With Nutter’s proposed “cost cutting decisions” like closing down 11 Philly libraries and consolidating city fire departments making headlines ever since I returned to the Cradle of Liberty, I’m at least glad to hear that there’s a stay of execution on the libraries – for now.

Still, it would be nice to hear that same will be said about our local fire departments. So, I’ve come up with two ideas to show Nutter that downsizing these engines would be a bad idea:

1. Burn down a library. How deliciously ironic. Especially if the library is a) one of the 11 that may be closed and b) near a fire department that’s getting axed.

Cons: Illegal, I’d never do it, nor do I condone anyone else doing it.

2. Go to the fire department, ask for “War & Peace”. Keep doing every single day.

Cons: Pissing off Philly firefighters might not be a good idea, who realistically wants to read “War & Peace” except to brag about it?

Maybe the City would have a little bit more in their coffers if some idiots at City Hall weren’t being paid $90,000 a year:

Yeah.

- AP

As I’m sure you’re aware, KB Toys is going out of business.

Kind of hits a soft spot with yours truly, who used to constantly go to the store at The Gallery when I was a kid.

Went in there yesterday. What’s left of the store is 50% off.

There is, however, a whole shelf of Indiana Jones and Star Wars toys.

Check it out and get a piece of history, while you can.

Another piece of my childhood – like Woolworth and Roy Rogers – down the drain. ;-(

- AP

Rejoice, fellow Philadelphians, I say rejoice!

Rejoice not because the Arena Football League is pretty much dead.

I implore you to rejoice because this means the Philadelphia Soul will be AFL Champions.

Forever.

Now I know you’re a little sad, but don’t be. Yeah, Saturday and Sundays in mid-July are going to be way different in the Proctor household. No more recapping the crushing blocks of Clifton Smith, those game winning drives by Tony Graziani, or those 50-yard touchdown receptions by Larry Brackins.

If it weren’t for the AFL, this picture may never have been taken. (That’s Soul owner Jon Bon Jovi with Colorado Crush..haha…owner John Elway)

Wait – who am I kidding? I love football and all and have been wishing for a legit summer league ever since the XFL was piledriven off of NBC. However, I honestly only tuned into the Arena league if reruns of “Law & Order” or an infomercial I’d already seen 15 times weren’t on.

Still, the Soul are (is?) Champions forever.

We should have a parade every year – if Nutter can afford it.

Suck on that, Grand Rapids Rampage fans.

- AP

Luckily, everyone isn’t on board:

Click HERE to help out.

(Thanks to Is This Life? for the link….)

While Obama overwhelmingly won the support of Philadelphians (65% to Clinton’s 35%), Clinton proved that she is the clear choice for Pennsylvanians state-wide. Being a huge supporter of Senator Clinton, I listened intently to her victory speech last night. She said one thing that really stuck in my mind (not verbatim), “…I’ve seen parent’s with their daughters saying – See? You can be anything you want to be.”

On an even more local level, Larry Farnese won the 1st District Senate Seat – proudly representing South Philadelphia. While I voted for Anne Dicker, I was very satisfied that union boss John Dougherty did not clinch the victory. Dougherty also “killed” more trees then Farnese and Dicker – and if anyone knows, I am all about greening South Philadelphia.

I met Michael Nutter once again – around primary season – as he was greeting people in the subway area below the clothespin statue across from City Hall. His assistant said, “How would you like to shake the hand of the next Major of Philadelphia?” I said, “Sure! Can’t hurt.”

Needless to say, Mayor Nutter seemed – and continues to seem – genuinely interested in meeting with his constituents. I joined the line on the South East corner of City Hall and struck up a conversation with a physician working at Kensington Hospital. I cracked one joke past hour two of the wait as we approached the North West corner of City Hall – right by the line of port-a-potties, “I hope this wasn’t the line for the bathroom!” The couple behind me started to crack up. I also noticed that Mayor Nutter’s middle initial started with an “A” – I dubbed him “The M.A.N.”

Finally, as hour three approached, we made our way into one of the many marble halls of City Hall. I couldn’t help but notice the stunning tile decorating the floor…and how much it would cost to have the same floors in my house. The infamous Ben Franklin impersonator passed by – looking a little weary, but in good spirits.

Armed with my resume, I started to get nervous – I wanted to congratulate him AND ask him for a position in his administration. I just about lost my nerve. My line pal reminded me that I waited this long – so I better hand my resume over. Who wouldn’t want to work for someone who is so passionate about changing Philadelphia for the better? So, I approach the Mayor, shake his hand, congratulate him, wish him luck and hand him my resume. Instead of saying a simple, “Thank you,” he asked me what I wanted to do. I let him know that I was interest in Public Relations, Marketing – anything – and that I would be happy to be a public servant working for his administration. Then, he thanked me and smiled. I was very happy to find him so personable and happy after shaking hands for over four hours. Yes, this is definitely the type of person and city you want to work for.

Police Chief Ramsey also attended, shaking hands – as did Philadelphia’s Fire Commissioner, Lloyd Ayers. Both gentlemen seemed very enthusiastic to meet the people of Philadelphia. I wished both men good luck in the New Year. There are times that I wonder how Philadelphia can ever tackle such a devastating crime problem.

I am confident that Michael Nutter can take great strides to improve the City of Philadelphia. After all, this is the city I have called home for almost a decade, the city where I bought my first home and the city I work in. I love Philadelphia.

So the city has upped the rent to $200,000 a year and the Boy Scouts are saying that they will have to relocate (it does get a little tricky in that the city owns the land but the BSA constructed the building. I guess they didn’t anticipate a world in which their discriminatory practices would become problematic). They are still trying to work out the final details and there may yet be an 11th hour stay, but barring some vast policy change, it looks like the Boys Scouts are out.

City hikes Boy Scouts’ rent by $199,999 over gay ban [Inky]

Philadelphia Will Do and Philebrity have already made just about every joke I can think of about this afternoon’s flashing of NBC10’s Monique Braxton by Philadelphia Judge Lisa Richette’s son Larry. The only thing I’d like to add is that I really hope that Judge Richette gets the help she needs and doesn’t live the rest of her life cowed and abused by her son.

If you were planning on heading over to Reading Terminal Market next weekend to check out the Dutch Festival, you are going to have to change your plans. The Amish merchants at the Market have decided to cancel the festival this year in protest to the ousting of Rick’s Steaks (if you haven’t been following the news, Rick’s didn’t get a lease renewal this year, and while it looked for a while like they’d be able to stay, word from the Market board is that they are out and Tony Luke’s is in).

I’m saddened by this, as I’ve always look forward to the Dutch Festival. I especially liked it when they’d block off parts of the street and offer horse-drawn wagon rides around the Market. I guess there’s always next year.

Rick’s Steaks owner sues over ouster from market [Inquirer]