Category: default || By officerjim

(Guest Commentator: Officer Jim)

People have been talking about it for the last few days. I haven’t watched the TV news, but I’m sure it’s been the lead story. And I’m certain that the area grocery stores are stocking up on provisions.

What am I talking about? Why, the weather, of course! (Had it been September, you could have guessed either “weather” or “Steelers” for equal credit.)

More specifically, I refer to the forecast for the end of the week. Now, it’s as much of a shock to my system as to anyone else’s. It was in the 80s on Tuesday, and according to the National Weather Service it will be 36 degrees by Saturday. (By the way, how do they know it will specifically be “36?” Saying “mid-30s” I could see. But isn’t it a bit arrogant to presume to know what the exact high or low will be?)

The temperature isn’t the only shock, however. Pittsburgh’s biggest dirty word was used in the end-of-week forecast. (No, not “metropolitanism” or even “regional cooperation.”) I mean S-N-O-W!

I’m not panicking, though. I expect cold, I expect rain. I’ll even give that a few flakes may fall. But I know that we won’t get any accumulation, and even if some does build on the grassy areas, it won’t last long. So please, give the nice folks at Foodland, Giant Eagle and Shop ‘n Save a break and don’t storm them (no pun intended) and wipe out (pun intended) the area’s supply of toilet paper and milk.

. . .

It’s a little far from the Mon Valley, but according to an article in that other newspaper sold in Our Fair City, the former Latrobe Brewing plant now owned by Wisconsin-based City Brewing will soon be turning out that lovely amber liquid again.

The Boston Beer Company has announced plans to contract out brewing of its Samuel Adams brand lager to the Latrobe facility. A Boston Beer Co. posting on their website says that they anticipate that an “investment in the Brewery is expected to be between $3 million and $7 million and commensurate with Boston Beer's commitment to the brewery, the parties are discussing the potential of Boston Beer having an ownership interest in the brewing facility.” The P-G reports that the projected employment could be 250 people within 3 years.

This is great for a town that was left high and dry after being trampled by Clydesdales. I’ve never had a Sam Adams, but this news might just induce me to add a new brew to my rotation of favorite beers. Now if only we could get them to start brewing some Tube City ...