RE: SPAM SPAM -- Re: [UC] taxi overcharging from airport
Problem is, that some (many) taxi drivers refused to take people to some destinations, especially if they thought they might not get a fare to take 'em back to center city. I can remember getting into a cab late one night and asking to be taken to Mt. Airy. The taxi driver refused saying he didn't go there. We wound up on the 23 trolley (tells you how long ago this was) and then finding out that our trolley stopped at Broad and Erie which, it turned out, was a fairly happinin' spot early, early in the morning. But that's a different story. Of course, there is the issue that a lot of taxis won't pick up dark skinned citizens because they often ask to be taken into a part of town where the cabbie isn't likely to get a fare to bring him back. Again, a different story. -Original Message- From: Jessica Moore [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Thursday, December 09, 2004 3:02 PM To: Clinton, J. Scott Subject: Re: SPAM SPAM -- Re: [UC] taxi overcharging from airport I haven't read the taxi riders bill of rights so you might be correct. But it does seem that they should take you where you want to go once you get in the cab and commit to the fare. But it seems logical that they should be able to decline a destination. My only point is the taxi driver is trying to earn as much money as possible for their long wait at the airport which is why they try to charge the flat rate to UC. I don't fault them for that and there is a work around. Thanks for your comments. Jessica Clinton, J. Scott wrote: It is, of course, the right of the taxi driver to wait for a center city destination to optimize the amount of time they made over the 2 hour wait. Actually, it isn't. They must take you where you ask to go. Part of the taxi riders bill of rights. They don't, however, have to wait in the line at the airport, they can deadhead back to town if they like. You are receiving this because you are subscribed to the list named UnivCity. To unsubscribe or for archive information, see http://www.purple.com/list.html.
Re: [UC] striking at strikes ....
If they laid off all these people, they could afford to run septa and probably have a surplus. SEPTAs problems are much greater than the cost of their labour. While every Philadelphian has their stories of rude SEPTA workers, most of them do their jobs very well in work conditions that most of us wouldn't choose. SEPTA is one of the most 'efficient' transportation providers in the country because of the states mandate that they recover 50% of their operating expenses from farebox revenue. Transportation will never have a surplus. There is no money to be made in moving people which is why all of the private transportation systems disolved. Fund public transport at the same levels that highways are funded. Then SEPTA will run all night, every five minutes and be clean and fast and Philadelphians will have to come up with something else to complain about. I have plenty of complaints about how SEPTA is run, but I try to keep my complaints framed by pointing out the realities of mass transit. You are receiving this because you are subscribed to the list named UnivCity. To unsubscribe or for archive information, see http://www.purple.com/list.html.
Re: [UC] striking at strikes ....
Title: Message Yes but that is the past and I'd like to think the vast majority of placesare past the point where they need unions and can get good labor and pay adecent wage w/o having to have it be over the top because a mass of peopleforce it to be. I'd like to think that too, but do you shop at Wal-Mart? A lot of people are starting to make a distinction between "minimum wage" and "living wage". Personally, I believe that my earnings impart a responsibility upon me to use those monies wisely...a concept that Christians refer to as "stewardship". Because of my conviction, I don't shop at Wal-Mart (though I do buy things from Home Despot...mostly out of frustration and lack of selection at my local hardware stores) and I don't feel that my biggest requirement in purchasing things is that the price be as low as possible. I am willing to pay more for a quality product. I believe that it benefits me as well as society for people to be able to earn a living that allows them to live above the poverty line. regarding the union and the turnpike, I would have to agree that the case is completely unlike wal-mart. I remember reading about a study that someone did for a turnpike (might have been MA) for how to cut costs. The reccomendation was to eliminate fares because the cost of collecting them was greater than the fares collected. This is not the case on the PA turnpike, but when EZ pass was launched, an agreement was reached that the EZ pass would not eliminate any tolltaker jobs. The turnpike is a political entity, and eliminating patronage jobs is not the goal of any politician that I know of. Like most things, unions bring negatives along with their positives.
RE: [UC] Lardassery (was striking at strikes ...)
Perhaps I am wrong, but as you responded to my post, I am assuming that you are refering to me as being a member of the upper middle class who bemoans unions while doing nothing to help working people make a living wage. Please allow me a few pixels to defend myself. - I doubt my family would make the cut for upper middle class although such terms are quite vague and perhaps because we have some discresionary income, we might fit the category. - I do not bemoan unions or unionism. As with all things, they bring with them good and ill. - I believe in living wages and felt that my earlier post alluded to that. Perhaps I wasn't clear. How would you suggest that I help working people make a living wage? How do you? Thanks in advance, J. Scott Clinton -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Tuesday, December 07, 2004 3:07 PM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: [UC] Lardassery (was striking at strikes ...) I get really tired of white-collar workers (and people in the upper middle class) who bemoan Unions, but who do nothing to help working people make a living wage. You are receiving this because you are subscribed to the list named UnivCity. To unsubscribe or for archive information, see http://www.purple.com/list.html.
RE: SPAM SPAM -- Re: [UC] Community improvement, one bill at a ti me
Will one of our distinguised esquires comment on the probable outcome of such a court case or perhaps comment on what the path to get this portion of the bill overturned would be? I hear plenty of news coverage on how some part of a law was overturned by some court or other and I wonder how long (and how much it cost) it took to get to that stage. -jsc -Original Message- From: William H. Magill [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Wednesday, December 01, 2004 1:36 PM To: John Ellingsworth Cc: UC Subject: SPAM SPAM -- Re: [UC] Community improvement, one bill at a time On 01 Dec, 2004, at 11:32, John Ellingsworth wrote: To my fellow neighbors more than 500 feet away from me - I am going to put up a big billboard on my house, advertising my new slots parlor. ONLY persons, which I believe means natural persons, but am not positive, living within 500 feet of the offending billboard have any standing to complain. It is not clear if renters have any say, or only the property owners. I assume the latter. As I read the change, it puts an end to the ability of ANY Community Zoning Committee or similar group to have any kind of standing by which to oppose the activities of say, the University to do whatever they want with 40th Street. This change applies not only to Billboards (who crafted the amendment), but to Stop-and-Gos, rendering plants (which one could build virtually anywhere along Chestnut or Walnut Streets - which are zoned commercial), corner tappies and other similar popular establishments. This one will obviously wind up in the courts. T.T.F.N. William H. Magill [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] You are receiving this because you are subscribed to the list named UnivCity. To unsubscribe or for archive information, see http://www.purple.com/list.html. You are receiving this because you are subscribed to the list named UnivCity. To unsubscribe or for archive information, see http://www.purple.com/list.html.
Re: [UC] taxi overcharging from airport
Last I checked, the state legislature was controlled by the GOP. Maybe I missed something. Doesn't matter, I don't want to restart the GOP vs. Dems debate that seems to flare up from time to time on this list. The behavior of both state and city governments makes me ill. -Original Message- On 30 Nov, 2004, at 13:08, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Remember that all bad things are the fault of the GOP and vote Democrat. In a message dated 11/30/2004 11:38:55 AM Eastern Standard Time, Clinton, J. Scott [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: What do we, the citizens of the city, do about things when the government abdicates its responsibilty? Except that the City and the State are controlled by the Democrats. T.T.F.N. William H. Magill [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] You are receiving this because you are subscribed to the list named UnivCity. To unsubscribe or for archive information, see http://www.purple.com/list.html. You are receiving this because you are subscribed to the list named UnivCity. To unsubscribe or for archive information, see http://www.purple.com/list.html.
RE: SPAM SPAM -- [UC] Crazy Idea for Restaurant That Only Sells O nly Cereal
Though sounding gender-biased these days, my grandmother used to tell me that A fool and his money are soon parted. Her saying is as reasonable a buisness plan as many that have been floated in the past few years. -Original Message- From: Jonathan Cass [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Tuesday, November 30, 2004 3:18 PM To: 'William H. Magill'; [EMAIL PROTECTED] Cc: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: SPAM SPAM -- [UC] Crazy Idea for Restaurant That Only Sells Only Cereal From what I understand, those crazy college kids eat cereal 24-7. That being said, I really have a hard time believing that this place has very good long-term prospects. Maybe they will make millions and prove me wrong. I bet not. Jonathan A. Cass -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of William H. Magill Sent: Tuesday, November 30, 2004 2:38 PM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Cc: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: [UC] If it weren't for Penn's dismal track record in top-down planning... On 30 Nov, 2004, at 08:59, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: If it weren't for Penn's dismal record in top-down planning for its commercial spaces, its horrible rate of failures, its revolving door for one business after another that make no market sense ... I'd assume the following was a spoof. This one (Ceriality) isn't any of Penn's doing, and it's not a National Chain. The only other existing Cereality location is inside the Arizona State book store, which opened last year. According to the review in the Inquirer over the weekend, a single bowl of Fruit Loops will cost you $3.99!!! Considering that even at Fresh Grocer at 40th street, you can usually buy a box on sale at 2 for $6.00, and that the location chosen charges the highest Square Foot rent in the City, I think this is just a case of Penn fleecing the yocals from Arizona who have more money than a rational business plan. T.T.F.N. William H. Magill [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] You are receiving this because you are subscribed to the list named UnivCity. To unsubscribe or for archive information, see http://www.purple.com/list.html. You are receiving this because you are subscribed to the list named UnivCity. To unsubscribe or for archive information, see http://www.purple.com/list.html. You are receiving this because you are subscribed to the list named UnivCity. To unsubscribe or for archive information, see http://www.purple.com/list.html.
RE: [UC] Bike regulations: a pedestrian speaks
Title: Message -Original Message-From: Marianne Das [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Monday, November 22, 2004 4:22 PMTo: [EMAIL PROTECTED]Subject: SPAM SPAM -- [UC] Bike regulations: a pedestrian speaks I've ploughed through 14 e-mails on the listserv that are either pro-bike or pro-car. Although I'm sympathetic to bikers, here are two pet peevesfrom a beleaguered pedestrian. (1) If you are going to ride your bike on the sidewalk (and this is done everywhere west of 40th Street), please warn the pedestrian of your approach. Why is it that none of the bikes with all those bells and whistles aren't equipped with either a bell or whistle? I wish I had a nickel for the times I have been hit or narrowly missed by a bike.[Clinton, J. Scott]my bike has a bell, and little else. no whistles. i ring my bell a heck of a lot although cars and trolleys don't seem to be impressed. I never ride on sidewalks. they're called sideWALKs for a reason. 2. Why are you in such a damned hurry? Cars aren't allowed to pass on the passenger side of a bus when it is taking on or discharging passengers. Why do bikes do this? My daughter was seriously injured this way.[Clinton, J. Scott]it has to do with momentum, especially on hills. I do stop when a trolley is discharging or taking on passengers, though. I'm one of the slower bicyclists in the west philly, though. Bike messangers blowby me likei'm standing still. That is mostly because I am so out of shape. I walk more than I ride, though, so I try to remember the golden rule when I'm riding and I keep in mind the needs of bicyclists when I walk.
[UC] Arcade at the Bridge (and art films)
Title: Message regarding the regulars at the bridge: visit the riverview and see a film there sometime. You will come running back to The Bridge with open arms. -j. scott clinton -Original Message-From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Thursday, November 18, 2004 6:32 PMTo: [EMAIL PROTECTED]; [EMAIL PROTECTED]Subject: SPAM SPAM -- Re: [UC] Arcade at the Bridge (and art films) [EMAIL PROTECTED]wrote: I keep hoping that cinemagic will wake up and smell the starbucks and start showing art films .. I keep hoping that cinemagic will wake up and smell the cinemagic. The last time I was there, it smelled like a locker room that hadn't been cleaned for thirty years, but that ithad been doused with disinfectant yearly. We went to a few flicks at the Bridge over the summer, Monday afternoons, and they weren't too bad. But last spring when we saw Mel Gibson's "The Passion" (shudder) the audiance behavior was attocious. There seemed to be lots of church groups there on a Thursday afternoon, who obviously never learned the two greatest commandments. Enough to give some of us more liberal Christians a bad name. I recall when we saw Spidey II, one of the other older audience members complained about the loudness level of the soundtrack, and they turned it down slightly. Fred Wolfe
RE: [UC] Oil vs. Gas Heat
Title: Message Oil vs. Gas. talk about a battle of the titans. Okay, to put in an oil heater you are going to have to also have a storage tank. That isn't an insignifigant cost, but the tank will probably last the rest of your life so at least it won't have to be done twice. The tank will also have to be vented (I think outside) and have a filler to the outside. You're going to want to put that tank in the front of your basement so that the oil filler truck can reach the filler neck with its hose. Oil is the same thing as diesel fuel. it stinks. everything that comes in contact with it stinks. I drove a diesel car for years and got used to the stink but there's no denying it. If your heater is working properly,you will only smell the fuel when your tank is being filled or if someone is working on your furnace. just something to consider. As far as the environment goes, I'd say it is about even. Gas burns very cleanly but so does heating oil when the burners are properly adjusted. The problem is that traditionally, oil burners go out of adjustment quite often and start burning rich. This means that too much fuel is being introduced to the fuel/air mixture and you are loosing efficiency because not all the fuel is being consumed in combustion. The excess winds up as deposits in your furnace and exhaust. In my oppinion, this is a good reason not to switch to oil. I should point out that oil burners have gotten much better in recent years and are supposedly less prone to clogging. I personally believe that the quality of the fuel oil goes a long way to keeping a oil burner at peak efficiency but it is hard to tell the quality of the oil that you are buying. as a FYI, gas (as in natural gas, the fuel that we're discussing here) isn't the same thing as gasoline. Gasoline is refined oil, but natural gas is a mix of Methane (90%)and Propane, Butane and Ethane (along with a few other trace gasses). Natural gas is not refined from oil, although it is a fossil fuel and there is a finite supply in the world. Natural gas is odorless and lighter than air. Natural gas providers add an oderant so that we can quickly detect a leak and not flip on a lightswitch and blow our house to bits. One amusing fact is that methane is the same gas that comes out of our backsides after certain meals. One could solve the worlds energy needs if they could develop a way of harvesting this inexhaustable source of fuel! Maintanance: There are a lot of oil and a lot of gas burning furnaces in the area. I'd say that there is no difference in the maintainability of either. Don't knock PGW too hard. While it certainly has it's problems, it is run (in theory) for the benefit of the citizens of the city of Philadelphia, not to make a profit. The main problems that PGW has are that it can only sell gas inside the city of Philadelphia and many of it's customers cannot afford to pay their heating bills. This is an expense that the city winds up having to absorb one way or another. PGW is also loosing almost all of its industrial customers to the suburbs and those folks pay a higher rate for their gas bills than we do. This hurts PGW even more than the loss of residential customers. PGW needs to improve, but my main complaints about them are administrative. They need to update their records, billing and payment systems, they need to improve customer service and they need to cut back on the number of employees they have to get these administrative functions done. In this they can learn from the private sector but I don't believe in privitizing PGW any more than I believe in privatizing the water works. The city is fortunate to own both of these utilities (some cities don't own their utilities to the detriment of their citizens) but, as with most city government there is too much fat in PGW and what could be a benifit is seen by many as a detriment. As far as those of us right here in the west philly go, I believe that we pay lower rates than the folks who have to buy their natural gas from PECO out in the 'burbs. And that's the end of my oil vs. gas essay for the day. I will advise you tobuy the most efficient furnace you can; the labour to put it in will be the same for both and the more efficient furnace will save you money over it's useful life (30+ years) and pay for the difference in only a few years time. I put in a 95+% efficient multistage Trane furnace and would reccomend the same to anyone. -Original Message-From: Naomi [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Friday, November 12, 2004 7:09 AMTo: [EMAIL PROTECTED]Subject: [UC] Oil vs. Gas HeatI am in the process of purchasing a UC house that needs the 50 year-old gas heater replaced. We are considering switching to oil - or some other way to heat that does not rely on a monopoly like PGW - and wanted to solicit opinions. (Has anyone done this recently? Any success or horror stories?)We
[UC] Electric Heat
Title: Message Or in a slightly more polite way: Yes, you can buy electric resistance heating for your home. Generally you can buy electric baseboard radient heaters very inexpensively. You will, however, find that the cost per kW/h is extremely high when compared with fosil fuels. Electric radient heat is popular in places like southern Florida where it doesn't really get that cold that often and the cost of installing it is much lower than a hot air or hot water system. For us here in Philadelphia, "fugetaboutit". -j. scott clinton -Original Message-From: Jonathan Cass [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Friday, November 12, 2004 3:04 PMTo: [EMAIL PROTECTED]Subject: SPAM SPAM -- [UC] Electric Heat: A Heating System for the Insane All-electric heating for a home? Have you lost your mind? Jonathan A. Cass Silverman, Bernheim Vogel Two Penn Center Plaza, Suite 910 Philadelphia, PA 19102 Tel: 215-636-4435 Fax: 215-636-3999 E-Mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] This electronic message contains information from the law firm of Silverman Bernheim Vogel which may be confidential or privileged. This information is intended for the use of the individual or entity named above. If you are not the intended recipient, be aware that any disclosure, copying, distribution or use of the contents of this information is prohibited. If you have received this electronic transmission in error, please notify use immediately by telephone, 215-569-, or by e-mail reply. -Original Message-From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]On Behalf Of Mario GiornoSent: Friday, November 12, 2004 2:40 PMTo: '[EMAIL PROTECTED]'; 'Naomi'Cc: '[EMAIL PROTECTED]'Subject: RE: [UC] Oil vs. Gas Heat Does anyone on the list know if there is an all-electric heating system for homes? Mario Giorno -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] Sent: Friday, November 12, 2004 12:51 PM To: Naomi Cc: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: [UC] Oil vs. Gas Heat I suggest you go to: www.heatinghelp.com and click on "the wall" where you can post your question. This site is frequented by some very bright heating experts. I have gotten some priceless advice from them re: my old steam system. Wes LaBlanc -- Original message from Naomi [EMAIL PROTECTED]: -- I am in the process of purchasing a UC house that needs the 50 year-old gas heater replaced. We are considering switching to oil - or some other way to heat that does not rely on a monopoly like PGW - and wanted to solicit opinions. (Has anyone done this recently? Any success or horror stories?) We have a few factors that we are basing our decision on: The Environment - Which has more of an impact? (Our initial thought was that gas was cleaner but I'm guessing that gas and oil come from the same base ingredient and I have no idea what is involved on the back end to turn it into gas.) Are there any other realistic alternatives? Cost - We're not wealthy. And the house needs a lot of additional work right away. Both the conversion/upgrade and the long term use need to be competitively priced. Convenience Ease of use - Is it relatively easy to maintain? When there is a problem, will people actually come to fix it? Any and all opinions appreciated. (And if I missed any big factors, feel free to let me know what I haven't considered yet.) Thanks. Naomi White Dog Cafe 3420 Sansom St, Philadelphia, PA 19104 http://www.whitedog.com (215) 386-9224 x105 The Black Cat Gift Shop 3426 Sansom St, Philadelphia, PA 19104 http://www.blackcatshop.com You are receiving this because you are subscribed to the list named "UnivCity." To unsubscribe or for archive information, see http://www.purple.com/list.html.
RE: [UC] Electric Heat
Title: Message the unit you are refering to is a Heat Pump. Again, they are generally not optimal for this climate and most in this climate will also have electric resistance heat to "boost" the output. -Original Message-From: Mario Giorno [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Friday, November 12, 2004 4:19 PMTo: 'Clinton, J. Scott'; '[EMAIL PROTECTED]'Subject: RE: [UC] Electric Heat Clinton, I've seen units that are fastened to walls that kick out both hot and cool air. They seem to have pipe work that goes to a machine outside of a house or building and is actively converting the air. It was referred to as, and forgive my lack of proper jargon, a mini-something-or-other. The convector unit outside the house looked like it was using freon like a window air conditioner and was electric powered. Have you seen or heard of these machines? Mario "Thinking Green" Giorno -Original Message-From: Clinton, J. Scott [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Friday, November 12, 2004 3:54 PMTo: [EMAIL PROTECTED]Subject: [UC] Electric Heat Or in a slightly more polite way: Yes, you can buy electric resistance heating for your home. Generally you can buy electric baseboard radient heaters very inexpensively. You will, however, find that the cost per kW/h is extremely high when compared with fosil fuels. Electric radient heat is popular in places like southern Florida where it doesn't really get that cold that often and the cost of installing it is much lower than a hot air or hot water system. For us here in Philadelphia, "fugetaboutit". -j. scott clinton -Original Message-From: Jonathan Cass [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Friday, November 12, 2004 3:04 PMTo: [EMAIL PROTECTED]Subject: SPAM SPAM -- [UC] Electric Heat: A Heating System for the Insane All-electric heating for a home? Have you lost your mind? Jonathan A. Cass Silverman, Bernheim Vogel Two Penn Center Plaza, Suite 910 Philadelphia, PA 19102 Tel: 215-636-4435 Fax: 215-636-3999 E-Mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] This electronic message contains information from the law firm of Silverman Bernheim Vogel which may be confidential or privileged. This information is intended for the use of the individual or entity named above. If you are not the intended recipient, be aware that any disclosure, copying, distribution or use of the contents of this information is prohibited. If you have received this electronic transmission in error, please notify use immediately by telephone, 215-569-, or by e-mail reply. -Original Message-From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]On Behalf Of Mario GiornoSent: Friday, November 12, 2004 2:40 PMTo: '[EMAIL PROTECTED]'; 'Naomi'Cc: '[EMAIL PROTECTED]'Subject: RE: [UC] Oil vs. Gas Heat Does anyone on the list know if there is an all-electric heating system for homes? Mario Giorno -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] Sent: Friday, November 12, 2004 12:51 PM To: Naomi Cc: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: [UC] Oil vs. Gas Heat I suggest you go to: www.heatinghelp.com and click on "the wall" where you can post your question. This site is frequented by some very bright heating experts. I have gotten some priceless advice from them re: my old steam system. Wes LaBlanc -- Original message from Naomi [EMAIL PROTECTED]: -- I am in the process of purchasing a UC house that needs the 50 year-old gas heater replaced. We are considering switching to oil - or some other way to heat that does not rely on a monopoly like PGW - and wanted to solicit opinions. (Has anyone done this recently? Any success or horror stories?) We have a few factors that we are basing our decision on: The Environment - Which has more of an impact? (Our initial thought was that gas was cleaner but I'm guessing that gas and oil come from the same base ingredient and I have no idea what is involved on the back end to turn it into gas.) Are there any other realistic alternatives? Cost - We're not wealthy. And the house needs a lot of additional work right away. Both the conversion/upgrade and the long term use need to be competitively priced. Convenience Ease of use - Is it relatively easy to maintain? When there is a problem, will people actually come to fix it? Any and all op
RE: [UC] Bush Victory
I'm not exactly sure how this all relates to west philly, but I suppose that the election is the most newsworthy topic of discussion for most people; all of the lists I subscribe to are temporarially election discussion lists. So here's my plea. Try not to blame the outcome of the election on moralists or religious whackos or whatever. I'm not sure that is where this discussion is going, but it sure did on other lists and so I'd like to try and prevent that here. I'm not a member of a political party because I don't see that either group represents my interests very well. I toss my tiny bit of support one way or another depending on the election. I am also a Christian, though I certainly don't identify with the conservative Christian ideology. The problem is, the Democrats can't seem to put a candidate on the ticket that I can wholehartedly support. Folks like me are tired of being told who we must vote for because of our faith when neither group really takes positions that we hold as important. There are lots of other progressive Christians out there, but they need to be courted and split away from the religious right. This would take a mighty chunk from the Republican base of support. I don't think the Democrats are going to do this though, because to court these people, they run the risk of turning off some of the more liberal elements of their support. So maybe someone out there has an idea how to organize the Religious Left to help counter the Religious Right or what that might look like. I truly feel for folks (in Ohio and elsewhere) who may have wanted to vote for John Kerry but couldn't quite do it because the national discussion of religious values was given up to the conservatives and nobody really talked about the flaws in the theology of just wars, the inconsistancy of being anti-abortion and pro-death pentalty, the invasion of foreign lands flying in the face of Christs' call to turn the other cheek, etcetera, etcetera. My $.02 for what it is worth. To read what someone who really knows how to write said about some of this, there is a statement put together by some theologeans at Fuller Seminary at: http://www.fullerseminary.net/sot/faculty/stassen/Resource_files/confessingc hrist.pdf -j. scott clinton -Original Message- From: Wilma de Soto [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Wednesday, November 03, 2004 10:50 AM To: Mark Krull; Jonathan Cass; UnivCity listserv Subject: Re: [UC] Bush Victory Yes, it certainly is. Moreover, the Heartland which decides the course of this country is the least likely place where a terrorist attack will occur. They are prone to attack major metropolitan areas large, financial districts or seats of national government; namely the Eastern Seaboard and West Coats which went heavily for Kerry. Anyway, he was duly elected and we have to respect that we live in a different country from The Heartland. Fortunately, we are exposed to many more things and have a larger point of view that they do not see. I went to college in Ohio and I know whereof I speak. On 11/3/04 9:48 AM, Mark Krull [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Its depressing really. It was values that led to this. -Original Message- From: Jonathan Cass [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Nov 3, 2004 9:09 AM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: [UC] Bush Victory The only silver lining I can see is that Bush is going have to deal with the mess that he created in Iraq and the next terrorist attack that will likely occur on his watch. I don't even want to think about what is going to happen with the Supreme Court. I think I am going to puke. Jonathan A. Cass -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Wednesday, November 03, 2004 1:02 AM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: [UC] Melinda E Salmon/Health/Phila is out of the office. I will be out of the office starting 11/02/2004 and will not return until 11/05/2004. I will reply to your email upon my return. Thanks. You are receiving this because you are subscribed to the list named UnivCity. To unsubscribe or for archive information, see http://www.purple.com/list.html. You are receiving this because you are subscribed to the list named UnivCity. To unsubscribe or for archive information, see http://www.purple.com/list.html. You are receiving this because you are subscribed to the list named UnivCity. To unsubscribe or for archive information, see http://www.purple.com/list.html. You are receiving this because you are subscribed to the list named UnivCity. To unsubscribe or for archive information, see http://www.purple.com/list.html. You are receiving this because you are subscribed to the list named UnivCity. To unsubscribe or for archive information, see http://www.purple.com/list.html.
[UC] Lupus Foundation Walk
Title: Message Dear friends and neighbors, In August our family lost a very dear friend to a disease known as Lupus. I don't know all the particulars about the condition but all of my memories of Nathan include his daily struggles with the disease that he knew would ultimately take his life. I'm telling all of you about this because my family is participating in the "Lupus Loop" on Haloween morning to honor the memory of our friend and to try and raise some funds to help folks who still struggle with the disease. If any of you on this list feel moved to sponsor us (even small amounts are desired!), please contact me privately to let me know. I can be reached off list at jscott (at) circleofhope (dot) net or you can call me at 726.7555. If not, then I'm sorry to have troubled you. http://www.lupus-sepa.org/loop04.html -j. scott clinton 48th Beaumont
RE: [UC] replacing storm windows-- triple-track
I don't have any specific reccomendations for you but that really isn't the hardest job; the real trick is getting a window that looks nice on your house and fits your windows. Because of the sizes of the windows on a lot of our homes, you may very well have to get custom windows. Installing the correctly sized storm windows isn't really much harder than turning a screw-driver and sealing around the edges of the window with some sort of caulk. A contractor has the same problems getting windows to fit your home but will charge you more for them (markup) and will, of course, want some money for his labor installing them. If you can do this job yourself, you will save labor costs and may be able to get the windows for a similar price, if not less. You may want to consider taking all or some of this money that you would save and investing in more expensive windows which may suit the character of your house better and will probably last longer. This, of course, is up to you, but windows drastically affect the look of a building. Check out the library; I'm sure that they have a straightforward home repair and improvement book that will cover this type of job in simple terms. Good luck! -j. scott clinton -Original Message- From: Sarah Scheckter [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Wednesday, October 20, 2004 9:57 AM To: Sarah Scheckter Cc: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: [UC] replacing storm windows-- triple-track hi, it's that time of year again--i'm looking for someone who can do a good job replacing old storm windows with 'triple-track' ones. has anyone had good experiences with a contractor who does this? thanks, sarah You are receiving this because you are subscribed to the list named UnivCity. To unsubscribe or for archive information, see http://www.purple.com/list.html. You are receiving this because you are subscribed to the list named UnivCity. To unsubscribe or for archive information, see http://www.purple.com/list.html.
RE: [UC] keeping the water out.
Title: Message I typed it wrong! try 267-252-3890. -Original Message-From: Dan Myers [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Monday, October 18, 2004 6:01 PMTo: Clinton, J. ScottSubject: Re: [UC] keeping the water out. great story, and we've been trying to get a hold of a roofer to do some gutter work for the last 3 weeks and haven't even got a curtousy call back...how rude. I tried calling the number you listed, but it says it's out of service. Is there another number you have so that I may a similar experience. Dan Myers215.901.0899Certified Massage Practitioner - Original Message - From: Clinton, J. Scott To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Monday, October 18, 2004 2:23 PM Subject: [UC] keeping the water out. In keeping with kyles story of his oven repair, I have a similar positive story to tell about my roofer. I had polled this list back in the spring looking for someone who would do a good job with my leaky roof over my bay window and was rewarded with several names. I chose to get the work done by Richard Marks who was very flexable and communicative and didn't try to sell me something that I didn't want. The price he quoted me was _way_ below some of the big roofing firms that I had out to look at the roof. He ripped up the 90lb roll-roofing that had been used to cover what may have been the original tin roof and replaced it, the gutters and the flashing with 16oz soldered copper. It looks great. Becauseof a process that engineers refer to as "dis-similar metal corrosion" and others refer to as"galvanic action" he had to electrically isolate thecopperrooffrom the decorative iron railing that is mounted to it; something that some of the other roofers I spoke with could not understand the need for. During his work he found that some previous owner of the house had poured pitch on the slates trying to seal some leak or other and that the slates had badly decomposed and many would have to be replaced. He couldn't replace the flashing that had corroded without breaking many of these slates. This caused the price to go up, but only by the cost to him of the materials involved. I was extremely happy as I love having a slate roof, not only for asthetics, (fire insurance discount!), and am always sad to see somebody replacing their slate with some other material. If you have a slate roof and are considering abandoning it because of the astronomical costs of hiring one of the "historic roof specialists" in the area, try giving Richard a call. (267-292-3890). I now have a roof that, baring a severe impact by something heavy, should outlast my children. J. Scott Clinton Mechanical Engineer MSSC Company 1200 East Mermaid Lane Wyndmoor, PA 19038 (v) 215.242.7212 (f) 215.233.9768 [EMAIL PROTECTED]
[UC] keeping the water out.
Title: Message In keeping with kyles story of his oven repair, I have a similar positive story to tell about my roofer. I had polled this list back in the spring looking for someone who would do a good job with my leaky roof over my bay window and was rewarded with several names. I chose to get the work done by Richard Marks who was very flexable and communicative and didn't try to sell me something that I didn't want. The price he quoted me was _way_ below some of the big roofing firms that I had out to look at the roof. He ripped up the 90lb roll-roofing that had been used to cover what may have been the original tin roof and replaced it, the gutters and the flashing with 16oz soldered copper. It looks great. Becauseof a process that engineers refer to as "dis-similar metal corrosion" and others refer to as"galvanic action" he had to electrically isolate thecopperrooffrom the decorative iron railing that is mounted to it; something that some of the other roofers I spoke with could not understand the need for. During his work he found that some previous owner of the house had poured pitch on the slates trying to seal some leak or other and that the slates had badly decomposed and many would have to be replaced. He couldn't replace the flashing that had corroded without breaking many of these slates. This caused the price to go up, but only by the cost to him of the materials involved. I was extremely happy as I love having a slate roof, not only for asthetics, (fire insurance discount!), and am always sad to see somebody replacing their slate with some other material. If you have a slate roof and are considering abandoning it because of the astronomical costs of hiring one of the "historic roof specialists" in the area, try giving Richard a call. (267-292-3890). I now have a roof that, baring a severe impact by something heavy, should outlast my children. J. Scott Clinton Mechanical Engineer MSSC Company 1200 East Mermaid Lane Wyndmoor, PA 19038 (v) 215.242.7212 (f) 215.233.9768 [EMAIL PROTECTED]
RE: [UC] Re: Trolley service
They are indeed destined for the rt15. The cars were supposed to be running already but because of some confusion with the track to and from their depot at 59th and Callowhill, they are sitting idle. The short reason that SEPTA spent something like $2mil/vehicle and they are now sitting idle is that there is not enough room on 59th street for 2 way traffic, a parking lane and the trolleys. Who is at fault can vary by who you ask. SEPTA informed the city that 59th street would have to be one way shortly before the service was to begin in June. The neighbors have various complaints about living near Callowhill depot and feel that since 59th street has always been a 2 way street, there should be another way of allowing the trolleys to access the depot. They also contend that SEPTAs community relation person for this project never mentioned that they would have to deal with their street being made one way. SEPTA is fine doing nothing. Nobody ever holds them accountable anyway. So the upshot is that Saturday is the first time that the rebuilt old cars ran with passengers, even if they weren't paying passengers. Now I have a question for folks that rode the trolleys; what did you think? Which trolleys do you like better, the rebuilt 1947 ones, or the big, white japanese cars that we are all used to? My oppinion? I like the look of the green cars on the outside better; the white always looks dirty and the modern trolleys have all the grace of a cinderblock. Once inside the trolley, however, I think I liked the modern ones. The windows are much larger (giving a nice view of the neighborhood) and they seemed bigger to me. On the other hand, the renovated cars had the old-school interior lights that were pretty classy. As a point of interest, SEPTA has an option they can exercise to rebuild 8 more trolleys like this. I'd love to see this, especially if they were to run the streetcar loop that I read about on the UCHS website. (http://www.uchs.net/Streetcars/trolleyloop.html) -j. scott clinton -Original Message- From: Andrew Diller [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Monday, October 18, 2004 3:54 PM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Cc: [EMAIL PROTECTED]; [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: [UC] Re: Trolley service I think they are all destined for Girard ave, which is sad. I wish they would run here in west philly. http://www.phillytrolley.org/girardavenue.html -andy diller On Oct 18, 2004, at 3:32 PM, Hispanic Review wrote: Dear Neighbors, My question is, what was it the likelihood that we may be able to ride these cars again in the future? Does anyone on the list have any information on the renovated trolley cars and their future? You are receiving this because you are subscribed to the list named UnivCity. To unsubscribe or for archive information, see http://www.purple.com/list.html. You are receiving this because you are subscribed to the list named UnivCity. To unsubscribe or for archive information, see http://www.purple.com/list.html.
[UC] RE: SPAM SPAM -- re: [uc] re: [uc] university city presents trol ley day, where 1938 meets today on the tracks
When SEPTA replaced the PCC cars, many of them were sold around the world, most notably to San Francisco. Their success is what prompted SEPTA to spend money to referb the remaining PCC cars in their fleet instead of just letting them continue to rust. Actually, it wasn't the success of the trolleys in SanFran that got SEPTA to rebuild the 15 and the PCCs, it was pressure from the city, and I believe Mayor Rendells threat to re-evaluate (read reduce) the subsidy that the city pays SEPTA if SEPTA didn't follow through with their promise to return trolleys to at least one of the three temporary suspended lines (15, 23 56). I do hope that everyone in the neighborhood who can comes out to ride the trolleys. If a regular circulator ran through the neighborhood linking us with Powelton and the stores along Walnut street, and the fare on the circulator could be kept below a dollar, I believe that ridership would be off the charts. Of course, someone has to figure out how to pay for such a service. UCHS has a link for a proposal (http://www.uchs.net/Streetcars/trolleyloop.html) that was made some years ago now for a west philadelphia circulator that would require very little new track but has, of course, gone nowhere because of a lack of dollars. It would be nice to see some of the larger stakeholders in the neighborhood would collectively put up some dollars to fund something like this on a regular basis. 40th market is becoming quite a zoo trafficwise and it would be nice to have regular, inexpensive transportation that could whisk one away from that mess back to the more residential areas. Portland, OR has an area that they call the Fareless square (a big square area on the map) where there are no fares charged at all. The idea is to circulate people through the CBD and discourage car use. It works very well and people use public transport more. Those people pay fares when traveling farther out and become regular transit riders. We need a similar system here in Philadelpia. Since we're apparently the smart side of the city now, why can't we have some smart transportation? How many of us would ride a trolley from, say, 50th B-more to 40th Walnut if it only cost $.50? How many would ride if it cost a token ($1.30) or full SEPTA fare ($2)? Quite honestly, I don't think a ride that short is worth $2 and I'm a big public transportation supporter! -j. scott clinton You are receiving this because you are subscribed to the list named UnivCity. To unsubscribe or for archive information, see http://www.purple.com/list.html.
[UC] RE: SPAM SPAM -- [uc] re: medallion signature guarantee
A medallion signature guarantee is something that was developed to make some money for someone. It is essentially the same thing as a notary, only different. I've had to obtain one to transfer securities various times. Fleet bank (now bank of america) tends to have a person who can provide this service and it is free if you keep money in their bank. It is wise to call around and make sure that branch actually has such a person and that they will be in on the day that you want to get the medallion 'cause they sometimes work at different branches on different days. -jsc -Original Message- From: William H. Magill [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Saturday, September 18, 2004 5:01 PM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Cc: [EMAIL PROTECTED]; [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: SPAM SPAM -- [uc] re: medallion signature guarantee On 17 Sep, 2004, at 16:25, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Does anyone know a local financial institution that provides this service? Ok, I give up. That's a term I've never heard before ... What is a Medallion signature guarantee? Are you talking about a Notarized signature, or are you talking about the kind of guarantee required for a financial (Securities) transaction? If you are talking about the former, then there are Notaries all over the place. (40th and Chestnut NW corner comes immediately to mind.) If you are talking about the latter, you need to be a customer of that institution. To the best of my knowledge, no financial institution will provide a signature guarantee to anyone simply walking in off the street ... especially is there is any amount in excess of $1,000 involved -- there are all kinds of Federal reporting requirements now in effect for any kind of cash financial transaction. T.T.F.N. William H. Magill [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] You are receiving this because you are subscribed to the list named UnivCity. To unsubscribe or for archive information, see http://www.purple.com/list.html. You are receiving this because you are subscribed to the list named UnivCity. To unsubscribe or for archive information, see http://www.purple.com/list.html.
RE: [UC] SEPTA
Hmmm. I heard SEPTA was Screwing Everyone in Philadelphia Time Again. Philadelphia has a weird relationship with its public transportation provider which is a semi-governmental agency that is accountable to nobody. The board of directors is nominated by the counties, the state house majority and minoritiy leaders, the state senate majority and minority leaders and finally the governor and so even in the most favorable of times (like now with Rendell in Hbrg) the city has a minority say in the operation of SEPTA even though in excess of 80% of the ridership is in the city. Here's the formula: 2 - Philadelphia 8 - surrounding counties 5 - State. Philadelphia does get veto power, however. They haven't used it much. Perhaps they ought to more, but generally service is cut back which hurts us in the city more than our suburban neighbors because the city relies on it more. SEPTA is funded by a combination of federal, state and local subsidies as well as whatever farebox revenue they generate. The state revenue really ought to be part of the gasoline tax but there is a constitutional amendment preventing this. Amazing, that. So the state has cobbled together all sorts of other revenue streams to direct at public transportation (not just SEPTA, there are many organizations all over PA) which has its own formula. SEPTA gets the biggest piece of this pie, with Pittsburg second and several regional transit authorities getting equal shares further down the scale. This share has shrunk over the years because some of the sources of funding didn't work out. An example was a surcharge on electricity that shrank after de-regulation. The federal share is the next biggest chunk, I think. That has remained unchanged for years even though the cost of providing transportation has risen. The current leadership in DC are not interested in funding mass transit. That is why Amtrak is about to go belly up, even with its ridership at its all-time high. Next comes the share that our fair city puts in. Rendell threatened to cut the city share in '97 when SEPTA was raising the fares unless they restored one of the three suspended trolley routes that were discontinued in 1992. The restoration of the rt 15 was the result of this. The city also owns the Broad Street Subway, the trains on the BSS, trackless trolley routes 75 and 66 (in the northeast) and, I believe, the Frankford El side of the Market-Frankford line. The city also is the owner of some percentage of the regional rail cars, though those trains are pretty old now and may have been completely depreciated. Then the counties have to put up some dollars. Combined, their total may equal more than the city, but I don't think so. They aren't really well set up for efficent mass transportation anyway. There's plenty of squabling amongst the counties, too as they compete for some of the transportation pie. Finally there is farebox revenue. This used to be a wild card because as SEPTA raised fares, fewer people would ride. Now SEPTA has cut away almost all of their discresionary ridership and so what is left are the carless. Generally these folks are poor and they don't vote regularly so their wants and needs are constantly washed aside. It does make guessing SEPTAs revenue easier, however, because most of the folks who are left will stick with it simply because they have no good alternatives. Nobody really holds management at SEPTA responsible for much of anything and so things just kind of keep on keeping on. To their credit, they have managed to squeeze operating dollars out fairly well but have screwed up pretty big on several capital investment projects as well as planning things like a rail line to Reading. The labor side isn't blameless, either with some well publicized stories such as the worker who rigged up a device in the Powelton train yard that would wake him if anyone approached so that he could get some Zzzs on the job. Public transportation isn't really that sexy. Nobody really wants to talk about it and nobody really wants to think about it. You aren't going to get the bright young management types eager to join up some kind of mess like that because they can get paid more and appreciated more at any private firm in the world. The city, however, relies on public transit. Imagine if SEPTA really did shut down! Everyone in the city would buy a car, and there isn't that much room for them all. All the arguments on this list about who parks where would seem like a plesant dream if there were four times the number of cars out on the road! John Street was quoted in the inquirer as saying I don't think Philadelphia gets a good return on its investment when refering to the subsidy that it gives SEPTA. That was one of the most impressive things I've heard from him since the election. I'm starting to think that Philadelphia needs to secede from SEPTA and run the service the way it sees fit. We would still have the largest transportation
[UC] RE: [uc] rethinking outdoor security lighting people
'back in the day' when I lived at 46th near Spruce, I would often get off the El at 46th at night. I never thought twice about it until one day I noticed as I was cutting across the parking lot on Farragut north of Chestnut that there was a man following me and catching up rather quickly. I quickened my pace and changed direction, towards the Texaco just below Chestnut. He matched my actions. I'm not used to anybody trying things with me. I'm 6'3 and ~230# which gives me a different perspective on sketchy areas than someone who was say 5'1 and 100#. So anyway, I darted across a mostly empty Chestnut street (it was 'round about midnight this fine winter evening) and walked into the Texaco store with the mystey follower after me. He looked very surprised and uncertain as he tried to decide whether to follow me into the store or not. Eventually he turned away from the door and I was running out the door on the other side and sprinting for 46th street and home. I felt a lot more comfortable when I reached Walnut street which isn't really much lighter but certainly has more of a chance of people being out and about throwing garbage onto Kyles lawn or cursing at each other near the Watusi Pub. I believe Jane Jacobs refers to this as eyes on the street. Anyway, I started to take the 21 bus at night after that experience. It was a little slower, but I felt a lot more comfortable getting off on 46th and Walnut instead of 46th and Market. The amount of light was never an issue for me; I was more interested in having as many fellow citizens around me as possible. I now live near 48th and Baltimore. It is dark and residential but there are people wondering around and I have never felt even a little nervous there. I know people are breaking into cars right around the corner but most of the time there are folks coming out of bars or perhaps even going to some event at Calvary that doesn't make me worry about my personal well-being. Just my $.02. -scott Well, as I said in the post that the problem I have personally w/the Farragut Street El stop is multifactorial, and stems mainly from the fact that the area is A) desolate, meaning there aren't many stores open at night and no restaurants or anything like that and B) that it is poorly lit. I personally have very, very poor night vision (as a result of having very poor regular vision---in ophthalmologic circles it is called high myopia), so yes, I have to say that I personally like to have light. And yes, if there were nice businesses that kept a fairly good clientele into the evening, I might feel differently. But what to businesses like that usually bring with them? Light. From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] CC: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: [UC] Rethinking Outdoor Security Lighting People Date: Fri, 10 Sep 2004 15:37:25 EDT In a message dated 9/10/2004 10:00:47 AM Eastern Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: walking*? ...For this reason, I will not take the El to 46th Street alone if it's late and dark, because the area around there is very, VERY poorly lit. The desolation (lack of open stores, etc) contributes, but the main problem for me is the lighting. If there was a greater level of civil night life or the knowledge there was no drinkin, druggin, gamblin, n sex, how much more comfortable/confident would you be alone? Thanks, Craig _ FREE pop-up blocking with the new MSN Toolbar - get it now! http://toolbar.msn.click-url.com/go/onm00200415ave/direct/01/ You are receiving this because you are subscribed to the list named UnivCity. To unsubscribe or for archive information, see http://www.purple.com/list.html. You are receiving this because you are subscribed to the list named UnivCity. To unsubscribe or for archive information, see http://www.purple.com/list.html.
[UC] roofing
Title: Message Yesterdays rains found the weakest part of our roof and began leaking into our home. Does anyone on this list have a good recomendation for a roofer who can lay a flat-seamed copper roof on a bay window flat roof? I had previously talked with Russel Roofing who came out and looked at things, but they seem to be uninterested in doing any roofing on my house as evidanced by their refusal to send me a quote or return any of my calls. Thanks in advance! J. Scott Clinton Mechanical Engineer MSSC Company 1200 East Mermaid Lane Wyndmoor, PA 19038 (v) 215.242.7212 (f) 215.233.9768 [EMAIL PROTECTED]
[UC] Christmas Trees
So we're going to get a Chrstmas tree this year. A real one, that is. I never really bothered before, but last year while in exile in center city, my wife and I walked down to the neighborhood church where the boy scouts were selling trees and bought one. Is there a place in our new neighborhood that sells trees and wreaths and whatnot like that? You are receiving this because you are subscribed to the list named UnivCity. To unsubscribe or for archive information, see http://www.purple.com/list.html.
