One of the most enchanting sights during the holiday season is a magical Christmas village. These miniature worlds capture the spirit and beauty of the festive season, transporting us to a whimsical realm. As you watch a magical Christmas village, you can't help but feel a sense of wonder. The village is adorned with twinkling lights, glowing houses, and intricate details that bring it to life. It's like stepping into a fairy tale, where everything is touched by a sprinkle of holiday magic. The centerpiece of the village is typically a majestic Christmas tree, standing tall and proud in the town square.
Zagar has devoted himself to beautifying the South Street neighborhood since the late 1960s, when he moved to the area with his wife, Julia. The couple helped spur the revitalization of the area by renovating derelict buildings and adding colorful mosaics on both private and public walls. The Zagars, teamed with other artists and activists, transformed the neighborhood into a prosperous artistic haven and successfully led protests against the addition of a new highway that would have eliminated South Street. This period of artistic rebirth was coined the “South Street Renaissance.” After the street was saved, Zagar continued creating mosaic murals, resulting in hundreds of public artworks over the next five decades.
As a nonprofit museum, PMG celebrates art in its many forms through community outreach, public programs, hands-on activities, exhibitions, and tours. After a public outcry that resulted in an outpouring of community support and donations, the nonprofit organization Philadelphia s Magic Gardens was formed to purchase and maintain the grounds.
The centerpiece of the village is typically a majestic Christmas tree, standing tall and proud in the town square. Its branches are adorned with dazzling ornaments and shimmering tinsel, casting a warm glow over the village. Surrounding the tree are stalls selling festive treats like roasted chestnuts, mulled wine, and gingerbread cookies, filling the air with delicious scents.
Flaming marshmallow lawsuit dropped against Castle, prompts Magic Gardens event to return
Psi Upsilon, also known as Castle, is located on 36th and Locust Streets.
A negligence lawsuit suing Penn's chapter of Psi Upsilon, commonly known as Castle, has been dropped after a Penn alumna alleged that she was severely burned by a large, flaming marshmallow at a 2017 Halloween party. The party, known as Magic Gardens, will return in April after operations were suspended because of the suit.
2018 Nursing graduate Jessica Davis sued Castle for negligence in September 2018 after she was allegedly severely harmed at the "Magic Gardens Halloween" party on Oct. 27, 2017 at an off-campus venue at 5126 Warren St.
Three Penn students and fraternity members were named in the suit, including 2018 College and Engineering graduate Vadim Ordovsky-Tanaevsky, Wharton senior Patrick Lobo, and Engineering junior Edmund Hammond. Penn's Psi Upsilon chapter, the Psi Upsilon national office, and the landlord of the party venue were also listed as co-defendants.
Davis, the complaint states, was standing near an unmonitored fire pit wearing a shirt with an open back. A party guest, who was drunk, was roasting a marshmallow and shook the stick, causing the marshmallow to adhere to Davis's back.
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The incident, Davis claimed, resulted in permanent scarring. She contended that her injury could have been prevented if the fraternity provided adequate supervision to protect the approximately 1,000 students partying and drinking near open flames.
The lawsuit was dismissed soon after it was filed, Thomas Fox, executive director of Psi Upsilon's international office, wrote in an email to The Daily Pennsylvanian. After the lawsuit was filed on Sept. 19, 2018, Davis' lawyer submitted a request to dismiss the lawsuit on Sept. 28, 2018.
Davis and her lawyer, Kevin Clancy Boylan, who works for the personal injury firm Morgan & Morgan, did not respond to multiple requests for comment.
Hammond said he has not been contacted by the parties who filed the lawsuit since its dismissal and the fraternity was not given a reason why the case was dropped.
This semester, Magic Gardens will be hosted by LW Productions, a Penn student-run LLC composed of Castle members and non-affiliated students, on April 12 during the week of Spring Fling, Hammond said. It will be the first Magic Gardens event held since the 2017 Spring Fling party and will be hosted separately from the fraternity. The Magic Gardens party had been held consecutively since Spring Fling 2016.
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"Beyond the fact that some of the members of the team, myself included, are Psi Upsilon brothers, there is no affiliation between the event and Psi Upsilon," said Hammond, who is the LW Productions director. "Since reviving the event from last year, I have made sure that the two entities are completely separate. We run Magic Gardens as a professional event separate from any one particular fraternity."
The planners will also be taking more precautions this semester to ensure the safety of attendees, Hammond said, adding that the party will have an EMT stationed at the venue and increased security.
Every guest's wristband will also include a "unique identifier" to provide event staff with the guest's emergency contact information, said Engineering and Wharton junior EJ Murphy, who directs LW Productions' Partnerships and Talent Team.
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Walking through the snow-covered streets, you can't help but be captivated by the intricately decorated houses. Each one is unique, with its own charming design and welcoming lights. Some have smoke billowing from their chimneys, as if there is a cozy fire crackling inside. Others have miniature families gathered around a table, enjoying a festive feast. As you explore the village, you may stumble upon a bustling market square. Here, artisans and craftsmen display their handmade goods, offering unique and thoughtful gifts to visitors. Vibrant stalls overflow with handmade ornaments, delicate porcelain figurines, and intricately woven tapestries. It's a treasure trove of creativity and craftsmanship, allowing visitors to find the perfect gift for their loved ones. But it's not just the sights that make a magical Christmas village special. The air is filled with the sound of carolers singing joyful melodies, adding an extra layer of magic to the atmosphere. Children can be heard laughing and squealing with delight as they glide across an ice-skating rink or ride a carousel. There is a palpable sense of joy and togetherness, as families and friends come together to celebrate the holiday season. Watching a magical Christmas village is like escaping reality for a moment and immersing yourself in a world where anything is possible. It's a reminder of the wonder and joy that the holiday season brings, and a chance to relive the innocence and magic of childhood. So, this holiday season, take a moment to watch a magical Christmas village and let yourself be captivated by its enchanting beauty..
Reviews for "Immerse Yourself in the Festive Energy of a Magical Christmas Village"
1. Sarah - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "Watch a magical Christmas village". The story was predictable and cliché. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked depth. I found it hard to connect with any of them. The special effects were overdone and seemed fake. Overall, I was expecting a heartwarming and magical Christmas movie, but instead, I got a mediocre and unoriginal film.
2. Mike - 1 star - This movie was absolutely terrible. The acting was wooden, and it felt like the cast didn't even want to be there. The storyline was unrealistic and far-fetched, even for a Christmas movie. The dialogue was cringe-worthy, and the attempts at humor were forced. I couldn't wait for it to end. Save yourself the time and skip "Watch a magical Christmas village".
3. Karen - 2.5 stars - "Watch a magical Christmas village" fell short of my expectations. The plot was promising, but the execution was lacking. The pacing was off, with slow and dragging scenes that could have been cut. The movie lacked the magical atmosphere and charm that I look for in a Christmas film. It felt more like a generic made-for-TV movie rather than something special. I was left feeling underwhelmed and unsatisfied.
4. Ben - 1 star - I couldn't believe how cheesy and cliché "Watch a magical Christmas village" was. It felt like I had seen this movie a thousand times before. The characters were forgettable, and the dialogue was cringeworthy. The Christmas magic felt forced and unconvincing. I couldn't wait for it to be over. I would not recommend this movie to anyone looking for an entertaining Christmas film.
5. Lisa - 2 stars - "Watch a magical Christmas village" had potential, but it missed the mark. The acting was mediocre, and the story felt rushed and poorly developed. I was hoping for a heartwarming holiday movie, but instead, I was left feeling uninterested and disconnected. The movie lacked depth and originality. Overall, it was a disappointing experience.