Well, Philadelphia’s wish has been granted! The Philadelphia Phillies are in the World Series! The series, vs. the Tampa Bay Rays, is currently tied at 1-1. The teams head back to Philadelphia today to face off for three games at Citizens Bank Park.

Perhaps the best part of the entire championship run is the way the excitement has ignited and transformed the City of Brotherly Love. There is a palpable energy throughout the greater Philadelphia area and it is absolutely exciting. Newspapers dedicate pages and pages to baseball coverage with full page pictures (a full page picture of Shane Victorino now hangs above my desk). I just read a great article in the Philadelphia Inquirer about the Phillies head chef and what the guys eat before games. Another good one was in the Daily News. Reporters went around to popular area bars and had them create drink recipes for each of the players.

Everywhere you go, driving through neighborhoods, walking through stores, you see “Go Phillies” signs and other posters. Phillies apparel is flying off the shelves and everyone seems to be wearing their favorite jerseys, t-shirts and more. I stopped into Modell’s last night to pick up a new Flyin’ Hawaiian shirt - to add to my collection - and the place was mobbed. Philadelphia fans are sports fans, in good times and in bad, and we are coming out in droves to show support and help our boys get to the championship. This is a city that thrives on sports.

And Philadelphians are more than ready for a championship. The last Philadelphia championship was in 1983 when the 76ers defeated the LA Lakers in the NBA Finals. Since then, the Phillies have traveled to the World Series against the Toronto Blue Jays, the Sixers faced the Lakers again in the NBA Finals in 2001, the Eagles squared off against the Patriots in the 2005 Super Bowl and the Flyers just went to last year’s Stanley Cup.

Some blame it on the Curse of Billy Penn. A statue of William Penn stands on the top of City Hall and was the tallest building - at least until 1987. In 1987, construction was completed on One Liberty Place. Like other cities, we believe this is our curse, as no championships have been won since, and we hope 2008 is the year we break it. Last time the Phils were in the World Series, Billy Penn was decked out in Phillies gear, but since then he has not been adorned. Now, we wait to dress Billy up until after we win! And now, there are three buildings bigger than Billy. Construction was completed on Two Liberty Place and, most recently, the Comcast Center which now serves as the tallest building in our skyline.

But this Phillies fan has faith that this is the year. Go Phillies!

- Kimberly Krol, circulation and PR executive, eFlyer editor

As I write, I am sitting in my hotel room at the new Hilton Baltimore. My room overlooks Camden Yards, the Baltimore Orioles baseball stadium, and a roof that is surprisingly different than most hotel roofs I have ever seen. The Hilton Baltimore has a greef roof, which provides a haven for wildlife, reduces storm water runoff and reduces the heat island effect - which lowers utility bills. These are just a few of the environmental benefits. This excited me. It always makes me happy when I see or hear of someone helping our environment.

I try my best to give back to the environment every day. I drive a hybrid, I use energ- efficient light bulbs, I unplug appliances when they are not in use, and I use reusable bags when I go shopping. I am not doing anything huge, like living in a solar-panel house (although one day I would like to), but it is all of the little things that can help the bigger problem.

So maybe, even if just for today, try walking somewhere nearby that you normally drive to, or unplug your cell phone charger when the phone isn’t being charged. If all of us just cut back on a few things, we could make a huge difference. And I don’t know about you, but making a difference makes me smile, and maybe you will, too.

-Jackie Adam, advertising and editorial coordinator

**Jackie is the newest addition to the Global Traveler staff and will be guest blogging regularly.**

Politics are always a touchy subject and not one I like to bring up all the time. But as election 2008 heats up, I am faced with a dilemma.

I registered to vote as soon as I turned eighteen and have since been eligible to vote in one presidential election, the 2004 election. I am ashamed to admit that I think a large part of my vote in that election was based on the opinions of those closest to me - family, friends, etc. I feel I made an uniformed vote based on other opinions and not my own, and I vowed to voted differently in this election.

I am registered as an Independent because I still do not feel like I have a strong affiliation to either of the major political parties. So, this time around, I have watched the convention coverage, explored McCain’s and Obama’s websites, watched the first debate, etc. I have formed some of my own opinions, but I still find myself swayed by the opinions of my coworkers, friends and family. It’s like I can relate to this person’s thoughts about one candidate, while I completely understand what another person is saying about that other candidate. Maybe it is because I do not have a strong affiliation to either party, I have a harder time. If I did, I think my decision would be a no brainer! And, I think I am a bit skeptical that either candidate and either party can deliver everything they promise. It is stressing me out!

So, my question to you - how did you learn to separate the political opinions of those around you from your own? What made you choose your political affiliation? What do you base your choices on?

I want to make the right choice, my own choice!

Oh, and on another note, the Phillies start their playoff play today. As you know from my previous blog, I am a big fan! John Wroblewski and I have a friendly wager going if a Phillies/Cubs match-up arises. Go PHILLIES!!!

-Kimberly Krol, eFlyer editor and circulation and public relations executive

We are enjoying several days in Chicago, visiting our girls and witnessing our younger daughter’s dedication ceremony as she enters her junior year in her nursing program at Loyola University. The Affinia Hotel, just half a block off of Michigan Avenue near Watertower Place, is our home for five days and has so far proven to be very comfortable and convenient. (It’s only a couple of blocks from Northwestern Memorial Hospital’s ER, too, a fact which became known to us yesterday morning, and which may be fodder for a future blog.) Gino’s East restaurant, located right next door, provided us with a great pizza the first night we got in.

The weather has been fantastic these last two days: high 70s to low 80s, light breeze, clear skies and mild evenings. It’s hard to believe we’re in the last week of September, and judging from the number of folks out strolling the sidewalks late into the night, everyone is thrilled by this return of summer. And for some Chicagoans, their joy will be complete if only the Sox can win the division!

Yesterday afternoon was spent strolling around Lincoln Park Zoo. Being a gardener, I have to admit I got as much pleasure from the beautiful grounds as I did the animal exhibits–and they are nothing to sneer at. What made the trip even more delightful was the fact that admission is free!! Families must surely enjoy such a great outing in the midst of the city.

This evening we indulged in more Italian cuisine in Old Town at Dinotto’s Ristorante, with everyone in our party more than satisfied with the range of appetizers and entrees we ordered. From there we walked a short block to a comedy show at The Second City e.t.c. (the second troupe at SC). Campaign Supernova, or How Many Democrats Does It Take to Lose an Election? provided two hours of topical humor that had everyone in the room roaring with laughter.

 With two full days left in this visit, we’ve got plenty of other options to fill our days and nights (and stomachs! Got to squeeze in a visit to a Garrett Popcorn Shop sometime.) John Wroblewski has provided us with some great recommendations, and Chicago is also the kind of city where you can find some fabulous places to dine or visit just by getting out, strolling around and keeping your senses alert.

Hope you’ve had a great weekend, as well!

 Patty Vanikiotis, proofreader

The Olympics are over. The opening and closing ceremonies were spectacular. There was plenty of great competition and drama all throughout the Olympics. While I am usually apathetic towards the Olympics, I do find myself now looking forward to the future, the 2016 Olympics, which I predict will be held in my hometown, Chicago.

As I wrote in the May 2008 issue of Global Traveler magazine (back issues are still available), the 2016 Olympics would really showcase the ascension of Chicago to world-class status. During the reign of Mayor Richard M. Daley, Chicago has evolved from a gritty city where things got done to a beautiful, smoothly functioning city where things are always happening. Chicago would be the perfect place for the event in 2016.

Of course, as a publication distributor, the Olympics would present a logistical nightmare beyond imagination for me. Several regular city events, like Jazz Fest, Venetian Night, etc. already wreak havoc with distribution. The Taste of Chicago is a 10-day traffic jam, which requires our distribution crews to reroute and reschedule their usual deliveries. Still, these events are part of the fabric of Chicago, and my inconvenience is a small price to pay.

The Olympics would make all of these other events look minor in comparison. Of course, my logistical headaches would be astronomical, but I am willing to make that sacrifice for the good of the city.

I do think it would only be fitting to bring softball back to the Olympics for 2016. As it stands now, softball (and baseball) will not be part of the 2012 event, but could be voted back for 2016. Chicago would be the perfect place to see softball reinstated.

If I may take a step further, I would like to see 16-inch slow-pitch softball be at least a demonstration sport. This is Chicago’s very own. It is a game of skill and strategy. Some may scoff at this version of softball (Fran), but I maintain that it is the most enjoyable and competitive version of the game. There is true beauty in this game.

I guarantee that if Chicago gets the Olympics, there will be plenty of television features on our pizza, beer, sausage, etc. They will highlight the Sears Tower, Water Tower Place, Navy Pier and Millennium Park. Oprah, Richard Roeper and Jim Belushi will scramble for the spotlight. However, if they really want to showcase the heart and soul of Chicago, softball must take its rightful place with the other sports.

-John Wroblewski, distribution specialist