Where did the summer go? The school year gets under way today in Central Dauphin School District. Parents, it's vacation time! ____ Photo: Kindergarten and elementary students board a bus in front of the Gazette newsroom.

The Central Dauphin High School Ram Marching Band kicks off its 2008-09 season with it 11th annual Band Fair and Pigskin Preview, Wednesday, Aug. 27 at Landis Field, 4600 Locust Lane, starting at 5 pm. The fair features performances, food and games and ends with the Pigskin Preview that includes the cheerleaders, football team and preview of the band's field show.

The Central Dauphin School Board will meet Monday, Aug. 25, in the Lecture Hall of Central Dauphin East High School. The meeting will begin at 7 pm and the public is invited to attend. I reviewed the meeting agenda on the district’s Web site, and the only item of interest that I spotted is under New Business, board member Justin McShane has requested to speak about the finance committee, Title I funding, and the school board. Last meeting, McShane and fellow board member Christian Malesic apparently were miffed by not getting appointed to a newly formed finance committee. They had lobbied for some time to have such a committee as part of the board.

The board will meet at 7 pm tonight at the Lecture Hall of Central Dauphin East High School. CLICK HERE to review the agenda. (To view the agenda, click on the plus sign for 8/11/08, and then click on the plus signs to get details about specific agenda items.) There is one tax issue that will be discussed under New Business – The Administration is recommending the appointment of Berkheimer Tax Administrator as the Earned Income Tax Administrator for the Central Dauphin School District. If approved, Berkheimer would start collecting the two-percent tax starting Jan. 1, 2009. If you're not up to speed on this issue, check out this Gazette post for some background info.

Click the above headline for a story by T.W. Burger of The Patriot-News.

Ask anybody who’s been through band camp – it is hard work, leaving the musicians and performers hot, sweaty, and tired. On Friday, August 8, however, about 100 students and staff members of the Central Dauphin High School RamBand will take hot, sweaty and dirty to a new level as they dedicate a day of band camp to the group’s inaugural Community Service Day. Keep reading >>

* Rob Nease of Harrisburg at Home has info about the Milk Mustache Mobile Tour that will be making a stop at Karns Foods on Allentown Blvd. this Thursday, Aug. 7, from 5-7 pm. CLICK HERE to view the tour’s Web site, and HERE for a video report from WHP-TV 21. * Hey, it’s chicken BBQ time again this Saturday, Aug. 9, at Linglestown Fire Co. #1. The birds will be cooked up and ready to go starting at 10:30 am and will be available until the last one is sold. This take-out event will feature a half chicken, baked potato, and roll, for $ 6.50, and will take place on the parking lot adjacent to the engine room at 5831 Linglestown Rd., at the west end of the village. Linglestown TV stopped by the BBQ that was held on July 12. * Central Dauphin Band Boosters Association is proud to welcome the legendary sound of The World Famous Glenn Miller Orchestra to the Central Dauphin High School for one night only on Tuesday, September 16, at 7:00 pm. Tickets are $9 for students and senior citizens, $12 for adults. Ticket order forms are available on the association’s website, or call (717) 979-2312.