Happy Halloween!

They say the veil between the world of the living and those of the spirits is thinnest on Halloween. Keep your eyes peeled, lest they trick you into believing that the ghoul asking for treats at your door is just a child pretending to be one.

BOOOO!

Miss Iggy on vacation

Did Conniechiwa just wish for Miss Iggy to hop on a cruise ship?

Singapurple Iggy boarding the Norwegian Cruise ship "Norwegian Gem" for seven days of sun basking and sight-seeing in the Mediterranean. Ahh. As they inform you once the ship sails: "We are officially on vacation!"

Can you guess where she's been to? (photos in random)

Al Capone's Cell

Jersey Iggy saw the cell of Eastern State Penitentiary's most infamous inmate: Al Capone.

Alphonse "Scarface" Capone got his first taste of prison life in Philadelphia.

He stopped in Philadelphia while traveling from Atlantic City back to his home in Chicago in May 1929. He was arrested outside a movie theater for carrying a concealed, unlicensed .38 caliber revolver. The Philadelphia courts were rough. They handed Capone the maximum sentence: one year in prison.

Capone served eight months of that sentence in this cell. But while the Philadelphia courts tried to make an example of Chicago's famous bootlegger, the officials at Eastern State Penitentiary were nothing if not generous.

They allowed comforts not typically granted to inmates, including fine furniture, oriental rugs, oil paintings and a fancy radio. He liked to listen to waltzes in his cell.

[Information from Eastern State Penitentiary]

Ha! Talk about being a VIP! (Very Important Prisoner!)

To catch a part of the episode of Travel Channel's "Ghost Adventures" filmed right here at Eastern State Penitentiary, click here. According to that show, Al Capone while incarcerated here, was tormented in his sleep by his victim from the massacre that he masterminded.

Haunted House of Hardened Criminals?

The Eastern State Penitentiary in Philadelphia has imprisoned numerous hardened criminals since the 1800's. It finally shut down in 1971 but remains open to visitors who would like to wander through the eerie cell blocks, now crumbling and empty...but are they?

Your ticket to ESP includes an audio tour device narrated by actor Steve Buscemi that guides you through the facility. At one point, the tour discussed the haunted character of ESP, sharing some hair-raising anecdotes about the place. Screams, the sound of chains dragging on the floor, just to mention a few.

Stare long and hard at this celfone image taken just above Cell Block 7. Do you see anything out of the ordinary?

Philadelphia's Eastern State Penitentiary

With Halloween just around the corner, Miss Iggy thought this would be a perfect time to show you her "ghost-hunting" photos from one of America's most historic state prisons--and also one of the most haunted, the Eastern State Penitentiary (ESP) in Philadelphia which she visited last August.

The ESP is a favorite halloween haunt for people who want to put their "ESP" (extra-sensory perception) to the test. It has been featured in ghost-hunting shows such as "Most Haunted" and "Ghost Adventures." Craving for some paranormal activity in the dark? Come here for their "twilight tours," but they only have them in the summer. Other than that, this facility is open to tourists the whole year round for daytime tours, except for major holidays.

In 1965, the U.S. Federal Government designated ESP as a National Historic Landmark.



There's terror behind these walls, they say, aside from the visible semi-ruin state it's in. Miss Iggy was anxious about the tour!

Thousand Islands International Bridge (And The Story Behind The Dressing)

From above the Thousand Islands Skydeck in Ontario, Canada, Miss Iggy saw the Thousand Islands International Bridge which "extends from Collins Landing near Alexandria Bay, New York to Ivy Lea near Gananoque, Ontario covering a distance of 8.5 miles and provides direct connection between US Interstate Rt. 81 and Canada Highway 401."



And where there's a U.S.-Canada border, there's a duty-free shop! Guess what Miss Iggy bought as a souvenir? Well...a bottle of original Thousand Islands dressing (Vinaigrette Mille-Iles), of course! The bottle's label tells the origin of this famous dressing:

"Legend has it that the Thousand Islands dressing was created on board the magnificent steam yacht the "Louise" belonging to millionaire proprietor George Boldt of Waldorf Astoria fame. One day, while George and his wife Louise sailed amongst the beautiful 1000 Islands, Boldt requested their steward on board create a dish in honour of the area. A very special dish indeed, today almost 100 years later people around the world enjoy his creation, the distinctive legendary Thousand Islands Dressing. The diced cucumbers in it are meant to represent the 1000 Islands, or more accurately 1864 islands. The steward on board the "Louise" rose to international fame and became known as "Oscar of the Waldorf."

The "Oscar" immortalized by this dressing is Oscar Tschirky.

SM...Shopping Much?

Jersey Iggy almost forgot about this photo from December 2008 in Manila. She was at SM "Clearance Outlet" Mall in Carriedo St., Quiapo, Manila, Philippines--close to Quiapo Church. This is said to be the original SM shopping mall branch, the first of many in a chain of department stores all over the country bearing the same initials owned by Filipino-Chinese business magnate Henry Sy.

diamonds are miss iggy's best friend

Euro Iggy was thrilled to explore the sparkling world of diamonds at Gassan Diamonds in Amsterdam, where she learned how a rough clear rock is turned into a shiny diamond. She got a few lessons on estimating the value of a diamond and was blinded by an array of dazzling girls' best friends!

A Thousand Isles

Miss Iggy felt like singing Vanessa Carlton's "A Thousand Miles" song but replace "Miles" with "Isles." If Miss Iggy could "fall into the sky," it will be because of the elevator that took her up the observation deck.

Somewhere in this cluster of islands in the St. Lawrence River between Ontario and New York is an island called "The Price Is Right," named after that popular game show and was given away in 1964 by Bill Cullen.

To prove that Miss Iggy really went on top of the Thousand Islands Skydeck, she signed the guestbook. It also shows you when she actually visited the place!

finding nemo

Miss Iggy was amazed at this wedge-shaped museum called NEMO, which is the largest science center in the Netherlands.

At its interactive exhibits, you can discover cool things like what you'll look like thirty years from now, how to purify water, what happens when you kiss someone and how lightning and satellites work.

Thousand Islands Skydeck

Just before crossing the border between Canada and the U.S., Jersey Iggy decided to conquer this tower above the Thousand Islands in Ontario: The 1000 Islands Skydeck.

This observation deck goes 400 feet up into the sky and is reachable by either the spiral staircase or the more convenient high-speed elevator. Miss Iggy chose the latter, of course.

You've heard of the "thousand island" dressing, well, turns out there really is a place called "Thousand Islands"--a group of islands (1,793 in all) between Ontario and New York State along the St. Lawrence River. These islands were the inspiration for the popular condiment--the bits of pickle in the dressing were supposed to represent the islands.

Radical Rideau Canal

Jersey Iggy says "bonjour" from the Rideau Canal in Ottawa, Canada....a UNESCO World Heritage Site!

This historic waterway stretching 202 kms. was originally built for military strategic purposes during the early 19th century, when Great Britain and the United States rivaled each other for control of this region.

Nowadays, this scenic length of Canadian Heritage River offers boat tours, bike trails, and more popularly--the venue for the Winterlude Festival, where it becomes the "world's second longest skating rink" at winter time.

Guess what they eat there to keep themselves warm and fuzzy? BeaverTails! Radical!

Miss Iggy admired the night lights reflected on Rideau Canal. Too bad she didn't catch the last boat tour.

National Gallery of Canada

Jersey Iggy outside the National Gallery of Canada in Ottawa, where she was lured by a giant spider.

This place is said to be "one of the world's most respected art institutions," already in existence since 1880. It is one of Canada's oldest cultural institutions.

Happy Columbus Day!

Miss Iggy stands in the middle of Syracuse's Columbus Circle, where a monument of Christopher Columbus looms in front of the Onondaga County Courthouse.

The inscription below Columbus' statue reads, "Cristoforo Colombo....Discoverer of America. Erected by the Citizens of Italian Origin of Onondaga County."

[Note: This is a repeat post from July, this time in honor of Columbus Day]

Itsy Bitsy Spider...NOT!

This giant spider sculpture called "Maman" (French for "mother") by Louise Bourgeois stands ominously outside the National Gallery of Canada in Ottawa.

The artist was inspired by her mother to create this arachnid masterpiece, thus calling it "Maman." Up close you can see giant eggs in her sac! Miss Iggy sure doesn't want to get caught in her web of wrath!

Notre Dame Cathedral Basilica of Ottawa

Jersey Iggy visited the oldest surviving church in Ottawa: the Notre Dame Cathedral Basilica.

It was recognized as a National Historical Site in 1978. Located just across the National Gallery of Canada, tourists of all faiths come here to admire the intricate Gothic interiors of this church.

BeaverTails at Byward Market

Jersey Iggy stumbled upon a unique, sugary pastry in Ottawa's Byward Market: Beavertails!

Don't worry! No actual beavers were killed or maimed to create this yummy pastry! It's actually deep-fried dough shaped like a beaver's tail then sprinkled with sugary goodness. It's best eaten when warm, and it's a favorite comfort food during Ottawa's famous Winterlude Festival.

Even US President Barack Obama stopped by this original BeaverTails location in Byward Market during his visit to Ottawa back in February to order a BeaverTail!

Airline Safety Reminders

Miss Iggy listens to airline safety reminders to passengers while leaving Detroit Airport on a connecting flight to Newark last week.

Where's Miss Iggy?

Jersey Iggy just hanging out at the foot of a totem pole in Ottawa's Byward Market in Canada last June.

Pink Monkey Business

Jersey Iggy befriended a pink primate in Chicago recently. It's actually a birthday gift/Chicago souvenir to Fortuitous Faery. The pink monkey had a Chicago Bears (NFL) logo on its shirt and a pink ribbon logo on its hat, because October happens to be National Breast Cancer Awareness Month--that time of the year when pink is more popular than the fall colors.

The word "Hope" is also embroided on the monkey's chest...which reminded Miss Iggy of that medical TV series "Chicago Hope." Breast Cancer research efforts also fuel hope for breast cancer patients in the search for the cure. How can one help? By volunteering or by joining fundraising efforts such as the Breast Cancer Awareness Walk that Miss Iggy joined recently.

While waiting for her flight back to Newark at Chicago's Midway Airport, Miss Iggy thought that the pink suitcase is too small for both her and the monkey. But her kid seems to like to keep it as a pet.

Calling for a Flood of Support!

Jersey Iggy was in the "Windy City," Chicago, when she got wind of the terrible news that Metro Manila and surrounding provinces, notably Rizal, were submerged in floodwaters over the weekend when a month's worth of rain lashed across the Philippine capital overnight.

Typhoon "Ondoy" (International name "Ketsana") brought non-stop rain and devastated more than 300, 000 families, killing more than 240, and inundated the entire metropolis, forcing people to seek what refuge their rooftops may temporarily bring from the murky waters that rapidly rose several feet and drenched their homes. Electricity was cut off. Rich and poor alike were leveled by the flood.

If you're familiar with Hurricane Katrina in the States, this is far, far worse.

This catastrophe made news around the world, including this free Chicago paper "RedEye," which truly made Miss Iggy teary-eyed and beyond shocked.

One of the Miss Iggy sisters in the Philippines, Gingmaganda, was among the unfortunate ones as her hometown of Cainta, Rizal was listed as one of the "hardest hit" areas by this calamity. It is a relief to know that she's okay, but what horror she had to go through as she had to salvage household appliances from the rising floodwaters.

Fortuitous Faery's family in Pasig City was also devastated, with a cousin who lived alone in a two-story house stranded on the second floor as the first level was severely flooded, with his refrigerator floating in the water "like a white coffin" as he described.

Home insurance isn't something commonplace in the Philippines, unfortunately, so these people will have to reclaim their houses from the mud, permanently scarred by the water damage that the typhoon brought. Many families have been evacuated and our now relying on the help of volunteers providing them with free food and medical support.

Our country needs a "flood of support" from all generous souls out there. The Philippine Consulate General of New York has an official press release informing us where to donate, both in the Philippines and the US. Some US donations will be considered tax-deductible, please note below:

US-based Filipino Community Organization efforts

Filipino Community in the Northeast Region “Project Handang Tumulong”, a joint venture adopted by various Filipino community organizations to build a “Ready Disaster Relief Fund” that can respond instantly in the event of a natural calamity. Victims of Typhoon Ondoy, which will be the first beneficiary of the Project. To donate by check: address checks payable to “Handang Tumulong Fund” (with “Typhoon Ondoy” on the memo line), and send to Mr. Steve Parrado, Filipino American Association of Fair Lawn, Inc. (501-c3 status; Tax ID No. 223-353-102), PO Box No. 1362 Fair Lawn, NJ 07410. To participate in fundraising events: join “Lakad Tulong”, a 3-mile walk-a-thon starting at Jersey City Hall, 280 Grove Street, Jersey City, 07302, on 11 October 2009, Sunday. Registration starts at 8:00 AM, followed by the start of the walk at 9:00 AM. Proceeds will go to the Project Handang Tumulong fund. For more information please contact Nelsie Parrado (212-794-7321) Ledy Almadin (201-755-3084) or Lita Pena (201-432-2144). *donations will be US tax deductible

Filipino young professionals groups spearheaded by the Philippine-New York Jaycees To raise funds for the victims of Typhoon Ondoy, the Philippine-New York Jaycees and other Filipino young professionals groups have banded together to organize the following events: · Happy Hour fundraiser · Benefit Concert / Silent Auction Details on the venue, time, and beneficiaries will be posted here as soon as information is available. Those who wish to volunteer may contact Ted Martinez at 571-277-1691 or at ted.events@gmail.com

Ateneo Alumni Northeast, Inc. (AANI) in New York The official Ateneo alumni group in the U.S. Tri-State Region is holding a fundraiser for the victims of tropical storm Ondoy in the Philippines. All donations will go to Ateneo Task Force Ondoy, the relief efforts at the Ateneo de Manila University, which is now an open shelter for evacuees. Your help is urgently needed. To make a secure online donation using your credit card, visit: http://www.atenista-usa.org/site/featured-articles/help-for-ondoy-victims/ *donations are not U.S. tax-deductible.

DAMAYAN Migrant Workers Association (http://ugnayan.blogspot.com/) Send cash or check donations: to DAMAYAN Migrant Workers Association, 406 West 40th Street, 3rd Floor, New York, NY 10018. Donations more than $75 is tax deductible. Donated materials (clothing, shoes, canned goods, etc) can be dropped off on Saturday, October 3 from 11 am until 7 pm at Nodutdol for Korean Community Development, 53-22 Roosevelt Avenue, 2nd floor, Woodside, Queens (between 53rd and 54th streets). After October 3, materials can be dropped off at the DAMAYAN Office, 406 West 40th Street, New York, NY, 10018). Contact: Leah Obias, Chevy Evangelista 212.564.6057 *100% of the cash and material donations will be directed towards victims of typhoon Ondoy.

NAFCON (Nat’l Alliance for Filipino Concerns) / SANDIWA Nat’l Alliance of Fil-Am Youth Now receiving relief donations (clothes, blankets, medical supplies, monetary). For general questions please call Anne Beryl (516)9011832. Official Webpage: www.bayanihan4ondoy.wordpress. com NY drop-off @ BAYANIHAN Filipino Community Center, 40-21 69th St. Woodside, NY 11377. Open Hours: Monday –Friday 11 AM – 8 PM and Saturday & Sunday 12-6 PM. Please Contact; Yancy Mark (347)8670330 or Jonna (646)5787390 or email filipinocenter@gmail.com if you would like to help. Stony Brook University, please contact Jun Rose (646)7503489. FIND District III college organizations: Please Contact Patricia Dayleg (patricia.dayleg@gmail.com) and Isabel Marie Gomez (isabelmariegomez@gmail.com). BKPNewYork are also specifically collecting children’s books to the Philippines: Please contact Frederick (646)6417183 or email Frederick@bkpny.org For donations in New Jersey please contact: (201)621-3156-Yves Nibungco or (917)476-7855-Nick Cordero Sinugba Cafe: 561 Westside Ave. Jersey City, NJ 07304 Casa Victoria: 691 Newark Ave. Jersey City, NJ 07306-2803. Kalusugan Coalition: Call (201)653-4600 for office hours. 591 Summit Avenue Suite 412 Jersey City, 07306. Corner Summit & Newark Ave. "Pulong Bayan" or a community /public meeting at Sinugba Café, Oct.1, Thursday at 7pm For more info, Yves Nibungco, co-coordinator, Bayanihan for Victims of Typhoon Ondoy (201) 621-3156 *donations received by Migrante International, coordinated w/ CDRC (Citizen's Disaster Response Center)

The Philippine Consulate General New York will provide information on fundraising and other assistance projects being organized by the Filipino community organizations in the Northeast USA for victims of Typhoon Ondoy as details become available. Updates will be posted on our website. Organizations that wish to have their schedule of activities included on this list may contact Vice Consul Elena Maningat at 212-764-1330 ext 312 or by email at newyork@pcgny.net or passportnypcg@yahoo.com. The list of aid-recipients in the Philippines for all projects proposed for inclusion in the list will be requested.

Other ways to help the victims of Typhoon Ondoy:

Philippine Government Relief Agencies

National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) NDCC Donated Funds Current Account (Philippine peso) #0-00149-435-3 Swift Code: DBPHPHMM Account #36002016 Development Bank of the Philippines Camp General Emilio Aguinaldo Branch Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City Philippines

Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Imee Rose Castillo / Rey Martija - (632-9312101 local 506-507 or 63-9517119) DSWD Foreign Donation Account No. 3124-0055-81 ZIP Address: TLBPPHMMXXX LBP Batasan Branch Constitution Hills, Quezon City

PHILIPPINE-based non-government organizations

Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC)- http://www.redcross.org.ph/Site/PNRC/Default.aspx?S=48&SS=972 Metrobank Port Area Branch, Anda Circle, Manila Acct Name: The Philippine National Red Cross Acct. No. 151-2-151-00218-2 Swift Code: MBTC PH MM Bank of the Philippine Islands UN Branch, Ermita, Manila Acct Name: The Philippine National Red Cross Acct. No.: 8114-0030-94; Type of Acct: Savings Swift Code: BOPIPHMM

ABS-CBN Foundation – you may send funds directly to Acct Name: ABC-CBN Foundation Inc. Bank: BANCO DE ORO Peso Account Number: 55630060113 Branch: BDO Mother Ignacia, Quezon City

Ayala Foundation USA Online: http://www.af-usa.org/donate_now_form. Asp and select "AF-USA Typhoon Relief Fund" from the drop down menu marked "Donations For". Check donations may be sent to Ayala Foundation USA (put "flood victims" on the memo portion of your check) and mail to: Ayala Foundation USA 255 Shoreline Drive Suite 428 Redwood City CA 94065 Ayala Foundation USA is coordinating with Ayala Foundation, Inc and other groups conducting major relief efforts. Donations will be brought to areas where the need is greatest and areas that have not yet been reached by groups doing disaster relief mobilization.

Gawad Kalinga (through ANCOP USA) To donate directly to GK Typhoon Relief Fund, go to : http://www.ancopusa.org/donation/ Donation will be processed via PayPal and is subject to a PayPal transaction fee of 2.9% plus $0.30. The amount of your donation is tax-deductible. ANCOP Foundation (USA), Inc. is a registered, tax-exempt 501(c)(3) non-profit w/ tax ID 68-0463495

GMA KAPUSO Foundation– you may send funds directly to Acct Name: GMA Kapuso Foundation, Inc. Bank: METROBANK Peso Account Number: 3-098-51034-7 Dollar Account Number: 2-098-00244-2 Type of Account: Savings Swift Code: MBTC PH MM

US-Based Companies

Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI-New York) Remittance fee waived for donations credit to BPI Foundation account # CA0011-1530-89. BPI Foundation is working closely with the Corporate Network for Disaster Response (CNDR)

Philippine National Bank (PNB) Remittance fee waived for donations to GMA Kapuso Foundation

Western Union USA 50%-off on remittance fees for ALL transactions from the US to the Philippines on the following Wednesdays: September 30, October 7 and October 14 Western Union has already donated $50,000.00 to the Philippine National Red Cross