JKR Staff Checks out BIAs Green Tour

Marissa here- Yesterday, JKR staff took some time to check out the BIA Green Tour.  We toured our very own 777 South Broad, Montrose Green by Benchdog Design, Bancroft Green and 2000 Delancey.  All projects are currently in the process of seeking LEED Certification.  During the tour, we got to climb a ladder made of reclaimed wood to a green roof covered with sedums, hear about geothermal heating and cooling, and witness the beauty of reclaimed materials.  One of my favorite environmentally friendly techniques of the day was Montrose Green’s rain barrel and rain garden.  Not only was this beautifully detailed, but it allows the house to not have to tie into the City’s storm water system.

Cactus

There is a rare sight at our front counter – a cactus in bloom. In light of its preposterous behavior and a seemingly aggressive appearance we recommend viewing the succulent from a distance. For the more adventurous individuals willing to ignore the recommendation BEWARE – it will stand up for itself. It had a rough IKEA upbringing.

Matt Koenig Receives AIA Volunteer of the Year Award

Last night, Matt and Tony Naccarato from O’Donnell & Naccarato were co-recipients of AIA’s 2011 Volunteer Award at their Annual Meeting. Matt and Tony were honored for developing the AIA Golf Outing into one of the most successful annual events and raising over $500K total in the past 12 years. This year’s sold out event is expecting very few excellent golfers and 160-plus hackers. Congratulations Matt and Tony!         

NATO 2011

On a sunny Tuesday in a rented caddy, Bob road tripped down I-95 with Paul and Glenn to exhibit at the National Association of Theater Owners (NATO) Trade Show in Springfield, VA. Tony Soprano and your grandma would have envied this beaut. The day was a good opp for the guys to fraternize with the VIP theater folks. After the trade show adventure, happy hour and a chicken dinner, Bob zipped the exhausted JKR Team home in his silver chariot.  

The Future of the Firm?

Sometimes you have to add some levity to the work day.  Mustache day 2011.  Blake and Mike the only willing participants.  Looks like a pretty serious stock photo from 1985 though.  We tried to get Zach to join in the fun, but he wouldn't budge.

AIA Golf Outing

Matt and Jason have been working on organizing the 12th Annual AIA Golf Outing this year at Huntingdon Valley Country Club. Matt chairs the event with Tony Naccarato from O'Donnell & Naccarato, and together they hope to raise upwards of 35,000 bucks for the AIA. The event is a great way of networking with other professionals in our industry. There is still space available for the May 2nd event. For information, contact Pat Gourley at pat@aiaphila.org or 215-569-3186.

Markos Accepted and going to Colgate University!

Principal Paul Georges would like everyone to know that he's very proud of his youngest son Markos, for selecting Colgate University as his college of choice for next year.  Paul and Markos planned on touring around both Bucknell and Colgate last weekend, but after Markos was on Colgate's campus for a few hours, he decided it's where he wants to be next year.  Paul's eldest son Stefano is studying Chemical Engineering at Drexel University.  The smarts must run in the family.

Second Saturday Art Show

A handful of JKR team members found their way to Yogawood in Collingswood, NJ this past weekend in support of Mike Izzo and his sketch exhibit. Mike's display was part of Collingswood's "Second Saturday" arts and entertainment event. We expect more opportunities to view Mike's work and witty sense of humor.

CINEMACON 2011

Paul, Bob, and Glenn exhibited the JKR goods at CinemaCon last week in Vegas. For those of you who have no idea what CinemaCon is, it's the national trade show for all the movers and shakers in the movie industry from directors, to popcorn vendors.  In addition to making some key business connections there, they got to rub shoulders with some future stars.  This picture is of Bob and Paul with Zach Gordon, who stars in The Diary of A Wimpy Kid.  Gordon was signing autographs in the both next to ours.

Art Show Opening!

Designer Mike Izzo is exhibiting some of his original sketches this Saturday from 6-9pm at Yogawood in Collingswood, NJ as part of the town's ongoing Second Saturday Festival. The Second Saturday Festival is full of artists and musicians, similar to First Fridays in Old City with plenty of shops and restaurants open late. Some sketches are good, some are bad, some are downright ridiculous.  This will be his third show; his first in his hometown.  You can check out his sketches on etsy.  Come check him out!  Free wine and cheese too!