COLUMBIA SPY

Thursday, October 6, 2016

Columbia forum to focus on police relations, racial violence

The next session in an ongoing public conversation on community-police relations and racial violence is set for Tuesday, Oct. 11, in Columbia.
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http://lancasteronline.com/news/local/columbia-forum-to-focus-on-police-relations-racial-violence/article_6e8e66ee-8c02-11e6-991a-871b9e364623.html

Family First holds open house and ribbon-cutting

Don and Becky Murphy (first and second on left) watch Jenny Englerth, Family First CEO, cut the ribbon at Thursday's ceremony.

The Family First Health staff held an open house and ribbon-cutting on Thursday afternoon. Doors will open to patients for appointments on Tuesday, October 11.

Family First Health, a federally qualified health center, will open its doors to patients in Columbia on Monday, October 11. The health center, located at 369 Locust Street, will be the sixth location for Family First Health, which operates five other health center sites in Adams and York counties. The building is owned by Don and Becky Murphy and is the former home of the Columbia National Bank.

A community assessment in 2014 found that while health services in Columbia were available for those with insurance, affordable and accessible care was difficult to find for those without insurance. The assessment also identified a lack of mental health services and noted that individuals may not take prescribed medications due to cost.

Led by Dr. Marie Kellett, Family First Health – the Columbia Center offers family medicine and participates in most insurance plans, and also offers integrated, on-site behavioral health services. A sliding-fee scale based on family size and income is offered to those who are uninsured.

Founded in 1970, Family First Health is a non-profit, federally qualified health center dedicated to increasing access to affordable, quality health care. With sites in York, Hannah Penn Middle School, Lewisberry, Hanover, Gettysburg and Columbia, Family First Health provides a broad range of primary health, dental care and social services to insured, uninsured and underinsured patients with the goal of improving the health of our communities as a whole. For more information, visit www.familyfirsthealth.org. Se habla español.

Creative Coloring at Columbia Crossing Thursday, October 6

Columbia, PA –Let's get together and color at Columbia Crossing! Sitting down to color is a meditative way to relax, de-stress, and change your focus. Get in on this popular trend, and join us for a fun, relaxing and creative time. We will provide some coloring sheets, markers, and colored pencils, although participants may bring their own supplies if they wish. Adults, teens, children and their parents are welcome to join us on this artistic adventure.

All ages. Free/ Suggested donation of $2 per participant. Donations benefit the operations and programs of the Columbia Crossing River Trails Center. Columbia Crossing is located on the Susquehanna River at 41 Walnut Street, Columbia, PA 17512.

Tuesday, October 4, 2016

Black Olive Family Diner holds ribbon-cutting ceremony

Borough Manager Greg Sahd and Karen Seidenstricker cut the ribbon at Black Olive Family Diner this morning.

Black Olive Family Diner at 1506 Lancaster Avenue held a ribbon-cutting ceremony this morning, where more than two dozen people gathered. Owner Fatih Sivri, who goes by the nickname "Mike," announced that he had signed a 20-year lease on the building. Borough Manager Greg Sahd was on hand to help with the celebration.

"It's a great opportunity. We're so grateful that you chose our borough," Sahd said.

Mike said he was warned not to open the restaurant at this location, because people told him the place was "jinxed," but, defying superstition, he did so anyway. He said he was surprised by the immediate response on opening day, when 20 people came into the restaurant right away. Now that the business is taking off, he is planning to bring his wife here so they can live in the area.

The building previously housed Salsa's and Emerson's, among other establishments.

Mike Sivri thanked everyone for their support.

Kathleen Hohenadel, executive director of the Susquehanna Valley Chamber of Commerce, Columbia Borough Manager Greg Sahd, and Black Olive owner Fatih "Mike" Sivri led the celebration.