Depressed Coal Mining Community

Survived another birthday. It was my XLVII birthday, for those of you who are into Roman Numerology. I checked out the Timbers Buffet at Mohegan Sun, Great food, and I even walked out of the place with 30 dollars. Not too shabby. I walked around Lake Scranton on Friday, for the first time this year. A beautiful day to do so.

I caught the 20/20 feature on the Luzerne County judges. I have to agree with Frankie, enough already with referring to our area as a depressed coal mining community. Hey ABC! Take your cameras up to the Shoppes at Montage, or PNC Field, which is celebrating their 20th anniversary this year, or the Wachovia Arena, celebrating their 10th anniversary this year. Or the Mall at Steamtown in downtown Scranton and the movie theatres in downtown Wilkes Barre. This isn't a knock on our coal mining heritage, its just the reality that Northeast Pa. didn't die when the coal industry here did! We haven't had a working coal mine in Northeast Pa. since 1966!!! I'd like to hear the networks refer to San Francisco as that "earthquake ravaged community". A little consistancy if you will. Ah, it feels good to vent.

Taking The Plunge

No, not the matrimonial plunge. I am going to jump in the lake, Harvey's Lake to be exact, Saturday around 12 noon at Pole 89. Its all for a good cause, proceeds from Lake Lehman High School's annual Polar Bear Plunge will benefit the American Cancer Society. People have been telling me to go jump in the lake for years, so...Hey, its Springtime, how cold can the water be anyway?

Well, my NCAA brackets are in shambles. I went 10-6 on the opening day Thursday, losing on BYU, Mississippi State, VCU, Minnesota, Butler & Illinois. Maybe today will be better.

March Madness & A Special Anniversary

Don't expect much productivity at the office for the next 2 days. The NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament kicks off just after 12 noon today. I finished my bracket, and I predict when the dust settles, the Final Four will be Pittsburgh, Louisville, Memphis and Michigan. It will be Pitt & Memphis in the final, with the Pitt Panthers cutting down the nets at the end in Detroit. Another title for Pennsylvania, to add to the Phillies World Series title, and the Pittsburgh Steelers Super Bowl crown.

Today marks the 6th anniversary of the War in Iraq. Take some time out today to give thanks to all the men and women who are serving our country in Iraq, Afghanistan and all corners of the Earth. Northeast Pa is well represented with the 109th Field Artillery, and the 320th Military Police Battalion, just to name a few divisions.

I've Disgraced My Kinfolk

Today is St Patrick's Day, and guess who forgot to wear green? Yeah, me. I wore green for Saturday's parade in Scranton, but not today. By the way, I don't want to say the parade was long, but I wasn't sure if we were at the end of Scranton's parade or the beginning of the Dunmore parade! (lol) At least I got to see my cousins, Jimmy and Patrick Murphy, who are on the parade committee. Every year, Pat gives me a shoutout from the grandstand as he announces all the participants when they arrive at Courthouse Square.

On Saturday I ran into former Scranton Mayor Jimmy Connors, who now has a park in South Scranton named after him, and I even say Hazleton Mayor Lou Barletta on Lackawanna Ave after the parade. Mayor Lou was Irish for the day I guess. My apologies to all my Murphy cousins. I forgot my green. I blame it on the early morning hours. When I leave for work, it still feels like the night before.

I'd like to wish my brother Jerry a very Happy Birthday today. Hope you and Dolly have a great day.

Luck of the Irish

Looks like the Luck of the Irish will be with us this weekend. The weather for the parades in Scranton on Saturday, and Wilkes Barre & Jim Thorpe on Sunday looks good. I'll be in the Magic van for the Scranton parade. Expect at least 100 thousand people for the 48th St Paddys Day Parade in Scranton. The Wilkes Barre parade kicks off at 2pm on Sunday, and Jim Thorpe's annual parade gets underway at 1pm on Sunday.

This week on Sunday Magazine, we will be examining road rage and seat belt safety with several public safety officials. This Week in Harrisburg examines a series of bills to combat meth use in pennsylvania, as well as a state income tax credit for Pennsylvanians who purchase long term care insurance, a look at Wear Red Day to mark the fight against heart disease and stroke, and the prospect of higher electric bills for Pennsylvania consumers next year. And I'll be speaking with Harold Cameron of Scranton , the self proclaimed "Chief of Helping People" who discusses his role as a consumer advocate, and the power of positive thinking and living. Sunday magazine, Sunday morning at 6:30 on Magic 93.

The First Lady, Anoop and Daylight Savings Time

I can't understand why everyone is giving First Lady Michele Obama so much grief over his fashion choices. After all, the Second Amendment says we all have the right to "bear arms".

I think Anoop is in trouble after last night's American Idol top 13 performances of the Michael Jackson catalogue. Wouldn't be surprised if America told Anoop to "Beat It" after last night's performance. The first hour was pretty good, but hour 2 dragged last night.

So the sun is staying out an hour later since the time change. Too bad we haven't seen the sun since Saturday! Hopefully we will see a little sunshine today, or else I'm hitting the tanning bed.
Too bad we couldn't replace this weekend's weather with last weekend's. That would make parade days in Scranton & Wilkes Barre a lot nicer. Hopefully the luck of the Irish will be with us this weekend. Celebrate safe everyone.

Watching The Watchmen

Caught "The Watchmen" over the weekend. Not too surprised it was the number one movie in the country. Its not for the kiddies though. Talk about dark. Watchmen makes "The Dark night" look like "Pretty In Pink"!! Its 2 hours and 40 minutes long and based on the series of graphic comic novels written by Alan Miller in 1986. The series is considered to be the Holy Grail of comic novels. I'm interested to see how much repeat business it gets, since avid fans of the comics will be difficult to please. Despite the graphic scenes, the movie was amazing, and the visual effects incredible (and I'm not just talking about Mailn Ackerman's Silk Spectre spandex costume either).

Feeling a bit sluggish today. Not sure if its the time change or the Theraflu, (picked up a cold over the weekend) I blame it on Frankie. Give everyone a cold, and disappear to Orlando. Thanks Frankie. Better bring that Florida weather back with you!

Retooling "Reality TV"

Some thoughts about this week's "Bachelor" finale. IS HE NUTS, OR WHAT?. Ok, I think its time to give these well worn shows some new life, starting with "The Bachelor".

For the final episode of "The Bachelor" Give Jason a 10 minute head start, and have all the angry bachelorettes hunt him down, just like the Arnold Schwartzenegger film, "Running Man" Guaranteed to be the most dramatic rose ceremony EVER.

American Idol: Have all the contestants sing while jumping through hoops of fire, or juggling chainsaws. Or give Ryan Seacrest a new co-host, TATIANA. Its turned into American Dramafest, why not show some real drama.

Apprentice: Time to dump the Donald. Replace him with Warren Buffett, someone who hasn't gone bankrupt 3 times in the past 10 years. Or even Jimmy Buffett, for the matter. Apprentice Margaritaville anyone?

Dancing With The Stars: How about some actual stars for a change? I would give anything to see William Shatner do the Paso Doble. Or Eva Mendes dancing the Lambata. Well, I can dream.

Survivor: At least one human sacrifice per season. Hey, the show is called "Survivor"!!!!

And relocate all the judge shows, Judge Judy, Joe Brown, etc to the Luzerne County Courthouse. I hear they're a few judges short.

March Madness

And you thought March Madness was just a basketball tournament! At least we aren't getting pounded with snow like people from Atlanta to New England. As I write this, the snow outside the Magic 93 studios is beginning to diminish. We dodged a bullet this time, but I know there will be more snow in the forecast, followed by a few 60 degree days (then more snow).

Well, I have finally given in to peer pressure, and now have a Facebook page. Between a blog and a Facebook page, I have officially become a 13 year old girl (lol). Its still a work in progress, which is appropriate, because so am I. Well time to watch Hanna Montana.