Philadelphia is My Home

09
Aug

Phillywood?

Author: Momish, Category: Current Events, Local News, People

Have you heard the news?  Seems like we will be having more traffic woes as Pacifica Ventures is planning on building a production studio in the Philadelphia region.

What I find interesting is that they recently opened a production studio in New Mexico.  I use to live in New Mexico.  Very odd.  First New Mexico, now Philly.  I could become paranoid over things like this.  Are they following me?

Seriously though, I think opportunities like this are great.  They increase the arts and commerce in the area and I am all for that.  They enhance tourism and exposure to the city.  Plus they give local artists and technicians jobs.  The saddest thing is when people leave the city for NY or LA because they can’t make a living here in their field.

So, even if it means I have to go seven blocks out of my way when returning my movies to Hollywood Video, I can live with that minor drawback.  (It never fails, every time I am headed in my car through the city, I hit some production going on, be it a movie or Hack or a commercial.)  

Just think, movies bring celebrities and directors and the media too.  It raises the level of class in a city.  Movie stars want to stay in 5 star hotels and dine in only the finest of restaurants, shop in high end boutiques, etc.  Every city could use more high profile patrons to boost it’s reputation even further.

Besides, there is nothing like watching a movie in production from the sidelines and then seeing the end result on the big screen.  Not many other folks get that opportunity, you know.  Not everybody lives in a city where film making is just par for the course.

It’s about time Philly had it’s day in the sun.  There is so much talent right here, Pacifica Ventures is smart to take advantage of it, if you ask me.  I hope the deal goes through and doesn’t end up in the toilet like Will Smith’s proposal did years ago.  I further hope the first film they shoot here stars Brad Pitt.

08
Aug

Is There A Problem Here?

Author: Momish, Category: Current Events, Just Ranting, People

Have you seen this article?  Apparently Britney Spears failed to recognize Posh Spice, even after Mrs. Beckham took the time to introduce herself.  Well, did it ever occur to anyone that maybe Britney just didn’t like her very much?  Did it occur to anyone in the news that maybe the general public just might not care?

Or, how about this articlewhere Lindsey Lohan once again screws up? For the most part, I actually feel sorry for this girl.  So rich and famous at such a young age obviously takes its toll.  Other times, though, all I can do is shake my head and be grateful she is not my child.  Whether or not her second arrest after being released from rehab is noteworthy has me shaking my head even harder. 

Finally, this article kinda sums it up nicely.  Paris Hilton apparently got a rash while doing time in jail.  You see, the sheets in jail are extremely thin, probably no more than 80 thread counts.  THE HORRORS! And the idea that she had no moisturizer (and I mean none, not just that she went without her $80 an ounce beauty fluid) is enough to deter most other heiresses from ever breaking the law, don’t you think?  Perhaps getting the word out regarding the heiress’ substandard living conditions in jail could fall under newsworthy, especially on a slow day where only 5 soldiers died in Iraq.

Considering all these news articles, I put forth the following problem for you to solve:

Find x, where x is the common denominator between them.  To be nice, I will make this a multiple choice question.

x =

 A. The frightening idea that these women could be considered my daughter’s current role models.

B. The tragic notion that the petty actions of these women are considered more news worthy than other global events.

C. The fact that none of these women were born in Philadelphia.

D. All of the above.

Give up?

The correct answer is C.  None of these women were born in Philadelphia.

Aw, c’mon people. C is the only answer that is a fact, as opposed to my humble opinions.  And we all know what those are worth! Besides, I had to find some way to connect all this random babbling to a Philly blog. 

Works for me

07
Aug

This Is Just A Test

Author: Momish, Category: Current Events, Local News, Resources

If you were out strolling around the Art Museum yesterday, then you probably thought you walked into a war zone.  Philadelphia Emergency Personnel simulated a terrorist attack to practice and test local response groups.

According to the article on 6abc.com’s website, the purpose of the drill was to test inter-agency communication and management.  Sounds like a good plan to me.  They chose the Parkway since that is where major events happen in the city.  I would suppose that our arenas would also be considered targets as well.  But the Parkway would definitely constitute an easier target considering it completely accessible to the public at all times.

Well, I don’t know about you, but I feel comforted to know our city is not only thinking about the possibilities of terrorist attacks here, but also doing something about them.  Preparing our response teams and working to improve disaster management is worth disrupting your morning stroll, wouldn’t you say? 

They said that hundreds of residents volunteered for the event.  So how come you never hear about these things?  Did they advertise for local volunteers? I would have loved to be a volunteer for something like this.  Did anyone happen to see the drill? Or even participate?

On another note, I discovered that my home street has a “walk score” of 89 out of 100.  That is pretty impressive.  As a person who refuses to live in any place where I have to drive for my milk and cigarettes, I can totally appreciate this site.  Should I ever venture to move, I would rely heavily on this baby.  Likewise, it would also be useful when traveling and finding a hotel, because it also lists the local establishments within walking distance. 

 Thanks to Malcolm X Park for this useful tip!  I don’t feel too bad about stealing it from them since they stole it from Phillybits!  That’s how this stuff works, right?

05
Aug

Our Wild Backyard

Author: Momish, Category: Attractions, General, Kids, Philly Tourist, Something to Do

We often go the Philadelphia Zoo as we have maintained our yearly membership since my daughter was born.  I love taking her to the zoo and watching her face as she observes all those magnificent animals, most of which she has no clue how lucky she is to see in person.

If you read my personal blog Momish, then you probably know that I am somewhat of an animal lover and activist.  So, whenever I talk about going to the zoo or my zoo membership, I am often asked how I feel about animals in captivity. 

I think the Philadelphia Zoo is a shining example of how all zoos should be.  I think our zoo represents the minimal acceptance level of how animals should be treated and housed in a caged environment.  In other words, the Philly Zoo does it right.

I think there is a great advantage to zoos in that they educate the general public about exotic and domestic animals.  They infect visitors with an admiration and respect for all animal life.  They also are a wealth of information about the many plights and dangers facing animals all over the world, triggering a desire to help and care about them in a way that probably would have been overlooked or ignored.  In addition, if it weren’t for the efforts of major zoos across the world, I am convinced that many near extinct species would be long gone and reduced to a blurb in our history books.

That being said, I definitely hold a standard as to what I will support when it comes to caging and transporting wild animals away from their natural habitat.  I do think that the label “zoo” is too often abused.  There are so many rinky-dink “zoos” out there that are a disgrace to the human race and downright animal abuse.  They should be shut down. 

I know it takes loads of money and resources to properly house and maintain a respectful and humane zoo.  Such that only major cities with the proper financial backing would be able to have zoos.  Cities like Philadelphia, San Diego and New York.  And while it might be unfair to the rest of the country, my main response to that is tough sh*t.

It is inhumane and morally wrong to shove a bunch of chimpanzees into a two by four cage with a tree branch so that kids that live outside of a major city can have a substandard education and experience of a wild animal.

You should go to the Philadelphia Zoo if you haven’t been there in a while (the new Amur Tiger cubs should be open to the public by now).  You should take advantage of the good fortune you have to live in a city with wild animals right in your backyard.  Animals that are cared by the world’s top notch veterinarians, who’s housings were designed with the utmost of care and thought by top architects in the region and who thrive as a result of the many supports like myself.

The Philadelphia Zoo is not just the nation’s first zoo, but perhaps the nation’s finest as well.

<rant over>

So tell me, how do you feel about animals kept in zoos?  What do you think about the Philly Zoo?  When was the last time you were there?

04
Aug

Training Days

Author: Momish, Category: Current Events, Local News, Sports

Well, according to everything I am hearing and reading, it sounds like McNabb is in top shape and ready to give it his all this year.

Ok, call me a doubting Thomas, but I find it hard to believe that this year will be any different or better.  Now, trust me when I say that I am one of those Eagles fans that dons their rose colored glasses every August and chants to themselves, “this year…this year…this year”. 

I use to feel the same way every time I pulled the handle on a slot machine, “this time…this time…this time.” Well, after years of having my  twenty dollor bills getting sucked up without ever hearing those tell tale bells go off telling me my daughter has just become an heiress, let’s just say you finally start to lose some of that optimism.

McNabb’s knee surgery is over.  He is all set to kick some butt.  But it is not like we have become sudden amnesiacs.  Four years ago he was healthier and younger and hungrier.  I find it hard to believe his stamina, optimism and game is just as high now as it was back then.  And sadly, it wasn’t enough back then.

That being said, of course it still won’t stop me from putting on my rose colored glasses again come the end of this month.  In all honesty, I wouldn’t know any other way to watch a pre-season Eagles game.  It’s in my blood.  I don’t think I will be chanting the “this year” mantra though. I am wiser and a tad more skeptical these days.  I no longer have the blind faith I use to, but there is still a glimmer of hope that remains.  I wouldn’t be a true Eagles fan if I didn’t have that.

We’ll see, is all I can muster up for now.

I think I have finally arrived at a realistic balance when it comes to the Eagles.  Just like I did with the slots.  I still throw a twenty dollar bill into them each time I go to Atlantic City.  But now, all I am hoping for is my twenty back, or perhaps the chance to double it.  In which case, any winnings go directly into the college fund, seeing as my daughter will most likely have to work for a living just like the rest of us non-Hiltons.

02
Aug

Reading Market Is Terminal For Rick’s Cheesesteaks

Author: Momish, Category: Current Events, Dining Out, Just Ranting, Local News, Philly Food

I am a traditionalist.  As much as I like change and new things, I also cling to the past like a crab to a big toe.

That is why this whole Rick’s Philly Cheesesteaks eviction from Reading Terminal Market is bothering me.  They are screwing with tradition and history here and I just don’t like that.

On Tuesday, Rick’s lease was up at the market after much controversy and debate.  But as of yesterday, Rick was still there slinging his cheesesteaks around for anyone ordering.  If I worked in Center City, I would head down there and order one myself even though I am not a huge fan of cheesesteaks (probably shouldn’t let that get out, huh?). 

And now there is all this talk of Tony Luke’s being the bad guy.  I don’t honestly think Tony Luke’s is to blame.  I doubt that there is some conspiracy here to oust Rick’s by Tony Luke.  But then again, I often suffer from the Anne Frank syndrome thinking everyone is still good at heart.  

The article states that the Market wanted a “premier” cheesesteak shop and therefore are kicking out Rick Olivieri in favor of Tony Luke.  Um, is it me or are they nuts?  As if any cheesesteak place can be considered “premier”.  It’s cheesesteaks, people! As in wrapped in paper.  As in greasy.  As in destined to give you clogged arteries.  There is nothing premier or classy about cheesesteaks, which is exactly what makes them so popular.

Olivieri claims the cancelled lease is in retaliation to past clashes with management as the head of the market’s merchant association.  Why does that ring more true than the desire to have the oh-so-upscale Tony Luke’s shop?  Obviously, he has the full support of not just his loyal customers, but the other Reading Terminal Market merchants.  According to merchant David Esh, owner-operator of Hatville Deli and a representative of the market’s Amish merchants, the 19th Annual Dutch Festival scheduled for Aug. 8-11 has been canceled in protest of the eviction.  

What do you think?  He and his family have been there since 1982.  That to me is long enough to be considered tradition and history.

Mr. Olivieri is planning on filing a lawsuit against the market.  I say you cling to that big toe with all your might, Mr. Olivieri! There are a lot of people behind you on this one.  It may be your shop and your livelihood, but it is our city and our tradition too.

31
Jul

Bookworms Unite

Author: Momish, Category: Kids, Local Charity, Shopping

Tomorrow starts Border’s August Book Drive.  They will be collecting new books to donate to Reach Out And Read all month.  

Now, let me ask you this… do you need any other reason to go to Borders?  I didn’t think so.

While you are browsing around, you can pick up a book right then and donate it to this great cause (after you pay for it, of course).  Just think, you get new books for your summer reading (still a month left) and pass along the thrill of books to children in our own community. 

The love of books and reading is one of the greatest gifts you can offer to anyone, especially to kids that don’t have the luxury to browse around Borders with the world of words at their fingertips.

You should check out some of the information on Reach Out and Read’s website.  The studies and statistics regarding the importance of early exposure to reading are interesting.  They give a lot of statistics regarding reading out loud to childern under the age of three.  I am guilty of failing short in my duties as a parent and fall into the 23% of parents that only do it once or twice a week.  But even so, I still believe she will be fine, because I was.

My mother hardly ever read out loud to us as we were kids.  But she was an avid reader.  So although she didn’t put us to bed with a bedtime story, we watched her enjoy devouring book after book as a favorite past time.  That alone was enough to pique our interest and get us hooked.

Exposure is the key, but that requires books, lots of books. 

Border’s August Book Drive:

August 1, 2007 12:00 AM
Location: In Store

Philadelphia - Avenue of Arts
1 S. Broad
Suite 100
Philadelphia, PA
Phone:215.568.7400

29
Jul

Quartermania For The New Car Challenged

Author: Momish, Category: Atlantic City, Jersey, Nightlife, The Shore

I had one girl’s night out during this vacation and my husband had his very own boy’s night out.  No kids, just single sex adults catching up and having a care free time.

For our night out, us ladies decided to head out to the Tropicana.  The Quarter has a great atmosphere for strolling around, window shopping and grabbing a great bite to eat - not to mention an over priced fancy drink or two or three or…

We headed out around 10 PM, totally jazzed to finally be out and on our own.  I swear, we weren’t in the car but all of three minutes when all of a sudden we hear “Whoop. Whoop. Whoop.”

Sure enough, I was getting pulled over.  Two cop cars sandwich us and shine glaring lights into the car.  I quickly checked with my friends and they assured me the light we just went through was indeed green.  We all had our seat belts on.  I was baffled.

The cop strolls up to the window, does the usual “license and registration” spiel, then starts waving his hand in front of my car.  All smug like, he asks me, “Do you see this, ma’am?” 

“WHAT? WHAT? Did I hit something? OH MY GOD!”

He looks at me like I have a third head and says, “Calm down ma’am, I am trying to tell you that your lights aren’t on.”

Freaking new car. 

Apparently, the dashboard is fully lit even when my headlights aren’t on.  Totally threw me off ’cause I never had a car where the dashboard was fully lit without my lights on.  Luckily, I just got a finger shaking and off we were again.

The Quarter at the Tropicana has many nice restaurants and bars to enjoy a night out.  However, when the clock strikes midnight, anyone over forty should run for cover.  Especially now, with the new nightclub Providence.  I am sure it is a fun place if you are hip and trendy, but once we saw the go-go dancers in the windows, we quickly realized we were a little off base.  Luckily, the Trop also has Tango’s, an old foggie bar with decent wine.

Naturally, being three women out on their own, we were chat up by drunk guys straggling in between the casino and The Quarter.  The young male attention we got definitely went straight to our heads.  Because on the way home, when a red sports car filled with good looking guys pulled up along side of us and started beeping, we were fully prepared to inform these poor lads that we have seven kids between us and they should just give it up.

I rolled down my window, but before I could break the sad news to them, one of the kids screamed, “YOUR LIGHTS!!! TURN ON YOUR LIGHTS!”  Then they sped away laughing.

Freaking new car.

27
Jul

Trying To See The Bright Side

Author: Momish, Category: Philly Finds, Resources, Shopping

A month or so after my daughter was born I got a kidney stone.  It required one ER visit, two outpatient procedures and lots of morphine to get the damn thing out.  On the bright side, after six weeks of hell, I lost over 26 pound including all that pregnancy weight.  Naturally, I went shopping for the new wardrobe my skinny new bod required.

Well, that was almost two years ago.  So as you can only image, after two years of holiday dinners, neurotic snacking and one week of vacation, those 26 pounds have found me again.  Mostly on my butt, sad to say. But you know me, always trying to look on the bright side of things.  As far as I can see, the only mildly sunny side of having a new yelk body is needing new clothes.  And in some pathetic way, I can live with that. 

So with full excuse in hand, I decided to hit The Walk in Atlantic City like the true shopaholic I am, this time on a valid mission for a change.  I think I went into every store twice.  And, although I was sure I would find some things there, I was mistaken.  My wardrobe is still hurting and all my current clothes are rediculously too tight.  I tried to spend money, but most of the shops were not my cup of tea.  As a result, all I have to look forward to now is going to the Green Street Consignment Shop when I get back home.  I am sure my bank account will really took a hit there. 

I love Green Street.  There is just something about designer clothes, high end designer clothes, that just fit so well.  Even if you are not a size 2, six foot tall model.  I can’t afford high end designer clothes new, so Green Street is the perfect place to stock up on those unique and well made items every wardrobe needs, at great prices to boot. 

However, if you are a size 6, don’t bother going there.  They won’t have anything for you.  Likewise for all you women with size 7 1/2 feet.  You’ll only be disappointed, trust me.  Stay home. I am talking nothing, nada.  Don’t go.  Stay away.   BACK OFF!  THEY’RE MINE ! ALL MINE!

 Green Street Consignment Shop:

700 South St
Philadelphia, PA
19147

Phone: (215) 733-9261

25
Jul

Here’s Another Thing I Hate

Author: Momish, Category: Just Ranting, Randomness

For the past four years I have worked in Jersey and Delaware, and in both places I am usually the only city dweller amongst the crowd.  So naturally, when the lunch conversation turns to lawn care, I yawn.  Maybe it has to do with the fact that these two words are so similar, such that I subconsciously have the urge to yawn when I hear lawn. But most likely, it has more to do with the fact that my backyard is a two by four slab of concrete with nary a blade of grass in it.

And believe when I tell you that people with lawns can talk for hours about their mowers, edgers, landscapers - the list is endless.  Suburban people are always talking about things I cannot relate to or things I never heard of or have no clue what the heck they are.  Like central vacuuming. What the heck is that? 

And when I ask them what it is, they look at me like I have six heads and just broke out of a time warp bubble.  HELLO! We live in houses that are over a hundred years old and are solid brick. Central vacuuming is not one of those things that casually comes up over coffee very often. (unless you work in Jersey, of course)

Anyway, it was a welcoming change the other day when I was finally able to jump right into the discussion about yard care woes. You see, I have slugs. Yes, I kid you not, there is actual wildlife in my backyard.

Basically, I asked my co-workers (the experts) how it is that two square feet of concrete could produce a colony of thirty slugs within six minutes after the sun sets.  It’s one of those disgusting yet fascinating things I just can’t let go.  I mean really, where are these slimy things coming from?  And, more importantly, how do I get rid of them! (Salt is not an option, I believe in Karma)

Recently, my step daughter created a slug slinger from one of our paint stirrers.  She must sling roughly a dozen slugs a night into our neighbor’s yard. Yet, the suckers keep coming back. In droves.  Finally, I told her to stop.  I told her I thought they might actually be enjoying this cannonball ride of hers.  I told her we are getting more slugs, as if they are telling their friends all about the Six Flags Adventure Park just over the wall. We have since put the useless slug slinger to rest.

So anyway, suffice to say that my wonderful suburban co-workers weren’t any help whatsoever. In fact, they never even heard of a slug slinger. Imagine! Maybe they don’t care about slugs or have learned to live with them as par for the course. All I know is when I brought it up, I only got a chorus of yawns in reply.  Which turned out to be a rewarding sweet revenge after years of tree rot lunches.

But the problem remains. How do I get rid of these buggers aside from sizzling them with salt? Tell me, do you have the same phenonema happening in your yard? Do you even care?

(P.S. If anyone is interested, check out my ebay listing for a EUC slug slinger. Original Sherwin Williams Logo on both sides with minimal slim stains. Starting bid is 99 cents.)