DÉJÀ . . . POO!

Recently, piles of chicken manure were delivered once again to McGinness Field, this time near the intersection of Twelfth and Franklin.  A source has told Columbia Spy that the manure was delivered on February 12. Two years ago, manure piled in this same field was believed to be the cause of a massive fly infestation in the area.  Nearby residents had also complained of a pungent odor emanating from the manure. WGAL's report on the previous issue is HERE.

Since manure is a breeding ground for flies, another infestation could occur in a few months.

Salmonella is another concern associated with poultry feces. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:

"Live poultry may have Salmonella germs in their droppings and on their bodies (including feathers, feet, and beaks) even when they appear healthy and clean. The germs can also get on cages, coops, hay, plants, and soil in the area where the birds live and roam. Additionally, the germs can be found on the hands, shoes, and clothing of those who handle the birds or work or play where they live and roam. Raising chickens in your backyard can be fun and rewarding, but please be careful doing so.

Salmonella can make people sick with diarrhea and fever, often with vomiting and abdominal cramps. Sometimes, people can become so sick from a Salmonella infection that they have to go to the hospital."

Carly Clark performs at Market House

For the second day in a row, live music graced the Columbia Market House as singer-songwriter Carly Clark performed standards and originals this afternoon. Matt Wenger will sing at tomorrow's Sunday brunch.

Music at Market

Lisa Thomas performed at the Columbia Market House Friday night.

Carly Clark will perform today, noon-1:30 p.m.

Music this weekend at the Market House

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

Columbia River Park to get new trees

Columbia Borough has begun the process for selecting and planting new trees at Columbia River Park to replace those recently removed due to safety concerns. Final selection depends on availability, but several species have been tentatively chosen due to their ability to thrive in wet areas and along riparian buffers. The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources has suggested the following as acceptable species for grant opportunities:

Common Baldcypress
Swamp White Oak
Dawn Redwood
Heritage River Birch
American Linden
Thornless Honeylocust
London Plane-tree

The borough would also like to plant evergreens, magnolias, and shrubs to complement the various heights and widths of the plantings.

According to Public Works Director Ron Miller, the project will be funded through a grant opportunity from DCNR’s TreeVitalize, which has a value of $15,000, with a 50% match required from the borough. TreeVitalize is a public-private partnership to help restore tree cover. Planting will begin this spring, with the entire park riverfront to be planted by fall.

The project originated several years ago with an ongoing evaluation of existing River Park trees, many of which were found to be in serious decline. Public Works crews continually cleaned up large branches after storms and high winds. Some branches had nearly hit visitors, and others had damaged benches, light poles, and picnic tables.

Crews tried pruning trees and dead branches over the years, but trees were found to be dying from the top down. Foliage was completely absent from the top third of many trees, and dead branches showed considerable damage from insect infestations.

Trees were also dying due to unsuitability to the wet environment. Black locust, Norway maples, mulberry and other species had girdled roots, and several failed completely and fell over.

In light of continuing damage, the borough decided to remove failing trees and replace them with new species better suited to the riverfront.

Borough gets new recycling bins for residents

The Borough has received a grant for new recycle bins for its residents. These newer bins are heavier and  taller than the previous bins and will allow you to put more recycling into them. Not only is it mandatory to recycle but the Borough receives state funds for recycling.   PLEASE   RECYCLE!

You may pick up a bin at the Borough Office front desk Monday through Friday from 9:00am to 3:00 pm.

You must bring identification with you to show you are a  homeowner living in the  Borough.   A drivers license with your address, a utility bill or trash bill are examples of identification for residing in the Borough.

To help with the distribution of the bins   for those residents that cannot come to the Borough office during working hours, the Borough is making the following dates available to pick up your free  recycling bin.

Saturday, March 12, 2016 9:00 am to 12:00 pm at Borough Office 308 Locust St.

Wednesday, March 16, 2016   4:30 pm to 7:30pm at Borough Office 308 Locust St.

Once all residents have received bins, we will allow anyone to purchase additional bins for a cost of $15.00.

Rental properties must go through your landlord to obtain bins.

Borough Offices: 308 Locust Street, Columbia PA 17512 | Phone: 717-684-2467

SCCA Winter Workshop spaces available

From SCCA:
We have spaces available in our Winter Workshops at the Susquehanna Center for the Creative Arts. The workshops include instruction in ceramics, painting and printmaking.

If interested go to:  http://www.eventbrite.com/o/susquehanna-center-for-the-creative-arts-8528419952, or go to the SCCA website and look under classes:www.sccaartstore.com.

Thanks,

SCCA
224 Locust Street
Columbia, PA 17512

Phone: 717-576-9628 or 717- 580-9031

About Town

Pics from around town over the last little while:

 "Tired" pickup

Exactly what is the intention here?

(Laurel Hill Cemetery)

 Now it begins.

 They're still coming through at Third and Locust.

 Surveying damage at Stover's

 Miss Liberty working the corner at Fourth and Locust

 Channel 21 at River Park

 This phenomenon is known as a parhelion or "sun dog."

 Couple o' gals out for a walk with their sofa

 Time for a breather

 Onward!

 Even silhouettes need to stay warm.

 Big problems when the beer truck breaks down.

 Nah, forget it - it's just a Miller Lite truck.

Vandalism at Prudhomme's

All gone - almost!

A Doug's Tree Service crew worked over the holiday weekend to finish removing trees at Columbia River Park. Snow fell as the final trees were cut today.

 TIMBER!

 A lone sycamore stood strong against the elements as other trees were removed.

The view is a bit barren now, but new trees are slated to be planted in the spring.

"Wood" you believe it?

Doug's Tree Service continued cutting dead and dying trees at Columbia River Park today. A grapple truck was used to lift the cut pieces and haul them from the area.  At least one fully laden truck delivered the wood to Musser Supply along Lancaster Avenue. Several trees (marked with orange spray-painted dots) remain to be cut. A total of seven or eight trees were slated for removal.

Doug's makes the cut at River Park

Doug's Tree Service workers cut dead and dying trees at Columbia River Park today. The trees were considered by borough officials to be a public safety concern, and those slated to be cut had been marked with orange spray paint as reported HERE on Columbia Spy. Last fall, Columbia Borough Council approved the hiring of Doug's Tree Service to cut the trees at a price not to exceed $14,000. Reportedly, Doug's had submitted the lowest of several bids for the job.  As reported on Columbia Spy HERE, Borough Manager Ron Miller said that reforesting will be done in the spring to replace the lost trees.

An "uprooted" information plaque and a badly broken park bench were found near one of the cut trees close to the bridge today. Columbia Spy also found a chainsaw that was apparently left behind by Doug's workers and reported it to Columbia Borough Police, who retrieved it.  Calls to Doug's Tree Service were unanswered due to their office being closed today.