The Day After Christmas At Our Local Post Office...

There was no way around this. I had to go. I thought that if I went during the early afternoon that it wouldn't be crowded but it was. But you know what? As much as the people in line were grumbling the 2 postal workers that were there were trying to be as pleasant as possible.

This is a relatively new post office. The closest one before it was the post office that was located in the Cheltenham Mall near the movie theater. With this new post office it is within walking distance for me and I should be grateful that its here.

There may be times when you might be able to "quickly run in and do what you have to do" but don't count on it. And if you do manage to get there when there is no line, consider it a blessing!

An Additional Leaf Collection for Route 8

I saw this information posted around the around while I was out today. It didn't mention whether it was a loose-leaf or bagged leaf collection but it's scheduled for Jan 2, 2007 at 8am

LaMott Radio!

Well I finally decided to put the radio station back on the air and the Internet! It took me a long time to make this decision! First you can "take a listen" and find out more about the station by going to:

http://www.live365.com/stations/roseb44170

There are still a lot of "kinks" to be worked out. For instance I have to re-coordinate all of my pages that mention the radio station and that will take a while. But you can listen to the station now.

What kind of radio station is it? Well I'd like to think of it as an "ambience" kind of station. What does that mean? Just some nice background music that people can listen to while they are doing what they are doing - whether its housework, yardwork, taking a walk, or just some nice, pleasant music to listen to.

There is a "request" line and you can also send in your comments and suggestions.

Enjoy!

What is the weather outlook for the 2006-2007 season?

Just click the link below

Weather Prediction

They are predicting a warmer than usual season (from Dec 2006 - Feb 2007) - We shall see.................

Storm Watch and Strong Winds

The severe thunderstorm watch lasts until 10pm tonight. (Right now its almost 7:30pm).

For more detailed information you can click on the link below because it will take you to the Weather Channel's webpage

http://www.weather.com/outlook/recreation/outdoors/local/USPA1801?alertId=58427&dbSeq=null&par=OAP&site=OTDRV&code=1004100971

Tonight its supposed to go down to 39 degrees with a lot of windy conditions. Skies are forecasted to clear after midnight.

The Widener Estate

I'm starting to find out a LOT of information about this estate. First of all the man who it was named after was on the Titanic. Presently the estate is owned by someone else who has made no mention of what he intends to do with it. It is hoped by some that it can be turned into some sort of historic preservation.


I have passed by this estate many times and it is located across the street from our local post office.

It is in a current state of disarray but hopefully that will change in the near future.

Here are some related links:

http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/news/special_packages/
jenkintown/10363118.htm

http://www.encyclopedia-titanica.org/discus/messages/5676/
5592.html?985747013

http://www.preservationalliance.com/news_lynnewood.php

I'm Learning Google Earth??????????????

And it ain't easy! The picture on the right is showing my first attempt at trying to learn how to post. Actually its a new feature (at least new to me) of Google Earth that show a map of your specific area.

For those of you that don't know Google Earth is a map-like program that shows ariel views - not just inside the United States but all over the globe. Of course the first area I looked for was my own and I was surprised at the detail. Basically you can see the area from above - meaning the rooftops but you can zoom in and out as well.

What I'm working on is learning how to add my own overlays to the maps. There is a Google Earth community (a messageboard-type forum) where you can join (for free) and post your own overlays. And there are a LOT of members and they post everything from where they live to interesting sites in their area. So I'm learning how to do that too.

If others can post about their communities then I want to be able to add our community as well.

And that reminds me - if you have any "interesting" areas in the LaMott/Cheltenham area that you would like to share just let me know and I will add it to the overlay map.

Property Inspections Will Begin

To ensure sump pumps and other clean water sources do not illegally discharge into the sanitary sewer system, an inspection program will begin. An inspector with proper ID will visit each property. Property owners must allow the Township inspector to enter the premises and must correct any illegal discharges or else face surcharges of $100 per month on their sewer bills.

For more information, call (215) 887 - 6200, ext 223

The Cheltenham Bus - more interest in.....

More people are asking me about the Cheltenham Bus (of which I am glad because the more people that use this bus the more likely we will continue to have it).

You may be surprised that the bus may not look like the one in the picture. Sometimes the bus will need maintenance but don't worry though because another (white) bus is used as a replacement bus until the original one is ready.

Area residents who are seniors can ride the bus for free. Other residents (like myself) can pay the cost of $4 per trip or (what I do) buy the ten trip tickets for $10 - that equals $1 a trip.

The bus travels all around the Cheltenham area. I usually use it to go shopping at the area malls. But it also goes to the train station as well. Here is a copy of the bus's schedule in .pdf format.

http://www.cheltenhamtownship.org/bus/Schedule2005.pdf

The website link is located below:

http://www.cheltenhamtownship.org/bus/

Weather - Severe Wind Alert For Our Area

Wind Advisory

NEW CASTLE-KENT DE- INLAND SUSSEX-DELAWARE BEACHES-CECIL- KENT MD- QUEEN ANNE'S-TALBOT-CAROLINE- SUSSEX-WARREN-MORRIS-HUNTERDON- SOMERSET-MIDDLESEX-WESTERN MONMOUTH- EASTERN MONMOUTH-MERCER-SALEM- GLOUCESTER-CAMDEN-NORTHWESTERN BURLINGTON-OCEAN-CUMBERLAND- ATLANTIC- CAPE MAY-ATLANTIC COASTAL CAPE MAY- COASTAL ATLANTIC- COASTAL OCEAN- SOUTHEASTERN BURLINGTON-CARBON-MONROE- BERKS-LEHIGH- NORTHAMPTON-CHESTER- MONTGOMERY-BUCKS-DELAWARE- PHILADELPHIA- INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...WILMINGTON...DOVER... GEORGETOWN... REHOBOTH BEACH... ELKTON...CHESTERTOWN...CENTREVILLE... EASTON... DENTON...NEWTON... WASHINGTON...MORRISTOWN... FLEMINGTON... SOMERVILLE...NEW BRUNSWICK...FREEHOLD...SANDY HOOK... TRENTON... PENNSVILLE...GLASSBORO... CAMDEN...CHERRY HILL...MOORESTOWN... MOUNT HOLLY...JACKSON...MILLVILLE... HAMMONTON... CAPE MAY COURT HOUSE... OCEAN CITY...ATLANTIC CITY... LONG BEACH ISLAND...WHARTON STATE FOREST... JIM THORPE... STROUDSBURG...READING... ALLENTOWN...BETHLEHEM...WEST CHESTER... NORRISTOWN...DOYLESTOWN... MEDIA

A WIND ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM EST SUNDAY.

LOW PRESSURE WILL CONTINUE TO INTENSIFY AS IT MOVES INTO SOUTHEASTERN CANADA OVERNIGHT AND SUNDAY. COOLER AIR WILL PUSH INTO THE REGION BEHIND A COLD FRONT TRAILING BEHIND THE DEPARTING LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM.
THE COMBINATION OF THE INTENSIFYING LOW AND HIGH PRESSURE BUILDING ACROSS THE SOUTHEASTERN UNITED STATES WILL KEEP GUSTY WEST WINDS OVER THE AREA. WESTERLY WINDS OF 20 TO 30 MPH WITH GUSTS AROUND 45 MPH ARE EXPECTED THROUGH SUNDAY. THE RECENT HEAVY RAINFALL HAS SATURATED THE GROUND... THEREFORE... THE FORCE OF THE STRONG WIND MAY BRING DOWN WEAKENED AND SHALLOW ROOTED TREES... AND UTILITY WIRES... WITH SOME AREAS EXPERIENCING POWER OUTAGES. ANY OBJECTS THAT HAVE BEEN LEFT OUTSIDE UNSECURED MAY BECOME AIRBORNE IN THE STRONG WINDS.
THE EXPECTED HIGH WINDS CAN MAKE DRIVING DIFFICULT... ESPECIALLY FOR HIGH PROFILE AND LIGHT WEIGHT VEHICLES.


USE EXTRA CAUTION WHILE VENTURING OUT ON AREA ROADWAYS.

The LaMott Firehouse #1

The LaMott Firehouse #1 is located on Penrose Avenue

What I Noticed.....

As I was going to the store I noticed that one of the houses had what looked
like an apple tree growing near their house. Odd because I never noticed it
before. I know that one of my neighbors has an apple tree but I haven't seen
any blossoms on it. There are supposed to be some trees that grow acorns and
other nuts but I haven't located them yet.

We Lost Another Beloved Member Of The Community

I'd rather wait and get permission from the family before I post his name
here but he lived in this community for a very long time. I'm going to miss him a lot because he was a neighbor of mine. I talked to his relatives just a few days ago and they are going through a lot.

I Was Bragging About The Area

I saw a woman interested in one of the houses that is up for sale. She seemed very interested and I was telling her about the area. I told her about the community garden, the community center and about how nice the area was. Homes don't come up for sale too often in this area.

Our Library?

I recently found a picture of the LaMott library's building and it occured to me that it really would help if there was a sign of some sort on the outside of the building to help show where its located.  I have been asked more than once by people where the library was located.  I even remember a girl asking me about the building in general because that's where our polling place is and she didn't know where to go to vote!

It's Very, Very Early on a Saturday Morning!

The sun hasn't even come up yet!  All I can hear outside are the sounds of the insects chirping.  There's the occassional siren in the distance and for a minute or two I heard a strange squeaking sound but it went away.  Every now and then I will hear a car going by.

I know I'm not the only one up because I can see some lights on in other people's houses.  Since today is Saturday there will probably be a lot of people outside doing yard work like cutting their grass or hedges - and things like that.

It's warm now - even humid which is strange because its so early in the morning.

Cobblestone?

One of the reasons why my area is historic is because of the landscaping. One home in my area has cobblestone in the driveway and they have a historical plaque as well.

Cheltenham Webcam?

I don't think that there is a webcam site for Cheltenham and I'm thinking about starting one myself.  For webcams in the near area you can go to my webcam page at:

http://members.aol.com/Roseb441702/webcam.htm

Local "Earned Income" Tax!

I'm not too fond of this little tax that has been imposed for this area.  I just filled out the quarterly form that has to be done every quarter.  There is no notification - meaning they don't send you any notification/reminder of it being due.  You have to remember to do this on your own.

For those of you that don't know about this tax, it is a 1% tax on a person's earned income that has to be paid quarterly.  In most cases your employer will automatically take this tax out of your paycheck but if not then you have to do it yourself.  There is a $3,000.00 minimum but regardless of how much you make it has to be reported.

Someone's Very Happy!

It must be because of the gorgeous weather and temperture but somebody is outside singing.  It's a woman and boy is she in a great mood!

Gusty Winds!

Oh man is it windy! and cold!

It's not like the last time when the power went out a few months ago!  It happened sometime during the morning and was fixed by 1:30 in the afternoon.  Doesn't mean I wasn't freaking out though!  I was just bored!  There's only so much you can do without electricity!

Yes, the snow is HERE!

I was trying to find a webcam picture that I could put here but I couldn't find any. The closest I came was a beach in Point Pleasant NJ.

and a shot of Chestnut Hill that you can see by going to:

http://ChestnutHillCam.ww.com

Maybe I'll have to take this on as a project of my own and set up some kind of webcam view-thingie!

Well since its a Sunday the mood is a little bit more quieter than if it were a weekday. There are kids going door to door working to shovel snow. I saw a few neighbors clearing the snow off of their cars and I can hear a few snow shovels and the snow blower across the street.

I still haven't ventured out today but I have got a lot to do inside to keep me busy!

Yes it's snowing but........

some of the cars are still driving by like a bat out of heck!  Even with the dip that's on the corner they are still driving by so fast!  This is NOT the kind of weather that you want your car to get damaged in!  We're supposed to get a few inches of snow tonight but more snow tommorrow!  All together we could get about a foot of snow!

Where am I?

Inside drinking a hot cup of tea and typing on the keyboard.......

Broad & Stenton!

Kind of curious thing:

I noticed at one of the gas stations on one of the corners a guy asking people for 40 cents as they drove up to the gas pumps.

Saw a couple of guys out today.....

It was bitterly cold (at least to me) and on my way to the store I saw a guy who was having trouble with his car.  He had the hood up and it seemed like he was waiting for someone.  On my way back another guy had joined him and he was talking to someone on his cell phone.  Two girls had gone to the store to purchase a gallon of milk, a couple of people buying gas - all this before noon on this Sunday morning!

The Cheltenham Bus - Complaints?

I heard a few "snippets" of some very interesting information!  One particular day the Cheltenham Bus was late.  I later came to find out that the bus had broken down and another one was used in its place.  This of course made the bus late when picking up people.  I found out that some of the people complained!  To make matters worse the driver wasn't familiar with the route.  I say - SO WHAT!  Instead of just cancelling the route after the bus broke down another bus was used to carry out the route which (in my honest opinion) was a very nice thing to do.  Remember that senior citizen residents ride the bus for free and there was talk some time back about discontinuing the route altogether but fortunately a solution was had.

What makes this whole thing more irritating is that I myself was on that bus on the day in question.  Of course after waiting for it for a while I thought that maybe I had missed it or that it was just running late.  Just as I was about to go back home - here it came!  I saw that it wasn't the regular driver and just figured that the regular driver had the day off or something.  I found out that the bus had broke down and that the bus being used was a replacement one.  The driver wasn't familiar with the route and the route itself involved many turns and round-a-bout ways. 

This bus driver was very nice (and very nervous) but the people on the bus (me amongst them) weren't angry or complaining because we were just happy that the bus was there.  During the route to pick up a couple of passengers their doorman had said that they had went back upstairs but the driver was nice enough to come back and get them.  So the route was late but everybody got to where they wanted to go.  There was one man that seemed a bit annoyed that the driver wasn't familiar with his stop but (to me) he seemed to take it in stride.  So everyone got to where they wanted to go and I figured that that was the end of that.  But the next time I boarded I had found out that someone had complained.  I think that that is really a shame.  We are lucky to have this sort of local transportation and it was a Godsend during the last Septa strike.  And as much as this bus has been on time and accomodating - having one bad incident is not worth the fuss!  Just think if we didn't even have this bus route!  The driver(s) help the passengers with their groceries - both on and off the bus (something that Septa doesn't do) and they try to be accomodating as best as they can.  We should be very grateful for this service!

I hope we haven't lost our mailman

You know you get kind of use to your regular mailman and I noticed that a different one delivered the mail.  I could tell because they were using those new-looking white vans.  Besides our regular mailman is - well - a - man!  And the one that came today was a woman.  I have it on some very "inside" information that this route for delivering mail is a very desirable one and I know that there is at least one guy that wants the route.  But I like the mailman that we have now.