AveNEWS: High Point Cafe's 2nd Location now Open!!

I realized yesterday morning that Election Day was not the day to check out the new location of High Point Cafe as I approached the long line outside. Could all these people really be waiting for coffee? This place was even more popular than expected! Then, as I got closer, I realized that they weren't waiting for coffee, they were waiting to vote! How cool to have your polling place inside a coffee shop?!?!

Even with the inside tables temporarily replaced with voting booths, the kids and I were impressed. The same fabulous coffee, a cozy friendly space, lots of yummy food, and warm and smiling staff. Even better, they now have space for stroller parking outside and high chairs! The new location will not be serving crepes, but will have lots of other treats including some Grab&Go Sandwiches.

Fortunately, they also have some outdoor seating over on the side - with a perfect view of passing trains. With an iced coffee, a couple gruyere brioche, and an up close sighting of the R8, we were all happily satisfied.

High Point Cafe now has two locations in West Mt. Airy:
The original Cafe at 602 Carpenter Lane
and the new location at The Allens Lane Train Station

Both sites are open every day, 7am-7pm.

Happy Election Day!

We have all been waiting for this day for a long time.  It's finally here!  So, get out and vote!  The polls will be open from 7am-8pm.  If you don't know where your polling place is, plug in your address here (just your street address, not city and zip).  You can also see a list of polling places in Philadelphia and find out what to do if you are a first-time voter, such as what forms of identification are acceptable.  And you can find our more about what will be on the ballot.

If you have any problems casting your vote, call the Election Day Hotline, at (866) OUR-VOTE.  And, if you've been hearing any information about election day that you aren't sure about, check out these elections myths exposed!  For example, you CAN wear clothing and buttons supporting a particular candidate; you just cannot campaign and must leave the voting location immediately after casting your vote.  You also CAN vote straight party without having to separately vote for the president here in Philadelphia.

If you have to bring children (it is a great experience for older kids to see you exercising your right to vote, but younger ones can be a handful, especially if there is a long line) try to come in pairs and take turns watching the kids outside.  Come with a neighbor or your spouse or partner who can help you with little ones.  Many of the polling places have playgrounds outside, so you may want to take advantage of that.  It may be raining, though, so that may take playgrounds out of the picture.  Bring along a special bag of toys/activities to help keep kids busy.

See you at the polls!

Let's Play: The Plymouth Meeting Mall

Some of the following post is a re-posting of one of our earliest entries, entitled "Rainy Day Solutions," but there is a lot of new information and news about amazing features coming soon to the mall, so don't skip it!

Are you running out of ideas for places to take the kids?  Especially on those dreary, rainy days?And we all know it will be to cold soon to frequent area play grounds and parks, so we need to start preparing to visit some indoor attractions too.

So, here is an idea for you:  Plymouth Meeting Mall.  Yes, it's a mall. But, more importantly, it is a mall with a beautiful carousel, an enchanting fountain, a free futuristic kids' game and much more to come! Just the kind of distractions you need for your little ones. Start out at the food court entrance to eat or enjoy a ride (or 10) on the carousel and then head down to your left to the other end of the mall where you will find a huge, lit fountain.

The carousel is an amazing, two-story structure complete with rocking benches for moms with babies and spinning teacups for your older, adventurous kids.  (Take my word for it; don't eat your cheese steak and immediately afterwards agree to join your child in the tea cup.  Not a good idea.) At $2.00 a ride, it's a great deal for the smiles it will put on your kids' faces.  We just wish you good luck getting them off of it.

And the light and water show of the fountain will entertain your little ones and give you a break for a while. They love to watch the water slowly rising up,up, almost to the ceiling! And they'll want to make a wish, of course, so bring your pennies!

If you're looking for another free way to entertain young and older kids, head over to the Starbucks kiosk and you will see an amazing treat on the floor behind it.  There is a large rectangle projected onto the floor that rotates through different video-like games.  And it is interactive!  And totally free!  Stand on it and use your feet to play the games.  The games range from kicking balls around to racing cars on a track.  You might even enjoy it; it is pretty cool!

And, if that isn't enough fun for you, there is the new Dave and Buster's across from the fountain, a huge arcade, bar, and restaurant with ride-on games that make you feel like you are really racing a car, skiing down a mountain, or kayaking through river rapids.  (Their food is yummy too.)  Minors must be accompanied by an adult over the age of 25.  This is a great place to plan events also.  Visit Dave and Buster's on Halloween to play for 1/2 price!

And you won't believe what is about to park itself near the food court (some time in "fall/holiday 2008"):  Krazy City.  I have never personally been to one, but I have to say after viewing the website, it looks pretty crazy.  It will be a two-level indoor theme park for children age 3-14.  

Krazy City will contain an arcade, lit bowling alley, a black light miniature golf course with an underwater theme, a prehistoric dig area, an interactive soft ball maze where kids can shoot these balls out of guns and cannons, and mining for gemstones in a stream.  Can you believe this place?  There will even be some of the smaller amusement park-type rides!  And, of course, a restaurant, in case your kids have time to remember that they are hungry.

Make sure to stop by the Customer Service Center in the mall during October for "Think Pink," which includes free give-aways of shopping bags and shower cards to educate women on breast health.  Also, stop by  Boscov's in the mall tomorrow (Tuesday, Oct. 7th) for "Friends Helping Friends."  This is an event that will be held from 9am-9pm and the proceeds will go to non-profit organizations.  These local organizations will be selling 25% tickets for just $5!  Boscov's will provide food demos, special sale prices on clothing and appliances, and prizes.  "School of Rock" will be providing the entertainment!

Don't have a great place to trick or treat on Halloween?  Visit the mall for their annual Mall O Ween Trick or Treat event, from 5:30-7:30pm on Halloween.

Some other additions to Plymouth Meeting Mall to look for: 

 

A new Borders Express on the lower level to open mid-October. 

The largest Whole Foods in the area, with roof-top cafe, to open spring 2009.

Underground parking with more than 350 spaces to be finished in spring 2009. 

The mall's site even has an interactive map so that you can get a visual of where these places are before you leave the house.

The mall is located at:  500 W. Germantown Pike, Plymouth Meeting, PA 19462.  

It is open Monday through Saturday 10am – 9:30pm Sunday 11am – 6pm
610.825.9351
map

Your Turn:  Click the "comment" link below and let us know what you think of these new mall additions.  A good idea?  Too much?  Are you annoyed by all the construction?  What do you think about the idea of Krazy City?  Exciting or crazy?  We want to hear from you!  And come back by here to respond to other readers' opinions!