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.

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.

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)

Christmas in Philly

Holiday Greetings from Philly.

There's no article to tell you about, just one of my pictures which ran in the Center City Weekly Press. The ones to the right were not used. To see the one that made my cut, click here and turn to page 2.

Philly got hit with an actual snowstorm this past weekend--the first real one since I've lived here and I wanted to try to capture a rare, snow-covered holiday season in the City of Brotherly Love.

The picture has received lots of positive feedback including the following comment from Philadelphia Inquirer Staff Photographer Tom Gralish:

"Great Santa shot Kerry! You certainty captured the feel of rowhouse life. Usually you only see Santa photos of him in malls, in front of fireplace or on the roof of a suburban tract home."

That's what I was going for. Growing up in Boston, this is what Christmas was. Snow piled up along the sidewalk. a string of Christmas lights wrapped around a railing or dangling in front of a house...and Santa making his way down a mixture of slush, and salt and asphalt.

And here in Philly, in rowhome life, it's the same. Christmas in the city is like nowhere else...

...and I love it.

Bernard Hopkins get win over Enrique Ornelas

On Wednesday, Dec 2, Bernard "The Executioner" Hopkins fought Enrique Ornelas at the Liacouras Center in Philly.

Hopkins won a unanimous decision after 12 rounds.

You can read my short write up for Examiner.com here.

(Photos: Kerry O'Connor)

Bluecoat American Dry Gin declares war against English dry gins at Whiskey Festival

On Thursday, November 12, I covered the 2009 Philadelphia Whiskey Festival at the Union League in Philly.

There's so much more to it than just whiskey. There's food from the Palm and Capital Grille, cigars from Holt's Cigar Company (they had complimentary San Cristobal Monumentos which were excellent...although I'm still an Arturo Fuente Hemingway fan) and every kind of booze you can imagine.

I ended up doing a story for the Weekly Press on Bluecoat American Dry Gin, which is distilled in Northeast Philly by Philadelphia Distilling. They're trying to make a name for themselves in a market flooded with London dry gins.

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

(Photo of festival by D.G. Ullman)

Watch this video to see how Bluecoat American Dry Gin is made.