17512 Columbia

Archive for 2012|Yearly archive page

today’s news … Monday, the last day of 2012

In Uncategorized on December 31, 2012 at 5:54 am

today’s news, opinion and information gleanings from here and there! 

Quote for today… “Be at War with your Vices, at Peace with your Neighbours, and let every New-Year find you a better Man.” – From Benjamin Franklin’s 1755 Poor Richard’s Almanac, December.

  • Cue the “air violins.” – “Retiring reps cash in pensions $22,117 annually for Boyd; lump sum plus $16,663 yearly for Creighton” – Lancaster Intelligencer Journal/New Era
  • “Clark Meshey was named to the dean’s list for the fall semester at Kutztown University, where he is a senior majoring in communications design with concentrations in advertising, graphics and interactive design. A 2009 graduate of Columbia High School, he is the son of Tammy and John Meshey of Columbia.” – Lancaster Intelligencer Journal/New Era
  • The following Columbia “residents received degrees from Millersville University of Pennsylvania on Dec 16: Dane Anthony Albright, a bachelor of science in business administration; Timothy Mitchell Cooper, a bachelor of arts in philosophy; Kylee Elizabeth Daniels, a bachelor of science in elementary and early childhood education; Ashlee Lorriane Fischer, a bachelor of arts in history; Francis J. Nikolaus, a bachelor of science in technology education. Kayla Kristine Rhoads, a bachelor of arts in psychology; Rochelle Nichole Sload, a bachelor of science in business administration; Katherine Lauren Smaling, a bachelor of science in math; Donald Calvin Thompson, a bachelor of science in occupational safety and environmental health; David Levi Williams, a bachelor of arts in history.” – Lancaster Intelligencer Journal/New Era
  • “Morgan Kibler of Marietta was named to the President’s list for the seventh consecutive semester at Jacksonville University, where she is majoring in health and physical education.” – Lancaster Intelligencer Journal/New Era
  • “The following area residents received degrees from Millersville University of Pennsylvania on Dec 16: Marietta — Zachary Scott Pickell, a bachelor of science in computer science, cum laude; Melissa M. Swarr, of Marietta, a bachelor of science in elementary and special education, cum laude. Mountville — Brian Matthew Beck, a bachelor of arts in anthropology; Jason Clark Frey, a bachelor of science in math education; Jason R. Graham, a bachelor of science in biology; Abigail Fiigon Harrison, a bachelor of science in computer science; Geoffrey John Hess, a bachelor of science in industry and technology; David Yasuo Houck, a bachelor of science in music education, magna cum laude; Chris Ostrander, a bachelor of science in biology; Ashley Louise Risner, a bachelor of science in elementary and special education, cum laude. Washington Boro — Joseph Charles Navin, a bachelor of arts in geography; Sara Shafqat, a bachelor of science in biology..” – Lancaster Intelligencer Journal/New Era

You could “experience a family fun celebration” later today

In In Columbia, Opportunities on December 31, 2012 at 5:31 am

nye

 

“What’s wrong with the Susquehanna River?”

In Everyday Living, In Columbia, The Susquehanna, Treasures on December 30, 2012 at 4:37 am
“Fish and Boat Commission looks to anglers for help in convincing state to add Susquehanna to list of impaired waters.”

By P.J. REILLY, Woods and Waters

“It’s no secret the Susquehanna River ain’t what it used to be.

susquehannaAn angler retrieves a lure while fishing for bass on the Susquehanna River, just above the Route 30 bridge. (P.J. Reilly/Staff) – SOURCE: Lancaster Sunday News

“Anglers with years of experience plying the Susky for smallmouth bass will tell you they don’t catch nearly as many today as they did in the past.

“There are still folks who do quite well on the river, but even they recall the days when anyone with a fishing pole could find a spot, chuck a lure and haul in a bass.

“Citing a declining smallmouth population in the river, along with diseased juvenile smallmouths, adults bearing nasty-looking lesions and weird spots, and problems with high pH, low dissolved oxygen and excessive nutrients, the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission has been pushing the past several years for the state Department of Environmental Protection to designate the Susquehanna as “impaired.”

“That, PFBC officials have said, would allow the state to go to the sources of pollution problems and clean them up.

“DEP currently is finalizing a list of Pennsylvania’s impaired waters.

“Much to the PFBC’s chagrin, when a draft of the list was released last summer, the Susquehanna River was not on it.

“Led by Executive Director John Arway, the PFBC has made its pitch for the designation.

“Now they’re turning to the public for more ammunition.

“On Dec. 21, the agency began soliciting from the public, personal accounts of what the Susquehanna once was, and now is, based on their own experiences.” To read this Sunday News article in its entirety, click here.

today’s news … Saturday, December 29

In Uncategorized on December 29, 2012 at 5:53 am

today’s news and information gleanings from here and there! 

Quote for today… “I guess we’re going to have to go to Weis.” – Manheim shopper in this Lancaster Intelligencer Journal/New Era article about the closing of the last locally-owned, smaller grocery store in Manheim.

  • “A Columbia man is behind bars for allegedly threatening to kill a cop who arrested him Friday for theft. Keith Fauth, 38, told Columbia police Officer Brent Smith ‘you’re dead,’ while threatening the officer and his family, police reported.” – LancasterOnLine
  • First suit filed – “It said they had failed to provide a ‘safe school setting’ or design ‘an effective student safety emergency-response plan and protocol.’” – New York Post

nye

perfect cliff

  • Time for these clowns to start jumping – The only ones not affected by the “fiscal cliff fiasco” are the buffoons elected to attend to the affairs of the nation. Nearly everyone else will be impacted. “11 side effects of going over the fiscal cliff” - Politico
  • Everywhere but here: Criminal activities and reports from nearly a dozen Lancaster County municipalities appeared in the POLICE LOG: “MANOR TWP.: Kevin Brightful, 24, who is currently in York County Prison, is facing numerous charges after he allegedly forged prescriptions in August for Codeine Phosphate at Rite-Aid and CVS, both on Columbia Avenue. Police said Brightful committed similar crimes in York, Adams, Cumberland, Dauphin and Lebanon counties, as well as in Maryland and New York. – MARIETTA: Thomas C. Suydam, 55, of 283 Hill St., Mountville, was charged Thursday after he allegedly backed his car into another vehicle Dec. 2 in the 400 block of East Market Street and left Read the rest of this entry »

today’s news … Friday, December 28

In Uncategorized on December 28, 2012 at 5:52 am

today’s news and information gleanings from here and there! 

Quote for today… “Read my lips, no new taxes.” – George H.W. Bush, 41st President of the United States of America.

  • NOTICE FROM THE COLUMBIA PUBLIC LIBRARY: “Tomorrow morning’s New Year’s story time with Miss Tammy has been CANCELLED due to the weather forecast. Tammy looks forward to you and your children attending the “Silly Snowmen” program on Friday, January 4, at 3:30 PM – our new story time date and time!”
  • Letters to the editors about the cost of policing; gun law ideas and the hazards of facebook in today’s Lancaster Intelligencer Journal/New Era
  • “Legal Notice published in the Lancaster Intelligencer Journal/New Era, December 28, 2012: “LEGAL NOTICE Notice is hereby given that the following meetings will be held in the Borough of Columbia on the dates and times listed for 2013 and will be held in the Municipal Building, 308 Locust Street St., Columbia, PA, except for the Parks and Recreation Board as noted below:Borough Council – 7:00 pm: 01/14/2013, 02/11/13, 03/11/13, 04/08/13, 05/13/13, 06/10/13, 07/08/13, 08/12/13, 09/09/13, 10/14/13, 11/11/13, 12/09/13Borough Council (Committee of the Whole) – 6:00 pm: 01/28/13, 02/25/2013, 03/25/13, 04/22/13, 05/21/13, 06/24/13, 07/22/13, 08/26/13, 09/23/13, 10/28/13, 11/25/13, 12/23/13Civil Service Commission -1:00 pm: 01/08/13, 02/12/13, 03/12/13, 04/09/13, 05/14/13, 06/11/13, 07/09/13, 08/13/13, 09/10/13, 10/08/13, 11/12/13, 12/10/13Municipal Authority – 4:30 pm: 01/17/13, 02/21/13, 03/21/13, 04/18/13, 05/16/13, 06/20/13, 07/18/13, 08/15/13, 09/19/13, 10/17/13, 11/21/13, 12/19/13

    Planning Commission – 7:00 pm: Read the rest of this entry »

Let’s play “What’s it worth!”

In Everyday Living, In Columbia, Lists, Opportunities on December 28, 2012 at 5:00 am

The old Fourth Street fire house up for sale at craigslist and the reader comment prompted us to take a look at a few more assessed values of Columbia properties at this Lancaster County Website.

The site is the way the average citizen can get informed information about properties in Lancaster County; yet the site states, “The Lancaster County Property Assessment office presents the information on this web site as a service to the public. We have tried to ensure that the information contained in this electronic document is accurate. The Assessment office makes no warranty or guarantee concerning the accuracy or reliability of the content at this site or any other sites to which we link. Determining the accuracy and reliability of this information is the responsibility of the user. The Lancaster County Property Assessment office shall not be liable for errors contained herein or for any damages in connection with the use of the information contained herein.”

assessed properties

Another downtown landmark property, the newly refurbished apartments and medical center at 369 Locust Street had identical assessed valued in 2005 and today: $439,500. The now vacant lot catercorner across the intersection at 400 Locust Street was assessed in 2005 (with a structure) at $299,100 and today (as a vacant lot) its assessed value is $16,200.  The apartment building next door at 404 Locust Street held the same assessment then and now at $129,800.

For reference, and out of curiosity, we took a look at a few other properties at the site: Read the rest of this entry »

today’s news … Thursday, December 27, 2012

In Uncategorized on December 27, 2012 at 5:51 am

today’s news and information gleanings from here and there! 

Quote for today… “If you do not change direction, you may end up where you are heading.” – Lao Tzu

  • One inch “storm” – Lancaster Intelligencer Journal/New Era [Technically, yes. Dictionary.com describes a storm as "a disturbance of the normal condition of the atmosphere, manifesting itself by winds of unusual force or direction, often accompanied by rain, snow, hail, thunder, and lightning, or flying sand or dust."]

FleaMarket_Fall12_8.1.indd

  • Columbia is one of two Lancaster County destinations ranked as “favorite places in which to find treasures” according to readers of Flea Market Style Magazine. The Readers’ Choice suggestions tout Burning Bridge Antiques Market and Hinkle’s Pharmacy Restaurant, too. – Lancaster Intelligencer Journal/New Era

 

“Yes, we Khan: pioneering education for anyone, anywhere” – The Conversation

In Education, Opportunities on December 27, 2012 at 5:24 am

“From preschool to PhD, education is afflicted by a malaise. Many students, teachers, parents and politicians, feel that with all the effort and money spent, we should be doing better.

khan learningThe Khan academy is trying to bring education to the world, but how? Online learning image from http://www.shutterstock.com

“Salman Khan, founder of the Khan Academy, is a quiet revolutionary whose book The One World Schoolhouse: Education Reimagined released (in October), offers an inspiring vision for restructuring education.

“It’s an entertaining and provocative look at how one entrepreneur is changing the world, one lesson at a time.

“Khan’s Academy

“The Khan Academy is best known for its short educational videos – available online, for free, and for any student.

“The idea famously had its beginnings when Khan was tutoring his relatives remotely. Eventually, he developed short videos on YouTube, and added automated assessment and feedback to help them.

“The popularity of the videos meant Khan gave up a lucrative job as a hedge fund analyst to develop the idea fully. His is the classic Silicon Valley success story: self-funded and struggling until Gates, Google, and the like noticed, and turned on the money taps. To continue reading this article at The Conversation, click here.

today’s news … Wednesday, December 26

In Uncategorized on December 26, 2012 at 5:30 am

today’s news and information gleanings from here and there! 

Quote for the day: “Lancaster is a very conservative county, but we don’t like to throw money at politics. For our county to someday have someone be taken seriously for a statewide leadership position, business leaders and community leaders will have to invest in party politics.” – Scott Boyd, former state representative, in this Lancaster Intelligencer Journal/New Era article . [Translation: Money is the answer.]

  • Do you have to be a resident to hold a seat on the Municipal Authority? Maybe. According to “Municipal Authorities in Pennsylvania“, “An individual appointed to an authority board must be a taxpayer in, maintain a business in,
    or be a citizen of a municipality into which one or more of the projects of the authority extends or is to extend
    or to which one or more projects has been or is to be leased.” Wonder which municipalities the Borough’s Municipal Authority’s projects extend into or lease? East Hempfield? East Donegal?

today’s news … Christmas day, 2012

In Uncategorized on December 25, 2012 at 4:50 am

today’s news and information gleanings from here and there! 

Quote for today … “God bless us, everyone.” – Tiny Tim, A Christmas Carol.

  • Digital crapola – Here’s the poster child for the irresponsible “reporting” that will be the world of the “digital reporting only” that will take center stage when the printed media fades away. As unchallenged sources reach vast audiences with “crapola” we’ll see more “eagles snatching babies.”
  • Reader comments as this one, “So I guess handouts to the poor are bad, but handouts to the rich are OK,” make this opinion piece worthwhile reading. – Harrisburg Patriot-News
  • The Scribbler’s column is “filled with Christmas customs submitted by readers who share their favorite tree ornaments and holiday foods and miscellaneous traditions.” This is one of them: “Columbian Virginia Brady says it would not be a proper Christmas dinner without plum pudding.” – Lancaster Intelligencer Journal/New Era
  • POLICE LOG: “MANOR TWP.: Police said a resident of the 3300 block of Columbia Avenue was scammed out of $300 which she sent via Western Union after receiving a Facebook notification that she won $50,000. She was told she had to send the money to collect her winnings.” – Lancaster Intelligencer Journal/New Era
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