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.

July 2025

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CHEESESTEAKS

So are you a WITH or WITHOUT? That's with friend onions or without. Just as long as you stay away from cheesewiz in my book

A cheesesteak is a sandwich made from thinly sliced rib eye or top round beef with cheese on a hoagie roll that has it's roots in Philadelphia.

Pat and Harry Oliveri are credited with creating the cheesesteak in the 1930's. Pat would open Pat's King of Steaks at 9th and Wharton. The brothers often worked 15 to 18 hours a day as their steak shop is open 24 hours a day.

In the mid-60's, Geno's Steaks opened right across from Pat's at 9th street started by Joey Vento, the shop named after his son.

While both Pats and Geno's are iconic there is a difference, Pat's serves sliced steak while Geno's chops up their steak in the sandwich. Pat's tends to put cheeze whiz on top of their steak, while Geno's puts cheese whiz on the bottom.

So which cheesesteak is the best in Philly. Neither Pat's or Geno's according to yours truly. A real cheesesteak as I mentioned earlier does not have cheese whiz on it. The best cheesesteaks are the original form with provolone, american or swiss cheese on top.

Jim's Steaks

The line at Jim's steaks on 4th and South moves fast as they have a finely tuned assembly line behind their walk up window. The shop opened in 1976 and has a throwback art deco design along with some tasty cheesesteaks.

Delassandro's

Located in Roxborough, Dalessandro's is known for a big sandwich with finely chopped rib eye and hand sliced fried onions and has been serving them since 1961. You can find them at the corner of Wendover and Henry avenue. If you're in the area, their sandwiches are great!

Campo's

Located in Old City and 2nd and Market serving their patrons since 1947, Campo's offers the traditional cheesesteak as well as the Flyers steak with cream cheese or the Stockyard with mascarpone spread with local brews from Yards Brewing. They used to use a Sarcone loaf of bread to make their sandwich but now they use Liscio's.

As we all know, the roll makes the sandwich. Kudo's to Campo's as they have canolli's for dessert.

Cosmi's Deli

Just a few blocks from Pat's at 8th and Dickinson, Cosmi's Deli has a full menu including a wide array of Hoagies but they also sell a lot of cheesesteaks. They are right in the heart of South Philly and opened in 1932.

Angelo's

Located at 9th and Fitzwater, Angelo's is known for its Pizza's and Cheesesteaks with the sandwich made on their crusty, sesame seed house baked roll that is delicious.

If you're feeling adventurous try their Diavlo pizza steak which is not for the faint of heart. It includes lettuce, tomato, mushrooms, sweet peppers, hot cherry peppers, roasted peppers and roasted Italian long hots. You may want to be near the bagno (water closet) after having that sandwich.

THE JERSEY SHORE:

DINO'S

Located on Ventnor and Glanville avenue in Margate, Dino's is quite the spot for cheesesteaks at the Jersey Shore.

Their narrow kitchen area is packed in the summer with up to 18 employees doing an intricate assembly line dance to take your order and get the steaks ready. You can also call in your order and have one of their tasty cheesesteaks delivered to you right on the beach.

White House Subs

Since 1946, White House Subs at Arctic and Mississippi in Atlantic City has been serving cheesesteaks to their patrons. They now have a 2nd location inside the Hard Rock. Subs, Burgers and Cheesesteaks are all on the menu. Fresh rolls and good service.

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TREASURE:

We lost two musical giants in the last month. Sly Stone and the genius behind the Beach Boys, Brian Wilson.

Sly Stone

Born in Texas, Sly was a musical prodigy, who was proficient on the keyboard at the age of 7 and by the time he was 11, he had mastered guitar, bass and the drums.

If he wasn't Taking you Higher, he was Dancing to the Music or it was a Family Affair. Sly was a pioneer of funk and R&B in the late 60's and early 70's. He died on June 9th at his home in Los Angeles at the age of 82.

Boom Boom Boom Boom Boom bah bah bah bah

All we need is a dummer, for people who only need a beat.

DANCE TO THE MUSIC

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Brian Wilson

There are very few musical geniuses. Brian Wilson is definitely at the top of the list.

So what makes someone a musical Genius? Good question.

They have to be a phenomenal performer - check.

They have to write music - check.

They need to have sustained excellence over their career and influence other artists - check.

If you don't believe me go watch the Grammy Salute to the Beach Boys before Brian passed.

Last, but not least and this is the rarest of musical qualities.

They need to be able to orchestrate music. That is, they hear what the horns should play, what the violins should play, etc.

As the driving force of the Beach Boys, Brian has all those qualities in spades.

The Beach Boys have so many hits, as they captured the California lifestyle and brought it to the world in a way that made us all fell like we were from California when we listened to them. That's some serious musical talent.

One of my favorite Beach Boy songs is - God Only Knows!!!!!!!!!!!

GOOD ONLY KNOWS

From 2002 in London, Brian explains that Paul McCartney who knows a thing or two about writing songs said "God Only Knows" is the best song ever written. High praise from Paul indeed.

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Traditions

So what are your family traditions for July 4th? Send them into us at Info@Salectionsofthemonth.com

The winning entry will receive a $50 dollar gift card.

Happy Fourth Everyone!!!!!!!!!!!

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HUMOR:

A guy and girl went out and had a good time, so the girl invited the guy back to her place.

He went in and took his shirt off and washed his hand, took his pants off and washed his hands. The woman looked at him and said, "You're a Dentist"

The guy was amazed at how she knew that. They made love and the woman said, "You're a very good Dentist"

The guy said absolutely, how did you figure that out. The Woman said, "It was easy, didn't feel a thing."

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LOVE SONGS

This month's LOVE SONG goes to Jacob Collier with a little help from the songbird, Tori Kelly.

Jacob is in the beginning of the his career. Imagine getting a call from Quincy Jones after he saw your work. Q as he was known, was a record producer, a composer, arranger, conductor, trumpeter and a bandleader.

In his distinguished career, Quincy won 28 Grammy's and numerous other awards including the Kennedy Center Honors.

He worked with Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis, Dean Martin, Ray Charles, Ella Fitzgerald, Peggy Lee and Michael Jackson to name just a few.

Not only does Jacob play 11 instruments, he's a virtuoso on the piano, writes his own music and orchestrates music which is the rarest of talents.

Watch the musical mastery he brings to the table in this version of "WITNESS ME" on Jimmy Kimmel. There are very few people on the planet, who can come close to the talent that Jacob displays routinely.

Love the Church Hymn-like quality of how this songs begins. So interesting to present a song this way.

If you have been to one of his concerts, he comes out and gets the audience involved singing like an orchestra with Jacob being the conductor.

Crank this way up and not only is Jacob extraordinary, but Tori Kelly's voice and performance is extremely noteworthy.

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An example of Jacob working the audience at the beginning of his performance in a song by Daniel Caesar. This song's lyrics are phenomenal.

You're the coffee that I need in the morning

You're my sunshine in the rain, when it's pouring

I just wanna see

I just wanna see how beautiful you are

You know that I see it, I know you're a star

Where you go I'll follow, no matter how far

If life is a movie, then you're the BEST PART

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Best Part by Daniel Caesar & Jacob Collier

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Last but not least, we have a close friend of the SALections in a battle. So we are asking for everyone out there to step up and help us with a prayer or two for someone who means the world to us.

We have a strong collection of folks supporting him and his family through this journey. We just know he's going to come out better on the other side. This is for you buddy. We are here for you and LOVE you more than you know.

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Andy Grammer live In NYC with Keep Your Head Up

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GRATITUDE

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

GIVING THANKS

Are you grateful for your friends and friendship in general?

So yes, we have challenges, but the USA is still pretty extraordinary.

What makes you proud to be from the good old USA?

What are you doing to make our world a little better as we combine legacy with gratitude.

What traditions does your family partake in that make you feel proud to be an American?

EVERYDAY AMERICA - SUGARLAND

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Let's make a conscious decision to make EVERY DAY SPECIAL with our loved ones. Our time is precious and we are here for just a few moments, so let's make those moments count.

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Old PHOTO

The day I met Sam Worley when he was 93 was at a conference in Hershey, PA. Now Sam is 104 years young and a Treasure. God Bless him. I love you Sam.

Sam's 104th Birthday Celebration:

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THANK YOU – GRAZIE – MERCI – OBRIGADO

That wraps up the July Edition of the SALections.

The SALections is proud to sponsor the Fabulous South Philly String Band. The SPSB became special for our family as my Uncle Rocco played accordion in the band for 30 years. We have fond memories of the parade when it began on Broad and Oregon.

The SALections sponsors the South Philly String Band in honor of Rocco Filoso!

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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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#SALections July 2025

#Cheesesteaks, #SlyStone, #BrianWilson, #JacobCollier, $ToriKelly, #SouthPhillyStringBand, #July4th, #SamWorley, #BarbBerlin #Sugarland #AndyGrammer #CinemaLou

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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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