Columbia Spy

I am posting this video as a show of solidarity with our French brothers and sisters at Charlie Hebdo magazine, whose offices in Paris were attacked today by terrorists. At this writing, 12 people are reported dead and many wounded. Police are currently searching the city for the attackers.

Charlie Hebdo is a satirical magazine that has often poked fun at the “prophet” Mohammed. Their offices have been attacked in the past.
If you can’t see the video, follow (Copy and paste) the link shown below:

http://youtu.be/U56q428amN0

Columbia has been named Number One of Top 16 Small Cities in Pennsylvania.
GO HERE FOR THE LISTING:
http://citydescribed.com/2014/12/top-16-small-cities-in-pennsylvania/16/

Students at the Columbia High School will participate in the winter wave of Keystone Exams or make-up exams from January 7, 2015 through January 21, 2015. Students who are currently enrolled in a Semester I class for Algebra I, Biology, and/or Literature will be taking these exams.  Students who have these classes scheduled during Semester II will take their exams in the spring.

Pennsylvania school code allows interested parents to review these exams prior to having their student participate with the testing.  Arrangements to view the tests must be made with the high school principal, Ms. Maura Meiser, by calling 717-684-7500 to set up an appointment. 

Additional information on the the Keystone Exams can be found at the following link:

From an editorial in this morning’s edition of lancasteronline:

Mayor Leo Lutz gave two reasons for vetoing Columbia Borough’s hold-the-line budget for 2015: a budget process he saw as not including the public in discussions and council’s failure to include the lease of a new police cruiser.  Borough Council has scheduled a special meeting for 7 p.m. Wednesday at the borough building, 308 Locust St., to discuss overriding the mayor’s veto.  The votes of five of the council’s seven members are required to override a veto.
MORE:
http://m.lancasteronline.com/opinion/editorials/budget-fight-in-columbia-about-more-than-a-police-car/article_39232d9e-92be-11e4-b69c-a7a455783b30.html?mode=jqm

About a dozen cedar waxwings, including the one seen above, helped themselves to plentiful berries in a tree at Trinity House Apartments this afternoon.

It was also a good day for a walk on the tracks.

This blast from the past sits behind a shop window on the 400 block of Locust Street.

A note of thanks to you for posting the “found cat” on your site a few weeks ago.  Unfortunately, not one person has inquired about this cat, but there is a happy ending thanks to the Pet Pantry of Lancaster County.  I am writing to get the word out about the excellent facility that they operate.  Their services include no-kill animal rescue, low-income feeding program, and low-cost veterinary services.  I would encourage everyone that is able to help to do so, they have a wish list and several drop-off locations all over Lancaster County.  Luckily, there was room for the cat I was fostering and for a nominal fee, I was able to surrender her into their care.  She was tested for FeLV and FIV prior to being accepted.    They will continue to monitor her behavior and health, prior to putting her up for adoption.  The services that the Pet Pantry provides are invaluable.  The staff was empathetic toward my situation and went out of their way to help.
[Name withheld by request]

2014 blew by, and I didn’t get around to posting this announcement.  Dean Young, formerly of Columbia, was named 2014 Texas State Poet Laureate. He is also a Pulitzer Prize finalist. Dean was born and raised in Columbia and graduated from Columbia High School. 

Go HERE for the story.

Go HERE for Dean’s Wikipedia page.