Don’t mention the war…I think I did it once..but I got away with it..”

Yeah, “The Germans” is my favorite episode of “Fawlty Towers“. Which reminds me - My awesome new friend and I checked out the 1st ever Christmas Village at City Hall on Tuesday. Now I’m REALLY angry that my new computer isn’t here yet - because I took some rockin’ photos of some hilarious stuff I found.

I’ll tell ya about it, any way.

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Philly drivers are crazy to begin with, but what happens when a traffic light ceases to be a traffic light?

There’s been a signal at Broad and Jackson for who knows how long, but last Friday on my way to the subway I noticed that the light was out, and the intersection was a free-for-all. The cars on Broad Street seemed to think they had the right of way (being on a wide four-lane state highway with parked cars for a median), while the cars on puny little one-lane one-way Jackson Street just tried to sneak through across the intersection. The ones turning right from Jackson onto Broad had it easier. Woe to the driver insane enough to try a left turn onto Broad!

Even though Chapter 2 of the PA Driver’s Manual, “Signs, Signals and Pavement Markings”, clearly states that “[a] non-functioning traffic signal should be treated as though it were a four-way STOP sign”, does the city of Philadelphia really expect that drivers remember those silly rules from their learner’s permit days? Apparently not! Sometime over the weekend, big bright red stop signs were installed at each corner of Broad and Jackson.

Did this help the situation? Watch and learn!

The poor woman yelling “stop sign!” at all the drivers had been walking her dog and made several attempts to cross the street. She’d been waiting for about five minutes when she finally got fed up and marched right into the intersection. I myself did the same thing, because no one—seriously, no one—was stopping for pedestrians.

With the mayor’s announcement of budget cuts last week came the news that many branches of the Free Library will experience employee layoffs and reduced hours (like evenings and weekends), with eleven branches scheduled to close completely: Charles Durham, Queen Memorial, Kingsessing, Fumo Family, Logan, Ogontz, Fishtown, Haddington, Holmesburg, Eastwick, and Wadsworth.

Friends of the Free Library have posted about several meetings and rallies to help save the library, and will be holding a press conference at 12 noon on Monday (November 17) in front of the Haddington Library branch. The website also lists steps you can take if you would like to participate or donate.

The Kingsessing branch has started its own blog, Save Kingsessing Library! They are holding their own rally tomorrow, rain or shine, at 2 p.m. in the meeting room.

More news as it develops!

I’m betting a few of you are rock ‘n roll fans. Here’s a FREE event for you:

Henry Owings-author of The Rock Bible and publisher of Chunklet magazine-will be in Philly doing an in-store event at AKA Music in Old City (27 N. 2nd St.) on Sunday, November 9 at 3 p.m.

Henry will be discussing how The Rock Bible was conceived and created, and of course, the dos and don’ts of rock ‘n’ roll. He’ll then open up the floor to a Q&A followed by a signing.

Keep reading for more info. on the book!

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Amy Sedaris will be appearing at Foster’s Homeware (399 Market St.) TODAY. She’ll be cooking with Michael O’Halloran, of Bistro 7, at 5pm. At 6pm, there’s a Q&A with Amy, and at 6:30, there’s a signing of her book, I Like You, newly available in paperback. If I could get in the door, I would. Tickets were sold out as of last week, but there is free limited standing room available. Get in line, now!

Having been away for a while, I’m going to post some random things I’ve been doing/finding out about/hoping to do. I’ve found some more free movies, at the World Cafe Live. Maybe this will take me to the West. I never get over there!

I ran the Midnight Madness run for Back on My Feet, two weekends ago, already. The three races of the day were a huge success, raising $90,000.

I’m excited to see that local guy G. Love will be performing at the Festival Pier on August 16. I’m going!

Speaking of the Delaware riverfront, Philly Skyline has dubbed this season as “Summer of the Delaware.” Check out his fancy articles and terrific information. I’m psyched about the bike trail!

End of the summer will bring a visit from my sister. We’ll be lolling about in the city. What to do? What to do? Eastern State, Fairmount Park (does anyone know of any tours over there?), Kelly Drive, historic things, ice cream, Italian Market. Any suggestions?

It seems my economic stimulus payment has come and gone pretty easily. So, I’m looking for inexpensive (i.e. FREE) things to do lately. My good friend has sent me a list of things she’s come up with. Thanks, L!

We are deep into the free outdoor movie season. Here are some links to places you can see them!:

City Hall

Headhouse Square
(This one has dance lessons, too!)

Penn’s Landing

Schuylkill Banks

Northern Liberties

Jefferson Square Park

Music:

Free concerts, too!

Rittenhouse Square

Mummers Museum

Other parks in the city have various film/concert activities, as well!

If you have more to add, please do so! I know there’s gotta be more music events.

Of course everyone knows about the Popped! Festival this weekend. They’ve got an excellent lineup and an excellent marketing plan. However, we have another item for your Saturday night. You know, it will be the summer solstice. Bree, who works at the excellent and secret (oops!) gem, For Pete’s Sake, handed me a flyer for Liquid Vinyl’s Saturday Night Revival, boasting music, summer love, and free beer! (Who doesn’t love that?) Drink it there, at Old Swede’s Church (Columbus & Christian St.), this Saturday.

Ladyfingers, Nervous Cabaret, & Dillon Minacci perform for you. There’s an afterparty at For Pete’s Sake, too. Tickets: $15 now/ $20 at the door.

It’s too hot to think. I’m wearing a shirt that’s extremely light and fine; I don’t care if anything peeks through.

This past weekend I spent my Sunday at Target, having an iced coffee at the cafe while reading a book, trying on new summer shorts and dresses, walking around the aisles checking out everything I could… anything to stay inside that sweet, sweet air-conditioned sweetness.

What are some of your free or low-cost ways to stay cool and healthy while still getting out of the house? The main branch of the Free Library at 19th and Vine has always been a summer favorite of mine—I could spend all day roaming the stacks—but alas, I am working full time now.

At least my office building is also air-conditioned.

I’m going to this fun, free IgnitePhilly thing at Johnny Brenda’s on Wednesday. It seems kinda cool and interesting, and, well, I’ll be avoiding the gym in favor of a cold one at the bar. Ignite is holding these events around the world.

The pitch: If you had five minutes on stage what would you say? What if you only got 20 slides and they rotated automatically after 15 seconds? Around the world geeks have been putting together Ignite nights to show their answers. Ignite is a series of speakers talking about inspiring projects for 5 minutes. The presentations can be serious, funny, or somewhere in between. We just hope that it would help ignite something in someone.

Check the site for more details. Speakers start at 7!