SaraBozich.com

Local bloggers list

If you some free time this weekend, be sure to check out my page of Harrisburg area-based local bloggers. I've added some newbies since the site redesign.

And, as always, if you're not on the list and want to be, please e-mail me.

Weekend Roundup 1/29

Instead of writing your weekend roundup last night, I caught up with a couple of friends, so forgive me. If anyone went to the scotch tasting at Level 2, however, let me know how it was. That leaves HH tonight with the work gals, the market and hanging with dad tomorrow, somewhere fitting in organizing my tax info, cleaning, doing laundry and freelance work. Phew. It's going to be a busy one. Here's what's on tap:

• Out downtown tonight? Look for the infamous MODE characters and join along their martini tour.
• There's also a THON Fundraiser at Ceoltas' Rafferty Room tonight. Did you know if you have dinner at Ceoltas, you can book their courtesy limousine?
• Vino, Java & Jazz for the Easter Seals is going on tonight at Level 2
• Arooga's has the UFC Pay-Per-View fight on Saturday night, and I'm sure so does Shady's. No cover either place.
• Sunday is the PITTSBURGH STEELERS v. the Arizona Cardinals in the SUPER BOWL (in case you hadn't heard). Check out my post on where to go and eat.
• February kicks off Chocolate-Covered February. Look for an upcoming column on Valentine-related chocolate events.
• Starting Monday, The Spa @ The Hotel Hershey is offering special "girlfriend" packages weekdays through Apr. 30.
• I'm really bummed I'm going to miss the Pennsylvania Ballet at Whitaker Center on Tuesday evening.

Super Bowl Events

OMG IT'S SUPER BOWL WEEKEND. What 'up fellow Steelers fans? Where are you watching the game? I ordered some take-out wings from Garrason's and two 2-foot subs from South Philly Hoagies to take to a party. You guys know I can't watch in a bar when my team's playing. Here are some other suggestions on what to do and where to go:

• If you know owner Matt Flinchbaugh, you'll be as surprised as I was to see that Flinchy's has transformed to STEELERS COUNTRY this weekend. (Don't worry, Matt. I won't tell anyone I knew you were secretly a Steelers fan a looong time ago.) This Sunday, they have:
  • Coors Light pitcher + 10 hot wings for $10
  • Coors Light pitcher for $5
  • Black 'n Gold (Guinness and Blue Moon) for $3
  • $2 I.C. Light bottles
  • $8 Primanti Bros-style sandwiches
  • Guaranteed fun, specials and special treats for Terrible Towel holders

Some ♥ for Garrason's Tavern

If you've followed my bar-tales for any time now, you likely know that I'm a big fan of Garrason's Tavern. It's homey and friendly - with good food, specials, a new jukebox and new flat screen TVs.

I'm pleased to announce their long-awaited new website is now live. Visit here at GarrasonsTavern.com.

The new website lists the bar's vast beer offerings, menus (lunch, dinner and Sundays), events and specials.

Some tweaks are still being made (upcoming specials and events aren't listed yet, but are coming soon), but the website is good-lookin', easy to navigate and showcases the venue's signature drink, the Moscow Mule. 

Garrason's is open Monday-Friday 11:30 a.m. - 2 a.m., Saturday 4 p.m. - 2 a.m. and Sunday noon - 2 a.m.

Me & Sum way back in the day at our favorite home away from home.

Tourist Town Guides: Hershey, Pa.

As some of you know, I spent the last quarter of 2008 working diligently on a travel guidebook to Hershey, Pa.

The book, Hershey: A Guide to the Town Built on Chocolate, is ideal for adults and families who are interested in vacationing in nearby Chocolatetown, no matter the time of year. It covers a brief history as well as area accommodations, restaurants, attractions - plus sample itineraries and even nearby road trip recommendations.

From now until publication date of April 1, 2009, a pre-sale discount is available for orders of 10 books or more. The discount is 50 percent off of the the $13.95 retail price.

The book will soon be available via Amazon.com and other retailers. I'm thankful in advance for any support, and I will be sure to keep you posted!

Weekend Roundup 1/22

It's been a wild and wonderful week with my Steelers making it to the SUPER BOWL and the inauguration of our 44th president (who has a blog on the newly redesigned WhiteHouse.gov). I'm out of town, so my weekend plans are still up in the air (I think I do have a birthday party for a one year-old, however).

• Tonight! Don't miss Friends of Midtown's annual meeting/winter social at Midtown Tavern.
• Troegs Nugget Nectar is out! Way too hoppy for my buds, but this is another Troegs favorite for craft brew lovers.
• New indoor football team, the Harrisburg Stampede, hosts an exhibition game at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday.
• I heard great reviews of the Grand Canyon Adventure: River at Risk 3-D movie at the IMAX Theater at Whitaker Center.
• Flinchy's has Empty Pockets Friday night and Q Uncutt on Saturday.
• Pesce on Eisenhower Boulevard is now a Juliana's. Website needed!

The Soup Spot

In cold weather, comfort food is key. It makes us feel better and warms our cold little hearts and bellies. Soup is a classic comfort food, no matter its variety - chunky, broth-based, creamy - they're all warming and somehow just make a cold day better. Therefore, today's pimpage goes to The Soup Spot, the relatively new little soup and sandwich haven at 912 N. Third Street (across from the One Stop).

The trio of dudes behind the counter are here to please. Try one of six ever-changing soup varieties - they actually let you have a little sample of whichever you please, so you get the soup you want - in small, medium and large. Recent favorites included the Chicken & Shrimp Gumbo and the Chicken Fiesta. They also make salads and some mean sandwiches - fresh for ya. I'm a big fan of their Italian sub; the boyfriend favors the Rajin' Cajun.

Weekend Roundup 1/15

Holy crap is it going to be tense this weekend for Pennsylvania football fans. I know where I'm watching, but if you're still looking for just the right spot, the esteemed yet youthful Dan Victor will have a front page story in Sunday's Patriot-News regarding the breakdown of Eagles v. Steelers fans in central Pennsylvania - including the appropriate bar to get your drink on for the game. Here's what else is going down:

• Check out Quizzo tonight at Suba from 7-9 p.m.
• And ... Go early because Suba (which now open Tuesday-Saturday) is featuring a new happy hour special from 5-7 p.m featuring 2-for-1 tapas, half price sangria and other drink specials. Best cocktails in town!
• Flinchy's has live Maine lobsters for $20 on Thursday nights. Don't worry, they cook them before forking them over. Plus, Philly Cheesesteaks are just $5 all weekend long ... if you're into that football team or whatever.
• Jersey Mike-approved and XPN-hosted, check out the free show at ABC tonight featuring The Shakletons, Perkasie and Slimfit.
• A new menu is on tap at Molly Brannigans. Don't forget they're your soccer headquarters. Open at 9 a.m. on Saturday for live games from Europe. 
• Sunday is Chocolatefest!
• On Monday, Cafe Atlantis is hosting a five-course wine dinner. Call 364-5845 for reservations.
• Also, Tara Station is open! Check out today's column for the scoop.

Mobile Hop Cast: Shady McGrady's

Hat tip to my boy, Jersey.

7 Things Meme

Ken Mueller, of XPN fame and the blog, I Threw a Brick Threw a Window, tagged me for the "7 Weird Things Meme" in where I tell you seven things about me, some of them weird, unusual or perhaps just unexpected. I usually prefer to answer questions as opposed to free-throwing you random information, but here goes nothing:

1. I have had seven full-time jobs and at least four part-time jobs since I graduated college, including my current job. My longest standing position has been my column, Out with Sara, which I've been writing in a freelance capacity for The Patriot-News since June 2003. I have sold clothes, "beer"tended, raised funds, spammed - but mostly, I have found writing in nearly all of these positions - radio commercials, news releases, blast e-mails, fliers, articles, print ads, newsletters, customer service correspondence, annual reports and probably more.
2. I'm a morning person. This is really only "weird" because I'm a nightlife writer. And I do like being up (relatively) late, too. My mom taught me early, "miss the morning, miss the day." I'm also not much of a napper. If there was something you could take that could keep you up all the time and not affect your health, I'd take it. Because, despite being a morning person, I am sometimes inspired at 2 a.m., and my almost-30-year-old body doesn't like functioning on only 4+ hours anymore. The point to this was actually that I love early mornings when the world is still so quiet. Also, it is the best time to hit the grocery store, although they don't serve hot dogs that early. It's a tough call.
3. I can count to 10 in five languages. However, that counts English and Latin.
4. In fifth grade, I took it upon myself to look up books of plays in library, photocopy those of interest, audition classmates and direct them in performances in front of the rest of the school. 
5. From elementary school through high school, I played the flute, the piano and took ballet, jazz, tap and modern dance. As soon as my feet are fully healed, I'm going back to dance (performed in a recital as recent as a year and a half ago), and someday I hope to reteach myself the piano.
6. More than 50 percent of the time, I don't listen to anything in the car - no radio, no CDs, no iPod.
7. As much as I love so many varieties and ethnic styles of food (and really, I like everything from sushi to Thai to steak (medium rare) to pasta to Korean ... the list goes on and on), I'm fairly certain I could live on good bread and milk (and wine). 

I tag:
Dan
Jersey
Kathleen
Dani
Josette

THE RULES ARE:
Link your original tagger(s) and leave a comment on this blog posting when you’ve “memed."

List these rules on your blog.

Share seven facts about yourself in the post - some random, some weird.

Tag seven people at the end of your post by leaving their names and the links to their blogs.

Let them know they’ve been tagged by leaving a comment on their blogs and/or Twitter.