Hey!: The Pittsburgh Penguins open the Eastern Conference finals tonight at Mellon Arena against their always physical cross-state rivals, the Philadelphia Flyers. But thuggery is one thing and skill is another. Advantage, Pens. The winner of this seven-game series advances to the Stanley Cup finals against the winner of the Dallas Stars-Detroit Red Wings Western Conference series. Fire up the Gary Glitter and "Rock and Roll (Part II)." What are the lyrics to that song again?
On the "Watch List": Taxi service in Pittsburgh. That's long been an oxymoron here. But the new French owner of Pittsburgh Transportation Group, which has held the local taxi monopoly, vows to improve service. Veolia Transportation of Paris is the nation's largest private transportation provider. We wish it only the best in Pittsburgh. It should be interesting to actually be able to get a cab in a timely fashion -- or at all.
Laurel: To Point Park University. It's embarking on yet another ambitious expansion plan Downtown. And to its credit, much of the $210 million plan is privately funded. One highlight of the project relocates the Pittsburgh Playhouse from Oakland. It indeed is the kind of development that can help transform a sometimes forgotten side of the Golden Triangle.
Lance: To Pittsburgh City Council. In a preliminary vote -- 5-2 -- it's agreeing to pay the $11,000 legal bill of four council members who, on their own, sued to stop a questionable electronic billboard project. Indeed, the suing council members were on the right side of the issue. But they sued without the full council's consent. Taxpayers should not pay for their freelancing.
Congrats!: To Randy Pausch. He's the Carnegie Mellon University computer science professor living life to the fullest with terminal pancreatic cancer. And his inspiring book, "The Last Lecture," all about "how to lead your life," is an instant New York Times No. 1 best-seller. Our best to the professor and his family; our thanks for his inspirational message.
An idea: The gardening season is upon us. And perhaps you can do your part to help feed the less fortunate among us. Call your local food bank. See if they have a need for fresh vegetables. If so, plant a little extra and donate it. But it's important that you call first. Wasted efforts oftentimes do more harm than good.
R.I.P.: To Ulf, the Pittsburgh police dog killed in the line of duty this week when he was shot by a gun-toting man who then was fatally shot by police. The German shepherd, 6, was a police officer in every sense of the word. Ulf's sacrifice never will be forgotten.
