Backyard news, 02.12.09

Things-and-stuff dept. ... A Linglestown-area resident gets help with pesky moles. ... Copies of The Next Page, a new monthly newspaper, are available at St. Thomas Roasters in Linglestown, and the coffee house probably has a few copies of the second-ever edition of The Burg, another monthly billed as "Greater Harrisburg's Community Newspaper." ... According to The Paxton Herald edition on newsstands now, West Hanover Twp. supervisors will take a final vote Tuesday, Feb. 17, on a proposed work-release facility on Route 22 near the township's boundary line with Lower Paxton. ... You can't beat free stuff to do, and The National Civil War Museum in Harrisburg is offering free admission this Saturday in observance of Presidents' Day. The museum will be open between 10 am and 5 pm.

Let's get political ... State Sen. Jeff Piccola yesterday proposed banning those convicted of some of the most serious and violent criminal offenses from working in schools. ... U.S. Rep. Tim Holden is ready to "tinker around the edges" to restore federal stimulus funding for Pennsylvania approved by the U.S. House that was not in the U.S. Senate version.

B² speaks out ... I submitted an application today for a $25,000 grant program to fund a project that would aim to start four to six new community websites in the Harrisburg region. There are about 200 proposed projects competing for eight grants that will be awarded this spring. CLICK HERE to review the project that I've dubbed as "Backyard News." ... Last year I provided season-long coverage of the Linglestown Twilight baseball team, and this season I'd like to add Linglestown Baseball Association midget baseball. To do this, I'm going to need correspondents and ideally a sponsor or two to underwrite the service. Please e-mail if you want more info about Gazette sports reporting. ... I haven't forgotten about doing a First Night celebration in Linglestown to ring in 2010. My goal is to hold a kickoff planning meeting in March. In the meantime, think about ideas for objects to drop, raise or blow up. ... You're only a click away from once-in-a-lifetime chance to see B² in pink.