tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28906092219643349072024-03-21T10:45:13.846-07:00philadelph-eliLet every man or woman here, if you never hear me again, remember this, that if you wish to be great at all, you must begin where you are and with what you are. He who would be great anywhere must first be great in his own Philadelphia.
--Kitty O'Neill CollinsEli VandenBerghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11476593406037867718noreply@blogger.comBlogger49125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2890609221964334907.post-4268744640463224852009-07-08T08:23:00.000-07:002009-07-08T11:48:03.874-07:00It's been a whileI've been off the city for a while. I'm sick of being crammed in with a bunch of sweaty, cranky city dwellers. Still, there's a few things worth mentioning.<br /><br />First: Team Monday. I work Tuesday through Saturday and have Sunday and Monday off. I hate it. Team Monday began out of a bad economy and my desire to make the second half of my weekend still feel like a weekend. Myself and my two unemployed friends now go on small outings either within or in close proximity to the city. So far we have gone to Long Beach Island, Bowling at Laurel Lanes, and Putt Putt golfing. Pics and reviews to come so you can start your own Team Weekday. In the meantime you can check our <a href="http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=93326208883&ref=ts"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">facebook</span></a> page for photos and links.<br /><br />Second: My buddy Bill started a blog. Bill is both awesome and proving to be a more active blogger than me. I will blog vicariously through him and link often. Check out <a href="http://mcrighton.tumblr.com/">mcrighton.tumblr.com</a>Eli VandenBerghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11476593406037867718noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2890609221964334907.post-50810081222235260362009-05-08T08:58:00.000-07:002009-05-08T09:06:56.318-07:00Another New York Times nodI know, I should really be reading the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0"><a href="http://www.philly.com/">philly.com</a></span>, but the New York Times has such lovely pictures. Either way, they've been giving Philly the regular nod, first about the beer (see previous post) and now about the city in general. There's a great article detailing <a href="http://travel.nytimes.com/2009/05/10/travel/10hours.html">a 36 hour vacation in Philly</a>. I feel exhausted just reading it, but must say that I endorse this article for two reasons. First, all the places listed here are worthwhile and fun. Secondly, I don't go to any of these places too often so I don't have to worry about lots of tourists getting in my way, ordering wrong and tipping lousily (is that a word?). <br /><br />Stay tuned for a follow up 36 hours of how to hit Philly on the way cheep. Have any suggestions of where to go and how to not act like an asshole? Send 'em my way!Eli VandenBerghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11476593406037867718noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2890609221964334907.post-76579276522157045472009-04-30T12:59:00.001-07:002009-04-30T13:10:35.395-07:00I'll drink to that!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGIGdpi2T3wD1157Ie9vdMpPCEh8qhhCL1vKh1QxYr_qZ4uQPFpErffzk9iPlInYK9LxF8qNvZp7NMV_8UT8ZXxoJVjFxdiz1FcY6_WZ0sl5men1Xct8JasCZZmzgqN9WOBoA9q7gjVBc/s1600-h/beer_pp.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330578856398518626" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 124px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGIGdpi2T3wD1157Ie9vdMpPCEh8qhhCL1vKh1QxYr_qZ4uQPFpErffzk9iPlInYK9LxF8qNvZp7NMV_8UT8ZXxoJVjFxdiz1FcY6_WZ0sl5men1Xct8JasCZZmzgqN9WOBoA9q7gjVBc/s200/beer_pp.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Pilsners</span> were the beer in question in a recent New York Times piece <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">lamenting</span> the lack of beer options and New York's new baseball stadiums. Unlike Yankee and Met fans, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Phillies</span> fans have <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">plenty</span> to cheer about and so does the rest of Philadelphia's beer drinking public. <a href="http://www.victorybeer.com/home.html">Victory</a> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Prima</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Pils</span> came out on top with the reviewer stating "It seemed to be alive in the glass, with wonderfully refreshing bitterness to balance the floral and citrus aromas." On a hot summer day I love a cold, crisp bitter beer and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Prima</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Pils</span> is a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">definite</span> favorite. The brewing company itself is also great about giving back to Philadelphia sponsoring many local events (including <a href="http://www.printcenter.org/">The Print Center</a>'s Annual Auction) so that gets a big thumbs up in my book. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>The other end of the state got a nod as well with <a href="http://www.pennbrew.com/">Pennsylvania Brewing Company </a>taking second place. Haven't tried their beer before, but I'll <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">definitely</span> be on the look out. </div><div> </div><div>Check out the rest of the New York Times story <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/29/dining/reviews/29wine.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=pilsner&st=cse">here</a>.</div>Eli VandenBerghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11476593406037867718noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2890609221964334907.post-43391920840150171952009-04-29T07:45:00.000-07:002009-04-29T09:57:01.959-07:00Philly Car RageAs a long time user of Philly Car Share and an employee of a fellow non-profit I was not that surprised at the new billing plan. I was also not that surprised at how the blogging public seemed to be handling it. I was, however, ashamed.<br /><br />Do I think the announcement was handled poorly? Yes. Do I think there should be more transparency in a company that markets itself as a public service? Yes. Do I believe I have better ideas about how the company should be run--of course. We all do, but we also don't have all the facts. I think there are a few things people are forgetting.<br /><br />First, to those of you complaining about how you only use it once a year--Philly Car Share is still paying to insure you those other 364 days. That is expensive. Philly Car Share is now much more expensive than taking a cab or renting a car every so often, but it is a hell of a lot <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">cheaper</span> than owning, maintaining, insuring and gassing up your very own car.<br /><br />Secondly, when you're running a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">business</span>--even a non-profit one--there is a need for a regular <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">stream</span> of income. When the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">economy</span>, sucks grants dry up and the money needs to come from somewhere. You know how when you just buy a plain old bagel it costs 50 cents, but when you get it with cream cheese it's $1.75. You're not paying $1.25 for that lousy swab of cream cheese. You're paying for that employee to stand their and wait for that electricity sucking toaster, pull it from the tray, slap the cream cheese on, wrap it up and hand it to you. Likewise with Car Sharing--you're paying for someone to clean up the car after your kid smashes Cheerios all over the back seat, to talk to you for 15 minutes when you can't <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">figure</span> out how to start a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Prius</span></span> and to keep the electricity on in the building so they can turn on their computers to make the whole system run. And by the way, Zip Car is not the answer. The only reason they are cheap now is because they are crazy expensive in other cities. Once healthy competition is run out of town they will double in price. Ask your friends in New York how much they pay for a car. They don't know any better, but you'll be shocked!<br /><br />Finally, the people who pick up the phone at Philly Car Share are people. They are your neighbors, they are your friends, they are your fellow <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Philadelphians</span></span> and most importantly, the are most <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">definitely</span> not the people who made the decision to start charging you. Maybe the new charge isn't an economically good decision for you. Fine. Just cancel. Don't scream at the person on the other line. They aren't ruining your life, they're just forcing you to take a cab every so often. If you're that reliant on a service that a few years ago didn't even exist maybe you should just pony up the $15. I can't make that decision for you. I wish I had a few more days to make that decision for myself. I'm sure they will loose a lot of members. I'm sure many of those members will come back. All I'm asking is that you remember the last time your boss threw you under the bus and you had to take all the heat for it. It sucks. Practice a little decency and class up, people.Eli VandenBerghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11476593406037867718noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2890609221964334907.post-90042473153586494902009-03-25T15:15:00.001-07:002009-03-25T15:30:46.356-07:00On This Day in Philadelphia Criminal History...<div><a href="http://www.philly.com/">Philly.com</a> has this really great slide show up right now of a <a href="http://www.philly.com/philly/hp/art/history_philadelphia_crime.html#photo">history of Philly crime</a>. There is over 100 photos and some pretty colorful <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">characters</span>. </div><div> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqqiOJVdzw3yLD8mnF28nd1zdqsJnoIdX0f7Nkvi8VsETNXS3BWMrBne4V_rU9E15AuwRAdMPn7NxEY_ZDOo6qvhG2n9Bq14yf5-IhnfOu0yFWw4eftdpbBSScX578tGUoz-udl9k5KDc/s1600-h/heidnik1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5317253470656219506" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 164px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqqiOJVdzw3yLD8mnF28nd1zdqsJnoIdX0f7Nkvi8VsETNXS3BWMrBne4V_rU9E15AuwRAdMPn7NxEY_ZDOo6qvhG2n9Bq14yf5-IhnfOu0yFWw4eftdpbBSScX578tGUoz-udl9k5KDc/s200/heidnik1.jpg" border="0" /></a>Flipping through the photos I stumbled upon one man who's crimes were so <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">gruesome</span> I found it hard to believe I had not heard of him before. Gary <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Heidnik</span> probably won't ring a bell for most people, but <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Silence_of_the_Lambs_(film)">Silence of the Lambs</a> probably does. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Heidnik</span> was the inspiration for Thomas <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Harris's</span> fictional <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jame_Gumb">"Buffalo Bill"</a>. </div><div> </div><div>At 4:30 am on March 25, 1987, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Heidnik's</span> home in North Philadelphia was searched and a world of unimaginable horrors were unearthed. There's a great <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">article</span> on Gary <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Heidnik</span> at the <a href="http://www.newcriminologist.com/article.asp?cid=107&nid=10">New <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Criminologist</span></a> website and check back here for future posts about those featured in the History of Philly Crime.</div>Eli VandenBerghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11476593406037867718noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2890609221964334907.post-81523276462239688462009-03-13T12:37:00.000-07:002009-03-13T13:16:48.516-07:00Pay Up<span style="font-family:verdana;">Mayor Nutter can't be getting much love these days. If you're not upset about the libraries closing, you are upset about the pools. If you don't care much for the pools than you certainly must care about the fire houses. The fact of the matter is that like so many cities out there, Philadelphia is broke. Just like the rest of the American public, we spent more than we had and our line of credit ran out. The city is spending less and tightening it's belt just like everyone else. It's also coming after everyone that owes it money. I'm sure in these times you've been thinking about that guy who borrowed $20 from you last month and how you'd really like it back. Well, the mayor is thinking that too.</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">The mayor held a </span><a href="http://www.philly.com/inquirer/local/20090312_Mayor_Nutter_confronts_alleged_tax_deadbeat.html?viewAll=Y&text="><span style="font-family:verdana;">press conference</span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;"> outside of a lawyers' office on South Broad Street demanding that they pay up. Amongst the three of them they owe about $300,000. Instead of hanging his head in shame, this angered one of the men inside enough for him to come all the way downstairs and yell at the Mayor for using his name. He demanded to know if he was the only person in the city owing back taxes. (For your information, he's not the only one, but you can find out who else made the list </span><a href="http://www.phila.gov/law/Tax_Delinquent.html"><span style="font-family:verdana;">here</span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;">. He could spend the next year doing press conferences and still not get through the list. This guy just happened to be a block away from city hall.) </span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">The mayor replied: "I'm not going to argue with you on the sidewalk - you owe the city money, pay your taxes," The guy then asked why Nutter was getting "upset," and Nutter took it all in stride. "Oh, you've never seen me upset," Nutter said. "So I'm not upset. Just pay your taxes and everything will be fine." Love it! The best part--after the press conference wrapped up, sheriff's deputies went in to serve the three lawyers with notices that if they didn't pay up their property would be sold at auction on April 2. </span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">It is in moments like these that Mayor Nutter goes from being a political figure to a father figure. </span><a href="http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/cityhall/Mayor_Nutter_Did_Not_Pick_Out_that_Dorky_Sweater.html"><span style="font-family:verdana;">He gets picked on for wearing nerdy sweaters</span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;">. He cuts back when times are tough. And, most importantly, he goes after the bullies who aren't pulling their weight. This is a man who took over the job from the incredibly corrupt Mayor Street (brother of Milton on page one of the back taxes list) and if that wasn't bad enough, the economy went into a tail spin. I like my library as much as the next guy, but lets all cut the mayor a little slack. </span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">If you ever want a little insight into exactly what the mayor is going through right now, read the book </span><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/books/98/01/11/reviews/980111.11fishmat.html"><span style="font-family:verdana;">"A Prayer for the City" by Buzz <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Bissinger</span> </span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;">(who also wrote "Friday Night Lights"). In this book, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Bissinger</span> follows around then Mayor <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Rendell</span> as he deals with unions, crime, economy and everything else that goes into running a city. I always figured running a city would be complicated, but until I read this book I really had no idea. With every criticism should come a bit of understanding. And this understanding and sympathy is a little easier to stomach when you see the mayor yelling at rich guys on your behalf.</span>Eli VandenBerghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11476593406037867718noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2890609221964334907.post-65212970443792041632009-03-10T09:26:00.000-07:002009-03-10T13:23:20.518-07:00Why I should have stayed a Lions Fan...<span style="font-family:verdana;">I grew up in Michigan during the era of </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barry_Sanders"><span style="font-family:verdana;">Barry Sanders</span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;">. Being a Lions fan at that time was a lot like being an Eagles Fan for the past 5 years. They were good, but not good enough. The team went downhill and I eventually moved to Philadelphia. The Eagles hadn't won anything, but there was a definate feeling of hope and excitment that is slowly slipping through our figertips. </span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRGn8PMDw9eFehQmAmsOq9VqUXjTTHik4hBOcF1J_hoCXcpprcQyWcsxzh16bEATTHP-2GETdTUNt8elxU8Qk0dNDOTYXLywixJZlCwkMeYLZJFPB8ujSx2k4LYB1D9SG4C-VBddaRsig/s1600-h/brian-dawkins.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311656625416845586" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 180px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRGn8PMDw9eFehQmAmsOq9VqUXjTTHik4hBOcF1J_hoCXcpprcQyWcsxzh16bEATTHP-2GETdTUNt8elxU8Qk0dNDOTYXLywixJZlCwkMeYLZJFPB8ujSx2k4LYB1D9SG4C-VBddaRsig/s320/brian-dawkins.jpg" border="0" /></a>This became most evident while witnessing fan reaction to the Eagles just letting </span><a href="http://www.myfoxphilly.com/dpp/news/022809_Brian_Dawkins_Update"><span style="font-family:verdana;">Brian Dawkins walk away</span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;">. There was a flurry of text messages with my football loving friend. I even posted my frustration on Facebook the next day. Good thing I don't work for the Eagles or I'd be blogging for a living right now. </span><br /><br /><a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3965039&POLL397=400000000000000000000000000000000000000000"><span style="font-family:verdana;">Dan Leone</span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;">, a six year employee of the Eagles also posted his frustration on Facebook and his outburst got him terminated. Now, I probably wouldn't badmouth my employer on Facebook. I am one of a staff of four and I don't really have anything to say. Although it was bad form (and bad grammar), Dan was in the privacy of his own home. He was posting as a citizen of Philadelphia and an Eagles fan. He wasn't posting on the teams blog or website. I'm not going to get into the culture of over-share. I'll leave that post to </span><a href="http://phillyist.com/2009/03/10/philadelphia_eagles_rejected_your_f.php"><span style="font-family:verdana;">Phillyist.com</span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;">. I will only say shame on you, Philadelphia Eagles. You're hemorrhaging players, firing staff and frustrating fans. I've never been this annoyed in the off season. Keep this up and you won't have anyone left come fall. </span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyc30IQXQe9-Xk_E6h2TzXmD-OLNmT_ggmPjZHspYQTzuaYjXtQuegoX5JwVYG60fU_N_fS9Lo1bH9M4SyhW9lAZk6oAUWUxK7aBofDmQXJJqGNdLFr0yDMgX9EeFXE5WZ_ePp-kCzc9w/s1600-h/lions_fan.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311656626065103538" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 184px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 250px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyc30IQXQe9-Xk_E6h2TzXmD-OLNmT_ggmPjZHspYQTzuaYjXtQuegoX5JwVYG60fU_N_fS9Lo1bH9M4SyhW9lAZk6oAUWUxK7aBofDmQXJJqGNdLFr0yDMgX9EeFXE5WZ_ePp-kCzc9w/s320/lions_fan.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">How much farther are the Eagles going to fall? At least if I'd stayed a Lion's fan I would know rock bottom and there would be nowhere left to go but up.</span>Eli VandenBerghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11476593406037867718noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2890609221964334907.post-40003884780223813822009-03-05T13:53:00.000-08:002009-03-05T13:57:54.165-08:00Dinner and a ???<a href="http://philaculturati.com/"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" style="font-family:verdana;">PhilaCulturati</span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;"> is a website that started about a month ago. I have to admit that I didn't give it much of a second glance when it originally was launched. I recently gave it a second look. I must admit that it's a pretty cool idea. The site pairs cultural and arts events with dining establishments in the area. Sometimes there are deals or coupons. If going to a new neighborhood, it saves you from having to ask where to eat (if you hate talking to people as much as I do, this is a great feature). Even for those familiar with the neighborhood, it offers some nice ideas so you're not always eating at the same spot. Visually it leaves a bit to be desired, but don't let that deter you. It's really worth exploring.</span>Eli VandenBerghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11476593406037867718noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2890609221964334907.post-41849305915596310602009-02-20T13:59:00.000-08:002009-02-25T10:19:09.180-08:00The Devil and SEPTA, or February 20th, 2009<span style="font-family:arial;"><em>A post by the lovely and wonderful Stephanie <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Dellavalentina</span>--our newest contributor. Amazing.<br /></em></span><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;">So I’m waiting for the bus this morning- bundled up to my eyeholes and hunching against the 12 degrees of whipping awful- when I realize that I’m at the stop early. My breakfast at Vincenzo’s took no time at all and was peacefully cooling in my purse, leaving me ten minutes to spare before the bus. I thought about going home for a minute to warm up, oddly enough the 9th Street bus- which is rarely on time- is early and already down at about Snyder Ave. I take it as Omen: Good and wait. Sipping my tea I was blissfully ignorant that it was really Omen: Richard Donner. Thus began my morning with SEPTA and The Devil.</span></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;">For your edification: the 9th Street bus is a boutique route. It comes occasionally, stops when it wants to, and really is only present to serve the little old Italian ladies who can’t make it up to 11th or down to 7th. There is a small handful of us who have figured out that the first run of the day gets you into Center City at 9am (give or take) and opt for rouletting it on 9th rather than subjecting ourselves to the horror that is 7th. I can step out my front door and be at the stop, and my office is half a block away on the back end. Despite the unreliability, I love this line. </span></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;">This morning I noticed right away the large number of new faces occupying the prime real estate that is the elevated rear of the bus. I opt for second best and take up the bank directly opposite the rear doors, and with that decision get a front row seat to the bout. </span></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;">As the bus rolls through the Italian Market. A passenger requests the next stop and waits at the back door, calling out to the driver. The bus genuflects, lets a woman out the front, takes on another passenger, and rises, preparing to pull away. The guy waiting at the back door calls for the back door again. It plays out something like this: </span></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;">Guy: “BACK DOOR! YO MAN, CAN I GET THE BACK DOOR?!”</span></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;">Driver: “Front door:”</span></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;">Guy: “YO MAN- BAAACK DOOOOR!!! BACK DOOR!”</span></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;">Driver: “FRONT DOOR.”</span></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;">I wonder WTF this is all about and curse the early morning pissing contest. I then realize exactly what is going on. The bus is stopped in the Italian Market, meaning there is limited space to maneuver. Looking out the windows on the back door I realize that the back doors are directly next to a burn barrel and flames are licking up the side of the bus. I think I saw one squeeze in the opening between the accordion doors. I then appreciate that the dude in front of me could only be seeing the same thing that I was- if he walked out the back door he’d be walking into fire.</span></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;">Devil: “MAN, I SAID BACK DOOR!!!”</span></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;">Driver: “You can come on out the front.”</span></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;">Devil: (looking longingly at flame): “Ok, ok… I’m not trying to fight today.” </span></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;">Devil: (under breath) “You’re gonna get your due, though. Tell you that.”</span></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;">Ok, so the longing look part is embellishment, but the rest is truth- hand to god. He muttered that last part in my direction, shook his head, and walked to the front.</span></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;">So The Devil gets off the bus and we continue through the Market. Driver is still worked up, so when we get to Christian and there’s a truck blocking part of the street, Driver forgets his responsibility as a SEPTA bus driver. Instead of sticking his head out the window, yelling, and laying on the horn until the other driver is enraged or embarrassed into moving or hustling, Driver whips the bus down Christian. </span></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;">And the Devil got his due. 7th- cars parked. Nowhere to turn. 5th- blocked off by PGW. 3rd- no dice. I think that’s where Moyamensing comes in and makes that weird triangle. So the 9th Street bus is now forced all the way down to the Delaware River. Front Street did not provide any more opportunity. It wasn’t until Lombard that we were able to right our course. By this time the riders were restless. If you don’t know Philly- I will educate you. The next to last place you want to be is on SEPTA with a bunch of angry mugs. The absolute last place you want to be is in the shoes of the guy causing the frustration.</span></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;">By the time I got off the bus (oddly on time- because we didn’t have to stop and do all that, y’know, superfluous picking up and dropping off of passengers), Driver had lost much of his swagger. His crap face was gone; left behind was a thin film of sweat and fear. I shouldered my bag and debarked. The cold of the wind hurting my exposed grin, I shook my head and walked to the office. </span></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;">Man, I always thought The Devil WAS SEPTA, but he’s droppin’ tokens just like the rest of us.Next up- Encounters With </span></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;">Extraterrestrials In ACME. They’re out there. You know it…</span><br /></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_nwGdRqCXJYffHmD9oj8-RwDV1OV7cBxnZbDk_S4qYzvTjNLPZA_X8iYFm5s9DXFOrJUt3YZbiBj50gyoOwEjhgVARbLR0Dybovs0lzj69MTUgkk5Rocef5LvwEOjZN39-MEiD-pTg-A/s1600-h/septa.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5305003913847233170" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 251px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 243px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_nwGdRqCXJYffHmD9oj8-RwDV1OV7cBxnZbDk_S4qYzvTjNLPZA_X8iYFm5s9DXFOrJUt3YZbiBj50gyoOwEjhgVARbLR0Dybovs0lzj69MTUgkk5Rocef5LvwEOjZN39-MEiD-pTg-A/s400/septa.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div>Eli VandenBerghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11476593406037867718noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2890609221964334907.post-25652658540655107382009-01-28T11:33:00.000-08:002009-01-28T12:09:59.994-08:00and Scene...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrg_5e2qMQU95BKyn0mmXmV_CCTGzfp7WDAGfci7LpZ0illIQsyufyDMGAZxCZU47svyteGqjVYlNG6yfSkqNNfBEV05fyFUQoAhhYQhxHkRfbxZor87w1oRjPqj7ySDuvACtxs-VyY_w/s1600-h/scene.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296437753865019058" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 330px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrg_5e2qMQU95BKyn0mmXmV_CCTGzfp7WDAGfci7LpZ0illIQsyufyDMGAZxCZU47svyteGqjVYlNG6yfSkqNNfBEV05fyFUQoAhhYQhxHkRfbxZor87w1oRjPqj7ySDuvACtxs-VyY_w/s400/scene.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>I am not much of a dancer. Really, <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">I'm</span> not at all a dancer. If forced, I can be <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">dragged</span> onto a dance floor and <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">ridiculously</span> attempt to move to the music, but truth be told, I would much rather park my ass on a bar stool than shake it on the dance floor. My lady, on the other hand, has recently remembered that she loves to dance. This started when we ended up at a queer dance party called <a href="http://www.yelp.com/events/philadelphia-fuse-2">Fuse </a>for a friends birthday. I didn't hate it and she loved it. She is now on the quest for every possible Lesbian Dance Party she can find. Thus, when we were reading through our trusty <a href="http://www.southphillyreview.com/">South Philly Review</a> last week and found a story about an upcoming <a href="http://www.southphillyreview.com/view_article.php?id=7997">party</a>, she couldn't wait to try it. The party was held at <a href="http://www.vesuvio-online.com/"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Vesuvio</span></a>, which is a bar located in the Italian Market/Bella Vista area. I'd been there before for a glass of wine with my parents, but I had never seen it like this. It was packed with queer folks from all walks of life. According to estimates, over 400 people came out. There were the Northeast Philly <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Dykes</span>, the Cherry Hill Lesbians, the West Philly Queers and the list goes on and on. Ages ranged from 21 to 60. There were girls, boys and a few of us <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">inbetween</span> folks. At first it felt a little chaotic, but upon reflection I have to say that I just don't think they were prepared for this wave of party starved queer folk that rolled in that night. I know they had some music troubles and the bar was understaffed which left everyone there seeming a little on edge. I am sure it will thin out a bit as time goes on, and hopefully it won't be quite the crazy drunken booze fest it was since a lot of folks there were pretty angry drunks (I believe i got called a fat <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">fuckin</span>' homo by some girl who later tried to bum a smoke from me.) Still, I think the diversity was great and just goes to show how starved queer people are in this city for something to do. Although it was more of a jostle party than a dance party, I think I would <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">definitely</span> go back. The entertainment value of the people watching was <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">definitely</span> worth it. Also--props to the $2 <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">PBR's</span>. </div><div> </div><div>Click <a href="http://www.edgephiladelphia.com/index.php?ch=nightlife&sc=&sc2=photoalbums&sc3=&id=86467">here</a> to see some photos from the event. </div>Eli VandenBerghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11476593406037867718noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2890609221964334907.post-77115199734728905752008-12-19T12:27:00.000-08:002008-12-19T12:31:21.418-08:00Upcoming exhibition<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg98-By-Xt2T-J-ANnnUJeS82Vn7nkfybHuGB70oULEan66KDwrBw6-WqNyYu8SL0pdWMt-M8eohluJsaUg6L4NM7bubnZy7AVa8vgSPtKIiQcd-XFTD3ZgtnPtrWO2KYlBo3hqHQDIBiI/s1600-h/card.jpg"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281601110138371378" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg98-By-Xt2T-J-ANnnUJeS82Vn7nkfybHuGB70oULEan66KDwrBw6-WqNyYu8SL0pdWMt-M8eohluJsaUg6L4NM7bubnZy7AVa8vgSPtKIiQcd-XFTD3ZgtnPtrWO2KYlBo3hqHQDIBiI/s400/card.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span><div><span style="font-family:verdana;">Dear Friends, Please join me:</span></div><br /><div><a href="http://www.elivandenberg.com/"><span style="font-family:verdana;">Eli J. VandenBerg: Prints and Drawings</span></a></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;">Opening Reception: January 9, 2009, 6-8pm</span></div><br /><div><a href="http://www.waygay.org/"><span style="font-family:verdana;">The William Way GLBT Community Center </span></a></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;">1315 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;">Work will be on view January 5 – February 27, 2009<br /></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;">On view will be prints and drawings from the last five years including work from the Passing Series, Body in Progress and brand new images of Philadelphia from the Place and Home series. Please email me for more information or send me your address if you'd like to receive a postcard for the show.</span> </div>Eli VandenBerghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11476593406037867718noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2890609221964334907.post-50353285467164482532008-10-25T16:35:00.000-07:002008-10-25T16:45:57.817-07:00The curse of Billy Penn<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCakd0ev5c0BWxkr6-xUrUL7Rd7ybcfrwDIGTZQVtG1xIg2koczQVvwJ2EHdgV3XSum4KpGtlVko6dLtDW8h962TwiNPoYHlpNyNtL0hwjVyfNS5OHllxUB-RfMWqmG9HTo6XaLVA2NLI/s1600-h/penn.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261241524546904706" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 275px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 235px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCakd0ev5c0BWxkr6-xUrUL7Rd7ybcfrwDIGTZQVtG1xIg2koczQVvwJ2EHdgV3XSum4KpGtlVko6dLtDW8h962TwiNPoYHlpNyNtL0hwjVyfNS5OHllxUB-RfMWqmG9HTo6XaLVA2NLI/s400/penn.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>If you've ever watched a Philadelphia sports team blow a championship you've undoubtedly heard about it. In the late 70's and early 80's Philadelphia was a city of champions with the Eagles making a Superbowl <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">appearance</span>, the F<span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">lyers</span> winning the Stanley Cup and the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Phillies</span> bringing home a World Series Title. Then, in 1987, a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">gentleman's</span> agreement that had stood since the city's founding was broken and Liberty One and Two extended above the head of the city's founding father. For 20 years these beacons have stood as the tallest points in the city until now. This past year the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Comcast</span> Center topped the Liberty buildings and upon the top they placed the hopes that the city will once again win a title.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="http://philadelphia.phillies.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20081024&content_id=3642185&vkey=news_phi&fext=.jsp&c_id=phi">From the Phillie's Official Website:</a></div><br /><div>Liberty Property Trust, the center's builder, made an effort to mollify the sports gods by affixing a 25-inch statue of William Penn to the structure's highest point. The Penn statue -- albeit a much smaller one than the official City Hall statue -- is once again enjoying the top perch in the city. It was all part of the plan, said Jeanne Leonard, a spokeswoman for Liberty Property Trust.<br />"To reinforce that the building would lift whatever curse there is, we decided that he would take his rightful place at the top of the city again," Leonard said.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I never thought I'd be giving any praise to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Comcast</span>, but this is fantastic.</div>Eli VandenBerghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11476593406037867718noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2890609221964334907.post-48689918341277877392008-10-24T08:28:00.000-07:002008-10-24T10:47:38.952-07:00Pheeling the Pheaver for the Phlaver of the PhilliesTo be a true <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">phan</span></span>, everything "F" must be <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">replaced</span> with a "PH." In the interest of public service I will now <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">recommend</span> places to watch the remainder of the world series. <div><br /><div></div><div><a href="http://www.thesidecarbar.com/home.html">Sidecar</a>: 22<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">nd</span> and Christian</div><br /><div>Good beer, good food but a little <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">pricy</span> for my tastes and not close to my house. When I was there they had the game on, but only a portion of the patrons were actually interested. No smoking (this isn't a value judgement, just a fact). Probably the best spot in the area, but not my favorite.</div><br /><div></div><div><a href="http://www.1601cafe.com/home.php">1601</a>: 1601 south 10<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">th</span></span> street (at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Tasker</span></span>)</div><br /><div>1601 opened a few years ago, probably as a part of the East <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Passyunk</span></span> Crossing <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">renaissance</span>. It's a nice place with great beer--many deliciously on tap. Prices are reasonable and happy hour is a great deal. The food went downhill for a while, but the old chef is back and it's on the upswing. Highlights are 25 cent wings on Sunday--not only a great deal but the best wings I think I've ever had. It generally doesn't get too crowded, but if it does it can be a pain in the ass. It's not a very long bar and there is only one smallish TV. The seats are really uncomfortable. You can't smoke inside, which is good and bad, but you can see the TV from the door. All in all, decent if you want good beer and good food but can get a little annoying if you want a little <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">dirt </span>and a comfortable seat.</div><br /><div></div><div><a href="http://www.thehappybirthdaybar.com/">Rays Happy Birthday Bar</a>: <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Passyunk</span></span> and Federal (Near Geno's and Pats)</div><div>A depression-Era south <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">philly</span></span> tavern which got it's name from owner Ray <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Capozzoli</span></span> always greeting patrons with "Happy Birthday" when the walked in the door. There's no food at the bar but <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">plenty</span> to eat in the neighborhood including not so good pizza at J&J's, expensive alright <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Mexican</span>, and Racist cheese steaks at <a href="http://www.genosteaks.com/">Gino's</a>. All that within a 10 foot radius. If you want to extend to a 20 foot radius you can also hit <a href="http://www.patskingofsteaks.com/">Pats</a>. </div><br /><div>The bar itself is nice good. A <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">sufficiently</span> surly bartender who treats you right if you're not an asshole. The beer is decent--Philadelphia Brewing Company if you want to be a little fancy, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">PBR</span></span> is $2.50 if you're on the cheep. You can smoke inside which is nice when you're drunk but you <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">definitely</span> leave smelling like an ashtray. The TV is big and loud and so are the patrons for the most part. The only complaint is the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">occasional</span> crowd of hipsters that wonder in. Thankfully the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Phillies</span></span> Fans by far outnumbered them. All in all, a nice open room to watch the game with friends.</div><br /><div></div><div><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Bonnies</span></span> Capistrano Bar: 13<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">th</span></span> and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">Dickenson</span></span></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhev6q8ToqD-maLwBUUfbyyBt3qJbZ0yDeDWkibK4TsHbkKLUwhtE97Mo_b4hN1GX74mtsvmQVQJ9epxX2WkgwKd5agIGvyqmHDBxGqY87ClabRRQrykADq38wjnltVXMeC5xVB6iNhbVQ/s1600-h/game+1+001.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260750986101991810" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhev6q8ToqD-maLwBUUfbyyBt3qJbZ0yDeDWkibK4TsHbkKLUwhtE97Mo_b4hN1GX74mtsvmQVQJ9epxX2WkgwKd5agIGvyqmHDBxGqY87ClabRRQrykADq38wjnltVXMeC5xVB6iNhbVQ/s400/game+1+001.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>I'd have to say this was my favorite spot. $2-$3 draft pints of lager, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">highlife</span></span>, bud light and miller light. Fancier beer in bottles if that's your preference. It was pretty empty but everyone there was friendly and excited. There's not generally food, but sometimes they make stuff. Even cooler--they have a whole stack of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22"><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">menus</span></span> and allow you to just order your own meal from the wealth of take out options in the area. There's three <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">TV's</span></span> so you won't miss a play. You can smoke inside and in this instance we had the whole back room to ourselves. Excellent.</div><br />and finally...<br /><div></div><div>My House: Tree Street</div><br /><div>They ran out of beer, you have to make the food yourself, you can't smoke inside unless you're really drunk and don't want to get up and the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_24"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">Phillies</span></span> lost. Although generally a lovely place for a gathering, in this instance it is not <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_25">recommended</span>.</div></div>Eli VandenBerghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11476593406037867718noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2890609221964334907.post-33193765377024397752008-10-22T13:48:00.000-07:002008-10-22T13:59:12.857-07:00never mind<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsJBBUYcRpGLBWTf-Yvtj8MuaHsh7OdlfJl8XASx5Y_BrQbPb3RP8nD3qZZy-nBsC0M3uG67MDWM8MN0GZpCTx4xNhk345Ab7Jggxnyx3bRq06uQd6R7-OUMnJM3y6IJoBtCDEfwaatkE/s1600-h/food+on+a+stick+002+sm.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260083936824709890" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsJBBUYcRpGLBWTf-Yvtj8MuaHsh7OdlfJl8XASx5Y_BrQbPb3RP8nD3qZZy-nBsC0M3uG67MDWM8MN0GZpCTx4xNhk345Ab7Jggxnyx3bRq06uQd6R7-OUMnJM3y6IJoBtCDEfwaatkE/s400/food+on+a+stick+002+sm.jpg" border="0" /></a> <div>Our attempt at nature was a bust. Montgomery County Community College, which seven years ago was in the middle of a lovely patch of nowhere, is now surrounded by <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">awful</span> subdivisions. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Linnvilla</span> Orchards was a mad house--full of all the people i was trying to escape. The craft show was mainly a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">crapt</span> show and none of the people I actually wanted to buy stuff from where there. Michael was very dissapointed as they were also <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">severely</span> lacking in <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">pipe cleaner</span> art. There were a few bright spots on the craft show front. Jungwhon Joo does amazing enameled jewelry and will be at a craft show later on in November in Chestnut Hill. She has no website, but i will try to post the information here. There were also some nice ceramics including one woman that draws beautiful chinese drawings on rice bowls and my favorite--the butter bell--but at that point we had had enough. The major upside to the day was that everything i ate on <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Sunday</span> was served on a stick. Hurray.</div><br /><div></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9GIP437NJ_ohdsYHhYb733WRF6apgShQOWI_5z_cj2nPPOgOXT1sSiqbf_W1jEojZlBL6rsjmVDxyv5lqmnHUllsnVIC1oN1_TR5tndBiXsE6c5a_6Kj3yXgveRLFYh5A0lVMXnzoIw0/s1600-h/food+on+a+stick+001+sm.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260083927255790738" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9GIP437NJ_ohdsYHhYb733WRF6apgShQOWI_5z_cj2nPPOgOXT1sSiqbf_W1jEojZlBL6rsjmVDxyv5lqmnHUllsnVIC1oN1_TR5tndBiXsE6c5a_6Kj3yXgveRLFYh5A0lVMXnzoIw0/s400/food+on+a+stick+001+sm.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div>Eli VandenBerghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11476593406037867718noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2890609221964334907.post-12582176576447713962008-10-18T08:36:00.000-07:002008-10-18T08:55:53.181-07:00Nature, Please.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinYyAzZy8_yxKmPPoM6NUCrXWZyCW2oQ_asybinKBhnIV5tjx-1zSlLxqvqsf_bIWQTrDzcn-0b16kGNBktycgfUj5yp0XNVL1VV2U3TNpkj5TQ7yd_1ivAZMrA_5wGX9Gj3Ccs-HPfXw/s1600-h/sm+vermont1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5258522667211200402" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinYyAzZy8_yxKmPPoM6NUCrXWZyCW2oQ_asybinKBhnIV5tjx-1zSlLxqvqsf_bIWQTrDzcn-0b16kGNBktycgfUj5yp0XNVL1VV2U3TNpkj5TQ7yd_1ivAZMrA_5wGX9Gj3Ccs-HPfXw/s400/sm+vermont1.JPG" border="0" /></a> <div>I've been getting really down about the city lately. Don't get me wrong, the energy here is great right now. The <a href="http://philadelphia.phillies.mlb.com/index.jsp?c_id=phi"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Phillies</span> </a>are in the World Series and people are <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">spontaneously</span> cheering in the streets. However, I can't shake this intense need for trees. I expect part of it is this amazing fall weather. I just want to bundle up and listen to wind rustle through trees, not a sickly looking stick struggling to grow through <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">concrete</span>. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>If any of these feelings sound familiar I'd invite you to visit the <a href="http://www.pacrafts.org/pacrafts/site/default.asp">Pennsylvania Guild of Craftsmen</a> annual craft fair. Anna and I went two years ago and it was lovely. Don't go expecting <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">uber</span> hip <a href="http://www.artstarphilly.com/">art star </a>stuff (though you may well find some of that too). This is old school. There's loads of ceramics, woodworking, jewelry as well as music, food and a truck with people that make their own soda-pop. When I went before I got the greatest pair of hand made slippers EVER. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>So check it out. The fair runs today and tomorrow and is held at Montgomery County Community College. Click <a href="http://www.pacrafts.org/5878972171557/blank/browse.asp?a=383&BMDRN=2000&BCOB=0&c=51211&5878972171557Nav=&NodeID=321">here </a>for directions. I'll post some photos from our outing later. In the meantime I will post some pics from my trip to Vermont exactly one year ago today. </div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoMOqzv6D60dErK1DqBsWX1OqAr8nNHoXCO_8pwzjJGniWC0sIP0H2ajqPyw4VC09lP2TIk8vgsJSChxAZF9bZh-QvLDp722Q8MgAkE6I9Y-1enAfeG8Numus2pmubzHB_60t0cVl6W3M/s1600-h/sm+vermont2.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5258522671984775842" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoMOqzv6D60dErK1DqBsWX1OqAr8nNHoXCO_8pwzjJGniWC0sIP0H2ajqPyw4VC09lP2TIk8vgsJSChxAZF9bZh-QvLDp722Q8MgAkE6I9Y-1enAfeG8Numus2pmubzHB_60t0cVl6W3M/s400/sm+vermont2.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOXL04dX52S5xTT-xpkbV133IIM3kI3Sf3T4VojAPbpQhsQPuzijSU6AyUwUS-hnUsDJDEUmvlVn7nBZoE_aRqNhd_t_6BL-qn1LBx2iztZyUehWWxpXrynCQbjhyzwoaywYlTN8Ylhdg/s1600-h/in+more+rocks.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5258522674349390898" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOXL04dX52S5xTT-xpkbV133IIM3kI3Sf3T4VojAPbpQhsQPuzijSU6AyUwUS-hnUsDJDEUmvlVn7nBZoE_aRqNhd_t_6BL-qn1LBx2iztZyUehWWxpXrynCQbjhyzwoaywYlTN8Ylhdg/s400/in+more+rocks.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhywZvUfLWN1M0bNFM1Hj2glF-jN3rHuBmthg-J8Q9sUXN3zvD7fjh7Q6jaUKghhaIXzSEkEa4z0WXSrR70IeoB48eNEkF7OLKGrKneV4WvO8VdakXB_P5eAcl3g8I4xbSwJL9WTFBQ7Vc/s1600-h/msc+279.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5258522678596698546" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhywZvUfLWN1M0bNFM1Hj2glF-jN3rHuBmthg-J8Q9sUXN3zvD7fjh7Q6jaUKghhaIXzSEkEa4z0WXSrR70IeoB48eNEkF7OLKGrKneV4WvO8VdakXB_P5eAcl3g8I4xbSwJL9WTFBQ7Vc/s400/msc+279.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div></div><br /><div></div>Eli VandenBerghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11476593406037867718noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2890609221964334907.post-18115828690401620252008-10-09T12:25:00.000-07:002008-10-09T12:28:08.523-07:00South 8th Street<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBo9yTgiLt9ClK5knLaIC6z_9X3agLgbwLJRlrfKq3aY2aOg5wa9ESIjx4rFOzGF2mRwfG3ISxWL8juIeY1SCcL8OysZ5eQcanzBhpR6nUy8zw6DNJPqGhPNQt66PqQtUPsAxIUlEbzNs/s1600-h/south+8th+street.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5255238152105888594" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBo9yTgiLt9ClK5knLaIC6z_9X3agLgbwLJRlrfKq3aY2aOg5wa9ESIjx4rFOzGF2mRwfG3ISxWL8juIeY1SCcL8OysZ5eQcanzBhpR6nUy8zw6DNJPqGhPNQt66PqQtUPsAxIUlEbzNs/s400/south+8th+street.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>I've been working on taking these drawings and turning them into etchings. As the drawings have gotten bigger I've found that the etchings are great fun to shrink down as small as possible. This one is a drypoint with spitbite and some softground.</div>Eli VandenBerghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11476593406037867718noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2890609221964334907.post-84729863905182638352008-08-12T09:04:00.000-07:002008-08-12T09:04:00.198-07:00The Drake<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinv7w_QD6KYmxBj_YhgvR9QTutKJc3egS2tPi08TG9oY2duju-v6CGk0PENY1vc4ucZGQCuR-8UfwOQMW0P_VjvIT5wTR69cx36xIaypgzMOD76rp_cGW6MA8hvOFt0iDQxbUfbxlC1_A/s1600-h/city+closing+in.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231436531499813586" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinv7w_QD6KYmxBj_YhgvR9QTutKJc3egS2tPi08TG9oY2duju-v6CGk0PENY1vc4ucZGQCuR-8UfwOQMW0P_VjvIT5wTR69cx36xIaypgzMOD76rp_cGW6MA8hvOFt0iDQxbUfbxlC1_A/s400/city+closing+in.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div>Eli VandenBerghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11476593406037867718noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2890609221964334907.post-53684337043018421352008-08-11T09:05:00.000-07:002008-08-11T09:05:00.688-07:00South Philly Cottage<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0ruqK0breyN4mqf1pM5UJ2NYbGNTDznUgd04IvuOmDHsP4KamO6VghPs9W-F1fYWYAG6eD0XiiV7lTO0eXNviTEqeM3bCmVWEZuFrIPIipOwzhgUJMkI-VSk5bJFTUMkRRCg8DBlkEHQ/s1600-h/guest+house.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231436784564715202" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0ruqK0breyN4mqf1pM5UJ2NYbGNTDznUgd04IvuOmDHsP4KamO6VghPs9W-F1fYWYAG6eD0XiiV7lTO0eXNviTEqeM3bCmVWEZuFrIPIipOwzhgUJMkI-VSk5bJFTUMkRRCg8DBlkEHQ/s400/guest+house.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div>Eli VandenBerghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11476593406037867718noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2890609221964334907.post-35864938327877966342008-08-10T09:02:00.000-07:002008-08-10T09:02:00.349-07:00Camac Street<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNz8GwGEguWWvdr6uDZP1FVWOxHE1wjtOUX9m-17IYem4BxRm7SswoaPXgEwmbFUyPy_edqNX3xz73bPPrn4-Uhqbw61vF6qRn10QjjGcqDjsFbE0W0gVkEgk8h2rV78qtBnfbvP_Pz74/s1600-h/camac+street.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231435843311117794" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNz8GwGEguWWvdr6uDZP1FVWOxHE1wjtOUX9m-17IYem4BxRm7SswoaPXgEwmbFUyPy_edqNX3xz73bPPrn4-Uhqbw61vF6qRn10QjjGcqDjsFbE0W0gVkEgk8h2rV78qtBnfbvP_Pz74/s400/camac+street.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div>Eli VandenBerghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11476593406037867718noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2890609221964334907.post-47689696343427695882008-08-09T08:53:00.000-07:002008-08-09T08:53:00.393-07:00A building in drawing form<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO3N2MjsANn_2CufMA5Zm0d5RvcazzWJJimpLLXFUY1dJK-uAmZMruu4DRrtbb9t0PMskeA0uC44ml8p-rVe7au-uqxL2sHIdEVB40Xl3jPm2D2N-2O561p_m1XnULNOPPGQ_qf0zsUaY/s1600-h/south+philly+corner.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231433835755296242" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO3N2MjsANn_2CufMA5Zm0d5RvcazzWJJimpLLXFUY1dJK-uAmZMruu4DRrtbb9t0PMskeA0uC44ml8p-rVe7au-uqxL2sHIdEVB40Xl3jPm2D2N-2O561p_m1XnULNOPPGQ_qf0zsUaY/s400/south+philly+corner.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;">This is some corner in South Philly</span></div>Eli VandenBerghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11476593406037867718noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2890609221964334907.post-68959151067937843882008-08-08T08:52:00.000-07:002008-08-08T08:52:13.805-07:00a walk up Passyunk Ave.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqnJ-L0hSXbWrPDQ9MXvs1v0qkXUxIBYiy01CxmQNEMSkobE_RLIqJLAtyrgKEGPmAFOIvGgzT1K4I8SYFe15RGU-sWFlpxQuXjHO4x-vX9R_It_59kFbGmUAG8dHYwR_0086rm4vwPf4/s1600-h/backs+on+passyunk.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231433378920398066" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqnJ-L0hSXbWrPDQ9MXvs1v0qkXUxIBYiy01CxmQNEMSkobE_RLIqJLAtyrgKEGPmAFOIvGgzT1K4I8SYFe15RGU-sWFlpxQuXjHO4x-vX9R_It_59kFbGmUAG8dHYwR_0086rm4vwPf4/s400/backs+on+passyunk.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div>Eli VandenBerghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11476593406037867718noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2890609221964334907.post-60412279264931721532008-08-07T08:47:00.000-07:002008-08-07T08:47:08.943-07:00Back Windows, Rittenhouse Square<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEy6KjH9vwOQ23JhVaJd3QK0pDL5O79jGDNj8WPXGoorlRBHM1uAl930PjOm2KXJFrkyaxBsqAjgfCms43TPQdRHStHskRw_I8AmXiy-bOZHGA4DqEeEGYxb1aD2r47fkpJfyJt9CiS1A/s1600-h/back+windows.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231432043299884434" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEy6KjH9vwOQ23JhVaJd3QK0pDL5O79jGDNj8WPXGoorlRBHM1uAl930PjOm2KXJFrkyaxBsqAjgfCms43TPQdRHStHskRw_I8AmXiy-bOZHGA4DqEeEGYxb1aD2r47fkpJfyJt9CiS1A/s400/back+windows.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div>Eli VandenBerghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11476593406037867718noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2890609221964334907.post-66691425144674817112008-08-06T08:16:00.000-07:002008-08-06T09:04:14.461-07:00Daily Philadelphia...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh77ee5CDM8JONaN8oAyZq66klunxCPCUqTW_zgytQSiE-1NPshLsPlrkuNtGMDUNKA8One2umQMeqd3OBJYWmse3lSnbPMGLo8rkPFY_bmQzzNwA-RfHsRz0_jfvWS99pi3AWr2zUlCVw/s1600-h/skyline+from+south+philly.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231431016159740194" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh77ee5CDM8JONaN8oAyZq66klunxCPCUqTW_zgytQSiE-1NPshLsPlrkuNtGMDUNKA8One2umQMeqd3OBJYWmse3lSnbPMGLo8rkPFY_bmQzzNwA-RfHsRz0_jfvWS99pi3AWr2zUlCVw/s400/skyline+from+south+philly.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;">Most of my drawings are done from photos that I take on my daily travels through the city. Philadelphia is a place were you need to keep reminding yourself to look up. So many amazing buildings have been converted into Dollar Stores and CVS pharmacies. In spite of corproate America's attempts to turn our cities into generic wastelands, Philadelphia has managed to maintain it's unique history and beauty. Since many of these photos won't make it into drawings any time soon I start putting the pics up themselves--one a day if possible. Enjoy!</span><br /></div><div></div><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span>Eli VandenBerghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11476593406037867718noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2890609221964334907.post-57790742504995535822008-08-05T12:26:00.001-07:002008-12-10T01:12:58.283-08:00New Drawing<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfaUrlWInf3rEDGToHI7N1j0NwU87fTjinPdE94NyuE9GaaKqherbjdZy0pRfgTc-ZnegxiDBarS8vD62dVucxDfUrp2FC7XZCup4l5koJa8F4YUF9a6Cwb8N1zE0nAxcSSFsZA5H_Qm4/s1600-h/17th+street.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231118901020063074" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfaUrlWInf3rEDGToHI7N1j0NwU87fTjinPdE94NyuE9GaaKqherbjdZy0pRfgTc-ZnegxiDBarS8vD62dVucxDfUrp2FC7XZCup4l5koJa8F4YUF9a6Cwb8N1zE0nAxcSSFsZA5H_Qm4/s400/17th+street.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;">A few months ago, on one of the first nice days of the spring, i took a nice long walk from south philly up to work. I'm finally getting a chance to do some drawings from all the pictures i took that day. this first one is walking north on 17th street. when i lived on south Chadwick street and worked at Kitchen Kapers i would walk this way every day and even got a day by day check of the progress on this mural that's on the side of the building in the foreground. thus, this drawing has a special place of familiarity in my heart.</span></div>Eli VandenBerghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11476593406037867718noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2890609221964334907.post-8739619067378134252008-08-02T12:56:00.000-07:002008-12-10T01:12:58.418-08:00On a Friday Night...Went to the Jamaican Jerk Hut last night to hear our lovely friend Tedford play some Reggae (mon...). The music was lovely, the night was lovely, the garden was lovely and all in all I would suggest it as a wonderful way to spend a Friday night. However, I offer you this one caveat. Don't Order Dinner. Eating was the biggest cluster fuck I've experienced in a very long time. Nothing came out at the same time. I got different parts of my meal at varying times. They ran out of what Anna ordered, but didn't bother to tell her until they brought out nothing more than a side dish for her and asked if that was really all she wanted. In fact, from what I hear, they ran out of everything. Oh, and pitchers of juice (without any booze) are $25 each. Infact, everything other than a patty (kind of like a hand held pot pie) is really expensive. Dinner will invariably be about $30-$40 dollars a person after tip, tax and corking fee (don't even get <a href="http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=60001996">Laura </a>started).<br /><br /><br /><br />So, my suggestion to you, should you choose to accept it: Go to the Jerk Hut, sit on the lawn, bring your own booze, get a patty or bowl of rice and enjoy the music. Anything else will make you insane.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL6oRK3bFlu-J6HDfXTl0zgLBdfpbgZiQfhWKEBsix-jeQXAEuCZBYMftB7uFoQoKy4kfmmoXWrn_60D_z3tItm4fNaZyCfvYbRZY21DnQQmJaeV03oX_JazpMVb9eKMttlrw6HPdeBlU/s1600-h/sixteenth+and+spruce_sm.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5230013854632663666" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL6oRK3bFlu-J6HDfXTl0zgLBdfpbgZiQfhWKEBsix-jeQXAEuCZBYMftB7uFoQoKy4kfmmoXWrn_60D_z3tItm4fNaZyCfvYbRZY21DnQQmJaeV03oX_JazpMVb9eKMttlrw6HPdeBlU/s400/sixteenth+and+spruce_sm.jpg" border="0" /></a>Finally, here's a little drawing for you--a view I see as I walk to the Jerk Hut from work.Eli VandenBerghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11476593406037867718noreply@blogger.com0