Philadelphia is My Home

19
Jul

Looks Like They’re Moving In

Author: Momish, Category: Current Events, Local News

I am heading down to Atlantic City this weekend on vacation. My mother and most of her side of our family live in AC and the surrounding areas. I was born in AC as a matter of fact. Aside from visiting family and chilling on the beach, one of the things I love to do while I am there is go to the casino, mostly in the hopes of making my daughter an heiress.

I like to gamble. I think it is fun and as long as the money I spend doesn’t dip into our financial responsibilities or lower our quality of life, I don’t mind losing it for a night of entertainment. My husband enjoys his time at the poker tables as well. It is something we do on every trip we make to AC.

That being said, I don’t want Foxwoods Casino in my back yard. I don’t want the traffic, the crime and the seediness that comes with a casino, not to mention the temptation. I know it sounds completely hypocritical of me, considering I take advantage of the casinos in AC. I am sure the residents living within a mile radius resent their presence for the benefit of people like me. People who get to come and go as they please.

Believe me, I know. I watched as nice family neighborhoods deteriorated over the past decades as more and more pawn shops, topless bars and other unappealing elements moved in. It took roughly 15 years before my grandparents had no choice but to move from their Texas Avenue house, losing money on the property they lived in since before I was born.

I don’t want to move. I don’t want to sell my house 15 years from now, yet alone at a loss. I don’t want my child growing up in a neighborhood where pawn shops and check cashing stores stand where there were once friendly mom and pop shops. I don’t want South Philly to become a gambling cesspool. But it seems, after reading the latest article in the Inquirer, that this is going to happen. It is unstoppable.

At this point, all we can do is hope for the best. Hope that Foxwoods really does have the betterment of the city and our neighborhood in mind. Hope that Foxwoods really does have a plan on how to handle the influx of traffic. Hope that Foxwoods will create a casino with an element of class, one that will provide residents with high end shops, restaurants and bars such that they will counteract the other elements which gambling inevitably brings.

While I may be overlooking some of the positive aspects, like more jobs and city revenue, I can’t help it. And trust me when I say that in the end, I hope all my fears and dread are proven wrong. But, seeing as Foxwoods is already acting like a bully, suing the City of Philadelphia (already racking up legal bills at the expense of us taxpayers), something tells me no matter how nicely they decorate their front door and windows, they are not the kind of neighbors you want living on your block.

18
Jul

Radio Days

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

Unless you read my personal blog, you probably don’t know that I recently bought a new car, a Honda Fit.

{Momish readers roll their eyes and sigh, “oh no, not the car again!”}

Yes, I am going to talk about the car yet again.  Deal. 

Thanks to my new shiny car, I am now safer on the road, have a back windshield wiper (!), power windows and a radio for the first time in six years.  A radio!!!  And no, I am not that cheap that I drove to work every day in silence for the past six years rather than dish out the cash to replace my stolen one.  I just refused to throw my hard earned cash away on something that was sure to slip away as soon as I got it.  The original radio was stolen within the first month I had the car causing 800 bucks of damage to the console. Oh thank you very much universe for once again teaching me the valuable zen lesson of placing too much of my energy into meaningless possessions; I am surely a better person for those six years of silence.  (my turn to roll the eyes)

Anyway, I know I am way late to the game here, but have you heard the new radio station WRFF Radio 104.5?  Loving it!! It’s so nice to listen to really good songs that are not overplayed, especially while stuck in a major traffic jam surrounded by morons.  Them and BEN FM are slowing bringing my blood pressure down to safe levels again.

I’m also enjoying the “new” morning shows like Preston and Steve.  Those guys are certifiable, I am convinced.  At first I thought the 10,000 marbles thrown down the Art Museum steps was a farce, just like the time they fooled everyone into thinking they were actually throwing iPods off City Hall’s roof.  But, lo and behold it was for real.  It wasn’t until I saw the YouTube video posted by Philly Transplant that I knew it was legit.  Not being much of a baseball fan, the entire point of the 10,000 marbles for 10,000 losses was well, kinda lost on me you might say.  It was still funny though, especially all the hoopla it created.   

So, there have it.  Lots of outdated radio news for ya.  C’mon guys, I can’t be the maverick of All Things Philly every day, you know.  Cut me a break!  After six years, I have ease back into having radio days again.

17
Jul

Live In America

Author: Momish, Category: Current Events, Randomness

So I am told we are now ”live”.  As in, no-longer-writing-to-myself live.

At first I panicked.

OH MY GOD! WE’RE LIVE! Is my header on straight? How’s my font? Does this side bar make me look fat?

Then I was all like, what am I panicking for? Everything is fine. The blog looks fine. I look fine.  Besides, even if I didn’t, it’s not like you guys would ever know.  You’ll just have to trust me on that one…

Speaking of beautiful people, did you see that the Beckhams have arrived in America?

Granted, they are a handsome couple.  Apparently, he looked rather debonair in his light grey suit and she looked posh in a stunning purple dress.  It’s all the papers could write about.  The way they looked seemed much more important than the reason they are here - to play for the L.A. Galaxy and hopefully promote soccer in the U.S.  Maybe add a little spice to the sport. {hee hee. Get it, spice?}

As for me, I have a minor grudge against these two, so you will have to forgive me if I am not all gaga about them moving here.  For one, I got royally jacked when David Beckham went to Real Madrid.  You see, I had tickets to the grand opening of Lincoln Field where FC Barcelona played Manchester United.  I was so excited to finally see this man in action.  Then there were all these rumours about him being traded, but they all suggested it would be to Barcelona.  No worries there.  Remember, it was Barcelona vs. Manchester United after all.

But no, instead he runs off to Madrid.  No Beckham.  I was royally jacked, I tell ya.

As for the wife?  My grudge against her isn’t exactly personal, it’s more like by proxy.  Echo and the Bunnymen (my all time favorite band) were suppose to sing the 1998 World Cup song, because hey, they like actually wrote the song.  But then they got booted for the more attractive and popular Spice Girls, who ended up singing their song.  My boys were royally jacked, I tell ya.

But all that was many years ago, so I am sure I can find in my heart to put those grudges aside and welcome this couple to our fine country.  Maybe his presence here will give Major League Soccer more exposure and bring us up to par with the rest of the world.  Yeah, now that I think of it, I guess I can put my personal grudges aside for the sake of the sport, not to mention haute couture.

So let me take this minute to shout out a big ole WELCOME all around.  Welcome to America Mr. and Mrs. Beckham, and welcome to Philadelphia Is My Home all of you!

14
Jul

Philly as a Shining Example?

Author: Momish, Category: Current Events, History, Just Ranting, World News

I read a very upsetting article the other day.  I won’t go into the details so as to not upset anyone who prefers not to ruin their day.  Suffice to say, it was a horrible crime, the details of which will make you sick and enrage you beyond words. 

What I will talk about is the setting where this crime took place, Dunbar Villiage in Florida.  As the article states, the residents there call this place “hell”.  To call it one of those “housing projects” that is failing miserably is the most benign thing you can say about this place.  There were over 700 calls to the police in this past year, according to the article.  Drugs being dealt in the open, bullet proof street lamps, gated entrance (to keep the criminals out or in, I wonder?)  All of these things have got to scream to someone with half a brain, “Hey! This isn’t working!”

Reading about this terrible place which many people are forced to call home reminded me of Philadelphia’s old “projects”.  Tall high rises where people were packed like sardines and made to feel like animals, often causing them to act like animals. It wasn’t working.  And when something doesn’t work, you tear it down and start over. NO MATTER WHAT THE COST! We are talking about people’s lives, here. Real people. Our fellow Americans.

Someone’s head is buried way too deep in the sand of those lovely Florida beaches.  I don’t understand how such trecherous situations can still be in existence, yet alone continually be ignored as a breeding ground for crime. 

I remember when they imploded the old Washington Avenue projects, I was there. I got up early in the morning to see that disaster go down.  It was the end of an era.  Now, in its place is a community of homes where kids are playing in the backyards and neighbors talk to each other on their front steps.  Casually, without fear.  Furthermore, surrounding this area are houses being restored and businesses setting up camp on the street corners. 

I think the powers that be down in Florida should come visit Philly and take a look at what amazing results can do to the spirit, when you build structures that people want to call home. It stems from pride. People want to feel good about where they live, and in returen they protect that feeling, nurture their homes, help promote their communities and stand up for themselves.

Granted, I am not an expert on public housing or economic plight.  Perhaps I am the one with my head in the sand after all.  Who knows. Perhaps I am the one making more out of the new homes on Washington Avenue than they deserve.  After all, its only been 10 years.

Or, perhaps someone from Florida should come visit our city, take note of the changes we made, then tell me if I am wrong. 

02
Jul

BlogPhiladelphia

Author: Momish, Category: Current Events, Free Events, General, Something to Do

In keeping with my altruistic self, let me pass along another little juicy tidbit, just in case you were unaware of it.  Next week (7/12-7/13) marks the Blogphiladelphia event (or unconference as they refer to it) over at the Radisson Plaza. 

 It only seems fitting for me to relay to you an event happing in Philly that revolves around blogging, even if it would take an experienced fairy godmother along with a dozen guardian angels working overtime to get me there.  Work, you know.  Gotta pay the bills.

<big heavy, depressing sigh>

But, if you are at all interested in all things related to ”social media” (the latest buzzword to describe blogs, podcasts, vlogs and all the other cool stuff the internet has to offer these days), you should stop by and check it out.  Did I mention it was free? How could I forget that? Geesh, “free” is the all time magical buzzword.  The snag in all this?  Reservations are limited and available on a first come, first serve basis.  In other words, act NOW!

For more information, visit the Blogphiladelphia Blog or contact the Radisson.

1701 Locust Street, Philadelphia PA 19103 (215-735-6000)

25
Jun

The Belmont 112

Author: Momish, Category: Current Events, Local News

Did anyone read the cover story in yesterday’s paper about the Belmont 6th graders offered a free college education twenty years ago?

I did.  And, I remember when that happened. I remember watching the news when the philanthropist George Weiss waltzed into the school and announced that he would foot the bill for every 6th grader there to go to college.

It was right about the time I started college part time on the weekends at Community College of Philadelphia, because that was all I could afford. Community College and only on the weekends due to my full time job, which I needed to survive. 

I was floored.  I remember thinking just how lucky these kids were and how, knowing what a struggle it was for me right then, that they were probably beside themselves with joy.

Having just paid off my student loans this year (at the age of 40!), I can attest to the fact that yes, they were indeed a lucky bunch.  So I devoured that article to see what all these kids made of this amazing opportunity.

Was I disappointed or bitter that only 20 out of the 112 went on to college, even though the hefty bill was completely paid? No, instead I felt sad for those that squandered away such a miracle of an opportunity.  Besides, I was too busy being impressed by the many success stories there were, considering that paying the bill probably wasn’t the hardest hurdle to get over for some of these kids.

Finally, I felt hope after reading the article. Hope, because other wealthy individuals are following suit and offering more kids this same chance at a future.  Hope, because there were many of these kids, now parents themselves, who recognize the unlimited benifit to an education.  All grown up now, they realize what they had, even if they passed it up when they had the chance, not realizing it then.  Parents encouraging their children, “You can do it, even on your own!”

Maybe they all didn’t get to the ultimate goal, but it changed them regardless. It changed the society around them and it triggered a positive change in the future for them and their children.  Breaking the cycle, even if it’s one kid at a time. I am sure to Mr. Weiss, that is priceless.

Read more about the story here, as well as bios on many of the kids.

23
Jun

Erin Go Bragh

Author: Momish, Category: Current Events, Family Friendly, Free Events, Something to Do

This is the weekend, folks!  

The weekend of the Irish American festival at Penn’s Landing during PECO’s series of cultural salutes throughout the summer. 

Now, no one likes to play favorites, but the Irish American festival is one of the best of the season, no denying it.  Well, that and the Italian American festival, which sadly is not part of the line up this year.  Damn, no tasty meatballs! So unfair.  But then again, I can just hit up my mom for them anytime, so all is good. 

Back to Erin’s day in the sun.  Good music, good fun, good entertainment and always a huge crowd.  And free, did I mention it is free? Can’t beat it.  Just the thought of all those good beers bagpipes makes me so giddy, I feel a gig coming on.

The event goes on all weekend 12-8 PM.    

For more information and musical guest concert details, visit the Penns Landing Corporation website.

More Upcoming Events in the PECO Multicultural Series:

June 23-24, 12-8 pm: Irish American Festival
July 7-8, 12-8 pm: Hispanic Fiesta
July 14, 12-6 pm: Southeastern Cherokee Celebration
August 18, 12-8 pm: Festival of India
August 19, 12-8 pm: Caribbean Festival
August 25-26, 12-8 pm: Philadelphia Multicultural Arts and Music Extravaganza
September 9, 12-8 pm: Russian Mosaic Festival
September 16, 12-8 pm: Mexican Independence Day Festival