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.
Flyers vs. Pens: Hockey blogger looking for correspondent - William World News - William F. Yurasko's blog
Monday, May 05, 2008
Flyers vs. Pens: Hockey blogger looking for correspondent
A noted hockey blogger I know may be looking for a correspondent to collect video, photos and observations of the Happy Valley scene during the Flyers vs. Pengyunz series. Apparently, it was quite something the last time these two teams met in the playoffs; I had already graduated, so I missed it. Actually, I may not have missed it. I do remember what the town was like when the Eagles and Steelers met in the regular season a few years ago though and that was pretty intense. Drop me a line (e-mail link below) if you are interested.
As for the series, I won't be watching it, but I hope that Pittsburgh loses.
In all seriousness, when is finals week in Happy Valley? The series doesn't start till Friday, so the semester outta be winding down before the Pens knock the Flyers out.
# posted by The Maryland Bureau Chief :
Monday, May 05, 2008 1:11:00 PM
On the way to Blue White we drove up the new section between Bald Eagle and Skytop. It was functional, but the Port Matilda interchange had very steep ramps.
Privatized Penna. Turnpike on the way? - William World News - William F. Yurasko's blog
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Privatized Penna. Turnpike on the way?
Rendell expects to name turnpike lessee soon - The Inky Good news -- tolls on the federally funded Interstate 80 in Pennsylvania may not happen. The bad news is the reason why they won't happen.
Gov. Ed Rendell is still pushing to lease the Pennsylvania Turnpike which essentially transforms a public utilities into private monopoly.* I am really skeptical that these things are good long-term deals for government or consumers. I may have to start shunpiking when I head to Happy Valley.
Best cheesesteaks in Philly list - William World News - William F. Yurasko's blog
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Best cheesesteaks in Philly list
I like cheesesteaks and despite it being Hate the Flyers Fortnight (more or less, why do the NHL and NBA stetch 7 games series out so long?), I'm still going to alert you to a list of the best cheesesteaks in the Philly area, birthplace of the cheesesteak. I like the cheesesteaks and I won't let even the thuggish Flyers ruin that for me.
The list is compiled by WIP, the radio station that invented the dark morning of the soul known as Wing Bowl (ESPN Page 2). That fact either proves WIP is perfectly qualified to judge cheesesteaks or should never be taken seriously ever under any circumstances.
My favorite, Jim's Steaks, comes in at #12 out of #45. Geno's, which I had on Opening Day 2005, comes in at #35, an assessment I cannot fault. I have not yet been to Geno's 9th and Passayunk rival, Pat's, but maybe I need not bother since it comes in so low at #42. I've been curious about #8 Tony Luke's and #30 Rick's, but apparently I to go to John's Roast Pork if I want the best.
US 11/15 & PA 581 interchange rebuild begins - William World News - William F. Yurasko's blog
Friday, March 07, 2008
US 11/15 & PA 581 interchange rebuild begins
Work starts on deadly U.S.15/Route 581 ramp - Patriot-News Construction on one of the more annoying and dangerous interchanges on one of the roads to Happy Valley has started. Within 75 days, the cloverleaf ramp from US 15 North to PA 581 West/US 11 South will be closed, replaced by a signalized left-turn lane. It will be safer, but is not ideal. I was hoping there would be a flyover ramp from US 15 North to PA 581 West/US 11 South, but as noted previously, PennDOT's cost-benefit analysis determined it wasn't worthwhile.
I believe they will have to reevaluate that decision within five years of the interchange's reconstruction.
Will there be a Terrible Towel on his coffin? - William World News - William F. Yurasko's blog
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Will there be a Terrible Towel on his coffin?
Legendary broadcaster Myron Cope dies at 79 - Post-Gazette The Maryland Bureau Chief tipped me off that Cope who was "so bad, he's good" as a long-time Steelers broadcaster died today at age 79. He was credited with inventing the Terrible Towel.
I remember on Thanksgiving Sunday we were driving back from seeing family friends in Michigan and we found a Steelers game. We agreed the broadcasters were awful. Later, through the magic of NFL Films, I became more familiar with his work and became a fan of him. Not a Steelers fan though (except for Super Bowl XL).
Myron will be missed, although listening to him 2002-04 was a little painful because he clearly was in decline (no jokes that he was "always" painful to listen to). But yes, I am among those "yinzers" that would turn down the TV broadcast and turn up Myron. He loved the team and really brought the game to life. And of course, I found him entertaining and funny!
I was sad he wasn't on-board during the Super Bowl XL campaign, but at least he was alive to see it. I will finish up by saying: DOUBLE YOI!!!
# posted by The Maryland Bureau Chief :
Wednesday, February 27, 2008 12:27:00 PM
For me, listening to Myron was like repeatedly smashing a brick into the back of my head. But I understand he was pretty much a god of broadcasting, kinda like Mel Allen was. Of course, the Steelers never fired Myron, did they?
# posted by Brad Stratton :
Wednesday, February 27, 2008 2:47:00 PM
TMBC: I read somewhere that listening to the radio coverage while watching the game was a "unique Pittsburgh tradition." Um, no. Redskins fans used to "turn the TV down and the radio up" to listen to Sonny, Sam and Frank. Buffalo fans did it too and I'll bet Colts fans did for Chuck Thompson and Raider fans for Bill King.
Brad: Allen was fired by the sponsor, Ballantine Ale. Back in the day, sponsors bought the broadcast rights and decided who would call the games.
# posted by WFY :
Wednesday, February 27, 2008 3:50:00 PM
WFY: I don't claim that it is a Pittsburgh-only tradition. But I've heard Sonny and Sam, and they are not nearly the "unique" radio personalities that Myron was. I think every town probably has one or two announcers that fans swear is the best, so we are probably no different with our admiration of Myron. I just know that none of the others made up a song with lyrics such as: "Deck the Broncos there just Yoncos....FA LA LA LA LA LA LA LA LA."
Brad, No, the Steelers never fired Myron. He and his buddy (Joe Gordon?) had an agreement that when Joe told Myron he was "slipping", Myron would resign. Joe gave him the word during the summer of 2005. I think the Steelers knew it was coming a few years ahead of time, which is why they expanded to a 3 man booth a few years earlier.
# posted by TMBC :
Wednesday, February 27, 2008 7:08:00 PMPost a Comment
Pocono Skiing 2008: Camelback - William World News - William F. Yurasko's blog
Monday, February 18, 2008
Pocono Skiing 2008: Camelback
TANNERSVILLE, Penna. -- Family and friends can breathe a sigh of relief -- I finally went to Camelback Ski Area in the Poconos for my annual ski trip. I won't be complaining I haven't hit the slopes yet or asking them to come with me anymore!
Saturday morning, I woke up at regular time and left for Camelback, widely regarded as the best ski area in the Poconos. I arrived a little later than I had planned, but still had a full day ahead of me. Camelback was packed and I had to park along side the unpaved road far from the main lodge. This proved to be advantageous for me since I was near the Glen Lodge, a smaller lodge located on the east side of the mountain. I had to wait almost 90 seconds in line for my lift ticket. Since I had rented my skis from off-site, I was ready for the slopes. I started off on the beginner run, Sun Bowl and then proceeded to longer slopes like Upper Moore's Ramble and Mark Anthony, all enjoyable runs. I probably took a run down Lower Cleopatra as well. After getting nice and loose, I headed for the Sullivan Express lift to take me up the eastern side of the mountain to reach my favorite slope, the Nile Mile. I believe that Nile Mile is the longest slope in the Poconos. I like it for that reason and also the comfortable degrees of steepness that allow for lots of speed when I want it and not too much when I do not. Additionally, the snow is always quite plentiful on the slope, so ice doesn't tend to be a big deal.
After taking Nile Mile a few times, I figured I ought to get some lunch. I stopped at the Glen Lodge and ordered the ribs combo ($12.76 with tax) from the cafeteria. This was a major departure from the typical fare offered at most resorts and actually a decent deal, all things considered. The ribs, while quite fatty, were pretty good as were the seasoned waffle fries. It was actually more food than I probably needed.
After filing up, I headed back up the mountain and took another Nile Mile run. I followed that up with The Pharaoh which fed into The Bactrian. Skiing down The Pharaoh proved quite tricky because it was quite icy and I am not in as good a shape as last year when I still went to a gym.
After some more fun on the east side of mountain, I moved over to the Cleopatra triple lift and headed down Mark Anthony again but took Home Again down to the Sullivan Express quad lift. The lines were pretty heavy here and the frequent need for the lift to stop didn't help matters. Once I did get to the top, I enjoyed heading The Birches, the western-most slope, several times. It is a lot like the Nile Mile, only shorter. It feeds The Meadows and John Bailey.
After buying a Pepsi from the main lodge, I returned to slopes with a trip down Near East (via the Mark Anthony lift) which fed me into Upper Moore's Ramble and Turkey Trot, each a pretty good run, though Near East starts kind of flat. Seeing that I didn't have much energy left, I headed to the Nile Mile for the rest of the afternoon and took a few final runs. It worked out that I once I finished my last run of the day< i had about a tree minute walk to my car. That was convenient, but there was a minor drawback to parking on the side of the unpaved road.
I spent almost all of my time on green circles this year, a major departure from last year's trip, but in fairness many of Camelback's double greens are more challenging than Jack Frost and Big Boulder's blue squares. Also, without an enabler around, I was less motivated to really push myself too much.
Weather-wise it was warmer than forecast with temperatures well into the 30s. With the beautiful, cloudless blue sky and ample sun, the snow was a little mushy. I got a little warm wearing seven layers too.
Using the ski conditions scale, I give it a . Had it been a little colder, I think it would have been double blue, but that is just the way this winter has worked out.
...has lots of models and costumes from the entire saga. The "science" of Star Wars galaxy is explained and compared with contemporary science from this galaxy. In some ways, we are not far off from things in the Star Wars universe, but sadly lightsaber technology remains elusive. Also, the Millennium Falcon is worth doing too. Sadly, we were not allowed to take any photos inside the Falcon.
The Inkypreview is critical of the "science" part of the exhibit which is a reasonable assessment, but not many people are there for the science anyway.
Both Erica and I really enjoyed the exhibit, more so than the one the Smithsonian had in the late 1990s. Since Philly is less than three hours up I-95 from D.C. so you can make a day-trip out of the visit. If you want to make a weekend out of it gophila.com has a package.
I recommend buying tickets in advance though to avoid the lines, particularly for the Falcon simulator which is a separate admission.
Not much groundhog hype this year - William World News - William F. Yurasko's blog
Saturday, February 02, 2008
Not much groundhog hype this year
Is it just me or was Groundhog Day barely mentioned this year? Any way, the woodchuck saw his shadow (USA Today), so we'll see six more weeks of winter, so maybe I'll squeeze a ski trip in yet. Have we seen six weeks or winter yet though?
Myron Cope ailing - William World News - William F. Yurasko's blog
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Myron Cope ailing
Hall of fame broadcaster still hospitalized - Post-Gazette The Maryland Bureau Chief noted that it doesn't sound good for former Steelers broadcaster Myron Cope. The article didn't contain the "no more updates about his condition" line, so there is still some hope that the septuagenarian can recover from pneumonia that has had him hospitalized since November.
Q: I just saw the article today about the new highway finally opening, and in all 8 pictures you have, there are none that show an I-99 shield. Is PennDOT waiting till they have the highway fully open all the way to I-80, or are they being lazy and not putting I-99 shields up? I saw they had the directional banners for I-99 up, but not the shields. So, is I-99 still going to end down in Bald Eagle for now while US-220 continues on the new highway till late 2008? James Mast, Pittsburgh, Pa 12/17/07
A: After I-99 is complete, it will take aan act of Congress to designate the road an interstate highway and, more specifically, Intertstate 99. The sections of I-99 in Bedford and Blair counties were completed when U.S. Rep. Bud Shuster, R-Bedford, was still in Congress. He resigned in 2001. Mike Joseph 12/19/07
Had the traditional method of assigning interstate numbers (AASHTO)been undertaken in the first place, this probably wouldn't have been a problem and the road would have had a proper number like I-270 or I-876. Of course, the numbering of the route is the least of the problems that Bud Shuster created by making his own rules when it came to road known as the Bud Shuster Highway.
Places I went in 2007 - William World News - William F. Yurasko's blog
Thursday, January 03, 2008
Places I went in 2007
Generally speaking, I had to either spend the night or sit down for a meal somewhere for it to qualify.
Alexandria, Va. Annapolis, Md. Arlington, Va. Avalon, NJ Bellefonte, Penna. Daly City, Calif. Eatontown, N.J. Edison, N.J. Hamilton, N.J. Harrisburg, Penna. Lake Harmony, Penna. Lemoyne, Penna. Lewistown, Penna. McLean, Va. Mill Valley, Calif. Morristown, N.J. Mount Vernon, Va. Philadelphia, Penna. Potomac, Md. Princeton, N.J. Reedsville, Penna. San Francisco, Calif. Ship Bottom, N.J. Spray Beach, N.J. Springfield, Penna. State College, Penna. Stone Harbor, N.J. Virginia Beach, Va. Vienna, Va. Washington, D.C.
Northern-most point: Blakeslee, Penna. Southern-most point: Virginia Beach, Va. Western-most point: San Francisco, Calif. (by car, Bedford, Pa.) Eastern-most point: Bay Head, N.J.
I doubt I'll get any further west this year, but I hope to get further north, east and south. Hopefully, New York and Boston can make it back on the list too.
NHL, Philadelphia Flyers, Pittsburgh Penguins, Penn State, State College, yo, yinz
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and then proceeded to longer slopes like 
# posted by
The Maryland Bureau Chief :
Monday, May 05, 2008 1:11:00 PM