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

Quote for today … “You can only have so many bongs . right” – From a post at a local facebook page about Columbia

• Tide’s McIntyre rushes for 120 yards in loss to Berks Catholic – The Reading Eagle
  

• Big, exciting events in Columbia on September 26: Feet in the Street at Fourth Friday – 2015 Albatwitch Festival – Public Outdoor Movie  at Columbia River Park

OBSERVATIONS

Last evening, as we ambled down the 500 block of Locust Street for the Feet in the Street art show, we watched the activities and chatted with a few folks along the path. The block was alive with a genuine sense of community enjoyment and interaction. Kids were chalk drawing in the street. People were sitting in the park benches while others were sampling the food offerings of the food vendors. Several of the children came over to pet the dog. Several of the town’s fire police were directing traffic.

There was shuttle service available; the shuttle service was provided by the folks at St. John’s Herr Estate. Seemed a nice cross section of the community was there. We noticed, as did some of the folks we chatted with, none of the “noisemakers” from groups who clamor and want money  as they proselytize for economic development nor the elected public servants were around. Nor did any friendly police officers walk by.

As we crossed Fifth Street to walk down Fourth, a family of three was in the cross path with us. The woman asked, does this happen every week? We explained that these street events have been part of the Fourth Fridays program.

She said, “What a lovely setting for an event like this. This town is really lovely.”

We agreed and went on to talk about the beautiful architecture and the walk-ability. When we asked where she lived, she responded, “Hershey.”

Wow, someone from Hershey sees the reality, the community and the potential!

Walking the 400 block of Locust we noticed all the closing signage at Sisters’ Treasures | this post from the store’s facebook page states: “Sad to say Sisters’ Treasures is not only still on the market but we are going to close the doors soon. Anyone seeing this post and mentioning this will get 50% off!! We still have plenty of items for sale.”

That store’s catercorner from the ice cream store that closed just recently. There’s plenty of opportunity for small-scale business development in Columbia in case any economic development entity wants to step up.

Walking back up the 500 block, the second of two musical acts was performing in the park’s gazebo. By this time, 7:30, the park-bench-sitters in the park had dwindled and the crowd was thinning.

Cole Umber’s “Columbia Spy” has super pictures from the event.

• GULP … just received online notice for the September PPL bill. Hard to believe that nine months of billing in 2015 is nearly 50% higher than the same period of 2014! No new appliances or devices; just normal somewhat frugal living patterns.