Bob Traupman, RIP

Dad, sports fan, friend of kids, caring, businessman, barber.

This is shocking news.

Bob was a new neighbor to the South Side, in a sense. He opened a business on East Carson. He was the one who generally cuts my hair.



The last time I went into the shop he told me a story of walking to a dog owner, stricking up a conversation and then he made it clear that the shit from his animal needed to be pulled off the ground, without question. His kid plays here and for some time, (weeks / years), his habits haven't been appreciated.

He was direct. No nonsense.

Bob is going to be missed, greatly.

Sounds as if he had a massive heart attack. The day before his hands and feet had some swelling. He didn't feel as if he needed to go to see a doctor.

PG obit:

Robert J. Traupman Sr.

TRAUPMAN ROBERT J., SR.
Loving husband, father, son, brother and Barber, unexpectedly on Monday, September 14, 2009. Beloved husband of Julia (Geiger) Traupman; loving father of Gemma C. and Robert J. Traupman, Jr.; son of Ronald D. Traupman, Sr. and Roberta "Bert" (Huber) (Charles) Rodger; brother of Ronald D. (Shelly) Traupman, Jr.; survived also by nieces, nephews and cousins. Friends may call Thursday 2-4 and 6-8pm at O'BRIEN'S, 3724 California at Cooper Aves., N.S. Funeral Service in St. Michael and All Angels Evangelical Lutheran Church Friday, 11am.
www.obriensfh.com

Published in Pittsburgh Post-Gazette from September 16 to September 17, 2009. Guestbook.

The video above was from March 2009 when Patrick Dowd was putting price tags on garbage cans.

Got some ink in local paper from email blast: Along with casino and closed schools for G-20

Got some ink in a local edition of a newspaper.

Steel Valley joins schools that will close during G-20 - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: "Mark Rauterkus, a past Libertarian nominee for various Pittsburgh offices, said the conference 'is worthy of everyone's time and attention.'
Organizers are charging an admission of $25, $10 for students, to cover rental of the hall and expenses for speakers. The Web site freedomconference2009.com has more details.
PennDOT said its driver's license and photo center in the Pittsburgh State Office Building will be closed for three days beginning Wednesday.
In a promotion, Rivers Casino said it will raise the flags of the G-20 nations today and fly them through the summit.

Bad signs in mayoral race - Blogs - Slag Heap - Pittsburgh City Paper

Bad signs in mayoral race - Blogs - Slag Heap - Pittsburgh City Paper: "Bad signs in mayoral race"

My $.02:

Teamwork matters. Running mates matter. If these two played off of each other, then we'd have something to watch and think about -- and talk about too. That would get Luke's attention.

Dok and Kevin should be doing join things every day. Sure, they've got to do their own actions, but once or more a day their paths should cross and cross with some gusto.

It takes two to tango.

The two can and should be in a dance at the expense of the current administration. But, teamwork is necessary.

Sadly, the conventional wisdow from the Acklin / DeSantis realm is mostly devoid of teamwork.

The photo above was from a skating event hosted by Bill Peduto, a long time ago.

Help with tickets for friend to Jean-Michael Cousteau on Oct 14

A grad school friend wants two tickets to Jean-Michael Cousteau on Oct. 14. She is trying to get tickets. Got em? Advice and leads welcomed. HELP!

[412-public-news] Fwd: G20 - Freedom Conference 2009, Tuesday Sept 22, 7:00pm at Soldiers and Salors Hall

[412-public-news] Fwd: G20 - Freedom Conference 2009, Tuesday Sept 22, 7:00pm at Soldiers and Salors Hall: "Freedom Conference 2009, Tuesday Sept 22, 7:00pm at Soldiers and Salors Hall"

ESPN: The local leader in sports?

ESPN: The local leader in sports?: "ESPN: The local leader in sports?"

Cue Sheet for a great adventure -- That Dam Ride

Some of the best times of my life. 

That Dam Ride -- here we come!

From NZ bike

Erik, Grant and I are on a trip this weekend. We're biking 140 miles. Half on Saturday. Back on Sunday. The night in the middle is in a tent. We'll be starting in Boston, just past McKeesport. We'll head up the trail to the dam. Snacks, lunches, evening meal is provided.

It takes us 7 hours if we go 10 miles per hour. If we go 20 mph, we'll wrap up in under 4 hours. We'll be somewhere in the middle.

BS no meeting was document back in September 2009

I lived with this administrative silliness and incompetence for nearly a decade.

After much struggle, we did get in a game with South Park. We also got the okay to play in a middle-school tournament at Chartiers Valley with a co-ed team while using some 9th grade rookie players. 

 These kids signed up to play water polo. They went to Schenley High School, that would then become Obama.

“Why Don’t Students Like School?” Well, Duhhhh… | Psychology Today

Interesting parenting / teaching post.

“Why Don’t Students Like School?” Well, Duhhhh… | Psychology Today: "Ask any schoolchild why they don't like school and they'll tell you. 'School is prison.' They may not use those words, because they're too polite, or maybe they've already been brainwashed to believe that school is for their own good and therefore it can't be prison. But decipher their words and the translation generally is, 'School is prison.'

Swimming was CUMPULSORY

Swimming was CUMPULSORY

Free food for kids in the evenings

Wednesday, September 02, 2009
By Rich Lord, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Kids from kindergartners to 18-year-olds can get free meals from 5 to 7 p.m. at 10 city of Pittsburgh community centers starting on Tuesday, Mayor Luke Ravenstahl's administration announced today.

Meatloaf and potatoes, hot dogs and beans, spaghetti and other meals -- plus fresh fruit -- will be served. The meals will be prepared by Nutrition, Inc., and the program is federally funded.

Allegheny County has been feeding kids through the program since 2000, but it's new to the city community centers including Ammon, Arlington, Brookline, Jefferson, Magee, Paulson, Phillips, Ormsby, Warrington and West Penn.

Read more: http://post-gazette.com/pg/09245/994941-100.stm#ixzz0PxuVmUFS

CCAC hosts a town hall of sorts with Bob Casey on Setember 1. Back to school and sick already?

On Tuesday, September 1st, one of PA's U.S. Senators, Bob Casey, ishosting a public forum to discuss the Affordable Health Choices Act, the Senate's Health Care Bill. Arrive early. Doors open an hour before the event and seating will be on a first-come, first-served basis.
Tuesday, September 1 at 10:00 am, Community College of Allegheny County, Allegheny Campus, Foerster Student Service Center, Ridge Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Doors open to the public at 9:00 am. Seating is first-come, first-served.

PA wastes money on special election - with few to vote anyway

PA Senator Scarnati (R) ordered a special election to fill Senator Wonderling's seat. It is costing the state of PA hundreds of thousands of dollars and there is a real election five weeks later, so what's the rush? It's a bogus political move by a man who ended up Lt. Gov, an elected position, without being elected himself. I called to ask why a costly special election was needed right before the real election and was given attitude about it because "no one else is calling to complain." So let's change that.

SO CALL AND COMPLAIN. TELL THEM HE IS LT. GOVERNOR BY LUCK, HE WASN'T ELECTED, AND YOU WILL NEVER VOTE FOR HIM IN THE FUTURE ELECTION UNLESS HE DOES SOMETHING.

He is Lt. Governor Scarnati, 1 (717) 787-7084. Do it now.

Blackhawk needs a swim coach

Part Time Head Coach
PENNSYLVANIA, BEAVER FALLS
Blackhawk Cougar Aquatic Team
Listed July 2, 2009

The Blackhawk Cougar Aquatic Team is seeking qualified applicants for the position of Head Swim Coach. The BCAT Swim Team, located 25 miles NW of Pittsburgh, is a year round program training the majority of the season September-June at the High School. During the summer long course season June-July they train at two local outdoor pools. The position is part-time with potential to grow to full time position with significant growth of the team. BCAT is a growing club with 50-60 year-round swimmers. Swimmers have competed and excelled at the local, district, state, sectional and national levels. The coach will have authority to develop the swim program, train assistant coaches into his or her system, and will be responsible for the day-to-day operations of the team. The Head Coach is responsible for managing age group and assistant coaches while directly running the senior and national level training group. Other duties include running team practices, workout design/implementation, practice scheduling, assisting with team registration, fundraising, attending swim meets, and hosting at least 3 meets per year. The position will also require working with a dedicated and active parent volunteer booster group. Successful candidates must currently be ASCA Level 2 or 3 or be willing to obtain, USA certified, CPR/AED/First Aid certified, American Red Cross Lifeguarding certified. Applicants must have 3 years experience as head or assistant coach in a year round program, either club or college. Experience with Hy-Tec Meet/Team manager is desired. The position will be filled by August 20, 2009. Visit www.bcatswim.com. Interested candidates should submit a letter of application, resume and a list of three references with current addresses and phone numbers to Tom Marshall, President, Blackhawk Cougar Aquatic Team, PO Box 1651, Beaver Falls, PA 15010. Email 5marshalls@comcast.net 724-650-4643.

Water Polo Practice -- update -- Highland Park Pool now from 10:30 am to noon, T, W, Th, F

Water polo practice is happening at Highland Park Pool, with Citiparks help, from 10:30 am to noon on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday this week.

New players are most welcome.

On Saturday we go to IUP for an early morning series of matches.

Get a taste of open water swimming

Outside the box promo video.

Spoke at City Council

On August 24, 2009, Erik and I went to Pittsburgh City Council and made some simple statements. Sadly, the video format from Viddler is no longer supported.

Getting ready for G-20 by watching this

Homework:

Water polo action -- not highlights, just final moments of practice

We played polo with 22 kids at the practice today. Five were from Seneca Valley and 17 were from the ones we've been playing with in the city. One new Citiparks player arrived, Goda! A few of the SV kids were in college too! One guy swimmer is slated to be a sophomore at Central Catholic.

Getting the visitor was a great boost to our play and spirits. Many of our players are young -- and that is good for the future, but seeing the strength and speed of the older kids provided a great lesson. To protect and control the ball became much more of an issue.

The video shows the final moments of more than 30-minutes of scrimmages. The players were split (not so evenly) into three sides. Games to three goals and winning team stays in the pool. One team did not win them all. About six or so games were played.

This is something you can do too.

Recap of activities:
Exercise routine: Ankle spins, wrist flex, gentle neck rolls. Full range of motion arm swings: right-arm forward, left-arm forward, right-arm backward, left-arm backward, up the side, up the fronts, horizontals, opposities, opposite-opposities, right-arm 8s, then reverse with right-arm, left-arm 8s, then reverse with left arm. Trunk twists with kick on one leg then the other. Right leg swing front and back. Left leg swing front and back. Right leg swing left and right. Left leg swing left and right. Squat. Squat jumps with one arm up. Squat jumps with 2 arms up.

Self Intoductions: Name, year in school, school.

Swim 4 lengths (25 y) with shaddow / partner. Easy warm-up.

Swim with ball / dribble to other side, 4 times.

Swim / dribble to other side, at whistle, reverse direction.

Ball up in one hand and scull / tread to other side.

Swim to goal and score. After you drive and shoot, turn to defense. Shoot to 2nd goal and then defend. Then to third goal.

Mega take-a-way game. All but 4 start with ball in the air. Defense is without the ball and swim to player and take the ball away. Then ball exits pool. Down to last couple of players with a ball in the air and work to take it away from that player. Defense attacks. Offense needs to twist with arm extended yet keep control of the ball under pressure.

Three groups: (5 minutes each group, then switch)

Group 1 with Tom to do rear-back shots on goalie.
Group 2 do drive shots on goalie with defender 5 seconds behind.
Group 3 do dry passing and shots on goalie.

Scrimmage: White, Purple and On-Deck (45 minutes)



Group photo.

Pretzel, thanks to Grant.

Coach Tom Fletcher and the SV players hope to come back to join us again, perhaps on Tuesday. But, we also learned at the practice that the last day of swimming at Ammon is slated for Sunday. Then they will drain the water out of the pool. So, we'll have to re-locate the sessions and the equipment, hopefully to Highland Park Pool. Stay tuned.