Sara Bozich

Weekend roundup 1/22

Well, wedding planning seems to be taking over my weekends already, visiting ceremony and reception locations and locking in a photographer. But, fear not, friends. I am quite far from being a bridezilla, and I'm also planning on hitting the gym (finally) and checking out Mikado's new west shore location. By Sunday, it's spa day - a leftover Christmas treat for my girlfriend and I.

Don't forget you can so, so, SO easily win a free $20 gift card to Fenicci's of Hershey by answering a super easy question. Click HERE to participate. Next week, I'll be giving away tix (and another special prize) to the upcoming 2nd Pennsylvania Fighting Championship II on Feb. 6.

There's plenty going on this weekend. Click through to check it:

Weekend roundup - NYE Edition

Happy New Year! I hope that Santa was good to you and maybe, if you planned as I did, you spent this last week at home and not at the office. It wasn't a particularly productive week for me, but it was nice to be off.

My New Year's plans consist of a low key evening with fewer than a dozen close friends. We'll have champagne, and I'm bringing guacamole, so things look good. Rumor has it someone's bringing the Super Mario Bros for Wii, so moments may get a little competitive.

After tomorrow we'll be in 2010, and don't you worry - there will be plenty of year-ringing events that carry on into the next decade. Check 'em out after the jump.

Weekend roundup - Thanksgiving Edition

Happy Turkey Day! I wish you all a safe, happy and well-fed holiday. I'll be daytripping to family in Pittsburgh, then back in town to relax, Christmas shop and check out the new club, Reflex (neé Eclipse).

If you're skipping the hassle and drama of cooking - or just looking for some supplemental dishes (made by someone else), read Sue Gleiter's article on where to go.

For those of you who aren't going home - or who would just rather go out for the big meal, be sure to check out local hotels for special Thanksgiving buffets. Holiday Inn Mechanicsburg, Hershey Lodge and The Hotel Hershey, Four Points Sheraton, Felicita Garden Resort and Spa and non-hotel Liberty Forge all have options.

All said, there is a ton going on this weekend. Here's a rundown:

Weekend Roundup 10/8

Wedding three of five (yes, that number has increased) of this season is slated for Friday at the Peter Allen House. I better bring a sweater! I'm hoping the rest of the weekend will revolve around housework and catching up with my dear old Tivo, but one never knows.

There is a ton going on - a lot of really quality events, in fact. Be sure to check tomorrow's column for info on Tres Bonne Annee and the Wild Mushroom and Game Dinners in Hershey.

The lowdown on all the fun is after the jump.

September preview

What a perfect day to start the month of September. It's that perfect, crisp, jeans-and-t-shirt weather. Thoughts and tweets are ripe with daydreams of football and changing leaves. (We are one of few lucky states to truly experience all four seasons - even if spring is fading into oblivion.)

It's a big month - plenty going on. Festivals, dining specials, football bonanzas! Here's a preview of some of what the month holds. Click through and mark your calendar now!

Weekend roundup 2/6

Another week done and gone. Oddly enough, it seemed to zip by, almost, but my 'to do' list is just getting warmed up. This weekend, I'll be partaking in some Chocolate-Covered February activities - for you, my dear readers. Next week's column will include some Hershey-themed Valentine's Day ideas. Then, on Sunday, it might finally be time to get that New Year's resolution kicking at the gym or a yoga class somewhere. And elsewhere:

• It's Firkin Friday at Brewhouse Grill! They'll tap the Tröegs Nugget Nectar at 5 p.m.
• HYP's First Friday HH is at Stock's on Second tonight.
• Things are groovin' over at Champions later tonight when The Impact Band performs your favorite booty-shakin' hits. Or my favorite booty-shakin' hits.
• Flinchy's is rocking with the Luv Gods tonight
• Mantis features artist Shawn Williams tonight from 8-10 p.m.
• Sports Night and West Wing star, Joshua Malina, will perform with cousin Maestro Stuart Malina as HSO conquers Gilbert & Sullivan's Iolanthe. Performances Saturday and Sunday.

Pamper Your Palate

Starting next week, Harrisburg Hello is hosting Harrisburg's first Restaurant Week: Pamper Your Palate. It's a chance for you to try dinner at a new (or new to you) downtown restaurant for a reasonable price - three courses for $30.

Participating restaurants include:

• Cafe Fresco
• Carley's
• El Sol
• FireHouse
• McGrath's
• Raspberries
• Stock's on 2nd
• Zia's at Red Door

Weekend roundup - happy it's March

I'm not sure what the rest of you are up to, but while I'm at the luxurious Hotel Hershey this weekend, here's what is going on around town:

• My favorite local cover band, The Impact Band, is at Champions tonight. Loving Hershey, but I'm sad to miss this inevitable dance party.
• A Haitian Art Show kicks off tonight at St. Stephen's Cathedral and runs through Tuesday.
• If you're looking for something to do with the kids, Whitaker Center's KidsPlace opens tomorrow at 10 a.m.
• Troegs Nugget Nectar is now on draft at Blue Bistro - plus, they have Voxology on Saturday night from 8-11 p.m.
• Stock's on Second celebrates 10 years with a party on Sunday from 2-6 p.m. Music Thru Science has reunited for the event.

Revisited: Stock's on Second

After an afternoon baby shower on Saturday, we stopped into a busy Stock's on Second. We sat above the main restaurant in their "velvet lounge." Service was attentive and friendly. We ordered cosmos and espresso martinis and sampled from the bar menu.

We started with orders of Stock's homemade chips - one original and one cajun, which comes with a blue cheese dip. We tried the pulled-pork BBQ quesadillas, the burger and the Croque Monsier (i.e., ham and swiss). The latter was my favorite - a definite must-order.

Groove Jones, a 7-piece collaboration, started with mellow tunes around 9, and as soon as diners finished up their coffees and desserts, the entire back of the restaurant transformed into a makeshift dance floor.

Stock's - still got it.

Carley's Ristorante & Piano Bar

Carley's Ristorante and Piano Bar opened quietly on Monday. It's a great new addition to downtown nightlife - a little something for the adults. Nonsmoking. See today's column for details.