I have showed some of the picture from Western PA. Most recently coal fired generation and govt. defense contractors also seem to be waning. The county and the govt have imposed new taxes to avoid bankruptcy. A sewer project requires an investment of @$10,000 per home. When they are done they block your cellar floor drain. The result has been that houses are being abandoned within the City Limits. It seems that one out of 5 houses is in a very bad state of disrepair. Abandoned houses appear everywhere.
I have a friend Gill. He owns a small shoe store. He seems to be in pursuit of the most expensive restaurants. He wants to drag me along with him. He invited me and my female companion out to dinner on Sunday. I told my companion that I did not mind doing the Gill thing on Valentines day but that I don't want to follow his agenda. We went out to eat in Somerset County, which is even poorer than Cambria county. The place was clean and well lit. We had one young female waitress. No table cloths, candles, no matradee, and no view. We did have, however, a cloth napkin. It was a medium sized place in a mall off of highway 31 near the turnpike. The price for our meals was $39 /each. It was bring you own bottle and there was an additional $6 uncorking fee. The meal did not include a salad, drink, or desert. If you wanted a side salad it was $9 each. I figured it would be a big meal and we skipped the $9 dinner salad. The only thing big about the meal was the plate. The meal looked like a small island within the huge plate. Gill said it was the best. I did not know or care, we were still hungry. We purchased a desert. The bill with tip was over $100. This is were I don't understand the new economy. The place was full. Every table was reserved with young people. They all got additional appetizers $18 and a side salad $9. Their bill would be $140 / couple. Where to they work? Where do they get the money to waist? Why was not this restaurant out of business years ago? I don't know! Seven Spring Resort was about 20 miles away. Could it be from that? Frank Z
