Tales From 2nd Street

Joe is a "thirty something" Middle school Guidance Counselor, Coach, Volunteer Firefighter and occasional Bartender. Needless to say, he is an active member of his community. Joe is passionate about his role as protector and guide for his middle school kids. Joe has avoided involvement in political matters and prefers to keep his views to himself. He finds political squabbling depressing and in his view, generally unproductive. Well, that was Joe before a cruel, ICE inspired incident at a school bus stop in Lindenwold, NJ sent terrified children running, screaming for their lives; before he experienced this alleged immigration management strategy gone hopelessly mad. Joe has shared his story with  renowned Philadelphia Inquirer political columnist Will Bunch,  MSNow host Nicole Wallace, Governor Mikie Sherrill, Congressman Ted Lieu  and Senator Andy Kim amongst others. Fortunately, Joe agreed to tell us at Tales from 2nd Street, his transformational story. We are proud to present Joe Zobel.

What happens when a Financial Advisor at retirement age decides to leave the rat race to seek new meaning in life? Joe Scrocca hangs up his pinstripes and embarks on a career as a standup comic! With no comedy experience to speak of, he starts out with a stint at a Biker Bar then finds himself sharing the stage with the likes of Jerry Seinfeld at the Gotham Comedy Club in Manhattan. Joe shows us what guts and determination looks like. Joe's journey following his star is as inspirational as it is unconventional. 

A self-starting high school student embarks on a career as a restauranteur beginning as a dishwasher in a Japanese restaurant. Listen to Jay's story as he describes chasing his dream through assorted challenges including Hurricane Sandy and a pandemic named COVID. He found a former restaurant on Ocean City NJ's noted Asbury Ave, purchased it, reinvented it and the rest is history. Listen to this remarkable story of resilience in action.

Chapter 3, takes us through Helen's teen years as she learns to cope with her powerful  extra sensory abilities. She didn't apply for her "gift," in fact she sometimes regarded her enhanced sensorium as a curse. Her birth provided the "on" switch and there was no off button. Purely the luck of the draw. We are all born with qualities and abilities we did not apply for. We just had to make the best of it. Let's see how this young woman makes this work. Consider what you would do if you experienced the world as does Helen? Easier said than done. Listen and let us know what you think. Connect with us at talesfrom2ndstreet.com.  Enjoy the cast. DS.

Helen Moloney was endowed with a condition known as "accelerated empathy." She grew to understand how her special empathy worked and how she fit within her strange condition. Listen to part 2 in the story of the evolution of this remarkable young woman.   

Helen is a true Seer. She has been called a Fortune Teller but she refutes that characterization.  Helen is an Accelerated Empath where her gift provides her the ability to experience others at an unusually intense level. We are presenting her story in a serialized format and hope to introduce you to a unique and formidable young woman.

In late 2024, drones were plaguing the East coast of the United States. This phenomenon was casting a sparkling shawl over the state of New Jersey. Explanations for the explosion of night fliers ranged from hobbyists to Space Aliens, with the most extreme from a Federal legislator who  announced that a nefarious Iranian "mother ship" was off the coast serving as their launching and retrieval site. In any event we are now a couple of months down the road and no plausible explanation has been offered. In the absence of reason and logic, people tend to make things up and the made up explanations are mostly frightening. Here is a poem written and narrated by a Scotsman visiting the states who is mostly afraid. 

This is a true story and as is often the case,  truth can be stranger than fiction. I am an Irish Jew by birth, but was raised in the Roman Catholic tradition, in a predominantly German neighborhood, in post WWII Philadelphia...ach du what the hell!? Growing up, my buddies and I were always fascinated by emergent trends, often informed by hatred and ignorance. Sometimes  the prejudice targeted the Irish, other times Eastern European refugees escaping Hitler; hatred of the Catholics and Blacks was always big, and  then, as Phil Ochs sang in National Brotherhood Week, "...everybody hates the Jews."  Since I was a mongrel, roots, such as mine,  put you in a bind...like who could I freely hate and mock? When I was young, I had to be careful or I could have ended up scrawling hate notes targeting myself or burning a cross in front of my family's own shanty. Sometimes life's just not fair. Nothing's easy.Nowadays, in many parts of the world, including here in the good old US of A, suspicion and hostility towards difference is on the rise. Some seem to be enjoying the freedom and license to scorn "the other" all the while accepting elements of Totalitarianism and Authoritarianism as  reasonable, effective approaches to governance.  Some even consider test driving  those historically failed and patently evil courses. As you will hear, some minds are fertile ground to sow seeds of hatred and betrayal. The child that is featured in this chilling tale grew up with, were nurtured by and went to church with the very parents she would later consider having eliminated for the "common good." I thought it might be fun to open a few of those doors and see what flies out.  So, lock the doors, buckle up, and prepare to be surprised. Enjoy.

Frank Allen, aka Boy of the Beach, safely returned from his service in Korea to rejoin his life in Ocean City. Listen as Frank  shares his experiences with us as he readjusts to civilian life.  

The late 60's and early 70's were in Aquarius. Change was in the air. What was usual and  accepted as the norm, was under scrutiny. We were in for a crash course in riding without training wheels. The  Age of Aquarius...what a ride!

A night out, a bolt from the blue.... what more could you ask for? More Natty and Joey in Chapter 4 of Natty and the Electricians. We are calling this episode: "Flying Saucers and Fish Sticks." Enjoy.

Frank was born and raised in an island community at the end of 1920's. We were interested in his experiences as an "islander," particularly in the so called "off-season." As we spoke, it became clear that his interests were elsewhere.Here is his story.

Episode 3 of the Natty and the Electricians series. It's not every day that you receive texts from a source that describes itself as extra-terrestrial. As Natty's buddy Joey wonders: "Is it the Russkies or some kid from over in PA.?" Listen and learn.

BFFs Natty and Joey, continue to trying to determine the origin of strange text messages appearing on a highly secure  emergency monitoring system. The sender appears to be a stranded traveler. The boys are at once thrilled and fearful of what they might discover.

Natty Pinski is a latter day Vulcan. He and his best friend Joey have been accidentally drawn into a relationship that strains credulity.  As a man with interests ranging from diseases of the Neanderthal to the evolution of HipHop in rural Scotland, he was as primed as any person could be, to confront the strange set of circumstances with which he was confronted. 

Strange and reassuring events can occur out of the blue, when you least expect. Like winning an emotional lottery!  Falling away may not be a bad thing after all. 

A story that tracks a relationship from cradle to grave...ish. Nicky and Joey are cousins as well as best friends. Following the twists and turns in their evolution proves  interesting, sometimes fun and at the end, tragic .

A brief homage to my favorite holiday: Hallowe'en. 

Summer at the Calypso!  A swim club as diverse as Captain Kirk's Enterprise.  We could have used a Scotty, but, its always something. Memories from summers past.

Did you  know that Monday's are  usually Plumbers' busiest days? Primarily because we DIYers love our weekend projects and have an overblown belief in our innate ability to fix stuff.  My Dad once decided that the gas range was in an inconvenient place in the kitchen. His last words before the explosion were, "...to hell with the plumber." This tale is not in as critical a category as plumbing, but they are in the same family and would recognize the face if it appeared on "America's Most Wanted."

As Bill Murray warned in the movie, Meatballs, ",...the moon kills you know."  Well, I didn't know ... I also didn't know that doing a solid for a poor, solitary fern could send you into eternity. I wonder if Bill Murray knows that?  

Sometimes things get under your skin.  It's good to be able to talk about these kinds of irritants, but often a challenge to do so. Why?  Because people usually don't feel as strongly about other peoples' issues as they do.  Doug thought it would be good to speak with someone who cared...himself. 

Sometimes I have  the most vivid dreams.  Once, I remember dreaming that I had solved the very mystery of human existence. I awoke ecstatic,  knowing that I had knowledge foreign to the common human intellect. It was great until within seconds of awakening  that I had already forgotten the great unknowable.  What does this have to do with our story?  You'll see.Enjoy.  DS

It was a dark and stormy...what? Well you know, sometimes dark and stormy happens. Our story unfolds in the midst of one of those nights. No murder or mayhem. The storm  was the matrix where everything was happening.  Joey and Kelly decided to gamble fledgling careers  on a principle that today would maybe raise an eyebrow.  When is it acceptable to cry uncle?     

Sixty years makes a difference.  In retrospect,  time that passes seems like the blink of an eye, the flap of a sparrow's wing.  Ancient memories often appear clearer than things that happen or words  said 15 minutes earlier. Axons and dendrites. do their creaky dance clothed in robes, looking  like Father Time on New Year's Eve.  In this tale, our characters, "Sam & Jane" are real. People who lived in my early 1950's neighborhood. Memorable in their contribution to my young understanding of cause and effect...how life works. 

 Remembering the things we did as kids often  makes me smile but also leaves me shuddering and thanking my lucky stars. It's hard to imagine back in those years, that like Billy, the star of our show, I was one of the  thousands of kids, roaming  the streets of Philly while our parents worked. Our parents, for the most part, had no idea of what we did during those unsupervised, unscripted days, except if we got into trouble. How did we survive?  Here's more reminiscences from the Billy Chronicles.  Enjoy.

Lerty. A strange word. Here's an equally strange story to explain the origin of the word and  misuse of the concept. I guess we could break it down or parse it out as my English teacher encouraged back in high school.  Lerty is a combination of "loiter-hanging around" and "ET"-extra terrestrial. Can you see it?  I can barely, but it suits me as  a plausible etymology.Give it a listen and let us know what you think.  Like us on  Facebook at Tales from 2nd Street and feel free to connect with us at [email protected]. We're always happy to hear from you.Happy listening.  DS 

Back to Brewerytown in the 50's. An  8y/o  describes his experiences navigating the streets and living amongst the people of this unique and wonderful little neighborhood.  

Brewerytown.  The little neighborhood that could.  I hope to present the tone of life on 30th and Thompson for a young boy and his adventures in this unique place. Hopefully, some of the places and events described will serve as reminders of what we had when we lived there. 

In Chapter One of "Boat Fever," we met Joey, Kelly and their 3 kids as they wrestled with the prospect of boat ownership. They took the leap. They bought used. As we all know,  mostly from unfortunate experience; buying used is always a crapshoot. Their purchase was festooned in red flags from the gate, a bargain's a bargain afterall...or is it? 

Cy and Eddie. Remember the Robert Frost poem that speaks about "all the wonders"  we will experience as we go through life?  These guys ran into many wonders in the span of 3 hours while driving on the Delaware Memorial Bridge. Strange things happen when we least expect. By the way, what ever happened to White Tower hamburgers?  

Joey and Kelly confront the realities of boat ownership. After a summer of enjoyable fishing and crabbing expeditions to the Jersey shore, Joey contracts the dread "Boat Fever." Those who have been bitten, will recognize the symptoms and understand the course of the disease.  Everyone else...be forewarned.

Many centuries ago, a young, homeless couple once traveled a great distance in order to fulfil  a government mandate. The girl is in the later stages of her pregnancy.  She and her spouse are exhausted and desperate for a place to rest. They stopped at an Inn and  pleaded their case with the inn keeper who insists he is booked. As a last resort, he offers them space for them and their donkey in his barn behind thr inn.  A beggar also seeking refuge from the cold, is resting against the bricks warmed by the day's heat. He too is in desperate straits, but  shows little compassion for the couple. He complains to Joseph and Mary that he is an honest man trying to sleep, and asks them to keep quiet and move on. The couple presented here, modern travellers, Joey and Kelly, reminded me of that  scene; homeless and desperate feeling rejected and disconnected in their new location.  Fortunately, they had far more resources available to them. Listen to their story.Like us on Facebook at Tales from 2nd Street and connect with us at [email protected]. We'd love to hear your story.Happy Listening.DS   

The Blue Ghost is a tale told to me by a reliable source. I have relayed this tale  to many poor souls and it has left an indelible imprint on their psyches. No blood and gore. Simply waiting for the next shoe to drop. Enjoy. Let us know what you think. Connect with us at [email protected]. We're always glad to hear from you.Happy listening.DS

Winning isn't everything.  Years ago in Philly where I grew up, when you would go Trick or Treating, people would invite you into their homes.  Before you were given any treats, you would have to stand there as  they asked with big smiles, "Do we know you?' and "What are you supposed to be?" All decked out in our costumes,  mostly cobbled together by our Moms, we couldn't understand why the answer wasn't self evident. Why couldn't they tell immediately what we  were "supposed to be?" Well, many years ago, the star of our little tale, nine year old Greta was greeted with a similar experience at her school's Hallowe'en Parade. 

Lisa and Jeff continue their road trip and are heading to their next stop...if they can find it. Road trips can be fun. Are we there yet?

Lisa and Jeff,  neophyte campers on a road trip encounter characters and challenges that elevate their trip into the memorable category. 

Hubris and OCD can be a deadly combination. After a shocking downturn in fortune, Jack, newly married and father of one, falls into despair. While constructing an elaborate plot to end his life,  he discovers hope on a desolate highway in the Age of Aquarius.

Hubris and OCD can be a deadly combination. After a shocking downturn in fortune, Jack despairs, then while constructing a plot to end his life, discovers hope on  a desolate highway in the Age of Aquarius.

One cold day of  beach combing in the "off season"  morphed into a remarkable example of synchronicity. If it didn't happen to yours truly, I frankly would deposit  it in the baloney files. I find it difficult to believe anyone who prefaces a statement with "believe me," but I promise the story is true. The term "miracle" is thrown around  quite a bit. What does one look like?  My miracle occurred in of all places a video store. Do you remember video stores? We  once went to these places to rent movies like at the library. Oh, right, do you remember libraries? Anyway, video stores were kind of fun, had popcorn machines and a creepy "back room" where they kept the so called "adult" themed, aka porno movies. The video store was a strange setting for synchronicity, least of all a miracle. None of those involved in this little tale, asked to be involved, me included; it just happened. Do you believe in miracles?  When one occurs, you can feel that something weird is afoot and, as the adage suggests, "When it happens to you, then you'll know about it." Give this little story a listen, you'll get it.

While listening to Joan Baez singing "James and the Gang, I was rocketed back to an incident  many years ago when I was caught in a rip current, and experienced the power of unseen forces. "James" had the same impact on me. Music is like that;  an invisible smack that bypasses our emotional defenses and transports us in living color to events long forgotten. Let us know what you think. Connect with us at [email protected]. You can also friend us on Facebook and be first in your class to hear when the next episode of Tales drops.Happy listening.DS