Last night on WGAL, Sports Director Mike Hostetler, at 5:50pm...
"You can see Super Bowl XLIII here on WGAL. Kickoff scheduled for Sunday at 6:30. Pregame show begins in about 10 minutes."
Steelers 27, Cardinals 17... close first half, but Steelers run and run some more in the second half.
Buckle up,
TS
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Slowly, but surely...
This is a good sign, in more ways than one.
1. The Sonic Drive-In chain is expanding. In this era of job-cutting and business closing, it's good to see someone expanding.
2. They're coming to Wilkes-Barre. The old KFC at the Wyoming Valley Mall is being converted into a Sonic.
It's refreshing news, considering that Waldenbooks (a mall original in 1971) is closing on Saturday. I see quite a few empty storefronts in malls all around our area... and there's a feeling all around that things will get worse before they get better.
If you want to see an interesting website, see www.deadmalls.com. Unfairly, Schuylkill Mall is listed from a few years ago... perhaps because of all the empty stores. It's a shame that Steve and Barry's went under, plus Waldenbooks and Claire's are closing up.
The trend now is outparcels or big box stores. Go to the Promenade Shops at Saucon Valley or Shoppes at Montage, or even the Wegman's in Mechanicsburg, and you'll see what I mean. You can see what the mall in Hunt Valley, MD used to be, and how it's been transformed into the Shoppes at Hunt Valley.
Some good examples of dead malls are the Richland Mall in Johnstown, Landover Mall outside of DC, and whatever that mall used to be at the parking garage in Niagara Falls.
Five years from now, we'll be reminiscing how we remembered shopping at Circuit City.
That site also has lists of old stores... I'm sure you remember Ames, Hills, and Jamesway. How about Bradlees, Caldor, Service Merchandise, Fay's, Revco, Woolworth, McCrory's, Kresge's, Lazarus, Grant's, Pomeroy's, Hess's, King's Department Store, and (my favorite) Zayre's. Zayre's will forever be remembered in Wilkes-Barre as where the Cabbage Patch Kid riots broke out in 1983. Picture Black Friday 50 times worse.
While I'm being nostalgic, I miss having Acme, A&P, Insalaco's, and Shop Rite around here.
Happy shopping and buckle up,
TS
1. The Sonic Drive-In chain is expanding. In this era of job-cutting and business closing, it's good to see someone expanding.
2. They're coming to Wilkes-Barre. The old KFC at the Wyoming Valley Mall is being converted into a Sonic.
It's refreshing news, considering that Waldenbooks (a mall original in 1971) is closing on Saturday. I see quite a few empty storefronts in malls all around our area... and there's a feeling all around that things will get worse before they get better.
If you want to see an interesting website, see www.deadmalls.com. Unfairly, Schuylkill Mall is listed from a few years ago... perhaps because of all the empty stores. It's a shame that Steve and Barry's went under, plus Waldenbooks and Claire's are closing up.
The trend now is outparcels or big box stores. Go to the Promenade Shops at Saucon Valley or Shoppes at Montage, or even the Wegman's in Mechanicsburg, and you'll see what I mean. You can see what the mall in Hunt Valley, MD used to be, and how it's been transformed into the Shoppes at Hunt Valley.
Some good examples of dead malls are the Richland Mall in Johnstown, Landover Mall outside of DC, and whatever that mall used to be at the parking garage in Niagara Falls.
Five years from now, we'll be reminiscing how we remembered shopping at Circuit City.
That site also has lists of old stores... I'm sure you remember Ames, Hills, and Jamesway. How about Bradlees, Caldor, Service Merchandise, Fay's, Revco, Woolworth, McCrory's, Kresge's, Lazarus, Grant's, Pomeroy's, Hess's, King's Department Store, and (my favorite) Zayre's. Zayre's will forever be remembered in Wilkes-Barre as where the Cabbage Patch Kid riots broke out in 1983. Picture Black Friday 50 times worse.
While I'm being nostalgic, I miss having Acme, A&P, Insalaco's, and Shop Rite around here.
Happy shopping and buckle up,
TS
Thursday, January 15, 2009
An original (kinda) top list
Temperatures here in Schuylkill County won't reach 10 degrees tomorrow. Here are the top places that will have temperatures higher than our area tomorrow.
15. Truth or Consequences, NM... 57
14. Pago Pago, American Samoa... 89
13. Death Valley... 76
12. Stockholm, Sweden... 28
11. Inuvik, Northwest Territories, Canada... 34
10. Seattle... 48
9. Boise... 37
8. Minot, North Dakota... 29
7. Uranium City, Saskatchewan... 16
6. Honolulu... 79
5. Glendale, Arizona (where the Eagles will beat the Cardinals on Sunday)... 75
4. Pittsburgh (where the Steelers will beat the Ravens on Sunday)... one degree warmer
3. Ocean City, Maryland... 29
2. Wildwood Crest... 21
(Gotta think warm here, folks)
1. Anchorage & Fairbanks, Alaska... they'll be in the 30s & 40s tomorrow! Even Barrow will have a high of 15!
Bundle Up and Buckle Up,
TS
15. Truth or Consequences, NM... 57
14. Pago Pago, American Samoa... 89
13. Death Valley... 76
12. Stockholm, Sweden... 28
11. Inuvik, Northwest Territories, Canada... 34
10. Seattle... 48
9. Boise... 37
8. Minot, North Dakota... 29
7. Uranium City, Saskatchewan... 16
6. Honolulu... 79
5. Glendale, Arizona (where the Eagles will beat the Cardinals on Sunday)... 75
4. Pittsburgh (where the Steelers will beat the Ravens on Sunday)... one degree warmer
3. Ocean City, Maryland... 29
2. Wildwood Crest... 21
(Gotta think warm here, folks)
1. Anchorage & Fairbanks, Alaska... they'll be in the 30s & 40s tomorrow! Even Barrow will have a high of 15!
Bundle Up and Buckle Up,
TS
Monday, January 12, 2009
Straight out of George Orwell...
The first thing I thought of when I saw this application was the book "1984" by George Orwell, and it's theme of "Big Brother is watching."
Go to www.mogulus.com and you'll see a website that offers live video of anyone who subscribes and has a webcam. My buddy Weather Kim now has a live feed of her at work at WUSA-TV in the mornings. You get to see all the behind-the-scenes stuff that goes on, and have a live chat at the same time. If you have a laptop with a webcam (and a decent-speed web connection), you can also "broadcast" on mogulus.
---
My New Year's Resolution is proving successful so far... watch more movies. The snow had a lot to do me seeing a few this weekend. Deep End of the Ocean, most of Zoolander, and the last half-hour of Mooseport were what I saw, while waiting for football. Zoolander will be featured in the Movie Monday edition of the Time Machine.
---
Channel 8 slightly shuffles its lineup... Jere Gish comes back after spending five years in KC... he and Lori Burkholder will anchor News 8 Today, and Susan Shapiro will handle News 8 at Noon.
Speaking of WGAL, the sports department has to be thrilled that all three of the NFL teams closest to them are in the conference championships. It will end up as an all-Pennsylvania Super Bowl in Tampa. Who'll want to see a Arizona vs. Baltimore Super Bowl? The Ravens would crush the Cards. An Eagles/Steelers matchup will make the sponsors smile. Catch all the games on AM 1360 WPPA. The Eagles play at 3:00, and the Steelers at 6:30.
---
Buckle Up,
TS
Go to www.mogulus.com and you'll see a website that offers live video of anyone who subscribes and has a webcam. My buddy Weather Kim now has a live feed of her at work at WUSA-TV in the mornings. You get to see all the behind-the-scenes stuff that goes on, and have a live chat at the same time. If you have a laptop with a webcam (and a decent-speed web connection), you can also "broadcast" on mogulus.
---
My New Year's Resolution is proving successful so far... watch more movies. The snow had a lot to do me seeing a few this weekend. Deep End of the Ocean, most of Zoolander, and the last half-hour of Mooseport were what I saw, while waiting for football. Zoolander will be featured in the Movie Monday edition of the Time Machine.
---
Channel 8 slightly shuffles its lineup... Jere Gish comes back after spending five years in KC... he and Lori Burkholder will anchor News 8 Today, and Susan Shapiro will handle News 8 at Noon.
Speaking of WGAL, the sports department has to be thrilled that all three of the NFL teams closest to them are in the conference championships. It will end up as an all-Pennsylvania Super Bowl in Tampa. Who'll want to see a Arizona vs. Baltimore Super Bowl? The Ravens would crush the Cards. An Eagles/Steelers matchup will make the sponsors smile. Catch all the games on AM 1360 WPPA. The Eagles play at 3:00, and the Steelers at 6:30.
---
Buckle Up,
TS
Thursday, January 8, 2009
From PA's Snow Belt...
In surfing headlines of TV and newspapers, this one caught my eyes. Two Catholic schools in Erie are merging, kinda.
High school sports fans are familiar with Erie Cathedral Prep through their football success, and with the Villa Maria Academy in Erie for their girls' basketball.
ECP is all-boys, and VMA used to be all-girls, but now is about 75% girls. Both will merge, and be under the same name. Yet, ECP stays all boys and VMA goes back to all girls for classes. All activities will be co-ed. The diocese operates ECP, while the Sisters of St. Joseph's of NW PA oversaw VMA. Some VMA alumni wanted the school returned to its all-girls roots. The diocese will still have a co-ed high, Mercyhurst Prep. Declining enrollment and the economy were mentioned in all reports as to a cause for the agreement between the schools.
That got me wondering... will something like this every happen in our area? If our population was higher and economy greater, then perhaps. But with how the Allentown Diocese and Scranton Diocese recently closed a number of schools, I think that staying open is more of an issue than seperating the genders. It could have a put a few of the closed buildings to good use, i.e. Cardinal Brennan.
Buckle up,
TS
High school sports fans are familiar with Erie Cathedral Prep through their football success, and with the Villa Maria Academy in Erie for their girls' basketball.
ECP is all-boys, and VMA used to be all-girls, but now is about 75% girls. Both will merge, and be under the same name. Yet, ECP stays all boys and VMA goes back to all girls for classes. All activities will be co-ed. The diocese operates ECP, while the Sisters of St. Joseph's of NW PA oversaw VMA. Some VMA alumni wanted the school returned to its all-girls roots. The diocese will still have a co-ed high, Mercyhurst Prep. Declining enrollment and the economy were mentioned in all reports as to a cause for the agreement between the schools.
That got me wondering... will something like this every happen in our area? If our population was higher and economy greater, then perhaps. But with how the Allentown Diocese and Scranton Diocese recently closed a number of schools, I think that staying open is more of an issue than seperating the genders. It could have a put a few of the closed buildings to good use, i.e. Cardinal Brennan.
Buckle up,
TS
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Slip slidin' away... & NFL picks
Good decision by the schools today not to chance it. I ventured out this morning, and for about the 4th time this winter, my car and pavement were covered in a layer of ice. Be careful traveling all day. The stuff could refreeze tonight.
----
The renovation of a main section of Wildwood boardwalk is hitting a snag. The Press of Atlantic City says that about 90% of the black locust wood shipped in for the project was rejected. The builder has gone looking for wood from the tropical rain forest. As you can expect, environmental groups are concerned.
There are two sides you can take with this; those who want to preserve the rain forests, or the Rush Limbaugh-type who consider the rain forests a renewable resources and suggest that the "Environmentalist Wackos" not get too uptight.
I'm no lumberjack, and I can't tell wood from an oak tree apart from black locust. But wouldn't a couple of drums of Thompson Water Seal strengthen everything and make it all equal?
The Mayor of Wildwood put a deadline on the project of Easter Sunday, April 12. Don't be surprised if it's not completed by early May, especially if the weather doesn't behave.
I'm interested to see how much longer before more sections have to be replaced... the south end in front of the shops near the expo center are quite worn, and all the traffic between Mariners' Landing and 26th Avenue has taken its toll.
----
NFL Predictions this weekend:
All games can be heard on AM 1360 WPPA.
Both AFC matchups are going to be defensive struggles... the NFC games will be more wide open.
Baltimore 19, Tennessee 16... Neither D will give up a big play. Tennessee has the edge in rushing, but I give a slight edge in passing to Baltimore. The last team to make a field goal wins... Bironas will be forced to try another 60-yard field goal, but will fall short.
Carolina 35 Arizona 14... won't be as close as their first meeting. Arizona will pass for more yards, because they'll have to. Edgerrin James's last game for Arizona will be dreadful. Panthers' Stewart and Williams run wild, and Steve Smith catches two TD's.
Philadelphia 18 New York 15... no TD's, all field goals. Akers beats Carney. Bryan Dawkins won't let Philly lose. The loss of Plaxico and an injured Tyree still hurts the G-Men.
Pittsburgh 21 San Diego 7... this just may the ugliest game of the weekend. How hurt is Ben? How hurt is LT? How effective will Parker and Sproles be? It won't snow this time, but the Steeler D will step up at the right times.
----
Buckle up,
TS
----
The renovation of a main section of Wildwood boardwalk is hitting a snag. The Press of Atlantic City says that about 90% of the black locust wood shipped in for the project was rejected. The builder has gone looking for wood from the tropical rain forest. As you can expect, environmental groups are concerned.
There are two sides you can take with this; those who want to preserve the rain forests, or the Rush Limbaugh-type who consider the rain forests a renewable resources and suggest that the "Environmentalist Wackos" not get too uptight.
I'm no lumberjack, and I can't tell wood from an oak tree apart from black locust. But wouldn't a couple of drums of Thompson Water Seal strengthen everything and make it all equal?
The Mayor of Wildwood put a deadline on the project of Easter Sunday, April 12. Don't be surprised if it's not completed by early May, especially if the weather doesn't behave.
I'm interested to see how much longer before more sections have to be replaced... the south end in front of the shops near the expo center are quite worn, and all the traffic between Mariners' Landing and 26th Avenue has taken its toll.
----
NFL Predictions this weekend:
All games can be heard on AM 1360 WPPA.
Both AFC matchups are going to be defensive struggles... the NFC games will be more wide open.
Baltimore 19, Tennessee 16... Neither D will give up a big play. Tennessee has the edge in rushing, but I give a slight edge in passing to Baltimore. The last team to make a field goal wins... Bironas will be forced to try another 60-yard field goal, but will fall short.
Carolina 35 Arizona 14... won't be as close as their first meeting. Arizona will pass for more yards, because they'll have to. Edgerrin James's last game for Arizona will be dreadful. Panthers' Stewart and Williams run wild, and Steve Smith catches two TD's.
Philadelphia 18 New York 15... no TD's, all field goals. Akers beats Carney. Bryan Dawkins won't let Philly lose. The loss of Plaxico and an injured Tyree still hurts the G-Men.
Pittsburgh 21 San Diego 7... this just may the ugliest game of the weekend. How hurt is Ben? How hurt is LT? How effective will Parker and Sproles be? It won't snow this time, but the Steeler D will step up at the right times.
----
Buckle up,
TS
Monday, January 5, 2009
Two weeks
The long two week period encompassing Christmas and New Year's was great.
My station work wrapped up on the 23rd (although it never does end). After the ice storm passed over on Christmas Eve, I went to York to visit friends and their families. To my surprise, I got fed well and a few gifts. Watching kids at my friends' grandparents' house passing around gifts was a trip back in time for me. The little ones ran around, and the adults sat near the tree awaiting their presents. Lotsa clothes, lotsa cards, and little Keegan got a toy combine to play in the dirt with. I wonder if Tonka also included a coupon for laundry detergent...
Up to my parents on Christmas Day. It was a busy day... went to church, exchanged gifts, took a 3 1/2 hour nap, then ate dinner.
Friday the 26th, we had 153 kids at our bowling tournament in Allentown.
I slept in on Saturday, and watched college bowling in Allentown, and reconnected with some good friends. Sunday morning was spent with Uncle Dave, at church and then for breakfast. It was 60 degrees that day, so I cleaned out my car while it was still warm. I am an incurable pack rat, so I did my best to do more cleaning in my old office at my parents' house.
I was here at the station Monday and Tuesday. Thank you for my birthday well wishes.
Wednesday, another tournament... 78 at Strike Zone Alleys here in town... then up to my buddy Matt's for New Year's Eve.
We watched Dick Clark at 11:30. I love the guy, and realize it's not New Year's Eve without him... his speech is still affected from his stroke four years ago. I imagine his brain is still sharp as a tack. However, I am not a Ryan Seacrest fan, so I paid more attention to the Monopoly game I lost, instead of TV.
New Year's Day was travel day to Pittsburgh. I listened to the first half of the Rose Bowl in the car... then was peeved when I couldn't pick up any station west of Ebensburg that carried PSU. Oh well, it was 31-7 USC at that point.
Friday was another successful tournament in Pittsburgh... 108 entries and over $1500 in scholarships awarded. Thanks to Rich at Nesbit's Lanes for putting my name on the marquee.
Saturday was my first trip to Nadine's in Pittsburgh. If you watch Food Network's Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives, Nadine's was featured on a recent episode. It's a neighboorhood bar (19 South 27th Street on the South Side of Pittsburgh)... if you go, they do allow smoking. I had the french toast, and it tastes just like my Mom's. I also had a taste of a meatball sub, and it was great. Nadine didn't make her pasta that day, but I will have some next time I go... and yes, all the specials are just $4.50.
I also ate a few meals at Kings Family Restaurants... home of the frownie. Yummy. The blackberry pie and mozzarella wedges were good, too.
Sunday meant more bowling in Lancaster. My one friend convinced me to go to the movies afterwards. I saw Jim Carrey's new movie, "Yes Man." I swear that I was looking my life story. I'm very hesitant to say yes to things I'm not sure of. Jim's character, Carl Allen, is worse. I won't spoil the plot, but it's funny, and there are plenty of parts featuring Carrey's trademark physical comedy. The co-star Zooey Deschanel was a good pick.
Before I headed home, I stopped by Stauffers of Kissel Hill... a local chain of grocery and garden stores in Lancaster County. OMG!! It's the Dutch Country version of Meijer! The bakery has sooo much stuff! I'm eating the baked oatmeal for lunch, and they have so many homemade foods. I'll be back before too long. They even carry Kerry Dowd's favorite, Vernor's Ginger Soda.
As much as I enjoyed the time off, I was kinda eager to get back to the station today. Time off is good, but I was ready to get back to my daily routine.
Talk with you at 6:00.
Buckle up,
TS
My station work wrapped up on the 23rd (although it never does end). After the ice storm passed over on Christmas Eve, I went to York to visit friends and their families. To my surprise, I got fed well and a few gifts. Watching kids at my friends' grandparents' house passing around gifts was a trip back in time for me. The little ones ran around, and the adults sat near the tree awaiting their presents. Lotsa clothes, lotsa cards, and little Keegan got a toy combine to play in the dirt with. I wonder if Tonka also included a coupon for laundry detergent...
Up to my parents on Christmas Day. It was a busy day... went to church, exchanged gifts, took a 3 1/2 hour nap, then ate dinner.
Friday the 26th, we had 153 kids at our bowling tournament in Allentown.
I slept in on Saturday, and watched college bowling in Allentown, and reconnected with some good friends. Sunday morning was spent with Uncle Dave, at church and then for breakfast. It was 60 degrees that day, so I cleaned out my car while it was still warm. I am an incurable pack rat, so I did my best to do more cleaning in my old office at my parents' house.
I was here at the station Monday and Tuesday. Thank you for my birthday well wishes.
Wednesday, another tournament... 78 at Strike Zone Alleys here in town... then up to my buddy Matt's for New Year's Eve.
We watched Dick Clark at 11:30. I love the guy, and realize it's not New Year's Eve without him... his speech is still affected from his stroke four years ago. I imagine his brain is still sharp as a tack. However, I am not a Ryan Seacrest fan, so I paid more attention to the Monopoly game I lost, instead of TV.
New Year's Day was travel day to Pittsburgh. I listened to the first half of the Rose Bowl in the car... then was peeved when I couldn't pick up any station west of Ebensburg that carried PSU. Oh well, it was 31-7 USC at that point.
Friday was another successful tournament in Pittsburgh... 108 entries and over $1500 in scholarships awarded. Thanks to Rich at Nesbit's Lanes for putting my name on the marquee.
Saturday was my first trip to Nadine's in Pittsburgh. If you watch Food Network's Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives, Nadine's was featured on a recent episode. It's a neighboorhood bar (19 South 27th Street on the South Side of Pittsburgh)... if you go, they do allow smoking. I had the french toast, and it tastes just like my Mom's. I also had a taste of a meatball sub, and it was great. Nadine didn't make her pasta that day, but I will have some next time I go... and yes, all the specials are just $4.50.
I also ate a few meals at Kings Family Restaurants... home of the frownie. Yummy. The blackberry pie and mozzarella wedges were good, too.
Sunday meant more bowling in Lancaster. My one friend convinced me to go to the movies afterwards. I saw Jim Carrey's new movie, "Yes Man." I swear that I was looking my life story. I'm very hesitant to say yes to things I'm not sure of. Jim's character, Carl Allen, is worse. I won't spoil the plot, but it's funny, and there are plenty of parts featuring Carrey's trademark physical comedy. The co-star Zooey Deschanel was a good pick.
Before I headed home, I stopped by Stauffers of Kissel Hill... a local chain of grocery and garden stores in Lancaster County. OMG!! It's the Dutch Country version of Meijer! The bakery has sooo much stuff! I'm eating the baked oatmeal for lunch, and they have so many homemade foods. I'll be back before too long. They even carry Kerry Dowd's favorite, Vernor's Ginger Soda.
As much as I enjoyed the time off, I was kinda eager to get back to the station today. Time off is good, but I was ready to get back to my daily routine.
Talk with you at 6:00.
Buckle up,
TS
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