Love it

I am going to let this picture tell the story.

Rubber Band ball

This is my Rubber Band Ball at work. I have one at home, too. I was thinking about the Bloomsburg Fair today as I was busy at work. I took quick a break and snapped this photo, as I put down the brochure, my Mom sent me.

GABF Iron Hill Brewery and Oktoberfest

Iron Hill Brewery Lancaster PA

CONGRATULATIONS TO Iron Hill BREWERS

For bringing home two medals from the 2009 Great American Beer Festival~~ Gold Medal: Schwarzbier, German Style Schwarzbier category &

Silver Medal: Raspberry Torte, American Style Sour Ale category

F&M Presents 2 Great Speakers

Intergenerational Feminism: A Dialogue

October 7 2009 at 7 p.m.The Roschel Performing Arts Center
Lecture by author Ariel Levy and award-winning novelist and poet Robin Morgan.
Ariel Levy is a contributing writer for The New Yorker and author of Female Chauvinist Pigs: Women and the Rise of Raunch Culture.
After graduating from Wesleyan University, Levy worked for Planned Parenthood, but says she was fired after a week because she was “an extremely poor typist.” Shortly after her dismissal she was hired by New York magazine (as a typist) and, in 2008, joined The New Yorker.
She has appeared on National Public Radio’s Fresh Air, ABC’s Oprah and Comedy Central’s The Colbert Report.
Veteran feminist Robin Morgan is an award-winning poet, novelist and journalist who has published 20 books, including the anthologies Sisterhood Is Powerful and Sisterhood Is Global.
Morgan is founder of The Sisterhood Is Global Institute and co-founder of The Women’s Media Center. In 1990, as editor-in-chief of Ms., she relaunched the magazine as an international, award-winning, ad-free bimonthly, resigning in late 1993 to become consulting global editor. Among her many honors is a National Endowment for the Arts Prize in poetry.
This event is sponsored by the Alice Drum Women’s Center, CLAS, Philadelphia Alumni Writers House and the Coeducation Planning Committee.
This event is part of the College’s celebration of 40 years of coeducation.

I am a big fan of both of these women. I discovered Robin Morgan in 8th or 9th grade and still have a dogeared copy of Sisterhood is Powerful somewhere. I read The New Yorker everyweek so I am excited to go to this talk. I may even geek out and ask Ariel to sign my THE NEW YORKER baseball cap. :)

Lead and H2o Lancaster City PA

I liked this additional informational sheet that came with my freakin' water and sewer bill. I pay for the water coming into the house and going out of the house...

"Lead is not present in City drinking water when it leaves our water treatment plants and underground pipes. Water can leach lead from brass or chromed-plated brass faucets and fixtures in the home. If you have questions about City drinking water, contact Al Nagy at 717.291.4833 or anagy@cityoflancasterpa.com.

If present, elevated levels of lead can cause serious health problems, especially for pregnant women and young children. Lead in drinking water is primarily from materials and components associated with service lines and home plumbing. The City of Lancaster is responsible for providing high quality drinking water, but cannot control the variety of materials used in plumbing components. When your water has been sitting for several hours, you can minimize the potential for lead exposure by flushing your tap for 30 seconds to 2 minutes before using water for drinking or cooking. If you are concerned about lead in your water, you may wish to have your water tested. Information on lead in drinking water, test methods, and steps you can take to minimize exposure is available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline or at http://www.epa.gov/safewater/lead.

I would like to see a PSA saying FLUSH Your Tap-30-2.

Local GABF Winners 2009

Local GABF 2009 winners....

Category: 24 German-Style Pilsener, 48 Entries>
Bronze: Troegs Sunshine Pils, Troegs Brewing Co., Harrisburg, PA
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Category: 37 Bock, 40 Entries
Gold: Troegenator, Troegs Brewing Co., Harrisburg, PA
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Category: 41 German Style Kölsch, 43 Entries

Bronze: Stoudts Kolsch, Stoudt Brewing Co., Adamstown, PA
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Category: 72 American-Style Stout, 22 Entries

Silver: Troegs Dead Reckoning, Troegs Brewing Co., Harrisburg, PA
More info. Here....
http://www.greatamericanbeerfestival.com/medals/medalists.aspx

Capitalism a love story

On September 22nd: Join Michael Moore and local unions for a march on Wall Street at 4:30 p.m. starting at 102 North End Avenue in New York City to Broad Street and Exchange Place.

DIVIDE & CONQUER SEPTEMBER 23rd: 'Capitalism: A Love Story' Hits New York's Lincoln Plaza and Angelika Theaters; Los Angeles's Arclight Hollywood and Landmark Theaters....Coming Soon: Info on Free October 1st Screenings in America's Hardest Hit Cities and Towns .

http://michaelmoore.com/

Elizabeth Warren makes an appearance in this film!! It is a love story after all.......http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elizabeth_Warren

http://www.capitalismalovestory.com/

SONIC(R) Drive-In Limeades for Learning(SM)

SONIC(R) Drive-In Limeades for Learning(SM)

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Music Friday in Downtown Lancaster PA

XPN Welcomes Music Friday
The third Friday of every month, from 6 p.m.–9 p.m., Downtown Lancaster and WXPN host Music Friday. Performances abound at over 20 public spaces, restaurants and stores throughout Downtown. Performances include belly dancing, a jazz quintet, solo acoustic, rock and Americana groups. Each month brings new performers to Music Friday. For a list of participating merchants, visit : www.DowntownLancaster.com

Half Way to St. Pat's-Quips PUB

Fall is here and Quips Pub in Lancaster PA is excited about their fall events!!
FIRST OFF-
Thursday and Friday, September 17-18

Half Way to St. Patties Day featuring:

$4 Irish Pints
Irish Stew
Leg O’ Lamb
Corn beef & Cabbage
Bag Pipes
Irish Music all Night
and then----
Friday and Saturday October 23-24

Our Harvest Celebration with Wheat beer specials and more!! http://www.quipspub.com/

Mug CLUB Party Iron Hill Lancaster Sept 18th 2009

WITH GUEST BREWER-----------------
mugclub party @ IRON HILL BREWERY LANCASTER
FEATURING: BEYOND THE GATES DOUBLE IPA.
A HIGHLY HOPPED BREW FEATURING PLENTY OF CASCADE
AND COLUMBUS HOPS. THESE VARIETIES GIVE BEYOND
THE GATES A FLORAL CITRUS AROMA, AND PACK PLENTY
OF HOPPED UP FLAVOR INTO THIS FULL BODIED ALE,
WHICH IS COMING IN @ 7.5 ABV. LET US TAKE YOU
BEYOND THE GATES, AND YOU’LL NEVER LOOK BACK.
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18
5:00 - 8:00 PM
GUEST BREWERY
Springhouse Brewing Company
Meet Owner/Headbrewer Matt Keasey
members only
Also on Tap: Iron Hill's Permanent Midnight

Dine Out 2009

After more than 15 years of Dine Out in South Central Pennsylvania, the event will come to a close on Wednesday, September 23, 2009. Join supports restaurants throughout Lancaster, Harrisburg, Carlisle and York to help make a difference in the fight against AIDS in South Central Pennsylvania.
Wednesday, September 23 - 5PM to Close
Participating in Dine Out is easy. Invite all of your friends and family to join you eating at any of the participating restaurants listed below. Each of the generous locally owned establishments will contribute 15% to 35% of your total food order to support HIV care and prevention services in our local community. You get to enjoy great food and great company while 100% of the proceeds from the event help individuals, families and communities here in South Central Pennsylvania.
Many participating restaurants will be busy on the night of Dine Out. Most take reservations. Call today to be sure that you get a table at your favorite Dine Out Restaurant. (Remember, Take Out also helps make a difference that evening!)

Lancaster Area-

Chestnut Hill Cafe - 532 West Chestnut Street, Lancaster - 717.509.2008

Culturas Tapas Restaurant - 2151 Columbia Avenue, Lancaster - 717.509.4386

El Serrano Restaurant - 2151 Columbia Avenue, Lancaster - 717.397.6191

The Fireside Tavern - 1500 Historic Drive, Strasburg - 717.687.7979

The General Sutter Inn - 14 East Main Street, Lititz - 717.626.2115

Gibraltar - 931 Harrisburg Avenue, Lancaster - 717.397.2790

The Olde Greenfield Inn - 595 Greenfield Road, Lancaster - 717.393.0668

Taj Mahal Indian Cuisine - 2080 Bennett Avenue, Lancaster - 717.295.1434

For other restaurants check out this link: http://www.aca-pa.com/dineout/

Ready Notify PA

I saw this full page ad in the Philadelphia Inquirer this past Thursday-09/03/09 about warnings for emergencies for different counties in the southeast area like: Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, Bucks, Philadelphia. September is National Emergency Preparedness Month anyway but since I work in Montgomery County and travel through Chester County I signed up @ http://www.readynotifypa.org/

but I LIVE in LANCASTER County. Where is the notification system for Lancaster County?

In an emergency you are either ready or you'r not. Be ready. Make a plan. Get what you need.

New News For Lancaster PA

Lancaster Misc. News

** Best Buy is scheduled to open Oct. 22, 2009.

** 915 Cafe has reopened open from renovations inside the 915 N Plum St. location.

Sad news about Space to Grow closing which was located by Central Market @ 45 N Market St., downtown lancaster.

The Big Move is Coming

AREVA NP Inc. will be delivering two 510-ton steam generators to TMI late summer/early fall. AREVA’s project management team has researched many possible scenarios to find the most efficient and least disruptive route. It is a 70 mile course over land passing through multiple municipalities. The anticipated length of the journey is 20 days. This should start in 1 week. Everybody ready? Route Map:

http://www.areva-np.com/us/liblocal/images/Images%20Equipment/Route_Map.pdf

and for more info. http://www.areva-np.com/scripts/us/publigen/content/templates/show.asp?P=1311&L=US&SYNC=Y

Sept. 14, 2009 is for book lovers

Wow, Sept. 14, 2009 is going to be a big day/week in the publishing world. In this week's edition of Entertainment Weekly, there is a small article claiming that the week of September 14th could be publishing's biggest week ever. Why? Here are the highlights...

Release of Ted Kennedy's memoir "True Compass" - on sale September 14. Very timely after Kennedy's recent passing.

Release of Jon Krakauer's "Where Men Win Glory" - on sale September 15, about a NFL player turned soldier. Krakauer is most notable for his novel "Into the Wild".

Oprah Winfrey's latest Book Club selection, to be announced September 18.

Release of Dan Brown's next Robert Langdon installment entitled "The Lost Symbol", hits shelves September 15.

Also I would like to mention The Meaning of Matthew by Judy Sheppard is out.
The mother of Matthew Shepard shares her story about her son's death and the choice she made to become an international gay rights activist.

and Official Book Club Selection: A Memoir According to Kathy Griffin will be released this coming Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2009.

Point of View

I took this picture when I was at the Point of View Movie Theatre in Millersville, Pa the other Sunday and saw Food INC. I really like going to the Point of View (POV). It's old and it's the only art house theatre in the Lancaster area.

My old friend Dave Norton

Here's an article about an old friend from Bloomsburg that I went to High School with. He was a few years younger than me. He now lives in Chicago.

CRITICAL BENCH: How did you get involved with Cyclesports?

I've always loved bikes since I can remember. Starting with drag racing big wheels (no, not racing wearing a dress), down West Street in Bloomsburg Pa, where I grew up. When I got into high school, I became too cool for a bike, and chose a muscle car instead. While living in Germany with the Army in 1987, I bought a mountain bike, and rode it everywhere. More cobblestones than dirt, but still rode the heck out of that bike. Mountain biking was VERY new then. I had no clue. In 1990 I went on my first mountain bike ride in Pa after getting out of the Army. 30 miles in the snow with an experienced friend, and I began to "slightly" hallucinate due to exhaustion. AKA "BONK". From that day on I was hooked. I first raced in the desert outside of Las Vegas in 1996. Usually came in top five in the beginner class. (nothing to write home about) So I guess that's when the racing bug bit me.

Here's more of the article:

http://www.criticalbench.com/Dave_Nevada_Norton.htm

All Hail the Billtown Craft-Beer Revolution! (part 1 of 2)

All Hail the Billtown Craft-Beer Revolution! (part 1 of 2)

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Enterprising Spirits, Part II: Craft Breweries and the Future of Beer Distribution in PA

Enterprising Spirits, Part II: Craft Breweries and the Future of Beer Distribution in PA

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Craft Beer in a CAN

From NPR.org

Putting good beer in a can used to be considered something close to blasphemy, but that's how several brave craft breweries across the country have recently started offering their beer. And despite the stigma, sales are booming — especially in Anchorage, Alaska.
"For decades, bad beer — cheap beer, I should say; no beer is bad — cheap beer has been in a can," says John Burket with a laugh.
Burket is an early believer in the potential of good canned beer. He's a beer lover and a local beverage distributor in Anchorage. Burket thought cans would be easier than bottles to take camping, fishing or hiking. They're lighter to ship. And he says the beer actually tastes better, too. Cans protect the ingredients from sunlight and oxygen, which degrade the flavor over time.
"The product is every bit as good in a can, possibly even better," he says. "Everybody who does try it is shocked — and loves it."
But Burket didn't have many converts in Anchorage until early this year, when the city stopped recycling glass. Since then, he's watched the market for good canned beer explode. In Anchorage, the cans often cost a dollar or two more a six-pack than similar beer in bottles. But Burket says even that doesn't seem to matter.
"Actually the biggest problem we have now is trying to get more and more in. We get some in, we run out, we get some in, we run out."
That supply issue is one Clay Brackley knows well. He's the head brewer at the Sleeping Lady Brewery in downtown Anchorage. A few years ago, the pub invested in a small hand-canning system, to package its Urban Wilderness pale ale. In the beginning, Brackley says, sales were bleak. "The first couple of years were very depressing, very tough," he says.
But then this summer rolled around.
"It's been insane this year. It's been over a thousand times what we did last year," he says. "They sell faster than we can make them."
Brackley recruited nine volunteers to help manage the extra work. On this day, though, it's just him and a beer intern, working in a dimly lit room in the brew pub's basement.
Brackley fills each can from a machine that looks a bit like a gas station coffee dispenser. Then he hands it to the intern, who seals on the top and stamps the cans together with a plastic six-pack ring.
It's a labor-intensive process. Brackley imagines a day when Sleeping Lady can upgrade to an automatic system. Several craft breweries have already made that leap. One of the largest, Big Sky Brewing in Montana, installed a line last spring that fills 60 cans a minute. They're selling twice as fast as the company expected.
Oskar Blues Brewery in Colorado sells only canned beer.
"We knew it would be an obstacle," Oskar Blues' co-founder Marty Jones says. "The first stores we took our beer to said, 'We think that's funny and we appreciate your guts, but no craft beer lover will spend craft beer prices to buy beer in a can.' "
Oskar Blues now sells its cans in 25 states. And Jones reports sales are up more than 80 percent for the first half of this year. "We're growing like mad. We opened a new brewery last April to try to keep up with demand and we've already added some tanks to that brewery to try to keep up."
According to the national Brewers Association, 45 craft breweries across the country now can at least some beer. Back in Anchorage, Burket predicts good canned beer will take off first in outdoor-lifestyle states like California, Oregon, Montana and Alaska.
"I think that's where you'll see the cans really hit first, and then it will spread," he says.
But even can enthusiasts like Burket don't want beer lovers drinking their favorite brew straight from the can. He says no matter what package the beer comes in, it can't be properly enjoyed until it's poured into a glass.

Here in PA Slyfox puts some of their caft beer in cans-yum.
Annie Feidt reports for the Alaska Public Radio Network.