It has begun

For those of you who read my posting about change here in Oakmont it has begun. I noticed yesterday on the way home from work that heavy equipment had started demolition on the lot directly behind the Dairy Queen. Also there has been some preliminary work done on the Exxon station on Hulton Road.

I also noticed a crew of men working around the intersection of Allegheny Avenue and Hulton Road on my way into work in the morning. My guess is they are making preparations for the installation of the two new traffic signals that are to appear at that location.

Those of you who like to take photographs in order to store memories of “the way we were” had better be quick. I have a feeling once they get rolling that the gas station and the Dairy Queen will not last long.

Still thinking about taxes

Well I'm still working on my rant about taxes in Allegheny County. In the meantime let me comment on the current kerfuffle over social security. I listened to an interview on talk radio this afternoon with Pat Toomey from the Club For Growth about the latest plan to revise the system.

The new plan will still allow "private accounts" but instead of the money invested in the stock market it would be invested in the form of treasury bills. Opponets of the plan have raged that the stock market it just to risky to allow people to put their social security retirement money in. I wonder where they think all of the dollars in those 401K plans resides? I don't envision anyone calling treasury bills a "risky investment" so it will be interesting to see what the objection is now.

You can be sure there will be a objection because the real reason for all of the wailing and gnashing of teeth over this plan is that it takes the money out of the hands of politicians and puts it in the hands of you and I the people who earned and own it. I for one hope that they get this plan passed and I hope that they do it quickly.

If you would like to read more about what is really going on with social security I recommend the web site Social Security For Choice and read the blog there. This is an issue that all of us need to educate ourselves on. Those that are retired, those that are about to retire and those that are about to start paying into the system. This is as close as I have ever seen it come to real change in the system and I hope for our children and grand children's sake that we take advantage of the opportunity.

Truer words were never spoken

Well I was just reading another blog her at Blogspot and the authors word rang true with me. She asked "How do you people find time for this?" and I have been wondering the same thing myself. I have a blog entry about taxes that is about half written that I was sure I would get to post over this past weekend. What I had not counted on was my cell phone and pager going off and spending a good deal of the weekend at work.

I can't complain to much though because I am one of the very fortunate people that for the most part likes what they do for a living. I'm not saying every day at work is a picnic but I don't get out of bed in the morning and say "Oh, do I have to go back there again today?" like some people I know. Guess I will keep chugging along and write here when I get the chance.

Back on track

Well the main Linux box is back on line. The verdict is still out but when my youngest son showed up to wish me happy Father's Day having heard of my predicament he had a new power supply in hand and offered to change it for me. Upon checking out the system he found the same condition that I had which was turn the power switch on with no indication that the system was was working. He then changed the power cord to a different one that I had in my junk drawer and hold and low be the system came to life.

Now I had another system sitting here that I was going to convert to Linux and I had put that same cable hook up as this system including power cord and it worked just fine. So I'm not convinced the cord was the problem. I guess I will run it for a while and see what happens. I'm just happy to have it back again.

Of course now I have to listen to Andrew tell me how “he fixed the system for me” and how “you would think I would have checked something that simple”. All I know is if it fails again I'll see to it that he never hears the end of it.

All in all it wasn't a bad Father's Day. I got a visit from my youngest and my oldest just flew in from Alaska safe and sound for which I'm thankful. Dan called me from Nevada to wish me a “Happy Father's Day” and it is always good to hear from him. He is a Paramedic and is getting his certification in Nevada so he can run with the local fire company where he lives. He delivered a baby boy in the back of the ambulance yesterday afternoon. Looks like he hasn't forgotten everything he knew when he was doing it for a living before going into the Air Force.

I did not make it to the car show in the park this year. Wasn't feeling up to it even though Andrew wanted to go and make an afternoon of it. I hope next year we go and Kenny will be in town to join us. Maybe I'll see you there.

Father's Day 2005

If you are looking for something unique to do with Dad tomorrow, Fathers Day, there is an antique car show held every year at Riverside Park here in Oakmont. It is a really great event and draws individuals from all over the area.

Owners bring their restored vehicles that range from early 1900's models to muscle cars from the 60's and 70's era. It doesn't take very long to see the amount of work invested in these cars and the pride that their owners take in showing them.

I have a real soft spot in my heart for this show because it had become somewhat of a tradition for my Dad and I to attend it when he was still with us. I have three sons and as they grew they would attend the show also and it became a father, son and grandson event. The boys and I would really enjoy walking around the park listening to my Dad describe the inner working of some the older cars, at lest old to us, and tell us about the models that he had owned and or worked on. It never ceased to amaze me that my Dad could start back at the Model T and move forward in time telling you about various quirks and idiosyncrasies that individual models had. Some of the names long since gone and forgotten by those that are not car enthusiasts. I am smiling even now as I write this thinking about it. I miss you Dad.

If your father is still alive do yourself a favor and make sure to spend tomorrow with him. The time will come when you will give anything if you could spend another day with him walking and talking. Soaking up the knowledge and wisdom that he accumulated through the years. Knowing that he had a love for you that only a father can have for a son. I lost my Dad in 1998 and it seems like only yesterday that I would be thinking about taking in the car show at the park tomorrow with him at my side. Enjoy Fathers Day 2005 with your dad if you can.

Yard sales, rummage sales and lazy weekends

One of my wifes favorite weekend pass times is making the rounds of yard sales here in Oakmont. I have to admint that on several occasions she has come home with some pretty good deals. She bought me a real nice chair that started out life at Ikea which I keep in the bed room for relaxing when I want to read and paid only $5 for it. On any given weekend you can find a number of these types of sales going on around town and if you start early and look carefully you get some pretty good deals.

If you are thinking about garage sales or yard sales this weekend Redeemer Lutheran Church is having their annual “rummage sale” Friday evening and Saturday (June 18^th) from 09:00 AM to 12:00 PM in the church basement. This the Ladies Aid Society's biggest fund raiser of the year and they do a lot of good work with the proceeds. Did I mention there is also a bake sale. Lots of REALLY GOOD home made cookies and other goodies that are guaranteed to cause you to come back next year and donate your pants which are now too small and look for some larger ones to buy. Seriously though, you will find some good things to eat, some good deals and meet some nice people in the process.

Redeemer Lutheran Church is located at the corner of Pennsylvania Avenue and 13^th Street in Oakmont. You can click on one of the links in this message to be taken to our web site where you can find driving directions.

Weekends and dead computers

Well I was working on two different items that I was going to post here on the blog when my main computer died. The nerve of it! I haven't had time to dig into it yet but I think it is just the power supply. If that is the case I should have it back up and running over the weekend at which time I will have some comments about the business climate and taxes in Allegheny County and Oakmont.

For now I have pressed a “retired” note book computer back into service and installed my favorite flavor of the Linux operating system on it and am writing this with Open Office Writer. It is somewhat of a “dog” speed wise but I can live with it for a day or so. Now if the main system has more serious problems and I have to work with this machine while I order replacement parts I fear I will grow cranky and somewhat perturbed. Once you get used to a “newer faster better” computer it is hard to go backwards. I could tell you stories of IBM PC XT systems with “fast” 10 megahertz mother boards but that is a tail for another time. Lets hope the rain holds off and we have a nice weekend.

Summer returns to Oakmont

I'm still new to and learning about “blogging” so bear with me as I navigate the pathways of this new means of conveying your thoughts with the written word. I hope that people reading this will get an idea of the flavor of life in Oakmont while I satisfy my desire to write. As I said I am new to this so as with many other things I will lean as I go. I expect to be expressing some opinions not only on Oakmont but the surrounding areas and life in general. I hope not to bore anyone to tears but I'm sure if I do they will exercise their right to go away and not return. My greatest hope is that in the process we both learn something.

Summer has finally arrived in Oakmont. For a while there I was starting to wonder. Last year we missed summer all together or at least that is the way it seemed to me. Temperatures were below average and it seemed like it rained all summer. The only time the sun shined was while I was at work which of course made the grass grow so it needed cut which I couldn't do when I was home because it was raining! Lets hope we have broken that pattern for the year 2005.

In the past I was a “walker” spending at least thirty five to forty minuets a day walking around town trying to keep my weight down and my heart healthy. Alas several years ago I broke a leg in three places, and all at once when I do it I do it right, which put me on my back for about three months. Since that time I have lost the “battle of the bulge” in a big way and now suffer from a sever case of “dunlaps” disease. That being a malady where my belly “dun lapped” over my belt.

I hope to reverse that trend this summer with a regular walking regiment with my faithful companion Lucy. Not to be confused with the love of my life for the past thirty plus years Linda. Lucy is a mixed Lab who while no where near my weight class seems to have the ability to drag me along the sidewalk when I don't exert the proper control on her leash. Oakmont is a great place for a person who likes to walk for a number of reasons. You have your choice of terrain from flat to up hill climb. If you prefer flat we have a really nice “walking trail” that runs next to the railroad tracks in the center of town which is basically a ribbon of black top that runs from one end of town to the other. Along the way there are some nice places to stop and sit on a bench and chat with some of your neighbors. My only problem with it is that pets are baned as “the powers that be” elected to simply say no to all dogs rather than discipline people who walk with their dogs and refuse to clean up after them. So Lucy and I will be wandering the sidewalks for the time being. There is also a very nice running track at Riverside Park. Easier on the feet if you can stand going around and around like a train on a model railroad layout.

So if you are a walker stop in Oakmont and stroll down our boulevard enjoy the shops or the walking trail where you can enjoy the view and the people. If you encounter Lucy and I stop and say hello.

The Carnegie Library of Oakmont

The Oakmont Library is very interesting place in and of its self. If you have never been in the library you have missed a great experience. I have several hobbies, by wife says some of them are obsessions, and reading is near the top of the list. I don't get to spend nearly as much time reading as I would like and I suppose that for the most part that is my fault. I have found that you really have to “make time” for things that you enjoy in todays busy world.

Reading is more than just a hobby though. It is the key to learning and learning is the key to a better life. If you are of the Christian faith you can benefit greatly from reading the Bible, God's word to man, on a daily basis. I have just recently completed reading the Bible for the first time in my life. I did it through a weekly study program called “Todays Light” at my church, Redeemermer Lutheran, here in Oakmont. If you are interested we are starting that program again soon and anyone is welcome to attend.

Beyond the Bible there is a wealth of enjoyment to be had in books and at the library. Our library here in Oakmont has recently undergone significant renovations. Additional space has been added an the building has been made much more accessible for those unable to climb a large number of stairs to gain entry. Stop in if you get the chance and see the new much improved Oakmont Carnegie Library located at the corner of Pennsylvania Avenue and Allegheny River Boulevard. I plan to write more about the library after my next few visits.

Things keep changing

Things are always changing. When I was a kid the Esso gas station on the corner of Hulton road and Allegheny Avenue was just a small wooden building with two gas pumps and not much else. Matter of fact if I remember correctly there wasn't even a curb that separated the pumps from the street.

Over the years the little wooden building disappeared, Esso morphed into Exxon and corner was developed into large service station complete with automatic car wash. The Exxon station is located right next door to another building that even though it has undergone it's own set of changes over the years has become an Oakmont landmark. That being the Dairy Queen ice cream stand and restaurant. Thousands of folks have quenched their apatite or satisfied their sweet tooth with all the goodies available within in a hot summer night.

Well the Exxon station has been closed for several years now why I'm not quite sure. When it initially closed I thought there was no way that chunk of real estate would lie fallow for any length of time but I was wrong. Who ever owned it must have reasoned that if they held out long enough they would get their asking price. It looks as though someone has proffered the requested amount as work has begun on demolition of the building. This was no shock to anyone in the community least of all me.

What did come as a shock was when I noticed that the Dairy Queen was closed and dark. Asking around I found out that not only had the Exxon station been purchased but also the Dairy Queen and the home located behind it. My disappointment was compounded when I found out that all three parcels of land had been purchased for the construction of yet another drug store. I hear we are to be blessed with a shiny new Wall Greens at the corner of Hulton Road and Allegheny Avenue.

I suppose with the only current “growth industry” in Allegheny County being the elderly it was a logical move and I'm sure the municipality will appreciate the tax revenue it will generate. Still I don't consider all new things progress. We will now have a pharmacy with a drive through window but I can think of lots of other uses I would rather have seen that ground put to. Such is life which always goes on. On a positive note I hear that the owner of the Dairy Queen has retained his franchise. So I guess there is the possibility that the Oakmont Dairy Queen may live on at a new location. Time will tell.

Until then when the summer nights get warm and your sweet tooth tugs on your shirt sleeve travel a little further down the avenue to BRR Kees Ice Cream and Yogurt for a cone of delicious home made hand packed ice cream. Oh, and they make really good milk shakes.