Pennsylvania Hosts World's Largest Dairy Cattle Show

Pennsylvania Governor Edward G. Rendell today invited the public
to attend the 42nd All-American Dairy Show, the largest dairy
cattle show in the world, which runs Sept. 17-22, 2005, at the
Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg. This year's show will feature
more than 3,600 head of cattle by participants from 27 states.

"The dairy industry is Pennsylvania's largest agricultural business,
ranking fourth in the country and contributing more than $4.2 billion
annually to our state's economy," said Governor Rendell. "This show
offers the highest prize awards of any dairy show and brings together
some of the best dairy breeders from across the country. Pennsylvania
is proud to host this national event."

The All-American includes seven national dairy breed shows for junior
and adult exhibitors, including: Ayrshire, Brown Swiss, Guernsey,
Holstein, Jersey, Milking Shorthorn and Red & White.

Youth activities include a national showmanship contest, the Junior
Dairy Management Contest, a 4-H and FFA Dairy Judging Forum, the
Invitational Youth Dairy Cattle Judging Contest and an ice cream
social hosted by state Agriculture Secretary Dennis Wolff.

"Pennsylvania is committed to developing future leaders in the dairy
industry," said Wolff. "Participating in national competitions such
as the All-American Dairy Show and learning how to breed dairy cattle
at a young age are experiences that will benefit our youth and
Pennsylvania for a lifetime."

Highlights of this year's show include::

Lower taxes in PA?

Governor Rendell - please make this happen. I am a single mother and a tax cut would be a huge help to me. My taxes are killing me. This would be such a relief.

READING, Pa., Sept. 14 /PRNewswire/ -- Every Pennsylvania homeowner
would be eligible for property tax relief under a proposal announced
Monday by Governor Edward G. Rendell and outlined today in Reading
by Secretary of Revenue Gregory C. Fajt.

Fajt said limited slots gaming approved last year will generate
$1 billion for statewide property tax cuts. Governor Rendell wants
to require all school districts to offer gaming-funded property tax
relief. He has asked the General Assembly to amend Act 72, the
legislation that will implement property tax relief, to remove
language that gave school boards the power to decide if gaming
revenue is used to reduce property taxes in their district.

"Rising property taxes are a problem for all Pennsylvania
homeowners," Fajt said, "but are especially burdensome for older
Pennsylvanians and others living on fixed incomes.

"School boards should not be able to say 'no' to $1 billion
in school property tax cuts. Property tax relief should be
universal, and it should happen as soon as possible."

source:

Pennsylvania Unlikely to Receive Additional Evacuees from Gulf Region

"Although the commonwealth is prepared to accept hurricane evacuees and meet their needs, the U.S. Department of Homeland today advised us that it does not appear that Pennsylvania will receive any organized, officially sanctioned flights in the near future, but we will continue to provide assistance to evacuees who choose to come to Pennsylvania on their own," said Governor Rendell.

source:

Katrina relief - We just keep on giving

NE Pennsylvania News Alliance telethon raises approximately $295K

Two people anonymously gave $5,000 each. One man wanted to donate a job. Another offered to share his home.

With each ring of the phone, Northeastern Pennsylvanians showed their generosity Thursday, donating an estimated total of $294,627.66 for the victims of Hurricane Katrina.

Thursday's donations even surpassed money raised during the Northeast Pennsylvania News Alliance's Sept. 11, 2001 telethon, which earned more than $225,000. A News Alliance telethon for the Asian Tsunami in January raised more than $270,000.

read the complete article here:

Good apple season for Pennsylvania in 2005

Pennsylvania produces about 11 million bushels of apples a year; nearly half of those are grown in Adams County, said John Rice, an owner of Rice Fruit Co. in Gardners and a former chairman of the U.S. Apple Association, an industry group.

The state ranks as the fourth-largest apple-producing state in the nation behind Washington, New York and Michigan.

In Pennsylvania, growers began harvesting apples in August, with varieties such as Miltons and Red Melbas among the first to be picked. They might be slightly smaller in size than last year, Loomis said.

But for now, the varieties being picked, such as the popular McIntosh and Red Delicious varieties, look to be of good size, growers say.

Growers say all varieties - from the tart Granny Smiths to the super-sweet Fujis - will taste good.

Read the complete article here:

original article:
By GENARO C. ARMAS
The Associated Press

Honoring Flight 93 - September 11, 2001

I just got done watching the documentary tonight on
The Discovery Channel about United flight 93 and the 40 heroes on board who helped to save many others, quite possibly, our nations capitol on that fateful day. I was so proud to hear the family members of those heroes, speak so fondly of the wonderful people who live in that small village, Shanksville, PA and how they would rather have their loved ones interred in such a wonderful place with such wonderful people and I said to myself, ya know what, I feel comfortable saying that any small town, especially in my great state would have treated that whole situation the exact same way, especially small town America. We have some of the greatest people who live and work in this beautiful state.

I'm so proud to be from Pennsylvania. I have relatives from Somerset County
and I take great pride in knowing that some of my family are from that neck
of the woods too. It literally brought tears to my eyes over the pride I feel.

Check out the website which honors this field of honor and those heroes who are buried there forever.

Be careful when you want regular gas

I was told that if you go to get gas and they are out of regular unleaded then they HAVE to sell you the next octane up for the same price as regular....its a law...there's an 800# on the pump or somewhere in the station that you call if they are not doing it....might come in handy if we start running out.

Pennsylvania opens its' arms to Katrina victims

PA Governor Rendell Announces Pennsylvania on 'Stand by' to Receive Evacuees From Gulf Coast Region.

I just love Pennsylvania!! I am so glad that I am a part of this great state and what they are doing to try and help those victims of Katrina.

Check out the story here:

Operation Bottled Water - Westfield, PA

and surrounding areas sent cases of water on a truck along with money which was collected in the church parking lot. I'm proud to see Pennsylvania doing so much for Katrina victims.

Check out the entire giving story:

I have to say I'm proud to be from Pennsylvania.

Katrina victims.....need a job?? Come to Pennsylvania

Hurricane victims can have a job in Pennsylvania

I love my state. They're saying, come on, we have jobs here for you and let me tell you how beautiful this state is. Some of the nicest people you'd ever want to meet. There is hunting and fishing here, close to Philly and Harrisburg. Not far from NYC either.

Read the article:

PA Game Commission Seeks info on Barn Owl Sightings in S eastern/central regions

HARRISBURG, Pa., Sept. 6 /PRNewswire/ -- Pennsylvania Game Commission
officials today announced that they are seeking information on barn owl
sightings. Barn owls, which have been in decline for several decades, are a
species of concern that have great management and recovery potential in the
southeastern and southcentral portions of Pennsylvania.
The Game Commission has developed a Barn Owl Conservation Initiative to
help in the conservation and potential recovery of this species. The
initiative's goal is to compile existing information on barn owl locations,
including nest sites and incidental occurrences, as well as document new sites
and sightings.
"Our objective is to focus on habitat issues by assessing the foraging,
nesting and roosting habitats where known barn owls exist or have existed in
the past," states Jamie Zambo, Game Commission Southeast Region Wildlife
Diversity Biologist. "We are looking for cooperation and participation in
this important effort."

Read the entire article here:

Pennsylvania Sunday Beer Sales Begin

Iron City Beer or Rolling Rock. I sure hope it's something other than
those two *wink* Do they even make Iron City any more? *chuckle*

PITTSBURGH -- Thirsty Pittsburghers finally have a chance to quench
that thirst, even on Sundays. Sunday was the first day of Sunday beer
sales in Pennsylvania. About 800 of the state's 1,300 beer distributors
paid the $100 fee for a license. In Oakland, sales were brisk at
University Beverage once word got out that they were open. "It's just
100 percent good news," said Dario Maragni, of the University Beverage Center. "Everything we get in, it's just going to be profit. It's an
extra day of beer sales." Distributors will be open from noon-5pm
on Sundays. Many are hoping the Liquor Control Board will expand the
hours even more.

Read the article here:

note: I think this is a great idea. Now folks in Pittsburgh don't have to
send their wives to the bars on Sunday to pick up a 6 pack for them while
watching they watch the Steelers. Probably good for the economy too. All I
can say is "It's about time!!"