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New Park?

admin March 11, 2012 Entertainment Comments Off on New Park?

I just heard about the proposal to make a new park in the neighborhood. I wasn’t too excited about it initially as I figured, it’s not like my kids are small and need a park in the vicinity when they come to stay. But then I heard that the proposed Harrisburg Central Park as it is being dubbed is set to include all sorts of cool things like a swimming pool, band stand, skate park and more.  Now that really could be a lot of fun.

So I started to read a little bit more about it and how realistic the project is (i.e., if it’s going to be up and running in my lifetime!).  Run by the Harrisburg Days Foundation (which has been working on this for a staggering four years already! First I’ve heard of it…) they are arguing that given how much the population of Harrisburg has grown in recent times, such a park could potentially bring everyone together and develop a true sense of community.  With a cool park like this, it’s a reason for everyone to engage in activities together; something the city really is lacking.

So now I’m pretty psyched about this.  I just hope it really does go ahead.  I won’t say anything to the kids though yet; I want to make sure it’s really happening before I get them excited about it.

Getting Off Cheap!

admin February 14, 2012 Entertainment Comments Off on Getting Off Cheap!

Well, tonight is Valentine’s Day and I had been thinking long and hard about where to take Dani for our first milestone night together.  First, I thought of the Brewery as the wings were so delicious there on Super Bowl night.  But then a buddy of mine put me off the idea – saying it just wouldn’t go down well with a new girlfriend. 

So I was delighted when she asked me if she could make a suggestion!  And then when she told me what she wanted to do was free, I was even happier!  Tonight at The Forum, at 7pm is a free concert being performed by the Harrisburg Symphony Youth Orchestra for Education Week. 

Apparently the first group will be sixth to nine graders performing Bedrich Smetana’s “The Moldau” and others.  It’s going to be a combined effort of the Junior Youth String Orchestra with the Harrisburg Symphony Youth Orchestra. Later on the latter will be performing pieces by various artists, culminating in a bit of romance for the night with a performance of Tchaikovsky’s “Romeo and Juliet Fantasy Overture.”

I’m glad I didn’t suggest the Brewery since this sounds like it will be quite nice…or at least a bit of cultural sophistication.

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!

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!

 

Whoa! A Chocoholic’s Dream

admin January 29, 2012 Entertainment Comments Off on Whoa! A Chocoholic’s Dream

You won’t believe what’s happening today…right here in Harrisburg!  It’s the 17th Annual Chocolatefest!  Now first, that means this event happens every year (I’ve only been here 8 months so I wouldn’t know) and second, it’s chocolate and lots of it!!!!  And I am such a chocoholic so it truly is a thrill for me.

I can get there in 10 minutes by car; it’s going to be at the Great American Hall (at Hershey Lodge), organized by Keystone Human Services.

There’s going to be tons of chocolate (of course), wine, champagne and lots of appetizers.  As well there will be a cake competition – hope I get to try some of the entries.  It’s a little pricey to get in – $50 – but Dani said she really wanted to go so I’m going to treat us both.

It actually started today but Dani was busy so I was fine with that. And it’s going to be a black tie event so I have to hire a tux!  So it’s not exactly going to be a cheap night out but I’m looking forward to it.  I’m also looking forward to seeing Dani in a cute little black dress…perhaps even more so than the event itself!

Wow all of my fantasies in one:  wine, chocolate and a lovely lady by my side. Things really are looking up thank God.

Farm Show Freebie Fun

admin January 22, 2012 Entertainment Comments Off on Farm Show Freebie Fun

The kids were with me over the weekend which is always a little bittersweet.  I mean, of course I look forward to seeing them, but I usually get a bit stressed before they come as I worry if they are going to have a good time and what kind of mood they will be in.  And then I get sad as Sunday night approaches and I know it’ll soon be time for them to leave.  Still, we had the Farm Show at least to look forward to so I had a planned activity with them.

The show was incredibly kid-oriented. First, there was a guy running around with a bag of goodies and freebies for everyone – that sure put a smile on all my kids’ faces.  If you’re a bargain-hunter (which I’m not) you can really find a ton of great stuff.  Zach picked up a funky Superman ruler so he was happy.

Once we got home, the kids were comparing all the free stuff they got which kept them busy for ages.  Then it was time for pizza!  We ordered two large pies from Mama’s Pizza and then set down to watch a movie that, surprisingly, we actually all enjoyed – Home Alone 2.  So, all in all it was a fun weekend which went down very smoothly; I was incredibly grateful for that.  Now I just have to see how I can amuse myself tonight so that I don’t wallow in my sadness that they’ve left.

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 Opera

admin January 16, 2012 Entertainment Comments Off on Harrisburg Opera

Last night my girlfriend – yes the lady I’ve been seeing for the past few weeks informed me of our new titles for each other – went to hear the Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra.  By the way, I don’t think I mentioned this in my previous post, but her name is Danielle, Dani for short.    Anyway she was telling me all about it and I realized that if I want to keep this relationship going then I’ll have to boost my culture a little to keep her impressed.

So the star of the opera was a woman called Di Wu who played Edvard Grieg’s Piano Concert through her very own interpretation.  Dani told me she loved it.   Apparently this has been played over and over again since it was first created 144 years ago, but Di Wu had something outstanding to add.  It was said that she didn’t play the piece, but she “flow[ed] through it.”  Dani said it was a real treat and she would have loved me to have been there.

Well, that of course made me happy – the part about her wanting me to be there – but I was a bit concerned about how much she seems to know about opera and how many gaps there are in my culture knowledge.  Still, I guess I can try to show enthusiasm and then see where that goes.  As long as I show an interest in my “girlfriend’s” hobbies that should be enough.  At least, I hope it is.