Philadelphia Hot Trends

Hearing starts amid heightened security

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 15:16:00 +0000

A controversial hearing on Islamic terrorism is underway on Capitol Hill, with the chairman saying the inquiry does not warrant the "rage and hysteria" it has prompted.

New York Republican Rep. Peter King is holding the hearing into radicalization in the U.S. Muslim community. Muslim leaders say the inquiry is overbroad and paints all Muslims as terrorists or potential terrorists.

The top Democrat on the committee, Bennie Thompson of Mississippi, says he believes the hearings could be used to inspire terrorist propaganda.

King is receiving increased police security.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.

Extra security will accompany a New York congressman as he chairs a hearing focused on the U.S. Muslim community and its willingness to help prevent radical Islamic terrorism.

Rep. Peter King told The Associated Press that he has had a larger security details for the past few months because of an overseas threat relayed in December. Since then, round-the-clock security has been provided by the New York Police Department and the Nassau County, N.Y., police.

On Thursday, however, at King's request, the Capitol Police will be securing the congressional hearing room and surrounding areas, as well as his office, as the House Homeland Security Committee takes testimony.

Rarely does a congressional hearing attract as much advance controversy. In protests ahead of the session, critics have condemned the hearing as anti-Muslim and have likened it to the McCarthy-era hearings investigating communism.

"I am well aware that the announcement of these hearings has generated considerable controversy and opposition," King says in prepared opening remarks obtained by the AP. "Congressional investigation of Muslim American radicalization is the logical response to the repeated and urgent warnings which the Obama administration has been making in recent months."

The witnesses include family members of young men who were inspired by others to go into terrorism, with deadly consequences. They plan to tell Congress that the young men were brainwashed by radical elements in the Muslim community.

The hearing has reignited a national debate over how to combat a spate of homegrown terrorism. The Obama administration has tried to frame the discussion around radicalization in general, without singling out Muslims. King has said that's just political correctness since al-Qaida is the main threat to the U.S.

Despite the protests, there's nothing in the prepared testimony that indiscriminately labels Muslims as terrorists, as critics had feared.

Melvin Bledsoe, whose son, Carlos, is charged with killing an Army private at a recruiting station in Little Rock, Ark., is scheduled to testify about his son's conversion to Islam and his isolation from his family.

"Carlos was captured by people best described as hunters," Bledsoe says in his prepared remarks obtained by the AP. "He was manipulated and lied to."

Elsewhere at the Capitol, National Intelligence Director James Clapper was scheduled to address the threat of homegrown terrorism. In his prepared remarks, Clapper said 2010 saw more plots involving homegrown Sunni extremists _ those ideologically aligned with al-Qaida _ than in the previous year.

"Key to this trend has been the development of a U.S.-specific narrative that motivates individuals to violence," Clapper said.

21 Suspended Priests Named

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 15:09:00 +0000

the names of 21 Archdiocese of Philadelphia priests recently suspended for allegations of raping and torturing children, only to be covered up by higher-ups in the church, have been released. This comes to us the same day Cardinal Rigali apologized for such “evil acts” (again) during an Ash Wednesday homily. Via the Inquirer:

1. BARR, Rev. Philip R., (1948)  Pastor Emeritus, St. Edmond’s, Philadelphia

2. BOWE, Rev. John F., (1973)  Saint Joseph’s, Warrington

3. CADWALLADER, Rev. George B., (1992)  Saint Vincent De Paul, Richboro

4. CASTELLANI, Rev. Paul A., (1996)  Saint Philomena’s, Lansdowne

5. CHAPMAN, Rev. Michael A., (1982)  Ascension of Our Lord, Philadelphia

6. ClOSE, Rev. Msgr. John A., (1969)  Saint Katharine of Siena, Wayne

7. FERET, Rev. Msgr. Francis S. (1962)  Saint Adalbert’s, Philadelphia, PA 19134

8. FERNANDES, Rev. Mark E. (2004)  Saint Agnes, Sellersville, PA

9. FLOOD, Rev. Msgr. J. Michael (1968)  Saint Luke the Evangelist, Glenside

10. GASPAR, Rev. Mark S., (1998)  Our Lady of Charity, Brookhaven

11. GLATTS, Rev. Joseph M., (1966)  Pastor Emeritus, St. Andrew Parish, Drexel Hill, now at Saints Simon and Jude rectory, West Chester

12. HARRIS, Rev. Steven J., (1980)  Saint Isaac Jogues, Wayne

13. HOY, Rev. Daniel J. Retired, Our Lady of the Assumption Rectory, Strafford

14. LOGRIP, Rev. Msgr. Joseph L. 1972)  Chaplain, Saint Mary’s Manor, Saint Stanislaus Rectory, Lansdale

15. MCCORMICK, Rev. Andrew D., (1982)  Sacred Heart Rectory, Swedesburg

16. NAVIT, Rev. Zachary W.(1994)  Director, Office for Special Projects & Closures Our Lady of GuadalupeRectory, Doylestown

17. PETERSON, Rev. Leonard N., (1967)  Saint Maria Goretti, Hatfield

18. POVISH, Rev. Robert W. (1990)  Chaplain, State Correctional Institute, Graterford; Saint Eleanor Rectory, Collegeville

19. REARDON, Rev. John D. (1973)  Saint John of the Cross Rectory, Roslyn

20. Rooney, Rev. Thomas J. (1991)  Chaplain, Immaculate Mary Home; Saint Timothy’s, Philadelphia

21. Talocci, Rev. Peter J., (1986)  Saint Patrick’s, Malvern

Note: Number in parentheses represents year in which priest was ordained.

Philadelphia Police Officer Caught on Tape Assaulting Woman

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 13:56:00 +0000

Alberto Lopez Sr. assaulted a woman. He then arrested her for assaulting a police officer. At a preliminary hearing, he lied under oath. The victim of police misconduct was ordered to stand trial. Then this videotape surfaced.

Philadelphia police officers asked the gas station owner to delete it. He refused. The woman was vindicated. Philadelphia's legal system, however, remains under indictment.

Officer Lopez Sr. is still carrying a badge and gun. Although he perjured himself, the District Attorney's office has declined to prosecute him. Lopez Sr. remains armed and dangerous.

The police officers who "asked" the gas station owner to delete the video also remain at large. They have not and will not be prosecuted for obstruction of justice. They have not and will not be punished by the Internal Affairs Department for committing police misconduct.

Here is the amazing video:

You may read more here.

Rejecting Preventive Health Care

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 05:22:00 +0000

Image via Wikipedia

When we absitively to accommodate affection affliction to all behindhand of whether they could allow it, we didn't apprehend we were activity to bear healthcare to all, behindhand of whether they capital it. The affair surfaces as "healthcare" adjoin "sickness care". How's that, again?

The angle that preventing ache is above to alleviative disease, goes aback at atomic to Benjamin Franklin. In arguing that the Pennsylvania Legislature affliction to advice body the nation's aboriginal hospital, Franklin offered the adage that it would save money in the continued run to amusement bodies aboriginal and get them aback to work. At that aboriginal time, Franklin could hardly accept advancing that it isn't consistently true. Antitoxin anesthetic implies it is cheaper to absorb baby amounts, possibly every year, for abounding people, than to absorb ample amounts for a few. It's a amount of arithmetic, of course, and it doesn't consistently accept the aforementioned answer. Aback the algebraic works adjoin a antitoxin approach, it's usually argued the accretion in bloom is account it; but that's not consistently the case, either. Already a being gets too old to accomplish an bread-and-butter contribution, the blueprint changes. And as an alone approaches end of life, his abandonment of what it takes to prolong activity gathers added respect. Older bodies are generally in the bearings area they are affronted by any advancement their activity does not deserve to be prolonged, but outspokenly adopt to die rather than abrasion a colostomy bag, or a tube in the bladder, or be fed with a spoon. If they are Jehovah's Witnesses and debris transfusions, that too, commands added account aback they are elderly. This is a accustomed problem, not a new one. What's new is added attenuate and pervasive.

The accessible apparently does not actually acknowledge the dematerialization of what ability be alleged arbitrary diseases, or the operation of chance, or God's will. These are baleful illnesses like affection attacks, strokes, epidemics, and added things not anyone's fault. Except for blight and Alzheimers Disease, best actually accepted austere illnesses which remain, are to some admeasurement self-inflicted. Smoking causes lung cancer, alcoholism causes accidents and homicides as able-bodied as cirrhosis of the liver, demography recreational drugs destroys lives, caught sex causes HIV. Obesity causes hypertension and diabetes, apathy your anesthetic undermines treatment. If this keeps up, we are activity to see the day aback every obituary will be too base to print. Poor Jud is dead; it's his own fault.

It's alike worse than that. The 800-page Obamacare plan was too complicated for alike the Congressional committees to understand; but the accessible was not adverse for abstruse reasons, the accessible was annoyed at the idea. All the President's ample about extenuative money by binding antitoxin affliction affronted the accessible to acquaint him, Get off my back. Almost every smoker has approved at atomic already to quit, actually every adipose being has again approved to lose weight unsuccessfully. It's hard, let's see you try it. And now it goes above nagging, we are activity to booty the position that every being who gets ailing from a self-inflicted ache is costing the nation money we can't afford. The country has a appropriate to abuse bodies who drive us to bankruptcy. Let's accept some Wellness police, and fair but close punishments. Is that actually what Obama has in mind? Well,sir, you aloof get off my back.

Even so acquiescent and binding a being as my backward wife already declared that aback she got to be seventy years old, she was activity to try some marijuana at atomic once. The actuality that she lived thirteen added years than that after accomplishing it, did not change her attitude. Aback you get to a assertive age, abounding of the old rules don't administer to you.

Miller Time No more in Philly

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 23:25:00 +0000

Image by Getty Images via Daylife

In case you were still wondering, it was fabricated official yesterday. Andre Miller is not best in the Sixers fold. Yesterday, he active a 3 year 21 actor dollar accord with the Portland Trail Blazers. Reportedly, 14 actor is guaranteed.

Go advanced Andre. It sounds like a acceptable accord for ya. Portland has some amazing talent, but was hardly defective in point bouncer experience. No boldness to Jeff Blake … the above University of Maryland alum has bottomward able-bodied with the bound abilities he has, but he lacks the adept adeptness that Miller has.

I accept a abundant acknowledgment for Andre afterwards watching him comedy here. Like abounding I mistook his quiet address for a abridgement of intensity. But I abstruse to acknowledge the able casual skills, the aerial basketball IQ, the affection that he possesses. He has put on some amazing shows in a Sixers uniform.

I will absence him, but I’m blessed he is gone. Because of his astonishing band of after amateur played ( 500+ games) there is little time for added guards to comedy the point. And his pride and will to win were so ample that he would force things. Try to booty over amateur back the Sixers bare it.

When they bare it best … is was Miller time. But no one abroad on this aggregation would footfall up. Now addition has to footfall up to ample Miller’s shoes. The adolescent bucks accept apparent him do it. Now it’s their turn. I don’t apperceive who it will be, but someone’s got to.

Good luck Andre. We will delay and if it works out for you and Portland. Because Portland got handled in the playoffs by the underdog Rockets … No beneath than a 1st annular playoff alternation win will arresting success …. Something that Andre Miller has never done.

22Jul Extreme 50 comes to Philadelphia

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 11:00:00 +0000

Image via CrunchBase

I’m not into fast cars, or planes. Nope, they do annihilation for me. I’ll acquaint you appetite absolutely makes me happy: fast Internet downloads. If that makes me a beatnik (which I’m appealing abiding it does) so be it, the Internet is a big allotment of my activity and I’m not abashed to accept it.

My attraction with accelerated downloads (and uploads for that matter) has translated into a agog absorption in DOCSIS 3.0, which we accept mentioned on Comcast Voices before. DOCSIS 3.0, additionally alleged wideband by those in the know, is the technology that allows us to action actual fast speeds indeed.

At the moment we’ve formed out DOCSIS 3.0 to about 25 actor homes and businesses to date, which agency lots of bodies accept the befalling to assurance up for either Ultra 22 (up to 22 Mbps of downstream/up to 5 Mbps of upstream) or Extreme 50 (up to 50 Mbps of after speed/up to 10 Mbps of upstream speed).

Today we’re announcement some agitative account (especially for me, as I am a citizen of city Philadelphia): we’ve completed the DOCSIS 3.0 barrage for the absolute City of Philadelphia and surrounding area, which includes Bucks, Chester, Delaware, and Montgomery counties as able-bodied as southern New Jersey and arctic Delaware.

If you aren’t a acceleration aberration like me (I plan on advance to Extreme 50 as anon as humanly possible) don’t worry, acknowledgment to the DOCSIS 3.0 cycle out we’ve additionally angled the speeds for the majority of our absolute accelerated Internet barter at no cost.

Black Philadelphia badge sue over bulletin board, say it’s racist

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 21:18:00 +0000

Image via Wikipedia

(CNN) -- A accumulation of atramentous Philadelphia badge admiral filed a federal accusation Thursday adjoin their department, alleging an online appointment geared adjoin burghal badge is "infested with racist, white abolitionist and anti-African-American content."

The clothing alleges white admiral column on and abstinent the abreast operated site, Domelights.com, both on and off the job.

Domelights' users "often antic about the racially abhorrent annotation on the armpit ... or will acknowledgment them in advanced of atramentous badge officers," appropriately creating "a racially adverse assignment environment," according to attorneys for the all-black Guardian Civic League, the advance plaintiff in the suit.

A attending at the site's forums Friday for racist comments begin several possibilities.

Reads one: "In burghal areas, it seems [African-Americans] active on abundance in paid for apartment is built-in in their ability as able-bodied as fighting. ... Kids, forth with adults can't allege able English or spell at a 3rd brand level, but they can sing amid "theyselves" the lyrics to a rap song."

Said addition Domelights user of an African-American woman: "She is a archetypal archetype of that exact non tax paying, no car allowance driving, bad braid wearing, all the whitey's are racist atramentous women."

The site's tagline is "the articulation of the acceptable guys."

"Every time African-Americans do or say article in our city, we get this backfire of cops who anticipate they're bearding on this Web armpit -- aloof racist, nasty, aching things about what we do," said Rochelle Bilal, the admiral of the Guardian Civic League and a 23-year adept of the force.

The league's advocate said added atramentous admiral answer Bilal's statement.

"We've heard the aforementioned adventure over and over again, which is that [African-American officers] attestant in the abode Domelights actuality acclimated and discussed [in a ancestral manner]," said Brian Mildenberg, whose close is additionally apery several band from a mostly atramentous Philadelphia day affected that afresh acquired civic absorption back its associates were angry abroad from a bathe club.

He said it was "a allowance from the blast in a way that the two things happened at once."

While Mildenberg and Bilal said they had been ecology the 10-year-old Web armpit for years, the basin adventure did assume to comedy into the timing of the lawsuit.

"When they said article about our pretty, brown, young, innocent accouchement and alleged them monkeys because they capital to go swimming, that was enough," Bilal said.

She may accept been apropos to this animadversion acquaint on Domelights: "Maybe the bodies who assignment for a active didn't appetite to bathe with a agglomeration of ghetto monkey faces."

The accusation additionally highlights comments fabricated on Domelights by the site's architect and administrator, a baker in the Philadelphia badge force who goes by the online handle "McQ."

A account from McQ that Mildenberg declared as "racially calumniating commentary" reads, "Blacks and added minorities frequently don't accept the assets that white bodies have. Consequently, blacks may not be able to accumulate their cartage inspected, registered, and roadworthy."

McQ is additionally listed as a actor in the lawsuit. Asked why McQ bears albatross for the racist animadversion of his site's bearding commenters, Mildenberg said it was because "he started it."

The being accepted as McQ did not acknowledge to a appeal for comment, but acquaint a bulletin on the armpit citation the lawsuit. McQ wrote that the clothing may account the Web armpit to be suspended, but added his account was not an acceptance of wrongdoing.

"I actually abjure any atrocity on my part," the bulletin reads. "I did not accomplish racist posts. I did not advance the Web armpit on burghal time."

Ideally, Mildenberg said, his audience would like to see the armpit shut down. Failing that, they appetite Philadelphia badge admiral to be banned from announcement comments on the site, decidedly during alive hours.

The plaintiffs in the class-action clothing additionally are gluttonous bearding banking amercement accessible beneath the Civil Rights Act for Philadelphia's 2,300 African-American badge officers, according to Mildenberg.

Shelley Smith, Philadelphia's burghal solicitor, said. "The accusation is about a clandestine Web site. It's not a badge administration Web site. It's not operated or overseen by the badge department. The allegations adjoin the burghal and badge administration are misplaced."

Pedro Martinez joins Philadelphia Phillies

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 12:03:00 +0000

Martinez joining Phillies

Pedro Martinez promised to put on quite a show when he returns to the majors with the Philadelphia Phillies.

The N.L. East leaders are hoping it will be a vintage performance.
Pedro Martinez

Pedro Martinez
STORY TOOLS

* E-mail story
* Comments (0)
* Printer friendly

related linksMore Baseball

* Minnesota Twins need second-half heroics again
* Chipper Jones' hit makes Braves cheer
* Around the majors: Injuries hurting Mets

Share and Enjoy Share and Enjoy [?]
Share on Facebook

Martinez completed a $1 million, one-year deal with the Phillies on Wednesday, and he can earn up to $1.5 million in incentives. The three-time Cy Young Award winner hasn't pitched since last season and won eight games in 25 starts over his final two seasons with the Mets.

"I don't expect to be the same Pedro that I was when I was 26," the 37-year-old right-hander said. "There's a lot of innings I've pitched since then. It's not the same, but I still feel like I can still bring something to the table."

General manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said Martinez could be ready to pitch in two to three weeks.

All-Star ratings down slightly

The All-Star game's television ratings were down slightly from last year. Fox said Wednesday that the American League's 4-3 win Tuesday night earned a 8.9 fast national rating and 15 share. That's down 4 percent from the 9.3/16 for the first nine innings of the 15-inning marathon in 2008.

Briefly

The Minnesota Twins have recalled right-hander Kevin Mulvey from Triple-A Rochester and optioned third catcher Jose Morales to Rochester. ... Pittsburgh Pirates reliever Tyler Yates has undergone right elbow surgery and will miss the rest of the season.

-- Associated Press

Porn actor gets 3-8 years in Pa. rooftop break-ins

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 12:02:00 +0000

PHILADELPHIA — A porn star who was accused of using a handsaw and an ax to break into stores through their rooftops while his twin brother and occasional co-star acted as a lookout is going to prison for at least three years.

Taleon Goffney, who appeared with his brother in such gay skin flicks as "Marc and the Twins," was arrested last year after police said they saw the twins breaking into a beauty shop.

He pleaded guilty to two counts each of burglary and criminal conspiracy and was sentenced to three to eight years. Charges including criminal trespass, receiving stolen property and possession of an instrument of crime were dropped in exchange for his pleas.

Goffney, 27, could have faced up to 40 years in prison if convicted after trial.

"Thank you for your lenience in accepting my plea," Goffney, of Pennsauken, N.J., told a judge in court Wednesday. "These crimes won't be happening again."

Goffney's twin brother, Keyontyli Goffney, also is charged and appeared at Wednesday's hearing, but it was unclear if he planned to negotiate a plea. He's due back in court Aug. 6. Neither his lawyer, Gerald Stein, nor Assistant District Attorney Caroline Keating immediately returned telephone calls from The Associated Press on Thursday.

Keating told the Philadelphia Daily News that Taleon Goffney is sure to serve at least the minimum three years due to his prior criminal record. Goffney's lawyer, Michael F. Gushue, told the newspaper that his client plans to complete his college education while in prison.

"I think he's had an epiphany," Gushue said. "He's a bright young man."

The brothers have appeared in Internet porn videos under the names Teyon and Keyon, said Erik Schut, of Philadelphia-based video retailer TLA Entertainment Group. They could have had good careers if they hadn't gotten into trouble, he said in February.

"They are incredibly good-looking, and being identical twins, it's a novelty," Schut said then.

In "Marc and the Twins," the brothers offer to audition for chiseled porn star Marc Williams in a seedy hotel room and are seen rubbing each other's chests.

Keyontyli Goffney has appeared in porn since at least 2002 and worked as a fashion model, while Taleon Goffney got involved in porn more recently.

Taleon Goffney, who police believe is a trained gymnast and karate expert, has used his athleticism to make several daring escapes.

He was handcuffed in the back of a moving police cruiser after a 2006 drug arrest in Clementon, N.J., when he broke out the glass with his head and jumped into a lake while still handcuffed, police Chief Dave Kunkel said.

"He swam across like Flipper, taunting the officers, saying, 'You'll never catch me,'" Kunkel told the Daily News for a story in February.

He turned himself in a week later.

In January 2007, he jumped 30 feet from the roof of a Camden, N.J., liquor store and swam across the frigid Cooper River before he was caught, police said.

A defense lawyer, Jeffrey Zucker, said Goffney "should have signed up for the Olympics" and referred to him as Spider-Man.
Source AP

Philly Swim Club Accused of Racial Discrimination

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 05:05:00 +0000

A private swim club in suburban Philadelphia allegedly discriminated against minority children from a city day camp, denying the campers re-entry amid claims of racism, camp officials claim.

Alethea Wright, executive director of Creative Steps Inc., told MyFOXPhilly.com that the camp's check for $1,950 was returned after just one 90-minute session on June 29 at the Valley Club in Huntingdon Valley.

"I get a phone call from the board chair saying, 'You're no longer going to be able to swim here,'" said Wright, adding that she was not given a specific reason. "The other members were taking their children out while our children were swimming."

Wright said several African-American children of the 65 participants in her program allegedly overheard a Caucasian woman complaining about their presence at the pool.

John Duesler, president of the swim club, told FOX 29 in Philadelphia that the club "underestimated the impact the children would have." They "fundamentally changed the atmosphere" at the pool, he said.

Duesler insisted that race had "nothing" to do with the club's decision to rescind the summer-long agreement, but admitted that several club members had complained about the group. Duesler said those complaints were not race-related.

Camp officials, meanwhile, are not convinced.

"If the children didn't misbehave, we paid our membership in full, here's the check to prove it, what else could it be? We were the only minorities there,” Wright told MyFOXPhilly.com.

Parents and staff members at the day care are reportedly considering legal action against the swim club. Camp officials could not be reached for comment on Thursday and a voicemail box at the swim club was full.

The club sits on more than 10 acres of land and a houses a 110,000-gallon pool, according to its Web site. A single membership at the club, chartered in 1954, is $395 per year.

Click here to read more on this story at MyFOXPhilly.com.

Police shoot man dead near Philly's City Hall

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 18:37:00 +0000

PHILADELPHIA - Police officers shot and killed a homeless man near City Hall on Friday after he charged them with a knife, police said.

Police were called to an underground concourse next to the municipal services building across the street from City Hall at about 8:30 a.m. and found a 60-year-old man, authorities said. The man was brandishing a utility knife and charged the officers, who both fired, a police spokeswoman said.

The man, who is still unidentified, was pronounced dead just after 9 a.m. at Hahnemann University Hospital. The officers were uninjured.

Deputy Commissioner Kevin Bethel said one of the officers had previous contact with the man.

"The officer knows this male as being homeless in the area," he said. "What transpired to cause him to brandish a utility knife on the officer remains under investigation."

The confrontation happened near City Hall and Suburban Station, an area generally crowded with commuters on weekdays but was not as busy as usual because of the July 4 holiday.

"This individual could have decided to use his utility knife against someone walking through" the concourse, Bethel said.

Allen Iverson Wants to Play Where??

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 23:44:00 +0000

This hurts my heart. Here I am, sitting here in my office every day like a sucker, hoping that at some point I’m eventually going to see breaking news that tells me that the Sixers have figured out a way (peace, Andre Miller) to sign Allen Iverson so that he can finish his career in Philly while he still has something left.

And then I come across this:

Several NBA sources have confirmed to me that controversial and wildly popular guard Allen Iverson - through representatives - has made the Grizzlies aware that he would like to play in Memphis.

The veteran, prolific scorer is a free agent for the first time in his professional career. While no deal is imminent and conversations have been only cursory, Griz brass are said to be internally weighing the pros and cons of possibly adding Iverson to the team’s youth movement.

Iverson would certainly have to take a major pay cut from the $21 million he earned last season with Detroit. The Griz would only entertain Iverson with what they’d deem a reasonable price, and if the 34-year-old agreed to play off the bench.

Ugh. The Sixers are going to stink for the next few years - honestly, the very, very best they can probably hope to do is finish fourth in the East. And as long as LeBron and Dwight are still in the East, there’s pretty much zero chance of them ever seeing the Finals. Give Philly fans some sort of basketball enjoyment watching Allen do his thing in a Sixers uni instead of just fading away in some place like Memphis. Yes, I’m serious.

Just bring Allen home, please.

Philadelphia's newest officers hit the streets

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 16:00:00 +0000

NORTH PHILADELPHIA - June 29, 2009 (WPVI) -- They are the final graduating class from the Police Academy - for now.
Family and friends packed McGonigle Hall in North Philadelphia today for the Philadelphia Police Academy graduation ceremony.

The city's budget problems have forced the department to implement a hiring freeze with no word on when they'll start recruiting again.
"Unless we get some relief in this upcoming budget, or the federal cops' grant comes through, that's it for a period of time," said Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey.

The good news for police brass is that with 152 new officers, today's graduating class was particularly large. Each is looking forward to the challenges that come with the job.

"My dad's a cop, my grandfather was a cop, so it's tradition," said new graduate Keith Samarco. "I just want to be able to protect the city."

"There's a lot of pride, dignity, honor," said new graduate Shavon Jones. "I feel very respected."

These ceremonies traditionally honor a police officer killed in the line of duty. But because of the recent rash of violence against city officers and the sheer size of this class, this time they honored four.

They include Officers Isabel Nazario, Chuck Cassidy, Gary Skerski and Sgt. Patrick McDonald. Members of these officers' families were given plaques recognizing their loved one's sacrifice.

"I'm very proud of the Philadelphia Police Department and the Police Academy for doing this," said McDonald's father, Larry McDonald. "How can you not be proud when they honor your son in such a way?"

The Academy's 355th class hits the streets of Philadelphia as newly minted police officers tomorrow morning.

Truck Kills Child In Philadelphia

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 15:58:00 +0000

A 12-year-old boy is dead after being hit by a tractor-trailer in the Mayfair neighborhood of Philadelphia.

The truck driver stopped at the scene of Monday afternoon's accident. Officer Tanya Little says the boy was stuck in the truck's right rear tires.

Police say the child was pronounced dead at Aria Health's Torresdale Campus a short time after he was struck.

Sixers Officially Announce a Return to the Old Classic Logo

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 14:51:00 +0000

It's official. In a move that has been anticipated for months, the Sixers have announced today that they have "re-launched their brand identity" and are going back to the classic 76ers logo worn by former champions like Julius Erving. While the new official uniforms won't be unveiled for a few more months, we're told they'll be an updated interpretation of the
throwback unis they wore this year. The return to the classic logo is a smart move by the organization. Recent iterations of the Sixers logo had lost the timelessness of previous styles, with gold and swooshes replacing strong and simple lettering. And heck, if the salary cap system won't let you shed old contracts, at least you can change the on-court appearance in the most

In terms of merchandising, the move is a no brainer. Personally, I've never purchased any Sixers gear bearing their most recent logo, but I've gone out of my way to track down attire with the retro feel to it.

The announcement was made today at the Comcast Center downtown. The700Level.com reader Nick tweeted the below photo of the event.

Smart move on the Sixers part all around. What are your thoughts on the change?

Some other quotes from important Philadelphians on the change:

Governor Ed Rendell - Pennsylvania Governor

“The
Sixers are one of the most storied franchises in the NBA, and the new
logo represents the very best of the Sixers tradition. It’s great to
see it making a comeback.”

Mayor Michael Nutter - City of Philadelphia Mayor

"Seeing
the return of the 76ers old logo with the red, white, and blue colors
brings me back to the time of growing up watching Wilt Chamberlain, Hal
Greer, Dr. J, and those great teams. I am excited now, as I was then, for Sixers basketball."

Julius Erving - Philadelphia 76ers | 1976 – 1987

“I always felt the Sixers were the patriotic team. Boston always had the parquet floor. You’d go to L.A.
and everything was gold, white, with a touch of blue. Our thing was
red, white and blue. This floor reaps of that when you look at our
logos. We’re true red-blooded American by design.”

- as told to NBA Entertainment

Bobby Jones - Philadelphia 76ers | 1978 – 1986

“I am happy the Sixers are going back to the ‘old' logo. I like it because it is clear and clean and a simple representation of the historical value of the City of Philadelphia to this nation. It also represents some very good teams that have played under that logo.”

Philadelphia Bar Association Receives National Solo and Small Firm Project Award

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 20:44:00 +0000

The Philadelphia Bar Association will receive the 2009 Solo and Small Firm Project Award from the American Bar Association for its efforts to support the work of solo practitioners and small firm lawyers through its Law Practice Management Division .
The Philadelphia Bar Association will receive this award from the General Practice, Solo and Small Firm Division of the American Bar Association during its Division Council Meeting on Saturday, August 1 as part of the ABA Annual Meeting .
Recognizing that attorneys are taught skills to practice law but do not necessarily know how to build a successful practice, the Philadelphia Bar Association created the Law Practice Management Division in 2006 to help its members develop and improve the business side of their law practices .
The focus quickly turned to small and solo firms, since most large firms have in-house staff to handle business management .
The LPM Division provides one-stop shopping for members that includes resources for business and financial management, technology, marketing and vendor/consultant relationships .
Highlights of the program include: A Vendor/Consultant Referral Program that interviews, vets and then matches vendors or consultants with Bar Association members requiring assistance in various practice areas such as accounting and bookkeeping, client development, business coaching, information technology, network, web support, and more .
Matches include a free one-hour consultation .
Although vendors are vetted by a committee, members can make referrals or visit the Bar Association's web page: www.philadelphiabar.org/page/LawPracticeManagementDivision .
A range of continuing legal education programs throughout the year on topics relevant to solo and small-firm lawyers .
A range of committees including Business Management, Financial Management, Marketing and Technology that address key issues and offer diverse programming .
Founded in 1802, the 13,000-member Philadelphia Bar Association is America's first chartered metropolitan bar association and the largest in Pennsylvania .
Attorneys, judges and politicians look to the Philadelphia Bar Association for guidance on controversial legal issues and as an organized meeting ground for professional support and information sharing .
The Philadelphia Bar Association also provides help and general information on legal issues to members of the general public .
source
http://www.financial24.org

Philadelphia Phillies Mid-Season Report

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 20:42:00 +0000

The Philadelphia Phillies are in first place in National League East and are five games over .500, but the season has been more disappointing than thrilling.

They are currently riding a six-game losing streak and now head into Tampa for a World Series rematch with the American League Champion Tampa Bay Rays. With a few weeks to go before the mid-summer classic, let's look at a mid-season report on the reigning World Series Champions.

What's Looking Good

* The Phillies are 36-31 and are 1.5 games up on division rival New York Mets.
* The best story of the year has got to be the emerging star of Raul Ibanez. With veteran Pat Burrell leaving, the Phillies were wondering where that missing thunder would come from. It didn't take long to see that Ibanez would be that immediate answer. Before landing on the DL, Ibanez was batting over .300 with a team-leading 22 home runs. He was the protection the team was needing behind Chase Utley and Ryan Howard. The Phillies really need him back in the middle of the lineup.
* Utley and Howard are doing exactly what they are supposed to do. They are driving in runs and the ball is jumping out of the yard.

What's Not Looking Good

* The biggest disappointment is leadoff hitter Jimmy Rollins. He is floating above the Mendoza Line with his OBP and stolen base numbers really struggling. Manager Charlie Manuel doesn't like moving him from the leadoff spot because he frankly doesn't know who else to put there.
* Brad Lidge. Lidge last year was "Lights Out Lidge." This year it's been more like "Blow Up Brad." Every save is a nightmare as is every blown save he gives up. He is now on the DL, and it might be just what he needed. Hopefully he can come back and be his dominant self that the Phillies got used to in 2008.

Looking Ahead

The Phillies are struggling but are still in first place. The Mets are falling apart injury wise, and the Phillies need to extend the lead before it is too late. The Braves and Marlins don't show immediate threats, and the Nationals will be mathematically eliminated by the All-Star break.

If the Phillies can stay healthy and get that lineup into postseason-form soon, I don't see them not making the playoffs and putting up a great fight to defend their title.

End of season prediction: 90-72 record, finishing in first place in the NL East.

They will look to add another strong starting arm (hopefully Jake Peavy), and Rollins will have a terrific second half batting .320 and scoring tons of runs in front of the power bats of Utley, Howard, and Ibanez.

Go Phillies. Beat the Mets.
source
http://bleacherreport.com

How Will Dionte Christmas Fare?

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 12:22:00 +0000

by Patrick ‘Rey’ Reynell

Quite a few Temple University guards continued their careers at the highest level of professional basketball these last two decades. Some became first round draft picks while others signed after going undrafted.

With the 2009 NBA Draft finally coming Thursday June 25, Dionte Christmas has completed all of his pre-draft workouts including an invite to the draft combine in Chicago. Toronto, Washington, Houston, Oklahoma City, Detroit, San Antonio, Milwaukee, and Chicago all invited Christmas for personal workouts as well. Much like his Owl predecessors, Christmas has been projected all over the draft board. He could go late in the first round or drop well into the second.

Though this history of Temple guards in the NBA is a celebrated one, not every player achieved their anticipated success after draft night. Dionte Christmas’ career could go either way.

The following is a brief history of former Temple guards and their time in the NBA since 1990.

Mark Macon 1991-1998 | 1st round pick by Denver, Detroit

Macon is the most distinguished guard in Temple history. He remains the school’s and Atlantic 10’s all-time leading scorer with 2,609 points, finishing with a career average of nearly 21 points per game. Macon was an All-American as a freshman, a season that saw Temple rise to no. 1 in the nation. The Denver Nuggets drafted Macon eighth overall in the 1991 draft.

Photo by John W. McDonough

Potential and high hopes became unfulfilled expectations for Macon in the NBA. Macon started 67 games in his rookie campaign, but his ability to get to the rim in college became a challenge at the professional level. He shot atrociously from the field (38 percent) and certainly did not show any adept shooting from long range, hitting only 4 three-pointers all season. As the starting point guard, he turned the ball over a staggering 155 times, good for over 2 a game. Macon was, however, a reliable on-the-ball defender.

Injuries limited his playing time the following season in Denver and would continue to plague him the rest of his career. This allowed Robert Pack and Chris Jackson to see more time at point. Denver’s up-tempo style with Pack pleased the Nuggets’ organization, and they became wary of fans seeing the eighth overall pick coming off the bench. In November of 1994, The Nuggets traded Macon after two lackluster seasons and only 7 games into his third. He would stay in Detroit until the 1998-1999 season.

Macon would go on to play in Europe and South American leagues. He returned to Temple as John Chaney’s assistant and has since moved on to other assistant coaching stints in the NCAA ranks. Macon and his Temple teams will perhaps be considered the best in the school’s history largely due to having three stellar NBA talent guards. The other two were Eddie Jones and Aaron McKie.

Eddie Jones 1994-2007 | 1st round pick by LA Lakers, Charlotte Hornets, Miami, Memphis, Dallas

Jones has the most successful NBA career out of recent Temple guards in the NBA in terms of statistical and team success. He’s played the most games (954) and most seasons (13) than any other Temple player in the NBA. He’s also seen the most playoff action, playing nearly a whole NBA season in his postseason career (81 games).

While at Temple, the 6′6″ guard became a prototype for the style of play John Chaney wanted on North Broad Street: a big guard who could get up and down the floor quickly and play tenacious defense. Jones saw an increase in his offensive output each year, eventually averaging nearly 20 a game in his junior season toward becoming the Atlantic 10 Conference player of the year.

He could rebound well, averaging a collegiate career high of 7 his sophomore season. His shooting was efficient from all areas of the court, shooting a career 46 percent from the field and 35 percent from three-point range. But most importantly for Chaney, Jones became a great defender. He could match-up out of Chaney’s signature 3-2 zone and pressure smaller, quicker ball-handlers as well as bigger wings. He was a menace on the backside and anticipated reversal well.

Jones’ game translated well to the professional level. Drafted tenth overall by the Los Angeles Lakers, he ended up playing for five different teams but remained a reliable commodity taking each of his teams to the playoffs. Later in his career, it was probably Jones’ contract that was shopped around more than Jones himself.

His career averages over 13 seasons are more than respectable: 14.8 points, 1.7 steals, 2.9 assists, 4 rebounds, while starting in 902 out of his 954 career games. His playoff numbers are not much different, averaging nearly the same amount all the while shooting the ball better than his regular season percentages.

Aaron McKie 1994-2006 | 1st round pick by Portland, Detroit, Philadelphia, LA Lakers

Eddie Jones made it back-to-back Temple guards as conference players of the year because teammate Aaron McKie won the award the previous season as a sophomore. Like Jones, McKie opted for the NBA after his junior year in 1994. Portland drafted McKie with the seventeenth overall pick.

McKie served as quite the “tweener” for Chaney’s Owls. At 6′5″, he could play a wing position and defend bigger players. But McKie also was a deft ball-handler with exceptional court vision, often running the point. Where Eddie Jones’ assist-to-turnover ratio remained even throughout his collegiate and professional career, McKie handled the ball much more and gave out more assists. He averaged over 3 assists per game in every season at Temple. He also averaged nearly 21 points in his sophomore campaign. That season McKie and Jones carried Temple to yet another Regional Final, losing to eventual national runner-up Michigan, 77-72.

McKie played in a total of 12 NBA seasons and nearly 800 games making the playoffs with each of his teams. His most successful time came with his hometown Philadelphia 76ers between 2000 and 2002.

McKie was awarded the Sixth Man of the Year trophy for his efforts in the 2000-2001 season. He also recorded back-to-back triple doubles in that season. The 76ers Won the East but lost to the Los Angeles Lakers in the Finals. McKie played a major role in those playoffs, averaging just over 14 and a half points a game, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists. He became the team’s second leading scorer in the playoffs behind Allen Iverson and emerged pivotal in Philadelphia’s brief resurrection as NBA title contenders.

The years following 2002 saw a dramatic drop in McKie’s numbers. Philadelphia released him in 2005. He later signed with Los Angeles Lakers for two seasons, playing in only 24 games. McKie spent a brief period as an assistant coach with the Philadelphia 76ers but has since left the league.

Rick Brunson 1995-2007 | New York, Boston, Chicago, Toronto, LA Clippers, Seattle, Houston, Philadelphia

Brunson became an NBA journeyman and turned out an almost unrecognizable nine year career. While at Temple between 1991 and 1995, Brunson’s consistency at the guard position probably attracted NBA scouts. He averaged nearly 17 points per game his senior season and, similar to his previous seasons, averaged about 4 assist to go along with nearly 6 rebounds.

Brunson’s best year in the NBA came with the Los Angeles Clippers. He played in 80 games and averaged 5 and a half point per contest. He also dished out a little over 5 assists a game to go along with 2 rebounds.

The Clippers released Brunson after the season to make way for Cuttino Mobley. Brunson never found the success he had with the Clippers.

Brunson moved on to coaching with a brief stint with the Nuggets and at the University of Virginia. He now serves as the assistant coach for the University of Hartford where John Chaney’s former top assistant, Dan Leibovitz, serves as head coach.

Pepe Sanchez 2000-2002 | Atlanta, Philadelphia, Detroit

The oft referred to “crafty” Argentinean honed his skills with the likes of Manu Ginobili while playing for the youth team of Club Bahiense del Norte in his native country.

While playing point guard in North Philadelphia, Sanchez took the Owls to a regional final in 1999 where they’d eventually lose to no. 1 seeded Duke, 85-64. Sanchez averaged nearly 3 steals a game every year while at Temple. He currently sits third all time in NCAA men’s basketball in steals with 365, behind John Linehan (Providence) with 385 and Erik Murdock (Providence) with 376.

He only averaged double digits once (10 a game his freshman year) but slowly developed into a playmaking point guard. His senior year saw his assist average rise to a collegiate career high 8 a game.

As successful as Sanchez and Temple were in the late 1990s, he never found a permanent home in the NBA. He only played in 38 games in two seasons and never averaged more than 7 minutes a game. Sanchez’s limited offensive arsenal probably contributed to his NBA demise. A great basketball mind, but not necessarily the athleticism to finish or create his own shot if defenders forced him.

Sanchez now plays his professional basketball in Spain. His style probably more suited for an international flavor, don’t expect Sanchez to ever make it back to the NBA.

Lynn Greer 2006 | Milwaukee

The left-handed point-guard was lightning quick, but had to be considering he stood only 6′2″, though he seems much smaller in person. He had the ability to blow by his defender off the dribble and consistently attacked the lane to create for all teammates.

Big man Kevin Lyde thrived playing for Greer. Scouts considered Lyde a second round pick after his junior year, but he returned for a lackluster senior season on North Broad Street. He never made it to the NBA. Lyde is, however, a perfect example of what competent point guard Greer was. The scouts loved Lyde because he became so proficient at flattening out and making precise moves to the basket on assists from Greer. The tandem of Greer and Lyde ended up being one of the best for John Chaney while at Temple. The Owls made it to the Regional Final in 2001 where they lost to no. 1 seeded Michigan State.

Certainly the NBA, filled with big men who, like Lyde, would love a guard that could get them the ball on the low block, had room for a guy like Greer. Somehow, though, Greer’s talent did not translate itself into NBA success.

No team drafted Greer in 2002. He took his game to Europe for a few years until Milwaukee eventually signed him in 2006. He ended up playing just half a season. He continued to take care of the basketball with only 18 turnovers in 41 games while also handing out 1.2 assists.

Since his short stint as a Buck, Greer decided to take his game back to Europe and has thrived with Greek powerhouse, Olympiacos.

Mardy Collins 2006-present | 1st round pick by New York Knicks, LA Clippers

Mardy Collins remains the lone Owl still active on an NBA roster. In college, Collins earned the reputation as a 6′6″ point guard who shot well from the field, create for teammates and himself, and handle pressure in half or full court. He abused smaller guards with his back-to-the-basket approach much like Magic Johnson. He also displayed athleticism and versatility to get by and finish against bigger guards. Big, athletic, and quick for a guy well over 200 pounds, Collins seemed like an NBA point guard in the making. Plus, he came with four years of college experience.

The NBA experts put him very high on their boards, some even going as high as fifteen. They all agreed that he would translate well to NBA play and would be a steal for whomever selected him. Collins barely stayed in the first round falling to the Knicks at twenty-ninth. A few not-so-stellar years in New York that saw little playing time, and Collins ended up being dealt to the Clippers with Zach Randolph and his monstrous contract.

Collins’ move to the Clippers may end up being a good one for him. Since arriving there and battling a nagging foot injury, Collins has seen his numbers increase in every category. He’s shot extremely well from the field (43 percent, 46 percent from three). If the Clippers decide to re-sign him, he could flourish as their point guard. As long as Baron Davis sticks around, Collins will continue to assume a role off the bench. However, between Davis’ injuries, a large contract, and still some demand in the league, Collins could find himself as the only point guard should Davis depart.

Dionte Christmas 2009-?

The next Temple guard to have his name called on draft night will be Dionte Christmas. The four-year player certainly has had his share of illustrious collegiate highlights. He led the Atlantic 10 in scoring for three straight seasons averaging nearly 20 points. He led Temple to back-to-back Atlantic 10 tournament titles the past two years. Unfortunately, those titles remained the only accolade as the Owls were eliminated in the first round of the NCAA tournament each time.

Christmas, a John Chaney recruit, has transitioned the Temple program into the Fran Dunphy era. He saw little time in his freshman season, then needed to adjust from Chaney’s matchup zone to Dunphy’s man-to-man. Dunphy played him right away and Christmas thrived. He became the unquestionable go-to-guy who possessed deep shooting ability from beyond the arc. Often referred to as having an unorthodox release, Christmas was difficult to stop when his shot was on.

Fans often overlooked his defense. He was the best off-the-ball defender the Owls had; he could extend and defend passing lanes far from the basket and was a menace as a backside defender reading reversals and skip passes. He averaged 1.5 steals a game to lead the Owls in 2009 as well as nearly 6 rebounds, most of which came on the defensive end.

In order for Christmas to be successful at the NBA level, he will need to improve and become more than just a shooter. He had exactly as many assists as turnovers his senior year. His ball-handling leaves much to be desired, especially when pressured. Perhaps his biggest fault was his reluctance to attack the basket when his jump shot wasn’t falling. He could be extremely stubborn in trying to shoot himself out of a slump rather than penetrating and creating something for himself or a teammate.

Regardless, Christmas’ work ethic has shown that he can improve year after year. More than likely he will be drafted by a team that is in desperate need of a legitimate outside threat. He will probably go to Detroit in the second round with the thirty-fifth pick, or even fall to San Antonio at thirty-seven.

The question will not be if Christmas gets drafted, but how long and successful his NBA career will be. Many Temple guards fell short of expectations after stellar careers in North Philadelphia. Christmas can certainly be another Macon or Greer. If he remains consistent with his shooting ability, he may have a career like Brunson and move from team to team depending on who needs a shooter. But Christmas has the build and talent to contend with the careers of Jones and McKie. He’ll most likely never reach their level, but a ten-plus year career in the NBA should not be out of the question.

source
http://www.pickinsplinters.com

Top Philadelphia employers

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 12:20:00 +0000

Philadelphia International Airport (PHL)
United States Post Office (USPS) – 1775 Us Post Office began in Philadelphia and Ben Franklin the first Post Master
University of Pennsylvania Health System - ranked among the nation's top 10 by U.S.News & World Report. Awarded 2009 Top Docs

Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) - is one of Philadelphia’s largest employers and more so since 9/11 due to the increasing security needs.

Just a few days ago on June 16, 2009 the airport federal security director, Bob Ellis, told Linda Loyd, Philadelphia Inquirer Staff Writer that PHL received $26.6 million of the federal stimulus dollars for two new baggage screening units that includes explosive detection systems.

Currently, there are 1000 TSA employees at PHL. The new units will displace 250 screeners for reassignment at gates and other passenger-centric areas of the airport.

Employment openings at Philly International fall into two categories. Openings are either available:

1. Through the City of Philadelphia Job Opportunities at PHL - City of Philadelphia

2. Or the many businesses at PHL Job Opportunities at PHL - Airport Tenants

Current Job Openings / How to apply:

1. Search for jobs through the city at http://www.phl.org/employment_city.html or http://www.phl.org/employment_city.html

2. Search for jobs through tenants of PHL at http://www.phl.org/employment_tenants.html

University of Pennsylvania Health System (UPHS) or HUP, by Philadelphians, and translates to Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. Of course, system more appropriately describes the breadth of care in the Delaware Valley area. In addition to HUP, Penn has two other award-winning hospitals Penn Presbyterian Medical Center, and Pennsylvania Hospital

Current Job Openings / How to apply:

1. On the UPHS job list at http://pennhealth.hodesiq.com/careers/joblist.asp there are 357 jobs

2. Click on a job of interest, read the application tips, then apply on line.

United States Post Office (USPS) – July 26, 1775 Congress established the US Post in Philadelphia, PA.

Current Job Openings / How to apply: http://www.usps.com/employment/welcome.htm
source
http://www.examiner.com

Mourning Papa's Death

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 12:17:00 +0000

The Eagles mourn the passing of 6abc sportscaster Gary Papa, who died on Friday afternoon at the age of 54.

"On behalf of the entire Philadelphia Eagles organization, I am deeply saddened to learn of Gary's passing today," said Eagles Chairman/CEO Jeffrey Lurie. "Gary Papa was a centerpiece of sports coverage in the Philadelphia area for many years. I will always remember him for the energy and passion he brought to his profession, especially during some of the toughest times of his battle with cancer. WPVI and the entire Philadelphia region lost an icon today. Our condolences go out to his wife, Kathleen, his two sons, and his entire family at WPVI."

Mr. Papa joined WPVI in Philadelphia in 1981 and in 1990 was named Action News Sports Director. Mr. Papa covered the Eagles for many of those years and was visible in the team's locker room as a media presence.

Mr. Papa announced in 2004 on the air that he was battling prostate cancer and his fight became a very public one. Mr. Papa was able to devote much of his time to raise significant resources to fight the deadly cancer.

Gay Papa is survived by his wife, Kathleen, and sons Tucker and Nathaniel.

Lamborghini Murcielago LP640 crash – Philadelphia

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 12:16:00 +0000

Philadelphia police last night identified the driver of the Lamborghini sports car who lost control Friday in Southwest Philadelphia, killing himself and his passenger, as Adam Brown, 29, of Media.

Brown, a former police officer in Brookhaven, was president of a home-health-care franchise based in Drexel Hill.

The US$450,000 Lamborghini was speeding south on Essington Avenue about 6:25 p.m. when it went into the northbound lanes in the 7700 block and struck a Plymouth Voyager, then was hit by a Subaru Outback, investigators said. The other two drivers were not injured.

Brown was driving too fast for conditions and appeared to have lost control of the car, police said. Police said they would not identify the 60-year-old passenger because he has no known living relatives.

Source: Joseph A. Slobodzian of Philly.com

&lt;a href=&#8221;http://www.myfoxphilly.com/video/videoplayer.swf?skin=MP1ExternalAll-MFL.swf&amp;amp;embed=true&amp;amp;flv=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Emyfoxphilly%2Ecom%2Ffeeds%2FoutboundFeed%3FobfType%3DVIDEO%5FPLAYER%5FSMIL%5FFEED%26componentId%3D130137913&amp;amp;img=http%3A%2F%2Fmedia2%2Emyfoxphilly%2Ecom%2F%2Fphoto%2F2009%2F06%2F19%2F061909fatalax%5Ftmb0000%5F20090619221431%5F640%5F480%2EJPG&amp;amp;story=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Emyfoxphilly%2Ecom%2Fdpp%2Fnews%2Flocal%5Fnews%2F061909%5FFatal%5FMulti%5FCar%5FCollision&#8221; target=&#8221;_blank&#8221;&gt;http://www.myfoxphilly.com/video/videoplayer.swf?skin=MP1ExternalAll-MFL.swf&amp;amp;embed=true&amp;amp;flv=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Emyfoxphilly%2Ecom%2Ffeeds%2FoutboundFeed%3FobfType%3DVIDEO%5FPLAYER%5FSMIL%5FFEED%26componentId%3D130137913&amp;amp;img=http%3A%2F%2Fmedia2%2Emyfoxphilly%2Ecom%2F%2Fphoto%2F2009%2F06%2F19%2F061909fatalax%5Ftmb0000%5F20090619221431%5F640%5F480%2EJPG&amp;amp;story=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Emyfoxphilly%2Ecom%2Fdpp%2Fnews%2Flocal%5Fnews%2F061909%5FFatal%5FMulti%5FCar%5FCollision&lt;/a&gt;

2 dead in sports-car crash

Twisted metal, shattered glass and spattered blood littered the scenes of two car crashes in separate sections of the city yesterday.

The first accident proved fatal for two people in Southwest Philadelphia.

Police Chief Inspector Scott Small said a 29-year-old Media man lost control of his speeding Lamborghini on Essington Avenue near Bartram and crossed into the opposite lane of traffic about 6:30 p.m.

The Lamborghini was struck by two other vehicles and ended up in a crumpled heap on the side of the road.

The driver of the sports car and his 60-year-old male passenger died at the scene, Small said. Their names were not released.

The drivers of the two other vehicles were treated at an area hospital for minor injuries.

“Apparently, the Lamborghini had just been purchased the day before,” Small said.

Investigators believed the car might have been traveling at more than 90 mph when the crash occurred.

“It took rescuers over an hour to get them out of the vehicle,” Small noted.

Source: Philly.com

More to come…

Antwon SANDER

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 08:00:00 +0000

Name: Antwon SANDERS
Alias(s):
Crime: Attempt Murder Warrant: 01531-2009
Case Number: 09-18-011686 Inves. Unit: GVS
Date of Birth: 02/07/91 Race / Sex: B/M
Height: 5'5" Weight: 130
Hair: black Eyes: brown
Miscellaneous: Scar on left side of forehead.
Clothing: N/A
Address: 6134 Pine St.
5303 N. Magnolia St.
1547 S. Corlies St.
Frequents:
The 15 year old victim was walking down the 200 Blk of south 60th st. with two males when the subject in the company of two other males approached the victim and stated"what's up". The subject then pulled a gun from his waistband and began firing striking the victim, who began to run, in the back.

Anthony BERRY

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 07:58:00 +0000

Name: Anthony BERRY
Alias(s):
Crime: Burglary Warrant: 00982-2009
Case Number: 08-08-035805 Inves. Unit: GVS
Date of Birth: 03/29/64 Race / Sex: B/M
Height: 5'9" Weight: 205
Hair: black Eyes: brown
Miscellaneous:
Clothing: N/A
Address: 1729 Paul St.
3950 D St.
Frequents:
The subject in concert with other males on 02-02-09 broke into 2709 Commerce Way in Philadelphia.While inside the employees were tided up and approximately $10,000 in assorted
electronics were taken.

Detective on house arrest pending trial

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 07:58:00 +0000

Suspended Philadelphia police detective Rickie Durham pleaded not guilty to obstruction-of-justice charges yesterday and was placed under house arrest during a brief hearing in U.S. District Court.

Judge David R. Strawbridge rejected a prosecution motion to deny Durham bail and instead set restrictions aimed at addressing the government's concern that Durham might try to influence witnesses in the case against him.

In a cramped fifth-floor courtroom packed with relatives and friends, including several off-duty police officers, Durham responded with a firm "not guilty" when the six charges were read to him.

The 12-year police veteran has been suspended with intent to dismiss, a procedure that will result in his firing within 30 days.

He has been charged with knowingly leaking information to a drug kingpin about a pending law enforcement raid and then lying to investigators about it.

His lawyer, Fortunato N. Perri Jr., told Strawbridge that Durham was a "dedicated police officer" and intended to fight the charges.

Pointing to the members of the department who had turned out for the hearing, Perri said, "Law enforcement has a different view than the government. . . . Law enforcement has not turned their back on Rickie Durham."

Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Bresnick had argued that Durham should be denied bail and jailed pending trial.

In a detention motion and in arguments in open court, Bresnick contended that Durham had violated his oath as a police officer by tipping off Alton "Ace Capone" Coles about a series of raids Aug. 10, 2005.

Bresnick argued that Durham had "risked the lives of hundreds of his fellow officers, who unwittingly could have walked into a firestorm of bullets as a result of his obstructive conduct."

He contended that if left free, Durham would be "a serious risk of continuing to obstruct justice in the case that awaits him."

Strawbridge, however, ruled that Durham would be placed under house arrest with electronic monitoring at his home in the 1600 block of East Mount Pleasant Avenue; that the house, owned by Durham's wife, would be used as collateral for a $50,000 bail bond; that Durham would report to pretrial-services officials twice a week; and that he could not have any contact with any potential witness in the case.

The charges appear to be built around information provided by Jerome "Pooh" Richardson, a former Philadelphia high school and NBA basketball standout.

Durham and Richardson have been friends for years. Richardson's half-sister, Aysa, was Coles' live-in girlfriend in August 2005.

Durham was one of more than 200 law enforcement agents assigned to take part in predawn raids aimed at the Coles drug organization that Aug. 10.

A few hours before the raids went off, Durham called Pooh Richardson, who lives in California.

The indictment alleges that Durham made the call knowing that Richardson would in turn call his sister and tip her and Coles off about the raids.

Durham has said he made the call merely to gather information for the investigation. He has subsequently acknowledged that the call was "poor judgment," but has insisted he had no intention of leaking information.

What Durham said to Richardson during their phone call will be at the heart of the case. Richardson is cooperating with authorities.

The raids went off as planned.

Coles, who was charged with heading a multimillion-dollar cocaine operation, was eventually convicted of drug trafficking and sentenced to life plus 55 years.

Philadelphia Cream Cheese Coupons Provides Smooth Savings

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 07:55:00 +0000

Philadelphia Cream Cheese Coupons | Smooth Savings with Philadelphia Cream Cheese Coupons - Philadelphia cream cheese is the best thing since peanut butter. It is excellent on bagels, English muffins, croissants, crackers and any other bread or snack item. It comes in an assortment of flavors – strawberry, herb and garlic, cheddar, chives, tomatoes, jalapenos and so many others that I’ve failed to mention. My favorite flavor is jalapeno which has just enough “kick” to keep your mouth tingling. Right now when you purchase a container of sundried tomatoes or spinach and artichokes creamed cheese, you can save .75 cents. I’ve never had those flavors so I’m anxious to try them and get a discount. Simply click on the link to get yours as well.

CLICK HERE TO PRINT ALL YOUR PHILADELPHIA CREAM CHEESE COUPONS

Philadelphia Cream Cheese | Smooth Savings

Philadelphia cream cheese can be used in so many recipes other that as a spread. The regular flavor makes a great cake icing when combined with other ingredients. It’s also good in salads such as potato and chicken salad and as an ingredient in some sandwich spreads. It’s just a good item to have in your refrigerator. I’m sure you have a favorite flavor that you keep on hand. But why not give the sundried tomatoes and spinach artichoke a try? You may end up liking it. For sure you’ll like the price. Print your coupon now to save.

CLICK HERE TO PRINT ALL YOUR PHILADELPHIA CREAM CHEESE COUPONS