News Clues
Just Enough News To Keep You Wondering
A Whole Lotta Dam Talking
You may have heard that the Dock Street Dam, which gives the
Susquehanna River its meager depth and navigability, is in desperate need
of rehabilitation. It’s crumbling. It’s a hazard. It’s caused “loss of
life,” political speak for “death.” All these reports indicate clearly
that the dam is in need of a makeover. What isn’t clear is what impact it
will have on the environment, the commerce, and, therefore, the entire
area.
Some say it’s got to be rebuilt. Some say it should be left alone. Some
feel that no one is listening to what they have to say.
So, the PA Dept of Environmental Protection (DEP), the City of Harrisburg,
and the PA Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) have scheduled a public hearing
to solicit comments and receive formal testimony on the Draft Report on
Alternatives Considered for the dam. The hearing is set for Monday, August
13, at 7 p.m. at River Rescue, 1119 South Cameron Street, Harrisburg.
Each individual will have up to five minutes for his/her presentation. All
testimony should be to the point. Relinquishing of time to another
individual is prohibited. Any person(s) interested should register by
August 10 by calling Ms. Karen Sitler, DEP Regional Community Relations
Coordinator at 705-4904.
Whether you have any opinion or not, this decision may, directly or
indirectly, impact you.
Culinary Competitions on the Menu
Two annual cookery competitions, the Super Chefs Cook-Off and
the Art of Food competition, are on the front burner in Harrisburg.
In the tradition of The Food Channel’s “Iron Chef,” the 3rd Annual Super
Chefs Cook-Off is coming back to the Broad Street Market. Starting at 11
a.m., rain or shine, on every Saturday in August, three of the finest area
restaurants [nine total] will prepare a unique dish from what only $20
will buy at the Market. The winners of the first three weekends will
compete on August 25 for the title of 2001 Super Chef of the Year against
reigning 1999 and 2000 Super Chef, Jason Viscount, sous chef of the
Hilton’s Golden Sheaf.
Celebrity judges will consider each entrée in terms of its flavor,
tenderness, and juiciness; aesthetics of the entrée, side dishes and its
presentation; and knowledge of ingredients and total preparation. The
public is invited to witness the creation process and sample the dishes
after judging.
This year, 5:01 Downtown, Politesse, and What If…Café are just a few of
the participating restaurants.
On Saturday, September 15, the Art Association of Harrisburg (AAH) will
host the Fifth Annual “Art of Food” Culinary Competition at the Front
Street Gallery from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. A bit different than the Cook-Off,
entries will be judged on appearance, plate presentation, originality, eye
appeal … in fact, the food will be judged on anything except on taste. The
AAH wants to honor chefs as the artists they are, not simple cooks.
Entries must be postmarked by September 4, and will be limited to the
first 25 entries. Entry categories are: entrée platter, garde manger, and
dessert. Chefs may enter one dish in any two categories. Entry fee will be
hors d’oeuvres for 250 people to be served at the event.
For info on the Super Chef’s Cook-Off, call 236-7923. For the AAH Art of
Food, call 236-1432.
New Local Businesses
Open to Beat the Heat
A few new area restaurants, Mama McBride’s Ice Cream Shop and
Marilyn’s Water Ice in Harrisburg, and the Elephant & Castle Pub and
Restaurant in New Cumberland, have cut ribbon in time to chill the humid
summer days of Central Pennsylvania.
Mama McBride’s, at 2130-32 N. 6th Street, offers a full menu of Hershey’s
Ice Cream as well as many other frozen treats. Named in honor of owner
Surlester McBride’s mother, Mama McBride’s is over 500 sq.ft. of
rehabilitated space turned community ice cream parlor. McBride’s also
features affordably priced treats for kids, most under a dollar.
Across from Strawberry Square at 25B N. 4th Street, Marilyn’s Water Ice
and Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Juice Shop offers a healthier alternative
for those averse to ice cream. The unique shop offers naturally flavored
waters, fruit smoothies, and a distinctive fresh fruit and vegetable juice
bar, the first of its kind in Center City.
Located at I-83 off of Turnpike exit 40A, the Elephant & Castle promises
the ‘World’s Best Fish and Chips’ on its menu of traditional foods
including shepherd’s pie. There is a vast array of fresh and frosty beers,
featuring 18 always on tap plus bottles brewed locally and from around the
world.
Keep cool with help from your local establishments.
Pennsylvanians Attempt to
Coast into History
What is Guinness Book’s World Record for riding the most roller
coasters in a 24-hour period? It won’t matter in two weeks because it will
have been reset to “well over 50,” say four Pennsylvania residents.
Pledging a total of $25,000 for a chance to ride on the “East Coasters for
Kids,” Phil Guarno, general manager of the Harrisburg-Hershey Marriott,
Adam Spivak, vice president of Clear Channel in Philadelphia, Aaron Rye,
systems technician for Pfizer, and John Kirkwood, nurse manager for
pediatric psychiatric operations at the Hershey Medical Center, will be
sent off by well-wishers from HersheyPark at noon Tuesday, August 7, where
they will travel to Virginia and set out on their adventure the next day.
Each man bid a minimum of $5,000 to join in on the marathon, which will
benefit the Children’s Miracle Network at Penn State Children’s Hospital
in the Hershey Med Center.
The official attempt to secure this wild ride of a record begins 11 a.m.
on Wednesday, August 8. Visiting many amusement parks including King’s
Dominion, Busch Gardens, Great Adventure, and Dorney Park, the foursome
will travel through Virginia, Maryland, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, and
end their 24-hour whirlwind tour with a ride on the Lightning Racer in
HersheyPark at 11 a.m. Thursday, August 9. Joining the men on that last
roller coaster will be children who have benefited from Children’s Miracle
Network as well as the current record holder, David Escalante, a
Californian who helped set the record at 40 roller coasters last year.
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