Philly A to Z

For my Philadelphia A to Z assignment I gave 26 friends a different letter of the alphabet and asked for what they thought about Philadelphia in regards to their letter.  

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Mapping Lombard Street

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All along Lombard these driveway posts with horse heads protect the buildings from being inadvertently hit by vehicles.  This photo was taken around 12:25pm Friday, February 5th, 2010.

12 at Independence Mall

James Giberson has lived in Collingswood N.J. for the last 15 years while working in Philadelphia.

Favorite thing about Philly:  "Cheesesteaks."

Least favorite:  "Cab Drivers."

Nick Ianelli has been in the Philadelphia are for the last month, living in Berks County and working at Independence Mall.

Favorite thing about Philly:  "I would say it is the social life."

Least favorite:  "I guess it would be the traffic."

Christopher Brooks, has lived in Philadelphia his entire life, specifically the Erie Ave. section of North Philadelphia.

Favorite thing about Philly:  "I would say job security, I have never had a problem finding a job in Philadelphia."

Least favorite:  "The worst thing would be the crime.  Parents not raising their children the way they should, not teaching them responsibility and not taking responsibility for their child's actions.  Parents should be punished as well as the kids."

Moritz and Susanne Ritter are natives of Germany.  Moritz has lived in Philadelphia for the last six months having moved from Toronto.  His mother Susanne is visiting for the next couple of weeks from Germany.

Favorite thing about Philly (Moritz):  "The location and the fact that it is a big city."

Least Favorite (Moritz):  "Not as clean as Toronto."

Favorite thing about Philly (Susanne):  "The mixture of the old and the modern, and of course, visiting my son."

Least favorite (Susanne):  "Nothing at the moment."

Marta Pasotto, does not live in the city, she is from Italy and is visiting with friends for a couple of months from the University of Pennsylvania.

Favorite thing about Philly:  "It is the people."

Least favorite:  "The weather, it is very cold."

Will Horoschak, does not live in the city, he resides in Francisville Pa.

Favorite thing about Philly:  "It is one of the few big cities that is really livable, affordable, it is hard to do that in New York City without making a lot of money.  That and Kelly Drive, going for a run or a nice walk."

Least favorite:  "The trash in the streets."

Margaret "Mickey" Brown, has lived in Philadelphia for the last 20 years.

Favorite thing about Philly:  "Hahahahahahahaha."

Least favorite:  "Hahahahahahahah."

Karen Jacobsen, has lived in Philadelphia since 1973

Favorite thing about Philly:  "I like the people and the size of the city, it is easily accessible and I like the mix of the old with the new."

Least favorite:  "The rudeness and inconsiderateness of some people in the city."

William DeRainey, has lived in Philadelphia for his entire life, 59 years to be exact.

Favorite thing about Philly:  "I love Philadelphia, I love the United States spirit."

Least favorite:  "I don't like swimming because I can't."

Beth Treisner, has lived in Chester County for the last four years, was in the city to meet a friend.

Favorite thing about Philly:  "I like the fact that it has the plusses of NYC but in a smaller package."

Least favorite:  "The Philadelphia Parking Authority."

Sara Finne, has lived in Philly for the last seven years, originally from Long Island.
Favorite thing about Philly:  "The food, good food at a bar or a Jose Garces restaurant, just really great food."
Least favorite:  "The trash in my neighborhood."

Here are some pictures from Philadelphia's past compared to pictures the same location from today.

The majority of the pictures are of Girard Ave., from as far east as Shackamaxon and Girard to as far west as the intersection of 48th, Lancaster Ave, and Girard.  The last two pictures are of my elementary school and the alleyway in back of my grandmother's house.  All of the old photographs were from the site www.phillyhistory.org.

The locations from top to bottom, and the year the old phorographs were taken are:  1) E. Girard Ave. and Shackamaxon St., 1901, 2) W. Girard and N. Front, 1923, 3) W. Girard and N. 2nd St., 1926, 4) W. Girard and N. Orianna St., 1936., 5) W. Girard and N. Franklin St., 1931, 6) W. Girard and N 9th St., 1912, 7) W. Girard and N. Broad St., 1925, 8) W. Girard, N. 48th, and Lancaster Ave., 1950, 9) Lansdowne Ave. and Atwood Rd., 1924, 10)Lansdowne Ave. and N. 66th St., 1967

 
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The kids are out of control

Collin and Jayson Dunalvy are here and they want to be heard. What they have to say is a little unclear. I am no expert but I think for the moment it all seems to revolve around eating, sleeping, and s@#$ing. Either way they are cuter than your neighbors kids!

Havertown Historical Society Silent Auction and Oktoberfest

On October 8, 2009 the Havertown Historical Society held a silent auction/Oktoberfest fundraiser at Nitre Hall on Karakung Dr. in Havertown. The night included beer drinking, live music, the auction, and an oppurtunity for the community to come together. Here are some photos from the event.

Some shots from the hospital

Steve and Rhea Dunleavy are two of my closest friends. They are expecting identical twins(their first) in the coming days and I am doing my best to document it. These photos are from a routine heart check up. They also had another ultra sound as well, unfortunately due to insurance liability rules I was not allowed to photograph that part of the visit.