ICON | Philadelphia: News

ICON | Philadelphia is searching for new executives for the upcoming year!

ICON | Philadelphia is searching for new executives for the upcoming year! If you would like to take a leadership role in continuing the social, charitable, and professional event planning that all of us have enjoyed over the years, please consider joining our team! For a description of the open positions, please download the pdf.   The application deadline is Sunday, May 11, 2008. If you have any questions for the current Executive Team members, please feel free to direct them to icon@iconphiladelphia.org. Thank you for your interest!

Your current ICON | Philadelphia Executive Team:
     Vivian Cheng - President
     Liyan Wan - Vice President
     Alfred Moon - Secretary
     David Mcgrail - Treasurer

Recap - 4/19/2008 WOAR Take It All Back

The weather couldn't have been more perfect for the walk from 30th street station to the Rotunda at 40th street. Holding signs and chanting along the way, the rally was filled with a sense of optimism. The survivor speakouts were empowering, inspirational, and educational. In addition, there was an abundance of food, raffle prizes, and live entertainment. Thanks to all who came out and contributed to the cause, helping to raise over $4,000.

Recap - 3/27/2008 Happy Hour at Vango

For those of you who missed ICON's first happy hour at Vango, shame on you! Dave's camera was out of commission but Nye was ready with HER camera to capture the event.

DJ Syko kept the mood casual yet energized, while the crowd of almost 60 people mingled, enjoyed their wine and cocktails, made their toasts, and had an all-around good time. Thanks Liyan, Alfred, Vivian (ICON Philadelphia), James (Reaction Republic), and Vango management for coordinating, providing complimentary appetizers, and ensuring the event ran smoothly.

Last but not least, a big thanks to the ICON members (current and new) for showing up and making this event a success!

Recap - 2/16/2008 Restaurant Review - Sabrina's Cafe

The restaurant review at Sabrina's provided an opportunity for several new ICON members to get to know existing members in a cozy, friendly setting. The big hits on the menu were their porkchops, salmon, and crabcakes. If you have suggestions for new venues for our Restaurant Review series, please contact David Mcgrail (mcgrail_1@yahoo.com) or post a comment to the ICON facebook message wall.

Recap - 1/24/2008 2008 Kick-Off Happy Hour at 707

Thanks to the 45 faces who showed up on an especially cold night to ICON's first Happy Hour of the year. 707's huge central bar and lounge made for an interesting night of mingling with new members and catching up with old friends. We hope to make 2008 another eventful year for ICON's members. Cheers!

Happy 2008!

2007 was a busy year for ICON. Thanks to ICON's growing membership, we've accomplished some major milestones, started some new traditions, and forged some new community alliances.

Here's a re-cap of some of ICON's activities and accomplishments:

    * WHYY Volunteering Spotlight
    * Launched ICON's New Website
    * Annual Fairmount Park Picnic - Charity Raffle for The Philadelphia AIDS Consortium
    * Record Number Turn-Out for Happy Hours at venues like Estia, Rae, Haru, & Positano Coast
    * Schuylkill Banks Kayak Tour
    * Mann Center Kitchen Expedition
    * Suburban Happy Hour
    * Monthly Restaurant Reviews
    * Clothing Drive for SEAMAAC
    * Pending 501(c)3 Non-Profit Organization

Much thanks to our ongoing supporters and community partners: DNA Nightlife, NetIP, SEAMAAC, TPAC, WHYY, The Mann Center, CCTC, PhillyCarShare, Cafe con Chocolate, Ameriprise, ERA Aarch Realty and of course, our members.

Recap - 11/14/07 Clothing Drive Happy Hour at Lucy's Hat Shop

Thanks to the many generous individuals who attended this happy hour and donated at this clothing drive. Your contributions are appreciated by the members of SEAMAAC (Southeast Asian Mutual Assistance Association Coalition) and will undoubtedly be put to good use. A special thanks to DNA for listing ICON contributers as VIP guests for the November 17th Black and White Ball, also co-hosted by SEAMAAC. See you at the next Happy Hour!

About SEAMAAC:For over 22 years, SEAMAAC has been a refugee and immigrant-operated organization that has helped to bring immigrant/refugee interests and issues to the collective agendas of agencies concerned with refugee resettlement, social services, employment and job training, health, education and culture. For more information, visit: www.seamaac.org.

Recap 11/3/07 Restaurant Review at Picanha Brazilian Grill

Over 20 ICON members attended the restaurant review at the
Picanha Brazilian Grill. This casual, all-you-can-eat
BYOB provided us with an endless supply of steak,
sausage, chicken and pork there was a cut of meat for
everyones individual palates. This was a satisfying
and tasty meal! There was also a group of newer
members who made the trek out to the Northeast and
everyone had a great time!

Recap - 10/20/07 Philadelphia Cares Day

We came, we saw, we helped!

ICON Philadelphia(with a major major assist by DNA) brought 30 or so energetic bodies to Blaine Elementary School, and really helped the school along! Among the ways we helped are by re-organizing the library and storerooms, brightening up the teachers' lounge, and cleaning the hallway bulletin boards.

A fun and tiring time was had by all!

Recap - 10/18/07 Suburban Happy Hour at Yang Ming

About forty people joined us in Bryn Mawr for Happy Hour at Yang Ming. There were a lot of new faces and much gratitude from suburbanites who appreciated the decrease in travel time to an ICON event. Special thanks to Eddie Law for coordinating a night of never-ending appetizers and sectioning a designated area by the bar for ICON attendees.

Recap - 10/13/07 Kitchen Expedition Volunteering Event.

On behalf of the Mann Center, thank you to the ICON volunteers for your help in making The 5th Annual Superior Woodcraft Kitchen Expedition a resounding success! This year's tour was host to over 280 guests, generating over $12,000 for The Mann Center's free Young Peoples' Concert Series! Your warmth and gracious hospitality was felt by guests throughout the tour and is appreciated by the organizers.

Recap - 9/16/2007 Cafe con Chocolate - Open House

Over 20 people came out Sunday night to enjoy the offerings of this quaint café. Owner Yoshiko Yamasaki created a special “Latin Dish” for the night, featuring tender ribs accompanied by her take on Mexican rice. It was unanimous that the “Japanese Dish” was equally a hit. Prices were extremely reasonable and our server Michelle not only served our large party with ease, she even gave us a musical performance of her award-winning violin playing to end the night with.

www.cafeconchocolate.com
2100 South Norwood St.
Phila., PA 19145
267 620 7144

Recap - 9/13/07 Fuji Mountain HH/Karaoke Wrap-Up

ICON's HH @ Fuji Mountain was great night for all! About 50 members, new and old, showed up for drinks, conversation, and, most importantly, karaoke!

The karaoke room upstairs saw lots of action with plenty of future American Idol champs (or not) wailing away long into the night! If you weren't there, you shoulda' been!!

Recap - 9/1/2007 Schuylkill Banks Kayak Tour

A beautiful Saturday accompanied a fun-filled trip of kayaking down the Schuylkill River. Even though some of us returned to the dock wetter than others, it was a memorable time and ICON members will no doubt be back on the river again and continuing the water fights. Special thanks to Franklin Shen for helping to coordinate the logistics for the afternoon kayaking session.

For more information, visit the Schuylkill Banks website.

Recap - 8/24/2007 Sweet Spot Party @ Cebu

Sweet Spot at Cebu was a success! ICON and DNA drew out a nice crowd on this perfect summer evening in Olde City. Whether relaxing at the lounge or dancing the night away, Cebu had something to offer everyone. Thanks to everyone who made it such an enjoyable evening!

Recap - 8/19/2007 Restaurant Review at Shundeez

The staff paid great attention to our dinner party at Shundeez. We started off the evening with individual sampler plates of appetizers, then feasted on kabob, fesenjon, ghormeh sabzi, and zereshk polo. We finished the meal by sampling each of the Persian dessert selections. Thanks go to everyone who braved the rain to fill our table with warmth, laughter, and good company.

Recap - 8/16/07 Happy Hour at Haru

Another successful happy hour with over 80 attendees came and went, faster than the delectable sushi Haru served up. Luckily for raffle winners Mariko and Elizabeth, they can use their Haru gift cards to go back and enjoy the food on a separate occasion. Much thanks to ERA Aarch Realty for sponsoring the event and providing a wealth of real estate resources to our members. If you have any real estate needs in the future, keep in mind that ERA Aarch is "Always there for you." 215.218.1900.

Recap - 8/11/07 - ICON Teams Up with Philabundance to Fight Hunger

Philabundance was founded in 1984 to help fight hunger in the Delaware Valley while reducing food waste. Concentrating its efforts on salvaging perishable foods, Philabundance has developed a food distribution system. Recently, ICON members got to experience first hand the fast paced, behind-the-scenes activities at the Philabundance warehouse. Many thanks to the hard working ICON volunteers who gave it their all on Saturday morning to pack boxes of food for senior citizens! Because of the diligence and enthusiasm of each of the volunteers, 1000 boxes containing cereal, juices, fruits, milk, peas, peanut butter, and pasta will go to hungry seniors who need them the most. Great job, everyone! Click here for pictures from the event.

For more information about Philabundance, visit http://www.philabundance.org

Recap - 7/27/07 - Tchaikovsky with Fireworks

Playing to a packed house, the Philadelphia Orchestra delivered yet another captivating performance of Tchaikovsky pieces.
As the ICON concert-goers enjoyed a picnic on the lawn overlooking the Philadelphia skyline, they were serenaded with music from Romeo and Juliet and Swan Lake.
The temporary periods of rain certainly didn't dampen the spirits of the music-lovers and the evening culminated in a splendid display of fireworks that lit up the city night sky.
For information on more Mann Center summer concerts, visit www.manncenter.org.

Recap - 7/26/07 Happy Hour @ Rae

Our Happy Hour was a tremendous success due to the high turn-out of over 100 folks who came out to network with one another and with Ameriprise Financial Advisor, May Lai. Rae's plentiful hors d'oeuvres were excellent and the venue is amazing within the Cira Centre. Thanks to Ameriprise for sponsoring this event and to Rae for contributing a $75 gift card to the business card drop raffle winner. Congratulations to our lucky winner, Grace Su!

If you have any questions about your financial goals, May would be happy to speak with you as she enjoyed meeting everybody and would love to see everyone again. Please feel free to contact her directly at 610.897.2866 or via email at may.x.lai@ampf.com.

Please visit our flickr to view pictures from the happy hour.