Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Mazel Tov! National Museum of American Jewish History Opens Its Doors


This past weekend, I dusted off the ol' dinner jacket and bow tie to cover the grand opening gala of the National Museum of American Jewish History in Philadelphia.

The museum is down on Independence Mall, right near Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell and the Constitution Center.

The musuem is wonderful, and the exhibits and message ring true for anybody with an immigrant story in their family background...

...and that's just about all of us.

The gala featured entertainment by Jerry Seinfeld and Bette Midler and Barbara Streisand made an appearance.

The rack of lamb they fed guests looked fantastic. Me, I was fed corned beef sandwiches along with the other reporters.

To read my story in the Weekly Press, click here.
(Photos by A. N. O'Connor)


Wednesday, November 10, 2010

American Heart Association Gives Out Over $16 Million in Grants to Local Organizations for Cardiac and Stroke Research

The American Heart Association is a great organization. They recently recognized some of the local organizations that they gave funded to in order to fight heart disease and stroke.

A nice thing about the reception was that folks who have benefited from the funding--as in those who would not be alive today without it--were there. I met a guy names Jason Holmes who had a heart attack when he was 31.

I'm 33.

His story hit home to me.

To read about the American Heart Association and Jason, click here and go to page 5.

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Cheerleader Alumni Video to Help Cure Breast Cancer Now up and Running

Two weeks ago, I broke the story about former NFL cheerleaders who were creating a video that would serve as a fundraiser for the Philadelphia Chapter of the Susan G. Komen for the Cure organization, which is determined to find a cure for breast cancer.

The video, which features a dance routine performed by former cheerleaders from the 60's on up to the present day, has officially been released on YouTube.

Every time someone clicks on the video, 10 cents is donated to the Philadelphia Chapter of the Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

You can view the video here. Give a click, and donate to a worthy cause.

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Former Cheerleaders Perform Routine for Breast Cancer Awareness

This past Saturday, I went to the football field of Central High School to cover a huge dance routine performed by former Eagles cheerleaders. The routine was filmed and will be released online in October as a fundraiser for the Philadelphia Affiliate of the Susan G, Komen for a Cure, an organization dedicated to curing breast cancer.

It was good to break out the ol' reporter's notebook again. I've been too busy to go on any assignments in the last few months and I've missed it greatly.

You can see the story, which appeared in the Weekly Press, here.
Below is a video of the cheerleaders running onto the field. Can't show you the routine. That's top secret until the release in October.

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Columbus' ships come to Philly

On Monday, May 24, I covered the arrival of the Nina and Pinta--replicas of two of Christopher Columbus' ships--that will be in Philly till Memorial Day.

The thing that really got to me was just how tiny these ships are. It must've been something, crossing the unknown Atlantic in a ship that is smaller than some personal pleasure boats that you see cruising up and down the Delaware.

The story and pictures appeared in the Center City Weekly Press.

To read the story, click here.

You can see two quick videos--one of Captain Joe Hopkins talking aboout the importance of the new Nina and Pinta and another one of the Pinta being docked--below.





Monday, May 24, 2010

Radnor Hunt Races a great day for the Irish

On Saturday, May 15, I covered the Radnor Hunt Races which entails 6 steeplechase races., at the Radnor Hunt Club. This year, I covered the races for the upcoming June issue of the Irish Edition here in Philly.

Food, fun, booze, sun, women wearing big hats, and placing bets on the races are all part of the fun. Since there are no paramutual betting/odds at the races, little old men with whiteboards make the odds and take the bets, scribbling your pick on a piece of paper with a pen...kinda like the horse racing scene in the Quiet Man.

Since the Irish Edition doesn't have a current website, I published the actual story below here on the Pen & Lens.

(Photos by A.N. Torres)

Radnor Hunt Races a great day for the Irish

On Saturday, May 15, the 135th Preakness Stakes took place and Irish eyes everywhere looked toward Baltimore to see if either of the two horses with Irish names-- Dublin or Paddy O’Prado-- would make them smile by ending up in the winner’s circle at Pimlico Race Track.

Dublin finished 5th. Paddy O’Prado finished 6th.

Those Irish eyes should have been looking toward Radnor, Pennsylvania.

There, at the 80th Radnor Hunt Races—a day of steeplechase racing, big hats and flowing booze at the Radnor Hunt Club—Irish born jockey Paddy Young (no relation to the horse) won two of the five races he rode in and came in second in two others.

The first of Young’s wins was the second race of the day, the Vita C. Thompson Memorial Steeplechase, a 2 3/8 miles race with a $30,000 purse. Young led the pack the entire race on top of a horse named Mabou, a name the crowd along the rail enjoyed yelling (Ma-boooooo!) every time the horse galloped by and then again when announced as the winner.

Young’s second victory of the day was the fifth race, the 2 3/8 miles James M. Moran, Jr. Steeplechase with a $25,000 purse. This time, Young was on top of a horse named Eagle Beagle, a name which the crowd did not enjoy cheering nearly as much.

Young, 34, who resides in Unionville, Pa, started riding in steeplechases back in Northern Ireland when he was 16 years old. When asked about the differences between steeplechase racing in the United States and Ireland it was the perception of the sport here in the States that he notices.

“Here in America, those who follow the sport are very knowledgeable about steeplechase racing and its history,” said Young. “But a lot of Americans associate steeplechase racing with England and think of it only as an English sport, like foxhunting. But all over Ireland, steeplechase racing is very popular. Everybody follows it like it’s our national pastime. There are lots of Irish influences in steeplechase racing.”

How much influence?

Three other riders who competed in Saturday’s six Radnor Hunt races, Darren Nagle, Ross Geraghty and Willie Dowing are all Irish-born. And eight of the horses that ran, So Amazing, Music To My Ears, Meet At Eleven, Duke of Earl, Chivite, Hourigan, The Whacker and Ballet Boy were bred in Ireland.

Young rode The Whacker to second place in the 3 ¼ miles Radnor Hunt Cup and Ballet Boy to fourth place in the 2 3/8 miles National Hunt Cup.

And even crowd favorite Mabou, “Ma-boooooo!” is a first generation Irish- American whose roots go back to the old sod.

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

St. Patrick's Day Tradition: High Life and my Pop


This has become sort of a tradition with some of my newspapers. Every year, they publish this story about my favorite St. Patrick's Day, the last one I spent with my Pop back home.

I'm always touched when I get an email from someone saying they love the story.

I saw my pop recently. Always great to catch up with him.

Happy St.Patrick's Day, Pop!

To read the story, click here.

Thursday, February 25, 2010

Billboard Top 10 Artist Adam Crossley to Perform at Red Cross Red Ball

On Thursday, February 18, I attended the Press Preview Party for the upcoming Red Cross Red Ball.

It was announced that Billboard Top 10 Singer Adam Crossley will be performing at the Red Ball.

But that was all that was said.

So, I made a call and talked to Crossley and he revealed his list of songs for the Red Ball. To read the short piece, click here.


Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Great Fun, Great Art at Young Friends of the Philadelphia Musuem of Art Winter Gala

On Saturday, February 20, I covered the Young Friends of the Philadelphia Museum of Art's Annual Winter Gala.

The gala had a masquerade theme and most guests (except Philly Mayor Michael Nutter shown here with curator Michael Reynolds) wore masks of one kind or another. Even a few reporters got in the spirit.

Those in attendance were able to get a sneak-peek at the new Picasso and the Avant-Garde in Paris exhibition and to chat with Reynolds, the exhibit's curator.

To read the story, which ran in the Center City Weekly Press, click here. More pictures below.

(Photos by Kerry O'Connor & A.N. Torres)








































Thursday, February 4, 2010

Former Phillie Dickie Noles and Others Recognized at 106th Annual Philly Sports Writers Association Award Banquet

On Monday, Feb. 1, the Philadelphia Sports Writers Association--the oldest such organization in the country--held its 106th Annual Awards Banquet.

In the past, Ali and Ruth had sat at the head table. This year, honored guest included Eagles coach Andy Reid and Phillies' Manager Charlie Manuel among others

Including former Phillies hero, Dickie Noles.

As a member of the PSWA, I was asked to present Noles with our Humanitarian of the Year Award for his work to keep young ballplayers and kids away from drugs and alcohol.

To read the story about Noles that ran in the Weekly Press and to see some of the other highlights from the banquet, click here.
(Photo of Dickie Noles and I by Rosemary Rahn)

Philly Auto Show's Black Tie Tailgate a Success

On Friday, January 30, I covered the Philadelphia Auto Show's Black Tie Tailgate. The event--which I've covered for about 5 years now--is a fundraiser for Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.

Guests get a sneak-peek at the cars in the auto show before it opens to the public the following day.

To read the story that appeared in the Weekly Press, click here.

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Looks like I made the news this time around.

On February 1, I'll be presenting Dickie Noles--the former Phillie--with the Philadelphia Sports Writers Association's Humanitarian of the Year Award.

The Center City weekly Press wrote a short blurb about it. To read it click here and turn to page 5.

Noles, who struggled with alcoholism in the past during his pitching career now travels through the minor leagues teaching young players about the dangers of addiction.

The presentation will happen at the Philly Sports Writers Assoc Awards Dinner at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. To learn more, visit PSWADinner.com.

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Happy Birthday, Bernard "The Executioner" Hopkins


Last Friday was Bernard "The Executioner" Hopkins' birthday. The ol' pug turned 45 and he's still dominating the boxing ring, taking on guys half his age.

I wrote a quick piece about the first time I met Hopkins. It appeared on the Philly Boxing Examiner site. To read it, click here.
(Photos by Kerry O'Connor)