Just wanted to drop everyone a note and let you know I'm going to down Myrtle Beach with the guys for a little R&R ( for those of you who know, that means golf ). I will not be blogging until next Monday.

I did want to let you know that I appreciate everyone who has read this blog - and those who have written back. It has inspired me to continue sharing my personal thoughts on a wide variety of topics. Thoughts that I hope you enjoy reading.

See you next week - and please don't break into my house while I'm away. Sharon and Boobaloo are still here - and at least Boobaloo will bite you. Don't know about Sharon.

Working mornings has made me appreciate one thing - the value of your time off. Usually, I leave work Fridays after 1pm and return Monday morning at 3:30am. Assuming I hit the pillow at 6pm on Sunday, that's less about 53 hours of weekend time .. and there's so much to do over the course of weekend. Of course, you know the feeling of not having enough time to get it all in. However, this weekend was different for me.

It started after I got home Friday about 3pm and walked our dog, Boobaloo. After a quick shower, it was back in town to meet Sharon and friends for drinks and appetizers at Hyde Park - a new restaurant/lounge on the North Side. They have some wonderful food -- and martinis. Only stayed there an hour because I had to be at Mellon Arena by 6:30pm for an exhibition basketball game between some Pittsburgh celebrities and some current Steelers. My team featured local TV guys like Demetrius Ivory and some others as well as the son of the late mayor, Corey O'Connor and former NBA star Armon Gilliam. Franco Harris was our head coach. I played ten minutes, failed to score - and we only lost by two - but it was a thrill to play on the Arena floor in front of a couple thousand fans.

Back home at 10pm, I went to sleep before waking up after 6am Saturday ( my version of sleeping in ) and headed downtown for the inaugural star climb for the American Lung Association. Michelle Wright was the host - and she recruited some of my fellow WTAE co-workers ( Ashley DiParlo, Sally Wiggin and assistant news director Roberta Petterson ) to join 60-plus participants in a 45-flight race through the stairwell of Oxford Center to the top. That's 1080 steps! We all did and we all made it - although it's tough to catch your breath running through a stairwell.

After that morning run, it was off to the Strip district to buy some kalamata olives and feta cheese. Why? Sharon and myself were serving as celebrity chefs later in the day for cook-off in Fayette County to raise funds in the battle against colon cancer. We make enough for 125 people that morning before grabbing some lunch ourselves and a quick afternoon nap. Then, we both left late Saturday afternoon for the event. Once there, we were joined by Mike Clark and 450 people for an evening for food, fun and fundraising - all the brainchild of Joseph Caleigh ( a colon cancer survivor and the chef at "Caleigh's" in Uniontown.

The even wrapped up at 9pm Saturday. Plenty of time for Sharon and I to hop in the car and drive into town to a party being hosted by Traffic Watch 4's Melanie Taylor. She and her husband have a new house and she invited all of her friends and family as well as the morning team to come over and have check it out. It was a great time meeting all her friends as well as having some time for those of us that work together to be able to relax and enjoy each other's company -- and to sit on the deck on a cool, but pleasant spring night. Sharon and I finally got home after 1am Sunday morning.

Up at 7am the next day - and time to go food shopping. We have almost nothing in the house and we stocked up on everything a working couple needs -- orange juice, salsa, dog food. We managed to finish up about 11am. Enough time for me to throw on my Sunday best and hit the links for a round of golf with the guys at Hickory Heights. It was wet and the ball didn't fly very far, but it was nice getting in a round on a gorgeous day in western PA.

After a quick stop at the 19th hole, it was home for a dinner of lamb shanks with Sharon, some fun time with Boobaloo and then, off to bed. Boy, I'm tired just recapping the weekend - but it's prove you can get everything in during these spring weekends. Weekends tat go by way too fast. Maybe I'll work on the yard next weekend.

Seems every time I open the local newspaper, it seems a new downtown housing project is in the works. Whether it be a high-rise condo, renovated building turned into apartments -- or this new concept living space on Forbes Avenue known as the "Gardens" - Pittsburgh is in the midst of its biggest construction boom in decades.

It means Pittsburgh is finally joining other major cities in the drive towards downtown living and lifestyle, but is it too much, too soon? Are people in western Pennsylvania ready to pull up stakes are leave their big backyards and rural homes for the allure of the new downtown renaissance?

I have been here for 12 years and while I 'm not a Pittsburgh native, I do feel I have enough standing and have seen enough things to offer an opinion. My opinion is that two major challenges face the city as it tries to convert itself into this new age city. The first is that Pittsburghers are resistant to change when it comes to residential issues. Think about it. People are having trouble navigating the route 28 detour because few, if any, have ventured across the river. Can you imagine people picking up and leaving their long-time abodes?

Then, there's the issue of cost. While Pittsburgh's enjoying a boom when it comes to new companies and new opportunities, I doubt the young people the city covets will be able to afford to live in these new projects without putting themselves into a difficult financial position. Rents tend to be high -- and when condos start in the $300k -- the prices tend to eliminate all but the well-to-do young worker. Such high costs lead to people out-of-state buying up properties because - by comparison - Pittsburgh is affordable.

I'm excited about the changes in Pittsburgh. It's one of the reasons I have stayed here for many years, but one of the city's biggest attractions is it's affordability. You can enjoy the big city feel at small town prices. I just hope in Pittsburgh' push for urban living, it keeps it's small town appeal and doesn't price itself out of the market for those who are proud to call this community home.

Hey, it's the first day of spring! Finally, sunshine headed our way. I have no deep thoughts today for you or any insightful comments to share. But I do have a cute dog alert for you this morning. Check out these priceless pictures of "Brokaw".

Our news exchange partners at the Trib broke the story Tuesday morning: Mayor Luke Ravenstahl's jet ride to New York and invitation to the be the dinner guest of Penguins co-owner Ron Burkle. The mayor stayed overnight and then returned the following day, missing a meeting with Hill District residents meant to discuss the future of the lower Hill District once the Pens move into their new arena. His absence was covered by the city's deputy mayor.

So what's the story here? The mayor's decision to accept Burkle's invitation to spend the night in the Big Apple? The mayor having dinner with the co-owner of the city's hockey team after closing a $290M arena deal? The mayor missing a meeting the following morning and having someone else fill in for him? Nope. The real story here is that the mayor failed to tell the truth and getting into a game of semantics with a print reporter.

He was asked by the Trib earlier in the day if he had traveled to New York. He said no initially, before later changing his story. He says he went on the trip because he wanted to discuss "campaign philosophy" with Burkle -- a well-known supporter of fellow democrats Bill and Hillary Clinton. He later said he couldn't even remember when they went to dinner.

The mayor's decision to accept Burkle's generosity was not wrong. He wants to retain office and why not build an alliance with one of the most influential democratic supporters in this country. He would be crazy not to do so. The trip did not cost the taxpayers any money and while he did miss a meeting the following day, he had someone to cover for him. Also, as long as he reports the journey to the proper officials, I'm sure it's not a violation of any campaign rules. Where the mayor messed up was not being up front when asked the about the trip initially. Now, he's talking about actually reimbursing Burkle for the cost of a flight.

I'm not saying mayor Ravenstahl is alone in his choice not to come forward and be honest. There seems to be something in public office that causes many leaders to circumvent the truth and mislead the public by not coming clean - and I'm not sure what it is. I would just hope that this young mayor - who has become symbolic of a change of political course in this city - would set an example for a new generation of office seekers and not play the game of so-many of his predecessors in public life.

Perhaps Mayor Luke will prove me wrong. I hope he does. He has already made this mistake once before - when he first denied he had been arrested at Heinz Field two years earlier. Mayor, the truth is is a wonderful thing. Please remember that - and be honest all the time. You will find it takes a lot less work - and cause you a lot less stress - if you are up front from the beginning.

While there have been no formal complaints, I know the down side of my blog is that I don't use enough pictures. I guess this is because I never seem to have my camera around to capture those "Kodak moments" or whatever they call them now. Well, let's try and remedy that. It's Friday photo day -- and here are some snapshots from my latest event.

These are journalism students at Peters Township High School. Last Thursday, I was asked to come speak to two different classes about the wonderful world of broadcast news. Wendy Bell had spoken to them before, so I had a tough act to follow.

At the same time, I had a rare opportunity -- a chance to speak to those who will occupy my chair 20 years from now. These students are the future of broadcast journalism. I was struck by how far along they are than I was when I was in high school. Not to get into the technical side of the business, but they have learned the skills to be a journalist in the new age of media.Anytime you get a chance to speak to students, please take advantage. It's your chance to give something back - and discover just how far along you have come in your career. I think it's the ultimate sign that you have truly grown in your field when you are asked to impart some knowledge to those that will follow. Plus, it's cool to go back to school and realize that you have a lot more in common with today's youth than you realize.

Thanks to Nicole Sitler and all the students in the journalism program at PT for having me -- and a "shout out" to Kaitlin and Grant ( on the right in the above photo ) who did such a great job hosting the forum. Also, to all the students, thanks for reading my blog. It's a joy to share my personal thoughts and it's nice to know what you have to say also has meaning for a younger generation. BTW PT, my offer stands. If you have questions about our business and want to learn more, e-mail me anytime.

I'm going out to play Powerball this weekend .. and I'm going to win!

After all, I'm rolling right now. Months ago, I wrote in my blog Mike Tomlin would be the Steelers next head coach - and he got the job. I've been telling people for weeks - at least those who have asked me - that the Pens would stay in Pittsburgh. I just wish I had blogged about it so I had the proof.

Yes, the dead is done and the Pens are sticking around for the next three decades. It's a great time for Pens fans and Mario Lemieux continues to play the role of hero. Only this time, he had to play hardball with the politicos. Usually, the teams are the bad guys in these deals because they not only threaten cities with relocation, but when they get their deals they usually takes our tax dollars to create the palaces. Tax dollars we normally don't have and the promised economic growth never materializes.
This time, though, the Penguins were the good guys. Mario was promised an arena seven years ago - and I don't care if the mayor, county executive and governor were not in office at the time. There was still an obligation to build this building and the fact Lemieux's group had to wait seven plus years for this to happen borders of lunacy. If Mario had chosen to move the team, it would not only have been his right but also I would not blame him one bit.

That being said, this arena issue was really not so much about keeping the hockey team here as it was a much-needed structure getting build. One that would allow Pittsburgh to continue its' renaissance and compete for events such as concerts, shows and even the NCAA basketball tournament. The Pens proved only to be vessel to push this program forward.

Also, you cannot deny the on-ice performance of the Pens played a crucial role in stirring up public support and increasing pressure on public officials. Do you really think fans - who have shown up in record numbers this season- would have been as fervent if the Pens were a losing team? A talented team and a promising future was all part of the plan.
Finally, as Mellon Arena comes down in two years, one thing makes me smile. At least the building is paid for. Not the case when we tore down Three Rivers Stadium with 30 million left on the tab for that structure.

I think there is no American institution that shows what this country is all about quite like the small town funeral. When someone in a small community passes, the funeral home becomes more than a place where a memorial service takes place. It becomes a meeting place, a place to share memories and a place where old friends are reunited - of course not under the best of circumstances.

A recent visit with journalism students at Peters Township High School included a question from one you woman that got me thinking. She asked me a relatively simple question - what makes a good TV news anchor? The smart-aleck in me wanted to respond "please ask someone who is actually good at anchoring".






While there is a script for the news, there is no script for "breaking news". When things happen, we are expected to speak off-the-cuff. In many ways, it's like doing play-by-play in sports, only the subjects you often ad-lib about are much more serious.

Quick.



Then, things changed last fall. While having lunch with a girl friend of mine ( as opposed to a "girlfriend". I'm married for goodness sake ), she told me she was getting an iPod shuffle as a gift for herself. I asked her what the shuffle was, so she took me after lunch to a nearby iPod store and it was there I was exposed to the world of the Apple iPod.







Strand me on any deserted island - and I can live without my cell phone and cable, but don't take my iPod from me. It's become the one item I can't do without.