Schuylkill County Real Estate: March 2009

Buddy Touchinsky, local chiropractor and store owner, announced his candidacy today for a position on Orwigsburg Borough Council. Touchinsky will appear on the Republican ballot in the May19, 2009 primary. A political newcomer, Touchinsky brings his experience as a small business owner.

“I’ve developed certain skills operating two businesses, including planning a budget, hiring and managing employees, and long term strategic planning to ensure the businesses stay viable,” Touchinsky said. Touchinsky also has board experience, currently serving on the board of directors of several local non-profit organizations.

Touchinsky said, “As a board member, I have had the opportunity to work with others in directing operations and securing the financial stability of the organizations, a role that will be very similar to that of a council member.” In discussing the issues he may face as a member of Orwigsburg Borough Council, Touchinsky said he was fortuna

te to have grown up in Orwigsburg and now wants to be able to give back to the community and preserve the small town atmosphere and ensure that Orwigsburg remains a safe, secure, and desirable place to live and raise a family. “This means maintaining a quality police department, providing reliable and cost effective services and utilities, protecting public safety, and ensuring that steps are taken to plan for our future needs,” Touchinsky said.

“I’m looking forward to serving our borough,” Touchinsky said. “I understand there are some areas that need to be addressed, such as the sewer system and issues related to housing developments, but I am confident that I can bring some good ideas to the table and work with council members to develop strategies to manage these issues.”

Buddy owns Heathy Habits natural food store and a chiropractic office on Route 61, Orwigsburg.

 

Recently renovated storefront + office area + apartment on top floor. New air conditioning, gas furnace/forced hot air, skylight and powder room. Replacement windows. Owner believes apartment must be owner-occupied as it stands now, for code reasons. To bring up to code, fire resistant drywall must be added to hallway. Rubber roof on back half 2 yrs old. Security system. This property is ready for you to move in now!

Prime Route 61 office/professional space or retail. Split level layout. 1st floor: reception, 3 offices or patient rooms, large exercise or large office space. 2nd floor: large office + 2 smaller offices. 3rd floor studio apartment with kitchen, living area, bath and bedroom. Ideal for the business person who wants to live on site or for a manager to live there. Paved parking for 10 cars.

Sweet Arrow Lake County Park will host an “Eggs-traordinary” event at 7 p.m. Monday in the clubhouse, as Paul and Donna Spotts of Frackville will present a program demonstrating the intricate Ukrainian art of creating pysanky eggs. Producing these jewels of the egg world involves a layered process using beeswax and dyes.

The program will also include a display of finished eggs, history of the art and significance of the different colors and designs. The program is free and open to the public. For information and directions to the park, visit www.co.schuylkill.pa.us or call 622-3742 Ext. 5.

 

What are Pysanky eggs? Guess you're not from the Coal Region! And you're not Ukranian!

Check this web page out for pics and lots of info!

http://www.cs.unc.edu/~yakowenk/pysanky/

3 pm, Jerusalem Evangelical Lutheran Church, 252 Dock St, Schuylkill Haven. For directions go to website: www.gabrielensemble.org.

Gabriel Chamber Ensemble with John Arnold, Classical Guitar Schikele Little London Trio for 2 Violins and Viola. Schikele “Windows” for Viola and Guitar, Paganini Cantabile for Violin and Guitar, Mozart Divertimento in D Major for String Quartet, Piazzolla Pieces for Violin and Guitar, Castelnuovo-Tedesco Quintet with Guitar. Musicians : Simon Maurer and Linda Kistler, violins ; Agnès Maurer, viola; Gerall Hieser, cello; John Arnold, guitar.

Admission: Adult: $15, Seniors: $12, Children: free admission, Group rate: call for info. Contact Person & Phone Number for additional information: Agnès Maurer – 570-943-2558 – or email: gce@gabrielensemnble.org.

Did you know that the home ownership rate in Pennsylvania was 71.6 percent in 2007?

Or that 7.65 million acres of Pennsylvania land were part of farms during the same time?

These facts, and dozens more, are contained in the Pennsylvania State Data Center’s new 2009 Pennsylvania Facts Brochure. A quick reference to the facts and figures that define the commonwealth, Pennsylvania Facts is a fun and informative overview of Pennsylvania’s demographics.

Highlights from the 2009 Pennsylvania Facts:

• Pennsylvania is the sixth-largest state economy in the nation.

• 75.2 percent of Pennsylvania’s residents were born in the state.

• Pennsylvania’s Gross State Product in 2007 was $531 billion.

• Pennsylvania has 21 electoral votes.

• There are currently 2,563 municipalities (cities, townships, boroughs and one town) in Pennsylvania.

• Pennsylvania gained statehood on December 12, 1787.

• 76.7 percent of Pennsylvania workers drove to work alone, and the average travel time for all workers was 25.4 minutes in 2007.

• 55.3 percent of households have two or more vehicles.

• 86.8 percent of the population aged 25 or older had a high-school diploma in 2007, and 25.8 percent had a Bachelor’s Degree or higher.

• The largest industry in Pennsylvania was the Health Care and Social Assistance industry, with 843,870 employees in 2007.

• Pennsylvania’s housing stock is among the oldest in the nation. Almost one third of Pennsylvania’s housing units were constructed before 1939.

Limited quantities of the 2009 Pennsylvania Facts brochure are available free of charge, upon request: call the Data Center at 717-772-2710 or email at: PaSDC@psu.edu . It is also available for download from the PaSDC’s web site at http://pasdc.hbg.psu.edu : just click on “What’s New.”

This just came over from Rep. Tim Seip's office:

"I am again hosting a series of Property Tax/Rent Rebate days throughout the district to help local residents to find out if they are eligible for the rebate and to apply if they are. The rebate days begin April 2 – all of the dates and locations are below. To qualify for the program, a person must be 65 or older, a widow or widower 50 or older, or 18 or older with a permanent disability. Rebates issued this year are based on property taxes or rent paid in 2008. The deadline to apply is June 30.

If you qualify, the minimum rebate is $250, and the maximum is $975. The rebate program is funded entirely by proceeds from the state lottery, not tax dollars. The income limit is $35,000 for homeowners, or $15,000 for renters. Only half of a person’s Social Security or railroad retirement income counts toward the limit. Property owners will need to bring along a driver’s license or other form of identification, a Social Security statement, IRS 1099 form, dividend statement, pension statement, statements for any earned interest or income, and a property tax paid receipt for 2008. Additionally, renters will need a rent certificate and rental occupancy affidavit filled out by the landlord. Blank rent certificates are available from all of my offices.

All of the Property Tax/Rent Rebate days will run from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.: • Thursday, April 2, Tower City Borough Building, 219 E. Colliery Ave. • Tuesday, April 7, my Tremont office, Tremont Borough Building, 139 Clay St. • Thursday, April 9, Schuylkill Haven Recreation Center, 340 Haven St. • Wednesday, April 15, Terence P. Reiley Community Center, 216 N. 12th St., Pottsville • Friday, April 17, my northern Berks office, Tilden Township Building, 874 Hex Highway, Hamburg • Tuesday, April 21, Pine Grove Area Joint Treatment Authority, 115 Mifflin St., Pine Grove • Wednesday, April 22, my Valley View office, 1012 W. Main St., Valley View • Tuesday, May 5, my Tremont office, Tremont Borough Building, 139 Clay St. • Wednesday, May 13, my Valley View office, 1012 W. Main St., Valley View • Thursday, May 21, my northern Berks office, Tilden Township Building, 874 Hex Highway, Hamburg • Thursday, May 28, Terence P. Reiley Community Center, 216 N. 12th St., Pottsville

For more information on the rebate program or other state-related issues, please contact any of my offices.

On Saturday, March 28, Healthy Habits Natural Market in Orwigsburg will be holding its first Coffee House & Art Gallery Night. The event begins at 7 p.m., and admission is free.

The event will feature the works of local artists, courtesy of the Many Worlds Gallery in Pottsville, and local artist Bill Whalen's pottery will also be on display. The art show will also include art from Latin American artists. Visitors can enjoy free coffee, tea and snacks while they browse through the art work. Original music will be provided by local musician and composer Bryce Gladfelter.

Beth Fligge, the Event Coordinator said she feels the event will benefit both local artists and the community. “I think it's a perfect opportunity for people to experience the high level of artistic talent in the area,” Fligge said. Healthy Habits Natural Market is a locally owned, independent health food and products store. The store carries local goods, as well as other natural and organic products, and hosts free educational programs for the public.

Baked Haddock/Baked Salmon/Baked Jumbo Lump Crab Cake Dinners

4 - 7 pm, St. John the Baptist R.C. Church, 9th & Schuylkill Ave., Pottsville.

Full Course Dinner including the best homemade New England Clam Chowder, full salad bar, choice of vegetables, choice of macaroni & cheese, baked, or mashed potatoes, beverages, and homemade desserts. Take outs available.

Adults: Haddock $10.50, Baked Salmon $10.50, 1 Crab Cake $10.50, 2 Crab Cakes $12.50. Children 12 & under Haddock $7, Baked Salmon $7, 1 Crab Cake $7.