Hits and Misses
MISS: Happy Valley has been somewhat less than happy in recent years, thanks to the fallout from the Jerry Sandusky scandal. But now that the whole Sandusky debacle is fading into history, Penn State University can seemingly turn its attention to other matters. That apparently includes placing a trademark on the term “Happy Valley.” The university has filed a request with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, and says it wants to use those words on headwear and clothing, and also prevent the use of the term for alcohol. But we’ll confess to some discomfort about the notion that the words “happy” and “valley” should have a trademark slapped on them when used together. And there’s a chance that the request will be turned down, since Happy Valley refers to a geographic location. That outcome would surely lessen the happiness of some lawyers in, um, Happy Valley.
HIT: While many lawmakers in Washington, D.C., ignore or deny climate change, Gov. Tom Wolf and his administration are taking some action. On Tuesday, Wolf announced a statewide goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 26 percent from 2005 levels, and 80 percent by 2050. State agencies under Wolf’s dominion have also been given performance goals that include reducing energy consumption, using renewable energy and designing new agency buildings so they burn less energy. Some of Wolf’s proposals will require approval by the Legislature, and we will experience some of the impacts of climate change even if every state in the union signs on to similar goals. Nevertheless, the Legislature – and all Pennsylvanians – should back these proposals. The alternative is leaving our children and grandchildren a world significantly worse than the one we have known.
HIT: They call it the Dopey Challenge. For many of us who are a bit on the couch potato side of the exercise ledger, it would be too much to even contemplate. For Washington County Commissioner Diana Irey Vaughan, it’s a case of been there, done that, doing it again. By the time Sunday rolls around, Vaughan expects to have run a 5K, 10K, half marathon and a full, 26.2-mile marathon over the course of four days at Disney World. Last year, when Irey Vaughan participated in the Goofy Challenge, she ran a half and full marathon. And she’s doing this for outstanding causes. Last year, she raised $44,000 through individual and corporate sponsorships for the Washington City Mission’s Crabtree-Kovacicek Patriot House, and this year she is running to raise funds for the mission’s Women with Children Shelter. Kudos to you, commissioner.