Conestoga Twp. tells an events venue no thanks

The Digest

Conestoga Twp. tells an events venue no thanks

At the July 7 meeting, Conestoga Township supervisors voted to deny conditional-use approval for a proposed events venue and short-term rental compound at 4459 Main St. The applicants, Benuel Esh and Rosemary Stoltzfus of Buchanan Apartments LLC, wanted to run up to 90 events per year out of a 2,100-square-foot barn and other buildings on a 25-acre parcel zoned part village mixed use and part rural conservation. During May and June hearings, residents laid out concerns about noise, traffic safety, and congestion. Township solicitor Matt Creme read findings of fact that included the residents' testimony being ruled "credible."

Supervisor Tom Grassel to the residents after the vote: "You guys did your homework. You were very respectful." The applicants can still appeal to a Lancaster court. The next supervisors meeting is August 4 at 7 PM.

Read more at LancasterOnline →

Why you should be walking Lancaster's alleys

There's a small, wonderful column from Tom Becker at LancasterOnline arguing you should be walking Lancaster's alleys this summer. He calls them the city's capillaries and the case is convincing. His recommended route: start at Central Market, head west on Market Street, take a left on Orange, cross South Prince, then left on Water Street. Look for Grant Street on your right (the one with Burly Bar and Mulberry Arts Studio). Continue on Water past the back of the Fulton Opera House, where a plaque marks the killing of Conestoga Indians by the Paxton Boys. From there, keep wandering.

The column quotes urbanist Jane Jacobs on why narrow streets are underrated. Bring your phone but don't look at it. Bring water. You'll get a little lost. That's the point.

Read more at LancasterOnline →

What's happening

Monday

How Big Were the Dinosaurs? | Interactive presentation comparing dinosaur sizes to modern animals. | 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM | Eastern Lancaster County Library, 11 Chestnut Dr., New Holland | Free

Mahjong Masters | American Mahjong for experienced players (one year minimum). Registration required. | 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM | Ephrata Public Library, 550 S. Reading Rd., Ephrata | Free

Teen Craft: DIY Room Freshener | Teens (13-18) make air-dry clay diffuser discs with essential oils. Registration required. | 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM | Lancaster Public Library, 151 N. Queen St., Lancaster | Free

Alpaca Wool to Yarn with Pleasant View Farm | Pleasant View Farms shows how alpaca fleece becomes yarn, from shearing to spinning. | 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM | Manheim Community Library, 547 N. Penryn Rd., Manheim | Free

Maker Mondays | Weekly open studio at the Felted Fox for makers to bring their own projects and craft together. | 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM | The Felted Fox, 2029 Miller Rd., East Petersburg | Free

Thirsty for Knowledge Trivia with MC Angel | Weekly Monday trivia at Brendee's (21+, smoker-friendly), the freshly reopened Irish pub downtown. | 7:00 PM | Brendee's Irish Pub, 449 W. Lemon St., Lancaster | Free to play

Mystery Book Club | Adult book club discussing Stuart Turton's The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle. Registration required. | 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM | Manheim Township Library, 595 Granite Run Dr., Lancaster | Free

Tuesday

Habitat Conservation with PA Game Commission | A PA Game Commission warden explains wildlife monitoring, hunting limits, and habitat protection. Tweens and teens. | 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM | Manheim Community Library, 547 N. Penryn Rd., Manheim | Free

Save the Bees! Making Bee Houses | Kids ages 6-9 decorate upcycled cans and install paper tubes to build pollinator bee houses. | 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM | Manheim Township Library, 595 Granite Run Dr., Lancaster | Free

Read or Die Book Discussion | Adults 18+ discuss Kazuo Ishiguro's Never Let Me Go. Registration required. | 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM | Ephrata Public Library, 550 S. Reading Rd., Ephrata | Free

Tour de Red Rose #10 Evening Ride (21 miles) | Lancaster Bicycle Club's Tour de France tribute, 21-mile Greenhouse route. Helmet required. | 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM | Leola Community Park, Maple Ave., Leola | Free

Accessible Yoga with Black Cat Yoga | Gentle, all-abilities yoga practice focused on mind-body connection. Adults and seniors. | 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM | Lititz Public Library, 651 Kissel Hill Rd., Lititz | Free

Now Playing

Mary Poppins | Dutch Apple's Disney musical about a magical nanny. Runs through July 31. | Tue 6 PM dinner / 7:30 PM show | Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre, 510 Centerville Rd., Lancaster | $83 dinner + show / $55 show only

Joshua | Sight & Sound's biblical epic on Joshua leading the Israelites into the Promised Land. Runs through Dec. 31. Closed Sundays and Mondays. | Tue 3 PM & 7 PM | Sight & Sound Theatres, 300 Hartman Bridge Rd., Ronks | Adults $82-$104 · Kids 2-12 $44

Ned & Nancy See America | Bird-in-Hand Stage's road-trip musical comedy. Final weeks — runs through July 25. | Tue see box office for showtimes | Bird-in-Hand Stage, 2760 Old Philadelphia Pike, Bird-in-Hand | See Bird-in-Hand box office

Ryan & Friends: Laughter in Lancaster | Ventriloquist Ryan Bomgardner's variety show. Runs through October 15. | Tue see box office for showtimes | Bird-in-Hand Stage, 2760 Old Philadelphia Pike, Bird-in-Hand | See Bird-in-Hand box office

Live music

Monday

Open Mic w/ Henry Devorick | Weekly Monday open mic hosted by Henry Devorick. 21+. | 7:00 PM | Tellus360, 24 E. King St., Lancaster | Free

Tuesday

Old Time Jam w/ Danny Mulligan | Weekly old-time jam session, all skill levels welcome. | 6:30 PM | West Art, 816 Buchanan Ave., Lancaster | Free

Open Mic w/ Dan Jamison | Weekly acoustic open mic hosted by Dan Jamison. | 7:00 PM | 551 West, 551 W. King St., Lancaster | Free