I am the Walrus.

For the sake of full disclosure I'm going to tell you that Viriva Community Credit Union is actually my credit union so I'm going to gush like a schoolgirl about them as much as I want because they have never given me reason not to. I've actually been with them prior to their name change in 2006, from K of C Federal Credit Union, so we go waaaaay back (not as far as 1936, which was when they were originally founded--I'm not that old!! Shut up...I'm NOT!).

Although Viriva Community Credit Union offers online banking services, which is how banking is done these days, there are times when you may actually have to interact with a real human. Personally, I go into Viriva to swim in my money vault like Scrooge McDuck (oh you DON'T have one. Poor you-literally). While there, I'm greeted by the always friendly and upbeat teller, Nancy. Seriously, she may be the nicest woman in the world. She has the greatest smile and always remembers that I have 2 small children and whether they are with me or not, she gives me 2 lollipops and 2 stickers. I usually put the stickers and lollipops in my bag and wait until I get into the car before eating both the lollipops myself (one for each cheek, kind of like a walrus. And I wonder why I get weird looks).

Viriva CCU, like any other credit union, began with the purpose of promoting thrift amongst it's membership. Viriva CCU is a not-for-profit financial cooperative, therefore any excess income they accrue over the year goes back to it's members in the form of lower loan rates and higher savings rates. Uh, awesome. Big Banks do that for you? I'm going to safely say no....

The folks at Viriva CCU always look for opportunities to spread their message of "People helping People". They enjoy getting involved in several Mayfair community events (hence the Community part). Viriva CCU has participated in the Mayfair/Holmesburg Thanksgiving Day Parade, Pennypack Concerts and the Mayfair May Fair/Fallen Heroes Run.

Viriva continues looking out for the community with their Loan Rate Discount Program that includes a discount for new members. Members can now receive rate discounts (up to 0.75% APR*) on their next Signature or Auto loan. Visit Viriva CCU's Lending Page at www.viriva.com to check out other available discount options. *Restrictions apply; click here for complete details. Becoming a member is easy... simply open a savings account with a minimum deposit of just $5.00 to join Viriva Community Credit Union!

To join Viriva CCU and get your own lollipops (DO NOT take all the strawberry ones--I'm warning you!!) you can reach them here. Tell Nancy I said Hi!

Viriva CCU
7346 Frankford Ave
Philadelphia, PA 19136
(215) 333-1201
viriva.com

This Week in Mayfair (02/27/12)

Spring is in the air people! Not that we've had much of a winter but I had a friend tell me she saw her first robin, flowers are blooming, and the kids are getting a little nuts on the warmer days. I'm so in the spring mood I spring-cleaned my house and my car out this weekend which is ridiculous considering how disgusting my minivan has gotten. I think I found an entire box of cereal spread out over the entire car and some grapes that were pretty much on their way to being raisins. Every time I finish cleaning the car to it's like-new status I swear I won't let my kids eat in it again. That pretty much goes out the window once we are stuck in traffic, they're screaming, and I would pretty much sell my soul to get them to clam up so I can listen to "Fresh Air" on NPR (what? sometimes it's REALLY interesting). My husband wants to drive down to Disney World with them next year. He is hilarious and apparently smoking crack because he forgets the hell we endure driving down the shore with the little monkey's in the summer. Oh don't worry, he'll be reminded soon enough. Memorial Day travel is not too far off.

What's more synonymous with spring than baseball? That early bird himself, Mike Perzel at the Perzel Agency is giving all MBA members a $25.00 Amazon Gift Card for getting a quote on your Business Insurance. Make sure when you're at Mike's office, mention the MBA, and get a quote on your personal insurance; Auto, Home, Renters, Life and you'll also receive a $5.00 Wawa Gift Card. You will also be entered to win 2 PHILLIES TICKETS; great seats Section 131, Row 5 (game to be determined). No Purchase Neccessary must be 18 years or older.

Scoats is back from his early spring vacation. I haven't seen a t-shirt or a shot glass yet but you know, it's not that important. I wasn't expecting anything (No, I'm not crying. I have something in my eye.) Maybe he'll be at Quizzo Wednesday at 8 pm to share some of his well-traveled knowledge or maybe he'll be holed up in his house looking nervously out the window for lurking shadows on his porch. Not that I know anything about that....

On Friday, March 3 from 7pm – 10pm the Grey Lodge will celebrating the 4th anniversary of Boaks, one of the region's greatest little breweries. According to Scoats and crew, Boaks makes some amazing beers and their Belgian beers are spot-on. Well, this little event sounds like it's right up my alley. I'm a big fan of beer and Belgian beers are my favorites. (I like tequila too, and vodka, and whiskey of course. No. Not together! Dear Lord, this isn't "Intervention").

Boaks doesn't actually have their own brewery, but they brew out of two other local breweries. Grey Lodge will celebrate Boaks' Belgian superiority by putting on tap all the Boaks beer (Double BW, Monster Mash, Two Blind Monks, and Wooden Beanie) they can lay their hands on and brewer/owner Brian Boak will be there. They are having cake too to celebrate their 4 years. I mean, really? You had me at Belgian beer but you add cake into the mix too? Can Friday night get any better??

Even though we are past the winter holidays and into the spring ones, Viriva is still thinking of you bringing you their Post-Holiday Debt Consolidation with their Signature Loan Rate being as low as 5.00% APR**. They are also giving out scholarships! Viriva is accepting applications for their 2012-2013 Scholarship Contest. The deadline is March 3, 2012. For complete details about Viriva's Scholarship contest click here.

This Week in Mayfair! (2/20/12)

I admit. I'm a total slacker. President's Day was yesterday; I took off (translation--hung around in my pj's all day thinking about what I wanted to stuff my face with Tuesday). Aaaaand today is Fat Tuesday and I'm practicing my rights to be gluttonous sloth all day. So BACK OFF! Just kidding. Have a donut. Here have 2. Actually, I blame Scoats. Keep reading...you'll find out.....

Alright, so what's the to-do in our fine neighborhood? I will tell you mainly because I'm on a wicked sugar high and need to type or else I might explode.

The Grey Lodge is hosting Quizzo on Wednesday night 8pm but honestly, I'm a little jealous that Scoats is on vacation and I'm not. Thought we were friends, Scoats. Not. Cool. I fully expect an apology gift in the form of a t-shirt or at least a shot glass. If you get me a post card I will lose it. Post cards are for grandmas not your favorite most awesome blogger (Me! Screw HuffPo!). Just saying....

You know who didn't leave me here to wallow in my own misery covered in powdered sugar and sprinkles? Mike Perzel. Know why, Scoats? Cause we're BESTIES. Plus, he wants to give me Phillies Tickets (Section 131, Row 5 (game to be determined). Granted I have to go into The Perzel Agency mention the MBA, and get a quote on my personal insurance; Auto, Home, Renters, Life but at least he'll talk to me instead of getting on a plane and leaving. I was going to even get you a quote on your business insurance and I would have given you the $25.00 Amazon Gift Card. But no....not now. Where's that $5.00 gift card from Wawa for getting a quote? I'm going there to buy as many Swedish Fish as I can carry in an attempt to fill the gaping hole in my chest left by my poor little black heart.

Also, Viriva Community Credit Union is promoting their Post-Holiday Debt Consolidation, with their Signature Loan Rate being as low as 5.00% APR**. They are also accepting applications for their 2012-2013 Scholarship Contest. The deadline is March 3, 2012 (oh man, I am SUCH a slacker). For complete details about Viriva's Scholarship contest click here.

Wow. I feel so much better and have publicly exorcised my demons in the most mature way I can think of without actually coming into human contact with the person I'm really mad at. My soul feels so pure now and I am spiritually cleansed, fully ready for Lent. I'm going to get my Jesus on and say, "You are forgiven, Scoats. Have fun on your vacation." I'm off to Facebook so I can stalk your pictures and make witty comments. Oohh! The mail just got here!! What's a restraining order?

Welcome to the MBA!

Even though it was completely apropos for our Valentine's Day post to welcome Stacy Shoppe, Mayfair's own lingerie specialty store, to the MBA it just didn't seem fair NOT to give them their very own special welcome!

Make sure you visit the Stacy Shoppe at 7207 Frankford Ave or give them a call at 215-332-7670

Welcome to the MBA Stacy Shoppe, we are happy to have you!

This Week in Mayfair! (2/13/12)

I'm feeling a little bereft of creativity today especially since I can't seem to find a picture to top last month's awesome heart lovingly presented to you in the medium of back hair (hot.). It's where most of my inspiration comes from and nothing is catching me quite in the same way. I mean there is this:

for the men,














for the ladies,










for the nerds (like me),





















and for those of you who like to sneak into you're exes house to steal their underwear and urinate into their shampoo bottles. (I'm not judging. Yes, I am. You need serious medication and a LOT of therapy.)

So while you're off doing whatever it is you do for your loved one I will be scouring the internet for depraved Valentine's Day photos to get me through this post. I love you people, but seriously, you are so needy.

You: I MUST know what is going on in Mayfair, lest I die!
Me: Did you just use "lest" in a sentence? I think we should break up.....
You: Jeeves! The smelling salts...there's fainting afoot!!
Me: You need to lay off Masterpiece Theater for awhile. Fine. I'll tell you what's going on....

First of all we have a new member just in time for Valentine's Day....Stacy Shoppe at 7207 Frankford Ave. Specializing in lingerie (bam chicka wow wow....just in time for V-day--Booyah boys!) and other fine romantical adult-type things that are making me blush like a school girl as I write this. Go and check them out and get something super sexified for that special someone (or that total random you just started doing the naughty with) for Heart Day.

Torresdale Flower Shop is still offering their fabulous deal of a dozen long-stem, premium roses arranged in vase with foliage and filler, a Mylar Valentine Balloon, a 1 pound box of Assorted Asher's Chocolate, and a stuffed animal including tax and delivery for $119.99. One stop shopping..what more could you ask for? Oh there is more!! Also, in the store they will have a large selections of roses, valentine arrangements, chocolates, stuffed animals, balloons, valentine cards and much more. And please, give Antoniette a hug while you're there. I wonder if anyone ever gets florists flowers on Valentine's Day? I bet you they just like to set a huge bunch of roses and chocolates on fire in the middle of their yards or maybe pull all the stuffing out of the cute little teddy bears. Hmmmm...I'll have to ask next time I see her.....

Don't forget....February 19th Torresdale Flower Shop will be the main florist at The Philadelphia Bridal Show at the Crown Plaza in Cherry Hill. The hours for the Bridal show are from 12:00pm to 4:00pm. Free Admission and Free Parking and 2 fashion shows. So if you are getting married, know someone that is, or are just generally obsessed with weddings, make sure you let them know about this to see Antoniette in action!

Make sure you also stop by Stein's Florists and Infinity Gifts and Beyond. They are stocked with all of your Valentine's Day needs--flowers, chocolates, goodies...you name it!! Not to mention Giggles and Gifts for the cutest cards and goodies as well! Don't forget that gift cards are always a great idea and one of the many salons on the Ave are willing to hook you up! Get your romantic self to BellaLisa Hair Studios, Michele's Family Hair Care and Sharp Decisions Hair Care!

I've heard that Mike Perzel at the Perzel Agency likes to be referred to as the Don Juan of Frankford Avenue. Well he sure gives you plenty of reasons to love all the great specials he's offering to all MBA members; a $25.00 Amazon Gift Card for getting a quote on your Business Insurance.

If you come into Mike's office, mention the MBA, and get a quote on your personal insurance; Auto, Home, Renters, Life you'll also receive a $5.00 Wawa Gift Card. And OH YEAH, you will also be entered to win 2 PHILLIES TICKETS!! They are GREAT seats Section 131, Row 5 (game to be determined). No Purchase Neccessary must be 18 years or older. Pitchers and catchers are reporting soon!! What's not to love about that??

Always on the cutting edge of romance, Scoats and the gang at the Grey Lodge have whipped up a tantalizing Valentine's Day menu for you and your lover (say it like Will Ferrell and Rachel Dratch via SNL now!). A four course dinner special for $25. Click here for the menu of the day. Do you think they would just give me $25 dollars worth of strawberry kahlua mousse pie and Sam Adams Chocolate Bock? Ain't nothing sexier then sweatpants at Valentine's Day dinner...

The Key West Connection

I had the pleasure of personally meeting Tony, one of the 2 partners at ESK Financial, at the MBA Christmas Party. So it's a Christmas party, it's in the middle of winter, and mildly cold outside; what do we all start talking about? Favorite vacations spots and the fact that we would all rather be sipping tropical drinks on a beach. By the end of the night, I had given Tony a new nickname "The Ambassador of Key West". The guy knows EVERYTHING about Key West you could possibly imagine! I got the rundown on the best beaches, places to rent, fabulous restaurants, and where all the topless beaches are (I personally will never use that info but if you want to know, I can tell you). If Tony ever decides to leave the financial business he's got a career ready-made for him in the travel industry specializing in you guessed it, Key West.

Unfortunately, I didn't get a chance to meet Ed, the other half of the business. However, via email I found out that Ed likes to keep his vacations a little more local; specifically Ventnor at the Jersey Shore. He was born and raised in Morrell Park, went to George Washington High School and although he defected across the bridge to Jersey (Ed!! Shame on you!!), I still think he's pretty cool. Ed graduated from Penn State with a major in accounting (always a plus in the financial business!) and is married with 2 kids.

Both Ed and Tony are local guys; born and raised in the area and with some family still here. They like doing business in Mayfair because of the location and the fact that it's a safe neighborhood. They've been in business since 2001 even though they have 20 years experience doing what they do. They love helping the locals with paying their bills and cashing checks and really like offering the other Mayfair businesses the service of cashing checks for business owners for only a 1% fee. They both are fans of Frusco's steaks which is located directly across the street from their shop.

Even though they no longer live in the area they are supporters of a lot of the events held in Mayfair. I know personally that they have helped out with several of our Mayfair fundraisers in the past, specifically the first annual Easter Egg Hunt held by the Friends of the Mayfair Memorial Playground. They allowed us to use their store to count the profits from our wonderfully generous supporters! I was so excited to use the automatic counting machines (Sad, I know. I don't get out much) so we didn't have to sit there for hours on end counting all the dollar bills and coins by hand, second guessing ourselves, screwing up, and then starting over. I'm forever grateful to them for that!

Make sure you stop by to say hi to Ed and Tony (if he's not in Key West!) at ESK Financial Cash Cashing located at 7159 Frankford Ave or call them at 215-335-2274.

Welcome to the MBA!!

We at the MBA would like to extend a warm welcome to Chris Hoger and Hammerheads Sports Pub & Dance Hall! We are very pleased to have you as part of our group!

Hammerheads is located at 3517 Cottman Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19149. You can contact them at 215-338-6200 or join their Facebook page here.

Welcome to the MBA!

This Week in Mayfair (02/06/12)

Well the Giants won the Superbowl and I extend to them lukewarm congratulations. Mainly because I'm not a huge football fan. I mean, if I'm rooting for a football team, it's definitely the Eagles but I'm a huge hockey fan (Go Flyers!) so come Stanley Cup time I'm pretty much rabid. I did watch the game in between shots of tequila and stuffing my face with goodies and I think I paid more attention to the commercials (Doritos anyone?). Although, I will say the most exciting part of the game was when it looked like Tom Brady hurt his shoulder. I thought "My goodness! How WILL he brush his lustrous girl hair?" Then I figured he'll either pay someone to do it or Gisele will do it for him. It's a hard life he leads.

Of course I watched the half-time show and I must say, it's amazing what they can do nowadays with the reanimation of corpses. I also love how some people are up in arms about the "singer" M.I.A. who apparently flipped the bird and cursed while "singing". C'mon people, really? Most of us didn't know who she was prior to or during the half-time show and now we're making a big deal about this? (which was exactly her goal). Let her fade back into obscurity, keep collecting royalties from 'Pineapple Express', and move on. Besides, flipping the bird is practically a sign of affection anymore. I was more worried about seeing Madonna's hoohaa or watching that Roman guy on the tightrope-thing break his neck on live TV.

Now that one of the most manly "holidays" is in the past tense we now look forward to one of the most feminine ones. Valentine's Day is in 8 days fellas and ladies(equal rights on this blog!). If your man wants flowers well, you GET him flowers!!

Torresdale Flower Shop is offering a dozen long-stem, premium roses arranged in vase with foliage and filler, a Mylar Valentine Balloon, a 1 pound box of Assorted Asher's Chocolate, and a stuffed animal including tax and delivery for $119.99. WOW! That's a great deal. What lucky girl wouldn't like that? (looks in general direction of the hubby)!! Also, in the store they will have a large selections of roses, valentine arrangements, chocolates, stuffed animals, balloons, valentine cards and much more. Please stop in early to place your order cause it gets cray cray there and Antoniette is only one, albeit fantastic, person!

Also on February 19th Torresdale Flower Shop will be the main florist at The Philadelphia Bridal Show at the Crown Plaza in Cherry Hill. What a major honor! Congrats to Antoniette!! The hours for the Bridal show are from 12:00pm to 4:00pm. Free Admission and Free Parking and 2 fashion shows. Wedding season will soon be upon us and if you get that sparkly ring for V-Day, this is the perfect opportunity to get a jump on planning! So if you are getting married, know someone that is, or are just generally obsessed with weddings, make sure you let them know about this to see Antoniette in action!

Make sure you also stop by Stein's Florists and Infinity Gifts and Beyond. They are stocked with all of your Valentine's Day needs--flowers, chocolates, goodies...you name it!! Not to mention Giggles and Gifts for the cutest cards and goodies as well! If your special someone isn't the flowers type (she's lying but whatever) consider a great gift certificate to one of the many salons on the Ave. MBA members BellaLisa Hair Studios, Michele's Family Hair Care and Sharp Decisions Hair Care would be happy to take care of you.

Mike Perzel at the Perzel Agency wants to be everyone's Valentine and he's offering to all MBA members a $25.00 Amazon Gift Card for getting a quote on your Business Insurance. Such a romantic, that Mike Perzel!!

If you come into Mike's office, mention the MBA, and get a quote on your personal insurance; Auto, Home, Renters, Life you'll also receive a $5.00 Wawa Gift Card. And OH YEAH, you will also be entered to win 2 PHILLIES TICKETS!! They are GREAT seats Section 131, Row 5 (game to be determined). No Purchase Neccessary must be 18 years or older.

The Grey Lodge is always bumping and this week is no exception. As always, the chance to exercise your brain is available on Wednesday night Quizzo starting at 8pm. Four member teams and first prize is a $25 bar tab (which RAWKS!) and second place gets a round of drinks for your team. Sometimes it really pays to be smart!

This Tuesday, the Lucky 13 Homebrew club meeting will be held at the Grey Lodge. Brewers of all experience levels are encouraged to join to learn more about the art and science of brewing. You can make new friends and members are encouraged to bring a sample of their homebrews for other to taste and comment on! Who knows? This meeting could be the beginning of your worldwide beer empire!! Remember us when you make it big...we'll settle for free beer for life and the occasional t-shirt.

On Friday it's "Czech your Beer!" with Staropramen. Coming at you straight from Prague (gorgeous city--on my bucket list), Czech Republic, Staropramen is a Czech pilsner. If you come out and buy a Staropramen you get a commemorative glass plus other goodies too. One commemorative glass per customer while supplies last (greedy). I guess I'll have to substitute a beer and glass from Prague for actually seeing the real thing until one day when I'm swimming in money and power. *Sigh* One day.....

A little Saturday night inspiration....

"When you buy from a small business, you are not helping a CEO buy his third vacation home. You are helping a little girl get dance lessons, a little boy get his team jersey, you're helping a family put food on their table, pay their mortgage or a student pay for college. Our customers are our shareholders--and they are the ones we strive to make happy. Thank you for supporting small businesses!!"

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