This Weekend

So this weekend was well filled.

Friday went to see Frank McCourt's "The Irish And How They Got That Way." It was a cute musical that told the story of oppression in Ireland, why they came in droves here to the States, and a tragic but humorous story of pulling themselves up by their bootstraps. At one point when they were talking about the Pennsylvannia coal mines and the Molly McGuire's they briefly mentioned my organization (The Ancient Order of Hibernians) at which I let out a 'woot.' The cast definitely appreciated the enthusiasm and quite a few people in the audience laughed out loud.

On Saturday was the preliminary rounds for FIFA's 2010 World Cup. There were several games, and for North/Central America and Carribean the USA is currently ranked 2nd.

Sunday went to see the movie "Hunger" which was playing as a part of th Philadelphia Film Fest. The film was great, though scenes may be to rough for some people to handle. It's a sad and violent story, but one that needs to be told, I am just glad that it is making it's rounds in the US and that even after 28 years the story is still being told. The Synopsis can be found on the above link, and below is the trailer embedded from youtube.

Breakfast and a fitting tribute to Patrick Kerr

Today was the 4th Annual AOH Division 1 Charity Irish Breakfast. We hold it every year at Fado (same place St. Baldrick's was held). This year went really well, raising approx. $4,000 for scholarships and the Hibernian Hunger Project. The money for scholarships goes to help kids attend Roman Catholic High School and to the Patrick Kerr Skateboarding Scholarship.

Patrick Kerr was a 15 year old skater who was extremely active in helping to raise funds for non-profit skateboarding organizations and raising support for public skate parks. He was also an honor student at Roman Catholic High School, so this first skateboarding scholarship in the United States has been named in his honor.

A Brief exerpt from an article on Irish Philadelphia:

Get Your St. Patrick's Day Breakfast and Help a Great Cause

Published: Mar 11, 2009
By: Jeff Meade

When Patrick Kerr passed away in 2002 at the age of 15, he had only just finished his freshman year at Roman Catholic. But, says his mother Liz Kerr, Patrick had already set down deep roots in Roman. On St. Patrick’s Day, his family will pay tribute to his memory by hosting an Irish breakfast at the Center City restaurant Fado, with proceeds to benefit a scholarship fund in his name at the big school on North Broad.

“He really loved Roman,” says Kerr, “so we try to keep the connection to that school.”

The Kerrs are already well known for helping to establish another—and altogether unique—scholarship. The Patrick Kerr Skateboard Scholarship helps defray college tuition for high-achieving students who are also notable advocates for skateboarding. Patrick himself had already established quite a name for himself as an activist on behalf of skateboarding. In a tragic irony, the young man slipped under the wheels of a truck while skateboarding in Jenkintown.

Myself, John Riley, Liz Kerr, Pearse Kerr, Tom McCourt

Saint Baldrick's Day

Yesterday was Saint Baldrick's Day. Every year they hold and event at Fado Pub, one location among many throughout the city. This year was one of the biggest years. There were about 35-40 shavee's, with about 3 or 4 women, and a bunch of kids. All the volunteer barbers were from Style of Man. Overall the event at our location raised around $50,000, with a 7 year old raising $5,000 by himself. The woman who owns Style of Man was giving people crazy haircuts and then asking folks in the bar to auction to raise money to convince the person to keep it. Overall the event was one of the best, even with the reccession the Saint Baldrick's Foundation was able to raise a good amount of money, this year was far more family friendly and oriented, and everyone had an excellent time.

I encourage everyone to attend next year, as a volunteer, a shavee or barber. If there isn't an event in your area start one. The events are fun and educational for all ages. It's also a great experience being able to look out into the crowd and see dozens of shaved heads and walk by folks who participated in the fundraiser with a knowing nod of the head and a smile.

Warm Weather

Now that the weather has been getting nicer it's been making me think about cycling. It's been over a year since I have been on a bike, and even then I haven't been on a non-fixed gear bike since 2005. Due to injuries from bad accident I was in back a couple years ago and the damage to my right knee during the Philly to Chicago tour I don't want to ride a fixed gear.

I have a really nice, old school English 3 speed frame. I have been wanting to strip it, paint it and rebuild it back to either another 3 speed, or a single speed coaster brake.


I have been putting in off for months, mostly because of laziness and a lack of ambition but also because it will cost a pretty penny. But now that the nice weather is poking through my desire to ride again has been coming back. I have built several bikes for myself, and a few for friends, but I have never done a picture diary of the work put into it. I think when I finally get the funds to start putting this bike together I will make sure to keep a pictured record of the metamorphosis.