Re: [UCNeighbors] Re: [UC] Fwd: Air Conditioner NEEDED ASAP!

2016-08-14 Thread missthin
Hi

Aldi did get some a/c window units in, but that was a couple months ago as
a special buy.  No they don't have phone numbers for the stores.  Even CVS
was selling window units.  Long gone of course, I think after that last
heatwave.

Lowes at ParkWest Town Center, 1500 N 50th St, Philadelphia, PA 19131, Phone:
(215) 796-6640 - if you can get to it is showing a few window units
according to this page (clicked available for pick-up) - I'd call first
http://www.lowes.com/pl/Room-air-conditioners-Air-conditioners-fans-Heating-cooling/4294749561?inStock=1&rollUpVariants=0

And that's all I've found.  Even did a quick craig's list check.

sorry!  Hope you have or know someone with a car.

Wendy



On Sat, Aug 13, 2016 at 6:44 PM, Cindy  wrote:

> I feel ya...about 4 or 5 years ago, my little AC, which was fine till
> then--just couldn't handle 100 degree heat.
> But they were all sold out, everywhere, until someone told me about
> Gerhards' on Lancaster Ave in Ardmore. Fairly priced, too...good luck...
>
>
>
>
> -Cindy Miller
>
> “ threaten existence,
>  expect resistance"
>
>
>
>
>
>
> On Aug 13, 2016, at 2:45 PM, Wilma de Soto wrote:
>
> ALDI might have some.
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
> On Aug 13, 2016, at 1:55 PM, Linda Lee  wrote:
>
> forwarding...
>
> *From: *Maureen Hood 
> *Date: *August 13, 2016 12:18:22 PM EDT
> *To: *Clark Park Tot Lot 
> *Subject: **[TotLot] Air Conditioner NEEDED ASAP!*
>
> I was trying to be a low fossil fuel burning citizen by not having air
> conditioning (although they don't use that much).
> Now the time has come! I called all the major department stores and
> they're all out of them. Any suggestions? Or, do
> you have an extra air conditioner you want to sell?
>
>
>
> --
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[UC] Re: [UCNeighbors] Stolen Package

2016-07-26 Thread missthin
Hi Gary

Over the phone?  That'd be awesome.  It's the phone carrier that's
insisting on a police report.  They said wait 24 hours (which will be 10:30
am tomorrow), then file - BUT there is one problem.   I have to have a copy
of the report to email to them to get a replacement phone :/   Maybe
there's an official filing number on the report that the carrier would take
as proof of reporting, hm.

Thanks for the good luck, I think I'll need it.

wendy

On Tue, Jul 26, 2016 at 5:24 PM, Gay  wrote:

> When I had packages stolen twice the police took the report over the phone
> once and once came to the house. I didn't need to travel. And one of the
> people I bought from (Toms) actually sent me another pair of shoes
> immediately. Good luck!
> Gay
>
> Gay Carducci
> Managing Director
> Curio Theatre Company
> 215-525-1350
> Www.curiotheatre.org <http://www.curiotheatre.org>
>
>
> On Jul 26, 2016, at 5:17 PM, missthin  wrote:
>
> Hi
>
> Just a heads up that apparently someone, either an individual or possibly
> more than one person, is stealing packages delivered and left on porches.
>
> I had a phone delivered via Fedex today and it's not there, it's gone.  So
> now I have to file a police report and file a copy of that with the phone
> carrier and Fedex so I can get a replacement.
>
> I don't believe there's a Fedex store that will allow pick-ups of
> deliveries, just drop-offs for sending out.  And yes, that's the shipping
> carrier the company uses for their phones.
>
> So, be careful, be on the lookout and try to find a safe place to have
> your packages left.
>
> Color me disgusted, disappointed, frustrated and po'ed.  I'm not even sure
> where I need to go as far as going to the police station to file a report!
> Anyone know?  Is it a million miles away? (I don't drive and it's been
> hotter than hades for trying to walk).  Thanks!
>
> Wendy
>
> --
> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups
> "UCNeighbors" group.
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>


[UC] Stolen Package

2016-07-26 Thread missthin
Hi

Just a heads up that apparently someone, either an individual or possibly
more than one person, is stealing packages delivered and left on porches.

I had a phone delivered via Fedex today and it's not there, it's gone.  So
now I have to file a police report and file a copy of that with the phone
carrier and Fedex so I can get a replacement.

I don't believe there's a Fedex store that will allow pick-ups of
deliveries, just drop-offs for sending out.  And yes, that's the shipping
carrier the company uses for their phones.

So, be careful, be on the lookout and try to find a safe place to have your
packages left.

Color me disgusted, disappointed, frustrated and po'ed.  I'm not even sure
where I need to go as far as going to the police station to file a report!
Anyone know?  Is it a million miles away? (I don't drive and it's been
hotter than hades for trying to walk).  Thanks!

Wendy


[UC] Red Paw In-Kind Donation Drive

2015-01-15 Thread missthin
Hi

Just wanted to pass this along.  Red Paw's first "incident" happened in
Center City, the second and I think defining incident was the horrible fire
and aftermath in January, 2011.  Remember that?

Anyway, Baltimore Pet Shoppe at 4532 Baltimore Avenue is a drop-off point
over the weekent for Red Paw's In-Kind Donation Drive.

Jen Leary and all the volunteers with Red Paw have helped so many, it'd be
great if we could help them ... help even more!

http://redpawemergencyreliefteam.com/in-kind-donations/


What the in-kind donations are used for and under that what they need (in
general too).  They have an Amazon wish list and you can choose them as
your Amazon "Smile" charity if you'd like.  But seeing mass quantities of
cat litter, litter boxes and scoopers, wet and dry cat and dog food, maybe
even some toys and good treats? would I'm sure bring a huge smile to Red
Paw volunteer faces and the faces of the families helped.

Thanks!
Wendy


Re: [UC] Fwd: 45th Street and Pine Gun Point Robbery/50th & Baltimore

2014-12-22 Thread missthin
Hi

I'm not sure if it's the time of year with all these robberies, but I
suggest anyone who needs to be out and about utilize UCD's Escort -
215-898-WALK

There was another robbery at knife-point at 50th and Baltimore Sunday
evening.
http://www.westphillylocal.com/2014/12/21/woman-robbed-at-gunpoint-near-45th-and-pine/

Wendy



On Mon, Dec 22, 2014 at 9:26 AM, Fran Byers  wrote:

>
> -Original Message-
> From: Patty Bulack 
> To: 48th-Street-Neighbors <48th-street-neighb...@googlegroups.com>; Gerry
> Davis ; 49th-and-trinity <
> 49th-and-trin...@googlegroups.com>
> Sent: Sun, Dec 21, 2014 10:05 pm
> Subject: Fwd: 45th Street and Pine Gun Point Robbery
>
>  Hello all,
> I am forwarding this to you because of its urgency.  Madison was very
> gracious in the way that she asked me to do this, and to be honest its been
> really hard for me not to jump in since I said I wouldn't be!  Here is what
> she has to say about the gunpoint robbery at 45 and Pine last night.
> Please be aware and vigilant, even when you are looking out your windows or
> casually looking from anywhere.   Always call 911 first, and then anyone
> else.  Also note the strategy the robbers used of splitting up, which gives
> them opportunity to surround the person they are robbing.  If you notice
> such behaviour while you are walking, do something to change the scenario -
> like turning around and going the other direction, yell call 911, etc.
>   Its good to think of things to have up your sleeve that you know you
> would be willing to do.
> Sigh - the holidays are often when crime increases, because we are
> distracted and often have more money with us as we are out and about.
>  be vigilant while in the holiday spirit, not only for yourself but those
> around you.  Kudos to Madison and her boyfriend for being so observant,
> paying attention to their gut, and getting the word out.  Thanks Madison!
>
>  Yours,
> Patty
>
> -- Forwarded message --
> From: MADISON RUSS 
> Date: Sun, Dec 21, 2014 at 7:20 PM
> Subject: 45th Street and Pine Gun Point Robbery
> To: Patty Bulack , "
> 48th-street-neighb...@googlegroups.com" <
> 48th-street-neighb...@googlegroups.com>
>
>
> Hi Patty,
>
> I know you're not in charge of the google group anymore and I haven't been
> able to find it. I apologize for bothering you, but I hope that you can
> forward this along to the right people considering the immediateness of the
> situation. I've cc'd the 48th Street Neighbor's google group but I'm not
> sure if that is the old group or the new one. I thought I would give it a
> shot concerning some important and relevant information. Normally I
> wouldn't want to bother you, but I'm hoping this can get out to everyone to
> keep them alerted.
>
>  I witnessed the robbery last night on 45th and Pine. I immediately
> called 911 and messaged Detective Murray on Twitter today who said he's
> going to forward my information along. I am writing this because some
> information West Philly Local reported is not entirely accurate. They
> haven't caught the men responsible and as Detective Murray noted, this
> isn't likely a "one and done deal" so here is what I know regarding what I
> saw:
>
>  Around 9:20 PM, I was standing on my balcony with my boyfriend and
> noticed *four *individuals in black pants and black hoodies  standing in
> front of the dry cleaner on the corner of 45th and Pine. I noted to my
> boyfriend, that was unusual and they looked suspicious. At first, he sort
> of brushed it off and I stood up to get a closer look. He joined me, and we
> noticed three kept to one side of the sidewalk while a fourth slowly walked
> over to the left. At that point, we realized they were probably up to no
> good (either canvassing houses, looking to mug someone, ect.) and wanted to
> keep an eye on them. We speculated at first maybe they were waiting for
> someone, but the fact that they were slowly walking down the side walk and
> split up was weird. Very quickly, as they were walking south a woman
> walking north turned into the drive way next to Coffee Market (formerly
> Earth Cup) We didn't see what happened, but the fourth person was waiting
> across the street while the three men followed her and as I told my
> boyfriend to run inside to grab the phone so we could call 911, they
> quickly ran out and as a group they began running down 45th and Osage west
> bound towards 46th. We called the 18th district police who then informed us
> to call 911 and I reported what happened.
>
>  I was surprised today to find out that it was only reported there were
> three, but this is likely because the victim didn't see the "fourth look
> out" who was roughly in front of the Sedgley. I couldn't see their faces,
> but they were all wearing black hoodies and dark pants. It was a pretty
> scary situation and definitely one in hindsight, I wish I had yelled
> something to deter them but it happened very quickly. Again, they are still
> out there and I ju

[UC] Mission First Housing Group - 46th & Spruce

2014-07-11 Thread missthin
Hi

I'm probably late on this, but I just found out about this proposal:

http://ucreview.com/mission-first-housing-group-discusses-proposed-lowincome-housing-on-a-bli-p4973-1.htm

Anyone who has any information on how to support this project and anyone
who would support this project, please speak up and out.

This is a subject near and dear to my heart for a number of reasons.

As I submitted to the Review:

As a disabled person on SSDI with an cat who is companion/ESA but under 62
it is very hard to find anywhere that I can even apply.

If this building accepts section 811 - Housing for Persons with
Disabilities - I would be there in a heartbeat applying for an accessible,
affordable, clean, safe apartment. And the 30% of SSDI usually charged as
rent is about all I can afford. I'm currently on a wait list, but have been
there since last March. We, the working poor, the disabled, the elderly,
the vets are good tenants. We care, we're responsible, we're appreciative
of having a nice place to live. Just because we don't have much money
doesn't mean we don't deserve to be or remain part of this great community.

This area in particular is my home. My doctors are here, pharmacy, local
market and other local businesses that are known and accessible - and I
along with the others who would be living in this building would be
contributing to the community in keeping most of our spending here. Having
a comfort zone, being able to stay where we know people, have friends,
perhaps family, and as stated above our doctors and other medical/physical
needs easily accessed is very important.

A big plus is in the way the new building is described. It will definitely
add to the community instead of that mess that's still sitting on the
corner.

I ask, for my sake selfishly (if I qualify hopefully) and for the sake of
other disabled, vets, seniors and working adults who just don't make enough
to afford the too high rents but love this area and know all too well the
urgent need for affordable housing: please ok, fund and build this
affordable housing.


Thanks neighbors and Community Associations in advance.

Wendy


[UC] Re: [UCNeighbors] Mail/Package thief?

2014-04-15 Thread missthin
This particular package there wasn't even one of those little notices
saying "left on porch" or "left in ", nothing.  Add to that our
doorbell doesn't always work and/or I don't always hear it when it does.

Amazon if I have to, I'll involve.  I've contacted the seller, but they are
closed for Passover.  And I just got done having to involve Amazon with a
third party seller dispute that Amazon decided was the seller's problem.  I
don't want to look like some kind of crank.  So for now, I guess I'll have
to sit and wait until after April 23rd and try to talk to the seller again
when they're back.  *sigh*  I hate this kind of stuff!


On Tue, Apr 15, 2014 at 4:30 PM, Priya Joshi wrote:

> USPS is notorious for not even bothering to ring and simply leaving
> notices which means the “recipient” has to go to the PO to pick up which
> defeats the purpose of delivery, imo.
>
> We have found it most effective to complain not to USPS which is
> invulnerable to complaints since it’s indifferent to service, but with the
> sender (e.g. Amazon) which takes delivery and service very seriously.  We
> have learned that customer complaints with vendors have now made THEM
> insist that USPS be more diligent with delivery or risk losing the $3bn
> contract Amazon has recently awarded USPS.  Just a heads up.
>
> Priya
>
>
>
>
>
> On Apr 15, 2014, at 4:21 PM, Peter Dyer  wrote:
>
> In addition to packages going missing, we've also had issues with USPS not
> leaving notices and UPS and FedEx saying they've contacted us but never do.
> Leaving the notice on the door while I sat at home. I always feel like any
> sort of package delivery is a crapshoot.
>
>
> On Tue, Apr 15, 2014 at 4:14 PM, missthin  wrote:
>
>> Hi
>>
>> Just an fyi.  If you are expecting a package, a no-signature one and have
>> a place for UPS or USPS to place it like we do, it may or may not make it
>> to your hands.
>>
>> I'm waiting for contact from USPS regarding a package that had a tracking
>> number and was marked as delivered yesterday.  Except I never got it.  And
>> I was home at the time.  Which  means someone probably saw the carrier come
>> up onto the porch, place the package where it's supposed to go and then
>> came up on the porch and took it.
>>
>> Just keep an eye out for yourself and your neighbors.
>>
>> Thanks
>> Wendy
>>
>> --
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>> "UCNeighbors" group.
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>
>
> --
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>


[UC] Mail/Package thief?

2014-04-15 Thread missthin
Hi

Just an fyi.  If you are expecting a package, a no-signature one and have a
place for UPS or USPS to place it like we do, it may or may not make it to
your hands.

I'm waiting for contact from USPS regarding a package that had a tracking
number and was marked as delivered yesterday.  Except I never got it.  And
I was home at the time.  Which  means someone probably saw the carrier come
up onto the porch, place the package where it's supposed to go and then
came up on the porch and took it.

Just keep an eye out for yourself and your neighbors.

Thanks
Wendy


[UC] Drexel area robberies - with guns

2013-08-24 Thread missthin
Just stumbled across this, the latest robbery ended with a student being
shot.  Hope he'll be ok!

Be careful out there, especially if you have an iPhone, not sure of "apple
picking" is still happening.

http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2013/08/23/local-university-campus-on-alert-after-several-gunpoint-robberies/

Wendy


[UC] Re: [UCNeighbors] Injured possum in backyard

2013-05-12 Thread missthin
Hi Brian

AFAIK from past experience, unless things have changed, Animal Control
won't do anything.  They'll tell you to trap the possum and then they'll
come out.  When they'd come is another question.  But I'd try giving them a
call, can't hurt!

Good luck

Wendy


On Sun, May 12, 2013 at 10:05 PM, briansi...@gmail.com  wrote:

> Got an injured possum in the back yard. Any suggestions for,animal control
> or rescue at this hour?
>
>
> Sent from my Virgin Mobile Android-Powered Device
>
>  --
> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups
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>
>
>


[UC] Re: [UCNeighbors] Old TVs

2013-04-26 Thread missthin
If you can get the tv out, Second Mile would take if working.  I don't
think they'd do pick-up though.  I have a 26" (I think?) sitting, there's
no way I (or anyone I know of alone) can get it down 3 flights of stairs.
It weighs a ton.  It works, it's just huge and heavy.


On Fri, Apr 26, 2013 at 4:00 PM, Adam .  wrote:

> i put mine on the curb and it was gone in < 5 minutes.
>
>
>
> On Fri, Apr 26, 2013 at 3:48 PM, Lois Gelfand wrote:
>
>> I have the same issue with one TV
>> On Apr 26, 2013 3:11 PM, "Karin"  wrote:
>>
>>> Can someone help?  I have two old Sony TVs (analog) that I would like to
>>> either give away or find a hauler to take them.  I cannot fit them into my
>>> car.  Does anyone know of either someone who might want them ( the picture
>>> on both are still good) or someone who will come and take them away?
>>> Thank you!
>>> Karin
>>>
>>> --
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>>>
>>>
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[UC] Update on AVI Percentages

2013-02-06 Thread missthin
Hi

Just read this so I thought I'd pass it on:
http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/cityhall/Nutter-administration-gives-Council-closer-look-at-AVI-data.html

>From the article it looks like the rate will be 1.3%, BUT if you have the
homestead exemption? 1.4%.   The City giveth and the City taketh away?

Love that it was "behind closed doors", it's not like something that won't
affect a great many people in the city, right?  Councilman Mark Squilla is
saying his district is going to "get hit hard", that doesn't sound like
taxes will be going down to me.  And don't forget property taxes have gone
up for the past 3 years already ... and those were supposed to be
temporary, weren't they?

~ Wendy


[UC] Re: [UCNeighbors] NBC10 News re: AVI

2013-02-02 Thread missthin
Hi Mark,

If you rent?I guess it depends on the situation, like if you're doing a
more casual kind of "rooming" where you don't have a formal lease and
you're helping to pay household expenses - I can see more of that kind of
arrangement, if possible for all parties concerned, happening.  Even if a
homeowner has those extra few rooms or a "mother-in-law" type setup which
many of the older houses have and someone helps pay the extra property tax
and some of the house utilities?

Otherwise, if you formally do rent with a lease, especially some of the
bigger landlords who imho already charge obscene amounts of rent, be
prepared for some big rent increases.

I did find this, I'm not sure if this is any help at all to anyone, but:
http://www.city-data.com/philadelphia/ and then searched city, state, zip
and got this page: http://www.city-data.com/zips/19104.html  From there,
you can scroll down, put in your actual address in the Home Value
Estimate.  Now whether this is actually the range for the new AVI I don't
know.  It looks to have a low and a high range and and estimate
"confidence" and there's a link to a page for  Recent home sales, real
estate maps, and home value estimator for zip code 19104 (the zip I put in)
... I do NOT know what year this is for but there is a Homes Sales Chart
that goes from 2007 to Q3 2012.

It's all over my poor head.  Yes I'm worried, I'm worried for everyone.
Just hoping against hope that it's not as big as the AVI Impact map shows
depending on what's sold where (I'm guessing that has an impact on peoples'
reassessment?).

~Wendy


On Sat, Feb 2, 2013 at 4:56 PM, Mark  wrote:

> What if you rent??
>
>
> www.mkrull.blogspot,com
> Yes, I'm cashing in my ten-cent life for another one☕
>
> On Feb 2, 2013, at 4:50 PM, missthin  wrote:
>
> Hi all,
>
> Just read this last night.  Cannot believe they're going to be sending out
> notices that will make peoples' heads asplode without residents knowing
> what the rate will be.
>
>
> http://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/politics/Property-Taxes-Philadelphia-Notices-Assessments-Hike-189321321.html
>
> Good luck everyone
> Wendy
>
> --
> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups
> "UCNeighbors" group.
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>
>
>
>


[UC] NBC10 News re: AVI

2013-02-02 Thread missthin
Hi all,

Just read this last night.  Cannot believe they're going to be sending out
notices that will make peoples' heads asplode without residents knowing
what the rate will be.

http://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/politics/Property-Taxes-Philadelphia-Notices-Assessments-Hike-189321321.html

Good luck everyone
Wendy


Re: [UC] Check out The Daily Pennsylvanian :: Q&A: Penn author evaluates university ci

2012-12-06 Thread missthin
Hi Al and everyone

I read the article.  Without reading the book (which I doubt I will to be
honest), it seems rather self-congratulating and almost condescending to
me.  The University works with local and minority businesses?  Only if by
raising rents so high that only "name brand" type stores can afford to be
in the area and driving locals out can be considered "working with".  I see
it as working against local, let alone minority businesses personally.

Not even all the businesses the University works with contribute to the
community as a whole.  One example would be the computer shop that's inside
the B&N at 36th and Walnut.  You can't walk in there and buy a computer or
even certain accessories unless you are affiliated with UofP.  How does
that help the community as a whole?

The 40th street debacle is a very big example of how the community is not
taken seriously and not being worked with.  I did read about the hearing, I
read about Mr. Laren taking the time to testify and his testimony,
apparently not being appreciated, being downgraded from expert to more or
less "opinion", even though he has done a number of renovations and
maintains a good amount of housing and cares about the neighborhood.  I
would imagine that most of our local landlords who are interested in
renovating, maintaining and keeping safe, clean, affordable housing, not
just for students who they can overcharge, but for local residents, would
have gotten the same treatment.  If it doesn't jibe with what Penn wants,
then it's less than.  If it means Penn can't charge $1,000+ for a tiny
studio and make even more money, then it's less than - the community as a
whole doesn't matter.

If Penn was truly serious about helping the community, about doing
something about the poor and the school situation, they would have come
forward already.  I mean beyond Sadie, I'm talking schools like Lea, the
closed West Philly High (to be turned into luxury apts. or condos - don't
remember which).  That helps the can't afford these high rents/ridiculous
amount of money to buy a house/condo; it doesn't help the teachers or
students in the area who've lost a school.

/rant

Wendy

On Thu, Dec 6, 2012 at 8:57 AM,  wrote:

> **
> Click here: The Daily Pennsylvanian :: Q&A: Penn author evaluates
> university civic 
> engagement
>
> Does anybody on this on-line forum agree with what Ms Hodges has to say?
> Maybe none of the Penn people who provided all the pap about "partnership
> with the community" forgot to mention 400 S 40th St.
>
> Al Krigman
>


Re: [UC] Security sales - scratching AWAY my silence

2012-12-02 Thread missthin
Hi Richard and anyone else getting these robocalls

YES, I get at least one home security call a day, the "if you are up to
date on your electric bill" calls - 3 or 4 a day and the ever loving "lower
your interest on your credit card" calls.  Yes I'm on the DNC list, no it's
not stopping any of these scammers.  And yes, when they call my cellphone
and I get a number I do report it, but that does no good either.  Cell is
really annoying because it's prepaid, so I'm paying for these calls!

I don't know what the answer is to stopping them.  I've tried the wait and
press to speak to someone and have nicely informed of DNC list and to take
me off, I've yelled.  Doesn't matter.   They're all constant.  If anyone
knows how to get them to stop, please let the rest of us know?

Wendy

On Sat, Dec 1, 2012 at 9:53 AM, Richard Conrad  wrote:

> Is it just me... or is anyone else getting constant come ons from home
> security sales persons?
>
>
>
> Security selling solicitations -seriously seem to be invading...
> 'Organized' crime '
> saying they are EAGERLY helping
> to keep pretty much JUST what they are doing
> from happening???
>
> Constant 'come on's
> THEY are so freak went-Ly(e)
> phoning out phoney phfishings!
> 
> You are receiving this because you are subscribed to the
> list named "UnivCity." To unsubscribe or for archive information, see
> .
>


[UC] Re: [UCNeighbors] "What new Philadelphia tax plan would mean for renters"- from Philly.com

2012-06-14 Thread missthin
Hi

Why has and is the city not aggressively going after the tax "deadbeats"?
If they collected even half of the monies owed, that would, if the 500
million figure is correct (which I don't doubt), that would definitely be a
huge help.And while property taxes might go up, it wouldn't be so
draconian and scary.

Peoples' incomes aren't going up 175% (looking at one property in Spruce
Hill via http://ppiin.org/avi-impact-map/).  I almost threw up when I saw
that one, that's not too far from where we're living.  That's insane.

Prices of everything keep going up, many people are struggling to get by
now.  No one's going to be able to sell, even if they wanted to - and most
people don't.   And if they were to, where are they going to go?

People who bought houses as their primary residence usually are in for the
"long haul" knowing they have a permanent place.  Many people didn't buy
during the "bubble", they bought fixer-uppers and with the cost of
everything else going up (gas, electric, etc.), they're not getting to "fix
up" what they wanted, only what's positively needed (roof leaking, for
instance).  Now the very people who bought within their means and bought
when the area was still either "bad" or just coming up - depending on your
block in a lot of cases - are going to excuse the expression, be raped by
the city because the city has been lazy and behind on keeping assessments
up to date, thereby keeping property taxes at perhaps a slower, lower
increase that might be able to be budgeted in even a little easier and by
not going after the deadbeats.

The renters?  They're going to get slammed and I've found most rents around
here to be pretty high (I've seen small 1 bedrooms going for $900+ - for me
that would be with utilities my entire SSDI check), plus many landlords are
converting utilities so renters have to pay most or all of them.  Now a big
rent increase on top of that and the landlords (I'm talking the smaller
neighborhood landlords even more) probably still won't be able to recover
the difference.   Where does that leave the working folk who rent, the
people with children, everyone who's living paycheck to paycheck
already. "(Non-exempt
landlords could pass along their higher taxes to their renters, 75 percent
of whom are low income.)"

http://www.citypaper.net/news/2012-06-14-crunch-time.html

AVI in a nutshell: The city’s property assessments are a mess, and have
been for years. Some people are paying too much in property taxes, and many
others — including many wealthier residents — are paying profoundly less
than they ought to be. Under AVI, the city is reassessing every property in
the city according to its “actual” (see?) market value. Then, the tax
itself will be rejigged to make the whole endeavor almost revenue-neutral —
almost, because Mayor Michael Nutter has built into his proposal a means to
maintain the revenues until now collected via two years of “temporary” tax
hikes, plus another property-tax hike and $94 million extra for schools.
- emphasis added

This whole AVI plan is a disaster and it's going to be a huge disaster for
all affected, meaning just about all of us whether we own or rent.

I'm very worried, very scared, very angry.  I am blessed to be able to live
in the house someone bought - it already had a "mother-in-law" space/apt.
and I do my best to help with household expenses being disabled on SSDI.
It is not a formal rental but the house is listed as having an apt. AFAIK
it probably was when it was bought.  And from little I can see, the block
is just about all zoned as C2.  What that means for the homeowner I don't
know.  I can google, try to read but after awhile I end up completely
confused (my normal state anyway).

Just, bottom line, this AVI scheme is wrong-minded, it's going to hurt a
lot more than it's going to help.  It's not going to help the economy, even
with the business tax removed - people will not have the money to spend in
our local businesses except for absolute necessities like ... food.
People are going to default because they can't afford it and then what?
What about the people who don't have children, aren't going to have
children.  There's bound to be resentment from people being forced to cough
up yet another tax increase (there was one in 2011) to bail out the schools
- again:
http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2011/06/16/philadelphia-city-council-set-to-pass-partial-bailout-of-the-school-district-of-philadelphia-without-mayor-nutters-proposed-soda-tax/

Maybe if City Council wasn't so ready to vote themselves raises and pension
increases (
http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2011/09/15/philadelphia-city-council-overrides-mayor-nutters-veto-of-drop-pension-program/);
why was the "sugar tax" on soft drinks not passed last year?  Why are
people buying "luxury" condos - who can certainly afford them - getting 10
year tax abatements?  Why are big corporations getting these tax abatements
(I know, they're "job creators"), but looking at at PDF that 

[UC] Re: [UCNeighbors] New law: unwarranted and primarily punitive medical procedure

2012-02-27 Thread missthin
This insidious attack on women just won't stop.  These laws/bills aren't
about helping women, helping get "gold standard" care, it's the extremist
"pro-life" (of course most are only "pro-life" until there is a baby, then
you're on your own) who are trying to go back in time and control.

There's ultrasound laws in Louisiana, Idaho, Arizona, Mississippi, Alabama
and Florida.  How have these slipped through?  Why is it we're mostly just
recently finding out about this violation of women and womens' rights and
that whether there is or isn't an ultrasound should be between the woman
and her doctor?  And who is paying for all of these?

Virginia has just passed a bill requiring an ultrasound, but oh gee, it can
be abdominal instead of invasive  - "Amid rising criticism, Virginia Gov.
Bob McDonnell changed his stance on a bill that would require women to have
a *transvaginal ultrasound* before an abortion, noting that an abdominal
ultrasound would be more appropriate."

There is NOTHING appropriate about any of these bills or laws.  In Texas
the transvaginal IS mandatory btw.

http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/politics/jan-june12/abortion_02-23.html

g

Wendy



On Mon, Feb 27, 2012 at 1:42 PM, Richard Conrad wrote:

> Subject: Stop Pennsylvania's Mandatory Ultrasound Bill!
>
> The Pennsylvania House of Representatives is poised to pass HB 1077, the
> so-called "Women's Right to Know" Act. This bill operates under the guise
> that women aren't smart enough to understand their own bodies. It requires
> all women seeking an abortion to be subjected to a mandatory ultrasound at
> least 24 hours in advance. It requires the ultrasound screen to be aimed
> toward the woman's face but 'permits her to avert her eyes' and also
> requires that she deliver a print of the image to her physician in order to
> have the procedure. The PA Medical Society and other medical groups have
> already come out in opposition to this incredible invasion of the
> physician/patient relationship. Your Representative can help to stop this
> demeaning and unnecessary attack by voting NO on HB 1077, but we need your
> help!
>
> That's why I signed a petition to The Pennsylvania State House, which says:
>
> "Stop the cruel, demeaning attacks on women - vote NO on HB 1077 and stop
> mandatory, invasive ultrasounds from becoming law in Pennsylvania!"
>
> Will you sign this petition? Click here:
>
>
> http://signon.org/sign/stop-pennsylvanias-mandatory?source=s.em.cp&r_by=118431
>
> Thanks!  Rick Conrad
>
> P.S.  After all those attack ads against Obama and the Congressional
> health care reforms - with slogans like "we want to be able choose our own
> health care" - you might think that Republican legislators would have a
> little shame about forcing women into an unwarranted and primarily punitive
> medical procedure?
>
>
> --
> You received this message because you are subscribed to the "UCNeighbors"
> group.
> To post to this group, send email to u...@ucneighbors.org
> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to
> ucneighbors+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com
> For more options, visit this group at
> http://groups.google.com/group/ucneighbors?hl=en
>


[UC] Vote for a Shelter @ The Animal Rescue Site - City Kitties is on the list!

2011-11-04 Thread missthin
If you all can, please go here:
http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com/clickToGive/shelterchallenge.faces?siteId=3

type in either City Kitties or put in the state and philadelphia  - City
Kitties will be on the list.  This is a great site and cause, the winners
from each state will get help with food, etc.

So, let's help our friends at City Kitties who help so many little ones!

Thanks,
Wendy


Re: [UC] Check out The Daily Pennsylvanian :: Last store standing

2011-09-02 Thread missthin
Hi

I know UMC relocated.  I also know they lost their best tech just before
they lost their lease on 40th Street.   After going to the new location a
couple times the only thing I'll get there is a cable or something if I
really need it - and hope they have it.  They would be my last resort if
something were to go wrong with my rig.  And I'm no computer tech/geek
person.

But was looking at an older desktop as a "just in case" backup.  First they
wanted way too much for something that was like 4 years old, second no one
wiped and reinstalled the O/S on the harddrive, third they told
me they could up the RAM and after coming back home and first finding out
just how old and overpriced the computer was and that that particular
computer could NOT have the upgraded RAM, that pretty much unsold me on
them.  That and the time I watched one of the "techs" trying to fix a cd-rom
on a laptop - wouldn't stay closed (it happens).  Thought it was fixed, then
it popped open again.  The "tech" then picked the laptop up and started
banging it on the countertop.  Not cool.

And yeah on the 2 apartment buildings!  That should be fun ...

Wendy

On Thu, Sep 1, 2011 at 10:13 PM, Fran Byers  wrote:

> Hi,
>
>  I also recommend University Micro Center on 42nd St.  I have bought
> several rebuilt laptops that work fine, and have had my own laptop
> reconditioned there with excellent results.
>
>Fran
>
>
> -Original Message-
> From: Amara Rockar 
> To: missthin 
> Cc: Wilma de Soto ; Krfapt ;
> UnivCity listserv 
> Sent: Thu, Sep 1, 2011 9:13 pm
> Subject: Re: [UC] Check out The Daily Pennsylvanian :: Last store standing
>
> University City Micro Center lives on at 42nd Street near Chestnut and same
> for the West Philly Locksmith. UCMC is still pretty good and not expensive
> if say, your hobbyist relative destroys your CPU while tinkering with it...
>
> Also, the pastor who protested the McDonald's is now getting two 20 story
> Campus Apartment towers a block away from him:
> http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/colleges/20110901_PhillyDeals__Reigniting_N_Y_-Phila__college_b-ball_rivalry.html
>
> Amara
>
> On Thu, Sep 1, 2011 at 8:54 PM, missthin  wrote:
>
>> Hi
>>
>> Wilma, that would be Rev. Larry Falcom and this is why:
>> http://www.mcspotlight.org/media/press/mcds/ainfosnewsservi200801.html
>>
>> I have to say, I miss a couple of the businesses that used to be where the
>> CVS, et. al. are.  The really good (at the time) computer shop in that
>> little row of businesses was great.  I had a computer built for me that
>> would have cost a lot more if I'd been able to find the same specs.  When
>> the diner first opened there it was very good and not the small ridiculously
>> priced (it's a diner!) and not good food place it turned into.
>>
>> Wendy
>>
>>
>> On Thu, Sep 1, 2011 at 7:15 PM, Wilma de Soto wrote:
>>
>>>  Wow! Too bad they were not successful in trying to move the McDonald's
>>> to Market Street when they tore down the Modern Laundry Company.  There was
>>> a Minister who set up a coalition against McPenntrification whose name
>>> escapes me.
>>>
>>>  So close, yet so far from The Promised Land.
>>>
>>>  From: "krf...@aol.com" 
>>> Reply-To: "krf...@aol.com" 
>>> Date: Thu, 1 Sep 2011 08:52:35 -0400 (EDT)
>>> To: UnivCity listserv 
>>> Subject: [UC] Check out The Daily Pennsylvanian :: Last store standing
>>>
>>>   Click here: The Daily Pennsylvanian :: Last store standing
>>>
>>> To paraphrase Edmund Burke (although the prototype quote is usually
>>> attributed to Georgio Santayana):
>>>
>>> Those who distort history are:
>>>
>>>- doomed to wallow in it
>>>- no historians
>>>- poor researchers
>>>- dishonest researchers
>>>- extraordinarily gullible
>>>- mendacious
>>>- well-heeled enough to consider Bobby Flay's burgers a bargain
>>>- members or aspiring members of Alpha Epsilon Alpha (Anointed Elite
>>>of America) naive name-brand college undergraduates from privileged
>>>backgrounds
>>>- well... you get the picture
>>>- all of the above
>>>
>>> *
>>> -
>>> ***
>>> 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
>>>
>>
>>
>


Re: [UC] Check out The Daily Pennsylvanian :: Last store standing

2011-09-01 Thread missthin
Hi

Wilma, that would be Rev. Larry Falcom and this is why:
http://www.mcspotlight.org/media/press/mcds/ainfosnewsservi200801.html

I have to say, I miss a couple of the businesses that used to be where the
CVS, et. al. are.  The really good (at the time) computer shop in that
little row of businesses was great.  I had a computer built for me that
would have cost a lot more if I'd been able to find the same specs.  When
the diner first opened there it was very good and not the small ridiculously
priced (it's a diner!) and not good food place it turned into.

Wendy

On Thu, Sep 1, 2011 at 7:15 PM, Wilma de Soto  wrote:

> Wow! Too bad they were not successful in trying to move the McDonald's to
> Market Street when they tore down the Modern Laundry Company.  There was a
> Minister who set up a coalition against McPenntrification whose name escapes
> me.
>
> So close, yet so far from The Promised Land.
>
> From: "krf...@aol.com" 
> Reply-To: "krf...@aol.com" 
> Date: Thu, 1 Sep 2011 08:52:35 -0400 (EDT)
> To: UnivCity listserv 
> Subject: [UC] Check out The Daily Pennsylvanian :: Last store standing
>
> Click here: The Daily Pennsylvanian :: Last store 
> standing
>
> To paraphrase Edmund Burke (although the prototype quote is usually
> attributed to Georgio Santayana):
>
> Those who distort history are:
>
>- doomed to wallow in it
>- no historians
>- poor researchers
>- dishonest researchers
>- extraordinarily gullible
>- mendacious
>- well-heeled enough to consider Bobby Flay's burgers a bargain
>- members or aspiring members of Alpha Epsilon Alpha (Anointed Elite of
>America) naive name-brand college undergraduates from privileged 
> backgrounds
>- well... you get the picture
>- all of the above
>
> *-
> ***
> 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
>


[UC] Re: [UCNeighbors] dental insurance question

2011-04-18 Thread missthin
Hi

I don't have dental insurance, which is very expensive and only covers
usually about $1k a year - not much if you need even 1 crown with root
canal.  You'll be paying out of pocket.

I have a dental discount, Careington Care 500 series.
www.careington.com/800-290-0523  It's like $7 a month, my dentist, Dr.
Leavitt at 40th and Market accepts it and while it's still far from cheap to
have dental work done, I can say that the discount has been a great help.
And she's a really good (imho) dentist!  Be sure to check the site and see
if your dentist will accept this and which one.  There's more than one type.

Hope that helps!

Wendy

On Mon, Apr 18, 2011 at 2:53 PM, Linda Lee  wrote:

> Am looking into different dental insurance plans and wondering if anyone
> has any recommendations (for one they like or for one to avoid!).  I only
> have one recommendation someone on the list gave a couple of years ago, for
> DentalSave.
>
> many thanks,
> linda
> --
> You received this message because you are subscribed to the "UCNeighbors"
> group.
> To post to this group, send email to u...@ucneighbors.org
> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to
> ucneighbors+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com
> For more options, visit this group at
> http://groups.google.com/group/ucneighbors?hl=en
>


Re: [UC] speaking of heat and hydration...

2010-07-06 Thread missthin
ROFL!

The sad fact is in all the time we did cat rescues (we don't anymore and
there have not been as many strays around) we would leave food and water in
a safe place for them.  Not once did I see any of the strays go near the
water bowl.  The way we got water into them was by giving them some wet food
and adding about another can's worth of water to the food (talking the 3.5
oz cans).  The biggest problem with wet food in summer? FLIES! ugh

Wendy

On Tue, Jul 6, 2010 at 8:15 PM,  wrote:

>  So do the breeding mosquitoes know to stay away from all this standing
> water you want left all over for cats?
>
> Paul
>
>
>
>  -Original Message-
> From: Linda Lee 
> To: purple 
> Sent: Tue, Jul 6, 2010 10:19 am
> Subject: [UC] speaking of heat and hydration...
>
>  Regarding animals and trees:
>
>  Many of us have indoor-outdoor cats, as well as strays that we feed.
>  Please make sure to keep lots of *fresh* water available for them outside,
> preferably in a nice, shady spot.  We also have lots of wildlife in the
> neighborhood (including birds)!  Consider leaving a large, shallow bowl of
> water for them in your back and/or front yard.  And always keep LOTS of
> fresh water available to your indoor pets.
>
>  *Make sure to change water daily.   *And, don't leave your dogs outside!
>
>  Young trees also need not be ignored right now.  If you have one near
> your house, give it a nice drink, at least 5 gallons per week - tree tenders
> on the list, feel free to correct the amount/frequency here.  You could also
> alternate waterings with your neighbors.  This is a great way to use your
> recycled/grey water!
>
>
>  Conserve and recycle. :-)
> -linda
>
>
>
>  =
>


[UC] Shooting at Bridge Movie Theater

2010-01-15 Thread missthin
Hi all

Been sitting here hearing helicopters and sirens (live on 45th St) and
trying to find out what the heck is going on in our area.

Apparently, according to 6ABC online there was a double shooting at the
Bridge at around 7pm.

An Officer assigned to the State Bldg at 8th and Market was shot and so was
an unidentified college student.  Neither was killed, but both are in the
hospital.

Here's the link to the online breaking news story:
http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/story?section=news/local&id=7221808

So, don't go near there and keep these 2 people in your thoughts.

Wendy


Re: [UC] Bravo health care

2009-12-23 Thread missthin
Al

I saw that and was like, hmm, interesting.  Could be where I end up as I
know at some point my wonderful GP will be retiring (he's older himself)!
In theory it sounds like a good idea.  The ifs for me would be: would I have
the same doctor (GP?) all the time or would I have to see whoever was
available and hope they've read my med recs and are up to date on what my
issues are; what exactly will this Center offer as far as testing, test
results, turnaround time, etc.  All those pesky little things that when
you're sick or injured you need and have a right to know asap.

Found these links:

https://bravo.destinationrx.com/plancompare/consumer/type1/2010/home/home.aspx
http://www.mybravohealth.com/PDP/
http://www.bravohealth.com/

In the last link, there is talk of a Bravo Health Advanced Care Center:

"Opening in early 2010, the Bravo Health Advanced Care Center will offer
patients enhanced health care services in one convenient and comfortable
location. Serving Bravo Health members exclusively in North Philadelphia,
the Center will be an innovative, free-standing outpatient facility equipped
to deliver extended treatment services.

Featuring in-suite radiology, laboratory, observation, and monitoring, the
Center will be staffed by physicians who are Board Certified in Internal
Medicine, with significant experience in the management of chronic
conditions in the Medicare population, as well as Board Certified physicians
skilled in tertiary care."

There's nothing about the Center that's supposed to be opening on Walnut St.
near us. so this may be something that is going to take some time to get
underway and sounds like it'll have to wait until the North Philly Center is
up and running.

Then I found this link!  http://www.mybravohealth.com/ProviderDirectory/
Cound not find my current GP which is weird because I swear the man accepts
every insurance under the sun.

This company looks to be pretty much medicare-based supplemental insurance,
prescription only and HMOs with and without prescription coverage.   The
last link, the Provider Directory search? asks for either PPO or HMO, but I
haven't found anything else Bravo with PPO info.  Would just be curious what
theirs is about, if it's medicare-based only, costs, etc.

Cost-wise, not bad at all for the HMO - it seems at least.  Now what doctors
will accept this, what all the co-pays are, if you have to use these "Care
Centers" I don't know.  Either I'm really brain dead today or the
information is kind of lacking.  So I read what I could with mixed feelings.

Wendy



On Wed, Dec 23, 2009 at 10:21 AM, Glenn moyer  wrote:

> "I don't know much about Bravo, but I understand they are going to put a
> walk-in clinic in for former Rite-Aid store at 43rd & Walnut. This sounds
> like something more than a primary care physician's office but less than a
> hospital -- for routine tests."
>
> Al,
>
> I also know nothing about Bravo.  But this model for delivery of care is
> something that deserves a serious look if America ever moves beyond the
> disaster we have now.  There is a huge hole in the broken delivery system.
> People with expensive insurance still can't find open appointments at
> primary care clinics. If you have a sinus infection and call random doctors,
> you will be told that you have to wait at least a month before an intake
> physical.  A vast majority of minor health needs go untreated when people
> need a place to walk into and get a simple, easily diagnosed, treatment.
> It's cost efficient, reduces unnecessary suffering, and is a benefit for a
> productive society.
>
> Since managed care was introduced in the 1990's, our broken health care
> system turned to a disaster.  We have a tremendous shortage of primary care
> medical professionals, because specialists make more than twice the money as
> primary care professionals.
>
> We need stimulus spending that helps society, like scholarships for all
> qualified candidates to go to expanded medical schools for primary care.
> The great medical successes in the very poor country, Cuba, should be
> studied.
>
> Thanks for the tip,
> Glenn
>
>
>
> -Original Message-
> From: krf...@aol.com
> Sent: Dec 23, 2009 9:36 AM
> To: UnivCity@list.purple.com
> Subject: [UC] Bravo health care
>
>  Someone mentioned Bravo health care to me in a private response to my
> giving my expecience changing from Keystone 65 to Aetna for Medicare
> Advantage.
>
> I don't know much about Bravo, but I understand they are going to put a
> walk-in clinic in for former Rite-Aid store at 43rd & Walnut. This sounds
> like something more than a primary care physician's office but less than a
> hospital -- for routine tests.
>
> Considering the location (and the parking lot!), it might be worth
> checking.
>
> If anybody does, please report back to the rest of us.
>
> 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 

Re: [UC] Purpose of this list?

2009-12-22 Thread missthin
Hi Georgia!

Nice to meet you :)

Um, this listserve is many things to many people.

As Karen eloquently put it, it can be a "soapbox", it can be silly, it can
be frustrating, it can denigrate into personal attacks - yeah, it's happened
more than once.  But it also does serve a purpose in people living in this
area getting to know things that are going on.  If there's a rash of
robberies, or potential scam artists (the security alarm thing where people
were going door to door)), car break-ins, car and property damage, lost and
found pets, general neighborhood announcements, all kinds of things.

So just hang in there!  You'll learn who you want to read and who you don't;
what you want to read and what you don't and just use the Delete button as
needed.

Otherwise, hope you find the list helpful, informative and at least
sometimes fun.

Wendy

On Tue, Dec 22, 2009 at 12:21 PM, Karen Allen  wrote:

>  Whatever purpose this listserv originally had, it has transitioned into
> being University City's version of Hyde Park Speaker's Corner, where anyone
> can climb atop a soapbox and speak his or her mind; a neighborhood sounding
> board, for good or for ill. I admit that this listserv can be tough
> sometimes, but that reflects the different personalities who live in the
> neighborhood, and the various issues that have arisen.
>
> Since I became a member in 2004, this list has communicated about national
> topics such as: terrorism, the war in Iraq/Afganistan, Bush, Obama, the 2004
> and 2008 elections; local issues like: crime alerts, lost pets, job
> opportunities, public schools, zoning, property taxes, local history;
> contentious issues like community association politics, the role of the
> University of Penn in this community, and its efforts to advance
> often unpopular taxation and development issues; and cultural issues like
> theaters, new restaurants, etc. And yes, it also communicates the political
> opinions of community members.
>
> I have a number of sources of information that I read or watch every day
> for national, political and regional news. For neighborhood news, I read
> this and other listservs as regularly as I watch MSNBC and Channel 10, or
> read Newsweek, the Daily News or  Philadelphia Weekly.
>
> --
> From: georgia...@aol.com
> Date: Tue, 22 Dec 2009 11:01:45 -0500
> Subject: [UC] Purpose of this list?
> To: univcity@list.purple.com
>
>
>
> Hi,
> I have recently joined this list to get information about University City
> and concerns about living here.  However it seems to be being used as a
> platform for individuals personal political beliefs and prejudices.  I am
> confused.  Is this really the purpose of this list?
>
> Georgia
>


Re: [UC] Blue cross changes to junk insurance

2009-12-22 Thread missthin
Hi all

This insurance mess just keeps getting worse and worse.  Kind of like the
bill passed to "help" consumers with credit cards and limitations that could
be put on interest rates, etc.  Well they gave the CC companies how long
before it kicks in? and in the meantime most people with CC are getting
letters announcing that their interest rates are jumping anywhere from 5% to
20% above what they were.

Now the insurance companies are doing the scramble to make sure they get
every penny they can squeeze out of us.  The "healthcare reform" as it
stands right now I don't believe is going to help any of us, whether you're
self-employed, a small (especially) business owner, employees (I know one
person who's rate is going up about 25% in January), the disabled and
retired.  We are all going to lose under this "reform", just like the last
administration's medicare "reform" hurt so many.  High beginning of the year
deductibles, the lovely "donut hole", doctors opting to not take on new
medicare patients or even stop accepting medicare because of the already low
reimbursement - which promises to become even lower under the new "reform",
same with hospitals.

Not that insurance companies do a great job of reimbursement.  I think
that's why doctors and hospitals charge so much.  They are kind of
overcharging in hopes of getting something reasonable to allow them to
continue to stay in practice.

I can't believe BC is discontinuing the Personal Choice for you!  That's
already, if not "cadillac", then pretty darn close and the premiums on that
are really high.

I have Keystone 65 HMO (and medicare, got to have to part B to get
supplemental or "advantage" plans).  My HMO is going up in January along
with all co-pays and deductibles.

I had Aetna (medicare HMO) and was not really happy with them.  YMMV!  Of
course at this point I'm not sure many of us are happy with our insurance
and having the insurance company, not you and your doctor, decide what's
going to be covered or allowed.  Went through fighting them over seeing a
Cardiologist and having needed tests done.

Glen, I hope you can find some sort of affordable, without deductibles
through the roof insurance.

Wendy

On Tue, Dec 22, 2009 at 10:07 AM,  wrote:

>  In a message dated 12/22/2009 9:14:46 A.M. Eastern Standard Time,
> glen...@earthlink.net writes:
>
> I just got a letter from Blue Cross.  They are ending their Personal Choice
> Plan and converting to junk insurance by the end of Feb.
>
> Being an old coot, I'm on Medicare (which increased the amount they
> withhold from my social security payment, but not by too much).
>
> I was on Blue Cross' Keystone 65 -- a so-called "Medicare Advantage Plan."
> Some years they charged me $30 per month for this, some it was $15 per
> month, some it was free ... go figure!
>
> Anyway, this year they discontinued it and instead offered something much
> more expensive (on top of what's already deducted from Social Security).
>
> I looked around and decided to switch to an Aetna Medicare Advantage. Also
> free as long as I was willing to fork over a little more in co-payments.
>
> Anyway, Aetna looked pretty good all around, so I'd suggest you look at
> their website and see if they have something that's reasonable for
> self-employed young whippersnappers, too.
>
> 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
>
>
> PS: I am not employed by, nor receive any commissions from, Aetna. And I
> won't be starting with them until 1/1/10 so, for all I know, they may be
> very tight with their "referrals" when something come up that's beyond my
> primary care physician (who, incidentally, is the same person I had with
> Keystone 65).
>


[UC] H1N1 Virus, you and your pets!

2009-11-04 Thread missthin
Hi all

Now this may not seem earth-shattering or exciting to some, but flu season
is upon us and H1N1 (swine flu) is here.

If you have a pet - be it dog, cat, bird, ferrets and not sure if any others
are affected but will kind of assume so; your pets can get this flu from you
or anyone in your home who's sick.  And it can make your pets much sicker
than humans.  2 ferrets have already died from it and there's reports now of
cats being infected needing medical attention.

Things to look for (in cats, and I would guess most pets):  lethargy (not
just being lazy like mine is), loss of appetite and trouble breathing.  If
your pet shows any of these symptoms after being exposed to the flu, please
get them to the vet for treatment.  No, there's no vaccine for animals.
It's up to us to be good critter "parents", keep an eye on them and take the
necessary action if they get sick.

Thanks for your time!

Wendy


spay/neuter/rescue


Re: [UC] Raccoon sightings?

2009-10-14 Thread missthin
Hi

Well  yes raccoons can be cute, especially the little  ones.  They are also
fierce, nasty and can carry rabies.  They will get into and tear your trash
apart, in the summer if you have one of those above-ground put together
pools they'll tear them up.  They'll leave lovely piles of very stinky
"thank-yous" when they're done.  My roommate and I were literally chased
(screaming like girls) up the front steps of the house by a LARGE male
raccoon.  They move fast! also do this weird growl/snarl thing and bare
their teeth.  Not something you want your first-grader to ever run into.

If at  night, depending on where you live, you hear weird noises - not cats
meowing or squirrels - raccoons make a pretty distinctive sound, you can
just hold her up to the window and let her look out at them.  But if I were
you I wouldn't go outside to try to get closer.

Wendy

On Mon, Oct 12, 2009 at 12:09 PM, Mimi Iijima wrote:

>  My first-grader and I would like to hear about raccoon sightings in the
> neighborhood.  Inspired by the children's classic book Owl Moon, my daughter
> is interested in going to spot nocturnal animals -- the cute ones, that is.
> Please e-mail off-line.
>
> Thank you for your help!
>
> R. Mimi Iijima and Nao Minicola :-)
>
> --
> Hotmail: Free, trusted and rich email service. Get it 
> now.
>


Re: [UC] In Need of a Dentist and info on Discount Dental Programs

2009-08-09 Thread missthin
Hi Tony

Thanks!  I have heard good things about Dr. Lazarus.

Have you used a discount dental plan with him or anyone else?   The
Careington 500 looks like the "best" of the discount dental plans and it is
the one he accepts according to careington and dentalplans.com sites.I
wish both the dentists used the same plan, that way if I needed to go to a
second dentist for, say, the fixed bridge (doubtful in this day and age but
you never know), if I want the discount I'd have to buy TWO plans and end up
totally confused - and more broke!

What's going on with me could potentially cost at least a few thousand, and
of course it'll have to go on a credit card.  Looking at the charts for the
discount plans, it could save me a decent amount and there's no coverage
limits (like traditional dental insurance which most of them now have a
$1,000 ceiling per year - are they nuts?!).

Thanks again!

Wendy

On Sun, Aug 9, 2009 at 2:03 PM, Anthony West wrote:

> Based on the parameters of your inquiry, I don't know Dr. Boudreau but I
> have used Dr. Lazarus. He is cheap and has a very simple no-paperwork
> walk-in business system.
>
> -- Tony West
>
>
>  I am in need of a dentist asap.  Have developed an abscess in the top
>> front of my mouth!  And it's over a fixed bridge, which I'm sure will have
>> to be replaced I do not have dental insurance.  I'm on SSDI with a
>> medicare HMO.Right now I am thinking of going to either Dr. Lazarus at 46th
>> and Springfield or Dr. Boudreau (Pennsylvania Dental Group at 3550 Market
>> St).  Both are on this side of the bridge, though I think Dr. Lazarus is a
>> bit closer.
>>
>> Wendy
>>
>
>
> 
> You are receiving this because you are subscribed to the
> list named "UnivCity." To unsubscribe or for archive information, see
> .
>


[UC] In Need of a Dentist and info on Discount Dental Programs

2009-08-09 Thread missthin
Hi all!

I am in need of a dentist asap.  Have developed an abscess in the top front
of my mouth!  And it's over a fixed bridge, which I'm sure will have to be
replaced.

Aside from the fear, pain and misery of the thought of having to go through
all this (and probably not have front teeth for awhile until a new fixed
bridge can be made and fitted), there is of course the cost.

I do not have dental insurance.  I'm on SSDI with a medicare HMO.

Right now I am thinking of going to either Dr. Lazarus at 46th and
Springfield or Dr. Boudreau (Pennsylvania Dental Group at 3550 Market St).
Both are on this side of the bridge, though I think Dr. Lazarus is a bit
closer.

Both apparently (need to find out for sure) accept Careington dental plan
(discount card).  From the little I can make out, Dr. Lazarus accepts one
type (C500) and Dr. Boudreau's office accepts another (POS).

I haven't been able to find out if these are the same thing or what!

Yes I'll be making calls tomorrow - to the 2 dental offices to see what they
actually DO accept, and then try to wade through and find out what kind of
dental discount card I can get and where to get it from.

If anyone has any information, recommendations, advice I would greatly
appreciate it.  I need to get on this and get this taken care of fast.  But
I don't want to go someplace where I won't get great care and I do have some
needs - mild heart condition (LVH), meniere's disease, anxiety/panic
disorder that the doctor will need to deal with.  Oh yeah, and I'm a coward
with sensitive teeth and did I mention I'm poor/broke?!  And I'll be going
back and forth on my own *eep*

And no I'm not going back to the dental school. The sometimes day-long wait
resulting in having to reschedule, that the last 2 students I was assigned
to I honestly couldn't understand between their accents/not great English,
my hearing problems and you're stuck in this huge room with a ton of other
people talking, drilling, etc.  They basically made my life a total misery
and messed up 2 of my teeth big time.  Plus they really weren't all that
much cheaper than a private dentist.

Thanks for any and all info!

Wendy


[UC] Re: [Ucneighbors] shipping

2008-12-03 Thread missthin
Hi Muriel

USPS will not take packages over a certain size - i.e., if it won't fit in
the plexiglass box at 40th St or through the window at 30th, it's too big.
Been there, tried with a 40"x40"x3" wide box.  No go.

You could try Campus Copy, they use both UPS and Fedex Ground - Fedex Ground
being a little cheaper.  I don't know what they charge for packing, but I
have seen lots of packing materials and they do advertise that they will
package and ship for you.  Of course, there's also a small surcharge on
whichever delivery service you use.  You could ask at Campus if THEY can
send something USPS parcel post, don't know if it'd be possible there or if
it truly is an official USPS rule re: package size, but I know they can't
insure, register or delivery confirmation.

Wendy

On Wed, Dec 3, 2008 at 11:08 AM, Mario Giorno <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:

> Muriel,
>
>  If the the high chair isn't disassembled then your best bet is
> probably USPS Parcel Post. If you can figure out the rough dimensions of a
> box in which the chair would be packed (ex. 18in x 24in x 48in.) you can use
> the USPS postage calculator at http://postcalc.usps.gov/.
>
>
> Mario Giorno
>
> On Mon, Dec 1, 2008 at 7:47 PM, <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>
>>  I am seeking suggestions for having a high chair packed and shipped.
>>
>> Thanks,
>> Muriel
>>
>>
>>
>> --
>> Life should be easier. So should your homepage. Try the NEW 
>> AOL.com
>> .
>>
>> ___
>> ucneighbors mailing list
>> [EMAIL PROTECTED]
>> http://lists.asc.upenn.edu/mailman/listinfo/ucneighbors
>>
>>
>
> ___
> ucneighbors mailing list
> [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> http://lists.asc.upenn.edu/mailman/listinfo/ucneighbors
>
>


Re: [UC] My Favorite Obamas

2008-11-04 Thread missthin
Hmm, went to the youtube link.  Craig, did you notice what it said in the
description? "Voiced by Kyle Grooms. Political satire."

We get it, we know you don't like Mr. Obama and probably think Mr. McCain is
your own personal gift from whichever God it is you worship.

The fact that you've been shoving anti-Obama posts down our throats for the
last few days is really very tiring and unnecessary.

The abortion issue ... Mr. Obama has stated that he personally is against
abortion, but believes it is a woman's right to choose.  In your world, a 14
year old girl (children having children appalls me), a victim of rape or
incest, a woman who could die if she carried full term, someone living in
extreme poverty who can't afford to keep themselves housed and fed properly,
someone with mental/substance abuse issues ... those are just a few
situations where, though a hard choice and decision to make, at least we DO
have the ability to make that choice and decision.  (BTW, Wilma? High
Five!)  In your world, that choice would not exist and those females and the
offspring could and in many cases would face a fairly awful life ahead of
them.  Or, are you and your fellow good Christians going to step in and
help?  Are you all going to adopt these babies?  Are you going to personally
help financially support these mothers and children?

The William Ayers thing.  Barak Obama was, I believe, something like 8 years
old when Ayers was in the Weather Underground.  Mr. Ayers is 63 years old,
Mr. Obama is 47 I believe.  That's a 16 year age difference.  Yes, they do
live in the same neighborhood, their children go to the same school, they do
get together.  I don't think that makes Mr. Obama a terrorist or an
accomplice.

Is Mrs. Obama spending $150,000 on clothes?  No, she shops online and even
at Target.   Does her make-up artist make more than Mr. McCain's security
advisor?  Nope, but Sarah Palin's does.

Anyway, enough.  Here's a link to a condensed, but still informative
biography of Mr. Obama:
http://www.biography.com/featured-biography/barack-obama/index.jsp

Tonight is the night we all find out who's voted and how.  If McCain wins?
I and more than a few people I've talked to are wondering what the
requirements for moving to Canada are.

Wendy

On Tue, Nov 4, 2008 at 3:35 PM, heronsinc <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:

>  Is this part of the "If it's on the internet it's got to be true" school
> of political argument?  It wasn't even a good Obama imitation as far as the
> voice over and the gestures and demeanor of Obama (from the back of course,
> since a face on shot would clearly expose the dubbing) did not correspond
> with the rant.
>
>
>
> Was that supposed to win some kind of political argument?  I guess when you
> have to grasp at straws . . .
>
>
>
> C J Kelly/S 47th St
>
>
>  --
>
> *From:* [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:
> [EMAIL PROTECTED] *On Behalf Of *Craig Obama
> *Sent:* Tuesday, November 04, 2008 12:22 PM
> *To:* UnivCity listserv
> *Subject:* [UC] My Favorite Obamas
>
>
>
> [image: Obama Goes Off on a 
> Heckler!]
>
> 
>
> Obama Goes Off on a 
> Heckler!
>
>
>
> h
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> 
>
> Ciao,
>
> Craig
>


Re: [UC] Competent, Personable, Intelligent, Pharmacist To Leave UC + Service Issues

2008-11-02 Thread missthin
Hi Wilma and all!

There was another pharmacist at that CVS, unfortunately I can't remember his
name.  He was a I would say in his mid to late 30's? and bald.  He was
amazing, ran circles around everyone.  He left awhile back.

What it seems we have at that CVS (don't know if it's true for all of them)
is mostly pharmacy students.  They mean well, but they're way slow, and I've
had my prescriptions fouled up more than once in the last few months.

I can only imagine Mr. Kim's leaving will make things even worse - at least
short term while a new pharmacist gets on track.  Ugh

Oh, and that CVS I heard from an employee? is supposed to go to 24 hours in
January.

Wendy

On Sun, Nov 2, 2008 at 9:50 AM, Wilma de Soto <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:

> I think what vexes me the most about this issue is this.
>
> If the 43rd St. store generates as much revenue for the CVS Corporation in
> 12 and a 1/2 hrs. with one full-time pharmacist as a 24 hr. CVS in
> Roxborough does, why is our location repeatedly denied the type of service
> that is apparently needed here?
>
> Let's face it, we lucked out with Paul Kim who is highly intelligent and
> able to multi-task in order to give us the service we need.  However, he's
> burned out!
>
> I anticipate a lot ore problems when he leaves and a startling change in
> the
> service we have come to expect at that location.
>
> If we generate the revenue, we deserve a similar service to Roxborough.
>
> The community will feel the effects.
>
> Wilma
>
>
> 
> You are receiving this because you are subscribed to the
> list named "UnivCity." To unsubscribe or for archive information, see
> .
>


Re: [UC] Where's a good place to buy a kitchen sink?

2008-06-08 Thread missthin
Hi

You might want to try Tommy D's at 57th and Walnut.  Good prices, nice
people working there.

Wendy

On Sun, Jun 8, 2008 at 2:42 PM, <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:

>  Isn't there a big plumbing supply company on Market, maybe around 43 -
> 45th?
> Was looking for it on the net and only found this: Lancaster Avenue Supply
> House 
> Inc
>  (215)
> 222-8800  |  3908 Lancaster Ave Philadelphia, PA 19104
> Paul
>
>
>
>  -Original Message-
> From: Steve and Mimi <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> To: univcity@list.purple.com
> Sent: Sun, 8 Jun 2008 12:29 pm
> Subject: [UC] Where's a good place to buy a kitchen sink?
>
>  Hi All,
> Can anyone recommend a good place to buy a kitchen sink/ faucet?  I'd like
> to avoid the big box retailers if possible.
> Thanks in advance for any advice.
> Best,
> Steve.
>
>
>
>
> --
> It's easy to add contacts from Facebook and other social sites through
> Windows Live™ Messenger. Learn How.=
> --
> Stay informed, get connected and more with AOL on your 
> phone
> .
>


Re: [UC] re: studios for amateur rock bands?

2008-05-24 Thread missthin
Hi

As someone who lives next door to an aspiring (but not very talented) rock
drummer - when he gets started it sounds like he's in my apt. and has the
pleasure of listening to the band that's somewhere on Locust between 45th
and 46yh that will play till all hours of the night (again, not the most
talented group but they sure are LOUD), I'd LOVE it if there was a place for
people to practice.

Logistics of rrehearsal/studio space:

Location
Price
Security: rent the space and be able to leave the equipment there - moving a
guitar or small amp may not be a problem, but if someone's got one of those
huge amps, a full drum kit, speakers, and all the rest of the equipment
bands need, that would get real tired real fast.  And in general it's not
going to be feasible for alot of people to be having to shlep that stuff
back and forth - and it's extra wear and tear on it.

The only other suggestion I have, since your neighbors are trying to be
considerate (being in the basement) is talk to them about their timing with
practicing, see if they can't start earlier or knock off earlier.  Also
suggest to them that they look into acoustic sound dampening for the
basement.  Don't know if that'd be affordable for them and it won't kill all
sound/vibration, but it might help.

Good luck!

Wendy


On Sat, May 24, 2008 at 12:57 PM, Ann Mayer <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:

> In this neighborhood, is there some institution that provides studios for
> amateur rock bands?
>
> To my horror, students in one of the neighboring rowhouses now have not
> one, but TWO, rock bands
> practicing on the premises.
>
> They seem to be nice kids and have tried to reduce the impact by practicing
> in the basement, but, still, depending
> on what they are playing, the loud reverberations from the percussion and
> base notes really penetrate
> my place -- all the way up to the second floor.  It is very annoying -- and
> at times when I am trying to sleep,
> it is disruptive and unpleasant.
>
> It seems to me that in an arts-centric neighborhood like UCity, there
> should be places that rent out
> studios for rock bands.  If there were such, I would want to direct the
> neighbors to take their instruments
> to such places and rock where they would not be disturbing the peace -- and
> my peace of mind.
>
> I would appreciate any advice!!
>
> Thanks,  Ann
>
>
>


Re: [UC] stray tuxedo cat update (& do you have a FIV pos. cat?)

2008-05-13 Thread missthin
Linda

There is absolutely no reason why a FIV positive cat cannot and does not
live a long, healthy, happy life.  You're not supposed to really mix
positive and negative (in case they fight and there's an open wound with
blood or saliva) ... but I've seen first hand just how wonderful an FIV
positive kitty is.

Here's hoping you find a good home for your friend - tuxedo cats are 1337!

Wendy

On Mon, May 12, 2008 at 5:01 PM, Linda Lee <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:

> My vet did the blood test on the stray tux I took in today, and he tested
> positive for FIV. The FeLV was negative. They said he was very sweet on the
> table and they estimate he is 1 to 2 yrs old.  I'm okay with euthanasia, and
> I realize there are a ton of healthy, adoptable kitties out there in need of
> homes, but as this guy is so sweet and young, I'd love to give him a chance,
> and I'm told FIV kitties can lead pretty comfy lives for several years, and
> of course make wonderful companions to their humans.
>
> Again, I'd love to find him a foster or adoptive home either with someone
> who has no cats, or maybe with someone who already has a FIV kitty who might
> like a companion...
>
> The stray boy is still at the vet and could still be neutered tomorrow.
> I will try to buy him a little more time...
>
> thanks,
> Linda
> 
> You are receiving this because you are subscribed to the
> list named "UnivCity." To unsubscribe or for archive information, see
> .
>


Re: [UC] Re: The flower child, was GREAT ARTICLE

2008-04-18 Thread missthin
Well, this was interesting to read.

Tony, I have to reply to this:

Supposedly the poor suffer agonies because of a change in local housing
prices if, over a 15-year period, they wind up shifting from 36th & Chestnut
to 36th & Haverford, less than a mile away.

As I see it, this is no big deal. The Black Bottom may or may not have been
justly handled, but it was a far cry from Darfur.


and

Most of the truly poor don't want to kill any goose that might lay a golden
egg to get them out of poverty. They like the idea of economic development,
because they really and truly want to get developed. They just don't want to
get left out.

Actually, it can be a VERY big deal to have to move because you simply can't
afford to live in the neighborhood you grew up in/bought a home in/rent
in/go to school in - whatever the reason.  Moving itself is not a cheap
proposition, finding a place you can afford, especially if you're on the
lower economic scale can be a nightmare.

No, there is no comparing Black Bottom to Darfur.  That's beyond apples and
oranges.  But one of our neighbors was directly affected by BB and is still
paying for her home - after the one she'd been living in and raising her
children in and was pretty much paid for was taken out from under her.

As to not wanting to be left out.  Of course no one wants to be left out.
But that's exactly what happens most of the time when the
developers/gentrification comes in.  Suddenly everything's "luxury" and even
the places that aren't labeled as such are out of reach for the very people
who need them.The school situation is the same.  Not every family can go
to the Sadie school.  They don't live in the "right" part of UC, nor could
many of them afford to.

I can't say I have a concrete answer to the problem of urban education.  I
do think the city and state should be more involved with funding all schools
and get funding out of the hands of private, special interest groups.  I
don't know that we need more special "catchment" type schools.   Real
funding, real help might just help in making sure that children have up to
date books and supplies without teachers having to pay for said supplies out
of their own pocket, that their schools are safe places and that our
teachers are paid a decent salary and are treated with the respect they
deserve.  Parents need to be more involved with their children, teaching
them at home how to behave, helping with homework, making sure their kids
even go to school, as well as how they're doing in school and what they're
doing in school.

Wendy

On Fri, Apr 18, 2008 at 3:16 PM, Glenn <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:

> The flower child writes:
> "My '60s ideology is about
> retaining sensitivity to the voices of change. In other words: the music
> didn't die, so listen to it now! Think like a festival coordinator."
>
>
> I called Lewis and asked him to book Tony at the 2008 love-in, the party
> for the park.  Remember his classic and listen to the music!
>
>
> Come gather round anointed
> Wherever you roam
> And admit that the billions
> Around you have grown
> And accept it that soon
> You'll be sucked to the bone
> If your district to you
> Is worth saving
> Then you better kiss ass
> And you'll stink like a turd
> For the times they are a changin
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> - Original Message - From: "Anthony West" <
> [EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> To: "UnivCity listserv" 
> Sent: Friday, April 18, 2008 1:54 AM
> Subject: [UC] Re: GREAT ARTICLE
>
>
>  I'm sorry, Glenn, but you did miss my point.
> >
> > I owe nothing to Penn. You owe your millions to Penn.
> >
> > You do have a '60s ideology and so do I. But your '60s ideology is
> > buried in the past and wastes everybody's reading time. Your
> > "gentrification" analysis is 30 years out of date and doesn't help any of us
> > understand the challenges of 2008. My '60s ideology is about retaining
> > sensitivity to the voices of change. In other words: the music didn't die,
> > so listen to it now! Think like a festival coordinator.
> >
> > The real question before University City is what kind of economic change
> > is likeliest to improve urban education. You have shown the major difference
> > between Philadelphia education and suburban education is economic: more
> > suburban taxpayers are prosperous, so they can afford to spend more, so they
> > buy better schools for their kids and everyone else's.
> >
> > You've published the best argument for gentrification I've read in 30
> > years. Inner-city school systems, you say, are suffering because they lack
> > higher-income taxpayers. It's a top priority, then, for Philadelphians who
> > care about the education of their poor pupils to tempt more prosperous
> > residents to Philadelphia. There aren't enough of them now to help the poor
> > kids, so we need to entice more of them to move into town and help this
> > terribly important project. How should we go about this?
> >
> > Some UC-list people have written it would be very bad for any pro

Re: Cable service: do we have a choice? [was: Re: [UC] Bad news for Campus Apartments from the FCC

2008-03-22 Thread missthin
FioS?  I don't know if we'll ever get it around here and it really is
expensive - which is a shame.

Earthlink, to me, looks to be an absolute mess - the whole thing with
getting WiFi to the city, now pulling out, horrible customer service
(outsourced to India), charging people huge fees for cancelling, etc.  Just
go here:  http://www.dslreports.com/forum/earthlink ... btw, I went to
Earthlink's site, http://www.earthlink.net/highspeed/ , just for the heck of
it and it appears that you can get Earthlink DSL here, at least part of the
'hood.


Congratulations!

The following EarthLink services are available:

 Availability results for
  *S 4-TH ST
PHILA,PA
19104-2919
215-
[ edit your information  ]*


 *Products *** EarthLink High Speed DSL*

   - Downstream speed of up to 6.0Mbps
   - Special Offer: $19.95/month for the first 3 months
   - Monthly Charge: $39.95/month thereafter
   - Up to 4 times faster than regular DSL! (regular DSL = 1.5 Mbps)


learn more 
  * EarthLink High Speed DSL*

   - Downstream speed of up to 3.0Mbps
   - Special Offer: $19.95/month for the first 3 months
   - Monthly Charge: $39.95/month thereafter
   - Up to 2 times faster than regular DSL! (regular DSL = 1.5 Mbps)


learn more 
  * EarthLink High Speed DSL*

   - Downstream speed of up to 1.5Mbps
   - Special Offer: $14.95/month for the first 6 months
   - Monthly Charge: $39.95/month thereafter


learn more 
  * EarthLink High Speed DSL*

   - Downstream speed of up to 768Kbps
   - Special Offer: $14.95/month for the first 6 months
   - Monthly Charge: $35.95/month thereafter
   - Up to 15 times faster than dial-up! (based on average speed of a
   28.8 K and 56 K modem)


learn more 
  * EarthLink DSL & Home Phone Service - keep my current number*

   - Learn 
Moreabout
transferring your number




Wendy

On Fri, Mar 21, 2008 at 11:32 AM, SKnight <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:

>  Sean,
>
> Please correct me if I'm wrong, but Earthlink cannnot provide broadband
> access.  You need broadband access to utilize a service like Earthlink's.
> You should know, however, that Earthlink consistently wins prizes (only God
> knows who supervises these surveys...I don't) for its superior customer
> service.
>
> FIOS is superior, but only available in the suburbs, unfortunately.
>
> Sande Knight
>
> - Original Message -
> *From:* [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> *To:* [EMAIL PROTECTED] ; univcity@list.purple.com
> *Sent:* Friday, March 21, 2008 10:23 AM
> *Subject:* Re: Cable service: do we have a choice? [was: Re: [UC] Bad news
> for Campus Apartments from the FCC
>
> If it is cable TV you are referring to, then unfortunately the only other
> options are Direct TV and Dish Network. Both are satellite providers and
> offer the same versions of Comcast's amenities. The downsides are
> frequent outage during bad weather and cheesy/ primitive customer service
> (and that's in comparison to Comcast's customer service) among other minor
> issues. If you love to watch your Philly sports teams NOT win the big one
> then don't get these providers as they do not carry Comcast (the channel)
> which provides great coverage of average teams with cheap ownership (but
> that's another post).
>
> If it is a cable/T1,2 or 3 internet connection you refer to, the only
> other worthy provider (that Im aware of) is Verizon. Verizon has great
> service (especially Fios - through my personal experiences) but is
> expensive. Of course there is always Earthlink and other providers but I
> don't know much about these guys.
>
> -Sean
>
>
> -Original Message-
> From: Anthony West <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> To: UnivCity listserv 
> Sent: Thu, 20 Mar 2008 9:53 pm
> Subject: Re: Cable service: do we have a choice? [was: Re: [UC] Bad news
> for Campus Apartments from the FCC
>
> I think the law should require us all to use carrier pigeons instead. It's
> about saving the Earth. Modern urban technology generates too many pigeons,
> just as it generates too much CO2. Messages we send by pigeon instead of
> internet will reduce our CO2 debt, since the pigeons are already there and
> require no further carbon combustion.
>
> -- Tony West
>
> > When I was a Campus Apartments renter I was limited to Campus >
> Technologies for Internet. (It was blazing fast, had connectivity to >
> Penn's network which was useless to me, was expensive and didn't > support
> home networking.) I don't remember the phone company they > used but it
> wasn't Verizon. They also offered a weird limited cable TV > option but I
> went with Comcast which was available in my building. > It's not available
> in all of their buildings, or wasn't at the time.
> >
> > Frank
> >
> >>
> >> This is interesting, since in West Philadelphia, aren't we ALL >>
> limited to Comcast for _cable_? Wouldn't it be great to have

Re: Cable service: do we have a choice? [was: Re: [UC] Bad news for Campus Apartments from the FCC

2008-03-20 Thread missthin
I for one would love to see competition between cable companies.  But it's
always been that you have 1 choice if you want cable - the one that's in
your area.  Was no different when I lived in Center City.

As far as I know, Time Warner and RoadRunner (cable internet) moved west
when Comcast came barreling across the bridge.  I actually miss them.  Of
course it wasn't perfect, but it was a little cheaper and I didn't have
problems like I've had with Comcast internet.

With the earlier post that Verizon wasn't taking on any new DSL customers,
that really cuts peoples' options.  Mostly Comcast or dial up.

Wendy

On Thu, Mar 20, 2008 at 3:18 PM, <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:

> *
> In a message dated 3/20/08 1:12:08 PM, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
>
> *Housing providers must give apartment dwellers a choice of cable/phone/
> internet providers.
>
> This is interesting, since in West Philadelphia, aren't we ALL limited to
> Comcast for *cable*?  Wouldn't it be great to have a choice?
>
> - Melani Lamond
>
>
> *Melani Lamond, Associate Broker*
> *Urban & Bye, Realtor*
> 3529 Lancaster Ave.
> Philadelphia, PA 19104
> cell phone 215-356-7266
> office phone 215-222-4800, ext. 113
> office fax 215-222-1101
>
>
>
> **
> Create a Home Theater Like the Pros. Watch the video on AOL Home.
> (
> http://home.aol.com/diy/home-improvement-eric-stromer?video=15?ncid=aolhom000301)
>


[UC] Spring is definitely coming, and so are the baddies ... Home Invasion at 4311 Spruce St.

2008-03-10 Thread missthin
Hi all

Was walking up Spruce St and saw a mess of TV cars and vans, along with
police cars, a crime unit van and alot of men in suits being interviewed
outside the apartment building at 4311 Spruce Street.

Apparently, a male student was leaving the building and there were people
(don't know how many, 3?) outside waiting.  Whether for him in particular or
for whoever was unlucky enough to step outside.

They forced him back into the building and his apt, tied him up and the poor
person stayed that way for about 11 hours.  A newscrew person gave me this
sketchy info, along with the fact that he'd heard 3 people were seen running
from the building with stolen items.  AFAIK, the student is "ok" ...
whatever "ok" is after being assaulted/tied up/robbed means.

This I'm sure will be on the news tonight, but I wanted to give you all a
heads up.  Be careful!   If you think you saw anything please call the
police.

Wendy


[UC] Re: [Ucneighbors] Sluggish Verizon Services

2008-03-10 Thread missthin
Hi Joe

Wow, I didn't know about the "dry loop" and the getting hosed for $70 a
month ... for DSL?

I had Verizon DSL for about 2 weeks.  First, the company truly is NOT
customer friendly.  It was one delay after another.  Finally got the green
light that my DSL was activated only to find out that my phone jack was too
far from the modem ... so there was more money to have them come out and set
up another jack.  Went through I think? 3 modems in that 2 week period that
I actually had the service.  They kept overheating to the point you couldn't
touch them without almost being burned.  The last straw was the fact that
the DSL service itself, whilte Verizon kept saying there was nothing wrong,
never got past dial-up speeds.  And I don't even mean 56kb, it was slower
than that!

Yes, had to sit on the phone forever each time I called and when I cancelled
it took forever.  Horrible service, horrible customer service IMHO.

I'm waiting to see if they ever do decide to run FIOS around here.  I've
heard no (not the "right" kind of neighborhood, i.e.: suburban) and I've
heard yes.  So, we'll see.  For now, I'm staying with Comcast.  Liked it
much better when it was RoadRunner tbh.  Wireless?  not gonna happen here.

Wendy


On Mon, Mar 10, 2008 at 1:23 PM, Joe Clarke <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:

> I wondered if anyone else on this list has had this experience with
> Verizon Online service:  It appears when you call in about your account,
> you cannot get a real live agent and instead are corralled into an
> automated answering queue for 20-30 minutes.  Can they be serious?  I
> also discovered that by discontinuing  my phone service with Verizon
> while maintaining the DSL, you change your status to a "dry loop"
> account which means you pay double the price, i.e. 70+ dollars a month
> for basic DSL!   It seems like a company that is competing for our
> online business would do better than that; or are they simply trying to
> discourage certain zipcodes from their services altogether and targeting
> the more affluent "FIOS covered" service areas?  Redlining is not that
> old of a concept.  If you notice there are no WaWa's - except on the
> perimeters - within most of West or Southwest Philadelphia; the same is
> true for Citizens'- the "people friendly"- bank which has no real
> representation in West and Southwest Philadelphia.  I can drive down to
> Cape May and pass by WaWa's at regular intervals along the route right
> into to the center of Cape May, itself, but it  seems like the
> convenience store has leap-frogged over large areas of Philadelphia.   I
> guess it's all just the ebb and flow of the free market, unless they are
> receiving special aid or consideration from the city or state while
> doing business in the city.  Then it would be a problem.
>
> Joe Clarke
>
>
>
>
>
> ___
> ucneighbors mailing list
> [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> http://lists.asc.upenn.edu/mailman/listinfo/ucneighbors
>


[UC] Re: [Ucneighbors] FW: Edna's petition extended to Jan 12

2008-01-05 Thread missthin
Just to let anyone who might have missed it, Channel 6 had an update to the
Edna story last night (Friday).  Unfortunately, nothing on where or what
happened to Edna :(

http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/story?section=news/local&id=5871484

Police Make Arrest In Missing Dog Case

  By John Rawlins

PHILADELPHIA - January 4, 2008 -- Police say the suspected extortionist
behind a missing dog is 15-years-old.

Police confirmed they have arrested a 15-year-old from the Nicetown section
and are charging him with terroristic threats and alleged efforts to extort
money from the dog owner.
The problems arose for Bill Whiting and Edna, a little beagle mix, last
fall. Bill had adopted Edna a decade ago. She disappeared in the Italian
market on Halloween.

Thousands of reward posters went up then ugly phone calls followed; in the
background of one was the sound of a dog whimpering in pain.

 "They told me to bring cash or they would kill my dog," Bill Whiting said.
Police say they were able to trace one of the calls to the suspect's home.

Two of the suspect's friends told police he bragged about the extortion
effort.

"If this is in fact the person that's done this, this is a very troubled
child and that kid needs help," Whiting said.

It is not known if the suspect ever actually had Edna or was just making
malicious threats. No one has found evidence of Edna or her collar.

"That's all I have been told so far, that there are no remains nor is there
a living dog to be shown, so that part of it remains a mystery," Whiting
said.

Whiting says the only thing he can salvage from this nightmare is the
attention focused on animal cruelty.

The SPCA oversees more than 5,000 adoptions a year in Philadelphia. It says
high profile cases like Edna's help in its mission to protect pets.

"It actually helps our cause because it raises the level of consciousness of
society that are pets are what we care about and we all need to take care of
them," Lisa Rodger of the Pennsylvania SPCA said.
(Copyright (c)2008 WPVI-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.)

If I see or hear anything more, will post

Wendy




On Jan 4, 2008 3:46 PM, Linda Lee <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:

>  Hi again,
> I've been asked to circulate this (just in case you didn't get a chance to
> sign by the original 12/31 deadline)
> Again, please forward.
>
> Thanks,
> linda
>
> On Jan 2, 2008, at 5:49 AM, William Whiting wrote:
>
> *The petition site for Edna has been extended.  It was originally closed
> off to new signatures on January 1st, 2000 signatures short of the 5000
> signature goal.  The site decided this petition was short-changed because of
> its timing during the holidays, so they've extended it until the 12th
> of January.  If you can think of anyone else who might sign and circulate
> it, please pass it along.
>
> Many thanks,
> Bill
> **
>
> **http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/help-a-kidnapped-dog-in-philadelphia
> *
>
>
>
> ___
> ucneighbors mailing list
> [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> http://lists.asc.upenn.edu/mailman/listinfo/ucneighbors
>
>


Re: [UC] Computer service needed at Abbraccio

2007-12-28 Thread missthin
Hi there

When you say the computer won't start ... do you mean it won't turn on? or
it turns on and then shuts itself down? Do you get post when it will start
up?  Not starting could be: a clogged or loose power button connection, a
psu going bad, a mobo going bad, the cord not being plugged in tight enough
or the outlet.  If it's the mobo, that, imho, is the worst.A psu you can
replace yourself, same with getting a new power cord.  I'd crack the case,
get a can of compressed air and blow out all the dust from inside and get
the nozzle between the front bezel (if it won't come off - most do) and try
to get any dust that will get collected out of there.  It could be that
simple.  Safe mode is a good thing to know - I use it when doing my "deep"
scans or when uninstalling drivers, etc.  But you shouldn't have to go into
safe mode just to get the computer to start up.

Computer Geeks I've never heard of ... you don't mean BB Geek Squad do you?
I had 1 experience with them and it wasn't good.  First mistake - trying to
go cheap and buying an eMachine.  Second mistake, having it delivered to BB
for pickup (who knew it was so far away by bus!), third mistake, having Geek
Squad open and test ... they completely  missed what was apparently a bad
batch of mobos.  Got the thing home, fired it up, got 3 beeps.  That means
memory problem.

As far as security camera systems, I wouldn't even know where to start, I'm
just not tech savvy.

Did you buy the camera system and the computer from the same company?
Computer name/specs/os might help if there is someone here on the list who
knows their stuff.

Good luck!

Wendy

On Dec 26, 2007 3:34 PM, Vincent/Roger <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:

>  We have intermittent problems with the security camera system we have in
> place.  The original company (of course!) went out of business so it's hard
> to find reputable service.  Sometimes the computer just will not start.  We
> know enough to hit "start" and "F8" at the same time, and then do "start" in
> the "safe" mode.  ...but this does not work.
> We contacted "Computer Geeks" for assistance and they are due to come
> out.  Anyone have experience with them?  Anyone think he/she can do better?
> Thanks
> Roger and Vince
>


Re: [UC] USPS delivery issues

2007-12-13 Thread missthin
Hi

Add me to the the list of 19104 zip code problems - we're on 45th Street.
We get other peoples' mail on a regular basis.  And I'm not talking "spam",
I'm talking things like mail from Social Security, insurance papers, etc.
And I've personally been having problems getting my own mail delivered.
Little things like ... bank statements.  I just love the idea that someone,
somewhere is getting that kind of information.

I don't know what the answer is.  Just seems that service is getting
sloppier and sloppier, while postage rates keep going up.

Wendy

On Dec 13, 2007 7:20 PM, Wilma de Soto <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:

>  Me, too.
>
>
>
> On 12/13/07 6:52 PM, "[EMAIL PROTECTED]" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>
> In a message dated 12/13/2007 6:48:00 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,
> [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
>
> This  raises a question: if we're going to place the blame on a
> particular post  office (namely Kingsessing/19143), does the quality of
> postal service  markedly change when one crosses Spruce (heading into
> 19139 territory) or  45th (19104)?
>
> I'm in 19104 -- and that's where I have problems.
>
> Al Krigman
>
>
>
> --
> See AOL's top rated recipes
> 
>  and easy ways to stay in shape
> 
>  for winter.
>
>
>


Re: [UC] More humane methods required in shootouts

2007-10-30 Thread missthin
Well, I-Robot, you know the company that makes those cute, but mostly (imho)
worthless Roombas?  They're making a new spiffy thing called the Packbot
which uses a joystick and is armed with tasers.

http://zerosix.wordpress.com/2007/07/05/skynet-alert-roomba-gets-a-taser/

Is it humane? I don't think so, but neither are bullets no matter who's
firing the gun.

Wendy

On 10/30/07, Joe Clarke <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>
> Isn't there a glue trap or some other humane alternative to respond to
> people with guns?  Sheeesh.
>
> Joe (stickin' to my guns) Clarke
>
> Mariellen Smith wrote:
> > Yeah it's probably the cops fault. I wish the police would stop
> > stirring up all of this gun violence. What /were /they doing
> > patrolling the streets, anyway? I smell a conspiracy.
> > -Mariellen
> >
> > At 11:32 AM 10/30/2007, Mike VanHelder wrote:
> >> Since only a psychic can answer whether or not the police were a
> >> precipitating factor, Al, I can only assume that it's your intention
> >> to launch sly insinuations and attack the public's trust in our
> >> police forces under the guise of "speaking for the community".  Your
> >> opposition to the NID I can understand, though I think it's selfish
> >> and disingenuous, but what beef do you have with the cops, and why
> >> can't you just come out and attack them openly instead of
> >> peck-peck-pecking at them like an underhanded vulture?
> >>
> >> - Mike V.
> >>
> >> On 10/30/07, [EMAIL PROTECTED]  <[EMAIL 
> >> PROTECTED]
> >> > wrote:
> >>
> >>
> >> The question still remains... why were all the cops there anyway,
> >> who deployed them, and was their very presence a precipitating
> >> factor?
> >>
> >> Enquiring minds want to know
> >>
> >> Al Krigman
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> 
> >> See what's new at AOL.com
> >>  and Make AOL Your
> >> Homepage  >.
> >>
> 
> You are receiving this because you are subscribed to the
> list named "UnivCity." To unsubscribe or for archive information, see
> .
>


Re: [UC] The Basilisk and 2 Ophelias are up, further decorating will follow the rain

2007-10-29 Thread missthin
Liz

I second Sande's best wishes.  The "haunt" at your house is always an
awesome event!

Unfortunately, the "bride" will not be available to help hand out treats and
add to the BOO! factor, as I will be "on the air" at midnightneo.com from 7
to 11 doing a halloween music  show.   I'll be with you all in spirit.

Wendy

On 10/25/07, SKnight <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>
>  Very best wishes to you all for the dramatic influence you have made
> every Halloween.
> Sande Knight
>
> - Original Message -
> *From:* Elizabeth F Campion <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> *To:* [EMAIL PROTECTED] ; UnivCity@list.purple.com
> *Sent:* Wednesday, October 24, 2007 11:54 PM
> *Subject:* [UC] The Basilisk and 2 Ophelias are up, further decorating
> will follow the rain
>
>
> Halloween in the 'hood can be a lot of fun.
>
> As the 10th of twelve, raised in a family that was often hungry,
> Halloween was heaven.
> For one night a year, there was no shame in foraging, and sweet treats
> could be accumulated in quantities that could be rationed through
> Christmas.
> Some of my happiest memories are of neighbors (even strangers) who made
> some extra effort through
> decoration
> performance art
> full sized candy bars
>
> My desire to 'pay-it-forward' by hosting 'over-the-top decoration' and
> full size candies for ALL comers coincided with
> Cynthia Preston's need for a "safe" place for neighborhood kids the
> annual
> SQUIRREL HILL TOWN WATCH & POLICE SUBSTATION
> HALLOWEEN GARDEN GALA
>
> Last year, with the help of many volunteers, we entertained
> 1,560 kids and
>440 adults
>
> With good weather, we might see an even larger crowd this year.
> Bring toddlers, send older kids (no one is too tall or too old to receive
> some treat at my home) to:
>
> 4611 Springfield Ave
> Phila, PA 19143
>
> on 10/31
> from 5-7 PM
>
> And, as an added bonus...
>  ABBRACCIO has offered to host a show of the photographs that we will
> take at this years Halloween Gala.
> The show is scheduled to Open on November 16 and run for a few weeks.
>
>
> Cindy's Preston is trying to raise money to purchase additional items for
> the many distribution stations she sets up inside the yard between our
> front porch and the back gate exit.
> In previous years she has coordinated stops within the garden for Fruit,
> Juice 'Hugs', Cookies (from McDonalds), Toothbrushes (from the Penn
> Dental School), Lollipops and promo items (from Commerce Bank), Toys,
> Canned Sodas and her gift bags.
> At each stop a costumed volunteer makes collecting the "Treat" as
> interesting as possible.
> It is possible to fill a mylar Town Watch Halloween bag, just walking
> through our garden.
>
> If you are able and willing to donate some money, or items, to make the
> event better, please send contributions to:
>
> Payee : Squirrel Hill Police Substation
>
> 4619 Chester Avenue, B101
> Phila, PA 19143
>
> Send checks or deliver items ASAP, as things need to be in place by
> Halloween.
>
> Please note, I am not soliciting for our "porch".
> We supply the decorations (for our porch and the Sub Station) and put
> them up, take them down and repair and store them.
> Our family also provides a full sized candy to every one who visits (last
> year this expense was $750.00).
>  I'm not seeking 'credit'.  Every smile and 'scream' is a lovely reward.
>
> This is information.  (People have questioned us.)
> We welcome any contributions of time, treasure and talent that others can
> make to improving the event.
> We are grateful to the parents who bring kids by, and glad that older
> kids stop by on their own.
>
> Cyndy has already stuffed over 1,000 gift & candy bags.
> Last year she had completed over 6,000 by the time Halloween rolled
> around.
> This is just a part of her contribution of time and money.
>
> We encourage our neighbors to host Trick or Treaters from 5-7 PM on
> Halloween night.
>
> If you have a porch, be sure to send clear signals...
> ...Lights on, decorations up, host near the doorbell for Treaters.
> ...Lights out, no decorations for those unable or unwilling to host the
> hordes.
>
> If you do not have a porch, and want to experience the fun of hosting, I
> welcome additional volunteers at my home, send a private e-reply.
> We can use all of: Line Monitors, Candy Distributors, Face Painters &
> Costume Consultants (for those without a costume), Actors, Decorators,
> Cleanup Crew, Photographers, Battery Changers, Fog Makers, Bubble Machine
> Supervisors.
>
> Happy Halloween!
>
> Liz
> 
> You are receiving this because you are subscribed to the
> list named "UnivCity." To unsubscribe or for archive information, see
> .
>
>


Re: [UC] University City tourism video

2007-10-17 Thread missthin
"or grab a colorful brochure here in your hotel" ... HUH? that boring,
insipid, not even well narrated thing on youtube is being shown in hotels in
the area?   Geez, that should really get people fired up to visit and/or
move to the area ... NOT.

Wendy

On 10/17/07, UNIVERSITY*CITOYEN <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>
> Andrew Schwalm wrote:
> >> http://youtube.com/watch?v=6U8x7SxeA6g
> >>
> >> Enjoy!
>
>
> bleh. boring, canned. this one's better:
>
>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vFTVoD8LD4g
>
>
>
>
> Brian Siano wrote:
> > Mine's better.
> > http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=1474992351211031065
>
>
> agreed, much better. so peaceful and green, nice music, and
> -- I'M IN IT!
>
> hahaha!!
>
> [glenn, I think I see you, too. brian, any way you can make
> the video sharper, less pixelated?]
>
>
>
> ..
> UNIVERSITY*CITOYEN
> [aka laserbeam(r)]
> [aka ray]
> SERIAL LIAR. CALL FOR RATES.
>"It is very clear on this listserve who
> these people are. Ray has admitted being
> connected to this forger."  -- Tony West
>"Ray's falsehoods are more sophisticated,
> more believable" -- Tony West
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> __
> This email has been scanned by the MessageLabs Email Security System.
> For more information please visit http://www.messagelabs.com/email
> __
> 
> You are receiving this because you are subscribed to the
> list named "UnivCity." To unsubscribe or for archive information, see
> .
>


Re: [UC] Bryant Brown?

2007-10-17 Thread missthin
Hi there

Those flyers are all over the place!  I was going to post asking if anyone
knew Who this Bryant Brown is, Why he's "surveying" all these blocks, How is
he doing these "surveys" and What his reasoning is.

We live on 45th near Locust and those flyers go at least as far as the CVS
on Locust St.

So, he's either got way too much free time on his hands, walking around the
"hood" putting these flyers up, or he has minions just sticking them up
wherever.

Wendy

On 10/17/07, Jim Cummings <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>
> Well, he sure knows how to get his picture taken, even if he doesn't
> know how to scan them in.
> Jim
>
> On 10/17/07, John Ellingsworth <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> > Anyone else seen this flyer on their block?  They were all over 49th
> > street (they are a nice pumpkin color).
> >
> > His website is sorely lacking in anything of substance (in fact, it is
> > still showing the web template information), but it looks as though he
> > is running for office (PA State rep):
> > http://bryantbrownpa.com/
> >
> > I am curious if his 'survey' was anything more than having signs placed
> > on the poles and trees, and whether or not he is going to take them down
> > after a period of time.
> >
> > The text:
> >
> > To Make
> >
> > Our
> > Community Better
> >
> > This Block
> > Was Independently
> >
> > Surveyed
> > By
> >
> > Bryant Brown
> >
> > FOR MORE INFO:
> > www.bryantbrown.com
> > 1-877-304-6833
> > 
> > You are receiving this because you are subscribed to the
> > list named "UnivCity." To unsubscribe or for archive information, see
> > .
> >
>
>
> --
> Jim Cummings
> 
> You are receiving this because you are subscribed to the
> list named "UnivCity." To unsubscribe or for archive information, see
> .
>


Re: [UC] Zoning notice is up on Locust St side of former stores at 45th St SE corner

2007-09-20 Thread missthin
Since it's right on the corner by us, I just went over and had a look at the
zoning notice.

It's for a Daniel Thut for an eat in/take out establishment with live
entertainment  - oh joy, just what we need on this corner to compete with
the bands Upstairs at Abysinnia (sp?) and the Watusi - their karaoke nights
can get really loud.  Along with this - retail space for selling magazines,
cards, gifts etc.

The last I'd heard was the person who bought the property is keeping the
"house" part as is - apartments and was putting a Vietnamese restaurant on
the ground floor.

Wendy

On 9/20/07, Isabel Lugo <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>
> For some reason that one doesn't show up on the Starbucks store
> locator (http://www.starbucks.com/retail/locator/) but the one in
> UPenn's 1920 Commons (38th and Locust) does.  Does anybody know what
> the difference is?
>
> Isabel
>
> On 9/20/07, Kathleen Turner <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> > Don't forget that there's already another Starbucks in one of the Drexel
> > buildings at 33rd and Market.  I think we're reaching saturation point
> here.
> >
> > Kathleen
> >
> >
> >
> > On 9/20/07, Isabel Lugo <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> > > I was kind of hoping nobody would point that out...
> > >
> > > I work near there and  patronize the 34th and Walnut Starbucks fairly
> > > regularly.  I suspect I wouldn't use the 34th and Chestnut one because
> > > I am for vague, unsupportable ideological reasons opposed to the
> > > ridiculous prices at the apartment building it's in.  (That, and the
> > > one on Chestnut's a block further out of my way.)
> > >
> > > Isabel
> > >
> > > On 9/20/07, Frank <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> > > > Except at 34th & Chestnut and 34th & Walnut.
> > > >
> > > > Frankus
> > > > Sleek. Edgy. Infinitely flexible.
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > On Sep 20, 2007, at 04:15 PM, Isabel Lugo wrote:
> > > >
> > > > > Why not leave the 43xx Locust location open *and* open another one
> at
> > > > > 45th and Locust?  It could be called "Yet Another Green Line".
> > > > >
> > > > > Although that might be a bit silly.  Even Starbucks doesn't put
> > > > > locations that close together.
> > > > >
> > > > > Isabel
> > > > >
> > > > > On 9/20/07, [EMAIL PROTECTED] <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> > > > >>> A zoning notice has been posted on the Locust Street side of
> what
> > > > >>> used to  be
> > > > >>> three stores on the SE corner of 45th & Locust. Not much detail.
> > > > >>
> > > > >> Rumor has it that the "Other Green Line," currently located on
> the
> > > > >> 4300
> > > > >> block of Locust, will be moving to this space.
> > > > >>
> > > > >> I noticed that when they cleaned out the storefront units, they
> > > > >> knocked
> > > > >> holes in the units' walls so you can walk between them on the
> > > > >> inside.  If
> > > > >> the rumor is true, it looks like the OGL's new space will be a
> lot
> > > > >> bigger
> > > > >> than its current location next to the laundromat.
> > > > >>
> > > > >> I'm not sure why a cafe would need a zoning variance though.  Is
> > > > >> it so
> > > > >> they can prepare food inside?
> > > > >>
> > > > >> Mark
> > > > >> 
> > > > >> You are receiving this because you are subscribed to the
> > > > >> list named "UnivCity." To unsubscribe or for archive information,
> see
> > > > >> < http://www.purple.com/list.html>.
> > > > >>
> > > > > 
> > > > > You are receiving this because you are subscribed to the
> > > > > list named "UnivCity." To unsubscribe or for archive information,
> see
> > > > > .
> > > >
> > > > 
> > > > You are receiving this because you are subscribed to the
> > > > list named "UnivCity." To unsubscribe or for archive information,
> see
> > > > .
> > > >
> > > 
> > > You are receiving this because you are subscribed to the
> > > list named "UnivCity." To unsubscribe or for archive information, see
> > > .
> > >
> >
> >
> 
> You are receiving this because you are subscribed to the
> list named "UnivCity." To unsubscribe or for archive information, see
> .
>


Re: [UC] plant suggestions for sidewalk gardens

2007-08-24 Thread missthin
Hi Sarah

Well, they can seem boring and once you've seen them, you'll know what they
are ... liriope muscari, also known as lily turf.  The 2 most common
varieties are plain dark green or a lighter green with an almost white
"stripe" in the middle.  Both varieties will bloom around this time of a
year -- a short spike of purple flowers.  Just make sure you get muscari --
there's another genus of this that can be very invasive (sometimes called
monkey grass).

Here's a link to the varigated variety:
http://www.directgardening.com/detail.asp?pid=4477

and here's the "plain" green variety:
http://www.bluestoneperennials.com/b/bp/LIBBS.html

There's some clumps of the varigated variety planted at 4317 Spruce St in
front of the building.

Once they get settled in they can take massive amounts of abuse; i.e.: dogs
urinating on them -- which I hate but it happens!; people walking on them
getting in and out of cars and once established they're pretty darn good
with weather extremes.  It's generally not an expensive plant and another
bonus is that they will slowly "creep" as well as get fuller and fuller --
to the point where you can dig them up, split and replant.

Hope that helps!

Wendy


On 8/22/07, S. Scheckter <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>
> Hi, all,
>
> I've been working on landscaping the little garden strip beside the
> sidewalk in front of my house, and I'm looking for suggestions for some
> hardy evergreens or other plants that can grow year-round and
> won't be killed by salting in winter, drought in summer, and being
> stepped or littered on by passersby. Maybe I'm wishing for a plant that
> doesn't exist, but I've seen some successful sidewalk-side gardens in the
> neighborhood, so I thought I'd ask.
>
> Perennials and woody plants are preferred, and if I can buy them somewhere
> affordable, like Home Depot or another local hardware store/nursery, that
> would be great.
>
> Thanks for your help!
> Sarah
>
>
>
> 
> You are receiving this because you are subscribed to the
> list named "UnivCity." To unsubscribe or for archive information, see
> .
>


Re: [UC] Sa-ád's

2007-07-03 Thread missthin

Saad's is open 11-9 Monday through Thursday, 11-10 (says on the menu) Friday
and Saturday.  I know they're closed at 9 most nights.  I've never gone
after 9, so I'm not really sure if they are, in fact, open until 10
Fri/Sat.  I'll have to take a look this weekend.

Closed Sundays and the month of Ramadan.  I'm trying to think, but for the
life of me, I can't remember them being closed at any other time (for
prayers).  I know they're open Thanksgiving, Xmas and other holidays as long
as it's not a Sunday (or Ramadan).

Fridays after afternoon prayers is always mobbed.

Their number is 215-222-7223

Wendy

On 7/3/07, Anthony West <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:


Well, that's something they're going to have to deal with commercially.
If I, as a non-Muslim customer, found I couldn't get my shawarma because
the proprietor was too busy praying, I wouldn't go back there again.
That hasn't happened to me at Sa'ad. If it did happen to you --
patronize the joint on Lancaster Ave. instead. Their food is okay also.

-- Tony West

Wilma de Soto wrote:
> As I said to LA, it still escapes me and even THEY don't know if the
hours
> on the take-out menu are accurate.
>
> Ergo, it may be a "Brigadoon business" to me.  No offense, just so I
would
> understand, and I do.
>
> I thanked them for posting such and also I thank you.
>
> -Wilma
>


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Re: [UC] Crime Spree

2007-06-26 Thread missthin

Hi

This also happened to at least one person today on 45th St between Sansom
and Chestnut.  There was a police car blocking the sidewalk while the
officer was talking to an obviously upset and angry young man.  The driver's
side window was gone.  Don't know what, if anything was taken.

Considering this was done today while there was a large funeral going on at
the Mosque on the corner of 45th and Walnut (and alot of people out on the
sidewalks, etc.), whoever's responsible for that break-in is really brazen.

Be careful out there, all!

Wendy

On 6/26/07, [EMAIL PROTECTED] <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:


   FYI:
Early this morning around 6 AM 6/26, on the 4700 block of Warrington Ave,
5 cars parked on the southside of the street were broken into, here we go
again. The police were called and they responded.


J. Valentino



--
See what's free at AOL.com .




Re: [UC] update: squatters released, others sought/muggings ... not funny

2007-06-19 Thread missthin

Brian

I never said you weren't a decent person.  And obviously, anything sent
privately is, well, private.

I posted how I felt, in general, seeing jokes, satires, etc. in the face of
what's apparently been a few really bad days around here.   I happened to
click on your  post, I wasn't finger pointing at anyone in particular.  I
was taken aback by what I was reading on the list in general.

I know, in spite of  some statements to the contrary (i.e.: the fact of just
how much you want cats to disappear from the plant :P) that you are a caring
person.  I'll never forget that you, and you alone, responded to our call
for help when Chris went through our front door.

Margie,

This was mentioned very briefly on the news.  Problem is I'm not sure which
station was on at the time.  I'm looking around to see if I can find where,
when and who said this.  It may have been a newsperson assumption that was
later dropped because there wasn't absolute proof that this was, in fact,
the reason for the death.

Wendy

On 6/19/07, Margie Politzer <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:


 ...What gives them or anyone the right to go so far as to kill someone
doing their job of trying to evict them? ...

Wendy


Wendy,

Have you read or heard that the murdered man was trying to evict the
squatters? Please share the source with us.

Margie



Re: [UC] update: squatters released, others sought/muggings ... not funny

2007-06-19 Thread missthin

OK, I just got home and had a chance to login and read what everyone's been
up to.

I have to say, I am disappointed.  No, make that disgusted.

Where is it "clever" to mock and make jokes about a 28 year old person with
their life ahead of them being brutally beaten to death.   These so-called
anarchists have been around for years.  I used to see them in CC all the
time and talked to a few.  Just to try to understand why they went around
with "sratch" blue ink tattoos all over their faces, panhandling and
dragging some poor dog or cat with them, squatting where they felt like it
and jumping trains so they could winter in Florida.  Basically, they just
don't care about anything or anyone but what they want.  What gives them or
anyone the right to go so far as to kill someone doing their job of trying
to evict them?

How is it that someone many of us know, after being beaten and mugged, is
turned into a joke.   Yes, he was in a way lucky.  He was able to get up and
get help, mainly because they didn't get his cellphone.  That doesn't dimish
the fact that 6 punks with their faces covered jumped him.  It could have
been you -- any of you.   And some other member of our list/our neighbors
and friends have been mugged or robbed.  Where is this funny?

An older man, 2 doors from his own home dealing with someone holding a gun
in his face.  That's appalling.

None of these incidents in any way merit being turned into a satire.  It's
not cute, it's not witty, it's not appropriate.

All this bantering does is make people look shallow, uncaring and unfeeling.

Here's hoping no one else finds themself in these situations.  And let's try
to keep an eye out for ourselves and each other.  After all, isn't that what
villagers are supposed to do for each other?

Wendy

On 6/19/07, Brian Siano <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:


[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
> Those making light of this situation ought to be ashamed of themselves.
>
> Ray tried to put an end to this by noting that someone died in this
> incident. And he was mocked by one person and ignored by others trying
> to outdo themselves in cleverness.
But we did manage to be more clever than the classic "assert superior
humanity by nagging people for making jokes" gambit.
> I wonder what the tenor of the postings would be if it were Mario
> having been killed rather than roughed up.
Well, you could kill Mario and see what happens.
> Where's your sense of humanity?
Dead.

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Re: [UC] comcast problems?

2007-06-09 Thread missthin

Hi Seth

I'm online right now and have been for awhile.  No connection problems ...
yet.  I have had them, weird ones usually late night.  Out of nowhere, I see
the lights on the modem blink out then slowly stutter back to life.  TV
cable doesn't seem affected when this happens -- just my internet.

Hope yours decides to cooperate!

Wendy

On 6/9/07, Seth Kulick <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:



Hello all,

Are any other comcast internet users experiencing problems? Our connection
went out about two hours ago and hasn't come back, which is unusual.
The cable is still going, though.  Although I guess if others cannot
connect, they may not be able to read this mail.

thanks for any info.

Seth

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Re: [UC] The Penn meeting

2007-06-07 Thread missthin

Jennifer,

Glenn wrote:

John Fenton was immediately barred from UCD headquarters and ordered not to
discuss the controversy with employees or anyone else. She told us that Mr.
Fenton has been forced to resign and has been given a six-month severance.
She told us that Mr. Levy from CCD and the UCD Board member from SHCA were
involved with the decision.

That says to me that yes, he certainly was fired.  Looks like after he was
barred from even entering UCD headquarters or talking to any of the staff.
Outrageous.

I'd like to know who the SHCA board member is.

Wendy

On 6/7/07, Jennifer Shepard <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:


 Did he get fired?

Jennifer

Cedar Park


 --

*From:* [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:
[EMAIL PROTECTED] *On Behalf Of *missthin
*Sent:* Thursday, June 07, 2007 2:17 PM
*To:* Glenn
*Cc:* UnivCity@list.purple.com
*Subject:* Re: [UC] The Penn meeting



Glenn,

Thanks for posting what you saw/heard at this meeting.

I understand John being told not to discuss anything with anyone outside
of UCD, as there is this alleged "internal investigation".  That sounds par
for the course.  Not discussing with anyone at UCD I find somewhat odd.
But, whatever.

What I really am right now is outraged.  I, like many others, believed
(and still do believe) that John was being used as a scapegoat for a bad
situation.  This reeks of jealousy and animosity.

That it took this long for John, staff and the community to finally know
the outcome of his supposed 2 week with pay suspension just adds to my
feeling that this entire episode was in some way a set-up.  And no, I'm not
a conspiracy theorist.

After all the good John and his crew have done for this community in
general and for my roommate and I in particular, that he should be treated
this way, simply thrown out like so much trash is absolutely appalling.

I recall when Karen was assaulted by Chris that 2 UCD bike patrolmen got
here before the police and once Karen went off to the station to file her
complaint, they stayed until Brian was able to get here and get the front
door boarded up.  Then there are the general block clean-ups.  John and his
crew have done a great job of trying to get the word out, handing out
supplies to the neighbors and helping with the actual clean-up and trash bag
removal.   Just 2 examples of the good that's been done in the past and will
not be seen again.

The loss of John Fenton is a huge one for all of us here in the village.
He's gone above and beyond, including nights, weekends, days off for so many
of us for so many different reasons -- think manhole cover replacing. I know
I've felt safer walking around knowing that John and his crew are out and
about.   What this could be doing to the morale of the crew I have to wonder
too.

To the UCD Board and Mr. Wendell:  Shame on you.  You've succeeded in
cutting off your nose to spite your face by firing Mr. Fenton and having
Marty removed from the UCD Board.  He is another individual who lives here,
listens, cares and tries to help when and where he can.

Another angry, upset supporter of John Fenton

Wendy


 On 6/7/07, *Glenn* <[EMAIL PROTECTED] > wrote:

Let me give you some of the information from the Penn meeting.

First, Councilwoman Blackwell told us that John Fenton was immediately
barred from UCD headquarters and ordered not to discuss the controversy with
employees or anyone else. She told us that Mr. Fenton has been forced to
resign and has been given a six-month severance. She told us that Mr. Levy
from CCD and the UCD Board member from SHCA were involved with the decision.
She tried to be involved in the decision about Mr. Fenton but was very angry
about the treatment she received from UCD.

She also told us that her staff person, Marty, was removed from the UCD
board as was Glenn Bryan. She echoed the complaints coming from many of us
that UCD is not accountable.

I introduced one of the motions that I believe carried without dissent: I
believe I said:

We, at the first Thursday meeting, insist that UCD make full disclosures
of policies and processes to facilitate transparency and accountability
appropriate for a special services district.

Freda made the motion to retain John Fenton. Sharrieff made the motion to
facilitate a community forum about this issue so that the community might
ask all questions directly to UCD.

It was quite clear that while the institutional folks remained quiet, the
community sentiment was clearly that both Mr. Fenton and Councilwoman
Blackwell were being targeted for blame while the UCD was not forthcoming.
 On several occasions, the councilwoman received applause.

Mr. Lewis Wendell read the previously released statement. He did not give
a progress report about the "internal investigation" or any information
about an expected date to release findings.

If I can be helpful to answer any other questions on list I will try to
help.

Sincerely,

Glenn Moyer







Re: [UC] The Penn meeting

2007-06-07 Thread missthin

Glenn,

Thanks for posting what you saw/heard at this meeting.

I understand John being told not to discuss anything with anyone outside of
UCD, as there is this alleged "internal investigation".  That sounds par for
the course.  Not discussing with anyone at UCD I find somewhat odd.  But,
whatever.

What I really am right now is outraged.  I, like many others, believed (and
still do believe) that John was being used as a scapegoat for a bad
situation.  This reeks of jealousy and animosity.

That it took this long for John, staff and the community to finally know the
outcome of his supposed 2 week with pay suspension just adds to my feeling
that this entire episode was in some way a set-up.  And no, I'm not a
conspiracy theorist.

After all the good John and his crew have done for this community in general
and for my roommate and I in particular, that he should be treated this way,
simply thrown out like so much trash is absolutely appalling.

I recall when Karen was assaulted by Chris that 2 UCD bike patrolmen got
here before the police and once Karen went off to the station to file her
complaint, they stayed until Brian was able to get here and get the front
door boarded up.  Then there are the general block clean-ups.  John and his
crew have done a great job of trying to get the word out, handing out
supplies to the neighbors and helping with the actual clean-up and trash bag
removal.   Just 2 examples of the good that's been done in the past and will
not be seen again.

The loss of John Fenton is a huge one for all of us here in the village.
He's gone above and beyond, including nights, weekends, days off for so many
of us for so many different reasons -- think manhole cover replacing. I know
I've felt safer walking around knowing that John and his crew are out and
about.   What this could be doing to the morale of the crew I have to wonder
too.

To the UCD Board and Mr. Wendell:  Shame on you.  You've succeeded in
cutting off your nose to spite your face by firing Mr. Fenton and having
Marty removed from the UCD Board.  He is another individual who lives here,
listens, cares and tries to help when and where he can.

Another angry, upset supporter of John Fenton

Wendy



On 6/7/07, Glenn <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:


 Let me give you some of the information from the Penn meeting.

First, Councilwoman Blackwell told us that John Fenton was immediately
barred from UCD headquarters and ordered not to discuss the controversy with
employees or anyone else. She told us that Mr. Fenton has been forced to
resign and has been given a six-month severance. She told us that Mr. Levy
from CCD and the UCD Board member from SHCA were involved with the decision.
She tried to be involved in the decision about Mr. Fenton but was very angry
about the treatment she received from UCD.

She also told us that her staff person, Marty, was removed from the UCD
board as was Glenn Bryan. She echoed the complaints coming from many of us
that UCD is not accountable.

I introduced one of the motions that I believe carried without dissent: I
believe I said:

We, at the first Thursday meeting, insist that UCD make full disclosures
of policies and processes to facilitate transparency and accountability
appropriate for a special services district.

Freda made the motion to retain John Fenton. Sharrieff made the motion to
facilitate a community forum about this issue so that the community might
ask all questions directly to UCD.

It was quite clear that while the institutional folks remained quiet, the
community sentiment was clearly that both Mr. Fenton and Councilwoman
Blackwell were being targeted for blame while the UCD was not forthcoming.
 On several occasions, the councilwoman received applause.

Mr. Lewis Wendell read the previously released statement. He did not give
a progress report about the "internal investigation" or any information
about an expected date to release findings.

If I can be helpful to answer any other questions on list I will try to
help.

Sincerely,

Glenn Moyer





Re: [UC] Re: Our house was burglarized; do not be like us

2007-05-29 Thread missthin

Sean and Charlene,

I'd like to add my condolences about what must have been an awful experience
and a very scary shock when you came home.  For me, reading that whoever did
this was walking around your house with a big knife is really scary.  Thank
goodness you weren't home, in a way.

We had an experience with someone trying to get into the house through the
dining room window.  The dining room is in the alleyway and he was coming
through the screen.  What saved us was we had someone staying here who was
on the first floor and one of my roomie's cats saw this man and starting
meowing really loud.  This woke our friend up who stumbled into the dining
room to see what was going on.  Found a man halfway in the window!  She
scared him away.  Bars went up very soon after that.

I am a big supporter of having bars on your first floor or any windows that
someone can gain access to.  If you don't want to have them mounted on the
house, get the indoor ones that you can put up yourself, put a lock on them
and keep the key to the lock somewhere close enough that you can get to it
if you need to get out quickly, but not so close that someone could try to
reach in to get it.

I also agree with the not having shrubs/bushes that are so large they can
hide someone lurking.  That is a big safety issue to me.  I'd rather cut the
shrubs back and have them look kind of bare until they get to fill out than
worry about someone using the cover to get into the house or there just
waiting for someone coming home.

I'm glad you all are physically ok.  I'm sure you're sick over the pictures
being gone, along with your dissertation.  Backing up is always a good idea,
but it's one that I have to admit I don't do as often as I should.

Besides changing the locks, keep the alarm armed, canceling your credit
cards, get in touch with any online banking/financial services (like
paypal), shopping and perhaps your email accounts.  If they got your
computers and know or have someone who knows, and you've used the computers
for such things, they can get your info.  Were the police helpful?

Again, I'm so sorry you had to go through this.

Wendy

On 5/29/07, Stephen Fisher <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:


 Sean and Charlene, I'm really, really sorry about your loss!  That really
sucks.  I also appreciate that you shared your story and your lessons
learned with the lists.

  > 8) Finally, back up all data on your computers, often.

I would like to add one point to #8.  Keep a copy of the data backup
outside of your house.  If you can, copy your valuable data to a CD or DVD
and leave a copy at work or elsewhere.

Best of luck with recovering what you can,
Stephen


Sean and Charlene McGrew wrote:

Dear Neighbors,

We live on the 4700 block of Osage Avenue and our house was broken into on
Saturday night between 4:30 and 8 pm.

The burglar cut the screen on the open window and climbed into the house.
He (?) went through the entire house and took several items, including 2
laptops, 2 iPods, a digital camera, cell phone, house key, and some other
random things We also found that he took one of our large kitchen knives
around the house with him and left it in the basement.

We have lived in this area for 5 years, and we do know better than to
leave our house wide open for theft. Any urban environment would require
some effort in home protection. So while you are surely already aware of
precautions you can take, we'd like to offer some friendly reminders (and
lessons learned!):

1) Keep the area around your house well lit
2) Trim the bushes that may obstruct views to windows. The tree and bushes
in front of our house covered much of the view to the front windows. The
burglar was able to climb into the window undetected.
3) Arm your alarm if you have one. We went out for a few hours and did not
bother, but it probably would have scared the burglar away.
4) Don't leave your keys in the deadbolts. Our burglar let himself out and
took the key(s) with him.
5) Lock all your windows
6) Leave a light on when you're not home
7) Put blinds on your windows
8) Finally, back up all data on your computers, often. All of my
disseration research and all of my son's baby pictures are gone because it's
been over a year since I backed up my data.

I hope this helps. Do not get complacent, as we had!

Sean and Charlene McGrew


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Re: [UC] What Type of American Accent Do You Have?

2007-05-06 Thread missthin

Odd, I was placed in Midland.  Odd because I was born and raised in the
Philadelphia/Delaware County area.  Myabe it was those elocution lessons I
was forced to endure as a child?

Wendy

On 5/6/07, Ross Bender <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:


North Central -- "People may even have asked you if you're from Canada."
Uncanny.

On 5/6/07, Jim Cummings < [EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>
> I was placed in Midland - the newscasters accent. I guess that is
> close I grew up in the southern California suburban bubble. Viva la
> television!
> Jim
>
> On 5/6/07, Margie Politzer <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> > This is interesting! I took the quiz and it placed me in the
> Philadelphia
> > area. I guess my 23 years here have taken their toll on my accent!
> Some
> > people still notice NYC in my accent, but the quiz didn't.
> >
> > Margie
> >
> > > Usually I don't do this but I took this quiz and and several other
> friends
> > > did too.  It was amazingly accurate.
> > >
> > >
> > > http://www.youthink.com/quiz.asp?action=take&quiz_id=9827
> > >
> > >
> > > 
> > > You are receiving this because you are subscribed to the
> > > list named "UnivCity." To unsubscribe or for archive information,
> see
> > > < http://www.purple.com/list.html>.
> >
> > 
> > You are receiving this because you are subscribed to the
> > list named "UnivCity." To unsubscribe or for archive information, see
> > .
> >
>
>
> --
> Jim Cummings
> 
> You are receiving this because you are subscribed to the
> list named "UnivCity." To unsubscribe or for archive information, see
> .
>



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http://rossbender.org


Re: [UC] Bag Snatchers, Bottom Smackers

2007-04-28 Thread missthin

Robin

Hope your daughter's ok.  I've been in the position of having kids try to
grab my purse and it's not fun.  As far as the smacking?  I don't think
that's funny, personally.

Thanks for the heads up.

Wendy

On 4/28/07, Robin Gresham-Chin <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:


Two little boys about 10 or 11 tried to grab my daughter's bag about
an hour ago. When they couldn't they smacked her derrière.
I know this sounds funny but watch out.

Robin

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Re: [UC] Parables for the Virginia Tech Killings - Fact without perspective

2007-04-20 Thread missthin

On top of blaming Counterstrike or any other violent video games this young
man played/was a fan of, now Asian "extreme" movies are being pointed to.
Especially one called Old Boy by Chan-wook Park which is a South Korean
movie, as one of Cho's poses in one of his photos bears a strong resemblence
to the same pose by one of the main characters in the movie.

I think for certain people video games, movies, books, etc. can affect them
in a highly negative way.  But I believe there have to be problems to begin
with, and serious ones.  This person was a depressed, alienated sociopath
who was self-destructive and after suffering years of mental problems, being
teased and bullied, learned to dehumanize others.  Usually, from what I
understand, it's someone capable of doing that (dehumanizing) could have
stalked and later gone on this rampage.  I also believe that this is
something that could have happened even if he hadn't been exposed to games
or movies.  What the mind can come up with on its own can be much scarier
than anything on a screen or in a book.

It once again comes down to parents, relatives, anyone in contact with
someone who's in trouble to do what they can to help, not sweep it under the
rug, not assume it's "growing pains", stop with the mindset of "not airing
our dirty laundry in public" and I think something also needs doing on a
national level to do more as far as mental health issues.

Wendy

On 4/20/07, Wilma de Soto <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:


Sorry, frogive as I am trying to be serious but inject a bit humor and
Irony.
The reality is scary as Hell; at least it is to me.


On 4/20/07 8:16 PM, "Mike V." <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:

> I can't... I can't tell if you're serious or not.  This is surely irony
> in its highest form!
>
> - Mike V.
>
> -Original Message-
> From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Wilma de Soto
> Sent: Friday, April 20, 2007 8:10 PM
> To: Kyle Cassidy; UnivCity listserv
> Subject: Re: [UC] Parables for the Virginia Tech Killings - Fact without
> perspective
>
>
> Quite right!
>
> It will become even worse from what I see now in the early grades.
>
> We haven't seen the HALF of it.
>
> "Fasten your seat belts.  It's going to be a bumpy night".
>
> If anyone reading recognizes this quote, you are already too far gone to
> understand what is awaiting American Society if you are not involved
> day-to-day.  I am and I STILL cannot fathom it.
>
>
> On 4/20/07 7:06 PM, "Kyle Cassidy" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>
>>
> ... he was a fan of violent video games,
> particularly  Counterstrike, a hugely popular online game published
>
> by Microsoft, ...
>>
>> Holy smokes, does that mean there are nine million other 20something
>> Counterstrike players poised to to go off the deep end and kill all
>> their friends? He was also apparantly a fan of English Literature --
>> let's blame it on Herman Melville.
>>
>> But seriously, in a situation like this it's all to easy to look for
>> and coax ourselves into finding easy answers to difficult questions. I
>
>> think the truth is that there were many things wrong with this young
>> man and if you took away video games, or Pop music, or his iPod, or
>> his black socks, or his DKNY t-shirts, you wouldn't have prevented
>> this. More likely it was years of untreated mental illness upon which
>> piled hundreds or thousands of other factors, however influential in
>> their own ways, that eventually pushed him over the edge. There isn't
>> going to be any easy answer that we can fix with a four sentence law
>> to keep this from happening again. The solutions are all going to be
>> very complex and very difficult and they're never going to be 100%
>> effective.
>>
>> Kc
>>
>> 
>> You are receiving this because you are subscribed to the
>> list named "UnivCity." To unsubscribe or for archive information, see
>> .
>
>
> 
> You are receiving this because you are subscribed to the
> list named "UnivCity." To unsubscribe or for archive information, see
> .
>



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Re: [UC] The Blame Game [was: West Philly High re recent violence there]

2007-03-14 Thread missthin

To Wilma and all teachers

I send you my condolences that you have to try to work in today's atmosphere
of uncaring, selfish, what has to seem insurmountable obstacles.

When I was growing up, the very idea of raising a hand to a teacher or any
adult was out of the question.  Teachers and principals could and did raise
their hands at "bad" students.  I clearly remember the large wooden paddle
with holes drilled in it that hung in my junior high's principal's office -
and he did use it, though it seemed mostly on the boys.

It seems that we were, aside from being I think the last generation of
children that were more or less "property", meaning that our
parents/authority figures could and did give us a smack when they thought we
deserved it, reared with a sense of RESPECT.  We respected our parents, our
teachers, our schools and everything in our home and schools.  We didn't go
around setting fires for the heck of it, we sure didn't try to take out a
teacher for taking something (back then it was usually a comic book or
*gasp* a Playboy).  Sure we got mad, we complained to each other about that
mean old teacher.  But we didn't go home and complain.  Why?  If for no
other reason, if we said Mr. or Mrs. whoever said or did ..., our parents
would ask what we did to deserve it.  And probably get a much worse
punishment from our parents!

We've gone from basically a parent could do just about anything but kill
their kids to no corporal punishment but instead "time-outs" to now if a
parent looks at their kid the wrong way the kid can call 911 and the parents
end up arrested for child abuse.  Do I agree with beating a child? Of course
not, violence breeds violence.  On the other hand, it seems like the kids
are in charge - and that's not a good thing.It's gotten to the point
where bad behavior is "entertainment",  just watch Super Nanny once.

I find myself worried about the future.  It sure doesn't look bright.
Children are having children, the outside influences for the most part don't
seem to be antying that instills respect or values.  And most importantly, I
just don't see many of the children I run across these days getting an
education at home on what's important.  Home is where it all starts, with
the parent or parents.  Race, ethnicity, economic status; from my limited
observations, the "gimme or else/it's all about me and I don't care about
you" mentality is across the board.

There's no way a teacher deserves to be attacked in any way for trying to
keep their class in order.  There's no way a person walking down the street
deserves to be pushed, shoved, spit at, have things thrown at them or made
fun of by a group of kids with nothing better to do with their time
(homework anyone?).  There's no way a child who does want to learn deserves
to have their education constantly being interrupted by those who just don't
give a hoot.

The parents of the kids causing trouble need to be called to account for
what their children are doing.  And the "not my child, he/she would never do
that" attitude has to fought.   They also need to understand, somehow, that
school is there for learning, not as a form of babysitting and that teachers
are people with feelings who care, not the enemy.

There are parents who care.  What I saw in interviews with a few of them is
that they're trying to get their children tranferred out of WPHS.  Where
they're going to send them, I don't know.

*end rant*

Wendy

On 3/14/07, KAREN ALLEN <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:


>On 3/14/07, Wilma de Soto <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>>
>>  I knew someone would intimate that subliminally teachers are to blame
>>for what is happening to them.


>From: "Dan Myers" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
>Subject: Re: [UC] RE: West Philly High re recent violence there
>Date: Wed, 14 Mar 2007 12:56:18 -0400
>
>Yes, it is everyone's duty to make sure violence is handled with caution
>and eliminated. However, upbringing, the teachers behavior, and the
childs'
>behavior are ALL to blame. There are many steps in
>controlling these types of situations. Obviously, someone stepped in
>doodoo.
>
>Dan Myers
>

I love the way that it's now presumed that the teachers' behavior was a
contributing factor in the out-of-control kids behaving as they do. And I
love the way it's implied that it's the teachers who "stepped in doodoo".
Let's shift the blame from permissive, non-responsive or AWOL parents to
teachers whose job is to teach, not to raise these kids.  That's why
things
are as bad as they are now:  The Blame Game.

Karen Allen



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Re: [UC] Twice monthly recycling phone calls?

2007-03-06 Thread missthin

Hi Kyle

You only got one call?  Geez, you're lucky.  I've gotten at least 5 or 6 of
them since last week, including 2 last night.  First time - fine, second
time - ok, by the third time I was like Enough already!

Seems like since being able to be on the "do not call" list for
telemarketers, the campaign/reminder/donation and (the most annoying) - the
survey calls - have really gotten intrusive.

Wendy

On 3/6/07, Kyle Cassidy <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:


Am I the only one who got a phone call from a robot on Tuesday saying
"tomorrow is your recycling day. Recycling is important. Put your
recyclables out no sooner than 7:00 tonight and no later than 7:00
tomorrow morning--"> it might have said more, but that's where I hung
up.



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univcity@list.purple.com

2007-02-13 Thread missthin

Hi

Are you sure it was 4325 and not 4323 Spruce?  That already is and has been
apartments  for years.  And yes, there were permits when they enclosed the
porch.  Personally?  I miss the porch, thought it looked so much nicer.  But
that's progress for ya.

On 2/13/07, [EMAIL PROTECTED] <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:


 In a message dated 2/13/2007 11:37:41 A.M. Eastern Standard Time,
[EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:

I was travelling down Spruce Street today. On the 4300 block I noticed
that the porch on 4325 Spruce has been enclosed and it looks like converted
into apartments.

I thought that kind of construction was no longer allowed - that building
is maimed.

 Try complaining to L&I. Especially, if no permits are posted in the
window of the offending building.


http://66.179.23.20/DP1/metroplex/Philadelphia/customerservice/selectbyservno.asp

Good luck; some people think because they own real estate they're above
the law.

Ciao,

Craig