Archive for the ‘Norristown’ Category

• Occupy Norristown

  Date: 2011.10.20 | Category: East Norriton, Everywhere else, Local Bullshit, Norristown | Response: 4

  I’ve located some details on the organization of an “Occupy Norristown” event. I do my best to keep tabs on the locale, mostly for my own well being.

  After sifting through keyword reports and running some search queries of my own, I stumbled upon 2 Facebook pages affiliated with the soon to be occupation of Norristown. The first is a fanpage and is simply called “Occupy Norristown”

  I noticed that although the page has less than the required 25 likes for a vanity url, it already had one. But then I realized it was categorized as an NGO (Non-Governmental Organization). And since I’ve never set one of those up, perhaps Facebook offers some leeway with that.

  The second page was an event page, and it was titled; “Occupy Norristown Planning Meeting”

  There you’ll discover that a planning meeting is scheduled for the end of October at Steppy’s in East Norriton. Unfortunately I have no review yet for Steppy’s, so I apologize for the lack of visual aids.

  At first I was surprised that the meeting date was so far out. But for all I know, they could plan, and start all in the same day maybe? Another thing that came to mind was the 11/11/11 date. And I assume they’re planning to start as close to that date as possible. Especially if any of them are familiar with the political system here in Montgomery County (draw your own conclusions).

  Which brings me to my next observation. Steppy’s is a peculiar old school type of “establishment“. Let’s just say virtually anyone might overhear what they’re planning. (again draw your own conclusions).

  eastnorriton.org is not affiliated with the Occupy movement, nor any local governing body

• Earthquake along East Coast

  Date: 2011.08.24 | Category: East Norriton, Norristown, Random, Weather | Response: 1

  A 5.9 earthquake hit Virginia and shook most of the East Coast. Residents in East Norriton and surrounding areas such as Blue Bell experienced shaking buildings and rattling windows. An unexpected event for an area not known for earthquakes, many evacuated their workplace and contacted friends and relatives in other cities. As cell phones carriers were overwhelmed, Facebook and twitter proved to be a more reliable form of communication until phones were back online. Still others brushed off the event as though nothing had happened. Details emerged rather quickly leaving many unsure of how to proceed with the day. The earthquake occurred around 2 pm EST and could only be felt for a few seconds in most parts of Montgomery County.

• SEIU Strike at Norristown State Hospital

  Date: 2011.06.04 | Category: Local Bullshit, Norristown, Random | Response: 4

  At Norristown State Hospital on Friday about 4 or 5 people appeared to be on strike, or protesting. Are we facing the same problems here in Montgomery County as we have seen in Wisconsin? The crowd seemed to be representing the SEIU. If that is indeed true, it was likely members of SEIU Local 668.
  http://www.seiu668.org/Committees/MHCommittee/Default.aspx

  The Service Employees International Union was founded in Chicago in 1921. The organization is now based out of D.C.

• Sears Not Scared of Rapture

  Date: 2011.05.20 | Category: East Norriton, Norristown | Response: 2

  Well it’s been well over  a year (I think?) since Kmart closed it’s doors in the nameless shopping center up the hill from Northtowne Plaza.  Maybe it does have a name but they certainly don’t do a good job of sharing it.  Perhaps it’s even part of Northtowne Plaza itself.

  Tomorrow May 21st, 2011 the new East Norriton Sears Outlet will be hosting it’s Grand Opening at 9AM.  Here’s the address, it’s right behind the Applebees and Chick Fil A on Dekalb.

  Store #9114
  2700 Dekalb Pike, Norristown, PA 19401
  610-239-8292

  The word on the street is that there was some sort of soft opening this week whatever that means.  I have to be honest I’m not in a huge rush to get over there tomorrow, but I am pretty pleased that the void in that shopping center is now filled.  I’ll make it a point to stop in next week, I’m just not much for events.  I remember shopping at the Sears Surplus in Quakertown in the late 80′s and early 90′s and if this new Sears Outlet is anything like what Surplus used to be than I am in!

• Rain out

  Date: 2011.03.07 | Category: Consumables, East Norriton, Grocery, Local Bullshit, Norristown, Walmart | Response: 0

  I was out and about this afternoon and stopped by the WaWa in East Norriton, a rarity for me. I needed smokes and was headed in that direction plus I could use some air in my tires and it’s free there. Yes it’s true 7 Eleven charges for their air but this isn’t a pissing match. I grabbed smokes and filled my tires in the rain, and I was on my way.

  There were some nice rolls at home and I was getting hungry. I started thinking about a prosciutto hoagie. I thought this was all very convenient as I could swing by Talluto’s grab some fresh meats and do a review all in one. No such luck as they were closed.

  So I turned around and before I knew it I was in the barren zone. The first thing I noticed was they’re really making progress on whatever it is they’re building where Woody’s used to be (I know it was ‘Wood’s’ – what do you care!). The second thing I noticed was that for the life of me I couldn’t think of anywhere else to get fresh prosciutto but I knew Genaurdis would no doubt have some vacuum packed. I wasn’t thrilled with the prospect of going to Genaurdis but it was close and a guarantee and I wasn’t feeling real adventurous today.

  Naturally the whole shopping center was mobbed so I slipped in the entrance near staples with the gourmet foods and such. I wanted to grab soda and paper towels too, but there was no way I was paying top dollar for it at Genuardis. So I grabbed the prosciutto and some provolone and headed over to Walmart. It always comes back to Walmart.

  You can guess how this went.  I grabbed the usual – which I might add is becoming easier at East Norriton Walmart.  They had plenty of cherry limeade, and I grabbed some water and soda for good measure.  Also surprisingly despite the multitude of customers around the checkout, I got out of there quick because the 20 items or less lanes were open.  Those lanes are never open.  But in the last couple of weeks there has been a noticeable increased management presence on the sales floor.  Not just the leads and such, but also a trio of suits that sometimes walks around together plotting the execution of innocent endcaps based on inventory stats and sales figures.  I don’t know what exactly these guys are building, but they have definitely increased overall productivity and general effectiveness within the last month or so.

  It was raining still when I left and had a pretty uneventful ride home.  It was mostly focused on how to optimize my entrance so that I could make my hoagie the fastest.  Within minutes I had an excellent prosciutto hoagie with roasted red peppers and provolone cheese, on a nice roll with some oil.  Unfortunately I was so hungry I really didn’t have time to get any pics of it, so I got nothing for you right now in terms of images within this post.

• 7 Eleven

  Date: 2011.02.23 | Category: Consumables, East Norriton, Everywhere else, Grocery, Local Bullshit, Norristown, Nostalgia, Video Games | Response: 3

  It may come as no surprise that my favorite store is 7 Eleven.  It has been ever since 1993 when the 7 Eleven in North Wales on North Wales Road got a Mortal Kombat II arcade machine.  Ironically one of those machines is sitting behind me as I type this but it hasn’t worked in over a year.  I really have to get someone out here to take a look at it.  Hands down my favorite game ever and I completely dominate at it.  Don’t even think of messing with me.  During college I would double flawless/fatality challengers through a mirror.  It was intense, but this post is not about Mortal Kombat II, the greatest game in the history of video games.  It is in fact about 7 Eleven, the greatest mini mart in the world.

  Now mind you all 7 Eleven’s were not created equally, and some disgrace the precious TM they have adorned over their storefront.  However I haven’t seen tyranny like that in 20 years.  From City Line Avenue to Blue Bell 7 11′s dominate the landscape of southeastern PA for good reason.  Simply, they’re the best at what they do.  But what do they do?  For starters how about providing you with 365 days a year non stop interrupted service.  The only time I’ve ever seen one closed is right after a robbery.  7 11 knows how bad you need them too.  On City Line there are 2 practically across the street from one another.  In Norristown and the immediate surrounding areas there are at least 5. 

  However East Norriton itself only claims ownership of one 7 11 and sadly I rarely get over there.  You see in my opinion the East Norriton 7 11 is in what I like to call the barren zone.  Don’t get me wrong I love that 7 11 and it has some unique items that set it apart from the 7 11 on Swede in Blue Bell, but it’s in that zone.  The zone I’m referring to is anything between Whitehall Road and Swede Road.  If you are a Norristown resident, it’s very unlikely you will ever cross Swede Road for a spontaneous stop because there are no through roads again until you get to Whitehall.  East Norriton Township Park, Norristown Park, Elmwood Park, and the ever famous Norristown State Hospital all bump up against one another and permit no traffic.  Sure you could get through there with almost any vehicle.  But it’s just not a viable route.

  For the last 10 years or so my 7 Eleven of choice is far and away the Blue Bell location.  Friendly people, your brand of cigarettes is never out of stock, and it exists on an obelysk of concrete that you can only see from an overhead map.  I have been known to visit this store on multiple occaisions per day.  I was recently ousted as foursquare mayor because I got tired of checking in there!  I’m sure I could earn it back, but I don’t have the proper motivation to be honest.

  update:  I got my Mayor title back with one check in.

• Big Dave

  Date: 2011.02.16 | Category: East Norriton, Norristown, Nostalgia | Response: 0

  David Kaneff passed away at his home this past weekend.  On Sunday February 20th at Noon there will be a public celebration of his life at:

  Center Square Golf Club

  2620 Skippack Pike

  Norristown, PA 19403

• Pre Valentines Breakfast

  Date: 2011.02.13 | Category: Dining, East Norriton, Norristown, Recreational | Response: 2

  

  Mmm there's chocolate in there

  Not so long ago I grabbed a few items at the East Norriton Bottom Dollar.  I failed to mention what most of those items were.  I had grabbed some toilet paper, and some other odds and ends, but also felt inclined to purchase some pancake mix and syrup.  For a while now I’ve been craving a pancake breakfast but just haven’t had the time.  This morning I decided it was time to make a move.  I found a remarkable improvised recipe for Chocolate Hazlenut Maltcakes.  Luckily I had just the right kind of hot chocolate mix in the cabinet.  Throw down a rose and bam!  A quick serving of love for your Valentine.

• Bottom Dollar Food

  Date: 2011.02.06 | Category: Dining, East Norriton, Everywhere else, Grocery, Norristown, Walmart | Response: 3

  As I promised a few weeks ago, I finally checked out the new Bottom Dollar Food in Northtowne Plaza.  I only needed a few things and had planned to go to the Dollar Tree, but I figured this was a good chance to give Bottom Dollar a day in court.  At first I was dissapointed that such a new store could have a light out already in it’s sign. 

  

  How is a light out already!

  Fair enough I figured, for all I know they could have asked the leasing company that owns the strip mall about it weeks ago.  I’m not gonna assume anything though, and I’ll just take it for face value.  As I entered I was suprised that before me was a minitaure supermarket!  

  I didn’t know what to expect, but I did not expect anything like this.  It was like someone took a regular supermarket, stripped away all the bullshit that you don’t need or want, and left you with everything you do!

  

  Nice layout!

  At first I didn’t know where to go.  Should I get a cart?  Nah I’m tough enough to carry everything.  The first thing that happened was truly miraculous and I don’t ever expect it to happen again.  I grabbed a 24 pack of water of the shelf and it was ice cold!  I looked around as if I was guilty of receiving such a blessing.  I checked it again, my hands were not deceiving me, this water was already cold.  Now, they were stocking the shelves so I have to assume that this water literally came right off the truck out of the cold Pennsylvania winter night.  Now I don’t know what the odds of that happening again are, but I can tell you in all the years I’ve been buying bulk bottled water, I’ve never experienced it. 

  It appears that one of the methods Bottom Dollar uses to keep costs down, is by not providing free bags for your purchases.  I’ve seen this before in Ireland while I was there on my honeymoon.  It was at a department store called DUNNES in Ennis, Clare.  Really cool store by the way.  Kind of like a small super walmart, but much more upscale.  

  In any event bags were 5 for 25 cents or somethin like that.  I also grabbed a membership card and was on my way. 

  Next I was heading for Church’s Chicken in Norristown to pick up some dinner.  I had a coupon for a 12 piece chicken strip meal plus fries*, AND biscuits.  No way I’m passing that up.  It took a while though because that menu item is “cooked to order”  It was fairly uneventful.  Use your imagination.  There was a bunch of other people standing around waiting for their cooked to order meal.  It’s my understanding now that quite a few items on the menu are cooked to order.  When I got home I harrassed that box of chicken and then sampled a biscuit.  Thats when I decided to start working on this post.  Which is just about over. 

  

  Uneventful night at Church's

  *The coupon was actually for mashed potatoes but the cashier was gracious enough to let me swap for fries.

• Thundersnow

  Date: 2011.01.27 | Category: Local Bullshit, Norristown, Weather | Response: 0

  I don’t know how I feel about this seemingly out of nowhere terminology that the news is using.  I do know that for as long as I can remember I’ve never seen lightning during a snowstorm.  It’s pretty wild out there.  Here’s a pic from down the street in Norristown.

  

  Norristown covered in snow