DDMMT2009

 

STOP PRESS: MY CAPITAL TIME 2008 marks the end of this series. Starting with DDC #7, my Washington, DC, trips will appear in the odd-numbered issues.
Instead of MY CAPITAL TIME, I'll be writing a yearly column called MOSTLY MATINEE TIME. Portions of this column will appear in different publications, but I will offer the whole column plus two black and white pictures under the same conditions as my former Washington, DC, column. This column will cover four shows per year that I'll be attending:
A theater in Philadelphia and three films in New York City.

 ⤓  MOSTLY MATINEE TIME 2009:

Philadelphia Theater:
(1) Society Hill Playhouse--Say Goodnight, Gracie

NYC Cinemas:
(2) AMC Empire 25--Star Trek
(3) Landmark Sunshine Cinema--Moon
(4) United Artists 64th and 2nd--Julie & Julia

Mercer Museum in PA - 2009

     Tuesday, May 19, 2009: This was the first time I ever took the R5 SEPTA train from Philadelphia to Doylestown, PA. However, this was not the first time I've ever visited the Mercer Museum, 84 South Pine St. (215-345-0210). I first visited here in the 1980s, and similar to the last time, I saw the permanent collection of 55 exhibit rooms and alcoves displaying the tools of many trades that people practiced in the 18th and 19th centuries. I also noticed the finished products from those trades. In addition, the central court showed boats, wagons, and stagecoaches as well as bicycles, baskets, and other items from everyday life. I looked at all of these things that the museum workman suspended on cables through five levels. Nevertheless, a newer exhibit area covered the history of the Native Americans, especially the Lenni-Lenapes, via texts, pictures, and objects. Meanwhile, when I was there, the temporary exhibit area focused on old-time musical instruments. Believe me, it took me about three hours to cover most of this museum. After my visit, I became more grateful for modern, mass-produced products, especially after seeing how people in the past bought and made their material goods.

Dorney Park 2009

     Sunday, May 10, 2009: On this date, I finally visited a park whose ads I've seen on TV all my life: Dorney Park and Wild Water Kingdom, 3830 Dorney Park Road, Allentown, PA (610-395-3724 or 800-551-5656). Although I'm not a fan of wild rides, I usually enjoy myself in most amusement parks by riding the tamer rides, watching entertainment, and in some parks, watching craftspeople at work. Because I chose to go in early May, the adjoining Water Park was closed until late June--that's understandable. However, there was also no entertainment going on, and the park officials didn't open some of the retail shops and eating places. Meanwhile, the few craftspeople around only practiced their crafts if you bought something from them to embellish--a picture or a name on the item that you bought. Nobody made anything from scratch. Despite these drawbacks, there were some advantages to coming to Dorney Park this time of year: The weather felt nicer, and the lines for the rides were shorter than in summer. Thus, if you love thrill rides or even tamer rides, like me, you had a chance to try out more rides in a day. This park did have its share of tamer rides: two carrousels--one of them an antique merry-go-round, a train ride, a car ride/drive, a Ferris wheel, and a few other tame rides. Therefore, between the rides, eating lunch, and just looking at the other rides, the buildings, and the landscaping, I spent about three hours here. This was a worthwhile park for people who don't like wild rides to see once; for those who like wild rides, more than one visit may be necessary.

DDTSII04

 

THE STATE I’M IN is a yearly column about my once-a-month New Jersey trips.
This is the Atlantic City Issue.

⤓ Issue #4:
1.RESORTS and the ATLANTIC CITY HISTORICAL MUSEUM—I spent this whole year visiting Atlantic City (AC); after all, it’s the most-visited place in New Jersey. Resorts is the oldest casino/hotel in AC, and the AC Historical Museum on Garden Pier can give a quick history lesson.
2. CAESARS’ RESORT and CAESARS’ PIER SHOPS—Experience a taste of Ancient Rome, and visit the former Million Dollar Pier with its shops and water show.
3. BALLY’S and AC OUTLETS-THE WALK—It’s the only casino/resort in AC with two casinos—one of them with a Western theme. The Walk offers outlet stores from many famous retail chains, but the merchandise sells for up to 70% off of retail prices.
4. RAINFOREST CAFÉ and STEEL PIER—Have lunch in a simulated jungle atmosphere, and spend the rest of the day at AC’s only pier with amusement-park rides.
5. HARRAH’S and the WATERFRONT SHOPS—Harrah’s was the first casino/hotel to open up in the marina area, and the Waterfront Shops displayed some colorful archway lights and offered browsing in upscale boutiques.
6. AC HILTON and CENTRAL PIER—The southernmost Boardwalk casino/hotel offered views of the beach and the ocean from its buffet, and Central Pier had arcade games and a large 99-cent store.
7. TROPICANA and THE QUARTER—The Trop gave a Cuban atmosphere, and its shopping mall, The Quarter, could remind many of what pre-1959 Havana may have looked like.
8. TRUMP PLAZA and the ROLLING CHAIRS—Being next to Boardwalk Hall is this casino/hotel’s asset. The Rolling Chairs are to AC what the cable cars are to San Francisco, CA, and the trams (trolley cars) to Blackpool, Lancaster, England.
9. AC AQUARIUM and TRUMP MARINA—This aquarium will enlighten you about what lives in and near the waterways; Trump Marina’s biggest asset is its location at the Farley State Marina.
10.ABSECON LIGHTHOUSE and SHOWBOAT—See NJ’s tallest lighthouse, and Showboat’s New Orleans French Quarter theme.
11.TRUMP TAJ MAHAL and THE SPICE ROAD—The casino/hotel’s Indian-interior theme carries on in its shopping mall, The Spice Road.
12.BORGATA and BORGATA SHOPS—AC’s newest casino/hotel opened in 2003 in the marina area. Inside, the Borgata exhibited glass sculptures by Dale Chihuly, and the Borgata Shops displayed upscale merchandise.

DDC07

 

DOTTY'S DIMENSIONS CONTINUES:
 A twice-yearly zine.

Format:
  The odd-numbered issues cover my New York City trips and Balticon, a science fiction convention.

  In the even-numbered issues, I'll write about another NYC trip, some trips to Philadelphia, and another science fiction convention: Philcon.

STOP PRESS:
 Publications of MY CAPITAL TIME will end, and starting with DDC Issue #7, all odd-numbered issues will cover Washington, DC, and Lunacon.
 The even-numbered issues will still cover New York City, Philadelphia, and Philcon.

⤓ ISSUE 7
01 - LUNACON 2009
02 - ESPN ZONE
03 - WASHINGTON NATIONAL CATHEDRAL
04 - NEWSEUM
05 - SEWALL-BELMONT HOUSE

DDC06

 

DOTTY'S DIMENSIONS CONTINUES:
 A twice-yearly zine.

Format:
  The odd-numbered issues cover my New York City trips and Balticon, a science fiction convention.

  In the even-numbered issues, I'll write about another NYC trip, some trips to Philadelphia, and another science fiction convention: Philcon.

STOP PRESS:
 Publications of MY CAPITAL TIME will end, and starting with DDC Issue #7, all odd-numbered issues will cover Washington, DC, and Lunacon.
 The even-numbered issues will still cover New York City, Philadelphia, and Philcon.

⤓ ISSUE 6
01 - OFF-OFF-BROADWAY SHOW: THE BUBBLE
02 - AMERICAN MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY
03 - IMAX FILM: WILD OCEAN
04 - PENNSYLVANIA ACADEMY OF THE FINE ARTS
05 - PHILCON 2008

Pearl S. Buck House

     Wednesday, November 12, 2008: Despite making a few wrong turns here and there, I finally found my way to the Pearl S. Buck House, 520 Dublin Road, Perkasie, PA (215-249-0100). The famous humanitarian and author, Pearl S. Buck (1892-1973), bought this 1835 stone farmhouse in the 1930s. Upon my arrival, I viewed a short video that gave a biography about her life, her writings, and her lasting legacy--especially toward mixed-race children. Then I took a one-hour guided tour of her house. Because I visited during the 2008 Festival of Trees Holiday House Tour, many local businesses, churches, and schools donated theme-Christmas trees, wreaths, and garlands as well as centerpieces and other Christmas and Hanukkah decorations. Thus, I noticed those festive decorations throughout her house in addition to the permanent collection of Pennsylvania Country furniture and many Asian items, especially Chinese: furniture, household items, and decorative items. I especially remembered seeing the Chinese-styled desk where she wrote most of her books and articles and the typewriter that she used to write one of her most famous books, The Good Earth. In another room, I looked at the many rewards and gifts that several famous people and organizations gave to her. Even the surrounding grounds looked lovely in the hilly Pennsylvania countryside and included her graveside and a water garden. Nevertheless, the people who benefited best by Pearl S. Buck were the many mixed-race children that she adopted, raised as foster children, or paved the way for other people to adopt.