Sunday, May 15, 2016

This town is for the birds

Abundant wildlife thrives in our humble hamlet, among which is a great variety of bird species of many shapes and sizes. Most of the following photos were shot this weekend:

 Smug starling with mouthful of mayflies

 Yes, the Canada Geese are back at River Park.  
Watch your step!

 Six-pack

 This bluebird took up temporary residence in one of the young bald cypress trees at Columbia River Park.

 He glared at the camera.

 And then turned his back.

 Then glared again from atop a sign, looking crabby.
Apparently, the bluebird of happiness was having a bad day.

 Some sort of shorebird - along the shore, of all places

 Catbird

 Lawbreaker

 Osprey on the hunt 

 Dive!

 Onward and downward!

 Splashdown!

 Unfortunately for him, it was a near miss.

 Back at it

 A little later, a great blue heron flew over.

 These two vied for control of the skies.

 Red-tailed hawk

 Another shot

 Bird on a wire - a male blue jay

 The early bird gets the worm, and the early worm becomes breakfast.

 Pigeon in a puddle

Later that afternoon, the osprey's efforts paid off. He was carrying a hapless bass (or some other kind of sunfish) over the river.
(This photo was shot through the windshield of a moving car with a point and shoot.)

About Town

Recent photos from around town . . .


Complaining to management

On hold

Domicile deconstruction after last fall's fire

Removing damaged beams from the November 4, 2015 blaze that engulfed several row homes on the 300 block of Walnut Street.

Rolling out the roof Salem United Church of Christ, 324 Walnut Street

Weighted down

What was that number again?

The recently planted bald cypress trees are doing well at Columbia River Park.

Fishing lesson

Friday, May 13, 2016

Coffee and Conversation with Senator Ryan P. Aument


According to the Columbia Borough website, Coffee and Conversation with Senator Ryan P. Aument 36th District will be held May 24, 2016, 9 am to 11 am at Columbia Crossing River Trails Center, 41 Walnut Street, Columbia, PA 17512

Light Refreshments will be available for visitors.

Parole Violation Warrant | Columbia Borough Police Department

Michael Horn

On 05-13-16 Michael Horn (33) of Columbia was picked up on a parole violation warrant at 3rd St. and Cherry St.

Thursday, May 12, 2016

Summer Art Camp planned for Columbia

The Susquehanna Center for the Creative Arts, in collaboration with Columbia Borough, will offer a Summer Art Camp for ages 8 to 18 beginning Monday, June 13.

At its April 11 meeting, Columbia Borough Council voted to allocate $3,900 to fund the program.

MORE:
http://lancasteronline.com/news/community/summer-art-camp-planned-for-columbia/article_bd2ffa54-1567-11e6-bc32-27fb80d17900.html

Wednesday, May 11, 2016

Borough moves forward on impaired Locust Street building

208-210 Locust Street

Columbia Borough recently filed a blighted property application with the Lancaster County Housing and Redevelopment Authorities (LCHRA) to place 208-210 Locust Street on a blighted property list. (The building's front wall was deemed in danger of collapse last summer, and steps were taken to secure it.)  The process requires LCHRA to receive certification from the Lancaster County Planning Commission (LCPC). LCPC recently approved moving forward with the certification. The Columbia Borough Planning Commission must also act on the issue, according to Columbia Mayor Leo Lutz.

If the Columbia Borough Planning Commission approves the certification, LCHRA will seek to purchase the property from owners Sam and Cynthia Bigler. If an agreement of sale cannot be reached and the owners do not sell to another entity, the property will be listed as blighted, and LCHRA will sell it to a party who will meet the conditions for redevelopment of the property.

If at any time during the process the owners present a certified plan to remediate the property - with signed engineering drawings and an approved timeline in accordance with the demands of LCHRA - they will be able to do so.

“Remember, it's difficult to take a property," Lutz said. "People who own property do have rights, but the municipality also has rights." 

Two New Painting Classes at the SCCA

Beautiful masterpieces done by Claude Monet and Vincent Van Gogh:  Pick one or all and sign up for a unique painting experience. Have a enjoyable, relaxing time while you enjoy the process of creativity. You will paint on a 16"x20" canvas with acrylic paints and you will be amazed at the masterpiece you create. No prior Art training required.
​BYOB
Go to Eventbrite to view and sign-up.

http://www.eventbrite.com/o/susquehanna-center-for-the-crea…