Marathon Runners

admin December 12, 2015 Sports Comments Off on Marathon Runners

marathonSo each year, once one marathon is over, I vow to train for the next one. And each year I keep that promise…for about a week. So this year again I unfortunately missed out and was very unfit by the time the marathon rolled around.

Not that my entrance into the race would have turned heads like Leroy Soltzfus did. But perhaps the 22-year old didn’t want to become famous for the reason he did. It wasn’t due to his speed or grace that Solzfus made headlines but what he was wearing as he was running. You see, Soltzfus – who completed the race in just over three hours – is Amish and actually was clad in clothes typical to that religion. Which is not, as you can imagine, very typical to marathon runners in general.

What was even more interesting for me personally was how Soltzfus described his love of running. He said he uses it to deter his entry into sin! Perhaps I should try that next time I’m ordering a third beer for the night!

Take a Walk on the Wild Side

admin November 12, 2015 Harrisburg environment Comments Off on Take a Walk on the Wild Side

walkingOr just in Harrisburg, if Harrisburg residents have anything to do with it. He seems to be on a mission to make our city more walk-friendly. There were a bunch of people who came to the City Hall meeting a couple of weeks ago to discuss how to shape the future of our city. And it seemed that making it a more walkable-friendly hood was quite a popular one.

Another idea was to incorporate the old Bishop McDevitt stadium into Reservoir Park. Cornelius Johnson argued that this would “create opportunities for musical concerts and festivals that could generate tourism and summer jobs.”

I personally backed the idea of building refreshment kiosks along the Riverfront Park. It’s a perfect place for me when my kids come to visit. But if there was food available for purchase too, that would give a whole additional new element to our visits.

Anyway whatever eventually goes down I think it’s just fabulous that people are taking such an interest in improving facilities and options throughout our city.

Hip Hop Harrisburg

admin October 11, 2015 Entertainment Comments Off on Hip Hop Harrisburg

music festivalFor the second consecutive year, Harrisburg residents are able to enjoy a hip-hop musical festival. The PennsylMania Music Fest that started yesterday brings together around 15 artists hailing from the Harrisburg, Lancaster and York area at Harrisburg’s very own Abbey Bar, Appalachian Brewing Company.

I think I’m going to go. I missed it last year (when apparently there were around 300 people) because I had the kids but this year I am planning on asking my girlfriend to accompany me there. I think it will make for a nice evening out. I’m not so into the music but I think the atmosphere will be great.

Besides, it’s always good to support local events isn’t it?

Woo-Hoo for Festivals!!!

admin September 7, 2015 Entertainment Comments Off on Woo-Hoo for Festivals!!!

harvest-festivalThe Harrisburg Harvest Festival, that took place over the last weekend in August, was just awesome. We had such fun. Indeed, it has quite become the main pulling event of Harrisburg. I think Brian Latta, our City Manager, got his goal accomplished when he said that they wanted to make sure the Festival was “a local celebration for our heritage, farming and the grass seed harvest.” It truly was.

Also it’s good because apart from last year, they didn’t have the Harvest Festival for like a decade and a half. I’d really missed it. Was very glad it came back. They decided it would be a good way to draw people in to town and farmers were interested in doing it again. I think they succeeded.

Either way my kids loved the tent with games and the horseshoe tournament was just so different! In my opinion, it was a great pre back-to-school activity. And now that my kids are back in school I think I might just have to have a little festival of my own! Happy fall everyone!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Harrisburg Happenings

admin August 7, 2015 Entertainment Comments Off on Harrisburg Happenings

foodThere is a lot going on in Harrisburg over the summer. The two events that particularly caught my interest happened last week. First, the AFRAM Celebration that took place at my son’s school (Marshall Elementary School) which had a ton of stuff from various African-American businesses and youth groups. There was lots of yummy food being sold by local vendors too. I enjoyed a delectable hog jowl – I know, I know, probably not the healthiest thing I could have consumed but too delicious for words!

The other event I went to the next day with my girlfriend was the Equality Fest. I felt like considering I’m sort of from the older generation (okay yes I admit it I’m middle aged!) it was time I started understanding and accepting the whole gay thing that is truly a part of our lives now. This was a great festival and a fun way to pull down barriers. There were lots of crafts music and different performances as well as a wedding expo that was truly quite colorful and beautiful.

I look forward to the rest of the summer in Harrisburg! Bring on the festivals I say.

 

 

Rain, Rain, Go Away, Come Again Another Day

admin July 7, 2015 Entertainment Comments Off on Rain, Rain, Go Away, Come Again Another Day

rainSeriously? Rain? On July 4? That’s not okay. How disappointing can you get!!! We were all so looking forward to the Harrisburg festivities this year for Independence Day. There were a lot of activities – for free (which is always great in summer – I wanted to take the boys to. But the rain. Oh the rain.

So we kinda managed. City Island was really great. I was so nervous at the beginning as drizzling did start so I did my little rain dance prayer (rain, rain, go away, come again another day) and it started to lift! Maybe I have some magical powers after all. Or not!

It wasn’t to last though. Me & US were just about to start at 10 30 in the morning and whoa did we feel the rain come tumbling down. Still, people were in good spirits and they stayed. There were only a few of us at that point. The face painting for the kids couldn’t happen either – rain and face paint doesn’t really go so well! But that’s okay as my kids aren’t into that.

Luckily for us, the kids were really optimistic and into it all. So we didn’t leave (like I was suggesting) and managed to thoroughly enjoy the riverboat! Rather, we got through it and had a fun time, despite the rain not listening to my prayers.

Save Our Susquehanna

admin June 7, 2015 Harrisburg environment Comments Off on Save Our Susquehanna

In an effort to protect the Susquehanna River, SOS – Save Our Susquehanna – was just organized by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC). It is hoped that the campaign will help protect the young smallmouth bass population, which, over the last ten years or so has encountered illness and increased fatalities.

At the end of the day I would be devastated if the Susquehanna River didn’t make it. My kids have enjoyed hanging out there for years. And I agree with John Arway, the Executive Director of PFBC who noted the importance of preserving our “aquatic resources so they may be enjoyed by future generations as guaranteed by our state constitution.”

It really would be a terrible shame if my grandchildren are the last generation to benefit from these waters…

The campaign coincides with the upcoming start of bass season on June 13.

Microbrewery Celebration!

admin May 7, 2015 Entertainment Comments Off on Microbrewery Celebration!

breweryA few weeks ago Harrisburg enjoyed a huge celebration with the unification of craft breweries. The Harrisburg Beer Week enabled fans (and I’m certainly in that category!) to celebrate local microbrews for a full eight days throughout eateries and breweries in the region.

There were nearly 150 events during that week! Harrisburg has an awesome craft beer movement. I personally have an affinity toward Hershey’s Troegs, and Harrisburg’s Appalachian Brewing Company. Now there are microbreweries which have sprung off from that.

What else was great was that at the celebration you end up feeling quite virtuous (something that doesn’t happen all that often to me when I’m drinking beer!) as it is a fundraiser following the 2011 destruction of Cameron Street headquarters due to Tropical Storm Lee.

The celebration thus raises awareness for Harrisburg River Rescue too. So I really did eat, drink and became merry…with justification!

Bacco Pizzeria and Wine Bar

admin April 7, 2015 Entertainment Comments Off on Bacco Pizzeria and Wine Bar

Transforming from a nightclub – Club 20 – a pizza store and wine bar is due to open on 20 North Second Street in Harrisburg. This is because owner Max Randazzo believes that the nightclub scene in the area is becoming less popular and instead, restaurants are coming back “in” as it were.

Thus the focus of the new eatery will be Sicilian food, personal-pie pizzas, and more, all made in-house. What Randazzo is happy about is that he will be given the opportunity to do a wine bar which is something he’s always wanted to do. Tommy Pavlovic will be the eatery’s beverage director and he’s had a ton of experience in LA and other Harrisburg restaurants so for sure knows the scene and will be able to offer pre-Prohibition cocktails.

From my point of view this is great. My kids love pizza and I love wine! In addition I believe it will be a great venue to take a date. I for sure will order prosciutto as a topping. And then enjoy that with my cocktail with a difference!

Horse Expo Coming to Harrisburg

admin March 7, 2015 Entertainment Comments Off on Horse Expo Coming to Harrisburg

horse-racingHarrisburg is so underrated as the great city it is. There is just always so much going on – something for everyone. Take the Pennsylvania Horse Word Expo for example. In its 13th year, the biggest and longest-running hose expo in the mid-Atlantic is coming to town. In fact, we’re right in the middle of it now.

It started two days ago and lasts until tomorrow (the day I’m planning on taking the kids) at Harrisburg’s Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex and Expo Center which is always the perfect venue. It’s going to be crowded but my kids love the crowds. Also this year there is something I’m looking forward to – the show that choreographed comprising, circus, Wild West and horse ballet!

It’s definitely something different. And I love showing the kids how cool animals are, especially horses, one of my favorite types. Come to Harrisburg; it’s fun here!