Category Archives: Pennsylvania

70′s era Phillies take another hit: Danny Ozark RIP

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Danny OzarkThis has been a tough year for Phillies fans that grew up in the 70′s as I did.  First Harry Kalas and now Danny Ozark.  Ozark was not as beloved as Kalas – he managed the Phils for 7 years and never made the World Series, but without him, the Phillies don’t win the series in 1980. Those teams he had in the 70′s were fun to watch – Cash, Bowa, Maddox, Schmidt, Luzinski, Carlton, Johnstone, McGraw, among others.

No he didn’t win the series, but he set the stage and was part of the most successful stretch in history for the Phillies – from 1976-1983.

Ozark is survived by his wife, Ginny, two children and three grandchildren.

SEPTA needs to move into the 20th century

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On my way into Philly to meet some former co-workers for a drink. I’m taking SEPTA public transit and I’ll give them props when deserved but today the deserve complaints. SEPTA charges extra for buying tickets on the train but provides no way to buy tickets ahead of time at most stations. No online e-tickets, no ticket machines, and few ticket counters with decent hours. What’s worse is that SEPTA tickets expire, so you can’t buy a few in advance and just keep them around.

In this day and age, with all the technological advances available this simply makes no sense.

SEPTA – you can do better than this.

Save the Conshohocken Fireworks

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Every year since I moved into this house, I’ve had a little get together on our deck to celebrate Independence Day. Drinks, food, and then walk over to the fireworks on the west side of town. Yes the fireworks are on the 3rd – don’t ask me why, maybe it’s because it’s cheaper, maybe so as not to compete with Philly’s display, regardless they are on the 3rd, and this year they may not happen at all.

In these trying economic times…

Conshohocken can’t afford fireworks this year. There is a fundraising effort underway to bring the fireworks back. If you’ve been past my house before for the party, consider donating a couple of dollars to the effort. This weekend there will be a Pig Roast Fundraiser to save the Conshohocken fireworks.

When: Sunday, May 3, 2009 1:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Where: Conshohocken Bocce Club, 339 West 3rd Avenue, Conshohocken, PA 19428
Donation: $20 at the door
Free Food: Pig Roast, Burgers, Hot Dogs, Etc………..
Free Drink: Beer and Soda
Contact: Liam McGuigan, cell (215) 518-6358, liam@coventrycg.com

Philadelphia Eagles Draft Advice

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This is more for the fans than the Eagles.  I’ve been hearing all the fans and media talk about trading our last remaining 1st round pick for Anquan Boldin.  While I would love for Boldin to play for the Eagles, everyone needs to realize there are more pressing concerns.  Brian Westbrook has never been the picture of durability, and he’s turning 30.  If the Eagles have a chance to find a back that can replace him, they absolutely need to do that.  If that means they need to trade up to get Knowshon Moreno or Chris “Beanie” Wells, they need to do that.  If this means they can’t trade for Boldin, then so be it.

Listen to me here: wide receiver is the least important offensive position on the field.  The offensive line, quarterback, and running back are much important to an offense in that order.  I’m including the tight end in the O-line, but if you want to separate it, then yes – WR is more important than TE. Having a top notch WR is gravy and if you’re deficient in any of the other positions, fix those first.  The Eagles can boldly address a huge problem at the RB position, and a Ryan Moats type 2nd round pick ain’t going to do it.

Thank goodness the Eagles rarely listen to the fans and press, don’t start now.

Bird’s Nest on our front porch

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Birds Nest

Originally uploaded by speener.

They couldn’t pick a busier spot, but every year birds nest in our front porch – and most every year the nest blows away. Hoping this year they’re successful.

Thank you Harry

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harry-kalas

Baseball won’t be the same.

Tax day eve – Thanks to Conshohocken for making things difficult

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Yes I procrastinated.

First few months of this year, I was busy and on the road and honestly just avoided it. We always get a refund, so no big deal…until this year. This year we owe and owe big. And of course the timing couldn’t be better with me without a job.

Oy.

Anyway one thing that’s always annoyed me about taxes is that we have local authorities taxing us too. I don’t mind paying them a tax, as a matter of fact, I feel it’s our patriotic duty to pay taxes.   But honestly it’s amateur hour sometimes when you get small towns taxing you. In Conshohocken you have to pay taxes to two authorities – Berkheimer and Keystone, half a percent to each. As to why we can’t pay a full percent to one authority, I don’t know (I will ask though). Because of this, I have to fill out two tax forms for a borough of around 8,000 people – that’s one more tax form than I have to fill out for the federal government. I guess this is better than two years ago – Conshohocken decided to switch to the two tax authority system mid-year. This meant for half the year we had to pay one tax authority a full percent and the other half of the year we split that percent between two authorities; this led to some creative math.   Honestly with all the websites that are out there to do your federal taxes, it’s more straightforward to complete than the local taxes.

Thank goodness it’s over save for paying and a few signatures.