Joe the Plumber Just Won't Go Away

Christine Baker, The Patriot-News

Joe Wurzelbacher, right, who became "Joe the Plumber" during John McCain's presidential campaign took on the Employee Free Choice Act today at the Capitol. Wurzelbacher appeared in Harrisburg on behalf of American's for Prosperity, which opposes the act, known as "card check." Wurzelbacher talks with Tim Coy of Millersburg, far left, about his position.

Usually, when groups advocate for properity their policies they promote undermine it. Here is the group's website.

Colin Klebon lands on First Team All-State

Colin Klebon was named to AP All-State squad today in the AA division. Klebon has signed to play at Bucknell University next season.

If you also interested Penn State and Notre Dame play tonight at Madison Square Garden. Tipoff is scheduled for around 9 pm.

By the way, Go Irish!!!!!

Bobby Knight, Tom Cruise and Guitar Hero

Trags Takes On Villanova!!!

Full Disclosure.

Greatest College Game Ever......In Boston

Video Highlights of Villanova

Oh, 'Nova you didn't! This was an ending for the ages!!!!

BOSTON -- Oh ... my ... God.I can't believe what I just saw.Villanova 78, Pittsburgh 76, Goosebumps 1 Jillion.Villanova's Scottie Reynolds is the hero after hitting the last-second winner. Villanova's Scottie Reynolds is the hero after hitting the last-second winner.

Better than Sex with Tripletts???

read more | digg story

'Nova tops Pitt on last-second shot to reach Final Four - Sports

'Nova tops Pitt on last-second shot to reach Final Four - Sports

Punch that ticket to Detroit!!!!!

Maybe one of the best games of all-time next to Duke-Kentucy, Villanova returns to the Final Four for the first time since 1985.

I'm emotionally spent and still shaking......more later.

The Voice.

"V" for Villanova!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dante Cunningham and Villanova looking up!!!

Photo courtesy of Rich Cortes of The Daily News

Villanova Smokes Tobacco Road

Villanova stormed out to a big second half last night to knock the Dukies out of the NCAA Tournament. The big story of the night was the 'Nova defense combined to hold Gerald Henderson and Jon Scheyer to make just four of 32 attempts as Duke shot a season-low 26.7 percent from the floor.

Where's Trags????

Mike Petraglia was a St. Mary's hallmate of mine at Villanova. I knew back in 1985 he would be making a living doing the above. Winning a championship would be nice, but would not top 1985. Back then, we didn't win it, we lived it!!!!!!

Vinni on the Rampage!

The axe is falling at the Northumberland County Prision.

Suspended Deputy Warden gets axed.

Reish on the chopping block. Can we make it through October?

The funny thing is a few years ago, the prison in Luzerne County was a sore spot with an escape of two inmates, including one being held on multiple homicide. Also numerous allegations of illegal contracting.

Obama Smackdown!!!

AIG Exec op-ed in the New York Times.

If it's March it has to Basketball....well

The coal region was represented by one team in the state finals. The Golden Girls of Pottsville Nativity came up short against Bishop Guilfoyle but with five starters coming back, the future looks bright.

Williams Valley and Shamokin got knocked by eventual state champs, Girard College and Archbishop Carrol. Hughesville got knocked by eventual state champ, Imhotep Charter.

The road gets harder for Villanova with a game against Duke and possible game against Pitt. Tipoff for the Wildcats is scheduled for close to 10 pm on Thursday night.

*******

Lance Armstrong took a big fall today racing in Spain. Reports are that Lance broke his collarbone and will be on the shelf for 4 to 6 weeks. He will certainly miss May's Giro Italia in Italy.

The Schill is gone

After 20 years in the majors, Curt Schilling has decided to retire. What Reggie Jackson was to October hitting, Schilling may be that to October pitching. Schilling was 11-2 with a 2.23 ERA. He won World Series rings with the 2001 Diamondbacks, 2004 Red Sox and the 2007 Red Sox. As far as the Hall of Fame it will be where the dust settles after 5 years. His knock will be only 216 wins versus 300 automatic ticket.

Fearless against the New York Yankees and breaking the Red Sox' Curse of the Bambino should count for something. Pitching in 12 playoff series his teams won 10 of the them!!!

More AIG in the News

The Big Takover courtesy of Big Dan and Rolling Stone.

Good Luck Nativity Golden Girls

Good luck to the Nativity Golden Girls who play for a state title today. Kevin Keating talks about enjoying your time in the finals. It is hard to get there, it is hard to win and it is hard to get back.

London Bridge, Shamokin Buildings......

They all fall down!!!!!

In the past two months, this marks the third building to collapse in the Shamokin Area. One happened to be the Knights of Columbus building under construction.

***************

Local Woman travels to help Ukraine Orphans

***************

Media keeps missing the story on AIG. It's not about the bonuses. It's about funneling money to other banks.

Add Financial Crisis to your page

District IV with a chance??

Tonight District IV will send two teams to the Eastern Finals with a chance to make it to Happy Valley. In basketball, the district has had much to cheer about in basketball. The last District IV team to bring home the gold was Williamsport 10 years ago in 1999.

Some near misses include Loyalsock boys and Montoursville with Kelly Mazzante so history isn't on District IV's side. It would be nice to see a team make it without the name prep or charter. One of the great attractions of high school sports is to see the community come together to support their high school athletes.

Last week while attending the Shamokin-Archbishop Carrol game at Parkland that element was missing from Carrol and earlier in the evening with Girard College. One side says you want to play the best while the other says even out the playing field.

The PIAA doesn't have the resources. All I can do is wish Benton and Hughesville the best of luck tonight.

Happy St. Patrick's Day

I would like to say Happy St. Patrick's Day to all people that are Irish. I haven't been on the blog trail lately. With the arrival of spring I have trying to get back into form of umpiring softball. I was at Southern Columbia yesterday for a scrimmage with Lewisburg and I will be over Line Mountain tomorrow.

There are a few things to talk about. Where is all that AIG money going? Will District IV bring home basketball gold???? Gang activity in Northumberland County???

Be back soon.

The Voice.

Comedy Central Now Financial Watchdog!!

The Daily Show With Jon StewartM - Th 11p / 10c

Jim Cramer Interview Outtake Pt. 1

Daily Show Full Episodes
Important Things w/ Demetri Martin

Political Humor
Jim Cramer

The Daily Show With Jon StewartM - Th 11p / 10c

Jim Cramer Interview Outtake Pt. 2

Daily Show Full Episodes
Important Things w/ Demetri Martin

Political Humor
Jim Cramer

The Daily Show With Jon StewartM - Th 11p / 10c

Jim Cramer Interview Outtake Pt. 3

Daily Show Full Episodes
Important Things w/ Demetri Martin

Political Humor
Jim Cramer

Shamokin's Great Season Comes to an End

It seems almost cruel, cruise through a campaign to 24-1 and have your season end. Last night there weren't any what if's or could have beens, but Shamokin hopefully got some repect from the PCL coming up on the short end of a 62-51 score.

From the Philadelphia Inquirer

Coach Paul Romanczuk "said this is like the first team that could play with us," Green said. "So I feel good about this. I just hope we just keep going until we get to the finals."

Shamokin and Lourdes Highlights

Shamokin pulled away late and Lourdes lost a heart-breaker to Tri-Valley.

Shamokin will now play Archbishop Carrol which is a mile away from Villanova University. The game is set for Tuesday at 7:30 at Parkland High School. It is the second game of a doubleheader. Williams Valley and Girard College is on the undercard.

The Dome Ranger getting ready to ride for the Indians

Shamokin Wrestling Update

Josh Lahr is in the semis with a 12-10 win in OT of Tim Hubbard of Smethport.

Matt Marcheskie got beat 5-4 by Daniel Knott of Claysburgh-Kimmel in the quarters.

Stewart Takes down CNBC

The Daily Show With Jon StewartM - Th 11p / 10c

CNBC Gives Financial Advice

Daily Show Full Episodes
Important Things With Demetri Martin

Political Humor
Joke of the Day

Shamokin Wrestlers Split in the Morning at Hershey

Josh Lahr was a 4-2 winner over Derek Goodwin of Hamburg at 125.

Matt Marcheski won 11-3 over Phil Macy of Littlestown at 140.

Brandon Pesarchick lost 3-0 to Cody Kelly at 130.

Derek Shingara lost 8-5 to Travis McKillop at 135.

Line Mountain

Travis Erdman was a 4-2 winner over Zach Sheridan of Mount Pleasant.

UPDATE:

Nick Domanski was pinned in :49 seconds by Zac Bennett of Westmont-Hilltop.

Cable News Obsession.....Rushbo!!!

Foreclosure, Credit Cruch, Unemployment, Bailout, Stimulus, Foreclosures, Property Values, Taxes and this is what we get on cable TV.

The Ax is grinding in Northumberland County

The hammer falls this time on county human services director.

Boot Hill for the county employees now up to seven.

ODE TO B-DAWK

Brian Dawkins career as a Philadelphia Eagle ended this past Saturday when he signed a two-year deal with the Denver Broncos over the weekend. I got a chance to interview Dawkins in Shamokin about 10 years ago when he was in town for a charity basketball game. He was a great interview and brought a lot of intensity to a pick up basketball game. Athletically, though early in his career I thought there was great potential. At 5-11, he could reverse slam a basketball.

David Jones of the Patriot News puts it best about the end of Dawkins in Philadelphia.

I had to remind myself, are the Eagle owned by Jeffrey Laurie or Bill Bidwell or Vito Corleone. Can you hear in the back of your head, "It's not personal Brian, it's business."

Thanks for memories Brian, see you on your return trip in the fall.

Pictures and video from Villanova and Shamokin

Shamokin boys, Lourdes girls state bound in basketball

Shamokin Area will try to make a run at a PIAA title facing a familiar foe in Pottsville on Friday at the Shikellamy Field House.

Lourdes will face a familiar Schuylkill League foe in Tri-Valley who they played and lost to twice this season.

Both teams in last week's championship finals played their best basketball of the season. Shamokin took it to Danville from the get-go and Lourdes easily defeated East Juniata after a slow start.

Best Quote of the Playoffs

“I don’t know if the Lakers could have stopped them tonight,” Smith said. “That’s one of the best teams from District 4 in a while. Hopefully, they’ll represent the district well (in states).” Lenny Smith head coach of Danville on the Indians performance.

The Draw

Shamokin didn't get a bad draw to start in familiar foe Pottsville who they defeated by two very early in the season. With a win, they will play District 1 champ Phoenixville or the third team out of District 12, Archbishop Carrol from the Villanova area.

Shamokin has never made it past the Eastern Semi's falling in 1998 to eventually champs Steel-High on a layup from a misfired airball.

Lourdes girls have a tough draw in getting a Schuylkill League team in the first round and if the survive probably getting Northern Cambria who only has two losses out of a tough District 6.

If the Schuylkill League isn't winning the "A" title in girls it is usually District 6.

March is Colon Cancer Awareness Month!!!!

March begins Colon Cancer awareness month. This is to remind people that are 50 and over to get screened and discuss this with their doctor at their next physical. If you are 50 and over and haven't had a screening in the last five years, again please discuss with your family doctor.

Check out a cool website called the Colonclub.

The color for Colon Cancer is Blue.