Yes, it was hot. Very hot.
When we arrived on State Street last night for our first road show featuring “Live From the Newsroom” combined with “Dining Under the Stars,” temperatures were still simmering near 90.
Actually online editor Vince Carey had it much worse than co-host Gil Spencer and myself. He had been there since 5 setting up.
But it was worth it.
To see first-hand what is happening on State Street in Media on Wednesday nights is worth taking a little heat. Every town should give it a shot.
A confession here. As I’ve said many times, I’m a summer guy. The heat and humidity don’t especially bother me, and I consider eating outdoors in the summer part of my normal routine.
So I was looking forward to see what kind of atmosphere Media was creating with their wildly popular Wednesday night event. I wasn’t disappointed.
Our timing probably could have been better. We were ‘Live’ from 6:30 to 7:30, most of the time sitting in a broiling sun. But right around 7:15, the sun dipped behind the buildings at the western edge of State Street, and it was like someone flipped a switch. The place became alive.
I looked behind me and glanced down State Street and saw not one car. Instead what I saw was table after table at Media’s array of restaurants, all packed with diners eating al fresco.
Many thanks to Zubair Khan, head of the Media Business Authority, who was invaluable in setting up our excursion to Media. Also to Austin Connors from Media Theatre, who updated us on the latest from this cultural landmark at the other end of State Street, including the popular summer “Delco Idol” competition.’
Media Mayor Bob McMahon also joined us, and gave us an update on both the sale of the former Borough Hall and Brodeur’s building, as well as the seemingly endless work on the Third State Bridge. Borough hall will soon be the home of another Italian restaurant.
We also had on the owner of Lotus Restaurant, and the manager from Temaki Sushi bar, who graciously brought along some spring rolls for us to taste test.
Finally, we also had guest shots from our Media correspondent Susan Serbin, as well as AllThingsMediaPa blogger Tedman O’Hara.
Media should not have all the fun. If you think there is something in your town that deserves a visit from “Live From the Newsroom,” let me know. Email me at editor@delcotimes.com and maybe we’ll visit your town.
Next week “Live” will pay a visit to one of the county’s summer stalwarts, the Rose Tree Summer Festival. We’ll be the opening act for the Beatlemania show. Make sure you stop by and say hello.
Look, this face was most likely made for newspapers. But increasingly the Internet is where I am working, and part of that means working on camera.
But what I really want is to have more interaction with readers. If you think you’d like to join our Community Media Lab or join our long list of bloggers, please let me know.
More and more, readers are going to becoming part of this news-gathering process.
Jump in, the water’s fine. Even when it’s sizzling outside.
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