Williamsport Ranks Among 25 Safest Metro Areas In U.S.

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A recently released report on crime in American cities ranks the city among the 25 safest metropolitan areas in the nation.

CQ Press, an independent publishing company that releases the report each year, ranked the Williamsport metropolitan area, which includes all of Lycoming County, as 21st in the nation out of 354 metropolitan areas.

The statistics compiled by the company are based on the number of crimes, including homicides, rapes, robberies, aggravated assaults, burglaries and motor vehicle thefts, reported to the FBI in 2008.

Read more: http://www.sungazette.com/page/content.detail/id/572032/DA–Rankings-reinforce-statistics-suggesting-crime-trending-downward.html?nav=5011

Philadelphia’s Market East Set For Extreme Makeover

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Market East, the shopping district stretching from City Hall to Independence Mall, is best known for its hodgepodge of discount clothing emporiums, “we buy gold” shops and vacant buildings, all set to the soundtrack of the music blaring from storefront speakers. Over the years, there have been many attempts to gentrify this neighborhood — and so far, all have failed. But now, a makeover seems imminent.

After years of false starts, change is now coming fast. Last month, The Inquirer and Daily News announced they will relocate to the vacant Strawbridge & Clothier department store at Eighth and Market (with $2.9 million in city financing). This summer, Nutter signed a bill (introduced by outgoing City Councilman and billboard enthusiast Frank DiCicco) to create an outdoor advertising district in Market East to replace the grit with Times Square-style glitter. Philadelphia Real Estate Investment Trust is planning to renovate and upgrade the Gallery Mall, and a 2009 city plan — now finally coming to fruition — calls for the redevelopment of the south side of the street’s 1100 block. The rumor is it will be anchored by a Target.

Read more: http://www.citypaper.net/news/2011-12-08-market-east-development-project-philadelphia.html

Pittsburgh’s “Christmas Lady”

Even though it was summertime, the living room and dining room were still decorated for Christmas. Ms. Vicini leaves her Christmas tree, village and Santa collection out year-round.

“I enjoy them so much, I never wanted to put them away,” she explained. “Why just enjoy them for one month when you can enjoy them all year?”

Ms. Vicini, who turned 61 this week, has been celebrating Christmas every day for at least 15 years. She says her family and friends understand perfectly.

“They figure this woman was born on St. Nicholas Day (Dec. 6) and she’s named Carol. Apparently she has the Christmas spirit, so let’s just let her go,” she said, laughing.

Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11344/1195943-55.stm#ixzz1gBvXxNL0

Metropolitan Pittsburgh Records Population Gain For Second Year In A Row

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For most of the span since the end of World War II, more people have been leaving the Pittsburgh region than flocking to it.

For the second year in a row, that trend has been halted. The relative health of the local economy appears to be a motivator for retaining existing Pittsburghers and creating new ones.

The seven-county metropolitan region attracted 1,430 more people than the number who left it between 2009 and 2010, based on new Internal Revenue Service migration data, according to a report by Christopher Briem, a regional economist for the University of Pittsburgh’s University Center for Social and Urban Research.

Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11344/1195941-53.stm#ixzz1gBpZAiaH

Lehigh Valley Sets All-Time Annual Precipitation Record

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The Lehigh Valley was spared the 1-2 inches of snow forecast early Thursday morning, but the 1.72 inches of rain that fell Wednesday pushed the area to an all-time annual precipitation record of 69.68 inches, breaking the record of 67.69 set in 1952.

The weather system expected to bring a few inches of snow to the Lehigh Valley by Thursday morning moved through the area too quickly before the temperatures could convert the rain to snow.

Read more: http://www.mcall.com/news/local/mc-lehigh-valley-precipitation-record-20111208,0,3581547.story?page=1

U.S. Drivers Spend Record Amount On Gasoline In 2011

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American drivers this week broke a record that will bring them no joy.

They collectively spent more than $448 billion on gasoline since the beginning of the year, according to the Oil Price Information Service, putting the previous record for gas expenditures — set in 2008 — in the rearview mirror with weeks of driving still to go.

It’s also a huge jump over last year, when U.S. drivers spent more than $100 billion less on gas.

Read more: http://www.mcall.com/business/la-fi-oil-riches-20111210,0,6220055.story

The Pottstown Cup – A Review

I had dinner at The Cup tonight and it was like visiting an old friend.

The place was packed, which is a great sign.  When I passed by this week I noticed there were a good amount of cars in the parking lot.  They opened Monday and it was a struggle to wait until Friday night to eat there.

I was hoping the menu would be more reflective of when Gerber’s owned the restaurant instead of the new incarnations which were too upscale and expensive for the type of establishment The Cup is.  Sandwiches, inexpensive platters and of course desserts, including ice cream, are back on the menu! 

This North End eatery has been a favorite and frequent spot for many Pottstown area residents.  When we walked in the door we immediately saw a family we know.  Once we made our way back to the dining room we saw three more couples we know.  For a moment I felt like I was at Cheers, where everybody knows your name.  In the past, many people at here once a week, or more.

There was only one item on the menu that I saw over $10.00 and that was a steak.  Most platters ranged from $6.95 to $9.95 and come with one vegetable and the soup and salad bar.  Of course sandwiches, hoagies, steaks, club sandwiches, salads and appetizers were on the menu and moderately priced as well.  There were specials on the board when you first walked in along with the regular menu items.

There were two soups, which I would say were homemade.  New England clam chowder and Italian Wedding (I think). We both had the Clam Chowder and were quite pleased.  The salad bar is small but has enough items to make a decent salad.  Rolls and butter were delivered to the table as well.

My girlfriend ordered the Chopped Steak which comes with sautéed onions and gravy.  She skipped the gravy but one of the couples we know said the gravy was good.  I ordered the Fried Haddock (two pieces) which comes with homemade tartar sauce.  We each ordered mashed potatoes as our one vegetable.

When the food came it was hot, prepared as requested and delicious.  The chopped steak was moist but not greasy.  It was a nice size!  My haddock was moist; it was not greasy nor was it over cooked.  The two pieces of fish were ample.  The mashed potatoes were instant but I didn’t expect they would be real.

The service was good.  Things were a little chaotic because they were very busy and this is the first week, however we had no complaints.  We were asked several times how the food was and did we need refills or anything else.  Everyone was friendly and attentive.

I give two Roy’s Rants thumbs up and hope business stays brisk.  I for one really missed The Cup and hope it is back to stay! 

The Cup is located at 903 N. Charlotte Street in Pottstown’s North End.  Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served.   Breakfast is served all day.