Hope everyone survived the Epic forecast blunder this week.  I, along with a few friends, drove up to NY for some skiing only to wake up in the morning to one inch of new snow.  By the time we left to come back to Philly, there was 2-3 inches.  Not exactly what we had hoped for.  Besides skiing (we had a good Killington trip wtih PhillyTrips nand I spent some days with my father and brother in NY), I have been focused on my Temple University rentals.  If you have any nieces/nephews/cousins/etc...going to Temple,please pass along my housing opportunities for me as I would love to get the rental season behind me so I can concentrate on other things like my other real estate projects/clients and allow me to enjoy more time on the ski hills.  BTW, we have another Vermont bus trip scheduled for Feb 20th weekend if you have interest - this time to Sugarbush.

Some big Philly news last week: Ironworkers boss found guilty of racketeering, conspiracy.  I am hopeful it can lead to a more pro-business mentality in Philadelphia as the city's growth/survival.  I found this to be an insightful analysis of the legal case.  It is interesting that our leading candidate for mayor, Jim Kenney, is very tight with union labor in philly.

For those that did not know, plan accordingly if driving as Obama is Philly TONIGHT.

Always busy but never too busy for help you with your real estate needs.... - Mark

SEPTA UPDATES

A) FREEDOM CARD WILL ALSO UNLOCK SEPTA KEY: PATCO General Manager John Rink announced that PATCO riders would be able to use their Freedom Cards on SEPTA Key system.

B) SEPTA to provide real time GPS tracking (in a couple of years)

AROUND PENNSYLVANIA

A) Report: Pa. Gas Taxes Highest in the Nation

B)  PennDOT Inks $899M P3 Deal to Fix 558 Bridge Across Pennsylvania

AROUND PHILLY

A) Lyft Is Launching in Philadelphia on Friday

B) Philly 7th on List of Most Dangerous Cities in America to Own Property

C)  Philadelphia's first Spanish immersion preschool comes to Fairmount

D) NY Times says Philadelphia is one of top places to visit in 2015

E_ Philadelphia named No. 2 shopping city in the world (by Conde Nast)

F) Is Philadelphia America’s Next Great Food City?: Travel + Leisure thinks so.

G) Philadelphia Named 9th Kinkiest City in Nation

H) Comcast to occupy entire new skyscraper

I) 70 new restaurants on the way

J) South Philly neighborhood 2nd ‘hottest’ in U.S.

TV and VIDEO

A) Filthy mount grandma

B) Philly pizza man on Ellen

REAL ESTATE INFO FOR PHILADELPHIA (if you want your county stats, just let me know. - Mark) 

Residential activity in Philadelphia County (Single-family and Condo)