One MarketWay West Undergoing Major Revamp, Adding Eatery, Apartments

A largely underused building in the heart of York City will once again be a bustle of activity as its massive renovation project gets underway.

The massive One MarketWay West will be home to a restaurant, a flagship bank branch, apartments, an underground parking garage and more, said the father and daughter team who owns the building that was once Bear’s Department Store.

The owners and a redevelopment official say the amenities will not only attract people to the city for a bite to eat but also bring more residents to its downtown core.

“There will be people living here. There will be people coming back to the city,” said Patricia Will, a partner with One West, the company that owns the building.

Read more:

http://www.yorkdispatch.com/breaking/ci_28250253/one-marketway-west-undergoing-major-revamp-adding-eatery

Study: Reopening PATCO ‘Ghost Station’ Will Cost $18.5M

The estimated cost to reopen PATCO’s long-shuttered Franklin Square subway station in Old City will be at least $18.5 million, a new study says.

That’s about 50 percent more than transit officials expected.

The study, requested last year by PATCO’s parent Delaware River Port Authority, estimates 1,300 riders would use the station each day, but that nearly all of them would be current riders who now use the 8th and Market Street station.

The DRPA has been considering reopening the “ghost station” beneath Sixth and Race streets for years, and the agency included $500,000 in its current capital budget to reexamine the issue.

Read more at http://www.philly.com/philly/business/transportation/20150317_Study__Reopening_PATCO__ghost_station__will_cost__18_5M.html#ClKKXBqGrsKBxEf7.99

SEPTA Regional Rail Strike Begins; Corbett To Seek Federal Help

SEPTA logo with text (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

SEPTA railroad engineers and electrical workers went on strike early Saturday, halting commuter rail service in the Philadelphia region, after last-ditch efforts by federal mediators failed to break an impasse in the long-running labor dispute.

The strike shut down 13 Regional Rail lines that provide 60,000 passengers with 126,000 rides on a typical weekday. That promised to snarl already clogged highways with additional cars and to hamper commuters and their employers throughout the region.

Service on SEPTA’s buses, subways, trolleys and the Norristown High-Speed Line – which carry about 85 percent of SEPTA’s riders – were not affected.

Gov. Corbett was prepared to ask President Obama to quickly appoint a presidential emergency board to mediate the rail labor dispute. Under federal railroad law, the creation of such a board would compel the workers to return to the job for 240 days.

Read more at http://www.philly.com/philly/business/transportation/20140614_Last-ditch_talks_pending_as_Regional_Rail_strike_looms.html#v26c8poq4F1xhoJB.99

Subway Tests Hummus, Thinner Meat Slices

English: Subway logo and slogan taken from marketing materials found online in PDF format. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

NEW YORK (AP) – Subway is testing hummus and thinner slices of deli meats that look more appealing as it looks to keep pace with changing eating trends.

Tony Pace, Subway’s chief marketing officer, said in interview Tuesday that the chain began testing hummus as a topping in early April. Pace noted that many customers already order vegetarian sandwiches and that the chickpea spread would give people looking for meatless options another choice.

“It’s something we’ve been talking about for the last three or four years,” Pace said, saying it has “tremendous potential.”

If the test is successful, Pace said it would be the first time the chain rolled out hummus nationally. Individual franchisees may have offered it independently in the past, he said.

Read more at http://www.philly.com/philly/business/20140506_ap_887d72518b29437885ecd236db8a3252.html#CdaZVy6z3a8Z7Tll.99

Subway: ‘Yoga Mat Chemical’ Almost Out Of Bread

English: Chemical structure of azodicarbonamide (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

NEW YORK — Subway says an ingredient dubbed the “yoga mat chemical” will be entirely phased out of its bread by next week.

The disclosure comes as Subway has suffered from an onslaught of bad publicity since a food blogger petitioned the chain to remove the ingredient.

The ingredient, azodicarbonamide, is approved by the Food and Drug Administration for use in food as a bleaching agent and dough conditioner. It can be found in a wide variety of products, including those served at McDonald’s, Burger King and Starbucks and breads sold in supermarkets. But its long, unfamiliar name has an unappetizing ring, and the petition became a flashpoint in part by noting that the chemical is also used to make yoga mats.

Read more here: http://www.centredaily.com/2014/04/11/4130342/subway-yoga-mat-chemical-almost.html?sp=/99/216/#storylink=cpy

Supermarket Opens In Pittsburgh’s Hill District, The First In Three Decades

Locator map with the Upper Hill neighborhood in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania highlighted. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The Hill District‘s long-awaited Shop ‘n Save supermarket opened this morning in the Centre Heldman Plaza.

Neighborhood and elected officials, including Mayor Luke Ravenstahl, celebrated the opening of the 29,500-square-foot grocery at 10 a.m. The full-service facility, described as the first in the neighborhood in more than three decades, ends what has been known as a “food desert” there.

After many starts and stops, the $12.5 million store was completed by Ross Markets. In a press release, owner Jeff Ross said the store will have more than 100 employees, 95 percent of them minorities and 65 percent from the neighborhood.

Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/local/neighborhoods-city/supermarket-set-to-open-this-morning-in-pittsburghs-hill-district-707982/#ixzz2i0k29Zed

SEPTA Warns Of ‘Devastating’ Cuts

SEPTA logo with text (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

With a showdown looming in Harrisburg, SEPTA officials made a final pitch Thursday for millions more in state aid to avoid a “devastating” cutback in service.

A House vote is expected as early as next week on statewide transportation funding, and SEPTA says it is prepared to enact a doomsday plan to eliminate nine of its 13 rail lines, close a subway line, and convert all trolley routes to bus lines.

Deputy general manager Jeffrey Knueppel told the SEPTA board that old rail bridges, power stations, vehicles, and train stations could no longer be maintained and must be replaced.

Without more state funding for those capital needs, SEPTA will begin a “rational progression” of cutbacks over a decade, starting next year, Kneuppel said.

Read more at http://www.philly.com/philly/business/transportation/20130927_SEPTA_warns_of__devastating__cuts.html#0mpGuZ38YSbrJSk6.99

Support For ‘Secret Valley’ Rail Line From Boyertown To Pottstown Picks Up Steam

Plans for a tourist excursion railroad on the eight-mile Colebrookdale line between Pottstown and Boyertown are moving forward and picking up support, most recently from a team of 40-or-so volunteers to got together to do a clean-up along the route.

Last weekend, the volunteers, led by the Pottstown Roller Derby Rockstars and folks in Montgomery County’s ARD program performing court-ordered community service, picked up trash along the right of way.

Berks County Subway provided lunch for all volunteers, and the Pottstown Health and Wellness Foundation provided water.

J.P. Mascaro & Sons provided two dumpsters.

Read more:  http://www.pottsmerc.com/article/20130617/NEWS01/130619394/support-for-secret-valley-rail-line-from-boyertown-to-pottstown-picks-up-steam#full_story

Taco Bell’s New Triple Steak Stack Reviewed

After work today I decided to forgo my Tuesday trip to Subway and went to Taco Bell instead.  I must admit, the commercial for the Triple Steak Stack sucked me in. 

The Taco Bell I went to is a combo KFC/Taco Bell.  I walked in the door and noticed there was no help at the counter.  The young woman who was running the register was busy talking with her boyfriend and sitting in a booth.  After a minute or so, she pulled herself away from her conversation to wait on me.  Always makes for a stellar first impression.   Service D.

I knew what I wanted before I walked in the door after seeing the Triple Steak Stack commercial on television.  I realize Madison Avenue always makes things look far better than in real life; however, it’s nice when there is at least a slight resemblance to the advertised product.

After ordering I waited at least five minutes for my food to come out.  When the tray came out I knew I was headed for trouble.  The size didn’t seem adequate.  I got the combo meal for $6.66, including tax.  The sandwich is $5.49 by itself.  It’s worth about $3.99.  C- for value.  For those of you keeping score, the cashier walked away from the register after she was finished with me, sat back down in a booth and continued her conversation which I so rudely interrupted.  The dude who made my food walked it out and apologized for the delay.  I was beginning to think they were running around in a pasture trying to bludgeon a cow.

When I sat down and unwrapped my sandwich, I had a WTF moment.  If I were giving a grade for appearance/presentation it would be an F.  The flatbread was wet on the outside.  I had to take napkins and dry it off.  Who ever assembled my sandwich got gravy on the outside of the flatbread.  I opened up the sandwich and noticed three things:

It looked NOTHING like the picture with nowhere near the amount of “steak”; so where does the “triple” come in?  Underwhelming would be a better adjective.

They call this meat “steak”, yet it’s more like a pot roast.

Calling this a “stack” is nonsensical.   There was no stacking involved.  The meat was in chunks and bits with gravy…like beef stew without the potatoes.

I can’t say it didn’t taste good.  I like pot roast.  I would give it a B for taste.  The cheese helped.  I put one packet of mild sauce on it.  Honestly, I thought it would have some onions, peppers or something else on it beside pot roast and cheese.

I had to eat my sandwich with a knife and fork as it was too sloppy to pick up.  Again, in the commercial it is picked up and eaten.  Not possible as served.  I can guarantee I would not tackle someone for one of these sandwiches nor would I have to slap my mamma because it tasted so good.  I would change the name to Underwhelming Pot Roast Slopper based on what I was served.

Maybe my sandwich was made incorrectly?  I am not buying another one to find out!

The sad part is I was still hungry.  In hindsight, I should have gone to Subway!  I could have gotten a 12” for $3.99 and at least been full!

SEPTA TO HALT SERVICE DURING HURRICANE IRENE

Image via Wikipedia

All SEPTA Services To Be Suspended During Hurricane Irene. Operations to Halt at 12:30 a.m. Sunday; Services to Resume Mid-Day Sunday, As Conditions Permit.

PHILADELPHIA, PA (August 26, 2011)

In the interest of public safety, with a hurricane of historic proportions approaching the region, SEPTA will cease all transportation operations at12:30 a.m. Sunday.

All trips scheduled after 12:30 a.m. Sunday will be cancelled.  Service is not expected to resume until at least mid-day Sunday, following damage assessments and repairs. Service will resume on a route-by-route basis, based on conditions.

SEPTA strongly urges all customers who normally ride the system during this time period to make arrangements to go to your destination well in advance of the storm and be prepared to remain safely at that location until the storm has passed and service has resumed.

Announcements regarding the resumption of service will be announced through the Office of the Mayor of Philadelphia and SEPTA’s Website, www.septa.org.

All SEPTA employees normally assigned to work during the period of the shutdown or who are assigned to emergency duty are required to report to work at their assigned locations.

Montgomery Mall Getting New Stores And Improvements

For our readers who shop at Montgomery Mall, good news is on the way for you. 

Mall Management has announced the following enhancements or new additions coming to the mall:

1. JC Penny is renovating their 158,000 square foot anchor store.  Part of the renovation will include a Sephora Cosmetics Boutique.

2. Crazy 8, a subsidiary of Gymboree will open a new store.

3. Body Central, a juniors clothing and accessories store will open a new retail site at the mall.

4. Subway is coming to the food court.

5. China Max is coming to the food court.

6. An Atlantic Book store location is opening.

7. A new AT&T store is coming soon.

8. Weight Watchers is opening a store in the mall.

The Friday evening concert series will continue again this year.  Music starts at 7 pm in various locations around the mall.

http://www.simon.com/mall/default.aspx?ID=847

SEPTA Fares Will Increase July 1st

ATTENTION SEPTA USERS:

The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transit Authority (SEPTA) will increase fares for trolleys, buses and the subway effective July 1, 2010. 

The price of a bus / subway token will increase .10 cents to $1.55 from the current $1.45, the cost of a weekly transit pass will rise $1.25 to $22 from the current $20.75, and a monthly Zone 3 commuter rail pass will jump $12.50 to $155.00 versus $142.50.  Transfers for subway, bus and trolley riders will increase to $1.00.  Currently a transfer is .75 cents.

The vote was divided to increase fares, however, SEPTA representatives  unanimously approved their $300,000,000.00 budget for the coming year.

Subway To Pass McDonald’s As World’s Largest Fast Food Chain

Subway will over take Micky D’s by the end of the year.  World domination by hoagie.  Around here we understand that concept. 

Wonder if Jared and Ronald will be on Celebrity Death Match now?? ROFLMAO!!!