Corbett's Liquor Privatization Plan to Fund Education: What Do You Think?

The governor says $1 billion in funding will be used to create the "Passport for Learning Block Grant" to create greater flexibility in schools.

On Wednesday, Gov. Tom Corbett announced plans to privatize the liquor system in Pennsylvania and committed $1 billion in proceeds from the process to education funding. The governor said the money will be used to create the Passport for Learning Block Grant, which will provide flexibility to schools and allow public educators, not Harrisburg, decide what students need. The grant will focus on four priority areas: school safety, enhanced early education programs, individualized learning and science, technology, engineering and mathematics courses and programs. “Our proposal is part of my commitment to changing Harrisburg, streamlining government and moving Pennsylvania forward,” Corbett said. “Our plan gives consumers what they want by …

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Pittsburgh Craft Beer Week

Pittsburgh by Bike, Pilsners by Palette

While Pilsen may produce the original pilsner, American craft brewers have put their spin on the classic style. To explore these efforts, & Pittsburgh's river trails, the Drunken Yinzers, a group of homebrewers, took a cycling tour of the city.

The pilsner style of beer is a clash of mainstream “Lite” America and traditional Czech recipes. Obnoxious, macho marketing versus a quiet, simple history. At least it was. Much maligned with the rise of Budweiser, Miller and Coors, the pilsner was seemingly forgotten by many American craft brewers. While the “Big Three” products may share the light golden color with true pilsners, the similarities halt there. We needed our craft brewmasters to defend the pilsner on our behalf. Fortunately, they’ve answered the call with a recent surge in the creation of craft beer pilsners. But what made the pilsner worth drinking in the first place? Contrasting greatly with the traditional ale styles brewed at the time, the pilsner’s crisp, refreshing …

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Bites Nearby: Poor Richard's Wexford Ale House & Grill

You won't be "poor" or hungry after a visit here.

Overview:   Poor Richard's Wexford Ale House & Grill is a mouthful, but its food is more than a mouthful. This is a casual, seat-yourself restaurant off Route 19 in Wexford. The food is definitely a cut above pub fare. The restaurant is open 11 a.m. to midnight Monday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday. It's closed Sunday. The focus is good, casual food, great prices and an extensive drink menu. There are lots of specials, including daily food specials, 50-cent wings Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday [by the dozen, dine-in only], and happy hour from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday [$2 well drinks, $3 drafts, $4 select appetizers, dine-in only]. It was quite busy when we stopped in for an early dinner after a hectic …

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Six-Packs On The Way for Cranberry Township's Giant Eagle

The Cranberry Township board of supervisors will hold a public hearing Jan. 27, on a liquor license transfer to the Giant Eagle located in the Cranberry Mall shopping center.

The Giant Eagle on Route 19 in Cranberry Township may soon feature six-packs of beer alongside its produce. On Jan. 27, Cranberry Township supervisors will hold a public hearing on a liquor license transfer to the Giant Eagle located in the Cranberry Mall shopping center. The transfer will go up for approval at the Feb. 3, board of supervisors meeting. Township solicitor Vicki Beatty said the six-pack shop would be similar to the café inside the Giant Eagle located on Route 228 in Seven Fields. That Giant Eagle, which has a separate entrance for the café, began carrying beer in April 2010. If approved, the Cranberry grocery store will join a long list of other Giant Eagle stores around the area that carry six-packs, some since 2009. …

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