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Loss of a voice
(Associated Press file photo)
U.S. Rep. John Murtha, D-12th District, meets with reporters on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., in September 2006. Murtha, an influential critic of the Iraq War whose congressional career was shadowed by questions about his ethics, died Monday. He was 77.
February 9, 2010
HARRISBURG — Rep. John Murtha, the tall, gruff-mannered former Marine who became the de facto voice of veterans on Capitol Hill and later an outspoken and influential critic of the Iraq War, died Monday. He was 77.
The Pennsylvania Democrat had been suffering complications from gallbladder surgery. He died at Virginia Hospital Center in Arlington, Va., with his family at his bedside, the hospital said.
In 1974, Murtha, then an officer in the Marine Reserves, became the first Vietnam War combat veteran elected to Congress.
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Congressman will be sorely missed at home
February 9, 2010
JOHNSTOWN — U.S. Rep. John P. Murtha’s sudden death Monday sent shock waves through a region that has benefited for decades from his influential standing.
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Blair racks up $48K in OT
February 9, 2010
HOLLIDAYSBURG — Blair County paid almost $48,000 in overtime in December and January, based on information compiled for the county salary board.
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Crews prepare for next storm
February 9, 2010
As cold temperatures keep the weekend snow from melting, area highway crews were working Monday to clear roads before the next round hits later today.
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Erik Brown
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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).
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Emily Dimov-Gottshall
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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.
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Ray Eckenrode
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Totally "Lost": Gearing up for 6.03...
Mon, February 8, 2010 @ 4:40PM
Gearing up Tuesday’s episode of “Lost”: Title: “What Kate Does” Significance: A sideways reality play on words, referring to Season 2’s “What Kate Did.” Centricity: Um, Kate. Play on words aside, this episode likely is more spiritually akin to “Tabula Rasa,” the first-ever Kate episode, where one-armed Australian farmer Ray Mullen rats out the foxy fugitive (who used the alias Annie) to the marshal in order to collect the $23,000 reward. His reasoning? He had a hell of a mortgage. Plotline: Kate finds herself on the run while Jack is tasked with something that could endanger a friend’s lif.
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Buck Frank
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No Favre drama
Mon, January 25, 2010 @ 1:46AM
It would have been great to see Brett Favre and the Minnesota Vikings in Super Bowl XLIV. Or maybe not. Favre is definitely one of the greatest to ever play the game, but it will be nice to not have to hear much about him for the next two weeks. If the Jets and Vikings would have won Sunday, just think about how much "Favre' you would have been subjected to through the Super Bowl. And daily Rex Ryan clips. Enjoy the next two weeks. The Pro Bowl may take some of the hype off the Super Bowl for the first week. Media Day is Tuesday, Feb. 2, and that's when you'll be reading, seeing and hearing about every possible angle from the Saints and Colts. It would be safe to assume Peyton Manning will draw a lot of attention. And Archie Manning may be interviewed a "few' times. Hurricane Katrina may be mentioned occasiona.
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Keith Frederick
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Super Sunday: The Show
Mon, February 8, 2010 @ 10:54AM
Who dat dat tink dem Saints were da main event?! Yes, the Aints are no more, as Drew Brees and his boys brought a championship to New Orleans. But to many people, the Super Bowl is as much spectacle as NFL championship. So, in order to provide a bit of a look into that spectacle, I present: The Super Bowl: The Show The pregame: Too, too, too, too long. Oh, and it was long. On the plus side, I loved Jay-Z and Rihanna adapting "Run This Town" as a Super Bowl intro. On a side note, big props to Bill Cowher for being the only analyst to pick the Saints. PITTSBURGH BABY!!!! WOOOOOO!!!!! Ahem. Halftime: I understand the recent geriatric showcase that is the Superbowl Halftime Show, Sponsored by Papa Bridgestone's Grilled Doritos Insurance. No one wants America's youth to see Janet Jackson's breast again. God forbid. But there has to be a respectable modern artist who can put on a good show without being dirty.
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Cory Giger
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PSU could play two different No. 1 teams in 2010
Mon, January 11, 2010 @ 2:29AM
There's a decent possibility Penn State could play two different No. 1 teams next season, which has never happened during the Joe Paterno era. Defending champ Alabama almost certainly will start the season ranked No. 1. It opens with San Jose State and, with a win, would still hold the top spot when PSU visits in week two. Ohio State has a shot to be No. 2, or very close to it, when the first polls come out. The Buckeyes have tough games at home against Miami in week two and at Wisconsin in week seven. Alabama will have a difficult time staying No. 1 with games at Arkansas in week four, at home against Florida the following week and trips to South Carolina, Tennessee and LSU all before week 10. If the Crimson Tide slip up in one of those games and Ohio State remains perfect, the Buckeyes may be No. 1 when PSU visits Columbus in week 10. If Alabama can dodge all the bullets, it could mean Penn State will face the Tide when they are No. 1 and the Buckeyes when they are No. 2.
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Ashley Gurbal
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"Split Ends"
Tue, September 29, 2009 @ 5:27PM
I love Style Network's "Split Ends," which swaps two polar opposite hair stylists for three days of drama. So I was beyond excited to learn that Looks Hair Design in State College would swap stylist Stacy Padden of Warriors Mark with Sammy Mar, who co-owns Helmet Head in Seattle's Georgetown neighborhood. After writing a preview story on the episode, which aired for the first time Saturday, I had to know more about what everyone involved thought -- especially Mar. I called Mar on Tuesday afternoon, and she said the experience "was a lot of fun -- it was a hoot." But what about the drama with the salon personnel, I asked her -- especially with Joe, the salon owner, whom she repeatedly addressed as "little man." Mar wouldn't say how much of the drama was put on for TV, but she said Joe and salon coordinator Anita were "very nice people." "It was just kind of funny, how it all ended up in editing," she said.
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Amy Jo Hanna
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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.
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Matt Leaper
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09-10 Game 2 Islanders vs Penguins
Sat, October 3, 2009 @ 11:56PM
Normal 0 0 1 1064 6065 50 12 7448 11.1282 0 0 0 New York Islanders vs. Pittsburgh Penguins Summary The first few minutes where fast paced and a little sloppy. Both teams had some bad turnovers and it lead to some fast paced back and fourth hockey. New York seemed to have an advantage in play right up until a great chance setup by Fedotenko to Crosby. Crosby took the pass off the wall and protected the puck with his body as he came fast to the net. As he had Roloson moving from left to right he fired the puck 5-hole. It would stay that way until McKee took an instigating penalty. The Islanders worked the PP well and had several good chances and finally cashed in on a goal from the point. It also saw rookie and #1 draft pick Tavares’s first NHL point. Again we saw some back and fourth hockey but the period would end tied at one.
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Mark Leberfinger
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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.
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John Mehno
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I'm snowed in
Sat, February 6, 2010 @ 9:37AM
Had more than a foot of snow fall since around 4 o'clock Friday afternoon, and it's still comng down. I know that's nothing to the hardy people of Blair County and environs, but it's a big deal here. It concerns me that the lights have dimmed briefly a few times, so I'll get my column on its way to the Mirror as soon as possible. That's assuming the Mirror can publish and get papers to your doorstep, of course. The forecasters had it right this time. I walked out of Penguins practice at Mellon Arena around 12:30, saw that the snow had started and hustled home, passing on planned trips to the bank and Post Office. Nobody's coming here, and I'm not going anywhere, so it's all good. I assume the Penguins made their flight to Montreal, but I wonder if they're going to be able to get to DC for Sunday's scheduled noon start against the Capitals. Now I'm hoping for some industrious kid to come by and offer to shovel out the sidewalk for a fee.
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Jim Price
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2009 Local Music Highlight Reel
Sun, January 17, 2010 @ 3:24AM
We're now two weeks into the New Year 2010. Every year, I close the door on the old year with a recap of my favorite highlights, shows, albums, songs and photos on local music website Rockpage. As it usually takes me some time to get this summary together, it's usually not posted until a couple of weeks into the New Year; such is the case again this year. So without further ado, and better late than never, here is my recap of the year just completed, from a local and regional music perspective. First, I'll list my ten favorite shows and moments on the area/regional music scene during the past year. These are in no particular order. 1) 20 YEARS OF THE HURRICANES BENEFIT AT 30 SOMETHING: Through their two-decade career on area stages, the Hurricanes have constantly chipped in to help out others in need by performing at charity shows and benefit.
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Neil Rudel
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Super flip: use your head!
Sat, February 6, 2010 @ 3:42PM
Who do you like in the coin flip? I'm taking heads. For most years -- and if this sounds like Andy Rooney, I'm just getting old (53) -- I picked tails. But I switched over to heads last year and, hey, I'm on at least a one-year streak as the Steelers called tails -- incorrectly. By the way, the NFC has won the last 12 flips. Coin-flip factoids: Of the 43 previous Super Bowls, the coin has landed on heads 22 times and tails 21 times. It's been tails eight of the last 12 years. http://www.thesportsgeek.com/news/football/nfl-betting/super-bowl-coin-toss-prop-bets/1790 http://beforeitsnews.com/story/16179/Super_Bowl_2010_Winners_Of_Coin_Toss_Results_No_Help_For_Tom_Brady_Or_Steelers_Vide.
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Nick Recchia & Tom Worthington
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Modern Warfare 2 care package glitch out of control
Thu, January 28, 2010 @ 9:33AM
If you've been playing Modern Warfare 2 at any point in the past week you have undoubtedly come across someone doing the care package glitch. If you haven't then I'm sure you will. In case you don't know what I'm talking about, here is a quick explanation. Basically when someone gets a care package as their killstreak award there are a few simple steps they can do to have infinite care packages. I won't explain how it's done because I'm not going to help spread the disease that is this glitch. Anyways, you can probably tell if this is occurring because more than likely the sky will be filled with harrier strikes, chopper gunners, AC130s, so on so forth. This needs to be patched immediately. I know that they said the patch for it is coming out soon but not soon enough. This has ruined quite a number of games in the last few days and takes the fun completely out of i.
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Kelly Valeri
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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.
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Ken Womack
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"The Lovely Bones"
Sat, January 16, 2010 @ 8:28PM
The Lovely Bones **½ In its finest moments, Peter Jackson’s The Lovely Bones captures the essence of 1970s suburbia. The story unfolds with a sense of nostalgia—of innocence lost—that seems even more bittersweet when we come to realize that a murderer is in our midst, that things will never be the same again. Based upon the bestselling novel by Alice Seybold, The Lovely Bones traces the story of the life and untimely death of 14-year-old Susie Salmon (Saoirse Ronan). As the narrative unfolds, Jackson’s scenes depicting Susie’s home life and first love are powerful, brooding images of a life cut irretrievably short. In many ways, the movie—and the book—acts as stunning metaphor for a vastly different time and place in American culture. As with the novel, much of the exposition takes place in poignant first-person narration from Susie—from the deceased herself.
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