2nd Annual Winterfest Christmas Tree Lighting

Due to all the abundant good will in Columbia on Saturday night, even the rain backed off for the tree lighting ceremony at Locust Street Park. This year's event was dedicated to the memory of Sis Brown, who passed away last month. Refreshments were available and Santa was on hand to round out the festivities.

 All lined up and ready to go

The lighting of the tree

 The tree lit up

 Santa . . .

making his rounds

 Hanging around

 The Brown Family

Folks under roof

Ribbon cutting at River Park

On Saturday, December 6, a ribbon-cutting ceremony was held at the Northwest River Trail Services Building at Columbia River Park.  The 3500-square-foot building includes a warming kitchen/cafe, an observation deck with a view of the Susquehanna, multi-use event space, mechanical rooms, and restrooms.  The two-million-dollar building will eventually connect with the 14-mile river trail. The building will open officially in May.

This large, decades-old mural was found recently in a storage area of the borough offices and placed in the new building.

A look around

Mayor Lutz officiates

The cutting of the ribbon . . 

Happening now

News 21 at River Park

Stringing the lights

Seen today . . .

Fire crews stringing the lights at Locust Street Park for Saturday night's tree lighting ceremony.

Creeping Christmas-ism

Sneaking up on us

Looming over us

What's wrong with this picture?

Zoning board renders decision on pole barn

At its December 3 meeting, the Zoning Hearing Board approved a motion to deny the appeal of Vincent Fiorella from the determination of the Zoning Officer to revoke Zoning Permit #14-206 issued July 11, 2014 and adopt the written decision prepared by the board solicitor, Joselle Cleary.

Previously, Zoning Officer Jeffrey Helm had sent a letter dated September 26 revoking the permit that had been issued to Mr. Fiorella to build a large pole barn/garage on his property at 631 South Thirteenth Street.

Mr. Fiorella had then filed an appeal of the zoning officer's decision. An evidentiary hearing was held by the board on October 29, 2014.

Copies of the decision were distributed to sworn parties only.

String 'em up!

Seen this morning on Locust Street . . . 

Were we expecting twins?

At its November 24 Meeting of the Whole, Columbia Borough Council unanimously approved waiving the dumpster permit fee and parking fees for Columbia Economic Development Corporation (CEDC) to remove unwanted materials from Hotel Locust and Hotel Columbia. During discussion preceding the vote,  Council said CEDC wanted to place a dumpster at the location on the 300 block of Locust Street for approximately a week.  However, two large dumpsters appeared today, the first day of the operation. As promised, items were being removed and thrown into the dumpsters, which currently block three metered parking spaces and part of a loading zone.  As can be seen in the last photograph on this post, ample space is available in the rear of the property, but various logistical concerns make access less convenient.

For the backstory on the project, go HERE.

Body cameras: Local police like the idea

"My theory is that people act more appropriately when they know they're being recorded," Graeff said. "They're less likely to do something stupid and escalate the situation.

"That goes for police officers, too," he said.

MORE:
http://lancasteronline.com/news/body-cameras-local-police-like-the-idea/article_4f132f66-7a61-11e4-8c99-fb99a253ac40.html

660 pounds of duck decoys stolen from the Susquehanna River

GO HERE:
http://lancasteronline.com/news/local/pounds-of-duck-decoys-stolen-from-the-susquehanna-river/article_982a8e20-7a51-11e4-b603-0f7106d9db90.html

Light duty

(Photo courtesy of Owen Shirk)

Columbia Food Bank says thanks

GO HERE:
http://lancasteronline.com/opinion/columbia-food-bank-says-thanks/article_7d97713e-7977-11e4-91fc-0b90db737df0.html

Zoning Hearing Board decision expected

A decision on the garage/pole barn at 631 South 13th Street is expected to be announced at this Wednesday's Zoning Hearing Board meeting at 7 p.m. at Borough Hall, 308 Locust Street.

Columbia Model Railroad on display at CHiPS

A model railroad layout is currently on display at the Columbia Historic Preservation Society, 19-21 Second Street. The model buildings depicting Columbia circa 1920 - 1950 were constructed by Columbia artist Tony Segro, as was the re-creation of the Columbia Opera House (shown on this post).

Information from the display . . .

 The former roundhouse, which sat just below the current Bootleg Antiques building (depicted top left).

A short video clip of the same.

 A panoramic view.  The roundhouse can be seen on the left.

 Looking up Walnut Street (background), as it appeared in former days.

 A model of the Columbia Opera House. The opera house burned in 1947 and was located at the current site of the Borough Offices at Third and Locust Streets.

More from the Gingerbread Tour

Depending on which form you use, there are are six (or seven) locations on the tour, most on Locust Street. Visit each location, rate the creation, and get a sticker to place on the contest ballot.  Drop off the completed form at the Visitors Center, 445 Linden Street.  The deadline is Friday, December 5.

Go HERE for more information.

 Originally displayed in the Superintendent's House (which it depicts) at Mount Bethel Cemetery, this creation by Rich and Charlene Bair is now in the window of the Borough Offices.

 This one is at Hinkle's.

 The owner of Gramma's Home Accents couldn't get a Santa boot, so he used this shoe instead to convey his message. He said he always likes to take a different path from the norm.

 Another one, this time at Geltz Gotz Goodeze.

Posted previously. Seen at St. Paul's Episcopal.

Gingerbread Tour

Just seen at St. Paul Episcopal Church, 340 Locust Street.

Sunset under glass

Seen today . . . 

It's beginning to look a little like Christmas

Seen this afternoon . . .