Ben Around Philly

Rachel Riley, Director of Communications for Valley Forge Tourism and Convention Board joins Kristen to talk about a great new campaign they have going on called Make it Main Street, highlighting small, local businesses in Montgomery County that have been impacted by COVID-19. Rachel stresses the importance of shopping small over the holidays, and every day. Montgomery County covers geographic area, and boasts some 80 hotels, retail stores and boutiques, 1,600 restaurants and cafes, 30 award-winning Montco Makers (breweries, wineries, and distilleries), and 200 arts and culture venues.  See all that Montgomery County has to offer (and plan your next visit) at https://www.valleyforge.org/make-it-main-street/. You can also download the free Visit Valley Forge mobile app, where people can learn more about how to “Make It Local, Make It Main Street, Make It Montco.”    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you haven't visited yet, it's time. It’s quirky and weird and there is absolutely something for everyone at the American Treasure Tour Museum in Oaks, PA. Kirsten Canner, the museum’s General Admissions Manager and Lead Tour guide joins Kristen to talk about the museum’s collection, the collection’s mysterious owner, clowns, Nickelodeon’s and more. Kristen cannot recommend this place enough, and will be giving away 4-packs of tickets to the museum weekday mornings beginning Monday, November 2nd. If you have previously visited, you'll be excited to return to see the Enchanted Colonial Village that was originally on display at the Lit Brothers Department Store in Philadelphia in the 60’s. This 3/4 scale display was visited by hundreds of thousands of people in the sixties and seventies, and will now be a part of the museum's permanent display. Perhaps you'll remember it? Find the American Treasure Tour Museum in the same parking lot as the Philadelphia Expo Center at Oaks. More details and tickets at  http

Bill Tayoun (Spocknik) and Beth Kellner ( Sister Spock), Co-Managers of the Roddenberries, return to BEN Around Philly ahead of their “Showdown: 2020” Virtual Rock Cabaret Event. The Roddenberries are a “Star Trekified” sci-fi fi rock-n-roll cabaret band. Boldly going where they have never gone before, The Roddenberries will be presenting this 90-minute virtual rock and roll comedy cabaret featuring Robert O'Reilly and J.G. Hertzler appearing as Chancellors Gowron and Martok of Star Trek: DS9. From artful recreations of movie and tv scores to pop/rock/classics parodies, this fun, energetic 10-piece troupe boldly goes where no Star Band has gone before in a unique spectacle of rock-n-roll theater, comedy, and pure sci-fi awesomeness!  The Roddenberries have been featured on some of the biggest tv and radio stations on the East Coast. They’ve performed at multiple venues and events around the country; including Star Trek’s Official 50th Anniversary Convention at The Rio Las Vegas, New York and multiple other C

Sing On! on Netflix is a karaoke game show, and it's so much fun to watch. The show is hosted by Tituss Burgess (The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt), who does some singing too. Oh, and there's a local tie too! Super awesoe Philadelphia comedian Alyssa Al-Dookhi returns to BEN Around Philly to talk about a starring on the show. So how exactly does a karaoke game show work? The contestants sing popular songs with hopes of winning cash. It's got a couple of surprises though, for both the contestants and the audience. Hear Alyssa talk about the twists and turns of the episode she stars in, and what it was like to sing karaoke stone cold sober! The entire first season is available to stream now. Alyssa’s episode is the ‘Country’ episode. Other episode themes are: Party Playlist, Summer Anthems, 80’s Mixtape, Rock, Love Songs, Chart Toppers and Movie Night. Binge every episode of Sing On! on Netflix now. Hear about the process of taping the show from beginning to end. Alyssa also gives the scoop on auditions, wardrobe

There’s a new movie in theaters, called War With Grandpa. The film is based on the best-selling book by Robert Kimmel Smith, and stars Robert DeNiro as the Grandpa in the title, and a local kid (now teen) from Allentown named Oakes Fegley (The Goldfinch), who plays a 6th grader named Peter. Basically Peter’s grandfather moves into his house (specifically his room), and Peter is not happy about it. Thus, War With Grandpa. It looks super fun, with pranks and laughs. Based on the trailer alone, it seems like a mix of ‘Meet the Fockers’ and “Home Alone’.  Oakes filmed this movie a few years ago, when he was 12-13 years old. Kristen talks with Oakes about his working with so many big stars in both The Goldfinch (Sarah Paulson, Nicole Kidman) and now this film (Robert DeNiro, Christopher Walken, Uma Thurman,  Jane Seymour). Hear about the auditions, acting in a comedy, some of the stunts involved in the film, and the process of releasing a film during a global pandemic. Check out War with Grandpa  in a theater nea

NBC-10 Philadelphia made a big announcement recently. They have a brand new morning show team! Well, maybe not brand new. You know them well. They’re switching folks around a bit. Keith Jones and Erin Coleman take over the 4-7am slot, joining and Bill Henley, Sheila Watko and Lucy Bustamante. The legendary Vai Sikahema is retiring later this year. Tracy Davidson has been moved to later in the day to anchor the 4pm and 5pm news hours (she gets to sleep in)!  Keith Jones joins Kristen on BEN Around Philly to talk about the new time slot, his incredible on-air partner Erin Coleman, having a famous dog (Charlie), and going from former intern of Vai Sikahema, to stepping into his shoes in this new role. Tune in every weekday morning 4-7am to see Keith and the team. It’s a new set-up, but with the same commitment to incredible global, national, and local news coverage.    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gillian Kocher, Director of Public Relations for the Pennsylvania SPCA returns to give all of the details on a fun drive-in movie night to benefit the PSPCA next Saturday, October 10th. Drive on over with your quaranteam (pets allowed too) to the parking lot of the South Philadelphia IKEA, for a showing of ‘A League of Their Own’ on a big outdoor screen. This socially distanced drive-in movie night can accommodate over 100 cars, and tickets are on sale now. All proceeds go to support the PSPCA’s lifesaving mission. Just a few days ago, the organization rescued 34 dogs from terrible conditions. Help the PSPCA continue to do their crucial work, simply by going to the movies! Check HERE  to purchase tickets and for more information. There will be concessions available for purchase from IKEA, as well as merch items to benefit the PSPCA (including their super fun PSPCA masks).  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Philadelphia Environmental Film Festival is this week! Watch from September 23rd to 27th. Postponed from April, the Philadelphia Environmental Film Festival has been re-imagined into a virtual event this year. Watch from the comfort of home (or anywhere)! There are also a number of discussions available, that compliment the films. Hear as Kristen is joined by co-founders of the festival, Debra Wolf Goldstein and Alexandra Diagne to talk about about some of the festival’s highlights. For more information and to purchase tickets, go to philaenvirofilmfest.org. Individual tickets are $12. The unlimited pass is $30!   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Philadelphia's own John Oates calls in to talk with Kristen about his new solo album that came out Friday. Hear samples from "John Oates & The Good Road Band - Live In Nashville”, recorded live in Nashville this past January (back when we had live concerts). Plus hear John’s thoughts on missing Philadelphia, his 97 year-old dad (still local), Miley Cyrus and more. Find the album on Amazon, iTunes, or wherever you buy your music. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Getting tested for COVID 19 is not exactly a walk in the park, but the folks at Philly Fighting COVID are doing everything they can to make it as pleasant an experience as possible. Enter Winston. Head of Security at the testing sites. This adorable American bulldog is the first to greet you with a tongue out smile and furiously wagging tail. Kristen speaks with Andrei Doroshin, CEO of Philly Fighting COVID. He and his team have a mission to test all Philadelphians for COVID 19 and flood Philadelphia with reusable PPE. He also talks about the (hopeful) upcoming distribution of a vaccine for the virus, antibody tests, dog beer gardens, and more. Get tested (for free) every Wednesday and Friday at the Fillmore Lot. They're at 49 Richmond Street, in Philadelphia. Find more at https://www.phillyfightingcovid.com/. Winston’s Instagram page is: https://www.instagram.com/winston_the_grumpy/. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Class of One comedy show is happening twice this month, as a part of this year's Philadelphia Fringe Festival. Tickets are only $5! The Philadelphia Fringe Festival features over 120 performances, performed now through October 4th on a number of different platforms. Many of the performances will be shown virtually this year, including Class Of One. Watch it online on September 16th and 26th at 8pm. Kristen speaks with Class of One's creator Christine Olivas, who brought together local comics to share their hilarious homeschooling experiences through standup, improv, sketch, video, song, and more. The 75-minute live show on Zoom will cover the good, the bad, and the lonely of this education option that many parents and children have found themselves thrust into during the COVID-19 pandemic. Find tickets and more information at https://fringearts.com/event/class-of-one-a-comedy-show-about-homeschooling/. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The PSPCA Tails and Trails 5k run and 2k walk is going on right now. Gillian Kocher, Director of Public Relations for the Pennsylvania SPCA gives all the details on the annual event, happening virtually this year. The switch to a virtual event means that you can participate from anywhere! Grab your dog, bike, skates or running/walking shoes and let’s hit the pavement together to support the PSPCA’s lifesaving mission. It’s not too late to join in the fun! Sign up for the PSPCA Tails and Trails event any time between today and tomorrow. Find everything you need to know HERE. Hear some of Gillian's previous interviews with Kristen about the PSPCA HERE, and HERE.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sheri Cole, Executive Director of Career Wardrobe returns to BEN Around Philly to talk about the organization’s big move! Career Wardrobe’s location at 18th and Spring Garden is closing and they are moving 15 blocks down Spring Garden to North 4th Street (in between Spring Garden and Callowhill). The grand opening will be Tuesday, September 15th with lots of reasons to stop by both locations. They are offering a gift with every purchase while supplies last. Also, a discount of 25% off the highest priced item in your purchase (through September 30th), and a 15% discount for essential workers continuing to work through his pandemic (just identify yourself at checkout for the discount).  Career Wardrobe celebrates its 25th Anniversary this year, and they are providing more services to their clients than ever. They have an online store, and they’ve added virtual career and wardrobe consultations. Their OutFIT for Work program helps provide these consultations, and a wardrobe box of clothing to anyone in need. Fo

Philadelphia’s Jurassic Quest Drive Thru has arrived! Jurassic Quest Fossil Expert, Marty Hoffman gives Kristen all of the details on the show, now at the Wells Fargo Center. Guests will witness over 70 of their favorite dinosaurs move, roar and roam. They’ll also have the chance to interact with baby dinosaurs and adolescent dinosaurs, including the T. Rex, Spinosaurus, Triceratops, and many others. Oh, and while technically not a dinosaur (as Marty explains), there’s also a 50 foot-long Megalodon! If you were wondering… yes, there are restrooms available. Be sure to have your mask! They also offer a drive thru gift shop, and a complimentary souvenir photo of you and your party. See the show at the Wells Fargo Center, now through September 13th (closed Labor Day 9/7 and Tuesday 9/8). Timed tickets for the Jurassic Quest Drive Thru are $49 per car (up to 9 people). Buy tickets and find more information at JurassicQuest.com. Oh, and Gloria wanted to let everyone know that pets are welcome too!     See omn

Evan Ehlers, Founder and Executive Director of Sharing Excess returns to Ben Around Philly to talk about the organization’s efforts to bring food to those who need it. This student run organization partners with restaurants, grocery stores and other organizations to save excess food from being thrown away. The food is saved from becoming waste, and then transported to where it's needed most. They do this by hosting ‘Food Fests” to hand out food on the street. They also help by transporting food to other local organizations like Philabundance and Sunday Love Project. These organizations then help distribute the food to the public. Sharing Excess has recently partnered with Lavazza Professional who plans to gift luxury coffee brewers to businesses in the Philadelphia area. These brewers are offered to local businesses with no strings attached. If your business would benefit from a free brewer from Lavazza Professional, simply fill out this form. A year’s supply of coffee is included! Find more information ab

Melissa Levy, Executive Director of PAWS (Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society) returns to BEN Around Philly to talk about the past few months at PAWS, working through the pandemic to continue their mission to rescue animals, provide affordable veterinary care, and one day make Philadelphia a no kill city. We got our own BEN-FM dog jockey Gloria through PAWS. Their annual Chef’s Night has been made virtual this year, and extended to Chef’s WEEK this time around. The event begins Sunday, August 23rd and goes through Thursday, August 27th with demos and tips from all-star chefs, and something new and fun beginning at 7pm each night. Sunday, August 23, 2020 7:00 PM - 7:15 PM Chefs' Week for PAWS - Night 1 with Chef Nicholas Elmi Monday, August 24, 2020 7:00 PM - 7:15 PM Chefs' Week for PAWS - Night 2 with Chef Jeffrey Presley Tuesday, August 25, 2020 7:00 PM - 7:15 PM Chefs' Week for PAWS - Night 3 with Chef Julie Kline Wednesday, August 26, 2020 7:00 PM - 7:15 PM Chefs' Week for PAWS - Night 4 with Chef Nok

NBC-10 First Alert Meteorologist Krystal Klei returns to BEN Around Philly to talk about her time broadcasting from home, her dog Freckles (of course), postponed wedding plans, and the details on Clear the Shelters 2020. Through August 2020, NBC and Telemundo owned stations are teaming up with hundreds of shelters across the country for a nationwide pet adoption drive to help find loving homes for animals in need. Clear the Shelters has helped more than 250,000 pets to find their forever homes since 2015. Saturday, August 29th is the last big push. Help clear these shelters by bringing your new best friend home soon. Check HERE to find a participating shelter near you. Learn more about adopting a pet during this pandemic HERE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

While you're enjoying this last bit of summer weather with your dog, be sure to capture a photo! Our Mutt Madness: Dog Days of Summer contest is going on right now, and your entry could win $200! Shara Bankhead, Specialty Nurse Manager at Metropolitan Veterinary Associates in Norristown (who sponsored the contest) joins Kristen to talk about the contest, her 3 dogs, and the way that Metropolitan Veterinary Associates were able to adapt to the the COVID-19 pandemic without missing a beat. With a focus on safety, Metropolitan Veterinary Associates continue their care 24/7/365. Learn more about what they do HERE. Find more on the Mutt Madness contest (and see the adorable entries so far) HERE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Eastern State Penitentiary reopens Friday (8/14)! Sean Kelley, Senior Vice President at Eastern State Penitentiary returns to BEN Around Philly with an update. Hear all about the new safety measures in place at Eastern State Penitentiary, as well as some of the new programs they are offering (including a silent film of the prison from 1929). Sean also touches on Eastern State’s Hidden Lives Illuminated (short films created by incarcerated artists), and the cancellation of Terror Behind the Walls this year. He assures us that visiting the prison at night is sure to be plenty creepy, all by itself. With limited capacity because of COVID-19, tours at the reopened Eastern State Penitentiary will be in small groups, and tickets will sell out fast. Buy your timed tickets in advance at EasternState.org and follow Eastern State on Facebook for some interesting virtual programing from the comfort of your own home. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gillian Kocher, the Director of Public Relations at the PSPCA returns to BEN Around Philly to talk about a great fundraiser coming up as the PSPCA & Main Line Animal Rescue are hosting a drive-in movie night on Saturday, August 15, to raise funds for their lifesaving missions. Bring the whole family (including pets) for their socially distanced drive-in showing of The Sandlot on Main Line Animal Rescue’s property at 1149 Pike Springs Rd in Chester Springs, PA. Priority seating is available for those who wish to sit upfront, with first and second row spots available for just $250 and $150 (limit 10 tickets per car) per car respectively. General admission tickets, which parking will be given to on a first come, first serve basis, are available at $10 for adults, $7 for kids age 6-12, and free for kids 5 and under! Gates open at  6:30. Movie starts at sundown (7:50 or so). To purchase tickets, or for additional information, visit: https://mlar.org/drive-in-movie-night. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy