The arrival of autumn means the arrival of apple picking season at Linvilla Orchards! Apple picking is a healthy, delicious, and fun activity for friends and families of all ages. However, before you begin your apple-picking adventure, it’s helpful to learn about the unique varieties of apples you will find in the Linvilla fields.

If you’re searching for an apple that’s big enough to split between you and a friend, go for a Mutsu apple. The sharp, honey flavored taste of this apple makes it ideal for cooking or making fresh apple juice. The Macoun apple, which originated in New York during the 1920s, has a sweet aroma and tender flesh that pairs well with cheese or as a topping on salads. The Jonagold apple has a distinct acidity that makes its flavor succulently tart yet lusciously sweet.

The Northern Spy apple, with its red and green exterior, is as unique on the outside as it is delicious on the inside. This apple is among the most popular varieties and is often the key ingredient to baking scrumptious apple pies. Although not as traditionally tasty or sweet as the northern spy apple, the Idared apple, which originates from Idaho, has an impressive storage live potential of six months.

If your mouth is watering and your interest is piqued, visit the Linvilla Orchards website to learn more about their apple picking tours. For a comprehensive guide of all the apple varieties, click here.

The Philadelphia Zoo’s Boo at the Zoo is returning for two spooky weekends this Halloween! Put on your costume and join the creepy, crawly celebration!

Visit the Sustainable Palm Zone during Boo at the Zoo to find out why Halloween is an orangutan’s favorite holiday at the Zoo! Enjoy treats and sweets while playing your favorite Halloween gory games, listening to live murderous music and taking a wicked walk through the Philadelphia Zoo’s Extinction Graveyard to learn about the extinction of species around the world. While the graveyard won’t give you the chills, your hair may rise if you learn that some of your favorite creatures could be extinct in the wild in as little as 15 years!

There will be a lot of fearful fun activities running during Boo at the Zoo that you should be sure to check out! The Little People® Live! Animal Show runs at two different times on the Fisher Price Little People Stage starts at 10:30 a.m. and at 1:30 p.m. Spooky stories in PECO Primate Reserve every half hour from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. But make sure to take part in or see the Boo at the Zoo Costume Parade starting at Bird Lake Plaza at 12:00 p.m.

For more information visit the Philadelphia Zoo’s website.

In 1492, Columbus sailed the ocean blue! He made four transatlantic journeys departing from Spain, attempting to find a new trade route to Asia, across a harsh and unforgiving sea. Christopher Columbus landed in the Bahamas and traded gold for his homeland. He was a brave and bright man, as the old rhyme goes, which is why we celebrate him every year!

On Sunday, October 7^th, the mummers will march, during The Philadelphia Columbus Day Parade! Gather along the South Broad Parade route. Kickoff is scheduled for 12:15pm.

Just keep in mind that navigating South Philly might be a little difficult. Police advise that streets will be closed 11am- 4pm.

Below is a list of all closed streets:

• Broad from Washington to Bigler
• 1300 to 1500 blocks of Oregon
• 1300 to 1700 blocks of Washington

On Saturday, October 6^th, Pet Valu is opening a new store in Leonardtown, Maryland and tails are eagerly wagging with exuberance! The celebration begins at 9 a.m. And pet parents are encouraged to bring along their animals, leashed of course, for refreshments, raffle prices, and discounts on store items.

The first 100 customers to make a purchase will receive a complimentary gift bag, so get your tails there early! Animal rescue groups will be at the store with dogs and cats in need forever homes, and maybe you’ll think about adopting a new addition to your family.

Pet Valu is a specialty retailer that sells high quality pet supplies at reasonable prices. With more than 400 stores in the U.S. and Canada, the company sells premium pet foods, toys, and accessories. The stores are known for their personable service. All employees are animal lovers and they take a personal interest in every customer they serve. For more information, check out their website.

School is in full swing, so make the most of the weekend, and treat everyone to some family fun. Makin’ Music is bringing a kid friendly concert to Linvilla Orchards. Give your family an excuse to sing and dance during the educational set that’s sure to make everyone smile. The whole band will appear live in concert, Sunday October 7^th, starting at 4pm.

As a part of the ongoing Pumpkinland Festival, there’s plenty to do to keep everyone happy.  Pick up pumpkins and corn shocks and other holiday decorations, for your home in Pumpkinland. Eat dinner at Linvilla Grill or take delicious, award winning pies home with you to enjoy later. Enjoy the legends and lore of the season, while browsing larger than life seasonal figures on display.

For more information, check out Linvilla’s website.

Federal Donuts keeps it simple. They have perfected 3 things: donuts, coffee, and fried chicken. And with a second location opening on Sansom Street, Center City just got a little more delicious. Indulge in a gourmet treat, with fancy flavors like Spicy PB&J, Maple Bacon, or Green Tea-Sesame. You can even make it your lunch spot! Every order of fried chicken comes with cucumber pickles and a honey donut. The chicken is delicious naked, but you can also coat it in a passion fruit, teriyaki glaze or a special dry seasoning.

Enjoy rib-sticking American food with a gourmet twist. The new location opens this Wednesday. Make sure to get there early, before they run out on you! For more information, check out their site.

The fun continues as Mike Naessens of Bierstube Tsingtau celebrates Germany’s Oktoberfest! Plump Your Kin will be held on October 5th through the 8th. Featuring a family feast based on pumpkin/squash recipes and some of the finest Pumpkin beers available, including: Elysian Night Owl Pumpkin, Harpoon UFO Pumpkin, Sam Adams Fat Jack Double Pumpkin, Weyerbacher Pumpkin, Evil Twin Trick or Treat Pumpkin, Manayunk Brewing Pumpkin, Saranac Seasonal Pumpkin Spring House 7 Gate Pumpkin Ale and more!

Bierstube is located at 206 Market St. Visit them on the web at www.mybierstube.com and be sure to follow them on Twitter @MyBierstube.

Plans for September 30? How about supporting a good cause while enjoying the day outdoors on the parkway?

Run 5k or get a team together to walk a shorter distance with The Four Seasons Hotel and actively support childhood cancer research. Teams participating in the walk can create banners and wear customized shirts in honor of a loved one. In 14 years, The Four Season Parkway Run has raised over $4 million dollars, for CHOP’s Cancer Research Center.

Before the race begins, there will be music, entertainment, and more. You can sign up at the event. Registration begins at 7 a.m., with a starting time at 8:30 a.m. The walk follows the Benjamin Franklin Parkway to the Art Museum and back.  While, the 5K, begins at the intersection 19th and Ben Franklin Parkway, loops around Logan Circle, follows the Parkway onto Martin Luther King Drive, then doubles back onto the Parkway towards finish line.  More information is available on the website (use this link – (http://giving.chop.edu/site/PageNavigator/Events/Parkway_Run/parkway_run_index.html)

DesignPhiladelphia, partnered with The University of the Arts, will be showcasing their talented students for all of Philadelphia to enjoy! From October 10-14 there will be over 400 designers participating in over 100 events taking place all over the city! The goal of this event is to build the artists’ relationships with the community and to expose the great works of Philadelphia’s young and talented artists.

So check out the future of art with exhibits including anything and everything from canvas paintings and drawings to architecture and interior design! DesignPhiladelphia will also include workshops, lectures, pop-up shops, competitions, and more.

For more information and for times and locations of each event check out their website: www.designphiladelphia.org