“Geeked” About the G-20 May 29, 2009

OK, my nerdy side is about to come out here.
I was , at first, shocked then fired up about announcement that the G-20 Summit was going to be held in Pittsburgh in September. For those of you who might think this is a new collegiate conference, the G-20 is an informal gathering of 85% of [...]

To Hug or Not to Hug? May 28, 2009

Leave it to the New York Times to bring us these little snippets into the social issues of our day. I was reading the Times today on-line when I waded into the latest controversy separating parents from teens: hugging.
Apparently, the hottest and coolest thing among teens is hugging. Hugging to say “hello”. Hugging to say [...]

So Predictable May 26, 2009

While we are fired up about the Stanley Cup playoffs in these parts, there was a bigger story playing out in our nation’s capital. President Barack Obama revealed his nominee to replace the retiring David Souter on the Supreme Court.
The pick was — and wasn’t surprising. Sonia Sotomayor is a woman, as expected. She is [...]

Welcome to the New “Hockeytown” May 26, 2009

Tuesday night might be both the end and the beginning for hockey fans in two cities. The Pittsburgh Penguins and Detroit Red Wings are on the verge of eliminating the Carolina Hurricanes and Chicago Blackhawks, respectively, and moving onto hockey’s grandest stage – the Stanley Cup Finals.
It will be the second consecutive year these northern [...]

Save Dodgeball! May 21, 2009

It’s one of the few TV shows I get to watch it its entirety: Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel on HBO. It’s Gumbel and some of the best sports journalists in the country taking a serious look at sports … with great profiles and investigations. I never seen an episode where I don’t learn something [...]

Harrison Says No: How The Story Happened May 20, 2009

It never ceases to amaze me: how a news story starts and then takes off. Every story that you see on the local TV news, heard on the radio or read about in the newspaper has to start somewhere. Usually, with an announcement of some sort. Sometimes, with a simple exchange between two people.
The latter [...]

Mixed Emotions on Game Night May 18, 2009

How about the Pens? For the second straight year, the Penguins are on the verge of playing for Lord Stanley’s Cup, if they can push past the Carolina Hurricanes. The Canes are the sixth seed in the Eastern Conference and there is little doubt the Pens are the  favorite.
The series starts tonight … and folks, [...]

Reaching the Big 41 May 15, 2009

Birthdays – as you get older – tend to change in their significance. When you are a toddler, you celebrate half-birthdays. When you become more mature, you celebrate each year. Then, when you get to be my age, its all about milestones.
That’s why this particular May16th isn’t quite a big deal. It’s number 41. Last [...]

Missing the Mark May 13, 2009

It’s obvious no one in any position of authority reads my blog. If they did, I would soon run out of material because they would realize how silly and stupid some of the things that pass for popular culture and political discussion really are.
Case in point, the on-going Miss California “scandal” in which Carrie Prejean apparently [...]

The Light Goes On May 12, 2009

I wouldn’t call it an epiphany, but when I mentioned the thought on my Facebook page, a friend said an intervention might be in order.
I’m speaking about the realization that I might actually enjoy running more than I enjoy golf. Let me say that again. I might actually enjoy running more than I enjoy golf.
I’m [...]

Worth the Ride? May 9, 2009

the moment the story began rolling.unil Friday. I had not seen the actual video pkmWendy Bell and myself introduced Janelle Hall’s story at 5:15
I was aghast.
12-year-old Ashley Ames of Venango County was sitting in a bed at Children’s Hospital – her hair parted — by what looked to be hundreds of stitches closing a huge [...]

Battling Over Beer May 6, 2009

What was the single most difficult transition when I came to western Pennsylvania 14 years ago? That’s easy.
I went to get some beer at the store .. and found out you could not buy beer at the store. Come to find out you could not buy it at  a drug store, a convenience store or [...]

My Inspiration … and My Motivation May 5, 2009

What a great event on Sunday. The Pittsburgh Marathon should make our city and our region proud. Despite the weather, which was wet but cool by running standards, over ten thousand ran through the city streets while thousands watched and cheered along every inch of the race route.
A big shout out to all of you [...]