Governor Tom Wolf Humiliated in Media, PA after being booed off stage.

Media Mayor Bob McMahon and Borough Council humiliated at Governor Tom Wolf's "Get the Vote Out" Disaster.

Save the Date - Tree Lighting Ceremony - Friday, December 4th 2015 Rose Tree Park

A moving event at the annual NOPE Candlelight Vigil

Louis Martini for Media Borough Council

Thanks for the great memories - D'Ignazio's Towne House in Media, PA

Thanks for the great memories!

Media's Thanksgiving Food Drive - Monday, November 9th

Thanks again to Tim Broadhurst for organizing this year's Thanksgiving Food Drive.  Can Media beat last year's record of 313 frozen turkeys?  We have a few weeks to get ready, so let's hope we can overstock our food bank here in Media, PA.

Be sure to check back to get the latest updates on this drive.  Once again, Tim an his crew will make it easy.  Drive up, open you trunk, and they'll help unload.  Couldn't be easier, so let's break 313!

Jim Halligan for Media Borough Council

Media's artistic Bicycle rack is being re-installed on State Street.

After being knocked loose from its foundation weeks ago, Media's Highway Dept. is reinstalling the 'bicycle' bike rack on State Street.

Tim Broadhurst - Working hard for Upper Providence

Last Call for the Plumstead Inn

It's the last call for the Plumstead Inn, but it is expected to stay open until sometime through the Christmas Holidays. There's no official closure date yet, so don't take the time for granted and get over for one last drink at Media's favorite, local hang-out.

Music Video being filmed on State Street this Morning.

A music video is being filmed this morning at Spasso's on State Street.  Big equipment on location and production is underway.

Bark in the Park at Rose Tree Park - 2015

County Democratic Candidates pull out of tonight's debate.

http://www.delcotimes.com/general-news/20151020/democratic-candidates-withdraw-from-tonights-delaware-county-council-debate

Broomall Lake to be drained by PADEP

The PA DEP is planning to be in town tomorrow to start the first step of dismantling the 3rd Street dam. That'll include draining the the Broomall Lake beginning around noon.

As I mentioned last week, the PA DEP would like to have the dam fully breached by the end of the year.  Once that happens, it'll be off limits for pedestrian traffic and may be closed for up to two years.

What happens to all the animals that include the snapping turtles and fish that currently thrive in the lake? That's a good question, which I don't have the answer to.  We'll keep an eye on it and let you know what happens.

One more for the ditch! A last drink at the famous Towne House Restaurant

With the closing of the famous Towne House later this month, I not sure if there is a formal "Last Night Drink" planned, but there certainly was an informal event of the same thing last Saturday.

I had a chance to stop by and I'm glad I did.  With resident photographer Fred Mason on hand, he certainly captured the moments that have always define this place - A heck of a good time!

Here's a link to the photos that night.  And a special thanks to everyone a long the way who made the D'Ignazio's Towne House such a special place.  A great run, a great place, and memories that took a lifetime to create and won't soon be forgotten.

DCTMA'S BRAND NEW JOBS EXPO THIS THURSDAY(10/22/15)! Dozens of Employers and Hundreds of Job Seekers Expected

2nd Annual Delaware County Supports Our Men and Women in Blue RALLY

www.rambosdelcoradio.com

Here are more details on the event

Trainer refinery becomes profitable energy hub.

http://www.philly.com/philly/business/20151015_Delta_Air_Lines_says_its_Trainer_refinery_posted_a__106M_profit_in_3Q.html#disqus_thread

Media Rugby Returns!

Media rugby returns  to the 19063

Media rugby alumni day Saturday October 17 1:00PM at Rose tree school. 

The Media Wolfpack takes on Severn River in a MAC match in Men's club play

Free admission 

Guaranteed to be the best live sport you will ever witness.

Next home Match Gartwaite stadium 

Conshohocken November 7th.

Third Street Dam to be breached, but here's why that's a step in the right direction.

In a meeting this morning at the Delaware County Courthouse that included Media Borough Council, County Council and officials from Broomall Lake Country Club, the DEP announced they would like to begin breaching the Third Street Bridge/dam before the end of this year.  This recommended, as the dam has been a safety hazard for what has been almost 20 years.  

This means that once breached, pedestrians may no longer be able to cross into or out of Media from Upper Providence side of 3rd Street, or vice versa.  This is only temporary, if you call what could take two years temporary; until the major construction begins which is expected to replace everything and restore the two lanes for vehicles.

The bridge won't be fully completed until sometime late 2017 at the earliest, but at least now the project is continuing forward.  It's also worth noting that media borough council may have spent as much as 10s of thousands in taxpayers dollars in legal fees, which ultimately found them in contempt of court.   As for 20 years of delays and cost over runs: In 1996 the bridge was estimated to cost about $1.2 million to repair, now it's projected to be 3 to 4 times that.  

Here's the deal on Cocco's Pizza being closed.

Cocco's Pizza on Manchester and Radnor Streets

Cocco's in Media PA is temporarily closed while they work through some issues, but they do expect to re-open at their current location (Radnor and Manchester) or may find another location in Media. Stay tuned and get the latest updates at their Media Facebook page.


They did indicate for the time being that their Brookhaven location can server certain areas of Media.

Media Book Sale - 10/17 to 10/19/15 10 to 5pm

Pocket Park Ideas.

Here are some inspirational photos of the the recently created, Porch at 30th streeet station.  These setups might work in Media, PA too.

A hotel for Media, PA might be as soon as 2016

Site for Media's Hampton Inn Hotel

It's about that time of year I make my prediction on what will happen with the long forgotten idea of a hotel in Media - but this time it's different.  I say forgotten because this has gone on for about 10 years and nothing has been done to the property that sits on the southeast part of town.

However, that's about to change.  The fencing is down that has surrounded the property and discussions are underway regarding demolition which may take place as early as next month. With demo comes construction and that may begin sometime early next year.

With the Springfield Marriott Courtyard completed and doing well, and Swarthmore half-way through building their new hotel; times sure have changed since 10 years ago when the idea was initially proposed for Media.   There's a lot of money sunk into this effort, so even had it been shopped around, and I'm pretty sure it was, it's way priced out of the market to be anything else than a hotel.

More traffic?  You betcha!  And for those who embrace the "Change" going on within Media, well, you're certainly on a roll but it's not done just yet.  There's more to come.........A LOT MORE.

2nd Year in a Row that the County *WILL NOT** raise taxes in Delaware County's Budget.

2nd Year in a Row that the County *WILL NOT** raise taxes in Delaware County's Budget.

Here's the link to the Delaware County times explaining the details.

DCTMA HOSTS ANNUAL LEGISLATIVE BREAKFAST

DCTMA HOSTS ANNUAL LEGISLATIVE BREAKFAST

State and Local Elected Officials Talk Transportation Topics

 

Media, PA - The Delaware County Transportation Management Association hosted its Annual Legislative Breakfast Friday, October 02, 2015 at the Towne House Restaurant in Media. Guest speakers included:

Congressman Pat Meehan, 7th  District of PA

Senator Tom McGarrigle, 26th District of PA

Rep. Tom Killion, 168th District of PA

Councilman John McBlain, Delaware County Council

 

The political dignitaries addressed a packed room of DCTMA members, and discussed the latest transportation issues facing the county and the state. Topics included the county's aging bridges and roadways in need of repair, and the many projects underway to upgrade the county's vital transportation infrastructure. They discussed how Delaware County's vast transit network helps boost the vitality of our economy. In addition, they gave special recognition to SEPTA for their latest efforts in making the Papal Visit as smooth as possible for the Greater Philadelphia region. 

 

All of the 50/50 event proceeds benefit a special Engineering Scholarship coordinated by DCTMA. The scholarship will be awarded to a student enrolled in an engineering program at one of DCTMA's member colleges or trade schools. The award will be given during the 2016 Municipalities Conference and Trade Show to be held Thursday, April 7 at Drexelbrook.

 

Legislative Breakfast sponsors included Crozer-Keystone Health System, Urban Engineers, and Delaware County Transit, Inc.

###

For more  information, contact Marketing Director Lauren Avellino Turton at

610-892-9440 or lturton@dctma.org.

L to R: Eric Ostimchuk, Councilman John McBlain, Rep. Tom Killion; Dennis Wolf, Cecile Charlton, Congressman Pat Meehan, Sen. Tom McGarrigle, Grant Gegwich

 

How much is Media changing? This list provides a good idea.

Plumstead Sold

Bad news rides a fast horse, and it certainly was galloping down state street last week at lightning speeds.  If the news about Plumstead, rumored to be sold wasn't shocking enough, it didn't take long to knock that off the front page with the blockbuster Towne House announcement.  That's sold too!

Well, despite the swirling rumors about the Plumstead being sold, I'm afraid it's now true.  It looks like the last formality and official statement of "nothing's been signed", has now been, well, signed. That means you have about 90 days until the Plumstead closes for good, which takes us to about the end of the year.

Looks like Brick and Brew of Havertown will be the new occupiers.  I don't think they've yet made an announcement. Either way, expect extensive renovations to begin sometime early next year.  I'm hearing they are looking to gut the whole place to bring yet another brick oven pizza and microbrew format.

Plumstead Inn on State Street - Media, PA

It's hard to put into words when I was thinking on how to write this piece, as I couldn't put my finger on what the Plumstead really meant. Sure, in my opinion it was the best bar in America and I had some of my best times there, but it was more than that.  I remember asking owner Chuck Margis one time, "How do I get a Christmas Card displayed on the wall during the holiday season with all the others I've seen throughout the years?"  I marveled how they hung each and every year for decades. Chuck said, "Mail it to the Plumstead on State Street."  I noticed he didn't give a street address, then realized EVERYONE knew were this place was, even the US POST OFFICE.  Sure enough, I came home from Texas and saw it hanging there during Christmas time, and every year since (15 years).

It wasn't just that though, during special Phillies games Chuck would make a sign out of cardboard announcing dollar hotdogs during the game.  What a deal!  Especially when Phillies where deep in the playoffs that led to a World Series.  Wow, did we have a good time, especially with the boxing-ring bell that people would wail on.  Or the great community generosity that the Plumstead was known for.  Want to have a special party on a Sunday for a big event?  Bring in the crockpots, hoagies and desserts, the Plumstead handled the rest because that's
how much appreciation there was for the community.

Well, it didn't hit me until someone sent me a text, that I knew what it was I was looking for to describe my favorite Media establishment.  The message said, "It's the last place in Media I felt at home at."  And that folks, perfectly describes what this place was and how much Media is changing.

Here's what will happen to all the pictures, lamps, overhead lights, antiques, and other memorabilia from the Towne House

After what could be considered a lifetime of memorabilia consisting of pictures, lamps, overhead lights, antiques, and other memorabilia from the Towne House, many are asking what will happen to all that stuff once the building closes.  That's a good question and one I had too.

I reached out to Fred D'Ignazio who said dozens have already stopped by to literally ask for items off the wall.  Until the restaurant officially closes at the end of the year, everything must remain in tact.

However, if you really, really want a piece of this one of a kind restaurant, you may just be in luck and here's what you need to do:

There will be no promises made, but General Manger Joe Kirkwood has has asked everyone to write him, c/o "Joe Kirkwood, General Manager, The Towne House, 117 Veterans Square, Media, PA 19063" and tell him the item they are interested in and its location in the restaurant. He said he will deal with each written request after the restaurant closes in late December. 

Basketball Coaches' Clinic (free) @ MYC October 24, 2015 from 1:00-3:30pm

Basketball Coaches' Clinic (free) @ MYC

October 24, 2015 from 1:00-3:30pm

Don't miss out on this great opportunity! This clinic is open to the MYC Community -- returning and prospective winter basketball season coaches are highly encouraged to attend Confirmed Speakers to Include:

• Penncrest Boys Basketball Coach, Mike Doyle
• Men's Basketball Coach at the University of Delaware, Monte Ross
• Swarthmore College Men's Coach, Landry Kosmalski
• PSU Brandywine Men's Coach, Ohmar Richburg
• PSU Brandywine Women's Coach, Larry Johnson
• MYC Basketball Coordinator, Lewis Johnson

Topics of discussions will include defense individual work, offensive skill work, time out management, team offense, team defense etc.

King of Prussia Town Center "Gets It", but will Granite Run have a similar vision?

Rendering of the upcoming King of Prussia Town Center

As far as town centers go, the one being built in King of Prussia seems to be on track with getting people excited about the possibilities these shopping and dining experiences can bring.   Here's a recent marketing campaign that does a great job of that.  If fact, it's piqued my interest enough to even describe it as, "pretty cool!"  And positive word-of-mouth conversations are the best marketing of all.

Here in Media, it might be time well spent to see something like this presented for the upcoming Promenade at Granite Run.  Hopefully, that may be coming this Fall, but it just illustrates the importance of sharing the vision of what will be the biggest do-over in the area in terms of shopping, dining and modern, livable communities.

I don't think what's planned for Granite Run will be a "Class A" mall experience which a lot of investors like, but it's going to need to be pretty close and have an excitement like King of Prussia's Town Center video.

King of Prussia Town Center from LandDesign on Vimeo.

Small fire broke out at Media Theatre last night that drew a lot of equipment at about 7pm.

Small fire broke out at Media Theatre last night that drew a lot of equipment at about 7pm.  The fire was quickly extinguished with no notable damage.

D'Ignazio's Towne House Restaurant Releases Official Statement by the Family on the Closing of this Iconic Restaurant

I received the following statement from Fred D'Ignazio this morning.  I don't know if I could have said it any better when quoted for an article about the Towne House earlier this year.

Media lifelong resident Tedman O’Hara is a Towne House regular and has spent much time there. 

“D’Ignazio’s Towne House isn’t just one of Delaware County’s best family-run establishments, it is family,” said O’Hara. “Whether celebrating christenings, birthday parties, first dates, graduations, alumni banquets, wedding receptions or retirement dinners, as a longtime resident of the area, many of us grew up with this place and share a lifetime of special memories with our friends and family.”
- See more at: http://media.thetowndish.com/2015/03/towne-house-restaurant-celebrates-65-years-of-success/#sthash.wyoEbGd0.dpuf

Closing of D’Ignazio’s Towne House Restaurant, Media Landmark for 63 Years

The D’Ignazio family announced on Wednesday, September 30, 2015, that their restaurant, D’Ignazio’s Towne House, will close in the latter part of December, 2015, after 65 years in business at the same location – the corner of Baltimore Pike (Route 1) and South Avenue, in Media.  The restaurant was founded by noted local businessman, Babe D’Ignazio and his wife Libby, in 1950. From its early days as a single-room bar (the Stag Bar), until its present form occupying most of a city block, the Towne House has been one of Media’s leading businesses and has employed thousands of local residents and entertained tens of thousands of customers over more than a half century in which it has done business.

The D’Ignazio family wishes to thank all of its customers and its employees for their loyalty and service for so many years. Many of the Towne House’s customers and staff members have been with the Towne House for more than 25 years. 

The restaurant will cease a la carte service in the latter part of October. 

The Towne House will stop serving banquets, weddings and other parties in late December.

The closing of the Towne House is due to the sale of the D’Ignazio’s family property on both sides of Baltimore Pike to a high-quality buyer. The D'Ignazio family is confident that this company will be a good business partner with the Town of Media and local residents.

“Our Mom, Libby D’Ignazio, passed on May 29^th of this year. Our Dad, Babe, passed away on November 24, 2008,” says Fred D’Ignazio. “They were the motivating spirits of D’Ignazio’s Towne House. Once our parents passed away, all four of their children felt it was the right thing to move on. Like an athlete still in his prime, we felt it was better to make the decision now rather than to wait any longer. We make this decision with great sadness, but we feel it is the right thing to do. We want to honor our Mom and our Dad and do this thing the right way.”

On Wednesday, September 30^th the Towne House staff was informed of the decision to close the restaurant by the General Manager, Joe Kirkwood. Joe, his staff, and the D’Ignazio family are now in the process of calling all their major customers and local officials to inform them of the family’s decision to close the restaurant.

For more information, please contact Babe and Libby’s four children and the General Manager of the Towne House:

Fred D’Ignazio                                   919-244-7601                     fred.dignazio@gmail.com

Tim D’Ignazio                                     215-760-6774                     timdignazio@gmail.com

Lisa Carnie                                           610-246-0886                     lisatanker5@gmail.com

Owsley D’Ignazio                             215-520-8571                     owsley55@yahoo.com

Joe Kirkwood                                     267-251-0285                     joseph@townehouse.com
Towne House GM