COLUMBIA SPY

  General Edward C. Shannon At its February 13 meeting, Columbia Borough Council voted to approve a resolution to name the Route 441 bridge over Route 30 for former Columbia resident General Edward C. Shannon. The bridge, which was part of the Route 441 bypass project, opened in December 2015 when the bypass opened. The structure will be known as the General Edward C. Shannon Memorial Bridge. The location of the bridge is shown in red. A former armory at 221 Walnut Street was named for Shannon but was later renamed the "Noah W. Wenger Center" for the PA senator who helped buy the building from the state’s department of general services. The Columbia Boys Athletic Association now owns the building and uses it for youth basketball. During a discussion of Shannon at council's February 6 work session, Columbia resident Dr. Claire Storm noted that Shannon was an important figure in the borough. "It really bothered me that we just sort of erased his name," she told co...

 

Two acclaimed horror writers have opened a bookstore and comic shop in Columbia. Vortex Books & Comics at 477 Locust St. features a wide variety of new and used horror fiction, fantasy, suspense and science fiction titles. It also has a large comic book section as well as vintage magazines, manga titles, signed rarities and some nonfiction titles. Vortex Books & Comics is owned by York County couple Brian Keene and Mary SanGiovannia. MORE: https://lancasteronline.com/business/whats_in_store/horror-writer-brian-keene-helps-open-vortex-books-comics-in-columbia/article_6f1e8a78-cc12-11ee-847c-4363f86c0a28.html  

Starting in late January, Red Rose Transit Authority commuters were transported not only by bus but by poetry. Twenty short, six-line poems about bodies of water, written by local poets, appear on placards inside 20 Red Rose Transit buses. Poetry in Transit is a public art project launched by word hive — a Columbia-based nonprofit focused on poetry education and awareness — in partnership with the Philadelphia Alumni Writers House at Franklin & Marshall College and Vector Media. "One of the goals is to bring poetry into public spaces in ways that people who may not normally see it, can see it," says co-founder Tom Johnson-Medland, 63, of Columbia. "The transit system is one great way to plant seeds of poetry. It's not only just about giving the community a taste of poetry, but it's also about connecting poets who might not normally have access to each other." Writers featured in the Poetry in Transit program will read their poems during an event at the C...

  Lori A. Michener conveyed 330 N. Fourth St. to Samuel Mark Dubnansky for $218,000. ASC Engineered Solutions LLC, Anvil International LLC, Anvil International LP, Anvil International Inc. and Supply Sales Co conveyed 1411 Lancaster Ave. to ASC Engineered Solutions LLC for $10. Sarah E. Quinn conveyed 564 Poplar St. to Michelle Wiley for $180,000. QP Invest Property GRP LLC, QP Invest Property Group LLC, Quarterphase Investments LLC and Timothy Merrill conveyed 263 N. Second St. to QP Invest Property GRP LLC and QP Invest Property Group LLC for $1.

Recent photos of Columbia (Click/tap on photos to see larger, sharper images .)  Work continues at the Wright's Ferry Mansion. ***************** Stone wall at River Park Enough sinks to give you a sinking feeling  Garden Spot Village on Walnut Street ??? A label Coming February 24 ************* They're back. ***************** Double parked Another sign of Columbia's dog poop epidemic This is one of two planes that flew over together. There's the other one. Brine tracks Photos of Saturday's snowfall . . . [Photo by Betty Englert] ***************** 'Til next time

  The Lion Head Fountain was chosen and purchased as a major focal point of the town square. The town fountain, which was recently recommended for removal by the Parks & Rec Committee, has been given a stay. Parks & Rec changed its vote after borough resident Nora Motter Stark spoke about the history of the fountain and the town square at the committee's February 8 meeting.  The issue will be discussed further at the March 5 Columbia Borough Council Work Session. Stark urges residents to attend.  This plaque is located at the Locust Street entrance to the town square.  History of the Town Square The Columbia Town Square was officially dedicated on April 17, 2004, after design and construction began ciirca 2000-2001. Funding came from various sources, including grants, community donations, and Columbia Borough. The Columbia Town Gardeners played a significant role in the project, with approximately 32 active members. The group, consisting of local residents, a...