Image Quiz: Can you tell what's going on here?

Hint: This has nothing to do with a traffic jam on the PA Turnpike, after it is sold and the new owners go bankrupt.

Hints: All slides are from the same, larger canvas. This is very old.

Pothole.

Co-ed.

I took these photos as we were visiting a museum.

If you can tell what's happening, leave a note in the comments area.

Snowfall 'hit at the worst possible time' - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Traffic sucked last night. Locals know this. Everyone was stuck in it.

Let's fix it. No more Steeler games on Thursday nights. None. The mayor can tell the NFL that our stadium is not for lease on a Thursday night.

Snowfall 'hit at the worst possible time' - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Traffic snarls were heavy leading in and out of Pittsburgh as workers headed home and Pittsburgh Steelers fans headed to Heinz Field on the North Shore, many arriving after the start of yesterday's game with the Cleveland Browns.

At one point, bumper-to-bumper traffic along the Parkway West stretched from the Fort Pitt Tunnels to Robinson Town Centre.

It took more than an hour for some people to get out of a parking garage in Oakland. Not even on the street. Then it wasn't any better.

One guy called into the radio show and said he had been on the Bloomfield bridge for more than an hour.

It took us far more than an hour to get to swim practice too.

I think the Steelers should play its games on Sundays at 1 pm. We should do this for economic reasons.

Calendar: Vacant Land Management in Pgh - hot news with buy-back of tax leins.

Forum: Green Strategies for Vacant Land Management in Pittsburgh is Wed Dec 13 noon to 1:15.

Pittsburgh to pay MBIA $6.5 million for tax liens Pittsburgh to pay MBIA $6.5 million for tax liens By CHRISTINE RICHARD, BLOOMBERG NEWS

Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl said the city will buy back tax liens from bond insurer MBIA Inc. that were used as collateral for debt securities and have been blamed for holding up redevelopment of the city's most blighted areas.

Pittsburgh will pay $6.5 million for the liens on about 11,000 derelict properties, according to an e-mailed press release yesterday from the mayor's office. Armonk-based MBIA controls about three quarters of all real estate with tax liens in Pittsburgh, and nothing could be done to improve the properties until the bills were paid or MBIA wrote them off.

12-year-old life saver in the surf saves two and gets national honors

ASCAOnline - Your Coaching Resource MORRO BAY, Calif. – Twelve-year-old Trent Popovich, a USA Swimming Junior Olympian, will be recognized today with the United States Lifesaving Association’s Heroic Act Award for his successful rescue of two young girls from the California surf on February 12, 2006. Popovich was surfing near the Cayucos Pier when he heard the cries of the girls, ages eight and 10, who were caught in the riptide. An accomplished competitive swimmer, he rescued both girls by lifting them on to his surfboard and swimming them to the shore.

The full article is in the comments. This part about the parents makes me smile. The photos of the surfers are mine, not the real lifesaver hero.

In local lifesaving news, we've got some who have made some serious saves in our neighborhoods too. They should get awards and honors.

Jim, Grant, Mark and Erik from the photo album "Beach in Maine." Click to see more photos.

Call out from Compos Mkt Research for parents of folks in middle school

A Pgh firm is currently conducting a research project on Public Education and is looking for qualified participants.

Parent/Legal Guardian of middle or high school aged children

Must live in a city neighborhood where children could attend a Pittsburgh Public School

Students can be currently attending a Pittsburgh Public School or any other type of schooling

If you could potentially qualify and are interested in coming into our downtown Pittsburgh offices for participation, please give us a call. If you know anyone else who may potentially qualify and is interested in participating, please pass the info along and ask them to give us a call.

412-471-8484 ext. 506
Calls will be returned in the evening between 5:00 and 8:45 pm.

In your message, please state your full name, mention the topic of the project, and leave a telephone number where you can be reached in the evening and/or a cell phone number.

I just volunteered. I'm not sure if it pays or not. Some of their focus groups give a token bit of cash.

Erik's first middle school swim meet, with photos & videos too.

Erik swam his first swim meet yesterday, at Greenway Middle School, now home to PCA.

This photo album shows a few photos and videos. Plus, we took the technique shots to aid in his science project. It is a test about push-off disances in different body positions.

Frick-swim

Wanta date? I'll show you mine if you show me yours.

I think I'll put the agenda calendar on my sidebar soon. Just testing. What do you think?

Sell the PA Turnpike... Look to the future of transportation and a better idea

So, they are taking bids for the sale of the PA Turnpike. Get your bid in by the end of the year. It took about ten years to get gambling expansion in the state. But the PA Turnpike can sell in six weeks. What's up with the rush?

How about if we take our best bid, and then hold a state-wide referendum.

This is how we'll get around Pennsylvania after selling the PA Turnpike and its owners go out of business years later due to infrastructure decay.

In China, when you purchase property, you can only buy it for 99 years. That's all. You purchase a house, you've got the deed for 99 years. You sell the house in 10 years, you can sell the deed for 89 years.

If PA sells the PA Turnpike, I think we should NOT sell it FOREVER. Sunset the sale. Sell the PA Turnpike for 99 years. Or, sell it for 30 years.

Don't sell the PA Turnpike forever. Then in 99 years, we'll be able to sell it again. In 99 years, our great grandkids will be able to reap another windfall from this deal.

It was stupid to sell the gambling casino licenses for $50-million without an EXPIRATION DATE. The licenses should be for 30 years on gambling. Then in 25 years, we can 'think again.' Really, it is our kids that will be able to think again. Let them decide what to do with their world.

Report warns 'free' Wi-Fi could spell trouble

I didn't jump on the Wi-Fi bandwagon in the summer of 2006. The Wi-Fi was to be hooked up the All-Star Game, but came late.

In some schools in the UK, they are unplugging Wi-Fi because of health concerns for the teachers and students. Now comes this report that hits more to some of my concerns months ago.

Report warns 'free' Wi-Fi could spell trouble: "Report warns 'free' Wi-Fi could spell trouble

Wednesday, December 06, 2006
By Corilyn Shropshire, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Cities thinking about launching a wireless Internet network should know that Wi-Fi rarely comes without strings attached.

A study released yesterday by free-market think tank the Reason Foundation cautioned that municipalities should make sure the projects are both technologically and financially viable before jumping into the Wi-Fi fray.

Whether the Wi-Fi network is free or financed with taxpayer dollars, 'If officials get into the broadband [Internet] business, they are entering a field where the technology they bought today is obsolete tomorrow,' said Adrian Moore, a vice president of research at the Los Angeles-based foundation and one of the report's authors."

But on another front, it was good to hear that the University of Pittsburgh is rolling out Wi-Fi in Oakland and at each of its branch campus settings.

I love the idea that Pitt is doing Wi-Fi. That's who should be doing it -- because Pitt isn't really a governmental entity.

Note that the plans for a city-wide network, one that I'd fully support, have not been announced. I'd love to eat my words and see a Wi-Fi everywhere in the city, if not the county. But, I won't hold my breath.

The original report: Reason.org/wifibroadband/.

graffiti.maverick - on my exploratory committee...

FWIW.

graffiti.maverick - on my exploratory committee... I've always pretty much acknowledged that given my wacky politics and my refusal to join either party I couldn't win, but now I'm thinking if a 26 year old, with no real experience, can be mayor. Why not me. So I told Mike I'd form an exploratory committee to look into the idea. (no one just announces they're running for office. You always need to form a committee to investigate the possibility).

Welcome to the exploratory committee!

Josh had some pull with the media because he was still in high school.

LeRoy might have some great pull now, because he's in heaven.

This guy has a blog, at least.

It wouldn't be too hard to get onto the ballot, even as a Republican. But, you'll need to work about an hour for each of five signatures. So, you need 200 -- then you might expect to slave for 40 hours. And, the work needs to happen in a three week period.

To run for mayor as a candidate outside the D and R party, increase the workload by 20 times, at least.

As for electability, you are not only pretty, but modest as well. That combination is potent, as Bob O'Connor proved in 2005. In 2001 the public wasn't looking for pretty. In fact, our internal polls show that in 2001 pretty was a handicap. But, the trends may have shifted. Catch that wave, if you can.

Eastside Neighborhood Employment Center - PittsburghPlatform

Eastside Neighborhood Employment Center - PittsburghPlatform
# Nonprofit in Pittsburgh
# Hiring an executive director in December, 2006

Click the link for the details.

I've got a pending story to tell about job pointers I've been floating. But, this isn't the week to spill the details, so -- stay tuned.

But, don't delay on getting your application in the job with the Employment Center.

MacYapper: GET YOUR HEADS OUT OF YOUR BUTTS EDITION

MacYapper: GET YOUR HEADS OUT OF YOUR BUTTS EDITION If you people don't wake up and realize that I might have a point here, and at least weigh what other candidates have to say carefully, we're going to start another period of endless mediocrity in the 'Burgh.

And one thing we don't need in the 'Burgh is another period of endless mediocrity, run by old school pols.

Jeepers. MacYapper says "Think Again!" I'm olay with that, fur shore.

Perils for Pedestrians Episode 105: Dublin, Velo-City 2005

I've been a big advocate for a massive expansion of bike use in the City of Pittsburgh. While I like Bike-Pgh (the organization), I have felt that they have been too nice. While I like the approach to the rivers and more parks, I feel that the County Riverfront Park proposal of Dave Fawcett on County Council (and Jim Burn, D, too, I guess) is lame as it inserts bikes as a tourist thing when we really need bikes merged into transport to where people travel, and it isn't often to the river's edge. Bikes can flourish in certain parts of Pittsburgh. Got it? Well, this Google Video (like YouTube) on a past Velo-City conference in Dublin hits the sweet-spot in the campaign-presentation I've been craving. Check it out. Get your head around it. It would work for downtown, South Side, North Side, Oakland. And, the benefits will be local housing, residents. This isn't just to promote cycling. We can overhaul a few of our streets and have a huge upside for all, even those in cars. Perils for Pedestrians is a monthly series promoting awareness of issues affecting the safety of people who walk and bicycle. Perils For Pedestrians appears on public access cable stations in many cities across the United States and on DISH Network 9411 - The Universityhouse Channel.

BTW, I'll turn off the auto-play on this posting in a few hours. Comments about that are welcomed.

IamPgh -- does a bit on.... Mark Rauterkus

Just posted:

IamPgh � Mark Rauterkus Mark Rauterkus
NEIGHBORHOOD: South Side (Flats)
WORK: Swim Coach, Journalist, Political Activist
AGE GROUP: 40-50

I’ll ask up front that you, my dear readers, who may feel inclined to turn the comment section of this post into a vehicle for political argument to please refrain.

Read it there. Comment here, there and anywhere.

Allegheny County Democratic Committee

Allegheny County Democratic Committee: "Tuesday, December 05, 2006
More on the mayoral race"

We'll see if my comments at the Allegheny Dem blog stay on the site, or not.

Here is what I posted there.

In the blog posting above, you seem to hint that it's safe to say that all candidates will work with other public officials.

Why forget so quickly.

Mayor Tom Murphy, the biggest Dem in town for a dozen years, was NOT one to work with others. He was the best the Dems had to offer -- and he ruled the D party in town for years.

Tom Murphy didn't work well with others and the saddest thing of all was that the Ds with an ounce of juice really, hardly ever stood up to his folly.

There is little hope nor insurance that the Ds will offer a suite of candidates that work well with others. No guarantee at all.

Yeah, and Doyle is unbeatable -- so why did he take his Green challenger to courts in Harrisburg for an extended ploy to eliminate a challenger. That's unforgivable -- not unbeatable. They've already beaten up our shared democracy.

Jeff Koch is doing something on city council -- except it is as clear as mud

Here is a snip from the city clerk's web site showing the agenda of a pending (this week) Pgh City Council Meeting. This is a future city council meeting and we can expect a vote on something.

Bill number: 2006-0995

Resolution further amending and supplementing Resolution No. 180, effective April 5, 2000, entitled "Providing for an Agreement or Agreements, or use of existing Agreements and/or a Contract or Contracts, or use of existing Contracts, and for the purchase of materials, supplies, equipment, and/or services for various projects in connection with the Neighborhood Needs Program in Council District 3; and providing for the payment of the costs thereof," By adding new projects and by deleting various other projects. Total cost of all projects is not to exceed $970,000.
SPONSOR(S): JEFFREY S. KOCH

Wow. I bet you can't tell what is happening either.

We don't know how much money has been spent. We don't know how the money is slated to be spent. We don't know anything of the new spending plan for the money. We don't know squat.

This is a good example of why we have overlords in town running the city. The ones on city council are not responsible for being transparent and trusting when it comes to the spending of our money.

This makes for another good example of why those on council in a time of crisis should be put up for re-election every two years, not four. But, in this case with Mr. Koch -- that request will come true. Mr. Koch won a special election in March 2006 and will need to come before the voters in May 2007 for the primary and November 2007 for the general election, if he survives the primary challenges.

When bills such as these come before our city council, without specific insights in the slightest, then I'm saying we need different members on council.

In other city council news, I've put up a new public Google Calendar called Pittsburgh City Hall. If anyone wants to post dates and help to manage this calendar, or if you'd like to subscribe to this calendar, feel free to do so.

Mayor Ravenstahl will seek full term -- hardly. This election isn't for a 'full term' -- thankfully

Luke's in the race. Everyone knew he'd run for the job that he now holds. But, let's get the headline straight.

Mayor Ravenstahl will seek full term in office next year - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Mayor Ravenstahl will seek full term in office next year

Luke runs in the primary with a vote in May 2007. If Luke wins the D primary, he'll be able to advance to the general election in November 2007.

The winner of the November 2007 general election will take the oath of office shortly after the election is certified by the department of elections. That should occur a week or so after the general election, in mid-November.

The victor in the general election of November 2007 gets to serve as mayor for two years, the good lord willing. A full term of four years isn't going to be granted until after the election of 2009. Yes, another election and set of campaigns for Pittsburgh's mayor will occur in 2009 with its spring primary and fall general election.

I'm glad that voters get to choose who will be the mayor for the remainder of the term that began as Bob O'Connor was sworn to uphold the constitution and city charter in January 2006. I welcome the arrival of a full and robust election cycle in 2007, with both primary and general votes.

Come 2009, we'll do it again for the same office. That's great too, in my humble opinion.

We need a more robust system of self-government and democracy in this region. We need to supercharge all aspects of our self-reliance. That occurs, in part, on the campiagn trails and at the voting booths.

When the overlords arrived in the City of Pittsburgh, (i.e., Act 47 team and I.C.A. czars), I suggested that terms of service for all elected officials be cut in half. The mayor, controller and city council should come up for re-election every two years, not four years, when overlords are in town doing the jobs of the mayor, controller and city council.

We can talk about cutting the size of city council, from nine members to seven or five. We can talk about cutting the size of their budgets and perks too. But, perhaps we should cut the lenght of their time in office. Let's double-up on our democracy and vote more often. I want to better leverage the issues of the day with a match of the candidates.

The city's finance troubles of recent times came because of the poor jobs of the mayor, controller and city council. In these times of crisis, we need more accountability -- not less.

With oversight and its distressed status should come an automatic reduction in the length of terms.

Sure, some of those people have since departed. Let's keep them honest.

Thailand -- a photo opportunity thanks to Phipps

From texture - misc.

Bringing the tropics to Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens soon can walk into a lush, jungle-like paradise, with cascading waterfalls, streams, rocks, towering palm trees, the scent of jasmine and numerous wild plants native to Southeast Asia.

Welcome to Pittsburgh's mini-Thailand.

Next weekend, Phipps will open 'Tropical Forest: Thailand,' a $7.5-million, 12,000-square-foot exhibit that is part of the most ambitious expansion project the conservatory has undertaken since it opened in 1893, officials say.

Church and Christmas event: Eastminster's Light Up Night

Church event for Christmas, with buggy rides. (Click for larger view.)

Saturday, December 9, 2006, 6 - 8 pm at Eastminster Church (right across the street from Home Depot). Each year gets bigger and crazier (camels, sheep, live nativity, lights, drama and food). A great event for kids of all ages.

We won our swim meet on Saturday!