Kensington tattoo shop, Pt. 1

http://phillyhoodz.blogspot.com/

Kensington tattoo shop, Pt. 1

Click To Play

Kensington tattoo shop, Pt. 2

Click To Play

Matt, a combat medic, took shrapnel in his lower back and came home early from Iraq. But he's heading back in a few months. Meanwhile, he hung out with his buddies at Philly Ink in Kensington and shared some stories with us.

Hanging with Philly Cops

Click To Play

"Smutt Shop" bikers rally against violence, give cop car a jump start

Click To Play

Google Video is giving me grief, so it's back to Blip TV and .wmv pop-up video. It's on Google Video if you can't watch it here. Smutt Shop Racing and The Latin American Motorcycle Assoc. showed up for the Ronald Santiago anti-violence march and rally. The march was to be led by a Philadelphia police car, but its battery died. Smutt Shop to the rescue!

Murder epidemic in Philadelphia - 2006 victim No. 380: Ronald Santiago

Last year, Philadelphia had 380 murders. This year, the city is on pace to top 400 killings. On Dec. 8, Ronald Santiago was cleaning a property in Kensington he was planning to sell later this month. In broad daylight, he and a friend were attacked by three robbers who forced the victims inside the property at F and Clearfield Streets. Santiago and his friend were tied up and beaten. Santiago died from his injuries. Last night, Dec. 15, His father and mother, Carmelo and Anna Santiago, and close to 200 friends and supporters marched to the site of Santiago's slaying. There they rallied for justice. Wilfredo Rojas, a family friend, pleaded with everyone to speak up if they witness a violent crime. Marches won't stop murders, he said, but having the courage to testify in court will help restore justice. http://phillyhoodz.blogspot.com/

Murder epidemic in Philadelphia - 2006 victim No. 380: Ronald Santiago

Click To Play

Last year, Philadelphia had 380 murders. This year, the city is on pace to top 400 killings. On Dec. 8, Ronald Santiago was cleaning a property in Kensington he was planning to sell later this month. In broad daylight, he and a friend were attacked by three robbers who forced the victims inside the property at F and Clearfield Streets. Santiago and his friend were tied up and beaten. Santiago died from his injuries. Last night, Dec. 15, His father and mother, Carmelo and Anna Santiago, and close to 200 friends and supporters marched to the site of Santiago's slaying. There they rallied for justice. Wilfredo Rojas, a family friend, pleaded with everyone to speak up if they witness a violent crime. Marches won't stop murders, he said, but having the courage to testify in court will help restore justice.

Panhandling at Banana Republic, Part 3

Click To Play

He went from being part of an Army crew that worked with Nike Hercules nuclear missles to begging for change in Center City. Folks, for a little while, he defended your freedom. I'm opposed to giving money to panhandlers, but I think we can make an exception here. I'll be looking for other exceptions. I say exceptions because most panhandlers are con artists. Or mentally ill and they shouldn't be on the streets anyway.

Panhandling at Banana Republic, Part 2

Click To Play

Panhandling at Banana Republic, Part 1

Click To Play

There are a few video glitches and an annoying fire engine. If I get a chance in the next few days, I'll try to recapture the video to get a clean version. I can't fix the fire engine. That's life in the city. Until then, meet Jesse, and say hello if you see him around.

Joe Frazier!

Click To Play

OK, this and Mumia was a little off-topic, but my camcorder died and I had to buy a new one and I gotta keep pumping out video. Obviously, the guy in the opening frame is not Smokin' Joe. He's a cop, a good one. This was shot at a police Christmas party last Wednesday. If you're wondering, I'm not pooo-leece. I just bought a ticket to check out the party, and I brought my now-dead camcorder. Bonus for Philly residents: If you can send me an accurate transcript of what Joe is saying, you win a $50 gift certificate to Lucky Strike, the hipster bowling alley and restaurant in Center City. Enjoy. I'll be back on the street beat shortly.

I attend Mumia rallies so you don't have to

Watch the Video

Midnight boxing, North Philly

Not a video. Just a fun pic I shot this summer.
Boys vs. Girls. Click to enlarge.

Bootleg DVD deals!

Click To Play

Disco Bob on training young boxers

Click To Play

Police Cameras, Broad and Erie

Click To Play

Welcome to the 'hood

As I roam the streets of Philadelphia, I always seem to find something surprising, amazing, or just plain weird. This video blog, or vlog, will attempt to capture some of what makes Philly's neighborhoods so special. But first, I have to figure out how to do this. Let the adventure begin.