It's that time of year again that brings Manheim Township residents -- all ages -- all sizes -- together for a fun-filled day of activities, demonstrations and events.  Even the family dogs are invited!         The Manheim Township Commissioners proudly present our 18th Annual Community Day Celebration   Saturday, September 13, 2008 at the Overlook Community Campus   Elementary “Run for Fitness” Fun Run – 9:00 A.M. – For grades one through six.  Register by Thursday, September 11th.  For additional registration information, please contact the Recreation Office at 290-7180.   Antique Appraisal – 9:00 A.M. until 3:00 P.M. – provided by the Manheim Township Democratic Committee/Club.     Music – 10:00 A.M. until 1:00 P.M. – “Legacy” will provide live musical entertainment.   101.3 The Rose... 08/10/2008

My son came home this evening to ask me if I had heard about "the fire".  He's like the kid on the corner selling newspapers.. "Extra! Extra!" always informing me of the goings-on in the community and world, when I seem to be the last to know.  Nevertheless, word spread pretty quickly today about a house in a neighboring subdivision, which burned to the ground late last night.  Wetherburn is a popular neighborhood in Manheim Township, and the shock of hearing the news of one of it's homes burning to the ground had me reeling. To learn that a resident of the home, an elderly woman who used a walker to get around, lost her life in the fire, is just heartbreaking, and I extend my sympathies to the family and her loved ones. I inadvertently threw out today's newspaper in one of my "gotta cl... 08/09/2008

Here's a great example of a local business making a difference in advancing the green building agenda in Central PA.  Everyone tends to focus on the "front end" - the builders, designers and installers of sustainable building techniques & systems.  But what about the "back end"?  Intelligent handling of jobsite waste is a prime area for green real estate professionals to tackle.  Mr. Frescatore is to be commended for his milestone. Press Release: 10,000 Tons of Construction Waste Debris Recycled 8/7/2008 EAST HEMPFIELD, LANCASTER COUNTY, PA, AUGUST 12, 2008: Frescatore Consulting, LLC, reached the milestone of diverting 10,000 tons of construction and demolition waste debris from landfills in Central Pennsylvania. This significant volume has been accomplished by managing the flow of was... 08/07/2008

While playing around with my new iPhone last week (before I decided to trade it in for a Centro) I had an opportunity to view the latest news articles from The New York Times directly on my phone. An interesting article caught my attention, and held it.  What's Lurking in Your Countertop is an article regarding the possibility of radon gas being emitted into your home - you guessed it - right from your countertops.  Not any ol' countertops, of course.  Granite countertops apparently are begining to be noticed as the cause of higher radon levels being read on monitors placed in or near the kitchen. Well, that just takes the cake!  I had plans on at some point installing granite in my home, but think I might need to think this through a bit more.  Not every slab of granite, according to t... 08/01/2008

      To Contact NathanOffice: 717-390-8706Cell : 717-572-7423Nathanmountain@aol.comView Nathan's ListingsView Open House Listings Castellum Realty LLC. 2938 Columbia Ave. Suite 602Lancaster, PA 17603Office:(717) 390-8701Fax:(717) 390-8707Toll Free: (866) 980-8700Castellumrealty@verizon.net View Castellum's listings To Contact Everard Office: 717-390-8704 Cell: 717-816-4685 Everardk@yahoo.com View Evert's listings View Open House Listings       ___________________________________________________________________ Based in Lancaster, PA. Selling Worldwide! - Contact Us: (866)980-8700 Lancaster PA Real Estate - Hershey PA Real Estate - Lititz PA Real Estate Let us help you buy or sell your homes for sale in Lancaster County, PA Content & All photography is  © VkDesigns LLC - Castellum Realt... 07/24/2008

Well, it's going to be a hot and sticky one this weekend in Lancaster, PA!  Temps in the 90s and high humidity.  Possibility of scattered showers on Sunday. Every third Friday, the 200 and 300 blocks of North Queen Street will be featuring belly dancing, live music, art, antiques and shopping!  Many of the stores and galleries will be open 'til 9:00 pm. Saturday, July 19 at Musser Park, corner of North Lime and East Chestnut Streets, there will be a Neighborhood Clean-Up between 9:00 am and 11:00 am. Sunday, July 20, Jimmy Bosch and his 11-piece Salsa Band will be playing at Long's Park, 1401 Harrisburg Pike.  This is part of a summer-long FREE concert series. Have a great summer weekend! ©2008BrianSchulman 07/18/2008

              In May of last year, I wrote an article about the renovations at Musser Park.  The park, located between North Lime, East Chestnut, North Shippen and East Marion Streets in Lancaster, PA had been closed for renovations since the fall of 2006, and was in the process of getting an extensive upgrade. This year a beautifully improved Musser Park has been open to the public.  Saturday, July 19, 2008, a Neighborhood Clean-Up has been scheduled to take place between 9:00 am and 11:00 am.   If you would like to volunteer a bit of time to help pick up litter (really not too bad at all), your help would be appreciated!                         ©2008BrianSchulman 07/17/2008

Good summer weather with only an occasional passing rain shower was forecast for the July Fourth holiday weekend.  On Friday, July Fourth, a chicken barbecue at Musser Park was sponsored by the Musser Park Civic Association.  Arts, crafts and games were part of the scheduled entertainment. July Fourth also coincided with First Friday in downtown Lancaster, with shops, museums, art galleries and restaurants staying open late.  The Demuth Museum, 120 E. King Street, is featuring over thirty original art works by Charles Demuth. The Heritage Center Museum on Penn Square is featuring "Patchwork Politics" through December 31, a collection of political quilts and other items from elections throughout American history. Sunday, July 6th, Long's Park on the Harrisburg Pike, Lancaster, will featu... 07/04/2008

As the construction of the Lancaster PA Convention Center and Marriott Hotel reaches new heights, several historic buildings around it are being spared.  A $20 Million project is planned to preserve and restore the law offices of Thaddeus Stevens, and the next door home of his housekeeper and business manager, Lydia Hamilton Smith. Thaddeus Stevens was born in 1792 and died in 1868.  He was a lifelong crusader against slavery, and is considered the driving force behind the 13th Amendment which abolished slavery, and the 14th and 15th Amendments, which granted equal rights, and the right (for all men) to vote. Lydia Hamilton Smith, an African-American widow, became Stevens' housekeeper in 1847.  She accompanied him to Washington D.C. and managed his business affairs.  She eventually owne... 07/02/2008

Friday night, June 27 was the first outdoor concert of the year at the Greenfield Business Park on William Penn Way, Lancaster, PA.  Gary Lewis and the Playboys were the featured band, and they did not disappoint! When asked for the secret of the band's longevity, Lewis thanked the audiences who have been listening to the music of the '60s for the last forty years.                The first set of the evening was almost rained out for the first half hour, but the rain didn't dampen anyone's spirits, and soon the weather cleared up. Gary still looks fit and trim, and the band sounds great, with solid keyboards, drums and a world class lead guitarist (shown above).  Gary played the hits that made the band famous, including "This Diamond Ring", "She's Just My Style", "Save Your Heart For Me... 06/30/2008

Here's a great way to stay up to date on happenings in Hempfield.  Sign up for the monthly newsletter.  The website will feature local business's and neighborhood contests.  You won't want to miss out! www.OurSilverHeights.com 06/25/2008

There's lots to do in lancaster, PA this weekend! In Long's Park this Sunday, June 22, 2008, there will be a free concert by Blue Highway, a Grammy nominated bluegrass band.  Long's Park is located at 1401 Harrisburg Pike, just up from Park City Shopping Center. The concert starts at 7:00 pm, but come early to find parking and get something to eat at the concessions!  Bring blankets or lawn chairs. Sunday June 22, 7:00 pm, Musser Park, 135 N. Lime Street, will feature an American Wind Symphony Orchestra concert. Friday night June 20 from 5:00 -9:00 pm is Music Friday in the 200 and 300 blocks of North Queen Street.  Live music, art, antiques and performers will all be on display!   ©BrianSchulman2008 Brian Schulman offers expert real estate representation for buyers and sellers of homes... 06/20/2008

By the time the new Lancaster, PA Convention Cention Center and Marriott Hotel is finished in 2009, Lancaster's historic Penn Square will be getting a bit of a face lift as well. Plans include new trees and plantings.  New lighting will be standardized.  Chairs and tables with protective umbrellas will be placed in the square, giving the area an outdoor cafe atmosphere! New transportation routes are being planned in and out of the city, and the many art galleries, cafes and restaurants in the neighborhood are gearing up for the increasing number of visitors.    The First Friday of each month is a great time to see what's happening!   Above to the left can be seen the 1798 Heritage Museum, once the old court house.  The Victorian building houses the Central Farmer's Market, and to the ri... 06/18/2008

Lancaster's Amtrak Train Station is an architectural gem.  Built in 1929, it is a familiar and dignified landmark in the city of Lancaster, PA. Its Art Deco marble interior is reminiscent, on a small scale, of Grand Central Station in New York City.  Lancaster is the third busiest train station in Pennsylvania, after Philadelphia and Harrisburg. The main lobby features a soaring ceiling with art deco lighting fixtures and a magnificent glass paned ceiling insert. Over the past decade, restoration has been ongoing, including painting and improvements to the heating system.  The building will now be air conditioned.  Shops and restaurants will be built, and the parking lot enlarged.                                       Ridership at the Amtrak Station is up 17% just since May due to the i... 06/13/2008

Whew! What a busy week I just put behind me! Besides dealing with Lancaster Real Estate related stuff, such as showings, inspections and indecisive buyers and sellers; and personal stuff such as out of town guests - I had not one, but TWO graduations in my family!  All week long, the opening lyrics to Sunrise, Sunset have been running through my mind.  Okay, this wasn't a wedding of sorts, but it's a milestone that seemed to come before its time.  Is this the little boy I carried?... Is this the little boy at play?... I don't remember growing older... When did they?  When did they get to be so tall?  Wasn't it yesterday when they were small?  Sunrise.. Sunset.  Swiftly go the days... Youngest son just graduation last Wednesday from Manheim Township high school.  He has attended Manheim ... 06/09/2008

  On October 15, 2007 I posted an article about the major expansion of the Weis Market at the Manor Shopping Center, Route 999, Lancaster, PA.  Construction had just begun.                                                                    Now, finally, the supermarket is ready for a grand re-opening this weekend! The supermarket has been expanded to 52,000 square feet from its former 46,000 square feet.  There has been a major upgrading inside, too, with an exceptionately nice salad bar, and expanded meat market, seafood department and bakery. This weekend (June 7 & 8) there will be 48-hour sales, and some free giveaways.  Check it out - you'll appreciate how nice this store has become!     06/05/2008

Hospital personnel will soon have an easier time crossing busy North Duke Street to get to Lancaster General Hospital.  Additionally, traffic on North Duke Street will no longer have to be delayed by crossing guards.  A new pedestrian crossing is about to connect the hospital to Lancaster General's new Outpatient Services building, now under construction to the right of his photo, taken on North Duke Street facing south.  The pedestrian crossing will connect two levels of the Outpatient Services building directly to the Hospital, at left, which is itself undergoing major improvements.  The emergency room and main entrance have been moved around the corner to E. James Street.                 The pedestrian crossing (at left) connects to the new Outpatient Services building. This angle gi... 06/02/2008

Lancaster County and the Susquehanna Valley will be busting at the seams soon, with some top notch actors and actresses gathering in the area to work on a new feature film.  "Another Harvest Moon" featuring Ernest Borgnine, Doris Roberts, Anne Meara and Cybill Shepard, and a few other noted celebrities.  Many of you might know Doris Roberts as "Marie", everyone's favorite nosey mother from "Everybody Loves Raymond".  And of course, everyone knows academy-award winning Ernest Borgnine. "Another Harvest Moon" brings Borgnine out of retirement, at 91 years old, and gives him an opportunity to work on a film that deals with senior citizens, the effects of a stroke, and the friendships forged in a nursing home.  I'm sure it will hit home with a number of us who are dealing with aging parents... 06/01/2008

The construction of the Lancaster, PA Convention Center and Marriott Hotel is really picking up momentum! The tower emerges from behind the original art nouveau facade of the Watt & Shand building it is preserving.                                 The front entrance of the Convention Center is taking shape.                                     One of the new parking garages under construction. From the side of the historic block, the new tower has reached the 12th floor!  The yellow loader sits where Reifsnyder Pianos once stood.  That building was lost in a fire.  The 200-year-old building to the left will be preserved.                                           A beautiful day in Lancaster's Penn Square! Lancaster PA Convention Center 11-10-07 Lancaster PA Convention Center 9-30-07 Lanca... 05/31/2008

Bucher Elementary School, 450 Candlewyck Rd. in Manheim Township, is planning a major renovation in order to bring the school up to a LEED Silver Rating. Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) is a non-profit organization which developed the rating system to encourage environmentally responsible, energy efficient, healthy living and work places. LEED was created by the U.S. Green Building Council, made up of influential members of the United States building industry. Among the improvements planned for Bucher will be a white roof to reduce heat absorption into the building, which will reduce air conditioning power use.  A geothermal heat pump system, similar to the one recently installed in the Manheim Township High School, will not only incease efficiency by utilizing heat... 05/28/2008