
<strong>PennDesign</strong> ITS (Cathy DiBonaventura, Sean<br />
Anela, Alex Jarymovych, Marc Manley, Francis<br />
Migone) handles networking, printing and hardware<br />
and provides s<strong>of</strong>tware access. Their site at<br />
www.design.upenn.edu/comp has useful tip sheets<br />
to help you set up your computer. There is also a<br />
manned outpost on the first floor <strong>of</strong> Addams Hall<br />
(Nate Cosgrove).<br />
FACiLitiES And BUiLdinG oPERAtionS<br />
Facilities (Karl Wellman, Stacy Ritchey, Val Perry),<br />
located in Meyerson G-29, manages the daily<br />
operation <strong>of</strong> <strong>PennDesign</strong> buildings like studio<br />
keys, trash collection and package delivery. Be nice<br />
to them: most <strong>of</strong> our school’s physical plant dates<br />
from the 1960s or earlier, and the internal weather<br />
patterns owe as much to chaos theory as to human<br />
intervention.<br />
<strong>University</strong> Offices<br />
Below are university services beyond <strong>PennDesign</strong><br />
which you may come in contact with, including<br />
relevant contact information:<br />
15 <strong>PD</strong>PRIMER 2011<br />
AdminiStRAtion<br />
StUdEnt FinAnCiAL SERViCES<br />
100 Franklin Building, 3451 Walnut St/ 215-898-1988 www.<br />
sfs.upenn.edu<br />
Past the bursar, down the right-side hallway is the<br />
uncomfortably clinical SFS <strong>of</strong>fice. Get your PennCard<br />
swiped at reception, then pick up a magazine in the<br />
waiting area until your name is called by a financial aid<br />
counselor. No appointments necessary.<br />
StUdEnt hEALth<br />
399 S 34th St (Penn Tower, lower level)/ 215-662-2850<br />
www.vpul.upenn.edu/shs<br />
Good luck locating the secret entrance (down a long<br />
sidewalk, across 34th from HUP). If you find your way<br />
in only to be lost in the labyrinth <strong>of</strong> windowless rooms,<br />
that was part <strong>of</strong> their plan.<br />
CAREER SERViCES<br />
3718 locust Walk, McNeil Building, Suite 20<br />
www.upenn.edu/careerservices<br />
Use the ground-floor entrance to McNeil <strong>of</strong>f Lehman<br />
Brothers Quadrangle. The <strong>PennDesign</strong> specialists are<br />
Jennifer Furlong (furlongj@pobox.upenn.edu) and Julie<br />
Vick (vick@pobox.upenn.edu).<br />
oFFiCE oF thE omBUdSmAn<br />
113 Duhring Wing/ 215-898-8261<br />
www.upenn.edu/ombudsman<br />
Cutting through the red tape is the university’s Ombudsman.<br />
This <strong>of</strong>fice assists students, faculty, and staff in finding<br />
solutions to problems that they may not have been<br />
able to resolve through normal channels.<br />
<strong>PD</strong>PRIMER 2011 16
school<br />
AdminiStRAtion<br />
dEPARtmEnt oFFiCES<br />
aRCHITECTURE<br />
David Leatherbarrow, Interim Chair<br />
207 Meyerson/ 215-898-5728<br />
arch@design.upenn.edu<br />
leatherb@design.upenn.edu<br />
PHD aRCHITECTURE<br />
Ali Malkawi, Chair<br />
malkawi@design.upenn.edu<br />
CITY aND REGIONal PlaNNING<br />
John Landis, Chair<br />
127 Meyerson/ 215-898-8329<br />
cityplan@design.upenn.edu<br />
HISTORIC PRESERVaTION<br />
Randall Mason, Chair<br />
115 Meyerson/ 215-898-3169<br />
hyndman@design.upenn.edu<br />
laNDSCaPE aRCHITECTURE<br />
James Corner, Chair<br />
119 Meyerson/ 215-898-6591<br />
corner@design.upenn.edu<br />
FINE aRTS<br />
Josh Mosley, Chair<br />
100 Morgan/ 215-898-8374<br />
fine-art@design.upenn.edu<br />
17 <strong>PD</strong>PRIMER 2011<br />
LET THERE BE<br />
LIGHT<br />
By Anonymous<br />
Having studio in Meyerson Hall is a lot like going<br />
back in time. I’m talking about World War II when our<br />
entire economic, industrial, and scientific capabilities<br />
were tied up with much larger issues. This is ironic as<br />
the building was constructed in 1967, the height <strong>of</strong><br />
free love, but built to provide an atmosphere <strong>of</strong> displeasure.<br />
Perhaps there is some correlation between the<br />
free flowing LSD and the architecture after all. Only a<br />
Peyote induced trip could lead to a design that provides<br />
for no natural light and accessibility nightmares<br />
that could lead you to….well…..nowhere. That being<br />
said, it’s the hub <strong>of</strong> the design school and would be<br />
my home for the next three years. After being assigned<br />
a studio seat, I looked around at the décor and found<br />
a static environment comparable to that <strong>of</strong> a butcher<br />
block and ply-wood maze. Studio mates were segregated<br />
and only the smell <strong>of</strong> cheese could aid in gathering<br />
a group for review. After the first few days, and nights,<br />
I soon realized that the odd lollipop shaped lighting<br />
suspended the odd 20 feet above my head was the only<br />
source <strong>of</strong> light in the evening. No problem….right?<br />
Wrong! The next evening the bulb blew. (Insert scream<br />
<strong>of</strong> terror here.) The following day, I made my way<br />
down to the Operations and Planning Office to seek<br />
their assistance. While I had some apprehension I was<br />
immediately greeted by Stacy Ritchey, clearly the Rosie<br />
the Riveter, <strong>of</strong> <strong>PennDesign</strong>. She explained the process<br />
<strong>PD</strong>PRIMER 2011 18
the school<br />
<strong>of</strong> reporting a work request, described the benefits<br />
<strong>of</strong> supplemental lighting, and gave me a thorough<br />
breakdown <strong>of</strong> the many services provided by the<br />
Operations Office. I was then introduced to Karl<br />
Wellman, Director <strong>of</strong> Operations and Planning.<br />
When I inquired as to their work staff, he explained<br />
that they had only one full time employee but relied<br />
on the many tradesmen at the university. After he<br />
gave a few examples <strong>of</strong> past work requests, I began<br />
to envision him as Santa Claus, if Santa’s elves were<br />
hardnosed Philadelphia union workers who could<br />
double as wise guys in a Soprano’s episode. He explained,<br />
clearly disappointed with the system, that it<br />
could take weeks and upwards to 4 different trades<br />
to replace that bulb as; a carpenter would need to<br />
disassemble the desks and shelving, a laborer would<br />
need to move the materials, an electrician would<br />
need to replace the bulb, and a painter would need<br />
to touch up any flaws caused by moving the materials.<br />
I thought, wow, I’ve learned the answer to the<br />
age old riddle….how many people does it take to<br />
change a light bulb. I then asked what I thought<br />
was a legitimate and simple question…..what if we<br />
used an outside contractor? He replied, he could<br />
have it done in one half hour but the union would<br />
hide his car and then his body. I waited for the<br />
chuckle but it never came. He then gave me a tour<br />
<strong>of</strong> the 3rd floor “studios <strong>of</strong> the future” with their<br />
mobile desks and fluid design. Karl explained that<br />
we were moving towards a renovation, based on this<br />
19 <strong>PD</strong>PRIMER 2011<br />
design, which would carry Meyerson Hall out <strong>of</strong> the<br />
past and into…well the present. This gave me some<br />
measure <strong>of</strong> hope, and the relief that I would be moving<br />
to the 3rd floor studios next term. While leaving<br />
the <strong>of</strong>fice, the charismatic Director assured me that<br />
he would do his best to have the lighting relamped<br />
ASAP. I must admit that I believed in him and “Rosie”<br />
yet had my doubts in regards to the university and<br />
system <strong>of</strong> labor. Well, to my surprise the light bulb was<br />
replaced within a day <strong>of</strong> my visit to Operations and<br />
Planning. Clearly, Karl is the Franklin D. Roosevelt <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>PennDesign</strong>!<br />
<strong>PD</strong>PRIMER 2011 20
the school<br />
21 <strong>PD</strong>PRIMER 2011<br />
StUdEnt oRGAnizAtionS<br />
GRoUPS WoRK<br />
Have you ever met a Fine Arts student? Is digging<br />
through the empty peanut shells at New Deck your<br />
idea <strong>of</strong> an extracurricular activity? Do you think the<br />
school is so perfect there’s simply nothing that could<br />
be done to improve it? If you answered no to any <strong>of</strong><br />
these questions, you might want to consider getting<br />
involved with one <strong>of</strong> <strong>PennDesign</strong>’s student groups.<br />
StUdEnt GRoUPS<br />
You could also start one <strong>of</strong> your own. In the last year,<br />
six student groups were created where previously<br />
there were none. They ranged from LGBT outreach<br />
to people wanting to get students more involved in<br />
community outreach to organizers <strong>of</strong> a new breed <strong>of</strong><br />
lecture series.<br />
StUdEnt CoUnCiL<br />
The student council can be considered the primary<br />
student group, as it is the central student organization<br />
at <strong>PennDesign</strong> and holds the purse strings. They<br />
are also technically responsible for this book. Because<br />
<strong>of</strong> our relatively short tenures here, the character<br />
and priorities <strong>of</strong> the <strong>PD</strong>SC change a lot from year to<br />
year. This is an elected body, but anyone interested<br />
in getting involved is welcome to attend the regular<br />
meetings.<br />
<strong>PD</strong>PRIMER 2011 22
school<br />
StUdEnt oRGAnizAtionS<br />
BUdGEt<br />
The student council receives a lump sum from the<br />
school based on our collective general fees. The<br />
<strong>PD</strong>SC first creates their own budget and then allocates<br />
the remaining funds to qualifying student<br />
groups. The bulk <strong>of</strong> the <strong>PD</strong>SC’s budget goes to<br />
pay for the weekly happy hour (so if you catch<br />
any undergrads with their hands in the bucket,<br />
they are drinking the beer that you paid for). The<br />
annual Beaux Arts Ball (typically slated for March<br />
or April) is the second largest expense.<br />
GAPSA<br />
The mother <strong>of</strong> all student groups, GAPSA is<br />
the governing body for all <strong>of</strong> the graduate and<br />
pr<strong>of</strong>essional students at Penn. Student groups<br />
looking for funding can petition GAPSA throug<br />
out the school year. Their typical allocation is<br />
$250 at a time. GAPSA organizes lots and lots <strong>of</strong><br />
social events where an ascetic <strong>PennDesign</strong> student<br />
might make a few new friends.<br />
23 <strong>PD</strong>PRIMER 2011<br />
FinAnCiAL Aid<br />
BEttER REd<br />
thAn dEAd<br />
Is Student Financial Services making you feel overwhelmed<br />
with their not-soconcise booklets on how<br />
to pay for Penn? Here’s a glossary <strong>of</strong> terms to help<br />
you better understand your new life <strong>of</strong> indentured<br />
servitude. Let’s do some math!<br />
FaMIlY CONTRIBUTION<br />
+ FEDERal STaFFORD lOaN (SUBSIDIZED)<br />
+ FEDERal STaFFORD lOaN (UNSUBSIDIZED)<br />
+ alTERNaTIVE lOaN<br />
+ DEPaRTMENTal GRaNT/SCHOlaRSHIP<br />
+ FEDERal PERKINS lOaN<br />
+ FEDERal WORK-STUDY JOB<br />
= EDUCaTIONal EXPENSE BUDGET<br />
This breakdown will be mailed to you every summer<br />
in the financial aid notice, but what do these terms<br />
really mean?<br />
FAmiLY ContRiBUtion<br />
This number is determined by a US Department <strong>of</strong><br />
Education formula that is calculated with information<br />
submitted when you complete the Free Application<br />
for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) including<br />
your previous year’s income, the total value <strong>of</strong> your<br />
investments, your family size, etc.<br />
<strong>PD</strong>PRIMER 2011 24
the school<br />
FinAnCiAL Aid<br />
FEdERAL StAFFoRd LoAn (SUBSidizEd)<br />
You can borrow a maximum <strong>of</strong> $8500 per academic<br />
year with this loan. The beauty <strong>of</strong> this baby<br />
is that Uncle Sam pays the interest while you are<br />
still enrolled in school. To apply for this loan, you<br />
must fill out the FAFSA online every year at www.<br />
fafsa.ed.gov. (It’s best to file over spring break. And<br />
do your taxes while you’re at it. Also, we suggest<br />
you email your PIN to yourself so you can find it<br />
next year.) A Stafford Loan Master Promissory Note<br />
(MPN) must also be filed (see www.sfs.upenn.edu)<br />
and is valid for ten years from the signature date.<br />
FEdERAL StAFFoRd LoAn<br />
(UnSUBSidizEd)<br />
You can borrow a maximum <strong>of</strong> $10,000 per<br />
academic year with this loan. Being unsubsidized<br />
means the interest begins accruing the day you receive<br />
the money. In the past the rate varied with the<br />
T-bill, but beginning July 1, 2006 the rate for this<br />
loan is fixed at 6.8%.<br />
FEdERAL PERKinS LoAn<br />
These loans are awarded to students with<br />
exceptional need who are citizens or permanent<br />
residents <strong>of</strong> the United States. This money is<br />
interest free while you are enrolled at Penn. Interest<br />
will begin accruing at the annual rate <strong>of</strong>5% nine<br />
months after you graduate. This loan has a maxi-<br />
25 <strong>PD</strong>PRIMER 2011<br />
RECENT CHaNGES TO<br />
STUDENT lOaNS<br />
Federal Stafford loans first<br />
disbursed on or after July 1,<br />
2006 will have a fixed interest<br />
rate <strong>of</strong> 6.8% for the life <strong>of</strong><br />
the loan.<br />
This has opened the doors<br />
tolenders like My Rich Uncle<br />
or Sallie Mae who are <strong>of</strong>ten<br />
providing lower rates to qualifying<br />
students. Shop around<br />
for the best deals now and<br />
mitigate the temptation to<br />
respond to the “egg donor”<br />
ads in the back <strong>of</strong> the DP.<br />
STUDENT FINaNCIal<br />
SERVICES<br />
www.sfs.upenn.edu<br />
100 Franklin Building<br />
3451 Walnut St<br />
215-898-1988<br />
M, W-F 9-4:45<br />
Tu 10-4:45<br />
FinAnCiAL Aid<br />
mum <strong>of</strong> $6,000 per academic year<br />
and requires that you sign a promissory<br />
note that will be mailed to<br />
you with the summer financial aid<br />
notice.<br />
ALtERnAtiVE LoAn<br />
This loan, which is referred to in<br />
Penn documents as “Refer to Alternate<br />
Loan”, can be one <strong>of</strong> several<br />
things. The most common is the<br />
Penn CitiAssist Graduate-Pr<strong>of</strong>essional<br />
loan, which you can apply for<br />
at www.studentloan.com/schools/<br />
upenn. The variable interest rate is<br />
the same as the prime rate (currently<br />
7.5%). BEGINNING JUlY 1, 2006<br />
STUDENTS WIll alSO HaVE THE<br />
OPTION OF THE NEW GRaD PlUS<br />
lOaN PROGRaM, WHICH IS FIXED<br />
aT 7.25%. If your parents are helping<br />
you out, other options include the<br />
Citibank Home Equity Loan and<br />
the Citibank Home Equity Line <strong>of</strong><br />
Credit. All <strong>of</strong> these methods have<br />
been arranged with the help <strong>of</strong> Alma<br />
Mater at favorable interest rates.<br />
dEPARtmEntAL GRAnt/<br />
SChoLARShiP<br />
Winners <strong>of</strong> the showcase showdown<br />
<strong>PD</strong>PRIMER 2011 26
the school<br />
FinAnCiAL Aid<br />
(yes, it’s actually free money) will be notified in the annual<br />
financial aid notice. This money is a combination<br />
<strong>of</strong> merit and need-based funds that is electronically<br />
disbursed in equal parts to your student account each<br />
semester. Dual-degree students should make sure their<br />
two departments are able to coordinate this aid so the<br />
song remains the same each year, regardless <strong>of</strong> which<br />
program you’re toiling in.<br />
FEdERAL WoRK-StUdY<br />
This is a federally funded work program and your eligibility<br />
will be stated in the summer financial aid notice.<br />
Applicable jobs can be found both on and <strong>of</strong>f-campus<br />
at www.sfs.upenn.edu/seo. If you decide to work<br />
(types <strong>of</strong> jobs range from refilling paper in the copiers<br />
to being a TA for a studio pr<strong>of</strong>essor), you will be paid<br />
in a weekly paycheck.<br />
EdUCAtionAL EXPEnSE BUdGEt<br />
This number is the total cost <strong>of</strong> one year at Penn<br />
including tuition, fees, room and board, books, supplies,<br />
health insurance, etc. Penn’s financial gurus<br />
update this number every year, and it is set at—are you<br />
ready—$55,100 for the 2006-2007 school year, which<br />
is why prez Amy Gutmann will be crooning “I’m a<br />
hustler, baby…” with Pharrell Williams at this year’s<br />
cookout for incoming grad students.<br />
A few more important things to remember:<br />
FinAnCiAL Aid tUition AdJUStmEntS<br />
If you are taking a reduced course load, it is impor-<br />
27 <strong>PD</strong>PRIMER 2011<br />
hEALth & dEntAL<br />
tant to fill out the form included in the summer<br />
financial aid notice because your package might be<br />
affected.<br />
PEnn monthLY BUdGEt PLAn<br />
If you or a relative like Uncle Sean “P-Diddy”<br />
Combs has the bling-bling to pay for school, you<br />
might want to consider this payment plan, which<br />
enables students to budget what is needed to pay<br />
for tuition/fees and expenses billed through Penn.<br />
tUition PREPAYmEnt PLAn<br />
Little Susie Rockefeller might choose this payment<br />
method, which allows you to prepay two, three,<br />
or four years <strong>of</strong> tuition general fee/technology fee<br />
up front to lock into costs at the level when you<br />
matriculated at Penn.<br />
thE $2000<br />
BAnd-Aid<br />
First things first: if you are obscuring these words with blood<br />
from an Olfa laceration or other serious studio mishap, go<br />
to the HUP Emergency Room at 34th and Spruce you silly<br />
bleeder. Take this book with you because you’ll need something<br />
to read while waiting to be sutured up.<br />
Yes indeed, the sleep deprivation and medieval conditions at<br />
<strong>PennDesign</strong> significantly raise the chances that you will get sick or<br />
cut with something at least once before you graduate. Fortunately,<br />
Penn <strong>of</strong>fers a fairly comprehensive array <strong>of</strong> medical options to<br />
ensure that you don’t expire on the school’s watch.<br />
<strong>PD</strong>PRIMER 2011 28
the school<br />
hEALth & dEntAL<br />
hEALth inSURAnCE<br />
Penn requires all students to either enroll in the<br />
Penn Student Insurance Plan (PSIP) or submit pro<strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>of</strong> coverage by a comparable plan. STUDENTS WHO<br />
DO NEITHER BY SEPTEMBER 14 WIll aUTOMaTI-<br />
CallY BE ENROllED IN PSIP, but you can change<br />
this without penalty until October 12 (from then<br />
until November 2 it’s a $100 fee to change). You can<br />
link to the online waiver and enrollment form under<br />
“Health & Welfare” on PennPortal. PSIP is carried<br />
by Chickering Group/Aetna and costs $2,348 for<br />
twelve months <strong>of</strong> coverage for one student (a student<br />
plus one dependent is $5,484). Students who do not<br />
have access to an outside group plan are advised to<br />
enroll in PSIP as Philly’s sky-high premiums make it<br />
difficult to find reasonable insurance on an individual<br />
basis. All full-time students, regardless <strong>of</strong> insurance<br />
carrier, also pay a mandatory $126 clinical fee<br />
each semester to insure “unlimited” access to Student<br />
Health.<br />
This means that everyone—covered by PSIP or<br />
not—can use Student Health free <strong>of</strong> charge for<br />
primary-care visits, but you will need to set up an<br />
appointment. It also means that those without access<br />
to outside group coverage are stuck paying for a<br />
gold-plated plan they may never use. Knowing your<br />
options, such as being covered as a dependent or<br />
continuing an employer’s plan under COBRA, could<br />
save you quite a bit.<br />
29 <strong>PD</strong>PRIMER 2011<br />
hEALth & dEntAL<br />
AFtER GRAdUAtion<br />
PSIP coverage ends August 31 for students who graduated<br />
in May. Chickering now <strong>of</strong>fers an extension on<br />
health insurance, but without access to Student Health.<br />
Contact the insurance <strong>of</strong>fice for more information.<br />
immUnizAtionS<br />
Prior to matriculation at Penn, all students must complete<br />
the Student Immunization Record and a Student<br />
Medical History and Consent Form. These forms are<br />
mailed in the summer before you begin your first year<br />
and must be signed by your primary-care physician.<br />
WomEn’S hEALth<br />
Located at to the right <strong>of</strong> the Student Health waiting<br />
area, Women’s Health <strong>of</strong>fers general exams, emergency<br />
& planned contraception, counseling, and free Pap,<br />
pregnancy & STI tests for women covered by PSIP.<br />
mEntAL hEALth<br />
Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) is a free<br />
and confidential service available to all students. Separate<br />
from Student Health, the CAPS <strong>of</strong>fice is located in<br />
the Ann Taylor L<strong>of</strong>t building at 36th and Walnut.<br />
dEntAL inSURAnCE<br />
As is the case with most student health insurance, Penn’s<br />
PSIP only covers dental care for injury to teeth or for<br />
removal <strong>of</strong> wisdom teeth, but not regular check-ups or<br />
other dental treatment. This means the smallest tooth-<br />
<strong>PD</strong>PRIMER 2011 30
the school<br />
hEALth & dEntAL<br />
ache (that could require a root canal) can cause you<br />
more anguish than just the physical pain when it<br />
comes time to pay up.<br />
Dental plans starting at $122 for the semester are<br />
available through Chickering Group/Aetna. Sign up<br />
by printing and mailing the form on www.chickering.com.<br />
Alternatively, check to see if you can get<br />
dental insurance as a dependent under a parent or<br />
spouse’s coverage—most plans allow additional coverage<br />
for a small fee.<br />
If you were working prior to graduate school, find<br />
out if your former employer can keep you under<br />
their group coverage for dental insurance. Under<br />
COBRA, all employers are required by law to provide<br />
you with the option <strong>of</strong> continuing health insurance<br />
(at your cost) and might be willing to do so<br />
for dental care too. Lastly, if you have had previous<br />
dental problems, read the fine print for disclaimers<br />
on “pre-existing conditions” in whichever plan you<br />
do get.<br />
dEntAL CARE At PEnn<br />
Penn’s dental school runs a clinic staffed by students.<br />
The care here is slower (since the students are being<br />
supervised) but cheaper than a private practice. In<br />
order to see a student dentist, you must become a<br />
patient <strong>of</strong> record by going through the new-patient<br />
31 <strong>PD</strong>PRIMER 2011<br />
clinic. The initial visit takes two<br />
hours and costs $70 ($40 less if you<br />
have a current set <strong>of</strong> full X-rays).<br />
Getting an appointment is tough,<br />
with waiting periods <strong>of</strong> several<br />
weeks, so you might have to call a<br />
couple <strong>of</strong> times and be persistent.<br />
Additionally, the Emergency Care<br />
Clinic is open every weekday starting<br />
at 8am (10am on Fridays).<br />
There is usually a long line starting<br />
as early as 6am each morning, and<br />
the clinic <strong>of</strong>ten has to turn patients<br />
away when they fill their daily<br />
capacity. If you need emergency<br />
treatment, get there by 7am at the<br />
latest to ensure being admitted that<br />
day (if you develop a problem in<br />
the afternoon, call 215-898-8965).<br />
The emergency evaluation costs<br />
$40 and includes an examination<br />
and one X-ray.<br />
Penn’s Dental Care Network operates<br />
like a private practice, with<br />
licensed dentists and several locations<br />
around campus. This is probably<br />
the best option for students<br />
covered by insurance.<br />
hEALth & dEntAL<br />
STUDENT HEalTH SER-<br />
VICES<br />
www.vpul.upenn.edu/shs<br />
399 S 34th St (under Penn<br />
Tower, enter down long<br />
sidewalk <strong>of</strong>f 34th)<br />
MWThF 8-7:30<br />
Tu 8-11:30am, 2:00-7:30pm<br />
Sa-Su 11-4:30<br />
Appointments: 215-662-2852<br />
Insurance: 215-573-3523/4<br />
WOMEN’S HEalTH<br />
M-Tu 9-7:30, W-F 9-5<br />
Appointments: 215-662-2874<br />
COUNSElING aND<br />
PSYCHOlOGICal SERVICES<br />
www.vpul.upenn.edu/caps<br />
133 South 36th St, 2nd Floor<br />
(above ann Taylor l<strong>of</strong>t)<br />
Appointments: 215-898-7021<br />
PENN DENTal MEDICINE<br />
www.dental.upenn.edu/<br />
patients<br />
240 S 40th St (at locust;<br />
Emergency Clinic, 2nd Floor)<br />
Appointments: 215-898-8965<br />
<strong>PD</strong>PRIMER 2011 32
the school<br />
LiBRARiES<br />
Un-FURnESSEd<br />
BUSinESS<br />
Top five research myths:<br />
1 thE LiBRARY iS FULL oF BooKS.<br />
Well, OK, it is. But you don’t stand a chance <strong>of</strong><br />
writing a decent paper without the breadth and<br />
depth provided by the library’s journals, image collections,<br />
and electronic resources—not to mention<br />
its sanguine librarians.<br />
2 thE LiBRARY iS thE REd<br />
FRAnK FURnESS PiLE ACRoSS FRom<br />
mEYERSon.<br />
Also only partly true. The university boasts a dozen<br />
other stand-alone libraries as well as the Architectural<br />
and <strong>University</strong> Archives, which are outside the<br />
library system.<br />
3 iF PEnn doESn’t hAVE it, YoU CAn’t<br />
hAVE it.<br />
One <strong>of</strong> the easiest ways to get booked up is the<br />
Amazon-esque BORROW DIRECT/E-Z BORROW<br />
service: find your book online, instantaneously request<br />
it from the network <strong>of</strong> partner libraries, and a<br />
few days later saunter over to Van Pelt to pick it up.<br />
If this doesn’t work, the traditional INTERlIBRaRY<br />
lOaN can get books or journals from other insti-<br />
33 <strong>PD</strong>PRIMER 2011<br />
tutions. A free card to check out books from your<br />
local Free Library branch is great for non-academic<br />
reading, and remember that Philadelphia has a surprisingly<br />
large number <strong>of</strong> small, specialized libraries.<br />
The truth is out there, and probably no farther than<br />
Center City.<br />
4 YoU CAn’t do AnY RESEARCh AWAY<br />
FRom SChooL.<br />
As much as you might want this to be true, Penn’s<br />
large and growing slate <strong>of</strong> electronic resources, which<br />
you can access remotely with your PennKey, means<br />
stays away from Philly are no vacation from research<br />
guilt. Penn’s membership in the Research Libraries<br />
Group gives you reading privileges at scores <strong>of</strong><br />
libraries around the world (for example, you can get<br />
a reading pass to Columbia’s Avery Architectural<br />
library, the nation’s largest, with a PennCard and a<br />
fiver). Policies vary by library and you may need a<br />
letter from Penn, so check first.<br />
5 onLY Phd StUdEntS CAn GEt<br />
CARRELS.<br />
All <strong>PennDesign</strong> students can request carrels in the<br />
Furness library, which in addition to giving you a<br />
nook to hide in is where you can keep library books.<br />
We’re particularly fond <strong>of</strong> the copper-ceilinged<br />
fourth floor stacks as a place to carrel your cares<br />
away. Visit the circulation desk to sign up.<br />
LiBRARiES<br />
<strong>PD</strong>PRIMER 2011 34
the school<br />
LiBRARiES<br />
Top five research shortcuts:<br />
ELECtRoniC RESoURCES<br />
The Art Index (articles in art periodicals), Avery Index<br />
(articles in architecture periodicals), Factiva (full text<br />
<strong>of</strong> newspapers and magazines), JSTOR (full text <strong>of</strong><br />
scholarly journals), Sage Urban Studies Abstracts, and<br />
Sanborn Maps (insurance maps from 1867-1970) are<br />
ones <strong>PennDesign</strong> students find especially useful. Type<br />
the names into the search box at www.library.upenn.<br />
edu. You got in here so we don’t need to tell you about<br />
Google Scholar.<br />
JoURnAL ARtiCLES<br />
From the same page, click on “browse by subject” and<br />
link into one <strong>of</strong> the primary databases listed at the top<br />
<strong>of</strong> each subject page. Most <strong>of</strong> these will tuck cute little<br />
PennText buttons into your search results. Click on the<br />
button to see if you can get the article online. Probably<br />
not, so try the Franklin link under Penn Library Holdings.<br />
This will give you the call number to locate the<br />
bound journal collection in the stacks. Look carefully at<br />
the dates available—the issue you want might be too old<br />
or too new.<br />
WWW.LiBRARY.UPEnn.EdU/LiBRARiES.<br />
htmL<br />
Locations and hours <strong>of</strong> Penn collections.<br />
WWW.LiBRARY.UPEnn.EdU/CAtALoGS<br />
One-stop shop including Borrow Direct, Interlibrary<br />
35 <strong>PD</strong>PRIMER 2011<br />
LiBRARiES<br />
Loan and WorldCat (the best union catalog). Click on “Philadelphia<br />
Area” for local non-Penn collections.<br />
SIx DEGREES OF<br />
PENNDESIGN<br />
Market East today is home to a shopping mall and a<br />
train station. In 1963, Kevin Bacon, the four-year-old<br />
son <strong>of</strong> City Planning Commission Executive Director<br />
Edmund Bacon, had some more inventive ideas:<br />
I think we should put a merry-go-round<br />
that’s on the level, and the one up in the<br />
sky—that one could be great too. And so,<br />
we could put a duckling and a little gun,<br />
and if you shoot the duck that is floating<br />
in the water, just a play duck, and if you<br />
shoot that duck, then you get a teddy bear.<br />
And if you don’t shoot him, you get a piece<br />
<strong>of</strong> cake…[Y]ou should have a pony stable,<br />
a stable with real ponies, and the man<br />
could take you around. We should put a<br />
big castle there, and the little children go<br />
in it and they see all kinds <strong>of</strong> merry-gorounds<br />
and numbers and good knights.<br />
Sadly, these ideas did not come to fruition. But we<br />
know the star <strong>of</strong> Footloose and Tremors showed an early<br />
<strong>PD</strong>PRIMER 2011 36
the school<br />
passion for urban design thanks to his two-page<br />
paean to merry-go-rounds, teddy bears, and cake.<br />
Kevin’s proposals were sent by his father to Louis<br />
Kahn, who was then working on a redevelopment<br />
scheme for Market East. The letter is now in the<br />
Louis I. Kahn Collection at <strong>PennDesign</strong>’s Architectural<br />
Archives.<br />
The Archives, tucked into the base <strong>of</strong> the Furness<br />
building, attracts a steady stream <strong>of</strong> scholars<br />
from all over the world, but this fantastic source<br />
<strong>of</strong> information, inspiration and celebrity trivia<br />
goes scandalously under-utilized by <strong>PennDesign</strong><br />
students toiling steps away. Besides the Kahn<br />
Collection, holdings include original drawings by<br />
Robert Adam, Frank Lloyd Wright, and sculptor<br />
Henry Moore, and are particularly strong in<br />
designers connected to Penn and Philadelphia:<br />
Paul Cret, Frank Furness, Robert Le Ricolais, and<br />
Robert Venturi.<br />
The Archives are a part <strong>of</strong> the School <strong>of</strong> Design,<br />
not the library system, and its collections are<br />
only sparsely represented in the Franklin catalog.<br />
Check www.design.upenn.edu/archives and www.<br />
philadelphiabuildings.org, but if you’re just looking<br />
for mental refreshment, browsing through<br />
what’s on display in the Kroiz Gallery or the small<br />
collection <strong>of</strong> books featuring Archives holdings is<br />
always worthwhile.<br />
37 <strong>PD</strong>PRIMER 2011<br />
<strong>PD</strong>PRIMER 2011 38
school<br />
ComPUtinG<br />
RAm i Am<br />
ids And ACCESS<br />
Before anything, take care <strong>of</strong> business by getting a<br />
PENNCaRD and PENNKEY. The PennCard is your<br />
physical ID; your virtual ID is called PennKey.<br />
The PennCard is important because it gets you<br />
into buildings after hours. When you get your<br />
PennCard, you’ll get a setup code to establish your<br />
PennKey. You need both IDs to do just about<br />
anything, so get your PennCard right now at the<br />
PennCard Center in the FRaNKlIN BUIlDING at<br />
3451 Walnut St (215-417-2273, M-F 9-5). Bring a<br />
photo ID and a good haircut.<br />
Once you make it online, you can use your<br />
PennKey for EMaIl ([pennkey]@design.upenn.edu).<br />
Go to the school’s computing website, www.design.<br />
upenn.edu/comp, and click on “Email Accounts.”<br />
You can also use your PennKey to access PENNPOR-<br />
Tal, which is the gateway for PENN INTOUCH (bills,<br />
registration, transcripts, etc.). From here one can<br />
add PennCash to their PennCard for copies and<br />
snacks or purchase credits towards PennDining. In<br />
fact, the university has a number <strong>of</strong> bureaus and<br />
departments with Soviet-style truncated names to<br />
make the online spending <strong>of</strong> your considerable future<br />
earnings easy. No word yet on secession and the<br />
addition <strong>of</strong> a PennStanding Army or PennMint.<br />
39 <strong>PD</strong>PRIMER 2011<br />
ComPUtinG<br />
PEnndESiGn ComPUtinG<br />
The School <strong>of</strong> Design’s computing services are presided<br />
over by a lovely woman named CaTHY DIBONaVEN-<br />
TURa. In her liege are specialists devoting themselves<br />
to your networking and computing needs every weekday<br />
and <strong>of</strong>ten beyond. Best way to reach them? Not<br />
the Help Desk, where a specialist is likely already helping<br />
out some other poor sap. Instead, email ithelp@<br />
design.upenn.edu. It’s kind <strong>of</strong> like putting out the bat<br />
symbol.<br />
You may have built your computer from scraps in a<br />
dumpster, you may have the most coveted moniker<br />
on more than six internet message boards, you may<br />
know so much about computers that you live in your<br />
parents’ basement running subscription-only dedicated<br />
porn servers, but these very knowledgeable, friendly<br />
and approachable people can and RaM I aM will be an<br />
invaluable asset to making your time in the labs and<br />
on the network productive, safe, and smooth. So read<br />
their emails when you get them.<br />
<strong>PennDesign</strong> Computing’s website is located<br />
at WWW.DESIGN.UPENN.EDU/COMP and has a wealth<br />
<strong>of</strong> information regarding announcements, virus alerts,<br />
and s<strong>of</strong>tware. Questions like “How do I reserve a<br />
projector?” and “From wherever shall I procure said<br />
projector?” are easily tackled with the magical help <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>PD</strong>PRIMER 2011 40
school<br />
ComPUtinG<br />
the IT homepage (online for the<br />
former, from a Lab Assistant for the<br />
latter). Spend a few minutes getting<br />
acquainted with it now and save<br />
yourself some time later.<br />
PUBLiC ComPUtERS<br />
There are a number <strong>of</strong> computing<br />
clusters in the buildings <strong>of</strong> <strong>PennDesign</strong>.<br />
In Meyerson Hall, there is a<br />
3RD FlOOR laB with 17 top<strong>of</strong>the-line<br />
PCs (with DVD burners),<br />
several plotters, and a color laser<br />
printer. This lab <strong>of</strong>ten gets crowded<br />
around review times, and while no<br />
one has dislocated their shoulder<br />
yet trying to close the 3rd floor<br />
patio sliding glass door, it’s only a<br />
matter <strong>of</strong> time. There are COMPUT-<br />
ING aREaS IN THE UNIVERSITY’S<br />
VaRIOUS lIBRaRIES, but they are<br />
mostly dummy machines for word<br />
processing and web browsing. You<br />
don’t need a login, but you will have<br />
limited ftp access to Juno (where<br />
your two-gig personal folder and<br />
class folders reside), and no use <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>PennDesign</strong> s<strong>of</strong>tware.<br />
41 <strong>PD</strong>PRIMER 2011<br />
PENNDESIGN<br />
ITS<br />
www.design.<br />
upenn.edu/comp<br />
314 Meyerson<br />
(south side)<br />
215-898-3160<br />
support:<br />
IThelp@design.<br />
upenn.edu<br />
COMPUTER<br />
CONNECTION<br />
www.upenn.edu/<br />
computerstore<br />
3610 Sansom St<br />
(at the rear<br />
entrance to the<br />
bookstore)<br />
215-898-3282<br />
M-Th 8:30-8<br />
F 9-8<br />
Sa 10-5<br />
Su 11-5<br />
ComPUtinG<br />
To PRINT FROM THESE lIBRaRY MaCHINES, swipe<br />
your PennCard at the print station, then click on<br />
your job from the list. Output is deducted from your<br />
PennCash at $0.08 per page. The SCaNNING STaTION<br />
IN THE FINE aRTS lIBRaRY has Photoshop, a CD<br />
burner and a color laser printer, which puts out like a<br />
cheap date for $1.00 per page.<br />
BUYinG YoUR mAChinE<br />
Entering the Penniverse, most <strong>of</strong> us have had little experience<br />
with dropping thousands <strong>of</strong> dollars at a time.<br />
Fear not, the university has nice ways <strong>of</strong> making large,<br />
unfathomable purchases seem simple and painless.<br />
<strong>PennDesign</strong> Computing <strong>of</strong>fers a small selection <strong>of</strong><br />
CUSTOM-CONFIGURED MODElS available at the<br />
Computer Connection (in the back <strong>of</strong> the bookstore)<br />
or, between semesters, online through www.upenn.<br />
edu/computerstore. While the choices that Cathy DiB<br />
and her gents have made are roundly <strong>of</strong> the PC variety,<br />
fret not fair and sensitive MaCINTOSH USERS: you<br />
can buy Apple products at the Computer Connection<br />
and use them on the network as well. You won’t have<br />
access to the same level <strong>of</strong> key-served s<strong>of</strong>tware that<br />
your unwashed, mouth-breathing PC cohort do, but<br />
you can seamlessly plug into the small, friendly community<br />
<strong>of</strong> Mac outcasts in Meyerson Hall and end up<br />
with a happy non-conformist experience all the same.<br />
Once you have selected the brand and configuration<br />
<strong>of</strong> computer you can’t live without, there are two<br />
<strong>PD</strong>PRIMER 2011 42
school<br />
ComPUtinG<br />
possible roads towards acquiring it. The first is the<br />
aforementioned COMPUTER CONNECTION, which<br />
allows you to simply walk in, run your finger over,<br />
say, the glistening titanium shell <strong>of</strong> the floor model<br />
15” G4 Power-Book and walk out 10 minutes later<br />
with one <strong>of</strong> your own. If they have them in stock,<br />
you can use the once-per-year computer exception<br />
on YOUR BURSaR aCCOUNT to make the purchase.<br />
This means that the man behind the counter simply<br />
swipes your PennCard and the cost <strong>of</strong> the computer<br />
(up to $4,000) transfers to your overall school bill,<br />
which you can then open at a more convenient time<br />
and with your therapist or pimp present. It’s a nice<br />
arrangement because you’ll have instant gratification,<br />
no immediate hemorrhage <strong>of</strong> cash, and enough<br />
time to finance the purchase by selling one <strong>of</strong> your<br />
kidneys later in the month. If they don’t have your<br />
computer in stock, the nice people there will order<br />
it for you.<br />
IF YOU PURCHaSE a MaCINTOSH, the prices are<br />
nicely discounted from the Apple Store and include<br />
a three-year Apple Care membership, indispensable<br />
in its breadth <strong>of</strong> coverage. As for PCs, this year the<br />
Computer Connection <strong>of</strong>fers IBMs and Dells in a<br />
variety <strong>of</strong> configurations.<br />
If you’re the type who wants a solution right out<br />
<strong>of</strong> the box, same-day, the Computer Connection<br />
is a good bet. If you’d rather search around for the<br />
43 <strong>PD</strong>PRIMER 2011<br />
ComPUtinG<br />
best deals, buy a bare-bones machine and do upgrades<br />
yourself, or if you simply cannot stomach making such a<br />
substantial purchase without reams and reams <strong>of</strong> comparative<br />
detective work and anecdotal testimonials from other<br />
students, then you might be able to find a better PC deal<br />
by using your Penn individual discount to CONFIGURE<br />
a DEll ON YOUR OWN—just be sure you’ve got all the<br />
power and graphics capabilities you’ll need.<br />
CLimBinG ABoARd thE nEtWoRK<br />
Once you’ve made your purchase, connecting to the many<br />
resources <strong>of</strong> the <strong>PennDesign</strong> computing network is as<br />
simple as plugging in. All computers that will utilize the<br />
network must be “certified” first, that is, deemed free <strong>of</strong><br />
germs and viruses. CERTIFICaTION will be performed over<br />
a few days at the beginning <strong>of</strong> each semester. Beyond this,<br />
PENNCONNECT CDS are distributed with orientation<br />
packets, allowing PC and Macintosh users to download<br />
virus s<strong>of</strong>tware and updates, plus recommended applications<br />
like FileZilla and Eudora.<br />
WIRElESS aCCESS is available all over campus (including<br />
Meyerson, Furness, Van Pelt, Houston Hall, the Graduate<br />
Student Center and on the College Green) with a<br />
PennKey and password. Good for web browsing, but network<br />
connections will be much faster if you’re plugged in.<br />
While FTP aCCESS has been suspended for security<br />
concerns, a new method <strong>of</strong> emote access to the networks<br />
is being developed. Check www.design.upenn.edu/comp/<br />
<strong>PD</strong>PRIMER 2011 44
school<br />
ComPUtinG<br />
Resources/Storage/StudentStorage.htm for the latest<br />
information.<br />
Besides <strong>of</strong>fering seamless and free use <strong>of</strong> expensive<br />
s<strong>of</strong>tware suites, the network also provides a platform<br />
for interstudio multi-player gaming and the<br />
non-threatening sharing <strong>of</strong> music over the ITUNES<br />
network. Some losers have so much music in their<br />
iTunes libraries that you’ll never bring a CD into<br />
studio again. (This publication does not condone the<br />
use <strong>of</strong> multi-user platforms for non-serious pursuits.<br />
We do, however, encourage it.)<br />
PRintinG & PLottinG<br />
Once on the network, it’s pretty much like any<br />
internet experience you’ve had prior, with tasks and<br />
operations you can complete from your studio in a<br />
leisurely manner. Printing is one <strong>of</strong> these services.<br />
While on the network, a running TaB OF YOUR<br />
PRINTING COSTS can be found in the lower righthand<br />
corner <strong>of</strong> the application tray on lab PCs (this<br />
information can also be found online at www.design.<br />
upenn.edu/comp/Resources/Resources.htm). It <strong>of</strong>fers<br />
a nice way to see how those $.05 laser prints or<br />
$1.25-per-square-foot plotting fees are adding up,<br />
lest you encounter cardiac arrest at a high triplefigure<br />
printing bill after the end <strong>of</strong> the term. It may<br />
seem excessive, but the plotters are expensive to buy<br />
and maintain. Plus, something needs to pay for automatic<br />
flushing urinals.<br />
45 <strong>PD</strong>PRIMER 2011<br />
ComPUtinG<br />
BlaCK-aND-WHITE PRINTING is the domain <strong>of</strong> laser<br />
printers with handles like “MEY3-8150-PCL.” This<br />
means the printer in question is on the third floor <strong>of</strong><br />
Meyerson, is an HP 8150 (“White Tiger”) model, and<br />
is using PRINTER CONTROl laNGUaGE, the fast-andloose<br />
vernacular for text and web pages. For graphicsheavy<br />
output from Photoshop, Illustrator, and the like,<br />
switch to the refined tongue <strong>of</strong> POSTSCRIPT (“PS”).<br />
As for PlOTTING, welcome to an exciting new world <strong>of</strong><br />
stress, where chills and flop-sweat greet you every time<br />
you prepare to send an 8’ by 3’ presentation board to<br />
the big rollers. 100% Pure Adrenaline! To take the edge<br />
<strong>of</strong>f, each semester $50 IN PlaY MONEY is deposited to<br />
your printing account for erroneous print jobs, botched<br />
plots, and other such errata. It is not meant to be free<br />
printing, but if you or the printers don’t mess up, it is.<br />
If, however, you misprint $200 worth <strong>of</strong> ink on paper<br />
and the error is on the part <strong>of</strong> the network, you may—<br />
after the requisite primal scream and mandatory cool-<strong>of</strong>f<br />
period—seek an audience with Cathy, for hers is not an<br />
<strong>of</strong>fice dispensed with heartlessness.<br />
Located around the lab are a number <strong>of</strong> small-format<br />
SCaNNERS, free to use at your leisure. A large format<br />
scanner is manned by a student worker, so that larger<br />
drawings can be documented digitally. These digital files<br />
are then placed on the network for you to download.<br />
<strong>PD</strong>PRIMER 2011 46
school<br />
ComPUtinG<br />
SoFtWARE<br />
Over four-score and seven s<strong>of</strong>tware applications<br />
are used at <strong>PennDesign</strong>. The computing website<br />
(www.design.upenn.edu/comp) has grids listing<br />
all <strong>of</strong> the most up-to-date available PC and Mac<br />
programs. Some applications (most notably MS<br />
Office) are not key-served, meaning you must use<br />
them in a lab or have your own copy.<br />
For the others, the school has purchased a number<br />
<strong>of</strong> “FlOaTING” SOFTWaRE lICENSES that<br />
are engaged whenever a user opens the application,<br />
either at their desk or in a lab. This means<br />
free s<strong>of</strong>tware when and only when you are in<br />
Meyerson, Addams, or on the wireless network <strong>of</strong><br />
Furness. This does not mean that it’s a sweet idea<br />
to open an application during Visual Studies and<br />
leave it running while enjoy a leisurely dinner at<br />
Beijing. When the key server is connected to your<br />
computer, it means that one less key is available,<br />
sometimes resulting in exhausted and pissed <strong>of</strong>f<br />
graduate students with Olfa-stuffed tackle boxes.<br />
If you are aT HOME OR ON THE ROaD, the key<br />
server won’t grant you a license, rendering you<br />
and your computer woefully impotent. So if you<br />
plan on working a lot <strong>of</strong>f-campus, prepare to<br />
spend hundreds if not thousands <strong>of</strong> dollars on<br />
s<strong>of</strong>tware. (This publication neither condones nor<br />
encourages the use <strong>of</strong> peer-to-peer networks for<br />
47 <strong>PD</strong>PRIMER 2011<br />
the acquisition <strong>of</strong> s<strong>of</strong>tware used for your education—<br />
though we hear it’s, you know, possible).<br />
ComPUtinG<br />
YoU nEEd hELP<br />
Ultimately, computing at <strong>PennDesign</strong> is an experience<br />
best lived than read about. Sometimes it’s just a matter<br />
<strong>of</strong> diving in and getting acquainted with the many<br />
resources made available to you as a student. Invariably,<br />
you will run into something that causes you trouble or<br />
raises your ire. For non-s<strong>of</strong>tware issues (i.e. you’ve lost a<br />
file or can’t print), run the problem by the lab assistant.<br />
If that doesn’t work, email ithelp@design.upenn.edu.<br />
These emails go directly to the IT staff and they are<br />
usually very swift in helping solve your problems.<br />
Failing all other avenues, stopping by one <strong>of</strong> the IT<br />
teams’ <strong>of</strong>fices for a drop-in is a last resort for hyperserious<br />
computing problems. Otherwise, for questions<br />
concerned with policy matters or to make a constructive<br />
suggestion (they are welcome, by the way), email<br />
Cathy directly at cathy@design.upenn.edu.<br />
Good luck and happy computing!<br />
<strong>PD</strong>PRIMER 2011 48
aRCHITECTURE<br />
PHD aRCHITECTURE<br />
CITY PlaNNING<br />
FINE aRTS<br />
HISTORIC PRESERVaTION<br />
SitE RESEARCh<br />
laNDSCaPE aRCHITECTURE<br />
SURViVAL<br />
GUidES<br />
GEttinG hERE<br />
LoU KAhn<br />
do it<br />
Architecture students, say hello to studio and<br />
goodbye to your life as you knew it. Don’t<br />
worry, you won’t miss it for too long. You’ll<br />
have 50 something studio mates to commiserate<br />
with. Believe it or not, when you finally create<br />
that beautiful building section that immediately<br />
communicates the ideas behind your project,<br />
it will all be worth it. In the mean time, in<br />
order to help you navigate the Architecture<br />
Department here at <strong>PennDesign</strong>, the following<br />
tips have been written by us, your Architecture<br />
Department Representatives. We are two<br />
students who have been elected to represent<br />
you to the faculty and staff, which means we<br />
sit and have meetings with the Interim Chair,<br />
David Leatherbarrow, and tell him what’s going<br />
on with the students and discuss if and where<br />
we can improve anything. How are we able<br />
to keep so extraordinarily well informed with<br />
what’s going on? Because we’re just that good…<br />
but mostly because we ask each studio to elect a<br />
Studio Representative for the year, with whom<br />
we also have meetings so that we can hear about<br />
problems and opinions directly from the source.<br />
<strong>PD</strong>PRIMER 2011 50
survival guide<br />
ARChitECtURE<br />
Plus we talk a lot. Communication is key, as you’ll<br />
find out in tip #3. So here we go, some tips on life<br />
here in the Architecture Department…<br />
1. Forget everything you think you know about<br />
architecture.<br />
2. Get ready to love and hate a lot <strong>of</strong> new s<strong>of</strong>tware.<br />
Not to scare you or anything but you should probably<br />
get good at Rhino, Revit, AutoCAD, Photoshop,<br />
Illustrator, InDesign, Grasshopper, Maya, V-Ray, 3Ds<br />
Max, and whatever else you find useful. There are a<br />
lot out there, find what works for you but dabble in<br />
all <strong>of</strong> them.<br />
3. Remember that everyone else is forgetting everything<br />
they know too. So talk to your studio mates.<br />
You are all in this together. Good conversations can<br />
help complete ideas, and complete ideas make for<br />
awesome projects. Conversation is <strong>of</strong>ten the difference<br />
between a good school and the best school.<br />
4. Buy the very fastest computer you can afford, with<br />
an OpenGL graphics card. As huge files and long<br />
nights <strong>of</strong> rendering begin to add up, you’ll be glad<br />
you spent the extra money. You’re either going to do<br />
it now or next year, so save yourself the headaches.<br />
Everyone hates a slow computer, especially your<br />
studio critic.<br />
51 <strong>PD</strong>PRIMER 2011<br />
ARChitECtURE<br />
5. Remember that your studio project is your project.<br />
You can’t tell a juror that your critic told you to<br />
________. Well I mean you can, and some <strong>of</strong> you<br />
will, but you definitely shouldn’t.<br />
6. Attend the plotting tutorials and pay attention.<br />
The last person you want to piss <strong>of</strong>f is the person<br />
responsible for printing out your board 5 minutes<br />
before your pin-up.<br />
7. Pay attention in the shop or you’ll lose a finger,<br />
yup true story. Don’t worry, Dennis will tell you.<br />
8. Speaking <strong>of</strong> Dennis, be good to him. You’ll most<br />
likely need his help very soon.<br />
9. Don’t forget to hit up the GSC (Graduate Student<br />
Center, Google it) for FREE COFFEE AND<br />
TEA.<br />
10. Grab a copy <strong>of</strong> WORK and visit the online<br />
student archive: http://www.arch.penndesign.net/ to<br />
see great examples <strong>of</strong> student work.<br />
11a. Don’t be the person standing over peoples’<br />
shoulder all the time watching them work. Nobody<br />
likes that person, s/he’s creepy.<br />
11b. Don’t be the person who refuses to show his or<br />
<strong>PD</strong>PRIMER 2011 52
survival guide<br />
ARChitECtURE ARChitECtURE<br />
her work to anyone. Come pin-up time, chances are<br />
you will be quite embarrassed.<br />
12. Despite the fact that the computer has become the<br />
new drafting board, a good architect must still be able<br />
to produce a beautiful sketch on a cocktail napkin at a<br />
moment’s notice. So buy trace, and use it. And have a<br />
pen on you at all times. Duh.<br />
13. While a certificate program may be appealing, do<br />
remember that its requirements will take away all <strong>of</strong><br />
your electives within the Architecture dept. Best to do<br />
some research and get the skinny on those electives<br />
from 600s and 700s which will require you to…<br />
14. Talk to the 600’s and 700’s. If its finals week<br />
they might throw models at you, if it’s the first week<br />
<strong>of</strong> school they might ask for your number, but most<br />
likely they will glance up at you and go back to what<br />
they were doing. In any case, it’s worth having some<br />
friends who have been there and done that.<br />
15. Play the odds during studio lotteries. Choose<br />
based on your interests, not the reputation <strong>of</strong> the<br />
instructor. It may very well determine your complete<br />
happiness or utter grief for the next 16 weeks. Read<br />
the briefs carefully and ask around about the critics<br />
beforehand.<br />
16. <strong>PennDesign</strong> has a lecture series every semester. If<br />
53 <strong>PD</strong>PRIMER 2011<br />
you’re average, you’ll go to as many as you possibly can.<br />
If you’re above average, you’ll go to every one and even<br />
ask a question or two. If you’re outstanding, you’ll spark<br />
an invaluable intellectual debate at every single one! Just<br />
kidding, please don’t do that at every lecture, but do go<br />
to them. People pay big bucks to see these speakers in<br />
the real world and who knows, Rem might show up and<br />
say, “Hey weren’t you sitting next to me on the plane the<br />
other day? Ever consider working for OMA?” (I mean<br />
we can dream right?)<br />
17. Pull all-nighters when necessary.<br />
18. Stop pulling all-nighters when they don’t help anymore.<br />
Fun little fact, the sun rises once a day. If you’ve<br />
seen it come up twice, it’s time to go home. However,<br />
if you didn’t follow tip #4 and have been living in the<br />
computer lab, the sun will not help you. Find someone<br />
who looks healthy, probably a City Planner, and ask him<br />
or her what day it is.<br />
19. Do remember to go home. Even if you don’t sleep,<br />
your body will thank you, and your friends will too if<br />
you shower.<br />
20. Make happy hour on Fridays at 5:30 an ABSO-<br />
LUTE MUST. Go talk to people (tip #3 again), mingle<br />
with the other departments and thank that City Planner<br />
who gave you the date and time and proceeded to catch<br />
you as you fell asleep while walking down the stairs.<br />
<strong>PD</strong>PRIMER 2011 54
survival guide<br />
ARChitECtURE<br />
21. Get out <strong>of</strong> studio at least once a week. Grab a<br />
copy <strong>of</strong> Where to Bike Philadelphia, “every cyclist’s<br />
must-have guide to discover or revisit Philadelphia’s<br />
best bike trails” which was written by a fellow<br />
<strong>PennDesign</strong> student!<br />
22. Don’t be the guy who sends a 400 MB file to the<br />
plotter right before reviews. We will know who you<br />
are because your name will be on the printing queue<br />
and we will know where you live, studio, and something<br />
bad will happen to you.<br />
23. Have your packages sent to Meyerson, nothing is<br />
worse than having to get to the UPS pick-up center on<br />
Oregon Avenue by public transportation.<br />
24. All-nighters aside, get sleep the night before a<br />
review. It really does make a huge difference.<br />
26. Get as far away from Meyerson during winter<br />
break, you don’t know how glad you’ll be until you<br />
come back.<br />
27. Always tell your critic that everyone has travel<br />
plans for spring break.<br />
28. Be a studio representative! It’s fun and looks great<br />
on a resume.<br />
55 <strong>PD</strong>PRIMER 2011<br />
ARChitECtURE<br />
29. Don’t stress over IDP. Just relax and enjoy Penn.<br />
Don’t know what IDP is? Here is the website:<br />
http://www.ncarb.org/en/Experience-Through-Internships/Intern-Development-Program-Overview.aspx<br />
30. Read the LARP survival guide...LARP students<br />
will constitute half <strong>of</strong> your friends, and if not friends,<br />
then roommates in good old Meyerson. Plus, they’re<br />
good, really good.<br />
<strong>PD</strong>PRIMER 2011 56
survival guide<br />
Phd ARChitECtURE<br />
on thE<br />
BooKS<br />
If you are reading this you either: a) want to teach architecture,<br />
b) want to know something about those <strong>of</strong><br />
us who do, or c) have too much time on your hands.<br />
First, for those <strong>of</strong> you who are curious about those<br />
<strong>of</strong> us in the PhD program in architecture: We come<br />
from a wide range <strong>of</strong> backgrounds and locations and<br />
the majority <strong>of</strong> us have studio-based architectural<br />
training and/or pr<strong>of</strong>essional experience within the<br />
practice <strong>of</strong> architecture.<br />
You may meet some <strong>of</strong> us through your classes or as<br />
teaching assistants, but we are all approachable and<br />
you should ask us when you have questions about<br />
your seminars or if you want a desk crit from someone<br />
outside your studio. Remember that we are here<br />
because we want to help students develop as designers<br />
through our intended career <strong>of</strong> teaching and scholarship.<br />
We would welcome the chance to be engaged<br />
in what you are learning. There is also a good chance<br />
that we have worked through any issues you are currently<br />
facing and we hope that you will see the PhD<br />
students as one <strong>of</strong> the resources that Penn <strong>of</strong>fers<br />
in your education.<br />
For those <strong>of</strong> you who are joining the PhD program,<br />
57 <strong>PD</strong>PRIMER 2011<br />
Phd ARChitECtURE<br />
welcome. If you are like many <strong>of</strong> us in the program,<br />
this is your first serious shift from design studios and<br />
pr<strong>of</strong>essional practice to full-time scholarship and<br />
research. Most people find that this shift in kind <strong>of</strong><br />
work also requires a shift in working schedules and<br />
tolerance for distraction. If you become depressed<br />
when you realize that you have become a morning<br />
person, you won’t be alone. There are carrels in the<br />
library, and some people can work there—others<br />
use them as book storage. Some people work in the<br />
PhD lounge or the grad center, which has free c<strong>of</strong>fee–though<br />
you should leave a donation sometimes<br />
because we all know nothing is really free.<br />
When you are looking for an apartment, it is a good<br />
idea to find a place that will fit your working style<br />
and schedule. You should also think about carrying<br />
100 books or more back and forth between your<br />
apartment and the library each semester when deciding<br />
where to live.<br />
The PhD program and the department in general are<br />
quite flexible, and that is something to take advantage<br />
<strong>of</strong>. In addition to the classes that are <strong>of</strong> interest within<br />
the School <strong>of</strong> Design, there are several other departments<br />
such as philosophy and comparative literature<br />
which <strong>of</strong>fer interesting and valuable seminars. There<br />
is also the option <strong>of</strong> using independent studies to fulfill<br />
class requirements while undertaking work which<br />
may feed more directly into your dissertation than is<br />
available through an existing course.<br />
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survival guide<br />
Phd ARChitECtURE<br />
It is rumored that some PhD students come in<br />
with a clear idea <strong>of</strong> what they are going to take on<br />
as a dissertation topic and then, in fact, focus on<br />
that topic in their dissertation. This isn’t typical<br />
though and, if you are like most <strong>of</strong> us, you will feel<br />
at some point like you are searching around for<br />
something to do. The best advice seems to consistently<br />
be to find a question which fascinates you,<br />
something which you believe can lead to genuine<br />
change in design practice or pedagogy, something<br />
that is significant enough that you aren’t always<br />
explaining why you’ve chosen the topic and something<br />
that isn’t so well-worked as an issue that you<br />
have to spend years studying the secondary literature.<br />
Final term papers can be treated as opportunities<br />
to explore possible dissertation topics. Once<br />
you’ve decided on a dissertation topic, these papers<br />
should be framed to become part <strong>of</strong> the dissertation<br />
if at all possible. They can also be submitted<br />
as conference papers or journal articles. Always get<br />
multiple uses out <strong>of</strong> papers for coursework! There is<br />
some departmental funding available for traveling<br />
to conferences where you present a paper.<br />
Your advisors will help you choose a topic once you<br />
have a general area <strong>of</strong> inquiry set down. Choosing<br />
your advisors is perhaps the most significant set <strong>of</strong><br />
decisions you will make once you accept the <strong>of</strong>fer<br />
to study at Penn. It is obviously important that<br />
59 <strong>PD</strong>PRIMER 2011<br />
Phd ARChitECtURE<br />
your advisors know enough about your areas <strong>of</strong> interest<br />
to comment on your work in the context <strong>of</strong> relevant<br />
primary sources and secondary literature. But it is also<br />
important to choose advisors with whom you have a<br />
relationship <strong>of</strong> mutual respect and positive interpersonal<br />
relations. Use coursework, teaching assistantships,<br />
and research assistantships to get to know faculty that<br />
you think you might be interested in working with on<br />
your dissertation committee. It is also a good idea to<br />
find out how responsive and involved particular faculty<br />
have been when they advised other PhD students who<br />
have worked with them in the past. You want advisors<br />
who are going to read your work quickly as well as<br />
thoroughly, and then give you serious and thoughtful<br />
feedback.<br />
Your first source <strong>of</strong> information regarding program<br />
requirements is your senior PhD program colleagues.<br />
Find out all <strong>of</strong> the information you can from them.<br />
Don’t be afraid to ask questions--we were in your shoes<br />
just a few years ago. Once you have the inside information,<br />
then you can go to the administration to confirm<br />
that the rules are all still the same and fill in any holes.<br />
You will also want to know the requirements for the<br />
different exams (theory exam and field exam) so that<br />
you can work towards them through course work and<br />
supplemental reading. Otherwise you will end up with<br />
30 (or 100) books to read during the month before<br />
your exam.<br />
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survival guide<br />
Phd ARChitECtURE<br />
It feels very <strong>of</strong>ten like the PhD program in architecture<br />
is detached from the school. This is in part because<br />
many <strong>of</strong> us have come from a studio culture and are<br />
now undertaking work which is primarily solitary in<br />
nature, particularly once you’re done with coursework.<br />
Get to know your PhD Program colleagues. They will<br />
be your peers for the rest <strong>of</strong> your career. See each other<br />
outside <strong>of</strong> the classroom. Eat lunch or dinner together<br />
at least once a week.<br />
If you want to get involved in the School <strong>of</strong> Design,<br />
opportunities are there if you want them. Friday happy<br />
hours are great times to talk to people who aren’t in<br />
the PhD program. You can even talk to people who<br />
aren’t studying architecture if you want. There are<br />
a lot <strong>of</strong> smart, interesting people in all the departments<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>PennDesign</strong>. If you want to be more formally<br />
involved, look for a studio that interests you and approach<br />
the person teaching it—most are all-too-willing<br />
to let you sit in on a review and are <strong>of</strong>ten looking for<br />
external reviewers for their mid-semester reviews. You<br />
can also volunteer your services to support the School’s<br />
Lecture Series and student publications which are usually<br />
grateful to have your now-seasoned perspective.<br />
And finally, for those <strong>of</strong> you with too much time on<br />
your hands, it is almost your turn at the laser cutter.<br />
61 <strong>PD</strong>PRIMER 2011<br />
CitY PLAnninG<br />
thE BESt LAid<br />
PLAnnERS<br />
You will be spending a lot <strong>of</strong> time in the Apse<br />
throughout your time at Penn. The former studio <strong>of</strong><br />
architect Louis Kahn has its pitfalls, as well as its perks.<br />
You are lucky enough to have access to natural light<br />
(unlike the rest <strong>of</strong> the Meyerson caves) but prepared to<br />
battle the seasonal elements (and some hungry mice.)<br />
One <strong>of</strong> the founding fathers <strong>of</strong> modern planning, Ed<br />
Bacon lived on Locust Street in Center City. Mr. Bacon<br />
is featured in a hilariously informative fi lm from<br />
the ’50s you will see in Genie Birch’s Intro to Planning<br />
class. Note the uncanny similarities between young<br />
Edmund and his footloose son, Kevin.<br />
Philadelphia’s Center City District (CCD) is one <strong>of</strong><br />
the first Business Improvement Districts (BID) in the<br />
country. Founded in 1990, CCD is the brainchild <strong>of</strong><br />
Penn planning Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Paul Levy. For more info on<br />
CCD visit www.centercityphila.org.<br />
The famous quote, “Make no little plans. They have no<br />
magic to stir men’s blood and probably themselves will<br />
not be realized,” was once uttered by Daniel Burnham,<br />
architect and arguably the father <strong>of</strong> planning as<br />
we know it. Burnham created what is considered the<br />
first comprehensive planning document ever: a plan<br />
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CitY PLAnninG<br />
for growth in the city <strong>of</strong> Chicago.<br />
The City has made stormwater treatment and the environment<br />
a priority. Make sure to check out several<br />
core classes which focus on Environmental planning<br />
standards, best management practices, governmental<br />
regulations, and innovative design intervention to<br />
reduce or enhance the environmental impact <strong>of</strong> planning<br />
projects. This is the new wave <strong>of</strong> city building:<br />
be a part <strong>of</strong> it.<br />
Unfortunately as a CPLN student, you will not have<br />
a lot <strong>of</strong> Free time, despite what the architects think.<br />
Most <strong>of</strong> your Free time will be during the small breaks<br />
between classes. Make sure to eat your lunch on the<br />
patio outside Meyerson. From there, you can watch<br />
the pasty landscape architects as they go for their fifth<br />
c<strong>of</strong>fee <strong>of</strong> the day in a break from their 36 hour computer<br />
lab binge.<br />
If you find yourself with a rare break in your schedule,<br />
stop by Reading Terminal Market by the convention<br />
center. The market is a one-stop-shop for produce,<br />
meat, and interesting Amish foodstuffs. Finding time<br />
to buy fresh food is as essential as making time to<br />
go to the Gym (once a month is about all you will<br />
get). Finding time to cook the food is another matter<br />
altogether.<br />
Happy Hour is a much-needed break every Friday.<br />
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CitY PLAnninG<br />
There is nothing better than free beer to get your<br />
weekend started out right. Depending on the budget<br />
<strong>of</strong> student council that year, you may have to get used<br />
to Steel Reserve and Boddingtons, rather than Heineken<br />
and Magic Hat. Your fellow students may scowl<br />
at you, but sneaking an extra beer will ensure you get<br />
seconds when the table gets swamped in a mad dash<br />
for the final Yuengling Lager.<br />
Arranging your schedule in order to take advantage <strong>of</strong><br />
the Interdisciplinary nature <strong>of</strong> <strong>PennDesign</strong> is difficult,<br />
but worthwhile. Consider a dual degree in landscape<br />
(for more info Google “landscape urbanism”), architecture<br />
or historic preservation. You can usually get<br />
two degrees in four years, so when you graduate you<br />
are a DUal MaSTER.<br />
Just do it: interact with other <strong>PennDesign</strong> students by<br />
entering design and planning competitions and charrettes.<br />
After your time at Penn is up, it will be helpful<br />
to know how planners work with landscape architects,<br />
architects, real estate developers and historic preservationists.<br />
It also looks great in a resume or a portfolio.<br />
The yearly competitions sponsored by the Urban Land<br />
Institute and the Ed Bacon Foundation are great ways<br />
to get real planning and design experience and learn to<br />
live on minimal sleep.<br />
Printing an important paper is something that should<br />
not be left for the last minute – it is very liKely that<br />
<strong>PD</strong>PRIMER 2011 64
survival guide<br />
CitY PLAnninG<br />
the computer and printers in the Apse and computer<br />
lab will be on the fritz. If you are rushing to get something<br />
in on time, you may have to send your work to<br />
several printers around Meyerson and the Apse and<br />
then scramble up and down stairs to find the printer<br />
that successfully produced your document in time to<br />
make it to your next class.<br />
Land Use Planning is one <strong>of</strong> the most informative<br />
and important classes you can take. Understanding<br />
the basics <strong>of</strong> zoning code, subdivision ordinances and<br />
the planning process may sound boring, but will prove<br />
invaluable in your pr<strong>of</strong>essional life. Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Daniels<br />
likes to cram A LOT <strong>of</strong> information on one Power-<br />
Point slide. Bring a laptop for taking notes…or, if you<br />
are so bold, snap a quick picture <strong>of</strong> the screen to study<br />
later.<br />
The cases you read in your planning law class may<br />
seem like a bunch <strong>of</strong> Mumbo jumbo, but you’ll be<br />
sorry if you don’t know every detail when called on at<br />
random to present a case. Many a student has faltered<br />
under the intense pressure <strong>of</strong> Planning Law’s Socratic<br />
Method—merely stating “Um, sprawl is bad…?” won’t<br />
cut it.<br />
NIMBY-ism (Not in My Backyard) is a phenomenon<br />
in which residents oppose a nearby development, but<br />
do not oppose such a development should it be located<br />
elsewhere. Sometimes projects in Philadelphia meet<br />
65 <strong>PD</strong>PRIMER 2011<br />
CitY PLAnninG<br />
an early end as a result <strong>of</strong> the newer phenomenon <strong>of</strong><br />
BANANA-ism (Build Absolutely Nothing Anywhere<br />
Near Anything).<br />
Before city planning departments, GIS, and William<br />
Penn-like visionaries, cities grew Organically. One<br />
<strong>of</strong> the greatest testaments to William Penn’s more<br />
structured grid is the creation <strong>of</strong> Rittenhouse Square.<br />
In the square you can watch the rich and the beautiful<br />
mingle, walk their dogs, and sunbathe. It makes<br />
a great place to read your texts if you can no longer<br />
stand the Apse.<br />
Papers…Papers and more Papers…While you may<br />
think you’ve lucked out in comparison with the Meyerson<br />
zombies—i.e. your ARCH and LARP counterparts<br />
—think again. In one semester, a CPLN student<br />
may write over 100 pages. In some schools, this is<br />
called a dissertation. At Penn, it’s called first semester,<br />
first year.<br />
If you want some peace and Quiet to read the hundreds<br />
<strong>of</strong> pages <strong>of</strong> reading you are assigned each week,<br />
head over to the Fine Arts Library. Once the overstuffed<br />
chairs lull you to sleep, head over to the GSC<br />
on Locust Walk for free c<strong>of</strong>fee (be aware: While the<br />
c<strong>of</strong>fee may be free, the cups are not!).<br />
Even if your concentration is not community and<br />
economic development, Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Landis’ Introduc-<br />
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survival guide<br />
CitY PLAnninG<br />
tion to Real Estate Development class will help you<br />
understand the essential steps <strong>of</strong> the land development<br />
process. You’ll learn real estate terminology, the<br />
financial rationale behind development and land use<br />
decisions, and sharpen Excel skills.<br />
Be sure to form a Study group early on in your planning<br />
law class. That way, you don’t have to summarize<br />
every single case and can divide, conquer and interpret.<br />
Due to the grueling nature <strong>of</strong> the course, these<br />
people help serve as an emotional support group also.<br />
Crying or laughing hysterically can be accepted, and<br />
even encouraged during law study groups.<br />
Certain sTatistics will continue to pop up during your<br />
time in planning school; here are three important ones:<br />
1 acre = 43,560 square feet, 1 square mile = 640 acres,<br />
¼ mile = neighborhood walking distance radius.<br />
Take the Graphics for Urban Design class. The ability<br />
to present your work visually, be it showing a site plan<br />
or a fl y-through <strong>of</strong> a new city street, is important. Of<br />
course, it is also helpful to have the photomontage<br />
skills to seamlessly place the head <strong>of</strong> your favorite pr<strong>of</strong>essor<br />
on a goat body.<br />
If you are interested in transportation planning, you<br />
will soon learn the importance <strong>of</strong> Volume/Capacity<br />
(V/C) ratios. A V/C ratio <strong>of</strong> over 1.0 signals a road<br />
that is over design capacity, or congested. Level <strong>of</strong> Ser-<br />
67 <strong>PD</strong>PRIMER 2011<br />
CitY PLAnninG<br />
vice is another transportation planning concept that<br />
will come up in your classes. It is a measure <strong>of</strong> the<br />
quality <strong>of</strong> transportation service, similar to a report<br />
card: grade A being the best and F being an all-out<br />
traffic jam.<br />
The 3rd floor computer lab in Meyerson has its own<br />
Weather system. During a three hour GIS lab or<br />
Graphics class, it is wise to bring sweaters and lots<br />
<strong>of</strong> water. Sometimes the lab is like the Sahara desert<br />
and students fi ght to sit near fans. Other times it<br />
is arctic and the bizarre air machine in the corner is<br />
blasting right on you. Dress not to impress, but to<br />
brave the elements…indoors.<br />
Xenophobia isn’t a possibility in the planning department.<br />
You may be working with a 35-year-old<br />
lawyer from Tokyo, a 22-year-old indie rocker from<br />
Brooklyn, and a veteran D.C. newspaper reporter<br />
for a group project in Quantitative Analysis. Get<br />
to know and appreciate everyone’s unique backgrounds!<br />
Public participation in planning projects should get<br />
area residents, Youth, business people, and other<br />
stakeholders involved in the planning process. A<br />
key element <strong>of</strong> successful public planning projects<br />
is creating a local community “buy in”, and thereby<br />
convincing everyone, including politicians, that the<br />
project must be approved.<br />
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survival guide<br />
CitY PLAnninG<br />
Some consider New Urbanism a dirty word; others<br />
think the concept is the key to the future <strong>of</strong> planning<br />
neighborhoods and new communities. Andres Duany<br />
and Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk, the husband-wife team<br />
and two <strong>of</strong> founders <strong>of</strong> the Congress for New Urbanism<br />
(CNU), wrote an extremely influential book you<br />
will read called “Suburban Nation”. They argue that<br />
modern planning practices have not only destroyed the<br />
traditional concept <strong>of</strong> the neighborhood, but eroded<br />
such vital social values as equality, citizenship and<br />
personal safety. For more info on New Urbanism and<br />
the CNU, go to www.cnu.org.<br />
69 <strong>PD</strong>PRIMER 2011<br />
FinE ARtS<br />
EtCh-A-SKEtCh<br />
thiS!<br />
Some helpful hints upon starting your Masters <strong>of</strong> Fine<br />
Arts:<br />
• Your two years will go by fast! Make the most <strong>of</strong><br />
your time here and take advantage <strong>of</strong> all that the<br />
school has to <strong>of</strong>fer.<br />
• Schedule extra critiques with pr<strong>of</strong>essors. You won’t<br />
be getting this kind <strong>of</strong> constructive criticism after<br />
you graduate!<br />
• TA, or teach. This will be a rewarding experience,<br />
and give you a leg up when you start applying for<br />
teaching jobs.<br />
• Respect the cage. The cage is your friend, and the<br />
awesome people who work there are the gatekeepers<br />
to lots <strong>of</strong> amazing equipment. Take advantage <strong>of</strong><br />
the equipment, but do so responsibly and respectfully.<br />
• Be on time and show up!<br />
<strong>PD</strong>PRIMER 2011 70
survival guide<br />
FinE ARtS<br />
• Work. Work hard.<br />
• Go to galleries. Get to know the Philly art scene.<br />
• Have a show in the Morgan Gallery. It’s a great<br />
space, and it’s right there for the taking.<br />
• Consider critiques as valuable learning experiences,<br />
meant to help you rather than hurt you<br />
(though it may not always feel that way). Even<br />
the most abrasive criticism can be useful. And<br />
sometimes hearing an opinion that you disagree<br />
with is just as important, if not more so, than<br />
hearing one with which you do agree. You are<br />
here to be challenged: embrace and accept that.<br />
• Learn to talk about your work.<br />
• Keep in mind that Final Critiques is not the place<br />
and time to get defensive. Listen to the critics and<br />
keep an open mind. Talk confidently about your<br />
work, but don’t get argumentative. This will ultimately<br />
make the experience much more painful<br />
than it need be.<br />
• Have fun.<br />
71 <strong>PD</strong>PRIMER 2011<br />
hiStoRiC PRESERVAtion<br />
to PRotECt<br />
&PRESERVE<br />
So you’re at Penn, the proud intellectual legacy <strong>of</strong> Benjamin<br />
Franklin, in Philadelphia, the birthplace <strong>of</strong> our<br />
nation and the ineffable cheesesteak. And you’re in the<br />
historic preservation program, a two-year adventure<br />
in old buildings that’s widely recognized as one <strong>of</strong> the<br />
most prestigious in the country. Nice work. It’s a good<br />
place, and we’re glad you’re here.<br />
oRiEntAtion<br />
Your first stop should be the library. This will be your<br />
home away from home, along with the fourth- floor<br />
HSPV studio in Meyerson. Van Pelt is a fine resource,<br />
with valuable (and reservable) group study space, but<br />
Fisher Fine Arts Library is a jewel. Take your time<br />
gazing at architect Frank Furness’ whimsical decorations<br />
and scope out your preferred study habitat: the<br />
majestic reading room, the garret-like bridge, or any <strong>of</strong><br />
the newer airier spaces. You can get a study carrel there<br />
your second year.<br />
But back to the HSPV studio. We won’t lie. The<br />
studio is up three flights <strong>of</strong> stairs (keeping you fit!),<br />
doesn’t have windows, and is decorated with the<br />
graceless flotsam <strong>of</strong> past semesters. But it’s also a great<br />
example <strong>of</strong> how friends, snacks, and deadlines can<br />
turn a cheerless atmosphere into an all-night party,<br />
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survival guide<br />
hiStoRiC PRESERVAtion hiStoRiC PRESERVAtion<br />
depending on how you define ‘party.’ Keep food, tea,<br />
and instant hot chocolate in your locker to share, and<br />
you’ll be set.<br />
Your second stop should be Independence Hall, so<br />
you can tell your relatives back home that you’ve been<br />
there. Trust us: they’ll ask. If you’re lucky—and you<br />
probably are, since you’re here—you’ll get a behindthe-scenes<br />
tour <strong>of</strong> the building during HSPV orientation.<br />
There’s nothing quite like standing behind the<br />
clock <strong>of</strong> Independence Hall to inspire awe and gratitude<br />
that you’re in historic preservation.<br />
Where you go next is up to you. Some like to wander<br />
the streets <strong>of</strong> Center City and Old City, stopping at<br />
the leafy squares platted in 1683; others prefer West<br />
Philly’s diverse laid-back vibe, with all the Ethiopian/<br />
Indian/Vietnamese food you could ever want, or the<br />
loosely counterculture South Street (visit the Magic<br />
Gardens!). South Philly has unbeatable Italian food<br />
and the bustling Italian Market. In North Philly’s<br />
Kensington and Fishtown, you can observe historic<br />
industrial neighborhoods gradually being renovated as<br />
new hipster energy takes on long-term disinvestment.<br />
Germantown is farther afield, but worth at least one<br />
trip for its wealth <strong>of</strong> colonial-era houses and shops<br />
edged by the warehouses and factories that once made<br />
Philly the Workshop <strong>of</strong> the World.<br />
73 <strong>PD</strong>PRIMER 2011<br />
WoRK<br />
Philadelphia’s fantastic, but who are we kidding? You’re<br />
here to get an Education (probably paying out the<br />
nose for the privilege), and an Education you will get.<br />
Sometimes Learning is glorious: conducting ‘architectural<br />
archaeology’ in a 17th-century house, piecing<br />
together the story <strong>of</strong> a place like a sneaky archival<br />
detective, taking classes in China and Mesa Verde and<br />
Montenegro.<br />
Most <strong>of</strong> the time, though, we do not lead lives <strong>of</strong><br />
glamour. As an HSPV student, be ready for long hours<br />
combing the depths <strong>of</strong> libraries and archives or measuring<br />
the water intake <strong>of</strong> a brick every x hours. Try<br />
not to live in Meyerson like the architects, but work<br />
hard and it will pay <strong>of</strong>f in knowing really cool stuff,<br />
getting internship and job leads from faculty members,<br />
and being an up-and-coming pr<strong>of</strong>essional in an awesome<br />
field.<br />
intERnShiPS<br />
A six-week full-time commitment is required during<br />
the summer between your first and second years. You<br />
can get an internship related to your particular preservation<br />
interests—potentially leading to a job after<br />
graduation—or you can branch out and explore another<br />
part <strong>of</strong> the field. Either can be great. You’ll need<br />
to start looking early if you have your heart set on an<br />
international internship.<br />
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survival guide<br />
hiStoRiC PRESERVAtion hiStoRiC PRESERVAtion<br />
PEoPLE<br />
What you learn depends on you, but you’ve got a brilliant<br />
group <strong>of</strong> faculty to help:<br />
• Randy Mason, preservation planner and program<br />
chair<br />
• Frank Matero, world-traveling preservationist<br />
extraordinaire<br />
• Aaron Wunsch, architecture historian par excellence<br />
• David Hollenberg, gregarious architect and policymaker<br />
• John Hinchman, invaluable digital design master<br />
• Lindsay Falck, fount <strong>of</strong> knowledge<br />
• Donovan Rypkema, energetic economic guru<br />
• John Milner, hands-on architectural archaeologist<br />
• Michael Henry, amazingly dedicated preservation<br />
engineer<br />
All the pr<strong>of</strong>essors are exceptional. Get to know them<br />
after class, during <strong>of</strong>fice hours, and over c<strong>of</strong>fee, especially<br />
when you start thinking about thesis ideas. You<br />
also have Suzanne Hyndman and Karen Gomez in<br />
your corner. Be really, really nice to them. They’re the<br />
first line <strong>of</strong> HSPV defense, and they can (and will) save<br />
you in your hour <strong>of</strong> need.<br />
BonUS<br />
You’re already on your way to a Master’s <strong>of</strong> Science in<br />
Historic Preservation, which sounds great and works<br />
75 <strong>PD</strong>PRIMER 2011<br />
even better at opening interesting doors. If you still<br />
want more, you can get a certificate or dual degree<br />
from/with a number <strong>of</strong> other programs at Penn and<br />
within the School <strong>of</strong> Design. It’s a great opportunity<br />
for additional specialization, though you trade<br />
many <strong>of</strong> your electives for the privilege. Remember<br />
that applications for dual degrees are due before<br />
the beginning <strong>of</strong> your second semester, and watch<br />
certificate deadlines as well.<br />
WhAt YoU ShoULd SPEnd monEY on<br />
in Addition to tUition<br />
Adobe Creative Suite and Micros<strong>of</strong>t Office, at least<br />
one memory stick, a laptop and a security cable, and<br />
a digital camera. Maybe a bike (and definitely a helmet<br />
and bike lights!). Chocolate, beer, or whatever<br />
you need to stay sane.<br />
AdVEntURE<br />
Close to home, there’s Happy Hour. The best place<br />
to meet other <strong>PennDesign</strong> people and socialize with<br />
other HSPVers, you can’t beat free beer and soda,<br />
pretzels, and loud music at the end <strong>of</strong> a long week.<br />
Go early and <strong>of</strong>ten.<br />
Also go to the Art Museum, the Mütter Museum,<br />
and Eastern State Penitentiary—we like the Terror<br />
Behind the Walls tours at Halloween. When the<br />
weather’s nice, run or cycle along the Schuylkill<br />
Banks trail and go hiking in the Wissahickon. Sled<br />
<strong>PD</strong>PRIMER 2011 76
survival guide<br />
hiStoRiC PRESERVAtion LAndSCAPE ARChitECtURE<br />
in the Clark Park bowl when it snows.<br />
don’t FoRGEt!<br />
• To join student organizations. There are a number<br />
<strong>of</strong> groups within <strong>PennDesign</strong>, but you can get involved<br />
in any Penn student group. Salsa dancing,<br />
rugby, and theater can be great ways to remind<br />
yourself that there is life outside the studio!<br />
• To regularly back up all your data to an external<br />
hard drive, as your laptop can be stolen or crash at<br />
the most inconvenient time. You have your own<br />
folder on the school server too.<br />
• To apply for travel and conference scholarships.<br />
The HSPV department has some, the National<br />
Trust for Historic Preservation has some, the<br />
Keepers Preservation Education Fund has some,<br />
and the World Monument Fund has been known<br />
to fund travel related to its projects. Take advantage<br />
<strong>of</strong> those resources, and make some pr<strong>of</strong>essional<br />
connections while you’re at it!<br />
• Do the assigned readings as much as possible for<br />
every class, but don’t kill yourself. Make a study<br />
schedule, prioritize your interests, be disciplined.<br />
Figure out what works for you, and know that<br />
(almost) no one reads everything.<br />
• Have fun! Stay sane! We’ll see you in the studio.<br />
77 <strong>PD</strong>PRIMER 2011<br />
FLoWERS in<br />
thE AttiC<br />
Anu & Dilip…Learn their work, know their work,<br />
love their work. Two <strong>of</strong> the leading luminaries <strong>of</strong><br />
Penn Design. They are also the three year students<br />
first guides to the world <strong>of</strong> Studio, the design process<br />
and the beauty <strong>of</strong> working by hand. And for the<br />
two years, why aren’t you taking the 3 year course?<br />
Further Questions? Please see “Mississippi Floods”,<br />
“Deccan Traverse” and “Soak.”<br />
Beer! Mark this one on your calendar kids: Every<br />
Friday is Happy Hour. Free beer, casual conversation<br />
and an <strong>of</strong>ficially sanctioned night <strong>of</strong>f!<br />
Be prepared to learn more about plaster, resin,<br />
algenate, wax and just about any Casting material<br />
than you ever wished or thought possible.<br />
“What is Design?” 1st Question, 1st Day, 1st<br />
Semester <strong>of</strong> Grad School. No, we didn’t completely<br />
answer it. I filed it with the rest <strong>of</strong> the big questions:<br />
What is the meaning <strong>of</strong> life? Why am I here? Where<br />
is my other sock?<br />
<strong>PD</strong>PRIMER 2011 78
survival guide<br />
If you came here thinking that landscape architecture<br />
is all about restoring riparian habitat, think again.<br />
While you can explore more typical ecological restoration<br />
issues in studios and electives, Penn’s take on<br />
ecology is more holistic, considering all the givens <strong>of</strong><br />
a site—people, traffic, industry, program—as components<br />
<strong>of</strong> an ‘organizational Ecology’.<br />
Food Trucks. This is where you will eat most <strong>of</strong> your<br />
meals. You’re lucky because there are two food trucks<br />
parked right behind Meyerson: “Magic Carpet” and<br />
“Salt and Pepper.” Just watch out for Food Truck Fatigue<br />
Syndrome and get yourself some Fresh Groceries<br />
once in awhile.<br />
The Garden project (the first half <strong>of</strong> your 502 studio)<br />
can be an eye-opener for those who are more <strong>of</strong>ten<br />
interested in large scale urban design. Don’t underestimate<br />
the power that a small work can have on its larger<br />
urban context.<br />
Penn’s media courses are unique among landscape<br />
programs—especially the Hand drawing instruction.<br />
Especially valuable are the emphases on drawing movement<br />
and transformation. Even if you think you can’t<br />
draw, or prefer the computer already, take the opportunity<br />
to learn from your own hands.<br />
Your studio Internet connection <strong>of</strong>fers more than an<br />
opportunity to IM the people you never have time to<br />
79 <strong>PD</strong>PRIMER 2011<br />
LAndSCAPE ARChitECtURE<br />
see anymore. There is much on the internet that you will<br />
find invaluable in your studio work—satellite photos<br />
(Google Earth, terraserver.micros<strong>of</strong>t.com), topographic<br />
maps (topozone.com), and stock photography (gettyimages.com)<br />
for photomontages.<br />
It may be hard to believe, but a harsh Jury is not the end<br />
<strong>of</strong> the world. The worst jury is the one that doesn’t talk<br />
about your work. Do yourself a favor: get some sleep the<br />
night before you present and make sure they talk about<br />
your project.<br />
While Kleptomania isn’t exactly common in the studio,<br />
it’s a good idea to keep your computer shackled to<br />
your desk and your digital camera in your locker. There’s<br />
nothing worse than paying twice for something when<br />
you’re in the red.<br />
The LARP <strong>of</strong>fice usually has some free candy. And<br />
information about job postings. And very little, actually,<br />
to do with Live Action Role Playing (whew). Stephanie<br />
and Diane, who are pretty much the best thing since<br />
free candy and job postings, are always ready to help<br />
you solve your latest administrative adventure. Just next<br />
to this is the mail room, where you can throw in your<br />
almost-late rent, your newest competition entry, and job<br />
applications.<br />
Meyerson: Love to hate it, Hate to love it. Doesn’t really<br />
matter, it is a rite <strong>of</strong> passage. And it binds us all, past,<br />
<strong>PD</strong>PRIMER 2011 80
survival guide<br />
LAndSCAPE ARChitECtURE LAndSCAPE ARChitECtURE<br />
present and future alums, together in so many charming<br />
ways.<br />
“Not Unlike Life Itself” a wonderfully piquant essay<br />
about what it means to be a designer, and especially a<br />
landscape architect, in today’s multivalent, tortuous<br />
and chaotic world. Hmm, wonder what the author is<br />
doing now?<br />
James Corner Field Operations: The High Line,<br />
Shelby farms, Fresh Kills, Santa Monica Civic Center<br />
Parks, Seattle Central Waterfront, Shenzen Qianhai<br />
water city. Funny enough, the Dept Chair’s name is<br />
also James Corner…<br />
Your pr<strong>of</strong>essors will usually host a Potluck or two at<br />
their home. Not only do you get a peek at how “the<br />
other half” lives, but the food is usually outstanding,<br />
and the conversation blissfully free <strong>of</strong> studio stress.<br />
You’re bound to have plenty <strong>of</strong> Questions. People<br />
only a few bays over from you have already been here<br />
for a year or two. Take advantage <strong>of</strong> their wisdom. One<br />
caution: if you hear muttering (or yelling) about ‘plotter<br />
problems’, steer clear.<br />
Whatever you thought Rigor meant before, it now<br />
means staying up most <strong>of</strong> the night and being able to<br />
prove it.<br />
81 <strong>PD</strong>PRIMER 2011<br />
Studio, Studio, Studio…not once a week, not even<br />
twice a week but here we play thrice a week. MWF.<br />
Plenty <strong>of</strong> time to learn your instructor’s sketch style and<br />
seriously consider buying stock in trace paper…<br />
The Penn landscape curriculum is distinguished by the<br />
quality <strong>of</strong> its landscape Theory courses—Ian McHarg,<br />
John Dixon Hunt, Laurie Olin, Anu Mathur, Dilip Da<br />
Cunha, Ann Whiston Spurn, James Corner have all<br />
taught and thought here. All incoming students have a<br />
required theory course their first 2 semesters. You don’t<br />
necessarily have to take the third course during your<br />
third semester. But you do have to take it some time.<br />
Despite what your studio contract says, the area Under<br />
your desk is perfectly habitable, even if you have one <strong>of</strong><br />
those L-shaped jobbies. Why waste your money on rent<br />
when there’s Mylar to be bought?<br />
Parc de la Villette. Tschumi’s masterpiece? The first<br />
modern Park? The greatest design that didn’t get built<br />
(Koolhaus)? You Decide! More importantly, when in<br />
doubt, toss it out! It is always good for another 10 minutes<br />
<strong>of</strong> theory discussion.<br />
Weekends are for losers. You’ll be much happier when<br />
you realize that studio is your one and only true love,<br />
and that it gets nastily jealous when you’re away for too<br />
long.<br />
<strong>PD</strong>PRIMER 2011 82
survival guide<br />
LAndSCAPE ARChitECtURE<br />
If you haven’t studied art before, you may not know<br />
the magic <strong>of</strong> Xerox transfers. Any photocopy can be<br />
transferred to a drawing with acetone or Xylene blending<br />
pens (find them at Pearl). Just put the Xerox printside<br />
down on your drawing, apply some solvent, and<br />
voila. The fumes are toxic, but so is that cup <strong>of</strong> c<strong>of</strong>fee<br />
you haven’t emptied in a week.<br />
Yuengling , America’s oldest brewery and the beer left<br />
over after all the good brews are gone at happy hour<br />
every Friday. My advice? Come early for the microbrews<br />
and pretzels…See Beer.<br />
Did you get Zero hours <strong>of</strong> sleep this weekend? Zero<br />
hours to go until mid-review? Zero dollars to pay for<br />
all those plots? Zero idea how you are going to get it<br />
all done? Welcome to the party.<br />
83 <strong>PD</strong>PRIMER 2011<br />
<strong>PD</strong>PRIMER 2011 84
aPaRTMENTS<br />
CENTER CITY<br />
WEST PHIllY<br />
FindinG<br />
hoUSinG<br />
APARtmEntS<br />
BUnKERinG<br />
doWn<br />
SCoUt thE tERRitoRY<br />
CENTER CITY. Competition from incomeearning<br />
Philadelphians keeps the neighborhoods<br />
between the Delaware and Schuylkill Rivers<br />
more expensive, generally, than West Philly.<br />
The nicest areas below South Street are to the<br />
east, while the nicest ones above the Vine Street<br />
Expressway are to the west. Otherwise, neighborhoods<br />
beyond the traditional northern and<br />
southern borders <strong>of</strong> Center City range from<br />
gentrifying to extremely sketchy. Market Street,<br />
JFK Boulevard, and the Franklin Parkway are<br />
broad commercial avenues that are very desolate<br />
at night.<br />
WEST PHIllY. In addition to our beloved university,<br />
West Philly is home to the Fresh Prince<br />
<strong>of</strong> Bel Air’s mom, gray-ponytailed hippies, and<br />
lots <strong>of</strong> college kids. Streets that are closest to<br />
campus are the most popular with the <strong>of</strong>f-campus<br />
undergrads, who, God bless ’em, drink a lot<br />
and make a lot <strong>of</strong> noise. Streets to the northwest<br />
get dicey around 40th & Chestnut, but areas<br />
to the southwest are quite pleasant, for the<br />
most part, to around 49th and Chester. To the<br />
<strong>PD</strong>PRIMER 2011 86
housing<br />
APARtmEntS<br />
north, Lancaster Avenue has an active commercial strip<br />
around 36th Street and some nice blocks immediately<br />
above. Whether you’re looking east or west, check your<br />
transportation options. If you’re beyond the boundaries<br />
<strong>of</strong> the PennShuttle, check SEPTA, remembering<br />
that few lines run all night.<br />
dEFinE YoUR tACtiCS<br />
CENTER CITY When shopping for apartments east <strong>of</strong><br />
the Schuylkill, a multipronged approach is necessary.<br />
You can use craigslist, the Philly Weekly and other<br />
papers to go after specific apartments, but you should<br />
also call up the individual landlords with properties in<br />
the neighborhood and ask about availability.<br />
Our advice is to hop on a bike and scribble down the<br />
names and numbers on the For Rent signs hanging on<br />
the buildings. The signs are <strong>of</strong>ten hung on desirable<br />
buildings that are not actually available, but they’ll at<br />
least provide you with leads for whom to call. A list <strong>of</strong><br />
landlords is available at Off-Campus Living.<br />
Though their name will appear time and again, and<br />
their properties may sound alluring, save the headache<br />
and avoid calling Weichert. You won’t get called back,<br />
you’ll make appointments and get stood up, and to<br />
pour salt in your wounds they’ll start spamming you.<br />
WEST PHIllY The <strong>University</strong> City housing market<br />
is all but locked up by The UC3 syndicate (Campus<br />
87 <strong>PD</strong>PRIMER 2011<br />
APARtmEntS<br />
Apartments, UCA and UCH) while West Philadelphia<br />
properties are held by a mixture <strong>of</strong> medium and small<br />
landlords. The UC3 handle a number <strong>of</strong> nice properties,<br />
competitively priced, and their operations are run<br />
pr<strong>of</strong>essionally and efficiently. West Philly landlords<br />
range from excellent to highly suspect. Just between<br />
us, be skeptical before signing a lease with New Age<br />
Realty or Realty World.<br />
FoRm ALLEGiAnCES<br />
Become familiar with the resources in your neighborhood<br />
<strong>of</strong> interest and use all <strong>of</strong> them:<br />
OFF-CaMPUS lIVING The first destination <strong>of</strong> any<br />
apartment hunter. The OCL website handles the postings<br />
<strong>of</strong> hundreds <strong>of</strong> apartments, apartments to share,<br />
sublets, and sources for short-term housing. You’ll also<br />
find report cards for dozens <strong>of</strong> landlords on both sides<br />
<strong>of</strong> the Schuylkill. If you don’t have Internet access,<br />
computers are available in the OCL <strong>of</strong>fice. Luckily for<br />
us this is one place in Philadelphia where the staff is<br />
always friendly and helpful. If you’re not finding a lot<br />
<strong>of</strong> advertised apartments, pick up their yellow list <strong>of</strong><br />
landlords and start dialing. This <strong>of</strong>fice <strong>of</strong> the university<br />
is also a good resource when writing a lease, sublease<br />
or negotiating landlord/tenant legal problems.<br />
CRaIGSlIST is a free online classified site where<br />
you can find apartments, roommates, sublets,<br />
and pole dancing classes. These ads are generally<br />
<strong>PD</strong>PRIMER 2011 88
content text<br />
section text<br />
posted by individuals, not realtors.<br />
Center City and West<br />
Philly. www.craigslist.org<br />
PHIlaDElPHIa WEEKlY is a<br />
free newspaper with a good<br />
number <strong>of</strong> apartment listings<br />
that hits newsstands on<br />
Wednesday mornings. But<br />
the savvy apartment shopper<br />
will check online (the<br />
piping hot listings are posted<br />
around 4pm Tuesday) and<br />
will call immediately. Center<br />
City. www.philadelphiaweekly.com<br />
UCA-UCh-CA<br />
A skin infection spread in<br />
Mexican prisons, or the acronyms<br />
<strong>of</strong> the largest realties<br />
in <strong>University</strong> City? It’s worth<br />
your while to pay a visit to<br />
each <strong>of</strong> these UC3 <strong>of</strong>fices.<br />
Because they are catering<br />
chiefly to a student community,<br />
their apartments tend to<br />
be available at the beginning<br />
and end <strong>of</strong> the summer.<br />
89 <strong>PD</strong>PRIMER 2011<br />
RESOURCES<br />
Craigslist<br />
www.craigslist.org<br />
Philadelphia Weekly<br />
www.phillyweekly.com<br />
Office <strong>of</strong> Off-Campus<br />
Living<br />
4046 Walnut St<br />
215-898-8500<br />
www.upenn.edu/<br />
<strong>of</strong>fcampusliving<br />
UCa-UCH-Ca<br />
UCA Realty Group<br />
4106 Walnut St<br />
215-387-1314<br />
www.ucarealty.com<br />
<strong>University</strong> City housing<br />
3418 Sansom St<br />
215-222-2000<br />
www.uchweb.com<br />
Campus Apartments<br />
4043 Walnut St<br />
215-382-1300<br />
www.campusapts.com<br />
section text<br />
CaMPUS aPaRTMENTS has 700 units and has been operating<br />
in the area for 40 years. They request six months<br />
notice, so CA is busiest around December.<br />
UCa is a business <strong>of</strong> the <strong>University</strong> and is part <strong>of</strong> the<br />
school’s initiative to “revitalize” West Philadelphia. Their<br />
1100 units are managed by Campus Apartments.<br />
UCH’s operations seem a bit more rag-tag than the<br />
other two, what with their cramped <strong>of</strong>fice and a staff <strong>of</strong><br />
students, but they have the most properties by far with<br />
3300 units. West Philly.<br />
KEEP A FiELd JoURnAL<br />
It will all get confusing very quickly, so get a notebook<br />
or a folder where you can keep track <strong>of</strong> phone numbers,<br />
appointments and notes on the apartments you’ve seen.<br />
Questions to ask on an apartment visit are:<br />
• what utilities are included?<br />
• what will utilities typically cost?<br />
• what will be repaired/replaced/repainted before I move<br />
in?<br />
• can the apartment be subleased over the summer?<br />
• is there laundry in the building?<br />
• is there space for bike storage?<br />
• how much will the rent increase from year to year?<br />
And while the realtor is talking, take note <strong>of</strong>:<br />
• the orientation <strong>of</strong> the windows<br />
• outside noise (beware <strong>of</strong> schoolyards, fire stations, bars)<br />
<strong>PD</strong>PRIMER 2011 90
housing<br />
APARtmEntS<br />
• inside noise (next door, above, below)<br />
• signs <strong>of</strong> infestation (mouse droppings, roach baits)<br />
• noticeable odors<br />
KnoW YoUR EnEmY<br />
Before you sign a lease, be sure you know who you’re<br />
making a contract with. Some Philadelphia landlords<br />
have a sincere interest in improving their properties<br />
and their neighborhoods, others are going to as little<br />
as they can get away with. The Off Campus Living<br />
website (www.upenn.edu/<strong>of</strong>fcampusliving) includes<br />
an extensive survey <strong>of</strong> Philadelphia landlords (on both<br />
sides <strong>of</strong> the Schuylkill) and issues “report cards” with<br />
grades between A+ and D. Protect yourself—make<br />
your landlord put any promises about property repairs<br />
in your lease. Do not accept verbal promises if you<br />
want something to get done.<br />
thE PREEmPtiVE StRiKE<br />
Your best bet for finding an apartment before school<br />
starts is to spend a weekday or two in Philly and cram<br />
in as many apartment visits as possible (most realties<br />
aren’t open on the weekends). Call beforehand to set<br />
up appointments. In the past, some summer students<br />
arranged SUBlETS for the summer months from afar,<br />
then searched for permanent apartments once the<br />
summer studio began. This allows you more time to<br />
get acquainted with the city, though the intense schedule<br />
makes it hard to find the time to look. Our advice<br />
is to start as early as possible—most landlords ask for<br />
91 <strong>PD</strong>PRIMER 2011<br />
TRUCK RENTal<br />
Budget<br />
www.budgettruck.com<br />
Philly Self Storage 2<br />
5120 lancaster ave<br />
215-879-1940<br />
Philly Self Storage 3<br />
2990 S 20th St<br />
215-467-3570<br />
Wolfson’s<br />
959 N 8th St<br />
215-922-2120<br />
U-haul<br />
www.uhaul.com<br />
4857 Chestnut St<br />
215-471-4137<br />
MOVERS<br />
mambo movers<br />
www.mambomovers.com<br />
215-670-9535<br />
STREETS<br />
DEPaRTMENT<br />
www.phila.gov/streets<br />
215-686-5525<br />
APARtmEntS<br />
60 DaYS NOTICE; therefore the apartments<br />
that will turn over on September<br />
1 will begin showing at the beginning<br />
<strong>of</strong> July. Unless you have an ally in the<br />
trenches, trying to get an apartment<br />
from a distance is difficult. For those<br />
who can’t come early for a couple days<br />
<strong>of</strong> apartment hunting, there is SaNSOM<br />
PlaCE, commonly referred to as the<br />
grad towers. These are two high-rise<br />
apartment buildings close to campus<br />
that are owned by Penn to house grad<br />
students. The advantages <strong>of</strong> setting up<br />
base in the grad towers: they’re close to<br />
campus, the apartments are furnished,<br />
you avoid the apartment hunt, and all<br />
apartments are wired with free ethernet<br />
and cable connections. The disadva<br />
tages to life in the barracks: late-night<br />
fire alarms, lackluster apartments,<br />
random roommate assignments, and<br />
relatively high rents. For more info, see<br />
www.business-services.upenn.edu/housing/gp.html.<br />
moVinG to And ARoUnd<br />
PhiLAdELPhiA<br />
As if driving a U-Haul through colonial<br />
city streets isn’t frightening enough!<br />
If you live on a busy street and think<br />
<strong>PD</strong>PRIMER 2011 92
housing<br />
APARtmEntS<br />
it will be difficult to get<br />
that beast parked, you can<br />
block <strong>of</strong>f a couple parking<br />
spaces by calling the city<br />
and having “NO PaRK-<br />
ING” signs posted in front<br />
<strong>of</strong> your door. Contact<br />
the Streets Department’s<br />
Traffic Division at 215-<br />
686-5525. They request<br />
that you to call by 3pm the<br />
day before, but you may<br />
find that they need a few<br />
reminders.<br />
PRoViSionS (ER,<br />
UtiLitES)<br />
With many exceptions,<br />
most apartments in Philadelphia<br />
will include heat<br />
and hot water in the rent<br />
and will ask you to pay<br />
electricity and cooking gas.<br />
Whatever the breakdown<br />
may be, you can call the<br />
utility companies and ask<br />
what estimated expenses<br />
for given properties may<br />
be.<br />
93 <strong>PD</strong>PRIMER 2011<br />
PECO Energy<br />
www.exeloncorp.com<br />
2301 Market St<br />
800-494-4000<br />
PHIlaDElPHIa GaS<br />
WORKS<br />
www.pgworks.com<br />
1137 and 5230 Chestnut St<br />
215-235-1000<br />
PHIlaDElPHIa WaTER<br />
DEPT<br />
www.phila.gov/water<br />
1101 Market St<br />
215-686-6880<br />
COMCaST<br />
www.comcast.com<br />
1351 S Columbus Blvd<br />
215-463-1100 or 800-266-<br />
2278<br />
TIME WaRNER<br />
www.timewarnercable.com<br />
1700 N 49th St<br />
215-581-6100<br />
VERIZON<br />
www.verizon.com<br />
800-660-2215<br />
APARtmEntS<br />
Electricity & Gas<br />
Turning service on or <strong>of</strong>f can be done in person, by<br />
phone, or online. If you need to set up an account<br />
with PGW, you might have to put up a deposit if your<br />
credit doesn’t pass muster. There’s a fee for setting up<br />
new service with PECO.<br />
Water<br />
Most landlords will include water in your rent, but be<br />
sure to ask.<br />
Cable & internet<br />
Everyone protects their wifi these days so it’s best not<br />
to bank on getting the net for free. You need to be able<br />
Skype your LD girlfriend/boyfriend and watch cute<br />
kitteh videos at a moment’s notice. And don’t rely on<br />
c<strong>of</strong>feeshops. You don’t tip the surly baristas enough to<br />
get the kind <strong>of</strong> swift support ITS provides. Clear and<br />
Virgin Mobile are your best options for avoiding the<br />
evil overlords <strong>of</strong> Comcast and Verizon but remember,<br />
you tend to get what you pay for.<br />
<strong>PD</strong>PRIMER 2011 94
housing<br />
nEiGhBoRhoodS<br />
Get Centered<br />
Old City Center City’s liveliest area by night<br />
is home to First Fridays, the Fringe Festival,<br />
galleries a go-go, and more recently MTV’s The<br />
Real World. Old City’s 19th-century facades<br />
and commercial hipness will remind you <strong>of</strong><br />
Soho. So will the fact that you probably can’t afford<br />
to live here. If you can, it’s a fast commute<br />
to school on the blue line subway.<br />
Society Hill Block after block <strong>of</strong> Georgian<br />
row houses and horse-drawn tourist carriages<br />
clopping about make this a sort <strong>of</strong> urban Williamsburg.<br />
apartments in gentility central aren’t<br />
cheap, but can be good value—it’s like living<br />
in Georgetown or the West Village for half the<br />
price. Good bus connections to campus on<br />
routes 21, 40 and 42.<br />
Washington Square West Once a downscale<br />
alternative to Society Hill next door, WSW has<br />
come up in the world: studios in the new St.<br />
James tower rent upwards <strong>of</strong> $1800. You can<br />
also find dumpier digs near South Street or<br />
perhaps a decently priced small house on one<br />
<strong>of</strong> the unbearably adorable small streets.<br />
Graduate Hospital Not so much a cohesive<br />
neighborhood as a realtordriven rebranding,<br />
apartments with this tag may be as far south as<br />
95 <strong>PD</strong>PRIMER 2011<br />
nEiGhBoRhoodS<br />
Fitzwater or Catherine Streets, which on this side<br />
<strong>of</strong> Center City may mean the occasional crime<br />
scene around the corner. Future gentrification <strong>of</strong><br />
“G-Ho” is already priced in.<br />
Rittenhouse The student garrets <strong>of</strong> this teeming<br />
quartier hunker in the shadow <strong>of</strong> upscale shops<br />
and high-rise doorman buildings. There are deals<br />
here, but given the location (just over the river<br />
from Penn, and on the Penn Transit networks)<br />
calculating realtors have the upper hand.<br />
Fitler Square a leafy, quiet, and expensive neighborhood<br />
catering more to well-heeled families<br />
than low-margin students. Still, you might luck into<br />
a tiny house on a tiny street for less than a twobedroom<br />
apartment elsewhere. a 10-minute walk<br />
to campus via the South Street Bridge.<br />
Logan Square a small neighborhood built with<br />
townhomes and trinities, there are few enough<br />
rentals here that many people don’t even look. But<br />
for the same price as Rittenhouse, you can get<br />
a larger, nicer apartment only a few steps further<br />
from Penn (10 minutes via bike or green line trolley).<br />
Art Museum There are a few up-and-coming<br />
names you’ll see in listings, including Queen Village,<br />
Bella Vista and Northern liberties. These<br />
areas are just outside <strong>of</strong> Center City and have<br />
unique personalities; the trade<strong>of</strong>f is more difficulty<br />
<strong>PD</strong>PRIMER 2011 96
housing<br />
nEiGhBoRhoodS<br />
getting to school. art Museum shares this<br />
problem, but it’s closer than the rest (a 20-minute<br />
bike ride), with a mix <strong>of</strong> lovely Greekrevival<br />
row houses, supersized apartment complexes<br />
and post-industrial l<strong>of</strong>ts. look closely: renewal<br />
How the West<br />
is Done<br />
Much undue derision is lobbed at West Philadelphia,<br />
the venerable seat <strong>of</strong> our fair university.<br />
Sure there are the occasional muggings, but<br />
you’re statistically more likely to get herpes<br />
from a keg stand at an undergraduate party.<br />
Besides, living in West Philly <strong>of</strong>fers an abundance<br />
<strong>of</strong> character and a heaping dose <strong>of</strong> street<br />
cred.<br />
Though West Philly has a rather large geographic<br />
presence in the scope <strong>of</strong> the city,<br />
<strong>PennDesign</strong> students tend to limit their definition<br />
<strong>of</strong> the area to the minineighborhoods<br />
almost directly adjacent to the university. The<br />
areas north <strong>of</strong> lancaster avenue, west <strong>of</strong> 49th<br />
Street and south <strong>of</strong> Woodland avenue tend<br />
towards the, um, unstable side, while the area<br />
to the east <strong>of</strong> the Schuylkill River shades a bit<br />
towards to the au Bon Pottery Barn crowd. For<br />
our purposes, we’ll stick to the McPenntrified<br />
region within these otherwise arbitrary borders.<br />
97 <strong>PD</strong>PRIMER 2011<br />
nEiGhBoRhoodS<br />
an overview <strong>of</strong> the area, complete with history<br />
and demographic breakdowns, is at www.pennpartners.org/wp/plan.<br />
<strong>University</strong> City Home to The <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>Pennsylvania</strong> (founded in either 1740 or 1749 by<br />
local eccentric Benjamin Franklin) and the most<br />
vigorously patrolled and gentrified area in West<br />
Philly. There are hotels, upscale shops, luxury<br />
apartments, and yellow-shirted storm troopers on<br />
bicycles to protect you from the bad men. That<br />
said, it is difficult to find housing in <strong>University</strong><br />
City unless you live in Penn undergraduate<br />
dorms or the Graduate Student Ghetto. The left<br />
Bank is one option, and several new buildings<br />
are currently under construction. The constant<br />
presence <strong>of</strong> food trucks provide a humorous (and<br />
tasty) contrast to the pristine institutional buildings<br />
lining the streets.<br />
Spruce Hill a catchall name for the area between<br />
40th and 46th Streets, north <strong>of</strong> Woodland avenue<br />
and south <strong>of</strong> Market. It is comprised <strong>of</strong> three distinct<br />
regions:<br />
thE noLo The area North <strong>of</strong> locust (notably<br />
Walnut and Chestnut) is mixed use and is gradually<br />
becoming more commercial with the recent<br />
installation <strong>of</strong> “De lux” movie theaters in The<br />
Bridge at 40th & Walnut and a pseudo-Whole<br />
Foods called “Fresh Grocer” across the street (a<br />
<strong>PD</strong>PRIMER 2011 98
housing<br />
nEiGhBoRhoodS<br />
reference to the food, not a lecherous vendor<br />
with a bad case <strong>of</strong> the Roman Hands). That<br />
said, inexpensive row-houses and small apartment<br />
buildings are still abundant, especially as<br />
one moves north and west.<br />
SoCiEtY hiLL WESt The area between Baltimore<br />
and locust, West Philly’s own version<br />
<strong>of</strong> Society Hill, is home to some <strong>of</strong> the most<br />
expensive homes this side <strong>of</strong> the Schuylkill. It<br />
is also, ironically (or perhaps not), seat to the<br />
largest percentage <strong>of</strong> Penn students living <strong>of</strong>fcampus.<br />
This fairly clean area <strong>of</strong>fers a good mix<br />
<strong>of</strong> sometimes-affordable West Philly living plus<br />
the relative safety and convenience <strong>of</strong> close<br />
proximity to campus.<br />
thE SoBA The SoBa (South <strong>of</strong> Baltimore) region<br />
is a culturally mixed area that includes historic<br />
Clark Park (site <strong>of</strong> a nice farmer’s market<br />
on Thursdays and Saturdays), the <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong><br />
the Sciences and West Philly’s famous Ethiopian<br />
and Eritrean restaurants between 44th and<br />
46th (most notably Dahlak). It’s a friendly neighborhood<br />
with affordable row homes and some<br />
apartment buildings, most <strong>of</strong> which are along<br />
Baltimore and closer to 40th Street.<br />
Powelton Village So called because <strong>of</strong> its<br />
tree-lined streets and porchladen row houses<br />
(See? It’s a village!), this area was crime-ridden<br />
and sketchy as recently as 20 years ago.<br />
99 <strong>PD</strong>PRIMER 2011<br />
nEiGhBoRhoodS<br />
Though more affluent now, it is still inexpensive<br />
to live here, and a well-organized homeowners<br />
association is fervently lobbying to evict the<br />
current creep <strong>of</strong> Drexel fraternities and sororities.<br />
West Powelton Village (that’s, um, west <strong>of</strong><br />
Powelton Village proper) is a bit more run down<br />
and unsafe, so it’s only a matter <strong>of</strong> time until the<br />
Hipsters move in.<br />
Walnut Hill, Garden Park, Cedar Court<br />
This trio <strong>of</strong> small neighborhoods with mindbogglingly<br />
WaSPy names lies between 46th<br />
and 49th Streets, south <strong>of</strong> Market and north <strong>of</strong><br />
Woodland. It is also really, really, really, awfully,<br />
painfully close to—but outside <strong>of</strong>—the Pennsubsidized<br />
school district and its concomitant<br />
ten-year windfall <strong>of</strong> soaring housing prices.<br />
The local homeowners’ loss is your gain, as<br />
rental prices remain lower on this side <strong>of</strong> the<br />
PennContinentalShelf. Many who live in this<br />
area are able to exchange the money they save<br />
<strong>PD</strong>PRIMER 2011 100
PUBlIC TRaNSIT<br />
PENNTRaNSIT<br />
NEW YORK & DC<br />
DRIVING DIRECTIONS<br />
aIRPORTS<br />
CaRS & PaRKING<br />
BiKE PARtS<br />
BIKES & BIKING<br />
3 BIKE RIDES<br />
EmERGEnCE<br />
GEttinG<br />
ARoUnd<br />
PUBLiC tRAnSit<br />
CommUtE<br />
YoUR<br />
SEntEnCE<br />
It’s easy to malign the Southeastern <strong>Pennsylvania</strong><br />
Transit Authority. Its subway lines are dilapidated,<br />
its buses are driven by surly leadfoots,<br />
and its cash fares tie New York for the highest<br />
in the country. But damn it if SEPTA doesn’t<br />
get the job done. It is a transit system steeped in<br />
mediocrity that, blessed with a compact downtown<br />
and operational pr<strong>of</strong>iciency, happens to<br />
work pretty well. You can’t love or hate SEPTA,<br />
only regard it opportunistically.<br />
BUSES<br />
Diesel power is how many students commute<br />
from Center City to Penn, and we don’t mean<br />
fashion-forward kicks. Buses are generally<br />
comfortable, with advanced voice announcements<br />
that may or may not be working. Major<br />
lines running east-west past campus are the<br />
21 and 42 (Walnut and Spruce Streets westbound,<br />
Chestnut Street eastbound) and the 40<br />
(Lombard Street and Spruce Street westbound;<br />
Spruce Street, South Street and Pine Street<br />
eastbound). Route 42 runs all night (as far as<br />
4th Street) at half-hour intervals.<br />
<strong>PD</strong>PRIMER 2011 102
getting around<br />
PUBLiC tRAnSit<br />
Bus drivers tend to operate as though SEPTA doles<br />
out bonuses for the fastest time and fewest passengers.<br />
It’s not uncommon for drivers to cruise by passengers<br />
waiting obviously and hopefully underneath<br />
bus-stop signs. If you’re waiting alone, the best bet is<br />
to flag down the bus with a big wave or a one-time<br />
$1,000 bonus.<br />
SUBWAY<br />
The fifth-largest city in the U.S. has but two lines: a<br />
north-south route under Broad Street and an eastwest<br />
Market Street line. The latter runs elevated<br />
outside <strong>of</strong> Center City and is <strong>of</strong>ten referred to as The<br />
El or the BlUE lINE, while the Broad Street subway<br />
is the ORaNGE lINE.<br />
Both lines date from the early 20th century and have<br />
not aged well. The trains themselves are not old, but<br />
can be criminally dirty. Still, the subway is frequent<br />
and fast—the express ride from 34th Street to Center<br />
City takes just a few minutes. Service starts around<br />
5am, with the last eastbound train leaving 34th Street<br />
soon after midnight. After that, Night Owl buses<br />
duplicate the route above ground every 15 minutes.<br />
tRoLLEYS<br />
They run like a bus on the surface in West Philly,<br />
then go underground, calling at subway-style stops in<br />
<strong>University</strong> City and Center City. How can that not<br />
be cool? The GREEN lINE (also known as subway-<br />
103 <strong>PD</strong>PRIMER 2011<br />
PUBLiC tRAnSit<br />
surface) is not as fast as the subway but, because several<br />
lines share the tunnels, very frequent. Trolleys stop at<br />
22nd and 19th Streets in Center City (the blue line<br />
does not), making them an uber-convenient way to get<br />
from campus to Rittenhouse Square. Trolleys only go as<br />
far east as 13th Street. A second drawback: on weekends,<br />
service through the tunnels <strong>of</strong>ten stops around<br />
10pm when trolleys divert to 40th and Market for connection<br />
with the blue line.<br />
REGionAL RAiL<br />
To see where all the money went instead <strong>of</strong> the subways,<br />
take a comfy ride to the ’burbs on SEPTA’s crown<br />
jewel. Trains stop at 30th Street Station, Suburban Station<br />
(at 16th St and JFK Blvd) and Market East Station<br />
(Market Street between 10th and 12th Streets) before<br />
fanning out as far as Trenton and Wilmington. The R1<br />
line runs to the airport every half-hour and stops at<br />
<strong>University</strong> City station near Franklin Field.<br />
FARES<br />
Paying for a SEPTA ride means choosing between being<br />
fleeced for expediency ($2.00 in cash) or making a<br />
special trip for a better deal. TOKENS come from machines,<br />
station booths (generally only on weekdays) and<br />
above-ground stores. Our advice is to go to a SEPTA<br />
sales <strong>of</strong>fice like the one inside 30th Street Station and<br />
use a credit card to buy a bushel. Your silver horde will<br />
make you the envy <strong>of</strong> your peers. Tokens buy a one-way<br />
ride on all buses, subways, and trolleys, but regional<br />
<strong>PD</strong>PRIMER 2011 104
getting around<br />
PUBLiC tRAnSit<br />
trains require tickets<br />
from vending machines<br />
or ticket windows<br />
(there’s a hefty<br />
surcharge for buying<br />
on board).<br />
Transfers are free<br />
only within subway<br />
stations. They are<br />
$0.60 beyond the<br />
cash or token fare<br />
otherwise. If your<br />
commute involves a<br />
transfer, a PaSS makes<br />
sense. SEPTA sells<br />
weekly ($18.75) and<br />
monthly ($70) flavors,<br />
but the best deal for<br />
regular commuters<br />
is the PENNPaSS, a<br />
semester-long pass<br />
available only through<br />
Penn for $250 (a<br />
10.7% discount). All<br />
passes are valid on<br />
the R1 airport line<br />
and anywhere within<br />
the SEPTA network<br />
on weekends and<br />
105 <strong>PD</strong>PRIMER 2011<br />
WHERE TO BUY TOKENS<br />
SEPTa fares are $2.00 cash or<br />
$1.30 with a token.<br />
Penn Bookstore (2nd floor)<br />
houston hall (basement level)<br />
30th Street Station<br />
Rite Aids<br />
SEPTa<br />
30th Street Station, (more<br />
locations listed on website)<br />
215-580-7800<br />
M-F 6-8, Sa-Su 8-6<br />
www.septa.org<br />
In addition to schedules and<br />
maps, the site lists sales<br />
locations and hawks SEPTa‘s<br />
intricately detailed map <strong>of</strong> Philadelphia,<br />
worth it at $7.<br />
PENNPaSS<br />
215-898-8667<br />
www.campusexpress.<br />
upenn.edu<br />
log into the site, click on “My<br />
Transportation,” then “Buy a<br />
PennPass.”<br />
PEnn tRAnSit<br />
holidays—if you take frequent trips to New York via<br />
Trenton this could save you a lot.<br />
PAtCo<br />
PATCO’s Speedline trundles over the Ben Franklin<br />
Bridge between Center City and Camden.<br />
LUCY<br />
SEPTA and the <strong>University</strong> City District run an infrequent<br />
bus loop called LUCY weekdays from 7am–7pm.<br />
Free with Penn ID, it’s useful for trips to 30th Street<br />
Station but little else.<br />
SKimP mY<br />
StRidE<br />
PEnnBUS<br />
PennBus east and west routes run about every 20<br />
minutes Monday through Friday. The west bus loops<br />
through Spruce Hill from 4:46pm to 12am; the east<br />
bus covers Rittenhouse Square from 5pm to 12:30am.<br />
Buses stop at signed Penn Transit stops on campus and<br />
at intersections <strong>of</strong>fcampus. Details are available online<br />
at www.upenn.edu/transportation. The closest stop for<br />
<strong>PennDesign</strong>ers is in front <strong>of</strong> The Food Court. You can<br />
alternatively hop on at the end <strong>of</strong> the campus loop at<br />
David Rittenhouse Labs on 33rd Street.<br />
The buses are cleaner. Sometimes you’ll get an older<br />
<strong>PD</strong>PRIMER 2011 106
getting around<br />
PEnn tRAnSit<br />
elementary school-style bus with<br />
no lighting, so forget about reading<br />
your history assignment on the ride<br />
home. Drivers usually don’t check<br />
IDs when you use the bus. Both bus<br />
and shuttle systems are free and run<br />
year-round, except major holidays.<br />
PEnnShUttLE<br />
White vans with shazam logos run<br />
east, west, and north, indicated by<br />
a lighted E, W or N on top. The<br />
west route picks up regularly at<br />
transit stops from 6pm to 3am; all<br />
other service is on-call. You will<br />
usually have to meet the shuttle at<br />
the closest transit stop on campus,<br />
but they’ll bring you right to your<br />
apartment, as long as you live within<br />
the boundaries <strong>of</strong> the shuttle service.<br />
You can also be picked up at your<br />
apartment and brought back to<br />
campus, but not between two <strong>of</strong>fcampus<br />
locations.<br />
The disadvantage is long wait times<br />
(<strong>of</strong>ficially five to 20 minutes, but<br />
many times it’s longer). Your best<br />
bet is to call before 3am, when the<br />
dispatching is handed over to Penn<br />
107 <strong>PD</strong>PRIMER 2011<br />
PENN TRaNSIT<br />
www.upenn.edu/<br />
transportation has<br />
sprightly animated<br />
route maps and<br />
schedules.<br />
Shuttle<br />
215-898-RIDE<br />
(press 2 for pickup)<br />
Walking Escort<br />
215-898-WalK<br />
PEnn tRAnSit<br />
Police. We recommend putting on your seat belt, because<br />
the shuttle drivers are known for their speed and Philly<br />
roads are known for their potholes. Remember your<br />
PennCard—you may be denied service if you don’t have<br />
it.<br />
West Shuttle<br />
Sunday-Saturday from 6 pm to 3 am.<br />
BOUNDaRIES: 50th to 40th, Woodland to Market<br />
East Shuttle<br />
Monday-Friday from 12:20 am to 3 am; Saturday &<br />
Sunday from 6 pm to 3 am.<br />
BOUNDaRIES: Schuylkill River to 20th, Market to South<br />
Xtra (“X”) Shuttles<br />
Sunday-Saturday from 6 pm to 3 am; Sunday-Saturday<br />
from 3 am to 7 am, limited on-call service is available.<br />
BOUNDaRIES: Spring Garden to Market, 43rd to 31st,<br />
& 30th St. Station<br />
PEnn tRAnSit WALKinG ESCoRt<br />
At any time <strong>of</strong> day or night, you can call 215-898-WALK<br />
to request a uniformed security <strong>of</strong>ficer to walk you from<br />
one campus location to another. You can also usually pick<br />
one up at 34th and Walnut. One question remains for<br />
you and your escort: to converse or not to converse? It’s a<br />
bit awkward.<br />
<strong>PD</strong>PRIMER 2011 108
getting around<br />
nEW YoRK & WAShinGton, dC<br />
RAiL/RoAd<br />
RULES<br />
nEW YoRK<br />
Commuter Rail Two transit bureaucracies<br />
grudgingly join hands in Trenton, NJ,<br />
with connecting trains running about once an hour<br />
from early morning until around midnight. It can<br />
be a hassle switching at Trenton, especially if you’re<br />
weighted down with baggage. And, as commuter trains<br />
with ten or twelve stops along the way, these sets <strong>of</strong><br />
SEPtA<br />
www.septa.org<br />
Philly: 30th St Station, market<br />
East, Suburban Station<br />
nJ tRAnSit<br />
nYC: Penn Station<br />
www.njtransit.com<br />
$18.50 one way, $33.50<br />
roundtrip <strong>of</strong>f-peak, $37 peak<br />
109 <strong>PD</strong>PRIMER 2011<br />
trains don’t make the<br />
best time (about 2½<br />
hours in total). But by<br />
virtue <strong>of</strong> their predictability,<br />
they don’t typically<br />
waste your time if<br />
you’re prompt. Though<br />
they’ll fill up entirely<br />
at times (like holiday<br />
weekends), you can <strong>of</strong>ten get a pair <strong>of</strong> seats to yourself,<br />
preferable for getting things done on route, whether<br />
that’s reading or napping.<br />
At 30th Street Station, go up the ramp from the main<br />
room to reach SEPTA. Opt for the NJ Transit machine<br />
instead <strong>of</strong> the SEPTA ticket window: it gives you the<br />
choice <strong>of</strong> cash or plastic, and you can buy your roundtrip<br />
tickets all the way to New York. Otherwise, you’ll<br />
nEW YoRK & WAShinGton, dC<br />
need to get additional tickets at Trenton where there<br />
may be precious few minutes to spare. Leaving Philadelphia,<br />
don’t get yourself confused with the R7 to<br />
Chestnut Hill East or the R3 to West Trenton—they’re<br />
not what you want. If you cut your timing too close,<br />
know that you can purchase tickets on either train, but<br />
the conductor will charge you extra for it.<br />
At Trenton, you can pretty well follow the crowds.<br />
Conductors will give directions if they know where<br />
you’ll get the next train. If the incoming train ran<br />
late, be prepared to hustle to get the connecting train.<br />
Don’t try to make a run to the bathroom—use NJ<br />
Transit’s on-board ones (no facilities on SEPTA).<br />
On the NJ Transit train, don’t be confused by Penn<br />
Station, Newark. If you want New York City, stay on<br />
through the tunnels until the last stop.<br />
nEW YoRK/dC<br />
Buses Looking to get out <strong>of</strong> Dodge? Just a<br />
few years ago, the Chinatown buses were the only<br />
affordable option, and usually came bundled with<br />
a somewhat sketchy encounter. Fortunately, more<br />
competition in recent years has made a quick weekend<br />
trip to a trip to NY, DC, and elsewhere a lot easier.<br />
Power outlets and wi-fi services <strong>of</strong>fered on Bolt Bus<br />
and Megabus are fairly reliable so you can even get<br />
some writing done during your journey and somewhat<br />
justify your escape.<br />
<strong>PD</strong>PRIMER 2011 110
getting around<br />
nEW YoRK & WAShinGton, dC<br />
The Bolt Bus is far superior and as a result, tends to<br />
sell out faster. Also, the well-advertised $1 bus trip<br />
is pretty much mythological. Expect to pay $12-15<br />
each way--still a bargain compared to Amtrak. It’s not<br />
perfect. The congestion <strong>of</strong> rush-hour traffic can make<br />
a two-hour trip run an extra 45 minutes. Or maybe<br />
you’ll sit in the bus for 20 minutes somewhere on the<br />
NJ Turnpike while the dispatcher clears immigration<br />
issues. Feeling noncommittal with your ticket purchase?<br />
The Chinatown buses may be for you. Buses<br />
depart each half-hour on two hour-plus trips.<br />
nEW YoRK/dC<br />
BoLt BUS<br />
www.boltbus.com<br />
Philly: 30th St & JFK Blvd.<br />
mEGABUS<br />
http://us.megabus.com<br />
Philly: 30th St & JFK Blvd.<br />
dC: 610 i Street<br />
$15 one-way, $28 round trip<br />
nEW CEntURY tRAVEL<br />
www.2000coach.com<br />
Philly: 55-57 n 11th St (btw<br />
Filbert and Arch)<br />
nYC: 86 Allen Street (between<br />
Grand and Delancey)<br />
$12 one-way, $20 round-trip<br />
dC: 513 h St nW<br />
$15 one-way, $20 round-trip<br />
111 <strong>PD</strong>PRIMER 2011<br />
nEW YoRK & WAShinGton, dC<br />
Greyhound In response to competition<br />
from the Chinatown and other operators, Greyhound<br />
has continued to reduce their prices. They now have a<br />
loyalty program called Road Rewards, great for frequent<br />
travellers. Check the website under ESAVERS for other<br />
specials—remember, one-way tickets are good<br />
Greyhound is not the best way to travel to DC, as the<br />
trip takes between three and four hours and only a<br />
limited number <strong>of</strong> buses go to Union Station. Most stop<br />
several blocks behind the station at a sad bus depot at 1st<br />
and K Streets NE.<br />
GREYhoUnd<br />
www.greyhound.com<br />
Philly: 1001 Filbert St (1 blk n <strong>of</strong><br />
market)<br />
nYC: Port Authority, lower level<br />
m-th $10 one-way, $18 round trip<br />
F-Su $14 one-way, $28 round trip<br />
(use NYPHLR coupon code)<br />
dC: 1005 1st St nE<br />
<strong>PD</strong>PRIMER 2011 112
getting around<br />
nEW YoRK & WAShinGton, dC<br />
nEW YoRK/dC<br />
Amtrak If, for you, money matters less than<br />
time, take Amtrak. It’s quickest and most comfortable.<br />
You’ll find occasional hassles and delays, but<br />
by and large you will be satisfied and comfortable.<br />
AmtRAK<br />
www.amtrak.com<br />
Philly: 30th Street Station<br />
nYC: Penn Station<br />
$42-74 one way<br />
1.5 hours<br />
dC: Union Station<br />
$40-54 one way<br />
2 hours<br />
113 <strong>PD</strong>PRIMER 2011<br />
Fares can be much less if<br />
you get lucky on the Hot<br />
Deals link, much more if<br />
you go via the overmarketed,<br />
underwhelming<br />
Acela. Plan ahead! Same<br />
day ticket prices can go<br />
up.<br />
Amtrak’s ‘regional service’<br />
to Washington’s Union Station (on Metro’s red line)<br />
takes a little less two hours. One or two regional<br />
trains depart every hour. Generally, the Metroliner<br />
and Acela are less than half an hour faster for more<br />
than twice the price, but sometimes there are website<br />
will magically appear.<br />
driving is the easiest way to get out <strong>of</strong> town<br />
(two hours to New York, two and a half to DC),<br />
but between tolls and gas you won’t beat the price<br />
<strong>of</strong> the buses. Frequent trips will be speedier with an<br />
E-ZPass. Directions to <strong>PennDesign</strong> and parking are<br />
on page 10.<br />
nEW YoRK & WAShinGton, dC<br />
From Penn to nY<br />
• from the South Street bridge, turn left onto the onramp<br />
for I-76 W<br />
• merge onto I-676 E toward “Central Phila” (on the<br />
right)<br />
• merge onto I-95 N toward Trenton (on the left)<br />
• take EXIT 26 (on the right) to the Betsy Ross Bridge<br />
• follow signs for “90 to 73”<br />
• shortly after passing 295, exit on the right to NJ<br />
Turnpike N to New York<br />
From nY to Penn<br />
• take NJ Turnpike S from New York<br />
• take EXIT 4 (on the right) toward Philadelphia<br />
• follow signs to the Betsy Ross Bridge<br />
• merge onto I-95 S (on the left)<br />
• take EXIT 22 onto I-676 W toward “Central Phila”<br />
• exit onto I-76 W towards “Int’l Airport” (on the<br />
right)<br />
• exit onto South Street (on the left) and turn right<br />
From Penn to dC<br />
• from the South Street bridge, turn right onto the onramp<br />
for I-76 E<br />
following signs to the airport, you will:<br />
• take EXIT 347A toward I-95 (on the left)<br />
• I-76 will become 26th Street<br />
• turn right onto PA-291 W and cross the bridge<br />
• merge onto I-95 S (on the left)<br />
• passing the airport on your left, follow signs for “I-95<br />
<strong>PD</strong>PRIMER 2011 114
getting around<br />
AiRPoRtS<br />
to Baltimore”<br />
• I-95 continues through Baltimore to Washington<br />
From dC to Penn<br />
• take I-95 N toward New York<br />
• after the Delaware House rest area, the road splits:<br />
take EXIT 5D (on the<br />
left) onto I-495 N, following signs to Philadelphia<br />
• when you’re in sight <strong>of</strong> the airport, take EXIT 13<br />
(on the right) toward<br />
“I-76 West/Valley Forge” (stay to the right)<br />
• cross the bridge, then turn left at the first light onto<br />
S 26th Street<br />
• 26th Street becomes I-76 W<br />
• take EXIT 346A (on the left) to South Street and<br />
turn left<br />
A WidE<br />
AiR nEt<br />
PHL is Philly’s hometown airport, but some<br />
bargain-hunting travellers may find cheaper flights<br />
to airports in New York, New Jersey or Baltimore.<br />
PhL Philadelphia international<br />
PHIlaDElPHIa, Pa<br />
• SEPTA’s R1 from 30th Street or <strong>University</strong> City<br />
Stations: 20 minutes, $5.50<br />
• Shared Van (Lady Liberty, 215-724-8888): 30<br />
115 <strong>PD</strong>PRIMER 2011<br />
minutes, $10<br />
• Taxi (PHL Taxi, 800-936-5111): 15 minutes, $25<br />
AiRPoRtS<br />
EWR newark Liberty international<br />
NEWaRK, NJ<br />
• From Philadelphia, take SEPTA’s R7 to Trenton, connect<br />
to NJ Transit’s Northeast Corridor train to the Newark Airport<br />
station, then take the AirTrain to EWR: 2.5 hours, $7<br />
R7, $14 NJ Transit (at ticket machine use “101” for Newark<br />
International destination, use same ticket for AirTrain)<br />
• Shared Van (Dave’s Best, 800-255-2378): 1.5 hours, $60<br />
JFK John F. Kennedy international<br />
JaMaICa, NY<br />
• From Penn Station in Manhattan, take the LIRR<br />
Ronkonkoma line to Jamaica, go to Station D and take the<br />
AirTrain to JFK: 40 minutes from Penn Station, $4.75-$12<br />
LIRR (cheaper if you buy online), $5 AirTrain<br />
LGA Laguardia Airport<br />
FlUSHING, NY<br />
• From Times Square, take the N train to Astoria Blvd, walk<br />
one block to Hoyt Ave/31st St and take the M60 bus to<br />
Laguardia: 40 minutes from Times<br />
Square, $2 subway, $2 bus<br />
BWi Baltimore Washington international<br />
BalTIMORE, MD<br />
• From 30th Street Station, take Amtrak’s Regional Service<br />
to BWI: 80-95 minutes, $37-$57<br />
<strong>PD</strong>PRIMER 2011 116
getting around<br />
CARS & PARKinG<br />
LEARninG<br />
RUBBER<br />
Philadelphia doesn’t make owning a car easy, and you<br />
may find that trading in your four wheels for two will<br />
simplify your life (then you’ll need to go to Home Depot<br />
and the remorse will set in). If you come to Penn<br />
with a car, know what to expect: parking is elusive,<br />
insurance is expensive, and registering your car here<br />
makes applying to grad school seem comparatively<br />
simple.<br />
REGiStERinG YoUR CAR<br />
The major disadvantage to registering your car in<br />
<strong>Pennsylvania</strong> is that your insurance will almost definitely<br />
increase. One advantage, aside from being on<br />
the right side <strong>of</strong> the law, is that <strong>Pennsylvania</strong> has traditionally<br />
been a swing state and being a PA voter may<br />
be more consequential than it was back home—not to<br />
mention popularity with your foot-powered friends.<br />
PennDOT has a website www.dmv.state.pa.us that is<br />
designed through its illogical organization to discourage<br />
you from bringing a car into the state, so expect<br />
some confusion.<br />
1. Insurance Your first step towards registering is<br />
to switch your insurance. Auto theft in Philly keeps<br />
premiums high, but be sure to ask your insurance car-<br />
117 <strong>PD</strong>PRIMER 2011<br />
CARS & PARKinG<br />
rier about your coverage. While rates are steep, the state<br />
minimums are very low (perhaps even too low for your<br />
own security).<br />
2. Inspections The next step is to get safety and emissions<br />
inspections. You’ll need your insurance card and<br />
registration.One recommended location is: STRaUSS<br />
DISCOUNT aUTO 4733 Chestnut St/ 215-476-8040.<br />
The cost is around $70. Find more under “Automobile<br />
Inspection Stations” in the yellow pages or visit www.<br />
drivecleanpa.state.pa.us.<br />
3. tags, title & Registration Once you are insured<br />
in Philadelphia and have passed your state inspections,<br />
you can get your license plate, stickers, title and registration.<br />
Here’s where it gets sketchy. While it is possible to<br />
do this directly through the state, information on how<br />
to do it is vague and the process is time-consuming.<br />
Your easiest option is to go to a commercial auto tags<br />
retailer or an auto club and pay about $90 to have it all<br />
done for you. When you register through one <strong>of</strong> these<br />
private companies you won’t need a tracing <strong>of</strong> your VIN<br />
or form MV-1. Check www.dmv.state.pa.us to determine<br />
which documents you will need. Two companies<br />
students have used previously are AAA and Abat’s. These<br />
and other license services competing to be first in the<br />
alphabet can be found in the yellow pages.<br />
FindinG PARKinG<br />
Residents <strong>of</strong> Center City and other ares with restricted<br />
<strong>PD</strong>PRIMER 2011 118
getting around<br />
CARS & PARKinG<br />
parking will want to get a PaRKING PERMIT. The cost<br />
for the first year is $35 and $20 to renew. The permit<br />
<strong>of</strong>fice (215-683-9730, M-F 8:30-5) is walking distance<br />
from campus, located in an unmarked building at<br />
3101 Market Street. The desk guard will direct you to<br />
the <strong>of</strong>fice. You’ll need your PA registration and a pro<strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>of</strong> address in the form <strong>of</strong> a driver’s license, lease, or<br />
recent utility bill in your name.<br />
If you don’t have a parking permit there are only<br />
limited areas where you can leave your car for long periods.<br />
In Center City certain blocks below South Street<br />
are fair game, and in West Philly the closest UNRE-<br />
STRICTED STREET is Locust between 40th and 41st.<br />
Some streets further west and north are also available.<br />
(While parking in South Philly may seem like the less<br />
appealing option, it is the undergrads <strong>of</strong> Locust Street<br />
who are more likely to inflict random violence on your<br />
car.) For more info, check the city’s recently improved<br />
parking website www.philapark.org. For those with<br />
no time to drive around looking for a spot, a list <strong>of</strong><br />
garages with daily rates is on page 10.<br />
For daily commuters, PENN SEllS a PaRKING PaSS<br />
for specific campus garages. <strong>PennDesign</strong> students will<br />
want the 24-hour parking pass (sorry, it’s true). The<br />
price for the academic year is $1,160. Summer students<br />
may want to get the yearly pass, which is $1,545.<br />
To apply for a parking pass, go to www.campusexpress.<br />
upenn.edu, log in, go to My Transportation, then<br />
Student Parking.<br />
119 <strong>PD</strong>PRIMER 2011<br />
TaGS, TITlE &<br />
REGISTRaTION<br />
AAA<br />
1801 Market St<br />
215-399-1180<br />
Abat’s Auto tags<br />
5117 Chestnut St<br />
215-476-4943<br />
TOWING<br />
City <strong>of</strong> Philadelphia<br />
www.philapark.org<br />
215-561-3636<br />
George Smith<br />
215-729-9100<br />
Lew Blum towing<br />
215-222-5628<br />
R & K towing<br />
215-271-0505<br />
CaR RENTal<br />
Enterprise<br />
36th & Chestnut<br />
(in the Sheraton)<br />
215-387-3283<br />
Avis<br />
2000 arch St<br />
215-563-4477<br />
Budget<br />
30th Street Station<br />
215-222-4262<br />
hertz<br />
30th Street Station<br />
215-492-2958<br />
CARS & PARKinG<br />
Got toWEd?<br />
Not getting enough sleep and becoming<br />
forgetful? Studio has consumed your<br />
thoughts for the last three weeks? Car<br />
has disappeared from last known parking<br />
place? Well, you’re not the first.<br />
If you think your car has been TOWED<br />
BY THE CITY, call 215-561-3636. They<br />
can tell you if they have it and at which<br />
impound lot. A list <strong>of</strong> documents you’ll<br />
need to retrieve your car, lot locations and<br />
hours, and towing fees can be found at<br />
www.philapark.org. The main impound lot<br />
is located at 2501 Weccacoe Avenue (near<br />
Columbus Boulevard and Oregon Avenue).<br />
You can get there on Bus 7 from Center<br />
City.<br />
GEttinG A dRiVER’S LiCEnSE<br />
Getting a driver’s license (or a non-driver’s<br />
ID card) is one thing that is done at the<br />
DMV. Check out the web site www.dmv.<br />
state.pa.us beforehand to be sure you<br />
have the CORRECT DOCUMENTS. Noncitizens<br />
must get a written verification <strong>of</strong><br />
attendance from the university Registrar<br />
Office, located in the Franklin Building at<br />
3451 Walnut. The closest DMV to Penn<br />
is located at 1108 Market. Get there early<br />
and bring a book.<br />
<strong>PD</strong>PRIMER 2011 120
getting around<br />
CARS & PARKinG<br />
CAR REntAL<br />
Not too bad for a big east-coast city: compacts hover<br />
around $30 a day for the weekend, $45-60 for weekdays,<br />
and $25 a day for weekly rentals. Check rental<br />
companies’ websites for those sweet, ephemeral specials.<br />
CARShARE<br />
PhillyCarShare (www.phillycarshare.org/rates/university-<strong>of</strong>-pennsylvania),<br />
a nonpr<strong>of</strong>it founded by Penn<br />
grads, aims to fill the gap between occasional renters<br />
and full-time owners. The partnership with Penn is the<br />
largest university car-sharing program in North America<br />
and get access to a network <strong>of</strong> cars throughout the<br />
city, including a Prius parked at 38th and Walnut. Usage<br />
plans (including gas and insurance) are explained<br />
on their website. PhillyCarShare will contribute 1% <strong>of</strong><br />
revenues into a special Penn Sustainability Fund.<br />
Zipcar (www.zipcar.com/penn) gets you 24/7 access to<br />
a variety <strong>of</strong> cars on campus as well as access to thousands<br />
<strong>of</strong> Zipcars all around the world. Penn students<br />
can join Zipcar for only $35/year. Usage plans (including<br />
gas and insurance) are explained on their website.<br />
121 <strong>PD</strong>PRIMER 2011<br />
BiKES & BiKinG<br />
LiFE on thE<br />
ChAin GAnG<br />
Being compact, flat, and gridded, Philadelphia is<br />
easier to bike than almost any other big city. Few<br />
destinations and attractions are all that far away.<br />
Most <strong>of</strong> the roads are well paved, with South Street<br />
and its bridge as notable exceptions.<br />
Find good routes, bike shops, and transit stations<br />
with the city’s EXCEllENT BIKE MaP (go to www.<br />
phila.gov/streets, then click on The Bicycle Network).<br />
There are designated bike lanes on many major<br />
streets in West Philly: Spruce, Walnut, Chestnut,<br />
33rd, 34th, and 38th. Bike stands are easy to find,<br />
certainly around campus. Meyerson has plenty <strong>of</strong><br />
outdoor bike racks, but its indoor basement rack<br />
provides space for precious few. Get yourself a good<br />
lock if you’ll be leaving your bike outdoors. And be<br />
mindful <strong>of</strong> those trolley tracks.<br />
<strong>PD</strong>PRIMER 2011 122
getting around<br />
BiKES & BiKinG<br />
Located on campus,<br />
NEIGHBORHOOD BIKE<br />
WORKS (www. neighborhoodbikeworks.org)<br />
is a<br />
non-pr<strong>of</strong>it whose primary<br />
aim is teaching kids. They<br />
<strong>of</strong>fer drop-<strong>of</strong>f repair on<br />
Saturday mornings and<br />
ongoing “Bike Church”<br />
co-op repair clinics three<br />
times a week, as well as<br />
Urban Survival Biking<br />
courses. They can always<br />
use volunteers and occasionally<br />
have used bikes<br />
for sale.<br />
123 <strong>PD</strong>PRIMER 2011<br />
MaINTENaNCE &<br />
aCCESSORIES<br />
Bicycle Therapy<br />
www.bicycletherapy.com<br />
2211 South St<br />
215-735-7849<br />
M-Sa 10-6, W 10-7<br />
Marin makes good commuter<br />
bikes popular with students.<br />
trophy Bikes<br />
www.trophybikes.com<br />
3131 Walnut St<br />
215-627-3370<br />
10-6, 7 days<br />
Via Bicycle<br />
www.bikeville.com<br />
606 South 9th St<br />
215-222-2020<br />
T-Sa 10-5, W 1-9<br />
Firehouse Bicycles<br />
50th and Baltimore ave<br />
215-727-9692<br />
T-Sa 9-7<br />
Features vintage cruisers<br />
and lightweight road bikes.<br />
neighborhood<br />
Bike Works<br />
3916 locust Walk<br />
(inside St. Mary’s Hall)<br />
215-386-0316<br />
BiKES & BiKinG<br />
3 BiKE RidES<br />
Philadelphia lies between two rivers and is thus fairly<br />
flat (with a few notable exceptions such as the hills<br />
above Manayunk) and is a pleasant city to explore by<br />
bike. Bicycling is perhaps the easiest way to take in<br />
Philly’s architecture, sites, sounds, and smells, for one<br />
can dismount the two-wheeler at any time, yet still<br />
cover a good amount <strong>of</strong> ground while on the saddle.<br />
The heart <strong>of</strong> Center City can be too congested for<br />
sharing the road (riding a circa-1969 green Raleigh one<br />
drizzly Fall evening, I rear-ended the silver Jetta at 20th<br />
and Walnut when, mid-right turn, the driver came to<br />
a grinding halt to avoid a pedestrian–ouch!), but other<br />
areas <strong>of</strong> the city with wider roads are easier to navigate.<br />
Still, watch out for the old, old cobblestones <strong>of</strong> Germantown<br />
Avenue and its tire-swallowing streetcar rails<br />
along ride #1.<br />
Ride 1 thE CitY And thE CoUntRY<br />
Explore Germantown Avenue (a historical road from<br />
ghetto to affluence, from Germantown through Mt.<br />
Airy to Chestnut Hill) and Forbidden Drive in Wissahickon<br />
Creek Park. This ride highlights the changing<br />
state <strong>of</strong> the built environment <strong>of</strong> a 19th century linear<br />
city along a historic and present-day streetcar line, starting<br />
in the post-apocalyptic inner city and ending among<br />
upscale boutiques.<br />
<strong>PD</strong>PRIMER 2011 124
getting around<br />
BiKES & BiKinG<br />
POINTS OF INTEREST: The shell <strong>of</strong> the Divine Lorraine<br />
hotel on Broad Street, the brisk pace <strong>of</strong> pedalpushing<br />
through the ghetto, Sugar Stick bar, the gable<br />
ro<strong>of</strong> <strong>of</strong> a storefront church painted onto a row house<br />
front, Cliveden, the site <strong>of</strong> the battle <strong>of</strong> Germantown,<br />
Germantown’s town square and its war monument,<br />
North by Northwest in Mt. Airy, a circa-1960s addition<br />
to a branch <strong>of</strong> the Free Library, a classic diner,<br />
Chestnut Hill shopping district, Morris Arboretum<br />
(owned by Penn), Chestnut Hill College, horse stables,<br />
Forbidden Drive (once a major thoroughfare into the<br />
city but closed to preserve its water supply), the Wissahickon<br />
Creek viewed from high above, and Tommy<br />
Gunn’s American Barbecue.<br />
DIRECTIONS: Go east on Chestnut to Broad Street,<br />
then go north on Broad to Germantown Avenue. Follow<br />
the full length <strong>of</strong> Germantown beyond Chestnut<br />
Hill. Turn left on W Northwestern Avenue, pass the<br />
horse stables, then turn left on Forbidden Drive, following<br />
its full length to the falls <strong>of</strong> the Wissahickon<br />
near Tommy Gunn’s. Connect to ride #2.<br />
Ride 2 SChUYLKiLL RiVER PARK to<br />
mAnAYUnK<br />
POINTS OF INTEREST: the bike path itself, including<br />
joggers, the Cira Center and its light show, the Philadelphia<br />
Art Museum, the Fairmount Water Works,<br />
Boat House Row, the tunnel <strong>of</strong> schist, bridges <strong>of</strong> steel,<br />
125 <strong>PD</strong>PRIMER 2011<br />
BiKES & BiKinG<br />
stone, and concrete (engineering is cool), Laurel Hill<br />
Cemetery, the Wissahickon waterfall, Tommy Gunn’s,<br />
Main Street Manayunk, Venture Scott Brown’s storefront<br />
windows, and the used CD table at Main Street<br />
Music (the end <strong>of</strong> the ride).<br />
DIRECTIONS: The Schuylkill River Park begins where<br />
Locust Street meets the river in Center City. Follow<br />
the path upriver until it (and Kelly Drive) end near<br />
the Wissahickon waterfall (Tommy Gunn’s delicious<br />
Oklahoma Corn Salad is served here, across from the<br />
bus terminal on Ridge Avenue). Bear left to Main<br />
Street Manayunk (you’ll see the big sign overhead),<br />
and end below the concrete arch rail bridge spanning<br />
Main Street.<br />
Ride 3 PEnnYPACK PARK<br />
This ride requires a car to reach the entrance to the<br />
park, or you could pack your bike onto SEPTA’s R7<br />
and take it from 30th Steet to Holmesburg Junction.<br />
The bike path is about eight miles one-way and crosses<br />
the picturesque Pennypack Creek numerous times.<br />
POINTS OF INTEREST: I-95 billboards, the city<br />
skyline, the hundred year-old Holmesburg Prison,<br />
the ups and downs and bridges <strong>of</strong> the Pennypack bike<br />
path, thick woods, a rocky creek, massive concrete arch<br />
bridges, and a seemingly whole other world beyond<br />
the confines <strong>of</strong> the laser cutter room.<br />
<strong>PD</strong>PRIMER 2011 126
getting around<br />
BiKES & BiKinG<br />
DIRECTIONS: By car, take I-76 W to I-676 E to I-95<br />
N towards Trenton. Exit at Cottman Ave/Rhawn<br />
Street and go north on Cottman, then turn right onto<br />
Torresdale Avenue. After Torresdale crosses the creek,<br />
park near the prison.<br />
miSCELLAnEoUS<br />
Connect with the folks at the Bicycle Coalition <strong>of</strong><br />
Greater Philadelphia (bikephilly.org) for more routes,<br />
safety tips, maps, and how the heck you take your bike<br />
on public transportation.<br />
Finally, please be advised that Philly is known for its<br />
annual Naked Bike Ride. If you were scarred by the<br />
sight <strong>of</strong> hundreds <strong>of</strong> bikers in various states <strong>of</strong> undress,<br />
just know that it is like to happen again and<br />
prepare yourself accordingly. Googling the videos not<br />
recommended.<br />
127 <strong>PD</strong>PRIMER 2011<br />
<strong>PD</strong>PRIMER 2011 128
Food tRUCKS<br />
FaST FOOD<br />
BURRitoS<br />
DINING alFRESCO<br />
CHEaP EaTS<br />
ChEESEStEAKS<br />
NEaR CaMPUS<br />
STEVEN STaRR<br />
FindinG<br />
Food<br />
KEEP ON<br />
(FOOD)<br />
TRUCKIN’<br />
Philadelphia is renowned for its food.<br />
Traditionally, it’s been mostly about three<br />
items: cheesesteaks, hoagies, and s<strong>of</strong>t<br />
pretzels. But ask a Philadelphia foodie<br />
what they’re favorite hometown dish is,<br />
and you’ll more likely hear responses<br />
such as banh mi, tacos al pastor, and t<strong>of</strong>u<br />
meatballs. In my opinion, the best restaurants<br />
aren’t the ones that have storefronts,<br />
tables, and waiters, but instead are<br />
the ones that live are on four wheels and<br />
travel the city. Philadelphia’s hundreds<br />
<strong>of</strong> food trucks and carts serve everything<br />
from General Tso’s chicken to pork buns,<br />
enchiladas verde to edamame tacos, and<br />
tiramisu macaroons to earl grey tea ice<br />
cream. In <strong>University</strong> City, where a salad<br />
from Houston Hall or Cosi cuts deep into<br />
your bank account, there are hordes <strong>of</strong><br />
food trucks serving up all kinds <strong>of</strong> delicious,<br />
original, and fresh fare at reasonable<br />
prices.<br />
As a first year, you may find yourself willing<br />
to venture forth into this food scene<br />
and wonder which trucks are worth visit-<br />
<strong>PD</strong>PRIMER 2011 130
finding food<br />
Food CARtoGRAPhY<br />
ing. Does Steak Queen really have the best<br />
cheesesteaks on campus? Should I visit le<br />
Anh or The Real Le Anh? And where can I find<br />
a decent burrito aside from Chipotle? Before<br />
you shell out serious cash on some truck’s subpar<br />
Sesame Chicken, here are my recommendations<br />
for food trucks that you cannot miss:<br />
One <strong>of</strong> the newest additions to the food truck<br />
scene is the wildy popular tyson Bees<br />
(33rd and Spruce), which serves up some <strong>of</strong><br />
the Korean fusion in Philadelphia. For $8, you<br />
can try all three <strong>of</strong> their tacos (Korean BBQ<br />
Short Rib, Thai Chicken Basil, and Edamame),<br />
or try them a la carte for $3 a pop. They also<br />
serve equally delicious curry rice bowls ($7),<br />
lemongrass Pork Banh Mi ($5) and their savory<br />
and sweet Steamed Pork Buns ($3). On really<br />
stressed out days, I like to add a Thai Iced Tea<br />
to help put my mind at ease.<br />
Further up Spruce between 36th and 38th<br />
streets is a whole collection <strong>of</strong> food carts that’s<br />
Penn’s own international food court. although<br />
the one place you shouldn’t miss on this stretch<br />
<strong>of</strong> asphalt is hemo’s (37th and Spruce),<br />
where Hemo himself has been serving up his<br />
signature grilled chicken sandwiches with his<br />
tangy white secret sauce (don’t laugh) for generations<br />
<strong>of</strong> undergrads and grads alike. The<br />
subs are absolutely worth the wait, and the av-<br />
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erage cost is about $5 per sandwich. Hemo’s also<br />
makes a mean cheesesteak and chicken cheesesteak<br />
that’s not as big as some <strong>of</strong> his competitors,<br />
but just enough to keep you satisfied without<br />
feeling too full.<br />
On the other side <strong>of</strong> locust Walk behind the<br />
Pottruck Fitness Center lies one <strong>of</strong> Penn’s (not<br />
so) hidden food truck gems: Kim’s oriental<br />
Food Truck (Sansom between 37th and 38th).<br />
You’ll know you’re there because it’s the only truck<br />
in this vicinity with a consistent wait. However,<br />
the service is speedy so don’t feel daunted. all<br />
<strong>of</strong> your Chinese favorites, from Sesame Chicken<br />
to Shrimp lo Mein, Pork Fried Rice, and General<br />
Tso’s Chicken are all here in nice-sized portions<br />
and for less than five bucks. My advice? Try the<br />
Sesame Chicken ($4.50) at least once, then step<br />
up to the Grandfather or Orange Chicken ($4.50) if<br />
you want something a little more authentic.<br />
But you’d be a fool to miss out on what I have<br />
dubbed as the holy trinity <strong>of</strong> Penn Food Trucks,<br />
and it just so happens that they are lined up like<br />
ducks in a row. If you’re willing to hike as far as<br />
38th street, then you’ll be handsomely rewarded<br />
with KoJa, Tacos Don Memo, and Sugar<br />
Philly, (38th between Walnut and Sansom).<br />
KoJa, a portmanteau <strong>of</strong> Korean-Japanese (get<br />
it?) serves up delicious beef bulgogi and teriyaki,<br />
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Food CARtoGRAPhY<br />
along with heaping portions <strong>of</strong> noodles,<br />
kimchi, and the incredibly cheap Bulgogi<br />
Cheesesteak (less than $4, and named one<br />
<strong>of</strong> america’s 10 best sandwiches by the<br />
Huffington Post). In addition, their entire<br />
menu is half-priced starting on Fridays<br />
after three (such a deal!). Tacos Don<br />
memo’s tacos and burritos are so good,<br />
even the Californians at <strong>PennDesign</strong> approve.<br />
I recommend a Burrito al Pastor<br />
($7) served with “medium” salsa (half mild,<br />
half spicy). They also serve enchiladas<br />
and tortas (Mexican sandwiches). Finally, if<br />
you can even think about dessert, Sugar<br />
Philly has been the go-to cart for all things<br />
sweet for Penn students recently. Not only<br />
is the owner the nicest man on the face <strong>of</strong><br />
the Earth, but they have the most incredible<br />
French Macaroons in a whole host <strong>of</strong> intriguing<br />
flavors (Milk and Honey, Tiramisu, Meyer<br />
lemon, to name a few). They also have a<br />
rotating assortment <strong>of</strong> other top-notch desserts,<br />
perfect for a sweet moment alone or<br />
sharing with a friend!<br />
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Food CARtoGRAPhY<br />
Some other tips if you want to eat at the trucks like<br />
a pro:<br />
• Go early or order ahead. Many <strong>of</strong><br />
these carts have long lines (looking at you,<br />
Tacos Don Memo), so make sure you get<br />
there early to avoid waiting forever. If you’re<br />
in a time crunch, many <strong>of</strong> the allow you to call<br />
ahead to place an order. Get their business<br />
card or check Yelp for their specific number.<br />
• Know what you want before it’s<br />
your turn to order. There’s nothing that<br />
a cart owner or other hungry guests hate more<br />
than someone who gets to the window and<br />
takes forever to decide what they want. Use<br />
your time in line to peruse the menu and figure<br />
out what you want so that you can keep the<br />
line moving and get to your food faster.<br />
• Follow Follow Follow. Many <strong>of</strong> the<br />
carts have a strong online following and presence.<br />
Tyson Bees, Sugar Philly, and KoJa are<br />
all on either Facebook and Twitter, along with<br />
many <strong>of</strong> the other nearby trucks. Follow your<br />
favorites or become a fan to check their hours,<br />
specials, and truck updates. You can also<br />
check out PennFoodTrucks.com to learn about<br />
<strong>PD</strong>PRIMER 2011 134
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Food CARtoGRAPhY<br />
all the other food trucks, including hours,<br />
menus, and reviews.<br />
lastly, here are some other trucks and carts that<br />
get an honorable mention and my personal seal<br />
<strong>of</strong> approval:<br />
• Magic Carpet (34th and Walnut and<br />
36th and Spruce): Vegetarian staples that<br />
even meat eaters will love. Get the Falafel<br />
or Magic Meatball pita.<br />
• Lucky’s Mexican Spot (37th and<br />
Spruce): a solid alternative to Tacos don<br />
Memo. Get the Enchiladas Mole or anything<br />
with Guacamole.<br />
• Denise’s Soul Food Truck (30th<br />
and Chestnut): a bit <strong>of</strong> a hike from campus,<br />
but you won’t find better Fried Chicken and<br />
Macaroni and Cheese elsewhere.<br />
• new York Gyro Cart (37th and<br />
Spruce): New Yorkers will love this hometown-style<br />
Halal cart. Get the lamb and<br />
Chicken combo with rice and salad. Don’t<br />
skip the hot sauce.<br />
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FAt oF<br />
thE LAnd<br />
McDONALDS<br />
7 DaYS, 24 HRS/ 3935 WalNUT ST<br />
34TH & CIVIC CENTER BlVD (INSIDE<br />
CHOP)<br />
Though they both boast the full<br />
Mickey-D’s compliment <strong>of</strong> juicy<br />
burgers, crisp fries and social pathos,<br />
these franchises each have unique<br />
strengths: the Walnut Street location<br />
is jockeying for the citywide title <strong>of</strong><br />
most frequently robbed food purveyor,<br />
while the CHOP location mystifies<br />
with its peculiar segregated layout.<br />
What exactly is wrong with those<br />
people? Or is it better not to ask?<br />
BEiJinG<br />
M-TH 11:30-10:30, F 11:30-11,<br />
Sa 12-11, SU 12-10:30<br />
3714 SPRUCE ST/ 215-222-5242<br />
This Beijing doesn’t refer to the<br />
Chinese capital, it translates as “gold<br />
mine.” As the only Chinese place<br />
adjacent to campus that doesn’t roll<br />
away at sunset, and one <strong>of</strong> the few<br />
cheap table-service joints, the house is<br />
packed for lunch and dinner. Beijing’s<br />
kitchen is competent and its portions<br />
healthy (the ‘pint’ is enough for<br />
dinner), but you’ll get better value<br />
in Chinatown. Scandal: the T-shirts<br />
read “Beijing at Penn” in English but<br />
“<strong>University</strong> City” in Chinese.<br />
FASt Food<br />
dUnKin’ donUtS<br />
M-F 5:30-8, Sa-SU 6-6<br />
3437 WalNUT ST<br />
The fantastic thing about donuts<br />
is that you can’t feel guilty about<br />
scarfing them down at 6:00am. A<br />
Dunkin’s donut, frankly, should<br />
feel ashamed to even share an<br />
elevator with a Krispy Kreme, and<br />
DD’s policy <strong>of</strong> handing out a sad<br />
little tin <strong>of</strong> cream cheese in lieu <strong>of</strong><br />
properly schmearing your bagel<br />
is infuriating. But Dunkin’ is a<br />
godsend in the early morn after an<br />
all-nighter, when the only other<br />
things open on Walnut Street are<br />
storm drains. Quality c<strong>of</strong>fee, too.<br />
PiCniC<br />
M-F 7-7:30, Sa 7-6<br />
3131 WalNUT ST/ 215-222-1608<br />
As the name implies, Intermezzo<br />
is just a placeholder. Pass it by in<br />
favor <strong>of</strong> its friendlier Left Bank<br />
neighbor. When there’s no time<br />
to cook, Picnic can satisfy your<br />
need for a homemade meal and<br />
an alternative to typical Philly<br />
foodservice attitude. The deli case’s<br />
daily variety <strong>of</strong> tempting meat,<br />
vegetable, and pasta dishes may<br />
fluster the indecisive, but alternating<br />
soup, salad and sandwich <strong>of</strong>fers<br />
are excellent too. A little pokey by<br />
fast food standards.<br />
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DINING<br />
ALFRESCO<br />
LoCUSt WALK At 37th<br />
What more could you want than shade, tables, a location<br />
convenient to Spruce Street and 38th Street food<br />
carts and a constant passage <strong>of</strong> unwary tourists sitting<br />
next to the Franklin statue?<br />
33Rd St BtW WALnUt St & FRAnKLin<br />
FiELd<br />
A quick stroll east from Meyerson brings you to a frontier<br />
<strong>of</strong> carts selling bargain-priced cheesesteaks and OK<br />
Mexican food. Just behind the hedges is a lovely little<br />
patch <strong>of</strong> grass with benches and center-court views.<br />
AnnEnBERG PLAzA BtW LoCUSt WALK &<br />
WALnUt St, 36th & 37th<br />
New and undiscovered, the tables here bask in shade<br />
and quiet, with the Annenberg building as a stark,<br />
handsome backdrop.<br />
LoCUSt WALK At thE Foot oF thE 38th<br />
StREEt PEdEStRiAn BRidGE<br />
The silvery flash <strong>of</strong> the chairs here reminds us <strong>of</strong> a<br />
European sidewalk café, as do the Whartonites yammering<br />
on cell phones. Adjacent Au Bon Pain sells <strong>of</strong>f<br />
its baked goods for half price starting at 4pm.<br />
137 <strong>PD</strong>PRIMER 2011<br />
LEhmAn BRothERS QUAd, noRth oF<br />
SPRUCE BtW 37th & 38th<br />
Admit it, you’ve always wanted to dine al fresco on<br />
a lawn named for a bondtrading firm. Space and<br />
solitude just steps from Wawa.<br />
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ChEAP EAtS<br />
thE<br />
dEBtoR’S<br />
dininG GUidE<br />
I could barely afford my iPod Shuffle! Where can I eat<br />
cheap? Besides all the convenient places around school,<br />
there’s a world <strong>of</strong> choice cuisine in Philly, which is<br />
good, because how long can you really trust the magic<br />
meatballs?<br />
Plan a nice day to visit the Italian Market, where the<br />
produce is fresh:<br />
If you do nothing else, go to Sabrina’s Cafe, a<br />
BYOB on 9th and Christian. When you go on Sunday<br />
afternoon, you’ll hit their super popular brunch. Go a<br />
little later, around 2pm, and the wait’s shorter. Don’t<br />
miss out on their eggs benedict: they’re amazing. The<br />
cali-turkey sandwich is excellent, the fries are crispy,<br />
and the crowd is young and attractive. While waiting<br />
to get a table at Sabrina’s, go around the corner to<br />
Anthony’s Italian C<strong>of</strong>fee House, 903 S 9th<br />
Street, a family cafe that’s been around for a hundred<br />
years. Their c<strong>of</strong>fee is even better with a cannoli from<br />
Isgro Pastries, 1009 Christian, down the street.<br />
Looking for pizza? Grab a slice at Lorenzo’s Pizza<br />
at 9th and Christian. Impress your friends by getting<br />
a slice <strong>of</strong> white broccoli pie or one <strong>of</strong> their breakfast<br />
themed slices.<br />
139 <strong>PD</strong>PRIMER 2011<br />
ChEAP EAtS<br />
For the best authentic Mexican, walk over to Plaza<br />
Garibaldi, 935 Washington, where the service<br />
is sweet and the green salsa is spicy! The food is so<br />
gratifying and yet so inexpensive. Get steak tacos or<br />
tostadas, but don’t bother with their guacamole. If<br />
you’re a born adventurer, keep walking down Washington<br />
Avenue and you will hit a slew <strong>of</strong> large Asian<br />
restaurants. Go for Vietnamese, like Nam Phuong,<br />
1100 Washington.<br />
A little north, on South Street, there are so many<br />
places to eat, it would entail changing this cute little<br />
survival guide into a survival bible (maybe next<br />
year?)...<br />
For burgers, fries, and pear margaritas (watch out,<br />
their doubles are strong!), stop by Copabanana<br />
at 334 South Street. The Tattooed Mom, 530<br />
South Street, has lovely pierogies, because there is<br />
obviously nothing better than stuffed dough rolls with<br />
a lager. Govinda’s Café, 1408 South Street, makes<br />
fake meat fun! Start with the mock “shrimp” and “scallops”<br />
appetizers, and move on to their “cheesesteak”.<br />
For exciting Middle Eastern (Seriously now. You’ve had<br />
enough Magic Carpet.) taste the falafel at Alyan’s,<br />
603 S 4th Street.<br />
The sushi at Houston Hall is so lame. Help!<br />
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ChEAP EAtS<br />
Go to Raw Lounge, 1225 Sansom, where the sushi<br />
is savory, and so is the sake. For the best Chinese in<br />
the city (this place comes highly recommended) eat at<br />
the Sang-ke Peking Duck House, 9th Street<br />
and Vine. It’s perfect for birthday dinners. A friend’s<br />
favorite dish ever is the wonton noodle soup with<br />
duck. Nearby is Harmony, 135 North 9th Street,<br />
which boasts a very, very vegan menu and is constantly<br />
mentioned at the Fine Arts building.<br />
I feel so guilty being too far away from my studio…<br />
where can I go? Step away from the food carts and<br />
forsake the Quizno’s subs:<br />
For choice fare close to school, try Lou’s Restaurante,<br />
305 N 33rd Street. They have a fantastic<br />
shrimp quesadilla. It’s virtually unknown to Penn students,<br />
which is a shame, because it’s a tasty little jewel.<br />
Don’t forget to grab some beer at Drexel Pizza on<br />
the way, as Lou’s is BYOB.<br />
West <strong>of</strong> campus, Abyssinia Restaurant, 229<br />
South 45th Street, also known as the downstairs <strong>of</strong><br />
Fiume, is low-priced and vegetarian-friendly. Tandoor,<br />
at 106 South 40th Street, has an all-you-caneat<br />
buffet and gives a 20% discount with student IDs.<br />
Pattaya Grill, 4006 Chestnut Street, has good Pad<br />
Thai, which is what I always get at Thai restaurants,<br />
141 <strong>PD</strong>PRIMER 2011<br />
and I’m sure there’s a suburban joke just waiting to<br />
be made.<br />
To satisfy your sweet tooth, skip the Dunkin’ Donuts<br />
and take a walk to Metropolitan Bakery,<br />
at 4013 Walnut. While you’re there, stop by the<br />
Slought Foundation next door and check out their<br />
exciting art shows.<br />
CITY OF<br />
SMOTHERLY<br />
LOVE by Kristopher Powell<br />
Now that you’ve arrived in Philadelphia, it is<br />
time to start taking in some <strong>of</strong> the local culture.<br />
The Philadelphia art Museum and the<br />
Philadelphia Orchestra are great, but what if<br />
you’re looking for culture at 2 in the morning?<br />
Your best bet is to load your friends into the<br />
Geo Metro and head to South Philly for that<br />
native delicacy and true epitome <strong>of</strong> brotherly<br />
love: the cheesesteak. Everyone, from<br />
bond traders to homeless people, can meet<br />
and share their common love for a simple<br />
sandwich. That and a complete disregard for<br />
carbcounting, fat intake, and the risk <strong>of</strong> heart<br />
disease.<br />
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all the action goes down in South Philly, home<br />
to the Cheesesteak Holy Trinity: Pat’s, Geno’s,<br />
and Jim’s. You’ll find the first two at the intersection<br />
<strong>of</strong> 9th Street and Passyunk avenue.<br />
This location is easy to find, even from outer<br />
space, thanks to the stands’ impressive dueling<br />
fluorescent facades. The third member <strong>of</strong><br />
the trinity is Jim’s, conveniently located across<br />
from Pearl art & Craft Supply at 4th and South<br />
Streets, and a frequent destination <strong>of</strong> late-night<br />
partiers.<br />
at any one, the ordering process moves quickly,<br />
so be prepared. The man behind the griddle<br />
has no time for hesitation or indecision, and like<br />
most places in this city, if you take too long,<br />
somebody is going to yell at you. Consequently,<br />
you are advised to get your order and<br />
your money ready while still in line. Though the<br />
process can be intimidating, just tell yourself<br />
that if the guy in the wifebeater two spots ahead<br />
<strong>of</strong> you can handle ordering, you can too.<br />
The first part <strong>of</strong> your order refers to whether you<br />
want your steak with grilled onions. You have<br />
two choices: “wit” or “wit-out”. The next part<br />
specifies what topping you’d like: plain, cheese<br />
whiz, provolone, american, or a pizza steak.<br />
So, for example “Wit’ whiz” means: “I would like<br />
a steak with grilled onions topped with cheese<br />
whiz, please.” Depending where you are, your<br />
steak will be ready somewhere between 0.7<br />
143 <strong>PD</strong>PRIMER 2011<br />
and 10 seconds later. all that is left to do is pay<br />
your money (cash only, please), apply ketchup<br />
as necessary, and enjoy your meal, aware that<br />
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REStAURAntS: nEAR CAmPUS<br />
FoLKS And<br />
SPoonS<br />
Parents are in town, looking for signs <strong>of</strong> life, but you<br />
barely have time to pull yourself away from your latest<br />
meisterwerk? Set a lab machine to render, and let your<br />
folks buy you a decent meal that’s still within walking<br />
distance <strong>of</strong> campus. A few suggestions, each with a<br />
nearby backup plan:<br />
WhitE doG CAFÉ<br />
3420 Sansom St/ 215-386-9224<br />
The most obvious choice, this is the Nice Collegiate<br />
Restaurant par excellence with delectable, expensive,<br />
organic “New American” food, just the right light<br />
levels and cozy décor. The bar <strong>of</strong>fers a respite from the<br />
businesslike despair <strong>of</strong> the New Deck and a food menu<br />
reasonable enough that you just might eat here on<br />
your own.<br />
Nearby: LA tERRASSE<br />
3432 Sansom St/ 215-386-5000<br />
La Terrasse <strong>of</strong>fers a bistro menu, similar prices and<br />
upscale-enough digs. In season, go for the outdoor<br />
tables on the namesake in back. The long, narrow bar,<br />
complete with bombastic brass beer spigot, is one <strong>of</strong><br />
the best-looking around.<br />
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REStAURAntS: nEAR CAmPUS<br />
Pod<br />
3636 Sansom St/ 215-387-1803<br />
Don’t tell your parents that the neo-mod-resin-whiteness<br />
thing is past its prime; they’ll think this is the<br />
coolest place on earth. A pan-Asian menu stands up<br />
to the décor, and we have to admit a s<strong>of</strong>t spot for the<br />
airline-style bathrooms. Grab a semi-private pod with<br />
changing colored lights.<br />
Nearby: PEnnE<br />
3611 Walnut St/ 215-823-6222<br />
We haven’t actually eaten at Penne (in The Inn at<br />
Penn, get it?) but we would take our parents here a<br />
thousand times before dragging them down the street<br />
to that poorly-lit cesspool <strong>of</strong> watered-down tequila<br />
called Mad4Mex.<br />
LEmon GRASS thAi<br />
3630 lancaster ave/ 215-222-8042<br />
A 10 minute stroll north <strong>of</strong> campus (or quick cab<br />
ride) is one <strong>of</strong> the best Thai restaurants in the city,<br />
and certainly the best affordable Thai. Deep red walls,<br />
giant tan ceramic platters, Golden Monkey beer, and<br />
a dessert concoction <strong>of</strong> fried banana, coconut ice<br />
cream and mango sauce make this a uniquely satisfying<br />
palace <strong>of</strong> Siamese comfort food.<br />
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REStAURAntS: nEAR CAmPUS<br />
Nearby: zoCALo<br />
3600 lancaster ave/ 215-895-0139<br />
A great deck and designer margaritas call like sirens<br />
from Zocalo, although the food doesn’t always live up<br />
to the haute-Mexican promise or the prices.<br />
nAn<br />
4000 Chestnut St/ 215-382-0818<br />
As you enter Nan, the dim lighting will almost cover<br />
up the cheap decor and <strong>of</strong>fice-like chairs. But watching<br />
waiters in ties serve up not-quite-Thais like cranberry<br />
and pepper-encrusted venison, you can see this<br />
BYOB’s top-end aspirations. The food is quite good,<br />
not good enough to justify the dinner prices—lunch is<br />
a better option. The warm chocolate cake is marvelous<br />
with vanilla ice cream.<br />
Nearby: thAi SinGhA hoUSE<br />
3939 Chestnut St/ 215-382-8001<br />
Is Thai Singha House somehow sponsored by the Thai<br />
beer <strong>of</strong> the same name? We’ve never figured it out, but<br />
we can say the décor, food, and prices here, though a<br />
step down from Nan, are still parent-worthy and probably<br />
better value.<br />
147 <strong>PD</strong>PRIMER 2011<br />
REStAURAntS: StEVEn StARR<br />
StARR<br />
REPoRt<br />
What’s the deal with this Steven Starr? Well, he has<br />
designed a fleet <strong>of</strong> restaurants, most <strong>of</strong> them in downtown<br />
Philly (lucky you). Think Columbus with his<br />
ships, but way hipper. Watch out! This is true <strong>of</strong> all<br />
twelve Starr joints: they’re tasty, yes, and they might<br />
glow in the dark, but the drinks take a heavy toll on<br />
the wallet. Check out the menus before you go on<br />
their flashy websites (starr-restaurant.com). Oh, and<br />
you might want to make reservations. Welcome to<br />
adulthood.<br />
For a comfortable introduction, I suggest the Continental<br />
Mid-Town, at 1801 Chestnut. Get a dish for<br />
each person and share. The pad thai is good and there’s<br />
plenty <strong>of</strong> it. The wasabi mashed potatoes are a great<br />
side, as are the szechuan fries. The lobster mac’n’cheese<br />
sounds lame, but is actually the opposite.<br />
Or try Pod, located at 3636 Sansom, right in our<br />
backyard. They have drink specials (sometimes). The<br />
dumplings are delicious, and so is the stir-fry. Go with<br />
friends and get one <strong>of</strong> their sushi platters.<br />
Head to El-Vez, 121 South 13th Street, for good<br />
guacamole, nice waiters and margarita pitchers. It’s<br />
Mexican and it’s the cheapest <strong>of</strong> the Starrs. Go figure.<br />
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REStAURAntS: StEVEn StARR<br />
Movin’ on up? Go to Buddakan, 325 Chestnut. It’s a<br />
beautiful place to eat or go on a date. Stay away from<br />
the prawns, as they have faces. Go for the salmon or<br />
tuna instead, and save room for dessert.<br />
Trust fund baby? Get thee to Morimoto! At 723<br />
Chestnut, they proudly house Iron Chef Masahuru<br />
Morimoto, who totally beat the apron <strong>of</strong>f Bobby Flay.<br />
The chef has a multi-course tasting menu, starting at<br />
$80 a person, with extra for beverages specially selected<br />
to compliment the food. The sushi looks good, too.<br />
There are many more Starr restaurants but we’ve been<br />
stuck in studio. If you’ve done your math, you know<br />
there are still seven more lavishly designed restaurants.<br />
Try them all. Go on weeknights when the crowds are<br />
more manageable, and dress nicely. It’ll be a welcome<br />
change from the shabbiness <strong>of</strong> everyday life at school.<br />
149 <strong>PD</strong>PRIMER 2011<br />
<strong>PD</strong>PRIMER 2011 150
STUDIO SUPPlIES<br />
SUPERMaRKETS<br />
MallS<br />
ERRaNDS<br />
THRIFT STORES<br />
BUYinG<br />
StUFF<br />
StUdio SUPPLiES<br />
GEt YoUR<br />
FoAmCoRE<br />
on<br />
UtRECht ARt SUPPLY CEntER<br />
Utrecht does not <strong>of</strong>fer student discounts, but<br />
they usually have seasonal discount programs<br />
if you rack up a high enough tab. Selection<br />
is relatively small due to store size (the Broad<br />
Street location is slightly bigger), but the stocking<br />
tends to be more predictable than Pearl.<br />
Friendly staff will pre-order items in advance if<br />
you know you’re going to need a lot. Sign up for<br />
the mailer and hold on to the coupons.<br />
DIRECTIONS: Utrecht’s Chestnut Street store<br />
is a 20 minute walk from Penn, or take Bus 21<br />
or 42 there from 34th & Chestnut, returning<br />
on Walnut. Street parking is hit or miss at both<br />
stores.<br />
BLiCK ARt mAtERiALS<br />
A good place to go for material ideas, the store<br />
<strong>of</strong>ten has products that cannot be found at<br />
other local art stores. The store is located on<br />
13th and Chestnut Streets.<br />
DIRECTIONS: Take the 21 Bus or any eastward<br />
bound Trolley to 13th and walk south. Parking<br />
is hard to come by.<br />
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StUdio SUPPLiES<br />
EVERYthinG<br />
PLAStiC<br />
(née Arch Street<br />
Plastics)<br />
They’ve got one word<br />
for you (sorry, had<br />
to), in a wide variety<br />
<strong>of</strong> thicknesses, colors,<br />
and finishes. They will<br />
cut plexi to suit, but<br />
call ahead to confirm<br />
cutting hours. Also be<br />
sure to check the large<br />
scrap room for the best<br />
bargains. 10% student<br />
discount.<br />
DIRECTIONS: Take<br />
the Market-Frankford<br />
(blue) subway line to<br />
the Spring Garden<br />
station. Walk west on<br />
Spring Garden, then<br />
turn left on 2nd Street.<br />
A.C. mooRE<br />
Welcome to the unsettlingly<br />
large world <strong>of</strong><br />
“crafters.” If Martha<br />
Stewart went AWOL<br />
153 <strong>PD</strong>PRIMER 2011<br />
aRTIST SUPPlY<br />
Blick Art Materials<br />
1330 Chestnut St<br />
215-238-1900<br />
M-Sa 8-8, Su 11-6<br />
Utrecht Art Supply Center<br />
2020 Chestnut St<br />
215-563-5600<br />
M-F 9-6, Sa 10-6, Su 12-5<br />
301 S Broad St<br />
215-546-7798<br />
M-F 8-7, Sa 9-6, Su 12-5<br />
taws Artist materials &<br />
Studio<br />
1527 Walnut St<br />
215-563-8742<br />
MTThF 9-6:20, W 9-7:20<br />
A.C. moore<br />
1851 S Columbus Blvd<br />
215-465-0930<br />
M-Sa 9:30-9:30, Su 11-6<br />
StoA<br />
3rd Floor Meyerson<br />
M-Th 7-9<br />
charette.com<br />
nationalbalsa.com<br />
METalS<br />
metal Supermarkets<br />
5101 Cottman ave<br />
215-335-2003<br />
PlaSTICS<br />
Everything Plastic<br />
444 N 2nd St<br />
215-238-9800<br />
M-F 8:30-5, Sa 9-2<br />
HaRDWaRE STORES<br />
home depot<br />
1651 S Columbus Blvd<br />
215-218-0600<br />
M-Sa 6-10, Su 8-8 (varies)<br />
2200 Oregon avenue<br />
215-551-1753<br />
M-Sa 6-10, Su 7-10 (varies)<br />
Lowe’s<br />
2106 S Columbus Blvd<br />
215-982-5391<br />
M-Sa 6-10, Su 8-8<br />
Rittenhouse Hardware Inc.<br />
2001 Pine Street<br />
215-735-6311<br />
lUMBER<br />
Gr<strong>of</strong>f & Gr<strong>of</strong>f Lumber<br />
858 Scotland Rd, Quarryville<br />
800-342-0001 or 717-284-0001<br />
Woodland Building Supply<br />
4701 Woodland ave<br />
215-727-5333<br />
Sawbell Lumber Co.<br />
4505 lancaster ave<br />
215-877-7988<br />
StUdio SUPPLiES<br />
from the big house, this is<br />
where Tommy Lee Jones<br />
would track her to. At hectic<br />
review times, check here for<br />
basswood and dowels.<br />
DIRECTIONS: From Penn,<br />
take I-76 W to I-676 E. Take<br />
I-676 to I-95 S and use the<br />
first (left) exit, Columbus<br />
Blvd. Turn right at the light<br />
onto Columbus. The slice<br />
<strong>of</strong> suburban consumerism<br />
known as Pier 70 and home<br />
to Home Depot, A.C. Moore,<br />
Wal-Mart, SuperFresh, Old<br />
Navy and more, is a half-mile<br />
down on the left.<br />
homE dEPot<br />
Neither <strong>of</strong> the two Home<br />
Depots can claim great prices<br />
or great lumber, but they are<br />
open late. They will cut large<br />
pieces <strong>of</strong> wood (only the first<br />
two cuts are free). Beware<br />
though, at the Columbus<br />
Blvd store the blade on the<br />
saw hasn’t been changed since<br />
the store opened and the<br />
tolerance is about a foot.<br />
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StUdio SUPPLiES<br />
DIRECTIONS: For the Columbus Blvd store follow the<br />
same directions for A.C. Moore. For Oregon Ave, take<br />
I-76 E to the Passyunk Ave/Oregon Ave exit (347B).<br />
Take the Oregon Ave East ramp. Then merge onto W<br />
Oregon Ave.<br />
ChARREttE<br />
Charrette is a Massachusetts mail-order retailer geared<br />
to the design pr<strong>of</strong>essional. Large selection and reasonable<br />
prices, but you pay for shipping.<br />
StoA<br />
STOA is <strong>PennDesign</strong>’s student-run supply store and<br />
sells a limited selection <strong>of</strong> Charrette items at cost,<br />
making it cheaper than Pearl or Utrecht for many<br />
items (get their price list and keep it handy). In-house<br />
location makes it a good place for big, floppy things<br />
like foamcore and drawing paper.<br />
thE FABRiCAtion LAB<br />
The <strong>PennDesign</strong> Fab Lab on the 4th floor <strong>of</strong> Meyerson<br />
regularly places wood orders for students. This can be<br />
more convenient than schlepping to Home Depot but<br />
you won’t get to pick your own pieces. Talk to Dennis<br />
for prices. Deliveries are usually made two to three<br />
days after an order is placed. The Fab Lab also has a<br />
stockpile <strong>of</strong> odd-sized wood like birdseye maple and<br />
cherry priced by the board-foot. To place an order, see<br />
Dennis Pierattini, Fab Lab Manager.<br />
155 <strong>PD</strong>PRIMER 2011<br />
Got<br />
miLK?<br />
SUPERmARKEtS<br />
FRESh GRoCER<br />
A Wood + Zapata building houses the main food destination<br />
for West Philly’s students. There’s a large selection<br />
<strong>of</strong> standard groceries plus a hot food bar open for<br />
breakfast through dinner, a c<strong>of</strong>fee stand and upstairs<br />
seating. Sadly, the building isn’t used as it was designed<br />
(you choose the blame) with extra merchandise shelves<br />
filling every inch <strong>of</strong> floor space—yet some items are<br />
always out <strong>of</strong> stock. And the produce doesn’t live up to<br />
the store’s name.<br />
Bus 21 to 40th & Walnut.<br />
WhoLE FoodS mARKEt<br />
Both locations have great selections <strong>of</strong> fish and meat,<br />
produce, and prepared foods, but it’ll cost ya. Groceries<br />
are more reasonable since 365, the Whole Foods<br />
brand, dominates. As you’d expect from a place that<br />
stocks Alternative Medicine at the checkout, the<br />
organics come fast and furious; for Oreos and Doritos,<br />
go to Fresh Grocer or SuperFresh.<br />
Bus 40 to 10th & South, no direct transit to Penn Ave store.<br />
tRAdER JoE’S<br />
The Ikea <strong>of</strong> gourmet, Joe’s has good quality and very<br />
reasonable prices, but this location has a small selec-<br />
<strong>PD</strong>PRIMER 2011 156
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SUPERmARKEtS<br />
tion and, due to state liquor laws, can’t flog cheap<br />
wine. The frozen foods and house-label beverages are<br />
very good. Joe also discounts luxury euro treats such as<br />
Ritter and Limonata. No street entrance—go through<br />
the parking lot in back to enter.<br />
Green line trolley to 21st St.<br />
SUPER FRESh<br />
A better-than-average grocery store, without the<br />
checkout ’tudes <strong>of</strong> the Fresh Grocer. The South Street<br />
location is across from Whole Foods and rather large;<br />
the 5th Street store isn’t much <strong>of</strong> a destination, but it’s<br />
a convenient stop on the way back from Pearl (catch<br />
the westbound 42 bus at the corner <strong>of</strong> 5th and Spruce<br />
to return home to Meyerson).<br />
Bus 40 to 10th & South. Bus 40 to 5th & South.<br />
thRiFtWAY<br />
There won’t be Hawaiian shirts or free samples to<br />
greet you at these dingy, no-frills stores. Go for cereal<br />
and yogurt—you’ll be disappointed if you’re looking<br />
for anything slightly exotic or especially fresh. Unfortunately<br />
they aren’t all that thrifty either—for a real<br />
bargain you gotta head for the ’burbs.<br />
Bus 40 to 22nd & South.<br />
SUPREmE FoodmARKEt<br />
The lights have been burning inside the old Thriftway<br />
for two years, and to PECO’s relief, someone has<br />
finally moved in. This new store is said to feature a<br />
great variety <strong>of</strong> ethnic foods including an addictive<br />
157 <strong>PD</strong>PRIMER 2011<br />
SUPERMaRKETS<br />
Fresh Grocer<br />
4001 Walnut St<br />
7 days, 24 hours<br />
Whole Foods market<br />
929 South St<br />
7 days 8-10<br />
2001 <strong>Pennsylvania</strong> Ave<br />
(2 blocks N <strong>of</strong> Franklin<br />
Pkwy)<br />
7 days 8-10<br />
trader Joe’s<br />
2121 Market St<br />
7 days 9-9<br />
Super Fresh<br />
1001 South St<br />
M-F 7-11, Sa-Su 7-10<br />
309 South 5th St<br />
(btw Spruce & Pine)<br />
M-F 7-11, Sa 7-10, Su 7-9<br />
thriftway<br />
2221 South St<br />
7 days 7-10<br />
Supreme Foodmarket<br />
4301 Walnut St<br />
SUPERmARKEtS<br />
Argentinian soda which is “so damn<br />
good.” Sorry, no hours posted at<br />
press time.<br />
Bus 21 to 43rd & Walnut.<br />
PRodUCE mARKEtS<br />
Philadelphia may be famous for<br />
cheesesteaks, hoagies, scrapple<br />
and Tastykakes, but there’s actually<br />
some healthy stuff to eat here<br />
too. The fertile agricultural land <strong>of</strong><br />
Philadelphia’s neighboring counties<br />
is home to a variety <strong>of</strong> small<br />
independent farms, many <strong>of</strong> them<br />
organic and family-run; some<br />
Amish, some not.<br />
Several days a week, from spring to<br />
late fall, the farmers pack up their<br />
latest crops and head to markets<br />
scattered throughout the city.<br />
The vegetables are incredible, the<br />
prices are fair, and you have the<br />
rare chance to meet the people who<br />
actually grow your food. After a few<br />
runins with the sadistic, produceabusing<br />
cashiers at Fresh Grocer,<br />
your faith in humanity will be<br />
restored when you see that some<br />
people honestly do care about good<br />
food.<br />
<strong>PD</strong>PRIMER 2011 158
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SUPERmARKEtS<br />
Even if you hate vegetables, don’t avoid the farmers<br />
markets. Vendors sell everything from fresh baked<br />
goods to artisan cheeses, fresh meats, eggs and milk.<br />
Depending on the market, you can <strong>of</strong>ten find freshcut<br />
flowers, local maple syrup, salsas and sauces, and<br />
a variety <strong>of</strong> other specialty items. And let me tell you,<br />
the Amish make a mean whoopie pie.<br />
For more information and to find markets in other<br />
parts <strong>of</strong> the city, check out the Philadelphia Food Trust<br />
at www.thefoodtrust.org.<br />
tUESdAYS<br />
South St & Passyunk Ave/ 2-7<br />
12th & St. James St (1 block below Walnut)/ 2-6<br />
WEdnESdAYS<br />
Jamaican Jerk Hut (1436 South St)/ 2-6<br />
thURSdAYS<br />
Clark Park (43rd St & Baltimore)/ 3-7<br />
SAtURdAYS<br />
Clark Park (43rd St & Baltimore)/ 10-2<br />
Lancaster & Powelton Aves/ 10-2<br />
Fitler Square (23rd St & Pine)/ 10-2<br />
2nd St & South/ 10-2<br />
159 <strong>PD</strong>PRIMER 2011<br />
SUPERmARKEtS<br />
REAdinG tERminAL mARKEt<br />
Don’t forget the indoor, 113 year-old Reading Terminal<br />
Market, a unique urban experience with dozens <strong>of</strong> stalls<br />
and restaurants. Sellers <strong>of</strong>fer baked goods, meat, seafood,<br />
produce, flowers, desserts and ethnic specialties. Did you do<br />
a doubletake? Yes, the Amish are here too. Located at 12th<br />
& Arch Streets. Take the Market-Frankford blue line to<br />
Market East.<br />
MaRKET HOURS: M-Sa 8-6 (many restaurants close after 3)<br />
PENNSYlVaNIa DUTCH MERCHaNTS: W 8-3, Th-Sa 8-5<br />
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mALLtoPiA<br />
tARGEt 1 Mifflin St/ 215-463-7311<br />
M-Sa 8-10, Su 8-9<br />
WAL-mARt Wal-Mart: 1601 S Columbus Blvd/<br />
215-468-4220/ 7 days 7-10<br />
iKEA 2206 S Columbus Blvd/ 215-551-4215/<br />
M-Sa 10-10, Su 10-8<br />
As you cruise south on Columbus Boulevard, the road<br />
bends left just after a Wawa/gas station combo. If you<br />
go straight instead, you’ll find TaRGET (the thinking<br />
designer’s big box) a bit down on the right. If you slide<br />
around the curve, you’ll come to the dual left-turn<br />
lanes for Pier 70, where Wal-MaRT sits next to Home<br />
Depot. More selection at the latter, but the depression<br />
factor ratchets up a notch as well. A few lights down<br />
on the left is IKEa, fave interior decorator to poor but<br />
fastidious design students.<br />
DIRECTIONS: Take I-76 W from Spruce St to I-676 E to<br />
I-95 S (to Chester). Take exit 20 and turn right at the light<br />
onto Columbus Blvd. IKEa is 1.5 miles down on the left.<br />
KinG oF PRUSSiA mALL<br />
The newest and largest mall in the Philadelphia area,<br />
King <strong>of</strong> Prussia is nationally recognized as one <strong>of</strong> the<br />
leading upscale malls in America. Bloomingdales,<br />
Macy’s, Nordstrom, and Neiman Marcus anchor the<br />
mall, which also has over 365 specialty shops and 40<br />
eateries. There is no sales tax in PA on clothing, so<br />
knock yourself out. The mall is a planet surrounded<br />
161 <strong>PD</strong>PRIMER 2011<br />
mALLtoPiA<br />
by satellites like Best Buy, Crate & Barrel and more<br />
stores with “World” in their names than you can shake<br />
a stick at.<br />
DIRECTIONS: I-76 W to exit 327, Mall Blvd. Be sure<br />
not to get onto the PA Turnpike. It should take about<br />
45 minutes from Penn.<br />
FRAnKLin miLLS mALL<br />
Once the largest “outlet” malls in the country, Franklin<br />
Mills is still home to many bargains. The mall also<br />
contains a movie theater and Jillian’s, a large restaurant<br />
and entertainment complex similar to Dave & Busters.<br />
DIRECTIONS: Take I-76 W to I-676 E across Center City,<br />
then I-95 N (toward Trenton) to the exit for Woodhaven<br />
Rd. Follow the signs for Franklin Mills Mall, which is<br />
located at Woodhaven Rd and Knights Rd. It is about a 40<br />
minute drive from the Penn campus.<br />
<strong>PD</strong>PRIMER 2011 162
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EVERYthinG ELSE<br />
ERRAndS<br />
AtmS<br />
1. CVS - 3401 WalNUT (PNC Bank)<br />
2. PENN BOOKSTORE (PNC Bank)<br />
3. HOUSON Hall (PNC Bank)<br />
4. WaWa NORTH (PNC Bank, no fee)<br />
5. WaWa SOUTH (PNC Bank, no fee)<br />
BAnKinG<br />
6. CITIZENS BaNK<br />
134 S 34th St<br />
M-F 9-5, Sa 10-2, Su 11-2<br />
7. COMMERCE BaNK<br />
3735 Walnut St<br />
M-F 7:30-8, Sa 7:30-6, Su 11-4<br />
8. PNC BaNK<br />
Children’s Hospital <strong>of</strong> <strong>Pennsylvania</strong><br />
(34th St, south <strong>of</strong> HUP)<br />
M-F 9-3<br />
BaNK OF aMERICa<br />
1818 Market St<br />
M-Th 8-4, F 8-6<br />
163 <strong>PD</strong>PRIMER 2011<br />
LAUndRY<br />
9. CURlY’S ClEaNERS<br />
(drop-<strong>of</strong>f)<br />
39th & Sansom<br />
10. SaIa’S ClEaNERS<br />
(drop-<strong>of</strong>f & tailoring)<br />
41st & Spruce<br />
M-F 7:30-6, Sa 9-5<br />
11. U-DO WE-DO<br />
(coin-op & drop-<strong>of</strong>f)<br />
4303 Locust/ 45th & Locust<br />
7 days 6-mid (last load 11pm)<br />
dRUGStoRES<br />
12. CVS<br />
3401 Walnut St<br />
215-823-6993<br />
M-Sa 8-11, Su 8-10<br />
13. CVS<br />
3923 Walnut St<br />
215-662-0406<br />
M-Sa 8-11, Su 8-10<br />
RITE aID<br />
2301 Walnut St<br />
215-636-9634<br />
7days 24 hours<br />
EVERYthinG ELSE<br />
<strong>PD</strong>PRIMER 2011 164
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EVERYthinG ELSE<br />
FAXinG, CoPYinG & PRintinG<br />
14. THE UPS STORE<br />
3720 Spruce St<br />
215-222-2840<br />
M-F 8-7, Sa 9-5, Su 12-5<br />
15. CaMPUS COPY CENTER<br />
3731 Walnut St<br />
215-386-6114<br />
M-F 8-6, Sa 10-4<br />
16. CaMPUS COPY CENTER<br />
3907 Walnut St<br />
215-386-6410<br />
M-F 8-6, Sa 10-4<br />
17. KINKO’S<br />
3923 Walnut St<br />
215-386-5679<br />
7-11, 7 days<br />
mAiLinG & ShiPPinG<br />
18. UNIVERSITY CITY POST OFFICE<br />
228 S 40th St<br />
(btw Walnut and Locust)<br />
215-387-5469<br />
M-F 8:30-5<br />
165 <strong>PD</strong>PRIMER 2011<br />
PHIlaDElPHIa MaIN POST OFFICE<br />
2970 Market St<br />
215-895-8980<br />
7 days 6-mid<br />
30TH STREET STaTION POST OFFICE<br />
M-F 7-5:45<br />
15. CaMPUS SHIPPING CENTER<br />
3735 Walnut St<br />
215-386-6114<br />
M-F 8-6, Sa 10-4<br />
14. THE UPS STORE<br />
3720 Spruce St<br />
215-222-2840<br />
M-F 8-7, Sa 9-5, Su 12-5<br />
EVERYthinG ELSE<br />
You can receive packages at Meyerson, sent to your<br />
name, at 210 S 34th St, Philadelphia, PA 19104.<br />
<strong>PD</strong>PRIMER 2011 166
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EVERYthinG ELSE EVERYthinG ELSE<br />
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<strong>PD</strong>PRIMER 2011 168<br />
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thRiFt StoRES<br />
GEt<br />
USEd<br />
From insanely cheap, unselective, anything-goes<br />
dealers to classy, upscale consignment shops that deal<br />
in pedigreed stock, Philly has a thriving secondhand<br />
clothing scene. Here’s a list to get you started:<br />
thE ChEAP: Jeans for less than<br />
$10, T-shirts for a buck<br />
Second Mile Center<br />
214 S 45th St (at Walnut)/ 215-662-1663<br />
A church-run shop (dig the heavy murals on the righthand<br />
wall), with a large, constantly restocked selection.<br />
A row <strong>of</strong> three or four shops selling clothing and<br />
furniture, books and electronics, dishes and assorted<br />
domestic knickknacks. Open until 8 PM.<br />
toviah thrift Shop<br />
4211 Chestnut St/ 215-382-7251<br />
A small, interesting, random sort <strong>of</strong> place. You might<br />
not find anything here you want to buy, but it’s fun to<br />
look, and if you do find something it’ll be cheap.<br />
Salvation Army thrift Store<br />
2240 Market St/ 215-561-0178<br />
The old standby. This one’s a pretty good shop, with<br />
two levels <strong>of</strong> used clothing.<br />
169 <strong>PD</strong>PRIMER 2011<br />
hope on 7th Street<br />
700 Bainbridge St/ 215- 413-2301<br />
A great all-around thrift store.<br />
thRiFt StoRES<br />
thE ChiC: Jeans for $14 or more,<br />
t-shirts for $5-10<br />
Buffalo Exchange<br />
1713 Chestnut St/ 215-557-9850<br />
Part <strong>of</strong> a national chain <strong>of</strong> thrift stores that reliably<br />
<strong>of</strong>fers quality used clothes at decent prices.<br />
Greene Street<br />
Consignment Shop<br />
700 South St/ 215-733-9261<br />
A wide selection <strong>of</strong> all sorts <strong>of</strong> clothes, from shoes<br />
to hats, t-shirts to evening gowns, in next-to-new<br />
condition. Generally, nothing more than two years<br />
old is on the racks.<br />
Vintage Clothing Co.<br />
530 S 4th St (at South)/ 215-925-7607<br />
Don’t expect to get any fantastic bargains here. But if<br />
you’re into polyester, this is the place to go.<br />
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OUTINGS<br />
RElaTIONSHIPS<br />
EXERCISE<br />
SPoRtS<br />
BEER & WINE<br />
nEW dECK<br />
BaR GUIDE<br />
DIVE BaRS<br />
oLd mAn CitY<br />
REEl WORlD<br />
MUSEUMS<br />
DaY TRIPS<br />
hAVinG<br />
FUn<br />
oUtinGS<br />
10 thinGS<br />
i
having fun<br />
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life as men and even the odd man performing as a<br />
man—work for that dollar that you might just toss<br />
their way. Between entertainers, raucous revelers<br />
are also given the chance to boogie on B&B’s tiny<br />
stage. The always wild Miss Liza Liza keeps the<br />
show moving, and the whole pageant-carnival is<br />
fueled by seriously cheap PBR.<br />
chow down at CARMAN’S COUNTRY<br />
KitChEn<br />
1301 S 11th Street (at Wharton)/ 215-339-9613<br />
Late one afternoon in 1996 Carman Luntzel’s<br />
small South Philly breakfast joint burst into flames.<br />
When the firemen left and the smoke cleared, Carman’s<br />
prospects weren’t pretty. She lacked insurance<br />
or the cash to rebuild. Was it truly curtains for her<br />
beloved Country Kitchen?! Unexpectedly, adoring<br />
neighbors and patrons rushed to her aide providing<br />
the materials and labor necessary to quickly get the<br />
bacon frying again. Like me, they couldn’t imagine<br />
a future without the delight <strong>of</strong> hearty weekend<br />
brunching at Carman’s. Ten years have passed since<br />
the “miracle <strong>of</strong> 11th and Wharton” and Carman<br />
is still serving up killer Latin-influenced breakfast<br />
fare with panache. Her highly original menu is<br />
constantly rotating and her food consistently good,<br />
cooked by Carman herself. The place is small—it’s<br />
best to call for a reservation—and charmingly<br />
outfitted with <strong>of</strong>f-beat (and <strong>of</strong>ten <strong>of</strong>f-color) bric-abrac<br />
echoing the cooking’s eclectic essence. In good<br />
weather larger parties are treated to outdoor seating<br />
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courtesy <strong>of</strong> Carman’s brightly painted truck. Always<br />
handily parked on the corner, there’s nothing quite<br />
like having your tasty breakfast served up hot in the<br />
bed <strong>of</strong> the cook’s own pick-up!<br />
get locked down in EASTERN STATE<br />
PEnitEntiARY<br />
2124 Fairmount avenue/ www.easternstate.org<br />
In 1822, Philadelphia Quakers began constructing<br />
the monstrous Eastern State Penitentiary with love in<br />
their hearts. Stern, well-intentioned love. The resulting<br />
panopticon is a lesson for all budding architects<br />
on the dangers <strong>of</strong> building too didactically. Outfitted<br />
with indoor plumbing and heating systems, the<br />
prison was state <strong>of</strong> the art; however, the building also<br />
imposed ideals <strong>of</strong> monastic reflection that proved<br />
unobtainable by most <strong>of</strong> its prisoners. Forced into<br />
solitary confinement in narrow cells—each eerily<br />
illuminated by a solitary overhead skylight—many<br />
<strong>of</strong> Eastern State’s matriculates went mad from years<br />
<strong>of</strong> isolation. Others found that by plunging their<br />
heads into their privies, the building’s plumbing<br />
could be used to communicate with fellow inmates.<br />
A descent into madness or a toilet telephone–neither<br />
option was pretty. The prison finally closed in 1970<br />
and reopened as a historic site in the 1990s. Today a<br />
decrepit beauty persists in the prison’s dramatically<br />
lit cells as guided tours make their way through the<br />
cellblock corridors uniformly exfoliating paint like<br />
diseased skin. The cells <strong>of</strong> celebrated prisoners such<br />
as Al Capone have been reconstructed, while others<br />
<strong>PD</strong>PRIMER 2011 174
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are frequently used by artists invited to mount<br />
installations exploiting the site’s chilling ambiance.<br />
Halloween and Bastille Day events are<br />
annually hosted behind the prison’s fortress-like<br />
walls. Sadly, Meyersonites who attend these affairs<br />
are rarely seen in the studio again...until—<br />
gasp!—the next day.<br />
rock out at the FIRST UNITARIAN<br />
ChURCh<br />
2125 Chestnut Street/ www.r5productions.com<br />
Fittingly, it was Furness, America’s original<br />
outlaw architect, who designed the First Unitarian<br />
Church: the church destined to double as<br />
one <strong>of</strong> Philly’s most kick-ass music venues. As I<br />
was raised in a sect that considers dancing a sin,<br />
I encourage you to visit a church that doesn’t<br />
mind if you raise your fist to fly the sign <strong>of</strong> the<br />
devil downstairs after hours. Basement shows at<br />
the FUC (WTF?) are loud, sweaty and deeply<br />
spiritually satisfying affairs. They are also cheap,<br />
smoke-free and largely devoid <strong>of</strong> drunken loutishness<br />
as no alcohol is served. R5 Productions<br />
is the small Philly-based promoter currently<br />
organizing the shows that range from hip-hop<br />
to three chord punk (basically anyone ready<br />
to rock the basement <strong>of</strong> one hip congregation)<br />
and nationally known independent artists are<br />
regularly booked. Note that smaller shows are<br />
<strong>of</strong>ten neatly tucked into a stained-glass side<br />
chapel with very pleasing results. strut your<br />
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stuff with the MUMMERS PARADE Center City/<br />
www.mummers.com I love New Year’s Eve but hate<br />
my typical New Year’s Day. I usually awake groggily to<br />
the realization that half the day’s already gone and the<br />
second half ain’t promising much. Stores are closed.<br />
Friends look haggard. It’s really, really cold outside.<br />
How can one look forward to a new year amid such<br />
depressing circumstances? In Philly, it’s Mummers to<br />
the rescue! Mummers are men—manly men—who<br />
bravely dress up in flamboyant costumes to play<br />
stringed instruments while performing elaborate synchronized<br />
dances on Center City streets in zero-degree<br />
weather. They do this to chase away our New Year’s<br />
Day demons. They are <strong>of</strong>ten drunk. Mummers have<br />
been <strong>of</strong>ficially parading since 1901 and come in many<br />
varieties like “comics” and “fancies.” You can learn a<br />
lot about the Mummers at their museum on the corner<br />
<strong>of</strong> 2nd and Washington, but all you really need to<br />
learn is the “Mummers strut.” You’ll pick it up on the<br />
fly at the parade and even the inebriated can usually<br />
pull it <strong>of</strong>f without toppling over. The spectacle lasts all<br />
day and concludes with a dazzling scene on 2nd Street<br />
south <strong>of</strong> Washington—Mummers’ clubhouse row. By<br />
the end <strong>of</strong> the parade, the party rivals Mardi Gras. In<br />
the midst <strong>of</strong> this Philly free-for-all you’ll realize that<br />
the festivities <strong>of</strong> New Year’s Eve have been stretched<br />
across the whole <strong>of</strong> the day. You might then wonder<br />
how you’ll recover when the 2nd rolls around, but,<br />
like the Mummers, you’ll probably be dancing too<br />
much to care!<br />
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dry heave in the mÜttER mUSEUm<br />
19 S 22nd Street (btw Chestnut and Market) www.collphyphil.org/mutter.asp<br />
When naming his band Motörhead, Welsh metal<br />
god Lemmy Kilmister claims he added an umlaut,<br />
not to guide pronunciation but “to make it look<br />
mean.” One wonders if Philadelphia’s own diacritically<br />
acclaimed Mütter Museum was the first to<br />
establish the umlaut as today’s preferred mark <strong>of</strong><br />
the beast. The museum <strong>of</strong> the College <strong>of</strong> Physicians<br />
proudly boasts a collection <strong>of</strong> more than 20,000<br />
haunting “objects.” The visible majority <strong>of</strong> these<br />
appear to be the preserved bits and pieces <strong>of</strong> 19th<br />
century medical unfortunates: i.e. people. Inside<br />
the museum, a wall <strong>of</strong> skulls decimated by syphilis<br />
vies with a skeleton <strong>of</strong> conjoined twins for your<br />
attention. Sliced sections <strong>of</strong> a human head demand<br />
closer inspection. Did I mention the museum<br />
houses the world’s largest preserved human colon?<br />
Despite attempts to present the collection with<br />
tact and scientific acumen, a kitsch Chamber <strong>of</strong><br />
Horrors ambience reigns over the Mütter’s largely<br />
subterranean galleries, ultimately lending the<br />
whole ghastly display a rather endearing—if no less<br />
grisly—charm.<br />
lower your pulse at ShoFUSo hoUSE &<br />
GARdEn<br />
West Fairmount Park/ www.sh<strong>of</strong>uso.com<br />
The words serene and architecture are not <strong>of</strong>ten<br />
paired in the design studios <strong>of</strong> Meyerson. Dynam-<br />
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ic, emergent, reflexive, catalytic, rigorous and, lately, even<br />
horrific are all candidates more likely to precede architecture’s<br />
utterance—words designed to keep a student’s adrenaline<br />
surging all night long. Who’s going to stay up 25 hours a<br />
day, eight days a week in search <strong>of</strong> an irenic, tranquil, sedate<br />
or serene architecture? We might even have to maintain lucid<br />
mental states in order to produce such work! Whether or<br />
not we ever strive for designs that impart restful calm over<br />
destabilizing momentum, visit ing such projects is good for<br />
our health. We are fortunate to have the Sh<strong>of</strong>usu House<br />
nearby. Designed in the manner <strong>of</strong> 16th century Japanese<br />
villas, residences like Sh<strong>of</strong>uso once housed scholars seeking<br />
a serene environment for reflection. Indeed, after the din <strong>of</strong><br />
the studio, it’s easy to welcome the meditative hush suffusing<br />
the house. When the villa’s sliding walls are opened to reveal<br />
its elegant garden, the house and landscape invoke a pr<strong>of</strong>ound,<br />
singular stillness. Though now thoroughly embedded<br />
in its current site, the building was first exhibited at the New<br />
York MoMA in 1954. The garden was designed when the<br />
structure was relocated to its present position in the Horticulture<br />
Center in the West Philly section <strong>of</strong> Fairmount Park.<br />
Sh<strong>of</strong>uso’s legacy as artwork will be further extended in 2007<br />
with the installation <strong>of</strong> site-specific murals by the acclaimed<br />
Japanese painter Hiroshi Senju.<br />
cycle scenic WEST RIVER DRIVE<br />
West River Drive (btw Spring Garden & The Falls Bridge)<br />
Philly drivers are out for blood. They habitually roll through<br />
stop signs. They compulsively pull into crosswalks. When a<br />
light goes green, they love peeling out to make a quick left<br />
<strong>PD</strong>PRIMER 2011 178
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in front <strong>of</strong> traffic with the right <strong>of</strong> way. Ironically,<br />
the City has responded to vehicular delinquency<br />
not by enforcing traffic laws (if there were any to<br />
begin with) but by marking in miles upon miles <strong>of</strong><br />
bike lanes so that now cyclists, too, can share the<br />
road with killers. We need the protection <strong>of</strong> jersey<br />
barriers not thin stripes <strong>of</strong> paint! Fortunately the<br />
Parks Department has heard the cyclist’s plea. West<br />
River Drive, one <strong>of</strong> the more scenic stretches <strong>of</strong><br />
Philly blacktop, is now closed to autos from 7am<br />
to 5pm on weekends from April through October.<br />
West River Drive runs along the west bank <strong>of</strong> the<br />
Schuylkill River and you can pick it up just north<br />
<strong>of</strong> Powelton Village from Spring Garden Street.<br />
Also beautiful is the dedicated trail for biking, jogging<br />
and rollerblading that parallels Kelly Drive on<br />
the Schuylkill’s east bank. The Kelly Drive trail is<br />
always car-free and runs past Boathouse Row—the<br />
home <strong>of</strong> Philly’s rowing clubs—and the art museum.<br />
I recommend biking up West River to the<br />
Falls Bridge and returning on Kelly or visa versa.<br />
You may still want to sport a helmet, but definitely<br />
shed the body armor you wore while riding there.<br />
cavort among WOODLANDS CEMETERY<br />
quadrupeds!<br />
4000 Woodland avenue/ www.uchs.net/Woodlands/<br />
woodlandshome.html<br />
To be planted there will cost you, but to walk<br />
in is free at this swank cemetery-cum-parkgoer’s<br />
paradise with one caveat: no dogs please! The final<br />
179 <strong>PD</strong>PRIMER 2011<br />
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address <strong>of</strong> choice for Philadelphia’s historic elite,<br />
Woodlands is also a beautifully landscaped (and very<br />
close) respite from the pressures <strong>of</strong> the studio. A<br />
straight shot down Woodland Walk on a sunny day<br />
will land you at the very impressive cemetery gates<br />
designed by the School <strong>of</strong> Design’s own forebear, Paul<br />
Philipe Cret. Beyond those gates you won’t find the<br />
names Keats, Yeats or Wilde, but many—like Drexel—are<br />
instantly familiar. Pondering the lives <strong>of</strong> the<br />
less recognizable denizens while strolling or jogging<br />
the park’s meandering tree-lined lanes is an addictive<br />
pastime. Researching those inhabitants can yield<br />
odd biographical tidbits. For example Rufus Welch<br />
(1800-1855) whose monument lies just east <strong>of</strong> “Vault<br />
Avenue” dared to be the first American importer<br />
<strong>of</strong> giraffes. While no giraffes currently frolic in the<br />
vicinity, the cemetery is wildly popular with Philly’s<br />
hip urban deer. The idyllic appeal <strong>of</strong> Woodlands is cemented<br />
by the late afternoon grazing <strong>of</strong> these peaceful<br />
ruminators who seem quite unconcerned by the<br />
proximity <strong>of</strong> bipeds—below ground or above.<br />
get your film on at the TLA VIDEO<br />
1520 locust Street/ www.tlavideo.com<br />
Anyone who has resided in a less populated American<br />
locale knows that Netflix has made ours a more livable<br />
country. When it comes right down to it though,<br />
nothing beats browsing titles at a video store with<br />
an expansive collection. Fortunately TLA Video is<br />
still around and tends to <strong>of</strong>fer the esoteric selections<br />
Netflix streaming sorely lacks.<br />
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181 <strong>PD</strong>PRIMER 2011<br />
LGBt niGht LiFE<br />
niGhtLiFE<br />
GAY BARS<br />
Philadelphia's gay scene is smaller compared to New<br />
York and DC, but what it lacks in size it makes up<br />
for in convenience and comfort. Most <strong>of</strong> the city's<br />
gay bars can be found in the Gayborhood (formally<br />
Washington Square West) along 12th and 13th streets<br />
between Walnut and Spruce. Whether you're out with<br />
friends or on the prowl, here are some <strong>of</strong> the more<br />
colorful bars for Philly's LGBT crowd.<br />
Tabu (200 S. 12th St): Where else can you drink<br />
to the beats <strong>of</strong> Beyonce and Lady Gaga while watching<br />
the latest Phillies, Flyers, or Eagles games? A great<br />
place to start the night, we love Tabu for the welcoming,<br />
neighborhood feel and the terrific drink specials.<br />
Don't miss $5 Absolut nights, or $4 Jack, Jim,<br />
or Jose specials.<br />
Sisters (1320 Chancellor): When the ladies <strong>of</strong> Philly<br />
want to party, they head on over to Sisters. Enjoy<br />
drink specials in the downstairs bar, or head upstairs<br />
to dance the night away to your favorite club hits. A<br />
favorite and frequent venue <strong>of</strong> local phenomenon DJ<br />
Deejay. Don't be surprised if some <strong>of</strong> the boys nearby<br />
come over to party.<br />
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Knock (225 S. 12th St): An upscale bar for gentlemen<br />
<strong>of</strong> a certain age. Come for the quality cocktails<br />
and masterful martinis. Stay to get hit on by the clientele<br />
(you might get a free drink out <strong>of</strong> it!).<br />
Woody's (202 S. 13th St): A Philadelphia mainstay<br />
for decades, they just recently underwent renovations.<br />
It's the go-to spot for those who want to dance or<br />
drink from open 'til close. Attracts all ages, types, and<br />
scenes, but gets cruisey as the night wears on. Don’t<br />
miss their many specials: 80 and 90 cent drinks on<br />
Sundays, College Night on Wednesdays, and no cover<br />
on the dance floor on Fridays if you check-in with<br />
Foursquare before midnight.<br />
Tavern on Camac (243 S. Camac St): Tucked<br />
away on quiet Camac street, this popular weekend<br />
spot is anything but. Downstairs hosts a charming<br />
piano bar where you can sing along to your favorite<br />
tunes, but head upstairs for a hot dance floor and<br />
younger atmosphere. Come on Fridays and Saturdays<br />
when the boys <strong>of</strong> Philly swarm the dance floor. Stay<br />
for show tunes on Sundays. Cash only.<br />
iCandy (254 S. 12th St): The newest addition to<br />
the Gayborhood, this hotspot boasts three different<br />
bars under one ro<strong>of</strong> (plus a ro<strong>of</strong> deck!). Get sweaty<br />
in the Cobalt Lounge on weekends while shirtless<br />
muscleboys serve shots and gyrate on the stage. Ex-<br />
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pect a cover to head upstairs on weekends. Needless to<br />
say, it's fairly cruisey.<br />
Stir (1705 Chancellor St): Though not in the Gayborhood<br />
proper, Stir has weekly, inexpensive drink<br />
specials and a more low key crowd. We love the $5<br />
Absolut drinks on Wednesdays and $1 well drinks on<br />
Thursdays. Tucked away in an alley <strong>of</strong>f Rittenhouse,<br />
It’s a nice respite for those who grow tired <strong>of</strong> the usual<br />
Gayborhood scene.<br />
I LEFT MY
content text<br />
time in the studio as your partner does, it can be nice<br />
to drop in. Sometimes this will be your quality time<br />
together for the week. Find a project you can work on<br />
(I knitted socks and mittens) so you won’t be dependent<br />
on your partner for entertainment.<br />
Network. We’re all in this together. Your partner’s<br />
classmates will also have significant others in the same<br />
boat you are. Get together with them for some tea and<br />
sympathy.<br />
Free Beer. I’m not sure this is actually allowed, but<br />
I’d advise going to the Friday night Happy Hour. You<br />
can get to know your partner’s classmates when they<br />
are eager to procrastinate.<br />
FOR lONG-DISTaNCE RElaTIONSHIPS:<br />
SKYPE is a beautiful thing. Just remember not to<br />
leave the screen grabs on the desktop.<br />
Don’t visit on a Visual Studies weekend.<br />
Drag your partner out while you are visiting. You<br />
didn’t come all that way to see the inside <strong>of</strong> the studio.<br />
You have the right to expect brunch.<br />
Take this guidebook and explore Philadelphia by<br />
yourself. Visit the architectural wonders, since the odds<br />
are high that your partner will never have time to see<br />
them. Describe them in vivid detail over dinner.<br />
185 <strong>PD</strong>PRIMER 2011<br />
EXERCiSE<br />
hit thE<br />
SPAndEX<br />
Remember the “freshman fifteen” you gained during your<br />
college days? Expect the same to happen this time around,<br />
except your newly acquired curves will be the result <strong>of</strong> a<br />
sedentary grad-student lifestyle, not all-you-can-eat dorm<br />
food or devotion to perfecting the art <strong>of</strong> the keg stand.<br />
At Penn, students have two options to stay fit: Hutchinson<br />
Gym and the recently erected Pottruck Center. If you<br />
prefer working out with vintage equipment that looks like<br />
it was salvaged from the promenade deck <strong>of</strong> the Titanic,<br />
then Hutchinson Gym is the place for you. Built in 1928,<br />
nothing has been updated since Penn researchers started<br />
balancing their checkbooks with ENIAC. But it does have<br />
a pool, squash courts, and a gym that fills most nights with<br />
basketball, volleyball, and soccer players. Unlike Pottruck,<br />
it’s free for grad students.<br />
hUtChinSon<br />
Hutchinson hides behind the Lott Tennis Courts east <strong>of</strong><br />
33rd Street (for information about playing here or at the<br />
indoor Levy Tennis Pavilion, call 215-898-4741). Walk up<br />
the driveway between the courts and Franklin Field and<br />
you’ll find Hutchinson next to The Palestra, Penn’s storied<br />
basketball arena. Your card will be swiped just inside the<br />
<strong>PD</strong>PRIMER 2011 186
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EXERCiSE<br />
front door. Request a towel and a lock and avoid a<br />
trip back to the front desk by remembering the locker<br />
number they give you (it’s not written on the key). The<br />
men’s locker room is straight back, down the halfflight<br />
<strong>of</strong> stairs. Follow the stairs going up, then along the<br />
long hallway and down again for the women’s locker<br />
room. One more flight up, on a balcony overlooking<br />
the gym floor, is the fitness equipment, which <strong>of</strong>ficially<br />
requires a $175-peryear (or $120 per semester) membership<br />
to use.<br />
PottRUCK CEntER<br />
If you are serious about your workout routine, you<br />
can’t go wrong with the Pottruck Center. Opened in<br />
2003, Pottruck has become a fitness Mecca serving<br />
everyone from Penn undergrads to the residents <strong>of</strong><br />
West Philadelphia. But watch out: the gym is packed<br />
on weekdays between 4 and 8pm, so it is advisable to<br />
schedule your workout routine during <strong>of</strong>f-peak hours.<br />
If you can only make it during rush hour, the upside is<br />
that you can ogle undergraduate booty while waiting<br />
in line for a treadmill.<br />
Pottruck is on Walnut Street, just west <strong>of</strong> 37th. Pottruck<br />
fees for 2011(which include use <strong>of</strong> Hutchinson’s<br />
fitness equipment) are $300 for the year. A spouse or<br />
dependent can get a membership at for $275. Add<br />
$120 for climbing wall or group classes. Sign up at<br />
Pottruck’s membership <strong>of</strong>fice, or you can mail in the<br />
form posted online (www.upenn.edu/recreation).<br />
187 <strong>PD</strong>PRIMER 2011<br />
PENNREC<br />
www.upenn.edu/<br />
recreation<br />
3701 Walnut Street<br />
215-898-6100<br />
EXERCiSE<br />
LoCKERS<br />
If you shower at the gym, a permanent<br />
locker is a worthwhile investment. The<br />
men’s and women’s locker rooms in<br />
Pottruck have full lockers, while half<br />
and quarter-sized lockers are installed<br />
throughout the rest <strong>of</strong> the building to<br />
accommodate high demand.<br />
To obtain a full-size locker ($150) at<br />
Pottruck, you must have entered the<br />
PennRec lOTTERY SYSTEM online<br />
or at the membership <strong>of</strong>fice over the<br />
summer. Arrive at Pottruck at least 30<br />
minutes ahead <strong>of</strong> the locker <strong>of</strong>fering as<br />
you will be competing with a flock <strong>of</strong><br />
vultures for a limited supply. Half and<br />
quarter lockers are issued on a firstcome,<br />
first-serve basis on September 6.<br />
Unloved Hutchinson, by contrast, always<br />
has a surplus <strong>of</strong> full and half lockers<br />
available beginning September 7.<br />
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mY tEAm WEARS BLACK<br />
THE<br />
PENNDESIGN<br />
SPORTS GUIDE<br />
Besides painting your face blue for a Penn-<br />
Princeton basketball showdown in the Palestra,<br />
or catching a Phillies game at Citizens Bank<br />
Park, Philly and Penn both <strong>of</strong>fer a wide range<br />
<strong>of</strong> sports venues. College basketball fans don’t<br />
want to miss the Big 5 tournament featuring<br />
local powerhouses Penn, Temple, Villanova,<br />
laSalle, and St. Joe’s. and while it seems like<br />
most Philadelphians live and die by the Eagles,<br />
but there are two other sporting events which<br />
most people aren’t as aware <strong>of</strong>.<br />
If you’re on your way to campus in late april<br />
and notice that the streets are lined with yellow<br />
school buses, the smell <strong>of</strong> deep-fried food, and<br />
approximately one-half the population <strong>of</strong> Jamaica,<br />
it’s Penn Relays time. To enjoy the action,<br />
grab some fried conch, jerk chicken or collard<br />
greens and wade through the crowds down to<br />
Franklin Field. For those <strong>of</strong> you who haven’t<br />
made it inside Franklin Field, this is your opportunity.<br />
Franklin Field was built in 1895 to host<br />
the Penn Relays. among such feats as being<br />
the nation’s first two-tiered stadium and site <strong>of</strong><br />
the first sports radio and television broadcasts<br />
ever, the stadium also holds the grand distinc-<br />
189 <strong>PD</strong>PRIMER 2011<br />
mY tEAm WEARS BLACK<br />
tion <strong>of</strong> having the sweetest men’s room ever. all<br />
men (and adventurous women) should go to the<br />
lower level restroom and enjoy the fullroom wraparound<br />
wall urinal. It’s truly unique.<br />
Beyond the thrill <strong>of</strong> being able to urinate while<br />
walking, the true fun lies in the Penn Relays event<br />
itself. The Penn Relays are a five-day track and<br />
field extravaganza that will be run for the 113th<br />
time this spring. Known as the largest and highest<br />
pr<strong>of</strong>ile track event in the world, the Relays consist<br />
<strong>of</strong> events for everyone from grade school kids to<br />
geriatrics, from small-time college teams to the<br />
world’s fastest men and women. You don’t have<br />
to know anything about track and field to feel the<br />
excitement in the air. as the Penn football team<br />
isn’t a huge draw these days, the only time to see<br />
Franklin Field full to capacity is during the Friday<br />
and Saturday events.<br />
Though you may have no idea who is running,<br />
sit on the third turn <strong>of</strong> the track and watch as the<br />
crowd rises to its feet during a close race. Everyone<br />
should go see the Relays at least once during<br />
your <strong>PennDesign</strong> career. No excuses—it’s a block<br />
away from Meyerson. Plus, you might see Bill<br />
Cosby roaming the field.<br />
Every June, when only a few extremely lucky<br />
<strong>PennDesign</strong> students remain in this great city, the<br />
US Pro Cycling Tour’s Philadelpha International<br />
Championship is held. like the Penn Relays, you<br />
<strong>PD</strong>PRIMER 2011 190
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mY tEAm WEARS BLACK<br />
don’t have to have any knowledge <strong>of</strong> the sport,<br />
or any sport for that matter, to be impressed<br />
with this event. For the last 20-plus years, the<br />
best cyclists in the world have gathered on<br />
the Ben Franklin Parkway, making ten looping<br />
circuits out to the infamous Manayunk Wall and<br />
back. Hundreds <strong>of</strong> thousands <strong>of</strong> people (about<br />
twenty-three <strong>of</strong> whom know anything about cycling)<br />
line the course and cheer on the athletes,<br />
their chase vehicles, drunk idiots distributing<br />
beer from insecticide sprayers, and the occasional<br />
flasher.<br />
The biggest and rowdiest crowds gather at the<br />
aforementioned Manayunk Wall, aka lyceum<br />
avenue, which is a regular old Manayunk street<br />
which happens to be at a steep 17 percent<br />
grade. (For those <strong>of</strong> you who aren’t civil engineers<br />
or truck drivers, it’s pretty much like<br />
trying to ride up the side <strong>of</strong> a cliff.) Every residence<br />
on the street has a party, one <strong>of</strong> which<br />
includes a custom-made street shower both<br />
that cools <strong>of</strong>f exhausted cyclists and flushes<br />
urine down the hill. One <strong>of</strong> my first times at the<br />
race, I was amongst the beer-guzzlers at the<br />
Wall when the pack <strong>of</strong> cyclists made their way<br />
by. like many people around me, I leaned over<br />
the barrier and yelled inspirational insults into<br />
lance armstrong’s ear. Meanwhile, the future<br />
legend swerved to avoid hitting a mentally<br />
handicapped gentleman who had wandered<br />
onto the course to sell pretzels from a shopping<br />
191 <strong>PD</strong>PRIMER 2011<br />
BEER & WinE<br />
cart. Now that’s Philadelphia. Besides the Wall,<br />
key places to enjoy the race are the Parkway,<br />
lemon Hill, and Kelly Drive.<br />
as a native Philadelphian, these two events<br />
hold a dear place in my heart, and cannot be<br />
missed. So, don’t forget…lance armstrong +<br />
insecticide sprayers + pretzels + fried conch +<br />
Bill Cosby + peeing while walking = Philadel-<br />
FYi on<br />
BYoB<br />
There is nothing like seventeenth-century morality to<br />
make for a fun night out. Because <strong>of</strong> <strong>Pennsylvania</strong>’s archaic<br />
blue laws, Philadelphia is “The City That Sleeps.”<br />
Pious teetotalers rejoice!<br />
Last call at most bars is 1:30am, and most moderately<br />
priced restaurants don’t have liquor licenses. But why<br />
stop there? Wine and hard alcohol are only sold at<br />
stores run by the <strong>Pennsylvania</strong> Liquor Control Board,<br />
making it “The City That Can’t Find a Halfway-<br />
Decent Bottle <strong>of</strong> Red to Go With Dinner” as well.<br />
(Though we are grateful for the generosity <strong>of</strong> the state’s<br />
liquor czars who have recently allowed Sunday sales at<br />
some stores.)<br />
Equally elusive is a simple six-pack. Beer can be<br />
bought very dearly from a tiny handful <strong>of</strong> corner pizza<br />
<strong>PD</strong>PRIMER 2011 192
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BEER & WinE<br />
places, as take-out from<br />
certain bars, or, more<br />
reasonably, by the case<br />
at warehousestyle beer<br />
distributors. <strong>University</strong><br />
City Beverage will sell<br />
you a case <strong>of</strong> hometownbrewed<br />
Philadelphia Lager<br />
for $25 and change.<br />
Why do you have to plan<br />
in advance if you want a<br />
sip <strong>of</strong> wine with dinner?<br />
So far as we understand,<br />
the city caps the number<br />
<strong>of</strong> liquor licenses at one<br />
per 3000 residents. Licenses<br />
can be purchased<br />
on the open market<br />
(with the aid <strong>of</strong> lawyers<br />
and brokers), making<br />
it an costly ordeal for a<br />
small restaurateur.<br />
193 <strong>PD</strong>PRIMER 2011<br />
PENNSYlVaNIa<br />
WINE & SPIRITS<br />
4049 market St<br />
215-823-4709<br />
M-Sa 9-9, Su 12-5<br />
1913 Chestnut St<br />
215-560-4215<br />
M-Sa 9-9:30, Su 12-5<br />
2429 South St<br />
215-731-2080<br />
M-Tu 11-7, W-Sa 9-9<br />
1218 Chestnut St<br />
215-560-4380<br />
M-Sa 9-9, Su 12-5<br />
This “premium collection” store<br />
with a larger selection might be<br />
worth the trip if you’re looking<br />
for something more interesting.<br />
Note Sunday hours.<br />
BEER DISTRIBUTOR<br />
<strong>University</strong> City Beverage<br />
4300 Walnut St<br />
215-387-2337<br />
M-W 11-9, Th-F 11-9:30, Sa<br />
12:9:30<br />
BEER & WinE<br />
PINT PULLING<br />
FOR DUMMIES<br />
There are only three words for <strong>PennDesign</strong>’s<br />
alcoholics: New Deck Tavern. It is not new, it<br />
does not have a deck, and “Tavern” summons<br />
up the sort <strong>of</strong> jovial, beery camaraderie that<br />
does not exist within. But this Irish bar’s nearby<br />
location at 3408 Sansom Street (not to mention<br />
budget-stretching nightly drink specials) makes it<br />
a standby <strong>of</strong> <strong>PennDesign</strong> students and a convenient<br />
place to decompress or—thanks to the lack<br />
<strong>of</strong> attentive waitstaff—study for a final.<br />
Stellar bar food options include the Bacon and<br />
Blue Burger, which should be washed down with<br />
a pint <strong>of</strong> Yuengling (just say “lager”). New Deck is<br />
the home <strong>of</strong> Philly’s original QUIZO every Monday<br />
and Wednesday night beginning at 10pm. Tuesday<br />
is Karaoke Night with 2-for-1 domestic drafts,<br />
and the entire menu is half price every night from<br />
11pm to 1am.<br />
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BAR GUidE<br />
BARS FoR<br />
EVERY<br />
nEiGhBoRhood<br />
Philadelphia is a city characterized by its neighborhoods;<br />
and what better defines a neighborhood than<br />
its bars? I’ve barely skimmed the surface, but I have<br />
tried to mention my favorites, along with some other<br />
popular spots. So, go on, get out <strong>of</strong> West Philly. There’s<br />
so much more to this city than Penn, and you really<br />
should make an effort to see what goes on east <strong>of</strong> the<br />
Schuylkill.<br />
noRthERn LiBERtiES<br />
This neighborhood is about as far from Penn as possible.<br />
It’s a concrete jungle, but don’t be scared. Though<br />
the neighborhood looks gritty, it’s a haven for young<br />
artists and former New Yorkers.<br />
First stop: The Standard Tap (901 N 2nd St).<br />
The crowd consists <strong>of</strong> grungy young hipsters and the<br />
daily menu is scribbled on a chalk board on the wall.<br />
For dinner vie for one <strong>of</strong> the large tables or booths<br />
downstairs, for drinking squeeze into the upstairs bar,<br />
or if the weather is nice, the ro<strong>of</strong> deck, where you can<br />
enjoy cool draughts <strong>of</strong> local beers, the only kind they<br />
serve here.<br />
Next stop: North Third (801 N 3rd St). This great<br />
little bistro features delicious food and a wide variety<br />
195 <strong>PD</strong>PRIMER 2011<br />
BAR GUidE<br />
<strong>of</strong> beers, both local and imported. Ever changing artwork<br />
adorns the walls. The crowd has a healthy mixture<br />
<strong>of</strong> straight and gay couples.<br />
Wander up the street to Ortlieb’s Jazzhaus (847<br />
N 3rd St) where the long, narrow room is divided into<br />
bar and dining area by a central stage. The mix <strong>of</strong> people<br />
in here is diverse, with the most comfortable interracial<br />
vibe I’ve felt in Philadelphia.<br />
If you’re heading towards Old City make your final stop<br />
Abbaye (637 N 3rd St). You can sample a wide variety<br />
<strong>of</strong> beers in this spacious restaurant/bar where the food<br />
is good and the servers are friendly. A great place for a<br />
quiet chat with friends.<br />
oLd CitY<br />
Along Philadelphia’s eastern boundary with the Delaware<br />
River, this neighborhood is touted by many as the<br />
SoHo <strong>of</strong> Philly. First Fridays draw huge crowds into<br />
the galleries, which stay open late serving free wine and<br />
snacks.<br />
Steven Starr’s original Continental (138 Market St)<br />
features Asian-American fusion cuisine, and the longest<br />
list <strong>of</strong> martinis I’ve ever seen. Among the many original<br />
takes on the classic cocktail are the Buzz Aldron, a Tanginfused<br />
martini served in an orange Tang-rimmed glass.<br />
Next door is Drinker’s Tavern (124 Market St).<br />
This dive features some <strong>of</strong> Philly’s best happy hour deals.<br />
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BAR GUidE<br />
Be sure to drink your pitcher <strong>of</strong> beer quickly so as to<br />
numb your sense <strong>of</strong> smell.<br />
Society Hill Hotel (301 Chestnut St) is a great<br />
bar for people watching, especially at an outdoor table.<br />
The food is only so-so, and awfully expensive, but the<br />
drinks are mixed strongly.<br />
For a game <strong>of</strong> pool stop in at Buffalo Billiards<br />
(116 Chestnut St). Games can be expensive, though<br />
they have deals on weeknights. For beer, definitely get<br />
a bottle because I don’t think the taps have ever been<br />
cleaned.<br />
Just up the block visit Eulogy (136 Chestnut St).<br />
Squeezing into a narrow row house, Old City’s Belgian<br />
bar features a wide variety <strong>of</strong> draught and bottled<br />
beers and a decent menu featuring, <strong>of</strong> course, mussels<br />
(though popular opinion would say Monk’s are better).<br />
In addition, Old City features a wide variety <strong>of</strong> clubs<br />
along the south side <strong>of</strong> Market Street between 3rd and<br />
Front Street.<br />
GAYBoRhood<br />
Located in Center City proper, just east <strong>of</strong> Broad<br />
Street, this little enclave <strong>of</strong> alternative lifestyles <strong>of</strong>fers a<br />
decent array <strong>of</strong> bars and clubs.<br />
Start your evening at Bump (1234 Locust St), where<br />
the glowing orange bar looks good enough to lick.<br />
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BAR GUidE<br />
Mixed drinks are your best bet here, as they only have<br />
bottled beer. Be sure to stop in during happy hour,<br />
when all martinis are just $2-$3.<br />
Next, swing by Tavern on Camac (243 S Camac<br />
St), a piano bar where you can take the mike and belt<br />
out show tunes. The scene is pretty cruisey, making it a<br />
great place to sneak a kiss.<br />
If you’re looking for someplace to break it down on the<br />
dance floor I suggest Woody’s (202 S 13th St). This<br />
establishment has a downstairs bar and a huge dance<br />
floor upstairs. Be sure to bring singles to stuff in the<br />
g-strings <strong>of</strong> the counter-top dancers.<br />
CEntER CitY<br />
This is the heart <strong>of</strong> Philadelphia’s financial and commercial<br />
district, with performance venues scattered<br />
throughout.<br />
Monk’s (264 S 16th St) is Philadelphia’s finest<br />
Belgian bar. It features close to two dozen beers on<br />
tap, not to mention close to two hundred varieties in<br />
bottles. If you’re even a little bit hungry, order a basket<br />
<strong>of</strong> pommes frites, those zesty fries served alongside a<br />
delicious dipping sauce.<br />
Nearby is McGlinchy’s (259 S 15th St), home <strong>of</strong><br />
Philadelphia’s seedy underbelly. While the clientele<br />
can be a bit scary, the unbelievable cheapness <strong>of</strong> their<br />
drinks makes it a worthy place to stop on occasion.<br />
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BAR GUidE<br />
The Good Dog (224 S 15th St) is easily my favorite<br />
Center City Bar. This long, narrow joint features<br />
a variety <strong>of</strong> affordable beers and wines and a menu<br />
<strong>of</strong>fering great burgers, as well as pb+j sandwiches. The<br />
crowd consists mainly <strong>of</strong> young hipsters in the dimly<br />
lit space, which is decorated with photographs <strong>of</strong>, what<br />
else, dogs.<br />
RittEnhoUSE SQUARE<br />
This neighborhood is finally expanding its bar scene<br />
beyond the upscale, overpriced bars it is best known<br />
for. Check out Continental Mid-Town (1801 Chestnut<br />
St) the sister to the original in Old City. Featuring<br />
a similar menu including the arm’s-length list <strong>of</strong><br />
martinis, the décor is straight out <strong>of</strong> the seventies,<br />
including hanging basket chairs upstairs. If the weather<br />
is nice head up to the ro<strong>of</strong> deck, but be prepared to<br />
fight crowds.<br />
NoChe (1901 Chestnut St) is located on the second<br />
floor, featuring standard beers and mixed drinks, but<br />
the vibe is decidedly cool. Cow hide decorates the<br />
walls and seats <strong>of</strong> the dim space, which is lined with<br />
huge windows along two sides.<br />
Drinker’s Midtown (1903 Chestnut St) recently<br />
opened next door. Like its Old City counterpart the<br />
interior is creepy and dingy, reminding me <strong>of</strong> a basement<br />
from the late seventies. The drinks are not as<br />
cheap, and the crowd is not as edgy as the original, but<br />
199 <strong>PD</strong>PRIMER 2011<br />
at least it doesn’t smell like urinal cakes.<br />
BAR GUidE<br />
ARt mUSEUm/FAiRmoUnt<br />
The area surrounding the Philadelphia Museum <strong>of</strong> Art is<br />
home to a mix <strong>of</strong> large apartment buildings and singlefamily<br />
row homes that are soaring in price, along with<br />
some <strong>of</strong> my favorite bars in this city.<br />
Start out at Brigid’s (726 N 24th St). A cramped bar<br />
leads into a cozy dining area where the food is consistently<br />
good. I really like the vibe in this neighborhood<br />
bar, though on Friday evenings it’s tough to get in the<br />
door.<br />
For a bit more space, stop in at The Bishop’s Collar<br />
(2349 Fairmount Ave), where the crowd ranges<br />
in age from 20s to 50s. The beer can be expensive, but<br />
there’s usually something on special. The bar becomes<br />
more crowded as the evening wears on, and there’s a<br />
dining area in back. The menu is pasted into children’s<br />
story books, and I recommend the quesadilla.<br />
Up the block is London Grill (2301 Fairmount<br />
Ave). A bit more upscale than its neighbors, a fine restaurant<br />
fills the back <strong>of</strong> the first floor as well as the second<br />
floor <strong>of</strong> this establishment. The bar faces the street<br />
and has a decent menu <strong>of</strong> its own, though the beers are<br />
standard selection.<br />
Around the corner stop in at Rembrandt’s (741 N<br />
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BAR GUidE<br />
23rd St), a big bar and restaurant. The crowd is a bit<br />
older here, and beyond the occasional lunch, I rarely<br />
frequent this bar.<br />
FitLER SQUARE<br />
This laid-back neighbor to Rittenhouse Square is just<br />
over the South St Bridge from Penn. Quaint houses<br />
line the streets, and the tiny park that gives the ’hood<br />
its name is a gem.<br />
Doobie’s (2201 Lombard St) once my favorite bar,<br />
has undergone a recent transformation. The exterior<br />
no longer reminds one <strong>of</strong> a strip club, but the interior<br />
is still the same, filthy and smoky, filled with students,<br />
young pr<strong>of</strong>essionals, and anarchist-bike-messengertypes.<br />
When I brought my brother and his girlfriend<br />
here she commented that she wanted to return with a<br />
power washer and bleach, for the bar and the people.<br />
But if you like dive bars, this might just be the place<br />
for you.<br />
A slightly more upscale bar in this neighborhood is the<br />
Ten Stone (2063 South St). There are a surprising<br />
amount <strong>of</strong> little rooms tucked around the main bar,<br />
including an area where you can play a game <strong>of</strong> darts.<br />
The food is good, and the beer variety is wide, plus the<br />
candles hanging in ladles on the wall make for a cool<br />
vibe.<br />
Grace Tavern (2229 Gray’s Ferry Ave) may look<br />
dark and divey, but everything on the menu (includ-<br />
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BAR GUidE<br />
ing farm fresh sausages and blackened green beans) is<br />
divine. And the beer’s good too.<br />
WESt PhiLLY<br />
Instead <strong>of</strong> focusing on the bars right near campus,<br />
which draw in a fair amount <strong>of</strong> barely-legal undergrads,<br />
head further out into the real West Philly.<br />
Gojjo (4540 Baltimore Ave) is an Ethiopian restaurant<br />
featuring a well-lit bar with cheap pitchers.<br />
A variety <strong>of</strong> neighborhood types hang out here, from<br />
commune- dwelling co-op members to recent Ethiopian<br />
immigrants. On weekend evenings you can break<br />
it down in the back room, which has music and a<br />
disco-ball.<br />
Just up the block is Dahlak (4708 Baltimore Ave),<br />
another Ethiopian restaurant featuring a bar hidden in<br />
back. The crowd tends to be similar to that at Gojjo,<br />
but in a cozier atmosphere. The food here is good,<br />
featuring meat, seafood, and vegetarian options. Be<br />
prepared to eat with your hands, and ask for extra<br />
injera, the spongy bread that you use to pick up the<br />
food, and mop up the spicy sauces.<br />
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diVE BARS<br />
dRinKinG in<br />
thE dARK<br />
Let’s face it, sometimes studio can be just too much to<br />
bear. In times <strong>of</strong> desperate stress, you need a place to<br />
go to drown your sorrows, but your Stafford loan isn’t<br />
going to cover a night <strong>of</strong> cover charges and clubbing.<br />
Besides, you need a place to really wallow in your<br />
misery, and New Deck isn’t going to cut it. Somewhere<br />
unglamorous and well-worn is what you seek—without<br />
dress codes or drinks in coconut shaped cups. So<br />
here is your insider’s guide to five <strong>of</strong> the best dive bars<br />
in Philadelphia, consider it a look at the best <strong>of</strong> the<br />
worst.<br />
oSCAR’S tAVERn 1524 Sansom Street<br />
Conveniently located within the Rittenhouse<br />
enclave, Oscar’s is a sure bet when you are looking<br />
for solace on a budget. The crowd is a healthy mix<br />
<strong>of</strong> hipsters and weathered locals and you can enjoy<br />
23oz <strong>of</strong> PBR on tap for about two bucks. The interior<br />
is reminiscent <strong>of</strong> a club basement circa 1978,<br />
and the acoustic ceiling tiles clearly reveal what<br />
smoking can do to your lungs. Don’t try and order<br />
<strong>of</strong>f <strong>of</strong> the colorfully tempting paper placemats, as<br />
their sassy waitress will inform you that the blender<br />
has been out <strong>of</strong> service since 1974. If, however, you<br />
are in the mood for something other than beer, try<br />
the Malibu Bay Breeze for a deliciously sweet treat.<br />
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diVE BARS<br />
Above all, make sure to bring lots <strong>of</strong> quarters for the<br />
jukebox so you can keep the Bon Jovi rockin’ all night.<br />
thE LoCUSt BAR 235 S 10th Street<br />
Affectionately known as “The Low-cost Bar,” this<br />
charming Washington Square West locale is well worth<br />
the trip east <strong>of</strong> Broad Street. The bar is usually full <strong>of</strong><br />
older locals during the day, and it is not uncommon to<br />
see a recently released patient from one <strong>of</strong> the nearby<br />
hospitals sitting at the bar with a trusty oxygen tank<br />
at his side. A more youthful crowd intermixes in the<br />
evenings, but be warned that certain nights have been<br />
hijacked for karaoke and QUIZO. The unfortunate<br />
result <strong>of</strong> these activities is that they require more lights<br />
to be on, revealing an interior best left in the dark. Food<br />
is decent here if you’ve had enough to drink first, and<br />
if you aren’t feeling adventurous enough to sample the<br />
fare, you can buy cheese curls by the bag at the bar.<br />
LES And doREEn’S hAPPY tAP 1301 E Susquehanna<br />
avenue<br />
Situated in Fishtown, this corner bar is the best place<br />
to mingle with a colorful crowd <strong>of</strong> locals. It certainly<br />
requires a cab ride and although it is difficult to get<br />
to, Saturday karaoke nights make the trip worthwhile.<br />
The bar is tiny and you may get some wary looks upon<br />
entering, but don’t be shy. Remember the key to fitting<br />
into any dive bar is not ordering anything too fancy.<br />
Stay away from anything that requires more than two<br />
ingredients. Stick to the basics and use the karaoke to<br />
<strong>PD</strong>PRIMER 2011 204
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diVE BARS<br />
aid in the bonding process. A husband and wife<br />
team run the sing-along enterprise, and the evening<br />
<strong>of</strong>ten includes some heartfelt tributes from one to<br />
the other. If you are feeling the urge to partake,<br />
be sure to choose songs that everyone can enjoy.<br />
Standard classics by Philadelphia’s<br />
own Hall and Oates are always a favorite. By the<br />
end <strong>of</strong> the night<br />
you will be sharing shots with everyone at the bar<br />
like you’re old friends.<br />
thE LoCUSt REndEzVoUS 1415 locust Street<br />
Often overlooked and seemingly out <strong>of</strong> place near<br />
the Kimmel Center, this unusual bar combines an<br />
extensive diner-style menu with a full service bar.<br />
It’s the perfect place to enjoy a rum and Coke right<br />
alongside an ice cream sundae, and it’s great for accommodating<br />
larger groups. It attracts an unusual<br />
crowd consisting largely <strong>of</strong> <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> the Arts<br />
students who may know better than most how to<br />
have fun on a budget.<br />
2 StREEt CAFÉ The Gallery at Market East (Ninth<br />
and Market Streets)<br />
There aren’t many reasons to visit The Gallery<br />
at Market East, Philly’s downtown spin on the<br />
suburban shopping mall. However, within the<br />
basement food court <strong>of</strong> this commerce hub exists a<br />
relatively unknown establishment known as the 2<br />
Street Café. First <strong>of</strong> all, the sheer fact that this bar<br />
is situated within a food court, as in neighbors with<br />
TCBY and the bourbon chicken place, is completely<br />
amazing. Adding to the awesome factor is that<br />
205 <strong>PD</strong>PRIMER 2011<br />
you can bring your favorite fast food purchases into<br />
the bar with you. Enjoy your favorite beer or mixed<br />
drink while watching a Philly’s game or the Action<br />
6 News and chomping on Chick-Fil-A. While you<br />
should be prepared for a very local mix <strong>of</strong> patrons<br />
and a salty wait staff, the price and atmosphere<br />
make up for any shortcomings <strong>of</strong> this Center City<br />
attraction.<br />
OLD MAN<br />
CITY<br />
Philadelphia is a city known for its old men. The<br />
locals won’t let up on Benjamin Franklin. Or William<br />
Penn. It’s really difficult to walk down the<br />
street without tripping over and skinning your<br />
knee on a commemorative plaque reading “[Old<br />
man] [did something] here in [year].” I decided<br />
to explore this crazy old man fetish in detail.<br />
I set out one Thursday morning for Mc-<br />
Glinchey’s Bar and Grill at 15th and Spruce.<br />
Billed to me as “the best old-man bar in Filthydelphia,”<br />
I skipped the somewhat long walk and<br />
took the PaTCO Speedline instead. The bar<br />
opens at 10am and I didn’t want to miss a moment<br />
<strong>of</strong> the old-man action.<br />
Several drinks later, I still hadn’t spotted a reallife<br />
old man. In fact, the few other non-hipsters<br />
in the bar all held steno books and mechanical<br />
<strong>PD</strong>PRIMER 2011 206
having fun<br />
pencils just like I did. I imagined they were all<br />
writing old man columns for the PEng primer,<br />
the PEdu primer, and the Plaw primer. I chatted<br />
up another old-man huntsman from the<br />
School <strong>of</strong> Nursing and convinced him to join me<br />
on my search.<br />
“Rittenhouse Square is just a few blocks away,<br />
and they’re always old men wandering around<br />
there!” said Pat. His name was Pat.<br />
We dashed over to the Square and secreted<br />
ourselves in the bushes. Surely we would<br />
find—oh, there’s one now! Polyester trousers, a<br />
muchstained shirt, a checked blazer, bright red<br />
nose, and a trilby atop his silver-wreathed head.<br />
Shuffling, shuffling through the Square. We decided<br />
to follow. He was moving slowly enough<br />
that we stopped for c<strong>of</strong>fee at the Tuscany and<br />
played a round <strong>of</strong> Scrabble with some beatniks.<br />
He led us to the Cherry Street Tavern, at<br />
22nd and Cherry. This place is amazing. Standing<br />
at the bar, one notices a trough at one’s<br />
feet. This trough was built in a much different<br />
era, when old men were old men and public<br />
urination was not yet demonized. Yes, you read<br />
correctly. You could order a beer and pee at the<br />
same time. Sadly, the trough isn’t used anymore,<br />
but it still attracts old men like pie attracts<br />
old ladies.<br />
207 <strong>PD</strong>PRIMER 2011<br />
We approached art, the old man in question. after<br />
getting him loaded, Pat and I managed to get<br />
the following list <strong>of</strong> Old Man Haunts out <strong>of</strong> him:<br />
dRinKinG<br />
Dirty Frank’s, 13th and Pine. Daytime drinking<br />
at its best.<br />
Locust Bar, 10th and locust. Ditto, plus occasional<br />
karaoke.<br />
ShoPPinG<br />
Passyunk Avenue, South Philly. Products so<br />
obsolete and wholesome, it’s like a beautiful<br />
museum <strong>of</strong> the Greatest Generation. Have your<br />
shoes repaired, your hat reinforced, and your collar<br />
starched.<br />
69th Street, Upper Darby. Bargains, bargains,<br />
bargains. and just blocks from the Upper Darby<br />
Turf Club, an <strong>of</strong>f-track betting parlor for those <strong>of</strong><br />
you who can’t make it to the racetrack but still<br />
want to blow your pension check on the trifecta.<br />
SLEEPinG<br />
Society Hill Towers, Society Hill. For the old<br />
man with an accountant. These buildings were<br />
once described to me as “where your dad goes to<br />
live when your parents get divorced.” One stroll<br />
over this City on the Hill will have you convinced<br />
that daddy never, ever gets back together with<br />
mommy.<br />
<strong>PD</strong>PRIMER 2011 208
having fun<br />
moViES<br />
Franklin Square, Old City. Remember reading<br />
that William Penn planned four airy, green<br />
squares, one in each quadrant <strong>of</strong> Philadelphia?<br />
Washington and Rittenhouse are nice, logan is<br />
a traffic circle, and…where’s the other one? It’s<br />
called Franklin Square, and the buzz <strong>of</strong> freeway<br />
traffic on the Benjamin Franklin bridge is a<br />
sweet, sweet lullaby.<br />
REEL<br />
WoRLd<br />
RAVE motion PiCtURES<br />
40th & Walnut/ 215-386-3300<br />
www.ravemotionpitcurescom<br />
Formerly The Bridge, this snazzy Wood + Zapata<br />
building across from the Fresh Grocer was originally<br />
intended to be an art house theater. But project partner<br />
General Cinemas went bankrupt halfway through<br />
construction and mainstream National Amusements<br />
stepped in (note the resulting contradiction <strong>of</strong> cool<br />
futuristic style with the blandness <strong>of</strong> its mainstream<br />
popcorn movies). The large theaters feature stadium<br />
seating with excellent sound and comfortable seats.<br />
It’s pricey but convenient and the sound is a thousand<br />
times better than The Roxy.<br />
209 <strong>PD</strong>PRIMER 2011<br />
moViES<br />
Ritz FiLmBiLL<br />
RITZ EaST 125 S 2nd St (btw Chestnut &<br />
Walnut)/ 215-925-2501<br />
RITZ FIVE 214 Walnut St/ 215-440-1184<br />
RITZ aT THE BOURSE 4th St btw Market &<br />
Chestnut/ 215-440-1181<br />
www.ritzfilmbill.com<br />
The art-house version <strong>of</strong> a multiplex, the Ritz theaters show a<br />
variety <strong>of</strong> independent and “artsy” films. The three theaters are<br />
all within a few blocks <strong>of</strong> each other and show some <strong>of</strong> the more<br />
hard-to-find films. You’re bound to find some movies that you’ve<br />
never heard <strong>of</strong> as well as more familiar titles. The snack bar has<br />
a selection <strong>of</strong> c<strong>of</strong>fee, tea, cookies and imported chocolates, in<br />
addition to popcorn-and-soda fare. Each theater shows between<br />
three and five movies and on all days except Saturdays and holidays,<br />
students can get in for $6.75 with their ID.<br />
thE RoXY<br />
2023 Sansom St/ 215-923-6699<br />
Small, intimate theater showing independent films and second<br />
run Hollywood movies. Tiny theater space, but usually not<br />
crowded. The employees are usually very friendly and knowledgeable.<br />
dVd REntALS<br />
VIDEO VaUlT/$2 per night<br />
Houston Hall 10am-1am, 7 days<br />
VIDEO lIBRaRY/$2.50 & $3 for one<br />
night, $2 late fee<br />
4040 locust St/215-387-5440<br />
VaN PElT lIBRaRY/free<br />
www.library.upenn.edu/collections/videos<br />
<strong>PD</strong>PRIMER 2011 210
having fun<br />
mUSEUmS<br />
hAUtE<br />
CULtURE<br />
AtWAtER KEnt mUSEUm<br />
15 S 7th St/ 215-922-3031<br />
Su-M, W-Sa 10-5/ $5<br />
www.philadelphiahistory.org<br />
A museum <strong>of</strong> Philadelphia history.<br />
BARnES FoUndAtion<br />
2025 Benjamin Franklin Parkway<br />
215-640-0171<br />
www.barnesfoundation.org<br />
Watch The Art <strong>of</strong> the Steal and then visit the new location<br />
that sparked a huge controversy.<br />
ELFREthS ALLEY mUSEUm<br />
126 Elfreths alley (at 2nd St btw Race & arch)/ 215-574-0560<br />
M-Sa 10-5, Su 12-5 (Mar-Oct)/ $2<br />
www.elfrethsalley.org<br />
At 300+ years, the nation’s oldest residential street.<br />
inStitUtE oF ContEmPoRARY ARt<br />
3600 Sansom St/ 215-898-7108<br />
W-F 12-8, Sa-Su 11-5/ free w/ Penn ID<br />
www.icaphila.org<br />
Emerging visual artists.<br />
SLoUGht FoUndAtion<br />
4017 Walnut St / 215-701-4627<br />
Th-Sat 1-6/Free<br />
www.slought.org<br />
Check the online archives, then judge.<br />
211 <strong>PD</strong>PRIMER 2011<br />
mUSEUmS<br />
mUmmERS mUSEUm<br />
1100 S 2nd St (at Washington ave)<br />
215-336-3050/ Tu-Sa 9:30-4:30, Su 12-4:30 (Oct-apr)/ $2.50 for<br />
students<br />
www.mummersmuseum.com<br />
Learn about Philadelphia’s struttin’ New Year tradition.<br />
mÜttER mUSEUm<br />
19 S 22nd St/ 215-563-3737 x211<br />
7 days 10-5/ $7 for students<br />
www.collphyphil.org/musgal.htm<br />
Over 20,000 strange and curious anatomical and pathological<br />
objects, ranging from shrunken heads to medical illustrations.<br />
PhiLAdELPhiA ARt ALLiAnCE<br />
251 S 18th St, 3rd Floor<br />
215-545-4302/ Tu-Su 11-5<br />
www.philartalliance.org<br />
The oldest multi-disciplinary art center in the US. Satellite<br />
gallery at 210 Rittenhouse Square.<br />
PhiLAdELPhiA mUSEUm oF ARt<br />
Ben Franklin Pkwy at 26th St<br />
215-684-7600/ Tu-S 10-6; F 10-8:45 $7 for students,<br />
Su occasionally pay what you wish.<br />
www.philamuseum.org<br />
Rodin mUSEUm<br />
Ben Franklin Pkwy at 22nd St<br />
215-763-8100/ Tu-Su 10-5/ $3 sug<br />
www.rodinmuseum.org<br />
A collection <strong>of</strong> 124 sculptures.<br />
PEnn mUSEUm oF ARChEoLoGY &<br />
AnthRoPoLoGY<br />
3260 South St (near Spruce & 34th)<br />
215-898-4000/ Tu-Sa 10-4:30, Su 1-5 free w/ Penn ID<br />
www.museum.upenn.edu<br />
<strong>PD</strong>PRIMER 2011 212
having fun<br />
dAY tRiPS<br />
hAd YoUR<br />
FiLL oF<br />
PhiLLY?<br />
mERion<br />
Is it Upper or Lower? Who cares! You really do<br />
have to visit the Barnes Collection while you’re<br />
here, if not for the manse chock full o’ impressionism<br />
than for the spectacle <strong>of</strong> enormous houses and<br />
lazily rolling grounds just minutes from the raw<br />
streets <strong>of</strong> West Philly. Follow up a trip to Barnsey<br />
with a sandwich at Murray’s Deli on Montgomery<br />
Avenue.<br />
FALLinGWAtER<br />
This house, designed as a mountain retreat<br />
for owners <strong>of</strong> the Pittsburgh department store<br />
Kaufmann’s, really does live up to the hype. Try to<br />
arrive early enough to also visit Kentuck Knob, another<br />
Wright house seven miles away that also features<br />
a modern sculpture garden. Located in Mill<br />
Run, PA, 275 miles west on I-76, this only counts<br />
as a day trip for drivers with Formula One in their<br />
blood. At a speedy clip, one way takes about four<br />
and a half hours. Buy your tickets for Fallingwater<br />
ahead <strong>of</strong> time from www.paconserve.org.<br />
CAPE mAY<br />
Grad students may find this New Jersey resort a bit<br />
213 <strong>PD</strong>PRIMER 2011<br />
dAY tRiPS<br />
too pricey and middleaged for a long stay, but<br />
the drive from Philly is a fast and scenic one and<br />
a half hours. If Cape May seems to polished, the<br />
tacky delights <strong>of</strong> the Boardwalk await just up the<br />
shore at Wildwood.<br />
AtLAntiC CitY<br />
Whether you’re a compulsive gambler or a true<br />
urbanist fascinated by the desperate mix <strong>of</strong> glam<br />
and grit hard by the ocean, A.C. is surreal and<br />
fascinating. Go in good weather (the boardwalk is<br />
far more captivating than the Baccarat) and take<br />
in a drink from the Top <strong>of</strong> Trop. Other recommendations<br />
include the Quarter at the Tropicana,<br />
the Borgata, the Walk outlet shops, the House<br />
<strong>of</strong> Blues at Showboat, the Casbah nightclub at<br />
Trump Taj Mahal, the 24-hour Chelsea Bar and<br />
Grill, the high-end mall opening soon across<br />
from Ceasar’s Palace, and last but not least, the<br />
Jitneys along Pacific Avenue passing the ladies <strong>of</strong><br />
the night.<br />
WintERthUR<br />
The DuPonts have been replaced by an extensive<br />
decorative-arts museum (two words: soup tureens),<br />
but the reason people come is for the lush<br />
grounds and acres <strong>of</strong> gardens, big enough to be<br />
traversed by a little tram. The nearby Brandywine<br />
River Museum is also worthwhile, as is engaging<br />
in Delaware’s state pastime, stocking up on salestax-free<br />
booze!<br />
<strong>PD</strong>PRIMER 2011 214
having fun<br />
dAY tRiPS<br />
nEW hoPE<br />
Bucks County is pretty, but its preeminent tourist<br />
town is a scene without the scenery. Apparently the<br />
idea is that, come summer, fighting for parking and<br />
dinner tables and sidewalk space in a small town on<br />
the river is preferable to doing the same things in<br />
the city. The galloping development here has priced<br />
out the charm. Save your gas and stop at Manyunk<br />
for a similar experience with better food.<br />
thE PoConoS<br />
Forget the heart-shaped tubs <strong>of</strong> yore, they’ve been<br />
replaced by outlet malls. There skiing is decent at<br />
Blue Mountain and Camelback. The latter is also a<br />
state park you can drive to the top <strong>of</strong> <strong>of</strong>f-season for<br />
hikes and great views.<br />
thE mAin LinE<br />
The shops and cafes are quaint (but the prices<br />
ain’t) here in Gentility Central. Besides Lancaster<br />
Avenue, take time to visit Bryn Mawr College to<br />
see one <strong>of</strong> the most bucolic campuses in the East,<br />
including Lou Kahn’s dormitory. In comparison,<br />
Haverford’s campus is a bit more awkwardly<br />
planned, but also a nice place to stroll.<br />
215 <strong>PD</strong>PRIMER 2011<br />
<strong>PD</strong>PRIMER 2011 216
INTERNaTIONal STUDENTS<br />
CHINESE<br />
KOREaN<br />
WoRK ABRoAd<br />
FoREiGn<br />
ASSEtS<br />
intERnAtionAL StUdEntS<br />
YoU doWn<br />
Wit oPt?<br />
Being an international student in the US, particularly<br />
in the post-September 11 climate, can<br />
seem a bit a scary, given the stories you might<br />
have heard. But rest assured, if you are a bona<br />
fide student pursuing a degree at a reputable<br />
university such as Penn and have no criminal<br />
record, you have nothing to worry about.<br />
In the eight years that I’ve been a foreign<br />
resident in the States, the one thing I’ve learnt<br />
is to be absolutely honest and never lie, even<br />
if for the smallest thing. Stay on top <strong>of</strong> any<br />
documents or papers that need to be updated<br />
and make sure that you receive constant communication<br />
from Penn’s Office <strong>of</strong> International<br />
Programs (OIP). If you haven’t already attended<br />
the International Student Orientation and registered<br />
with OIP, you should do so immediately.<br />
ViSAS And tRAVEL<br />
The majority <strong>of</strong> international students are in the<br />
country on an F-1 (student) visa, though<br />
some might be here on a J-1 visa (for exchange<br />
scholars). If you are holding an F-1 visa, you<br />
will also have a form I-20, issued by Penn, that<br />
is as important as your visa. Don’t be fooled by<br />
<strong>PD</strong>PRIMER 2011 218
foreign assets<br />
intERnAtionAL StUdEntS<br />
the expiry date on your<br />
visa—you can enter and<br />
exit the country only as<br />
long as your I-20 is valid.<br />
If your visa is not valid for<br />
the entire length <strong>of</strong> study,<br />
make sure you give yourself<br />
enough time to renew<br />
it. In the past, regulations<br />
permitted you to renew<br />
your visa in a third country<br />
(i.e., countries besides<br />
your home country or the<br />
US) but rules constantly<br />
change and it is best to<br />
check this with OIP in<br />
advance.<br />
Most F-1 visa holders can<br />
enter and exit the United<br />
States multiple times<br />
(again, check your visa<br />
for exceptions). However,<br />
to re-enter the country,<br />
your I-20 must have been<br />
signed by an International<br />
Student Specialist from<br />
OIP within the last 12<br />
months. If you want to<br />
play it safe, take your I-20<br />
into OIP and get it signed<br />
219 <strong>PD</strong>PRIMER 2011<br />
RESOURCES<br />
Office <strong>of</strong> International<br />
Programs<br />
3701 Chestnut St, Suite 1W<br />
215-898-4661<br />
www.upenn.edu/oip<br />
Citizenship and immigration<br />
Services (USCIS)<br />
www.uscis.gov<br />
department <strong>of</strong> State<br />
www.state.gov<br />
Social Security<br />
Administration<br />
www.ssa.gov<br />
intERnAtionAL StUdEntS<br />
each time you are planning to leave the country (this<br />
includes travel to Canada!).<br />
When you arrived here, immigration <strong>of</strong>ficials stapled<br />
a small piece <strong>of</strong> paper to the page next to your US visa<br />
in your passport. This is Form I-94. It is very precious,<br />
so do NOT lose it! If you do lose it, report to<br />
OIP immediately and they will take you through the<br />
necessary steps for getting a duplicate form. The I-94<br />
is a departure record and is a way for <strong>of</strong>ficials to track<br />
when you leave the country. It is imperative that the<br />
form is taken from you when leave the United States.<br />
Unlike the procedure in most countries, in the US, immigration<br />
<strong>of</strong>ficials do not collect the departure record<br />
from you. Instead, airline personnel collect this when<br />
you check in for your flight. Be sure to remind the<br />
check-in agent to do so, since they very <strong>of</strong>ten forget to<br />
the collect the I-94! Lastly, when you return to the US,<br />
bear in mind that security measures have been heightened.<br />
But the addedsecurity benefits all <strong>of</strong> us living in<br />
the country, regardless <strong>of</strong> citizenship.<br />
moVinG RESidEnCES<br />
Under the new United States Citizenship and Immigration<br />
Services (USCIS) regulations, international<br />
students are required, within 10 days <strong>of</strong> moving, to<br />
report their address to Penn. This means not only the<br />
first time you got here, but also each time you move,<br />
whether to on-campus housing or not. Make sure<br />
you register your new address through Penn InTouch<br />
(found under “Online Services” at upenn.edu/ pen-<br />
<strong>PD</strong>PRIMER 2011 220
foreign assets<br />
intERnAtionAL StUdEntS<br />
nportal). This updates your records at Penn’s OIP,<br />
which in turn informs the necessary <strong>of</strong>ficials.<br />
FinAnCiAL Aid<br />
International students are not eligible for federal<br />
government grants or student loans. However, since<br />
Penn is a private university, international students are<br />
eligible for scholarships and grants that come directly<br />
from Penn. Some private companies (Citibank, for<br />
instance) will issue student loans to foreign citizens,<br />
as long as a US citizen is a co-signer. This means a US<br />
citizen must be willing to apply for the loan with you<br />
and to stand as surety that you will pay it back, or if<br />
you don’t, that they will. Check with Student Financial<br />
Services for more information.<br />
on-CAmPUS EmPLoYmEnt<br />
As an international student on an F-1 visa, you are<br />
eligible to work on campus, i.e. within any department<br />
or school <strong>of</strong> the <strong>University</strong>. This means you are not<br />
limited to your particular department at <strong>PennDesign</strong>.<br />
However, be aware that many jobs are work-study (i.e.<br />
paid for with US government funding) and are part <strong>of</strong><br />
a federal financial aid package, which means that foreign<br />
students are not eligible. If in doubt, check with<br />
the department or supervisor whether it is a workstudy<br />
job. Note that international students can work<br />
a maximum <strong>of</strong> 20 hours a week during the academic<br />
year, and a maximum <strong>of</strong> 40 hours a week during the<br />
summer and winter breaks.<br />
221 <strong>PD</strong>PRIMER 2011<br />
intERnAtionAL StUdEntS<br />
oFF-CAmPUS EmPLoYmEnt<br />
As a general rule, foreign citizens on student or exchange<br />
visas CANNOT be paid for work <strong>of</strong>f-campus without<br />
prior approval. This rule applies regardless <strong>of</strong> whether it is<br />
during the academic year or vacation. You should NEVER<br />
accept work from a non-Penn employer without ensuring<br />
that it will not jeopardize your student status. Working illegally<br />
<strong>of</strong>f-campus can be very risky and might even result<br />
in deportation—it’s just not worth it.<br />
If you are on an F-1 student visa, there are legal provisions<br />
to gain practical work experience. Curricular Practical<br />
Training (CPT) allows you to be paid for <strong>of</strong>f-campus<br />
work during school breaks while registered for a CPT<br />
course. This is a valuable resource and you should consider<br />
using it if you plan on getting a summer internship<br />
in the US. Getting approval for CPT is relatively easy and<br />
speedy (typically a week at most) and is handled by OIP.<br />
However, because you must register for course, you also<br />
have to pay tuition based on the number <strong>of</strong> credits the<br />
course is. For example, the Department <strong>of</strong> Architecture<br />
recently initiated a<br />
CPT course that allows students on an F-1 visa to work<br />
during the summer. The course counts for 0.25 credits<br />
and costs $500. Other departments might have similar arrangements<br />
and you should check with them individually.<br />
oPtionAL PRACtiCAL tRAininG (oPt)<br />
All international students on an F-1 visa get 12 months<br />
<strong>of</strong> Optional Practical Training (OPT) for each degree<br />
<strong>PD</strong>PRIMER 2011 222
foreign assets<br />
intERnAtionAL StUdEntS<br />
granted in the United States (i.e. Bachelor’s, Master’s,<br />
Doctorate). OPT is primarily designed to allow you<br />
to work legally in the US after graduation from an<br />
American university or college, and you do not need to<br />
be registered for a course in order to use it. Since your<br />
application has to be processed by USCIS, getting approval<br />
for OPT takes longer than CPT (sometimes up<br />
to three months) and you should plan accordingly.<br />
You can also split your time and use some <strong>of</strong> your<br />
OPT allowance before graduation. For instance, if<br />
you used three months for a summer internship, you<br />
would have nine months left to use after you get your<br />
degree. However, this would mean reducing your<br />
maximum time available after graduation, so if you<br />
plan to try to stay in the US, CPT is a better option.<br />
Regardless <strong>of</strong> what you do, plan ahead and give yourself<br />
enough time to get the necessary paperwork taken<br />
care <strong>of</strong>.<br />
diSCLAimER<br />
Immigration and visa regulations are constantly being<br />
updated and changed. Please verify the above information<br />
with OIP before you act on it. Also, stay up to<br />
date with OIP’s email bulletins.<br />
tAXES<br />
Regardless <strong>of</strong> citizenship or income, international students<br />
are required to file state and federal tax returns .<br />
Wages from on-campus jobs are taxable as are certain<br />
scholarships. Additionally, some countries have recip-<br />
223 <strong>PD</strong>PRIMER 2011<br />
CREDIT BUREaUS<br />
Experian<br />
www.experian.com<br />
Equifax<br />
www.equifax.com<br />
transUnion<br />
www.transunion.com<br />
intERnAtionAL StUdEntS<br />
rocal treaties with the US and citizens<br />
<strong>of</strong> those countries are eligible for particular<br />
tax benefits in the States. Taxes are<br />
due on April 15 <strong>of</strong> each year, and are<br />
filed for the previous calendar year. OIP<br />
has all <strong>of</strong> the necessary information and<br />
forms and provides walk-in tax advising<br />
in the spring semester. Check with<br />
them before you file your taxes.<br />
CREdit hiStoRY<br />
The US has a well established system <strong>of</strong><br />
recording each person’s credit history,<br />
based on their social security number<br />
(SSN). If you haven’t already applied<br />
for a SSN, you should do so soon.<br />
While the credit history concept might<br />
be unheard <strong>of</strong> in many countries, it is<br />
essential to pay attention to your credit<br />
history if you want to live in the US.<br />
Almost any service provider or potential<br />
landlord will run a “credit check”<br />
on you through a credit bureau. These<br />
bureaus keep track <strong>of</strong> all prior and current<br />
credit card accounts, loans, bank<br />
accounts and even utility services in<br />
your name. There are three main credit<br />
bureaus, all with online presence (see<br />
below)—try to establish a record with<br />
any <strong>of</strong> these bureaus. When opening an<br />
account for banking or other services<br />
<strong>PD</strong>PRIMER 2011 224
foreign assets<br />
intERnAtionAL StUdEntS<br />
(phone, electricity, etc.) ask if the company will report<br />
it to your credit history.<br />
Read the fine print carefully when you apply for a<br />
credit card and don’t fall for the numerous “pre-approved”<br />
student cards that you might get in the mail<br />
or online. Also, keep track <strong>of</strong> all addresses you live<br />
at and have used on <strong>of</strong>ficial documents—this too is<br />
reported on your credit history. Access to your credit<br />
history allows you to know and prevent someone from<br />
committing fraud in your name and allows you to<br />
clear up anything that looks suspicious to you. But it<br />
also enables you to build up “good credit” which will<br />
be invaluable to you later if you want to rent an apartment,<br />
buy a car, apply for a credit card or loan, or even<br />
buy a home. If you plan on working after graduation<br />
or don’t know how long you’ll be in the US, take care<br />
to maintain a good credit history—it can never hurt to<br />
do so, and you never know when you need it.<br />
225 <strong>PD</strong>PRIMER 2011<br />
<strong>PD</strong>PRIMER 2011 226
indEX<br />
a.C. Moore 108<br />
abbaye 132<br />
abyssinia Restaurant 99<br />
addams Hall 9, 11<br />
admissions 11<br />
aetna 21<br />
administration 11-13<br />
airports 76<br />
alyan’s 99<br />
amtrak 74<br />
anthony’s C<strong>of</strong>fee House 98<br />
apartments 55-60<br />
appendicitis 24-25<br />
apple computers 32<br />
arch Street Plastics 108<br />
arch & anthro Museum 143<br />
architecture 37-38<br />
archives 28-29<br />
art Museum 62<br />
artist supply 108<br />
atlantic City 144<br />
aTMs 115<br />
atwater Kent Museum 142<br />
Bacon, Kevin 28-29<br />
Bacon, Edmund 28-29, 42<br />
banks 115<br />
Bar Guide 132-136<br />
Barnes Foundation 142<br />
Beijing 91<br />
Beer & Wine 130<br />
Bicycle Therapy 82<br />
Bikes & Biking 80-87<br />
Bike Rides 83-84<br />
bike stores & repair 82<br />
bills, paying 30<br />
The Bishop’s Collar 135<br />
Blue Mountain 145<br />
Bob & Barbara’s 119<br />
The Bridge 141<br />
Brigid’s 135<br />
Bryn Mawr 145<br />
Buddakan 104<br />
Buffalo Billiards 133<br />
Bump 134<br />
buses 67<br />
BUYING STUFF 106-117<br />
cable 60<br />
Camelback 145<br />
Campus apartments 57<br />
Cape May 144<br />
CaPS 22<br />
car rental 79<br />
Career Services 13<br />
Carman’s Country Kitchen 120<br />
Cars & Parking 77-79<br />
...registration 77<br />
...insurance 77<br />
...inspection 77<br />
Center City 61-62<br />
Charette 109<br />
Cheap Eats 98-99<br />
Cheesesteaks 100-101<br />
Cherry Street Tavern 139<br />
Chickering Group 21<br />
Chinatown buses 73<br />
Chinese 152<br />
Citiassist loans 19<br />
City Planning 42-45<br />
Clark Park 112<br />
commuter rail to NY 72<br />
computer certification 33<br />
Computer Connection 32<br />
Computing 12, 30-35<br />
Continental 133<br />
Continental Mid-Town 104, 134<br />
Copabanana 98<br />
copy stores 116<br />
CPT 149<br />
craigslist 57<br />
credit history 151<br />
Dahlak 136<br />
Day Trips 144-145<br />
DC, transit to 73-75<br />
...driving directions 75<br />
Dean’s Office 11<br />
Demetrios 93<br />
dental care 23<br />
dental insurance 22<br />
Dining alfresco 97<br />
Dirty Frank’s 139<br />
<strong>PD</strong>PRIMER 2011 228
Dive Bars 137-138<br />
Doobies 136<br />
Dr. Cycles 82<br />
Drexel Pizza 99<br />
Drinker’s Midtown 135<br />
Drinker’s Tavern 133<br />
driver’s licensing 79<br />
drugstores 115<br />
Duhring Wing 9, 11<br />
Dunkin’ Donuts 91<br />
DVD rentals 141<br />
Eastern State Penitentary 120<br />
Elfreths alley 142<br />
electricity 60<br />
El-Vez 104<br />
email 30<br />
Errands 114-116<br />
Eulogy 133<br />
Exercise 126-127<br />
Experian 151<br />
Equifax 151<br />
F-1 visa 147<br />
Fabrication lab 109<br />
Facilities 12<br />
Fairmount Park 122<br />
farmer’s markets 111<br />
Fast Food 91<br />
Fallingwater 144<br />
faxing 116<br />
Fitler Square 61, 112<br />
Finance Office 11<br />
Financial aid 18-20<br />
FINDING FOOD 88-104<br />
Fine arts 46-47<br />
Fine arts library 9, 26-27<br />
First Unitarian Church 121<br />
Food Carts 92-95<br />
FOREIGN aSSETS 146-159<br />
Franklin annex 11<br />
Franklin Building 30<br />
Franklin Field 128<br />
Franklin Mills 113<br />
Franklin Square 140<br />
Fresh Fruit 93<br />
229 <strong>PD</strong>PRIMER 2011<br />
Fresh Grocer 110<br />
FTP access 33<br />
GaPSa 17<br />
gas 60<br />
Genji 99<br />
Germantown ave 83<br />
GETTING aROUND 66-87<br />
Getting Here 8-9<br />
Gojjo 136<br />
The Good Dog 134<br />
Govinda’s Cafe 99<br />
Grace Tavern 136<br />
Grad PlUS loans 19<br />
Graduate Hospital 61<br />
Greek lady 93<br />
Greyhound 74<br />
grocery stores 110-111<br />
gyms 126<br />
Hanan House <strong>of</strong> Pita 92<br />
hardware stores 109<br />
Harmony 99<br />
Haverford 145<br />
HaVING FUN 118-145<br />
Health & Dental 24-28<br />
health insurance 21<br />
Hemo’s 94<br />
Historic Preservation 48-49<br />
Home Depot 108<br />
Hospital <strong>of</strong> UPenn 21<br />
HOUSING 54-65<br />
HUP 21<br />
Hutchinson 126<br />
I-20 147<br />
I-94 148<br />
ICa 142<br />
Ikea 113<br />
immunizations 22<br />
Int’l Students 147-151<br />
internet service 60<br />
iTunes 33<br />
Isgro’s Pastries 98<br />
ITS, <strong>PennDesign</strong> 30-35<br />
J-1 visa 147<br />
Jamaican Jerk Hut 112<br />
Kahn, louis 28-29, 145<br />
Kentuck Knob 144<br />
King <strong>of</strong> Prussia 113<br />
Korean 153-156<br />
leann 92<br />
la Terasse 102<br />
landscape architecture 51-53<br />
laundry 115<br />
lemon Grass Thai 103<br />
les & Doreen’s Happy Tap 138<br />
light Bulbs 14-16<br />
libraries 26-27<br />
locust Bar 137, 140<br />
locust Rendezvous 138<br />
logan Square 62<br />
london Grill 135<br />
lorenzo’s Pizza 98<br />
lou’s Restaurante 99<br />
lUCY 69<br />
lumber 109<br />
Macintosh computers 32<br />
Magic Carpet 94<br />
mailing 116<br />
Main line 145<br />
Manayunk 84<br />
maps<br />
...<strong>PennDesign</strong> 8<br />
...<strong>University</strong> City 114<br />
...food carts 93<br />
McDonalds 91<br />
McGlinchey’s 134, 139<br />
mental health svcs 22<br />
Merion 144<br />
metals 108<br />
Metropolitan Bakery 99<br />
MexiCali 94, 96<br />
Meyerson Hall 9, 11<br />
Mom & Pop 95<br />
Monk’s 134<br />
Morgan Building 9, 11<br />
Morimoto 104<br />
Movie Theaters 141<br />
moving & moving trucks 59<br />
Mummers Museum 142<br />
section text<br />
Mummers Parade 121<br />
Museums 142-143<br />
Mütter Museum 122, 143<br />
My Rich Uncle 19<br />
Nam Phoung 98<br />
Nan 103<br />
Neighborhood Bike Works 82<br />
New Deck Tavern 131<br />
New Hope 145<br />
New York & DC 72-75<br />
New York, transit to 72-75<br />
...driving directions 75<br />
NoChe 135<br />
North Third 132<br />
Off-Campus living 56<br />
Office <strong>of</strong> Int’l Prgms 147<br />
OIP 147<br />
Old City 61<br />
Old Man City 139-140<br />
Ombudsman 13<br />
OPT 150<br />
Ortlieb’s Jazzhaus 132<br />
Oscar’s Tavern 137<br />
Outings 119-124<br />
parking at <strong>PennDesign</strong> 9<br />
Passyunk avenue 140<br />
Pattaya Grill 99<br />
PaTCO 69<br />
parking permit 78<br />
parking pass 78<br />
<strong>PD</strong>SC 17<br />
Pearl 107<br />
PECO 60<br />
PennBus 50<br />
PennCard 30<br />
PennCash 30<br />
PENNDESIGN 8-35<br />
...map 8<br />
Penne 102<br />
Penn In Touch 30<br />
PennKey 30<br />
PennRec 127<br />
Penn Relays 128<br />
PennPass 69<br />
<strong>PD</strong>PRIMER 2011 230
PennPortal 30<br />
PennShuttle 51<br />
Penn Transit 70-71<br />
Pennypack Park 84<br />
Perkins loans 19<br />
PGW 60<br />
PhD architecture 39-41<br />
Picnic 91<br />
Philadelphia art alliance 143<br />
Philadelphia Food Trust 112<br />
Phl Int’l Championships 129<br />
Phila Museum <strong>of</strong> art 143<br />
PhillyCarShare 79<br />
Philly Weekly 57<br />
plastics 109<br />
Plaza Garibaldi 98<br />
plotting 34<br />
Poconos 145<br />
Pod 102, 104<br />
Pottruck 126<br />
Powelton Village 64<br />
print stores 116<br />
printing 34<br />
produce markets 111<br />
PSIP 21<br />
Public Transit 67-69<br />
Raw lounge 99<br />
Reading Terminal Market 112<br />
The Real leann 92<br />
Registrar 11<br />
regional rail 68<br />
Relationships 125<br />
Rembrandt’s 135<br />
research 26-27<br />
Restaurants 98-99, 102-104<br />
Ritz Filmbill 141<br />
Rittenhouse 61<br />
Rodin Museum 143<br />
The Roxy 141<br />
69th Street 140<br />
Sabrina’s Cafe 98<br />
Sallie Mae 19<br />
Sang-Ke Peking Duck 99<br />
Sansom Place 59<br />
231 <strong>PD</strong>PRIMER 2011<br />
scanners 34<br />
Schuylkill River Park 84<br />
SEPTa 67-69<br />
...R7 to NY 72<br />
...R1 to the airport 68, 76<br />
...tokens 69<br />
Site Research 50<br />
shipping 116<br />
Sh<strong>of</strong>uso House 122<br />
shopping malls 113<br />
s<strong>of</strong>tware 34<br />
Society Hill 61<br />
Society Hill Hotel 133<br />
Society Hill Towers 140<br />
Sports 128-129<br />
Spruce Hill 63<br />
Stafford loans 18<br />
The Standard Tap 132<br />
Steven Starr 104<br />
STOa 109<br />
student council 17<br />
Student Financial Svcs 12, 19<br />
student groups 17<br />
Student health 13, 21, 24-25<br />
student housing 59<br />
student loans 18-19<br />
Student organizations 17<br />
Studio Supplies 107-109<br />
subway 68<br />
Super Fresh 110<br />
Supermarkets 110-111<br />
Supreme Foodmarket 111<br />
SURViVAL GUidES 36-53<br />
tandoor 99<br />
target 113<br />
the tattooed mom 98<br />
Tavern on Camac 134<br />
telephone service 60<br />
ten Stone 136<br />
thai Singha house 103<br />
thrift Stores 117<br />
thriftway 111<br />
tommy Gunn’s BBQ 83, 84<br />
towing 78<br />
2 Street Cafe 138<br />
transunion 151<br />
trader Joe’s 110<br />
transcripts 30<br />
trolleys 68<br />
trophy Bikes 82<br />
UCA Realty Group 57<br />
<strong>University</strong> City 63<br />
...map 114<br />
<strong>University</strong> City housing 57<br />
utilities 60<br />
Utrecht 107<br />
Video Library 124, 141<br />
Video Vault 141<br />
Wal-mart 113<br />
walking escort 71<br />
Washington Square West 61<br />
water department 60<br />
Wawa 89-90<br />
West Philly 62-64<br />
West River drive 123<br />
White dog Cafe 102<br />
Whole Foods 110<br />
Wildwood, nJ 144<br />
Winterthur 145<br />
Wissahickon 83<br />
women’s health 22<br />
Woodlands Cemetary 123<br />
Woody’s 134<br />
Work Abroad 157-159<br />
work study 20<br />
Yue Kee 95<br />
Zocalo 103<br />
<strong>PD</strong>PRIMER 2011 232
notES notES<br />
233 <strong>PD</strong>PRIMER 2011<br />
<strong>PD</strong>PRIMER 2011 234
notES notES<br />
235 <strong>PD</strong>PRIMER 2011<br />
<strong>PD</strong>PRIMER 2011 236