Welcome to the my Web site, v. XII. The blog is typically published Monday - Saturday. My primary topics tend to be the Nats, Penn State (esp. football), BeltwayLand, transportation, media, photos and more. The rest of the site gets updated as warranted and is noted on the blog.
Nats should be celebrating independence at home - William World News - William F. Yurasko's blog
Nats should be celebrating independence at home
Today is Independence Day and for the first time since the Nationals arrived in the District, baseball will not be played in the Nation's Capital. I assume that this is due to the uncertainty of transportation to Nationals Park. Next year, July 4 baseball in Washington needs to resume and never cease. Other teams that should always have home games include the Yankees, Red Sox and Phillies for obvious reasons. Beyond those teams, I cannot think of any franchises that need to have July 4 home every season, though I am open to suggestions. For obvious reasons, the Blue Jays should never have a home game on July 4, nor should any other team that plays indoors. Games should be played during the day too, night games on holidays are awful.
Former Reds head to Cincy to play actual Reds - William World News - William F. Yurasko's blog
Thursday, July 03, 2008
Former Reds head to Cincy to play actual Reds
The Nats, something like 68% of whom were once Reds, head to Cincinnati for a four game series. Oh all the teams in the world to poach players and front office staff from why did it have to be this one? Oh well, at least it isn't the Pirates or Royals, I suppose.
I can't even come up with an angle to make the series any more interesting especially since that 2006 trade seems to be working out okay for Cincy now, I think. We had to get stuck with FLop and Austin Kearns can't hit outside of Great American Ballpark. Perhpas the latter's return from the DL to his old stomping grounds will help propel his average above .187.
Dining Review: Eammon's - William World News - William F. Yurasko's blog
Dining Review: Eammon's
ALEXANDRIA, Va. -- Eammon's bills itself as a Dublin Chipper, but having never been to that Irish city, I cannot validate the claim. I can say that it is a hole in the wall that is tastefully done. The interior is dark stained wood with big windows facing the corner of King and Columbus. The tables are wooden with benches along with a small counter with stools. If the seating capacity exceeds 25, I would be quite surprised. It is a pleasant place to have a meal. Diners order from the front and take what ever seats are available, so be prepared for a little jockeying.
As for the meal, the cod is breaded and fried and is fairly unremarkable – it is cod after all. It comes in two sizes, small which a bit wider and deeper than a deck of cards and large, which is double the small size. The chips (french fries to the rest of the English speaking world) are quite attractive to the eye -- thick and golden brown. They are not that flavorful though, so plenty of ketchup is required which is fine if you like ketchup. Malt vinegar is also on the table if that is how go like your potatoes. All in all, okay but nothing special.
Beverage-wise everything is in bottles except for Guinesss which is on tap. I ordered a bottle of Harp, since that compliments fish and chips better in my mind.
Our final bill came to $32 with a tip that was overly generous. It struck me as a little pricey. For that reason, plus the limited space, I would only recommend Eammons as a impulse decision if you are in the mood for fish n' chips while walking around Old Town.
More 2008 PSU kickoff times, TV announced - William World News - William F. Yurasko's blog
More 2008 PSU kickoff times, TV announced
Yesterday, more kickoff times and television assignments (Intercollegiate Athletics) were announced for the 2008 Penn State football season. Are you surprised that the games with Coastal Carolina and Temple are noon kickoffs on Big11Ten Network (BTN)? Hopefully, BTN and Arlandria Comcast will have its acts together by then so I can watch those games from the comfort of my couch. My trips to Beaver Stadium will be quite limited for the foreseeable future.
08/30 - COASTAL CAROLINA at PENN STATE 12:00 p.m. ET (BTN) 09/06 - OREGON STATE at PENN STATE 3:30 p.m. ET (ABC) 09/13 - PENN STATE at SYRACUSE 3:30 p.m. ET (ABC) 09/20 - TEMPLE at PENN STATE 12:00 p.m. ET (BTN) 09/27 - ILLINOIS at PENN STATE 8:00 p.m. ET (ABC/ESPN/ESPN2) 10/04 - PURDUDE at PENN STATE TBA (TBA) 10/11 - PENN STATE at WISCONSIN 8:00 p.m. ET (ESPN/ESPN2) 10/18 - MICHIGAN at PENN STATE 4:30 p.m. ET (ESPN/ESPN2) 10/25 - PENN STATE at OHIO STATE 8:00 p.m. ET (ABC/ESPN/ESPN2) 11/08 - PENN STATE at IOWA TBA (TBA) 11/15 - INDIANA at PENN STATE TBA (TBA) 11/22 - MICHIGAN STATE at PENN STATE TBA (TBA)
Prediction -- the Indiana game is also a noon kickoff on BTN.
i-99 on schedule to open 4 years, $79 million late - William World News - William F. Yurasko's blog
i-99 on schedule to open 4 years, $79 million late
I-99 set to open by year's end - CDT The latest update on i-99 progress -- it is expected to open before the end of the year, but after football season. Parts of the new section may be limited to one lane each way until next spring too.
Don't forget that this delay may have been avoided had standard environmental testing not been exempted by a rider placed by Bud Shuster, then chairman of the U.S. House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, in an omnibus spending bill. By the way, Shuster has not responded to repeated inquiries from CDT reporter Mike Joseph to talk about this situation.
Nats chats 07.02.2008 - William World News - William F. Yurasko's blog
Nats chats 07.02.2008
Washington Nationals - The Post "Washington Post Nationals beat writer Chico Harlan will be online Wednesday, July 2 at Noon ET to take your questions and comments about the Washington Nationals."
Nationals chat 7-2-08 - The Wash. Times "Nationals beat writer Mark Zuckerman will be online at 1 p.m. to answer all your questions and provide updates from today's series finale against the Marlins. Click on the link below to submit a question."
"The book business is getting a little soft. It's not selling as much as it used to," Olsson said. "Our music sales went from 50 percent of our business to maybe 15. We lost a lot of revenue, and at the same time rents went up and real estate taxes went up. I don't know what we would have done differently. It's a killer."
Olsson's used to have nine locations, but they are down to five.
I went to a number of booksignings at Olsson's over the years, so seeing them in trouble is unfortunate. I hope they can get through it, but at this point I would be surprised.
LaVar turning Sports Cafe into Linebacker U. bar - William World News - William F. Yurasko's blog
Tuesday, July 01, 2008
LaVar turning Sports Cafe into Linebacker U. bar
LaVar eyes 'Linebacker U' bar - CDT LaVar Arrington is one of the investors in "Linebacker U." the new bar that is coming to the old Sports Cafe location on W. College Ave. in State College.
More Music Tuesday: More Than Yesterday - William World News - William F. Yurasko's blog
More Music Tuesday: More Than Yesterday
Great 1970s tune by the Sprial Starecase that we put on the wedding CD. From the YouTube description: "This music and a video of the scenery are not relevant."
Dress code annoys LBI surfers - William World News - William F. Yurasko's blog
Dress code annoys LBI surfers
A Beach Where Discretion Is More Than Just Advised - The Times You know the put the towel around you and change out of the bathing suit trick? That is appparently not appreciated in Long Beach Township
Cordero out for the season -- I'm shocked, shocked! - William World News - William F. Yurasko's blog
Cordero out for the season -- I'm shocked, shocked!
Keeping with today's theme
Shoulder Tear Ends Season For Cordero - The Post A torn labrum has done closer Chad Cordero in for a year or more. Anybody surprised that yet another Nat is out for a lot longer than originally planned?
Jon Rauch, closer of the present, commemorated the occasion by blowing the save and the win against the Marlins.
Music Tuesday: As Times Goes By - William World News - William F. Yurasko's blog
Music Tuesday: As Times Goes By
"As Time Goes By" was not written for Dooley Wilson or the movie Casablanca, but it might as well has been. Three years ago today, Erica and I danced to it at our wedding reception.
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