Philadelphia is My Home

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.

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.

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.