Back in Happy Valley

Loving New Jersey

My niece, 6 at the time, surprised me over Christmas when she declared New Jersey her favorite state.

Her visit to the Garden State last summer apparently sealed the deal, vaulting the state (and her view of it) to the top spot over California and others.

I expected that to change after her trip to California in February, and after our trip to Wyoming just last week.

But no, the now-7-year-old remained steady when asked her favorite states, volunteering New Jersey immediately for the top spot.

The others landed this way: 2. California, 3. Arizona, 4. Las Vegas, and 5. Wyoming.

Out of the picture entirely are her home state of Colorado and her uncle's Pennsylvania.

By now you're asking what exit?, or more precisely why in the world would she pick New Jersey?

The answer is simple: Her view of it is an Avalon condo with two swimming polls out front and the beach a block away.  Miniature golf is close by in every direction, as are fields so she can run and do cartwheels until it's time again for the pools. The people are nice and even the food is good.

Some state it is, isn't it?

Cassidy really should be featured in New Jersey tourism commercials. She'd convince you.

It takes a downpour

It has stopped raining since I returned from the ultra-dry west.

It really has.

But an intense afternoon downpour is just the latest of a dreary day, except for my brief visit to Penn State when it actually cleared up.

The contrast to the dry west is striking. If only they could look at Happy Valley.

By now, though, I'm looking for sunshine. Aren't you?

A wet track record

Back from a west that's way too dry, and happy to be in a Happy Valley that's nice and green.

How often does it rain here?

Well it rained at least twice, perhaps three times so far today, but my question is overall.

Without looking it up to be official, I'll share my personal track record of returning flights to University Park Airport.

I've flown back five times so far this year and every time there was precipitation. It didn't snow that much this winter, but I flew back into two snow events.

It's been raining the other three times, including last night, when we arrived on time after 11 p.m.

Nothing like continuing a wet track record, but we should be thankful. It's the opposite out west.

Volunteers make it happen

Our great events in Centre County are driven by volunteers, and it's amazing the work they put in year in and year out to get everything together.

The 4th Fest, the arts festival and the upcoming Grange Fair are just three of many.

I'm here at another volunteer-driven event, the Frontier Days in Cheyenne, a fantastic annual celebration of western life and of the rodeo.

Volunteers make this happen in a big way, and visitors from all over the world feel as welcome as anywhere right here in Wyoming.

The first rodeo Saturday was topped by the most amazing event, the wild horse race, that has to be seen to believed.

If you like the west and the rodeo, this is a place for you every year in late July.

And just like at home, volunteers keep it going.

Blue toes

The Inquirer featured a story Sunday on blue toes at the shore, and the people I've talked to confirm that it's cold, cold water along the New Jersey coast.

Oh, how I remember.

I don't frequent the shore often anymore, being quite happy here in Happy Valley, but I remember one or two summers that featured cold, cold water throughout July 4 and our annual mid-July vacation.

It was so hot, yet so cold in the water. Oh, do I remember.

I can appreciate the blue toes story and hope that kids, especially, get warm water soon. It's not only hard to explain, cold water this far into the summer is miserable.

The Gricar probe

In case you missed it, here's our Sunday editorial titled " A sorry spectacle" on the three-plus-year-old probe into the disappearance of former DA Ray Gricar.

Any Gricar case story or editorial sparks highly charged reactions, and this one is no different. But this needed to be said after the dualing press conferences recently and the no-news status of this probe.

Good stuff, and food tips

It's another great arts festival, and I hope you can get here. There's nice variety, some affordability, and nice additions such as student artists and Pennsylvania artists.

Good stuff, all right here.

I'm always an arts festival fan, so this is no surprise.

A couple surprises did come on the food beat, and at the risk of turning this into a food blog I'll share them.

Count me as a longtime chicken on a stick fan, and I think it's better than ever this year. Also, I could be wrong, but it seems the platter came down in price. For $10 you get a great platter that is worth going back for again and again. I'll get one for sure Sunday.

And here's an update on the Philly pretzel place that just opened on Allen Street. The pretzels are great, so I'm already hooked. Went there early today and no doubt will go back more than a few times.

There's nothing like one of those pretzels loaded with mustard walking around State College. Now there's a twist.

Be sure to enjoy the festival, everyone.

Kansas packs the house

I sat in the State Theatre Friday night, amid a packed crowd, enjoying Kansas and thinking: "Has it really been 34 years?"

Yep, 34 years since Kansas took us by storm, and we bought album after album.

Kansas did an excellent job and made those memories come alive, and we all left with a resounding "Carry on my Wayward Son" still in the air.

I was impressed with "Eleanor Rigby," a Beatles' tune that I had never heard from Kansas. Turns out the band recorded it in 1997 and I'll track down the CD.

Kansas received a plaque from the State Theatre for bringing a sellout, and all in all it was a great arts festival Friday night show.

No concern for accuracy

Jake Tanis should move to State College if he wants to shout about the highest tax rates in the county.

They're here, right in the borough.

They're not in Penns Valley, and therin lies the problem with his three-year-old sign that catches the eye of Route 45 motorists.

He's entitled to free expression, but you would think as an elected official he'd strive for accuracy.

And you would think as an elected official he'd own up to what he's doing and talk about why the sign in still in place.

No, he doesn't do that, as you can read in Dena Pauling's story today.

At least now you know that the sign is not accurate, no matter what Tanis doesn't say.

A drenching start

Festival weather looks great for Happy Valley, as long as you start with Thursday when the events really begin.

A drenching rain this morning is with us for Kid's Day, unfortunately. No doubt the kids will be fine but will the adults?

Shoppers should be in luck starting Thursday, with cool and nice conditions. Perfect festival weather, in fact.

I won't complain.

Enjoy the festivals

This is the best week of the summer here in Happy Valley, and it hits me every year now that I'm back that I can enjoy it without traveling.

That's truly amazing, even after being here six years, to know going in that festival week is local for me.

I hope, as I always do, to get out and walk around at each event -- in Boalsburg, in State College and at Penn State, and in Philipsburg.

All are different, all are great, and here's encouraging you to join us it you can for a wonderful week of the summer.

Rough road ahead

I found myself on Interstate 86, the southern New York state expressway, over the weekend and came to a sign: "Rough Road Ahead: 8 miles."

It was near Salamanca and so it went, some choppy conditions on a nice road with a beautiful view.

Reminded me of Pennsylvania. Our roads are just like that.

I think you know what I mean.

DA dogfight continues

This week's district attorney dogfight continued today with DAs from around the state traveling to Bellefonte to defend Centre County's DA and trash Montour's DA.

Now allow me to ask if this is the best use of DA time and taxpayer money?

Seriously now, they could have sent letters supporting Michael Madeira or made noise otherwise, rather than spending a day coming here.

And seriously now, these guys know little or nothing about the case, or essentially the level of what they're accusing Montour's Bob Buehner’s of knowing.

We're three days and counting into this DA dogfight. Can we hope or expect that real time will go toward the Ray Gricar case, rather than barking at each other?

Finally, Philly pretzels

Now I have to admit, when I fly through Philly airport the thing I look for, and take along, are the pretzels.

I buy a three-pack, no matter what the trip, and I dig into them before the plane takes off. Happens every time.

Now, they're coming to State College, and count me as one who can't wait. Other readers feel the same way, from today's posts on Jennifer Thomas' Bits of Business column.

I'll be a regular at Dave and Jennifer Rosania's shop, no doubt. They're filling an obvious need.

Get the mustard ready, Happy Valley.

Open Grange 'town hall'

llow me to applaud the idea of a Grange Fair "town hall conversation" featuring the 17th Congressional candidates, with one key reservation.

The plan as stated, as reported today by Mike Joseph, would limit attendance to 100.

May I ask why? The fair is the perfect place to have a large gathering of all ages attend a political debate and participate in the process. The perfect place. Put it on the grandstand and invite everyone.

Limiting it makes little sense and I would hope that part of the WPSU plan is fully examined. There's plenty of time, and there's no reason to create a regulated environment.

Just the view from here.

More airline hits

We're turning this into a travel blog, or so it seems, with the continuing airport news.

Today Harrisburg took a huge hit, losing American service and the US Airways Pittsburgh flights in coming months.

The American cut is big one, taking with it direct flights to Chicago and Dallas-Fort Worth. When I lived in Harrisburg I took American all the time, regarding it as the best airline serving the capital city, and feeling that way even though I hated flying through O'Hare.

Lately I took it only enough to use air miles, and recently I got a good price on a weekend trip to Chicago.

United, at the moment at least, will still connect Harrisburg passengers with Chicago. I should underline for the moment.

These are trying times for everyone, and they're doubly trying for airlines that have been on the edge for so long.

Passengers are going to have to decide whether they really want to make that trip, and perhaps they'll have to drive to the big airports to do it.

A bummer

Have to say I grew to enjoy those University Park to Cincinnati flights and the great connections they allowed to the west.

I must have taken the route 10 times and even had favorite stops at Cincy airport.

Delta won me over, and now we're losing that run in what is a big setback for the airport.

It was bad enough losing Pittsburgh, when US Airways decided we have to always fly to Philly. But Cincy is a tough one.

I only have one flight booked -- a western trip in November -- that will have to change because of this. It will be interesting.

But now I guess I'll learn to like Philly a bit more. Or Dulles, or Detroit. You too, perhaps.

Making a mark

It's great to read the online tributes to Maralyn Mazza, posted with Dena Pauling's wonderful story about her wonderful career.

These tributes are well deserved. Clearly Mazza made a mark, and I've been impressed with South Hills every since I moved back to Happy Valley.

Maralyn Mazza made it work, and I doubt she'll ever really retire. And why not? She loves it, and everyone loves her.

Make sure to read the story, and the comments, and you'll know all about Mazza and her contributions.

The Year of Still Here

Leave it to Jimmy Buffett to come up with just the right name for a 2008 tour by an incredibly popular 61-year-old with millions of Parrothead fans worldwide.

The name: "The Year of Still Here."

Perfect, in a year of economic turbulence and uncertainty.

What a concert it was Saturday night at jam-packed Citizens Bank Park in soggy Philly. We were drenched, but that never matters at Buffett concerts.

In a word it was awesome, as good as any Buffett concert that I've seen, living up to the billing of "The Year of Still Here."

Buffett was delayed by the rain but played late into the night, and I can still hear "Glory Days" in the Philly air and see the fireworks that followed.

There were great versions of all the songs you expect, including personal favorites "One Particular Harbour," "Five O'Clock Somewhere" and of course "Margaritaville."

In short, Buffett is rowing right along, delighting many of us. He's a true treasure, and now I can thank him for "The Year of Still Here."

Food for thought

A couple things to think about on his beautiful Happy Valley Thursday night:

-- What if the police just start arresting tailgaters in the parking lots on a football Saturday. Just like that. Public drinking, you know. Well, how different would that be to arrests and court action now in the annual Mifflin Streak. All of a sudden. Just like that.

-- And what if the Pennsylvania legislature, amazing this observer and many others by actually agreeing to a smoking ban and listening to overwhelming public sentiment, takes a fresh look at motorcycle safety and realizes that a helmet law is indeed a good thing. Perhaps it would take a year or more, like smoking, but maybe they could do it. Would make perfect sense given that fatalities are on the rise.

A final edition

A California high school newspaper is history, killed by the principal over a flag-burning photo and editorial.

Here's what happened, and any young journalists should read it with interest.

We all want free expression but good judgment must prevail, and it clearly didn't in this case.

Utley a class act

Phillies fans reading this blog should check out the Chase Utley celebrity story from Philly today.

Utley is the ultimate class act, and anything more I say about him will sound like what Manager Charlie Manuel says time and time again.

The Phils are hot and Utley is on fire, and the fans are loving it. Around Citizens Bank Park you can see Utley shirts everywhere.

I'll just keep watching and enjoying the play of an all-star Phillie who just might rank with the baseball greats years from now.

Peterson's pick

"Millions directed to one local company," the headline reads.

It's one of the stories in our congressional earmarks package, but it certainly stands out, doesn't it? How does one local company earn such favor from Congress?

You can learn how U.S. Rep. John Peterson, R-Pleasantville, went about choosing the company in Barb Barrett's story, and you'll discover exactly what congressional "pork" is like.

And as you read it, picture it going on all through Congress, with Republicans and Democrats playing equally in the earmarks game. Some of them are pretty good too, as seen in U.S. Sen. Bob Casey's first year.

This begs for reform, just begs for it, yet who will lead? The Democrats certainly haven't reformed anything since they got back into congressional power.

What will it take?

Let's hope the attention now focused on earmarks gets people talking and demanding change. That's our only hope.

January wasn't so bad

Why am I thinking back to January and February today, as the temps rise to perhaps a record in Happy Valley?

Happens every year, when I reflect on winter and how I just couldn't wait for the summer heat.

Then, months later, it hits like a sledgehammer. It feels like mid-July in Happy Valley, and I'm already thinking of January.

Seriously folks, what I'm expressing is how great it is to live in central Pennsylvania, where we do have four seasons.

You always look ahead to the next one or two, and I'm doing a bit of that today.

Attention on earmarks

This special report on congressional earmarks, starting today in the Centre Daily Times and continuing Monday, is the product of cooperative journalism among papers and coordination by the Associated Press Managing Editors group.

It truly sheds light on a process that is clearly out of control. Nobody apparently can change it, to make it work out in the open. So this report sheds needed light on it.

Here's our Sunday package, and here's my Sunday column explaining how this came about. We're quite proud of it.

Outbreak of Phillies Fever

I really had to take the temperature myself, as Phillies Fever is in the air with the Phils in first place already in this young season.

Visited Citizens Bank Park for Thursday's day game and saw a masterful pitching effort by Cole Hamels.

Also saw another sellout crowd and got a good feeling that the Fever is indeed hot.

No boos were heard and hundreds of seniors got into the act at the end taking a senior stroll around the bases.

All in all it was a great time, made even better by watching the game from a prime table at Harry the K's bar/restaurant.

Chase Utley almost hit another, but the Phils had enough thanks to Reds' errors to win 5-0.

Great time, and I suggest you get your tickets now. Sellouts will be the order of business this year, it's quite apparent, and why not. There's a serious outbreak of Phillies Fever.

17-cents-a-mile

I spent the morning in Bellefonte in the county jury pool.

Wasn't picked, but it was interesting and well worth the time. Maybe next time around.

With gas prices on everyone's mind, I couldn't believe the announcement that gas mileage for jury duty is still 17-cents-a-mile.

Yep, that low, but you can't blame the county. I'm sure it won't surprise you that the state is at fault, not seeing fit to raise the mileage reimbursement as prices have skyrocketed.

Of course, why would this even register in Harrisburg, with so many other things to do (or not do)?

BEA's amazing run

Sports editor Ron Bracken in on the short road to retirement, and I'm sure you're enjoying his columns each Sunday.

He's a Bald Eagle Area graduate, and I've mentioned that the Eagles are sending him off in a big way.

Consider three district championships this spring, highlighted in today's editorial.

That's amazing, and the BEA athletes and coaches are deserving of great recognition. Hope they continue to soar.

As for Bracken, his latest column recapped some of the great teams in Centre County high school sports history.

These are wonderful columns, and I for one appreciate him sharing great memories with all of our readers.

A stop before $4?

Here's a question for you on this Happy Valley Thursday:

Do you expect to see $4 on the gas pumps with the next increase, or will it rest at $3.99.9?

Of course, that is $4 but it will look better, won't it? I have to think that's the next stop, now that gas in our parts is at $3.95 a gallon.

We didn't hit $4 by Memorial Day, but looks like we're on a crash course to it by June. Stay tuned, and buy gas when you need it to avoid the next price increase,.

Boalsburg shines

Boalsburg truly shined this weekend, and it was great to see so many people at today's traditional activities in town.

It was picture perfect for Memorial Day, quite a contrast to recent years.

If you're local no doubt you made a trip at one time or another this weekend. If you're not, enjoy it with our coverage here on CentreDaily.com and perhaps try to make it some year.

Boalsburg is inviting, and you'll find it is the place to be on this holiday weekend.

Air travel adventures

I recently took five flights over a long weekend and there were no problems. Every one was on time. Like old times, perhaps.

You read about adventures in air travel every day.

Two stories caught my attention yesterday. American Airlines now plans to charge $15 for the FIRST checked bag, perhaps starting a new wave of fees.

And Philadelphia International Airport -- of all places -- topped a customer satisfaction survey for large airports. The most friendly airport for travelers? Is anyone kidding?

I have yet to fly into Philly and have the gate ready for the plane. Have you?

Stay tuned. You don't want to miss the next new fees imposed by the airlines.

Time to grow up

Derek Walker got himself into a mess before he ran for Congress, and that mess played out the week before the election in a big way.

He lost that race in a 12-candidate field, spending more than all but one other candidate but still tripping the Millionaire's Clause.

He lost but he didn't go away. He's pleaded guilty to three misdemeanors, as reported online today. It'll be in print tomorrow.

Walker's reaction to a reporter asking him about this just shows that he has a lot of growing up to do before he gets to Congress or anywhere else.

Here's what he said to the reporter: "You’re going to have to read about it somewhere, pal,” and then hung up.

Memo to the former candidate: It's public record. We can and did find it and we reported it.

Further memo to the candidate: Like I wrote about the other guy who spent big in a losing cause, Walker should work his way up. Run for school board, or municipal government or county commissioner. Plenty of politicians start that way.

Sunshine on a rainy day

It's almost like sunshine on a rainy day.

I should congratulate the State College Area school board for cleaning up its act and conducting the public's business Monday night.

Perhaps they are starting a new chapter that above all rides on professionalism.

I hope some of the letter writers and e-maliers can soon adopt a professional standard. We've really been seeing it of late, all over again, and anyone reading our Web site from afar can see it too.

Debate and debate, that's all fine, but act professionally throughout and move on from one topic to another. Three meetings to deal with the track improvement seem a bit much to me.

Congratulations, again, to the State College board.

Better than Happy Valley?

Another day, another study, and another high finish for State College/Centre County.

Well, not this time.

Men's Journal this month picks its best places to live, and college towns are one of the categories.

Here's what the magazine says about them: "The beauty of college towns is that they often have well-educated residents, a vibrant arts scene, affordable housing, and a cool commercial district. In winning its spot on MJ's Best Places to Live list, Bloomington shows off some of the finest examples of each, plus plenty of surrounding green space."

Yes, Bloomington, IN, rated first. The other finalists are: Durham, NC; Moscow, ID; Madison, WI, and Missoula, MT.

Here's the entire list, including the overall top spot Portland, OR.

Happy Valley doesn't rate on this list and I only have to name one reason: Affordable housing. We have a problem out there, and this isn't news to our readers. I know many people are working on it, but much, much work remains. We don't really need a study to figure that out.

Well said on the Web

The story about Bald Eagle Area's success in the Centre County Envirothon is drawing attention and applause today.

Why not? It's good news and there was a good effort by all.

As often is the case, most comments left with the story are on point, but there are others, in this case one so far today that takes it way beyond the issue.

A Web reader expressed frustration with this and I applaud his/her post. Here it is:

"Why does anyone have to post any negative comments on a subject such as this? Each school did their best. Just congratulate the schools and students and leave the insults to yourselves. Stop sounding like a bunch of idiots!!"

Well said on the Web.

Our 'brutal' winters

Wonder what snow in May will do to our Happy Valley image?

An e-mail arrived yesterday from a Philly-area friend. It noted our "brutal" winters and how his son, who will attend Penn State starting in the fall semester, will not be a "happy camper" up here.

They don't get much snow in Philly, you see.

But we haven't been getting much here in Happy Valley either, certainly not as much as when I (and perhaps you) went to Penn State.

Nothing like those heavy snowfalls and brutal temps. Remember them well and those walks from East Halls to classes and town.

Now, we get some snow and some nasty ice. Too much ice, in fact, and it reminds me of my Harrisburg days in the worst way.

Don't worry. We don't get much in April or May, despite the four inches on Pine Grove Mountain Monday morning. It's beautiful today in Happy Valley. Enjoy it.

Eich the adviser, interviewee

Curious guy that I am, I took a look through the Voices May issue since the monthly is big on comparing itself to us.

And I took a look because, as I noted in a previous blog post, two elected officials are on the Voices' advisory board. Wonder, I thought, what they could be advising?

I didn't get very far into Voices, just to Page 3, when I saw Jon Eich quoted. Eich, of course, is the county board of commissioners chairman and as I pointed out yesterday he's an adviser to Voices.

Yep, Eich was quoted in a story about the Bolton plant closing.

Bolton, you wonder? Didn't you just read about that and what has happened to its employees? You did, right here in a recent two-part series by Jennifer Thomas that brought strong reaction from readers.

Yet, here was Bolton again, in Voices, with Eich one of the featured interviews. Wonder if he advised Voices to do that story?

I guess the Voices version of the Bolton story was the "progressive" version, but putting that aside I continue to wonder about Eich's advisory role.

Wonder if next month they'll feature the voting machine and paper ballot issue? Coming to a Voices near you?

And wonder what Peter Morris, the other elected official on the advisory board, might be advising this "independent newspaper?"

I guess we'll all find out together.

Advising Voices

Voices, a printed monthly, seems fixated on comparing itself with us and telling all how much better it is.

It's not quite an apples to apples comparison, folks. We publish daily in print and constantly online, and we're read by eight out of 10 Centre Countians and more than a half million uniques monthly online.

I'm not going to spend time on the comparisons, but I am going to point out that Voices calls itself "Centre County's independent community newspaper" (meaning it's not corporate owned).

And I am going to point out and question why two elected officials are serving on Voices' advisory panel.

Jon Eich and Peter Morris were elected to the county commission and to State College Borough Council respectively in November. They shouldn't be advising a "newspaper," should they? Conflict, anyone?

Now I realize a Bellefonte Borough council member runs her own weekly paper, which trumpets good news all the time. That's conflict enough for me, but Eich and Morris apparently have raised it to a new level.

Voices wants to be a newspaper, so journalism ethics and standards should apply.

And if you play by those rules, Eich and Morris have crossed the line into public service.

What, no kid's day?

It takes my 7-year-old Colorado niece -- and many youngsters like her, I'm sure --- to sift through this adult world and ask pointed questions.

She uncorked this one yesterday just after telling me the secret about what she planned to buy mom for Mother's day:

"But why, why isn't there a kid's day? There's mom's day and dad's day but no kid's day. Why?"

Well she got me there. I started to point out how kids celebrate birthdays and adults really don't, but that didn't sound right even to me. She has a good point.

We decided to celebrate a kid's day this summer when we take her to Wyoming for Cheyenne Frontier Days. What better place for a western kid's day?

Just like old times

Today's editorial on the State College Area school board situation sparked immediate reaction from former leaders of both citizens' groups.

No surprise there.

Just like old times.

Say what you will about the edit, and people are certainly talking about it, but if you think we stand alone in our opinion you might want to get outside.

Talk to people outside your own network. Talk to others in public service, elected or appointed to positions in government. They are as frustrated as we are with the conduct of this board.

The editorial ends like this, in case you missed it: "The newly constituted State College school board can’t seem to agree on what to wear, so it postpones getting dressed, laying bare its dysfunction for all to see."

And you know what -- everyone's watching.

State College stands out

Most school districts would accept, with open arms, a donation to add improvements to a high school facility.

Most school districts, but of course not State College.

It's never that simple in State College. There are reasons for and against and major questions about this gift and what spending it could lead to.

Meanwhile, we recently heard of a need for $800,000 in new positions in the State College Area schools, including assistant coach spots and more. Maybe as many as 30 new positions.

Yet, nobody seemed to even question that spending. Or did I miss something?

Now let's recap: They're questioning this donation, but there are no problems with another million coming from taxpayers for new positions.

Welcome to State College, and yes, if you're reading this from afar, it's really like this here.

Budding journalist?

My niece, Cassidy, wrote her first newspaper article for the class news. Her teacher shared it and immediately people said she was taking after her uncle with an interest in journalism.

That will be determined in a decade or so, but I thought I'd share this first story. In doing so, I kind of wish I had my first story from elementary school. I doubt we did one in first grade, though.

Cassidy's story about a frog:

"In expedition we have a frog. It is an underwater frog. He eats little frog food and pellets. He lives in a tiny aquarium. His feet have claws on them. When it gets scared, it freezes. It is funny. One time he was frozen on one foot. When we get out of school he swims around like nothing. Miss Jill told us about that. We like our frog " 

Never forget

The annual Holocaust writing competition highlights student work and leads to a wonderful community program, which you read about last week.

Here are the powerful winning student works in the essay contest. Several were published Saturday and here they're linked together for your Web reading.

Congratulations to the students, and we can only salute Congregation Brit Shalom, the United Jewish Appeal, the Jewish Community Center and State College schools for making this happen again.

Snow joke

They had snow in Colorado yesterday, marking another year with May snowfall.

Safe to say, Colorado residents I know were not too happy. They remember last May's decent snowfall.

Spring anyone?

Actually, I saw snow Monday in Chicago, as rain was changing during the afternoon.

As for us, we have a real spring and we should enjoy it.

Just friends

You're not always seen as a friend in this job, but it's always nice when you are.

I want to thank the State College Area Education Association for the Friend of Education award, presented last night at a very nice banquet.

So many great things happen in our schools, and I'm very happy when we're able to present some of that work in the paper or online.

The door is always open to teachers to share that work, so the greater community can see it, and that was one of the messages I gave again last night.

Paying to fly

Have you tried to book a flight lately?

Maybe thinking of a long weekend away, or finally figuring out that summer vacation?

Well, good luck. Prepare for some sticker shock.

Ticket prices are way up and connections too are way up. There don't seem like many direct flights any more, even from Philly, Baltimore or Pittsburgh.

I've actually used accumulated miles successfully twice recently, rather than decide on high-priced tickets. But they'll only go so far, you know.

Looks like tickets are up an average of $150 to $200 per round trip. That's just my guess, but it got my attention and it'll get yours if you fly.

When big money isn't enough

Before we get past the 5th District Congressional race, here's an observation about the big money on the Republican side.

It certainly helped Matt Shaner, getting him known in a positive way in the 16 counties past Centre.

He got 18 percent overall and barely lost to Glenn Thompson. But he did lose -- all because of Centre County, his home base.

I received tons of Shaner mail at home, so I know he spent well in Centre County. Others certainly sent out mail, but only Derek Walker seemed to top Shaner and that's understandable since he needed to reach out get known by Centre Republicans.

But Shaner couldn't come close in Centre, despite the spending, and it's worth looking at who got elected and what they brought to the table.

Thompson and Mark McCracken on the Democrat side bring years of public service. They've been elected, they've served, they're serving. Thompson has made a lot of friends as county chairman.

Shaner has not served. He worked for a few months with U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum in Congress. He has not been elected, has no track record, and voters clearly were looking for that.

The spending gave him a great chance in a sprawling district. But some public service attached to his name wouldn't hurt and might counter other stuff.

School board? Municipal government? County commission?

Seems like that should be the starting point. It's worked for a lot of politicians.

Washington, where are you?

I'm sure I speak for a few of you in saying it's time -- high time, way past time -- for Washington to get off its collective butt and deal with the gas price situation.

Go ahead, say they pay high prices in other countries and you win. But in this country, right now, daily increases -- and twice a day increases like seen today -- are going to hit struggling people hard.

Hard-working people will have to make choices, and it's time Washington confronts it.

Bush, Pelosi, other leaders. ... What are you doing down there? Maybe you might talk to Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama or even John McCain for some ideas. They're the ones talking to people these days.

And better yet, maybe you should pay for your own gas? Get out that credit card in the nation's capital.

Rallying around the party chairman

Centre County Republicans didn't have a chance to weigh in on the spirited presidential battle on the other side, but they had their own election day voting task.

Decide among the nine Republicans for the 5th Congressional District seat, and decide particularly if any of the three home county candidates should get the vote.

The three -- Glenn Thompson, Chris Exarchos and Matt Shaner -- could divide the all-important county vote, allowing another candidate to win the nomination, some feared.

That didn't happen, clearly, as Centre County Republicans rallied around their party chairman, Thompson, giving him enough of a lead to overcome any deficit in the sprawling district.

He won big in Centre, by 3,200 votes over Matt Shaner, who finished last among the locals in Centre County GOP voting.

That was the difference for Shaner, and for Thompson, and Thompson has a great chance to go to Washington.

Read our coverage today, and look for a county-by-county vote chart and more converage tomorrow.

A lonely voter

Somehow, I picked a time to vote when there was no line and there were no supporters of candidates outside.

In fact, I was the only voter at 2:30 p.m. at Foxdale, my State College precinct.

How could this happen? Well, I usually vote late but this time listened to the county's suggestion to vote before 4 p.m. and avoid a rush.

And I picked a time that was well after the steady stream that kept Foxdale elections workers busy until 11:30 a.m. They're wondering what the pace will be later, after the slow afternoon.

We're wondering too.

Remember to make time to vote. The polls will stay open until 8 p.m.

Pennsylvania and change

Barack Obama, by his own admission, is going to fall short in Pennsylvania, and I'm predicting it'll be by 7 percent.

Not bad, because he never really had a great shot.

Sure, he energized so many voters, but it all comes down to one thing you have to know about Pennsylvania. I've lived here a good long time, so I can tell you this: The state's residents do not embrace change.

Nope, not here in Pennsylvania. Change? It could be a four-letter word in this state.

You only have to look to Harrisburg to know this. This state's voters keep electing and re-electing the same people, often the next generation of a family, because it's comfortable that way.

We had some turnover in the legislature in recent years, but largely it's more of the same, and this year 47 percent of legislators are running unopposed. That will make it easier on Pennsylvanians, actually. They won't have to think about voting for change.

Want to look away from politics and elections? Let's do so. We have 501 school districts in this fair state and thousands of municipalities, all doing the same thing and finding it more costly.

Consolidate? Merge? No, not here. Occasionally it does happen, but mostly you don't even talk about it. Fat chance, never happen. Residents, not to mention elected officials, don't want any part of it.

There are other examples, many of them, all pointing to the same thing: We don't embrace change. We don't even walk toward it.

And this Democrat race comes to this: Obama is all about change, change and more change. And Hillary Clinton? Yeah, she wants change, but Pennsylvanians know her. She won't bring too much change, they reason. They don't know Obama and they fear his change.

That's what it comes down to, in a nutshell. It's a tough state for Obama for this reason, and non-Pennsylvanians should know this.

Be sure to vote on Tuesday.

Hillary follows Bill, Chelsea

This race is tightening up, you can feel it and you can see it in the polls. You sense the small-town sound bites didn't shake it up, really, and you're glad the Philly debate mercifully ended.

The stretch run will be interesting, and it's no surprise that Hillary Clinton is stopping right here in Happy Valley.

I didn't expect her to choose the same spot as Bill Clinton, but I did expect the visit because Hillary Clinton has to spend quality time in central Pennsylvania.

She can't afford to take it for granted, and she'll get good mileage out of stopping in Happy Valley just two days before the vote.

Western and Northeastern Pennsylvania may be in her corner, and Philly in Barack Obama's, but the rest of the state is in play and she needs a big win.

Obama will train it across the state, so a visit here is unlikely. His supporters have great energy here, and no doubt they'll put on quite an Obama tailgate tomorrow at Beaver Stadium.

This one is going down to the wire, it appears, and they're watching Pennsylvania from coast to coast. It's quite a different scenario that a typical Pennsylvania primary. Enjoy it.

Slick mailings add up

Yesterday's mail at home was interesting. Slick mailings from several candidates in the 5th Congressional District race, of course written before the recent developments.

I've been getting mail from the big money Matt Shaner and Derek Walker campaigns throughout, but yesterday brought more of a representation.

Chris Exarchos had a strong mailing including a letter to voters, explaining his experience and asking for their vote.

Walker's mailing drew my attention, because it featured an endorsement from former state Sen. J. Doyle Corman.

Walker's the best candidate, Corman said, just like state Sen. Joe Scarnati, the Senate president pro tempore from Jefferson County, said earlier in the day.

Other candidates were represented in the mailbox, including state Rep. Scott Conklin who hopes to win the GOP nod too and run unopposed in the fall.

Slick mailings all. I can't wait to see the next round.

Timing is everything

Let's see, the DA just finishes his investigation of an August 2007 incident less than a week before the election.

Yep, he had the last two interviews on Wednesday.

The charges came today against Derek Walker, just five days before the election for Congress.

Timing is everything, we always say, and we certainly have some questions about the timing here. Perhaps you do too.

Mike Joseph and Pete Bosak broke the story online, and heavy Web reading followed. Look for our full coverage on Friday and consider the timing for yourself.

A third show 'courage'

As expected, few candidates took time to fill out the Project Vote Smart "Political Courage Test."

I wrote about it in a previous column and today our editorial reports the results.

It's really ashame that candidates in Pennsylvania largely ignore this, which is simply meant to share their views with voters. I encourage voters to check out what candidates did send in, and hat's off to the four 5th District Congressional candidates who took the time.

Four out of 12, a whopping 33 percent took time to share their views on issues with voters.

I'd like to hear why the eight no-shows didn't fill it out. They're welcome to call me at 231-4640 and I'll let readers know why they didn't have any courage this time around.

Just in time for Blue/White

Just in time for Blue/White weekend, we have higher gas prices in Happy Valley.

No big deal, right? It's everywhere.

But $3.45 is an all-time high and it is coming just before tens of thousands descend on Happy Valley.

Just has me wondering. I appreciated the comments at the debate last night, because it's about time the government gets off the sidelines in dealing with this. An energy policy is needed desperately, and some watchdog attention should be placed squarely on this gas price situation.

Cell phone takes a hit

Photo intern Catrina Rawson was in the way while simply doing her job and shooting the action of the Bellefonte-Philipsburg-Osceola game.

She was hit on her left hip pocket by a ball, and the impact destroyed the cell phone in that pocket.

She's fine and talking about the day she became part of the game, and the dangers of shooting photos. You just never know.

Here are her photos linked with Guy Cipriano's story today.

Residents deserve better

State College residents deserve better than the school board's behavior last night.

Should we put up a tent and charge admission?

This is about adults, and I'm not talking about one side or another or one personality or another. Adults should know how to behave in a public forum and if they can't figure it out they should visit their own schools. Perhaps the teachers and students can prepare a lesson plan.

Get over it, ladies and gentlemen. Focus on business and act like adults.

Turning 7

My niece, Cassidy, officially turns 7 today and she's excited about her party at the gymnastics center. So excited, past Christmas excited.

It's actually birthday No. 4, as she says, because we started the whole thing with a party in March when we visited Colorado. 

That kicked it off, and it's been fun, fun, fun.

I have to thank places like Wal mart for stocking up on Hannah Montana and "High School Musical" stuff. It was easy shopping this year.

She's online a lot working on math programs and visiting the Disney site. Maybe she'll find this blog.

A cool 7.

And, by the way, if you're still interested about that previous post about permission slips for photos, let me say that Cassidy's first grade class had them signed right when school began. It is possible.

Clowns but no kids

You'll see photos in Saturday's Centre Daily Times of clowns visiting Easterly Parkway Elementary School on Friday.

So cool, a visit by Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey's finest.

So cool, except you may wonder why no kids are visible in the photos.

Photographer Chris Weddle was told not to include kids in the photos. Come on in, but don't take photos of the kids. That was the principal's message.

That is the message often in State College, where the district does not offer parents a chance to sign permission sheets to authorize photos of their children early in the school year. Some other districts do this, but not State College.

So it's left up to the building principal to help or not to help, and in the clowns' visit there was no help.

I bring this up because this is a constant with State College, and readers wonder why we don't photograph this or that. Readers point out things happening in the schools, and occasionally teachers do.

But readers have no idea what roadblocks are in place for photographers just trying do their jobs, and readers are left to say the paper doesn't care.

Think back to the homeless community set up outside State High. A reader tipped us to that. The school didn't want us, but the photographer went anyway since it was outside and the kids really wanted to share what they were doing.

In this case the photographer waited for an hour and a half in the school office while parents were called and asked permission if their child's photo could run in the paper.

The story and photos got tremendous response, from all over, from people applauding the students. Those people would never know the roadblock set up to cover it.

I offer all this only to perhaps spark change -- or at least consideration of change. State College residents want their students to be highlighted. Does the district?

Peterson's pick

What does U.S. Rep. John Peterson's endorsement mean for G.T. Thompson and the eight other candidates in the wide-open Republican race for the 5th district seat?

It means Thompson vaults to the level of the big-money candidates, Derek Walker and Matt Shaner.

I've been waiting for Peterson to weigh in, because it's not like incumbents to leave without trying to put a stamp on the seat.

Peterson's popularity is up given his stance against the Interstate 80 tolls. He started the whole federal opposition, you recall.

Peterson's timing in endorsing matches our thinking that voters just really start tuning into a campaign around this time. I'll write more about that Sunday in my printed column and tell you about our upcoming politics coverage.

It will be interesting to see how much Peterson does for Thompson, and what kind of impact that has.

This race just got more interesting on the Republican side, so stay tuned. And follow it all on our 5th district page if you missed anything.

Weekend best bet

It's a big weekend in Happy Valley, with music and events.

I want to highlight one event as a best bet, rare for me. But allow me to applaud John Sanchez and everyone who helps to bring Native Americans here for a weekend for the fifth annual "New Faces of Ancient People" powwow. Be sure to read John's column in today's paper.

This is a wonderful event at the Mount Nittany Middle School, and I look forward to it every year. Of course I shop and try the fry bread and Indian tacos, and I also admire the Native Americans as they participate in a traditional event.

It's amazing how many tribes are represented here, and believe me you'd have to travel for another powwow like it. I've been to the Red Earth Festival in Oklahoma City three times now, and that's perhaps the biggest of all. I've also been to other major Native American events, and let me just say it's great to have one in Happy Valley.

Hope you can visit, and consider a drive a week before Blue/White weekend if this interests you. It's special.

Decisions, decisions

Jon Eich is the chairman of the board of the Centre County commissioners but he just can't vote on whether to house out-of-county inmates here.

Just can't do it. He's torn.

So his colleagues are left on their own, and fortunately decisions by the three-man board haven't ground to a halt. Steve Dershem and Rich Rogers agree on this issue so it passes 2-0.

Eich was elected to make decisions, as were his colleagues. Is he waiting for a task force report or a community survey on the out-of-county issue? I think not.

The issue here really isn't this one issue, but let's look ahead. Will Eich abstain on something else? And what will it be?

Decisions, decisions -- they're tough for elected officials. But when you're elected, you have to make them.

Let's hope county government doesn't stall waiting for one person to make a decision.

Questions, questions about politics

We're two weeks out from the election and as you'd expect I have questions about politics.

Here you go, in no particular order:

-- When will U.S. Rep. John Peterson weigh in? I have trouble believing that he's going to let nine Republicans run for his seat without supporting one of them. Peterson could sway this whole thing, I think, if he gets involved. He started the whole anti-toll push on Interstate 80, you know. These candidates didn't.

-- When will Hillary Clinton visit Happy Valley? Come on now, she can make it to Montana and not come here? Calling Hillary: Your Pennsylvania lead is shrinking. Might you visit the heartland to greet the loyalists?

-- Will Barack Obama return? Should he return to remind the students who are clearly supporting him that they must vote. Yes, they must, if he has any chance to win a state he shouldn't win. How about a return appearance?

-- Will voters see past the money and the ads in the 5th district Congress race? Two candidates are outspending the others. Will voters look past that to choose the best candidate, perhaps even one of the spenders?

-- And finally on this Happy Valley Tuesday, will State College council tackle gas prices? They're going up and up, shouldn't council resolve something to help the motorists? Council is in deep angering the public about a bike path. Seems opposing gas price hikes would be a popular thing.

Those are just a few of many politics questions. We'll see if we get any answers.

A Cincy fan

Perhaps I should be upset that Delta is dropping the Atlanta route from University Park Airport, but the only time I intended to use it the flight was canceled.

That was in February when I joined a group taken by van to Pittsburgh for a flight to Atlanta.

I too have flown to Atlanta from Harrisburg, and I'll do that if necessary now.

I'm a big fan of Delta's Cincinnati flight, so any improvements to those planes will be applauded.

Cincy remains the best airport for me to fly through, and perhaps you agree. Let's hope Delta follows  with positive changes.

Like one of yesterday's posters I had a flight to Atlanta scheduled and rebooked just a day before the announcement this week. My flight was set for November, so there was plenty of time and availability to get me through Cincy.

Now, how about a US Airways' Pittsburgh flight? How about it?

Voice of reason

Bravo to the mayor for representing many people in State College and saying he won't sign borough council's latest attempt to do their best Congress imitation.

Mayor Bill Welch is doing the right thing.

Now council has to concentrate on things happening in State College. There should be a lot to talk about.

As I've pointed out, nobody voted for them thinking they will represent us on the Iraq war on any other federal issue.

Living in a cave

Sorry, but this describes the Bellefonte Area School Board and district officials who say our report on black mold found three years ago at the high school was "way out of line."

They're living in a cave, and they're not responsive to district residents and most importantly district teachers and students.

Those people need to know what's discovered and when. That's the public trust that they work under.

They do not work on an island or in a cave.

Wake up Bellefonte.

Actually, it's time to wake up in the state Department of Education. This stuff should be reported. There should be a regulation requiring that, which Bellefonte clearly needs.

Missing the National Anthem

Sports fans, think about this: When was the last time you attended an event and the National Anthem wasn't played?

None. Is that your answer?

Well you may be surprised to hear that the National Anthem is not played before NCAA March Madness games.

Amazing, but true.

Attend some of these March Madness games and you see great, great basketball. But you also see an NCAA that marches to the beat of its own drummer, dictating ridiculous rules to host arenas and operating all this like it's still the '60s.

Examples, aside from the no-Anthem reality:

-- The NCAA requires the arenas to totally block out all ads, allowing only NCAA signs. Even banners of championship teams that play in the arenas have to come down for NCAA play, apparently.

-- The NCAA provides pathetic visuals for fans, in our case honoring Adams State Col