York sets schedule for move to new city hall

Posted on February 7, 2012 by emily opilo

A schedule for city offices to move to York’s new city hall at 101 S. George St. has been set, according to a news release from city officials Tuesday.

City offices currently located at One Marketway West will move on Wednesday March 14 and Thursday March 15. Public works, human resources, and the city clerk will move on March 14. Economic and community development, the city solicitors and the police inspector will move on March 15.

The city finance and treasurer’s offices will move from the existing city hall at 50 W. King St. on Friday March 16 after business hours. The offices will be open for business at the new location on Monday March 19. The finance office processes sewer and refuse bills as well as payments for parking tickets and monthly parking permits.

All remaining employees at 50 W. King St. will move on Tuesday March 20.

Phone numbers and email addresses for city offices and employees will remain the same. Free parking will be available for city hall visitors in the lot at 101 S. George St.

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Gov. Corbett signs off on Safe Passing Act

Posted on February 4, 2012 by Stephanie Reighart

Chris Fitz, a native of York, rides his bike through the city in April. DAILY RECORD/SUNDAY NEWS -- FILE

Cyclists will soon have the wind at their backs when it comes to staying safer on the state’s roadways.

Gov. Tom Corbett put his signature on the Safe Passing Act Thursday. The law will require a four-foot berth when motorists pass bicyclists.

“Cyclists have the right to share the road,” said Rep. Ron Miller (R-York), who created the bill and has been pressing the issue in the House for nearly two terms.

Before the Safe Passing Act, there wasn’t a law to require a specific distance for passing motorists, said Miller. “They were just encouraged to drive safely.”

Along with the four-foot berth, the Safe Passing Act includes language prohibiting right turns in front of a cyclist.

“They’re called J-turns,” said Miller. “If a motorist and a cyclist are approaching an intersection and the cyclist wants to go straight, the cyclist has the right of way.”

Andy Hanson lives in Glen Rock and bicycle commutes to work in York. “I wasn’t even aware that the bill was signed,” Hanson said on Friday. “And if I don’t know, I’m sure not many others do.”

The lack of awareness is a part of the law’s intention, Miller said. “We’re looking for a major outreach from the biking community to educate fellow bikers” and the motorists with whom they share the road.

Hanson acknowledges the law is a step in the right direction, but he still has doubts it will change the way cyclists and motorists behave on the roads.

“People don’t think (cyclists) belong on the roads,” said Hanson. “I’m still going to commute with caution.”

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Jazz in the City to return on Friday

Posted on February 1, 2012 by emily opilo

York’s Jazz in the City concert program will be back for another installment Friday at the Strand-Capitol Performing Arts Center.

The once a month program is held in conjunction with First Friday each month from 5 to 7 p.m. in the Strand’s studio. A $3 cover charge is collected at the door, but students with identification are admitted for free.

February’s performance will feature Ron Waters on trumpet, Jim Wood on piano, Mike Boone on bass and Jeff Stabley on drums.

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If I were mayor of York, I would …

Posted on January 31, 2012 by Tom Barstow

If I were mayor of York, I would walk into every neighborhood and ask those who own homes which properties cause problems in their block.

I would quickly sort out those who don’t have anything intelligent to say from those who make good points.

Good points would include the following:

A property is bank-owned and isn’t selling.

A property is a haven for criminal activity.

A property clearly has zoning or code issues — such as ones that visibly are falling apart.

I would point to the yards with litter.

I would then assign a city worker to help solve those problems.

Continue reading →

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Plaza Palooza set to return in 2012

Posted on January 31, 2012 by emily opilo

Ethan Strausbaugh, age 7, of Springettsbury Township leaps to hit a giant interactive game during Plaza Palooza.

After attracting more than 1,000 people in it’s inaugural season, Bring On Play’s Plaza Palooza series will be back for a second season in 2012.

The family-oriented event held throughout the fall at York’s Sovereign Bank Stadium featured fames, crafts, inflatable play equipment and a portable ice rink.

The 2012 Plaza Palozza series will be held Sundays from Oct. 14 to Dec. 2.

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Fair for home buyers to be held Saturday in York

Posted on January 31, 2012 by emily opilo

Local residents interested in buying a home in the city are invited to a housing fair in York Saturday.

The event, which will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the YMCA of York and York County, 90 N. Newberry St., will include tours of newly renovated homes for sale in the city, advice from local professionals and information about funding programs that are available to buyers.

Parking will be available in the YMCA’s Clarke Avenue lot. For questions or additional information call Jessica Fieldhouse at 854-1541, extension 123.

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Fantasy Baseball Spring Training, right here in York

Posted on January 29, 2012 by william hanlon

Ron Shandler, of BaseballHQ.com and writer of the annaul Baseball Forecaster, will be coming to the Marin Library on Saturday, Feb. 11.

Baseball season is still a few months away, but to fantasy baseball enthusiasts out there, it’s about that time of year to start prepping for another season. And what better way to get started than with the help of a couple of experts, who are coming right here to York County to help you get ready for your draft.

Ron Shandler of BaseballHQ.com (and writer of the annual Baseball Forecaster)  and Paul White of USA Today Sports Weekly are coming Saturday, Feb. 11, to the Martin Library in York for a three-hour Q&A session that starts at 1 p.m.

According to Fran Keller, the library’s director of marketing, it’s the 22nd year of the program, although I’m not sure if that’s counting the 2010 event, which had to be canceled because York County got hammered with snow that weekend.

Continue reading →

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Connect the dots: The Peace Corps wants to fill the holes in their volunteer database

Posted on January 28, 2012 by Stephanie Reighart

Last year The Peace Corps celebrated its 50th anniversary of sending Americans to volunteer around the world. Throughout 2011, volunteers and former employees of The Peace Corps came together to commemorate the occasion. During the process of attempting to contact 50 years of Peace Corps alumni, one thing became very clear for Erica Burman and her staff at the communications office of the National Peace Corps Association: There is not a complete record of the 250,000 people who have served or worked for The Peace Corps.

Beginning this month, Burman, the National Peace Corps Association’s director of communications, is promoting the “find the 250K” project. By 2016, the group wants to fill all the holes in their alumni database.

“This will provide a way for former volunteers and employees to stay connected,” said Burman. “And it will be a professional development network after volunteers return home.”

Volunteers or employees from any year can go to www.peacecorpsconnect.org/findthe250k and fill out a brief form to enter their information.

“If a volunteer is not sure that the Peace Corps has their contact information, they can still fill out the form and their information will be cross checked with our records,” said Burman.

More than 7,000 volunteers were added to the database last year during celebrations, but there is still a lot of work to be done, Burman said.

“The Peace Corps is a diffuse community of individuals,” said Burman. “We want to facilitate contacts between volunteers across eras.”

PEACE CORPS VOLUNTEERS: How long ago was your service? What did you learn? Share your story with me! sreighart@ydr.com

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Cupcake cafe offers trendy design, yummy treats

Posted on January 24, 2012 by Rebecca LeFever

YDR photographer Jason Plotkin snapped this shot of Just Cupcake's treats after the stand opened at Central Market.

I’ve been to Central Market a number of times. I walk up and down the aisles. Smelling the soaps, sipping on coffee, examining the produce prices. But I’d never stopped by Just Cupcakes.

There’s usually a line.

A few weeks ago, when the morning routine got a little boring, my boyfriend and I made the trek to the bakery’s new cafe on Philadelphia Street, just across the street from Central Market.

We were the only people inside the shop, which didn’t surprise us. We’ve stopped by many downtown eateries and been the only people inside. I’d like to think it has nothing to do with us.

The shop is decorated with bright colors and patterns and several tables line the wall. A paper cut out pasted to the wall showed the 12-days of Christmas in the shape of a Christmas tree. It was comforting and quaint and I could barely pull myself from the display case of cupcakes. I couldn’t decide which flavor to choose, so I picked out three minis: pumpkin, chocolate peanut butter and chocolate chocolate. Continue reading →

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York officials: No saving parking spaces

Posted on January 23, 2012 by emily opilo

Alright guys, move your chairs.

In the wake of the snow that coated York County over the weekend, city officials are reminding residents that saving parking spaces is strictly forbidden.

We know, we know. It was a lot of work shoveling out that space, and your lousy neighbors didn’t do the same. But items that are not removed will be collected as trash and not returned, according to a city news release.

For those of you with furniture, trashcans or more creative measures blocking your space,  you’ve been advised.

Posted in apartment living, Emily Opilo, parking, winter | Tagged , , | 1 Comment