Tom Purcell's Blog

Father's Day: Saving for a Rainy Day

Tom Purcell — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 14:22:00 GMT

My father was right -- though it took me a while to realize it.

Read about it here .

KDKA Radio Host Dimitri Vassilaros Discusses '60s & '70s Nostalgia with Tom

Tom Purcell — Sun, 30 May 2010 22:46:00 GMT

I joined KDKA Host Dimitri Vassilaros to Discuss "Rollicking Recollections of a '60s & '70s Kidhood," my serial feature in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.

KDKA's 50,000 watts broadcasts into 38 states.

Listen to the hour-long discussion here.

Excerpt from Tom's Upcoming Book: The Stereo Console!

Tom Purcell — Sun, 23 May 2010 14:47:00 GMT

It sat in my parents' dining room for 20 years or more: an old oak stereo console with large speakers concealed by green fabric -- similar to the photo above.

Nobody in my family knows when we got rid of it, but thoughts of the old music box fill me with tremendous nostalgia.

See an excerpt on our old console in my upcoming book, "Rollicking Recollections of a '60s and '70s Kidhood!"

And let me know what you think at Tom@TomPurcell.com.

Ban the Burger Month

Tom Purcell — Mon, 17 May 2010 19:11:00 GMT

May shouldn't be "National Hamburger Month."

It should be "Ban the Burger Month."

Read why here .

Hey, Big Spenders

Tom Purcell — Tue, 11 May 2010 18:47:00 GMT

I don't know who they are, but I've got to hand it to them. I'm too cynical to do what they do.

I speak of the Americans who, every year, donate money to pay down America's national debt.

Read about it here .

For Mother's Day: Spreading the Art of Laughter

Tom Purcell — Mon, 10 May 2010 17:33:00 GMT

My mother was 18 years old when this photograph was taken 55 years ago.

She taught her children many things but chief among them: mastering the art of laughter.

Read about it here .

Food Stamps for College Kids

Tom Purcell — Mon, 10 May 2010 17:28:00 GMT

Many college kids are now eligible for food stamps.

Though both taxpayers and college kids would be better off if they ate baked potatoes instead.

Read about it here.

Needed: The Irish Spirit

Tom Purcell — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 14:39:00 GMT

Their slogan wasn't "No Irish Need Apply." It was worse.

Read about it here.

The Right to Cuss

Tom Purcell — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 06:31:00 GMT

Cussing: Solution to the federal deficit?

Read about it here.

"Expert" Advice on Real Estate

Tom Purcell — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 06:27:00 GMT

It's frightening, if you want to know the truth.

I speak of a "non-expert" anticipating and avoiding the housing bust.

Read about it here.

Fun Goes Downhill

Tom Purcell — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 06:25:00 GMT

The record snowfalls in February mean one thing: sledding bans.

Read about it here.

Needed: More Snow in Washington, D.C.

Tom Purcell — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 06:20:00 GMT

Washington, D.C. got walloped with record snowfall in February.

But that town could use plenty more.

Read about it here.

Understanding Presidents Day

Tom Purcell — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 06:12:00 GMT

Presidents Day, Feb. 22, sure is confusing.

Did you know that, technically, we still celebrate George Washington's birthday that day?

Read about it here.

Interview with a Groundhog

Tom Purcell — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 14:15:00 GMT

Every Feb. 2, Punxsutawney Phil is pulled from a tree stump.

The ritual, enjoyed by many, has long been a source of controversy for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA).

I sat down with Phil to discuss the matter.

Read the interview here.

Simplifying the Tax Code?

Tom Purcell — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 22:05:00 GMT

President Obama would like to "simplify" the tax code.

Read about it here.

Government Work

Tom Purcell — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 22:00:00 GMT

The $787 billion stimulus plan IS creating jobs for the unemployed.

Read about it here.

Risks & Frisks

Tom Purcell — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 03:10:00 GMT

Now that a fellow with alleged ties to al-Qaida allegedly tried to set off a bomb in his bloomers, everyone is scared again.

I think I know what that means: middle-aged, Irish-looking fellows can expect even more patting down at the airport.

Read about it here.

New Year's Resolutions, Fed-style

Tom Purcell — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 04:01:00 GMT

Get this: The federal government is offering tips on New Year's resolutions.

Read about it here.

A Truly Wealthy Man

Tom Purcell — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 03:49:00 GMT

Every year about now, the media feature rich and famous folks who died in 2009.

Let me share the story of one of the wealthiest fellows I ever met.

His name is John Swiatek -- that's him above next to his wife Anna Mae, whom he married 57 years ago.

Read his story here.

Pollution a Solution?

Tom Purcell — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 03:45:00 GMT

Though the earth has cooled in recent years, some say man's activity will still cause the earth to overheat.

Could pollution, pumped into the stratosphere, help solve the problem?

Read about it here.