CLOSE UP by Brian Rudnick

From Togo to snow on Christmas

I HAVEN'T SEEN PEOPLE OUT HERE ON CROSS COUNTRY SKIS. DO YOU GET OUT HERE MUCH ON THEM? Andrew Jacobs (left): "This is my first time." Steven Jacobs: " This is actually our first time. I just got a pair for Christmas so I decided to come out with my brother. He just got back from the Peace Corps." AJ: "It's my first time on snow in a long time. My Dad has been out three or four times so far. It's great. I can't remember the last time I was in the Wissahickon there was snow on the ground at Christmas.” SJ: "It's a pretty hysterical thing being able to ski in the middle of Philadelphia." WHERE WERE YOU IN THE PEACE CORPS? AJ: "I was in Togo, in West Africa. So there was not much snow there, needless to say. HOW ARE THINGS IIN TOGO? AJ: "It's a very interesting, culturally rich country but they have a lot of problems. They have a long ways to go in terms of development. But it's peaceful, non-violent, which I think is a big plus in Africa. But in due time I think they'll start to make some advances. But it's great to be back in the U.S.-" SJ: "It's good to have him back" AJ: "..be with the family for Christmas." Forbidden Drive, Christmas Day. Click here to watch video interview. 

Borders Bookstore Closing Gives Signholder Work

WHAT KIND OF JOB IS IT? “I guess it’s advertising or whatever, just holding the sign.” HOW LONG DO YOU DO IT? “From 11 to 4.” YOUR LEGS GET TIRED? “Aw, a little bit.” Tom Fithian, laid off landscaper. Watch video here.

Sax Outside "What a Girl Wants" for Christmas

“Well, my wife has this lovely store, and she had it in Mount Airy for a long time. And she thought she’d try it here in Chestnut Hill, it’s doing great. I’m out here to draw a little business to her store and a vibe to Chestnut Hill, to the avenue.” Dave Lynn, outside “What a Girl Wants and a Guy Needs” store. Watch video here.

Matt Studner Commutes by Horse Carriage

“I live on Norwood, Matthew Studner, right behind the hospital. I’m taking a horse to work in Germantown every day now. I drop my son off at Germantown Friends and we carriage.” AND THE HORSE? “The horse doesn’t even have a name yet. We just got him from a nice Amish person yesterday. Our big horse is Jingle Bells and we have a couple minis and we’re starting to give rides. On Stag and Doe night we’ll be riding up and down with our big horse and sleigh.”Watch video here.

Seeking justice for Alex, gunned down by police

I SEE YOUR BUMPER STICKER “JUSTICE FOR ALEX”, YOU MUST BE PARKING HERE A YEAR OR TWO NOW. “I’m actually the manager at Robertson’s flowers. It’s kind of a personal thing. A few people who live in the community also know him. Alex Demetrovits was a friend of mine who was gunned down a few years ago. So there’s a court case going on, still appealing. It’s for us, I guess, there’s not really a website. Until there’s justice, it’s a little something his Mom gave me. If you’re interested you can google Alex Demetrovits and there’s more information about the story where he was gunned down by police officers by accident.” Chloe Condon.

Watch video interview here.