Failed Democratic Candidate For Governor Of Pennsylvania Dan Onorato Finds Life After Politics

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Dan Onorato may have lost the Pennsylvania Governor’s race to Tom Corbett, but when his job ends as Allegheny County Executive he will start a new job in the private sector.

Allegheny County Executive Dan Onorato will join health-insurance giant Highmark Inc. as one of its top executives when he leaves office next month.

His multi-part title will be executive vice president, chief external affairs and communications officer.  He will begin his new job Jan. 3, the day Rich Fitzgerald will succeed him as county executive.

Mr. Onorato will report to Ken Melani, Highmark’s president and chief executive officer.

The appointment was announced Friday.

Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11351/1197577-455.stm#ixzz1gr67xpvh

Upper St. Clair Couple Create A Christmas Wonderland

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“Everybody comes in and says that they just can’t believe it,” she said proudly.

The trees are a beautiful sight to behold. Every room has a tree that befits the traditional decor of their home. In the entry hall, a spiral topiary-style tree is festooned with red and gold tapestry ribbon, glazed fruit and more. Packaged gifts in red paper and gold foil ribbon surround a classic Santa who is busily checking his pocket watch for the countdown to the big day. Lush swags of dried fruit and ribbon adorn the staircase.

Mrs. Wilson explained that each tree offers a hint of what’s to come in the next room. On her carefully planned tour, the next stop is the family room, whose tree has a woodland theme. Burgundy poinsettias, mini-birdhouses, charming birds, bird nests and tapestry ribbon fill the branches. The creche takes center stage beneath the boughs and an old-fashioned sleigh sits close by, filled with presents. A grand oak mantel is swagged with more ribbon, pine cones and stockings while the fireplace burns brightly within. Even the artwork on the wall is changed out, with holiday scenes of sleighs and Santas.

Read the full article: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11351/1197459-30-0.stm#ixzz1gr0nEICm

Pennsylvania Unemployment Rate Falls

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Pennsylvania‘s unemployment rate has fallen from 8.1 percent in October to 7.9 percent in November.  The U.S. average is 8.6 percent.  Pennsylvania has been below the U.S. unemployment rate for 43 consecutive months!

Hallelujah! Singing Flash Mob Hits Lancaster Central Market

Hundreds of shoppers at Central Market got a glorious surprise Saturday morning when at least 125 people around them suddenly began singing the “Hallelujah Chorus” from Handel’s “Messiah.”

At 9:30 a.m. a mass of people, many wearing Santa hats and reindeer antlers, found their way to the center of market and suddenly, the opening chords of the “Hallelujah Chorus” filled the air and voices rose in unison to sing the Christmas classic.

Commerce pretty much came to a halt for the next four minutes as standholders and shoppers stopped to listen and possibly join in.

Central Market had its very first flash mob.

Read more: http://lancasteronline.com/article/local/552482_Hallelujah–Singing-flash-mob-hits-market.html#ixzz1gqpkGng8

High Street Bridge Reopens Friday – Cross One Pottstown Area Construction Project Off The List

The High Street Bridge reopened Friday afternoon with minimal fanfare.  The bridge was completely rebuilt and the project was finished five months ahead of schedule!  Do we have any other projects for these people to work on?  Maybe they should get the Keim Street bridge contract!!!

Meanwhile, Route 100 bridge work is still ongoing and some other projects are scheduled to begin down the road.  At least one item has been completed before anything else starts!

Two Roy’s Rants thumbs up to J.D. Eckman, Inc. of Atglen for doing an awesome job!

Adele’s Out-Of-Nowhere Mega-Year Explained

It wasn’t supposed to be like this: 2011 was supposed to be the year of Lady Gaga. Coming off a mammoth first album and incredibly successful world tour, the 25 year-old was expected to rule the world with her massively hyped and eagerly anticipated sophomore album, Born This Way.

Make no mistake, Gaga’s Born This Way was a success, debuting on the Billboard 200 with over 1 million copies sold and putting four singles in the top ten. But the real zeitgeist this year was unexpected: a humble, English, 23 year-old soul singer who we know simply as Adele.

The songstress found success with her first album, 2008’s 19, but it was she, and not Gaga, who enjoyed sophomore success the likes of which have not been seen since… well, ever!

Read more: http://newsroom.mtv.com/2011/12/16/adeles-out-of-nowhere-mega-year-explained/?xrs=share_fb