A Point of Honor

I enjoy walking the streets of Fishtown. Many homes are decorated for Halloween with witches, ghost, goblins, cobwebs and spiders and such. One home displayed decorations made by the families youngest child. I could not for the life of me remember seeing any other home that displayed their child's decorations throughout the neighborhood. Maybe there was something I had missed during my walks over the past two weeks. Still, for the life of me, I didn't see any others.

It was a nice feeling about family togetherness. This made my day.

Trick or Treat!

story and  photo by roman blazic_all rights reserved    

Halloween Hoedown 2014

Words and pictures for our nearest and dearest neighbors and those who came from Puerto Rico, Spain, Germany and France to experience the culture of Fishtown.

 On a sun splashed day, the community came together for what has become an annual neighborhood tradition. Almost one thousand kids and adults had a blast at the 4th Annual Friends of Penn Treaty Park Halloween Hoedown, sponsored by the Penn Treaty SSD and Johnny's Hots. 

Along with fabulous refreshments, fresh apples, candy and other Halloween treats, each child received a free pumpkin. The kids enjoyed some time in the moon-bounces, face painting and the soon-to-be upgraded playground after the fun of picking their pumpkin.

This year was even more special as I got to greet a young lady who just moved from Puerto Rico to Port Richmond. This the first time she ever saw a pumpkin patch and she hardly could contain her glee. Visitors from Spain and Germany read about and saw pictures of Penn Treaty Park. It was after our introductions that the man from Germany asked if I was the Roman who has the blog. He complimented me on my photos and said he never read anyone who writes stories that made his brain bounce. He loved "The Annoying Middle Class" stories and then we got cut off for what looked like a fire had started. The generator began bellowing smoke due to a malfunction. 

It was the people from France that warmly sought me out. They thanked me for writing about Francoise Hardy. Yea, my stories drove them nuts too and with laughter. It was the words "by deeds of peace" that held the most meaning to them. They were so glad to see Penn Treaty Park and planned to dine on Girard Avenue. It was a wonderful day for all. Fishtown is global. Go figure.

(click picture for slideshow)

     

all photos by roman blazic_all rights reserved

Sign Language

Richmond Book Store

Philadelphia

photo by roman blazic_all rights reserved

River City Festival

Rain, Rain Go Away...Yea

It was a day where I couldn't help to think that maybe, just maybe, Gene Kelly or Judy Garland would appear on stage performing "Singing In The Rain": "What a glorious feeling." "I'm happy again." Everyone was happy as the rain stopped and the festival went on full swing.
Many braved the weather and wisely so. The reward was a fine and friendly crowd and that undefeated spirit of togetherness.
The Fishtown Neighbors Association organized this event at Penn Treaty Park "by deeds of peace." So if you missed it, here's a peek at that day. Oh yea, there was beer but you had to pay for it.
Enjoy the pictures.

(click on picture for slideshow)

all photos by roman blazic_all rights reserved

"by deeds of peace"

A Word From Our Sponsor

Cancer

October has become the annual breast cancer awareness month. This is a very good thing but I also find it very confusing. On the one hand it has raised awareness for early screening/detection, improved treatment and many donations and acts of charity. On the other hand our elected government in many states are doing everything possible to close medical service specifically designed for women under the banner of stopping abortions. (think voter identity laws where no problem exist) Medical bankruptcy caused by over inflated life-saving medication cost. (pay or die) Big corporate charities that induce you to buy their product so they, yes, so they can make a donation to the cause. Yes. It's very confusing.    
Football fans couldn't miss it because the symbolic color of pink was everywhere. It was on the field, on the fans and at just about every concession stand. The manufacturing business of "pink" products looks to be on a massive scale. Here's a list of "pink" items that I was able to see during the game: hats, arm, wrist and head bans, shoes and laces, towels, ribbons, clipboards, jackets, sweatshirts and sweaters, banners and signs, field markers, souvenir trinkets, wire sleeves and whistle cords, uniforms, gloves, mouth piece guard, blankets, headsets, sunglasses, scarfs and kicking tee. That list twenty-six (26) manufactured "pink" items. Let's not forget the very high cost of producing and broadcasting prime time advertisements for charities and product sponsors. I'm sure I didn't see it all and it leaves me with an uncomfortable feeling. I also wonder about the over-all cost to manufacture these items, the profits, real and tax free, made on these products and just what percentage actually goes to cancer research. That's one hell of a pie getting sliced up.
Is there a better way or is it better than nothing? I'm confused and very uncomfortable.

opinion piece by roman blazic   

Ob-la-di Ob-la-da

Life Goes On

Dance with me I'm growing old

I still like girls that steal my soul

Won't you be my loving cup

I just can't seem to drink enough

Dim the lights and pour some wine

Let's raise a glass to father time

Thank you Lord I still can lose my mind.

words and photos by roman blaziz_all rights reserved

my girl is red hot, your girl aint' diddly squat

Fishtown's Late Summer Bloom

Still So Much To See

The cycle of season's in Fishtown.

photos by roman blazic_all rights reserved 2014

some photos shot late August. most photos shot mid-September