Monday, June 30, 2008

Rise and Shine

Good Morning, Delaware County!

You eat right. You try to stay active. Well, as active as possible with work and everything else that goes on in this crazy world.
You take walks. You maybe run around with the children. You play some baseball. Some basketball. Some football.
Then, you realize you're really not in 'good shape.' What to do?
As a youngster, riding bikes was a daily thing. We would ride our bikes around the neighborhood, to school, to the store, to the ice cream shop, to our friend's house. It really didn't seem like that big a deal.
Now, with gas prices so high it's tough to afford the trip to the store, how about getting a bike? Sounds like a great idea, huh? Used to do it all the time. It can't be that hard.
So, hopping on the bike as the breeze blew Sunday night sounded pretty easy. Just a short ride, to, you know, ease into things.
Then the pain starts. The seat doesn't feel the same as you remember. The pedals? They keep slipping from under your shoes. Shin splints would be a welcome relief to the pain now in your lower legs.
Forget bike riding, where's the couch? Then comes a voice from behind:
"Come on Dad! Let's go a little longer! This is fun!"
The pain disappears. Let's Go!


If you have any cool links, photos or Larry Mendte sightings, send them along to onlinedelco@gmail.com

Friday, June 27, 2008

Rise and Shine

Good Morning, Delaware County!

While watching the fallout from the Supreme Court ruling on guns Wednesday, I sat here amazed. Do we really need to hoard a bunch of guns in our homes? Sure, if the Russians are coming through Alaska maybe, but really? A lot of people like to say: 'Guns don't kill people, people kill people.'
My answer is: 'People with guns kill a lot more people than pictures of guns in a book.'
It's going to be a debate that's never going to die, unless it's shot down by another ruling.

Another interesting case came to light this morning when a Washington woman was sentenced for helping the so-called 'Nigerian e-mail scam.'
According to the story: Edna Fiedler pleaded guilty in March to attempting to defraud U.S. citizens in a scheme known as a Nigerian check scam.
Fiedler helped her accomplices in Nigeria send fake checks to people who had agreed to cash the checks on behalf of the sender, keeping some of the proceeds and sending the rest back.
Of course, when the bank found out the checks were fakes, the unsuspecting dupe was caught holding the bag.
According to the story, Fiedler had sent out checks totaling $609,000. Authorities also found fake checks totaling $1.1 million in her home.
She gets two years in prison.
Here's a better punishment: Make Fiedler go in person to everyone she smoked and explain herself. Then, make her clean their place, mow the lawn, whatever. Instead of sitting in jail, work the money off.

Then there's this from the Asbury Park-Press: BARNEGAT — A report of a ninja sighting in the woods near the Robert L. Horbelt elementary School prompted a brief lockdown of the township's public schools before
authorities realized the suspect in question was actually a camp counselor heading toward a costume party.
Shortly after 9 a.m., police received a call from a librarian at the local Ocean
County Library branch on Burr Street reporting that a man dressed as a ninja, carrying a large sword, was running through the woods, Lt. Patrick Shaffery said. Police than initiated a lock-down of the five schools as a precaution, police said.

Yes, we've officially entered it:


If you have any cool links, photos or Larry Mendte sightings, drop a line to onlinedelco@gmail.com

Thursday, June 26, 2008

Rise and Shine

Good Morning, Delaware County!

Somebody a lot smarter than me had a suggestion a couple of days ago.
With such a large amount of interest in celebrities (both real and believed), this smart person suggested we add some kind of local celebrity news to delcotimes.com.
It could just work, but there needs to be some eyes from the community.
For instance, if you see David Landau and Charlie Sexton having lunch, snap a quick photo or just drop a line to let us know. Of course, if that happens, maybe we are closer to the alien invasion. I'm sure many in Delco would like to know if Larry Mendte is reading the Daily Times want ads while catching a bite at Pizza Hut or if Paula Brown is shopping at the Acme.
So, let's get those celebrity sightings going. What's going on out there?

Speaking of celebrity, notice how we put that label on a lot more people these days.
Way back in 2002, celebrities were mostly movie stars, music stars or some other kind of entertainment star. Now, you can become a celebrity by making an idiot of yourself on television.
Take, for instance, the show 'America's Got Talent.' Having caught a couple of minutes of that show this week, I have to say America doesn't have talent. Sure, there are a few good performers out there, but most were just terrible. Somehow, they thought they could entertain somebody besides their family.
Then again, they are on television, so if you see them...
Speaking of politicians and celebrities, at least he's not our Governor:


If you have any cool links or photos, send them along to onlinedelco@gmail.com

Wednesday, June 25, 2008

Rise and Shine

Good Morning, Delaware County!

Haven't heard from Larry Mendte yet, but the shock from getting fired by Channel 3 is still probably too much to handle.
Anyway, I want to up the offer for the disgraced former anchor. Instead of just adding content to Rise and Shine, how about a Larry Mendte unemployment blog. Just think of the possibilities.
We have have a former TV anchor trying to get a job at Wawa or wondering around town. We can read about the trials and tribulations of being a former television personality. Hey, maybe we can even get some of that hidden humor.
Here's a good one, let's have Larry Mendte go back to Lansdowne and find some of his old neighbors and friends. Maybe sit in the Regency and talk about coffee.
Sounds like a winner.
By the way, one other incentive for poor Larry. I'll even let him read my e-mail any time he wants as long as he doesn't forward any of my bikini shots.
Come on, Larry. Let's get it going. Maybe it's not as impressive as the 11 o'clock news, but, hey, you have to keep your name out there somehow.
I'm up for anything. We even have an open desk next to Gil Spencer. I'll set up a camera and listen in on that banter. Sounds like fun.
Just in case you've forgotten Larry Mendte already, here's a classic that bears repeating:


If you have any cool links or photos, send them along to onlinedelco@gmail.com

Tuesday, June 24, 2008

Rise and Shine

Good Morning, Delaware County!

So, CBS3 pulled the plug on Larry Mendte yesterday. The Delco-born television news reader is out of a job for the moment, probably heading down to the coffee shop in Chestnut Hill to drown his sorrows.
Or something like that. Unlike others who have been fired over the last few months, Mendte won't have much trouble finding a new job.
Still, he will have a lot of time on his hands for the short term. To that end, how about this. Here's an offer for Mendte to bring is, well, unique brand of humor to the rest of the world. How about a video blog, Larry. Send along some clips and we'll check them out here at Rise and Shine and post them. You never know, it might just work.

Speaking of those speaking, does Don Imus really not get it or is he just trying to drum up some ratings buzz.
During a show Monday morning, he made what many consider another racist comment.
You be the judge, here's what was said:
During an on-air conversation about the arrests of suspended Dallas Cowboys cornerback Adam Jones, Imus asked, "What color is he?"
Told by sports announcer Warner Wolf that Jones, who used to be nicknamed Pacman, is "African-American," Imus responded: "There you go. Now we know."

Of course, Imus, who is never at a lack for words, said he was misunderstood. He was trying to say Jones was being picked on because he was black.
I think Don Imus is too old and stupid to be on the air. These kinds of radio shows, be it Imus, Rush, or whoever do nothing but spread hate. Whatever happened to just playing music on the radio.


If you have any cool links or photos or videos of Larry Mendte, send them along to onlinedelco@gmail.com

Monday, June 23, 2008

Rise and Shine

Good Morning, Delaware County!

Maybe it's just me, but I don't think so...
Anybody notice how we keep hearing about how high gas prices are getting, but we really aren't offered any solutions. Sure, we're told to cut down our driving, walk more, ride bikes or stay closer to the house. Really, though, how can we do that?
We have to get to walk. We need to stock up our kitchens. We need to get the children to the library, to the park or to the pool. We need to get around. It's not like the public transportation system offers much help. Have you ever tried to board a bus while only carrying a $5 bill? The driver doesn't even laugh. You have to find change somewhere.
It reminds me of the movie 'Falling Down' starring Michael Douglas. It's about a guy who is just fed up with everything. He takes matters into his own hands and just tries to get home. The ending ruins the better parts of the movie, but it might have been a little bit ahead of its time.
We're all getting fed up with high prices and the like. You shouldn't have to work three jobs just to make ends meet. If this truly is the 'Greatest Country in the World' as we like to say, then we need to get a handle on everything. The divide is getting too big. We need to take care of each other.


By the way, comedian George Carlin died Sunday. It's kind of tough to find a video of him without language that, well, would offend some.
It's not impossible, though, and here's a classic:



If you have any cool links or photos, send them along to onlinedelco@gmail.com

Friday, June 20, 2008

Rise and Shine

Good Morning, Delaware County!

Let's get this right out in the open. I never really fancied myself an athlete. Sure, I played sports as a youth and into my mid-20s, but it was for fun. I got into baseball at a young age and found the game to be something great.
I went probably the first two years of playing without getting a hit. I was the child put into right field, because 'nobody hit it to right field.'
I tried, though. I practiced hitting (thanks Dad for making me swing the bat about 5 million times on the front lawn). I practiced throwing. I had catches. I think, by the end of my youth playing days, I was decent enough a player. I no longer was put into right field. I played all the outfield positions. Some first, some third then went to catcher.
Anyway, it's a long way of saying, to me, baseball was a great time. Most of the time frustrating, but it was a great time. I enjoyed putting on the uniform, walking down to the field, taking infield, having batting practice.
I always tried to get No. 1 when they handed out the uniforms, by the way. That way when I would put my name on the brim of the cap, I could always write 'Vince Carey, No. 1.' Of course, my Mom thought I had a high opinion of myself, but, so what.
Where does this get us? Well, last night, while waiting for the Westbrook Park Phillies to play the Orioles, it became obvious there weren't going to be enough players to field two teams.
So, the coach had a bright idea, how about having the Dads play the kids. Great, get the glove and pretend to be young again.
It certainly was a good time. Seeing two little boys waiting in the outfield for the ball while a little girl cheered from the dugout made a beautiful night perfect.
After a game, which, by the way, featured some pretty good laughs coming mostly from the play of the Dads' team, everybody went home.
That's when the aches started. The legs were heavy. The feet (maybe I shouldn't have played in sandals) didn't much like standing.
Forget youth, get the Ben Gay.


If you have any cool links or photos, send them along to onlinedelco@gmail.com

Thursday, June 19, 2008

Rise and Shine

Good Morning, Delaware County!

Read an interesting story yesterday about the future. You can READ IT HERE If you have a chance, let me know what you think at vcarey@delcotimes.com
Recently, there has been a lot of talk about the death of the newspaper business. Much like other things, it's time to evolve, not die. We need to fully embrace the 'new media.' If that means changing the way we do things, so be it. We no longer have the luxury of waiting 10 hours to break a story. If it's not on our Web site within 10 minutes, we've lost something.
Maybe the best way to teach an old dog new tricks is to use a taser. Hey, it worked Upper Darby Police Superintendent Michael Chitwood.

Anyway, you never really notice how going to school is able to keep children a little bit calmer until the summer hits.
For the past nine months, with school in full force, there wasn't a whole lot of energy in three young ones I know by dinnertime.
Getting up early, getting the school, doing the work, doing the homework, eating. It all zapped them. Sure, there were a few moments, but ...
Now, there is no school and the energy level, if harvested, would solve any energy problem this country is facing.
I actually watched as the three ran around the living room for 30 minutes straight without stopping. They only stopped when Dad got dizzy from watching.
Maybe this will work:


If you have any cool links or photos, send them along to onlinedelco@gmail.com

Wednesday, June 18, 2008

Rise and Shine

Good Morning, Delaware County!

So, while the Phillies bats were sleeping last night, I was able to check out a show put on by the American Film Institute that counted the Top 10 movies in different kinds of genres. You know, the Top 10 westerns, Top 10 comedies, Top 10 gangster films, etc.
All the usual suspects were there, including the 'Usual Suspects.' Of course, we were going to see 'The Godfather,' 'Raging Bull,' '2001,' blah, blah, blah.
The thing about great movie lists is pretty much everybody agrees what the great movies are and they are all going to be there. Sure, it was interesting to see some of the stars of the movies talk about them, but they were quick interviews and we were moving on to the next number.
There are movie lists everywhere nowadays. We have the best movie kiss, the best movie villains, the best movie heroes. Again, blah, blah, blah.
So, while thinking about it, we need some new movie lists. So, to help you with your summer viewing lists, here are few.


The Top 10 Jim Varney movies

10. Earnest goes to camp; 9. Earnest saves Christmas; 8. Earnest Goes to Splash Mountain; 7. Earnest Rides again; 6. Slam Dunk Earnest; 5. Earnest Goes to Africa; 4. Earnest in the Army; 3. Earnest goes to School; 2. Beverly Hillbillies; 1. Earnest goes to Jail.


The Top 10 Movies Filmed in Delaware County

10. A Gentleman's Game; 9. Monday Morning; 8. Butterfly Angels; 7. The Presenter; 6. Misdirected; 5. Always Will; 4. Jersey Girl; 3. One Last Thing; 2. TAPS; 1. Eddie and the Cruisers.


The Top 10 Movies You Never Admit to Watching

10. The Fourth Man; 9. Ghoulies IV; 8. Anything with Sylvester Stallone; 7. Look Who's Talking 1-3; 6. Santa Claus Conquers the Martians; 5. Catwoman; 4. Jaws: The Revenge; 3. Soul Plane; 2. Staying Alive; 1. Earnest Goes to Jail



If you have any cool links or photos, of if you have actually seen any of these fine movies, drop a line to onlinedelco@gmail.com.

Tuesday, June 17, 2008

Rise and Shine

Good Morning, Delaware County!

OK, I'll admit it first: I tape television shows and fast-forward through the commercials.
It's not that I don't appreciate the need for advertising. I know buying things makes our country go around, it's just that commercials are annoying.
It's bad enough the shows on television are mostly stupid, but, adding the commercials, can make the headache last even longer.
Over the years, there have been some inspired ads. Ones that made us laugh.
Yet, after the four millionth time it runs in an hour, even those are annoying.
For instance, there is a commercial running right now for a new car equipped with a rear-review camera. A bunch of nudists crash on a road, are offered a ride, and hilarity ensues. Well, actually, it was funny the first couple of times, but it's just annoying after seeing it all the time.
There are some just annoying from the first viewing.
Cheerios, that old breakfast cereal we ate as a youth because our mothers were conned into thinking it was good for us, is the latest to 're-invent' itself.
There's no doubt you've seen these ads where two annoying people talk about the 'benefits' of eating Cheerios. Mostly, to help lower cholesterol. One has a guy doing housework while his wife eats. They have some kind of bet. In my mind, they both win and should leave us alone.
In fact, get all these annoying people off the air.
Here, though, is the way it's supposed to be done:


Or this one:


Or this one:
E-mail links or cool stories to onlinedelco@gmail.com

Monday, June 16, 2008

Rise and Shine

Good Morning, Delaware County!

OK, I'm starting to think technology is going to take over the world.
Remember the 'Terminator' movies where machines became stronger than man and tried to eliminate all humans. Sure, it was dumb science fiction filled with lots of holes, but...
It's not like it's bad enough we are paying more than $4 for a gallon of gas. Now, cars are breaking down. I've seen more cars on the side of the road with the hood up this year than in more I can remember.
Two weeks ago, a hose burst in the van, sending engine coolant all over the place. Got that fixed quick and drove around for a little bit.
Then the starter went. Great, need to get that fixed.
Now, the breaks are rubbing. It's like you can never win.
Heck, you can't even change the bag in a vacuum cleaner without having the right tools. Or how about that DVD player that just decides one day it won't play any more movies. Great, now it's time to got to Best Buy. Well, at least somebody in the house is sweet enough to make the trip.
Anybody who tried to log on on to DelcoTimes.com last Friday might have felt the same way.
The system, which was shut down for maintenance very early Friday morning was supposed to be back working by 4 a.m.
At 5 a.m., it was obvious that deadline was going to be missed. By 6 a.m., having seen enough server failures over the last few months, it became obvious this was going to be a day-long battle. By 10 a.m., the updates said 'IT was working on it.' The same message came through at 10:30 a.m., 11 a.m., 11:30 a.m., Noon ... and on and on.
We were finally back on line in the early evening, but none of Friday's news could be posted. It appears to be fine today and most of Friday's stories are posted in hour headline lists. So, if you want to read a story, it does appear on the site.
Everything back to normal? Well, when technology takes over, that's a relative term.
Much like British comedy:


If you have any cool links or photos, send them along to onlinedelco@gmail.com

Thursday, June 12, 2008

Rise and Shine

Good Morning, Delaware County!

A day later, 14-month old Nicholas McCorkel clings to life.
Everybody is rooting for the little boy to pull through. To be able to overcome being left in a locked car for five hours while the heat rose into triple digits.
Some of the comments about the incident, though, leave me wondering.
How anybody, I don't care what the circumstances, could leave anybody in a car for five hours is just unbelievable.
There are no excuses. To say you forgot is unacceptable. You can forget your lunch in the car. You can forget to bring your movies back to Blockbuster. You can forget to take the bills to the post office.
You can not forget a 14-month old in the back of a car on the hottest day of the year. If the law says there is no prosecution for this, the law should be changed.
Done and done.

Now that I have that off my chest, how about something lighter?
For some reason, Forbes.com has to give us a list of the most powerful celebrities in the world.
Do we really need to know who is a powerful celebrity? Why do we care so much about celebrities and who exactly makes them powerful?
This year, the top five are: Oprah, Tiger, Angelina, Beyonce, Beckham.
If you care, HERE IS THE COMPLETE LIST
Great, Oprah has a lot of money, so that makes her powerful. Tiger can play golf and has dumb razor commercials. Angelina and Beyonce act or sing or something. David Beckham is a soccer player.
Somehow, they are to the cream of the crop. They can do anything. Great for them. How about helping the rest of us.
By the way, the list goes to 100 with cook Paula Deen bringing up the rear.
So, if Paula Deen shows up on Oprah, does she say: "OK, Y'all, I'm knocking you off your perch. Watch out, here comes Paula Deen. Y'all"
Probably not. I think you are stretching for a list that includes not only Paula Deen, but Racheal Ray (No. 76) and Judge Judy (No. 40), but doesn't include Homer Simpson.


If you have any cool links or photos, send them along to onlinedelco@gmail.com

Wednesday, June 11, 2008

Rise and Shine

Good Morning, Delaware County!

It's truly amazing and, maybe, a bit unbelievable.
We've become a nation built on fear.
There was a time, probably not so long ago, where we weren't cowering in our milk. We weren't hiding inside our houses. We weren't dreading the next day before this day even begins.
This, at least in one opinion, started back in 1999. Remember when we were told to hoard canned goods and water because, 'Y2K was going to crash all our computers and render us helpless.' Well, that passed, but at least we had canned goods and water.
The tide really turned Sept. 11, 2001. The terrorist attacks on New York changed everybody, one way or another.
We no longer were safe, so we were told. We couldn't expect things to be so rosy. We were going into an extended version of the dark ages.
Heck, many of those who actually voted for good ol' W in 2004 said they did so because they needed to feel secure. A change in administration somehow was going to lead to the downfall of civilization.
Now, it's all about the economy. Turn on any of those 24-hour news stations and you'll hear how bad things are right now. You'll hear about how we are approaching more dark times. You'll hear how the stock market is going to collapse. You'll hear about money woes for everybody.
Yesterday, CNN, with it's 'Issue No. 1' is at the forefront of the fear-mongering, actually had an 'expert' who said we needed to have a year's worth of our salary squirreled away in case of something happening. Without that, forget about everything.
Hogwash.
Yeah, the economy is bad. It's also hot outside in June and gets cold in December. Everything runs in cycles. It gets bad, it gets better.
My grandparents used to tell stories about the Great Depression. About how they had to walk three miles to work for pennies, then try to feed their families. You know what, they made it through. They lived happy lives and were always singing.
Here's an idea: Tune out the fear. Don't listen to these so-called 'experts.' Remember, they are getting paid to make it sound bad and to get you to panic. The more you panic, the more they get paid.


If you have any cool links or photos, send them along to onlinedelco@gmail.com

Tuesday, June 10, 2008

Rise and Shine

Good Morning, Delaware County!

Time, obviously, changes everything.
If you knew then what you know now, you might have done things completely different five years ago. You didn't, so you deal with it and try to change things.
Speaking of change:
After taking in the Star Wars exhibit at the Franklin Institute, the boys really started to get into the whole 'Star Wars' thing.
They wanted the figures. They wanted the games and, of course, they wanted to see the movies.
Having enjoyed the films when they first came out, it was fun to go back and experience it again.
Now, I saw the original films in the theater and maybe one other time on video or TV (can't remember which). It didn't become an obsession or religion like for other people.
When the 'new' chapters came out a few years ago, I didn't have any pressing need to see them. We did watch the third 'new movie' a few months ago on television, but found it overly long and a bit disappointing.
Anyway, the boys wanted to watch, so we saw the original (now called 'A new hope') and, last night, finished watching 'The Empire Strikes Back.'
Many may not remember, but the big scene where Darth Vader announces he is Luke's father was so shocking when it happened that it was talked about like a culture-changing event.
So, when the scene was coming up last night, I watched for reaction.
There was none. They already knew the twist. Of course, it didn't stop the enjoyment of the movie. In fact, it just guaranteed this weekend will be spent watching 'Return of the Jedi.'
This would probably have been more shocking:


If you have any cool links or photos, send them along to onlinedelco@gmail.com

Monday, June 9, 2008

Rise and Shine

Good Morning, Delaware County!

Just saw a news report on television telling me it's hot out there.
Just read a news report in the newspaper telling me it's hot out there.
Just heard on the radio it's hot out there.
Just walked outside and, know what, it's hot out there.
It's June in Pennsylvania. It's hot out there. We know it. We can feel it. We are paying outrageously high PECO Energy prices to get away from it.
Enough already. We know it's hot out there. It's like telling me we are paying too much for gas.
Here's a prediction: It's going to be hot in July and August as well.

Since that's out of the way, we can get to the real interesting thing of the day.
I was treated Saturday to a wonderful meal with great company at a Mexican restaurant in Philadelphia Saturday night.
It is a small place with an unbelievably stocked tequila bar, good food and good service.
Still, the best part of the night was being able to eat, enjoy talking, joke and relax. Every once in a while, despite the world outside, it's nice to escape and forget about the pressures we all face.
Forget the heat. Forget the high fuel costs. Forget the bills. Forget the yelling. Forget schools. Forget arguments.
Even for a couple of hours, it's nice to escape.



If you have any cool links or photos, send them along to onlinedelco@gmail.com

Friday, June 6, 2008

Rise and Shine

GOOD MORNING, DELAWARE COUNTY!

Thursday was a pretty nice day.
Sure, the clouds dominated the sky, but it actually worked out well.
The Small Business Administration held its annual awards ceremony at Citizens Bank Park.
Actually, it was a tent outside the ballpark. The first award went to Kathleen E. Carey, the Daily Times business writer. She received the Journalist of the Year award. After a rousing 'thank you' speech (which many questioned if she was a professional speaker), the day was rolling.
It's actually pretty impressive to see more than 500 business leaders in one place at one time. Probably a good place to pick up some ideas or advertising.
Then it was into the ballpark.
To tell the truth, with three children, it's a bit of a chore to head down to the game. The younger ones are focused on the playground. From the moment they reached the seats, it was 'Can we go to the playground? Can we go to the playground? I want to go to the playground! Playground! Playground!'
Of course, in my thinking, you can go to a playground any time you want that doesn't cost $18 to get into.
What was really fun about the afternoon was sitting in the stadium with a 9-year old boy who really never watched a game before. He was jumping up and down. Cheering for the Phillies. Basically having a grand old time.
I was lucky as a youngster. A neighbor had season tickets to the Phillies, three rows behind the visitor's dugout. A few times a month, he would give us the tickets. I learned to love watching the game.
Of course, it kind of grew into an obsession. Phillies. Phillies. Phillies. I kept score, followed every game. Still, it was fun.
Maybe that seed was planted in another generation on a cloudy afternoon.


If you have any cool links or photos, send them along to onlinedelco@gmail.com

Wednesday, June 4, 2008

Rise and Shine

GOOD MORNING, DELAWARE COUNTY!

By the by, I forgot about the Viagra ads that come flooding into e-mails. Not that, you know, somebody was snooping for that.

Anyway, there was a popular book some years back called 'All I really need to know I learned in kindergarten.'
While the book is more of a life philosophy, the title is what got me thinking.
Is it true? Do we learn during our first year of 'formal' school than the rest of the years?
Probably for our basic needs. Still, anybody who sat complaining in algebra class know that now you need that math every day.
What got me thinking about this is my son, Brendan, is completing his last day of kindergarten today.
He's starting to read. He's starting to add. He's starting to see the world in a different way.
I guess you do grow up a bit after kindergarten. While he's been going to school for a few years now, this is really the first year of learning. Preschool teachers set the basics for things. They learn the days of the week, colors, etc. When they get to the next level, though, it's time to get everything down.
Reading, Writing and 'Rithmetic.
To tell the truth, the learning is stunning. Here's a boy who last year had a tough time writing his name, but now his penmanship is better than mine. He honestly sits down with books now and reads the words. He doesn't just look at the pictures.
He's learning to count. He knows the difference between pennies and dimes.
I give all the credit to his teachers. Think about it for a minute. Here you are faced with a classroom of 5- and 6-year olds. While they are in school, they aren't necessarily 'in' school.
Their attention span is, well, limited. Somehow, though, they learn. Somehow they get it done.
Maybe the book is right.
So for all you kindargten graduates out there, I give you this:


If you have any cool links or photos, send them along to onlinedelco@gmail.com

Tuesday, June 3, 2008

Rise and Shine

GOOD MORNING, DELAWARE COUNTY!

OK, it's taken a couple of days to figure it out, but we now know why Larry Mendte felt the need to break into Alycia Lane's e-mail account.
It wasn't to get his hands on those famous bikini shots or to dig for some dirt on his former anchor co-host at Channel 3.
No, Mendte must be feeling the financial crush we are all living with these days. There's no doubt, Mendte, who grew up in Lansdowne (throw a stone), must have been trying to get a little bit of that Nigerian money.
Lane, who was fired by the station back in December after she supposedly slapped a New York City cop, must have let Mendte know about the free money being given away every day via e-mail.
Heck, my Yahoo account has 3,512 e-mails about free credit cards, free stuff from Target and those frozen accounts in Africa.
Just looking quickly, I can work at home and make $200,000 a year. I can get $250,000 in life insurance for just a buck.
So, why do we need to work?
Here's a good week, living via e-mail:
After working at home an hour a day and making $50,000, I can take the car to Bloomingdales for my free Bloomies and then head over to Olive Garden for a free meal.
Heading home around noon, I can stop off at Target and use my free Visa card to pick up some new clothes.
Now comes the tough part. I have to decide between a free trip to Las Vegas, a weekend in Cancun or maybe a few days in Costa Rica.
That can wait, though, first I have to e-mail my bank account, social security number and address to somebody in Zaire who has a secret stash of money. It's really a sad story, apparently her father was killed by her uncle, but not before her father put $10 million in a secret bank account. If I send my information to this person, I can keep $8 million for myself.
You know, if I do that, I won't need all this free stuff.
So, I can certainly understand why Larry Mendte would check out somebody else's e-mail. Still, while he's sitting at home with no work, I want to help out.
This morning, I created Larry_mendte@yahoo.com.
That should make it easier. Just send me a note, Larry, and I'll send along the password. You too can get the benifit of e-mail solicitations.
Speaking of Larry Mendte:


If you have any cool links or photos, send them along to onlinedelco@gmail.com

Monday, June 2, 2008

Rise and Shine

GOOD MORNING, DELAWARE COUNTY!

Well, as we get down to the end of another school year, it's time to think about what to do during the summer.
Way back when, parents maybe went on a vacation for a week during the summer, did a couple of day trips, then let the children fend for themselves the rest of the summer.
It was fun to go away, but it was maybe more fun to spend the entire day with friends. Even if it was just sitting around in the shade, there was a simplicity to it that just seemed right.
Maybe there'd be a quick baseball game or football game. There was a lot of bike riding and running around.
You would eat breakfast, come back for lunch, then be back again at dinnertime. After dinner, there was more outside time until it got too dark to see.
Now, you can't let the children play outside, even on your front lawn, without keeping an Eagle eye on them.
There are too many dangers out there. The question is, are the dangers more now or are we just more conscious of them?
Well, I think the dangers have exploded as the years have gone along. Sure, there were plenty of predators out there in the 1970s, but maybe they weren't so out in the open.
We didn't have to worry about cars pulling up with somebody looking to hurt children. We didn't have to worry about so many people running around with weapons. We, and I mean both parents and children, didn't have to worry about such serious things.
Now, we have to have camps and planned activities for children. They miss out a lot now. We need to get back to simpler times.


If you have any cool links or photos, send them along to onlinedelco@gmail.com