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Shop ’til you drop!
The holiday shopping season is here once again, bringing with it plenty of sales, specials and gift-giving. The Gazette has your guide to the season: Learn how to compare prices, set a budget and pick out the perfect present./Page 7
November 27-December 4, 2013
Volume 5, Issue 48
Borough budget talks begin
Small Business Saturday showcases local shopping flair
By NATHAN PIPENBERG correspondent@centrecountygazette.com
STATE COLLEGE — The State College Borough Council has begun reviewing spending plans for the upcoming year, which include a $1.1 million budget increase and tax increase. Each year, the budget deliberations result in hours of discussion and a final budget that reaches hundreds of pages in length. The process provides a glimpse into the way the borough spent money over the previous 12 months, as well as the changes council has in store for future expenditures. As projected, the operating budget for the borough will rise from about $22.2 million in 2013 to $23.4 million in 2014. To make up the difference in expenses, a tax increase of 1.5 mills has been proposed. One mill brings in about $400,000 into borough coffers. The last time taxes were raised in the borough was 2009. Over the course of several meetings in November so far, council members debated the merits of specific spending hikes and cuts and heard presentations from borough officials. Some upcoming plans that reflect the budget hike include a $9.7 million project that will include renovations to the borough’s Public Works facility on Osmond Street and the section of Atherton Street between College and Beaver Avenues. Also slated for 2014 is a $775,000 update to Pugh Street that will add turn lanes and repair the street’s surface. At the meetings, council also sat down to presentations detailing the 2014 budgets for individual borough departments. Budget, Page 5
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By MARJORIE S. MILLER mmiller@centrecountygazette.com
STATE COLLEGE — As Small Business Saturday approaches, many area business owners attribute much of their success to their location. Whether it’s the Centre Region as a whole or a quaint little town square, these shop owners say it’s the people and community that will show support on Nov. 30. Duncan Crane, co-owner of Crystal Cave on Calder Way in downtown State College, said his store just opened over the summer, so this will be his first Small Business Saturday. “I don’t really know what to expect,” he said, explaining the potential competition from Nittany Mall and various large retail stores. “I really hope there’s a small business community out there.” Crane said his jewelry store, in which customers can make their own jewelry using beads, precious stones and other materials, will offer a buy-one (or two), get-one free deal on Nov. 30. Small Business Saturday hours at the store, located near India Pavilion, will be no different than regular hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays.
TIM WEIGHT/For The Gazette
ON DISPLAY: The Chamber of Business and Industry of Centre County hosted its annual Business Expo at the Penn Stater Hotel and Conference Center on Nov. 20.
Business, industry shine at annual expo By HARRY ZIMBLER correspondent@centrecountygazette.com
UNIVERSITY PARK — The Chamber of Business and Industry of Centre County’s Annual Business Expo featured more than 90 exhibitors at the Penn Stater Hotel and Conference Center on Wednesday, Nov. 20. “The expo gives exposure to the businesses in Centre County,” said Vern Squier, president and CEO of the CBICC. “It gives them the opportunity to meet with prospective clients in the county and region. In addition, it helps to improve the business environment for both consumer and vendors.” Squier said he was pleased with the turnout for the event. “We are at capacity plus,” he stat-
ed. “Mount Nittany Medical Center is our major sponsor.” The exhibitors appeared to be satisfied with the turnout and the networking opportunities. Jon Levin was hosting the Wells Fargo booth. “I have met a lot of interesting business people,” he said. “We have had a steady flow of visitors. No one has breezed by without stopping. It’s been a time to connect. I also enjoyed the food they are serving. It’s very good.” Levin has been a financial advisor for the past six years. The Lodge at Tussey Mountain was represented by executive chef R.J. Sheroke. “This is our second year at the
Small Business, Page 5
CHRIS MORELLI/The Gazette
BY DESIGN: At the Crystal Cave in State College, customers can make their own jewelry or purchase handmade items.
CBICC, Page 4
‘Turkey Bowl’ to raise money for local charities By CHRIS MORELLI editor@centrecountygazette.com
CHRIS MORELLI/The Gazette
FIELD OF DREAMS: Memorial Field will be the site of the annual Turkey Bowl, a touch football game that raises money for charity. The games feature former State College Area High School football players. Opinion ............................ 6 Black Friday ...................... 7
Health & Wellness ......... 11 Education ....................... 12
Community ............... 13-18 Gazette Gameday ...... 19-22
STATE COLLEGE — It started off simple enough, a group of State College Area High School alumni gathering to play football on Black Friday. It has grown into something extraordinary. It’s called the “Turkey Bowl,” but it’s actually a touch football tournament that raises money for charity. “It’s grown over the years and kind of taken on a life of its own,” said former State High and Penn State quarterback Chris Ganter. “It started about 10 years go, right after I finished playing at Penn State. We’d get touch (football) games together up in Holuba Hall. We started with 10 to 20 guys and each year it just kept growing.” This year’s Turkey Bowl makes the move to State College’s Memorial Field. Gates will open at 9 a.m. Games begin at 10:30 and Ganter expects everything to be wrapped up by 3. According to Ganter, the move to Memorial Field is an exciting one. “We got to do this one year on Memorial Field and it was awesome. It just hasn’t worked out in the past couple of
Sports ......................... 23-30 Arts & Entertainment 31, 32
years. We had to jump through a couple of hoops to make it happen. I got on it early enough this year to make it happen,” he said. For the past several years, the game has been played on the field near State High’s South Building.
IF YOU GO What: Turkey Bowl Where: Memorial Field, State College When: 10:30 a.m., Friday, Nov. 29 Cost: Admission is free, donations are encouraged Ganter said he expects more than 100 former State High players to participate in the Turkey Bowl. Each graduating class fields a team of five or more players for the tournament. There’s a bracket and games are played throughout the day. A champion will be crowned by mid-afternoon. “It really took off,” Ganter said of the tournament. “It’s something people really look forward to and get talking Turkey Bowl, Page 4
What’s Happening .... 33, 34 Group Meetings ............. 35
Business ..................... 37, 38 Classified ........................ 39