March Happenings at Columbia Crossing

Happenings at Columbia Crossing in March 2017

Check out the following events being held at the Columbia Crossing Building located at the Columbia River Park (41 Walnut Street) in March 2017

March 8th – 10:00 -11:00 AM – Tadpole Time: Wind
Monthly Early Childhood story time for ages 2-5. Tadpole Time will feature monthly themes that explore the natural world along the river, with a nature-themed story, songs, and activities that will encourage your child’s curiosity about the world around them.
For children ages 2-5 with their caretakers. $4 per child and registration is suggested. Register by calling 717-449-5607, e-mailing info@columbiacrossing.org,   or pay at the door.

March 10th – 6:00-7:30 PM Basics of Nature Photography
Join Susquehanna Heritage at the Columbia Crossing River Trails Center to expand your photography skills. Learn from Chris Arendt of the Camera Center of York the best techniques to taking scenic and creative outdoor shots and identify great locations to practice along the Susquehanna Greenway. Enjoy light refreshments, peruse our exhibit of Susquehanna Greenway Partnership’s photo contest winners, and plan your next outdoor photography adventure. The cost for this unique presentation is $10/person.  Registration required.

March 18th -10 AM – 4 PM Susquehanna Saturday: Harnessing the Wind- Sponsored by LCSWMA
Our monthly Susquehanna Saturday program this month will explore how wind, present along the riverfront, is a force that can cause movement, motion, and power, and how to use this force in our everyday lives. This hands-on educational program is available anytime between 10 am and 4 pm, while supplies last. All Susquehanna Saturdays are free for all ages, but a suggested donation of $2 per participant is appreciated.

 March 29th – 6:00 PM- 7:00 PM Nature Crafting
Create a unique piece of jewelry to welcome spring! Make a miniature bird’s nest necklace or ring using natural materials, and have an opportunity to check out the spectacular birds in the Audubon’s Annual Photography Awards exhibit on display. Bring a friend and craft along together. All materials provided. Ages 8+, Children under the age of 12 must participate with an accompanying adult.   $10 per person, register by calling 717-449-5607, e-mailing info@columbiacrossing.org.

List: Here's how much each Lancaster County community is getting in liquid fuels funding this year

Lancaster County communities will receive more than $17.6 million on March 1 to help them maintain their locally owned roads and bridges.

The funding is through Pennsylvania’s annual liquid fuels allocation, which is up 5 percent this year to $466 million statewide.


MORE:

http://lancasteronline.com/news/local/list-here-s-how-much-each-lancaster-county-community-is/article_fc2a3c6c-fd3b-11e6-ac99-d74b039960a9.html

Historical Society gets a facelift – inside and out

Chris Vera’s passion for Columbia’s history was clearly evident during the recent renovation project at the Columbia Historic Preservation Society building. Vera is president of the society.

In addition to orchestrating several major projects, Vera could be found painting and using elbow grease to help complete them.

The building fundraising campaign began early last year with  several contributors, among them Cimmaron Properties, Gamby’s Disposal, The Foresters, The Elk’s Club, The Catholic War Vets, Owls Club, The American Legion, Grace EC Church, and the estate of Pauline Aston.

A much-needed and long-awaited new roof was installed by Abel & Son Roofing. Downspouts and gutters were replaced by a subcontractor.  Vera did much of the interior painting. He said he is very pleased with the roofing project, calling it professional work with superb results.

The Society reopens April 22, 1-4 p.m. and will be open every Saturday and Sunday until January. This year’s exhibits will feature the Civil War, Columbia Hospital, and Columbia Opera House.

Fresh paint on interior walls and trim

A new look all around

Updated lighting


And outside . . .

A new roof

Here’s a closer look.

Spouting was replaced.




Storm leaves a trail of damage in its wake

Saturday afternoon’s storm left a trail of damage in its wake. The National Weather Service said there was no evidence of a tornado touchdown and that damage was caused by high winds up to 95 miles per hour.
Tree down on Heritage Drive, between Union and Locust
Yes, that’s a roof in a tree in the 300 block of Avenue F

Tree down near the Knights of Columbus building.

Chestnut Street

Cleanup on Ironville Pike

Doug’s Tree Service to the rescue

Carrying a heavy load

Avenue G

Across from the Columbia Plaza

 Laurel Hill Cemetery

Laurel Hill Road

WE GOT HIT!

High winds and stormy weather ushered in a cold front this afternoon, downing trees, damaging vehicles, and creating general havoc in the borough. Here are some photos of the event:
 A wall cloud develops.

 The clouds descend.

 The storm hits.



The aftermath:

 Sign down

 Take Away Refuse along Front Street lost its roof.


 Another view of the blown-over roof

 Siding at North Second and Avenue H


 The siding blew off the side of this house on North Second.

 A Good Samaritan gathered nails from the road to prevent flat tires.

 This lamp at the Historical Society was hit by a piece of flying debris.

 A vehicle on the 500 block of Manor didn’t fare too well.

 It was hit when the high winds snapped off this tree.

 A trampoline blew onto school grounds near North 9th & Purples Lane.

 Broken bench on Kinderhook

 A fallen tree on the 1000 block of Ironville Pike

 Underneath the tree was this truck.

 Our friends at News 21 showed up to cover the story.

 Another downed tree on Ironville Pike

 A fallen tree at Mount Bethel Cemetery

 Another one at Mount Bethel

 This one’s listing a bit.

 Meanwhile, at Locust Street Park . . .

 Loose sign at Columbia River Park

  This lamp lost its head

 A missing tree at the Watch & Clock Museum

Finally, the clouds subsided.

Proposed group home denied by Zoning Board

443 Union Street

A group home proposal for 443 Union Street was denied by the Columbia Borough Zoning Hearing Board.

During a two-hour public hearing held on Wednesday February 22, Daniel DeLeon presented plans for the home. DeLeon is director of The Way Recovery Houses, a faith-based Christian recovery house program. DeLeon, a former addict turned minister, was represented at the hearing by attorney Nathan Saxton.

DeLeon said that although the name is “The Way Recovery Houses,” no clinical treatment would be provided at the planned Union Street house which therefore would not need to be licensed. The house would still be defined by borough code as a group home. DeLeon presented several photographs of two of three other group homes in Lancaster County but did not show any photographs of the Union Street home.

The Union Street property, a planned recovery house for women, would have housed six, unrelated women. Each resident would be required to complete designated chores and find work in order to contribute to the expenses. A Columbia resident, Lakeisha Finks, had volunteered to serve as an on-call 24/7 house supervisor with an office at the recovery house. Her role was described as “domestic missionary.”

Steven Funk, the home’s owner said the property consists of three second-floor bedrooms, with another on the third floor to be used as an office. The house also has two bathrooms, a new kitchen, living room, dining room, and a laundry area in the basement. Funk estimated the total square footage at 1,250. He stated there is no off-street parking. He added that he has owned the home for 30 years and had planned to sell it to Way Recovery below market value.

Planning Commission member Annette White told the board that no one representing Way Recovery attended the commission’s meetings. White said the issue had been on the agenda for three months. DeLeon said he was not aware that was part of the process. His counsel offered no explanation.

After deliberating at Wednesday’s meeting, the zoning board announced its decision to deny the request.