Weekend Whirligig...Out on the Fringe.

Reviewing: The Blog reminding you to enjoy your holiday weekend: You closet pinko commies.

But anyway here is your Weekend schedule.
For Grape St., click here. For Kildare's Manayunk, click here . For more Manayunk-Roxborough places, stop here .

There are quite a few notable things to do this weekend. We're on the Fringe.

No, we're not talking golf people. It's the 2007 Philadelphia Live Arts and Fringe Festival and it looks to be a dozy. There are quite a few people from the area that are performing and there are places that are holding performances (Duh, I hear you say.) I mean there are venues outside Center City that are holding Fringe Performances such as dance-burlesque act, KineticArchitecture who will be performing "Bob Hope's Nightmare." The performances will be held at the Schuylkill Gallery, located in the Sherman Mills at East Falls.

Additional, there is a performance at the Hermitage Mansion of French cabaret songs from then Second World War. "Cabaret Français by Enchanté." We are melancholy over this venue. We love the nostalgia of the music and the outdoor venue is fabulous. But we also know that this will be the absolute final performance at the Paul D. Osimo Outdoor Stage. As reader already know the Fairmount Park Commission has decided not to renew the lease on the Hermitage Mansion. So the wonderful troupe singers that made my summers bearable are now forced to seek a new home. And the stage built in the amphitheater will mostly be taken down.

Je me souviens, mes amis. I hope you will remember as well. Until then enjoy the weekend, comrade.

Tell that your sweet love hasn't died....

To amuse you on a busy Monday and also to tell you how I really feel about you dear readers. Plus, the Japanese subtitles are funny especially with English ones as well. Pet Shop Boys as learning tool. Who knew? Back tomorrow with more amusing bits.

Also be aware...

The Review is short staffed this week until Labor Day weekend. the Assistant Editor is on vacation So postings may be sparse this week. But we will try our best.

Love your intrepid reporter.

Weekend Whirligig...

There is some educational content that is also entertaining. But here we are in the final weekend of Full Summer. So technically we are in the decline of Summer and next weekend will be the Fall of summer, heralding the beginning of autumn. My favorite season because it brings in the new social season. And who said PR companies are good for nothing.

but any who here are the usual suspects...

For Grape St., click here. For Kildare's Manayunk, click here . For more Manayunk-Roxborough places, stop here .

At the Flat Rock will be Jamie. Now if you like loud noises go see him. We are not saying he is a bad performer, we think he is very talented and has a good set list. It's that his act includes a drummer which we don't mind but because the venue is so small, the drum drowns out the music. But fear not all you HumDuongers at there, Dave Duong returns next Saturday.

Slainte.

Some corrections in this weeks paper are...

So we were a little "over and under" zealous in our reporting last week. In the story about neighborhood bloggers, there were a few mistakes.

First, Amy Z. Quinn aka Citizen Mom, worked as an opinion and editorial writer for the Asbury Park Press and not the Inquirer. Thankfully, she has forgiven my error. She's so great. Thanks for the mention Momma Bear.

Second, I missed the fact that there is another prominent citizen in Roxborough who blogs as well: Kelly Philips Erb of the Erb law Firm, President of the Roxborough Development Corporation and wearer of many other hats including the most important parent and mother. A few residents seemed to have taken exception that I failed to mention her. The goal of the article was to let people know how diverse blogs can be, what they are, how they got started. Erb does quite a bit in this community that it was quite easy to over look the fact she was a blogger.

Thirdly, our reporting about the MCP property has gotten the attention of some people who still actually work on it. Apparently there is a pediatric practise on the site that the paper seemed unaware of. I smell next week's front page.

The breaking bits...

Time for some breaking news and what to look for in next week's Pre-Labor Day edition.

First, a young teenager was shot in Our Town delivering food for the Beijing Garden Chinese restaurant. Despite being injured in the leg, she drover herself back to place of employment and called police. More details to follow when they are released.

Second, on the cultural death watch, The Delaware Valley Opera Company, which we have gushed over all summer, has been given notice to vacate its home at the Hermitage Mansion in Fairmount Park. The bucolic natural amphitheater was a perfect alternative to the bustling nightlife of center city. We hope the great minstrel troupe finds an alternate home in Our Town. We love to cover the arts.

Third, we hope to have more from the World Scout Jamboree from our correspondent in next weeks edition.

Stay tuned, it looks to be a busy week for The Review.

Check out some of these folks...

Currently working up a frenzy to get the paper out this week. But there will be some exciting news in this coming edition. Plans may be unveiled for the old MCP site, traffic on Kelly Drive. and other exciting things like blogs.

Yes, All kids love blogs....(cue music, oh never mind)

So check out a few of these notable ones that cover events near and far...

Citizen Mom (Probably Our Town's most famous blogger)

http://quinnchannel.typepad.com/tfh

A Journey into the Past (Excellent for all those history buffs in Our Town)

http://ajounreyintothepast.blogspot.com/

Roxborough Trash (We barely know this kid, but we like his style. We think.)

http://www.roxboroughtrash.blogspot.com/

Cultural Obituary 2

It is with a heavy heart that this announcement has been made. The Ford Taurus (like the one pictured above), known in some circles as the Hockey1, had been retired. The 1993 Ford Taurus has been a transport for this reporter since elementary school. In a decade of service, it has seen good and bad times.

One of the earliest stories in which the car had played a pivotal role was the infamous "Cheesesteak Incident" at the Arroyo Grille. Despite deft manoeuvring of the driver, the car could not stop the dreaded fist waving. The car made numerous trips to Fish On Main to pick up a check or 50. One of the most epic trips it took was into Canadian Territory, where it weaved through traffic much like a dreamlike manner. It had been seen in the State College area. It has taken a number of patrols through our town especially through what is now The Glen at Shawmont Station. The Hockey 1 helped this young reporter during his early days at The Review.

But it has seen some tough times. It has been broken into a few times, twice when its owner lived in the western area of the city and once during a brief sojourn in Atlantic City. It's driver's side mirror which had been missing in action for a number of years was finally replaced recently. But like old things that age, a smell had started to pervade it interior. True to its name, the Hockey1 would shuttle its owner to Hockey games around the area and the equipment stayed in the trunk all year round.

We will miss you buddy...from the weird orange doohickey to the can of coconut milk kept in the back for a conversation piece.

On a side note, the 1990s model Taurus was and probably still is one of the most dependable cars ever made by Ford. It was a beast in winter, good in summer. Like Timex, it took a likin and kept on tickin.

The King is dead. Long Live the King.

Got a good reason....

...for taking the easy way out.

Cultural Obituary 1

Fern Flower Shop

We always had a soft spot in our heart for this place. I bought one of my first corsages for a high school dance from this place. Such a long time ago. It always had a presence about it that fought against a bygone era. It seemed the kind of place gentlemen would purchase their buttonholes. (That would be the flower in the lapel.) Such is the way of progress, things are already changing in IvyRidge. And the thing about progress is either get out of its way or get crunched under its heel.

The Weekend Whirligig

It seems things have really not changed in bar culture in well...ever. But anyway, if you are around the area, let us know when things are happening. This weekend I'll be saluting an old friend and doing a bit of work. But anyway here are the listings for the happenstances and other goings on in Our Town.

For Grape St., click here. For Kildare's Manayunk, click here . For more Manayunk-Roxborough places, stop here .

At the Flat Rock tonight will be Mark. Tomorrow night Jamie is the featured performer. So far the only other reason to hang out there is the beer list, bartenders and the bouncer.

Slainte!

Suderific

Progress has been made...Now we definitely know what it is. Thanks Marketing.

Unintended consequences...

Since we are on the subject of economic necrosis, we put forth the case of quality killed by lack of Quantity. (Although we have heard more than market forces are at fault.) We considered Mike Genkin a good friend. He was our Havanian in IvyRidge, a man with his ear to the ground. He were there when he tried toughing it out without that anchor store. Hoping to feed hungry construction workers, he remained optimistic in face of adversity. Myself and a cadre of friends were so regular there, thank god we never had deadly enemies. IT would have been a crap shoot. We thought we were tight with Mike, he had a great sense of humour, was very generous and had great stories.

But then we heard the rumors, the hearsay...then we saw the ad listing online. We tried to talk to Mike but he was evasive. Then he started to avoid us and now a few months ago, this hiatus took us unawares. We hope everything is going well for him and hopefully see this venerable place return.

If it doesn't, we firmly blame the "Sliced Elephant." and market forces.

What a lovely market, so fresh and so super...

Work continues on the new and improved SuperFresh, years after it had originally planned to open. Certain parts of the Ivyridge Shopping Center have suffered from economic necrosis after the original had been demolished, along with the old Woolworth's, for this new store. Jaffe's Drugs sold themselves to ShopRite, but life goes on. With any luck, business will be busier at this location than its predecessor was. Applications are currently being accepted.

Hey remember when...

The Review had a blog.

Me neither. But apparently is does and it needed some updating without the unnecessary adding the amusing bits of You Tube (such as English comedian Bill Bailey spoofing the German band Kraftwerk seen below.) So anyway, things have been going swimmingly here in Our Town for some time. Mostly because all of the college transients have gone to wherever they go to during the summer months.

But anyway, the bands have been a big feature at Gorgas Park. Next week Zydeco-A-Go-Go is playing, they are wonderful. Definitely unique Zydeco music is.

Other things have also been happening in Our Town: The Gorgas Park Endowment Fund has been increasing. We hope to have graphic charting its progress soon.
A center to prevent violence against women opened up in Roxborough. Their head is a delegate to the United Nations, just another connection we have with that organization. (The Andorra section of Philadelphia was once considered a spot for UN headquarters.) A discussion of East Falls Development took place on the agenda was the possibility of a hotel, which would definitely boost the surrounding economy. Another meeting is scheduled to discuss the future plans for the old MCP site. So delightful fun for everyone.

Check out The Review for the week's top news.

Amuse You...

Mondays and Tuesdays are always the toughest times to post things that are happening. So we have been trying to whip it in to shape, so to speak. But anyway, should have some substance and all the tragic stories tomorrow.

Weekend Whirligig

Here at The Review, we like a good tale (or 20, you know how newspapers are). So we are excited for the highlight of the summer. Delaware Valley Opera Company is presenting Tales of Hoffmann. We have been excited this entire season. It has only gotten better and better. But we have a feeling of wonderful melancholy since this is the third and final opera of the season. So get out there, picnic in the park, and support your local institutions.

But if you prefer not to be cultured then follow these links:

For Grape St., click here. For Kildare's Manayunk, click here . For more Manayunk-Roxborough places, stop here .

Also don't forget to check out the Flat Rock Saloon where tonight, Jack (and his box) will be playing. Saturday is the return of that popular Juggernaut, Dave Duong. Ya!

Rounding the bases...

So updating the love saga of Our Man "Doc", voting has been going on in the Daily News Sexy Singles feature, which oddly features quite a few members of the journalism establishment. "Doc" last time we checked received has received 341 total votes as of yesterday. This puts him in fifth place.

But we also neglected to mention that Dave is one of two people from Our Town who are on the list. Our second bachelor is Brent Yocom.

To vote for and check the status of your sexy single, click here.

Also in terms of voting for things, check out MyFoxPhilly's Hot List. There are plenty of popular favorites from Our Town to vote in many diverse categories. Remember that voting will help elevate the reputation and notoriety of places we already know to be great. Also remember, this list also help spotlight on Nevaeh's Water Ice.

And finally the Manayunk Sport and Social Club has started sign ups for the fall. Get your teams in quick before the spots fill up.

On My Honour...

Yes, we realize that he spelled "honor" with a "u" but it reflects that the 100th anniversary of the Scouting movement. There is a World Jamboree taking place on Brownsea Island, UK which was the the exact place of the first Jamboree, led by founder Lord Robert Baden-Powell. Two boys of ours from Troop 474 are representing us at this event. Chris Harvey has been sending his own dispatches from the event and we will be receiving a new one soon. It should be noted that the Review's own Bernard J. Scally is a Eagle Scout from the same troop. So here's to every Scout near and far, old and new.