Eagles (Wachovia Center, 11/25/2008, 8 PM)
Superlatives fail when it comes time to discuss Rock and Roll Hall of Famers the Eagles. With five number one singles and six number one albums, the Eagles ruled the roost during the 1970’s, got tired of each other and broke up, then re-formed and hit the road now in support of their latest album Long Road Out of Eden. Are they country? Are they rock? Who really cares? They are simply very good. Check out their website here.

Trans-Siberian Orchestra (Wachovia Center, 11/29/2008, 3 PM and 8 PM)
Do you like your Christmas music with heavy metal guitar riffs and operatic bombast? Trans-Siberian Orchestra follows in the footsteps of Mannheim Steamroller in updating holiday classics, only this time it sounds like they sprang fully formed from the mind of Metallica. Do yourself a favor and get into the reason for the season in a whole new kind of way. Learn more about TSO here.

Here’s the best of the rest…

Benjy Ferree (M Room, 11/23/2008)
Little mutt dogs everywhere rejoice!

Chelsea Lee (Tin Angel, 11/24/2008)
Better be careful with this one. Anyone remember how porn stars come up with their screen names? Take the name of your dog and the name of your street…

The Hooters (Electric Factory, 11/26/2008)
If you missed Philadelphia’s finest back in the eighties, don’t wait another twenty years.

Enter The Haggis (World Café Live, 11/28/2008)
Beam me up, Scotty! Beam me up quick!

Method Man (Trocadero, 11/29/2008)
Or was it Marlboro Man? Have a smoke and think about it.

Post from: Philadelphia Event Calendar

Tiptoe in the presence of greatness: Music Wrap Up

On December 6, 2008, Yo Darkroom will host a workshop called Make Your Own Camera: Pinhole Photography that will teach you to build your own handmade camera that operates off the pinhole photography technique. This is a great project for the family as long as the kids are at least 10 years old. It takes about four hours to make a pinhole camera – in this age of everything digital it is sometimes refreshing to get back to basics.

The only thing you need to bring is an empty light tight container with lid. Quaker Oatmeal cans are great for pinhole cameras. The rest of the materials will be provided by Yo Darkroom for a $10 materials fee. The class itself costs $53 for members and $59 for non-members. There is a special family price that you might be interested in. Follow the link here to learn more.

After your camera is built, you will learn to make contact prints and use the darkroom chemicals.

Yo Darkroom is your community resource for learning and participating in popular photography, arts and crafts classes. It is located at 113 North 23rd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103.

Post from: Philadelphia Event Calendar

Not pinhead. PinHOLE.: Make Your Own Camera

Here we sit, just past the halfway point of the NFL season and things don’t look too rosy for the Eagles. As a matter of fact, since the 2004 Super Bowl season the Eagles are only one game over 500. And if it weren’t for a Jeff Garcia -led miracle run in 2006, the Eagles would have missed the playoffs for the last three years. My main problem with the 2008 Eagles team is that I think they’re going to make it the 3rd out of the last 4-years without making the playoffs. Even if they were somehow able to sneak into the playoffs as the 6th seed, do any of you honestly believe that they can win anything? I certainly don’t. They have proven that they can USUALLY beat the bad teams, but come up short against the better teams in the league. And what makes it even worse is that this team’s only injury is to Shaun Andrews . Their inability to gain a single yard has cost them several games this year. Also, there is the fact that the defense can’t stop the run when facing a good RB.

The NFL has changed in recent years. The days of “The Greatest Show on Turf” are over. The West Coast offense isn’t the future, it’s the past. Last year’s Giants won the Super Bowl with a conservative offense and a stout defense. This year, the best teams in the NFL; the Titans, Giants, Panthers, Ravens, Falcons, Redskins, and Steelers are all winning by running the football and playing good defense. I think the NFL has passed Andy Reid by. It just might be time to blow this roster up and rebuild, WITHOUT Andy Reid.

I have been a detractor of Andy Reid’s for years now. I have been complaining about his game-day coaching for years. I was a lone voice in the wilderness when they went on their Super Bowl run, but then we all witnessed the infamous 2-minute drill that took seven minutes… wet-heave and all. Andy is simply incapable of making adjustments during a game. Don’t even get me started on his time management or replay challenge skills (or lack thereof). Reid is stubborn and arrogant and that just doesn’t work in this town when you’re not winning. Reid isn’t facing the Steve Spurriers, Jim Fassels and Dave Campos of the league regularly anymore. Plus, he won in the early years with a dominating defense that Ray Rhodes drafted. He is clearly not among the top coaches in the NFL anymore. And his press conferences should be prescribed medication for insomniacs.

The thing is, Andy Reid the Head Coach doesn’t deserve all of the blame for the mess this team has become. No, Andy Reid the General Manager has failed to give his coach the necessary talent to win in today’s NFL. I have always asserted that Andy is less than average at the draft, but others always said I was wrong or overreacting or stupid or other things that aren’t fit to print. I finally got tired of arguing with people (dopes, mostly) who didn’t think that Andy Reid was a terrible GM and decided to try to prove my point. Below I have analyzed every single draft pick of the Andy Reid era. (Yes, I know I need to get a life). I believe that this clearly shows that Andy Reid the GM is screwing Andy Reid the Head Coach. Now this is just my humble opinion, but that’s all any of us have, right? Look at Mel Kiper . So, why not play along and take a stroll down Memory Lane. Unfortunately, you might think it’s more like a Nightmare on Elm Street . Do you think Freddy Kruger is available to run the Eagles’ 2009 draft? Oh well, I await the many insult-filled emails that are sure to follow.

Andy Reid’s Draft Choices

1999:

(Round, Player, Position, Pick #, Grade)

1 Donovan McNabb (QB) 2 A - I think he’s more of a B since he literally chokes in the big games, but he wins so I’ll give him an A.

2 Barry Gardner (LB) 35 D – Only reason this isn’t an F is because he played a bit.

3 Doug Brzenski (G) 64 B – Decent starter for a few years.

4a John Welborn (T) 97 B – Another decent starter for a few years.

4b Damon Moore (S) 128 F – Early day Mike Vick, remember?

4c Na Brown (WR) 130 F – Do you even need to ask why?

6a Cecil Martin (FB) 172 C – Decent starter for a bit.

6b Troy Smith (WR) 201 F – Who?

7a Jed Weaver (TE) 208 F – Might as well have drafted Jed Clampett.

7b Pernell Davis (DT) 251 F – Don’t think he ever played.

Overall Grade: B (Franchise QB.)

2000:

(Round, Player, Position, Pick #, Grade)

1 Corey Simon (DT) 6 A – Too bad he asked for more money. Bye-bye.

2a Todd Pinkston (WR) 36 C – He was good at stretching the field until he was proven to be a complete WIMP.

2b Bobbie Williams (G) 61 F – And they traded a bunch of picks to get this fat stiff.

4 Gari Scott (WR) 99 F – What Na Brown wasn’t bad enough?

6a Thomas Hamner (RB) 171 F – I even remember this stiff.

6b John Frank F – Best available Mormon.

6c John Romero F – Hung on the practice squad a few years. No relation to Phillies reliever JC Romero.

Overall Grade: D (One legit player and he was #6 overall.)

2001:

(Round, Player, Position, Pick #, Grade)

1 Freddie Mitchell (WR) 25 F – Worst draft pick of Reid’s career. Reggie Wayne, Chris Chambers, and Chad Johnson were available at this spot in the draft. I’m going to be sick.

2 Quinton Caver (LB) 55 F – 2nd worst draft pick of Reid era.

3 Derrick Burgess (DE) 63 D – Only because they let him go before he did anything.

4 C. Buckhalter (RB) 121 C – Might be higher but he’s always hurt.

5a Tony Stewart (TE) 147 F – Wasted pick. We Are…..Penn State!

5b AJ Feeley (QB) 155 C – Only because he got us a 2nd rounder from Miami.

Overall Grade: F (If you don’t think so then you’re dumber than Howard Eskin .)

2002:

(Round, Player, Position, Pick #, Grade)

1 Lito Sheppard (CB) 26 A – Pro Bowler but he gets hurt too often.

2a Michael Lewis (SS) 58 C – Started out great but can’t cover anybody.

2b Sheldon Brown (CB) 59 A – No Pro Bowls but he plays great.

3 Brian Westbrook (RB) 91 A – Best thing Andy EVER did. Now give him the ball.

4 Scott Peters (C) 124 F – Andy was still giddy after the last pick.

5 Freddie Milons (WR)162 F – Never draft another WR named Freddie, PLEASE!!!

6 Tyreo Harrison (LB) 198 F – Notre Dame loser.

7 Raheem Brock (DE) 238 F – Banner cut him when he asked for an extra $50,000. Gotta save that money under the cap right Joe?

Overall Grade: A (The late misses don’t matter.)

2003:

(Round, Player, Position, Pick #, Grade)

1 Jerome McDougle (DE) 15 F – We traded up for this piece of garbage?

2 LJ Smith (TE) 61 D – Talk about talent and potential all you want. This stiff drops more passes than he catches. Jason Witten was still on the board at this pick. Think about that.

3 Billy McMullin (WR) 95 F – At least he got us Hank Baskett in a trade.

4 Jamaal Green (DE) 131 F – Carrying that extra “a” in his first name must have slowed him down.

6 Jeremy Bridges (T) 185 F – Should have drafted Todd “What you Talkin Bout Willis” Bridges instead of this guy.

7 Norman LeJeun (S) 244 F – I only remember him because of the name.

Overall Grade: F (Were you paying attention? )

2004:

(Round, Player, Position, Pick #, Grade)

1 Shawn Andrews (G) 16 A – Absolute Stud. Too bad he’s CRAZY.

3 Matt Ware (CB) 89 D – And this is generous.

4a JR Reed (S) 129 C – Injury cost this guy, but he’s a decent backup.

4b Trey Darilek (T) 131 F – To quote Zoolander “Darilickmyballs”.

5 Thomas Tapeh (FB) 162 C – I guess he was at least a starter.

6a Andy Hall (QB) 185 F – Might as well have drafted me here.

6b Dexter Wynn (CB) 192 D – Played a bit.

7a Adrien Clarke (G) 192 F – Did he ever even dress for a game?

7b Bruce Perry (RB) 242 F – Got a couple carries in meaningless week 17 game.

7c Dominic Furio (C) 243 F – Admit it none of you ever heard of him before.

Overall Grade: D (Only Andrews keeps this from being a solid F.)

2005:

(Round, Player, Position, Pick #, Grade)

1 Mike Patterson (DT) 31 A – Fine pick this late in the 1st round.

2a Reggie Brown (WR) 35 C – Nothing more than a #2 or #3 WR.

2b Matt McCoy (LB) 63 F – This guy should have been a rodeo Cowboy since he was riding on so many RB’s backs. What a waste.

3 Ryan Moats (RB) 77 F – Possibly the dumbest Eagle ever. NEVER knew the playbook. “Hello, McFly”.

4a Sean Considine (S) 102 F – We’d be better off if he DIDN’T ever start.

4b Todd Herremans (T) 126 C – Classic OT build, playing out of place at G.

5a Trent Cole (DE) 146 A – Was Andy looking at somebody else’s draft board?

5b Scott Young (G) 172 F – Best available Mormon again? Career bench-warmer.

6 Calvin Armstrong (T) 211 F – Never even made the team.

7a Keyonta Marshall (DT) 247 F – Took a shot at a small college kid.

7b David Bergeron (LB) 252 F – Isn’t he the host of America’s Funniest Videos?

Overall Grade : B (Due to getting 3 or 4 starters.)

2006:

(Round, Player, Position, Pick #, Grade)

1 B. Bunkley (DT) 14 B – One wasted season and one good season. Not looking like a great player in 2008, either.

2 Winston Justice (T) 39 F – One start, 6 sacks allowed. The end.

3 Chris Gocong (LB) 71 C – He looks serviceable overall, but terrible in coverage.

4a Max Jean-Gilles (G) 99 D – Is HE the reason we can’t run anymore?

4b Jason Avant (WR) 109 D – A #6 WR? That’s the best we could do here?

5a Jeremy Bloom (WR) 147 F – Little girls would have bought his jersey and he would have at least CAUGHT the punts against the Packers in 2007 opener Andy!!!!!

5b Omar Gaither (LB) 168 B – Nice pick.

6 LaJuan Ramsey (DT) 204 C – Decent pick, but is nothing more than a backup.

Overall Grade: C (Chance to improve to a B if a couple guys blossom.)

2007:

(Round, Player, Position, Pick #, Grade)

1 Trade F – You DON’T trade with the Cowboys. EVER!!!

2a Kevin Kolb (QB) 36 F – If Banner is right he’ll NEVER play for the Eagles.

2b Victor Abiamiri (DE) 57 D – Didn’t play as a rookie then got hurt.

3a Stewart Bradley (LB) 87 B – He looks like the real deal, but can he cover?.

3b Tony Hunt (RB) 90 F – He was cut after less than a year and a half. What does THAT tell you?

5a CJ Gaddis (S) 159 F – Cut.

5b Brent Celek (TE) 162 B – Looks like a good pick. Nice value.

6 Rashad Barksdale (CB) 201 F – Cut.

Nate Ilaoa (RB) 236 F – Cut.

Overall Grade: C– (Assuming Bradley, Abiamiri and Celek continue to contribute.)

2008: (Too early to tell, but let’s try anyway)

(Round, Player, Position, Pick #, Grade)

1 Trade F – The 2009 pick from Carolina now looks like #30 pick.

2a Trevor Laws (DT) 47 D – Seriously, is he even playing?

2b DeSean Jackson (WR) 49 A – Oh my God, Andy FINALLY drafts a great WR.

3 Bryan Smith (DE) 80 F – Has he even dressed for a game yet this year?

4a Mike McGlynn (G) 109 F – Another guy who never plays.

4b Quintin Demps (S) 117 B – Good Kick Returner and good potential as Safety.

4c Jack Ikegwuonu (CB) 131 F – Drafted him after he blew out his ACL at the combine.

4d Traded for L. Booker F – What happened to all that hype?

6a Mike Gibson (OT) 184 F – IR. Will probably never play.

6b Joe Mays (LB) 200 C – Special teams guy. Showed promise in pre-season.

6c Andy Studebaker (DE) 203 F – Practice squad fodder.

7 King Dnulap (OT) 230 D – IR. Showed promise in college. Give him benefit of doubt until he proves to be he next Winston Justice.

Overall Grade: C (Jackson saves this one from a D or worse.)

Agree? Disagree? What say ye? Email me at angrybob@thisweekinphilly.com

Post from: Philadelphia Event Calendar

Philadelphia Eagles Report Card: End of the Andy Reid Era?

But Thursday, November 27, 2008, at 11 AM at the Newton Theatre you can view a complimentary screening of Jimmy Stewart in all his glory when Larry Steinhouse and the Piece of the Good Life Foundation present It’s A Wonderful Life. Admission is free! Popcorn is free!

The Piece of the Good Life Foundation helps parents with children of Autism enjoy a “piece of the good life”, at least for a short time. In real terms, the foundation’s vision is to send parents with autistic children on a vacation, to enjoy themselves or family. It’s a time to rest and recharge for the challenges of raising a special needs child. Everybody needs a vacation – perhaps these parents more than most.

The Newton Theatre is located at 120 North State Street, Newton, PA 18940. You can learn more about the Piece of the Good Life Foundation here.

Whether you’ve seen it once or one hundred times, there’s nothing quite like catching this classic bit of celluloid on the big screen. Watch again as Stewart (as George Bailey) makes an incredibly bad series of life decisions, ends up on the bridge in a snowstorm ready to off himself but is saved in the nick of time by old dude/angel Clarence.

Post from: Philadelphia Event Calendar

It’s A Wonderful Life: Go Back In Time

There’s plenty to get excited about in that fictional land of lavish celebrations, fountains of bubbly, trays of canapés, designer shoes, and outrageous costumes. There’s the familiar like a lonely prince, a mouse or two, vain socialite step-sisters and a plus-size fairy-godmother whose work day never seems to end. Who knows what will spring from the ashes this time around? Cinderella is recommended for ages 5 and up, so bring the whole family.

Join PLT for the 5th straight year of holiday cheers for the heroes, jeers for the villains, festive music, silly songs, and a powder puff fight set to go down in history.

THIS Cinderella should not be confused with THAT Cinderella, who happen to be a kick ass heavy metal blues band from Philadelphia that ruled MTV from the mid-eighties until the early-nineties.

The Cinderella we’re talking about is popular fairy tale addressing the element of unjust oppression and triumphant reward. Help! I’m being oppressed! Wait. That’s supposed to be repressed. Follow that link to read an unholy number of quotes from Monty Python and the Holy Grail, especially if you have nothing better to do today.

But never mind all that. You can learn more about the PLT production of Cinderella here and you can find the theatre at 39 Conestoga Road, Malvern, PA 19355.

Post from: Philadelphia Event Calendar

Everybody needs a fairy godmother: Cinderella

McNabb will no longer be remembered as a great QB who led the Philadelphia Eagles to five NFC East Titles, three NFC Championship Games, and one Super Bowl. Heck, he won’t even be remembered as the guy who lost his lunch during the Super Bowl. No. Now, Donovan McNabb’s legacy with Philadelphia Eagles’ fans will be that he didn’t even know that NFL games could end in a tie. It’s like his own personal Rich Kotite play chart where the ink ran in the rain. Yeah, it’s that friggin’ bad. I just compared McNabb to the immortal Rich Kotite. Be afraid. Be very afraid.

I’m not sure how any player in the NFL could possibly not know that there is only one overtime quarter during a regular season game, but apparently our Donny wasn’t aware of this fact. And even if any player on the field didn’t know this rule, all he would have had to do was pay attention to referee Tony Corrente. Before the overtime coin flip Corrente explained the rules of overtime so the entire stadium could hear. He said, “Captains, we will now play one overtime period.” He then went on to explain, “If neither team scores, the game will be declared a tie.” Well, that seems pretty clear. How did McNabb miss that? Maybe he was busy making goofy faces into a camera somewhere. This is what separates good QBs like McNabb from Super Bowl winning QBs like Eli Manning. Manning knew the rule about his whole body having to be past the line of scrimmage last week and convinced his coach to challenge the ruling on the field. Now THAT’S a leader.

McNabb was quoted as saying, “I’ve never been a part of a tie. I never even knew that was in the rule book.” This is simply mind-boggling. But what do you expect from a man who is thirty years old and just voted for the first time in his life? Maybe he didn’t know that he was allowed to vote until this year? Hey! Wait a minute! This would explain a lot.

Maybe McNabb doesn’t know that other QBs call audibles at the line of scrimmage when they read a defense and realize that the play that’s called will fail miserably. Heck, maybe he doesn’t know QBs are allowed to read a defense. Maybe he doesn’t know that there are FOUR quarters in a football game. Maybe he thinks those first 15 minutes of each game are just his time to get his arm loose. Maybe he doesn’t know what those clocks in each endzone are for. (Those would be the play clocks that keep running out before the Eagles snap the ball.) Maybe he doesn’t know that you can turn around and hand the ball to his teammate that is standing behind him and let him “run” with the ball. Maybe he doesn’t know that the NFL hasn’t made it a penalty for a QB to run with the football in the last four years. Maybe he doesn’t understand he shouldn’t be smiling and hugging Giants players after they just kicked the Eagles’ butts. Maybe he doesn’t understand what the term “leader” REALLY means. Maybe the McNabb Era really is over in Philadelphia. Let’s hope so.

~Bob E. Whalon

Comments can be sent to: angrybob@thisweekinphilly.com

Post from: Philadelphia Event Calendar

Philadelphia Eagles: From TO to OT

Dude can cook and now you get to watch this high energy pan slinger create some of his signature Asian fusion cuisine dishes in living color. Poon creates dishes with a simple elegance AND a dash of adventure. From his contemporary but quirky venue in Philadelphia’s Chinatown, he hosts private events, Wok ‘N Walk tours of the local restaurant scene, teaches cooking classes and even leads trips to China.

Whew. Makes me tired just thinking about it. Almost forgot – don’t miss his autobiographical cookbook Life is Short…Cooking is Fun. His warmth, exuberance and style have earned him appearances on “The Tonight Show” with Jay Leno, “The Ellen Degeneres Show”, and TV Food Network’s “The Best of…”, as well as a half page profile in the New York Times. His three decade rise from impoverished immigrant to national culinary fame is a real life American success story. Hmm…almost sounds like this could be a movie. Hollywood, are you listening?

And he even carves watermelons into works of art! Is there anything this man doesn’t do? His new restaurant is called Joe’s Peking Duck. Catch his cooking demonstration at Foster’s Homeware, located at 399 Market Street in Philadelphia.

Post from: Philadelphia Event Calendar

Sometimes it’s good to be a maniac: Joseph Poon

Greater Tuna is a hilarious comedy about Texas’ third smallest town. The eclectic citizens of this bastion of decency are portrayed by only two actors – this is the genius of the concept – who transform themselves into men, women, children, and even animals in this satirical look at life in rural America.

Along comes A Tuna Christmas, just in time for the holidays. It’s 24 hours before Christmas and times they are tough. Bertha Bumiller’s drunken husband hasn’t come home, her kids are messes, and a Christmas phantom is destroying the town’s festive decorations. Once again, two actors play 24 madcap characters.

And what better place to see what is sure to become a legendary holiday tradition than to see it at a theatre that’s already a piece of Philadelphia history – The Walnut Street Theatre. Click here to find out how to get tickets. The theatre is located at 825 Walnut Street in Philadelphia, or you can call 215-574-3550. Don’t forget to ask them to put Jessica Simpson on the line because you need to make sure there is no residual chicken in any of that tuna.

Post from: Philadelphia Event Calendar

Tuna question? Quick, call Jessica Simpson: A Tuna Christmas

You can find the Christmas Village on the west side of City Hall. Venders will set up shop in more than 50 wooden booths and timber houses to sell European food, sweets and drinks, as well as international seasonal holiday gifts, ornaments and high quality arts and crafts.

Thousands of lights twinkle among the booths and trees to light your way through this enchanting medieval village experience, with the Christmas Village scenery integrating it into the also highly illuminated City Hall. Music? But, of course! What would the holiday season be without music? A centrally located stage welcomes live performances of local choirs, orchestras and bands. Santa will be there in his own house to take requests from the kids and make sure everything proceeds in a festive fashion.

And don’t forget about the official municipal Christmas tree lighting ceremony. I don’t know about you, but nothing quite gets the excitement flowing through my veins like the words “official” and “municipal” combined together in a sentence. Just kidding! Come on. It’s a tree with lights. It’s GOT to be good.

The Christmas Village is open daily from 11 AM to 9 PM beginning November 28 and lasting through December 24. Need more info? Click here.

Post from: Philadelphia Event Calendar

Nothing says fun like the ‘official’ and ‘municipal’: Christmas Village

The Singles Golf Clinic takes place Sunday, November 23, 2008, at 9:30 AM and is hosted by Meet Market Adventures, Philadelphia’s leading singles and adventure alchemists. Doesn’t matter whether you play regularly or have never actually touched a club, this clinic will teach you a lot about golf in a short time. Even if you’re a hacker, never fear, unlimited golf balls will let you practice, practice, practice until it’s perfect or at least a loose approximation thereof. Kozlowski is an expert on helping you instantly visualize your swing and understand your natural swing tendencies.

The price quoted above includes range time, clubs, golf balls, all taxes, and the lesson from Adz Kozlowski. As of this writing, 8 of the 10 slots for the class have been filled. If you’re interested, better get clicking here to reserve your space. The indoor FDR Course is located at 2000 Pattison Avenue in Philadelphia.

Post from: Philadelphia Event Calendar

Just a swingin’: Singles Golf Clinic