$20 Billion of Pennsylvania's Teachers' Pensions Unfunded

The Pennsylvania Teacher's Pension Plan

From the Wilkes-Barre Times-Leader - 

When it comes to teacher pensions, Pennsylvania has the fourth largest unfunded pension liability in the nation, according to a recent report that argues the pension systems in most states are not only unfair to taxpayers, they also are unfair to teachers.

The National Council on Teacher Quality compared pension plans in all 50 states, looking at unfunded liabilities and other factors. Nationwide, the report estimates teacher pensions systems have almost $325 billion in unfunded liabilities. Pennsylvania makes up slightly more than 6 percent of that total, with an unfunded liability of $19.7 billion – equal to $1,563 for every man, woman and child in the state.

Merry Christmas from the Florida State Capitol

Santa Left Two Cameras At The Everhart House

Sony RX-100 - the Most Advanced Pocket Camera

I must have been a pretty good boy - because Santa left a remarkably large piece of coal in my stocking. It is a black Sony RX100 camera. It is supposed to be the most advanced compact camera on the market. It takes pictures that rival the much larger DSLR cameras. It has a large lens and an even more impressive one inch sensor inside. Add to that a giant rear screen and an endless amount of programming features - I am looking forward to highlighting this web page with many interesting and different effects.

Since America is now buying more phones with cameras in them than other cameras combined - many people are settling for lower quality pictures in the name on convenience. This camera bucks that trend. Of course I would love all the features of the $5000 cameras that photographers carry on the sidelines at sporting events - but unless I have something that can fits in my pocket - I seldom bother to carry it. 

Only in Tamaqua - Kid Arrested For Finger Pointing

Bradley's Country Store - Two Hot Rods

About 10 miles northeast of town is Bradley's Country Store. They make the most fabulous smoked sausage on site. Here I am sitting on the old wooden front porch enjoying a foot long smoke sausage and a 1955 Chevrolet station wagon. The sausage was all original - the wagon had a Corvette 350 engine in it.

Florida State to Play in Dallas Cowboys Stadium in 2014

ESPN and the Dallas Cowboys have tabbed Florida State and Oklahoma State for the 2014 Cowboys Classic and announced an extension of their agreement to bring a top college football game to the club's Cowboys Stadium on Labor Day weekend through 2024. The Seminoles and Cowboys will meet in prime time on Saturday, Aug. 30 in Arlington, Texas.

"We are pleased to be playing Oklahoma State and with the exposure the game will provide our program and our university," said Florida State Director of Athletics Randy Spetman. "I know that our fans will be excited about visiting Texas Stadium and the Dallas area. It is a football venue that is second to none.

On This Day in 1907 - 239 Pennsylvania Coal Miners Killed in a Mine Explosion

The Worst Month in USA Coal Mining History

A coal mine explosion in Jacobs Creek, Pennsylvania, kills 239 workers on this day in 1907. Only one worker in the deep mine at the time survived the tragedy.

The Pittsburgh Coal Company set up the Darr mine on the side of a mountain near the Youghiogheny River. The mine was almost two miles deep and six workers at a time--most of whom were immigrants--would ride a wood bucket back and forth from the surface.

At about 11:30 on the morning of December 19, 240 workers were below the surface when a huge explosion rocked the mine. It was so powerful that homes in Jacobs Creek rattled and windows shattered. Thick black smoke poured out of the mine before the entrance collapsed. Mrs. John Campbell reported her observation, "My husband was about due for his dinner when the loud report came and I looked out the back door toward the mine. Instead of my husband, I saw a great cloud of dust and smoke pouring out of the mouth of the mine. It floated upward and disappeared across the river."

Joseph Mapleton, who was near a side entryway to the mine when the explosion occurred, was the sole survivor of the disaster. The victims died from a variety of causes: Some were crushed to death from the collapse of the mine, others suffocated and the remainder was killed in the blast itself. The precise cause of the explosion was never determined, but most coal-mine blasts are set off when a pocket of gas is accidentally ignited. Prior to the disaster, there was much talk among the miners about the prevalence of gas pockets in the Darr mine.

An inquiry carried out after the disaster determined that the blast was the result of miners carrying open lamps in an area cordoned off the previous day by the fire boss. The mine’s owner, the Pittsburgh Coal Company was not held responsible but abandoned the use of open lamps after the disaster.

-From This Day in History

Lulu and I Spent the Weekend at the Beach and Delivering the Honda Scooter to Its New Owner

The Honda 150 Scooter at its new home in Gulf Breeze FL.

Fred is the new owner of our 2010 Honda SH150i Scooter.

Fred and Janna came to Tallahassee last week and bought my Honda Scooter. They could not put it in their vehicle - so I volunteered to deliver it to for them - for a fee. They were very trusting because they paid me cash and left the scooter behind.

So Saturday - Lulu and I pulled out of Tallahassee at 9 AM - in Lulu's beach buggy van - pulling a trailer with the scooter strapped to the back. It was the first time we had the van on a long trip - it totaled 440 miles. 

FSU Lady Seminoles are 8-1 on the Baketball Court

Leonore Rodriguez

Alexis Deluzio

On Saturday evening the Seminoles cruised past Grambling State with a 96-60 victory. The No. 23 Seminoles are 8-1 on the year and remain undefeated at home 5-0. The squad used a 33-point explosion in the first seven minutes and 18 seconds of the second half to power them through to victory. Alexa Deluzio reached double figures for the sixth-consecutive game, scoring 23 points. It marked the 10th time in her career and second this season that she put up 20 or more points in a game. Two Seminoles recorded double-doubles as senior Chelsea Davis scored 16 points and snatched 11 boards while junior Natasha Howard had 14 points and 10 rebounds. For Davis, it's the second double-double of her career, while Howard recorded her 17th.

Tallahassee Home Wins Good Morning America Decorating Prize

Home in Southwood Wins Contest (last year's video)

The home of Derek and Courtney Whitis in SouthWood, which has been drawing spectators to its colorful and musical light display for weeks, has won the Good Morning America Big Bright Holiday Lights showdown contest.

Selected from three national finalists, the best house was determined by votes on the show's mobile app and Facebook page.

Christmas Lights and Cannoli Tour

They are on a bus for the Brooklyn lights tour.  Christmas lights and cannoli. For all I know - they could be on the bus to Atlantic City.

Cousins Lulu and Ruthann - Supper in the Big Apple

Lulu and Cousins Burn Up New York

Yesterday "the Cousins 4" took the ferry to Staten Island - I am not sure why - except maybe that it is free. This picture came from Lulu's phone about 7 PM last night.

She says the weather in New York City is about 45 and sunny. That is much better than the weather here in Tallahassee - 50 degrees - overcast - dark - dank - with an 8 MPH cold breeze. I refuse to dress and go out  :-)

I hope it warms up here for the holidays - "the Everhart 8" will be here.

Scientists May Have Finally Unlocked Puzzle of Why People Are Gay

Gay Couples Line up In Seattle to Get Married

Lesbians get it from fathers, gay men from mothers?

Take A Video Tour of the Space Station With Sunny Williams

Sunny Williams Tour of the Space Station

Sunny Williams is a world record holding astronaut. Really most of her records were set out of this world. Click on the caption above to see the tour.

Lulu Is In New York City For 4 Days

Ruth Ann - Kathy - Lulu - Georgianne - Last Christmas

Lulu had to go to New York and New Jersey to visit some libraries. She likes to go north particularly around Christmas time. She gets to experience some cold weather and the pretty decorations of the holiday season. 

After a few days of work - her 3 cousins - Ruthann - Kathy - and Georgianne - join her and do the town together for the weekend.

A neat feature for me - I can follow along on the activity by way of the American Express Card. Every time Lulu spends some money on the card - I get a copy of the bill on my computer. Right now it is less than 10 minutes since she got into her rental car to visit a school library in New Jersey. Here is the bill.

American Express - Don't Leave Home Without It.

Lulu is an Avis preferred customer. When she rents a car - there is no wait nor any paper work to fill out. They leave the keys in the car for her - she just hops in and takes off.

Looks like she got a Jeep to fight the winter highways.

This Electric Car Got 400 Miles On A Charge

Check out this story about an electric car that went 400 miles on a charge -

Model S Owner Tops 423 Miles on a Single Charge

By Zach McDonald · December 11, 2012

David Metcalf and his son Adam are the first to drive a Tesla Model S more than 400 miles on a single charge.

A University of Central Florida researcher and his 12-year old son have become the first ever to pilot a production electric vehicle over the 400-mile mark on a single charge. David Metcalf and his son Adam achieved the feat this weekend after a 423.5-mile journey through Florida lasting nearly 17 hours.