Archive for the ‘Life in Harrisonburg’ Category
Sunday, July 19th, 2009
The most important thing I’ve learned about life in Harrisonburg is this:
To get that light, tasty treat of shrimp, lettuce and noodles wrapped in rice paper (dabbed with Sriracha and dipped in peanut oil), I have to order “spring rolls” when I’m at Thai Cafe but “garden rolls” at Taste of Thai.
Normally I’m all for the crunchy goodness of deep-fried food, but getting a hot plate of shredded meat in a cardboard-colored roll is not going to fix my light and spicy craving.
I also know the exact numbers for my favorite meal at each restaurant and have their phone numbers saved in my phone for easy takeout ordering. If these places ever redo their menus, I might have to learn how to cook.
Tags: eat food
Posted in Life in Harrisonburg | 2 Comments »
Wednesday, July 15th, 2009
After careful consideration I have decided that the city of Harrisonburg should allow residents to have chickens inside the city limits (not that I have any pull with anyone that matters). I was thinking no for a while after thinking about all the noise that occur, though after stepping outside on my portch and listening to all the barking dogs in the neighborhood, there is no way that chickens could be anywhere near as loud. I say go ahead and let people have there chickens and eggs, as long as there is a strict ban on Roosters!
Update: After thinking a bit more about this…. There should be some kind of limit, maybe a 2 chicken limit to keep the smell to a minimun.
Tags: Government
Posted in Life in Harrisonburg | 1 Comment »
Wednesday, July 15th, 2009
A local 15-year old was caught by the Harrisonburg Police Department, after he broke into multiple vehicles in the downtown area. The police were able to catch the suspect after they received a tip from a Rockingham County Jail inmate who was able to see several break-ins from the window in his cell.
The Jail is located right across the street from the Parking Deck and the inmate tipped off the guards. The Police also had assistance from several other witnesses. The teen was located and arrested last Wednesday. According to Police, the suspect is responsible 12 car break-ins and possibly more. He will be charged with “Tampering with a Vehicle”, with more charges to be filed at a later date.
Among the items he allegedly took were: Electronics, Cash and Jewelry.
Many of the targeted cars were unlocked, so make sure to lock your doors when parking downtown. I would go even farther and say— lock your car doors anytime you park, even when you are at home. It’s especially good advice now, since thefts from vehicles are up 21-percent this year…and the year is still a long way from over.
Tags: Crime
Posted in Life in Harrisonburg | No Comments »
Saturday, July 4th, 2009
I hope everyone is having a good time today– grilling out, having a beer, keeping all your fireworks a safe distance from your grill. I just heard the recession hit the Spottswood Country Club and they won’t be having their fireworks display this year.
Luckily Harrisonburg’s Downtown Renaissance Fair will be having a display tonight. At least somebody is having some kind of display, since you aren’t even allowed to have sparklers in town. Seriously, you have to go outside of the city limits. So if you fancy yourself an amateur pyrotechnic, go hang out with a friend that lives in Rockingham County. People caught with fireworks (even sparklers) in the city can get a $2,500 and a year in jail.
If you ask me law seems pretty un-American and against the pricincipals that our founders fought for. Tradition dictates that there are certain things you do on certain holidays. At Christmas you get a tree and give people presents, on Thanksgiving you eat turkey, on Halloween kids ring your doorbell and ask for candy. On the July 4th you drink beer and light small explosive devices. Thats the way it is. People are going to set off fireworks tonight despite the law. How is tax dollars to arrest citizens celebrating our nation’s independance the right thing to do?
Tags: Holidays
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Friday, June 26th, 2009
This is kind of scary, apparently the H1N1 virus (Pig Flu) has finally found it’s way to our fair city. A spokesman for RMH announced that they have a patient that has tested positive for the virus. On the bright side the patient was allowed to go home and is expected to recover. It’s kind of a big deal but it’s not like its the Rage Virus and we are all going to turn into zombies or anything but it’s still semi-disturbing. More updates as information becomes available.
Tags: swine flu
Posted in Life in Harrisonburg | 1 Comment »
Tuesday, June 23rd, 2009
The find people at harrisonburgnow.com finally gave me my own account, that way if I manage to offend anyone that is bored enough to look at this mediocre website, they can blame it on me and not them. Seriously aren’t their better websites with this kind of information on it? How hard is it to come up with an original idea for a website. My friend that made this site is all code and no vision. How about a site that is kind of like myspace but for the area, ok maybe thats not original either, of course I didn’t waste countless hours designing this one.
I’m going to see how long it takes for this post to be removed.
– Chris B.
Tags: Mischef
Posted in Life in Harrisonburg | 1 Comment »
Tuesday, June 23rd, 2009
I had a chance to catch up with an old friend today (we will call him Bob), he was recently laid off from his job and lost his health insurance (his employer cited “the economy”). He applied for unemployment but has not received his first check and he does not have the money to pay COBRA. Basically, he can’t afford to pay for the medications he needs or the doctor’s appointments required to get them. The poor guy was suffering from withdrawal from his anti-depressant (apparently they are called (brain zaps).
I asked him if he had tried going to the free clinic. To which he replied, “I can’t, I don’t have a job”. I didn’t believe him at first but he insisted that you had to be employed to get help from the Free Clinic. Still doubtful when I got home tonight I looked at their website and sure enough, you have to be employed for at least 16 per week or you have to apply for disability. What about people that are unemployed and can’t afford to go to the doctor? If you don’t believe me look at their policy (taken directly from their website.
This is just another fine example of the “Greatest Healthcare System in the world” at work.
The Free Clinic serves people who meet all of the following criteria:
- Resident of Harrisonburg City or Rockingham County
- Without any type of medical insurance, including Medicaid and Medicare
- Gross family income (before taxes) less than 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. This means that if you live alone, your income before taxes cannot be more than $20,800 a year to receive services. For a family of four, your income cannot be over $42,000.
- Working at least 16 hours per week, on disability, or deemed unable to work by Free Clinic clinical staff. People who are caring for young children, the elderly and persons with disabilities can be considered working.
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Monday, June 22nd, 2009
If 1,300 new apartments for JMU students are being built in Harrisonburg, how come I can’t find a decently priced place that allows cats? I have seriously searched and searched- nobody allows cats. I’ve looked on craigs list, even posted a “housing wanted” ad on craigslist. I looked at a place behind Sheets off 33 and it had a huge crater in the driveway and was in dire need of a power washing. The trim around the door was rotting off and they still wanted $695 plus a huge pet deposit. What are my lazy old cats going to do to compared to all the years of neglect? With the Real Estate market in shambles I was hoping landlords would be willing to make some concessions.
I thought I had found a place a few weeks ago but ran into a bit of old fashioned descrimination– and by old fashioned I mean cira 1900. It’s hard to believe but my fiance and were not “allowed” to rent a place from Hess and Miller, because we aren’t married yet. Pick up some cheap wedding bands or an attorney before you deal with those guys (if you and your significant other are still putting off getting hitched that is).
As made applicable by section 803 of this title and except as exempted by sections 803(b) and 807 of this title, it shall be unlawful– (a) To refuse to sell or rent after the making of a bona fide offer, or to refuse to negotiate for the sale or rental of, or otherwise make unavailable or deny, a dwelling to any person because of race, color, religion, sex, familial status, or national origin.
PS: Their website is ugly too…
Tags: House Hunting
Posted in Life in Harrisonburg | No Comments »
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