Lancaster, PA

Here's an incredible value -- a full-sized, totally renovated home in the low 70s. 617 St. Joseph St., in historic Cabbage Hill.

On $/square foot, Lancaster city homes are often half the price of suburban homes. And this home is even lower than the city average.

There aren't many fully renovated homes available in this price range. It has an attractive facade, large rooms, a great floor plan, and a fenced yard that gets lots of sun. From the third floor windows you have an interesting view of rooftops, church steeples and large trees.

The Cabbage Hill neighborhood is perhaps under-appreciated in Lancaster. This home is closer to market and downtown restaurants than most of Chestnut Hill. Talk to neighbors on St. Joseph St. to form your own opinion about the neighborhood.

I'm a huge lover of the natural world, nothing makes me happier than bringing my garden indoors. I was an apartment dweller in Lancaster City for many years and was truly blessed with large windows that faced the sun and my houseplants thrived. When I bought my semi detached home over 10 years ago, I realized I had a problem. My home lacked light and my houseplants were dying!!!!

Having a home with great natural light is a rare find in the city. The large majority of homes in Lancaster City were built during the Victorian Age. It was during this time period that house plants became a staple in many homes. To learn more about houseplants in the Victorian Age, check out this link http://www.weekendgardener.net/indoor-house-plants/victorian-era-plants.htm. Unfortunately, my home lacked bay windows and I don't have room for a greenhouse so the Victorians weren't able to offer me much assistance. Fortunately, I live in the modern world.

I turned to the internet to find out more about varieties of low light loving plants and then I went on a plant hunt! One thing I did learn was that there are a variety of low light plants out there but they're not always the easiest to find! I had to go to multiple greenhouses and ask a lot of questions to find what I wanted. I also got in to a trial and error period. Some low light plants, like ferns, didn't thrive in my home but some low and medium light plants did. It's all about experimentation, good placement and your personal plant care habits. Here are the low light varieties that are working well for me:

• The ZZ Plant - (Zamioculcas Zamiifolia)
• The Chinese Evergreens (Aglaonemas)
• Mother-In-Law's Tongue or Snake Plant (Sansevieria)
• Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)

I found a great site on line offering images and care tips for these and many other varieties of house plants www.Plant-Care.com. I also highly recommend talking to your local greenhouses for tips, tricks and recommendations.

Happy Planting!

This morning we had another great gathering of Lancaster County Twitter users over at the Prince St. Cafe in Downtown Lancaster City. Some new faces were there - thanks for coming out!

Here's the list of attendees so you can follow them...

@wtrmaus
@asruiz
@beckami
@zoidland
@crazywidow
@ryansmoker
@Teammcloud
@airport_girl
@re_marks
@christophervogt
@bbes
@jeremywalter
@chuckholt
@lancasterhomes
@mspiker
@Therealizzy
@adamchlan
@joeltweets

I don't know about you, but I use the Lancaster Library fairly regularly. In fact, they've seen a 30% increase in traffic over 2008, according to a representative who visited our Council meeting in East Petersburg last night. With the ranks of the jobless on the rise (what recovery?) more and more people are using the free internet access and prep materials for job hunting and interviews.

Bad news is, with the PA budget impasse and expected cuts, the state funding for the library is going to dry up significantly.

If you're a supporter of the Lancaster Library yourself, then you have an opportunity to help this month! Loxleys Restaurant, part of the newly opened Heritage Hotel in Centerville, is including the Library in it's "Loxley's Legend Continues" Benefit Program. During the month of September, the Library will be one of three charities to receive 5% of the food bill.

Be sure to specify the Library as your choice when dining there. Tell all your friends and relatives and ask them to go to Loxley’s the next time they go out to dinner.

Go eat!

Chick Flick Movie Night
August 21
Lititz Springs Park
Will be showing Mama Mia, sponsored by Moravian Manor.
Time: 7:30 PM - 9:30 PM
Address: 18 North Broad Street, Lititz, PA 17543
Website: http://www.lititzspringspark.org/

Music Friday
August 21
Downtown Lancaster
Each third Friday of the month, Downtown Lancaster hosts Music Fridays. Performances will abound throughout the 300 block of North Queen Street as well as retailers, restaurants, and attractions throughout Downtown. Each month will bring new entertainment to the streets of Downtown Lancaster.
Address: 300 block of North Queen Street, Lancaster, PA 17603
Website: http://downtownlancaster.com/music.htm

Sorting it Out
August 21
Hands-on House Children's Museum
All systems are go for an out-of this world active adventure that's good for you. Ages 2-10 years with adult.
Time: 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Admission: FREE with regular admission to Hands-on House
Address: 721 Landis Valley Road, adjacent to Landis Valley Museum, Lancaster, PA 17601
Website: http://www.handsonhouse.org

1st Annual African American Band Event
August 22
Clipper Magazine Stadium
Organized by Concerned Black Men, Inc. Event features marching bands, drill teams and steppers from a variety of Historical Black College & Universities (HBCU) and area high schools. HBCUs invited include Bowie State, Delaware State, Lincoln University, Morgan State and Choppin State.
Time: 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Admission: $10 per person
Address: 650 North Prince Street, Lancaster, PA 17603

Historic Eastern Market
August 22
near corner of E King and N Shippen
The Historic Eastern Market is an outdoor market that offers local produce, prepared foods, art, and music. It is a festive atmosphere where you can shop, eat, and catch local talent. Every Saturday we have live entertainment (music, dance, and more).
Time: 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Admission: FREE
Address: 308 East King Street, Lancaster, PA 17602
Website: http://www.historiceasternmarket.org

Kinzers Fire Company Mud Sale
August 22
Mud Sales
Want to catch a glimpse of some local color and enjoy sampling traditional Lancaster County farm fare? This mud sale features plants, groceries, antiques, furniture, lumber, tack, sheds, gazebos, equipment, buggies, quilts, horses and much more!
Time: 7:00 AM
Admission: Free.
Address: 3521 Lincoln Highway East, Lancaster, PA 17535
Website: http://www.padutchcountry.com/member_pages/mud_sales.asp

2009 Arts Festival
August 23
Marion Court &Court Side Lounge
Out door art festival with 40 local artists, bands, vendors, dunk tank, demos, food and drinks, kid and dog friendly.
Time: 11:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Admission: none
Address: 7 Marion Court, Lancaster, PA 17602