Please join our conversations. Contributors welcome.
claysh@gmail.com

Sunday, April 29, 2012
See the truth...
IMG_1776
saw this tree with the sign (move in close to read) planted where childrens hospital used to be on fifth ave, pittsburgh, pa
beautiful day
I usually stick to buying my plants locally but this year I ordered a few things in the mail. Ten teeny tiny trees arrived from the National Arbor Day Foundation and three beauty bushes from another nursery.
Everything is in the soil and the earthworms are checking out the new additions. ;)

layers of graphene
http://physicsworld.com/cws/article/news/2012/apr/27/new-material-filters-and-polarizes-terahertz-radiation

PGH IMG_1771
is that my fav Pittsburgh building peeking out among the other two, with leaves in the foreground, no less, yes I believe it is!
Saturday, April 28, 2012
Can this region afford methane from fracking operations?
Clean air in Pittsburgh? Don't hold your breath
"Although the region has made great strides, Pittsburgh still sits near the top of two measures of air pollution in an annual American Lung Association study. The Pittsburgh-New Castle region -- defined by the association in its annual State of the Air study as Beaver, Allegheny, Armstrong, Lawrence, Washington and Westmoreland counties -- ranked as the sixth-most polluted city in two categories: year-round particle pollution and short-term particle pollution."http://www.timesonline.com/news/local_news/clean-air-in-pittsburgh-don-t-hold-your-breath/article_fc18a6c7-16cf-50ef-b673-558a65a63e73.html

How Apple Sidesteps Billions in Global Taxes
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/29/business/apples-tax-strategy-aims-at-low-tax-states-and-nations.html?_r=1

"vast majority"
for those who didn't here it at MM, sharin some poetry
There sits my Lincoln Continental now,
to me a woman having style and grace.
Twin cams times two will surely show me how
high revs and torque propels me place to place.
Smooth curves, bright shine, my dark red lady got;
her Alpine stereo will please my ear.
I really got to say this babe is hot!
I can't believe she's in my driveway here!
She glides along the highway ever smooth,
accelerates and growls with sound to please.
Seats heated too will also serve to sooth.
All this then now will put my mind at ease.
Dependable, she starts come rain or snow.
In comfort takes me where I want to go.
Copyright 2012 by Raymond "Dmitri" Beljan

money laundering

Friday, April 27, 2012
On A Moral and Civic True North
Some fatherly advice to young folks, in a short video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CNgrxgmcwck&feature=player_embedded

Pennsylvania residents forget it.....

Mountain Palace - Hui Guo Rou Again!

News from The Art Room

need heavy particle board pieces?

2012 GPA Redistribution Petition & Video Contest - Carthage College

"If I wanted America to fail"

Thursday, April 26, 2012
It's We Who Win, Breivik
40,000 people gathered in Oslo to sing the popular song, "Rainbow Race," in defiance of the mass murderer who killed 77 young people because they advocated multiculturalism in Norway.
One blue sky above us
One ocean lapping all our shore
One earth so green and round
Who could ask for more
And because I love you
I'll give it one more try
To show my rainbow race
It's too soon to die.
Some folks want to be like an ostrich,
Bury their heads in the sand.
Some hope that plastic dreams
Can unclench all those greedy hands.
Some hope to take the easy way:
Poisons, bombs. They think we need 'em.
Don't you know you can't kill all the unbelievers?
There's no shortcut to freedom.
Go tell, go tell all the little children.Watch the event at http://www.commondreams.org/further/2012/04/26-2
Tell all the mothers and fathers too.
Now's our last chance to learn to share
What's been given to me and you.

Dad Watches The Hunger Games

The Human Cancer Risks Posed by Extreme Fossil Fuel Extraction
...when carcinogens are released into the common environment, an ongoing public health and environmental experiment is set in motion, and people are placed in harm's way, often without their consent. Moreover, as the report goes on to say, "many of these problems are inherent to the process and cannot be avoided through regulation." On this basis, Bulgaria and France have both enacted nationwide bans on fracking. Vigorous public protest contributed to both of these decisions and led the French environment minister to concede, "We have seen the results in the U.S. There are risks for the water tables and these are risks we don't want to take."
The new report: http://www.foodandwaterwatch.org/tools-and-resources/fracking-new-global-water-crisis/.
http://www.alternet.org/fracking/155022/99_percent_300x250_flash.swf?page=entire

Gravity-defying art

Ligonier Camp Work Days: 4/28 & 5/5
We are gearing up for summer camp at our main site as well as our new lake property (formerly the Lady of the Lake). If you've ever asked yourself, "I wonder what happens at Ligonier Camp the other nine months of the year?" now is a great time to check things out--and lend a hand!
Work days begin the next two Saturdays at 9 AM. Come at 8:30 for continental breakfast in the summer camp dining hall. We'll break into groups to tackle a number of projects around property and at the NEW lake.
Want a fun opportunity to serve with your family, church, or community group? Does your high schooler need volunteer community service hours? Call Patrick Myers at (724) 238-6428 x107 or send him an email if you're interested in volunteering.
Lunch provided.
Ligonier Camp & Conference Center
188 Macartney Lane Ligonier PA 15658

Two for the Wool

70th Aniversary ...We'll alway have paris.

Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Wendell Berry, American Hero by Mark Bittman
“Whether we and our politicians know it or not, Nature is party to all our deals and decisions, and she has more votes, a longer memory, and a sterner sense of justice than we do.”
“Do unto those downstream as you would have those upstream do unto you.”
“Rats and roaches live by competition under the laws of supply and demand; it is the privilege of human beings to live under the laws of justice and mercy.”
http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/04/24/wendell-berry-american-hero/?src=me&ref=general#
PAUL SIROFCHUCK HAS A NEW BLOG ON HIS FURNITURE!!!
For those of you who are familiar with me and those that are not, I am a Studio Furniture Maker and Architect living and working in the Ligonier Valley and co-owner of Main Exhibit Gallery in Ligonier. I have FINALLY started a blog to share my passion for woodworking and design with friends and clients and hopefully give insight to my process and/or what ever else may cross my mind. Currently I am adding video segments of a table I created for a benefit sale for the Wharton Eshrick Museum in Paoli, Pa. from May 21 to June 10, 2012.
Check back often as I will add new projects or thoughts...... and feel free to comment or ask questions.
(Thanks Diane for this great resource for the Valley!)

URBAN ABSTRACT IMG_1685
in d burgh w me canon
Flavors BYOB Dinners Every Friday & Saturday Night
Join us for dinner every on Friday & Saturday nights. BYOB, full wait staff, great menu, terrific music, & candlelight. What can be better than that? Reservations suggested. Take a look at the menu. http://theflavorscafe.com/Dinner_Menu.html

NEW DRAMA ON PRIME TIME
NEW DRAMA ON PRIME TIME
fairness and justice

Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Ready for a break?
driving the wrong way on 30
Read more: Police: Wrong-way driving caused Ligonier Twp. crash | TribLIVE | Pittsburgh http://triblive.com/news/westmoreland/1087073-74/police-woman-driving-ligonier-wrong-call-center-headed-lanes-medical#ixzz1t0yz2IXw

it's Mellow Mike night!
MM is a bit of an open mike but that's only a part of what happens. Mellow Mike is more about creating a feeling of community and laughing and singing together, so it's not what we would normally call a show or open mike, it's a fun evening get together where strangers become friends and friends groove to music and enjoy some readings.
We've been doing Mellow Mike for over two years now at the Ligonier Tavern and over that time it's always surprised us that the folks who really LOVE Mellow Mike are usually Leonard Cohen fans or after they hear a song or two BECOME Leonard Cohen fans. LOL
We like to sing Leonard Cohen songs and Beatles mixed in with folk tunes and oldies and not so oldies and meditative musical improv, Dmitri style. It's all very casual and not a professional performance - very pub or salon style.
MM usually starts around 6:30 on Tuesday evenings and runs officially until 9 but really until 9:30 or even 10. Folks at Mellow Mike play harmonicas, tambourines, drums, shakers or just sit and listen or get up and dance.
To give you a flavor of songs, we'll probably sing Hallelujah, Let It Be, Woodstock, Ghost Riders in the Sky, Who By Fire, Little Red Riding Hood....fun stuff like that. Got it? We'll mix in a few local poets and hopefully Pete will do some Dylan. ;)

drh (16)
Enough photos of buildings, here is my fav model, Diana
IMG_1390
Harris theater Liberty Ave. "dahntahn" Pittsburgh
Internationally Renowned Expert on Cancer and the Environment to Speak Tonight at Washington & Jefferson College
Steingraber has keynoted conferences on human health and the environment throughout the United States and Canada and has been invited to lecture at many universities, medical schools, and hospitals—including Harvard, Yale, Cornell, Columbia, and the Woods Hole Research Center. She is recognized for her ability to serve as a two-way translator between scientists and activists. She has testified in the European Parliament, before the President’s Cancer Panel, and has participated in briefings to Congress and before United Nations delegates in Geneva, Switzerland."
http://www.washjeff.edu/news/internationally-renowned-expert-cancer-and-environment-speak-washington-jefferson-college

Pittsburgh Dad: Family Dinner

Dogwood and snow
voting day
death penalty for selling house to Jews

Zumba® Master Class: Make-A-Wish
Donation $10
Wednesday April 25th
Seward Fire Hall
Doors open @ 6:00 pm
Master Class 6:30 - 8:00
Raffle Drawing & Lite Refreshments 8:00 - 8:30
* If you would like to make a donation, please make checks
payable to Make-A-Wish and mail to Heather Beatty at
116 1/2 East Main Street, Ligonier PA 15658

Monday, April 23, 2012
'Whole Food, Not Whole Foods': Renegade Farmers Reclaim Land on Earth Day
To prevent the sale for private development, citizens plant community garden
"SF Bay area residents on Sunday, in order to prevent development of a chain grocery store, reclaimed 10 acres of land owned by the University of California-Berkeley and planted a community garden. The protesters-cum-gardeners, several dozen of them in all, broke the lock on a chain-linked fence about mid-day and got to work digging beds, roto-tilling soil, and planting carrots, broccoli, and other vegetables. The plan is to build a sustainable community garden and stave off any attempt by UC Berkeley to sell the land for private development. Gopal Dayaneni, one of the 20 or so core organizers of the action, told the San Jose Mercury News that the group was committed to growing both the farm and its community of farmers. Volunteers had about 10,000 starts -- small bulbs or seedlings -- and dug dozens of rows. Some people brought chickens, and the group even brought in a large tank for watering."
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2012/04/22/BAM71O7HR6.DTL

Revoke ALEC's charitable status
"You'd think that an American business taking part in a scheme to secretly lobby for the passage of state laws tailored to fattening its profits at the expense of the public good would be shunned by customers and marginalized in the marketplace. But today, mega-companies like Walmart, Koch Industries, Pfizer and State Farm Insurance are openly, if quietly engaged in just such an effort. They call it the American Legislative Exchange Council, or ALEC, cloak it in rhetoric about free speech and free markets, and whine like spoiled children when someone dares to tell the truth about what it's up to."
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/cifamerica/2012/apr/23/irs-american-legislative-exchange-council-status

The Little Mermaid
We would like to dedicate our performances in the memory of Magdalena Rose Elder “Maggie” proceeds and all donations will be donated to The Miracles from Maggie Foundation.

Here we go again...
The extremists, of course, are already in power. They have been in power for several years. They write our legislation. They pick the candidates and fund their campaigns. They dominate the courts. They effectively gut regulations and environmental controls. They suck down billions in government subsidies. They pay no taxes. They determine our energy policy. They loot the U.S. treasury. They rigidly control public debate and information. They wage useless and costly imperial wars for profit. They are behind the stripping away of our most cherished civil liberties. They are implementing government programs to gouge out any money left in the carcass of America. And they know that Romney or Barack Obama, along with the Democratic and the Republican parties, will not stop them."
Read the entire article by Chris Hedges at:
http://www.commondreams.org/view/2012/04/23-0

My Lincoln Highway from Bedford to Pittsburgh

if you have time and enjoy winter weather

Sunday, April 22, 2012
CUTE! Little Boy and His Dog

George Carlin: Earth Day ****warning some language may offend****

Linda is looking for kittens
If you have kittens ready for adoption now, comment here or send me an email and I'll pass the message to Linda.
dianecipa@gmail.com

IMG_1604
after a new bldg goes up wont see this view again (made possible when a building was razed)
no probation for Podlucky
Read more: Judge: No probation for Podluckys - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/westmoreland/s_792347.html#ixzz1sm7fJguF

IMG_1600
love the old Pittsburgh architecture
Saturday, April 21, 2012
notes from Carolyn

backyard adventures
While all of that was happening a starling was trying to get into a redheaded woodpecker nest. They defended it well.
When I came home from work, I saw that the starling v. woodpecker battle was still in play and the woodpeckers were still in control of their nest.
Near the end of the evening last night we heard loud cat noise - usually a stray meetup with Ginko and Gooey defending their turf. I ran out onto the back porch and yelled "What's going on?" That was enough to break it up and Ginko ran to the back door - Gooey to the front. I never saw the other animal. I hope it was a cat but there is a chance it was a possum since the altercation took place at the usual time for the possum to peruse the yard and at his usual entrance. All I heard from the other animal was rustling in the plants.
This morning was I sad to see that the starling has won the nest fight. The woodpeckers have only occupied the nest for about a week and so I don't know if there are eggs or babies in there yet. Is the other bird taking over the nest or just eating their young? I'll have to look that one up.

Graceful Aging Wellness Center

"Ben Jealous", "Bill Maher", and "David Brock" Offered Ballot in Nation'...

Too Much Copyright

Friday, April 20, 2012
Relay for Life Team "Cancer Crushers" To Hold Bake Sale This Weekend
Their event is being held at the Beaufort Services Inc. location on Route 711 with plenty of parking available and easy access. Their team successfully raised $1200 last year which was their first event. Stop by and help them reach their goal to raise $2000 this year! Your stomach will thank you and so will the team!

Mountain Palace - Hui Guo Rou!

note to mobile readers who wish to comment
I have found that if a comment comes through on the old Blogger format and I allow it to be posted, it erases any Intense Debate comments that are already on the blog. For that reason I haven't been posting comments that come through from mobile readers.
I do apologize but I cannot think of any other way to handle that. ;)
This morning I received a comment asking about the porch project we had going last year. Anon said:
"I have many of these same questions to various structures all the time. I feel like I actually have some kind of phobia. You however, sound like you're just touching all bases to make sure the porch doesn't collapse. Is it or was it under construction when u posted this or was it already built?"
My response is that the porch is now built. At the time of the post, it was still under construction. This year we have different contractors finishing the job - railings, steps, sealing, insulation under the deck, electrical, etc. As for the structural supports. I have learned much through this process and I would say that with the porch span of ten feet we should be okay. I still wish we had the I-beam, even if it was an overbuild, because then I wouldn't have to think about it if there's a group of people on the porch. ;)

Thursday, April 19, 2012
Child Portraits on the Diamond ~ Anastasia Photography!

Applause for Ligonier Borough Council....

Words in Process with Amy Yanity

Laurel Highlands Conservation Coalition's 4th conference
"When the well is dry, we know the worth of water." - Benjamin Franklin.
An international expert on declining water supplies will be the keynote speaker at the Laurel Highlands Conservation Coalition's April 23 conference, which will be all about water and include some hands-on, how-to sessions for local conservationists.
The keynote speaker is Dr. Leonard Konikow of the U.S. Geological Survey, who speaks internationally about water issues, especially declining groundwater supplies. Dr. Konikow has been a research hydrologist with USGS since 1972. He has an extensive resume of papers and service as chairman of committees for such organizations as the American Geophysical Union and the National Research Council.
A discussion will follow about creating an
The other half of the day will promote hands-on ways to conserve and improve critical water resources, including a "toolkit" for conservation easements, "clean and green" leases and farmland preservation. Other topics are how to petition to have a stream re-designated as high value or exceptional value, and an update on Marcellus issues.
The program will cost $20.00 to cover the cost of food and hall rental.
To register please e-mail bclemenson@pec-pa.org or call Pennsylvania Environmental Council at 1-800-322-9214.

cards for burn victim
