- Running/Wellness Challenge
|
Walker hit by car, dies
March 17, 2010
An Altoona man was killed Tuesday after he was struck by a car in Antis Township.
Samuel Luke, 61, of 212 Meyers Lane was walking along East Pleasant Valley Boulevard about 8:50 a..
» Full Story
Board appoints superintendent
March 17, 2010
WILLIAMSBURG — Williamsburg Community School District board members appointed longtime administrator Linda Smith as the district’s superintendent Tuesday evening.
» Full Story
Alleged shooter’s trials to start in Blair County
March 17, 2010
HOLLIDAYSBURG — Joseph B. Olecki, who was arrested a year ago for attempted homicide in Blair and Lackawanna counties, will be tried in Blair County first, according to Assistant District Attorney Deanne Paul.
» Full Story
Senate panel tables Eichelberger’s bill to ban gay marriage
March 17, 2010
HARRISBURG — The latest effort to amend Pennsylvania’s constitution to effectively ban gay marriage appeared dead Tuesday after three senators who supported an even broader measure two years ago changed their vote in committee.
» Full Story
Driving drunk
March 16, 2010
Students at Penn State Altoona got a firsthand lesson in drunken driving Monday.
» Full Story
Top Headline Poll
Will winter make a return in the coming weeks?
Yes, don’t put away the shovels
28%
Maybe for a short visit
44%
No, spring is here
28%
Online Newspaper Ads
|
|
Featured Ad
Sugar To Spice Salon
|
Blogs
Against The Wind
Erik Brown
Today in Curve, PA
Altoona Curve
The Art Cafe
Emily Dimov-Gottshall
15 Minutes
Ray Eckenrode
Buck Starts Here
Buck Frank
The Rough Cut
Keith Frederick
Nittany Nuggets
Cory Giger
Have Dog, Will Blog
Amy Jo Hanna
The Right to Remain Silent
Mark Leberfinger
Mainly Mehno
John Mehno
Backyard Beats
Jim Price
Once a sports guy ...
Neil Rudel
Game Over!
Nick Recchia & Tom Worthington
Just Write
Kelly Valeri
At the Movies
Ken Womack
Close
|

Erik Brown
|
ATW Award for Outstanding Male High School Runner
Mon, January 18, 2010 @ 1:32PM
We continue now with the first annual ATW Awards for outstanding achievements by local runners. In this post, I’ll announce the winner of the 2009 ATW for Outstanding Male High School Runner. I welcome your input for additional nominees, categories, etc. For example, I could use some help in gathering information on our local college runners (yes, we will announce an ATW for outstanding male and female college runner). You can e-mail your thoughts to me at ebrown@altoonamirror.com, or better yet, post them below as a comment. Before we proceed, it occurs to me that I should list the criteria I used to select the nominees and winners. The criteria for Outstanding Male and Female High School Runner include performances at the following events, plus any other noteworthy track or XC performance(s).
|
Close
|

Altoona Curve
|
Curve "Mom"
Wed, March 17, 2010 @ 2:04PM
As Bill's latest illustrates, Carol Schmittle is "mom" for all of us...even Steame.
|
Close
|

Emily Dimov-Gottshall
|
Music by Treadmill Trackstar
Mon, February 1, 2010 @ 12:11PM
Recently, I was contacted by a group based in South Carolina, called Treadmill Trackstar. They have an eclectic sound, mixed with grunge and melodic alternative pop making them unique and one-of-a-kind in nature. I reviewed their latest CD, i belong to me. Treadmill Trackstar band members include, Angelo Gianni (Vox/Guitars/Keys), Tony Lee (Drums), Heidi Carey (Cello), and Mike Mills (Bass/Vox). Though the band has had some twists and turns, "there were lots of personnel changes until our first indie-record was released in 1994," they have succeeded in creating a new self. In 96 they were signed to Atlantic, then, “ were dropped and disbanded in 98 and got back together in 2007." Their newest work, "i belong to me" which they self produced/created has a fresh feel and new take on familiar themes of finding direction in life.
|
Close
|

Ray Eckenrode
|
Totally "Lost": Deconstructing "Recon"
Tue, March 16, 2010 @ 10:59PM
PROSE AND CONS Sawyer's story unlikely to have a happy ending in any reality As we try to figure out just what to make of this sideways reality and how it connects to our island story, we were thrown a confounding series of curveballs by “Recon.” When we first met Sideways Sawyer we thought he was working a sideways con, but – curveball – sideways James Ford (the only Sawyer in the sideways reality is the conman in his past) is actually a cop trying to con a crook! So it seemed that Sideways James Ford was on a better path, but – curveball – we quickly learned that he is haunted by the same ghosts and murderous rage that fueled his island self.
|
Close
|

Buck Frank
|
Three more for the 3-4
Thu, February 25, 2010 @ 1:22PM
The Steelers signed free agent-to-be nose tackle Casey Hampton to a three-year contract on Thursday, which means two things: 1. The aging defensive line just got older. 2. The Steelers have committed themselves to a 3-4 defense for at least another three seasons. Hampton is one of only a handful of really good nose tackles throughout the league, so to sign him, the Steelers first had to figure on which direction they were headed defensively. They apparently aren't looking to change much. Even though recent first-round draft picks Lawrence Timmons and Ziggy Hood may be better suited for a 4-3 defense, the Steelers are committing themselves to following the strengths of guys like Hampton, James Harrison and Aaron Smith, who are more of 3-4 players.
|
Close
|

Keith Frederick
|
Soaking up the sun
Thu, March 11, 2010 @ 3:10PM
Just a few quick thoughts today while wondering if I could call off "well" and take advantage of the nice day: A few shows I'm currently addicted to: "The Big Bang Theory," "Spartacus: Blood and Sand," "WWE NXT," "History's Mysteries" and "The Mentalist." An eclectic mix, I'll grant you. Somehow, though, my DVR keeps missing "The Mentalist"; I need to check that. Will Daylight Savings Time give me enough breathing room to watch the new movies that have piled up on my entertainment stand? I realize I'm a little late on "The Hurt Locker" now, but I've been pretty desperate to watch it. So far, though, starting it at 11:30 at night hasn't been an option. Is the beginning of the year a dead time for entertainment or what? The new movies look terrible — although I'm intrigued by "Shutter Island" — and the radio is filled with crap.
|
Close
|

Cory Giger
|
NFL draft analyst discusses PSU hopefuls
Sat, February 27, 2010 @ 0:54AM
NFL draft analyst Chris Steuber from Scout.com gives the Mirror his analysis of the six Penn State players at the NFL Combine. LB Navorro Bowman "[Bowman is] a versatile linebacker. A guy who's a little bit undersized, but I think his speed and versatility and his ability to be explosive at the line of scrimmage in space is what's going to separate him from a lot of guys." On Bowman's off-the-field issues: "He does have some off-the-field concerns, just some questionable character items that he has to basically tell NFL teams about. [He needs to] be honest in his interview processes and just come across genuine. And if he does that, I think he's going to be a first-round pick. ... If he comes across a little bit questionable and little sketchy, it's going to hurt him in the draft.
|
Close
|

Amy Jo Hanna
|
Well now... Guess Who's On A Diet?...
Sat, January 16, 2010 @ 9:09PM
(Mazey says she hopes Jenny Craig doesn't resemble a Milkbone or she may have to plead the 5th...) I took Mazey to the vet this weekend for a senior check-up. The vet ended up putting ALL of us on a diet … I know Mazey (and I) have several extra pounds to lose. I also know that if I can get that extra weight off of her it will do her health a world of good. It will help ease the stress on her old arthritic joints making it easier for her to get up and down and simply walk around. It will also help avoid diseases such as diabetes and heart disease which is very common in overweight dogs (just like humans). Because Mazey is a rescue girl, I don’t have a lot of history on her, including her true age. We guess her to be somewhere around 12.
|
Close
|

Mark Leberfinger
|
S-N-O-W
Thu, October 15, 2009 @ 8:41PM
Welcome to winter! Wait a minute. Where did fall go? Actually where did summer go? We seemingly went from spring into winter. The storm affecting central Pennsylvania has made some history. The National Weather Service says the earliest snowfall record was broken for State College. That record dates back to 1901. Altoona also had its earliest snowfall, beating the record set in 1957. So it means the snow lovers can dream about skiing, sledding and other winter fun. Others like myself can grumble about shoveling sidewalks and scraping ice and snow from our vehicles. It also means area police can grumble about drivers traveling too fast for conditions. "It's not like we're not used to this kind of weather," Logan Township Police Chief Ron Heller said for a story in Thursday's Mirror. Enjoy the early taste of winter, but be careful out ther.
|
Close
|

John Mehno
|
No Brackets
Sun, March 14, 2010 @ 8:40PM
Here's a totally safe prediction: Office copy machines across North America will be working overtime this week, churning out bracket sheets for the NCAA Tournament. The match-ups were set Sunday night, an event that's so big it gets its own TV show now. People love the pools. I was in spring training for years when the Pirates would have several pools going at once, some of them for high stakes. Players who didn't know UCLA from YMCA were throwing money into the pools. Athletes have a competitive natue, and they like to have something on the line. Personally, I have no office (just a cluttered work table and no staff) and therefore no pool. It's OK, though. I have only a very casual interest in college basketball and can't deconstruct the brackets the way experts like Neil Rudel and Ray Eckenrode do. I'll leave all of that to them. However, good luck to you and your brackets. And remember to put more toner in the machin.
|
Close
|

Jim Price
|
Millennium Music Conference, Night Four 2/21
Fri, February 26, 2010 @ 3:07AM
With no Millennium Music Conference showcases officially scheduled for Sunday night this year, I awoke on Sunday morning thinking I would check out of my hotel room, find breakfast somewhere, record an interview with a future band guest on my “Homegrown Rocker” program, make my annual pre-spring raid on the Bass Pro Shop complex at the Harrisburg Mall, touch base with two other friends that live in the Harrisburg area for dinner, and then return home. The Radisson Penn Harris Hotel and Convention Center was offering a Millennium Sunday brunch special. Initially I was going to pass on it, but after being handed a complimentary ticket by my Pennsylvania Musician editor, Robin Noll, I decided this was a good option for breakfast. A number of other Millennium participants were in attendance at this brunch as well; and as it turned out, a few of them were in the right place at the right moment.
|
Close
|

Neil Rudel
|
Let's go ... Mountaineers!
Tue, March 16, 2010 @ 1:17PM
http://www.altoonamirror.com/page/blogs.detail/display/4434.html Nice to be in demand. Cutting to the chase: I'm picking West Virginia. Yes, I know most of the talking heads on TV are picking Kansas, but I've never picked the No. 1 seeds because, well, anybody can. Take a chance, so here goes ... I'm with WVU, a No. 2 seed. I haven't taken the time to watch all the round-the-clock coverage, but I haven't reached this by flipping a coin, either. The logic goes this way, not necessarily in order of importance: The Mountaineers got stronger as the season went on. They're a product of the best league in the history of the sport. They have veteran leadership in Huggy Bear -- does this guy at least wear a sport coat to funerals? -- and a guard in Butler who can drive or score from the perimeter when the shot clock winds down. And they probably have a chip on their shoulder from not getting a No. 1 seed.
|
Close
|

Nick Recchia & Tom Worthington
|
Halo Reach Beta trailer leaked and it's AMAZING!
Wed, March 3, 2010 @ 9:18AM
The title says it all. A new Halo Reach Beta trailer has been leaked by a Taiwanese site called GNN. The new trailer shows a lot of new features for Halo Reach that we haven't seen in other Halos including, dare I say it...JET PACKS! What?! Yep jetpacks. Man I thought I was excited for Reach before. Now I'm just plain giddy. Follow the link to the right to watch the trailer. And feel free to come back here and leave a comment on your thoughts of the traile.
|
Close
|

Kelly Valeri
|
Thinking your kid is smart is great until you’re outsmarted
Wed, December 30, 2009 @ 6:00PM
I think most parents like to believe that their children are smart, talented and advanced for their age. When, really, it’s probably a genetic predisposition to ensure the preservation of our species. Otherwise, we might not keep them around on days filled with temper tantrums, hitting and pen marks on the couch. Despite all that, I’m guilty of raving about my daughter’s advancements just like all moms. I have Allison’s most adorable pictures displayed on my desk at work and can’t wait to talk about her latest antics if the opportunity presents itself. But a recent parenting adventure had me lamenting her smarts, not celebrating them. Ever since we brought her home from the hospital, Allison has loved the water. Now, as a 2-year-old, she would spend all day in the tub if we and her skin would allow it. It’s partially my fault. Once, probably out of habit, I accidentally turned on the shower while getting her bath ready. It was a huge hit.
|
Close
|

Ken Womack
|
"Alice in Wonderland"
Sat, March 6, 2010 @ 5:49PM
Alice in Wonderland *** Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland is a splendid vision to behold. But if you’re looking for the narrative magic inherent in Lewis Carroll’s original storyline, you may want to look elsewhere. While Burton’s cinematic world is never a dull place to be, his rendition of Alice in Wonderful is all flash and no substance—a cover version of Carroll’s master-text that left me thinking about the 1950s-era Disney movie with nostalgia and longing. With a screenplay by Linda Woolverton of Lion King fame, Alice in Wonderland rejoins our heroine many years after leaving Wonderland behind in her childhood. Now grown up, Alice (Mia Wasikowska) is on the verge of getting married to a stuffy British Lord. Terrified about her fate, she wanders the grounds of his estate, where she falls down the proverbial rabbit hole for the second time in her life.
|

Calendars
Public meetings
Community Calendar
|
|