Angels

photo by roman blazic_all rights reserved

Basketball

A salute to photographer Lothar Troeller

photo by roman blazic_all rights reserved

Many More World Neighbors

Welcome One and All

It's been some time, since January, that I extended a Fishtown, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA welcome to new world neighbors. So hold on to your hat because twenty-five (25) greeting are in order.
Pardon me for not extending this greetings in your language as I've done in the past. Please accept a sincere greetings in the spirit of William Penn "By Deeds of Peace".
Welcome Georgia, South Africa, St Lucia, Lithuania, Greece, Cameroon, Spain, Cambodia, Honk Kong, Ethiopia, Portugal, Britsth Indian Ocean Territory, Argentina, Iraq, Ghana, Sri Lanka, Kenya, Saudi Arabia, Bangladesh, Algeria, Singapore, Somalia, Belarus, Ecuador and El Salvador.
You are now a part of sixty-four (64) countries that have visited this part of the world that has no borders. I am hopeful that some day we all can move as freely as we do on the Internet.
I welcome you to post your comments here or by E-mail: rblazic1@gmail.com. Suggestions are most welcomed too.
Thank-you for visiting this slice of life. So let us raise a cup to each other and shout that international greetings of "FREE BEER" and "FREE COFFEE and TEA".
Respectfully,
Roman

p.s.
I'm still hoping to hear from the Most Serene Republic of San Marino.

A Fishtown Memorial

"Dedicated To All American Veterans Whose Devotion To Our Country 

Will Always Be Remembered"

The unintended consequence of the demise of the Fishtown's Pilgrim Church and congregation is the neglect and respect lost to the Veteran's Memorial on dedicated ground next to the church. This congregation once took charge for its upkeep and improvement with others within the community.

It's sad to see this memorial site overgrown with weeds and trees that nearly grow as tall as the flag pole. Our country's flag remains proudly raised regardless of it's fading colors. That's how strong we are even in times of forgetfulness.

This site, along with Palmer Cemetery, was a traditional site for Fishtown's observance of Memorial Day. This year, this site was not a part of the time honored characteristic Fishtown observance. It's now a thing of the past as is the Memorial Day Parade.

The American Legion Elm Tree Post #88 can only do so much and they always do the best that they can. It's not just up to them but also up to the community as a whole to make sure an unintended consequence does not become an unattended consequence.

Pastor Neal, formerly of Pilgrim Church, shares the same feelings of despondency over the neglect that has befallen this once clean and honorable site. Pastor Neal holds the keys to access this site. He is most willing to restore the due honor with the help of the community. No-one should do it alone.

I hope to raise Fishtown's awareness to develop a plan of action to restore this memorial site so that it will Always Be Remembered as the finer characteristic of the community of Fishtown.
Please share this with family, friends, neighbors and community groups. 

words and photos by roman blazic_all rights reserved  

    

Frankford Avenue Arts Corridor

First Friday Fracas: Celebrating the Arts

all photos by roman blazic_all rights reserved

A Father's Day Outing

Valley Green (Wissahickon Park) in Fairmount Park

Father's Day approached and my daughter suggested that we head out to Valley Green. I use to take my children there when they were young to walk the trails. We'd spend many hours walking and talking and enjoying the expanse of nature that is in the City of Philadelphia.
I was hoping to take them to Smith Memorial Playground because they haven't been there since they were in summer camp at the Fishtown Recreation Center all those years ago.
It was decided that we go to Valley Green and spend the day there. That was fine by me because my one daughter drove and I got to shoot pictures along the way. I certainly shot pictures as we walked the trail heading towards Kitchen's Lane. This is were we crossed over the Wissahickon Creek to walk back on the Forbidden Drive to the Valley Green Inn for some snacks. There's a stone bridge before Kitchen Lane that you can cross over if you want to shorten your walk.
The super scenic route to the park starts at the beginning of the Ben Franklin Parkway and then onto Kelly Drive (East River Drive). (We actually took I-95 S to 676 Vine St exiting onto 22nd St to the Parkway this day.)
Follow Kelly Drive to the end and enter Wissahickon Drive. Follow Wissahickon Drive and bear right to exit onto Wissahickon Ave. (This exit is right after that really sharp down hill turn on the Drive. Stay in the right lane.) Turn left onto Wissahickon Ave all the way to the end were you have to turn right onto Allen Lane. Stay on Allen Lane to turn left onto McCallum St (Allen Lane Art Center). Turn right onto Mermaid Lane for one block and then turn left onto Cherokee St. Turn right just before crossing the bridge onto a steep downhill which takes you to Valley Green Rd and then a sharp left turn which will lead you into the park.
There's plenty of parking just before you enter into Valley Green. It's easy and you'll find your way and figure out any possible options.
You can't beat it. Get out there.

 My daughter Pam as we start our journey.

Valley Green Inn and snack shop and rest rooms

Me, Pam and Sam. My son Alex had to work.

Heading to Tony Luke's and then back home.

words and photos by roman blazic_all rights reserved