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Set community goals for 2015

Each year, a well-loved family member shows up to our Christmas gatherings with a small notebook in hand. In the notebook go each family member's New Years' resolutions, and the following year, as we give new resolutions, we report on our progress for the previous year's resolutions.To be truthful, I typically hate making resolutions, mostly because I fail at keeping them. A recent study by the University of Scranton found that only eight percent of people who make resolutions keep them, and over the past few years I have proven myself to be a card-carrying member of the 92 percent who ...

Waterfall of Christmas surprises

As you may have noted before, our family moved into our new home on Genesee Avenue in December of 1940, right next door to a huge silver and black-painted stand pipe. It was used to store water that was pumped uphill from the water works at Mahoning and Summit to this, the highest point in Warren. It provided water pressure to the surrounding area.Since it was winter when we moved in, and I was but five, I was warned to stay away from this humongous tower. Since it had no top, it could overfill and burp up great slabs of ice that would pop over the rim. Those slabs would come crashing ...

Look for good in tough year

This week, Google revealed the top 10 search terms of 2014, and it's a poignant reminder that it's been a tough year. They are, from most searched to least: Robin Williams, World Cup, Ebola, Malaysia Airlines, Flappy Bird, ALS Ice Bucket Challenge, ISIS, Ferguson, "Frozen," and Ukraine.Six of the 10 top search terms have to do with, for lack of a better way of saying it, bad stuff. Of the other four, one is a kids movie, a game for your phones that is no longer available, a sporting event, and a gone-viral charity stunt. Looking at this 60-40 split, I guess you could say it's been a ...

The coin of the realm in securities

A few years ago, hedge fund Level Global Investors made $54 million selling Dell Inc. stock based on insider information provided by a Dell employee. When charged with insider trading, Level Global Investors co-founder Anthony Chiasson claimed he didn't know where the tip originated.The defense team for Chiasson and his co-defendant, Todd Newman of hedge fund Diamondback Capital Management LLC, argued that few traders on Wall Street ever know the true origin of the inside tips they use because confidential information is, in the words of Chiasson's attorney, the "coin of the realm in ...

Gifts offer something to ponder

One evening just a while ago, I went to the Hot Dog Shoppe on West Market Street for a couple of hot dogs and chili. Unusually, it wasn't very crowded, so I sat down in the middle of a row of empty stools. As I was eating, I noticed a large family standing and waiting. Seeing that they might all want to sit together, I told the lady in the group that I would move down to one end. My server helped me move my stuff, and as I ate my meal, I engaged the lady in some small talk.I didn't get the usual check. When I asked for it, the server just shook her head and pointed to the man sitting at ...

Neither race, nor occupation should define Americans

I have been considering writing this column for weeks. I don't want to write it, to be honest. It's controversial and hits so many tender spots of our combined history as Americans. I don't want to hurt anyone's feelings or make anyone angry, and I've never been one to stir the pot, so to speak. However, I feel that I have to say my piece. Maybe you agree. Maybe you don't. Certainly writing or reading about it, won't change anything. But change needs to be made.Americans are becoming more wary of those meant to keep us safe: police officers. These men and women in blue are sworn to ...