The Christmas Kerfuffle

So Your Center City Correspondent has been on my new job for six weeks. Thanks to everyone who’s asked me how I like it. Let me say that it contains the four things I was looking for in a new job:


1) Working with people I know
2) Doing something I’m familiar with
3) For a local organization, and
4) Close to home.

So with all those good things going for it, I have to like it.


However, when somebody who works for the same organization as me makes a bone-headed decision, I’ve learned that it reflects on me too, both internally and externally. When a higher-up decided that we don’t need a “Christmas Village” here in town and ripped down the word “Christmas”, I heard about it from my friends and acquaintances, like it was my decision. I could not get into the local without being hooted at – it was good-natured, but had a ring of truth about it. And for those who really know me, they know that this situation was ripping me up inside. Previous to this job, I would have fired off letters and phone calls to everyone I know trying to get this decision overturned. But in my current position, I thought prudence and reticence were best for me. Luckily, the decision was reversed and Christmas was brought back to Center City Philadelphia.

Returning to work has provided Mrs. CCC and me the opportunity to stretch our legs and go to shows and movies. We saw “Putnam County Spelling Bee” last week at a theater in town. It’s a lighthearted look at teenage angst through the eyes and voices of spelling bee contestants. We saw it at a theater on Broad St., and if you get there 2 hours before show time, you can get tickets at half-price. More and more of the theaters are doing this, and it’s a cost-effective way to see Broadway shows. You should give it a try sometime. Each theater is different, so check with them before trying it.

Christmas is in full swing in town. We did a little shopping yesterday and caught the light show at Macy’s. It’s always a treat. It’s shown on the hour mark, and get there early to get a good spot.

And something is happening for the first time next week. All three of the CCC’s are going to the Army-Navy game. Mrs. CCC and Young CCC are attending the game, and I’m working it. It is always a spectacle and an honored tradition. You should become part of it.

All for now. Christmas is only 20 days away – I better get busy!