Philadelphia’s very own Red Tettemer + Partners, still hot on the heels with being the first Philly ad agency to create a Super Bowl ad, has just cooked up something sweet for The Melting Pot this Valentine’s Day.

They’ve created a simple app for the chain of restaurants called Cupid’s Fondue Forks for a contest running through February 17th. It’s accessible from the Melting Pot’s Facebook page.

Basically, like the Melting Pot on Facebook, enter the app and launch a fork at someone you’ve got your sights set on. Flinging that fork enters you a chance at winning one of 10 $100 gift cards. Ten randomly-selected winners will be announced on February 21st.

Good luck!

The Melting Pot Restaurants on Facebook

Alright, picking up chocolates and sweets for your beau on Valentine’s Day is cute and all, but why not give that special someone an evening of desserts they will truly remember?

Our good friends over at Whipped Bakeshop, who we adore for their frequently geektastic creations (see Battlestar Galactica cake, Master Chief and Star Wars cookies), will be hosting a series of special couple’s cake decorating workshops in February.

It’s only $55 per couple and they’ll provide a 6″ cake (your choice of chocolate, vanilla, or red velvet) for you and your date to decorate together.

Sessions run Thursday, February 9th, 11th, and 14th, each from 7pm to 9pm. Space is limited, so call soon to save your spot. For contact information, visit their official website.

Whipped Bakeshop
www.whippedbakeshop.com

While our lovely city has no shortage of restaurants, specialty stores, outdoor markets and fried-chicken-and-donut jawns, sometimes we’ve got to cook for ourselves. Peapod, as part of GIANT grocery stores, just launched their at-home grocery delivery service here in the Philly area, plus additional markets in Delaware and Southern Montgomery counties.

This online grocery delivery service has been around since way before Facebook or the Dominos pizza app (Antoine has placed your pizza in the oven!), but never before in our area. Now, you can browse their extensive inventory on a fairly simple website, fill an online shopping cart and select a delivery time that works for you.

Peapod shoppers will pick the items for you, pack them in bins and bam! Fresh groceries sent to your apartment door, without having to wait in line.

We tried it out in preparation for a big dinner party.

First, enter your zip code to see whether you’re in the service’s delivery area; anywhere in downtown Philadelphia is fair game. Then start browsing, adding items to your cart. A few things I immediately love about this system: you can add fresh produce and meats as well as prepared and canned foods.

The interface is highly customizable, with options for remembered lists or menu suggestions. Clicking on a product brings up the nutritional information, and filters will remember if you have an allergy or dietary restrictions. I’m also a big fan of the local Favorites section, which brought up products from Tastykake and Utz.

Once you hit the $60 minimum, you’re ready to order. Pick a date and time than works for you (some offer small discounts, so watch out for those), and wait for your order. You’ll have a several hour window to wait, which can be annoying if you’ve got somewhere to go, but far less painful than waiting for Comcast. I set it up to send notifications to my email and phone, alerting when the driver went out on delivery, when my order was next and when he had arrived. For Thanksgiving or holiday cooking, it’s one of the best options I can think of to avoid dealing with shopping frenzy.

Have an iPad? You can order from their mobile interface just as easily, or on-the-go with the free iPhone or Android phone app. All told, a pretty convenient, well-designed service, especially if you’re one that cooks often and spends about $30 a week on groceries.

Techie enough that we geeks love it, but easy enough for normals to figure out.

Meh, who wants to actually talk to their children, especially on Thanksgiving when you’re gathered around a large dinner table as a family? Asking questions about why we celebrate Thanksgiving, what’s the deal with the turkey, etc? Psh. No one, that’s who.

Well, thanks to the folks at the National Constitution Center you won’t have to explain a thing, as “millions of students across the country will learn the origins of the most-celebrated holiday in America…with the latest installment of the National Constitution Center’s popular webcast series, Constitution Hall Pass.”

The latest episode, entitled The History of Thanksgiving, went live on Monday on the Constitution Center’s official website. And starting today, educators and students can log onto the Constitution Center’s website to chat with members of the NCC’s education staff for additional insight.

For more information, and a great excuse to not speak to your children and watch football, visit the Constitution Center’s official Hallpass website.

You know how on Cheers whenever Norm would enter the bar everyone would shout his name? I plan on spending as much time at Barcade to earn myself such a welcoming.

The just-opened Fishtown bar combines two of this Geekadelphian’s favorite things — old school video games and craft beer. The result is the sort of place that hardcore gaming geeks and the general populace can all call their home. Having already opened successful Barcades in Brooklyn and Jersey City, owners Kevin Beard, Paul Kermizian and Pete Langway complete a hat trick of awesomeness with the opening of the Philly location.

The beautiful space features such yesteryear classics as Burgertime, Tron, Tapper, Joust, Super Mario Brothers, Tetris, Popeye, Double Dragon, Rampage, the ageless Ms. Pac-Man and many others. The best part? They will still only cost you a quarter, which will leave you with plenty of cash to sample the bar’s impressive beer selections. I recommend the Southampton Pumpkin Ale. If all the vigorous games WWF Wrestlefest have you working up an appetite, there’s food ranging from Siriracha-infused deviled eggs to a 3-cheese grilled cheese sandwiches available. Seriously, once you go there you are totally going to want to move in.

In conjunction with Barcade’s opening, I had the chance to talk with co-owner Paul Kermizian (who also directed the 2004 documentary American Beer) about the business, video gaming and what visitors can expect. Here’s what he had to say.

How did Barcade begin?

Myself and four friends wanted to open a bar together as a way to have a steady income while we freelanced. I was working as a filmmaker and production manager, two were working in graphic design, one was in advertising and one was a cameraman.

What can Barcade patrons expect in terms of alcohol and atmosphere?

We serve only American craft beer and only beer on draft. We also try and stock a decent amount of small batch spirits. Expect a raw space with a lot of arcade games and loud rock music.

Will the lineup of video games always be the same? Or will they be switched up from time to time?

The lineup will change occasionally but we only rotate a few times per year. All classic titles, mostly from 1979-1989.

If someone reaches the Donkey Kong kill screen, do they get to drink for free?

No, they get the satisfaction of probably getting on our high score board. Which is better.

What is your favorite old school video game and why?

Tapper. It’s all about serving beer.

Any parting words for Geekadelphia readers?

I hope you like Rush.

Our friends over at Seamless are launching the CRAVED Restaurant Awards, it’s a program that allows you the chance to honor your favorite Seamless restaurants. Nominations are currently happening and continuing through this Saturday, October 15th. Between the 16th and the 30th, you’ll be able to vote on the restaurants with the most nominations in each category.

My nominations/votes would probably go to Philly establishments such as Tiffin, Machismo and Mr. Chicken, provided their wings are as good as I remember.

To get the CRAVED Restaurant Awards their proper kick-off in Philadelphia, the folks over at Seamless are happily giving away a $20 gift code credit. In order to participate, just simply comment below with a valid email address and tell me… What Seamless restaurant would you nominate?

Comment away. I’ll be contacting a random winner at the end of this week, just in time for CRAVE Restaurant Awards voting to begin. To learn more about Seamless, the nation’s leading digital service for ordering delivery and takeout, visit their official website. They’ve got over 250 Philly restaurants listed.

Fact: Any reason to party at National Mechanics is a good reason, as far as Geekadelphia is concerned. Even the release of a new operating system.

A local chapter of Ubuntu lovers are hosting a release party for Oneiric Ocelot this Thursday, October 13th at the popular geek hangout.

For more information, and to register so they know you’re coming, visit their event page over on Ubuntu.

Oneiric Ocelot Release Party
Thursday, October 13th, 6PM – ?

National Mechanics
22 South 3rd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106
(215) 701-4883
www.nationalmechanics.com

No word if there will be popcorn…

Attention beer geeks and Swedish food enthusiasts: have we got an event for you!

The American Swedish Historical Museum is throwing one Hemnes of a party on Saturday, October 15 from 4-7pm. Interested? Unleash your inner-Swede and cut a Flokati.

The event will feature beers from Yards, Triumph Brewery, and the Bottle Shop. Representatives from all three will be there to advise you on how to pair the beer with a selection of Swedish snacks – meatballs, mini sausages, cheese, and more!

Tickets (for geeks 21 years of age and up) are $25 each or 5 for $100 and all proceeds benefit the ASHM. Three hours of beer and food AND it benefits a great Philly spot? Win.

Smörgåsbeer’d
October 15th, 2011 4-7pm

American Swedish Historical Museum
1900 Pattison Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19145
www.americanswedish.org

Whipped Bakeshop, a Geekadelphia favorite since forever, creates a stunning array of cookies, cakes, and cupcakes. These creations aren’t your standard baked goods – they’re works of art. And now you can explore the deliciousness through their revamped website – zooming over the frosted treats, learning how the cakes are sized and browsing by theme, color, or occasion.

And now there’s Whipped Bakeshop’s live CakeCam, sure to hold anyone’s attention. In fact, the first time I tuned in, I spent a solid 10 minutes watching a decorator frost a gorgeous and delicious looking cake.

Fun fact: Whipped Bakeshop created a Battlestar Galactica cake for the Geekadelphia / Hacktory / Indy Hall Battlestar Galactica party way back when.

It was years ago, and we still talk about it.

Head over to their website to scope out the new digs. And make sure you use the CakeCam. Awesome.

Whipped Bakeshop
www.whippedbakeshop.com

You’ve known it for a while, but haven’t been able to admit it just yet. You have always known you were different, but couldn’t put your finger on what it was. And now you know.

And now it’s finally out in the open and everyone knows. Doesn’t it feel better knowing that you can now get on with your life? And you’re in good company since Philly is a town overflowing with nerds and geeks of all types.

Need proof? Well, make sure you check out the return of Nerd Nite in Philadelphia on October 5th. Starting then and the first Wednesday of every month thereafter, nerds from all over the area will gather at MilkBoy Center City to meet, hear speakers and see some of the nerdiest entertainment around.

So make plans to get your nerd on and join in the fun. Because no one parties like a nerd! I think it may be because we don’t get out much, I’m not sure…

Nerd Nite Philly
Wednesday, October 5th
philadelphia.nerdnite.com

Milk Boy Center City
1100 Chestnut St, Philadelphia PA 19103
www.milkboycoffee.com