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Friday at American MusicFest
Friday, July 4, 2008 8:01PM
Checked out American MusicFest this afternoon with Meg, her brother and his girlfriend. The weather looked threatening the entire time, but it really didn’t do much other than drizzle. To be honest, I was a bit surprised by the crowd. I thought it would be a bit larger and a bit more enthusiastic. Maybe in the evening when the bar crowd started filtering over things picked up a little bit. I’m sure the weather didn’t help. Full Article » -
This Weekend: I looovvvvveeee Friday Holidays
Thursday, July 3, 2008 3:35PM
Really, there is nothing better than having Independence Day fall on a Friday. In fact, I propose that July Fourth should be a Friday every year from now on. Impossible? Nah. Next year, with the Fourth falling on a Saturday, we all get hosed. Bad times, right? Wouldn’t it just be better to flip the third and Fourth. Really, it would bother you that much if July next year went Wednesday the first, Thursday the second, Friday the Fourth, Saturday the third and Sunday the fifth? I didn’t think so.
With the Fourth on Friday, not only can you get after it on Thursday night if that’s your scene, but you also have three straight days of vegetation. I suppose when the fourth is on a Thursday, that gives you four straight days of vegetation with the slight inconvenience of one of those days taking place in the office, but whatever. Full Article » -
Fired Up?
Wednesday, July 2, 2008 5:10PM
I have mixed feelings about fireworks. That may seem a strange statement; who doesn’t like fireworks, right? Fireworks are all about being outside with friends and family and about warm summer nights. When you’re in middle school, they’re all about awkwardly making out on a scratchy blanket. Once you get older, they become the world’s easiest and cheapest date. You can even take her out for some ice cream after and you’re still under $10 unless you go to Cold Stone Creamery. Cha-ching.
Yeah, great. They also mean horrific traffic jams that usually last longer than the show itself and equally terrible neck cramps. Plus, when I was a kid, my parents would never buy me glow sticks or a neon necklace (maybe that's why I bought one last New Years in Florida. No lie). I was so deprived. Full Article » -
Central PA Outdoor Swimming Guide for Daytrippers
Tuesday, July 1, 2008 10:40AM
I don't know about you, but when it's hot and humid outside, I'm looking for water. Specifically, iced, cold drinking water by a nice, big swimming pool. Last year, we joined one of the community clubs, but with both my husband and me working, we hardly ever went. We decided not to fork over the cash for it this year. But, you see, my son is a fish out of water. He is never so happy as he is when he's wet (not the diaper-variety wet, but virtually any other kind of wet—hoses, sprinklers, baths, showers, pools, you name it).
So, last week, feeling like a bad mom for choosing to save $250 over his supreme happiness, I started conniving—whom I could impose upon who has a pool? My aunt and uncle—maybe. My friend three hours away in New Jersey—nah. The neighbor up the street who's friends with our friends—too desperate. Then it occurred to me that maybe some pools offer daily admission to non-members. I was on a mission. Lucky for you, I am generously sharing my findings below, and Justin has been kind enough to add all of these places as Spotobe locations.
We ended up checking out the pool at Little Buffalo last weekend and found it to be quite lovely with attentive lifeguards and very reasonable prices at the snack bar. This weekend...haven't decided yet. Have fun exploring your options! (Just in case you're wondering, I snapped this photo, so you won't find me in it, just the husband and my fish.) Full Article » -
A Picture Is Worth…
Monday, June 30, 2008 3:41PM
I struggled long and hard with whether or not I should post this picture. There’s really no reason not to. It’s a fairly innocuous shot of me on my vacation taken in Watkin’s Glen Gorge (wearing a Spotobe t-shirt!). I’m not smoking crystal meth in it or anything, but I still wasn’t sure whether this was an appropriate forum. Technically this blog isn’t mine. I think for it to be effective and enjoyable to you, it has to take on my personality to a certain point, but I’m not sure how much.
That’s really beyond the point, because the questions in my mind about posting this picture were more about the forum than about the actual act of posting it. Ever since former Gawker editor Emily Gould’s oversharing manifesto in New York Times Mag, I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about how our internet persona changes the way we live our daily lives. On my vacation, I realized that it has absolutely changed the way my generation takes photos. Full Article » -
This Weekend: Celebrate We Will
Thursday, June 26, 2008 7:26PMI’m going to try to keep this brief because I just finished a delicious rib eye and a glass of Fox Run Cabernet Franc Lemberger on the porch overlooking Seneca Lake. I’d take a picture for you, but the camera is upstairs and I could barely muster up the energy to get to the laptop. Anyway, I’ll be back in town on Saturday, and if I were so inclined, there would be plenty of stuff worth doing. As it stands, I’ll probably be too busy recovering from my week of relaxing. Nevertheless, on with the show… Full Article »
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Q&A: Café Fresco Owner Nick Laus
Wednesday, June 25, 2008 1:00PM
In the interest of full disclosure, I have to admit that Café Fresco is probably my favorite restaurant in Harrisburg. I haven’t managed to hit every place in the area since I moved back (I’m working on it, I’m working on it), but of those I have, Fresco stands out. I’m always impressed by the attention to detail shown in both its food and atmosphere. Not surprisingly, when I heard owner Nick Laus was opening Level 2, a new nightspot above Fresco’s downtown location, I was anxious to check it out.
I still haven’t been able to go at night when the place is in full swing, but Nick graciously allowed me to poke around inside one recent afternoon. The interior of the place is absolutely gorgeous, and the attention to detail I always appreciated at Fresco stands out in even greater relief inside Level 2. I sat down with Nick at Fresco during happy hour that evening to ask him about his new business and about his thoughts on the restaurant and nightlife biz downtown: Full Article » -
Surviving Summer Air Travel
Monday, June 23, 2008 3:46PMWith Justin sunning himself up at Lake Wobegon, I find myself tasked with the responsibility of updating the Spotoblog. Initially, I was excited to pinch-hit but when this morning I realized I had to produce, nary an idea came bubbling up to the surface of my consciousness. Fortunately, in my efforts to post more events and performers on Spotobe, I somehow (don't ask me how), stumbled upon the most remarkable site for air travelers: OneBag.com. If you are flying here for a visit or flying elsewhere for a vacation, I strongly recommend you give this site a thorough read. It's extremely detailed, but well-organized, highly lauded and chock full of surprises (like why not to use a wheeled bag!). Having a two-year-old, my husband and I have more or less sworn off air travel for a while, at least with the kid, but it's easy to remember how taxing those checked bags can be. Not to mention the current situation of paying for each checked bag, regardless of weight. While I'm on the topic of air travel, here are some other random tips: Full Article »
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This Weekend: I. Am. Out.
Friday, June 20, 2008 2:56PM
Don’t get me wrong; I am thrilled to be going on vacation. About two hours from now (one hour, 59 minutes and 59 seconds, one hour 59 minutes and 58 seconds...), I’ll be sprinting out of here to head to a beautiful house that backs onto Seneca Lake near Watkins Glen New York. It will be super-relaxing, and while I love my job, it’s always good to get away (some of you might say that this is barely a job, I say shut up).
Still, I didn’t pick the best week to skip out. Being away, I will miss a lot of things that I would have otherwise wanted to do, like: see the Dave Matthews Band for the umpteenth time in Hershey, see Bayside (one of my favorite bands) open for the Alkaline Trio at the Chameleon Club in Lancaster and check out the Gettysburg Festival. Full Article » -
From Thailand to Japan in 22.5 Miles and $16 (I Feel Like Rachel Ray)
Thursday, June 19, 2008 10:09AM
As I’m sure you all know, getting anyone in a group of hungry people to actually come right out and pick a restaurant is nigh impossible. After the inevitable hemming and hawing at around 11:30 yesterday, we decided to skip the usual suspects (Keyser Soze!) and head to Bangkok 56 on Paxton Street. I’d never been there before, and I’m glad we went.
From the outside, the place looks underwhelming, but the super-tiny dining room is very pleasant. The tank of cichlids, which went far above and beyond your cliché Asian-restaurant fish tank, was a nice touch.
I wasn’t feeling all that adventurous. I have a decidedly sketchy stomach and I wasn’t even half way through the workday, so even though I love spicy food and was tempted by the curries, I went with a simple Kow Pad — fried rice with pork, chicken, tomatoes, onions and scallions. Nothing fancy, but it was really, really good and even with two meats it only coast $8.99. My co-workers/co-diners had a variety of dishes ranging from green curry to pineapple fried rice, and each was similarly impressed. Full Article » -
A Touch Of Class
Tuesday, June 17, 2008 2:54PM
The lovely people at the Hilton Harrisburg have made a new addition to their exterior. I give it a 10. Full Article » -
This Weekend: Something Different
Friday, June 13, 2008 4:31PM
We’ve been spoiled with lots of great community events lately, but this weekend there’s really not all that much going on. Nope, not joking. I suppose it’s on weekends like this that an events and entertainment website should really earn its keep, but honestly, it’s Friday afternoon and I just can’t see myself finding the energy.
Okay, I kid, I kid. In the words of Mario in Mario Tennis 64 "Here ve go!" You’ll have to trust me on some of these, we’re going outside the box… Full Article » -
Hit and Miss at Carmella’s
Wednesday, June 11, 2008 4:29PMBig boss Dori checks in again after lunch at Carmella’s Trattoria. She also gives her second bathroom review in as many posts. I’m beginning to feel as though becoming a parent makes you view restaurants as changing tables that happen to serve food. Frightening. Anyway, here’s what she had to say: Full Article »
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Passed Out…
Tuesday, June 10, 2008 2:29PM
I could write for days and not capture the current mood of Central Pennsylvania better than this poor squirrel has. I’m not one that is usually bothered by the heat, but I completely sympathize with this little guy. When I opened the window to try to take the picture, he looked at me with a mixture of annoyance and disdain (who knew squirrels could muster up disdain?). While you look at the picture, just imagine him letting out a little squirrel-sized sigh. Full Article » -
Spotobe Heat Index: 15:34
Monday, June 9, 2008 3:06PM
Spotobe Headquarters is air-conditioned. Kind of. It's still hot, and my co-workers are cranky. I decided to see how long it would take to melt two official Spotobe ice cubes on 2nd Street.
The results of this extremely scientific study inside...
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Foundry Day Photos
Saturday, June 7, 2008 1:26PMHot, hot, hot… That’s about all my sun-addled brain has to say. Full Article »
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This Weekend: Spotobe at Foundry Day
Friday, June 6, 2008 3:33PM
The main reason that Spotobe will be at Foundry Day in Boiling Springs this weekend is quite simple: It’s really close to my house. I’m in the process of looking for an apartment closer to Harrisburg, but since returning from Philadelphia, I’ve been living back where it all started for me. My current residence is nine holes of golf away from downtown Boiling Springs, and that makes traveling to said event quite convenient.
But if I’m going to be honest, I have to admit that even if I didn’t live in Boiling Springs, even if I still lived in Philadelphia and didn’t help run an events and entertainment website, I still would have come home for Foundry Day. Full Article » -
Q&A: Shakespeare in the Park Director J. Clark Nicholson
Wednesday, June 4, 2008 4:20PM
When I saw that the Gamut Theatre Group had chosen to put on Love’s Labour’s Lost as their annual Shakespeare in the Park show, I was, um… surprised. First of all, let’s get this out on the table, yes, I was an English major and I have read plenty of Shakespeare. Snicker, snicker. Let’s move on. Anyway, I was surprised by the selection because it’s not a show that most companies will put on, largely because it’s nearly incomprehensible.
That’s not to say that the story isn’t a good one and that the show isn’t funny — it is and it is. It’s just that almost any Shakespeare scholar will tell you that while Love’s Labour’s Lost is Shakespeare’s first work of true genius, it is also one of his most difficult reads. The play is about the King of Navarre and companions Berowne, Dumaine and Longaville who swear off women for three years in order to concentrate on study. At least they say they are going to until the Princess of France and some of her ladies pay a visit. Sexy right? Decidedly less sexy are the pages upon pages of highly-intellectual Latin puns. Even wikipedia calls the play “pedantic.”
But after reading in the Patriot-News that director J. Clark Nicholson had edited the play heavily and taken inspiration from the John Hughes comedies of the 80’s I was intrigued. I gave Nicholson a call and he assured me that he has nixed the archaic wordplay and left behind a pretty good story. He's got me convinced and I'd like to go see the show, which opens its two-week run tonight. Here’s what he had to say: Full Article » -
Did We Mention The Restroom…
Wednesday, June 4, 2008 9:41AMSpotobe big boss (well, bigger than me boss) Dori P. hit El Sol recently and filed this rather interesting report with the Spotoblog (if my title is “editor” I’m going to talk like one damn it).
I can assure you, this is not a subject with which I have any experience. In fact, just thinking about changing diapers period makes me break out into cold sweats, let alone thinking about doing it in public. Nevertheless, without further ado: Full Article » -
This Weekend: Carrie or Indy?
Friday, May 30, 2008 3:30PMFirst off, my apologies for slacking on the spotoblog/twitter front this week. Bad job by me. This blog will normally be updated more than once a week.
As for this weekend, there’s a lot happening beyond Sex and the City and Indiana Jones. On the music front, the Central Pennsylvania Friends of Jazz Festival runs all weekend long, and kicks off with some live performances at the Hilton’s Patio Grill Friday night. If that’s not your style (it’s not really mine, I try to like jazz, I really do, but…) Full Article » -
Sunday at Artsfest
Sunday, May 25, 2008 2:48PM
Yesterday I went to Artsfest to give stuff away, today I went and enjoyed myself. Once again, the weather was gorgeous and once again the food was pretty good. Given time to look more closely, I really enjoyed a lot of the art. Full Article »
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Saturday at Artsfest
Saturday, May 24, 2008 3:57PM
Just back after spending Saturday at Artsfest. My girlfriend Megan and I handed out 500 Spotoballs and hopefully made some new friends for the site. The weather could not have been better and the food was super. We got barbeque from Bob’s Big Beef (highly recommended), and a blooming onion. I also polished off a Cookies & Cream waffle cone that was bigger than my head. Full Article »
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This Weekend: Come Visit Spotobe at Artsfest
Friday, May 23, 2008 10:59AMMost Fridays in this space, I’ll be giving you a quick rundown of what’s going on over the upcoming weekend. I know, original right? This week that seems a little silly. Most everyone in Central Pennsylvania knows this weekend is Patriot-News Artsfest, one of the most-anticipated community events in the area. That’s not to say that there isn’t plenty of other interesting stuff happening though. Full Article »
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Who Do You Want To Hear From?
Thursday, May 22, 2008 3:16PMI have to admit that it’s going to take me a little while to get used to blogging. My background is in journalism, and in fact, this is my first professional job outside of the biz. That’s not to say that I haven’t enjoyed the switch. I was a sportswriter, and sportswriters almost inevitably begin hating sports. Trust me, I was well on my way.
As a sportswriter, you constantly find yourself trying to talk to people that have no interest in talking to you. You also work lousy hours and have to spend a lot of time with other sportswriters, many of whom smell strongly of coffee and press food and love to talk about sportswriting. It’s not as glamorous as it seems. Full Article » -
Site Improvements
Wednesday, May 21, 2008 10:57AMWe are constantly working to make Spotobe as awesome as humanly possible, and in addition to this-here blog, we are in the process of rolling out some other site enhancements. Full Article »
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Spotobe is Twittering (I Think…)
Thursday, May 15, 2008 4:08PMI’m never really sure whether I’m Twittering or Tweeting and I’m kind of concerned about the past-tense implications of whichever the correct word is (the English major in me knows that the conjugation would make it either twittered or tweeted but… still). These issues aside, Spotobe is now on Twitter. I have to admit that even after everyone in the office starting using Twitter and giggling about little inside jokes that I was clueless on, I resisted getting sucked in. It’s somewhat frightening that I’m 24 and I already occasionally feel like I don’t “get” new technology. Full Article »
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Hello and All That Stuff
Monday, May 12, 2008 11:48AMI have a confession to make. It’s shocking, I know, but I live on the West Shore and I do, from time to time, cross the river. For the time being, I live in little postcard-esque Boiling Springs, but I work in downtown Harrisburg. I also occasionally cross a bridge to go out to eat, to see a band I like or have a few drinks. Crazy, right?
I grew up in this area and even though I feel as though I had a pretty expansive childhood, I rarely crossed the river. I’m willing to bet that I am not alone in this regard. In my case, the fact that my parents were forever lugging my brother and I to our various sporting events probably had a lot to do with my limited sphere of influence. Full Article »
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