Fine Mess - News - News - Pittsburgh City Paper - Pittsburgh

Open up a business in Pittsburgh and have to deal with this treatment. Then the business closes. Go figure.

Fine Mess - News - News - Pittsburgh City Paper - Pittsburgh: "In 2005, Milton Barr used lots of green paint to cover the exterior of 1020 East Carson St. with a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles mural. But he may need a lot more green -- about $200,000 more -- to erase the fines he incurred by doing so.
Barr, 21, closed his South Side arcade and video-rental store, MIB Ninja Entertainment, in August. The lime-green Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles mural has since been covered with dark-red and brown paint. But although the mural is out of sight, it's still very much in the city's mind."

We used to shop there. We miss them. But, we don't miss them worth $200,000.

If South Siders have been complaining for years about the mural, whey is this the first I heard of the complaint? Was there ever an informational picket? Was there ever a letter to the editor? Perhaps there was and I just missed it -- stuck in my turtle shell.

And it isn't only the video store that is gone. MDI, the computer consultants that have been business people for the past decade or more are gone too. I noticed that the business was vacant a few weeks ago and it caused me to wonder. Now the answer is out, it seems.

By the way, our house in the South Side is just outside of the historic district. Perhaps he would like to buy the outside of my house for $200,000. Let's negotiate.

CBK, a big friend to the South Side

CBK, a women with grand hats, a warm approach and many friends on the South Side, was like none other. Peace to you and your family and your countless friends.

Swim tip: High hips in fly

The images above are from the 2008 Olympics, men's 200-meter fly, a semi-final heat. Sorry, I don't have the swimmers' names. Do you?

The important instance on this photo is the high hips with the black suit in the middle frame. See how much of the swimmer's body is above the surface of the water. The lower back, the bottom, the hips, and even a large bit of the top of the back of the legs are clearly in the air.

To get the hips high, the kick has to be deep and downward. Plus, the head needs to be low. It is impossible to have high hips when the head and feet are up. Everything can't be UP.

With the high hips, the feel for the swimmer is to drive over the water, dolphin style. Don't sink along in the water.

Finally, some say it is very hard for the rookie swimmers to swim butterfly in a slow manner. Swim fast. Swim fly as fast as you can. Get moving as it is not possible to get high in the water when the total speed is more rock-like.

HEAL Alabama

Nice video at HEAL Alabama. I wonder how the program is progressing?

http://FixPA.wikia.com/HEAL_Alabama

Shadowing

Nice photo of The Water Cube in Beijing.

We've got four days of shadowing -- starting today. Grant, 5th grader, is visiting a middle school, Frick, today.

Frick is the same school his brother, Erik, has attended for the past three years. But, Frick is changing next year. Frick moves out of Oakland and into a Reizenstein -- and it becomes a school with grades that span from 6th to 12th grades. Frick is a good school and we're sad to have it change in such a drastic way.

He'll also visit Rodgers, the creative and performing arts middle school on Nov 21. Rodgers isn't going to be where it is today next year either. Rodgers moves downtown and it gets merged into the CAPA High School -- making another 6th to 12th grade school. Grant's first natural talent, violin, won't be put on display there. Rather, he'll go for his other talent -- creative writing.

The present 6th grade creative writing group of students at Rodgers is without any boys. There are 11 slots for next year.

Meanwhile, Erik has a choice to make for schools for next year too. He'll visit Allderdice tomorrow, Nov. 13. Then on Monday, Nov 17, Erik goes to the I.B. High -- Reisenstein -- and tags along with a guy in 10th grade. The present 9th graders are in the basement of Frick Middle School. Next year they'll have a new flux of students at Reizenstein.

Tweets from @cameronmoll

So, the government and Fannie/Freddie want to help homeowners with overpriced mortgages stay in their homes.

Suzanne and I have been renting for 2+ years specifically to wait until homes come back down to reasonable purchase price.

Where's the government *home buying* program for those of us fiscally responsible enough to have avoided an overpriced mortgage?

The rich get richer, it seems.

Next up the American auto industry that has been pimping Hummers and SUVs for way too long.

For people to be free to have success there also needs to be a freedom to fail.

Flag quiz: Can you name them?

Click for a larger image.

Post your answers in the comments of this blog post.

It is a big world, isn't it.

At least five eye City Council seat - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

At least five eye City Council seat - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: "Theresa N. Smith, 49, of Westwood, a special education coordinator;"

Neighborhoodwalk Salute to Vets

For some reason, 11-11 was picked as a day to do this joint project for a "neighborhoodwalk." This gives good cause to offer up a walk that is a salute to all veterans. Honor, peace and wellness to all. Thanks for your service, in the past, present and future.

Let's hope -- as in HOPE -- that the United States does a great job in giving care to all our vets in the future with a robust VA Medical System. That is where the healthcare discussion should always begin.

And, let's HOPE that few men and women are injured and killed in service in the weeks, months and years to come.

Walls Are Bad - Outdoor Recreation in Southwestern Pennsylvania - Home Page

Walls Are Bad - Outdoor Recreation in Southwestern Pennsylvania - Home Page Talking about this on 3:15 pm and beyond today at AM 1360.

Neighborhoodwalk -- p1

From Mark Rauterkus & Running Mates ponder current events

Taking a long walk on a long pier.

As we get into winter, those here, are getting set for summer. Tonight, we feel a bit too much like those in Christchurch -- as we're without central heat.

Flag quiz: Name those flags, if you can.

Libertarian Party of Pennsylvania (LPPa) regains party status

Auditor General candidate, Betsy Summers, leads LPPa in vote total

Libertarian Party of Pennsylvania
3915 Union Deposit Road #223
Harrisburg, PA 17109
www.lppa.org

For Immediate Release: November 10, 2008

Contact: Doug Leard (Media Relations) at Media-Relations@lppa.org or
Michael Robertson (Chair) at 1-800-R-RIGHTS / chair@lppa.org


Harrisburg, PA – More than 170,000 Pennsylvanians voted for Libertarian Auditor General candidate Betsy Summers, thereby enabling the Libertarian Party to regain political party status in Pennsylvania.

With party status, the LPPa can participate in special elections and voter registration forms will include the LP as a pre-printed option. Unfortunately, the LP is still subject to Pennsylvania’s restrictive ballot access laws. According to State Senator Mike Folmer, “No state makes it more difficult for minor party and independent candidates to run for public office than Pennsylvania.”

In other state-wide races, LPPa candidate Marakay Rogers captured more than 105,000 votes for Attorney General and Berlie Etzel received more than 116,000 votes for State Treasurer. LP Presidential candidate Bob Barr received just 19,000 votes in Pennsylvania but over a half million votes nationally.

Per Media Relations Chair, Doug Leard, “We are happy to have regained party status and encouraged by the election results. Pennsylvanians cast 440,502 votes for Libertarian candidates. Betsy Summers received the second highest vote total in LPPa history. Berlie Etzel received the third highest total. Nationally, Bob Barr did the best of all our presidential candidates since Ed Clark in 1980.”

“We are also very optimistic about our future” continued Leard. “The big spending, big government, big bailout path of the Republican and Democratic parties present a significant opportunity for the Libertarian Party to become the standard bearer for Americans who believe in small, limited government.”

In other races involving the LPPa, James Fryman received 2.2% of the vote in the 5th Congressional District and Mary Lea Lucas received 15.5% of the vote in the 21st State Senate District. In General Assembly races, David Posipanka received 11.1% in the 35th district. Michael Robertson received 2.3% in the 63rd district. Vance Mays obtained 13.2% in the 64th district and Erik Sanchez received 1.8% in the 180th district.

LPPa Chairman Michael Robertson stated “I would like to thank all of our candidates and their supporters in this past election. The Libertarian Party of Pennsylvania and its candidates bring perspectives to the political discourse that others do not. We will continue to promote the fundamental American principles of individual liberty, personal responsibility, and limited government.”

The Libertarian Party is the third largest political party in Pennsylvania and the United States. More than 200,000 people across the country are registered Libertarians, and Libertarians serve in hundreds of elected offices. Please visit www.LP.org or www.LPPA.org for more information.

Rust Belt Neighborhood Walk - to happen in one day

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Cynthia Closkey, 724-602-2332, cynthia -at- mybrilliantmistakes -dot- com

BLOGGERS TAKE THE WORLD ON VIRTUAL TOURS OF REAL-LIFE NEIGHBORHOODS

They’re using cutting-edge technology to revitalize Rust Belt cities

The problems of post-industrial cities seem so complex, intertwined, and entrenched, it’s hard to imagine how to start restoring these places to their former glory.

But a group of bloggers says that getting started can be as simple as taking a walk.

The Neighborhood Walk is a chance for individuals throughout the Rust Belt of the U.S. and Canada to recognize the place they live, work, or call home — and to introduce it to the world. The project is the inspiration of a social network called Rust Belt Bloggers.

On November 11, 2008 (11/11/2008), bloggers, podcasters, vloggers, photobloggers and others throughout the Rust Belt region will each take a walk around their neighborhood, make media about it — a blog post, photo gallery, video, or whatever you prefer — and post it on the web.

More info.

Visit Rust Belt Bloggers at: http://rustbelt.ning.com

From Mark Rauterkus

I expect to have a tour of my neighborhood soon, so as to play along with the joint proect.

Ravenstahl calls for unity in Pittsburgh budget address

Ravenstahl calls for unity in Pittsburgh budget address: "Ravenstahl calls for unity in Pittsburgh budget address

When I hear the "UNITY" word, I get worried. When it is in a headline, it is worse.

Of course Luke Ravenstahl wants unity as he approaches a city election year. Duhh. He doesn't want competition.

Plus, he is trying to be 'family' centered -- as he is now a dad, for the first time.

Parenting can change your life. There is always a promise that it should.

Sounds like Philly is doing just what Pittsburgh did already. Cut recreation. So silly.

Sports Illustrated is one of many with job cuts looming

Sports Illustrated needs 40 bodies gone within two weeks, says managing editor Terry McDonnell:
For the reasons outlined in Ann Moore’s reorganization announcement of 10/28/08, the Sports Illustrated Group will reduce the size of its staff across all properties. At the magazine, we will reduce staff in the following guild-covered categories:
copy editors, photographers, designers, photo equipment technicians, picture catalogers, picture researchers, reporter-researchers, research assistants, writer-editors, writer-reporters.

A number of jobs not covered by the guild will also be eliminated at the magazine and across the group. Approximately 40 guild and non-guild volunteers are needed over the next two weeks to avoid involuntary job eliminations. If the number of volunteers falls short by Monday, December 1, involuntary layoffs will begin.

Like Disney's parade -- but yet different

On the Olympic Green, they had a parade. I got to stand next to the gal who was representing the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta. The dates were July 19 to August 4, 1996, as shown on her wings. All of the Olympics were with a different angel, of sorts. The main float is seen in the photo just over my head.

It was an interesting parade. And, it was fun to be on the subway home that day as all the dancers were boarding just as we were.

As for remembering, 18 years ago, today, we got married. I tweeted about our 'gift.'

The 1984 girl.

Have you been to jail for justice, recently?

Peace activist John Dear to speak here today: "The Rev. John Dear, a peace activist and Jesuit priest, will discuss his book 'A Persistent Peace' today at 7 p.m. at Joseph-Beth Booksellers, South Side.
He has been arrested 75 times for protests, but most recently made news because a former Guantanamo Bay prosecutor sought Father Dear's counsel before resigning over concerns about the fairness of the war crimes tribunals there.

A song title from Anne Feeney is, "Have You Been to Jail for Justice?"

Mayor writes himself a ticket to court

Mayor writes himself a ticket to court Mountain or molehill? There are, of course, two sides.

No. There are more than two sides. Even a coin has three sides, as you've got to count the edge.

First, the elected official needs to be honest. Don't use the ticket book and scratch another person's name on the citation. That's a lie. That's not honest and not 'transparent.'

Second, the elected official needs to do his or her job -- and not "over reach." The purpose of government needs to be understood and followed. As wires get crossed, things get ugly, very quickly. And, in turn, solutions are hard as hell to develop.

When city council becomes a developer, then the developers become the law setters.

If everyone did what the role called for them to do, then we'd be much better.

Our bus system builds a tunnel. Our housing authority sells air rights. Our stadium authority, from the time of Three Rivers Stadium, still exists.

Third, I have no problem with citations being delivered by folks other than the police -- if that policy can be passed by the people.

It would be great if the citizens could slap a ticket onto a parked car that blocks an intersection. We don't need the police to do that, all the time. If a dog drops a stinker on the sidewalk that isn't picked up -- it could result in a ticket for the dog owner, without police intervention. But, we'd need to adjust the regular mode of operations to allow that to occur.

If there is a will, there is a way. Some checks and balances need to be established. Some evidence of credit needs to be earned by the one who has the authority to deliver the ticket.

Judges will decide in the end. Fines need to be modest, if not minimal.

This theme, taken with a larger view, is much like a pollution case getting handed to a corporation from a neighbor rather than the EPA. Damages done can be collected in court between private parties.

We all have standing with air polution, illegally parked cars, and dogs crap on sidewalks.

"Our position is that in order for a parking ticket to be issued it has to be issued under the Pennsylvania Rules of Criminal Procedure, and only a police officer has the power to do that, to issue a citation."

That's B.S. Is a ticket a criminal procedure? And, what became of the notion that everyone is responsible for fighting crime?

I'd love to see expanded operations of the school crossing guards. They should be given the ability to write tickets. If a car speeds by a bus stop and the crossing guard takes notice of the license plate -- a ticket could / should be mailed to the car owner. I'd much rather have those powers in the hands of people rather than automatic stop-light cameras.

Try the Politics of Sports. - washingtonpost.com

Missing the Campaign? Try the Politics of Sports. - washingtonpost.com By Dave Zirin
Sunday, November 9, 2008; Page B05

It's a long-standing lament of the political activist: 'If only people devoted the time, effort and attention to politics that they apply to sports, we could change the world.'