Say now, I know the Barbie anniversary thing is a big deal, but hey let's not forget the Ken doll!

Boo, hoo. Real tears...seriously. www.hallwatch.org is a terrific website and City Paper said it's closing by February 26th, so visit it before it is gone.

The End of Hallwatch
Hallwatch.org's Ed Goppelt hangs it up.
by Isaiah Thompson
Published: Jan 28, 2009

SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESSES!

This article is so truly amazing - a small business owner was about to close her store due to the economy and an angel came forward. Yes, someone in this shop owner's community believed enough about this small business and how it was part of the community fabric to help save it.

This story shows how kind people can be....you know when they aren't suing each other? Needless to say, this store is not on the Main Line. I don't think enough Main Liners care enough about the small businesses that tend to their needs. As a matter of fact I have been in small stores where I could not believe how rude some customers were....kind of like that snot faced woman I see glaring at people (unless that is how the Botox has frozen her face?) as she darts about the Main Line in her BIG WHITE Landrover with the ironic peace sign decal on the back....but, sigh, I digress...read this very nice article and take away the appropriate lesson in humanity and community.

Angel Investor
A local small business is rescued by an anonymous donor.
by Kirstin Lindermayer
Published: Jan 28, 2009

So where are Ed Rendell, Arlen Specter, Bob Casey, Jim Gerlach and Obama on the fires in Coatesville? Have they been to Coatesvill ein person recently? Are we to all sit helplessly by while some sick arsonist torches a rural town in Chester County and the surrounding area? First Coatesville, then what community is next? Who is safe when an arsonist is on the loose anywhere?

Who isn't horrified by this? What is motivating this? is it a love to burn, or is it racially motivated? Or is the motivation the land? The Guardian Angels are in the news as being in town, and that's a step in the right direction, but I think our public officials and new president need to go to Coatesville and say "This is NOT O.K." (and mean it - ah yes, they need to do what they are elected to do - solve problems and help people?)

After all, Pennsylvania is now the news from coast to embarassing coast on this issue.
Posted on Sun, Feb. 1, 2009
4 porch fires are set nearby
By Joelle Farrell
Inquirer Staff Writer

I heard that Radnor has a big ol' juicy problem to start the year with? Something about employee vacation days not be compliant with state guidelines?

Is it true that Radnor employees can accrue their vacation days indefinitely? Is that what Christine Perrone asserted? Mr. Solicitor man got upset with her? Did she ask for a Right to Know over his contract or something? I wasn't there, so I am asking, ok?

But back to this vacation issue? Is it true what was brought up? That however Radnor employees accrue and earn their vacation might not match whatever state law allows?

Curiouser and curiouser....

You know, it's always going to make us sit up and notice when the lead story in the Sunday Inquirer mentions the magic kingdom - i.e. Lower Merion and especially Gladwyne.

I don't know what to think, other than wonder of the murkiness of Pennsylvania politics....the subject of this one article (and related to other two I suppose) lives in the Vatican City State locals have nicknamed Versailles. (Well, not all because some find it politically expedient to be suck ups, right?)

But is this person being targeted because they are rich, because they are Republican, or because there is something wrong? Or all of the above?

If he was getting on a bus to see Inauguration Day, would we even be thinking about this? Is this all just politically convenient? Or is there more?

One point of interest? Dude got his start in Delco, and Delco Tom Paine wrote about this YEARS ago...and does this make the primary season of 2008 make more sense in a weird way?

Here are the links to the articles and to what the Magic 8 ball known as Delco Tom Paine said way back in 2005:

Hi. I received an e-mail that was forwarded to me from another friend a few minutes ago about holiday crime on the rise in a tough economy:

...a very important heads up....neighbors should be made aware of....this past weekend....the rear door of Roche & O'Briens on Lancaster Avenue in Haverford was forced in and a small cash box removed. They did not loose much money apparently, but were burgled..... this morning apparently there was some sort of [incident] at the Tanning Salon on the corner of Old Buck and Lancaster Ave....Wilke Lexus will be beefing up their security at all of their properties [due to this]....they want neighbors to be aware and keep an eye on each other as a sort of a buddy system through out the holidays.

Of course, common sense rules the day - if you see something suspicious, don't confront a potential criminal, call the police. And when you go out, adopt the best practice of locking up, leaving lights on, etc.

OK, so don't let Scrooge ruin the holidays, be safe and smart out there!

I am sorry, but trees are part of the Christmas/Holiday season, and this tree in West Chester is all about celebrating the fruitcake. Bah Humbug on this tree and the squirrels who created it. The holiday season is big enough for everyone, but these folks? They are just thumbing their noses at tradition, and there is nothing wrong with a little tradition in a kind of bleak world...

Posted on Wed, Dec. 10, 2008
The 'Godless Holiday Tree' goes up
By David O'Reilly

Yep, in the long list of dumb plans for Lower Merion, Lower Merion School District at present probably reigns supreme.

Good for the residents of Lower Merion for taking a stand on Lower Merion School District! They are wasteful and I think somewhat discriminatory, as well as demonstrate a total disregard for any family with a kid who wants to walk to high school!

Also, is it just me, or does this redistricting also smack of racism ugliness? Environmental unfriendliness?

First before the excellent article in the Inquirer by Bonnie Cook, have YOU signed the latest petition? See:

So is it true that last evening's meeting at the Radnor Twp. Board of Commissioners included a conversation that went like this (see below)?

In order to preserve the elusive heirloom tomatoes allow a relatively new and still sort of unproven venture that has only had one expensive season selling organic produce called Greener Partners, to be able to use 2 acres of land at the Willows and to use the Willows Cottage....FOR FREE?