William World News - William F. Yurasko's blog

Snowmageddon total for Vienna, Va. 21.5 inches

2010-02-07T14:12:00.004-05:00

VIENNA, Va. -- Our Vienna Bureau Chief (aka WHY or Dad) sent in this photo from his backyard (table top I believe). 21.5 inches is the official total over there. In Alexandria it was 20.5, so they win the snow challenge I guess.

I just dug out one of our cars. That was exciting. I will be shocked if the federal government is open tomorrow.

[flickr : Snowmageddon!/slideshow]

Final Snowmageddon total for Alexandria, Va. - 20.5 inches

2010-02-06T21:15:00.005-05:00

ALEXANDRIA, Va. -- The final total for Snowmageddon is unchanged from my afternoon update -- 20.5 inches of snow on top of the 2.5 already on the ground. I must have gotten out there right before it stopped.

This is a record breaker, but not the three feet that was being hyped, though I understand other parts of BeltwayLand approached that total. This isn't officially the biggest storm in Washington D.C. history, but it is close. Totals right here are held down by the fairly low elevation and the proximity to the urban heat island.

Tomorrow is the cleanup day with a lot of digging to get one or more cars out. Last time it took about two hours to get one car out, but that was with beautiful powdery snow. This stuff is much wetter, so it could be a very long day.

[flickr : Snowmageddon!/slideshow]

Snowmageddon! 20.5 inches of fresh snow in Alexandria, Va. at 2:30 p.m.

2010-02-06T14:34:00.005-05:00

ALEXANDRIA, Va. -- The latest snow total for Snowmaggedon is in -- 20.5 inches of fresh snow from this storm. Of course, that is on top of the 2.5 inches leftover from the previous storm. It is still coming down steadily here in the West End.

This is officially the most snow I have ever seen in Northern Virginia, breaking the record set by Snowpocalypse in December 2009.

[flickr : Snowmageddon!/slideshow]

Some earlier reports from friends on Facebook:

10:30 a.m. A violist in Wincester, Va. reported 28 inches
12:00 p.m. A teacher in Harrisburg, Pa. reported 16+ inches
2:00 p.m. A director of social media from Brookland, Washington D.C. reported 21 inches
4:00 p.m. The Maryland Bureau Chief reported 31 inches

The Maryland Bureau Chief after shoveling earlier:

Snowmageddon! 17 inches of new snow at 8:30 a.m. in Alexandria, Va.

2010-02-06T08:41:00.003-05:00

ALEXANDRIA, Va. -- Last night West End Alexandria received another 13 5/8 inches of snow, raising the total on the ground to 19 inches! Capital Weather Gang says another 5 to 8 inches to go today, so we'll have a new record for the highest amount of snowfall I've ever seen in Northern Virginia, surpassing Snowpocalypse's record of 20 inches -- only one more inch to go. I guess we won't see 30 inches here though which is a bit disappointing.

According to The Maryland Bureau Chief, Columbia, Md. has 24 inches of snow.

How much snow do you have?

snow, mass hysteria, dogsandcatslivingtogether, Alexandria, Virginia snowmageddon, superstorm

Snow day theater: Redskins vs. 49ers '83 NFC championship

2010-02-05T19:55:00.000-05:00

I recently sent a Joe Posnanski blog post about Steve Sabol and NFL Films to my friend and fellow NFL Films aficionado David the other day. He replied back that it was great but also that Hulu had several NFL Films features available including the NFC Championship game between the Washington Redskins and San Francisco 49ers that was played at RFK Stadium after the 1983 season. I actually remember that game pretty well or at least I think I do, I let you know after I watch this video.

The Redskins went up 21-0, but the 49ers stormed back to tie it. Mark Mosely kicked the game winning field goal after missing four earlier in the game. I recall there were too pass interference penalties against the 49ers that were controversial and that their Bill Walsh looked like somebody he loved had just died at the end of the game. When the game was played neither me or David were Redskins fans then like we are now and oddly enough David lives in San Francisco.:

49ers

They went 10-6 that year after having an awful '82 season after winning Super Bowl XVI. I think they won the division by beating the Dallas Cowboys on the final Monday night of the season after the Cowboys had lost the NFC East and 1st seed to the Redskins the week before. WR Dwight Clark was injured late that year and the 49ers barely beat the Detroit Lions the week before with Eddie Murray missing a late field goal at Candlestick Park. It was also the only season Joe Montana wore that style of facemask.

Redskins

That team was a juggernaut, they only lost twice in the regular season and both of them were on Monday night by 1 point each. John Riggins picked up where he left off in the '82 playoffs by scoring 24 touchdowns in the regular season behind the Hogs. Joe Theismann was a Pro Bowl QB. Mosley set scoring scoring record with 161 points, the year after being MVP.

Okay, enough prolouge, here's the video:

Snowmageddon! 3 3/8 inches new snow at 6 p.m. in Alexandria, Va.

2010-02-05T18:30:00.004-05:00

ALEXANDRIA, Va. -- The first official William World News snowfall measurement of Snowmageddon has been recorded. 2 1/2 were inches left on the ground from the last storm and to that total another 3 3/8 had accumulated since the snow began around 10 a.m. That is pretty low thus far, but reports are saying this could be the biggest snowstorm in Washington history (We Love DC)!

I will try to get one more measurement tonight.

Nats single game tickets will finally go on sale March 2

2010-02-04T12:03:00.000-05:00

PRESS RELEASE - Washington Nationals individual tickets on sale Tuesday, March 2 at 10:00am - The Post
I don't know why the Washington Nationals wait so long to put single game tickets on sale every year. I'm sure they will say so that they make sure season ticketholders get the first dibs, but this is ridiculous. When you are drawing less than 2 million in a market as big as D.C., you ought to be maximizing opprutunities to sell tickets. Any way, starting March 2 at 10 a.m. the public sale is on.

The promotions schedule is also updated. If I am one of the first 20,000 on Opening Day fans, I will get that ugly batting practice hat. There are also Ryan Zimmerman and Nyjer Morgan bobbleheads being given out during the season. As for hte "fan choice bobblehead" it has to be Tony Plush.

Rather than pay for service fees, is there a season ticketholder who will order 2 Opening Day tickets for me? I'm looking for $20 tickets behind home plate in the upper deck. Unless you can get me lower deck tickets for $20 :)

Washington Nationals, Nats

How the Bullets became the Wizards

2010-02-04T10:00:00.001-05:00

Why Abe Pollin went from Bullets to Wizards - DC Sports Bog, The Post
Dan Steinberg goes into the archives and puts together a timeline of the Washington Bullets changing their name to Wizards.

As I have said before, if Ted Leonsis does acquire the team, the name "Wizards" stays because Leonsis has so much respect for Pollin. The colors will change back to red, white and blue, but perhaps not until the team is ready to be good again.

For the record, Dragons would have been a good name since they play in Chinatown, but what is done is done.

Penn State National Signing Day recruits

2010-02-04T05:58:00.004-05:00

Thank goodness that's over.

National Signing Day has come and gone, so college football fans can stop getting excited over whether 18 year old boys will come to their favorite school. Apparently, Penn State has a top 10 class. Whatever, the real ranking only comes 3-5 years from now when these guys are playing. In the meantime, read Ken Denlinger's For the Glory and get over recruiting already. These guys aren't players to me until they are on the 3 deep roster.

2010 Penn State Football Signees - Intercollegiate Athletics

Snowfall totals: Alexandria & Tysons Corner

2010-02-03T12:57:00.003-05:00

ALEXANDRIA, Va. -- After missing the weekend snowstorm, I'm back with more snowfall measurements. In front of my condo, I measured 5 3/4 inches of wet fluffy snow. This includes accumulations from the weekend storm.

TYSONS CORNER, Va. -- At work, I measure 6 7/8 inches.

This snow is already melting and probably won't make it through tomorrow if even today, but don't get used to seeing the ground again. We're in for a doozy this weekend:

H/T Scrappled or at least the guy who runs that blog
snow, Alexandria, Virginia Tysons Corner

Joe Riley: The man, the cocktail

2010-02-03T10:00:00.001-05:00

Spirits: How liquor wholesalers hobble consumer choice - The Post
I believe my friend Joe Riley (a former Nats blogger) is the first person I know who has a cocktail named after him. Why does he have a cocktail named after him? Because he's a frickin' American hero, pilgrim -- a single combat warrior against the liquor wholesalers who limit consumer choice.

In what Joe describes as "quite possibly the oddest segue in spirits-writing history" the author of the link above wonders aloud if Sarah Palin will call out the Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America when she gives the keynote address at their convention in April. It is really an unnecessary setup for the main point -- Joe is relentless is finding that liquor you want. That dedication inspired The Passenger to name a cocktail after him. The cocktail is wheated bourbon with falernum, Domaine de Canton Ginger and elderflower liqueurs and lemon juice. Sounds interesting, I'll have to check it out soon.

COCKTAIL RECIPE: Joe Riley - The Post

Capitals beat Bruins to win 11th straight

2010-02-03T06:11:00.004-05:00

Washington Capitals defeat Boston Bruins 4-1 to win record 11th straight - The Post
Not only is 11 consecutive wins a Capitals record, but it might be tied for an all-time Washington sports record. I can recall the Redskins going 11-0 in 1991, but that is probably the only time that a D.C. team had that many consecutive wins, I'm pretty sure the Wizards/Bullets, Nationals, ~~Senators and DC United~~ never pulled off the feat.

UPDATE 6:11 p.m. Actually, the Senators did it two better in 1933, according to DC Sports Bog, the last year a pennant was won by Washington. DC United did it in 1999 and won the championship.

This is a great milestone for the Caps, but they are looking for the biggest one. As Ted Leonsis says "we have miles to go before we can sleep."

Blogger ending FTP support

2010-02-02T14:09:00.003-05:00

I have been using Blogger for this blog's content management for nearly six years, but that is coming to an end. Blogger will no longer be supporting FTP starting March 26, 2010. While they provide a migration tool, that won't get the job done for me since I want everything to reside on yurasko.net (or yurasko.com) and I am not about to put the domain in Blogger's hands. So, I need to find a new content management solution, something I have considered several times over the years.

Anybody have any suggestions?

Review: Yocco's

2010-02-02T10:41:00.002-05:00

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.

A snowy weekend recap

2010-02-01T14:00:00.001-05:00

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.

Again, why no Nats single game tickets for sale?

2010-02-01T12:06:00.002-05:00

I couldn't make it to NatsFest or any of the Winter Caravan this year, but based on several accounts, these events were well-received. There was also a number of media appearances by members of the organization which is also refreshing in the dead of winter with spring training still a few weeks away. I still have a big problem with all of this though:

WHY CAN'T I BUY SINGLE GAME TICKETS YET?!

A full week of good PR that is not getting turned into ticket sales. What's the deal Stan Kasten? I thought you were the genius of the 1990s Atlanta Braves, this stuff shouldn't be too hard. The reality of it is, the longer this kind of thing goes on, the more I'm reminded of Homer Simpson, union negotiator.

Sadly, I don't have a picture of that though.

Washington Nationals, Nats

Bill Waterson of Calvin & Hobbes Q&A'd

2010-02-01T12:03:00.003-05:00

Bill Watterson, creator of beloved 'Calvin and Hobbes' comic strip looks back with no regret - Plain-Dealer (Cleveland)
There isn't much insight from the creator of "Calvin & Hobbes" in the Q&A, but I'm posting it anyway. I haven't read the comics regularly since "Calvin & Hobbes" and "The Far Side" went away. Let me know if anything is in their ballpark for brilliance.

H/T Kevin Reiss

Ted Leonsis blogs about Wizards, Verizon Center sale

2010-01-28T20:47:00.002-05:00

An Update on Today's News - Ted's Take
Washington Capitals owner Ted Leonsis issued a statement via his blog about the recent Post article on his bid to buy the Wizards, Verizon Center and the D.C. Ticketmaster franchise outright from the estate of Abe Pollin. This is a "calm down everyone" move, but perhaps also a "hey, Pollins remember we had a deal" move on his part.

Until a time comes that Leonsis completes the purchase, Washingtonians are going to holding their breath because the last time a D.C. team owner died (Jack Kent Cooke), things did not go according to plan and we got...Dan Snyder.

I now expect this will be a long and nerve-racking process. Hopefully, the good guy wins.

RIP J.D. Salinger

2010-01-28T20:43:00.000-05:00

Bunch Of Phonies Mourn J.D. Salinger - The Onion

DC sports update 01.28.2010

2010-01-28T12:17:00.004-05:00

There is a lot going on in Washington sports and I don't have much time to blog about it.

DC Sports Bog is on fire with Nats caravan & interview transcripts, Redskins slowness to integrate black into uniforms (this time its a good thing),
Nats winter caravan continues and is at Ben's Chili Bowl right now. Ummm, half smokes.

Capital Punishment is back (briefly) with a vengeance for just a few days. Mike Bacsik, Pudge, Phil Wood, anybody named Lerner and Stan Kasten are under fire.

Livan Hernandez is getting the brush off from Mike Rizzo.

Mark Lerner chat transcript

The Capitals broke a 1-1 tie with the Anaheim Ducks in the 3rd period and charged to a 5-1 win. Eight wins in a row, not bad, how about doing it in May and June? :)

Washington Wizards players Gilbert Arenas and Javaris Crittenton are both suspended for the rest of the year.

The Pollin family is playing hardball with Ted Leonsis in the Wizards/Verizon Center sale. Ugh.

Like I said, a lot going on. I need to get some lunch.

Caps: Puck to head = extreme rocking the red

2010-01-27T12:35:00.003-05:00

Bloodied Caps fan: "I thought I was a goner" - DC Sports Bog, The Post
A Capitals fan celebrating his 80th birthday took a puck to the head the other night and Cheryl Nichols (of Capitals News Network) got the photos and Dan Steinberg got the whole story.

The Caps won again last night, dropping 7 on the New York Islanders on Long Island. They did it despite Alex Ovechkin not scoring, though he may have been gun-shy after Isles Jack Hillen taking an Ovi slapshot to the jaw.

Tonight, the Anaheim Ducks come to the Washington to try and end the Caps 7 game win streak.

Nats caravan underway, Lerner chat, 3 signed

2010-01-27T06:07:00.004-05:00

The Nats Winter Caravan starts today with stops at the Clarendon Hard Times Cafe (mmmm, Hard Times) and Build-A-Bear in Tysons Corner. Danny Espinosa, SS prospect Drew Storen, pitching prospect, Jim Riggleman, manager, Rob Dibble, TV Broadcaster and Ryan Speier, pitcher will be signing autographs.

Mark Lerner is chatting at 1 p.m. Let's see if he gets called out after yesterday's Post article that Capital Punishment reminded us was the same one written in 2007. In reality, I expect more softball questions like Q&A on nationals.com yesterday.
Three players were signed the other day, relief pitcher Tyler Walker, P Chuck James (broken wing and all) and OF Chris Duncan. James isn't bad to have around in case he gets his arm back, but they better not be counting on him to be in the rotation. Speaking of, they didn't sign John Garland, so not many options remain for another starting pitcher. So, I guess we'll see Livan Hernandez again. Walker should have a spot in the bullpen.

Washington Nationals, Nats

What a relief, no more Anita Marks commercials!

2010-01-26T10:00:00.000-05:00

Anita Marks and CBS Radio part ways - The Wash. Examiner
Excellent news -- Anita Marks has been let go of her radio gig and thus her MASN affiliation. We never need to see another ad implying (incorrectly) that she's hot and we should listen/watch. Phew!

Nats have a real front office now? We'll see

2010-01-26T05:28:00.004-05:00

Front-office overhaul gives Washington Nationals new respect - The Post
Entering their sixth season (wow, already?!) the Washington Nationals appear to finally have a MLB quality front office after two years of MLB rule and another three years of excuses and Jim Bowden. At long last, the Lerner ownership seems to be following The Plan that Stan Kasten preached but didn't actually follow. The promotion of Mike Rizzo, well-regarded from his long career as a scout, to general manager has given the franchise credibility throughout the sport. At least, that is what the Nats front office keeps saying.

The story is framed in part by the hiring of Jay Robertson, a Texas Rangers cast-off with over 25 years of scouting experience. Robertson was 95% committed to going to a different team and only spoke to Rizzo as a courtesy. However, Rizzo talked Robertson into signing with the Nats before they even got to specifics like car allowance and per diems. After a 10 hour session with the whole braintrust over the organization's players and the free agents available, Robertson said he had not had that much fun in 10 to 15 years. Rizzo says the Nats now have "manpower and brainpower." Sounds good, but we'll need to see the results.

Conspicuous by its absence in the article was any mention of international scouting.

Washington Nationals, Nats, Mike Rizzo, The Plan

Mark Lerner, Jim Riggleman chats on nationals.com this week

2010-01-25T14:00:00.002-05:00

On Wednesday at 1 p.m. Washington Nationals owner Mark Lerner (seen here texting on an invisible smart phone) will be chatting on nationals.com (click that link above, you have to be registered to participate). Suggested question: "why are you waiting until late February (maybe) to sell single-game tickets?

On Friday at 11 a.m. manager Jim Riggleman will be chatting too. Suggested question (in addition to pleading he not overuse young pitching) do you take the subway like you did in Chicago? I guess.

H/T Nationals News Network

Washington Nationals, Nats, Mark Lerner, Jim Riggleman