Cheer

Could it be that Butler is a city on the brink of renaissance? Let’s hope so.

Take a counter-clockwise walk around the Centre City project, starting with the new Rite Aid store, which has become a retail anchor in the downtown. Immediately behind it, the three-tiered parking garage is taking shape, with the final cement pour done, awnings and windows installed in recent days as well as the stairways. It could be open for parking by the end of the month, according to city parking manager James Chiprean.

Next to the parking garage on McKean Street, a blue primer is being applied to the exterior sheathing of the Marriott Springhill Suites. The 76-room, $8.2 million hotel is a joint project of the city and J.S. Capitol and is expected to be done by early spring.

Turn left on Jefferson Street and head back to Main. A mural of the former Butler Brewing company — one of 10 downtown murals completed by the Walldogs sign painters — heralds the storefront of Butler Brew Works. It’s one of a number of recently opened restaurants that promise a nightlife kick in the pants of our county seat.

Those are the tangibles. Here’s an intangible, overheard during a stroll down Main Street, as spoken by one of the production crew of the Netflix show Mindset, which was being videorecorded last week in and around our courthouse.

“Yeah, I just had lunch here in Butler,” our visitor said, adding, “Wow! You wouldn’t believe this place.”

Could it be that Butler is a city on the brink of renaissance? Let’s hope so.

Jeer

After a four-day hiatus where her ill health dominated the news headlines, Hillary Clinton returned to the campaign trail Thursday to the tune of James Brown’s “I Feel Good” at an event in Greensboro, North Carolina.

It’s a great song by an iconic musician.

There’s only one problem. James Brown died of pneumonia 10 years ago.

One week after passing out at a 9-11 event in New York, Clinton was trying to make the point — and reassure her supporters — that she’s completely recovered from pneumonia and ready for more vigorous campaigning.

Another song selection might have been more reassuring.

Jeer

Yet again, a good-for-you food gets a reversal.

For years we’ve been told a daily glass a red wine can do wonders for your heart. Not any more.

A recent study at the University of California contradicts the common belief that moderate drinking can be good for the heart. An analysis of 5,220 adults, average age 56, found a link between light to moderate drinking and atrial fibrillation — an irregular heart rhythm that sometimes results in inadequate blood circulation.

The researchers found that drinking just 10 grams of alcohol — the equivalent to one glass of wine — increases by 5 percent the risk of chance of developing the condition.

The risk of atrial fibrillation might be prevented by avoiding alcohol, said the study’s author, Dr. Gregory Marcus. But he added the rule can’t be applied to everyone.

Of course it can’t. And who knows? A decade from now, science might determine once again that a glass of wine is beneficial for your heart.

Cheer

Good things are happening in Jackson Township, where local officials this week got a first glimpse of the long-awaited FedEx distribution center. Henry Maier, FedEx Ground president and chief executive officer, greeted dignitaries at an open house for the 305,000-square-foot center on Tomlinson Drive. It began a phased opening in early August and eventually will employ about 400 people.

Also this past week, Jackson supervisors approved plans by MarkWest Energy to build its Bluestone 3 de-ethanizer gas compressor plant. The company takes natural gas from Marcellus Shale wells and strips out certain byproducts, such as ethane.

MarkWest currently has 14,000 barrels per day of de-ethanization capacity which is transported via pipeline. When the new de-ethanizer is completed sometime in 2017, the capacity will leap to 48,000 barrels per day.

Supervisors President Trent Geis points out that business expansions lead to better services for everyone. “We’re happy with the ways things are going,” Geis said. “We just want to continue to see growth so we can see improved roads and intersections to make the township a safer place to live.”

It’s a good outlook.