WORK - CLOSE UP Video Interviews

We tour run-down train stations before makeovers

Developer Ken Weinstein hosted open houses of five dilapidated train stations along the SEPTA (Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority) regional Chestnut Hill rail lines in Philadelphia. Through his company, Philly Office Retail, he has undertaken to renovate them. “Bring your ideas. All are welcome!” a flyer announces. The buildings once housed ticket offices but are now vacant and have fallen into substantial disrepair.

February 11, 2026

BUILDINGS INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL

We work away in the lovely Czech Republic

Your correspondent and his spouse spent about 2-1/2 weeks in the Czech Republic mostly doing a longer and a shorter “workaways” (work for room and board). And obligatory sightseeing!

July 18, 2024

CURRENT AFFAIRS INTERNATIONAL POLITICS

Ukrainian war refugee drives taxi in Prague

A Ukrainian tourist, stranded abroad by war, finds love in Paris and work as taxi driver in Prague

July 18, 2024

BUSINESS HEALTH INTERNATIONAL

Doktor Water mucks out old well

Doktor Voda (Water) workers clean out an old 25 foot deep well at a house in the northern Czech Republic countryside.

July 18, 2024

ART BUSINESS CRAFTS

Granddaughter continues tradition at Czech Bead Factory

A tour through a traditional Czech glass bead factory opens a window on the facet-making part of the process in this generations old family business.

July 18, 2024

BUILDINGS CURRENT AFFAIRS HISTORY

Demolished! Hundred year old stone building. Coming soon: townhouses

Experienced operating engineer demolishes historic but not historically registered stone building as part of controversial plan to replace it with 8 four story townhouses in Chestnut Hill neighborhood of northwest Philadelphia

June 28, 2022

FASHION STYLE WORK

Freelance designer specializing in knitwear loves her dog – and Italy

Freelance fashion and textile designer loves Italy, Italian wool and her dog,

October 4, 2021

BUSINESS FASHION INTERNATIONAL

As one of the “Men in Kilts” he later found out his Scottish ancestry

Wearing a green plaid kilt, a "Men in Kilts" worker advertises the company's exterior cleaning and window-washing services and its dress code.

September 29, 2021

CONSTRUCTION MACHINES TECHNOLOGY

Wire train removes old catenary wire above train tracks

This video depicts SEPTA’s flotilla-like “wire train” renewing the catenary wire above the tracks on the R7 Chestnut Hill East line as it works its way past the Mount Airy train station.

May 26, 2021

ENVIRONMENT WORK

Tabling at Brown’s Shoprite for Earth Day

The Philadelphia Neighborhood Networks group tabled on Earth Day at a local Brown's Shoprite Grocery to promote earth-friendly products and to announce a rally opposing a fracked natural gas plant nearby.

April 28, 2021