Home › Tag Archives › Harrisburg

Dickens Meets Harrisburg

admin February 8, 2012 Entertainment Comments Off on Dickens Meets Harrisburg

I am not such a literary buff, but Dani really is.  So she was stoked yesterday when Harrisburg marked the 200th birthday of Charles Dickens – probably one of the 19th century’s finest writers of the 19th century and the most famous of English language during that time.  Since Dickens visited our city in 1842 on a trip to America, Harrisburg recognized the man’s life and the huge impact he had on literature.

Although Dickens wasn’t impressed with Harrisburg, attacking its “feeble lights, reflected dismally from the wet ground, did not shine out upon a very cheerful city,” he had a lot of time for the Eagle Hotel proprietor whom he described as the “most obliging, considerate, and gentlemanly person I ever had to deal with.”

So in recognition of Dickens’ time spent in Harrisburg, a party was held at the Midtown Scholar Bookstore that Dani said was really great.  I was happy to just stay home and anyway she went with her work colleagues.  She told me excerpts from “The Pickwick Papers” and “American Notes,” were read by a theater arts professor who was dressed in late Victorian style.

Super Bowl Fun

admin February 7, 2012 Entertainment Comments Off on Super Bowl Fun

I managed to get over my upset yesterday – having found out about horrible crime in the city – and enjoy my time at the Lancaster Brewing Company where I watched the Super Bowl.  The crowd was great – they got really into it actually – and in general it was a fun atmosphere.  The wings were amazing at the Brewery too.  In fact, they were so good that I wouldn’t care paying full-price!  Maybe even Dani will come with me one time…if only just for the wings. I noticed signs there for their Valentine’s Day celebrations – suggesting to make reservations now – but I didn’t want to be so presumptuous as to book the place before having discussed it with her. It might be a bit “manly” for her and not romantic enough…we’ll have to see. I certainly don’t want to mess up my first Valentine’s Day with her!

The bbq wings came with something called a broiled jumbo lump cake (which was amazing), fries and coleslaw which had more mayonnaise than veggies – my perfect slaw – and the beer was cheap too. So price- and taste-wise I certainly had no complaints.

Next time I go though – with or without Dani – I will definitely sample some of the other beers on offer as there are a lot (including: Fest Beer Amber Lager; Goldstar Pilsner; Litening Lager; Celtic Rose and then a bunch of seasonal ones to choose from too).

So the Patriots lost – truthfully I wasn’t bothered who won or lost – but it was a fun night with really great food and now I’ve discovered another cool hangout in Harrisburg!  Things are for sure getting better and easier for me in my now-not-so-new home!

How Low Can You Go?

admin February 6, 2012 Uncategorized Comments Off on How Low Can You Go?

I just heard some pretty not nice news today that is certainly not going to help with my mood for trying to enjoy the Super Bowl later.  In the last month there have been eight assaults on Harrisburg’s senior population.  It seems that the teenage attackers are going for society’s most vulnerable  – I mean really, how low can you go?  These elderly have ended up with bruises, broken bones and have had their money stolen.  It’s awful.

The most recent attack took place last Wednesday on Woodbine and North 4 Streets and Schuylkill and North 3rd Streets – both with men over the age of 50 being attacked.  The individuals who perpetrated the attacks were aged between 14 and 17. It’s really upsetting and just making me wonder if Harrisburg really is the right place for me to (semi)raise my kids.

Where I’ll be Watching the Super Bowl

admin February 5, 2012 Entertainment Comments Off on Where I’ll be Watching the Super Bowl

Of course, even though my team isn’t playing, I plan on watching today’s Super Bowl.  The question I’ve been pondering though for a few days now is, where will I choose to watch it?  I don’t want to sit alone at home for the game, and no-one has invited me to theirs for a party or anything and Dani certainly isn’t interested in watching it and the boys are with their mom so…

I found out that Harrisburg’s Lancaster Brewing Company – where I’ve actually never been – is putting on some festivity for the Super Bowl.  Actually what really clinched it for me was the fact that the venue is offering half-price wings during the game as well as English pints at a reduced price of $3.25 and I certainly love my beer and wings. One of my colleagues had also mentioned a few weeks ago he’d gone there with a few friends and in general the food – American cuisine – is excellent.  So I’m quite looking forward to it actually.

Great City Project

admin January 31, 2012 Entertainment Comments Off on Great City Project

I like it when I hear about projects aimed at improving the quality of life for the people of Harrisburg.  And it seems like – despite the problems the city encounters – there are many projects that develop with this aim in mind.  For example I just read that plans were approved for the Susquehanna Art Museum as long as people in the city share in employment opportunities.  This is great news, especially since the project is expected to be priced at $5.5m, so that will really provide jobs for people in our city.

So basically what is going to be happening is that all contractors working on the museum project will have to employ a certified compliance officer to make sure city residents and contractors are given some of the jobs.  I’m not looking for a job right now, but you never know; there is never 100% job security in any position, so it’s always good to know that there are more jobs being created in the city.

And of course, once jobs are created, the economy will improve and hopefully that will result in happier people, lowered crime rates and a better quality of life.  Well, at least in an ideal world!

 

AirTran Airways Bids Farewell to Harrisburg

admin January 25, 2012 Society Comments Off on AirTran Airways Bids Farewell to Harrisburg

Of course, it doesn’t really affect me because it’s not like I’m a business traveler or anything. But the news that AirTran Airways is going to stop flying to and from Harrisburg airport, will be affecting my parents who try to come twice a year from Florida.  This is exactly the route that is being ceased.  The reason that has been given was “significantly higher fuel costs,” which didn’t surprise me but still irritated me.  I don’t know what my parents will do now.  As it is it is getting harder for them to travel due to the fact that they are aging.

But at least it’s not going to go into affect until the middle of August.  So we have a few months still.  And they were planning on coming in June next so we have that one covered.  After that we’ll just have to see.  No point in worrying about it now.

Kids Missing Snow

admin January 23, 2012 Weather Comments Off on Kids Missing Snow

Despite the fact that I felt like the boys and I had all had a fun weekend, when they got back to their mom, they discovered they’d missed the snow.  In Beaver Falls (where they live most of the time), there was snow on Saturday.  My kids LOVE the snow. I mean, I know that kids generally love snow but my kids are just crazy about.  So it kind of put a damper on the time they spent with me as they weren’t happy they’d missed it by being with me. Of course, their mother wasn’t too pleased either because it didn’t make for top driving conditions; indeed, in western Pennsylvania traffic accidents shut down Interstate 70 and Interstate 279 South lanes.  The city thus got up to 7 inches of snow!

But, alas, by the time they got home, it was all gone.  There were just some light showers left which didn’t make anyone happy.  So of course they blame me. And that obviously makes my ex happy.  Still, I’m trying to tell myself that kids will be kids and they’re just a bit frustrated for now and by the time I see them again they’ll be over it.  Here’s hoping.

The Harrisburg Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial

admin January 18, 2012 Entertainment Comments Off on The Harrisburg Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial

 

So I just heard from an ex-colleague that a couple of days ago it was the 10th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day.  In commemoration of this event, there was a breakfast with a full program at the Harris-Pruett Building.  I wasn’t able to participate but Derek – my ex-colleague who is currently out of work – went and he said it was really good.

 

This year’s theme was “With Faith We Are Going to Make It,” which Derek said was incredibly inspirational.  I guess the fact that they provided a yummy fry-up breakfast wasn’t too bad either.  Although, truthfully, I thought the city was meant to be focusing on healthy eating and exercise in its “Race to the Moon” program that I mentioned last week.  So when I heard what he ate – bacon, sausages, eggs, biscuits and gravy with some fruit (which seemed to me like a bit of a token gesture rather than anything else) – I was a bit perturbed.

 

Still, I’m glad the event was so successful and that Derek was inspired. But, while he might have left with food-for-thought he probably also exited the event with a few more clogged arteries!  Come on Harrisburg, let’s get back on target with healthy eating and good workouts.

 

Harrisburg Wellness Challenge

admin January 11, 2012 Harrisburg Health Comments Off on Harrisburg Wellness Challenge

 

So it seems like Harrisburg is taking its health and wellness seriously.  I’m definitely not averse to that.  I for sure could do with losing a pound or two myself given the fact that I’ve consumed rather a few too many chicken wings at McGraths – which is now really my favorite hang out on the nights I’m going solo.  But given that we all try to make our New Year’s Resolutions center around weight loss and healthy eating, this latest endeavor is to be welcomed.

Initiated by CaféWellTM and HealthAmerica, “Race to the Moon” has been getting willing and eager participants walk 208 million steps in two months.  The program apparently officially began in the middle of October and to date, people have clocked in a staggering 89,000 miles (which – if you’re counting – would render you one-third of the way to the moon) but I’ve not joined in yet.  Although it is definitely something I want to get involved in and encourage my kids too do as well. Neither Joanne nor I have been particularly good about encouraging the kids to eat well and exercise regularly; it’s something we definitely have to work on.

There are another three months left of the program so I’m going to try to find out how I can get involved.  I heard that there is still room for newcomers and we’ll get a free pedometer too!  And there are prizes involved too!  Now, if there is something that will push my kids to do something, it is prizes. So that’s my next task – to find out more.

 

 

My TV Stations

admin January 10, 2012 Entertainment Comments Off on My TV Stations

I was a bit disappointed to discover yesterday that two of my favorite Harrisburg TV stations might be slashed from Verizon’s FiOS network by the end of this week!  Apparently they need to renegotiate their re-transmission agreement by then, or they’re out.  This certainly does not make me happy as if it goes ahead, it will mean I won’t be able to watch my NFL playoff game over the weekend.  Given that this weekend the kids are with Joanne, it will just be one more thing to add to my misery.  I really do hope FiOS makes the right move and a renegotiation happens.

There are other shows on these stations such as “The Mentalist” and “The Vampire Diaries” that a lot of my coworkers watch but I’m not so interested in.  It’s the football that I need – I have been looking forward to my playoff games between the Denver Broncos and New England Patriots ever since last Sunday!

Still, there is a chance I’ll be going out with Marjorie again over the weekend.  It’s going okay; she just has to see if she can get a babysitter for her two girls.