COLUMBIA SPY

Columbia has earned recognition by the Smithsonian Magazine as a top U.S. town for visitors, being named as one of “The 20 Best Small Towns to Visit in 2014.” The magazine, in its April issue, cites Columbia’s historic areas, attractions like the National Watch & Clock Museum and its access to nearby recreation. Smithsonian listed Columbia as the 13th-best town to visit. MORE: http://m.lancasteronline.com/columbia/news/columbia-named-one-of-best-small-towns-to-visit-in/article_22835ff2-b13a-11e3-9ff1-001a4bcf6878.html?mode=jqm

Columbia Borough Police Department's former K-9 officer, Max, died on Tuesday, March 18, said Connie Beury, chairwoman of the Columbia K-9 Campaign. Max retired at age 9 in January. MORE: http://m.lancasteronline.com/columbia/news/former-columbia-police-dog-max-dies-at-age/article_d6a7c3ba-b0ef-11e3-8a6f-001a4bcf6878.html?mode=jqm

 A seagull who knows how to use the crosswalk.   That makes him smarter than some of the people I see around town, who disregard the lines, walk in front of moving cars, ignore traffic signals and are all-around oblivious.  And this bird's not jaywalking.  Gull-walking maybe, never jaywalking. Speaking of birds, there are chickens on 7th Street.  Yes, chickens.  Is this even legal? I thought keeping livestock within borough limits is not permitted.  An idea whose time has come? Columbia Plaza parking lot - The water keeps flowing, and the potholes keep growing.

Chad Noll, manager of The Cycle Den, succumbed to a rare disease and passed away recently.  Family members have written a Letter to the Editor to Lancaster Newspapers detailing his struggle.  The letter can be found  HERE .

The Susquehanna Valley Chamber of Commerce will hold its annual "Taste of River Towns" restaurant fair on Sunday, March 30, at St. John's Herr Estate, 200 Luther Lane, in Columbia. This year's event is sponsored by St. John's Herr Estate, a Luthercare Community, and by the Lancaster County Solid Waste Management Authority. The fair, which will run from 4 to 7 p.m., features samplings of food and beverages from area restaurants such as Bully's Restaurant and Pub, Café Garth, Columbia Chicken Shack, Columbia Historic Market House, Columbia Kettle Works, Hinkle's Restaurant, Keagy's Produce, Nissley Winery, Prudhomme's Lost Cajun Kitchen and St John's Herr Estate. Tickets cost $15 per person and are available at the SVCC Visitor Center, 445 Linden St., Columbia, and at St. John's Herr Estate. You also can call Mary-Jo Liskey at 684-0678. Directions to the event and parking locations are available with the purchase of your ticket or ...

Workers began renovating the vacant restaurant building across from Anvil International, on Route 462, today.  The building will eventually house the offices of a used car dealership.