BAM! Comes to Harrisburg

admin November 21, 2011 Entertainment Comments Off on BAM! Comes to Harrisburg

Books-A-Million – otherwise known as BAM! – has arrived in Harrisburg on Jonestown Road.  A wide range of books, magazines, toys, bargain products and more will be available at the store.  According to the store’s GM, Michael Danilowicz, the aim of the new store is to provide excellent service and quality products to the people of Harrisburg.

BAM! For Kids and Tekkies

At the new Harrisburg store there will also be a special kids’ selection, called ‘Kids-A-Million,’ boasting a large array of kids’ books, educational games and toys and lots of fun products from Lego etc.  The store also has a lot of cool electronic gadgets for customers such as the NOOK Simple Touch and NOOK Color, iPod and more, as well as various popular electronic accessories.

Best Buys at BAM!

As well, there is the Millionaire’s Club through which members can get a 40 percent saving off bestsellers, 20 percent and 10 percent of various other items. These members will also get great specials at various sales and promotional events.

So with all the great offers, it’s definitely worth taking a mosey-on down to Jonestown Road, to check out what great deals you can get from the new BAM! in town.

Harrisburg’s Best Bull Rider

admin November 20, 2011 Entertainment Comments Off on Harrisburg’s Best Bull Rider

Harrisburg’s 19-year-old Devon Weaver is one of the city’s top bull riders.  He explains though that no matter how much you study a bull it will not help you become any more expert in your sport since bulls are inherently unpredictable.   The only way to get real wise according to Weaver, is getting thrown off – as then you’ll try whatever you can to stop repeating that event!

The man is pretty much addicted to bull riding.  In an article in Penn Live he said simply, “it’s something I have to do. I can’t tell you why.”  He talks of the challenge and the adrenalin but not so much about the enjoyment of it.  He has  been thrown a bunch of times but it seems he feels that is just par for the course.

Rodeo Finals

Just yesterday, Weaver took on one of his biggest challenges at the Rodeo Finals at the Farm Show complex.  For most, it could be pretty nerve-wracking, but for Weaver, it was all in a day’s work; the same as any other competition. As well, it is so much more than just about winning.  He’s there, simply because he “loves it.”

Veteran’s Day in Harrisburg

admin November 16, 2011 Society Comments Off on Veteran’s Day in Harrisburg

Last week the American Legion descended on Harrisburg in commemoration of Veteran’s Day.  A short event – that lasted approximately 10 minutes – was held in the city for the fallen soldiers.  It especially commemorated the soldiers who had fought during the war from Harrisburg.

Teresa Bartimus-Pankey (a.k.a. ‘Mama T.’) sang the National Anthem at the event.  Thereafter the Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all in attendance, led by one of the many Boy Scouts who graced the event.  Next came a prayer recited by all, and that was followed by a short, moving speech presented by the Rev. Lambert, Albert Parlich.  He thanked all those who had served and were serving in the military.  The ceremony ended with a free spaghetti lunch that was held at the legion.

Harrisburg Pike Postal Service to Close

admin November 16, 2011 Harrisburg Politics Comments Off on Harrisburg Pike Postal Service to Close

It looks like Harrisburg is set to lose its mail processing and distribution center.  A study conducted by the U.S. Postal Service showed it makes more sense to move these operations to Dauphin County.  A public hearing is to be held next week at Centerville Middle School.  The Harrisburg Pike facility has been under review already for three months.  Following this, it seems it would be best to unite it with the LeGree Daniels Processing & Distribution Center in Harrisburg.  That would probably be the most preferable option for Harrisburg, and, in the past, consolidation is usually what happens in such situations.

It seems like Harrisburg is not alone in the possibility of losing its post office facilities.  A couple of months ago it was announced by the Postal Service that around 250 facilities might face closure as a way of cutting back on a huge infrastructure in the county that is failing to prove financial sustainability these days due to the fact that people are rarely relying on mail to communicate anymore.

“Third in the Burg” Celebration

admin November 15, 2011 Entertainment Comments Off on “Third in the Burg” Celebration

Harrisburg residents have been invited to attend a preview of the State Museum of Pennsylvania’s exhibition “Making It Better: Folk Arts in Pennsylvania Today.”  The preview will take place on November 18 from 6 to 8 in the evening, featuring artist Ken Ely constructing a stone wall that will appear in the show.  Karla Armstrong and Friends will be performing gospel and country music with an autoharp made by George Orthey (whose harp will also appear in the exhibition).  It is to be part of the “third in the burg” celebration.

The actual exhibition will open two days later until April 29 of next year.  It will comprise photos and videos; music and interactive areas for visitors to experience Pennsylvania folk art traditions through all their senses.

Exhibition Features

There will be many different features at the exhibition.  The art displayed will come from throughout the entire state of Pennsylvania and represents all different traditions from around the world including a Slovenian accordion; an Aztec ritual flute; Italian bobbin lace; Tibetan sand mandalas and much more.  What can be learned through the exhibition is that while so much art has such a long history, it is still relevant in 21st century modern times.

admin November 15, 2011 Web Comments Off on

An international social media conference took place in Harrisburg last month, entitled ‘Social Media at Work.’  The project took months of hard work and various individuals in the Harrisburg region put great efforts into it. These included, published authors, philosophers, local Harrisburg experts along with other professionals.  Alan Brocious (owner of the New Age Lead Generation), Stephanie Gehman (marketing director of Harrisburg International Airport) and Anne Deeter Gallaher (CEO of the Deeter Gallaher Group) were among the other experts participating in the conference.

Topics discussed at the conference included: the role of social media in marketing strategy and mobile marketing.  And it seemed like social media was really working since five million tweets were received on Twitter and many FB mentions, etc.  Thus instead of being tacked with “bankruptcy,” the word on the Harrisburg street became “business.”

 

Harrisburg’s 39th Marathon

admin November 14, 2011 Sports Comments Off on Harrisburg’s 39th Marathon

It was a day of cheer for all, at Harrisburg’s 39th Marathon. Whether running or spectating and supporting, everyone had a good time on Sunday.  Pennsylvania’s Tom Lipsie (the winner) enjoyed the Harrisburg street band No Last Call’s old-school tunes, as he sped through the banner at the end of the run.  No Last Call is the city’s first and only street band so it was quite fitting that it was there to play.

The 44-year-old winner certainly had a smile on his face but that could have been because he was happy he came in first yet again, rather than just listening to the band!  He did a great job though, coming in at 2:40:17.10, having run 26.2 miles.  It’s not the first time Lipsie has won the Harrisburg marathon – it was his ninth – but still, each win has to be exciting.  He spoke about his win and his strategy of pacing himself. But at the end of the day – or the end of the Marathon – he just loves to run.  Whenever you enjoy doing something it sure makes it easier.

Female runner Jolene Collins did pretty good too.  She said it was peer pressure that encouraged her.  But it is also something pretty akin to her whole being since she spends part of her time as an assistant cross country coach at Palmyra.  Although for Collins, it was her first ever marathon.  In a professional capacity, she works as a food scientist for Hershey Foods Company.

No matter what their reasoning, or their experience, all runners in the Harrisburg 39th Marathon should be congratulated for their great work and dedication, making it a real fun day for all who showed up in the city to enjoy the festivities and feed off the adrenalin.

Fun in Midtown Harrisburg

admin November 13, 2011 Entertainment Comments Off on Fun in Midtown Harrisburg

Harrisburg has been enjoying a fun festival in its midst, for all book-lovers and anyone else looking for some entertainment.  Now in its second year, the Harrisburg Book Festival has been attracting many residents from the area to the Midtown Scholar Bookstore.  It will culminate with a launch of the book written by ex-columnist for the Patriot News, Paul Beers, entitled, “City Contented. City Discontented. A History of Modern Harrisburg.”  The book’s publishers are Midtown Scholar Press.

As well, there will be a discussion with Cate Barron (Patriot News Executive Editor); John Baer (Philadelphia Daily News political communist) and Linda Ries (Pennsylvania State Archives project director) to discuss the book.  This is important for Harrisburg as there is a large gap in knowledge on Harrisburg’s culture on this so it is hoped the book will fill this.

This year the festival will be more than just book signings; discussions will be held with readers from Harrisburg and there will also be book readings to school children.  Such festivals are a great opportunity to encourage reading and writing for kids.  But it’s not just for kids; adults were having a great time too, making the most of the Book Festival.

There were also panels; one was entitled, “Path to Publication: Tips for Writers and Readers.”  While we encounter the challenge of the digital world, such a festival like this in Harrisburg is a great way to battle against it, and to encourage people to get back to the world of pen and paper, a.k.a., books.

Circus Time in Harrisburg

admin November 11, 2011 Entertainment Comments Off on Circus Time in Harrisburg

Last week in Harrisburg it was circus time!  Piccadilly Circus may be famous for its deep hive of socializing and shopping in the London, UK area, but in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, last week it took on an altogether different meaning.   Those who had time to pay a visit to the Zembo Shrine were privy to some top acts from the Piccadilly Circus which made its fourth stop with its new show.  There were lots of elephants, a bunch of ponies and even some camels partaking in the show.  According to Martin Espana, Circus Daredevil, it is important that this very American tradition is kept up.  Going to the circus is a real event for all the family and it certainly is a bit different to going to the movies or out to dinner.  For those who were lucky enough to get a front seat, they could probably hear the elephants breathing as they would have been sitting a mere three feet away from the action!

The Piccadilly Circus travels eight to ten months out of the year and the performers say that it is always exciting and fun for them – no matter how often they repeat their acts.  As well as the animals, there are biking acts (very talented people on bikes going upside down, etc.), walking blindfolded (called the wheel of death) and more.

If you missed it last week, watch this space for details for when the Piccadilly Circus will be coming back to Harrisburg town.

Great News for Harrisburg Job-Seekers

admin November 7, 2011 Uncategorized Comments Off on Great News for Harrisburg Job-Seekers

Finally some good news in Harrisburg. It’s about time too.  With flooding and fiscal issues, the city certainly needs something good to wake up to in the mornings.    As the Fall season began, statistics rendered by the state Department of Labor and Industry (DLI) for unemployment in the Harrisburg-Carlisle region (Cumberland, Dauphin and Perry) dropped significantly to a new low of 7.4 percent. This was a reduction of 40 percent, marking the fifth lowest out of the 14 regions in the department’s study.  Further, just looking at statistics from the same timeframe a year ago, it was found that unemployment was 30 percent lower.  Today the figure is less than the state and national average.

Non-Agricultural Jobs in Trouble

However, the region is still not out of trouble. It seems that farming jobs are somewhat easier to come by, but other areas are still fighting to stay on top.  Indeed, in September, the amount of non-farm job vacancies plummeted by 2,600 to 317,500 which was described by the DLI as “the largest decline in a single month since 1990.”  That cannot be making the working class of the Harrisburg-Carlisle region very happy.

As well, looking at other industries, leisure and hospitality service jobs also witnessed a significant plummet of 4,400.  Mining went down too, but only by 300.  According to the DLI, some of these were expected (especially those in the hospitality service areas due to normal seasonal adjustments) but the situation was definitely worsened by the flood damage from tropical storm Lee that was encountered at Hersheypark and restaurants in the area.  But there was an increase in job availability in the areas of IT, education and government.

So it seems overall, there is hope for Harrisburg employment but there are still various obstacles the city has to pull down before everyone who is viable to work is in an appropriate job.  The city has had a lot to deal with recently; one step at a time needs to be its motto now.