Here is Mike Polk Jr.'s latest video for the Cleveland Browns. It's quite good.



I was so inspired after seeing this I created this t-shirt design to celebrate 13 years of rebuilding by the Cleveland Browns:

 You have to be a true fan to be this cynical.

Hubbard Township / Rt 304 Train Update

I contacted Norfolk Southern today regarding the trains stopping on Rt 304. I was told that it's probably due to the crossing's close proximity to one of their rail yards.

If you find yourself stuck at this crossing, you can contact the Pittsburgh Superintendent at (412) 893-7267.If you can call at the time the crossing is blocked that would be best and if not, document the time and date.

More 304 Train News

An alert reader snapped the following picture of the Norfolk Southern train that came to a dead stop at 5:30 Wednesday on St Rt 304. In fact, they took this photo at 4:42! Norfolk Southern was well aware they had a problem and stopped short of the intersection with 304. An hour later the train was stopped across the road blocking traffic. Why weren't drivers made aware there would be a blockage? Why weren't the police in Hubbard and Liberty notified so they could direct traffic away from the area? Why does Norfolk Southern find it acceptable to block the road whenever they like?

It's also worth adding that this is not a one time occurrrence at this location. On Novemeber 11, 2011 at 7:50 am, morning commuters were treated to Norfolk Southern not only stopping the train but rolling it backwards through the crossing. They were doing this as people were trying to get to work and buses were trying to get students to school.

On December 15th, 2011 at 2:20 pm a train came to a standstill in the crossing. This pattern proves that the railroad is engaging in some action that closes the road to traffic without warning the public that the road will be impassable for a lengthy period of time.

Why is Norfolk Southern Stopping Trains in Hubbard Township on Rt. 304?

Between 5:30 and 5:40 this afternoon Norfolk Southern stopped a train on St. Rt. 304 in Hubbard Township. This action blocked travel in both directions on 304 for about 15 minutes. During this fifteen minutes drivers turned around to avoid the wait, causing some confusion. Drivers for the local trucking company traveled west in the eastbound lane to get to their terminal. Nothing dangerous about cars and trucks trying to occupy the same lane in different directions, right?

The railroads using this line frequently stop and in some cases have backed up, causing delays of twenty minutes or more. This is unacceptable on a road that sees as much traffic as 304. It's the main artery between Liberty Township and Hubbard. It's heavily used by people living on the west side of the township and city.

 A message was left for Hubbard Township trustees to address the issue.

Looking at a map of the area I wonder if there is some sort of switching going on over by Pine lakes and under the I-80 overpass. If so, Norfolk Southern needs to find a different way to accomplish this action.

Fighting the Carpenter Bees

Metal foil tape to seal their holes in the wood (where it can't be seen) and tennis rackets to whack the ones guarding the holes.

Tennis rackets versus bees with no stingers may not be a fair fight but they've got numbers on their side. And they hurt when they fly into your head.

Among All Legos...

The fender is the most dangerous to your feet.

Bob Hagan has an Online Petition Up Asking WKBN to Stop carrying Rush Limbaugh's Show

It looks like Rush Limbaugh has finally taken that one step too far with his comments about Sandra Fluke. If you haven't heard about this you can look at the details here. Here is the link for the petition to remove Rush Limbaugh's show from WKBN. Work the process people, hit those local advertisers in the wallet.

I've never been a big fan of this entertainer but over the years I thought people would get sick of his nasty commentary. His fans seem to like his format of having one sided strawman arguments and not inviting guests who can refute what he says. Not really my thing, though. I like to hear both sides of an issue and he has always struck me as a bit of a coward for not directly engaging those who disagree with him.

So sign the petition and try to throw the bum out. He's lost 21 big sponsors at last count a couple local stations around the country dropped him. WKBN could easily fill his slot with a local commentator or pick up Clark Howrd's show. They don't need Rush.