Bird’s-Eye View

Welcome to the new week, where despite it being Monday we’re doing better than Lance Armstrong’s collar bone … and A-Rod’s squeaky clean reputation.
Around the state:

*If you are eagerly awaiting property tax relief from casino gambling, you may be interested in this story from the Patriot-News:
Next month, the state must certify whether the fund has enough money […]

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Welcome to “Evening Coffee,” which unfortunately has not come out with an instant brew version.
 
But our friends at Starbucks have (you may have heard), and in Chicago they gave away free samples of their VIA instant brew. The on-the-street reviews … not entirely overwhelming, according to the Chicago Sun-Times:
While no one spat it out, reviews […]

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If I was going to make a difficult sacrifice for Lent, this would be it. I’ve sworn to forsake my beloved lattes for the next 40 days. But, you know, I see this as a good thing because now instead of syrupy goodness I can expand my horizons to the drip coffees.
Time to deal a […]

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The Year: 2005
The issue: Two attorneys want to plop a bizarre-looking casino into downtown Lancaster, what could have been former Mayor Charlie Smithgall’s final fingerprint on the city he loves so much.
Remember how this could have appeared along North Queen Street?

Ah, the good old days of 2005. A seminal year for your coffee-lovin’ journalist of […]

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Newsroom brew by my side tonight, trying to wrap my mind around Starbucks offering instant coffee. Their brand will be called Via, and at first Colombia (medium) and Italian (dark) roasts will be made available. My take: If you like Maxwell House or Folgers, give Via a try and see what you think. Otherwise, I’ll take […]

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HARRISBURG - If you want the fastest cup of Starbucks coffee in what I believe is the entire world, come to the shop that’s in the Harrisburg Hilton. Never longer than 90 seconds, even when crowded. Impressive.
Don’t have much time to chat. I have to shortly rush to the Harrisburg train station to catch an […]

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The Democratic House Majority proved successful last night in its attempts to role back some of the reforms took root during the previous legislative session. 
The most serious changes in how the House will operate during the next two years has to do with:

The ability of the all-powerful House Rules Committee to amend bills that come […]

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HARRISBURG - Greetings from the state Capitol, where we’re awaiting a briefing by the Secretary of the Budget on, well, the budget. Today Gov. Ed Rendell unveils his proposed 2009-10 fiscal year spending plan, and all the media buzz this morning is focused on his plan to put video poker in your local corner bar.
The […]

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Wow. Some visitors to the Nest will remember that sleezy feeling they had to wash off after state officials last year announced gambling revenue would pay $7.5 million for the next 30 years to help build a new $290 million hockey arena in Pittsburgh.
Now, I know this will ruffle some Penguin feathers, but check out what legendary […]

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There’s something stirring in the east. A New Jersey senator is pushing for the state’s governor, John Corzine, to sue in federal court to overturn a federal statute legalizing sports betting in 46 states. As it is, only Nevada, Delaware, Oregon and Montana are permitted to host legalized sports betting, leaving the other 46 states […]

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