[UC] My apologies to the list
My apologies to the list. I did not intend to feed the trolls, but their incessant, idiotic, incoherent ramblings and constant reiteration of the Party Line, tend to grossly offend any thinking person. Therefore, goodbye. William H. Magill Block Captain 4400 Chestnut Street 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] Local crime report, double shooting
On Sep 21, 2011, at 9:07 PM, Wilma de Soto wrote: I hate to admit this, but when I was pre school kid and early student in the 60's, at City Line Ave. and Monument Rd. there was NOTHING there except WCAU Channel 10 TV station and farms and wood. Impossible to imagine, even for ME and I do remember that although it's kind of a hazy memory.ll That's how WCAU was able to produce Action in the Afternoon … a western, set in a frontier montana town ... from its back lot, circa 1953s, only occasionally interrupted by the sounds of traffic. http://www.broadcastpioneers.com/action1.html As a kid growing up, the far Northeast was unsettled territory. My Aunt and Uncle built a house in 1949 on the street behind the Methodist Church in Bustleton… surrounded on three sides by a cornfield! The Northeast pretty much ended at Oxford Circle in those days. William H. Magill Block Captain 4400 Chestnut Street 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] Local crime report, double shooting
On Sep 21, 2011, at 11:49 AM, Glenn wrote: Why do they always get these neighborhoods mixed up? 48th/ Spruce and 47th/ Springfield are the university city district, not west or southwest philly? Every time I read marketing propaganda and extreme bullshit about paradise, these same locations are called the university city district. It seems really strange for journalists to keep making these same stupid mistakes! As you correctly point out… University City does not exist… it is strictly a marketing ploy. The area is called, on all City maps, West Philadelphia, so nobody is getting the neighborhoods mixed up. William H. Magill Block Captain 4400 Chestnut Street 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] Differing reports about Incident
On Sep 15, 2011, at 10:40 PM, Glenn wrote: It is responsible for police to reserve comment about any details, identities or investigation. But the public has a right to know, if there was an official report made about acts of violence or not. The basic report of an alleged crime makes no difference if the Lt. was on the scene, and the initial 2 day old report is not a classified secret. Information is either confidential/unconfirmed or it is not, no matter who is on the scene. Glenn, You would be the first to scream bloody murder that someone's due process rights were being violated if the police released ANY information. And you would scream all the louder if all they did was read the incident report, and the Incident Report stated that a specific type individual was the reported perp. Police reticence is not only responsible but required by law. That the police talk about an incident AT ALL is something which skirts very close to making the crime and the perpetrator un-prosecutable. And this is only compounded by the Philly-'tude …. don't snitch. Should this case go to a jury trial, anyone who is a member of this listserve would be tainted by the discussions which have taken place here, and likely be judged unfit to serve. It matters not how self righteous you feel or sound-off about the public's right to know, the fact is that the legal system has its own rules which you must obey or suffer the consequences. The consequences in this case being that the Perp is released back on the street free to do whatever again. William H. Magill Block Captain 4400 Chestnut Street 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] news flash
On Sep 12, 2011, at 7:32 PM, Richard Conrad wrote: There is much need and plenty of room for a lot near there - and also even though the restaurants are large and the parking limited, they are usually almost full... not far from public transports, large mosque - nor the Supremo market either. On Sep 12, 2011, at 6:00 PM, krf...@aol.com wrote: You know those stores some people who didn't know what they were doing built on spec on the northwest corner of 45th Walnut? The ones that nobody ever rented -- and that actually aren't really finished on the inside? A For Sale sign just went up where there used to be a for lease sign. I feel bad for the people who put in their money (and their hopes) and will probably take a bath on the sale ... if someone comes along and buys the property during their lifetimes. But, from my albeit limited involvement with this sort of thing, I believe they would have done poorly even if the bottom didn't drop out of the economy in 2008. No parking, for example, would make the businesses dependent largely on walk-ins. - Alan Krigman KRF Management, ICON/Information Concepts Inc 211 S 45th St, Philadelphia PA 19104-2918 215-349-6500, fax 215-349-6502 krf...@aol.com or al.krig...@krf.icodat.com The good news is … the builder remediated (removed) about 6 feet of earth and vented the old tanks…. so theoretically, the site can now be sold without EPA issues. The folks at the Mosque across the street had tried to buy the old vacant lot for years, but the then owner wanted far too much money for the property BEFORE any remediation costs. Guess we'll just have to wait and see what happens next. William H. Magill Block Captain 4400 Chestnut Street mag...@mcgillsociety.org whmag...@gmail.com 4428 Chestnut Street Philadelphia, PA 19104-2914 (267-402-0529) 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] Another reason I dislike the parklet
On Aug 15, 2011, at 10:18 PM, Glenn wrote: The comparison to Europe doesn't ring true either. Outdoor seating is very popular but not at car traffic intersections. I felt bad for the Baltimore Ave businesses when it was revealed that they had such trouble putting a few tables on sidewalks in front of their businesses. European cities allow cafes to put out seating in pedestrian areas or plazas, but I've never seen parklet cafes in high car traffic areas. I think sidewalk seating would be popular here, but I think you need to be highly connected and have a business catering to good people. I can't comment on European sidewalk cafes since the UK doesn't really have any, and that's as far east as I've gotten…. But, speaking of east if you want to see the impact of sidewalk cafes on the Pedestrian Experience, just visit the eastern side of Rittenhouse Square. The last time I was down there, Pedestrians are forced to either walk on t he opposite side of the street or IN the street, as the diners block the entire sidewalk. So much for sidewalk seating being for a Positive Pedestrian Experience -- positive only if you want to sit and spend money, extremely negative if you simply want to walk. And heaven help you if you want to walk side-by-side with a friend! I would have no problem with the clubs along 18th street putting seating IN Rittenhouse Square -- -but then their servers would have severe problems dodging cars while crossing back and forth across 18th street. Starr would have to pay them hazardous duty pay :). (And I'm assuming that the Friends of Rittenhouse Square who pay for the Square's maintenance, would be willing to allow such a use… even if they charged Starr, et.al. a maintenance fee for using the space. (Yeah, I know the Friends tried to commercialize the Square a couple of years back.) But that is the entire problem, isn't it…. Cars Vs. Pedestrians Vs. Tables Vs. free movement Vs. being able to sit in a public space and smoke a cigar and generate lots of clouds of blue smoke. William H. Magill Block Captain 4400 Chestnut Street 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] Parking Spaces @ 43rd Baltimore
On Aug 11, 2011, at 7:09 PM, UNIVERSITY*CITOYEN wrote: Brian Siano wrote: Pretty much the definition of silly. here's what sounds silly: the premise and the experiment. the premise that west philly is so teeming with people that we need parklets to provide the public with extra tables and chairs in the street so that they can enjoy the sun and shade -- AND that west philly is so teeming with people that we could do with less parking spots for their cars (or cars that were once so important to provide thru philly car share). the experiment that captures parking spaces and converts them into public places for sitting at tables and chairs -- right next to a big public park. One thing which I found fascinating …. Unless as part of PhillyCarShare's continuing collapse had already removed them… The parking space(s) removed were a turning lane and a PhillyCarShare Pod. This whole parklet thing is yet another imported California Idea. What the importers fail to realize is that California streets are typically 6 to 8 WIDE lanes wide, while Philadelaphia streets, are, like 43rd or Baltimore, only 4 NARROW lanes wide (two traffic lanes and two parking lanes.) Similarly, California does not have a parking problem as exists here in Philadelphia -- it has a too many cars on the road problem. Of course, the MOST interesting thing is … who bears the liability (i.e. pays the medical bills of) the folks sitting in the parklet when a car slams into it. The whole construction is portable meaning that it is flimsy, and while the first season of installation is likely to be sound, once it is disassembled in October, and re-assembled next spring, it is likely to be missing parts and not quite correctly assembled. One finds it difficult to believe that anyone in West Philadelphia could possibly find it responsible thinking to intentionally remove parking places…. even WITHOUT the suburban student parking issue! William H. Magill Block Captain 4400 Chestnut Street 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] City Taxes terminate PhillyCarShare
On Aug 9, 2011, at 1:29 PM, Lewis Mellman wrote: I wonder how long it will take before the City decides to increase the charge for owning parking spaces now that these pod locations are owned by a for-profit company. -Lewis They started doing it before Enterprise took over … that's why PhillyCarShare went belly-up! If anyone needs a text-book example of how increasing taxes cause the end of Small Businesses all they need to do is read the article in today's Inquirer about the end of Phila Car Share. While their letter to their member was polite and did not mention the problem… the Inquirer article clearly explains WHY PhillyCarShare sold themselves to Enterprise Systems (Enterprise, Alamo and National Car rentals) today. http://www.philly.com/philly/business/127284193.html $ 2.7 million in back taxes. We had a Green, Non-Profit attempting to entice folks from owning Cars in the City being hit by a June 2010 Court Decision declaring that car-sharing is no different from car-renting and therefore Philadelphia's $2.00 Car Rental tax is owed for the past two years of transactions…. $2.7 million worth. … and City Council claimed that the tax would only effect tourists, folks that were briefly visiting the city… it would not be a tax on residents. Enterprise claims they will continue the car-sharing model here in Philadelphia… but I doubt that they will continue to charge only roughly $4.50 per hour as the non-profit did… after all, costs MUST rise $2.00 to simply cover the Car Rental Tax. In case you were not a member ... PhillyCarShare's mission was to maximize the economic, environmental and social benefits of reduced automobile dependence in the Philadelphia region through community-based car sharing. William H. Magill Block Captain 4400 Chestnut Street 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] The end of Philly Car Share as a non-profit.
On Aug 9, 2011, at 1:23 PM, maru ca wrote: On Aug 9, 2011, at 11:52 AM, William H. Magill wrote: In any event, it is good to see that Private Enterprise has decided to support the shared vehicle model and be a tax paying, instead of tax consuming entity. Now this piques the curiosity. In what way was PCS a tax consuming entity? They get/got all of the benefits of city services (whichever they were) without paying for them … Police, Fire, Trash… Virtually all Non-Profits consume tax dollars because they depend upon City Services. Consequently the Tax Payers of the City get hit twice by them… Entities, like the University of Pennsylvania, who have their own Police and Trash services, relying on the city only for Fire services are a different issue. They don't consume tax-paid services to the same extent, but do exempt massive chunks of property from Real Estate Taxes. (That I know of, both Penn and Temple have sworn Police Departments, i.e. they have full arrest powers. I don't know the status of Drexel's force currently.) There are undoubtedly a few non-profits who do pay taxes, (and I realize that non-profit and tax-exempt are not the same thing, but the sets overlap a huge amount), but they are usually viewed by everyone but the Taxman as the same thing, and act as if they are exempt. … which is apparently how PhillyCarShare got into the predicament it wound up in. T.T.F.N. William H. Magill mag...@mcgillsociety.org mag...@me.com whmag...@gmail.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] UC, W. Philly, Art Deco, Movies, Liz Lemon
On Jul 17, 2011, at 11:23 AM, Richard Conrad wrote: WAS there a moving picture studio near the Hot dog place @ ~~~Washington Grays Ferry? Not that I'm aware of. But I was surprised in tracking down Lubin, to discover that his Studio was all the way out in Valley Forge. I could have sworn it was in Manuta ... especially since all of the various Phila promotion folks keep referring to it as in Philadelphia. I suppose I'll have to contact Sharon Pinkenson directly and see if she knows the facts. She heads up the Phila Film Office, that books movie companies into the city. 'Liz Lemon' on 40 Rock is portrayed as sweet but/home-oriented and soured by circumstances such as by her employees shenanigans...??? rc The only time I watched 30 Rock was when Sara Palin was on... or at least I think it was Sara Palin :) T.T.F.N. William H. Magill mag...@mcgillsociety.org mag...@me.com whmag...@gmail.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] UC, W. Philly, Art Deco, Movies, Liz Lemon
On Jul 15, 2011, at 9:36 AM, Richard Moreau wrote: Hey Liz (Campion, not Spikol), I'm curious about your statements, The Art Deco movement may have started here, moved to Paris and then back to New York. Movies were made here before Hollywood. If you have the chance I'd be interested, as a bit of a history buff, in hearing more details. Any remaining examples of architectural or other forms of early or budding Art Deco in the area. I do remember seeing a photo of a beautiful Art Deco, I think, gas station that used to be on the SW corner of 40th Walnut. And when you say movies were made here before Hollywood, do you mean UC / W. Phila or Phila more generally? (I knew the latter but not of any specificity to UC / W. Phila.) And who is Liz Lemon? (I don't even know if I should be embarrassed not knowing who she is after living in Philly, mostly UC, since 1982, though her name is familiar.) Is she any relation to CNN's Don Lemon, who previously worked for one of the local stations (Fox?)? Thanks in advance for any time you might have to respond with more info. (On- or off-list.) Siegmund Lubin is credited with being the FIRST movie mogul. The Betzwood Motion Picture Studio was in operation between the years 1912 and 1923 after 1917 owned and operated by Wolf Brothers, Inc. of Philadelphia , the 350 acre studio saw the production of over one hundred films The Betzwood Motion Picture Studio bordered Valley Forge Park near Audubon. Few people know that several stone buildings near the Betzwood Bridge are remnants of a once active silent movie studio. http://faculty.mc3.edu/jeckhard/lubin.htm http://rememberwhenvirtualmuseum.blogspot.com/2009/07/early-movie-studio-on-pbs.html http://explorepahistory.com/hmarker.php?markerId=1-A-260 And as far as I know, Philadelphia's Art Deco stuff is all from the late 20s and early 30s about 5 years after the movement officially began in Paris. As for Liz Lemon -- I never heard of her either. (But then I don't watch much TV.) William H. Magill Block Captain 4400 Chestnut Street mag...@mcgillsociety.org whmag...@gmail.com 4428 Chestnut Street Philadelphia, PA 19104-2914 (267-402-0529) 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] Community service project: basement clean-out needs a place to dump trash
On Jul 8, 2011, at 9:26 PM, Patty Bulack wrote: Hello All, A teacher at School of the Future and I are organizing a community service project for a neighbor to the school. She needs her basement cleaned out next week, and we are wondering where the trash can be dumped. We are also in need of a donated truck for this job, but really need to know where the trash can be taken to. Does anyone know? The trash can be taken to one of the CIty sites ... Off hand I do not know the requirements or restrictions or what the tipping-fee is these days. One reference is here: http://www.philadelphiastreets.com/san-convenience-centers.aspx Note especially, however: No commercial vehicles (ie, pick up truck) will be allowed to enter. ALL TRUCKS are commercial vehicles, despite the fact that they may not be legally licensed and bearing commercial vehicle license plates. And yes, that means they are not legally allowed in places like the River Drives or Fairmount Park. It is part of the Law that is not well enforced. 63rd and Passyunk is the closest. William H. Magill Block Captain 4400 Chestnut Street mag...@mcgillsociety.org whmag...@gmail.com 4428 Chestnut Street Philadelphia, PA 19104-2914 (267-402-0529) 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] Oriental Rug cleaning
On Jun 28, 2011, at 8:31 AM, Cindy Miller wrote: Is there any place nearby here to send out Oriental rugs to be cleaned? Thanks! (Feel free just to post to the list, That way the answer'll get archived) The closest (and maybe the only one left in Phila) is Zakian Bros. They are located out across from the Mann Miusic Center on Parkside Ave. They have both pick-up and carry-in service. I have used them for my 10x12s since the folks at 42nd and Chestnut Street (where I got my orientals) retired a number of years ago. http://www.zakianrugs.com/ William H. Magill Block Captain 4400 Chestnut Street mag...@mcgillsociety.org whmag...@gmail.com 4428 Chestnut Street Philadelphia, PA 19104-2914 (267-402-0529) 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] question for Philadelphia residents
On May 8, 2011, at 11:41 PM, Theresa wrote: A friend of mine from out of state asked me how the City of Philadelphia knows what ‘interest” and “dividend” income one earns? I am referring to the Philadelphia School Income Tax which is described below: This is from the Philadelphia Revenue Website: Philadelphia School Income Tax The School District of Philadelphia imposes a tax on various classes of unearned income which are not subject to Philadelphia Business Privilege Tax or Wage Tax. Some examples of unearned taxable income include interest, dividends and certain rents and royalties. All residents of the Philadelphia School District who receive this type of income must pay the tax. If you are a Philadelphia resident for a portion of the year, the amounts are pro-rated for your period of residency. Interest received from bonds or debt obligations of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania or its political subdivisions or direct obligations of the Federal Government is exempt from the tax. Likewise, interest earned on savings and checking accounts is exempt. 3.9280% on unearned income for 2010 In theory --- The City, like the State, exchange Tax information (1099s and returns) with the IRS. (or rather the IRS exchanges it with them). (The IRS does this with any political jurisdiction.) And one would assume that the State and City exchange information as well. However, I doubt that the City (knowing the state of it's computer technology) is capable of matching that information. Much of the Revenue Department's website information on the School Income tax has not been updated since 2003. T.T.F.N. William H. Magill mag...@mcgillsociety.org mag...@me.com whmag...@gmail.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] unsubscribe UnivCity
On May 5, 2011, at 8:00 AM, Glenn wrote: On 5/5/2011 12:40 AM, Richard Conrad wrote: P.S. I may be wrong but as I had read the rules for unsubscribing, you and some others did not actually do so... again, maybe I'm wrong and it may not be all that significant a point... but unsubscribe should be in the body and the email addressed to majordomo. Please let me know if I am correct, or not, about this. Thank You. Rick, This public unsubscribe started back with the catchment district fight for the Penn school. The catchment district was designed to closely resemble the SHCA historic district boundaries. Our so called community leaders didn't have time dealing with the deranged neighbors or civic associations outside of that boundary. They were too busy in back rooms! So they made a big deal of ignoring discussions on this public list. 1- The public unsubscribe is usually done by people who have little Computer experience and, quite literally, have no idea how to unsubscribe 2- The catchment district: was gerrymandered by Councilwoman Blackwell's Office. The original district proposed by the Philadelphia School District was, in fact rectangular and based on population density. It was considerably smaller than the proposed historic district. The final district was warped into a very strange shape, making previously stable neighborhoods into rapidly gentrified ones as housing prices skyrocketed on homes within the catchment. ... and covers even less of the still only proposed Historic District. The creation of the Catchment area was a purely political process, orchestrated by our ELECTED political leaders, not community leaders. 3- the public unsubscribe from the purple list began long before the Penn Alexander School was proposed. In fact, most of the exodus occurred in the debate over the Historic District some 20+ years ago. T.T.F.N. William H. Magill mag...@mcgillsociety.org mag...@me.com whmag...@gmail.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] Facts on the Clark Pk restoration
On May 5, 2011, at 12:08 PM, Richard Conrad wrote: Good responses here Glenn. Perhaps the reason they did not let my email through yet is the inclusion there of this list's subscription info. Even Linda Lee did not (dare?) mention it before when I asked, I had to google it and then hunt it down like a detective... Clark Park now looks like a lot like Tony West, about the same, but with a fancy tie and well-pressed suit. It is all so much like the debacle that occurred involving the Swim Club... where they said we need to redesign the club because the City said we need a H/C ramp in front. Then they spend tons of unneeded $ rebuilding, we lost use of it (but not the cost of it for more than a year) and they don't even put in the H/C ramp which my mother could now really use. Rick Conrad I must say, this is the first I've heard that the reason for rebuilding the UC Swim Club was the need for a H/C ramp, which in-fact was included and is used regularly by several members. The re-design was because the pool had, quite literally, reached its life expectancy and was falling apart. The cost of repairs was projected as expensive and would not be guaranteed for more than three years. The fiasco of the extended closing was because, like virtually all contractors, the contractor selected had several other much more lucrative contracts to complete at the same time -- two of which had serious political muscle behind them -- and successfully predicted that the UC SwimClub would/could not prosecute them for non-compliance, whereas the other contracts (with municipal governments) could have and would have gotten them black-listed. The lawsuit was quite ugly. And was still not settled when I dropped membership in the Swim Club. The sad part of this issue is the fact that less than 50% of the Members (families) of the Swim Club participated in ANY of the debates or votes on the issue. In the several years I was Swim Club Secretary (surrounding the renovation) we NEVER had a 50% turn out for any membership meeting or vote. Yes, those who did participate were vocal, and the discussions quite animated, but the majority of the members present at the various meetings still approved the proposed changes. T.T.F.N. William H. Magill mag...@mcgillsociety.org mag...@me.com whmag...@gmail.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] Shoes
On May 5, 2011, at 1:12 PM, Richard Conrad wrote: Does anybody know: Where is a nearby place for a really good shoe shine, or even better shoe repair/care? There is, or at least was, one on 40th South of Chestnut on the east side, next to the sushi place. T.T.F.N. William H. Magill mag...@mcgillsociety.org mag...@me.com whmag...@gmail.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] post hole digger
On May 1, 2011, at 10:45 AM, Lewis Mellman wrote: Does anyone have a post hole digger that I can borrow for a few days? --- The West Philly Tool Library has several: http://www.westphillytools.org/tools?title=post+holetid=All William H. Magill Block Captain 4400 Chestnut Street mag...@mcgillsociety.org whmag...@gmail.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.
[UC] A quote from Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr.
The mind of the bigot is like the pupil of the eye: the more light you shine on it, the more it will contract. Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. (1841-1935) Supreme Court Justice 1902 to 1932 William H. Magill Block Captain 4400 Chestnut Street mag...@mcgillsociety.org whmag...@gmail.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] Clark Park Secrecy, 01-11
On Apr 28, 2011, at 8:04 PM, Glenn wrote: Also, can you respond in a few short sentences? I just want to know of one example of someone being excluded from the park. No, I will not answer your silly question. There is overwhelming evidence that park stakeholders were barred from the planning committees over the past 10 years. Your question suggests a possible reading comprehension problem. As in the past, I'd be happy to answer any serious questions. I respect you and deserve a serious response from you. All the best. Sincerely, Glenn This answer says everything there is to say about Glenn. William H. Magill Block Captain 4400 Chestnut Street mag...@mcgillsociety.org whmag...@gmail.com 4428 Chestnut Street Philadelphia, PA 19104-2914 (267-402-0529) 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] Abolish the Sheriff's office - don't elect another patronage hack
On Apr 26, 2011, at 10:35 AM, Liz Campion wrote: While Cheri is a wonderful advocate for the homeless, she does not demonstrate the skill sets needed to run a huge, badly managed, mostly redundant, city department. John Kromer comes into the race with a clear vision for cutting costs and increasing benefits and hopefully even eliminating the entire department. The budget is to big, the waste to endemic and the stakes to high to trust the Sheriff's office to a talented amateur. The real question is Will either candidate work to, or otherwise support, the elimination of the Office of Sheriff and the entire department? (As with the Clerk's office - see below - certain functions would be transferred to other existing entities, as has already been done.) The office is one of the remaining artifacts of the County of Philadelphia... which was merged with the city back with the City County Consolidation act of 1854! This office is nothing but a patronage hang-out for a vast collection of no-shows. Other left-over row offices include: Clerk of Quarter Sessions - Current (last) Clerk resigned in 2009, the duties and powers eliminated in 2010. City Council had the authority to do this and finally did so.) The Registrar of Wills (prothonotary) - still elected and completely redundant with the First District Court's Prothonotary. The City Commissioners (authority finally transferred to the City in 1951 by amendment to the State Constitution, and subsequent amendments to the First Class Cities Act.) 3 commissioners still independently elected. While most of the duties of the various County Offices were transferred to the City under the 1951 Home Rule Charter, we still elect these various row offices. The fact that these row offices are elected and independent means that the Mayor (let alone Council) has virtually zero control over either their budgets or their actions or non-actions. (Not to mention the salaries paid to these elected officials. If you want the gory details of the offices read the Pennsylvania Intergovernmental Cooperation Authority report: http://www.picapa.org/docs/Row_Offices_Issue_Paper.pdf And the Committee of Seventy's original report http://www.seventy.org/OurViews_Roadmap_Needless_Jobs.aspx#clerk William H. Magill Block Captain 4400 Chestnut Street mag...@mcgillsociety.org whmag...@gmail.com 4428 Chestnut Street Philadelphia, PA 19104-2914 (267-402-0529) 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] Re: [UCNeighbors] VIBES
On Apr 23, 2011, at 9:03 PM, Richard Conrad wrote: It's been too long since anyone has seriously (ab)used this List Serve... I have just two questions: 1) Does anybody know where to go for a good deal on vibrators in Philadelphia? 2) Is anyone out there willing to admit that they know where to go for a good deal on vibrators in Philadelphia? Depends on which kind... Homedics vibrators are available in CVS. (Mostly the full back kind, but occasionally the foot variety.) Rabbits are available in Condom Nation on South Street. We don't have any department stores in Phila any more -- Macy's is virtually only clothing. I suspect that entities like Bed Bath and Beyond, Boscovs and Target carry the Panasonic line of vibrators. (If Panasonic still manufactures them.) I suspect that the various beauty supply stores on the east end of Chestnut and Market streets carry an assortment of Homedics style vibrators, but don't know for certain. Judging from the homogeneity of the products available in stores today, the available options are likely dramatically reduced from what was available about 10 years ago. You tend to see the same items in the various stores differing significantly in price only when some Sale is taking place. (And even then, the prices are frequently only 50cents cheaper.) If you want a quality tool ... good luck. Not only will quality be hard to find (even German stuff is made in China these days), but the prices for the professional models will be ridiculous. T.T.F.N. William H. Magill mag...@mcgillsociety.org mag...@me.com whmag...@gmail.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] central air
On Mar 22, 2011, at 2:24 PM, chris forbes-nicotera wrote: once we got our windows and door replaced and buttoned up our exterior (we used definis from northeast philly) we went with sears for our central air because of the mass media commercial exposure as kids and we wanted 'reliable service with a name we could trust'. then we learned the reality:( there was no sears truck. step 1 was a consultation from a fancy dressed salesperson who really didn't seem to know a lick about hvac. STEP2 we then discovered that sears subcontracts the install to joe installer. sears covers the first year of warranty, everything afterward is between you and the installer. our first installer was as good as as our first consultant/sales person. metalwork was slightly better than my first metalworking merit badge from boyscout days :P 3rd, $$$ also concerned by how often unit kicked on and first electric bill. 4th -sears did however provide great customer service and reassessed our install. turned out our heater/blower was only a 'single phase' whereas a dual phase is needed as pushing the cooled air is a greater load on older blowers! if heater is over 5 years old, i'd recommend replacing it at the same time for efficiency and money savings. in the long run, sears and the subsequent contractor who fixed everything made us very happy and it's really nice to enjoy a completely cooled off home and not just one bedroom with a window unit:D good luck! -chris --- On Tue, 3/22/11, tim dunn kafkaatka...@yahoo.com wrote: From: tim dunn kafkaatka...@yahoo.com Subject: [UC] central air To: list serv univcity@list.purple.com Date: Tuesday, March 22, 2011, 12:59 PM My friend and neighbor asked me for recommendations for installing central conditioning in her building... Does anyone have any leads? If you are talking about AC for a historic (i.e.) old University City house, that has hydronic (hot water) heating and no existing forced air ductwork, you want to use some variety of High-velocity system. This type of system uses 4 inch diameter flexible ductwork which can be snaked through the walls of the house with matching 4 inch diameter outlets. I have a UARCO system installed by Energy Concepts Inc, ( ECI) of Bensalem that is now about 11 years old. They will probably be at the Old House Fair in Germantown this Saturday. http://www.energyconcepts.org/ Happy to talk more about this if you want to contact me directly. William H. Magill Block Captain 4400 Chestnut Street mag...@mcgillsociety.org whmag...@gmail.com 4428 Chestnut Street Philadelphia, PA 19104-2914 (267-402-0529) 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] Swim Club
On 17 Apr, 2005, at 21:42, Katie Convery Diller wrote: Do any of you know what the status of the swim club renovation is? And (provided it is completed or nearly so) if it is still possible to purchase a membership, and how you go about joining? thanks, Katie Diller ps: I promise that I will not let Andy take his gun to the pool if we join. Swim club renovations are virtually complete. Yes, memberships are available. Contact: Paula Harvey Membership Coordinator [EMAIL PROTECTED] There is a Yahoo! Group for the Swim Club membership... UCitySC. An open house for members and prospective members is scheduled for April 23 11am-2pm and 1 May from 1pm to 4pm at the club. 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.
Re: [UC] Screen Cleaning Wipes?
On 15 Apr, 2005, at 11:46, Dan Widyono wrote: 29 bucks? What a rip-off. Get out your rubbing alcohol, moisten some paper towels, and use elbow grease. Do *not* pour the alcohol onto the screen. For those who aren't aware, don't do this to your LCD monitors. They have special cleaners for those surfaces. But it's best not to expectorate globs of calcareous dreck on your computer's visual interface. You might be able to avoid those streaks if you finish off with clean newspaper. Newspaper is ALWAYS cleaner than either paper towels or tissues when it comes to cleaning any glass surface. If you don't have any rubbing alcohol use Windex(tm) ... that's its primary ingredient, and why you should never use Windex on an LCD. And I do mean real Windex(tm) in the pump bottle, not any kind of aerosol spray and not any of the various knock-offs you can get in the dollar store. Especially anything that advertises polish of one kind or another. That polish is what causes all the crud on a screen -- just like the polish that you get on your windshield from the car wash that causes amazing streaking the next time it rains. 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.
Re: [UC] Sod?
On 11 Apr, 2005, at 20:44, Michael Clapper wrote: Any recommendations for someone looking to purchase about 120 sq. feet of sod? None of the big box home rip-off places carry it and apart from driving deep into South Jersey, Im not sure where else to look. Any of the real nurseries in the western suburbs should have it (or be able to order up a load for you) ... Mostardies, Waterloo are two of the biggies in the nearby burbs. I'd first start with Lumber yard and Garden Center at 48th and Woodland (whose name escapes me at the moment.) 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.
Re: [UC] Philadelphia: Muni Wi-Fi's Worst-Case Scenario [article]
On 09 Apr, 2005, at 09:16, John Ellingsworth wrote: This article provides aome analysis about the 'plan' for wireless here, which Magill referenced previously. http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,1759,1784281,00.asp One of the more interesting comments in the article: In other words, Philadelphia itself will become a customer even though it owns the network. That's news to me. Nothing I have heard or read implies that the City will wind up owning anything except the PR from this venture. [Where PR can be good, bad or indifferent.] Another is: That's certainly admirable. But you have to wonder why Philadelphia didn't invest the $10 million in computer labs for its schools or public libraries. Supposedly, the City is NOT spending ANY money, not even the $10 million number tossed around. For one thing, they have already moved it off budget by creating a NGO, (identical to Freddy Mac and Fannie Mae) which (again supposedly) has no access to ANY City dollars, tax provided or otherwise, but which will some how sell revenue bonds to be repaid by the income received by the ISPs. Two requirements in the RFP have generated some seriously wide-eyed responses from the technical community... Support for seamless, in-motion usage throughout the Coverage Area by subscribers with service provisioned through a SP. This includes the ability for subscribers to maintain session-level persistence while the subscribers device is in motion at speeds up to sixty (60) miles per hour. This capability must be supported with no interruption to applications running on the device. Support for defining and managing unilateral, inbound roaming relationships whereby subscribers to other Wi-Fi services (e.g. T-Mobile, Sprint) may gain access to the System. WP will be responsible for the negotiation of any business relationships with other Wi-Fi service providers and/or aggregators. Needless to say, we aren't talking about your favorite (i.e. cheap) 802.11x service here. Especially since one finds this comment - other Wi-Fi services (e.g. T-Mobile, Sprint) - except that, to the best of my knowledge, neither T-Mobile nor Sprint provide Wi-Fi service, but rather packet radio (i.e. wireless) communications services -- a big difference. Charitable comments about the RPF have been -- That RFP sounded like someone was dreaming. I'd be much more inclined to say someone was ingesting hallucinogenic substances. This thing is going to be VERY interesting to watch unfold. 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.
Re: [UC] HVAC recommendations?
On 08 Apr, 2005, at 16:42, Gerardo Razumney wrote: I am puzzled at the fact that split systems are not more common in the US. They have all the advantages of central AC without requiring expensive and inefficient duct work, and are great for zoning. I have seen them in commercial installations, but in that case they have a single evaporator for each compressor. One of the big advantages of a good split system is that you can have two or three evaporators for each compressor. The only split-systems I'm familiar with are relatively small. That is to say, they are typically aimed at installing a single evaporator in each small room of a fairly small room complex, and are severely limited in both the total number of cubic feet which can be cooled, and the distance the evaporator can be from the compressor. Each evaporator is only capable of cooling one room. However, if by split system you are simply referring to something different from a Window Unit, where the Compressor and evaporator are in a single chassis, then that is the norm in the US for any kind of installed or whole house (or commercial) cooling system.' A typical commercial installation, like in an apartment house, for example, is more likely to be a chilled water installation, where a central chiller chills the water which is in turn piped to the individual in-room evaporators, which may or may not include fans. These systems are typically switched between hot water and chilled water on a seasonal basis. Which is why Warm Spring days tend have no cooling available, and cool Fall days no heat! Residential systems typically use a Freon (whatever it's called now) gas instead of water. The primary advantage to a high-velocity system is that it does NOT require expensive ductwork. Because of the number of these 4-inch ducts per room, and the significantly higher air-flow, the issue of efficiency is different. Efficiency is a multi-headed monster. Generally speaking, efficiency equates to the ability to cool any given area more than it does to the cost of any system. [i.e. an undersized unit of any kind simply can not cool an area even if it costs less both to install and run.] Based on the little bit I know about Japanese (don't know about European versions) split-systems, their efficiency is significantly lower than that of any US-style central system where the evaporator and compressor are independent of the distribution system. That is to say, one needs significantly more compressor capacity to cool any given area as that area (volume) increases in size. Probably the biggest reason why Japanese style split systems are not popular in the US is the simple fact that they require an unobstructed location in the room -- either fairly high on the wall above furniture, or on a wall by themselves. This requirement tends to integrate quite poorly with most US housing and decorating tastes. These kinds of cultural differences are quite similar to why Asians and Europeans like watching TV on Cell Phones and hand-held games while most Americans prefer to watch TV on as big a screen as they can afford. Instant Messaging adoption is much the same issue ... Americans have far more networked computers with 9 to 17 inch screens than they have cell-phones. 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.
Re: [UC] HVAC recommendations?
On 08 Apr, 2005, at 11:43, Jonathan Cass wrote: I would recommend: Cool Rite Air Conditioning Heating Inc. 425 Hulmeville Avenue, Penndel, PA 19047 (215) 750-0577 (215) 750-1052 (fax) Owner: Scott They installed a high velocity system in our home and the homes of two of my neighbors. Good work, reasonable prices. BTW- they installed a 5 ton unit which is used to cool our 2nd and 3rd floor, with ductwork into the kitchen. 3 ton for 3,000 feet sounds a bit light, but I would defer to Bill M. on this issue. I agree. But I would say VERY light ... especially if you like things cold or dry. [In this area, AC tends to spend most of its time dehumidifying as opposed to simple cooling.] I'm guessing but, the contractor probably based the size of the unit on your budget (real or perceived), rather than on what was actually needed. Square footage is only part of the equation. Location and condition of the existing ducts, floor-plan, overall building orientation (and therefore heat gain), and insulation are also major factors. Another big issue is not the SQUARE footage, but the CUBIC footage. Ours is a big old 20 foot front victorian with 12 foot ceilings. That additional 4 feet of ceiling height makes a big difference in the total cubes worth of air that has to be circulated and cooled. (Air stratification can be addressed with ceiling fans, but that's another topic. Note that this is more of an issue with standard ducting, as the basic concept behind a high velocity system aims to break up those strata by creating turbulence.) Generally speaking, high-velocity systems are considered more efficient than classic hot-air duct work. Similarly, retrofitting a forced air system heating system for AC tends to require a much larger capacity unit than one would expect because of the inherent inefficiencies of the duct layout and the fact that they tend to be non-insulated ducts. You will have to consider WHERE you want to be cool! --- in the dining room? the living room? the bedroom? the first floor? the second floor? etc. Any heat differences you find with your heating, you will experience in spades with the AC. Another factor to consider. Most AC retrofits simply install the heat exchanger, and rely on the existing fans from the forced air heating system to take care of the circulation. Depending upon the age of your heating system, this could guarantee both that the fan burns out sooner than it would otherwise, and that it will be much less energy efficient than a new fan. We also have a high-velocity system (Unico - www.unicosystem.com) with two zones. We have an 18,000 BTU unit (nominally 3 tons) for the first floor and a 36,000 (nominally 5 tons) BTU unit for the 2nd and 3rd floors. Nominally 1500 square feet per floor. HVAC Contractor: Ron Musser, Jr. ECI Energy Concepts, Inc. 2136 Bristol Pike Bensalem, PA 19020 800/660-3835 215/245-3200 Fax: 215/245-3206 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.
[UC] Wireless Philadelphia ... RFP available
The RFP is most easily downloaded from www.phila.gov/wireless in the left hand frame. Begin forwarded message: Mayor John F. Street Announces Plan to Implement Vision for a Wireless Philadelphia Proposal Will Extend Reach of Broadband Access and Conquer Digital Divide PHILADELPHIA - Today, Mayor John F. Street rolled out the details of the visionary Wireless Philadelphia Business Plan. Joining Mayor Street at the City Hall press conference were members of the Wireless Philadelphia Executive Committee, who drafted the plan. In 2004, when Mayor Street appointed the diverse 17-person committee, members were charged with developing a public-private partnership to provide wireless Internet access throughout the city. Key goals were to promote economic development, help overcome the digital divide and to improve the quality of life for every resident, business owner and visitor. Today is a great day for Philadelphia and the thousands of businesses and tens of thousands of families and children who will benefit from our Wireless initiative, Mayor Street said. Just as roads and transportation were keys to our past, a digital infrastructure and wireless technology are keys to our future. To ensure Philadelphia is a 21st century city, we now must begin planning for the next generation. Mayor Street also announced the formation of Wireless Philadelphia, a Pennsylvania nonprofit corporation, and issued the release of the nonprofit's RFP, available for download at www.phila.gov/wireless and www.phila.gov/rfp. In October 2004, the City made wireless technology available in LOVE Park. By May 2005, at least a dozen hot zones will also be available for service login. Today's proposal allows private service providers to deliver broadband access to the Internet by the end of the year. The Wireless Philadelphia Executive Committee has done an excellent job of building a plan to lay the foundation for Philadelphia as a Digital City and to make broadband affordable, said Dianah Neff, Philadelphia's Chief Information Officer. The benefits of this transformative technology are broad and far-reaching. I am extremely proud of the work they have done and look forward to helping implement their proposal on behalf of the Mayor. Critical to the Wireless Philadelphia proposal announced today is how this initiative will help conquer the economic and social disadvantage experienced by those without affordable access to technology, known as the digital divide. Government has long worked to ensure key infrastructure be made available to its citizens, such as the deployment of electricity and phone services. Philadelphia's proposal will help low-income and disadvantaged individuals and businesses gain unprecedented access to technology This is not just an investment in a new technology, it's an investment in the people of Philadelphia, Mayor Street added. This is good for the City, our residents, business owners and visitors. Today, we begin building the infrastructure for tomorrow's knowledge economy. # # # Wireless Philadelphia Executive Committee · Dianah L. Neff, Chief Information Officer for the City of Philadelphia · Richard Bendis, President and CEO of Innovation Philadelphia · Robert S. Bright, President of Talson Solutions, LLC · Bruce Crawley, President and CEO, Crawley Haskins Sloan and Chairman, African-American Chamber of Commerce · Dr. James P. Gallagher, President, Philadelphia University · Kenny Gamble, Chairman, Universal Companies · Kevin Greenberg, Esq., · Naomi Howard, President, ABSS, Inc. · Avrum Kantor, VP of Technology, PIDC · Meryl Levitz, President and CEO, Greater Philadelphia Tourism and Marketing Corporation (GPTMC) · Peter Longstreth, President, Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation · Richard Miller, VP Marketing/Communications, Innovation Philadelphia · Samuel J. Patterson, Owner and CEO, Veridyne, Inc · Patricia Renzulli, CIO, School District of Philadelphia · Varinia C. Robinson, Mayor's Office of Information Services · Ed Schwartz, President, Institute for the Study of Civic Values · Patricia Smith, Director, Mayor's Office of Neighborhood Transformation · Veronica Wentz, New Media Director, GPTMC · Victoria Wilson, COO, Universal Companies · Paul Vallas, CEO, School District of Philadelphia About Wireless Philadelphia Wireless Philadelphia is a Pennsylvania nonprofit corporation that promotes economic development and social enhancement in the City of Philadelphia through the deployment of a citywide wireless network and the management of programs aligned with its charter. 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
Re: [UC] computers bad for learning?
On 31 Mar, 2005, at 16:13, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: In a message dated 3/31/2005 3:55:05 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: VR is the next big deal. .. the wire-heads .. They'll be commonplace in 10 and ubiquitous in 15! As a result, we will have the best damned fighter pilots and tank commanders in the world, until Bots take over. This is one area where I am rooting for MIT's continued dominance in the field. Clearly, you never heard of the Dorsai. Isn't it lovely how sex and war are the two dominant power plants for technological achievement. Not only technology, but all of human history! After all, without sex, there would be no humans to have a history. This speaks boldly for the USA to become the world's greatest net exporter of marijuana. Keep the rest of the world high and happy, while we get leaner, meaner, and shaper. This is what the digital revolution is all about, Dr Susan. Actually, the entire point behind wire-heads is that Better Living Through Chemistry (i.e. external chemical additives) will no longer be necessary to achieve enlightenment. One merely stimulates the appropriate regions of the brain with an electrical impulse ... Instant Nirvana. Of course, there are those of us iconoclasts who will always require that our endorphins come in the form of Dark Chocolate and a nice Cab or Shiraz. [No friggin Merlot!] 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.
Re: [UC] computers bad for learning?
On 23 Mar, 2005, at 23:38, Peter Coyle wrote: First film was going to revolutionize teaching. Then Television was going to revolutionize teaching. 25 years ago computers were going to revolutionize teaching. I imagine the next thing will be robots, or HDTV. No... read Ray Kurzwhile ... VR is the next big deal. And if you think Computers are a problem, wait until you have to put up with the wire-heads in another 5 years or so. They'll be commonplace in 10 and ubiquitous in 15! Yeah... that soon. [Neuro taps (aka implants) are probably 20-25 years out.] 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.
Re: [UC] Philadelphia Sports Club on 17th and Market
On 27 Mar, 2005, at 11:55, Susan Jacobson wrote: So, I am thinking of joining the Philadelphia Sports Club at 17th and Market. I went there for part of a free 1-week trial membership, and it's not bad. It has good machines - with personalized a/v stations, which I like. The weights are cool. The women's locker room is the best I have seen in Philly (but, alas, not as luxe as the 92nd Street Y in Manhattan). Is anyone here a member? Can you recommend it? They are advertising a discount for joining before the end of the month. I think people who are already members who refer someone get bonus points or something. Since you live in UC, why not visit FIT Gym at between 44th and 45th on Chestnut. ... downstairs, next door, is Kava Crossing. Great place for a cuppa before or after your workout. 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.
[UC] Light Rail
On 21 Mar, 2005, at 21:22, Gary J. Jastrzab wrote: The site is currently well-served by public transit, and will be even more so when the 52nd Street/City Branch Connector light rail line is built to serve the Centennial District, Parkway Institutions, Convention Center, and possibly the Delaware Riverfront. Are you talking about the DRPA project or is this something else. The article in the University City Review has been the only information I've seen on any kind of Light Rail (or Heavy, for that matter) proposals for the city in forever. 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.
Re: [UC] HOME OWNERS INSURANCE HELP
On 19 Mar, 2005, at 16:07, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I am looking for a new home owners insurance company. My current carrier Ohio Casualty group is getting outrageous with their premium. Any and all suggestions would be appreciated, my premium jumped 800.00 this year from 1700.00 to 2500.00. The jump in premium can relate to many different things, not the least of which happens to be replacement cost which is not un-related to market prices. (That is to say, what coverage you have and all those good things.) It can also reflect claims experience, both yours and the neighborhood... that is to say, the company's overall experience in any given area. We have worked through a broker for years who has moved us from one company to another every couple of years. A good insurance broker, like a financial planner, works for you, not the company. Some of the changes reflect the fact that certain companies have decided they don't want to write insurance in a particular area and therefore jack up the premiums to discourage renewals. Others reflect consolidation in the Insurance industry itself. Our last two changes were a direct result of one company being purchased by another, and the new company's underwriting principles kicking in at renewal time. Right now we're with Travelers. 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.
Re: [UC] Shopping Circulars Delivered
On 18 Mar, 2005, at 22:40, Joe Clarke wrote: I've noticed recently on my block that we no longer receive the bag of circulars with ads from the food markets. I've seen them on other adjoining streets, but not ours. Could it be that someone called and cancelled delivery for the whole block? If you know anything about it, please let me know. I think that either the delivery service or the circular production company (or both) has been having a tough time lately. Delivery has been more erratic than normal since January, and the quality (i.e. number of ads) has declined pretty dramatically. 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.
Re: [UC] Microsoft school in westphila [article - exegesis]
On 16 Mar, 2005, at 10:43, Raaven O'Quinn wrote: Now, now...don't go jumping to conclusions. It *might* be especially musical paint... -Raaven O'Quinn 806 South 49th Street [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Don't know where you got your education, Miggle, but that's peeling. Actually, it's official Microsoft paint... approved by spell check! 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.
Re: [UC] FYI: Pay to Play Legislation in Trouble
On 16 Mar, 2005, at 09:17, Tancredi, Sue M. wrote: so because the republicans in DC do it, it is ok for Street and his cronies to rob the city blind? i guess it was a good thing that the Hispanics in Camden got to rob that city for awhile (because lord knows the average Camden citizen doesn't need good government) because they should get their fair share, too? Yes, You are correct... to the victor go the spoils. Pay-to-Play is an old Philadelphia Tradition, going back at least 200 years! Washington has nothing to do with it. In fact, Washington learned everything it knows about Pay-to-Play from Philadelphia, Boston and New York City. (Chicago didn't exist yet, but it honed the process to a fine edge shortly after its establishment.) Every few decades Philadelphian's get fed up with things and change partners. The last time that happened was in the 1950s. Philadelphia hasn't had a two-party system for 200 years. One party or the other has dominated the political landscape for 30-50 years at a time throughout its history. 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.
Re: [UC] Microsoft school in westphila [article - exegesis]
On 15 Mar, 2005, at 12:07, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Don't know where you got your education, Miggle, but that's peeling. It's patent nonsense to say that the lack of a decent physical plant is a direct indicator of Philadelphia's commitment to education. The lack of a decent physical plant is the direct result of racist residential segregation. Step across the border into the white suburbs if you think that isn't true. Quality of physical plant is directly correlated with the wealth of the district. In Amerikkka the white people have the money so the white people get the decent schools. Talk to some of the truly dedicated educators who give their lives to teaching in the Philly school system and hear what they have to say about the President's demonic unfunded No child left behind racist initiative. Don't make me puke Miggle. Stick to talking about water heaters and chimneys where you seem to know partially whereof you speak You didn't bother to read what you claim I said ... (it's still attached below). You can be as racist as you want, Ross, but just because you say things doesn't make things true. The fact remains that these individuals refuse to teach in the Philadelphia School System BECAUSE of the condition of the Physical Plant, which they view as the Commitment of the City towards education. Stick to your humor, your self-righteousness comes across as bigotry. In a message dated 3/15/2005 11:56:33 AM Eastern Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: Decrepit facilities, from pealing paint and lack of desks to lack of contemporary tools, -- yes, computers and laptops -- heads their list of objections. They see the lack of a decent physical plant as a direct indicator of Philadelphia's commitment to education. [Remember the broken window theory? True or not it has a significant impact.] 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.
Re: [UC] Entrepreneurs' Tactic Is to Buy Up Homes by Hundreds
On 05 Mar, 2005, at 19:48, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Any comments from our local real estate honchos? Ross Bender http://rossbender.org/indus.html Entrepreneurs' Tactic Is to Buy Up Homes by Hundreds Working-Class Neighborhoods Offer Better 'Rental Yield'; Leaky Pipes, Late Payments By JAMES R. HAGERTY, Staff Reporter, The Wall Street Journal TRENTON, N.J. (March 4) -- Many people agonize for months before deciding to buy a house. Jonas P. Lee is more decisive: He often buys several in a day. This year, the 38-year-old Mr. Lee says he plans to buy more than 1,000 homes for Redbrick Partners LP, a New York firm he runs with the help of an MIT economist to invest in single-family rental property. What millions of mom-and-pop landlords do locally, Redbrick is trying to do on a grander scale. Mr. Lee, a former Web entrepreneur who grew up in New York's posh Westchester County, doesn't see much value in most suburbs at today's lofty prices. Instead, he is buying in working-class neighborhoods in such cities as Baltimore, Philadelphia and Trenton. Even there, however, he is running into tough competition from people determined to cash in on America's decade-long housing boom. On average, house prices in the U.S. have jumped 85% over the past decade, according to the Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight. Prices have soared largely because low interest rates have cut the cost of financing a home. In coastal areas, the rise has been far steeper. In California, for example, prices have more than doubled in just the past five years. Mr. Lee's venture is an unusual sign of the investment frenzy now surrounding residential real estate. The National Association of Realtors estimates that 23% of home purchases last year involved investment properties. Redbrick's pitch is that investors can join this gold rush without the ordeals of being a landlord. Many real-estate investment trusts and other funds invest in apartment buildings. But the complications of owning hundreds of single-family homes are so daunting that large real-estate companies generally shun that market. One of Mr. Lee's tactics is to find a landlord who owns 20 or 30 houses and has been worn down by the trials of collecting rent and fixing leaky toilets. Redbrick then can buy homes in bulk and hire local managers to take care of the properties. He also uses a formula created by his economist partners to identify markets -- usually low-profile working-class neighborhoods -- that have undervalued homes with potential for high rents There is absolutely nothing new about either this concept of his tactics. Every Real Estate Speculator since time immemorial has bought run down properties, slapped on some fixes, jacked up the rents, and sold then to the next sucker down the line. How do you think Donald Trump got to be on Television? ... you can always have your properties declare bankruptcy and screw your creditors whenever you run out of money. Every property is an individual, independent corporation -- the owner has none of his own money or personal property at risk. His specific plan is called the greater fool theory. You buy a property solely to flip it to some other fool... it's not an unusual sign of the investment frenzy, but rather quite typical of the irrational exuberance currently threatening real estate in certain markets. 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.
[UC] Talking about local politics
Council has apparently completely exempted themselves from any consideration of ethics. According to the Inquirer yesterday, they, along with the Chamber of Commerce, NAACP and all the other power borkers in the city are of the opinion that Pay to Play is not only customary and proper, but the inalienable right of every City politician. So, where does Jannie stand on Michael Nutter's Ethics Bill ... did she support the original bill? 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.
Re: [UC] Measured distances for pedometer setting
On 28 Feb, 2005, at 12:04, John Desmond wrote: Purchased a pedometer at teh Presidents' Day sales, and since - it is to be hoped - in a couple of months the snow will all be melted, was thinking about how to set it for my stride length. Should I sneak into Franklin Field, or is there some other football field or regulation athletic facility around ? Has anyone data for any of the neighborhood blocks, or would anyone like to spend a spring afternoon holding the other end of my Dad's old surveyor's tape ? Anyway, a rough guess based on size of kitchen floor tiles yielded result that a trip to supermarket last night to stock up for storm involved 3/4 mile of walking. Most pedometers are calibrated by setting the distance of your stride. (Which, annoyingly, most only allow to be set in tenths of feet, not inches.) Your stride is determined in one of two ways... both sanctioned by the Boy Scouts in days of yore ... pick a flat straight space, with an obvious starting line -- like a crack in the sidewalk. method one: [preferred technique] start walking BEFORE you get to the line (so you are up to stride) by a couple of steps... gauging your starting position like you are about to kick a ball -- so that the foot lands on the starting line. Walk 10 steps, and mark where you stop. [each foot forward counts as a step.] Measure the distance covered and divide by 10. ... your stride length. Method two: measure a fixed distance from your starting line. Start walking as above, count the number of steps necessary to reach the finish line (including partial steps. Divide by the number of steps you approximate stride length. [Note that if you have access to the beach, it's easy to actually measure a single stride with a tape measure in the hard sand just above the wave line.] Keep in mind that BOTH of these measures, as well as the pedometer itself, are only approximations. AND, they assume you are ALWAYS taking the same stride length ... i.e. flat and level. And are walking at the same pace -- a slower pace tends to equate to a shorter stride. The only almost valid use of a pedometer is to count steps. I say almost, because a step is counted each time the pedometer cycles -- depending upon where you wear it, and how it works, you can find that keeping you feet in one place, and doing the newborn sway (parents know what this is, you do it at 3am) causes the step count to increment. It also increments while you are pacing back and forth waiting for the bus or train to arrive, or fidgeting waiting for the person in front of you to get through the checkout line. It also increments during Tai Chi exercises much more than you would expect. Also, you will be AMAZED at how many steps you take while food shopping or wandering the mall ... and how little when you are using the computer for hours a day! I've been using one regularly for the past 4 years now as part of a study at Penn (Penn is one of 30 sites nation-wide involved), and some useful reference numbers are (in terms of steps): 2,000-8,000 is pretty normal for someone who is house bound -- couch-potato, computer addict, etc., or for someone who works at a typical desk job and drives to work. 10,000-15,000 is someone who is pretty active -- walks 10 blocks to work or who works on their feet like a teacher. 15,000-20,000 equates to someone who is spending about 1.5 to 2 hours in brisk walking in addition to their normal activities. Above 20,000 is considered quite active, typically engaging in some kind of regular exercise. All that said. The official distances for trekkers are: West bound along Market Street from Delaware Avenue: 1st mile to 11th 2nd mile to 23rd 3rd mile to 37th 4th mile to 47th 5th mile to 56th 5.9 miles to the county line (nominally 63rd street) [Approximately one tenth of a mile per E-W numbered street block in the gridded portion of the city.] North bound along Broad Street from Market: 1st mile to Fairmount Ave 2nd mile to Berks 3rd mile to Lehigh Ave 4th mile to Erie Ave 5th mile to Courtland 6th mile to Somerville 7th mile to 65th Ave. 7.8 miles to the county line (nominally Cheltenham avenue.) South bound along Broad Street from Market: 1st mile to Washington Ave 2nd mile to Snyder 3rd mile to Curtin 4th mile to League Island Source: The Bulletin Almanac [Yes, I still have a copy of the last Bulletin Almanac published.] 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.
Re: [UC] missed trash and recycling pickup last week
On 27 Feb, 2005, at 16:39, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: We live at 552 South 48th Street. Our regular trash pickup day and recycling pickup day would have been Wednesday, 23 February 2005. Because Monday, 21 February was Presidents' Day, our pickups should have occurred on Thursday. Trash and recycling pickups were, however, cancelled for Thursday because of preparations for the impending snow storm. When they were rescheduled for Friday and Saturday, we had some hopes that our trash and recycling would be picked up, but it wasn't. It appears as though our entire neighborhood was in effect dropped from the collection schedule last week, as not only our trash and recycling, but also trash and recycling all over this neighborhood at most addresses, appear still to be out for collection. Does the Streets Department have any plan for corrective action to deal with this situation? Generally speaking, any time the trash or recycle collection is cancelled because the trucks and their crews are being used for snow-removal work, it is flat-out cancelled, not delayed as with a holiday. The City plan calls for overtime the following week (i.e. scheduled pickup time) to pick up two weeks worth of trash. But this can be distorted both by the volume of trash involved and by the length of time the Sanitation Crews are shifted to snow removal duty. Things can get really behind if the trash winds up being covered with snow, or otherwise more difficult to pickup because of snow drifts, bags frozen to the ground, etc. 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.
Re: [UC] Vote in Santorum's Online Poll on Social Security Privatization
On 25 Feb, 2005, at 08:49, Jim Cummings wrote: 999 votes 87.9% No, Social Security should not be reformed to include Personal Retirement Accounts for individuals.: 12.1 % Yes, Social Security should be reformed to include Personal Retirement Accounts for individuals.: So I guess this will be a case where Santorum must do consensus building to support W rather than do what the people want. Jim If you really believe that such a poll is even vaguely valid, you MUST believe that George Bush won, not only a mandate, but a landslide victory last November. 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] Vote in Santorum's Online Poll on Social Security Privat ization
On 25 Feb, 2005, at 09:26, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Speaking of santorum and social security, has anybody seen the first slime in the Republican smear campaign against AARP? Shows a big red X on a picture of a soldier and a big blue checkmark on a picture of a gay couple getting married. Caption reads The real AARP agenda. Has to be seen to be believed. I've posted it a Why not ... AARP is a fraud. They are nothing but an insurance company, that sells Mutual Funds on the side. Big deal, they negotiate discounts for stuff -- but so does AAA, and many other organizations ... the same discount in virtually every case. I'm a member of AARP and have NEVER been asked my opinion on any position they have ever taken. But I do get solicited at least twice a month to buy Insurance and Mutual funds from them. 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.
Re: [UC] Antennas, indoor, for TV reception - advice sought
On 25 Feb, 2005, at 10:36, Jonathan Cass wrote: I would recommend that you check out the Terk line of antennas: www.terk.com I have not used their indoor models, but did use one of their outdoor models (Terk-50??) and it worked very well. BTW, I have a Terk TV-42 (for use on a Sat. dish) that I am not using. If anyone wants it (for free), contact me off list. I second that recommendation. I have their HD/VHF/UHF indoor model -- looks really space age -- and it works far and away better than any other indoor antenna I've ever used. (I think that is the only indoor model they currently offer.) It does do an excellent good job of picking up all the local HD broadcasts. However, it is highly directional and you need to re-point it for each transmitter. Obviously, it works best if you can point it north through a window, but the buildings in most of the area are not an issue... even the Hi-Rises at 45th and Market do not interfere with my reception on Chestnut Street. I picked up my antenna at Tweeter at 15th and Walnut last fall... $29.95 I think. One of the really neat tricks -- there is a map of compass coordinates for the HD transmitters in Roxborough on one of the HD info sites. Since all the antennas for a given station are on the same tower, you can use that map and a compass to orient your antenna for best reception. 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.
Re: [UC] (no subject)
On 25 Feb, 2005, at 13:10, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: All of these postings about naming Streets, Drives, Avenues, etc. after people. Do any of you remember, or care, about the renaming of Delaware Avenue after the evil (in so many ways) Christopher Columbus? On 25 Feb, 2005, at 14:34, Marielena Mata wrote: Yep! It happened in 1992 to celebrate 500 years. 13 years later, people still refer to it as Delaware Avenue although it is called Columbus Boulevard in every map. Another recent name change was the East River Drive ... now technically Kelly Drive; around the same time Lincoln Drive, became Wissahickon Drive. (Wissahickon Drive used to end at Wissahickon avenue.) Then there is Route 1 -- now technically Roosevelt Boulevard. 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.
Re: [UC] Red Cross, restrictions on taking, but not on giving blood
On 23 Feb, 2005, at 11:55, Dubin, Elisabeth wrote: I have a serious question on this topic. I gave blood once in college and fainted, so I have never done it again. Has anyone had this experience? Maybe I would try again. I could drink a lot of grape juice or something beforehand. Any tips? Before, during or after the blood draw? The fainting is related to stress level (apprehension level) and subsequent blood pressure drop [... in the old days, we used to call it swooning.] If you are a hard stick -- the stress associated with getting started can trigger a faint. This happens regularly in doctor's offices, with simple blood draws. The problem is normally lack of hydration. The solution is simply to drink plenty of fluids (preferably water, sans caffeine) in the preceding 8 hours. [Yeah, been there, done that ...] During or after is pretty rare these days -- the Red Cross is pretty good about having folks take it easy, eat and re-hydrate, immediately after their donation. 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.
Re: [UC] Looking for an Upcoming Event in Philadelphia
On 22 Feb, 2005, at 18:40, Susan Jacobson wrote: I am working on a project with the Journalism Dept. that involves experimenting with mobile field reporting equipment. We have an opportunity to do something quite unique with mobile field reporting technology, and we are looking for an interesting, newsworthy event that is coming up in Philadelphia in the next 9 months or so to plan our experiment around. Does anyone on this list have any ideas or suggestions? Theoretically, the Mayor should be announcing the WiFi program between now and then. The Flower Show is the first week in March (6-12). Amanda Benner will undoubtedly be leading the UC Green Planters on some greening projects within that time frame. The USP/UCGreen water garden (not to be confused with a water feature) at 42nd and Chester (or is it 43rd and Chester) will be having work done once the weather breaks. I assume that the Paving of Clark Park will continue (paving stones being laid where the Farmers Market is located. The Spruce Hill May Fair is in May. There will undoubtedly be a number of Rooster sightings as soon as the weather warms up. 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.
Re: [UC] RE: team of scammers trying out different lines?
On 20 Feb, 2005, at 22:30, Mayer, Ann wrote: Like Stephen, I do worry that with the constant scamming (I look like An easy target and am often singled out by local scammers), I could Get so callous and suspicious that I might inadvertently dismiss a true Story by someone who had just been the victim of some real misfortune, A person whom I would want to help. This is exactly the reason why the scammers target the neighborhood. As that famous Philadelphia resident, Willie Sutton, replied when asked Why do you rob banks? -- That's where the money is! The scammers KNOW that not only do the residents and students in UC have money, but that, besides the students who don't know any better, the neighborhood is filled with Liberal Democrats who will feel guilty if they don't help them ... both are easy pickens! Now you know what it's like to be a cop -- instantaneous life and death decisions confront you all the time. If you don't give the woman money, the baby starves to death; if you do give her money, she goes and buys crack. I'm sorry, but N O B O D Y who confronts you on the street has a valid story. Ever. Period! There are more social service agencies per block in UC, with new ones cropping up every day, than anywhere else in the city. (NGOs like safe neighborhoods too!) Anybody who can't find help from one has either already been thrown out by them, or is a fraud. [One assumes that they have already been thrown out by the City's own service organizations or they wouldn't be on the street in the first place.] Compassionate conservatives will direct them to the nearest NGO for assistance, secure in the knowledge that if the individual doesn't get help there, then they were clearly a fraud. Libertarians, believing that NGOs are part of the problem and not the solution, will direct them to the nearest Church or 12 step program for assistance. Anarchists, will take them to lunch and then beat it out the door, leaving them with the check. And in the end, everybody calls the cops -- who have to make that life or death decision that nobody else wants to make. Life in the city hasn't changed in hundreds of years. 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.
Re: [UC] RE: more I got locked out scamming?
On 21 Feb, 2005, at 09:52, Wilma de Soto wrote: Doesn't the Police Department have what they used to call a Bunco Squad anymore, or is that just for business-type scams? [Originally, Bunco Squads were those who raided speak-easies and dice (Bunco) [i.e. gambling] parlors. This activity evolved into general anti-fraud activities with the end of prohibition, mostly focused on high-dollar crimes.] While street flim-flam or 3-card-monte operations still flourish, they don't seem to generate enough headlines on the six-o'clock news to warrant significant attention. (One hears more about them from Penn's Police Department, than the Philadelphia Police.) Today, I would guess that except for the DA's or SAG's Office (when the occupant is running for Mayor or Governor), there is very little interest in any kind of anti-fraud investigation and prosecutions -- business type or otherwise. Street flim-flam and similar activities are what have come to be called Quality of Life Crimes. No one is killed or injured, only their wallets are emptied, usually willingly, so Police and the DA spend their time persuing more important crimes, like murders. 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.
Re: [UC] to let you know
On 13 Feb, 2005, at 20:16, Andrew Diller wrote: Yeah, that was the one that hit farragut a week or so ago. He must be deranged to keep this up in the neighborhood. Perhaps I'll see him again one dark and cloudy night. The problem is -- he (and/or his teachers) believes all the Media reports that claims nobody knows who their neighbors are and never talk to them. I'm still of the opinion that there is an active flim-flam school in the neighborhood. We go through waves of cons like this every couple of years. The same con gets worked from Market to baltimore over about a 30 or 60 day period. [He was working Chestnut Street about a month back, and has been working his way south since then.] 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.
Re: [UC] to let you know
On 14 Feb, 2005, at 08:40, Anthony West wrote: He hit 44th Larchwood with the identical patter on Thursday or Friday. Loads of knowing references to USP, a local locksmith, etc. Needed precisely $18.50! My, he is a busy beaver. The $18.50 is so you'll give him $20 ... if he asked for $20 outright, you would know it was a scam! The easy way to get him to depart quite rapidly is to offer to call UCD to get their lock-out service folks to help him get into his car -- for free! [For those of you who do not know. The Philadelphia Police are no longer permitted to carry jimmies and assist people who have locked their keys in their cars. However, the University City District does have a Safety Patrol vehicle which will provide this service in the area. Identification, preferably the Owners Card and your valid Driver's License, but they will take a Passport if you have locked your wallet in the car along with the keys. ... they aren't easily conned.] 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.
Re: [UC] Sig Bloat
On 14 Feb, 2005, at 09:16, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: In a message dated 2/13/2005 5:55:25 PM Eastern Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: T.T.F.N. William H. Magill # Beige G3 [Rev A motherboard - 300 MHz 768 Meg] OS X 10.2.8 # Flat-panel iMac (2.1) [800MHz - Super Drive - 768 Meg] OS X 10.3.7 # PWS433a [Alpha 21164 Rev 7.2 (EV56)- 64 Meg] Tru64 5.1a # XP1000 [Alpha 21264-3 (EV6) - 256 meg] FreeBSD 5.3 # XP1000 [Alpha 21264-A (EV 6.7) - 384 meg] FreeBSD 5.3 [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Yesterday Miggle's sig suddenly inflated from his usual polite T.T.F.N., William H. Magill to this monstrous bloated enormity. Can anyone decipher this? Is Miggle OK or has he been taken over by space aliens from Venus or beyond?? Is he broadcasting secret messages to the Bulgarian Intelligence Forces? I'm alarmed. Sorry, wrong mailing list. And yes, it is written in Geek. It's one I use on technical lists where one is expected to provide certain geek information with every post. I also have another one which I use when communicating with the Powers that Be. That sig lists all of the appropriate pieces of information which cause people's minds to blur when Mandrake or Dr. Strange gesture. And then, of course, there is the PGP encryption sig used when communicating with my friends who always dress in black. BTW, has anyone seen the Hetrodyne brothers this week? I have a message from Agatha Clay. Something about her locket being stolen. 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.
Re: [UC] Furnishings thieves, Advice? (fwd)
Date: Wed, 09 Feb 2005 18:32:51 -0500 From: Nicole Mcewan [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: RE: [UC] Furnishings thieves, Advice? I read this story again and again on this listserv and would like to offer words of advice to anyone planning to buy a house with period details. Actually, any house becauses thieves often go after tools as well. This problem is the main reason why we moved into our house the day of or day after settlement, even though we had two weeks to go on our lease. I recommend getting a hard-wired security system if you're doing work or having rotating friends or relatives camp out during rehab. Also, don't be methodical in your hours and don't park your car on the same block in the same space. Thieves typically case a house over a period of time in this scenario. They look for patterns and may even have a neighbor (as terrible as that sounds) informing them. Also leave lights on and a radio blaring. Even if you have to pop a tent in your own house and rough it during work; it beats have the very details that sold the house gone forever. Nicole McEwan The other very important thing to realize -- as often as not the thieves are employees of the contractors, or relatives of the employees ... especially day laborers. These are not full-time employees, but individuals hired often off the street, for menial hauling and heavy lifting jobs. ... especially if demolition work is being done first. The reason that the goods didn't disappear before, eventhough the hose was vacant, is because nobody knew they were there! When work starts, the opportunity presents itself, and word gets out. 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.
Re: [UC] Fox Non-News
On 09 Feb, 2005, at 16:37, Dubin, Elisabeth wrote: Did anyone happen to catch a segment on Fox News last night regarding a supposed dead-beat developer at 18th and Christian? It seems from what I've heard that the network reported the story without regard for the facts, and I'm upset by it and wish I could somehow see the TV segment. The gist of it is that a friend of mine has been struggling valiantly with the Zoning Board for almost a year to get the appropriate permits to redevelop a 20-year abandoned post office into condominiums, and the building has appeared to languish during this process. Meanwhile, Fox news reports that the developers abandoned the project and that it's now a public nuisance. The funny thing is that my friend finally did just get the zoning permit, so work will begin immediately. This sounds like what the University of Pennsylvania did with the failed Sundance Theater project -- by letting the property sit there abandoned for six months or so after the original partner went Bankrupt and while they searched for a new partner, the University was able to get the block declared blighted by the City and therefore eligible for all kinds of different considerations not available to the non-blighted. One wonders if the driving force behind such a news report was exactly that -- an attempt to get a blighted designation for the property ... to get the Zoning Board to approve the permit. That would be the typical Philadelphia Way. 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.
Re: [UC] I don't mind if the people directly impacted by it don't
On 11 Feb, 2005, at 08:45, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: The DP had a little more about the conversion of 4200 Pine St to condos, today. Here's what it said: Senior Vice President for Facilities and Real Estate Services Omar Blaik briefed the Facilities and Campus Planning Committee on westward campus developments -- namely, the conversion of 4200 Pine St. to condominiums and the revamping of 40th and Chestnut streets. Most recently utilized as office space, the building at 4200 Pine St. will be converted into 30 condominiums, helping to advance the University's goal of increasing home-ownership in the area. It seems to me that adding 30 families to the parcel in question ought to get the folks in the 4200 blocks of Pine and Osage fairly uncomfortable. Even though the property has parking lot, this means more traffic and more of what people seem to raise as objections every time someone other than the 800-lb gorilla wants to get zoning a zoning change that increases density. And, of course, I'm still wondering why the Spruce Hill Community Association, which zealously opposes every application to the Zoning Board submitted by one of us in the great unwashed masses, hasn't held rallies to oppose this change. Maybe the people who purport to represent the community know which side of the bread is buttered and who's doing the buttering. Spruce Hill can't appeal a Zoning Change unless one is applied for. And, generally speaking, they don't even consider something unless either it has appeared in a notice from the Board, or the developer has requested a presentation in advance of applying for a variance. I doubt very much that the University has bothered to ask Spruce Hill (or anyone else, for that matter) what their opinion of the proposed conversion happened to be. Did they bring it up at their First Thursday meetings? Also, after getting badly burned by EVP Myra Whittington a number of years ago, the Trustees require any projects be brought before them BEFORE significant action is taken on the projects ... significant action specifically includes expenditures of funds not already identified in the budget as related to the project. 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.
Re: [UC] an article from the CIO of Phila re wifi
On 11 Feb, 2005, at 13:09, John Ellingsworth wrote: http://news.com.com/Hands+off+our+Wi-Fi+network/2010-1071_3 -5571655.html?tag=nefd.ac There is a good discussion of it here: http://slashdot.org/articles/05/02/11/1458211.shtml?tid=193tid=1 You will note that what is missing from this dialog is Philadelphia's actual plan. There was a conference at MIT about a month ago and Dianah Neff, Chief Information Officer, City of Philadelphia, presented some sketchy details saying that she couldn't say more until the Mayor makes his presentation on the 7th. http://www.siliconvalley.com/mld/siliconvalley/news/10675168.htm Neff said a public-private partnership of a kind ``we haven't seen before'' will run the service, which is expected to break even within four years. She declined to be more specific, saying Mayor John Street would announce details of a financial plan for the service on Feb. 7. However, nothing has been forthcoming from either the Mayor, the Wireless website ( www.phila.gov/wireless ) or Ed Schwartz's Philly Blocks group. The city's website was updated just recently to include a February 9th article in Broadband Access World http://www.etopiamedia.net/emtnn/pages/bwaw/bwaw25-5551212.html [This page contains a downloadable 30 minute audio interview with Neff.] in which Ms Neff indicates that the Super Bowl disrupted the announcement on the 7th, but that they hoped the announcement would be made in February. From the audio interview, it appears that the committee are proposing a wi-max, hybrid mesh for the technology. It appears that the RFP will appear about 30 days after the Mayor's announcement, be open for 45-60 days, hoping to begin construction by June. As for the Hands off our WiFi article on Cnet ... that reads like something which was written several months ago before both the Pennsylvania Legislature passed legislation on the topic, AND before Philadelphia and Verizon signed a written agreement making the entire issue moot. It appears to serve the purpose of deflecting scrutiny of the City's proposal by casting the City as the good guy and Verizon and Comcast as the bad guys. The City proposal goes far beyond simply building a network. They intend to provide computers, one assumes, for free, to poor neighborhoods where people cannot afford them -- A $300 desktop and $600 laptop is apparently being negotiated with some vendor, under some undefined circumstances. However, on the subject of the use of Government subsidies, Neff does a fancy tap-dance ... After declaring earlier in her presentation that Wireless access would only cost $20 per house passed because city owned assets were being used for infrastructure (compared with $700-1000 for DSL or Cable), she carefully states that no tax-exempt bonds, and no capital or general operating dollars from the government, but doesn't mention the use of the city owned assets which she outlined earlier. T.T.F.N. William H. Magill # Beige G3 [Rev A motherboard - 300 MHz 768 Meg] OS X 10.2.8 # Flat-panel iMac (2.1) [800MHz - Super Drive - 768 Meg] OS X 10.3.7 # PWS433a [Alpha 21164 Rev 7.2 (EV56)- 64 Meg] Tru64 5.1a # XP1000 [Alpha 21264-3 (EV6) - 256 meg] FreeBSD 5.3 # XP1000 [Alpha 21264-A (EV 6.7) - 384 meg] FreeBSD 5.3 [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.
Re: [UC] Fw: [phillyblocks] BUSH PROPOSES CUTS TO SCORES OF PROGRAMS
By MARTIN CRUTSINGER, AP Economics Writer . . . There is really no way out of the bind we are in now without some kind of increase in taxes, said Robert Reischauer, the president of the Urban Institute and a former head of the Congressional Budget Office ( news - web sites). Why is the ONLY solution -- Increased taxes? 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.
Re: [UC] Fw: [phillyblocks] BUSH PROPOSES CUTS TO SCORES OF PROGRAMS
On 07 Feb, 2005, at 20:44, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Why is there no general discussion about streamlining City service via WiFi, e.g., water and gas meter reading traffic control emergency service communications Water, and gas meter reading IS now done wirelessly. Conversion from manually read meters to remote reading meters became mandatory about 5 years ago (maybe longer ago, I've had mine for so long, I don't remember). I think the upgrade process has been completed throughout the city, but knowing the City, maybe not. PECO did the same. This system is more functional and secure than any Wi-Fi implementation could possibly ever be for a variety of reasons. Traffic control is a similar issue. Besides the idea that you can change all the red lights to green as you drive down the street, there are not a lot of benefits, if any. As has already been proven in a number of cities and towns which have installed Emergency Vehicle responsive traffic lights -- which do exactly that -- the system quickly gets hacked. Since I've been playing with the Internet since when it was known as the ARPAnet, the idea that Emergency Services might use any portion of the public internet scares the living daylights out of me. (And this ignores the issues which the City's current Police/Fire radio system has.) There are certain services related to health and safety which MUST work all the time and without issue. While it is possible that if/when IPv6 is finally deployed that the Quality of Service (QOS) designators might contain such a capability. However, to work as it must, IPv6 must be the norm, not IPv4 tunneling IPv6 as is now the case. But even then, there are still significant issues with using the Internet for such communications. There is one thing true about the Internet (and any Wi-Fi setup would be even worse)... it is NOT reliable. It may have three nines (99.9 percent) up time, but that means that it is GUARANTEED to be down .1 percent of the time, or 8 hours per year! While people have become accustomed to their Cell Phones not working, land lines (good ol' Ma Bell) do work on the order of seven nines, or 5 minutes a year of down-time. PLUS, they work when there is a power outage! (Our last power outage this past fall lasted almost nine hours, even though it was localized to about 40 houses on two blocks. Another outage earlier in the year lasted only about four hours, but it took out everything, including street lights and traffic lights, for about 8 blocks.) Far better to spend the effort to get LI and assorted other City paperwork operations on-line. The bang for the buck is much, much higher. 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.
Re: [UC] OPEN HOUSE: STRIKES BOWLING
On 02 Feb, 2005, at 12:04, Tancredi, Sue M. wrote: what is the price per person of a game? It was not definite at the open house, and I don't remember what the range was. There is still a fair amount of construction work going on. I would guess at least a month's worth and maybe two. 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.
Re: [UC] getting rid of a computer monitor
On 01 Feb, 2005, at 17:47, Seth Kulick wrote: Can anybody tell me the best way to get rid of an old computer monitor? Is it something that can be put out with the trash? Recycling? I tried calling the city trash/recycling number, and wasn't able to speak to an actual human being. Put it on the curb and, A) it will disappear B) it will get the tube shattered C) it will get taken by the trash folks as long as it isn't too heavy You can take it to one of the City Hazardous materials drop sites if you want. You can take it to one of the Computer Recycling outfits that have been mentioned on the list over the past year. 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.
Re: [UC] OPEN HOUSE: STRIKES BOWLING
On 31 Jan, 2005, at 12:57, Andrew Diller wrote: Did anyone go to this? What is the scoop? Quite a few people from the list, surprisingly. They have 4 lanes in the front and 8 in the rear. The probability is that the only thing that will make money is the restaurant, simply because they only have 12 lanes. (But then that is to be expected.) I think they have 6 or 8 pool tables, ... didn't count them. The restaurant will have a typical burger and frys type menu (think Bennegians, Chilies, TGIF Friday's, Copa, etc.) aimed at the Student date crowd. Signs up for Bass on tap, and I forget what else. They have a second floor area that will have tables setup for bowling parties (kid birthdays, fraternity, sorority, etc.) The decor is interesting -- reminded me of my many visits to Edmund Scientific back in the 60s when we put on light shows ... psychedelic projections on the walls and floor, constantly moving, changing (err ... morphing in today's terminology). Personally, I found the neatest thing to be the way they have morphed the typical brew pub glass windows around the pinsetters! You can watch how those pins magically get set from a series of wrap-around windows. (Makes it easy to see how the gnomes do it!) The gear is all brand new AMF stuff, with electronic score-keepers, and ordering screens. They have a pretty hefty sound system and, what with the lighting and all of the open space, could easily hold some pretty decent raves there ... probably could also handle live music without trying too hard, although it's still warehouse acoustics in general (highly reflective walls and floors, but with a 30 foot ceiling). Staff is, surprise, 90% students ... all of them quite cute (whatever your desire). All in all, definitely a good place to bowl, and probably a reasonable place to eat, but that remains to be seen. Good for teen dates but not an intimate tête-à-tête -- go to a movie at the Bridge, then to Strikes -- probably much cheaper than Marathon or 12. 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.
Re: [UC] The Clone of Scrunch The Cat - Help with a Stray
On 01 Feb, 2005, at 17:13, Susan Jacobson wrote: How do you kitty-nap a street cat - just lure him/her into the cat carrier?? That depends upon how long the cat has been on the street, and what its previous experience was. Since this one has a collar, this implies it is a move out pet, and it might ultimately be quite friendly and willing to allow you to simply pet it and pick it up if offered some chow often enough. But if the cat has been on the street for a while, that former domesticity tends to get lost and it takes a good bit of effort to get the cat to trust you. As for luring it into a cat carrier -- no self respecting cat would contemplate such a thing ... especially if you were close enough to be able to close the door behind it. Better to make friends with it to the point where you can pet it and pick it up. THEN you can try to put it into the carrier ... :) 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.
Re: [UC] RE: Parking rage
On 29 Jan, 2005, at 20:36, L a s e r B e a m ® wrote: I love how ann's messages capitalize the first letter of each new line. like it's poetry. or maybe there's a secret anagrammed message, if you read down the left edge... Isn't Microsoft Wonderful. :) 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.
Re: [UC] Architectural thefts
On 27 Jan, 2005, at 23:31, Andrew Schwalm wrote: Some friends are settling tomorrow on a house just east of me on the 5000 block of Osage avenue, and they were stunned to discover in their walk-through this evening that a leaded-glass vestibule door and bathroom window--both features that attracted them to the house in the first place--had been stolen. There was no evidence of break-in, suggesting that someone who knew the code to the 'lockbox' was to blame. They're lucky in the sense that they can now make adjustments at settlement to compensate for the loss, but they'd dearly like to get the original items back. Do any of you know what the likely path of these materials would be? The soon-to-be owners are familiar with the local architectural salvage places, but that would seem to be an unwise fencing choice for the thieves. Any suggestions for how they might recover these items? Could Ross Bender be stockpiling them under his six-legged clawfoot tub? Please make certain that this theft is reported to both the Philadelphia Police and the UCD. (Do your friends have any pictures of the items?) Architectural thefts ARE a problem in this area, and both groups have been trying to track them. Sadly, the goods are usually quickly shipped out of the area. 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.
Re: [UC] The Gigantic Private Bathhouse Campaign
On 28 Jan, 2005, at 09:42, Andrew Diller wrote: On Jan 28, 2005, at 12:36 AM, Ross Bender wrote: I just wanted to weigh in with my two cents and second Elisabeth Dubin's breathtakingly brilliant idea about a gigantic public/private bathhouse in Clark Park. Will cats be allowed at the Bath House? We need a safe environment for the neighborhood cats, away from all the loose dogs at the Park. I think even if the cats shy away from the water, they will like the heat in the 'house. On 28 Jan, 2005, at 09:44, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Would the bath house welcome dogs? [Who ever heard of a wet cat? (That wasn't in a burlap sack.)] What about Roosters? 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.
Re: [UC] Penn wanted us out from today's DP (one of two related stories)
On 27 Jan, 2005, at 10:53, L a s e r B e a m ® wrote: Kyle Cassidy wrote: I don't know why they didn't just switch to showing art films or why the bridge didn't begin showing art films... The correct question here is Why did Robert Redford refuse to put up any money so that the Art films he promised his Sundance Cinema would show, would be shown? The answers to all three are the same ... economics. The Philadelphia market can only support so many art houses. And it's full. Art films are anything but cheap for the promoter to show ... if they were, you'd see them in many, many more places - from the Rotunda to the Crossroads. They may not cost as much to rent as a hollywood budget-buster but they still cost more than the films you can (or at least could) rent from the Free Library. To cover the cost of the film rental, the theater operator needs to fill a certain number of seats during the film's run. To cover the costs of the theater -- rent/mortgage, utilities, salaries for the projectionist, sanitation engineer, etc. -- requires a certain number of seats be filled every month. Art films rarely attract either a large audience or a consistent audience. While it may be possible for a theater operator to cover the cost of the film rental during its run, the probability of being able to cover the theater's operating costs is almost nil. That's one reason why virtually every movie house has a significant concession stand that charges exorbitant prices and prohibits you from bringing in stuff from outside. Most theater operators make far more money on concessions than they make on admission tickets. The reason that Art films show in Art theaters, which tend to be old movie houses in run-down areas of a community that nobody wants, and are run by one person who sells the tickets and shows the film, is cost. A market rate rent is deadly to an Art theater. The Ritz is an exception for a number of reasons. Principally, they own the buildings. Ritz Theaters (in Phila and NJ) are owned by Posel Management, a Philadelphia-based commercial real estate developer, who has both deep pockets and a sophisticated knowledge of costs. http://www.poselmanagement.com/ They have been trying to develop the parcel in the 1900 block of Walnut (Rittenhouse Square) for a number of years now: Blueprints for the Ritz at Rittenhouse Square were first introduced in 1999. Plans call for a theater with eight screens, a 12,000-square-foot restaurant, 6,000 square feet of retail space and a parking garage with 500 spaces. http://philadelphia.bizjournals.com/philadelphia/stories/2004/11/15/ story5.html Since the resident's of Rittenhouse Square don't want the development, perhaps folks could convince Posel that the Demographics of University City are much more appealing. Of course, the costs are probably not. 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.
[UC] A story you won't see in the American Media ... France is in favor or Racial Clensing
According to the BBC ... France opposes UN Sudan sanctions France says it does not support US plans for international sanctions on Sudan if violence continues in Darfur. The UN Security Council is debating a US draft resolution imposing sanctions on militias accused of ethnic cleansing against non-Arabs. France led opposition to US moves at the UN over Iraq. As was the case in Iraq, France also has significant oil interests in Sudan. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/3875277.stm And, as we all know with absolute certainty -- the details were outlined in that same report by Charles Duelfer, Special Advisor to the Director of Central Intelligence, quoted as gospel by everyone opposed to the American intervention in Iraq, because he found no weapons of mass destruction -- France lead the UN in the skimming of Oil for Food program. http://www.cia.gov/cia/reports/iraq_wmd_2004/ Regime Finance and Procurement Annex J. The Procurement of Conventional Military Goods in Breach of UN Sanctions http://www.cia.gov/cia/reports/iraq_wmd_2004/chap2_annxJ.html 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.
[UC] Re: Posel, Art Films, Real Estate
On 27 Jan, 2005, at 14:43, Nicole Mcewan wrote: Funny you should mention this. About two years ago I was reading the real estate transaction page of the Inky and I noticed that he (Posel) had purchased the entire block of Chester at 41st or damn near all of it. At the time I was hoping for a U-C. Ritz instead they seem to have remade the storage facilty into office space. They have a picture of 41st and Chester on their Properties page. http://www.poselmanagement.com/properties_ucity.html Does it really look that attractive? The last time I remembered seeing it, it still looked like the warehouse it was. 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.
Re: [UC] AAA
On 24 Jan, 2005, at 16:38, Susan Jacobson wrote: Can someone 'splain to me what the University City Ambassador Services is all about? I can call Penn if I need my car towed??? (of course, I don't have a car) In general, they are a group of individuals who provide an additional uniformed presence in the neighborhood. The UCD [ University City District - http://www.universitycitydistrict.org ] has a number of individuals variously on foot, bicycle and motor vehicle. They are termed University City Ambassadors since they are neither police nor intended to intervene as such. They ARE radio equipped, however, and operate in conjunction with with the University of Pennsylvania Police (which are sworn officers). http://www.universitycitydistrict.org/ucd_programs/public_safety.cfm For some reason (I can guess about a dozen) the Philadelphia Police are no longer allowed to carry jimmies and to open locked cars for people with lost keys (aka lock-out service). However, the UCD does offer a lock-out service, if you have lost your keys. You have to sign a waiver that the car really does belong to you AND provide serious identification, preferably vehicle registration and your driver's license. Call 215 387 3942. They can also provide jump start service. Both services are available from 8am to 3am 7 days a week. 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.
Re: [UC] Fwd: Fw: SOME THOUGHTS...............................
On 19 Jan, 2005, at 14:05, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: COWS Is it just me, or does anyone else find it amazing that our government can track a cow born in Canada almost three years ago, right to the stall where she sleeps in the state of Washington. They also tracked her calves to their stalls. But they are unable to locate 11 million illegal aliens wandering around our country. Maybe we should give them all a cow. The ACLU does not care about the government maintaining historical and genealogical records on cows. However, they do oppose the government collecting, let alone maintaining such records on humans. Also, they are termed illegal aliens explicitly because they have done everything they possibly can to obscure their existence. Of course what you don't say is that the original writer was implying that such records SHOULD be kept on illegal aliens because they have more in common with cows than with humans; but that would never be considered an interpretation of the statement unless the writer was a member of the Bush Administration. CONSTITUTION They keep talking about drafting a Constitution for Iraq. Why don't we just give them ours? It was written by a lot of really smart guys; it's worked for over 200 years and we're not using it anymore. I thought the left was opposed to imposing American Values on the rest of the world. TEN COMMANDMENTS Do you know the real reason that we can't have the Ten Commandments in a Courthouse? You cannot post Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not commit adultery, and Thou shalt not bear false witness in a building full of lawyers, judges, and politicians. It creates a hostile work environment! This is news? 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.
Re: [UC] sledding in west philly
On Thursday, January 20, 2005, at 03:23 PM, Matthew Snyder wrote: Hopefully this weekend we'll have the opportunity to pull the sleds out of the basement for the first time this year. But where to sled? Clark Park is fun if for no other reason than the chaos you get anytime you mix kids and snow, but the sledding there leaves something to be desired. Where's the nearest good, reasonably safe hill? At one time, not that long ago, back around the Green Administration, the CIty ran a toboggan run on the hill adjacent to the Mann Music Center. (with a rope tow and all that.) Don't know if that area is open or closed these days. Depending on the amount of snow, there is always the slope of Belmont Plateau in front of the old Playhouse in the Park. Which is also an excellent Kite flying location, and used frequently as a convenient place to stop and watch the lights of the City :). Be warned, however, it's a LONG walk back up!!! T.T.F.N. William H. Magill [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.
[UC] Re: Abuse of PFSNI
On 17 Jan, 2005, at 22:43, Jon Herrmann wrote: If the moderator of the PFSNI wants to discuss this offline, I'd be happy to participate in a continued discussion. I do feel it would be helpful for the PFSNI list moderator to provide any clarifications on this matter. There is not now, and never was, a moderator of either the PFSNI list nor the UnivCity list. 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.
Re: [UC] Re: UCD crime increase
On 18 Jan, 2005, at 09:02, Anthony West wrote: Crime waves are one of the oldest and most engrossing community news stories around; one of the easiest to write poorly, and one of the hardest to write well. That's because a crime story is different from a crime wave story. The first is anecdotal: X happened to Y on date Z. Anecdotes are easy to collect and write. Any reporter can do that and get it in by deadline. Crime waves, on the other hand, are intrinsically mathematical events. Before writing a line, or even talking to anyone, the writer must ask fundamental methodological questions: what is the territorial boundary of the zone you are looking for a wave in? What is the time period? Are your parameters too small or too large to generate meaningful answers? Are you able to compare crime in that zone to crime in other zones? Which zones are comparable to yours, for what purposes? Who keeps statistics? How good are they? Are the available stats tailored to address your questions, or do you have to fiddle with your questions until they address the data you have? Tough judgements all. It can be an interesting story to construct, if you have a taste for statistical puzzles. But most journalists don't have this taste, and it takes time that reporters usually aren't getting paid for. So they fall back instead on anecdotal method, coupled with pro-forma two-points-of-view balance. They interview a crime victim for the lede, choosing the most disturbing case at hand. Then they ask an expert, usually a police spokesperson, and ask him whether there's a crime wave or not (relying on him to do the math for them). Regardless of what he says, Yes there is or No there isn't, they find somebody with a vested interest in disputing his claim and get a quote disputing it. Then they file. Next assignment! Tony, you sound like a Journalism Professor, far too analytical for today's Media. It's not so much that the journalists don't have the taste, but rather that there are so few journalists (but lots of reporters) ... and I won't even talk about editors who have papers to sell. Remember the Maine - Spanish American War: There is no war, Remington wrote to his boss. Request to be recalled. Remington's boss, William Randolph Hearst, sent a cable in reply: Please remain. You furnish the pictures, I'll furnish the war. 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.
Re: [UC] Re: UCD crime increase
On 18 Jan, 2005, at 11:24, Andrew Diller wrote: Hold on- I just got a refi, and in no way did crime stats become part of the equation. They looked at the prices of surrounding property, and a crime wave can't negatively impact the past values of previously sold properties. Yes, they were part of the equation. They are reflected in the perception of those earlier buyers whose properties were comp'ed. There was no crime wave when those properties were sold. Sales of properties and a decline in sale prices typically lag true crime waves by six to 12 months. If there is a true crime wave, people will be less likely to buy in an area; sellers will be forced to lower their prices accordingly, and when you go to sell or refinance, you will discover that your comps are lower than the were before the crime wave. Your other points are valid, but not enough to make me not cry foul when someone actively suggests we cover up what we all know to be a fact: there has been a recent spate of crime (aka A CRIME WAVE) around here. Has there been? I have not seen any increase in crime in the past several years. Quite the contrary, from my point of view, it has decreased significantly. And have seen no crime take place in the past 60 days. [Yes, I know you and I live on opposite sides of the 'hood ... but that's the whole point, as Tony pointed out, it's all relative.] As for a recent spate of crime, I would suggest that crime statistics follow two patterns -- the movement of the student population and the weather. The perps know quite well that students, Freshmen especially, trust everyone and carry lots of valuables with them. Similarly, muggers, the flim-flam folk and like much prefer to hang in warm weather (like during the past month) than in cold weather like we are currently experiencing. 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.
Re: [UC] Anyone record the Eagles Vikings game?
On 18 Jan, 2005, at 14:42, John Ellingsworth wrote: I would really like to get a copy if I could. Aha ... evidence of the increasing crime wave in the area! While it could be argued that simply recording the game for time-shifting purposes might be fair use (a position which the NFL and the rest of Hollywood disagree with) passing along a copy of it would clearly offend their sensibilities and be considered a crime. 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.
Re: [UC] Shopping at Penn (where to buy socks)
On 13 Jan, 2005, at 07:21, Kyle Cassidy wrote: that's what i used to think, until i discovered Forman Mills at the corner of 48th and walnut. it's no Target, but there are socks-a-plenty. and inexpensively. not that i wouldn't be tickled pink of the block north west of 46th, currently being bulldozed, turned into a target. Neither location much matters. Penn Students are still terrified of going west of 40th street for anything. The neighborhood is far to violent for them. (I'd say integrated, but that wouldn't be PC.) That's why the students petitioned for a Grocery Store at 40th and Walnut -- on campus, so they wouldn't have to walk through the neighborhood and encounter the neighbors. the author also has a point about all the @[EMAIL PROTECTED] drug stores. any more and this neighborhood's going to collapse in on itself. What was it George Carlin used to say? D R U G S ! ! ! Ignoring George however, these drug stores, are really anything but. They may have started out their corporate existence selling drugs, but today their product lines have expanded dramatically. Virtually every one of them in the area sells significant amounts of food items, both staples -- milk and cereal, toilet paper and trash bags -- as well as junk food -- soda, chips, dip and candy. At many you can even buy things like motor oil, not to mention seasonal decorations, greeting cards and bicycles. About the only thing they don't sell is hot food to go, but otherwise they are much closer to a 7-11, Wawa, or mini-mart - a convenience store. These drug stores are the mom and pop variety stores of today. And while they might be corporate brand names, many are owned and operated by a local franchisee, not a corporate employee, just like McDonalds. 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.
Re: [UC] AOL's little secret
On 13 Jan, 2005, at 09:13, Mark Krull wrote: A friend of mine at work is on AOL. For 4 years she had been paying $23.95 per month for her service. She was having the $23.95 taken out of her credit card. AOL never mentioned that she could have paid $17.95 per month for the SAME service if she committed for a year. All she did was tell them over the phone. She was NEVER told of this savings option. She LOST over $200 over the last 4 years. She found out from a friend. Umm. Glad I am not with AOL This tactic is not unique to AOL. Virtually any service will allow you to pay whatever you want for as long as you will put up with it. They rarely, if ever communicate anything to their existing customers which will cause them to pay less. Banks are notorious for this. Most all employers are the same way -- they often pay the new hire more than loyal employees, who have been there for multiple years, simply because that is the current market rate. The high-tech world was rampant with this through the 70s, 80s and 90s -- if you wanted a raise, you got a new job. This is the primary reason why employers get really upset when employees compare wages. 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.
Re: [UC] AOL's little secret
On 13 Jan, 2005, at 10:19, Dubin, Elisabeth wrote: I think it's less of an ignoring of existing customers and more of a business strategy. Correct-o-mundo -- it's called disintermediation. This is a technical term from the financial community: Withdrawal of funds from intermediary financial institutions, such as banks and savings and loan associations, in order to invest in instruments yielding a higher return at the same institution. This the reason why things like CDs or cell-phone contracts have all kinds of early termination penalties. This same premise applies to the income stream of any business. A new customer attracted because of a lower price is new income, but an existing customer who pays less represents a loss of income. 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.
Re: [UC] Iron Security Bars
On 13 Jan, 2005, at 11:08, Kyle Cassidy wrote: I do want to get bars on the windows asap -- I'm spending a fortune in ammo. The Fire Marshal would rather you spend the money on ammo. The Police would rather you spend it on window bars. Effective window bars are not Fire Code compliant in Philadelphia. The Fire Department considers them a major impediment to rescuing people in the event of a fire, especially since those on the inside can rarely open them to escape in an emergency. (Oh dear, the keys to the padlock are in the drawer in the kitchen where the fire started!) They are also a potential trap for Fire personnel who would also be unable to escape in a timely manner. 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.
Re: [UC] Crime in West Philly/Ucity
On 13 Jan, 2005, at 16:28, Susan Jacobson wrote: Funny how all of the really violent crime (robbery/assault/homocide) occurs in MY neighborhood (18th District), and the less-violent occurs in the area right around Penn (17th District). There was even an aggravated assault listed at my address in December! Penn is in the 18th District, not the 17th. The 18th extends from Cobbs Creek to the River, south of Market to Baltimore. (North of Market is the 16th.) The 17th is east of the Schuylkill River to Broad street (South of Lombard to Moore). The University of Pennsylvania Police have an arrangement with the 18th District to patrol the area west to 43rd street. (The University of Pennsylvania Police are a sworn force, and one of the largest in the Commonwealth. If you want to know the boundaries of the various districts, they are here. Also on that page is a link to the contact page, which has the address and phone numbers of each district headquaters. http://www.ppdonline.org/ops/ops_districts.php 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.
[UC] Time to withdraw the troops
It is time to withdraw US troops from Indonesia! The Bush Administration is working hard to spin the crash of a Seahawk helicopter from the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier in Banda Aceh today as a mechanical failure. This despite the fact that, as reported by CBS News, The crash came amid heightened security concerns in several tsunami-hit areas with ethnic rebellions - particularly in Aceh, where rebels have waged a separatist war in the province for nearly three decades. United Nations staff in Aceh are on high alert, and armed guards patrol their compounds amid fears of rebel attacks. On January 8th, CBS News and the Associated Press reported: (CBS/AP) Suspected rebels fired shots early Sunday at the home of a top police official near the United Nations' relief headquarters in the tsunami-ravaged Indonesian city of Banda Aceh, officials said. No casualties were reported. On January 9th, CBS News and the Associated Press again reported: (CBS/AP) Indonesia's military said Sunday it had reports that separatist rebels were infiltrating refugee camps in tsunami-stricken Aceh province and warned relief workers to take extra care, the state news agency Antara reported. The BBC as well as all of the legacy US Networks have documented the existence of relief teams in the area from the two Indonesian rebel groups, Indonesian Mujahideen Council and the Laskar Mujahideen. It is pretty clear from comments made by Jan Egeland (UN emergency relief co-ordinator), and officials of France, Germany and the Arab World, especially in Egypt, that American assistance is neither needed nor wanted. So, the only rational conclusion is -- Since they are not wanted, it is time to withdraw US troops from Indonesia! Your turn Ross. 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.
Re: [UC] Time to withdraw the troops
so much that they seceded from the Union and formed their own country. Civil Rights is one of the biggest efforts of our government to impose our way of power on those who do not agree with it. Do you honestly believe that without the intervention of the Federal Government, the Civil Rights Movement would have survived? Even today, Civil Rights are anything but socially accepted in most of this country ... Just ask Jessie Jackson or the NAACP. Yes, George H.W. Bush resorted to the age old diplomatic ploy -- the enemy of my enemy is my friend. Maybe that is why the Diplomats of the UN and Old Europe are so upset that America is no longer following the Donald Trump way -- cutting deals -- and opting instead to support principles. 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.
Re: [UC] In the Clearing Stands a Boxer... a letter from Michael Moore (fwd)
On 08 Jan, 2005, at 12:23, Stephen A. Fisher wrote: -- Forwarded message -- Date: Fri, 07 Jan 2005 23:34:07 -0800 From: Michael Moore [EMAIL PROTECTED] ... I was blown away when Representative Maxine Waters took to the floor and said, Mr. Speaker and members, I dedicate my objection to Ohio's electoral votes to Mr. Michael Moore, the producer of the documentary '9/11' and I thank him for educating the world on the threats to our democracy and the proceedings of this house on the acceptance of the electoral college votes for the 2000 presidential election. ... So now we have it directly from the horse's mouth... The entire reason for this objection has nothing to do with election issues, nothing to do with the Voters in Ohio or the United States, but was solely for the promotion of Michael Moore's so called documentary! You will notice that the Candidate, Senator Kerry, who was present in the Senate for the canvass as was Al Gore in 2000, did not object. Was this because he believed that the results were fair and honest or because he was simply too much of a coward to object. Michael Moore and Maxine Waters would have you believe that John Kerry is an abject coward! Or maybe both Gore and Kerry knew the truth -- just as ZERO, ZIP, NADA of the charges about voter fraud made in 2000 were ever substantiated by anyone (no names, no affidavits were ever produced), so too are these charges utterly false, made out of spite and partisanship, and not out of any desire for truth or justice. If you want to investigate Voter Fraud, just look at Philadelphia. Mayor Street bragged that there was well over 3 million dollars available to get out the vote in the City. There are only about 1.5 million registered voters in the City ... and not all of them are Democrats. How much did you get for your voter for Kerry? Where did that money go? Who got paid off? ... or was Mayor Street simply lying through his teeth when he claimed to have more than 3 million dollars available to spend on election day? And I love the comment: and for a Democratic Party that has for too long sat back and taken it on the chin. Clearly he is unaware that the Democrats are the ones who have pulled the strings in Philadelphia since 1952. Michael Moore simply has no idea what he is talking about. He really is ignorant. T.T.F.N. William H. Magill # Beige G3 [Rev A motherboard - 300 MHz 768 Meg] OS X 10.2.8 # Flat-panel iMac (2.1) [800MHz - Super Drive - 768 Meg] OS X 10.3.7 # PWS433a [Alpha 21164 Rev 7.2 (EV56)- 64 Meg] Tru64 5.1a # XP1000 [Alpha 21264-3 (EV6) - 256 meg] FreeBSD 5.3 # XP1000 [Alpha 21264-A (EV 6.7) - 384 meg] FreeBSD 5.3 [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.
Re: [UC] Historical venues
On 02 Jan, 2005, at 12:24, Wilma de Soto wrote: Still, isn't there something to be said about saving these places where so many greats played? Also, I feel the Philadelphia Inferiority Syndrome has contributed to the de-valuing and lack of marketing these historical musical treasures, don't you think? I still wince when I think that The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is in Cleveland, Ohio (near where I went to college and a city that promotes anything that moves), instead of Philadelphia. What's wrong with this picture? Dick Clark moved to Hollywood and left us with Jerry Blavat! Now, Jerry is a tremendous guy and all that, but he didn't have the following that even Hisky (Hyski-O-Roonie-McVouty-O-Zoot) had ... and neither matched The Rockin' Bird, Joe Niagara. [At the time both were at WIBG while Jerry was at WCAM.] But the problem was, all three were strictly local talent, and radio to boot. Jerry tried to make the transition to Television with his Discophonic Scene, but it simply never caught on. ... and besides, by then (mid 1960's), the pop music world had moved to LA. (Interestingly a google search for geeter with the heater yields up a DJ for Radio 1 - who, in the UK in 1967, apparently adopted Blavat's moniker The Geator with the Heater, the Boss with the Hot Sauce with his patter: I am the Emperorthe geeter with the heater...) It has been said many times by many different pundits -- Philadelphia suffers greatly from its self-effacing Quaker heritage. As I recall, Philadelphia never even bid on hosting The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. (Or if it did, it was a typical well, we have to do this, but we don't really believe in it kind of bids.) Even the Philadelphia Orchestra survives without much in the way of Community Support. It is far better known and held in much higher esteem virtually anywhere else around the world than in its home city. One wonders how many on this list even know The Sound of Philadelphia? -- EITHER version ... Stokowski's or Gamble and Huff's. Philadelphia's musical tradition is deep and broad ... or at least it was. http://www.philadelphiamusicalliance.com/ [American Bandstand started with Bob Horn in 1952 on WFIL-TV. It was broadcast 5 days a week from the WFIL Studios, adjacent to the Arena, at 46th and Market Streets. Dick Clark took over in 1956 and Bandstand went nationwide, broadcast daily on ABC beginning in 1957, until Clark moved it to California and cut it back to one day a week in 1964. During its stint in Philadelphia, Bandstand virtually dictated the tastes for pop music and dance across the country!] 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.
Re: [UC] Historical venues
On 02 Jan, 2005, at 12:46, Jayfar wrote: On Sun, 2 Jan 2005, William H. Magill wrote: By that measure, one of the most important historical locations in the city is the old Second Fret on Sansom Street. Not only did it host Phil Question: Is the 2nd fret the building at 1904 Sansom with the colored terra cotta front that was a soul food luncheonette until the PPA bought up that row of buildings. I've only been here 24 years, so I don't know first hand, but the Daily News did a piece in the March 15, 2004 edition where they wrote that this was the case. On the other hand, the same DN article, by Jonathan Takiff, gave the street address as 1902 Sansom, which is a rear extension of the Sophy Curson shop. I don't recall that it was ever a soul food luncheonette. I know that it had been a law / architect office for a while. I believe that 1902 is the correct address. The building is obvious by the wrought iron spiral staircase visible through the window to the right of the door. I think there are 3 remaining in the row there. But yes, it is one of the buildings that the PPA wanted to demolish along with the Rittenhouse Club, and others to build the Parking Garage/whatever on Walnut Street. (Yes the Rittenhouse club is in the 1800 block and the other properties in the 1900 block. There have been several major demolition proposals for that area in recent years. I don't know if any of them are still alive at the moment. 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.
Re: [UC] Historical venues
On 03 Jan, 2005, at 20:29, Wilma de Soto wrote: O-neh Tribal Members, It's apparently spelled Nya-wey and means thanks in Seneca. Ees-da-sa-sussaway! was also Seneca which meant roughly Let's get started! For those of you who don't recognize what we're talking about, Chief Halftown was a 100% Seneca Indian (he hated the term Native American) who hosted the longest running local TV children's show in the history of the world (1950 - 1999) on WFIL-TV, which became WPVI. He died in 2003. http://www.broadcastpioneers.com/chief.html 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.
Re: [UC] Re: Scammer or Casing Alert
On 02 Jan, 2005, at 10:25, Charles H. Buchholtz wrote: He may throw in that he needs to be there by some deadline, that he isn't going to make if he needs to walk to 69th and then panhandle for the fare. That's why I always carry tokens. When you tell the guy that you don't have any money, but can give him a token that he can use on SEPTA to get to 69th street, he suddenly looses interest in further conversation and never takes the token. 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.
[UC] Historical venues
On 02 Jan, 2005, at 10:59, Wilma de Soto wrote: The Beatles played there in 1964 on their first American tour. One would think that would be a point to keep the building. The Stones also played there one one of their first American tours. I am not certain, but I venture that many other famous people either played there or spoke there. But you will note that once those acts became famous, they never returned to Convention Hall, it was just too small. By that measure, one of the most important historical locations in the city is the old Second Fret on Sansom Street. Not only did it host Phil Ochs, but also Bob Dylan, Joanie Mitchel, and so many, many others. And don't forget the Gilded Cage which was there first. And of course there was the Trauma which opened with The Righteous Brothers. And lets not forget the long departed Showboat where so many Jazz greats performed. I also loved the descent down the escalator into the Philadelphia Flower Show accompanied by the fragrance of hyacinths on a cold, sometimes snowy early Spring evening. Entering the show at The Convention Center just does not have the same effect. The escalator had nothing to do with either the Municipal Auditorium or Civic Center Museum. It was in the adjacent annex building which is now a major hole in the ground with a bunch of toy cars in it. But you are correct, the present mechanism for entering the Flower Show is not nearly as impressive. Another place that had lots of great acts was The Arena at 46th Market which was consumed in a fire I believe. The Arena, as a venue, died when WFIL (now WPVI) moved its studios to City Line Avenue, and no longer hosted American Bandstand there. I think the only thing which survived for long after the move was an assortment of boxing matches. Of course, some of the more important venues now gone were the Old Music Fund Hall at 8th and Locust, now apartments; a plethora of real theater theaters, now all long gone, but which hosted every name star that the theater had to offer. I think the last one standing was at 21st and Market. And let's not forget the now abandoned Academy of Music, home of that famous Philadelphia Sound, yet to be re-created in the new Kimmel Center. And who could forget the importance of the first IMAX theater at 6th and Vine -- now channel 12's studios. And I'm not even moving beyond the bounds of Penn's Green Country Town to move north or South on Broad Street. 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.
Re: [UC] UCHS and Civic Center demolitions: a review (fwd)
Date: Fri, 31 Dec 2004 19:41:31 + From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] . . . Subject: Re: [UC] UCHS and Civic Center demolitions: a review (fwd) The Civic Center would be an ideal location for a Gambling Casino. It is accessible, yet away from day-to-day activities. Historic venues are widely used for such purposes in England and Australia. There's a NIMBY answer if I ever read one. Just think what a message that sends to the world -- Come to Philadelphia's Cancer center and while you wait for your appointment, make enough money to pay for your treatment right across the street! Historical venues in Europe use old castles for gambling because the owners of those edifices decided that was the way to pay the rent. And I don't know of one which is less than about 200 years old. NONE of them are merely 70 years old. There are also a tremendous number of faux historical venues used for gambling worldwide ... it is far easier, cheaper, and all around better to build an old-building from the ground up with a new special-purpose core. And of course, we all know that 99% of the gamblers world-wide dress in Tuxedo's and drive around in Aston Martin's and truly appreciate the ease of climbing the facade of such an establishment. Come on, get real. Philadelphia gamblers, even more than the few Philadelphian's who travel to Atlantic City, will NEVER move beyond the nickel-slots. They would be much happier puling the handle while waiting for the El --- but then no money would flow into the pockets of the Politicians who expect to get rich on Gambling in Pennsylvania. Personally, I think the ideal location for Philadelphia's gambling empire is where it has already been proposed, and in the exact design that it has been proposed -- a monolithic block with swinging arc-lights right next to City Hall. or maybe at 17th and Arch. Or maybe to solve both the city's budget crisis and re-use an equally historic white-elephant ... the Casino should go into the Youth Study Center. accessible, yet away from day-to-day activities. I don't believe that you made that statement. It is clear that you do not live in the area and one even wonders if you live in the City of Philadelphia -- you are clearly completely and utterly out of touch with traffic issues in the City, let alone University City area. One wonders how, or even IF, ambulances will deal with the massive amounts of traffic necessary to make a casino profitable. Do you realize what kind of traffic volume you are talking about? You do realize, don't you, that there is barely any public transportation to the area. And that for the Casino to make ANY money, that massive amounts of traffic will be necessary from OUTSIDE the Center City area. Traffic all around that area is already horrendous and ALL highway access routes are strained over capacity -- and yes, I am talking about the Expressway, South Street and 38th Streets. And last but not least, who is going to manage the re-supply trucks for the food trucks in the area ... after all, the gamblers are going to want to eat someplace. The Committee to Save Convention Hall, or whatever its name is -- simply has no idea what they are talking about. And one last point. With your efforts to conserve what are in fact VERY mediocre examples of Art Deco architecture in Philadelphia, you not only demean those Art Deco structures which are good, but slam contemporary Architects -- You can't even design something as well as those turkeys who nobody ever heard of, did 80 years ago. Lets face it -- If Ed Rendel wanted to demolish those buildings instead of the University of Pennsylvania, everybody would be standing up and applauding his foresight and plans for the future. Yes, I'm saying that the ONLY reason that people are opposed to the demolition is because the University of Pennsylvania is the one doing it. 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.
Re: [UC] Civic Center demolition
On 29 Dec, 2004, at 17:37, Marianne Das wrote: After reading the pros and cons of this issue, there is only one thing that bothers me about the demolition of the auditorium. Traditionally it has been the place where most high school and college graduations take place. Central and Girls used to use the Academy of Music for this ceremony and may still, but it isn't really large enough to accomodate the family and friends of the graduates. What other auditorium in the city is large enough to perform this function? Never most -- always, only a few. (And, I don't believe that any have taken place there in the past 5 or possibly 10 years, since the facility was closed.) Penn hasn't used it for many, many years simply because it is way too small. I don't believe that Temple has ever used it, nor Textile, nor Jefferson. I don't think that Drexel or Pharmacy ever used it, but they might have. To the best of my knowledge, none of the Catholic High Schools in the City have ever used it. The Municipal Auditorium (Civic Center) was abandoned by the City of Philadelphia because it is too small for almost anything BUT a couple of the smaller, large graduation events. It was abandoned by Philadelphia Professional Basketball (long before the 76rs) for the same reason that Franklin Field was abandoned by the Eagles -- the facility was simply too small AND nobody could get to it without day long traffic jams (not to mention the lack of parking). The New Convention Center was built for just such purposes. I believe that the Train Shed itself is larger than the Convention Center (square footage wise). There is far more parking available at the New Convention Center than could ever be built anywhere near the Municipal Auditorium. And there are traffic patterns and public transportation to whisk people in and out with a minimum of disruption to the rest of the activities of the City. [I know all this is true because I read it in a Convention Center brochure.] BTW: The Kimmel is smaller than the Academy by something like 400 seats. From the 72 Bulletin Almanac, seating capacity: Municipal Auditorium 11,667 The Academy 2,921 The Kimmel 2,547 The Spectrum 17,500 Franklin Field 60,546 The Link 68,532 Citizens Bank Park 43,500 The Arena 7,226 The Vet56,371 baseball 65,352 football JFK Stadium73,703 permanent seats; 102,210 for Army / Navy games The PA Convention Center Ballroom (Second Floor of the Train Shed) seats 3,360 and is the second largest Ballroom in the Commonwealth. (Ballroom = pretty carpet on the floor). The Train Shed (Grand Hall) itself is about the same size - 30,000 square feet. The exhibit halls -- A 10,000 (Can be combined with B and C to make B 6,000 one room - 22,000) C 6,000 D 6,000 (downstairs) Additionally, there are large ballrooms in several of the downtown hotels. 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.
Re: [UC] can you help?
On 21 Dec, 2004, at 13:21, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: This bounced back when I tried to direct-reply directly to William H. Magill, so I'll get it to you this way... Hmmm... that's interesting. Do you still have the bounce? I'd be quite interested in seeing why it bounced. I ought to go downstairs and turn of the power to that side of the house, and try the darn thing myself. I am sure the cut out is the right size - it's a matter of getting over my fear of the wiring. Maybe it's a matter of disconnecting the old, and reconnecting the existing wiring to the new. Yup. As I said, it's probably pretty trivial. However, you probably can't tell until you remove the old unit. (The usual problem with all old house renovations.) By golly, I think I'll check it out. If all else fails, I'll get an electrician in to do it. The stove, like a dryer, is a 220 Volt, 2 or 3 phase appliance. Nominally, assuming you have circuit breakers, you should have a single 220 breaker (Big across 2 or 3 breakers) for the stove, completely independent of the power in the rest of the house. If you have fuses, there are several different ways that the stove might be wired. Most common was to attach a separate box for the stove or dryer adjacent to the main fuse box. If you successfully shut off power to a portion of the house, AND the stove goes off as well, I would DEFINITELY have an electrician look at things -- it should NOT be wired that way. It implies all kinds of nasty things. 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.
[UC] Pay to Play Christmas presents
Once again Philadelphia and Pennsylvania have shown the rest of the country how to Pay to Play. Page 1 Headline, Wednesday, 22 December: Rendel throws SEPTA a lifeline -- $13 million, not the $30 million needed. Buried on page B2, Commentary - Headline: Another favor for Comcast -- City Council accepts $30 million from State for Comcast. (Story from 9 December.) Which Philadelphia entity has enough cash laying around that they could afford to make a hostile takeover offer for the Walt Disney Company -- SEPTA or Comcast? Clearly, the $30 million the City and State are paying to Brian Roberts could be spent to better benefit the Citizens of both Philadelphia and Pennsylvania by being used on Mass Transportation. It is clear that there is absolutely no valid economic rationalization for the Comcast Tower at 17th and JFK ... the building will not be built without City and State subsidies. The projected economic benefits are such pure fiction, and therefore the risk far to high, for private investors to spend their own money. If the City really wanted to have that blighted property in the heart of the downtown developed, they would tax the property according to it's highest and best use -- not according to the myth that it is in a blighted area of the City and not worth anything because there is no structure on it. After a year of unpaid tax bills, the City could simply sell it at Sheriff's sale and pocket the proceeds. [Yeah, I know, with the state of the Sheriff's department, the City would probably never see the proceeds, but that's a subject for another letter.] 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.
Re: [UC] arsenic in the soil
On 20 Dec, 2004, at 13:48, Bill Sanderson wrote: I worry more about lead from years of paint scraping than I do about pressure treated wood, and I don't worry much about the lead. There is relatively little exterior lead contamination from lead paint scraping in the UC Area. (Interior is a different story.) However, that is more than made up for by the volume of tetra-ethel lead contamination from gasoline usage -- some 70-80+ years worth! (circa 1910 to circa 1980) Obviously this kind of contamination is directly related to your physical proximity to major thoroughfares -- like Baltimore, Chestnut, Walnut, Market, Springfield, Chester, Woodland, 40th, 44th, 47th, etc. 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.
Re: [UC] can you help?
On 20 Dec, 2004, at 14:00, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I was wondering if anybody out there uses an electric cooktop stove, and if so, how did they install it and how much did it cost to install. I have to replace my old one - came with the new house - with a newer version of the same model. Nominally, they are drop-ins -- that is to say, the countertop has a cutout the size and shape of the inards of the cooktop. The installation is not particularly different than that of a double-sink. Assuming that the appropriate wiring is intact and doesn't need replacement, usually they are plugins, but could also be hard-wired, the installation is trivial. Assuming that the required cutout matches, you simply unplug the old one, pick it up and replace it with the new one, and plug in the new one. If you have to modify the cutout, that's another issue. If it's hardwired, you either need to do the wiring yourself or get an electrician to do it for you. But unless you need to actually replace the feed, that's not a big deal. As for costs -- who knows. It mostly depends on who you bought it from and how it was bundled. Many vendors include installation, especially for simple replacements. A simple replacement shouldn't take more than 20 or 30 minutes, even if it has to be hard-wired. 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.
Re: [UC] Turn Your Back on Bush
On 15 Dec, 2004, at 14:14, Mario Giorno wrote: If we turn our backs on the president, we should all be aware that it's classically considered to be the ultimate symbolic gesture of no-confidence. It means we, in spirit if not in any physical sense, shun the man himself and cast him out. I can see why this would be a useful gesture to give toward the president and his policies; it's non-violent, it's universally understood, The simple fact that you feel a need to explain your proposed actions clearly illustrates that the concept is neither universally understood nor a classic symbol of no-confidence. The organizers may wish this to be so, but it is simply not true. In fact, I would counter that the vast majority of the population would consider turning one's back on someone to be nothing more than disrespectful, and a reflection on the upbringing and education of those so doing. We see this kind of behavior daily in the Philadelphia schools, and in almost any pre-teen clique movie ... where Hollywood uses the technique to underscore how immature the participants are. Media coverage of the event will spend 99% of the piece explaining WHY these people were doing what they were doing -- because nobody in the Media will believe that their audience will have any idea what it is that the protesters are doing or trying to accomplish. In fact, the Media will have to interview the protest organizers so that THEY can explain what it is they are doing because the Media folks won't have a clue what it is they are doing. ... except for what the protest organizers will have explained to the assignment editors in their press releases to get the Media to cover them in the first place. 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.
Re: [UC] From today's DP
On 07 Dec, 2004, at 13:12, Dubin, Elisabeth wrote: Somehow I missed what's been going on at the food court. Did something happen? Did they find The Anthrax there? As the original leases have come up for renewal, the existing tenants have decided that the rents Penn wants are simply way out of line with income, let alone profits. The traffic at the venue simply does not justify the rent charged. The stores are vacant (void of customers) roughly 4 months of the year, when the students are not on campus. The concept of upscaling the shopping only works if the traffic is there. Penn's Real Estate folks are again (still) looking to maximize their income by charging the same prices per square foot that one finds at King of Prussia. Prices that KravCo established when they handled the leasing a number of years ago. It's only the national chains who are used to the Terms and Conditions encountered in places like King of Prussia Mall who think they are getting a deal in the shops. 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.
Re: [UC] local history (was another idea from California)
On 09 Dec, 2004, at 16:43, L a s e r B e a m ® wrote: Its lesser size, however, does not diminish its important value to the pipe organ community and the theater organ community. The organ was built with two consoles on screw lifts with classical concert organ specifications and theater organ stops, as well as an automatic roll player which played the organ, changed stops and even controlled expression. It was 100 percent original and in 100 percent working condition. ... Except that the Pipe Organ Community -- at least that part which shows up on line -- neither has anything (virtually at all) to say about the Municipal Auditorium Organ (Moller Opus 5819) or about its supposed working condition. From what I was able to determine, it was last played (and then for a Theater Organ Society event) sometime in the early 90s. [BTW: There are recordings of the organ available.] I suspect that the pipe organ community simply assumed that it was destroyed when the buildings closed to the public in 1995. Although with all of the claims about the organ's importance, I'm surprised to find so little information about it. (The Moller Organ company was based in Hagerstown, Md. It closed its doors in 1992.) http://www.greencastlemuseum.org/Special_Exhibits/antique_tools.htm http://www.fullorgan.com/moller/organ/organs/theatre/t08.html http://www.fullorgan.com/moller/organ/organs/theatre/t07.html http://www.fullorgan.com/moller/organ/organs/theatre/t06.html http://www.fullorgan.com/moller/organ/organs/theatre/t05.html 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.
Re: [UC] local history (was another idea from California)
On 09 Dec, 2004, at 21:42, Charles H. Buchholtz wrote: From: =?windows-1252?Q?L_a_s_e_r_B_e_a_m_=AE?= [EMAIL PROTECTED] Date: Thu, 09 Dec 2004 16:43:06 -0500 it is unlikely that the radiology equipment could possibly be larger than equipment that has been in the building before, I don't know what sort of radiology equipment they are planning to put in, but I'd be surprised if it was smaller than the equipment that has been in the building before. Particle accelerators can get very big. Brookhaven National Lab has a synchotron that's 843 ft in diameter. I'm guessing (and hoping) that they are going to make their own radiation on site, rather than mining, processing, transporting, and storing dangerous long-half-life radioactive materials. Safer for the community, safer for the world, and opens up new potential treatments. As far as I know, the Tandem still exists in the back of DRL. Don't know if it still is in working condition or not. It's been there since the Penn-Princeton Accelerator project back in the 60s. At one time it generated radiated gasses for HUP, and piped them through the steam tunnels. Yeah, been there, seen them, they (both the tunnels and the pipes) existed when we built PennNet back in the early 70s. At that point the lines had been unused for some time. I think they were removed not too long after we started working on PennNet, but I don't know for certain. 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.
