Are You Safe On SEPTA?

Are you safe riding SEPTA? Riders report that taking SEPTA is becoming more and more dangerous. SEPTA provides mass transit for the Philadelphia and Suburban Philadelphia areas. Unfortunately, due to driver disinterest and overcrowding riding the buses and trolleys is becoming more dangerous every day.

Incidents include fights due to overcrowding (with no intervention by the driver), shoving and pushing, drivers allowing the perpetrator of inappropriate conduct to get away with aggressive conduct instead of pulling over and putting them off the bus or the trolley at the next stop.

If you take SEPTA chances are you have either been the victim of violence on their vehicles or witnessed it and reported it with no change in the way drivers react to violence on their bus or trolley. Some riders bully smaller or weaker riders to take seats. Riders no longer feel safe taking the bus in certain areas, even in the safer 'burbs.

In just the last month I have heard reports of incidents on SEPTA where no action was taken and the same events happen over and over caused by the same individuals with no intervention by drivers. Buses are so crowded that passengers who want to get off when an incident escalates can't get to the door to get off.

SEPTA please make it safe to take your buses and trolleys again. Provide an inservice of handling violent passengers for your drivers, because obviously some of them missed the content of the last one. Then followup when a rider complains and ride the bus or trolley where the incident was reported to check on the safety quotient on that line.

I know there are more and more people riding today due to the increased cost of purchasing gasoline but that doesn't mean the safety quotient should decrease. And if you witness or have been the victim of violence on SEPTA please contact them and report the bus or trolley you were on and information on the time and place it took place and the driver's name. We have to be responsible for reporting violence or the SEPTA hierarchy won't know it's happening until it escalates out of control and someone is hurt.

And if you live in a different area and take mass transit be sure to be aware of and report issues on your transit system. This problem isn't just a Philadelphia problem. Be safe!

Fix Those Broken Zipper Tabs

Photo courtesy of Dealfind

 

Ever wanted to fix broken zipper tabs? Broken zipper tabs are the bane of my existence. Now there is an easy and inexpensive way to fix them (and I don't mean using a key ring or paperclip, all of which I've used in the past, they work but don't look so good.)

 

This new Easy Fix Zipper is just that--a fast and easy fix for that broken zipper on your favorite handbag, jacket or other zippers. Not only that it's only $7 from Dealfind. Give it a try and see how you like it. I just love finding those tricky little gadgets that solve the problems of my day.

Planning A Happy Transition

Photo of Jennifer Oxenford, Kate Vecchione and Nancy Vecchione

Volunteering at Alex's Lemonade Stand at Bertucci's in

Springfield, PA (Photo courtesy of Darla DeMorrow)

 

Part of being happy in your transition to living independently is making new friends and becoming involved in the community. Kate joined Jennifer Oxenford, Kelly Moran and Darla DeMorrow helping raise money for Alex's Lemonade Stand and having fun at the same time.

 

 

 

Choose your favorite charity or a way to give back to your community and join in. You'll find you make new friends and expand your support group.

 

They group also raised money with other friends at the Springfield Mall earlier in the month.

 

 

How can you give back or expand your horizons?

 

• find your own favorite charity
• help coach a team
• work on improving the environment of your home town
• join a political campaign
• help with a scout troop or other group for children
• volunteer with your church
• work with the ARC in your county to improve services
• join a community theater group
• join your choir or choral group
• check out Meetups in your area for hiking groups, cooking groups, and more.
• volunteer at your food pantry
• work at the senior center
• and a variety of other choices that fit your own personality

Bertucci's Springfield Joins Alex's Lemonade Stand To Fight Cancer

 

+

 

 

Where? Bertucci's Springfield PA

 

 

WHEN?

 

Saturday, September 28, 2013

 

From 2 to 6 PM

 

Join us at Bertucci's Springfield, 965 Baltimore Pike, Springfield Square, Springfield PA and support Alex's Lemonade Stand and the Million Mile Run this Saturday, September 28, 2013 from 2-6 PM where great food at a great restaurant meet a great charity, Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation.  Come support Alex's Lemonade Stand AND grab some great pizza or other Italian entrees. Come on, you know you want to come on out and help the support a great cause.

 

 

 

Volunteers Help Alex's Lemonade Stand and Million Mile Run (By Guest Blogger, Kate Vecchione)

 

Photo courtesy of Nichole Ann (Left to Right Randi Kobielnik, Kate Vecchione, Nichole Ann, and Heather McCurdy)

 

Springfield Mall in Springfield, Pennsylvania recently hosted an Alex's Lemonade Stand on Friday and Saturday September 20th and 21st to raise money and awareness for Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation For Childhood Cancer and the Million Mile Run.

 

Volunteers Jennifer Oxenford, Melinda Babiak, Bridgette Klose, Heather McCurdy, Darla DeMorrow and Kate Vecchione raised $650 in honor of childhood cancer heros Lily and Maggie.

 

Photo of volunteers Kate Vecchione and Jennifer Oxenford

 

Build a Bear donated their signature stuffed animals to the cause. We also raffled off jewelry from Stella and Dot, a cruise on the Spirit of Philadelphia, Bertucci's gift certificates, and a candy basket. 

 

Find out how to join the Million Mile Run and help fight childhood cancer.Run or walk in a team with your friends and family to help raise money for childhood cancer research. If everyone joins together we can work toward beating this disease.

 

Look for more info on where these ladies will be raising $$$ for Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation.

 

 

 

 

Beat Sore Feet

Photo courtesy of Amazon

 

I recently found this great product that saves you from foot pain on Amazon. It's called Friction Block by Band-Aid. It looks like a tiny stick of deodorant and is easy to pop in your bag as you head out hiking, sightseeing, or going dancing in a new pair of shoes. Don't worry about ripping your feet to shreds and mega blisters anymore, apply friction block and your feet will thank you.

 

I love this product. It is easy to apply and works like a charm. It beats new shoe pain and keeps you from limping through your entire vacation or that first week or two of wearing new shoes.

 

And if you are one of those ladies who love hitting the clearance aisle at DSW or other fabulous shoe stores, you will want to invest in a few of these (one for each purse for those nights out dancing.) Make new shoes a pleasure and never a pain.

 

Also seen on WDW(Wedding Day Weekly)Blogging for Brides.

Eating Out Gluten Free

Are you on a gluten free diet? No matter what the reason, eating gluten free when you are eating out can pose a problem. But some restaurants are taking the hmmm... out of making menu choices and are offering a gluten free menu. The Cheesecake Factory is one of the latest restaurants to offer a gluten free menu to it's guests.

The Cheesecake Factory tested their new menu choices with more than 80 dishes that are gluten free. Not just a couple of choices, but 80 delish choices for you. So far only 1 cheesecake is offered gluten free. Some are reworked existing dishes that have subbed gluten free buns and pasta. So head to the Cheesecake Factory (my closest Factory is in King of Prussia PA but check their web site for your closest restaurant.

The menu cautions: "We prepared this menu for our guests with sensitivities to gluten. While we strive to provide accurate information, our menu items are freshly prepared in our kitchens, which are not gluten-free. Cross-contact with other food items that contain gluten is possible. This is especially true for fried items, which are cooked in shared fryer oil." A good thing for anyone who needs a gluten-free meal who is eating out.

Ask the host or your server for the gluten-free menu. Cheesecake Factory managers reported that gluten free dishes are one of the top requests by guests, so these new dishes should be popular.

Other restaurants offering gluten-free menu items? Applebees, Chili's, Burger King and Olive Garden all have lists of their gluten-free offerings on their web sites so head on over and check them out!