Review: Yocco's

ALLENTOWN, Pa. -- For several years now, I've been wanting to try Yocco's The Hot Dog King on the way back from my annual ski trip in the Poconos. Yocco's goes back to 1922 and is perhaps the best known Lehigh Valley eatery. We stopped by the location near Lehigh Valley International Airport, just off of the Airport Road exit of US 22-Lehigh Valley Thruway (or the Double-Duece according to my friend Tom).

Going in, I had heard mixed reviews of Yocco's. Tom said "really, Yocco's?" while another acquaintance gave it the thumbs up. Tom's contention was that Yocco's wasn't bad, but nothing special. After eating there, I have to agree with Tom.



My wife and I each ordered two hot dogs each with chili sauce, onions and mustard. She also added cheese; Kraft singles or something similar that is put in the bottom of the roll. The franks are Hatfield, a tasty brand that are the official hot dog of Citizen's Bank Park in Philadelphia. Ours were not very fresh though, having sat on the cooler side of the stove for an indeterminate amount of time. The chili sauce was fairly tasty, but not very hearty and overall nothing special. One cannot expect much for $1.24 each I suppose. I also ordered the crinkle cut french fries which were fine, but nothing special. Mrs. T's pierogies are also available as a side, but we did not order them.

Yocco's is so named because the indigenous Pennsylvania Dutch population had trouble pronouncing Iacocca, the family who opened the restaurant and runs it to this day. Yes, it is the same family as former Chrysler chairman and Snoop Dog pal Lee Iacocca -- he's the nephew of the founder. Know run by a fourth Iacocca generation Yocco's has six locations. They also have a great "hot dog king" logo that looks like the kind of sticker a pre-teen's skateboard might have on it.

Yocco's is cheap, decent and the backstory is good, but nothing really special. I may stop a Yocco's again some time if I'm in the Lehigh Valley, but I am not going out of my way to do it.

Labels: Food and Drink, Pennsylvania, Travel

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posted by WFY @ 10:41 AM | |

Yocco's chili dogs aren't as good as the Vienna Inn's by a long shot.

# posted by  WFY : Tuesday, February 02, 2010 2:51:00 PM  

A snowy weekend recap

The latest snowstorm to hit BeltwayLand happened (for the most part) while I was in the Poconos skiing with my wife. We were at Camelback and it is pretty much the same as it always is except that my favorite slope, the Nile Mile has been changed to a blue square from a double green circle. That makes a lot of sense to me, the slope is not too hard, but is not easy either. I love attacking that hill, it take me about five minutes to get down when I really push myself.

Oh and we finally hit Yocco's for their hot dogs on the return trip. I'll have a review of that over the next two days.

On the way back, we hit snow at about the Mid-County interchange of the Northeast Extension (I-476) and yet saw no snow removal equipment. As we got onto I-95 the conditions were quite slushy, until we hit Maryland. Let me praise the Maryland Transportation Authority for the superior job they did on the John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway section of I-95 -- the conditions were exceptional given the weather. We could comfortably go over 50 m.p.h. DelDot and PennDot, you blew it. The former I expected, despite numerous boasts about Pennsylvania's snow-readiness by expatriates when compared to BeltwayLand, to do much better. For shame PennDot, for shame. Delaware, most I-95 is a toll road in your state, so you don't have any excuses either.

Back in Northern Virginia, I did not get a chance to measure the snow. Sorry internet, I know how much you like photos of rulers in snow. I did take my son sledding at my folks house in Vienna though. That was pretty sweet. Grandee got to pull her grandson around the block in a little red sled too.

It looks like we're in for more snow later this week (Capital Weather Gang), so I'll be better about the ruler everybody.

Labels: Alexandria, Fairfax County, I-95, Pennsylvania, Skiing, Vienna, Virginia, Weather

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posted by WFY @ 2:00 PM | |

Places I went in 2009

Every year I do a tally of places I have been. The two ways for a location to qualify -- I had a meal there (non-fast food) or spent the night there. Sometimes, I make exceptions that rule though, like for apple-picking.

Alexandria, Va.
Arlington, Va.
Falls Church, Va.
Great Falls, Va.
McLean, Va.
Purcellville, Va.
Reston, Va.
Vienna, Va.
Washington, D.C.
Newark, Del.
Ellicot City, Md.
Avalon, N.J.
Stone Harbor, N.J.
Wildwood, N.J.
New York, N.Y.
Boiling Springs, Pa.
Burnham, Pa.
Harrisburg, Pa.
Lewistown, Pa.
Reedsville, Pa.
Yeagertown, Pa.
Springfield, Pa.
State College, Pa.
Tannersville, Pa.
University Park, Pa.

The list has been getting shorter for the last couple of years. Here is to a more adventurous 2010!

Labels: Arlington, BeltwayLand, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, The District, Travel, Vienna, Virginia

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posted by WFY @ 2:00 PM | |

I thought Northeast Pa. liked NY teams: GO YANKEES on I-81 variable message sign

PennDOT: "Go Yankees" Sign Inappropriate for Interstate - WNEP
A variable message sign along Interstate 81 near Pittson, Pa. (not far from the home of the AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees) said "GO YANKEES." The sign, typically used for traffic information, is owned by a contractor, Barletta Construction. I wonder if they are at all connected to Hazleton mayor Lou Barletta. Anyway, this supports my theory that Northeast Pennsylvania skews more towards New York teams like the Yankees and Giants than they do to Philadelphia teams. Of course, during my two years in Northeast Pennsylvania, the Yankees were just starting their most recent dynasty, so that may have made a difference.

New York Yankees, Interstate 81, GO YANKEES, highway sign

Labels: Pennsylvania, Transportation, Yankees

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posted by WFY @ 8:49 PM | |

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Philadelphia's thumb drive skyscraper

PHILADELPHIA -- Back in 2007, I shared my disappointment with the Comcast Center, a new skyscraper in the city of brotherly love. At 976 feet, it raised the roof, so to speak, on the Philly skyline. Prior to the Comcast Center's construction, the skyline was nearly symmetrical and featured 1 Liberty Place, an elegant modern building with a climatic spire, as its centerpiece.

I am still not too fond of the Comcast Center, it sticks out like a sore thumb or actually, like a USB thumb drive. However, from the south end of 30th Street station it actually fits in pretty well.



[flickr : Photos tagged with comcastcenter/slideshow]

[flickr : A cloudy trip on the Northeast Corridor /slideshow]

Philadelphia, Philly, Comcast Center, skycraper, skyline,thumb drive

Labels: Datelines, Northeast Corridor, Pennsylvania, Photography

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posted by WFY @ 2:00 PM | |

Harrisburg/Hershey, home to Nationals & Capitals farm teams, #1 minor league market

Harrisburg, Hershey have best fans, sports publication declares - The Fan Box, Patriot-News
According to Sports Business Journal, Pennsylvania's capital region is the leading minor league market in the country. Two Washington teams, the Nationals and Capitals have minor league teams there, the Harrisburg Senators and Hershey Bears. My in-laws live up that way and I have a few friends there too. In 2006 (I think) I went with my father-in-law to a Senators game -- we ran into Fritz and his father. I have not been to a Hershey Bears game yet, but I am sure I will go sometime, they have a great atmosphere there.

Other Nationals affiliates:

27. Woodbridge, Va., Potomac Nationals (A)
76. Hagerstown, Md., Hagerstown Sun (A)
159. Syracuse, N.Y., Syracuse Chiefs, (AAA)
122. Burlington, Vt., Vermont Lake Monsters (A)

Charleston, S.C., home of the Capitals ECHL affiliate, the South Carolina Stingrays, came in 141.

Richmond, Va. came in dead last.

The Sports Business Journal list:

Top Minor League Markets
About this Project

Harrisburg Senators, Hershey Bears, minor leagues, Pennsylvania

Labels: Capitals/NHL, Nats/MLB 2009, Pennsylvania

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posted by WFY @ 12:27 PM | |

State College: Tony's Big Easy, Lulu's lose liquor license

Tony's license taken - The Collegian
Court closes troubled taverns - CDT
The once great Tony's Big Easy and associated bars are probably done for good:

Tony’s Big Easy, Lulu’s Nightspot, and Candy Bar and Lounge, were notified by the state Liquor Control Board on Thursday that they no longer have a valid license to sell liquor because their attorney never filed the papers required for their appeal to move onto a higher court.

Sounds like the owner just threw in the towel, probably a wise move.

I think this will be the last I blog about these bars.

-
Tony's Big Easy, State College, Penn State, liquor control board

Labels: Food and Drink, Pennsylvania, PSU/Happy Valley

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posted by WFY @ 2:30 PM | |

Gov. Rendell still pushing for tolls on I-80 in Pennsylvania

Rendell: Congress should remove restrictions on tolling of interstates - Post-Gazette
There he goes again -- Gov. Ed Rendell wants Congress to give Pennsylvania and other states the ability to establish tolls along highways. Interstate 80 which runs through the northern half of the state has heavy out-of-state traffic. This leads to people with no familiarity of highway funding to believe that out-of-state drivers do not contribute to the roads maintenance costs. This is fiction of course, since American motorists are responsible for 90% of interstate highway funding that is collected primarily through a national sales tax on gasoline. State gas taxes tend to fund the other 10%. in short, all American drivers pay for interstate roads. Politicians, like Rendell and a previous recent governor, Tom Ridge, apparently do not understand this either. Both called for tolls on I-80. I have even created a label called I-80 so you can follow along.

American motorists and taxpayers have paid for I-80 for over fifty years. If Pennsylvania wants to toll the road or any other previously "free" interstate highway, they should have to reimburse the highway trust fund for all costs associated up until this point. If that happens, I have no problem with them putting tolls up. I'd laugh and call Pennsylvania "the toll booth state" too. It is worth noting too that Pennsylvania got more funding from the Federal Highway Trust Fund throughout the 1990s than any other state. Of course, much of it was sent to the Altoona area by Bud Shuster, who ruled the powerful infrastructure committee that allocated highway funds. Congress shouldn't give Pennsylvannia a free pass because they spent the money poorly. If Pennsylvania wants more highway funding, they ought to increase their statewide gas tax appropriately.

H/T Jeff Kitsko, on Facebook

Interstate 80, tolls, PennDOT, Pennsylvania

Labels: I-80, Pennsylvania, Transportation

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posted by WFY @ 12:02 PM | |

i-99 signs now posted to Penn State

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- In case you were wondering, i-99 signs are now posted all the way to Penn State. The road opened in November 2008, but was not technically Interstate 99 yet (and may not be right now) due to the fact that its number through legislation sponsored by the Rep. Bud Shuster instead of through AASHTO. It turns out that was much less offesnive than the removal of environmental testing the Shuster championed. Sure enough, there was an environmental problem that cost about $80 million to fix and added years to the construction.

By the way, the construction of the northern end of i-99, a high speed interchange with I-80 (CDT) is encountering local resistance. It is not funded yet, so the resistance is not a big deal -- yet.

By the way, the i-99 shields on big green signs were not directly applied, they are on a green panel and look sloppy.

i-99, intestate 99, PennDOT, Pennsylvania.

Labels: Datelines, i-99, Pennsylvania, PSU/Happy Valley, Transportation

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posted by WFY @ 10:00 AM | |

How Yuengling became one of the largest American owned brewers

Yuengling poised to become largest American-owned brewer - Patriot-News
When Dick Yuengling bought the Yuengling Brewery from his father, it was a small, dying business. He revitalized it and now only Boston Beer Co. (Samuel Adams) is a larger American-owned brewer. Previously owned American breweries, Miller and Busch, have since been purchased by foreign conglomerates.

I do not feel as strongly about Yuengling Lager as some of my friends, but generally speaking, if I have beer in the house or at a tailgate, it is Yuengling. The quality to price ratio is quite good and I find Nittany Lion beef franks taste pretty good when they have "marinated" in it.

Oh and sorry, Matthew, Yuengling does not appear to be heading to Massachusetts anytime soon.

Yuengling, beer, Pennsylvania

Labels: Food and Drink, Pennsylvania

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posted by WFY @ 2:00 PM | |

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Camelback ski recap

TANNERSVILLE, Pa. -- For an early birthday present, my brother and his family gave me a day of skiing. For the first time in forever, we skied together. It was also his first time skiing on the east coast in a long time. The conditions at Camelback would be described as "packed powder." Christopher, who only skis in Colorado, described them as ice. It was also about 25° and sunny -- perfect skiing weather.

I had a good day, no falls and lots of good runs. Doing "wall-sit" exercises daily made a big difference in my leg strength – I have not skied this well in a few years. As always, The Nile Mile was my favorite run, mostly because it is the longest run in the Poconos. It does not disappoint. I’ll have to give a nod to The Pharoh as well. Once past the first part of the run, King Tut is a pretty good hill too. We also had some good runs in the middle of the mountain, though I cannot recall the specifics as they were not especially memorable.

I was king of the mountain on this day too, a title I am eager to defend. Being in the Poconos I had a big home-slope advantage over Christopher. I'm eager to win it on the "road" sometime when we all get out to Colorado. We'll see if his "home" advantage is as big as mine.

All in all, a good day. On the way back we thought about stopping at Yocco's hot dogs in Allentown, but were not very hungry yet, so we went to Jim's Steaks in Springfield (Baltimore Pike, off of I-476). One of these years I'll check Yocco's out, but Jim's is always enjoyable.

That probably does it for me this winter, but if I get on the slopes again, I won't be disappointed. Thanks for the early birthday gift, Christopher & family!

Labels: Datelines, Pennsylvania, Skiing

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posted by WFY @ 12:25 PM | |

Places I went in 2008

I used the same criteria as previous years -- I have to had a meal or spent the night there. Fast food does not count either.

Alexandria, Va.
Arlington, Va.
Bluemont, Va.
McLean, Va.
Vienna, Va.
Virginia Beach, Va.
Washington, D.C.
Columbia, Md.
Avalon, N.J.
Sea Isle City, N.J
Stone Harbor, N.J.
Bronx, N.Y.
New York, N.Y.
Allentown, Pa.
Belleville, Pa.
Harrisburg, Pa.
Hershey, Pa.
Lewisberry, Pa.
Lewistown, Pa.
Manada Hill, Pa.
Mechanicsburg, Pa.
Reedsville, Pa.
State College, Pa.
Tannersville, Pa.
Kenley, N.C.
Wilson, N.C.
Conway, S.C.
Myrtle Beach, S.C.
Pawley's Island, S.C.

There are a couple of exceptions to the rule -- we did not eat in Bluemont, but cut down a Christmas tree, so that counts. Also, we drove through Delaware but did not stop.
This year also marked the least amount of visits to New Jersey ever. Next year, we will have to do better.

Labels: Alexandria, Arlington, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, The District, Travel, Vienna, Virginia

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posted by WFY @ 8:48 AM | |

Times on i-99

Road Stirs Up Debate, Even on Its Name - The Times
If you are looking for a good summary on the i-99 debacle, this is it.

i-99, Port Matilda, PennDOT, Skytop, Pennsylvania

Labels: i-99, Pennsylvania, Transportation

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posted by WFY @ 6:14 AM | |

Details on a US 22/322 accident that delayed our return home

Wrong-way crash on U.S. 22/322 leaves nine hurt - Patriot-News

Driving back from some early Christmas celebrations with my wife's family last night, we hit a delay on US 22/322 eastbound, near Dauphin. Apparently, this is what happened:

A wrong-way crash Sunday night on U.S. Routes 22/322 near borough Dauphin sent nine people to local hospitals.

State troopers say Timothy Kinert, 51, of Harrisburg was driving east in the westbound lanes and is suspected of being under the influence of alcohol.

Troopers said Anthony Krakowski, 44, of Halifax, was driving west at 7:10 p.m. in the left lane approaching the Dauphin exit when he encountered Kinert's vehicle heading toward him.

Krakowski steered toward the right lane to avoid a head-on crash, but the left front of his vehicle was struck by Kinert's vehicle, troopers said.

The Impact caused Krakowski's vehicle to spin in a counter clockwise direction, and it was struck by a westbound vehicle driven by Larry Mensch, 71, of Milton.

Troopers said Kinert's vehicle continued to head east and spun across both lanes before it struck a concrete retaining wall, troopers said. Troopers said the vehicle continued to spin around, crossed back over both lanes and hit the barrier that separates the east and westbound lanes.

That could have been very nasty. As for us, I got off at PA 225 and tried to find a way back to US 22/322 eastbound, but that is just about the worse place for something to happen since Blue Mountain is in the way. After spending 15 minutes trying to find a way out, I turned around with the intention of going back over the Clark's Ferry Bridge (which is kind of an oxymoron, no?) and then down US 11/15. Fortunately, the traffic eastbound had cleared by then. Westbound though, US 22/322 was backed up all the way to PA 39. That could not have been fun.

Dauphin, US 22/322, Pennsylvania, accident

Labels: Pennsylvania, Transportation, Travel

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posted by WFY @ 2:00 PM | |

Last week we went to Harrisburg, but it was closed*

The best part of Celota's -- sun shining through their sign
HARRISBURG, Pa. -- On Black Friday, The Ombudsman, aka Cliff/Matthew/Matt came to visit while I up at my in-laws and we decided to go to Harrisburg for a drink. I had inquired with several people on where to go and got a list of places in the so-called "Restaurant Row." We figured that would be a safe bet for a place to find a decent selection of bourbons. Wrong! The places I had selected were closed, though their Web sites said there were open.

We wound up going to Ceoltas Irish Pub which had the apparently unique distinction of being open. It also had a waitress who knew nothing of whiskey such as the difference between Irish whiskey, Scotch and bourbon. Oh well, at least the company was good, but when it comes to Harrisburg, color me unimpressed. If there is a next time, we'll wait until after 4 p.m. and try the Iberian Lounge in Hershey.

*With apologies to W.C. Fields

Harrisburg, Celota's

Labels: Datelines, Food and Drink, Pennsylvania

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posted by WFY @ 12:15 PM | |

Perhaps after a day of skiing.

# posted by  WFY : Tuesday, December 02, 2008 9:53:00 AM  

A triptych from Black Friday

HARRISBURG, Pa. -- Since I used the word "triptych" this is art.

Labels: Datelines, Family and Friends, Pennsylvania, Photography

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posted by WFY @ 8:31 AM | |

i-99 finally opened yesterday, but...

I-99 open to all traffic - CDT
i-99 is now a continous route between just north of the I-70/76 (Pennsylvania Turnpike) near Bedford and near I-80 north of Bellefonte. The new section, opened yesterday (two days after the last Penn State football game naturally), does not have all four lanes open though.

Former Rep. Bud Shuster, who pushed for i-99 and got the designation written into law (setting precedent and expanding the role of Congress) was at the opening. Apparetly, left unsaid was an apology to drivers and taxpayers for legislating away envirornmental testing. The highway was delayed for years and ran up about $80 million of extra cost due to necessary environmental remediation. It is said he has not been accountable at all for his behavior.

i-99, intestate 99,Port Matilda, PennDOT, Skytop, Pennsylvania.

Labels: i-99, Pennsylvania, PSU/Happy Valley, Transportation

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posted by WFY @ 12:07 PM | |

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i-99 ready to go

Long-awaited Interstate 99 finished - CDT

"We will be ready, and we will open — barring something very unusual," PennDOT spokeswoman Marla Fannin said.

I will believe it when I actually drive on it. Today is supposed to be the day.

i-99, intestate 99,Port Matilda, PennDOT, Skytop, Pennsylvania.

Labels: i-99, Pennsylvania, PSU/Happy Valley, Transportation

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posted by WFY @ 7:30 AM | |

Pocono ski season has begun

Big Boulder is open. Camelback and several other resorts (Pennsylvania Ski Areas Association) are making snow. Even Roundtop, near Harrisburg, is making snow (Patriot-News).

I'm getting stoked, though I'm probably two months away from hitting the slopes. Family/friends/acquittances be warned -- I'm going to be asking you if you are ready for some skiing a lot once the calendar turns over.

Pocono Record links:

Camelback ready for early snowmaking
Ski free tonight at Big Boulder, tomorrow at Camelback

skiing, Poconos, snow, Pennsylvania

Labels: Pennsylvania, Skiing

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posted by WFY @ 12:08 PM | |

i-99 will apparently be done by Thanksgiving

Planned I-99 opening date announced - CDT
PennDot is planning on opening all lanes of i-99 at Skytop two days before Thanksgiving. I will believe it when I drive on it.

i-99, intestate 99,Port Matilda, PennDOT, Skytop, Pennsylvania.

Labels: i-99, Pennsylvania, PSU/Happy Valley, Transportation

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posted by WFY @ 6:30 AM | |

i-99 northbound now open through Skytop

Traffic flows over section of Skytop - CDT
Another milestone in the poorly executed i-99 project is complete -- northbound is now continuous through Skytop. The road narrows to one lane at one point, but the highway's northbound is now continuous from Bedford County to just south of I-80. Both directions of the highway is supposed to be complete by Thanksgiving, but I'll believe it when I see it.

i-99, intestate 99,Port Matilda, PennDOT, Skytop, Pennsylvania.

Labels: i-99, Pennsylvania, PSU/Happy Valley, Transportation

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posted by WFY @ 10:15 AM | |

Congratulations Ombudsman, Martha, RUTS, PSUgirl, Dan the Fan, Ramblings, my dad's cousin

Your Phillies won the World Series(The Inky)! This is their second championship and first since 1980. It is also the city of Philadelphia's first major championship since 1983 when the 76ers did it. Now we won't have to hear about how Philly hasn't had a parade anymore! We also won't see yet another title go to Tampa Bay -- that estuary already has a Super Bowl and Stanley Cup this decade. Martha was right too -- Phillies in 5.

I did a little research and found out that since the Ombudsman was born, the Phillies have have played in the NLCS nine times, won four pennants and now two World Series. In other words, this has been a pretty good run for the Fleas and their fans can't complain for at least another 15 years about title droughts or anything of the kind.

Just remember though, that this year has no bearing on next and I plan to defend the half-smoke and conquer the cheesesteak in next year's Cheesesteak/Half-Smoke Challenge.

World Series, Phillies, Rays

Labels: Northeast Corridor, Pennsylvania

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posted by WFY @ 5:55 AM | |

It is already snowing in the Poconos

Even though it will not last long enough to become part of this upcoming season's base, I am pleased to learn that Camelback ski resort in the Poconos, my favorite, has been blanketed by snow (might pop open Windows Media player). Over the weekend, I was telling my wife I already have skiing on the mind and a Camelback gift card on my Christmas list.

Labels: Pennsylvania, Skiing, Weather

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posted by WFY @ 12:34 PM | |

Where is Joe Queenan?

Noted hatchet man and satirist Joe Queenan has been much too quiet about his team being in the World Series. If Google News is to be believed, Queenan has not had anything published about the Fleas pennant. C'mon Joe, we need something from the guy who said in his book True Believers, "To me, the Phillies and Eagles are exactly like nicotine: a preposterously noxious semi-hallucinogenic substance capable of giving great pleasure for brief periods of time, but that will ultimately destroy your health."

Amazon: True Believers: The Tragic Inner Life of Sports Fans


With Joe Queenan at the late Olsson's Metro Center in 2003

Oh and another reason to prefer the Phillies over the Rays -- the Philly Phantic, pro sports' best mascot.

World Series, Phillies, Rays, Joe Queenan

Labels: Northeast Corridor, Pennsylvania

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posted by WFY @ 8:00 PM | |

World Series: Cheering for the NE corridor team

I am not expecting to watch much of the World Series, though I guess I am rooting for Philadelphia. I have some friends and extended family who are Phillies fans so it would be good for them to get a win. Also, I like Philadelphia and have always had a good time there. I have never been to Tampa Bay or any of the cities that comprise it and I think the next Rays cap I see will be the third. Also, I'm kind of bitter that Tampa Bay got an expansion team before we got a team.

From the Nats perspective, I want to see them have success in the way the Rays have and then start spending like the Phillies do.

World Series, Phillies, Rays

Labels: Nats/MLB 2008, Northeast Corridor, Pennsylvania

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posted by WFY @ 2:30 PM | |

Beano Watch is set to publish at 9:30 this morning.

Oh and another reason to be anti-Rays -- they play indoors on a fake field.

# posted by  WFY : Thursday, October 23, 2008 7:56:00 AM  

All i-99 lanes are scheduled to be open by Thanksgiving

PennDOT: All I-99 lanes to open by Thanksgiving - CDT
All four lanes of i-99 between Port Matilda and I-80 are now expected to be open by Thanksgiving also known as after football season. I will believe it when I see it. I am also interested in how much money was wasted on this project because Bud Shuster decided that following environmental laws would delay the project.

By the way not a plan for the interchange with I-80 and locals are divided over what would be the best design. It seems like a moot point since there is not any funding though.

i-99, Port Matilda, PennDOT, Skytop, Pennsylvania.

Labels: i-99, Pennsylvania, PSU/Happy Valley, Transportation

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posted by WFY @ 9:45 AM | |

FTA says no to tolls on PA I-80

Tolls on I-80 denied - The Collegian
U.S. rejects Pa.'s request for I-80 tolls - The Inky
U.S. says no to Interstate 80 tolls - Post-Gazette
Lawmakers seek plan to fix roads - CDT
There will not be tolls along I-80 in Pennsylvania as proposed, the Federal Transportation Administrator blocked it.

I was all ready to call Pennsylvania the "tollbooth state" too.

Now, it seems likely that the Pennsylvania Turnpike will be privatized which still does not make much sense over the long term to me. Once again, as Jay Hancock suggested, this is a "pernicious national trend: transforming public utilities into private monopolies."

Adding onto the gas tax probably makes the most sense to cover funding shortfalls, but I doubt enough people have the political courage to make that decision.

Interstate 80, I-80, Pennsylvania, tolls

Labels: Pennsylvania, Transportation

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posted by WFY @ 5:48 AM | |

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.

i-99, Port Matilda, PennDOT, Skytop, Pennsylvania.

Labels: i-99, Pennsylvania, PSU/Happy Valley, Transportation

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posted by WFY @ 7:00 AM | |