COLUMBIA SPY

The current issue (Sept/Oct 2015) issue of Pennsylvania Magazine contains a lengthy article on Columbia.

Columbia's Fourth Friday celebration featured several galleries, events, and refreshments.  The 400 block of Locust was shut down for the event.  Several musicians played at various spots along the street. Some of the music was drowned out by noisy generators used to power food trucks.  Shortly into the event, a large plume of smoke erupted down at the river.  A few minutes later, fire personnel were called to the scene. Firemen found more open burning at the Canoe Club.

Dozens attended Saturday's Caring for Heritage, a celebration of local history helping area non profits raise funds for their organizations. Participants included The Lancaster Fencibles, Invalid Corp, Susquehanna Gateway Heritage, and Columbia Historic Preservation Society. The event at Columbia River Park included reenactors, demonstrations, sale items, exhibits, and refreshments. A reencator showed this American(?) Flag he recently bought at Root's Market. Apparently, the 40-something number of stars represent our 40-something number of states, and the 44 stripes represent the original 44 colonies. Would anyone be upset if this "flag" were burned, since it's already a desecration?  Larry Hoover of Elizabethtown demonstrated bullet-making techniques.  An assistant lined up the finished products.  Bullets were made from 700-degree lead.  Tom Hambleton of Willow Street took over bullet-making duties. A shor...

Don't blow your grass clippings into the street.

FRIDAY                                 SATURDAY ALL WEEKEND

A former WGAL employee is facing multiple charges after being accused of stalking an ex-coworker and vandalizing her car. Bernard W. Gutwald, 56 of Manheim Township, is accused of stalking a female WGAL employee and keying her car on multiple occasions causing more than $1,700 in damage. MORE: http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2015/08/former_wgal_employee_charged_w.html#incart_river

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Pennsylvanians will soon be able to register online to vote. Gov. Tom Wolf's administration plans to launch the system Thursday, making Pennsylvania the 23rd state to offer Internet-based registration, officials told The Associated Press. MORE: http://lancasteronline.com/news/local/apnewsbreak-pennsylvanians-to-get-online-voter-registration/article_59dd9936-0f1f-545c-9ca4-4bdc34106e38.html

Columbia Borough Council, at its August 24 meeting of the whole, voted to extend its contract with the Columbia Historic Market House Trust by one year. The contract, which had been set to expire at the end of this year, will now run until December 31, 2016. The meeting agenda had originally listed an item to "consider approval to send the Market Trust a letter ending the agreement with the trust effective December 31, 2015." After much discussion among councillors and trust members, however, that measure was voted down. Council instead voted five to two on a motion to extend the trust's contract by one year under the current agreement. Council President Mike Beury and Councillor Stephanie Weisser voted against the motion. During the discussion leading to the vote, Cleon Berntheizel, chairman of the trust, noted that last year the trust had asked the borough for support in applying for a grant and initiating a capital campaign to raise funds for renovations to the...

208-210 Locust Street The wooden barrier that had blocked off this property - and the sidewalk - has been removed. Unfortunately, there is still no parking near the property.  The meters have been disabled.

Restoration of the Art Deco lighting on the Veterans Memorial Bridge between Columbia and Wrightsville has garnered an historical award. MORE: http://lancasteronline.com/news/local/light-restoration-project-on-columbia-wrightsville-bridge-earns-award/article_cfb11cf0-4c2a-11e5-8453-7bc6d83726df.html

Four-alarm fire at Marietta flooring plant, 421 West Market Street

Columbia Borough Council voted tonight to extend its contract with the Columbia Historic Market House Trust by one year. The contract, which had been set to expire at the end of this year, will now run until December 31, 2016. MORE TO FOLLOW

Location: Columbia River Park     Front & Walnut Street  Columbia, PA 17512 Date: August 29, 2015 Time: 8 AM - 3 PM  The Columbia Historic Preservation Society mailed out over 50 invitations in the beginning of 2015 to Columbia non profits and Lancaster County Historic Society's to participate in either "Caring for Heritage" or "Albatwitch Festival'. Though a few responses to participate in either or both were received, Washington Boro Heritage, The Lancaster Fencibles, Invalid Corp, Gateway Heritage and CHPS will be on hand to show their local heritage.  CHPS will have sales items, food and local historic displays. This event is for non profits to raise funds for their organization at no charge. So come down and learn and support these groups. Hot dog, bag of Herr's chips and Turkey Hill Natural drink for $2.25 Thank you, Chris Vera Director/ Columbia Historic Preservation Society

The 3rd Annual Jazzy's Day, a celebration of the life of Jasmyn Smith, was held at Makle Park on Saturday.  The event featured a backpack giveaway, face painting, music, games, basketball, raffles - and new this year, a mechanical bull. The origin of Jazzy's Day and coverage of the first event can be found  HERE . Go  HERE  for an article on Jasmyn's Buddy Bench.   Larry Phiel, Jazzy's grandfather Lindy Phiel (right), Jazzy's mother Kids took their chances on the mechanical bull, a new attraction this year.  Others watched several simultaneous basketball events.  A bounce house made an appearance.  Contact info for the bull.  Lots of balloons. Meanwhile, at the face-painting table . . .  Games . . .  . . . a DJ . . .  . . . a bounce house . . .  . . . and balloons - lots of balloons - in Jazzy's favorite colors . . . ...