American Idol Upset: Pia Toscano Goes Home!!!

In what can only be described as a complete shock, Pia was sent home this evening.  Rounding out the bottom three were Stefano and Jacob.  Jacob was another surprise in the bottom three.  Neither Pia nor Jacob had been in the bottom three before tonight.  The judges were visibly upset.  Randy was shaking his head in disbelief and Jennifer looked like she was on the verge of tears.  All three judges walked up on the stage to comfort Pia, who could be heard sobbing over a microphone as her fellow contestants surrounded her.

Vote for the Worst claims responsibility for sending Pia home and keeping Paul.  The site’s goal is to eliminate Haley and Lauren in the coming weeks and have only the men left in the top six.  They described tonight’s episode as “hilarious” and are proud that they caused the frontrunner to be eliminated.  Personally, this is despicable behavior and American Idol needs to find a legal way to neutralize this website!

BOYCOTT Vote for the Worst!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Law Firm Advises Harrisburg City Council Not To Pursue Bankruptcy

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Cravath, Swaine & Moore has advised Harrisburg City Council, via a two hundred page document, not to pursue bankruptcy at this time.  Rather the city should stay the course with Act 47 and try to negotiate with stakeholders.

Harrisburg entered Act 47 after the city amassed a $288 million debt from retrofitting its incinerator.  This has nearly bankrupted Pennsylvania’s capital city and put a strain on Dauphin County as well.  The county became involved when Harrisburg City and Authority were unable to make a loan payment last year and were on the verge of default.

York PA: Home Of The Factory Tour

If you enjoy seeing how things are made then you should take a trip to York.  A number of manufacturers offer guided tours of their facilities.  A Washington Post Reporter visited York as was amazed.

This year, five factories and businesses are opening their doors and giving guided tours of their production facilities.  They include:  Sunrise Soap Company, Sweet Willow Creamery, Modern Landfill and Recycling Center and York County Resource Recovery.  Later this spring a fifth tour will be available at the Turkey Hill Experience (ice cream).  Tours were already available at Martin’s Potato Chips, Bluett Brothers Violins and Harley-Davidson Motorcycles.

Read the entire Washington Post article here: http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/travel/made-in-york-pa/2011/03/31/AFYdeivC_story.html

21-Year-Old Harrisburg Area Community College Student Running For Harrisburg City School Board

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I am always glad to read stories about young people who want get involved and make a difference.  A young woman and student at Harrisburg Area Community College is running for a Harrisburg City School Board seat.  In an interesting turn of events, a candidate supported by Harrisburg Mayor Linda Thompson challenged Destini Hodges’ candidacy.  Autumn Cooper was trying to make sure everyone running was “legit”.  Hmmmmmmm…

Fortunately, Commonwealth Court upheld a March 21^st decision by Dauphin County Judge, Scott Evans to allow Destini to stay on the ballot for the May 17^th Democratic primary. 

We find Ms. Cooper’s motives rather questionable.  Ms. Cooper was appointed to the former board of control by Mayor Linda Thompson last year.  This year Ms. Cooper is being supported by Linda Thompson for a seat on the school board.  The fact that the first ruling was appealed to Commonwealth Court is ridiculous.

Our advice to Ms. Cooper is to not take any wooden nickels from the mayor.

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MCCC West Campus: FREE Making College Adordable Information Session

Montgomery County Community College is proud to present a FREE!

MAKING COLLEGE AFFORDABLE information session.

PA State Treasurer Rob McCord will be on hand to discuss the state’s 529 Savings and Investment Plans. 

This information session will also feature information on filling out a FAFSA and the financial aid process.

Childcare for children ages 2-11 will be available during session.

Monday, April 18, 2011 * 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.

Community Room, South Hall • 101 College Drive • Pottstown

For more information and to register, visit:

mc3.edu/admissions/affordability.aspx

or email admissions@mc3.edu

First Suburbs Event: April 14th‏

Too many of our towns struggle with concentrated poverty, low tax bases, high property taxes and insufficient revenues to maintain quality public services and schools.

Join us in a public meeting to call for fairness in housing policy and balance in our region!

Public Meeting on Regional Opportunity

with HUD Region III Administrator, Jane Vincent, and other regional policy-makers

When: Thursday, April 14 7:30-9:00 PM

Where: J.P. Mascaro & Sons Building

2650 Audubon Road

Audubon, PA 19403

RSVP: FirstSuburbsProject@gmail.com

Featured Presenter: David Rusk, Regional Policy Consultant and Author

The Borough will be coordinating transportation for those who do not wish to drive to Audubon on April 14^th. We will have two buses departing Borough Hall that evening and anyone who is interested should let Ginny Takach (gtakach@pottstown.org)  know as soon as possible.