Media's New Year's Eve to be COVERED LIVE! on ATM

You heard right!  If you can't make tonight's ball drop, no worries.  It'll be brought live via allthingsmediapa.com.  Now, I wouldn't go changing your plans to sit at home and watch from the comfort of your couch based on this announcement, because I assure you the experience won't be the same.  However, I've strung enough technology together to make this feasible in theory, at least.

DIck Clark and Ryan Seacrest are obviously busy this evening, so I'll see what kind of on-air personalities I can find in Media.

HAPPY NEW YEAR, Media!



Tune in tonight 5 minutes before Midnight. I'll also be doing some testing and possibly video updates leading up to the event, so check back and follow via twitter for live footage.
(no plugins necessary, just check back to this site)

Preparations underway for tonight's NYE Ball Drop

Weather will be great for tonight's NYE event.

Preparations are underway....#mediapa

Philadelphia Magazine rates Media/Upper Prov. as a great place to raise kids

Back in October, Philadelphia Magazine made a selection of 15 towns that were ideal places to raise kids. I'm happy to say, Media/Upper Providence made the list and received some nice compliments too.

Kudos to Rose Tree Media School District and Board for the great job they do! 

Philadelphia Magazine: Best Places to Raise Kids: The 15 Most Family-Friendly Philly Suburbs

Sections of State St. and the upper east side of Media are experiencing power outages.

Location:Certain areas of Media experiencing power outages

Who should be the next President of Media Borough?

With 2012 quickly approaching, the first order of business next year will be a vote by Media Borough Council on who should be the next council president and vice president.

The decision is probably already made, but let's see what the community thinks.

Sweetness Returns to Media.....Sinfully

Sinfully Delicious

Back in September of this year I reported that with the closing of Sweet Potato Cafe, Media was left without a bakery.  I'm not sure how many bakeries Media has had or if there's been a span when we didn't have one, but that was the sad situation. 

Media without a bakery just didn't  sound right, nor did it to Media's newest business: Sinfully Delicious Bakery.  They've been open for a few weeks, but I had a chance to get down there and meet Tammy who was behind the counter that day.  Based on their selection, they are a full functioning bakery even if their main baking facility is in Brookhaven, PA.  Cookies, bread, cinnamon rolls, cake, pies.....they got it all.  In fact, you can custom order cakes of all kinds.

You can find them on Monroe St. between Baker and State Street.  They also are on Facebook too.

Media's New Year's Eve ball drop and where it'll be

12/30/11 UPDATE: Festivities for Media's 11th Annual ball drop will begin at 11pm with musical guest,  Philly Gumbo.  Location is 1 West State St. on the corner of Jackson and State St.  

With recent changes in the brorough last year regarding the sale of 1 West State St. and the soon to be announced opening of the new restaurant Spasso's; many people have asked me what will be of this year's New Year's Eve ball drop.  Despite no formal annoucements by the borough, atleast not through their website, the Ball Drop will be right where it's been each and every year..........1 West State St.  Spasso's won't be open yet, but the building has been vacant for a few years now and the event is just as good.

Some may not know this, but one year there was a request by the Town House restaurant to have them host the event by Veteran's Sq.  A lot of people felt it just wouldn't have been the same to have it over there, and, well the current location was kept.

If you haven't been to this celebration, it's one of Media's more rowdier events, especially by the front steps of the building.  Last year was the first time I attended and was surprised to be doused by A LOT of champagne or something similar.  It almost felt like being in the victor's locker room after winning a Superbowl.  I was dressed up, so I can't say I was particularly thrilled, but now I know.

It's no doubt a festive time that's grown in popularity through out the years.  Many people come to town to partake in house parties and dining at the local restaurants and bars.  If fact, many of the bars will tell you it's one of their busiest nigths of the year.

Here's a locally produced video by the Media Business Authority of the night's festivities from a few years back.

Theft on State Street!

I learned today that a theft was reported by Golden Impulse on State St.  I happened to run into the owner of the store who said earlier in the day when he was showing a piece of expensive jewelry, the person looking at it took it and ran out the door. 

Media Police are investigating.

Media uses Twitter....so follow us!!!

I track a lot of Twitter feeds (real time) related to Media on this site and I see the participation grow month after month.  Compared to other social media, people still find Twitter a bit mysterious, but it's essentially just a micro version of Facebook.  Updates, pictures, groupings.....it's all there.   What made Twitter somewhat different was that you could receive updates as a 140 character text message to your cell phone.  Facebook can do that too, but it's a bit more cumbersome.

A lot of businesses in Media use Twitter by linking all their social media together so when an update is made on Facebook, it'll automatically cascade to websites, twitter, RSS feeds, etc. This is a lot easier to do than you think, if fact in only takes a few minutes to setup.  Once configured, you're done.  No more time wasted on updating everything, one update does it all.  So those who may utilize twitter over say your website, will still get the same update you want them to see.

I especially like how House Sandwich Shop @eatathouse uses twitter to post lunch specials, hours and soups of the day.  Yes, House, I do read your updates.  Quite a few other restaurants utilize this too.  Sligo and Front Street Fountain Shop are others that come to mind.  You can follow these yourself, or stop back to this site as they scroll in real time on the right side of this page.

Here are 5 new twitter feeds I came across and added this week.

• @ironhillmedia
• @reconsiderhom
• @320marketcafe
• @puffinrugs
• @benchmarkschool

With all this information coming in from so many different directions (FB, Twitter, websites) it can be hard to aggregate it all.  Well, you're in luck.  One app that I found useful for Ipads and iphones too, is Flipboard.  It not only makes  consolidating everything easier, but it presents the information in a well laid out format.  Sort of like reading a daily paper on, well, say, Media.  Check it out.

Media/Elwyn (R3) Line experiencing delays this morning

Delays are to be expected this morning due to signaling problems on the Media/Elwyn Line.

Follow Septa on Twitter for the latest reports

SEPTA_ELW Elwyn: The last Inbound Media/Elwyn train will be #933436 minutes ago · reply · retweet ·favorite

SEPTA_ELW Elwyn: Media/Elwyn line service has been suspended due to Wire and Signal problems at Secane.38 minutes ago · reply · retweet ·favorite

Foul Smell on E. Baker Street

While walking to purchase stamps at the Media post office (Yes, people still buy stamps), I noticed a foul smell emanating at the corner of E. Baker and Monroe.  It was so bad I had to ask someone what was going on.

I swung over to County Beverage and asked someone standing outside.  He went on to tell me that every so often this problem occurs due to spillage from the Iron Hill trash bins.  From what I learned, Iron Hill usually cleans this up, but it's gotten to the point that the borough was recently notified to do something about it.  

Corner of E. Baker and Monroe St.

E. Baker St looking West

From the pictures you can see the leakage running down the Street, so you can just imagine the smell.  For businesses in close proximity, it's a big deal as they've not only complained about it, but have had to close windows and doors due to the problem.

Having eaten at Iron Hill many times and knowing their commitment to the community with the events they host; I'm sure they'll get this straightened out.

Want a Piece of Media?

Last weekend it was great to see a vibrant State Street alive with shoppers and pedestrians going in and out of stores and eateries.  With the Christmas music playing on the outside speakers, nothing sets the mood quite like Media does with it's small town feel.

I can't think of a better store that exemplifies Christmas than Quincy's on State.  With the authentic, well worn wooden floors and holiday spirit; it tough not to get into spirit when there.

As for the piece of Media:  The display window next to Bryn Mawr Bank had some very neat pictures of store fronts and settings on State St.  It didn't say who painted them or how much they are, but I want one,

Congratulation to Councilman Jim Cunningham and his 26 years of service.

Congratulations to Councilman, Jim Cunningham for not only his service to Media throughout the years, but for also being recognized with the Media' Community Service Award.

More about this story can be read at media.patch.com

Pete Alyanakian and Peter Williamson's terms are also expiring after this year.  To both, I wish the best of luck to and thank them for the character, integrity and judgement they put forth to make this town a better place for all.


Tedman

Septa's Media/Elwyn Line and Real Time alerts/schedules

Media.patch.com had a great story today on Septa's Media/Elwyn line (aka, the R3 Line).  What came out of that article entailed schedule changes for the Angora and 49th Street area which will now become flag stops.  Basically, you'll have to notify the conductor if you want to stop at either two locations.  In addition, if you'll need to signal the engineer to stop should you be awaiting the train.

What I also found newsworthy was Septa now provides updates via twitter.  Not just the whole Septa system, but for individual lines.  For the Media/Elwyn Line: @septa_elw  For the Media 101 Trolley: @septa_trl_101. If you take the train like I do, this may come in handy one day.  (I've also included this account on the twitter feed on the right side of this page). For those using other Septa lines, you can choose from a list on their site: http://www.septa.org/alert/twitter.html

Lastly, I've used this for years and it's one of the most useful apps/sites I know of.  It's an online Septa schedule made for smart phones.   It's called iSepta.org and works quite well.  Go to the site, select your beginning and ending destination, bookmark it, and your set.

New business at Veterans Sq and State Street

Corner of Veterans Sq. and State St.

The building at the corner of Veteran's Sq. and State Street has been vacant for sometime, though in the last couple weeks there's been active work which changed the store front to include a new entrance and window space.  At thousands of dollars a month in rent for these types of business locations, I've always been interested in who, what and when these stores will be occupied.

From what I've gathered, I've heard it's planned to be a nail salon.  I have yet to substantiate that, as I've also heard rumors of a tanning salon too. Perhaps a possibility of both.

The pattern is becoming all too familiar: What can be bought over the internet or in bulk stores, doesn't make for a great business model on the streets of Media.  Bill Battey's sporting goods comes to mind and the former toy store where Media Pizza and Grill now is suffered a similar fate.  They had a great selection, but couldn't compete on a larger scale of convenience and price.  With online stores, they were no match, unfortunately.  Even at a mark up 10 to 30 percent, I tried to buy what I could there.  It's not just Media, but the malls on each end of town (Granite Run/Springfield) are both feeling a similar pressure.

What is thriving is an abundance of restaurants,  bars, banks and salons; as they seem to be the only sustainable model that works, which is categorized as the "services" industry.  Yes, Deals does well and maybe the gift/antiques stores too, but they provide unique items special to Media were price is not a determination point.   B. Gross a long time clothier of Media recently scaled down and adapted to the times by discontinuing men's suits.  I was in there this weekend, and aside from a casual line of clothes, there wasn't much selection for dress shirts.  I will say you can order custom shirts there and the quality is the best I've ever seen.

As for manufacturing, that's long been gone.  The only business I can think of that still produces something is Bevan's candy on Edgmont and Baltimore Pike.  I did see however, jars of honey in 7 Stones cafe for sale that said "Made in Media, PA."

Essentially for retail, if you can't buy it online and it's a store where most of the goods are under $30 dollars, you may have a viable business.  That is, if you can generate the needed sales volume to cover the typical rent on State St of $4,000 per month.

And about those new street signs.....

With the CMAQ (Congestion Mitigation Air Quality) project close to finishing, one item that struck me as odd was the observations made by people who thought the new signage was TOO BIG.  TOO BIG?!?!  I thought it looked great and with older eyes, a welcomed improvement.  

Are these signs really too big?

In addition, I received two notifications from people who didn't think the sensors that regulate traffic were functioning properly.  The observation entailed traffic backed up on Baltimore Pike when there was no perpendicular traffic crossing Baltimore Pike from Monroe St.  Technically, from what I understand,  the computer systems should actively adjust for many traffic related variables in order to better handle congestion.


Something to look into.......

Walking tour of Media and 2nd Saturday

Not only is this weekend Second Saturday, but there will also be a walking tour of Media hosted by the Media Arts Council.  The walk goes from 2 to 4 on Saturday and will discuss the buildings and architecture that makes up the borough's history.  The tour will include the courthouse, borough hall, the Delaware County Institute of Science.  If you've never been to the Institute of Science, that alone is worth the price.

Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at: www.mediaartscouncil.org/walking-tour.

Temaki Sushi Bar Gets Social....

I had just happened to be checking out Media "Check Ins" on Facebook and came across many.  One that I found intriguing was a great deal that Temaki sushi has for well, checking in via Facebook.

Here it is:  Great sushi at even a better price!

Super Wawa coming to Media?

With Wawa now just making Super Wawa's, it's always been a wonder  when one would come to Media.  The current Wawa at Baltimore Pike and Monroe Streets would do a lot more volume if the parking situation was better; and I'm not the only that thinks that.

Media Inn Circa 2010

Last year or so when the old Media Inn was being torn down the immediate thought was the land would be a prime spot for such a store.  Well, back then I was quite confident a deal wasn't in the works, but apparently that may change.  No definite plans have been made, but odds are there may be news on this sometime next year. 

Not sure this helps or hurts Starbucks.  I have no problem buying gas at Wawa.  Coffee? A different story.