17512 Columbia

Archive for May, 2012|Monthly archive page

today’s news … Thursday, May 31

In Uncategorized on May 31, 2012 at 6:00 am

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

Quote for today … “What is one to say about June, the time of perfect young summer, the fulfillment of the promise of the earlier months, and with as yet no sign to remind one that its fresh young beauty will ever fade.“- Gertrude Jeckyll

  • The thrill of gardening … in prison.“The first-time program will allow two groups of inmates to grow their own vegetables and flowers, learn a little bit about gardening and nutrition, and share the fruits of their labor with three agencies that provide housing and child care for women and their children in the city.” – Lancaster Intelligencer Journal/New Era
  • Could be! You could be a person with unclaimed property or money. There are two pages of names of persons from Lancaster County who have money or property coming to them. You may want to pick up a copy of today’s Lancaster Intelligencer Journal/New Era to scan the list published by the PA Treasury Department, Unclaimed Property. Or you can click here to search online.
  • POLICE LOG – “RAPHO TWP.: John R. Hyle, 29, of 1752 Kinderhook Road, Columbia, was charged May 10 with taking items at a store in the 900 block of East Main Street. – EPHRATA: An 11-year-old fifth grader had a small knife at Ephrata Intermediate School, 957 Hammon Ave., Tuesday. The case is being referred to the Youth Aid Panel.” – Lancaster Intelligencer Journal/New Era [EDITOR'S NOTE: In simpler times, in another era, 11-year-old kids would bring their Barlow pocket knives to school to play mumblety-peg.]
  • ” … find a cause that’s bigger than you.” This is a line from today’s Intelligencer Journal editorial; this letter to graduates is  worth reading.

The Red Rose Transit Authority parking garage, at the intersection of Queen and Chestnut Streets, was officially unveiled at a ceremony today. (Richard Hertzler/[Lancaster Intelligencer Journal/New Era]Staff)

24/7 Wall St.:”Politicians Go to These Companies to Get Rich”

In Government, Opinions on May 31, 2012 at 5:34 am

“The appointment of former politicians to large public companies’ boards is regularly called into question. Just recently, following the scandal at Chesapeake Energy (NYSE: CHK) when CEO Aubrey McClendon made investments in drilling projects in which the company was involved, the issue was in the limelight again. Chesapeake, based in Oklahoma, has two powerful politicians on its board — former member of the Senate from Oklahoma, Don Nickles, and former Oklahoma Governor Frank Keating. The company’s board members used the company’s private planes for travel — a perk most governance experts frown on. Perhaps the more salient question is why the two have stayed on the board under the current circumstances. It is equally reasonable to ask why politicians, with their backgrounds unrelated to running big companies, were even appointed to the board.

“Many other politicians sit on the boards of America’s largest public companies, and some aspects of their services raise troubling issues. Some are successful lobbyists because of their Washington connections. These firms could work for causes or companies that do not have identical interests to those of the corporations of the boards on which they sit. There are questions about the past ethical behavior of others of these board members. In most cases, the former politicians have no obvious backgrounds to be on public companies’ boards. A final problem is that some have done very well financially because they sit on several boards — another practice many corporate governance experts oppose.

“The common thread among the directors on this list is that they have been paid very well in their roles. Most make over a quarter of a million dollars a year. Most also have stock ownerships or grants that add substantially to those payments and are usually in the millions of dollars.

“24/7 Wall St. examined the boards of the largest 100 public companies in America based on sales to find politicians who are current and recently past members. To qualify, a person must be a former governor, Senator, or member of the House of Representatives. We scrutinized their past records in elected office , their current jobs, and their qualifications to be public company directors.

“Research firm GMI Ratings was critical in supporting us with research for much of our analysis. Securities held by these board members at the corporations they serve include stock ownership, securities that can be acquired, exercisable options and deferred stock units. All data are from the most recent proxies.

“This article should provide shareholders of public companies, both institutional and individual ones, with some guidance about why politicians are chosen for boards. It should also tell the extent to which these Read the rest of this entry »

Produce Geek offers “What’s ripe now?” suggestions

In Everyday Living, Opinions, Opportunities on May 31, 2012 at 5:30 am

Here are more delicious produce notes from The Produce Geek. U-m-m-m! You may want to visit the Website (click on the logo) and take another peek. The Produce Geek’s also got other recommendations there!

Peak season for luscious Red Raspberries from California is here! June will be a great month to enjoy excellent tasting berries at better than usual prices. Juicy, sweet and just a little tangy, Raspberries are fantastic on salads, cereal, yogurt and are wonderful in desserts. Here are some healthy recipes to consider.

Hurray! Raspberries Parfait!

Even on sale, Red Raspberries are not exactly cheap – so protect your healthy investment in flavor. Always keep Raspberries refrigerated. A Raspberry is a delicate fruit – wait to wash them until just before use. When shopping for a Raspberries, inspect the package from all sides to be sure there’s no mold, wet spots, black spots or smashed and clumped berries. And the best advice is: when you find a nice Raspberry pack enjoy it quickly – fresh is best. Besides, when they’re tasting great, why would you want them to get old in the fridge. Go fresh!

But …

A friend sent along this tip to keep berries from getting moldy … in case you don’t use them up right away!

“When you get your berries home, prepare a mixture of one part vinegar (white or apple cider probably work best) and ten parts water.  Dump the berries into the mixture and swirl around. Drain, rinse if you want (though the mixture is so diluted I find you can’t taste the vinegar,) and pop in the fridge.” (SOURCE: FoodLushBlog)

Image: Healthyfellow.com

Red-skinned Potato Salad, Grilled Red Read the rest of this entry »

today’s news … Wednesday, May 30

In Uncategorized on May 30, 2012 at 6:00 am

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

Quote for today… “No price is set on the lavish summer; June may be had by the poorest comer.” - James Russell Lowell

  • “Dayspring Christian Academy will hold commencement for the Class of 2012 at 11 a.m. Saturday at the school, 120 College Ave., Mountville. Graduation speaker will be Michael R. Myers, the school’s headmaster. Class valedictorian is Matthew Ian Valverde. Salutatorian is Timothy Jonathan Bleecker.” – Lancaster Intelligencer Journal/New Era
  • LEGAL NOTICE published in the Lancaster Intelligencer Journal/New Era, Wednesday, May 30, 2012: “PUBLIC NOTICE Borough Council of Columbia Pennsylvania hereby gives notice of intent to purchase a mechanical leaf collector, a truck and a collection box for seasonal leaf collection. The Borough also intends to purchase a vehicle to collect food waste. Columbia Borough is applying for an Act 101 Section 902 Recycling Grant to fund this equipment. Persons interested in submitting comments regarding these acquisitions may submit comments to the attention of Norman B. Meiskey III, Borough Manager, Borough of Columbia; 308 Locust Street, Columbia PA 17512 within thirty days from the date of publication Norman B. Meiskey, III Borough Manager”

AlterNet: “The ‘POM’ Pomegranate Scam: The Truth Behind the Company and Its Billionaire Owners”

In Everyday Living, Government, Opinions on May 30, 2012 at 5:25 am

“POM Wonderful first hit grocery store shelves in the early aughts, making pomegranate juice accessible to the average American. The stuff is tasty, to be sure, but what makes it popular among shoppers is the company’s marketing, particularly its ads touting the pomegranate’s unique, disease-fighting powers.

“These health claims are now under scrutiny by the Federal Trade Commission, which recently concluded that POM Wonderful has engaged in deceptive advertising by printing claims not backed up by scientific research. The research in question was funded by none other than POM Wonderful, to the tune of more than $35 million.

“To make matters worse, POM Wonderful is now doubling down on its false claims. This week the company put out ads, including a full-pager in the New York Times, that include out-of-context quotes from the recent FTC decision. In the decision, an FTC judge concluded that POM had violated federal law by making false claims about its products’ ability to ‘treat, prevent, or reduce the risk of heart disease, prostate cancer, and erectile dysfunction.’ But you wouldn’t know that from this ad:

“Food Politics blogger Marion Nestle, who has been closely following the POM Wonderful vs. FTC saga since the FTC filed its complaint back in September, puts the quotes in context for us. For instance:

“The POM ad quotes from the chief administrative law judge’s decision:

“‘Competent and reliable scientific evidence supports the conclusion that the consumption of pomegranate juice and Read the rest of this entry »

The world’s biggest heists

In Everyday Living, Lists on May 30, 2012 at 4:45 am

(SOURCE: graphic provided by Homesecuritysystem.com)

 

today’s news … Tuesday, May 29

In Uncategorized on May 29, 2012 at 6:00 am

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

Quote for today… “Oh, I got plenty o nuttin, An nuttins plenty for me.” – Porgy, from the movie, Porgy and Bess (1933)

  • Praise for Royer’s Flowers and telephone books in today’s Lancaster Intelligencer Journal/New Era letters to the editors 
  • “‘The (Susquehanna) river is in trouble. Sick fish mean we have a sick river,’ John Arway, head of the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, declared.” – Lancaster Intelligencer Journal/New Era
  • LEGAL NOTICE published in the Lancaster Intelligencer Journal/New Era, Tuesday, May 29, 2012. “The regularly scheduled meeting of the West Hempfield Township Zoning Hearing Board will be held on Tuesday, June 12, 2012 at 7:30 PM in the West Hempfield Township Municipal Building located at 3401 Marietta Avenue, Lancaster, PA to hear the following cases: 1. Case 1149 – Joseph Meyer continued from May 8, 2012 2. Case 1150 – M&G. Realty, Inc., 2295 Susquehanna Trail, Suite C, York, PA for a variance to Section 707.2. (C) for width of access driveway, a variance to Section 708.3. B.2 for height of free standing sign, and a variance to Section 708.9. Table 2. Part A for total number / area of building signs on property owned by Erin Court Partners, LP located at 3849 Hempland Road, zoned C-2.3. Case 1151 – Southern Comfort Fireworks, 2410 B Rosedale Avenue, Muscle Shoals, AL for a Special Exception to Section 101.7 (Uses not Provided For) to allow a temporary tent to sell fireworks in the parking lot of Shoppes At Prospect, 3985 Columbia Avenue, zoned C-2. Daryl S. Peck, Secretary West Hempfield Township Zoning Hearing Board.”

“Dan Bullock was 14 when he signed up with the Marines using doctored documents—and 15 when he died in Vietnam.”

In History and Heritage, People on May 29, 2012 at 5:45 am

Dan Bullock was 14 when he signed up with the Marines using doctored documents—and 15 when he died in Vietnam in 1969. (Bettmann / Corbis)

Yesterday, The Daily Beast posted this story; the story is too good not to post … on the day after Memorial Day, 2012.

“Among those we should remember on Memorial Day is Dan Bullock, who was just 14 on the September day in 1968 when he strode into a Marine Corps recruiting station with an altered birth certificate.

“At a time when the nation was stunned by the Tet offensive in Vietnam and the assassinations of Martin Luther King and Robert F. Kennedy, this teen from Brooklyn retained a very clear goal.

“‘He wanted to make his mark in life,’ his father, Brother Bullock, later told reporters. ‘He wanted to be something.’

“The surrounding streets offered only trouble. The neighborhood schools seemed to promise little more. And the younger Bullock was so audaciously eager as he set off for boot camp that his family said nothing to the Marines of him really being four years shy of the minimum age of 18.

“‘He was all excited when he was in uniform, talking about getting up in rank,’ his stepmother, Jewel Bullock, would recall to the press. ‘He said, “When I get back, I’ll have my stripes.”’

“Bullock was strong and fast, but he still had no more than a 14-year-old’s stamina. He got his first sense of what resides at the core of the Corps when his fellow recruits at Parris Island had to carry him at the end of the long runs.

“In April 1969, five months after his 15th birthday, Private First Class Dan Bullock arrived in Vietnam. He was assigned as a rifleman to Fox Company, Second Battalion, Fifth Marine Regiment. Nobody in the unit guessed his true age, but there was a general sense that he somehow did not belong. Read the rest of this entry »

“The Terrifying Truth About America’s Obesity Epidemic” – AlterNet

In Education, Everyday Living, Opinions, Opportunities on May 29, 2012 at 5:21 am

“Americans today take in an average of 600 calories a day more than we did in 1970. That can add up to a weight gain of five or 10 pounds a year.”

Photo Credit: Shutterstock/iQoncept

“Substance abuse? That’s so last century. Our problem now is sustenance abuse. Opiates are optional, but everyone’s gotta eat. And therein lies the path to dietary disaster in America. ‘If you go with the flow, you’ll be fat,’ is how Weight of the Nation, HBO’s epic four-part series on our obesity crisis, sums it up. And once your weight creeps up, it puts you at risk for a whole range of unhealthy, unhappy outcomes.

“It also puts you in the majority; two-thirds of Americans are now either overweight or obese. ‘Weight of the Nation,’ which premiered on May 14, kicked off an ambitious multimedia public health campaign for which HBO teamed up with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Kaiser Permanente, and several other health-related institutions. Together, these groups are sounding the alarm about the terrible burden we’re needlessly inflicting on ourselves and our children.

“Forget about free will and free markets (which, by the way, aren’t so free, thanks to dubious agricultural policies and industry meddling). As ‘Weight of the Nation’ makes clear, this epidemic of preventable disease won’t be solved by invoking the mantra of personal responsibility and waiting for the food industry to put healthy people before healthy profits. It would take a public/private partnership of unprecedented proportions to get us back on track.

“We’ve tolerated … even cultivated … a food culture that’s literally toxic. And we’ve engineered exercise right out of our lives. This double whammy has dire repercussions; as David Nathan, director of Massachusetts General Hospital’s Diabetes Center notes, ‘It is simply too easy to consume too many calories, and too difficult to expend those calories.’

“‘Weight of the Nation’ tells the sorry tale of all the forces that compel us to pile on the pounds–and how we could hypothetically shed them, given the right set of circumstances–through interviews with experts, profiles of kids and grown-ups who wrestle with their weight, and some truly appalling statistics and alarming charts. You Read the rest of this entry »

today’s news … Monday, May 28, 2012

In Uncategorized on May 28, 2012 at 6:00 am

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

Quote for today… ““The 30th day of May, 1868, is designated for the purpose of strewing with flowers or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion, and whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village, and hamlet churchyard in the land.” – Grand Army of the Republic General Order Number 11 issued by Civil War Commander in Chief John A. Logan.

Tyler Brommel, 3, covers his ears as a band marches past his spot on the parade route. (Richard Hertzler / Lancaster Intelligencer Journal/New Era Staff)

  • “More than 100 people gathered in the shade in Locust Street Park early Sunday afternoon for Memorial Day rites, which included patriotic music by the Bainbridge Band and a reading of the Gettysburg Address by Columbia High School senior Mikayla Kemmerly. Hundreds more lined the borough’s streets later in the afternoon for Columbia’s annual Memorial Day parade.” – Lancaster Intelligencer Journal/New Era
  • Letters to the editors in today’s Lancaster Intelligencer Journal/New Era question Columbia parking, applaud art; explain Access Card use and debate US debt.
  • “Jill Meshey recently received her master’s degree in gerontology from McDaniel College in Westminster, Md. She is a 2006 graduate of Columbia High School and a 2010 graduate of Towson University, where she received her bachelor’s degree in exercise science, summa cum laude. She is the daughter of Tammy and John Meshey of Columbia.” – Lancaster Intelligencer Journal/New Era
  • “Michael Joseph Dipietro of Marietta, is one of five area students attending Penn State Harrisburg’s School of Business Administration who were inducted recently into Beta Gamma Sigma, an international honors society that recognizes students in the top 10 percent of baccalaureate and top Read the rest of this entry »
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