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Open Stage: Harrisburg Clubs

admin January 21, 2014 Entertainment Comments Off

I was looking for a show with a difference. So when I read about Mark D. Lingenfelter’s one-man show at Open Stage of Harrisburg club I figured perhaps I should try it. Apparently he opens by jumping out of a suitcase! Well, that’s certainly an evening with a difference!

The show lasts for an hour and is funny, self-deprecating and altogether entertaining. Or so the reviews say. I’ll have to think about taking my lady friend. I know that she’s not up for the regular Harrisburg clubs – I think I’m at the age now where I’m not either – so this might be something she’d agree to.

Well, it’s definitely worth a shot and worst case scenario, at least I’ll feel like I’m doing something with a little bit of culture. After all, I have to lead by example with my boys if I ever want to get them off the Wii!

That’s it for now!

Christmas Things to Do with Kids in Harrisburg

admin December 19, 2013 Entertainment Comments Off

So given that the ex is going to be with the kids over Christmas, I decided to find out what there was to do to celebrate the festivities prior to that. The kids arrive today. When I heard about the event at the Pennsylvania National Fire Museum, I was delighted! I mean, what boys don’t love fire engines and stuff?

From December 15 the museum hosted a new exhibit with a cool collection of artifacts from the hand-drawn equipment of history to the modern tools used today. This is in the 1899 Victorian firehouse Reily Hose Company No. 10. Fire equipment and fire company operations during the Civil War period throughout the museum will be highlighted. There will also be fire companies in the Commonwealth, military units composted of firefighters, firehouse mascots and major incidents which occurred around Penn. We’ll also get to see the 1840 Agnew hand pumper owned by the Undine Fire Company of Bellefonte. It’s sure to be a hit. I think we’ll go tomorrow.

Apparently Santa is also coming for a visit. And even if he doesn’t show up, there are plenty of other places to find him. I don’t think any of my kids are too old for sitting on Santa’s knee…because I know for sure that I’m not.

Here’s to a very merry Christmas from me and the kids from Harrisburg. Stay warm now.

Harrisburg Clubs: Gambling News

admin November 19, 2013 Entertainment Comments Off

Legislation was approved last week by the state House of Representatives to expand gambling into bars and taverns in Pennsylvania. Social and fraternal clubs would also gain increased control of gaming revenue.

I personally am quite delighted by this. I believe gambling goes on in the region anyway, so why not make it proper? Legalize it. It’s fun and doesn’t harm anyone. And it’s about time. As executive director of the Pennsylvania Licensed Beverage Association, Amy Christie pointed out, they have worked really hard on just this for over two-and-a-half decades to give small businesses a “more level playing field.”

Put the power back in the hand of the little guy I say, and give us all a great place to go – legally – to have fun at the end of a long working week. The only fear is that other places that offer it legally will lose out. Well, to them I say, rise to the challenge and make your legal gambling place better and we’ll choose that.

Increase competition and everyone benefits, and it seems like House Majority Leader Mike Turzai, R-Bradford Woods agrees with me. He described gaming expansion as being a “matter of fairness for businesses holding restaurant liquor licenses.” And still, there will be limits. Tavern games will have to institute single prize limits of $2,000 per chance and licensees won’t be allowed to offer more than $35,000 in total prizes per week.

Bring it on!

Harrisburg Clubs for Comedy

admin September 18, 2013 Entertainment Comments Off

I feel like I need a bit of a laugh. I’m tired and I’ve had a long summer. Things at work have been challenging. In addition the kids were pretty bored when they spent a couple of weeks with me. That got stressful. So now that things are back to normal, I want to do something for me and something that will take my mind off things. Harrisburg clubs have definitely improved in the last few years so I’m excited to check out what’s going on.

I was glad to see that Gilbert Gottfried is performing this week at the one of Harrisburg clubs. The Second Street Comedy Club also hosted Carmen Lynch last Saturday and I know that was a real hit. But I particularly liked Gottfried when he was a Saturday Night Live cast member so I’m sure it’ll be a blast.

I know that he’s been criticized for his somewhat dark humor at times (true, he probably did go over the top with the 9/11 digs) but I feel like it’s just what I need right now. So I’m going to see if some of my mates want to join me this Saturday. Here’s hoping for a good laugh this coming weekend. I sure do need it.

Summer: Things to Do with Kids in Harrisburg

admin August 18, 2013 Entertainment Comments Off

It’s not so easy figuring out how to keep one’s kids occupied for the whole summer. That’s probably why my ex-wife has sent the three boys to me for a fortnight! But I’m determined to make the most of it. So I’ve been scouring the papers and the web for things to do with kids in Harrisburg in August. So far I’ve taken the little one to Preschool story-time at Wildwood Park where he got sticky fingers making a bunch of cute crafts. Then the other two joined us in the park just hanging out. I was surprised how much they all enjoyed the play time in the park. I must take them again because it’s really beautiful out there.

Today there’s also The Wiggles. I’m not sure if my kids are really too old for this but the little one for sure wants to go. He keeps saying “Wiggles, Wiggles, watch me giggle” and runs around giggling! It’s really cute. His older brothers might enjoy just watching him watch it. Anyway we don’t have tickets yet but we may take a stroll down to the Hershey Theatre later on and see what the situation is as we have nothing else planned for the day.

So it’s true. It’s not easy to find things to do with kids in Harrisburg, or indeed anywhere during the summer. Stuff is expensive and crowded. But with a bit of research and a good attitude, we may just manage to enjoy the last two weeks of the school vacation.

Millers Mutual Harrisburg Mile

admin July 18, 2013 Entertainment Comments Off

I so wish I would have been there. What a great thing to do, to take part in the Millers Mutual Harrisburg Mile. Even a 10-month-old “ran” the race! I just read that Elyse Byers was carried in a sling by mom Kelly Byers all the way from Maclay to Boas Street. Now that really puts me to shame. If she managed it, I for sure should have been able to do it. Just didn’t get my act together really.

In a sense it wasn’t the first time Kelly Byers had carried her baby in a race. The year before – at 8 months pregnant with Elyse inside – she also did it! This was the first time ever though that Kelly had run with her baby (who weighs 19 pounds) not inside of her. It was only a day earlier that she actually even bought a sling. But, of the little package, Byers said, “she was great. She had her sippy cup, so she was happy.” Apparently there were close to 1,800 participants. Well, I’m definitely going to do it next year.

Touring in Harrisburg?

admin March 5, 2013 Entertainment Comments Off

So while I had a great time in Manhattan, I did feel a bit guilty when I read in the local news about the attempt by Harrisburg officials to promote tourism in the area. It’s true I’ve not lived in the region all that long, so maybe I should have had my vacation at home as it were and checked out stuff locally. Still, Manhattan was so much fun.

This month for example there is going to be a tourism-promotion kick-off lunch at Skytop Lodge. That in and of itself is quite a treat and, when I next get some time off I’m going to check it out. I don’t necessarily need to go for the address by Susan Corbett that’s going to happen on March 25^th, but I will spend some time there in the future, perhaps when my parents visit. In fact, they keep saying they want to come see where I live but I don’t think any of us are embracing the prospect of us all sharing the same space, so the Skytop Lodge may be just the thing.

Fitted with a pool area, exercise room and business center, it is conveniently located at Route 39 North (not too near to me, but near enough) and has great reviews. It has a spa, sauna and fitness center which is perfect for mom. It’s also pretty near Harrisburg International Airport and very easy to access from there. I think it will be the perfect place for mom and dad. And then, I don’t have to feel guilty for enjoying my tourism out of my city!

Real Fun Eatery

admin January 22, 2013 Entertainment Comments Off

While the Federal Taphouse Harrisburg has been open for a few weeks, it just got more exciting. It’s been a cool bar until now which is great but they’ve just upped the bar by now adding food! And great food at that! Located on N. Second Street, the menu looks awesome!

I was there just a week ago, heartily enjoying the beer. And what is so cool about this place is its name really is its essence. It has 100 craft beers on tap! That’s apparently why the owner Judd Goodman held off on introducing food – he wanted customers to enjoy the beer there first which is certainly what I did when I went with Jake. We didn’t quite get drunk, but we didn’t leave all that sober either! Good job the place is in walking distance from his house where I crashed for the night.

Still, I figure that next time I go I’ll be able to choose from a whole fish, roasted half chicken or some yummy snacks. That way I’ll be pairing my drinking with some food and so will probably not get as drunk. I am quite tempted by the coal fried wings and the Fed fries – French Fries cooked in duck fat with either aioli or cheese curds and gravy and braised short rib. Sounds delicious to me! And then I can top that off with the Nutella and banana “pizza”! I’m so looking forward to going back there soon.

Laughter Returns to Harrisburg

admin November 11, 2012 Entertainment Comments Off

I just found out that Eclipse and Mars just re-opened in Harrisburg. It’s been a while since it was last around – in fact, way before my time – but now it’s all the rage and locals are very excited about the cool, improved clubs – Second Street Comedy Club and Buddha Buddha! Different titles for sure, but similar ideas I hear.

I could for sure do with some comedy and that’s exactly what the former is going to offer, located above the Harrisburg Hardware Bar. Food and laughter – that’s about as perfect a combination as you can get as far as I’m concerned. Monthly they are going to feature top talent like Josh Blue, “the comedian who puts the cerebral in cerebral palsy,” who will be the grand-opening star. What’s nice too is that all proceeds from the $10 tickets will be donated to the American Red Cross Hurricane Relief Fund, so while we’re having a laugh, we can feel good about it too!

Freedom Seder in Harrisburg

admin April 8, 2012 Entertainment Comments Off

This is really one of the things I actually enjoy about our city. I mean, I know Harrisburg has crime and other such problems, but it seems like it also really tries to be all-inclusive vis-à-vis the different religions its citizens practice. For example, I just learned about a pre-Passover “freedom seder” that is being organized by Penn State Harrisburg which aims to “celebrate the shared commitment of blacks and Jews to freedom from slavery and oppression.”

I know that Passover is really celebrated by the Jewish people, but I think this freedom seder is a great way to increase tolerance and understanding of different religions. While the actual festival for the Jews is a retelling of the story of how the Jews escaped slavery from Egypt, it seems all of us somehow have our own type of slavery that we must try and escape from. No matter what it is – from alcoholism, to other addictive behavior – everyone should really be on a journey from slavery to freedom.

So I read a bit more about it and learned that the first one that was organized took place in 1969, marking the Jews’ festival as well as the first anniversary of Martin Luther King’s death. This occurred in Washington DC.

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