River Rescue – June 30, 2012

Shortly after 5 p.m. today, emergency personnel responded to an incident in which a man reportedly jumped from the Veterans’ Memorial Bridge.

The boater in front escorted a police officer in his boat.

Onlookers and emergency personnel watched from the bridge.

For some reason, this man, beverage in hand, seemed compelled to keep wading towards the rescue boats.

And he just kept going.

Rescue boats canvassed the river.

Personnel brought the victim ashore to a waiting gurney.

Fire police kept an eye on the situation.

Mission accomplished, the boats were taken away.

Onlookers kept watching.

This is the guy who allowed the use of his boat.

Personnel summed it all up.

Cycle Den Pics

The Cycle Den was in business at its present location since 1983.  Before that, Horn Chevrolet based its business there.  Before Horn, the Columbia Auto Company also had a car dealership there.  The building had a fairly long history.  What a shame it’s now gone.

As of 5:45 p.m. yesterday . . .

A few pics I took of the aftermath . . .

Cycle Den Burns

Shortly after 1 p.m. today, The Cycle Den caught fire when gas that had leaked from a motorcycle in for repair ignited.  Many of the motorcycles – some vintage – were saved, but some sustained fire damage.  By sunset, the building had been demolished by work crews, as fire personnel sprayed water on the wreckage to put out any remaining hot spots.
I arrived too late to shoot any photos of the actual fire, but Travis Vigil took the following pics.  I have many photos of the aftermath, which I’ll post sometime tomorrow.
In the meantime, if you have photos of the fire, which you would like to see posted on this blog, please send them to me, with your name (or anonymously), and I will post them and give you a photo credit.
Please send them to: coleumber@gmail.com


Fourth Friday – June 22, 2012

Chris Davis, Fourth Fridays director, displays handmade pens at the grand opening of Glenn Gallery, 461 Locust Street.

The ever-present Margo watches the festivities from the gallery window.

Pandora maintains a presence outside.

A recent Merchandiser article on the Artistic River Towns Alliance (A.R.T.A).

Visitors survey the works of many artists.

Chris Davis and Heather Heilman Loercher talk art stuff.

Hillary Glenn welcomes visitors.

A visitor checks out a photograph.

Art lovers gather at SCCA on Locust Street.

Heating the glass at SCCA

Some recent works by Jeremy Friedly of SCCA.

More by Jeremy

Some other works at SCCA

This Friday is 4th Friday


Fourth Fridays in Columbia
~Sponsored by the Artistic River Towns Alliance.  A Non Profit organization for the Advancement of the Arts & Culture in Columbia, Marietta and Wrightsville Pennsylvania~
        
   Fourth Fridays in Columbia continues with our next event taking place on
Friday June 22nd, beginning at 5pm.
    We Invite You to Spend an Evening in Columbia
Plan to make an evening of it this Friday in uptown and downtown Columbia.  Our galleries, specialty shops & eateries await your visit.
Special Features for the Evening
Grand opening and dedication of the A.R.T.A Center and Glenn Gallery:
Located at 461 Locust Street, featuring the exhibit “Dedication,” a group exhibit
by local river town artists.
Garth Gallery located at 22 South 2nd Street:  
Features the exhibit “2012 Figurative Works.”  A selection of male & female nudes in various mediums by artists throughout the region.  Café Garth located on the upper
level of the gallery will be open and serving coffee, hot & iced.
Geltz Götz Goodeze located at 262 Locust Street:
A specialty shop and art gallery in one.  Stop in & view the works of Weichert’s
Photography as well as a great selection of antiques & collectibles.
Nioaka’s Naturals located at 461 Locust Street:
Featuring handmade soap, bath salts, bubble baths & more.
Proud to utilize as many local farms, greenhouses and businesses as possible.
For further information & participating venues please visit:  www.fourthfridays.org
Call: 717.456.0278               Fourth Fridays in Columbia is on Facebook

Tragedy Averted – Just Barely!

During a midday break from the Cruisin’ car show uptown on Saturday, I stopped to take these pics of the Conrail Susquehanna Limited passenger train passing through Columbia on its rail excursion.

 Several photographers snapped pics of the train as 
it approached.  I estimate it was traveling at 40-45 mph.

 Unfortunately, a vehicle with a boat trailer had passed 
under the gate just as it was descending.  Instead of proceeding immediately to safety around the gate on the other side of the tracks, the driver chose to stay on the tracks, despite the alarmed shouts of several people present.
As can be seen from this photograph, there was ample space for the driver to go around the opposite gate. 
What can’t be seen from the photograph is that there had been ample time for the vehicle and boat to pass over the tracks.

 The train reached the intersection . . . 

 and sped past without incident . . . 

 as onlookers watched.

 Meanwhile, the vehicle sat on the tracks, dangerously 
close to the passing train cars.

Finally, the train passed, and the vehicle rolled over the 
tracks to the River Park.