Gingerbread Tour

Just seen at St. Paul Episcopal Church, 340 Locust Street.

Sunset under glass

Seen today . . . 

It's beginning to look a little like Christmas

Seen this afternoon . . .

Seen today at 855 Chestnut

Law enforcement in Columbia park

A letter to the editor in today's LancasterOnline:
http://lancasteronline.com/opinion/letters_to_editor/law-enforcement-in-columbia-park/article_6ae247ae-74d5-11e4-abc4-2ba060976743.html

Gingerbread house tour and holiday bazaar

Columbia-area community leaders are holding a special contest this holiday season — to see who has the most creative gingerbread house in town.

The contest begins this Friday, Nov. 28, and voting will end on Friday, Dec. 5.

Seven venues in Columbia will have a house on the tour, according to Susquehanna Valley Chamber of Commerce officials.

Ballots can be found through the chamber's website (parivertowns.com/m/events/view/Gingerbread-House-Tour-Contest), Columbia's visitors center and the participating venues.

The chamber also is holding a bazaar this Saturday, Nov. 29, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 340 Locust St.

Cellphone rights guide - not just for protestors

You are allowed to photograph or take video so long as you are in a public space. On private property, rules may be slightly different, but in general law enforcement can't view or delete media on your smartphone without your permission.
MORE:
http://www.slate.com/blogs/future_tense/2014/11/25/cellphone_rights_guide_for_protesters_in_the_united_states.html

What's the word for "Turkey" in Turkish?

GO HERE:
http://www.slate.com/blogs/lexicon_valley/2014/11/25/_turkey_in_turkish_and_other_geographically_implausible_names_for_this_bird.html

Where's the Borough Manager? - Update

A phone call to the borough office this morning yielded the following results:
A request to speak to Sam Sulkosky was answered by a phone receptionist with a reply that he was not in but a message could be left on his voicemail. When asked when he would be in, the receptionist said, "Probably Monday."

Market House open this Friday and Saturday

A local opinion on Ferguson decision

From today's LNP

Coming Soon

Where's the Borough Manager?

Borough Manager Sam Sulkosky was conspicuously absent from Columbia Borough Council's Meeting of the Whole on Monday night. Columbia resident Frank Doutrich asked Council about his whereabouts but was initially met with stunned silence. Finally, Councillor Mary Barninger said Sulkosky is currently on leave. When Doutrich asked if he was coming back, Barninger replied, "That's yet to be determined." Doutrich pressed for further clarification on rumors about Sulkosky's departure, but Council declined to give specific answers.

What I Saw November 23, 2014

A few shots from around town today . . .

 Weathercock

There's an old Jethro Tull song by that name . . .

 Cairn-like stacks of bricks,

Reminds me of something artist Andy Goldsworthy might have done.

 Stone facing on the pillars of the Visitors Center, similar to - but not the same as - those at the Columbia Plaza.

 Someone spayed creosote on this utility pole on Linden Street.

The problem is they sprayed the already narrow sidewalk, too.

Probably our friends at PPL.

 They're still at it.

Inane graffiti at Locust Street Park.

And a hairline crack on a bench. Could be the beginning of the end for this one, as well.

Route 441 bypass progresses

Route 441 bypass construction progress as of November 23, 2014

Concurrent calls - almost

Three virtually simultaneous calls at about 10 o'clock kept emergency personnel busy Sunday morning . . .

 Emergency vehicles at Trinity House Apartments

Ambulance on the 100 block of South Fourth

Emergency vehicles on the 300 block of South Fifth

Fundraiser for Annika

There is a fundraiser for Annika Horn this Sunday, November 23. at six different venues in her hometown of Columbia. Each event features musical entertainment and will be held from 2 to 7 p.m. All proceeds go toward Horn’s recovery and medical expenses.

The fundraisers will be located at these six locations:

- Bully's Restaurant & Pub
- Garth Gallery and Café
- Perfect Settings
- Columbia Kettle Works
- Through the Fire Studios
- Prudhomme's Rising Sun Hotel

There is a suggested ticket donation of $25. Tickets will be available at all locations.

Go HERE for more information.

Free Veterans Breakfast Monday, November 24

Light box signs at Columbia No. 1

Seen this morning: newly installed light box signs (one with a rotating display) at Columbia No.1 Fire Company

Alleged assault on 3rd Street this morning

Columbia Borough Police and other emergency personnel were called to the 200 block of North Third Street at Avenue F this morning.  According to Lancaster County-Wide Communications, a female was transported by ambulance from the scene due to injuries sustained from an alleged assault.

New sign at Columbia No. 1

Seen tonight (Saturday, Nov. 22) at Columbia No. 1 Fire Company . . .

A "light box" sign on the side of the building

Something new has been added

Stone facing on the pillars at Columbia Plaza

Preps underway for Susquehanna Valley's 'Extraordinary Give'

The 'Extra Give' is a 24-hour online giving marathon and more than 300 charitable groups from across the Susquehanna Valley are the beneficiaries. 

The new "GiveMobile" was outfitted on Wednesday and will travel to several spots on Friday. The mobile effort will allow even more people to make a donation and are set up with computers and Internet.

Columbia: 10-11:30 AM at Turkey Hill Experience, 301 Linden Street, Columbia, PA 17512
MORE:
http://m.wgal.com/news/preps-underway-for-susquehanna-valleys-extraordinary-give/29818492

Officer who works with Columbia Borough promoted to sergeant with Mount Joy police

http://m.lancasteronline.com/donegal/news/jose-ortiz-promoted-to-sergeant-with-mount-joy-police/article_7a6b3674-7055-11e4-9e8d-87e4c737cf7f.html?mode=jqm

'Sis' Brown walked throughout Columbia, and rests there

GO HERE:
http://m.lancasteronline.com/opinion/the-scribbler-sis-brown-walked-throughout-columbia-and-rests-there/article_d5279a56-70de-11e4-b8eb-cf8a0bd80bbf.html?mode=jqm

What I saw recently

Some shots from around town over the past few days . . .

 Work, work, work!

(Columbia Plaza)

"The Adventures of Dirty Dog"

 Unleashed!

 Unclean!

 Unconcerned!

 LASA checking our pipes

 Wheeler dealer

 Reminder from Laurel Hill Cemetery

Go home, Santa. You're drunk!

Flashback Lancaster - Borough vs Water Company

The argument between Columbia Borough and the Columbia Water Company caused by a massive sinkhole went to court, the Dec. 5 New Era reported. The sinkhole, caused by a burst water main in 1985, damaged 11 homes in the 200 block of South Fourth Street, and did over $1.5 million in damages. A financial settlement between the water company and the homeowners had been reached in 1988.

http://lancasteronline.com/news/local/flashback-lancaster/article_9d3a2fc8-704d-11e4-9e0b-13abdbd88621.html

Zion Hill signage dedicated

About three dozen people braved bone-chilling cold to attend the dedication ceremony of new interpretive signage at Zion Hill Cemetery Wednesday afternoon. The signage depicts Columbia's role in the Underground Railroad, as well as the history of the cemetery where many black Civil War soldiers - most of whom fought with the 54th Massachusetts Regiment - are buried. During the construction of the Route 30 bypass in the late 1960s, many grave markers were dug up and tossed aside.  In 1997, funds were raised, and dedicated community volunteers gathered and reset some of the stones, and added markers to probable grave locations.

The addition of the signage is another step in the restoration of the cemetery and the recognition of those interred there.

 Columbia's Robert Brinson read from a copy of the Emancipation Proclamation.

Consulting Historian Randolph Harris and Rivertownes PA USA President Albert Storm unveiled the new signage.

 One side describes Columbia's role in the Underground Railroad.

The reverse side explains the history of the cemetery where generations of African-Americans are buried.

Randolph Harris described the journey leading to the sign's completion.

 Claire Storm thanked everyone who helped bring the project to fruition.

Derek Parker, a descendant of the Loney family, traveled from Washington, DC to attend. (Two Robert Loneys grew up in Columbia. One ferried escaped slaves across the Susquehanna on their way to freedom on the Underground Railroad. The other was a Union soldier during the Civil War.)

Columbia's Jim Jones showed the landscaping he provided for the site.

Albert Storm concluded the ceremony by recognizing those who contributed to the project.