Author: SPY

Vendors sought for Columbia antique, art and craft show

LANCASTERONLINE
The Susquehanna Valley Chamber of Commerce will host the 33rd annual Antique, Art & Craft Show on June 29 in Columbia.

Slated to coincide with the sesquicentennial commemoration of the burning of the wooden covered bridge that spanned the river during the Civil War, this outdoor event is anticipated to receive increased foot traffic over previous years' shows.

Along with antiques, the show features, artwork, photography, crafters of jewelry, pottery, primitives, furniture and textiles.

Vendor spaces are available along Locust Street or in Locust Street Park. The event, which runs from 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 pm, is held rain or shine.

Free parking and shuttle service are available to shoppers. Proceeds from the show benefit the Susquehanna Valley Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Center, a non-profit organization representing the river towns of Columbia, Marietta and Wrightsville.

For a vendor application visit www.PaRivertowns.com or call 684-5249. Please note that no commercial food vendors are accepted; food concessions are handled by local non-profit organizations.

MORE HERE:
http://lancasteronline.com/article/local/841621_Vendors-sought-for-Columbia-antique–art-and-craft-show.html

Columbia to be named a 'Tree City USA' on Arbor Day

LANCASTERONLINE
The Columbia Borough Shade Tree Commission and the Columbia Tree Society will hold their 22nd annual Arbor Day celebration at 6 p.m on Friday, April 26, at Janson Park, Sixth and Cherry streets in Columbia.

MORE HERE:

Columbia celebrates Earth Day all week

LANCASTERONLINE
This year Earth Day began an entire week of green fun and spring cleaning for Columbia residents.

Mayor Leo Lutz proclaimed that Columbia borough would celebrate Earth Day, now in its 43rd year, on Monday, April 22.

But the real festivities don't get going until Friday when PPL will once again send 40 volunteers to clean up and make repairs to facilities in borough parks.

MORE HERE:
http://lancasteronline.com/article/local/841422_Columbia-celebrates-Earth-Day-all-week.html

What I Saw – Tuesday, April 23, 2013

This rotting possum has been lying near the Herbert “Cubby” Spiese Bridge for about two weeks.  Originally, it was lying in the middle of the highway after most likely being hit by a car.  A few days later, it had been moved to its present location.  As can be seen from the photo, the carcass is attracting flies and will soon start “growing” maggots.  Besides, it looks undignified lying there among the cigarette butts and other debris, although the dandelion seems somehow appropriate.  Do we have a critter control officer to take this away before it becomes more of a nuisance or a public health issue?

Trainspotting

Sunday, April 21, 2013: Heritage train travels through Columbia on the NS Port Road, pulling oil tanker cars, after embarking from Georgia.
Trainspotters gathered along the tracks near River Park to watch and record the passing train.
Click HERE to see a video.

Does your legislator stand up for you or for criminals? – It's time to Stop Gun Violence

KEYSTONE PROGRESS
Rep. Steve Santarsiero (D-Bucks) has introduced legislation that would require universal criminal background checks for firearms purchases in Pennsylvania.

“Right now in Pennsylvania, criminals may lawfully purchase an assault rifle even though it is illegal for that same criminal to purchase a handgun,” Santarsiero said.

HB 1010 would close a loophole that allows private, non-licensed sellers to sell long-barrel guns, including assault rifles, without conducting a criminal background check on the buyer. Santarsiero’s legislation would close this loophole by requiring all sales and transfers, escept transfers between family members, to undergo a criminal background check.

This common sense legislation protects PA's families by preventing east access to guns by criminals.

The choice is simple–either you want to protect PA's families or you think criminals should be able to buy guns without a background check.

Our representative, David S. Hickernell, does not support the legislation.

THE LIST IS HERE:
http://keystoneprogress.pnstate.org/site/PageServer?pagename=Background_Checks_List#.UXaWbkwpCSx

Senate passes “online sales tax” by 74-20 vote

ARS TECHNICA
Your tax-free days of online shopping are numbered. If S743, also known as the Marketplace Fairness Act, becomes law, the millions of Americans who have been able to avoid sales tax online will have to start paying it. Given the broad support shown by today's US Senate vote, some version of it is likely to come to fruition.

MORE HERE:
http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2013/04/senate-passes-online-sales-tax-by-74-20-vote/