Steve & Barry are coming for a visit to Lancaster, PA

I saw a help wanted ad today that caught my attention and it appears that the small clothing chain: Steve & barry's is coming to Lancaster, PA in the near future. The store will be located out by the Rockdale Outlets @ 35 South Willowdale Drive near RT 30. Here is the Link for the Company and a bit of there history:http://www.steveandbarrys.com/ourstory.aspx

No grand opening date could be found.

Childhood friends Steve and Barry have been retail partners since they were teenagers living in suburban New York. The idea that developed into Steve & Barry’s® began when they started screen-printing T-shirts and selling them for $1 at flea markets across Long Island and New Jersey. In 1985, they opened a modest collegiate apparel store at the University of Pennsylvania. Steve & Barry’s quickly became a landmark destination, as students found they could purchase the same quality collegiate-licensed clothing sold at the campus bookstore for dramatically lower prices. The success of the store at the University of Pennsylvania fueled an expansion to other universities across the country. Steve & Barry’s mall superstore format began to take shape in the late 1990’s, upon the opening of its first mall-based location near Detroit, Michigan. In addition to providing a wide variety of collegiate-licensed items, Steve & Barry’s began to offer casual apparel for men, women, and kids. Steve & Barry’s continues to expand into more malls in communities around the country, as shoppers everywhere enjoy its groundbreaking values.

From their small roots they have grown quite corporate and that includes a team of lawyers that send letters to the fashion bloggers:http://fashiontribes.typepad.com/main/2007/03/steve_barrys_vs.html

who posted photos of the Sarah Jessica Parker line of clothes BITTEN that S&B carries.

S&B are also responsible for distributing the Marbury sneaker line from Basketball and Michael Vick supporting NBA player Stephon Marbury.

From S&B's web site: In 2006, Steve & Barry’s made retail history when the company teamed up with NBA® star Stephon Marbury to develop the Starbury™ Collection of urban-inspired apparel and footwear. Perhaps no item reflects the extraordinary value of the Starbury Collection more than the groundbreaking Starbury II, a high-performance basketball sneaker that Marbury wears on NBA® courts. The Starbury II boasts a sleek design and is engineered with the same comfort, stability, and durability found in basketball sneakers that retail between $100 and $150—and it’s just $14.98.

I have only visited a S&B store once @ Franklin Mills last year but I am looking forward to see what the store will be carrying when they arrive in Dutch Country.

The Acid Vandal of Lancaster PA

The Acid Vandal has resurfaced after a month of lying low. He always seems to appear after a full moon, which is the dumbest thing to do, since there is more light during the night hours, due to the fullness of the moon. It is almost as if he is taunting the citizens of Lancaster to catch him. I would like to say, I am unsure of why the Lancaster Police can not catch him but I know why...they are understaffed and overworked.

A little background:

Since Jan. 2006, someone or a group of people ( I believe it is a lone vandal) has been spraying a form of acid on cars that eats away the paint. The attacks have been mostly in the Western part of the City and it is estimated that the Acid Vandal has hit over 400 vehicles and caused over $500,000 dollars in damages. There has finally been an award offered and it is now up to $18,000 for tips leading to the conviction of the Acid Vandal. It was only at the end of August 2007, that the first sighting of the Acid Vandal was reported. There has been no composit drawing released by the police, however. It has been reported that, he is 5'11, thin build, no glasses, was wearing a white t-shirt, white shorts, white cap and Caucasian. It was reported that the City Police was considering hiring a professional criminal profiler to take a look at helping find the Acid Vandal. I am not sure why it took over a year and half for this to even be considered and nothing has been reported, if a profiler has been hired yet, so here my amateur profile:

-A loner.

-A painter, so he has access to acid like substances and white clothes.

-Is in his late 30's, early 40's

-Lost his driver's license due to DUI's, rides a bike.

-Likes the attention, he is getting from newspaper and TV and in general, a well informed guy with very strong warped opinions.

-I also think he could be a baker (not a candlestick maker) not just due to the white clothes but to the early morning hours of his attacks.

-Never married.

I have been making a map of his attacks with the help of Google Maps trying to find a pattern, no luck so far. I think he will again lay low till around October 26th.

*photo credit goes to:Richard Hertzler/New Era)

Fixing the Pipe

Well, the pipes are fixed and have been since Tuesday. I am now awaiting the Warranty Company: First American, to contact me when they can find a drywall contractor in my area to do the rough patch to finish the job. Here is the link for the First American:http://homewarranty.firstam.com/

I have been really happy with the service and would recommend them. Our service contract is over in Nov., since I bought the house last Nov. It has really been worth the investment and the peace of mind. Fixing the sewer pipes that cracked may have been a $3,000 dollar job but instead we paid for the contract for one year and paid a service fee of $55 dollars to the plumber and because the rough patch is part of finishing the job I do not have to pay another $55 to the drywaller. Yet, the PROBLEM is can they find a contractor to do the job?? The claims specialist assigned to this claim is not working today. Will we renew the contract with this company or go with another home warranty company?? It all depends how they handle it, quiet frankly and so far they are dropping the ball. One thing is for certain though, a Home Warranty with an old house or a new one, is worth it in my mind.

Takin' a day off

I have been feeling really burned out at work lately. I think it has to do with all the driving that is required since I live outside my region. I could not afford to live in my region first off, on my poor meager civil service paycheck. Plus, I have been working a lot of hours in my PT job. So I took 2 days off this week expecting that the contractors would be here to rough patch the work done by the plumbers.....no dice. So, I have been enjoying the 2 days off. Catching up on reading and blogging. It is nice to take a few days off and pamper yourself.

The Longhorns

I grew up a very big tomboy and played football with the boys till I had to wear a bra and started middle school, about the age of 12. In the small college town, I grew up in this wasn't looked upon as such a big deal. A few years ahead of me in school, 2 girls tried out for the JV school football team, I guess the year was probably 1978 or around then. I liked pro football back then and my team was the Oakland Raiders. Now I am a big fan of College Football and my team is the Texas Longhorns. Since I live in PA everyone always ask: Why Texas? It is hard to explain. During the late 1990's, I was depressed and needed to make some changes. I started watching College football and I just fell in love with the Texas Longhorns. Their QB Major Applewhite and RB Ricky Williams were breaking records and even included a Heisman for Ricky. When I lived in Danbury, CT, in the late 1980's, I had really good friends that were from Austin and they always told me how much I would love the city. I got laid off from my job and I left on a road trip across the south, sleeping in my truck, ending up in Austin, late on evening. I called my Friends, who had moved back there from living in Connecticut and they were leaving on vacation the next day but said I could house-sit for them like I had in CT. It was weird, I felt so at home in Austin and knew my way around so easily. Just my luck, I was in Austin on a Saturday and there was a scheduled home game against Nebraska. I was able to score a ticket and went alone to the game but I wasn't alone the stadium was packed. I had such a good time. The Texas Longhorns have been my team ever since. I got called back to my job and came back to PA. I have visited Austin a few times since. I went to the Rose bowl to see them play and beat Michigan U. I've made a lot of changes in my life since becoming a fan of UT Longhorns and I'm not so depressed any more.

Labbit

If you go to my myspace page you will find my photo as a Smorkin' Labbit.

myspace.com/saylesforce

What is that exactly? Well, Labbits are designed by Frank Kozik and sold through Kid Robot...Founded by designer Paul Budnitz in 2002, Kidrobot is the world’s premier creator and retailer of limited edition art toys and apparel. The products sold at Kidrobot merge urban street trends and pop art to produce limited edition, collectible toys and apparel. Many Kidrobot products feature unique collaborations with famous artists from backgrounds of graffiti, fine art, industrial design, graphic design, illustration and music. I think they are cute. I am not a big collector but I love this downtown shop =Metropolis : http://www.myspace.com/metropolis_gallery

and they carry a lot of KidRobot stuff. They had a release party for a new seris last night. I got there late and they were old sold out, so I bought 2 boxes of my favorite series: the Kozik's Smorkin' Labbits. I waited till I got home to open them to see what I got. Just like a little kid, with a grab-bag from a carnival. In my first box I got a mustard color one and in my next box I got a big surprise. I got a very rare one, it is called Redrum because the Labbits have red color blood spots. I paid $5 for it and it is being sold for $50 on ebay. I do not think I will sell it.

The 55th State

I've read a few articles by Thomas P. M. Barnett before and I like his analysis of modern problems. He currently has an article in the October issue of Esquire called The 55th State. Here is a link to his web site: http://www.thomaspmbarnett.com/media/medialinks_index.htm

Here is the link to the Esquire article which is entitled The Next Five States:

http://www.esquire.com/features/esquire-100/fivestates1007

If you want some really interesting reading.!! Great to read and discuss over a few pints!

Fall Films

Well, the pipe is fixed and the water has been turned on. Now, we await the next set of contractors to fix the drywall, hopefully on both sides of the wall. I love going to the movies and I am awaiting the Fall Film going smorgasbord that should fill the local theaters till Oscar time. I have also been working part time on the weekends, all summer long, so I cannot remember when the last time I have been out to see a film. The films I am looking forward to seeing are:
Into the wild
No Country for Old Men
I'm Not There
Things I've Lost in the Fire
No End in Sight
The Brave One
In the Valley of Elah
Eastern Promises

True Flavor

New Jersey takes its beer seriously. check out the official site: http://www.njbeer.org/

You can get a beer passport and download the guide to the state's 16 microbreweries making every style from Belgian Abbey to Hefeweizens to Farmhouse summer ale. Sounds like a roadtrip to me!!

Crack Attack

Plumbing Problems=Not Happy

Ah, home ownership.... I am still not sold on home ownership....especially on a day like this. Though, I knew before buying there would be some problems with buying an older house. Well, look at what we found today. The whole sewer/water/ outflow pipe from the bathroom on the second floor (the only toilet) cracked in each section of the pipe, right down to the basement. It is now a 2 persons' job so the plumbers will be back tomorrow. Thank goodness we have keys to use the neighbors bathroom through the night. I bought a Home Warranty plan so hopefully that will cover some of the $$ for this repair. Since the neighbors are selling and it was my pipe that leaked we will repair their drywall around the pipe. The House was built in 1913 when Briton Henry Brearly invents stainless steel. Thomas Edison invents the telephone recorder and Georgia Broadwick becomes the first woman to make a parachute jump.

Off to the Bloomsburg Fair

http://www.bloomsburgfair.com/index.html

Do my Stuff

I just read a short article about this web site in Esquire and checked out the site. I think it is a neat concept and when it gets a little bit more popular it will really take off. It is called: Do my Stuff and it is equal parts craigslist and ebay, where people post jobs and chores to do and people post as assistants what jobs they can do.

http://www.domystuff.com/home

1. What is DoMyStuff.com? DoMyStuff.com is an online community where busy people can quickly find Assistants to complete their chores.
2. What Can I Get Done? You can find someone to do ANYTHING on DoMyStuff.com. Picking up drycleaning, mowing your lawn, and cooking your dinner are examples of chores you can post.
3. Who Will Do My Stuff? DoMyStuff.com's Assistants are individuals and businesses located near you who compete to run your errands.
FAQs 1. What is DoMyStuff.com? Do

Mary Gauthier show in Harrisburg, PA

Found some exciting news today that Mary Gauthier is coming to my area soon: November 3, 8pm @Whitaker Underground at STAGE TWO Tickets are $20 in Harrisburg, PA. Here is a link to her site. There is a NOTE that her web site will be updated soon!!

http://www.marygauthier.com/site.php

This is from her Lost Highway records page:

“Another day, another night. Another night, another day We want to go home We can’t find the way -- Can’t Find the Way,” Mary Gauthier

In the case of Mary Gauthier, four words are worth a thousand pictures. Between Daylight and Dark, her new Lost Highway album, finds her aiming her compass at the sky and searching for home. It is from this longing for home that this group of songs has emerged, and they fill Gauthier’s new album with both hope and anguish, with faith as well as fear. Mary Gauthier knows these places well, having traveled through a night that had stretched into years, from a turbulent Louisiana childhood through odd juxtapositions of accomplishment and devastation. The result is reflected in the music, starting as a trickle of songs almost from the moment of her sobriety and swelling into the stream that fed her first two self-released albums (Dixie Kitchen, Drag Queens in Limousines), an indie-label release (Filth and Fire), and her stunning Lost Highway debut (Mercy Now).

Her new Cd-Between Daylight and Dark will be released 9/18/07

I needed to share.... this quote is from Matt Tabbi from Rolling Stone Magazine's issue #1035 concerning the GOP as the War Party......Unrepentant over the GOP's disastrous invasion of Iraq, Republican candidates are determined to stay the course - and change the subject :
"But thanks to the GOP's excellent leader, Mr. Bush, America is no longer in any position to hide from reality. We are now fully and catastrophically engaged in reality. And reality is kicking our ass, in Iraq and Afghanistan and everywhere else in this world that hates us more and more with each and every passing day. The party's response is to blow that off, pretend it's not happening. Six years after 9/11, Bush's would-be replacements are still reading My Pet Goat. Their solution to the Iraq dilemma is to keep talking tough, as if our kids were not getting arms shot off from Basra to Tal Afar, as if bin Laden weren't still scoring record recruiting numbers in between bong hits on Al Jazeera." http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/story/16295589/the_war_party/2
Here is another interesting article that EVERY AMERICAN should read, again it is from Rolling Stone, issue #1034:
http://www.rollingstone.com/nationalaffairs/index.php/2007/08/30/the-great-iraq-swindle/
The Great Iraq Swindle

Guardian Angels

I have been wondering when the Guardian Angels were going to come to Lancaster, PA and then in Saturday's paper there was an article that a man, who moved to Lancaster from the Bronx, 2 years ago, is starting a chapter here. I think it is a good idea, as long as they are well trained and work with law enforcement. There has been a lot of shootings in the City, gang activity is up and the Acid Vandal, has been attacking property for 18 months now. Every little bit helps.

Always having a yard sale

The neighbors across the street where we live are very interesting. Their always having a yard sale, almost every day. They seem to live on their front porch. Now that summer is almost over, we have cut down on the a/c and fans and have open our windows. We heard a visitor to the neighbors yell, this on Sunday evening: "this Mayor we got is a clown and this town is not a circus!!" Priceless!

Blogthings - What Breed of Puppy Are You?

Blogthings - What Breed of Puppy Are You?
I also took this quiz and it said.....
You Are a Golden Retriever Puppy
Tolerant, fun-loving, and patient. You are eager to please - and attached to your frisbee.

Blogthings - What Kind of Cake Are You?

Blogthings - What Kind of Cake Are You?
I took the survey :::: You Are a Chocolate Cake
Fun, comforting, and friendly.You are a true classic, and while you're not super cutting edge, you're high quality. People love your company - and have even been known to get addicted to you.

Rumors from Downingtown

I heard a really great rumor in Downingtown, PA, this week. It concerned the great Victory Brewing Company. The rumor is that Victory Brewing has bought a larger building, an empty warehouse, on Lancaster Ave., which is the main street of Downingtown. The area where it is now located is great but really hard to find. The new building is a great location and will add to the revitalization of downtown Downingtown. just writing this has made me thirsty for a Victory Hop Devil!!

Jimmee's Deluxe Grille

I have driven past Jimmee's Deluxe Grille more than 100 times due to it's location @ Marshall st. and 1153 LITITZ PIKE in Lancaster, PA. Only today, I ventured in to give it a turn for a quick take home lunch. I ordered a hamburger with American cheese though I could have chosen blue cheese. Their menu is just like their name DELUXE GRILLE. It includes milkshakes, salads and gourmet sandwiches. Their Gourmet sandwiches are rib-eye steak, filet mignon, jumbo lump crab cake and chicken breast. I was not disappointed when I got home and ate my burger. So good for so little of price. I will be going back!

Plum Street Pub Crawl

The semi -famous Plum Street pub crawl in Lancaster is a nice event to plan in the fall especially in October. One of the Plum Street Pubs has added a fresh coat of paint. The 915 Bar and grill is looking brand new and you guessed it...it is located @ 915 N. plum street in Lancaster, PA

Plum Street News

I can't believe that in 2 short months I will have owned my house for a year! The year has gone bye really fast, just now 29 more years till I pay it off! We learned this week that our wonderful neighbor is putting her House up for sale. She is an wonderful Greek women, that speaks little English, that because of her health and age has been living with her daughter and family in the 'burbs since the beginning of winter. When her and her husband moved from Greece, 33 years ago they settled into the House @ 524 N. Plum St. This area was known as a heavily Greek neighborhood years ago. Mrs. K raised her children in the house and now they will be selling. They are looking for a fast sale. The house needs work like a new roof, new kitchen but it does has a 1 bedroom apt. that includes a kitchen on the second floor. That would be good for added income. I just hope someone buys it and lives in it. What we do not need in this neighborhood is more absent landlords. Here is a picture of the house right next to our house. The house with the white trim without the shutters (#524) will soon be for sale.

guess the photo

I entered this Photo Contest to Win 5 Downtown Dollars by being the first to identify the location of this issue's Downtown Lancaster Photo Trivia Contest. Clue: Vintage clothes never looked so good. The contest was from an email I received from the Lancaster Downtown Difference a Free Guide to Lancaster Urban lifestyle. The Photo is from Pop Deluxe on Prince street where I bought my cowboy boots!

After Picture

Weeds in the Alley

Last week, my neighbors and I, received notices from the City, that the weeds in the back of our property, which is a City Alley (that goes nowhere) needed to be cut down. I was informed when I bought my house that the responsibility for the alley and the weed trimming was the City's. HA HA HA....According to the neighbors and the previous owner, this problem over the weeds happens every summer. I would have been taking care of the weeds and the upkeep of the alley had I known this. Posted are before and after pictures. I, of course, sent a very informative letter to the Mayor and to the Inspector, who sent the Notice. Now that the weeds are gone I have noticed: The weeds and plant growth buffered some of the sounds coming from the apartment building known as "the asylum". The apartment complex, or "the asylum", looks like a 1950's USSR school and is run by an outfit called Housing Development Corporation, which on their web site maintains: Welcome to Housing Development Corporation, a private, non-profit company operating since 1971. HDC's primary business is the development and management of affordable rental housing in Lancaster, Dauphin, Berks, York, Lebanon and Chester Counties. Their web site also states that: HDC is always looking for volunteers to assist the company in fulfilling its mission. Currently, clerical assistance is needed in the corporate office at 439 East King Street, Lancaster. There are also opportunities to assist in groundskeeping at various HDC managed properties. If you are interested in volunteering at HDC, please let us know your interests and when you are available to volunteer.

Everyday, I clean up litter and broken glass, along with recycling the plastic bottles and trash that is outside on their property/sidewalk/road area. Now, I can volunteer for more!!!!!! Yet, I will not see one resident of the apartments, at the community/neighborhood meetings or clean up project this Saturday.

Burnt toast

I am usually a pretty decent cook. I also like cooking most of the time. I was cooking dinner tonight, nothing fancy, a mushroom and olive omelet. I was waiting for the toast in the toaster oven and forgot about it! Next thing, I know I smell smoke and the toast has caught on fire in the toaster oven. Not a pretty picture. I made more toast and the meal turned out pretty good!