Evergrey

you got some nice color in that 2nd last shot

Actually, there are two great authentic Mexican restaurants in Oakland (and a Mad Mex... which certainly beats Qdoba)... but you know the way those newspaper "Best of city" contests go... local places have their intense fan clubs... but chain restaurants have widespread name recognition... so even if a lot of people don't have particularly strong feelings about Qdoba... it might be the only "Mexican" place they know of... so they write it in for the "Best Mexican" award

Actually, this brutalist monstrosity is Posvar Hall... which has classrooms, auditoriums, offices, etc. Hillman Library would be just to the right of it (it's also a brutalist monstrosity... but much less offensive than Posvar) Hillman Library

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09021/943309-100.stm PNC expects loss tied to National City deal Wednesday, January 21, 2009 By Patricia Sabatini, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette PNC Financial Services Group expects to report a loss for the fourth quarter because of costs tied to its Dec. 31 purchase of hobbled Cleveland-based National City Corp., the company said today. Excluding those integration costs, PNC said it projects a "meaningful profit" for the quarter but below its previous estimates. Pittsburgh-based PNC, the nation's fifth largest bank based on deposits, plans to report final fourth quarter and full year results Feb. 3. PNC also said today that it does not plan to ask for more government money beyond the $7.6 billion it received at year-end under the federal bailout program to assist in the National City acquisition. PNC shares gained $3.67 in early trading, up about 17 percent, to $25.67 after tumbling about 40 percent yesterday amid a selloff in the financial sector. Patricia Sabatini can be reached at [email protected] or 412-263-3066.

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/business/s_608074.html Bank shares plunge as calls for $250B more in federal rescue money swell By Rick Stouffer, TRIBUNE-REVIEW Wednesday, January 21, 2009 Banking stocks plummeted Tuesday on fears that the financial system, bashed initially by the subprime mortgage mess, could need another $250 billion in taxpayer bailout money, industry watchers believe. Banks reported more losses, and stock prices in recent weeks fell to numbers not seen in decades -- despite $232 billion issued in Treasury Department funds. "In general, there is a great deal of concern that banks will continue to need more bailouts," said Doug Roberts, chief investment strategist at Channel Capital Research in Shrewsbury, N.J. "Some believe the banking system already is insolvent." Shares of PNC Financial Services Group, considered one of the nation's strong, well-managed institutions, closed down 61 percent from a Dec. 8 high of $55.75. PNC shares closed at $22. "PNC has been one of the best banks; unfortunately, it acquired one of the worst," said Standard & Poor's banking analyst Erik Oja, who yesterday lowered his rating on PNC to "hold" from "buy." PNC at year's end took over National City Corp. in a $5.6 billion, government-assisted transaction. "It's going to take more time for PNC to work through National City's issues," Oja said, adding he believes many banks will cut dividends and conserve capital. PNC spokesman Brian Goerke couldn't be reached for comment. Bank of New York Mellon Corp. shares hit a 13-year low, falling at one point to $15.44, prior to the company announcing it would report fourth-quarter results two days early. Shares recovered to end the day at $19, as the New York-based institution, which maintains a sizeable Pittsburgh presence, reported net income of $28 million, or 2 cents a share, down 95 percent from net income of $520 million, or 62 cents a share, in the year-earlier quarter. BNY Mellon said its employment in the Pittsburgh region stands at 6,857, down 56 from 6,913 at Sept. 30. Other bank shares plummeted. SunTrust Banks Inc. lost $4.87, or 24.4 percent, to $15.07; Fifth Third Bancorp shed $1.21, or 22.3 percent, to $4.22; and Marshall & Ilsley Corp. fell $1.62, or 21.3 percent, to $6. The big unknown is the economy, bank industry watchers said. No one is sure how deep the recession will be or how long it will last. "There are continuing worries of how much worse the economy will become," said banking industry consultant Bert Ely. "There's a continuing negative outlook for the economy and that certainly impacts bank stocks." Loan chargeoffs at banks remain high, first because of the subprime mortgage problem, and now they've expanded because of the economic downturn, according to Brian Bethune, chief economist at IHS/Global Insight in Lexington, Mass. "Chargeoffs are charged to a bank's capital, and so even with the capital infusion from the government, banks are having to charge bad loans to their capital," Bethune said. "It's an unfortunate loop." Bethune, like many banking industry watchers, believes the banking industry will need more taxpayer money and that the government needs to set up what has been called a "bad asset bank." The special institution will take toxic assets off banks' books and absorb the drain on the institutions' capital base. Banks haven't been able to raise private capital because investors aren't sure how safe and strong the banks are, experts said. That leaves the federal government. "We estimate the industry needs another $250 billion in public and private capital," Bethune said. Ely is concerned about the political environment for banks, saying he believes the institutions will come under pressure to once again begin making what he called "risky" loans. "I'm concerned we're heading toward lending mandates," Ely said.

It's amazing that Ohio... with its huge role in the development of the sport of football... has zero Lombardi Trophies... I wonder which team will win Ohio's first Super Bowl... Bengals, Browns (or an expansion team in Columbus?)???

I think the Steelers should win... and I think the AFC is a lot stronger than the NFC (last year's Super Bowl result was a fluke)... but I'm not going to rule the Cardinals out... they've played out of their minds on offense and defense in the playoffs... Fitzgerald is insane... and Warner is a proven winner... and while he may not have had a Hall of Fame career (those 5 journeyman seasons in the middle kinda drag his numbers down)... he has certainly had a few of the greatest seasons for a QB in NFL history (this year's performance included) btw, here's the Lamar Hunt trophy presentation http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zYVCjd9KEHs

I've always thought about this myself... would the City of Cleveland have a Lombardi Trophy today if the Old Browns would have stayed? The 'What If' Showdown: Are Ravens proof of old Browns' greatness in waiting? by Tony Grossi/Plain Dealer Reporter Saturday January 17, 2009, 6:47 PM CLEVELAND --- Either Pittsburgh or Baltimore will go to another Super Bowl after Sunday's North Division showdown in the AFC Championship Game in Heinz Field. It would be the Steelers' seventh Super Bowl appearance, second since 2005. It would be the Ravens' second Super Bowl appearance, each coming since Art Modell moved the old Browns to Baltimore in 1996. More at http://www.cleveland.com/sports/index.ssf/2009/01/the_what_if_showdown_are_raven.html

Left in a stupor: If woeful Cardinals actually prove to be Super, can Browns live down the shame? by Bill Livingston/Plain Dealer Columnist Saturday January 17, 2009, 7:39 PM The first time I set foot in the Arizona Cardinals' press box, it was in Tempe, Ariz., at Sun Devil Stadium. It was the highest spot from which I ever watched a game. "That's so you can see that beautifully conceived Buddy Ryan offense unfold right before your eyes," a friend at an Arizona newspaper said of the former Cardinals coach. More at http://www.cleveland.com/livingston/index.ssf/2009/01/left_in_a_stupor_if_woeful_car.html

At wide receiver, LeBrown James By TOM WITHERS, AP Sports Writer 3 hours, 49 minutes ago CLEVELAND (AP)—LeBron James once dreamed of playing in the NFL. He did for 30 seconds. In a television commercial debuting Sunday for State Farm Insurance, James, a former star wide receiver in high school, suits up for the Cleveland Browns. A die-hard Dallas Cowboys fan, James wears a brown No. 23 Browns jersey with “LeBron” on the back. The spot was recently shot at the University of Akron’s indoor training facility and will be shown will during Sunday’s AFC and NFC championship games. More at http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=ap-lebronsnewcommercial&prov=ap&type=lgns

MORE!

more of my favorite residential areas! Great job capturing the architectural beauty!

could we just change the name from "Rock and Roll Hall of Fame" to "Modern Popular Music Hall of Fame"???

Bengals mediocrity leads to decline in average price of seat licenses Jan. 15, 2009 CBSSports.com wire reports CINCINNATI -- Like most stocks, the market for Cincinnati Bengals seat license contracts has plunged. The agreements, which can be resold, give holders the right to buy season tickets at Paul Brown Stadium. But in less than two years, the average value dropped from $2,783 to $536, according to SeasonTicketRight.com, a popular online trading exchange. Full story: http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/story/11264238/rss

lighten up, Francis!

Mexican War Streets has some of my favorite residential stock and streetscapes in Pittsburgh... great eye for the rich architectural detail, mein freund! ;)

view of the 4th Federal Reserve District... http://www.clevelandfed.org/research/trends/2009/0109/02regact.cfm 01.07.09 Economic Trends Fourth District Employment Conditions Kyle Fee The District’s unemployment rate remained steady at 7.0 percent for the month of November. The stable unemployment rate reflects an increase of the number of people unemployed (0.5 percent), a decrease in the number of people employed (−0.4 percent) and a decrease in the labor force (−0.4 percent). As it has consistently been since early 2004, the District’s unemployment rate was higher than the nation’s (0.3 percentage point). Since this time last year, the Fourth District’s unemployment rate has increased 1.7 percentage points, while the nation’s has increased 2.0 percentage points. Fore more, go to: http://www.clevelandfed.org/research/trends/2009/0109/02regact.cfm

Congratulations to the AFC North... which has sent two representatives to the AFC Championship game! :clap:

I broke out the Judas Priest catalogue for the first time in 10 years... and my god, I'm lovin' it (at least their early stuff before they devolved into caveman rock) The intensity of this track must've bewildered people back in 1978 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uf-RSd8T9L0

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09012/941226-147.stm Can transit grow neighborhoods? Monday, January 12, 2009 By Jon Schmitz, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Empty store fronts are all too common around the Hampshire trolley stop on Broadway in Pittsburgh's Beechview neighborhood.Each weekday, light-rail cars packed with a total of 13,000 commuters rumble through the Beechview business district, which is dotted with vacant storefronts.[/i] Buses haul another 30,000 riders on the Martin Luther King Jr. East Busway, passing the Homewood station, surrounded by long-standing blight and decay. Full story at link above:

the Big East is horrible

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/breaking/s_606426.html Fort Steuben Bridge closed because of shifted slab By The Associated Press Friday, January 9, 2009 STEUBENVILLE, Ohio -- An 80-year-old Ohio River bridge linking eastern Ohio and West Virginia's Northern Panhandle is closed because of safety concerns. The Ohio Department of Transportation says the Fort Steuben Bridge at Steubenville was shut down Thursday after a maintenance crew found a concrete slab on the bridge deck had shifted. An inspection was scheduled for today and was expected to take much of the day. Traffic has been detoured onto the neighboring U.S. 22 Veterans Memorial Bridge. It was built in 1990 to replace the Fort Steuben, a suspension bridge that opened in 1929 and is scheduled for demolition this year.

5 hours www.7springs.com

I have 8 stars, David has 10, Chadoh has 3... what does it all mean? Is it related to number of posts?

Wilkommen!