In Honor of National Tortilla Chip Day

First, let me preface this by saying this is taken from my Tumblr. National Tortilla Chip Day was Monday, so I figured I would celebrate at a local eatery here in Johnstown, El Jalisco. If you want great Mexican food, excellent prices, and exquisite service, this is the place for you! Check them out next time you're in Johnstown, Pennsylvania.

Keeping it clean thanks to Adopt-A-Highway

If you cruise along a clean highway, chances are you can thank a Pennsylvania Adopt-A-Highway volunteer.

Adopt-A-Highway is part of a national program that began in Texas in 1985 aimed at adopting and beautifying roadways in America. Pennsylvania adopted the program soon after when many residents requested it, according to PennDOT District 9 community relations manager Tara Henry.

"There is now an online application that [interested parties] can fill out," she said. "They can send it in to their district PennDOT office, or they can request an application by phone." Potential applications will then receive a packet they must read and sign, agreeing to the program's terms and conditions.

"[Interested parties] must agree to adopt at least two-mile portions of state highway, and PennDOT must agree that the highway is suitable for adoption. [Interest parties] must pick up litter at least four times a year, and must use safety materials provided by PennDOT." Henry went on to say that there must be a safety meeting held before each pick-up time.

"Participants must be at least 8 years old, and adults must accompany those under 18," she said. "An agreement runs for two years. It renews automatically until a group decides to stop."

Many groups in the Johnstown region, Henry said, are active program participants. Envision Laser Center employees are one such group, according to their general manager Dave Vance.

"One [motivator] is we like to give back to the community and want to be involved," he said. "We have several different projects we do, like being major contributors to the Lions Club." The Lions Club collects eyeglasses. "[Adopt-A-Highway] was brought to our attention and we had the opportunity. It's just a small way to give back to the community.

Center employees have been program participants for a year, and they have an additional volunteer with them. A regular client of theirs goes out with them to pick up trash along their adopted stretch of Route 36 near Ashville.

"He's retired, and he loves doing it," Vance said. "We pick up litter every two weeks, because there isn't that much to clean up when we go back. It also keeps things clean for everyone more often, which is the main goal."

Anyone looking to become participants of the Adopt-A-Highway program should call their district PennDOT office, or they can visit the Adopt-A-Highway website.

Greater Johnstown YMCA is bulking up

Since 1869, the Greater Johnstown Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA) has had an enormous presence in the Johnstown area. What started in a one-room library is now large and in charge in their newest location along Johnstown's Haynes Street. Over the years, the organization has undergone several moves and renovations, and members are gearing up for one more.

The organization's current home is turning 34 and, with age, comes repair needs. The building has a leaky roof and outdated temperature systems. A renovation and expansion project will fix those issues.

The expansion will add more room to the cardiovascular suite, add a therapeutic pool building and add a youth center. Renovations include roof replacement, plumbing and electrical upgrades and parking lot improvements.

The project is a result of a needs assessment completed by the United Way of the Laurel Highlands. YMCA members were to do a similar assessment, but opted to adopt the United Way one instead, according to YMCA executive director Sharon Jones.

The assessment concluded that there were five priority areas for the Johnstown area, such as the need to help children and youth succeed, strengthening and supporting families and supporting vulnerable and aging populations. Jones said while every need cannot be immediately met, the Y has the capability to satisfy some needs.

"There's a lot we can do to meet some of those needs. We need to figure out what types of programs are needed and what facilities are needed," she said. "That's how the project came about."

The project, officially named the 3M Capital Campaign, will cost about $3.5 million to complete - a goal, Jones said, the organization has already completed one-third of the way.

"We're looking at three sources of funding. The first is from the community and local businesses. The second is through grants and various private foundations. The final way is the Redevelopment Capital Assistance Program," she said. "It's a matching program. If we raise $1.75 million through the [other two sources], the program will match that if our application is approved."

While the campaign will benefit current Y members the most, Jones said new members are in the forecast.

"We'll be able to better meet the needs of the community. The youth center will provide a place for kids to hand out, and there will be a computer lab [as well]."

Jones said the project is to break ground March 2014, and is to be finalized December 2014.