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Welcome to the SALections!

We hope you find this newsletter inspiring and just maybe it will make you laugh out loud or shed a tear. Here we go.

October 2025

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It's often called Rock-tober / It's a time for Fall Festivals /Family Events & Football.

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When we talk about the

South Philly String Band ///

Is calling them a dynasty appropriate?

The South Philly String Band has a rich tradition in the Mummers Parade on New Years Day. They have always been among the best bands, but the results were lean early on with the band winning in 1975 with a Hallelujah, Get Happy theme.

There next win did not occur until 2016, but they were knocking on the door with second, third and fourth place finishes in the years prior.

It was incredible that they did not win with the Gangs of Gotham with Denny as the Joker in 2015. Love when they dance with percussion on the trash cans (1:45 into the performance).

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2015 Gangs of Gotham Performance

They broke through in a big way on New Year’s Day 2016 with a "Dia De Los Muerto’s" (Day of the Dead theme).

This performance is truly extraordinary, one of the best I have ever seen by any band. One of those magic moments when music, costumes, presentation, performance, props and dancing come together to electrify the crowd.

You have no idea how hard it is to dance like that while playing and the runs they do between songs. To execute all the elements flawlessly in a four-minute broadway like performance before the judges at City Hall.

Well, that’s why them call them the FABULOUS SOUTH PHILLY STRING BAND

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Dia De Los Muertos 2016

With Denny Palandro as their Captain / and a whole host of talented musicians, the South Philly String Band has won 6 of the last 10 parades.

Let that sink in / if that ain't a DYNASTY then hold the mayo cause their is something special going at the SPSB clubhouse on 28th and Porter. ​
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Even years have been very good for the South Philly winning in 2016 / 2018 / 2020 / 2022 and 2024. Then a Tie for first in 2025 with Quaker City.

Let’s look at a few of their amazing performances:

2018 West in Peace Theme

​https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t6pZnzlWe1A​

2020 CarouSPELL

​https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oiBtsr2iPSc​

2022 Circus Space-Tacular

​https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ur1JRS5OUPs​

2024 Christmas Bizarre

​https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pluRWeEY5tI​

2025 Castlevania

​https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6_RX6j41iGs​

So now, they sit with 2 titles in a row, going for a three-peat on New Year’s Day 2026. That's consistent excellence from the South Philly String Band, they have always had great music, amazing costumes and incredible performances. The last ten years they have taken it to another level and certainly deserve to be considered a Dynasty.

Many of the mummers work full time jobs and practice 3 or 4 nights a week, so it's a heavy commitment. Why do they do it, well because they love it and it's in their blood.

Just like we bleed green for the Eagles in the Fall / the Mummers have so many Fathers and Sons carrying on the tradition of Mummering on New Year's Day.

Not only are the SPSB a crowd favorite, but they are loved because they remember their own. ​
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SPSB with Rocco Filoso and the 2025 Championship Trophy

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My Uncle played the accordion for the band from 1970 to 2000 and they came out in force to salute him for his service playing a serenade for the family on a day my Uncle will never forget. Rocky was on the squeezebox for their 1975 title.
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SPSB tribute for Rocco Filoso on 9-13-25 ​​

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TRIBUTE

ROBERT REDFORD

Sadly, we lost Robert Redford at 89 on Tuesday, September 16th. He passed peacefully at his home in Utah with friends and family around him.

What a legacy this Oscar winning Actor / Director left behind!

THE WAY WE WERE

Directed by Sidney Pollack, The Way We Were was a 1973 romantic drama starring Barbara Streisand and Robert Redford.

It won Academy Awards for Best Dramatic Score and for Best Song. The film was also ranked as the 6th best Romantic Film in AFI's top 100 list.

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THE STING

The Sting, starring Paul Newman, Robert Redford and Robert Shaw, won 7 Academy Awards including Best PIcture, Best Screenplay and Best Director.

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Years later, Redford at an award show revealed how Paul Newman stuck up for him once when he needed support to rent an apartment.

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​LOVE SONGS

This month, we feature one the all-time great artists in James Taylor.

The six time Grammy winner was born in Boston and raised in Chapel Hill, NC. Still touring at 77, his songs are part of the American fabric.

Sweet Baby James, Fire and Rain, Carolina on My Mind, Don't Let me be Lonely and Walking Man to name just a few.

The first song we are featuring from James is Everyday.

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The second Love Song we are featuring from James is his version of the Standard, Teach Me Tonite.

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​CINEMA LOU

We are delighted at the SALections to have Cinema Lou share his thoughts with us as a Special Contributor.

He is a pure aficiando if the world of entertainment, who is also a regular on the Arch Campbell podcast. We are delighted to have Cinema Lou and his astute observations with us.

ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER

The end of the year movie rush is upon us, the time of the year the contenders for best picture are released, and the first is One Battle After Another, the Paul Thomas Anderson blockbuster starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Sean Penn. The move is 2:42, long but exciting. Expect it to be nominated for best picture, and expect lots of individual nominations, including Anderson for screenplay and director and acting nods to Penn, DiCaprio, Teanna Taylor, and newcomer Chase Infinity, among others.

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I found the movie exciting, political and there is so much happening that I need to see it again to fully understand all the nuances. Word of mouth is strong for this film, lots of buzz. Penn is an army general in charge of rounding up undocumented aliens, Taylor and DiCaprio are part of the resistance, and Infinity is their daughter, but it’s a lot more complex than that and I don’t want to give anything else away.

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My favorite movie of the year so far is Life of Chuck but that was a small film not many people saw. It is streaming now. I encourage you to see it. But with so many new award worthy films coming out, you owe it to yourself to head to the theater.

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****THANK YOU CINEMA LOU****

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​COVER BAND of the MONTH

Lexington Lab Band

Hailing from the bluegrass state, the Lexington Lab Band (LLB) drew some inspiration from the online success of Live From Daryl's House (LFDH) and decided to do songs of select artists with versions that mirror the originals.

Their musicianship stands out. They do not tour, just get together in the studio and create magic. Here is their take on "THE WAY IT IS"

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Another spot on performance with "Rosanna."

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Meet you all the way!

You can see more about the Lexington Lab Band and their upcoming releases at:https://www.lexingtonlabband.com/

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HUMOR

If Steve Martin were a liquid what would he be?

Martin Short replies, "Skim Milk" because that's what he looks like.

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Steve Martin on what he likes about Marty.

What I like about Marty, is he's not afraid to slap someone else's kid.

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​SAX SOLO

The Beatles released, "Gotta Get You Into My Life" in 1966. Paul McCartney wrote most of this tune and it is such a beautiful melody. It was recorded at the famous Abbey Road Studio's in June of 66.

Covered by a number of artists, including Earth Wind & Fire, this version by Dave Koz with his Summer Horns is a showstopper. The Summer Horns featuring Gerald Albright / Mindy Adair and Richard Elliott.

Elliott, who played for 5 years for the Tower of Power plays Tenor and is one of the best there is. Albright is a showstopping performer & Mindy can really cook on her horn.

Here is the Summer Horns take on "Gotta Get you Into My Life."

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SPORTS

Looks like another Red October in Philly as the Phillies clinched their second straight NL East Title with a come from behind win in LA on Monday, September 15th.

They had a 4-hour flight delay and did not land until 330pm local time but still battled back to win the game. When you consider they are playing without Zack Wheeler, Trea Turner and Alex Bohm of late, that's showing some grit.

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Daily Inspiration

My favorite is #2 / You Weren't Born to be AVERAGE !!!!!!

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Moments that Take your Breath Away

Every once in a while, sports can do this although it's more common to have your breath taken away by the wonder of a young child.

In the Bleeding Green category, it's rare to block two field goal attempts in a game but the Eagles did just that against the Rams. The last block by Jordan Davis not only preserved a victory in the last seconds of the game but his freight train gallop in for a score put the cherry on top of a sweet come from behind victory for the Birds.

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As you might imagine that lead to some very happy Eagles fans, this is how we celebrated at the Cave in Ventnor.

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GRATITUDE

As we head into October, what are you grateful for and why?

Are you grateful for your friends and family?

For the gift of every day.

For the Fall Folliage. While you're getting out there and enjoying the festivals,

family and friends / have a question for you.

How will you leave the world a little better than the way you found it?

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THANK YOU – GRAZIE – MERCI – OBRIGADO

That wraps up the October Edition of the SALections.

The SALections is proud to sponsor the Fabulous South Philly String Band.

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Special thanks to Barb Berlin, a great friend and my former weekend news anchor & work wife in Richmond for her amazing proofreading skills. Thank you Barb!

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#SALectionsOctober2025 #LexingtonLabBand, #SummerHorns, #Phillies #SouthPhillyStringBand, #CinemaLou, #RobertRedford, #BarbBerlin, #MummersParade #Eagles, #Rosanna #TheWayItIs

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#SALections #Humor, #Confessions, #SaxSolos, #Concerts, #CinemaLou, #Gratitude, #GivingThanks, #PlacestoVisit, #Concerts, #Secrets #BarbBerlin, #Heroes, #OldPhotos, #Gratitude, #DayTrips, #Promises, #FavoriteDishes, #MomentsThatTakeOurBreathAway

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