Winter Harrisburg Fitness

jumping-jacksWhen it comes to the cold weather, the only thing I want to do is lie down and do absolutely nothing.  I mean, seriously, who wants to do anything other than snuggle under a blanket?

But apparently that’s really not the way to beat the blues.  The way to beat the winter blues is actually by exercising!  Aah! That doesn’t sound like fun!  But I read recently – and my girlfriend keeps confirming it (very into fitness is she) – that exercise is the most important when the weather is like this.

No matter what it is you do, just do something apparently is the message.  The idea is to REALLY sweat.  And the theory is, that by exerting energy – even if one is freezing to start with – it is like having an internal heater as one sweats so much from the exercise that they are no longer cold.

Now I get it. I really do.  I mean sweating sure is one way to get warm.  But the thought of getting dressed up, in the car and seek out some Harrisburg fitness actually fills me with dread.  So I came up with a different solution (and also a way of getting my 3 boys to exert some of their excess energy – something boys ALWAYS seem to have) and that is, jumping jacks in the living room.

Boy did we sweat!  And when my girlfriend gave me the Wahoo Fitness Heart Rate Monitor I figured I would get really competitive while getting in shape. What could be better?

Harrisburg Calendar in Sports

city-islandersHarrisburg City Islanders just began their busiest season ever.  Two days ago saw the start of the 11th USL PRO campaign.  Beginning and ending in North Carolina, the team will participate in 28 regular-season contests for the first time.

Included in this are four games that will be played against Dayton, three against Charleston, Richmond and Pittsburgh and home-and-home sets with Wilmington, Charlotte, Orlando.  The Rhinos are also taking part.  The single-game series will be played with the Blues, Sacramento, Phoenix, Los Angeles Galaxy II and Oklahoma City.

In 2013, the team played a home-and-home set with the Colorado Rapids reserves.

Open Stage: Harrisburg Clubs

microphoneI was looking for a show with a difference.  So when I read about Mark D. Lingenfelter’s one-man show at Open Stage of Harrisburg club I figured perhaps I should try it.  Apparently he opens by jumping out of a suitcase!  Well, that’s certainly an evening with a difference!

The show lasts for an hour and is funny, self-deprecating and altogether entertaining.  Or so the reviews say.  I’ll have to think about taking my lady friend.  I know that she’s not up for the regular Harrisburg clubs – I think I’m at the age now where I’m not either – so this might be something she’d agree to.

Well, it’s definitely worth a shot and worst case scenario, at least I’ll feel like I’m doing something with a little bit of culture.  After all, I have to lead by example with my boys if I ever want to get them off the Wii!

That’s it for now!

Christmas Things to Do with Kids in Harrisburg

fire-engineSo given that the ex is going to be with the kids over Christmas, I decided to find out what there was to do to celebrate the festivities prior to that.  The kids arrive today. When I heard about the event at the Pennsylvania National Fire Museum, I was delighted!  I mean, what boys don’t love fire engines and stuff?

From December 15 the museum hosted a new exhibit with a cool collection of artifacts from the hand-drawn equipment of history to the modern tools used today.  This is in the 1899 Victorian firehouse Reily Hose Company No. 10.  Fire equipment and fire company operations during the Civil War period throughout the museum will be highlighted. There will also be fire companies in the Commonwealth, military units composted of firefighters, firehouse mascots and major incidents which occurred around Penn. We’ll also get to see the 1840 Agnew hand pumper owned by the Undine Fire Company of Bellefonte. It’s sure to be a hit.  I think we’ll go tomorrow.

Apparently Santa is also coming for a visit.  And even if he doesn’t show up, there are plenty of other places to find him.  I don’t think any of my kids are too old for sitting on Santa’s knee…because I know for sure that I’m not.

Here’s to a very merry Christmas from me and the kids from Harrisburg.  Stay warm now.

Harrisburg Clubs: Gambling News

gamblingLegislation was approved last week by the state House of Representatives to expand gambling into bars and taverns in Pennsylvania.  Social and fraternal clubs would also gain increased control of gaming revenue.

I personally am quite delighted by this.  I believe gambling goes on in the region anyway, so why not make it proper?  Legalize it.  It’s fun and doesn’t harm anyone.  And it’s about time.  As executive director of the Pennsylvania Licensed Beverage Association, Amy Christie pointed out, they have worked really hard on just this for over two-and-a-half decades to give small businesses a “more level playing field.”

Put the power back in the hand of the little guy I say, and give us all a great place to go – legally – to have fun at the end of a long working week.  The only fear is that other places that offer it legally will lose out.  Well, to them I say, rise to the challenge and make your legal gambling place better and we’ll choose that.

Increase competition and everyone benefits, and it seems like House Majority Leader Mike Turzai, R-Bradford Woods agrees with me.  He described gaming expansion as being a “matter of fairness for businesses holding restaurant liquor licenses.”  And still, there will be limits.  Tavern games will have to institute single prize limits of $2,000 per chance and licensees won’t be allowed to offer more than $35,000 in total prizes per week.

Bring it on!

Harrisburg fitness – Gearing Up for the Half Marathon

hershey-parkIn a couple of days from now, Harrisburg will be hosting its annual half marathon for Children’s Miracle Network and Penn State Hershey Children’s Hospital. Starting at Hersheypark Stadium and going through Hersheytown and Chocolate Town, this event will certainly be one way for runners to burn calories and get in shape even if they happen to stop for a snack along the way!

In recognition of their efforts all races and volunteers will be given complimentary passes to Hersheypark’s attractions. But ultimately, apart from increasing Harrisburg fitness on a personal and communal level, the real reward is the knowledge of helping out these kids through the money raised.

Harrisburg Clubs for Comedy

gottfriedI feel like I need a bit of a laugh.  I’m tired and I’ve had a long summer. Things at work have been challenging.  In addition the kids were pretty bored when they spent a couple of weeks with me.  That got stressful. So now that things are back to normal, I want to do something for me and something that will take my mind off things.  Harrisburg clubs have definitely improved in the last few years so I’m excited to check out what’s going on.

I was glad to see that Gilbert Gottfried is performing this week at the one of Harrisburg clubs.  The Second Street Comedy Club also hosted Carmen Lynch last Saturday and I know that was a real hit. But I particularly liked Gottfried when he was a Saturday Night Live cast member so I’m sure it’ll be a blast.

I know that he’s been criticized for his somewhat dark humor at times (true, he probably did go over the top with the 9/11 digs) but I feel like it’s just what I need right now.  So I’m going to see if some of my mates want to join me this Saturday. Here’s hoping for a good laugh this coming weekend.  I sure do need it.

Summer: Things to Do with Kids in Harrisburg

WigglesIt’s not so easy figuring out how to keep one’s kids occupied for the whole summer.  That’s probably why my ex-wife has sent the three boys to me for a fortnight!  But I’m determined to make the most of it.  So I’ve been scouring the papers and the web for things to do with kids in Harrisburg in August.  So far I’ve taken the little one to Preschool story-time at Wildwood Park where he got sticky fingers making a bunch of cute crafts.  Then the other two joined us in the park just hanging out. I was surprised how much they all enjoyed the play time in the park.  I must take them again because it’s really beautiful out there.

Today there’s also The Wiggles. I’m not sure if my kids are really too old for this but the little one for sure wants to go.  He keeps saying “Wiggles, Wiggles, watch me giggle” and runs around giggling! It’s really cute.  His older brothers might enjoy just watching him watch it.  Anyway we don’t have tickets yet but we may take a stroll down to the Hershey Theatre later on and see what the situation is as we have nothing else planned for the day.

So it’s true.  It’s not easy to find things to do with kids in Harrisburg, or indeed anywhere during the summer. Stuff is expensive and crowded.  But with a bit of research and a good attitude, we may just manage to enjoy the last two weeks of the school vacation.

Millers Mutual Harrisburg Mile

I so wish I would have been there.  What a great thing to do, to take part in the Millers Mutual Harrisburg Mile.  Even a 10-month-old “ran” the race!  I just read that Elyse Byers was carried in a sling by mom Kelly Byers all the way from Maclay to Boas Street.  Now that really puts me to shame.  If she managed it, I for sure should have been able to do it. Just didn’t get my act together really.

In a sense it wasn’t the first time Kelly Byers had carried her baby in a race.  The year before – at 8 months pregnant with Elyse inside – she also did it!  This was the first time ever though that Kelly had run with her baby (who weighs 19 pounds) not inside of her.  It was only a day earlier that she actually even bought a sling.  But, of the little package, Byers said, “she was great.  She had her sippy cup, so she was happy.”  Apparently there were close to 1,800 participants.  Well, I’m definitely going to do it next year.

Improving Harrisburg Fitness

walking-school-busSince I am trying to not only get myself fit, but also my kids, I was delighted to read about the grants being given to improve the overall levels of Harrisburg fitness.  While of course the schools’ program won’t affect my kids (since they go to schools by their mom’s), the community-based groups initiatives do have the potential to help them reach higher levels of fitness when they come on weekends.

This initiative was established by the Department of Health in the region and the Penn State Hershey PRO Wellness Center.  The idea was to give community groups funds for sporting activities to enhance overall Harrisburg fitness.   The long-term goal is to encourage all students – even those with disabilities – to walk or cycle to school and other activities.

I totally agree with the statement made by Michael Wolf, Secretary of Health on enhancing Harrisburg fitness.  He said, “the administration’s goal of a healthier Pennsylvania starts with our children.  While we encourage all Pennsylvanians to be more physically active, we know the importance of instilling healthy habits in our children, as they are more likely to become healthy adults.”  Close to $90,000 is being put into this program.  I think it’s wonderful.