IdeaBlob.com, the site that gives out $10,000 every month for the idea that receives the most votes

Ever had a good idea? Now you can get that notion funded if it gets enough votes on IdeaBlob. The site is most definitely worth looking into. I just posted my own idea on the site that I’d appreciate you voting for or commenting on it: a website designed specifically for college students that outlines the events, discounts, destinations, jobs, and internships around the greater Harrisburg area. The idea is to attract more students to the region and really get those students connected to what’s going on here in hopes of reversing the region’s huge export of college students once they graduate.

The thing about this website that intrigues me is that really simple projects can actually win, you don’t need a doctorate to compete. In fact, the winner last month is a Penn State college student! Check it out or try your own idea!

Get Downtown Discounts in Harrisburg

Want 15% off food at Bricco? $2 off Senators tickets? How about buy one get one free admission for all three of Harrisburg’s theaters? These deals and many more are available to you with a Harrisburg Young Professionals passport, free with HYP membership.

So membership must be pretty expensive right? Nope. Join HYP for a whole year for just $30. That includes admission to weekly HYP events as well as the discount card.

The Harrisburg Young Professionals are celebrating their 10th year as “a group of young, active, civic-minded professionals who have a clear vision of Harrisburg’s future as a great place to live, work, play, and shop.” Joining the organization is an excellent way to make new friends and contacts, familiarize yourself with the city, get a passport discount card, and find some fun.

Check out their website for upcoming events and more discounts: HYP.org

Saturday’s Market - A market that takes place every saturday (My take on it)

This past weekend, Saturday to be exact, I went to the Saturday’s Market off 230 East in Middletown. I was quite excited to be going as it took me about 4 years to understand from the billboard on 83 north what and where this market existed. It’s one of those billboards that you prepare yourself for as you pass it because it has so much information on it you really never understand anything about it. And I never really did glean any information about the market off the billboard, I just got frustrated enough to goodsearch (no body googles anymore) for the the place and found a primitive website with all the information I needed. Interestingly enough, the website was SaturdaysMarket.com, who would have thought?

Anyway, I finally get to this place and I’ll happily vouch that it’s worth the visit, or at least one. Some of the vendors in this place appear to have been born and raised inside their respective vendor space. However, there are a number of great food vendors and you can really find some interesting goods there, especially if you’re into salvation army type gear. I had an extra key made for my car from a gentleman who has been hand cutting keys for 37 years. Total price: $1.50. Not too shabby, although the market generally is a little run down. The website boasts over 300 vendors inside as well as a number out in the parking lot, and I would say it may be nearly accurate. All in all, the visit was worth it, and I would recommend giving it a try, even if your goal is just to photograph sweet mullets.

Your local PA Artisan Trail “15 By Way of the Arts”

I randomly came across an interesting initiative of PA not too long ago, “PA Artisan Trails.” For those of you like me who have no idea what artisan trails might be, “Route 15 ByWay of the Arts is one of several Artisan Trails located in scenic traffic corridors throughout the state. Modeled after successful national programs and those in several other states, the PA initiative combines arts & crafts with tourism and economic development. The Artisan Trails offer guided weekend packages and self-guided road trips provided by select lodging, dining and artisan partners, and each Trail attempts to capture the unique essence of its local area.” That’s straight from the website: rt15arts.com.

It’s quite an interesting program and allows you to find something new to do whether it be dine n wine or checking out the local artisans. Be sure to check out the calendar as it is updated regularly with a number of interesting events. So now you know!

Local Wineries - Get wine-ducated!

Haven’t quite be enable to put down your bud light for a fine wine as of yet? Never really enjoyed the taste of mom’s wine? No worries, a visit to your local winery might surprise your palate.

I never really enjoyed wine myself, that is, until I discovered the incredible variety of wines that exist and how delicious many of them can be. And, while you might raise some eyebrows by trying a sip of every different wine in a liquor store to find one you like, it’s encouraged and usually free at your local winery. After a few visits to local wineries just for something new to do with my girlfriend, I quickly realized that there is a wine for everyone’s taste, whether you like dry, sweet, sugary, aged, white, red, rose, the list goes on and on. The moral of the story is, give it a try and be amazed at how you take to one or two of the wines you might taste at a local winery.

Luckily for residents of the mid-state, there are a number of wineries you can visit that are very close by:

My favorite winery: West Hanover Winery www.westhanoverwinery.net

Other wineries I personally recommend:Nissley Vineyards www.nissleywine.com, Naylor Wine Cellars www.naylorwine.com, and Cullari Vineyards www.cullarivinyards.samsbiz.com/.

But, you can find wineries state-wide at www.pennsylvaniawine.com/ - an excellent website. So, as I always say; buy local, support your local winery, and educate yourself on some of the many fine tasting wines out there, you’d be surprised!

Upcoming Event: Music Friday

And yet another sweet event has come to my attention - Music Friday - a night of music and shopping for a cause.

Check it out - http://www.lancasterarts.com/_files/live/MusicFriday_web_download.pdf

Basically there is going to be music at 25 different venues around downtown Lancaster Nov 30th from 5-9pm. Galleries and stores around the downtown are bringing in musicians to provide a warm holiday ambiance as you shop - and many participating shops are donating a portion of the evening’s proceeds to Music For Everyone.

If you’ve never been to downtown Lancaster, make a night out of it- there really is a lot to do and see. And this event gives you one more option for supporting local businesses this holiday season, not to mention having fun while you shop!

I’ll see you there!

Ongoing Event: Artisan Marketplace

Artisan Marketplace of Perry County

Support your local artisans! Here’s an event that might go under the radar but I wanted to promote because it supports the local artisans from around the region. The Artisan Marketplace is an event that is sponsored by HACC’s Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies and the Harrisburg Market Keystone Innovation Zone to allow local artists to display their works for sale in the nationally recognized gallery in Newport, PA for free. It gives the artists great exposure that they otherwise might not be able to afford, even with the great amount of talent that they represent. What can you expect to see? Everything from Jewelry, woodwork, painting, stained glass, and knitted accessories will be available for purchase.

 

The event will be open to the public until December 22nd from 9-4 Mon-Thurs., 9-7 on Fridays, and 9-3 on Saturdays. Take the kids, the wife, or just go by yourself to pick up some unique gifts for this holiday season. You’ve got to feel good about buying local, and you’ll be amazed at the talent right here in Central PA, especially Perry County!  

 

More information on Perry County Council of the Arts website: www.PerryCountyArts.org

Upcoming Event: PA Christmas & Gift Show

One of my intentions of creating this blog is to inform others about interesting events and happenings around the mid-state. I would certainly be remiss not to inform you about the PA Christmas & Gift Show, taking place Nov. 28th-Dec. 2nd at the PA FarmShow Complex and Expo Center. The official website: http://www.pachristmasshow.com/

I would encourage anyone who appreciates supporting the local economy to save your holiday shopping for this event! With over 500 vendors you are sure to find something creative and of high quality for that special someone (and definitely more original than that sweater from wal-mart).  

For your convenience I have already added the event to Eventful.com - join the central PA group and bookmark the Harrisburg Calendar to receive automatic email reminders about the event so you won’t forget! Shop local and have fun doing it!

If this event is anything like the PA Food and Beverage Show I attended a few weeks ago I can guarantee a great couple days of fun, giveaways, and free samples. Where else can you get all your holiday shopping done in one place? Not to mention the entertainment that will be going on. Check out the website and mark your calendars!