Occupy has arrived in Harrisburg

Previously, you may have heard from the Occupy Wall Street movement demonstrators that “Occupy” has no specific cause per se, but that is not quite true. Carrying signs stating “We Are The 99%,” is a cause. Participants across the Nation have come out to represent and support the 99% of Americans that are not being taking under consideration by the U.S. government.

On Sunday, October 9, 2011, Occupy Harrisburg held their second General Assembly meeting at Midtown Scholar in Harrisburg starting at 4:00 PM, with approximately 150 people in attendance.

By consensus vote, it was determined that Occupy Harrisburg would not be prepared by Saturday for encampment, however, a protest would be held. The consesenus reached was that Occupy Harrisburg will convene from 12:01AM until 11:59PM on Saturday, October 15, on the capitol steps.

Oh for the record, Occupy Harrisburg has a very clear, well-organized agenda, furthermore this is not a group of “college kids with nothing better to do,” as many news outlets have reported regarding Occupy Wall Street and the Occupy Movement. This is a group of United States citizens, young and seasoned, that are exercising their right to gather and demonstrate, peacefully.

For more information about Occupy Harrisburg and to learn how to get involved, please visit www.facebook.com/occupyharrisburg or www.occupyharrisburg.org.

Heat advisory for Adams County

NOAA the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has issued a heat advisory for Adams County. With heat index values at 105 and above, the heat advisory will remain if effect through 9pm, Saturday, July 24th.

Young children and the elderly are often thought of as the main concern when a heat advisory has been issued but anyone is susceptible to the life-threatening side effects of harsher weather conditions. The most common health concerns during the hot weather are dehydration and heat stroke. By taking preventative measures these life-threatening situations may possibly be avoided. The Center For Disease Control And Prevention (CDC) advises the first preventative measure as the ability to identify the onset of both dehydration and heat stroke.

Signs of dehydration include excessive thirst, less-frequent urination, dry skin, fatigue, light-headedness, dizziness, confusion, dry mouth, increased heart rate and breathing. In children, additional symptoms may include, dry mouth and tongue, no tears when crying, no wet diapers for more than 3 hours, sunken abdomen, eyes or cheeks, high fever listlessness, irritability, and skin that does not flatten when pinched and released. Precautionary measures to avoid the harmful effects of dehydration include drinking plenty of fluids, especially when working or playing in the sun. Make sure that you are taking in more fluid than you are losing and try to schedule physical outdoor activities for the cooler parts of the day. Before making plans for outdoor activities, check the heat index.

Heat stroke is the most severe form of heat illness and is a life-threatening emergency. It is a condition that develops rapidly and requires immediate medical treatment The most common symptoms of heat stroke are headache, dizziness, disorientation, agitation or confusion, sluggishness or fatigue, seizure, dry skin that is flushed but not sweaty, a high body temperature, loss of consciousness, rapid heart beat, and hallucinations. It is important for the person to be treated immediately as heat stroke can cause permanent damage or death. There are some immediate first aid measures you can take while waiting for emergency services to arrive. Immediately get the person indoors. Have the person lie down in a cool area with their feet slightly elevated. Remove clothing and gently apply cool water to the skin followed by fanning to stimulate sweating. Apply ice packs to the groin and armpits. Precautions that can help protect you against the adverse effects of heat stroke include drinking plenty of fluids during outdoor activities, (water and sports drinks are the drinks of choice; avoid tea, coffee, soda and alcohol as these can lead to dehydration), wear lightweight, tightly woven, loose-fitting clothing in light colors. Schedule vigorous activity and sports for cooler times of the day. Protect yourself from the sun by wearing a hat, sunglasses and using an umbrella. Increase time spent outdoors gradually to get your body used to the heat. During outdoor activities, take frequent drink breaks and mist yourself with a spray bottle to avoid becoming overheated.

*Medical Advice Disclaimer: The information included in this article is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. The reader should always consult his or her health-care provider.

Location for casino public hearing announced

Yesterday, the Pennsylvania Gamming Control Board announced the location for the public hearing where testimony by citizens will be heard regarding the Mason Dixon Resorts and Casino.

The hearing is set for August 31st, 2010, and will begin at 10am. Location for the hearing is at the Comfort Suites hotel located at 945 Baltimore Pike Gettysburg, PA 17325. In order to present testimony, citizens must register with the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board no later then noon on Thursday, August 26th, 2010. To register, contact Mickey Kane at (717) 346-8300 or visit the PGCB website. 

With one remaining Category 3 gaming license to be granted, competition for the Mason Dixon Resorts and Casino is bound to be stiff. Three other entities are vying for the last Category 3 license as well. The other applicants are Holiday Inn Harrisburg West in Cumberland County, the Nemacolin Woodlands Resort in Fayette County and the Fernwood Hotel and Resort in the Poconos.

Written comments may also be submitted for the record prior to the hearing and up to 60 days after. The comments may be submitted from the PGCB website, by fax to (717) 346-8350, or by mail to the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board at P.O. Box 69060, Harrisburg, PA 17106.

Gaming Control Board spokesman Richard McGarvey stated, “Depending upon the turnout, a second hearing may be necessary but the chairman is expected to make a decision before the end of this year.”

Free summer concert series at Adams County Winery

If you’re looking for something free to do on a Saturday afternoon, check out the Adams County Winery’s summer concert series. Adams County Winery is located at 251 Peach Tree Road Orrtanna, PA 17353 and yes, you read that correctly, all concerts are free!

The concerts will be held, rain or shine, every Saturday from now through August and go from 1pm to 5pm. You can bring your own picnic or enjoy one from the winery. It is suggested to come early for a picnic table but just as fun to grab a blanket or lawn chairs. All are welcome but you must be 21 years old to enjoy alcoholic beverages and outside alcohol is not permitted. 

If you’re not in the mood to pack a picnic, food is available for purchase and Uncle Moe’s Soul Food will be at several of the concerts. The winery will be open during the concert for tasting and purchasing. If you are unable to attend the concert series, Adams County Winery is open 10am to 6pm seven days a week.

This Saturday, July 24th, will feature the Alfred James Band. A few other bands headlining the rest of the concert series are, Skyla Burrell Blues Band, Klinger McFry, Billy Hedrick Band, and The Willys. For more information about the free concert series or the Adams County Winery please call (717) 334-4631 or visit the website.

LeVan as casino project's front man?

Recent reports are insinuating that there has been some sort of conspiracy on the part of Mason-Dixon Resorts GP, LLC. Accusations are surfacing that Gettysburg businessman David LeVan is simply a “face” on the Mason Dixon Resort and Casino project. The insinuations that Mr. LeVan is the “poster person” for the casino project stem from the fact the LeVan’s business partner Joseph Lashinger owns are larger interest in the corporation and that the “real” person calling the shots in the Mason Dixon Resort and Casino project is Mr. Lashinger.

This alleged scandal surfaces only 45 days prior to the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board’s first hearing, to be held on August 31st, where public testimony will be heard regarding the granting of the last remaining Category 3 gaming license to David LeVan and Joseph Lashinger. The facts about who owns what portion of Mason-Dixon Resorts LP, the company that would own and operate the proposed casino, is no secret and any interested party could have easily obtained this public information.

As stated by associate professor Michael Hussey of Widener Law School, "The idea is that limited partners will make their investment into the entity and in exchange they'll have limited liability. They'll only be on the hook for the amount of their contribution. What Mason Dixon is doing is standard. They've made the general partner, Mason-Dixon Resorts GP, LLC, responsible for the day-to-day management of the limited partnership. They're the entity that has the ability to sign contracts on behalf of the limited partnership."

The issue has been and still remains to be whether or not the Mason Dixon Resort and Casino will affect the hollowed ground of the Gettysburg Battlefield. Perhaps the real question is why anyone would make allegations of a conspiracy when the alleged hidden information has always been accessible to anyone wanting to obtain it?

Onorato smack-down for Corbett

Democrat gubernatorial candidate, Dan Onorato “served one up” to Pennsylvania attorney general and Republican gubernatorial candidate, Tom Corbett.

Friday, Corbett stated to a WITF radio station reporter, "The jobs are there." Corbett claimed many people are intentionally staying unemployed to collect the benefits attributing his information to a candy company owner and a plumbing company owner, having told him they can't fill jobs because people would rather stay home on benefits. "People don't want to come back to work while they still have unemployment benefits,” he said. "They're literally telling employers 'I'll come back to work when the employment runs out.' That's becoming a problem, if we keep extending unemployment the people are going to sit there."

Onorato verbally thrashed Attorney General Corbett for "blaming the victims" and sounding unsympathetic to people who have lost their jobs and claiming they are just "sitting there," living on federal unemployment compensation benefits, rather than looking for work. Mr. Onorato said, "I don't know what world Tom Corbett is living in. Our economy is struggling." "Families in Pennsylvania are hurting and Harrisburg insiders like Tom Corbett aren't doing anything to help them. Does Tom Corbett believe that Pennsylvania workers are lazy because an anonymous plumber or a candy company owner told him so?"

Corbett spokesman Kevin Harley said, “If Dan Onorato wants to hold a news conference every time Tom Corbett makes a statement, that's up to him, if he wants to attack Tom, we'll let the voters decide on that."

This writer respectfully says, “Welcome to open-season election.” The voters will indeed decide. If you have not yet registered to vote you can easily do so by clicking here.

Restaurant Review: La Cucina

The Hanover area is blessed to be home to several top quality restaurants. One of my favorites is La Cucina; a family owned and operated Italian Restaurant owned by Armando and Christina Malvone. Armando is a second generation Italian American who is carrying on the family tradition of restaurant ownership. His family has been part of the Hanover community for over 39 years. But saying that La Cucina is merely an Italian Restaurant is like calling Pavarotti just a singer. Step into La Cucina and you are transported to Italy. The ambiance of La Cucina is reminiscent of the sidewalk bistros that Italy is famous for and the restaurant also includes seasonal outdoor seating. Whether you chose lunch or dinner, La Cucina is designed to create an elegant yet relaxing dining experience. Your dining experience begins as you walk into the restaurant where you will be warmly greeted by Armando’s wife, Christina, or one of their friendly staff. Armando neglects nothing. While tending to staff and meals, Armando makes a point to stop and greet patrons. The staff at La Cucina is attentive without being overbearing, we didn’t have to wait for drinks nor did we have staff hanging about.

Once you are seated, the feast begins as the wait-staff brings you a basket of a variety of freshly baked focaccio breads. I chose the Antipasta Rustica as an appetizer ($9.95). This plate is definitely meant to be shared with others and consists of an assortment of delicious fresh Italian meats and cheeses, served with grilled eggplant, artichokes, roasted peppers, tomatoes, olives, and bruschetta. One of my companions chose the Shrimp Bisque, a soup that will transport you to heaven. My entrée was the crab and asparagus salad, a delectable combination of lump crabmeat, fresh asparagus, and orange segments over a crisp bed of mixed greens flavored with just the right amount of homemade raspberry vinaigrette dressing ($16.95.) My two dining companions choose the Seafood Baked Ziti ($19.95) and Margherita gourmet pizza (12” pie $7.95) and both pronounced them superb. If you have any room left after, do not miss the homemade desserts. We all chose the cannoli and yes, it was exactly like my mom-mom Mazzulo used to make. I have eaten at La Cucina at various times during the week for both lunch and dinner and have never been disappointed in either the food or the service. Both are outstanding.

Reservations are accepted Sunday through Thursday and call-ahead seating on Friday and Saturday nights.

Location:

496 Eisenhower Drive, Hanover, PA 17331

Parking: Private Lot

Price Range: $7 to $16 for lunch; $9 to $25 for dinner.

Alcohol: BYOB

Accepts: Cash and major credit cards

Takeout: Yes

Children’s Menu: (Includes any beverage and applesauce.) Tortellini, Spaghetti, Ravioli, Chicken fingers with French fries, Chicken parm with capellini or Personal cheese pizza.

Details: (717) 633-5700 or visit the website La Cucina