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Fender Skirts, Curb Feelers and Steering Knobs

 

Commentary By Hank F. Miller Jr.

 

I came across this phrase in a book yesterday \”FENDER SKIRTS\”.

A term I haven\’t heard in a long time and thinking about \”fender skirts\” started me thinking about other words that quietly disappear from our language with hardly a notice.

Like \”curb feelers\” and \”steering knobs.\”

Since I\’d been thinking of cars, my mind naturally
went that direction first. Any kids will probably have to find some elderly person over 50 to explain some of these terms to you.

 Remember \”Continental kits?\” They were rear bumper extenders and spare tire covers that were supposed to make any car as cool as a Lincoln Continental.

  When did we quit calling them \”emergency brakes?\” At some point \”parking brake\” became the proper term. But I miss the hint of drama that went with \”emergency brake.\”

 I\’m sad, too, that almost all the old folks are gone who would call the accelerator the \”foot feed.\”

Didn\’t you ever wait at the street for your daddy to come home, so you could ride the \”running board\” up to the house?

  Here\’s a phrase I heard all the time in my youth but never anymore – \”store-bought.\” Of course, just about everything is store-bought these days. But once it was bragging material to have a store-bought dress or a store-bought bag of candy.

  \”Coast to coast\” is a phrase that once held all sorts of excitement and now means almost nothing. Now we take the term \”world wide\” for granted. This floors me.  

On a smaller scale, \”wall-to-wall\” was once a magical term in our homes. In the \’50s, everyone covered his or her hardwood floors with, wow, wall-to-wall carpeting! Today, everyone replaces their wall-to-wall carpeting with hardwood floors. Go figure.

When\’s the last time you heard the quaint phrase \”in a family way?\” It\’s hard to imagine that the word \”pregnant\” was once considered a little too graphic, a little too clinical for use in polite company. So we had all that talk about stork visits and \”being in a family way\” or simply\”expecting.\”

  Apparently \”brassiere\” is a word no longer in usage. I said it the other day and my daughter cracked up. I guess it\’s just \”bra\” now \”Unmentionables\” probably wouldn\’t be understood at all.

  I always loved going to the \”picture show,\” but I considered \”movie\” an affectation.

 Most of these words go back to the \’50s, but here\’s a pure-\’60s word I came across the other day – \”rat fink.\” Ooh, what a nasty put-down!

  Here\’s a word I miss – \”percolator.\” That was just a fun word to say. And what was it replaced with? \”Coffee maker.\” How dull. Mr. Coffee, I blame you for this.

 I miss those made-up marketing words that were meant to sound so modern and now sound so retro. Words like \”DynaFlow\” and \”Electrolux.\” Introducing the 1963 Admiral TV, now with \”SpectraVision!\”

  Food for thought – Was there a telethon that wiped out lumbago? Nobody complains of that anymore. Maybe that\’s what castor oil cured, because I never hear mothers threatening kids with castor oil anymore.

  Some words aren\’t gone, but are definitely on the endangered list. The one that grieves me most \”supper.\” Now everybody says \”dinner.\” Save a great word. Invite someone to supper. Discuss fender skirts.

  Someone forwarded this to me. I thought some of us of a \”certain age\” would remember most of these.

 Just for fun, Pass it along to others of \”a certain age\”!!

 

Warm Regards from Kitakyushu City ,Japan

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NJ News Round-Up Friday, March 23

by: DBK

reprinted with permission of Blue Jersey

  • The Communications Workers of America, which represents a majority of state workers union, has extended the deadline for voting on its new contract by two weeks because of problems it has encountered with mail-in ballots. If this is a hanging chad thing then I give up. The contract is the same one that has caused so much controversy because of the relationship between Governor Corzine and CWA union president Carla Katz.
  • Governor Corzine (that name comes up a lot in the news around here) appointed Kris Kolluri, who is already the transportation commissioner and chair of NJ Transit, to chair the New Jersey Turnpike and South Jersey Transportation authorities.
  • US Attorney Chris Christie will speak to the Assembly Budget Committee regarding gang violence on April 12. The committee issued the invitation yesterday. I\’ve been hearing some very disturbing things from co-workers about gangs in the high schools. Anyone have anything they\’d like to share on this topic?
  • Three boys aboard a bus to Emily C. Reynolds Middle School in Mercer County took control of the vehicle yesterday when the driver became unconscious. They managed to stop it safely at the side of the road. Nice work guys. That is beyond cool. The bus company has not said whether it intends to offer the boys jobs as drivers, though there seems to be an opening now.
  • Read more

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    Obit Tony DiFillipo, of Westville

    DIFILLIPO, ANTHONY S. \’TONY\’
    On March 22, 2007, of Westville. Age 80.
    Beloved husband of Lois D. (nee Pasquarello). Father of Mary Ellen DiFillipo of Westville and the late Anthony. Tony was a WWII Army veteran.
    Visitation will be Monday 7:30am to 9:30am at BOUCHER FUNERAL HOME, 1757 Delsea Dr., Deptford. Mass of Christian Burial 10am Monday at St. Anne\’s Church, Westville. Interment Holy Cross Cemetery, Yeadon, Pa. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Lighthouse Hospice, 1040 Kings Highway N., Cherry Hill, NJ 08034. For directions visit www.boucherfuneral home.com.

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    $5,700 offered for the Return of Scotty

    Lt. George Berglund of the Gloucester City Police Department announced today that the reward for information leading to the return of the Department\’s K-9 dog has increased to $5,700!

    Berglund said, \”A Philadelphia businessman has offered $2,500 and an out of town resident has offered $1,000.

    The 80-pound, midnight-black German shepherd has been missing since early Saturday morning after the roof of his kennel collapsed under the weight of snow and ice from Friday\’s winter storm.

    The kennel is in Patrolman Stephen Burkhardt\’s back yard. Burkhardt is Scotty\’s handler.

    Berglund said the department is hopeful that a citizen took Scotty into his home without having seen television reports or reading about the missing dog in the newspaper. Several law enforcement agencies in the area have been helping local police in the search.

    Berglund said, \”We haven\’t had any luck.\”

    The 3-year-old German Shepherd is black, with some brown on his tail, is wearing a silver choke chain. The dog is friendly with people, however police warn that if you put him in your car, then try to take him out, he could become aggressive because he thinks that he\’s working.

    If you spot Scotty, you\’re asked to call Gloucester City dispatchers at (856)456-0900.

    see more stories on this subject

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    Letters/What is Wrong with this Picture?

    Per this week\’s Gloucester City News, they are now hiring someone to fill some of the duties of the Confidential Assistant to the Mayor. This person will do less than the Assistant and get paid close to as much.

     

    How do I know? Because I was the Confidential Assistant to the Mayor. Not only did I do the duties listed in that ad, but I was at every Council Meeting taking minutes, the Finance Committee meetings taking minutes and helping with the budget, and a member of the Celebrations Committee. I also assisted the Mayor and Council with follow-up information from these meetings.

     

    I helped Public Works run the Marina including all the paperwork and advertisement. I was also the Administrator\’s assistant and was the back up to the City Clerk\’s office. I supported the computer network in the Municipal Building, built and up kept the web content on the City website, and sent the e-letters for events and meetings of the City. I also created and kept updated a web calendar of community events.

     

    I planned events for the city and helped the Community Development/UEZ Director whenever possible. I was an outreach person to community organizations and businesses.

     

    I had even been recently appointed as the Planning Board Secretary. All for less than $40,000. Now they are going to hire someone to do a small portion of this for $30,000. What is wrong with this picture? I had a bad title that didn\’t even begin to describe what I did at the City. The new Mayor and the new Council didn\’t even take the time to meet with me to find out what I did before eliminating my position. Mr. Marchese wrote in the Gloucester City News that your job shouldn\’t be affected by who you vote for. I do believe that mine was.

     

    Theresa Ritchie
    Previous Confidential Assistant to the Mayor

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    The accussed firefighter (s) will not be prosecuted (fact or fiction?)

    Mr. Cleary,

    I n response to a recent \”Letter to the Editor\” in this past week\’s paper,
    there is some information abound you might find interesting or wish to bring
    to light.

    It is currently rumored that the accused firefighter(s) will not be
    criminally charged \”as long as the money is paid back\”. From my
    understanding this is the second or third time this has happened. Talk is
    that the previous incident eluded being revealed in the media and also was
    not criminally prosecuted.

    It continues to amaze me that people give their own hard earned money of
    their own free will and accord for the better of some only to be taken
    advantage of by others unfit to hold the title they are entrusted.

    I hope you investigate this and sort out what is fact.

    Tad

    see more stories on softball marathon

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    Obit Mary Anne Gann, formerly of Gloucester City NJ

    GANN, MARY ANNE
    (nee Golazewski) on March 16, 2007 age 55 of Carlsbad, New Mexico formerly of Gloucester City, NJ.
    Beloved mother of Joan Kelly, Thomas Clark and Mandy Clark. Survived by sister Joan Krips and brothers, John and Billy Golazewski and also survived by two grandchildren Brittany and Tommy. Contributions can be made to the National MS Society, Greater Delaware Valley Chapter, One Reed St., Suite 200, Philadelphia, PA. 19147.

    Publication date: 3/21/07

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    What Philly Will Do is saying about Scotty

    PHILLY WILL DO

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    Long Island Fire Officials Accused of Corruption

    Courtsey of WABC

    Prosecutors on Long Island are accusing officials working with firefighting and ambulance organizations of spending more than $550,000 in public funds on personal expenses over the past decade. Long Island reporter Emily Smith has more.

    It\’s a sad day for firefighters across Long Island. Some of these are people who risk their lives every day to save others. Now, they\’re accused of misusing taxpayers hard-earned money.

    Long Island fire officials who have collectively served the community for more than 200 years were in handcuffs Tuesday.

    Eight people were arrested for what investigators are calling mismanagement of taxpayer money.

    Read more

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    Cheap Tomatoes

    Hank F Miller Jr.In Japan
     
    To All of you Gloucesterites this is definitely something for us to think about and act upon when our opportunity comes.  
     ———————————————-

    Cheap Tomatoes …
    This should make everyone think, be you Democrat, Republican or Independent

    From a California school teacher – – -\”As you listen to the news about the student protests over illegal immigration, there are some things that you should be aware of:

    I am in charge of the English-as-a-second-language department at a large southern California high school which is designated a Title 1 school, meaning that its students average lower socioeconomic and income levels.

    Most of the schools you are hearing about, South Gate High, Bell Gardens, Huntington Park, etc., where these students are protesting, are also Title 1 schools.

    Title 1 schools are on the free breakfast and free lunch program. When I say free breakfast, I\’m not talking a glass of milk and roll — but a full breakfast and cereal bar with fruits and juices that would make a Marriott proud. The waste of this food is monumental, with trays and trays of it being dumped in the trash uneaten. (OUR TAX DOLLARS AT WORK)

    I estimate that well over 50% of these students are obese or at least moderately overweight. About 75% or more DO have cell phones. The school also provides day care centers for the unwed teenage pregnant girls (some as young as 13) so they can attend class without the inconvenience of having to arrange for babysitters or having family watch their kids. (OUR TAX DOLLARS AT WORK)

    I was ordered to spend $700,000 on my department or risk losing funding for the upcoming year even though there was little need for anything; my budget was already substantial. I ended up buying new computers for the computer learning center, half of which, one month later, have been carved with graffiti by the appreciative students who obviously feel humbled and grateful to have a free education in America. (OUR TAX DOLLARS AT WORK)

    I have had to intervene several times for young and substitute teachers whose classes consist of many illegal immigrant students here in the country less then 3 months who raised so much hell with the female teachers, calling them \”Putas\” whores and throwing things that the teachers
    were in tears.

    Free medical, free education, free food, day care etc., etc., etc. Is it any wonder they feel entitled to not only be in this country but to demand rights, privileges and entitlements?

    To those who want to point out how much these illegal immigrants contribute to our society because they LIKE their gardener and housekeeper and they like to pay less for tomatoes: spend some time in the real world of illegal immigration and see the TRUE costs.

    Higher insurance, medical facilities closing, higher medical costs, more crime, lower standards of education in our schools, overcrowding, new diseases etc., etc, etc. For me, I\’ll pay more for tomatoes.

    We need to wake up. The guest worker program will be a disaster because we won\’t have the guts to enforce it.
    Does anyone in their right mind really think they will voluntarily leave and return?

    There are many hardworking Hispanic/American citizens that contribute to our country and many that I consider my true friends. We should encourage and accept those Hispanics who have done it the right and legal way.

    It does, however, have everything to do with culture: A third-world culture that does not value education, that accepts children getting pregnant and dropping out of school by 15 and that refuses to assimilate, and an American culture that has become so weak and worried about \”politically correct\” that we don\’t have the will to do anything about it.

    If this makes your blood boil, as it did mine, forward this to everyone you know.

    CHEAP LABOR?
    Isn\’t that what the whole immigration issue is about?

    Business doesn\’t want to pay a decent wage

    Consumers don\’t want expensive produce

    Government will tell you Americans don\’t want the jobs

    But the bottom line is cheap labor. The phrase \”cheap labor\” is a myth, a farce, and a lie. there is no such thing as \”cheap labor.\”

    Take, for example, an illegal alien with a wife and five children. He takes a job for $5.00 or $6.00/hour. At that wage, with six dependents, he pays no income tax, yet at the end of the year, if he files an Income Tax Return, he gets an \”earned income credit\” of up to $3,200 free.

    He qualifies for Section 8 housing and subsidized rent

    He qualifies for food stamps

    He qualifies for free (no deductible, no co-pay) health care

    His children get free breakfasts and lunches at school

    He requires bilingual teachers and books

    He qualifies for relief from high energy bills

    If they are or become, aged, blind or disabled, they qualify for SSI. Once qualified for SSI they can qualify for Medicare. All of this is at taxpayer\’s expense

    He doesn\’t worry about car insurance, life insurance, or homeowners insurance.

    Taxpayers provide Spanish language signs, bulletins and printed material.

    He and his family receive the equivalent of $20.00 to $30.00/hour in benefits.

    Working Americans are lucky to have $5.00 or $6.00/hour left after paying their bills and his.

    The American taxpayer\’s also pay for increased crime, graffiti and trash clean-up.

    Cheap labor? YEAH RIGHT! Wake up people!
    Warm Regards From Kitakyushu City,Japan



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