PREIT the new owners of the Echelon Mall must have sent out a memo that mentioned how empty their investment has been over the past few years. It appears that their logic now (finally) is if they don't have stores to bring people in events will, and eventaully create a buzz and a location that retail stores would want to flock too.
Since the trees started blooming in South Jersey special events at the ill Mall started poping up like weeds. First there was the business convention which used the vacant J C Penny's wing of the mall. Then the had the "Shred It" event in conjunction with NBC10 where people shred their bills and learn how to prevent people from stealing their credit card accounts. I guess these people don't have paper shredders at home or access to the internet to look the measures that they should take at home. I understand turn out wasn't all that great for this one.
The mall have also starting a promotion that gets teenaged girls involved with modeling. I guess this will bring familes to rally around them and shop in stores while dropping them off. Perhaps an attempt to get guys in their 20's to come to the mall and creepily stare. I imagine Heros world must do a killing on these days.
This past week the Circus came to town. They set up just outside the vacant Penny's and it was heavily advertised in the papers, and through some billboards. So this is a good sign that some green is being spent to bring back interest in the mall. Wheather or not that circus goers decided to check out Gamestop or not after ridding the Elephants remains to be seen. However one wonders what people who haven't been there for years thought whent hey wondered in to the Mall. During the duration of these Special events the bleeding of existing businesses hasn't been able to be stopped. GNC,the Gap, and Pearl Vision all flew the coop.
In the addition to the previously mentioned events, Flyers forward Sami Kapanen (june 11 th) will be there for autographs,Rose flower shoe (june 5), classic car show june 19th,and Sports card show (June 11-13th).
Rumors of the mall landing Wal-Mart, Crate and Barrel, and Ikea over the past 6 months have proven to be just that. Rumors. No more truth to them than the Rutgers or Rowan rumors that have floating around South Jersey for almost 5 years now.
The rumors of a big announcment were however true, but resulted in mixed feelings from store owners. The Mall has decided to tear down the empty J C Penny's anchor store. The logic behind this is the wing can be rebuild to better suit the needs of a deal retail store. No Best Buy, Ikea, Wal-Mart or most newer successful retail stores are down with the split level set-up. So perhaps having the building's style reflect the business's image would make it easier to land a big account than disguising an old Penny's store as something else.
The news is good since it shows the owners are doing someting, and in the mean time saves money taxes wise. On the downside the Mall didn't say if they actually had a client lined up. In fact that pretty much denied anything would rise from the ashes anytime soon. Kind of like setting up a one timer, only to have the shot go wide.
One complaint againt this mall is the location. People blame the fact that it isn't near major highways that it gets hurt. I think that is bull, since its near the WHP and not too far from 295 and a train station. Look at all the rush hour traffic that goes on around that area. People can get there. If they can get to the Ritz Movie theater they can get there. People just need some different stores than Deptford or Cherryhill malls.
If they are about to start overhauling the mall I would highly suggest to replace some of their damaged signs with new digital ones. However maybe the tearing down of Penny's is the true sign of the envitable date with doom for the Mall. No matter how many clowns they send in.
Saturday, May 29, 2004
Friday, May 28, 2004
Summer Movie Files: 101- Shrek 2
I am not against cartoons as being good movies, but for the longest time the most popular thing in this genre were the Disney musicals like the Lion King and Aladdin, which are fine film, but generally not my cup of tea.
In the mid 90's feature length cartoon films went in new direction thanks mainly to the hailrous Toy Story. This paved the way for movies like Shrek.
This past Monday I was lucky enough to get the afternoon off, and went to a theater near me with Liza to see the sequel to Shrek.
In the world of Shrek audiences are spared having the characters burst into song to make their fears and feelings clear. Excluding the occasional karaoke party, or humorous Disney spoof in this sequel. In fact the music played in the film is more alternative and more suited for 88.5 FM than Disney Radio.
In the world of Shrek although everyone is straight out of a fairy tale the people living there have to deal with everyday obstacles of life. Same as the real people. The film's strolling is based on Shrek meeting his new in-laws who are not only shocked at their daughter's taste in men, but are shocked that their daughter is no longer human. Shrek faces the possibility that his new marriage won't work out once she realizes that she could have married a handsome prince. TO make the matters worse his father in law is plotting against him along with the mother of the prince she was supposed to marry.
The humor is swift and movie references upon from start to finnish. Fans of Donkey from the first film won't be let down because the film provides Donkey with plenty of fast talking, one liners and hamming it up. The film (which could become dangerous if Shrek 3 & 4 are turned into reality) introduces a new character Puss in Boots who is hired to take Shrek out.
This movie is loads of fun a great way to spend a summer afternoon. It also looks to be the king of the young summer. I am predicting The Day After Tomorrow to open just okay, but burn out after one week. In fact if it wasn't so obligatory for some to see a movie this weekend I think The Day After Tomorrow would be a big flop. It isn't likely to do as well as expected, the only buzz about this movie is political people it's almost non-existent with movie people. While Shrek might get a spike in a few weeks when kids are out of school and either want to see it again or get around to seeing it for the first time.
Hope everyone has something cool planned to offically kick off summer this weekend!
In the mid 90's feature length cartoon films went in new direction thanks mainly to the hailrous Toy Story. This paved the way for movies like Shrek.
This past Monday I was lucky enough to get the afternoon off, and went to a theater near me with Liza to see the sequel to Shrek.
In the world of Shrek audiences are spared having the characters burst into song to make their fears and feelings clear. Excluding the occasional karaoke party, or humorous Disney spoof in this sequel. In fact the music played in the film is more alternative and more suited for 88.5 FM than Disney Radio.
In the world of Shrek although everyone is straight out of a fairy tale the people living there have to deal with everyday obstacles of life. Same as the real people. The film's strolling is based on Shrek meeting his new in-laws who are not only shocked at their daughter's taste in men, but are shocked that their daughter is no longer human. Shrek faces the possibility that his new marriage won't work out once she realizes that she could have married a handsome prince. TO make the matters worse his father in law is plotting against him along with the mother of the prince she was supposed to marry.
The humor is swift and movie references upon from start to finnish. Fans of Donkey from the first film won't be let down because the film provides Donkey with plenty of fast talking, one liners and hamming it up. The film (which could become dangerous if Shrek 3 & 4 are turned into reality) introduces a new character Puss in Boots who is hired to take Shrek out.
This movie is loads of fun a great way to spend a summer afternoon. It also looks to be the king of the young summer. I am predicting The Day After Tomorrow to open just okay, but burn out after one week. In fact if it wasn't so obligatory for some to see a movie this weekend I think The Day After Tomorrow would be a big flop. It isn't likely to do as well as expected, the only buzz about this movie is political people it's almost non-existent with movie people. While Shrek might get a spike in a few weeks when kids are out of school and either want to see it again or get around to seeing it for the first time.
Hope everyone has something cool planned to offically kick off summer this weekend!
Thursday, May 27, 2004
"America's Horse"
I just wanted to continue to hammer the point that the beloved Smarty Jones isn't ending in a Philly sports streak.
Everyone wants the horse to win. Do you really think the people in the hometowns of the other 10 or so horses running next week are not rooting for Smarty? Hell no.
Smarty has fans all over the country, so a victory would be a victory for people all over the country. There is no fans in other cities crying over their beer like what happens when any of the sports teams in the big 4 get knocked out. Everyone will be happy. So it isn't Philly's celebration. It's arrogant to say that, not to mention pathetic.
These horses can only run in these races once. So no wonder lives or dies by this horse unless you are the trainer, owner or their family. Of course you are invested in these races if you have money at stake which is the only reason most people watch these races.
I can't wait to see Smarty run his little heart out and win the triple crown. However I think it will mean just as much to everyone not in Philly as it does to the people in Philly. Smarty is coming at a good time to become a legend. The country is divided horribly over a number of things.We are at war. This horse is getting people to root for the same thing and come together. World peace isn't going to break out, but it will be good for the American Spirit just like Sea Biscuit was in the depression era.
Another thing a victory parade for the Flyers wouldn't be the same as the mummers parade I don't care what those knuckle-heads say on 610.
"Good Night and Good Hockey"------------Gene Hart
Everyone wants the horse to win. Do you really think the people in the hometowns of the other 10 or so horses running next week are not rooting for Smarty? Hell no.
Smarty has fans all over the country, so a victory would be a victory for people all over the country. There is no fans in other cities crying over their beer like what happens when any of the sports teams in the big 4 get knocked out. Everyone will be happy. So it isn't Philly's celebration. It's arrogant to say that, not to mention pathetic.
These horses can only run in these races once. So no wonder lives or dies by this horse unless you are the trainer, owner or their family. Of course you are invested in these races if you have money at stake which is the only reason most people watch these races.
I can't wait to see Smarty run his little heart out and win the triple crown. However I think it will mean just as much to everyone not in Philly as it does to the people in Philly. Smarty is coming at a good time to become a legend. The country is divided horribly over a number of things.We are at war. This horse is getting people to root for the same thing and come together. World peace isn't going to break out, but it will be good for the American Spirit just like Sea Biscuit was in the depression era.
Another thing a victory parade for the Flyers wouldn't be the same as the mummers parade I don't care what those knuckle-heads say on 610.
"Good Night and Good Hockey"------------Gene Hart
Tuesday, May 25, 2004
"When is a WMD a WMD?"
I just got an email from Ed (sometime guest writer) from Yahoo! news from the AP about a discovery in Iraq that has been made. Sorry, for anyone hoping it was the Batboy. I am totally beat right now so I don't really see myself writing my take on this.
I tell you what everybody read this article pull out a piece of white lined paper and when I return I can read all your essays on it. Seriously feel free to read this article and let me know if this counts as WMDs in your book. For me it has gotten a little murky what exactly is considered a WMD. Again I'm too tired too get into it right now. I guess this is kind of like the Smarty Jones debate all over again. Does it count!??!?
I don't know if this story will get any legs by the time we are up tomorrow, but itis interesting. The Drudge Report hasn't even picked up on it yet, so I doubt it.
It is likely going to be overshadowed by the story breaking as I type this about AL-Qaida planning to attack us this summer. Nice thought before going to bed.
I tell you what everybody read this article pull out a piece of white lined paper and when I return I can read all your essays on it. Seriously feel free to read this article and let me know if this counts as WMDs in your book. For me it has gotten a little murky what exactly is considered a WMD. Again I'm too tired too get into it right now. I guess this is kind of like the Smarty Jones debate all over again. Does it count!??!?
I don't know if this story will get any legs by the time we are up tomorrow, but itis interesting. The Drudge Report hasn't even picked up on it yet, so I doubt it.
It is likely going to be overshadowed by the story breaking as I type this about AL-Qaida planning to attack us this summer. Nice thought before going to bed.
"Tucker on 610"
I was listening to the Steve and Mike show on 610 and decided to chime on the topic which was lack of Philly winners. I don't always listen to this show and sometimes they are cool, but other times they are idiots.
Anyway for the first time ever my phone call actually got through and I got on the air. I told them that falling short is harder for younger guys like me and my friends since we never saw a championship team and don't know how it feels to be a winner. We talked about that for a bit.
Then I said that the horse doesn't count. I don't which one (I can't tell their voices apart) starting going nuts. HE was saying that I should just have fun and be excited for the horse. At that point he turned into a Flyers vs Smarty Jones thing. Which wasn't my point. He said I should just get excited.
Before I could explain to him that I watch the first two races and was happy for Smarty I was either hung up on or my time ran out. So my point was never really made and I couldn't set him straight. He went on to tirade about me for a few minutes afterwards.
My point is I have had fun watching the horse race, but it still wouldn't count or make me feel what its like to be part of a winning fan base. First off I didn't know who the horse was till 3 days before the Derby so it is not like I grew up with the horse and taught about the horse like the other 4 teams when I was a kid. It is as if Smarty just appeared out of no where one day, and I don't think I would even talk about the triple crown much more than a few days after the fact. Where as if the other 4 teams won a championship I would be able to vividly tell my nephew about it when he is old enough to understand like older people tell us of the Phils, Flyers and Sixers winning teams. It is like I won't even bother telling him about Smarty. I doubt Jay and Jenna will tell Hunter about Smarty.
I mean it is like saying if sports team from one of the big 4 sports showed up randomly in South Philly two months ago I should be treat them as my own Feel the same way if won it all like it was my team. No way Smarty getting the triple crown will make finally understand what it is like to have a championship team. If the wings and phantoms don't count the horse sure as hell shouldn't.
What about the Soul? I could careless about them, but I bet you I would watch if it only took up 2 minutes of my Saturday to follow the team. I mean Smarty is cool and all and fun to watch race, but the fun only lasts a few seconds. Between races what is there to talk about? It's just one horse that runs around in a circle. Some of the articles on the race and his shot at winning again are just pure fluff. The four teams you follow their journey from the start and go through the playoffs with them.
I want Smarty to win. However I think it's lack of championship teams that have made this area embrace this horse as much as we did. Had the Eagles won the Super Bowl I doubt we would even care about that horse. Just because I rank smarty winning no where near a major sports team winning doesn't mean I don't want him to win or let the Flyers ruin my fun.
What a bunch of tools. Figures first time I get on the air and I get ripped a new one, although the 2nd guy kind of stood up for me. Maybe I should have just popped in my Big Fantastic CD instead.
Has anyone else ever got on to a talk radio show?
Also how about rating what the team means to you in order.
Tuckers Sports List:
Flyers (live and die by)
Phillies ( If I watch a whole game I really must have time to kill. I however do keep on the team on daily basis.)
Eagles ( I hate the stupidity of their fans and it almost makes me want to root against them)
Sixers (Meh I will jump on the band wagon if they make the final four. I like to read the AI dirt in the Daily News).
Anyway for the first time ever my phone call actually got through and I got on the air. I told them that falling short is harder for younger guys like me and my friends since we never saw a championship team and don't know how it feels to be a winner. We talked about that for a bit.
Then I said that the horse doesn't count. I don't which one (I can't tell their voices apart) starting going nuts. HE was saying that I should just have fun and be excited for the horse. At that point he turned into a Flyers vs Smarty Jones thing. Which wasn't my point. He said I should just get excited.
Before I could explain to him that I watch the first two races and was happy for Smarty I was either hung up on or my time ran out. So my point was never really made and I couldn't set him straight. He went on to tirade about me for a few minutes afterwards.
My point is I have had fun watching the horse race, but it still wouldn't count or make me feel what its like to be part of a winning fan base. First off I didn't know who the horse was till 3 days before the Derby so it is not like I grew up with the horse and taught about the horse like the other 4 teams when I was a kid. It is as if Smarty just appeared out of no where one day, and I don't think I would even talk about the triple crown much more than a few days after the fact. Where as if the other 4 teams won a championship I would be able to vividly tell my nephew about it when he is old enough to understand like older people tell us of the Phils, Flyers and Sixers winning teams. It is like I won't even bother telling him about Smarty. I doubt Jay and Jenna will tell Hunter about Smarty.
I mean it is like saying if sports team from one of the big 4 sports showed up randomly in South Philly two months ago I should be treat them as my own Feel the same way if won it all like it was my team. No way Smarty getting the triple crown will make finally understand what it is like to have a championship team. If the wings and phantoms don't count the horse sure as hell shouldn't.
What about the Soul? I could careless about them, but I bet you I would watch if it only took up 2 minutes of my Saturday to follow the team. I mean Smarty is cool and all and fun to watch race, but the fun only lasts a few seconds. Between races what is there to talk about? It's just one horse that runs around in a circle. Some of the articles on the race and his shot at winning again are just pure fluff. The four teams you follow their journey from the start and go through the playoffs with them.
I want Smarty to win. However I think it's lack of championship teams that have made this area embrace this horse as much as we did. Had the Eagles won the Super Bowl I doubt we would even care about that horse. Just because I rank smarty winning no where near a major sports team winning doesn't mean I don't want him to win or let the Flyers ruin my fun.
What a bunch of tools. Figures first time I get on the air and I get ripped a new one, although the 2nd guy kind of stood up for me. Maybe I should have just popped in my Big Fantastic CD instead.
Has anyone else ever got on to a talk radio show?
Also how about rating what the team means to you in order.
Tuckers Sports List:
Flyers (live and die by)
Phillies ( If I watch a whole game I really must have time to kill. I however do keep on the team on daily basis.)
Eagles ( I hate the stupidity of their fans and it almost makes me want to root against them)
Sixers (Meh I will jump on the band wagon if they make the final four. I like to read the AI dirt in the Daily News).
Sunday, May 23, 2004
"The Day After"
With his amazing play Keith Primeau made almost everyone forget his disgraceful display of turning Flyers legend Bill(y) Barber. into an enormous scapegoat after being embarrassed and ousted prematurely from the playoffs a few years ago. Despite the fact the Flyers couldn’t score a goal to save their life that year he blamed the entire break down on the coach who had lost his wife to cancer a few months prior. He along mainly with Brian Boucher slammed to coach who had been named coach of the year in the previous season by the league. They painted him into an utter incompetent moron who doesn’t listen to his players. Despite the team playing some of the worse hockey I have ever whitnessed in my life blame was a assigned to the coach and Barber’s not only lost his job, but had his coaching career ruined. Well maybe the hockey gods didn’t forget all this.
Bill Barbera who ironically has a position at the Tampa Bay Lightening who just sent the Flyers home for the summer could easily be wearing another cup ring on his finger in a mere two weeks. Something Primeau will NEVER have his entire career, and according to him will haunt him for a long time. Given the age of all the Flyers key players baring a trade a long time will be a life time for Prims.
Now don’t get me wrong it was a great ride and the captain did clearly everything he could to bring this team to glory. In fact I think he matured and realized how idiotic his remarks were. In fact some Flyers fans believe he was being used as a puppet by GM Bob Clarke who wanted to deflect the blame after failing to put together a cup team yet again. Not to mention the fact that Clarke always had animosity and jealously towards Barbara from what older fans tell me. Kind of like Clarke went to someone and made a move on the former coach.
Now this Flyers team I can’t get REALLY mad at. Not like the past 4 years or so. They tried harder than any Flyers team I have seen in a long time. Mainly because JR, Amonte, Zhamonv, and their captain all knew damn right well that this could very easily be their last shot at winning a cup. Younger players like Gagne had to know it might be his only shot too, look at all the older players in the NHL who still haven’t won it. What Keith (not me) did with this team was amazing. Amazing enough to put him in a chapter of the legacy of the Flyers however not enough to immortalize him anytime soon. He really relished his role as a captain and will likely rank just under Dave Poulin who led the Flyers all the way to game 7 of the cup finals in 1987. Of course that was against the dreaded Edmonton Oilers of the 1980’s easily the best team of our life time.
This Flyers team will go down as one we snap our fingers and shake our heads about. Damn, so close. Yeah I am proud of the way they played. However their special teams particularly let them down. They let the Bolts score too many power play goals, and couldn’t score on the man advantages of their own. Hmm, maybe the Barbara had nothing do to with their inept power play!
It was hard to watch the look of defeat on the orange and black last night. All they went through made for a fun entertaining season full of perseverance and great back stories. Especially JR, who will likely announce his retirement once the finals (hopefully my sadness will subside and I can watch) are done. All together a really fun season, with an ending that didn’t really piss me off like the last two season, but generally broke my heart. To make matter worse the shape of the NHL currently could mean that Saturday night when the clock ticked down it was running down on the history of the Philadelphia Flyers too. The NHL is on the verge of an entire collapse, and if the lockout lasts more than a few months it the Flyers and the NHL will be history. I can’t even say there is always next year, because we could be down to 3 teams in the city after last night.
As for Smarty Jones, he doesn’t end the streak. Don’t get me wrong I have had fun watching the horse run the first to races, but didn’t even know who the hell he was till 3 days before the Derby. If he wins that’s great, but it won’t end the streak. I will still be void of the experience of winning a sports championship. Not to mention the frigging horse is from BUCKS COUNTY not Philly. So that would be like counting the Rivershark’s as Philly’s own. It is just complete desperation and plain pathetic to claim this horse in the name of Philly sports teams.
So the ice melts in South Philly, and I have no idea when it will return. Regardless the team will be a year older next year if they do play and likely farther away from the ultimate prize. So take your seat with all the other stories off just falling short 2003-04 Flyers and enjoy you a lifetime of wondering what could have been till you win the Cup with another team or in the grave. Sit with the 1993 Phillies, and all the other close but no cigar clubs. Hell we could write a book or two.
I know this sounds really negative about a hard working team that got through a lot, but let’s face it even if you are proud of this team they aren’t champions. They aren't winners, and despite getting a round farther than last year, with all the money spend any players brought in this season was another failure. On top of that team likely lost money this season.
It was a great ride, but familiar one. With us watching someone's else team soak up the glory of being winners.
Bill Barbera who ironically has a position at the Tampa Bay Lightening who just sent the Flyers home for the summer could easily be wearing another cup ring on his finger in a mere two weeks. Something Primeau will NEVER have his entire career, and according to him will haunt him for a long time. Given the age of all the Flyers key players baring a trade a long time will be a life time for Prims.
Now don’t get me wrong it was a great ride and the captain did clearly everything he could to bring this team to glory. In fact I think he matured and realized how idiotic his remarks were. In fact some Flyers fans believe he was being used as a puppet by GM Bob Clarke who wanted to deflect the blame after failing to put together a cup team yet again. Not to mention the fact that Clarke always had animosity and jealously towards Barbara from what older fans tell me. Kind of like Clarke went to someone and made a move on the former coach.
Now this Flyers team I can’t get REALLY mad at. Not like the past 4 years or so. They tried harder than any Flyers team I have seen in a long time. Mainly because JR, Amonte, Zhamonv, and their captain all knew damn right well that this could very easily be their last shot at winning a cup. Younger players like Gagne had to know it might be his only shot too, look at all the older players in the NHL who still haven’t won it. What Keith (not me) did with this team was amazing. Amazing enough to put him in a chapter of the legacy of the Flyers however not enough to immortalize him anytime soon. He really relished his role as a captain and will likely rank just under Dave Poulin who led the Flyers all the way to game 7 of the cup finals in 1987. Of course that was against the dreaded Edmonton Oilers of the 1980’s easily the best team of our life time.
This Flyers team will go down as one we snap our fingers and shake our heads about. Damn, so close. Yeah I am proud of the way they played. However their special teams particularly let them down. They let the Bolts score too many power play goals, and couldn’t score on the man advantages of their own. Hmm, maybe the Barbara had nothing do to with their inept power play!
It was hard to watch the look of defeat on the orange and black last night. All they went through made for a fun entertaining season full of perseverance and great back stories. Especially JR, who will likely announce his retirement once the finals (hopefully my sadness will subside and I can watch) are done. All together a really fun season, with an ending that didn’t really piss me off like the last two season, but generally broke my heart. To make matter worse the shape of the NHL currently could mean that Saturday night when the clock ticked down it was running down on the history of the Philadelphia Flyers too. The NHL is on the verge of an entire collapse, and if the lockout lasts more than a few months it the Flyers and the NHL will be history. I can’t even say there is always next year, because we could be down to 3 teams in the city after last night.
As for Smarty Jones, he doesn’t end the streak. Don’t get me wrong I have had fun watching the horse run the first to races, but didn’t even know who the hell he was till 3 days before the Derby. If he wins that’s great, but it won’t end the streak. I will still be void of the experience of winning a sports championship. Not to mention the frigging horse is from BUCKS COUNTY not Philly. So that would be like counting the Rivershark’s as Philly’s own. It is just complete desperation and plain pathetic to claim this horse in the name of Philly sports teams.
So the ice melts in South Philly, and I have no idea when it will return. Regardless the team will be a year older next year if they do play and likely farther away from the ultimate prize. So take your seat with all the other stories off just falling short 2003-04 Flyers and enjoy you a lifetime of wondering what could have been till you win the Cup with another team or in the grave. Sit with the 1993 Phillies, and all the other close but no cigar clubs. Hell we could write a book or two.
I know this sounds really negative about a hard working team that got through a lot, but let’s face it even if you are proud of this team they aren’t champions. They aren't winners, and despite getting a round farther than last year, with all the money spend any players brought in this season was another failure. On top of that team likely lost money this season.
It was a great ride, but familiar one. With us watching someone's else team soak up the glory of being winners.
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