Sara Bozich

Weekend roundup 10/29

Halloween is upon us! Get into the ghoulish groove with a host of Halloween themed activities all across the area. Check my Halloween Happenings post, as well as tomorrow's column, for more details on where to find the spooktacular "to dos" no matter what you're in the mood for.

My weekend is billed for relaxation, some catching up with girlfriends and some down time. All the details on your non-Halloween event suggestions are after the jump. For Halloween Happenings, click here.

Holiday volunteer opportunity

The Salvation Army of Harrisburg is seeking volunteers for its annual Christmas Kettle Campaign.

Volunteers are needed to stand at the organization's iconic red kettles outside of 33 locations around the Harrisburg area to raise money for needy families this holiday season.

If you have time to give this season, e-mail or call (717-233-6755) the Salvation Army. Grab a few friends and ring a bell for charity. Churches, businesses, clubs, organizations and scouting troops are encouraged to schedule a group of volunteers for a day or more. 

Weekend roundup 10/22

Another busy weekend is ahead of me - and I'm not even hitting any of the many Halloween Happenings this weekend. I've got the final of this season's bachelorette parties - we're choosing to dine at Garrason's and then hit up Hollywood Casino. I also have a book signing at The Hershey Lodge Saturday morning - stop out and say hello and pick up a copy of my Hershey travel guide - it'll make a great Christmas gift for the chocolate lover on your list.

The list of events is long this weekend. All the action starts after the jump:

Halloween Happenings 2009

**UPDATED** Now with more Halloween events!

Halloween is extra special delicious this year, not just because I'm going to not one, but two Halloween parties that require special attire. It's special because Halloween falls on a Saturday. Unlike our other major holidays, which suck up not just a night or a weekend, but for weeks or even a "season," Halloween is pretty much a one-shot deal. Not that that stops anyone - just sayin'. But this year, there's the chance for authenticity.

And I don't really know how you're going to choose your "authentic" Halloween activity. There are just too many options.

Grab your calendar and make your selections. All the goodies are after the jump.

Black & White 4th of July Party at Eclipse

Weekend roundup 6/18

Another long week nearly done - thank goodness. My pursuit towards a spring cleaned apartment will continue, though I'll take some time to get out of the house on Saturday for two events.

First, please stop in to the Waldenbooks at the Colonial Park Mall this Saturday between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. I'll be the doing the second book signing for my Hershey travel guide, Hershey: A Guide to the Town Built on Chocolate.

After, I'll be (weather permitting) heading over to that Sweetest Place on Earth for Hershey Gardens' "A  Day of Wine & Roses." The first time I attended this event, I competed against CBS21's Tom Russell in a grape-stomping contest. He won, but to be fair, he weighs more and has bigger feet. :)

Here's what else the greater Harrisburg area has in store this weekend:

• Under the category of "things I really wish I was doing" - Slow Food Harrisburg is hosting a special 4-course dinner at The Cellar. Preceding dinner is an informal presentation on 'The Future of Food' by renowned food activist and author Gina Mallet.
• Cowboy Junkies are live with Lee Harvey Osmond at CapLive in York tomorrow night.
• Troegs' Harrisburg Brewers' Fest is this Saturday. Here are all the details.
• Saturday is Free Family Fun Day at the National Civil War Museum, meaning free admission all day for everyone.
• This weekend, be sure to check out the return of Karen Gray's one-woman comedy show, "Oh Crap, I Forgot to Have Kids" which is returning to Open Stage tonight through Saturday.
• Suba has free live music from 9-11 p.m. Fri-Sat. The Mark Lomax Band bring reggae & blues Friday; Stacey Dee & the Creekside Combo go indie on Saturday.
• Take Dad to Hersheypark for free this Sunday (Father's Day, btw) by stopping into a CVS and picking up a free voucher (good this June 21 only) - or a free cart at Hershey Links.

Weekend roundup 5/22

Can you believe it's Memorial Day weekend already? I'm heading out of town for some R&R (and some dirt track racing, but that's another story), but with ArtsFest serving as the weekend headliner, there's a ton to do this weekend.

• Must do: Troegs kicks off Artsfest tonight with a special outdoor showing of the cult classic, Strange Brew, outside of the brewery. BYOC (chair). Seating starts around 6 p.m. until dusk (8:15ish) and concessions (popcorn, beer, etc.) will be sold throughout the night.
• If you haven't heard, Jersey Mike is slinging 'dogs at Nonna's over lunch during the week. Stop and see him, grab a dog and an opinion or two.
• Get down to York on Saturday for the York Jaycees' Annual Chili Cook-off. AYCE chili for $10!
• Boiling Springs Pool opens this weekend - stay tuned to SaraBozich.com for your chance to win free passes! In the meantime, follow them on Twitter.
• Print out this email and take it to a Senators' game this weekend to buy one game ticket, get one free.
• Moon Dancer Winery in Wrightsville has its 5th annual Jazz Fest this weekend
• City Island Beach opens this weekend.
• Brewhouse Grille has AYCE crab legs for $15.95

Get out the vote!

This is your friendly reminder to VOTE today. Local government is our basis, the most approachable and most easily accessible form of government.

In today's primary, select your choices for city council, mayoral and judge candidates. These are the people who will have the greatest impact on our everyday lives.

For help, check out The Patriot-News' Voter Guide.

Find your local government website here.

HMAC hosts Artsfest fundraiser

Midtown Arts Center will host a benefit for the Greater Harrisburg Arts Council and Civic Club as part of this weekend's 42nd annual Artsfest. Support local artists and add this to your Memorial Day checklist.

 

Cinco de Mayo

The Patriot and Spotobe both have your holiday celebrations at local Mexican restaurants - though don't forget the Sierra Madre, who historically throws the biggest shindig in the area for Cinco de Mayo. Here are some other options:

• Join the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick at Brick Haus
• Level 2 has $2 Coronas and $5 margaritas - those are the cheapest drinks you're going to find at this lounge - plus salsa lessons and dancing into the night.
• Both restaurants at the Hershey Lodge - The Forebay and the Hershey Grill - boast Mexican-themed menus all month long.
• Cinco de Mayo is a "Flinchy's Kind of Night" - get there early for $2 Sol bottles, $5 Cuervo Silver shots, $5 taco salads and more - PLUS, wear a sombrero and get a free basket of chips and salsa.
• The Maennerchor has Mexican eats, $1.50 Dos Equis (XX), plus The Greatest Funeral Ever performs from 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.