4 Duquesne U. students have swine flu in Italy

4 Duquesne U. students have swine flu in Italy: "Four Duquesne University students visiting Italy with an opera group have been quarantined for the past several days with swine flu, but the quarantine was lifted today.

Welcome home.

Two new Facebook Friends from my coaching days at Plum

Hey Mark! I am not swimming any longer other than for recreational purposes only. However my wife and I have big plans for Little Emil. He is almost 11 months old now. We had him in the pool last summer and he loved it. Today will be his first experience this summer. Should be a good time!

I am not sure if you remember, but you coached a summer practice at the wave pool (brutal btw). There was a girl there named Erin Shearer. Well fast forward 15 years, we got married. We are celebrating our 5th anniversary in June. Time flies, huh?

Have a great day. I look forward to learning more about what is going on in your life.

I'm glad you got something out of that summer practice at the Wave Pool. :)

Thanks for the story.

Matt H. is now a FB friend too.

NCAA:Career Center plsts job: Assistant Swim Coach at GW

NCAA:Career Center: "Assistant Men's & Women's Swim Coach. The George Washington University. Men's and women's program needs an assistant swimming coach to assist the head swim coach. Ten month, part-time position with benefits beginning August 1 - May 31."

Is it too, too, too weird to apply for this swim coaching job just because Erik wants to go to and swim at G.W.? I think G.W. is the most expensive school in the nation, FWIW.

Meanwhile, I told my FB friends that I'm pissed that Western Illinois Univ cut both the mens and womens swim teams. I coached in Illinois. And, as a matter of fact, my wife and kids are in Illinois now -- but in Chicago. That news stinks.

I think I'd rather coach, in a virtual fantasy world, at GW rather than in WV Salem. But, being head coach is a plus. Dive would be about the same - be it 3 or 2 hours from Pittsburgh.

Back to the real world. If you need a job, you might consider this one with Duquesne Univ.

NCAA:Career Center: "Assistant Director,Athletic Development"

City-county merger spins its wheels

As to the merger:

City-county merger spins its wheels "I would draft [legislation] tomorrow, but the reason that we haven't is because we're trying to work with the Legislature and within their procedures," Mr. Onorato told some 200 attendees at the forum, sponsored by The Pittsburgh Foundation and the University of Pittsburgh Institute of Politics and held at the Heinz History Center.

That is an excuse. Might as well say that the dog ate my homework.

It is also exactly how NOT to lead as there is a leadership void.

Frankly, I'm happy to see Dan fumble as such. I don't support a merger. But he does. Onorato also has ambitions for being Governor. That post might require more effort in working with the legislature, something he is proving he can't do on an area that he has strong opinions about.

Mr. Onorato said an effort to develop a compact would be a distraction.

This is like saying that taking the first trips on a long journey is a distraction to getting at the final destination. So, packing the car for a beach vacation is only a distraction for putting your feet in the surf.

I said for nearly a decade that the next thing to merge should be Parks. It is in the parks where we teach and learn with our kids the value of playing well with one another. The parks discussion is a bold discussion that is going to engage thousands. Folks in the burbs care about their parks. Folks in the city care about their parks. There are no viable parks in the city that are county owned. The RAD Parks talk is going to generate heat. We'll need all of that energy at the outset of this long-and-winding road process and journey.

Do you just go the next 10 years trying to [merge] parks and recreation, trying to chip away at [information technology]?" he asked, hypothetically, after the forum. "If you really want to merge all of these departments, merge the governments. ... But if [legislators] are not going to move, obviously you could do the slow change.

Here is a loaded statement:

Rep. Dan Frankel, D-Squirrel Hill, said his gut told him that a referendum, if held soon, would fail, because of public perceptions of city government.

First of all, the public perception of city government, and county, and state government is in the toilet. Frankle helped put it there and his efforts keep it there too.

Furthermore Frankel tells us that he thinks and listens to his gut. He'd rather listen to his gut than listen to the voice of the voters. He is a know-it-all -- where his gut is the priority. The public's voice and the votes of the citizens mean nothing to Dan Frankle. He is royalty and has no cause for a referendum.

Of course the city put poison in the well of our shared democracy. Dan's act with Tom Murphy make him a prime culprit. Dan Frankle has been poisoned and he did much of the poisoning. And, his thinking with the gut to the exclusion of the people is more of the same.

Doug Shields wants full consolidation or nothing, meaning he wants Forrest Hills, Edgewood, Bethel Park, Avalon, and the others to be put into the same pot with Pittsburgh. He wants them all to be merged with Allegheny County. Doug, when pigs fly, you might get your wish. Doug is making another type of excuse.

On two accounts, I agree with Luke Ravenstahl. The position of Doug Shields is a poison pill of sorts. And, let's not fear the referendum by putting the question to a vote of the citizens.

Government consolidations represent the most complex conversation you are ever going to have with the electorate," said Joe Reagan, president and CEO of Louisville Metro Inc.

No way. There is a bit of complexity in the conversation. But, there are dozens of more difficult conversations. Let's talk about war, tourtue, socialized GM, privacy, personal liberties, eminent domain, treaties, UN, the Federal Reserve.

Looks as if we'll be playing some water polo this summer. I had a few good meetings today. More news soon.

Opening reception for the Homestead Labyrinth by artist, Lorraine Vullo

Lorraine Vullo is a friend, neighbor, running mate, parent of a musical boy and wonderful creator.

Friday June 12, 2009, 6:00 to 8:00 PM
Near the Pump House, Waterfront Drive E, Munhall, PA 15210
RSVP "yes" by Tuesday June 9: 412-464-4020 (Rivers of Steel National Heritage Area)

Please, RSVP 'yes' only to 412-464-4020 (Rivers of Steel)~ Thanks!

For directions, plug in 'Pump House, Waterfront Drive E, Munhall PA 15210' into the oracle of your choice (the Pump House is across the parking lot and a few hundred yards east from Lowes Home Improvement in the Waterfront-- not Loew's Cinema!)

Or, in general:

1. get on I-376 E, going either towards or from Monroeville
2. Take exit 5 toward Homestead - 0.2 mi
3. Merge onto Beechwood Blvd - 0.5 mi
4. Continue on Browns Hill Rd - 0.7 mi
5. Continue on Homestead Grays Bridge - 0.6 mi
6. Turn left at E 8th Ave/PA-837 - 1.3 mi
7. Turn left at Waterfront Dr E
Destination will be on the right - 0.7 mi

Arrive at: Homestead Pump House

Time to eat and get ready for a hockey game

There is this fast food joint that I'd love to skip to for a snack tonight.
The Penguins should eat some SQUID.

What's this with burritos?

Click photo for larger size.

Youth Sports Parents

Youth
Sports Parents: "The life and times of a 2-year-old billiards
champ"

Interesting read above.
But, on a similar thread -- Pittsburgh Phillips, K-5, Elem School, is once again in domination mode at the Allegheny County Mabels Championship. We got two kids going to New Jersey. One in 4th grade and the other in 5th. Phillips dominates that tournament. We're a marbles magnet, fur shore!

Chicago and long term deals and parking

Chicago Reader Blogs: Clout City: "Gripping the podium like it was David Hoffman’s neck, Daley informed the City Hall press corps that his administration would never, ever enter into a 75-year lease deal that wasn’t great for the city."

Communication Magic with sports helps Mute Boy Find His Voice

Orlando Magic Helps Mute Boy Find His Voice - ABC News: "While most Orlando Magic fans come to the games to see the action, all Izzy Rodriguez wants to do is listen to his son speak. It's a sound he thought he might never hear.
Diagnosed with an anxiety disorder called selective mutism, Ryan Rodriguez had never spoken more than a word or two while his preschool classmates chatted up a storm. But that changed one night when Ryan caught a Magic game on television and started pointing.
'He sat there and kept going, 'Me, me, play, play,' Rodriguez told 'Good Morning America. 'So I turn around and I do crazy things.'"

Retuned from base camp after 3 days in West Virginia

Updated.

We are about to depart basecamp. I'll be hard to reach for the next three days as we go deep into the wilds of West Virginia. I'll tweet as service and my cell phone battery allows.

This is a camping trip with my son and his 5th grade classmates.

Photos, on our return, have been uploaded.

Pittsburgh Phillips K-5 5th Grade Camping Trip - A for Athlete: "Pittsburgh Phillips K-5 5th Grade Camping Trip"

Your homework, should you choose to play along, is to log onto the new wiki, G-20, and start slugging in some content. The world's elite arrives in Pittsburgh in a few months. We've got to be ready for what that may or may not deliver. So, go here: http://g20.wikia.com/.

Original published on June 1, 2009.

Big thoughts for a hockey night in Pittsburgh

Hockey and freedom don't go hand in hand often. But, the do on ti blog, just because I can write, "Go Pens" and in the next champion liberty and the ways of freedom.

"Foolish liberals who are trying to read the Second Amendment out of the constitution by claiming it’s not an individual right or that it’s too much of a safety hazard don’t see the danger of the big picture. They’re courting disaster by encouraging others to use this same means to eliminate portions of the Constitution they don’t like."

-- Alan Dershowitz (1938- ) Felix Frankfurter Professor of Law at Harvard Law School Source: The Conceptual Foundations of Anglo-American Jurisprudence in Religion and Reason, 82 Mich L. Rev., 204 (Dan Gifford), 1995
http://quotes.liberty-tree.ca/quote_blog/Alan.Dershowitz.Quote.35FD

"I cannot assent to the view, if it be meant that the legislature may impair or abridge the rights of a free press and of free speech whenever it thinks that the public welfare requires that it be done. The public welfare cannot override constitutional privilege."

-- John Marshall Harlan (1899-1971) U. S. Supreme Court Justice
Source: Patterson v. Chicago http://quotes.liberty-tree.ca/quote_blog/John.Harlan.Quote.4051

"Here the great art lies, to discern in what the law is to be to restraint and punishment, and in what things persuasion only is to work."

-- John Milton (1608-1674) Poet
1644 http://quotes.liberty-tree.ca/quote_blog/John.Milton.Quote.7103

Prediction: Marky Billson and mates will win the Steelers Trivia Contest!

Marky Billson, running mate of sorts, writes:

If you haven't heard I am going to be participating in KDKA's Steelers Trivia contest this Saturday at 1 p.m. My team, comprising of Jim Botti of the Hellgaters and WDVE and Shawn Mullooly, formerly of the Johnstown Tribune-Democrat, is called "Stairway to Seven" and the taping is at the One Gateway Center studios in Downtown Pittsburgh.

I would like to invite all of you to see the taping! Perhaps afterwards I can meet with you (haven't seen you all for so long) and we could then watch the Pens in the evening or go out and get caught up in the afternoon!

For those of you who don't know, I had been covering the New York Mets for New York Metro, an international tabloid, this spring http://www.metro.us/us/article/2009/05/04/01/4612-82/index.xml

and http://www.metro.us/us/article/2009/03/13/03/3628-82/ . It was great to be in Florida and writing for a New York audience.

The good news is I've been talking to some people about some Pittsburgh gigs, so hopefully I will be able to move back to the Greatest City in the World next month! I know I'll enjoy seeing you who can attend this weekend!

Groups eager for role in helping Pittsburgh host G-20 summit

If you are not sure, what the hell is going on, then the best things to do is go to a wiki and make it up.
If you want to escort Michelle Obama around, simply make a page on the G-20 wiki, http://g20.wikia.com, called, Michelle Obama Escorts, and go nuts. Tip: I just made the page for you.

Groups eager for role in helping Pittsburgh host G-20 summit: "Groups eager for role in helping Pittsburgh host G-20 summit
Wednesday, June 03, 2009
By Mackenzie Carpenter, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
As the city readies itself for the G-20 summit Sept. 24 and 25, those lusting for a piece of the action during Pittsburgh's two days in the international spotlight would be well-advised to remember this line from the Robert Altman movie about Hollywood, titled, tellingly, 'The Player':

Have fun. Make it up as it comes to your imagination. And, tell us what little you know -- or don't know.

Lawmaker calls for state campaign contribution limits

Good start.

Lawmaker calls for state campaign contribution limits: "a business that got a state contract of $50,000 or more would have to submit an itemized list of all political contributions made by its officers, directors, associates, partners and limited partners. The report would have to list the size of the contract the business got and the service it provided.

How many others are on as co-sponsors?

The business that gets a state contract also needs to submit employees on that itemized list.

Pittsburgh Independent Examiner, new blog and voice

Mike is a 'running mate' of sorts. I often link to his stuff. But, not always.

Pittsburgh Independent Examiner Mike FerencePittsburgh Independent Examiner"

---

update:
http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-12613-Pittsburgh-Independent-Examiner~y2009m6d3-War-tactics-should-be-applied-to-Irish-Catholic-abusers-and-those-who-covered-up-crimes

Here’s the link to my first article with the examiner, an Internet-based newspaper. I’ll be covering politics/religion in the Pittsburgh region. In the future I’ll be reporting on individuals who have been sexually, physically and emotionally abused, much like in the recently released study on Irish Catholic institutions in Ireland.

Home from camping with 32 5th graders

Hello Mother, Hello Father, so goes the humor-filled song about summer camp. Well, we're home from West Virginia. A great time at the EKC with Phillips teachers and kids.

G20 Wiki is just open. HELP! We get by with a little help from our friends!

G20 Wiki: "The wiki is about the 2009 G-20 Summit slated for Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA in September 2009. Anyone can edit this wiki. 1 articles since"

Hey Pittsburgh, we need to yap about the G-20 Summit -- in more meaningful ways. We need to run our conversations onto wiki pages.

Thanks.

If you need help, just go to a 'discussion page' and type.

DeJuan Blair Has Slimmer Look, Same Big Dreams | Bleacher Report

DeJuan Blair Has Slimmer Look, Same Big Dreams | Bleacher Report: "Ten weeks have passed since DeJuan Blair played his final game in a Pitt uniform, and to see him at the NBA Draft Combine on Thursday afternoon, one message hit home more than any other.
The big guy may have left Pittsburgh, but Pittsburgh isn’t about to leave him.
Blair is the same well-grounded guy even if he does figure to be a whole lot richer a month from now. He still flashes the same smile that’s as wide as the free throw lane, one that he practically owned last season.

The Art of News: Flashback. RIP Richard J. Walters

Facebook | Videos Posted by The Art of News: The Art of News - episode 3, part 2: "Videos Posted by The Art of News