Joe at The Nail

My old friend Joe Spera on the drums at THe Rusty Nail in Ardmore.

What's Next?

After reading this article in the Daily Times, it makes me wonder just what's next in the minds of politicians.

The good Parkside Police Chief John Egan gun proposal reeks with our right to do as we please on our property. seriously, BB guns? When I was a kid I owned several, as well as my friends. We would go down  Cobb's Creek Park and either shoot squirrels or pigeons or line up some tin cans. We also made a backstop in my basement with a target on it.

Back then, you could walk to Upper Darby High School with your match rifle in a soft case if you were on the Rifle Team without any cops giving you trouble. I know, times have changed. 9/11, Terrorists, Fear, etc just gave the government more power and control over you and me. ID cards, keyfobs, swipe cards, all for your protection. Right.

Mr Phelps? Your time is up

After watching the clip on ABC's Nightline tonight, I've come to to conclusion that this family is a threat to our country, and my fellow citizens, and therefore declare that the be "dealt" with with all justifiable means, END OF STORY.

 Forget their so called "free speech" defense, I urge everyone who reads this to gauge the trauma this family has bestowed upon you and your neighbors, then take legal action against them.  They are Terrorist, plain and simple. I fear for my families safety, and for my own.

So Mr. Phelps and family? Go away, you have been put on notice. and here's my message to you...

Good morning Mr. Phelps, your mission, should you decide to accept it, is to cease and desist all protests, legal bullshit wrangling, and just go back to what rock you crawled out from.  As always, should you or any of your Westboro Baptist Church Members be caught or killed, I  will disavow any knowledge of your actions. This tape will self-destruct in five seconds...

Cheers.

The Meaning of Mothers Day

Another Mother's Day is here.

To me it's just another day, to many women who are Mothers out there it is a special day, a day reserved for them to be pampered and thought of and doted over. Well pamper them I say, but do it in a way that actually means something to them, not just saying "Happy Mother's Day Mom, here's some flowers" and walk away. Maybe spend some time with them while they are still alive, if not, remember all the times you had with Mom and talk about it to someone like a Brother, Sister, Uncle, Aunt, Dad, etc.

Honestly? My beef with Mothers Day is the over commercialization of it, as well as Memorial Day, Fathers Day,Fourth of July, Christmas, Easter, etc. Here's a decent website that actually tells you things to do with Mom, where to take her, how one should admire and respect and love her, and gives tips like "Be thoughtful for your mom always and treat your mother like a princess everyday. That can be the most wonderful gift to your mom."

Years ago, I used to buy Mom some flowers, but when one year she exclaimed to me "Mums are for the dead!", that ended my flower/plant buying days, although I read where Chrysanthemums, or Mums can produce visual hallucinations. In today's screwed up world, not a bad idea, eh?

Seriously, A Happy Happy Mothers Day to all of you "Mothers" out there, may this day shine upon you, bathe you in content, soothe your body, bless your soul, and release all your anxieties. Well it's off to CVS to buy some Cards. Have a great day :)

Cheers.

The Daily Times Needs YOU!

As I sit here on a half decent Sunday morning, I checked out the Daily Times web site as I usually do every day. I see that Phil Heron, editor of the times is pushing his recruting drive to have local people (like me) to join the ranks of "Community Journalists ". People like Lou Mahlman, Buck Fleming, KatieRose Keenan, Eric Koehler, and Jennifer Hoff have answered the call. My question is: Will the Daily Times staff feel threatened by them? Am I crazy here? Nope, you see the days of print (as in newspapers) journalism are slowly dying, replaced by facebook, myspace, twitter and other online mediums.

Journalist like Alex Rose (Who interviewed me several years ago about our website) have great talent in reporting and commenting on a story. To read it online just isn't the same as sitting in my van in the morning, drinking a Wawa coffee, and reading it on paper. I am afraid (some beg to differ) that the newspaper business is going to the wayside of the typewriter and shoe repairman. Only time will tell.

Oh yeah, and if anyone from Delaware County wants to contribute here? By all means you can contact me at frannyward@yahoo.com . You MUST have a blogger or gmail account because Google bought Blogger and now Google is demanding it. Oh how I miss the typewriter.

Cheers:)


Politics in America (8th Edition)

Getting with the Times?

Well well, I see now that the Daily Times is finally doing what I have been doing now since June of 2004. Blogging about Delaware County, what's on my mind, what I think about this area, the Upper Darby School District, etc. On this blog (I had to recently move it here to blogger because they are canceling FTP to my web site and others in May) we have only two contributors at the moment, Paula Brown and my Wife Elizabeth, who's father "Ace" incidentally worked for the Daily Times for forty years, both are MIA. I don't blame either, as Paula and I may beg to differ on Politicial issues, and Liz just isn't really interested at the moment.

along the way, we have had several bloggers as contributors, ranging from Casey Roncagilone, to Don Roberts, and briefly, Peter Porcupine. But in this day of Facebook and twitter, many people seem to go for the shorter posts, not the blathering like I'm doing right now. I will say that I will be blogging much more this year, voicing my opinions about Upper Darby, Clifton Heights, and in general, Eastern Delaware County. If you would like to join here as a contributor, just shoot me an e mail telling me why you want to blog here and what section of Delco you live in. Just think of it this way. your own little venting ground, where at least 5000 people will read your rants and raves each month.

Cheers.

P.s. Gil? Phil? Your also welcome as well as Alex.

2010 - Where I'm Heading

I've been thinking about last year, a year that saw myself earn far less than previous years as a self employed electrician. I now find myself trying to figure out how to earn more money and possibly purchase a home in Clifton Heights. (Yes the homes in Westbrook Park are averaging 150,000). But my chances are slim to none, as is the case for many others in my trade. People just ain't spending money on repairs or additional electrical work.I fear that this year will be worse than last, and it is driving me nuts.If you work for the county, or any school district, or township? your pretty much safe.(I should have applied twenty years ago), and also state and federal jobs. Being self employed has taking it's toll on me, sad to say I'm running out of gas so to speak. Cheers.

The Stand

I received a pre-recorded message from the Superintendent of Upper Darby's Police, Michael Chitwood last week informing me of a town meeting to be held right across the field from where my Mother still lives. I didn't give it much thought, being that I live in Clifton Heights, where were relatively still safe? from these cretins who commit violence. Then the other night I watched Steven King's "The Stand", a movie that pitted good against evil, Armageddon at it's finest. Lastly I came across a fellow local blogger who posted her thoughts on the meeting and came to the conclusion that we here in Delco need to make a stand. From Darby to Chester to Middletown to Sharon Hill, Delconians of all races, religions and political affiliation need to get involved and help keep ourselves and our neighbors safe. It would be nice to hear first hand from the men in blue what they need from us and what we need to do to help. 326 Watkins Ave Upper Darby, PA 19082 Phone: (610) 734-7652 6:30 PM. Cheers.

Tina Fey Cracks Me Up

You got to hand it to her, the resemblance to Gov.Sarah Palin is remarkable. Tina a.k.a Elizabeth grew up in Upper Darby, in the Cardington section (right across the A.A. field from my house in Stonehurst), and went to the Cardington Elementary School, then B.H.J.H.S., then Upper Darby High School. I always wanted to ask her these questions:

Tina. Did you ever hang out at "Mediterranean Pizza" on Marshall and 69th St? Go bowling at Gehris Lanes on Market St? The Bolero to shoot pool? Go to the Tower Theatre on Ludlow? Go to the "M&M Market" or the "10th Inning"? Attend "Tot Lot"? Seriously, What I really want to ask you is how you felt about growing up in Cardington, and how did you get that scar. Was it down at Cobbs Creek at the Ice & Coal plant? The See Saw at 69th st? The Bolero? Gino's? Wawa? My buddy say's he heard it was from a dog near the firehouse. I also hear recently it was from an attack under the Marshall Rd Bridge. To tell you the truth I really do not care how you got it, I have many of my own.. Great job doing the parodies, you crack me up in this crazy world!

Cheers

Nick Miccarelli - Bush Operative?

After reading this daily times news story about Nicholas Miccarelli, it made my blood run cold. Seems that some coward who hides behind anonymity, purchased this web site via Fastdomain.com Info below: Registrar: FastDomain Inc. Provider Name....: BlueHost.Com Provider Whois...: whois.bluehost.com Provider Homepage: http://www.bluehost.com/ Domain Name: NOGOODNICK.NET Created on..............: 2008-09-08 18:29:31 GMT Expires on..............: 2009-09-08 12:29:32 GMT Last modified on........: 2008-09-08 18:29:32 GMT Wow! Only one year? And on my wife's birthday? WTF? Enough of that. My problem with this web site is that they associate Mr. Miccarelli with condoning the "war" in Iraq and Afghanistan, while not posting that Mr. Miccarelli is a Veteran. A heads up to the owners of NOGOODNICK.NET. Your playing shitty politics, and it will backfire right in your face, just as Sarah Palin's assault on BHO being connected with so called "terrorist". And from the Daily Times: "Miccarelli fought to ensure the re-election of the worst presidential team in history, serving as the Bush-Cheney team's director for South Philadelphia," the site reads. "We have nothing but respect for the brave men and women of our armed forces," said Shafer in an e-mail. "This Web site has nothing to do with Nick Miccarelli's military service, and his campaign knows it. They are simply attempting to distort reality because they can't dispute the facts about his political mentors." Excuse me? What does a LOCAL politician's view of Washington have to do with LOCAL representation? NOTHING! To John DeFrancisco? In my opinion you are a dirty dog who needs a bath. I suggest you go see the movie "Beverly Hills Chihuahua". Your gonna lose and lose big. Last but not least, Nick Micozzie and Mario Civera have been my State reps over the years. Both are Republican, both have served well to the community for many years. Although I cannot stand George Bush or Cheney, or even entertain the thought of voting for a man who wants to reinstate the draft, Locally? It's a no brainer. Nick Miccarelli - War hero, Republican, Local Councilman - State Representative for the 162 District in Delaware County come November 5th. Cheers.

Benefit For Cameron Ladley

Benefit For Cameron Ladley This is for my friend Heather, more to follow soon. Note that this disease is one far worse and underfunded for research than Scleroderma, a disease that my wife has a mild form of. Letter from Heather to me: We are having a Beef and Beverage Benefit for Cameron Ladley on November 1, 2008. Cameron is 7 years old and attends Norwood School. When he was five years old, he was diagnosed with a very rare condition called Fibrous Dysplasia. Fibrous Dysplasia is a chronic disorder in which bone expands due to abnormal development of fibrous tissue, often resulting in uneven growth of bones, pain, brittle bones and bone deformity. There is no known cure for Fibrous Dysplasia at this time. Unfortunately, there are no specialists in the Tri-State area that are able to treat his condition. This benefit will give Cameron a chance to see the specialists that he needs to treat his disorder. We are looking for contributions from our nearby establishments to help create gift baskets as prizes. If you can help us out with a donation, it would be greatly appreciated. We will proudly display your business as a sponsor that evening. Please feel free to call me at (610) 586-9258 and I would be more than happy to pick up any donation you may have for us. I thank you in advance for your consideration and assistance. Sincerely yours, Mary Ann Bailey The Friends of the Ladley Family Information for the benefit: Beef and Beer Benefit Saturday, November 1, 2008 7:00 p.m. - 12:00 a.m. St. Gabriel's Hall 233 Mohawk Avenue Norwood, Pennsylvania Tickets: $30 For more information: mailto:stephanie@thetruemeasure.orgor mailto:brian@thetruemeasure.org Face book Announcement for the benefit Look. C'mon guys! Let's get the ball rolling here. Cheers..

Go On Home British Soldiers - Go On Home

Being that I'm in a political mood tonight, I give you this: (To you stuffy people or children, go away.)

Fund Raiser For The Fallen Fire & EMS Memorial

I saw this on another Blog and though I should pass it along, being that our local Firemen and EMT's need all the support they can get. There is a major social event planned for Sunday September 7 from 2-6pm for all Delco emergency services people to raise funds for the Fallen Fire & EMS Memorial. The event includes the band BLACKTHORN, food and drink. If you haven't already purchased your tickets, contact Ed Abel, Sr from Station 44. A list of various other Stations that will have tickets for sale will be posted asap .Thanks for your support. Tickets for this event are $25.00 each or $45.00 a couple. You can contact Rich Heffernan by email at Heff37@icdc.com. Link to story HERE. Cheers.

Be Careful What You Search For

I am just sitting here checking out our referrer logs and came across this a few minutes ago.

AXS Visitor Tracking System

[ - Main Menu - Customize - Back to Totally Delco - ]

Each hit below is listed in the order it was counted, with the most recent hits listed first. A visitor from ool-457291ed.dyn.optonline.net (69.114.145.237) arrived from www.google.com where are hot spots in Delaware County Pennsylvania to buy illegal drugs 1-10, and visited www.totallydelco.com/052605.shtml at 11:11:27 AM on Friday, August 8, 2008. This visitor used Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 6.0; Windows NT 5.1; SV1). Now just what idiot would actually go online and do a search on where to obtain illegal drugs? Especially when it pertains to Delaware County? Further analysis of the ip address told me that: They use PC Anywhere- They use a Netopia DSL Router- They use Analog X (As do I)- Their ports 23,1723, and 5631 are wide open- Now I now next to nothing about hacking into a computer, or computer system, but it seems to me that the person who did the search isn't at a private residence, but a place of employment, being that a Cisco switch is involved. Anyhow, I find it baffling that anyone would google the aforementioned search. Maybe I should get a government job and do this all the time? Cheers. P.S. Optionline customers can obtain a firewall here.

In Loving Memory of Kyle F. Fish

Today I went to my friend George's Son's viewing and funeral Mass at Saint Charles Church in Drexel Hill. Kyle was 14 years old, full of life, a happy go lucky kid who thrived to please anyone around him. I met Kyle years ago, and my younger Son Nicky and Kyle were buds. As a Dad, I can only imagine the thoughts and feelings going on in Kyle's families' heads right about now. My heart goes out to them and the outpouring of love and caring today from hundreds of people was beautiful and righteous.

You never said I'm leaving. You never said Goodbye. You were gone before we knew it, and and God knows only why. A million times we needed you, a million times we've cried. If love alone could have saved you, you never would have died. In life we loved you dearly, in death we love you still. In our hearts you hold a special place no one can ever fill. It broke our hearts to lose you, but you didn't go alone. For a part of us went with you the day God called you home.
To George, Doreen, Brittany, Breahanna, George II, family & friends, my heart and the hearts of hundreds of others go out to you.
RIP Kyle

ACDC - Let The Cat Out Of The Bag!

I took notice of this reply and am posting it in the hopes that it will raise awareness about cats being stolen in Delaware County, especially in the Upper Darby area. As far as the Animal Coalition of Delaware County being involved with some sort of "Cat Napping" ring, as the below poster suggests, I would have to say that in my opinion in this lawsuit happy day and age? No Comment other than to say something does smell fishy here. Maybe someone over at the Delaware County Daily Times can investigate this? Read on: Anonymous said... If you can, please post this in the hopes that people will see it. Due to recent reports of missing cats in the Drexel Hill / Havertown area, I wanted to post a warning to neighborhood cat owners about the Animal Coalition of Delaware County, a local organization purportedly concerned with animal welfare and who place cats into foster homes and special sections at local PetSmarts. This is an unsettling story in two parts: (Part One) Our beloved indoor-outdoor cat (a neutered, male, absolutely beautiful orange Main Coon mix who answers to 'Saab,' in case you've seen him) went missing from our Drexel Hill home and the area around it about a month ago. He was about nine years old, perfectly healthy, and a very solid animal capable of holding his own in a fight and finding his way home, so we believed him to be alive somewhere, possibly taken in by a concerned animal lover. We searched for him all over the neighborhood, knocked on doors, and registered a lost report with the Delaware County SPCA, heading there every day or so to check the intake rooms for him. So far, no sign. After weeks of looking for our boy, our family agreed that, since we had always been a multiple-cat household, we wanted to welcome a new kitten or two into our home. While still searching for our cat at the SPCA intake rooms, we kept our eyes open for kittens in the adoption rooms. When we could find no kittens at the SPCA, we reluctantly turned to Pet Smart and were immediately enamored with two little kittens, a brother and sister. We were told that they were adoptable through an organization called the Animal Coalition of Delaware County (AC DC) and that, pending a clean vet record, we'd likely be able to bring them home within the week. Of course, that hasn't happened. Through we put in an application and have a vet record of always spaying, vaccinating, and treating (when necessary) our animals, some of whom lived with us for upwards of 20 years, we have not heard from anyone at the Animal Coalition, save once, when we were informed that the kittens would be carted around to "meet and greets" to ALL of the potential families, whose applications were allowed to pile up before any adoption could be finalized. (Wouldn't you think that, with so many cats in need of homes, one happy, loving home would be as suitable as the next?) We were also told that it would be "impossible" to keep up-to-date online records of animals' statuses... basically, from this phone call, we started to get a bad feeling from this organization of animal activists. (Disclaimer: Now, we respect AC DC for being no-kill and for keeping their animals healthy, but right now, that is beside the point.) (Part Two) So, we are still without kittens and still missing our grown-up male. All of our friends know this and have been keeping their eyes open. One friend in particular, knowing how concerned we were and knowing that we had been looking at PetSmart, called this afternoon to tell us a rather disturbing story: the blocks immediately around her mother's Drexel Hill home have, in the past few weeks, reported FIVE missing cats. Very strange. What's more strange is this: One of those five missing cats was a three-legged, micro chipped cat owned by a local veterinarian. She of course conducted a search, and that veterinarian FOUND her cat, three legs and all, sitting in an ACDC cage in the local PetSmart. A happy reunion? One might think. But the organization WILL NOT turn the cat over to its owner, despite her profession and her cries of, "But that's my cat!" Claiming that they found the cat wandering in a cemetery, the organization says that adoption offers are already pending on this three-legged animal, and they refuse to reunite this veterinarian with her cat. It sounds remarkably shifty, and we, as a family of cat lovers still hoping for a reunion with our missing cat, are extremely concerned. Is this organization, which could be doing so much for so many animals, really plucking calm, peaceful cats out of residential neighborhoods and putting them up for adoption because they are so against cats being outside? (Prospective AC DC parents must swear to keep their cats indoors 24/7, and the organization reserves the right to make "home visits" to make sure that that is happening.) Now, we have no concrete proof of any foul play, since the AC DC volunteers at Pet Smart will swear until they're blue in the face that that cat was found wandering a cemetery and that there's no way it could belong to the Vet in question. But putting the pieces together raises some very alarming questions and suspicions, and bearing that in mind, I at least wanted to call attention to local cat lovers. So, if you have a cat who enjoys the freedom of some time outside, BEWARE. Some people believe that cats shouldn't be able to enjoy their God-given habitat, and it appears to me as though some of those people will sink so far as to snatch your beloved pet right off of the sidewalk in order to put it in a "better home."

92 minus 45 = She's Guilty

Come on now.. No amount of Viagra could satisfy this woman. I'd of done a lot more to her than slap her around if the cheating bitch was my wife. So what's going to happen here? Send the old man to Charlie Sexton's Gulag for a few years? I'm sure I'll get replies from you feminists that I am a sexist. Know what? I couldn't care less. Remember Lorena Bobbitt? The same feminists and women in general thought that it was OK that she dismembered her old man. Well tit for tat I say. Cheers..

Yummy Bakery Cafe - Your friendly neighborhood bakery

Got the below rant from my My Space friend Elaine.. I went into Yummy's Bakery yesterday with my 3-year-old daughter. We shared a grilled cheese sandwich (and soup, and we each got a drink). The sandwich was $3.95. Neither one of us has a big appetite and we do this all the time (share a dish). I saw they charged a $2.00 sharing fee. When I asked the waitress, she whispered to me, "It's the owner, if I ring you up, I'll take it off." Well I decided to ask him. He's sitting at the register, this ugly big fat thing that was leering at me all through lunch. I asked him why there was a $2.00 sharing fee on a $3.95 sandwich, that I never heard of this before. He YELLED at me that I'm lucky it's not $3.00, that restaurants everywhere do this. I told him they do not, I eat out with my daughter for lunch a lot, and never had this happen. He told me I was lying, that yes they do. Actually, he's sputtering and yelling. I asked him why he was being such a jerk. He said "You're just bitching because you're pouting and not getting your way. I'm not capitulating to you so you're just being a brat." I was so shocked he said that to me. I'm so embarrassed but I had to choke back the tears and told him he is being very mean to me, that I never heard of this sharing charge before, and I've been coming to this bakery since my 12 year old daughter was in diapers. He looked at me and said I never saw you before. I said you're a new owner! That's why! He then pointed his finger to the door and said "Get out of here!" As I was leaving with my daughter (and yes I paid the $2) these customers that were eating (a table of 6 with an old man and lady and their daughter and her daughters) said I was in the right, that he was a jerk to me. He yelled from the counter "Stop talking to them and get out the store now!" He screamed back "You're a big bully!" and got out of there. I went to Kid to Kid with my daughter to have a good cry in the aisles while she looked at all the toys. The customers that were in there came in looking for me (or maybe they just happened to go to that store - I don't know) and gave me tissues and told me they told the owner he was wrong, and he threw them out of the store too. He threw a 60 year woman out of the store! I was in there about 3 months ago and saw him scream at a waitress who then broke a coffeepot, which then made him scream more. And we had to send a turkey sandwich back because the turkey smelled rank. He is the new owner and the cafe is so small - about 10 tables. He re-did the place from white to black and red and now it looks like Satan's Den and he is Satan, ha! I've been going to Yummy's since I was a little girl and I love their orange cake and got all my birthday cakes there, but never again!! I just wanted to relate this story so that my Delaware County friends can pass the word. Have a good weekend! Elaine Now I have never been to this Yummy's Cafe before, but I seems to me that the owner is not a nice or polite man. I also (with some digging on my own) came across this rant, I gather from Elaine's fiance. Chances are that I will never patronize Yummy's. But for thoese who are curious, here is Yummy's business listing. 1254 Township Line Rd. (Near the Dunkin' Donuts) Drexel Hill, PA 19026-5001 Phone: 610-449-0606 URL: http://www.yummybakeryandcafe.com/ (Seems to be expired.) Bon appétit!

Creeps Too Close For Comfort

Marshal Guns Down Suspect Victim, who was wanted for violating supervised release, reportedly pulled a gun before being shot. By Rose Quinn rquinn@delcotimes.com Delaware County District Attorney G. Michael Green, left, and John Patrignani, acting chief deputy of the U.S. Marshal’s Service in Philadelphia, answer questions after Friday’s shooting. CLIFTON HEIGHTS — A member of the U.S. Marshal’s Violent Crimes Fugitive Task Force shot and killed a man who pulled a gun from his waistband during a confrontation Friday, authorities said. The official cause and manner of the death of Joseph Mitchell, 24, was under investigation by the Delaware County Medical Examiner’s Office, while the Delaware County District Attorney’s Special Prosecution Unit was investigating the circumstances of the shooting, namely justification of use of lethal force. Read full story here.. So this happened a few blocks from our home and really close to Clifton Field, where children were surely playing as they had the day off. More and more it seems that thugs just have to carry sidearms (actually stuffed down their waistbands)in order to what, act cool? I'm sure someone will come forth and say that the guy was shot dead in cold blood, that he didn't have a gun and that the cops planted one on him. The rise in crime and criminals carrying guns only makes me worry more about my Mother who is trapped in Stonehurst. That former decent place to live is now a war zone, with blatant drug deals going on. Don't believe me? Go park at the 7 -11 on Guliford Rd on any given evening, and bring your camera. I guess I'll have to lend my Mom my Ithaca 37. Or move in.

The Blue Plane

I was digging thru some old e-mails (I have some dating back ten years) and came across one from a certain Michael Dolan. Interesting read. P.s. Is the plane still there?