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Archive: April, 2010
So apparently Philadelphia Union's home opener against the D.C. United at the Linc on Saturday was amazing except for two things.
1. Joe Biden kicked the first ball or faked the first shin trauma or whatever you do to ceremonially start a soccer game. Yay for you, Joe. But thousands of fans were stuck outside due to heightened security, waiting in line to be metal detected, and chant "BULLSHIT" while missing the start of the game. Eye-witnesses figure at least half of the paying fans missed the first goal in team history. Rumor is that the team or somebody asked Biden to leave soon after the game started. Once the VP was out of the building they didn't just relax security, they threw open the gates, letting everybody in without even checking tickets. Of course, there were post-game apologies.
2. There was that ultimately meaningless goal (Philly still won) when Union goalie Chris Seitz appeared to just plain give the goal to D.C.'s Jaime Moreno to shoot into the net. Just like magically give it to him with nobody else around. Moreno kinda half-heartedly shot it into the gaping goal and then, as per soccer tradition, joined his teammates to jump around acting like they'd just done something really amazing and prolonged hug-worthy. Embarrassing for them. And for Seitz, because the goalie is the only one who can use his hands, so he should be the most competent guy out there. Picture a chimp taking on a flamingo. Anyway, the league now says, in retrospect, it's plainly obvious that Seitz was interfered with and the goal shouldn't have been allowed. Still funny though. Let's watch:
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[...] Heheheheh. Joe Biden kicked the first ball or faked the first shin trauma or whatever you do to ceremonially start a soccer game. Yay for you, Joe. But thousands of fans were stuck outside due to heightened security, waiting in line to be metal detected, and chant BULLSHIT while missing the start of the game. [...]
It's not all bad news in Philly daily journalism.
Big ups to Barbara Laker and Wendy Ruderman of the People Paper for winning one of two Pulitzer Prizes for investigative reporting "for their resourceful reporting that exposed a rogue police narcotics squad, resulting in an FBI probe and the review of hundreds of criminal cases tainted by the scandal."
Read the "Tainted Justice" series in its entirety here.
They're reporting is a great example of how newspapers should cover the city. Despite Brian Tierney, the Daily News still has great hustle, an unbelievable work ethic. They accept no excuses. And because of that, theres something often a lot in the paper every day thats worth reading. The Daily News is still indispensible,
And let that be an object lesson on the dangers of multi-tasking. Fixed. Apologies. Still copious congrats.
How many DN people can post in this thread before they correct it?
Hey, it's Barbara Laker and Wendy Ruderman, dudes!!
While the hometown 9 have started a season off right for a change not a huge feat when your first 6 games area against the Nationals and a Lance Berkman-less Astros, but hey they start off the home portion of their schedule today at 3:05. Of course, they get three more against those Nationals before they face anything resembling a challenge: three against the Marlins and then three against the Braves.
Which means there'll be lots of late liquid lunches and knocking off early around the Delaware Valley this afternoon to catch Cole Hamels square off against Jason Marquis.We will, of course, be stuck at the desk listening in on 1210, something we normally only do when Glenn Beck is on.
Go Phils.
So did you get out on Saturday for Philly Spring Cleanup part trois?
We were out sweeping the 1300 blocks between Tasker and Snyder (thanks to all the detritus that blows in off of Broad Street), and got more than a few strange looks from neighbors who perhaps thought we were the Census taker/death panels Glenn Beck told them were coming.
One charming gentleman, as we were cleaning in front of his house, took the opportunity to announce that he was a Yankees fan and ask sneeringly, "How's your team doing?" and then make some dig about the Phillies' "20 owners." Ouch, right where it hurts in the ownership group.
But for the most part, people were generous, supportive. In addition to the coffee and donuts East Passyunk Crossing Civic Association plied us with, a guy on Broad had a table set up with pretzels and coffee he was dispensing to volunteers and anyone else who happened to walk by.
Though there were a plethora of other projects happening across the city, most of what we ended up doing sweeping gravel, trash and plant waste out of gutters is stuff that probably used to get whisked away by the city's long-suspended residential street cleaning. But hey, it's best not to think of such things. It's all about community, right?
No word yet on the total tonnage of junk removed from city streets this year.
(Send any particularly interesting photos from your cleanup day to bhoward@citypaper.net and we'll post them here.)
Great article! We participated in the spring clean up in Brewerytown. we have some photos on our blog, mmpartners.blogspot.com
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I know, it snuck up on me, too, but Mayor Nutt's third annual Philly Spring Cleanup goes down tomorrow.
Still lots of projects with open slots on the web site and it is indeed recommended that you register for a project rather than just showing up so coordinators know how much equipment they'll need.
Last year, I headed down to FDR park and pulled cans, bottles and sooooo many plastic bags out of "the lakes." It was gross work, but ultimately very rewarding (though I'm sort of glad all the spots were taken up for FDR this year as I figure it might be depressing to see just how much junk's in the water again this year. If anyone makes it down there, please report yr findings).
This year I'm sticking close to home, volunteering with EPX to clean up my own hood, after having used last year's cleanup as an excuse to go exploring FDR.
Are you helping with the cleanup tomorrow? Please take photo (e-mail them to bhoward [at] citypaper [dot] net) and be prepared to share your stories on Monday.
RELATED >> Third Annual Spring Cleanup: So Fresh, So Clean-Clean
PREVIOUSLY >> I cleaned up FDR park and then Darth Vader showed up.
PREVIOUSLY >> Patrick Rapa went to the first Spring Cleanup and all he found was this toilet and this hobo dildo.
FAQ's about cleanup day after the jump
Day-Of Details (Volunteers)
Where do I go on April 10th?
All volunteers should register for one of the specific Cleanup sites, which are located around the city, and go at that location on April 10th. When you register online, you will be given the opportunity to choose a site from either the map or the drop down menu. You will receive a confirmation email after you register that will remind you of your site location.
What if I cant come for the whole time (9am-2pm)?
No problem! Come for as long as you can. Site leaders will be at the registration site from 9am-2pm, so whenever you show up they will be able to get you going.
How will I know what to do and where to go?
When you check in at your Cleanup site, your site leaders will train you, give you the equipment youll need, and lead you along the Cleanup routes.
Is it safe?
- The short answer is YES!
- This is a team effort, so youll be working alongside other people the whole time.
- You should only volunteer in an area where you feel safe being.
- As much as possible, were asking people to sign-up for a site close to home in a neighborhood that is familiar.
- We will not be using any sharp objects (such as pruning shears); activities will be simple and straightforward.
What will I be doing? Where will we be cleaning?
The website will be updated periodically and provide descriptions of each project so that you will know what activities are involved. In addition each project site will have contact information number so that you can ask specific questions.
What should I wear?
Comfortable outdoor work clothes and closed-toe shoes.
What do I need to bring to the Cleanup?
- Its a good idea to bring a snack or bagged lunch and a drink.
- Bring a raincoat if it looks like it might rain.
What will be provided for me?
- Bottled water
- Essential equipment (work gloves, trash bags, and brooms)
What if it rains?
Unless its pouring cats and dogs, well still be out cleaning! If it is overcast or slightly rainy, put on a raincoat and come on out!
Volunteer Registration
How do I register?
We will begin accepting volunteer signups on March 1, 2010. Click here to register.
Where is the Cleanup taking place?
The Cleanup is taking places in neighborhoods all across the city. We have over 50 Cleanup sites that will act as the home base in each respective neighborhood where volunteers check in.
How do I register a team?
- You can register a team online through the registration process OR
- Contact Carlton Williams, Deputy Streets Commissioner, at 215-686-5470
Problems with registering online
Call Carlton Williams, Deputy Streets Commissioner, at 215-686-5470.
I registered online, but I want to change the Cleanup site I registered for.
Its easy, log back into the website using your email address and password and change your registration profile.
Im a Block Captain, how do I get involved?
Contact Wanda Jones, Philadelphia More Beautiful Committee Administrator, at 215-685-3993.
I want to be a site leader.
Contact Carlton Williams, Deputy Streets Commissioner, at 215-686-5470.
My organization/church/business wants to get involved.
Contact Carlton Williams, Deputy Streets Commissioner, at 215-686-5470.
Supporting the Cleanup
How do I make a contribution to support the Cleanup?
For more information, Carlton Williams, Deputy Streets Commissioner, at 215-686-5470. Checks can be made payable to: Fund for Philadelphia/Philly Spring Cleanup and mailed to:
Grants and Foundation Officer
City Hall Room 215
Philadelphia, PA 19107
I want to make a contribution. What do you need?
- Any general contributions will go towards purchasing essential materials for the day (such as push brooms, work gloves and garbage bags).
- If you have equipment that you would like to contribute, please Carlton Williams, Deputy Streets Commissioner, at 215-686-5470 to see if we can use it for the event.
WE HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR THE TRASH TO BE PICKED UP SINCE SATURDAY CLEAN UP FOR THE TRASH MAN TRASH SAID HE'LL BE BACK AFTER DRIVING PAST IT THEN WE SAW HIM PARKED ON GERMANTOWN AVE NEAR NICETOWN CDC FOR HOURS...... HOW CAN WE KEEP IT CLEAN IF THE TRASH JUST GETS BLOWN RIGHT BACK IN THE SAME SPOTS....HOW WILL/CAN I ENCOURAGE THE NEIGHBORS TO CLEAN EVERY SATURDAY IF YOUR NOT PICKING UP THE TRASH?
So, just got this email from Mayor Nutter's Press office saying there is to be a press conference tonight on "the recent developments with Foxwoods casino."
A quick search revealed an article, posted about 40 minutes ago by the Inquirer's intrepid Jennifer Lynn, that reports that casino mogul Steve Wynn is pulling out of Foxwoods:
"We are fascinated by the legalization of full gaming in Pennsylvania and stimulated by the opportunity that it presents for Wynn Resorts, but this particular project did not, in the end, present an opportunity that was appropriate for our company," commented Stephen A. Wynn, chairman and CEO of Wynn Resorts.
More to come, surely.
Is a native of Fishtown a Kenzo too?
I know residents of Kensington are referred to as Kenzos. But what about residents of Fishtown? They're certainly closer to middle class than Kensington residents, but they both share many characteristics. I am referring primarily to the Irish Catholic population around Port Fishington - does the Kenzo refer to all of them or just the Kensington resident?
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| Pittsburgh Post-Gazette |
I'm a bit late on this one, but the Post-Gazette reported last week that a wastewater pond used in Marcellus Shale natural gas drilling caught fire. Two nearby residents of the site, which is operated by Atlas Energy Copr. (one of whom is already suing Atlas for "ruining his land with toxic chemicals") say that they had smelled a gas odor for days . . . and had reported it to the Department of Environmental protection without hearing back:
Mr. Lengauer said he contacted a hotline for the state Department of Environmental Resources on Sunday, but was unable to reach agency officials because their voicemail boxes were full.
"I tried to call them for three days straight," said Mr. Lengauer.
I've called DEP for updates or further response, since the P-G seems to have dropped the story for now.
One thing that's interesting about this story is that it was the wastewater pond that caught fire. I've had several officials indicate that these ponds (like the one pictured above) are mostly storing freshwater yet I reported on a toxic mud spill resulting from a similar pond last week, and, before that, on an incident of pollution in Clearwater county that resulted from the lining of another waste pit being ruptured.
OMG Kabletown is about all we can say right now to this terrible news:
A federal appeals court on Tuesday dealt a sharp blow to the efforts of the Federal Communications Commission to set the rules of the road for the Internet, ruling that the agency lacks the authority to require broadband providers to give equal treatment to all Internet traffic flowing over their networks.
The decision, by the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, specifically concerned the efforts of Comcast, the nations largest cable provider, to slow down customers access to a service called BitTorrent, which is used to exchange large video files, most often pirated copies of movies.
Check out the New York Times piece on the ruling for the rest of the scoop.
This is a fairly narrow decision regarding the FCC's inability to enforce "net neutrality." The problem here is Congress, not the courts. Clueless federal lawmakers are being lobbied heavily by old media, and there's very little public outcry beyond the usual cyber-activist groups. What's despicable is Comcast's ability to market "unlimited" broadband services and then secretly throttle down bittorrent users because they presume the service is used for illegal downloading.
Time-Warner is doing it, too. You'll see that your on-demand Netflix and Hulu will not work as good. Time Warner will tell you to go to speakeasy.net to check your speed, which will be really good; but then, they've opened up that channel. Why doesn't this compare at all to the cnet speed check?
[...] you pay for their movies then have you stream them online, even from legal sites like Hulu. Brings that whole net neutrality business into a whole different light, don’t [...]
There's been a utility pole sitting outside my house for 4 months. How can I get it removed? No responses from PECO- GRRR!!
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Askadelphia. Removing an abandoned PECO utility pole? :: The Clog ...... I found your entry interesting do I've added a Trackback to it on my weblog :)...
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