Bob’s Art Blog: Special Edition

November 3, 2023 | by Bob MacGinnes

A wall at EsōArts

Extra, extra! Breaking news!

It’s especially fitting that Lancaster County Magazine made the announcement for “Art Gallery of the Year” on All Souls Day, Nov. 2. And serendipitous that the honor went to EsōArts in its first year of operation.

The gallery at 317 North Queen St. is truly an art haven for “all souls,” especially the “huddled masses” looking for the right space to show and be recognized for their creative endeavors. In showcasing “art of the people, by the people and for the people,” EsōArts stands apart from other art venues.

Led by partners Andrew Silvius, Zachary Walter and Chris Dreisbach, the team took top honors by providing a viable alternative to fine art galleries. Groundbreaking in its approach, EsōArts is a crucial resource for up-and-coming artists, creators, entrepreneurs and those less seen. The gallery owes much of its success to its community-wide appeal and to Lancaster County’s established order that embraces its unique vision.

Andrew Silvius and Zachary Walter

In offering recognition of the award, Kathlene Carroll Sullivan, social media and engagement manager of Lancaster City Alliance, summed it up in a heartfelt tribute.

“EsōArts is a rare gem in the city of Lancaster,” she said. “Andrew, Zach and Chris have created a home and an affordable exhibit space for marginalized artists throughout Lancaster to be seen and appreciated. The trio wanted to ensure that the works of all artists could have a platform by removing the economic barriers that displace them. The wider community has responded in droves, packing the 4,100-square-foot space on First Fridays and for special events and exhibits. EsōArts’ success is a win for hundreds of artists, creatives, makers, and dreamers throughout Lancaster.”

Click here to read the feature story on EsōArts from our November magazine.

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Pork & Pies: Piper Belles Wood Fired Flatbreads tops pizza with BBQ at the Broad Street Market

November 2, 2023 | by Maddie Gittens

Owners Kaci and Dave Shirey of Piper Belles Wood Fired Flatbreads at the Broad Street Market

Pizza is back at the Broad Street Market.

Piper Belles Wood Fired Flatbreads churned out its first pies, topped with BBQ meats, for hungry customers on Thursday at its new stone market building stand in Harrisburg.

Owners Dave and Kaci Shirey have operated their food truck, Piper Belles BBQ, named after their daughter, for the past nine years, traveling to local festivals and events. Over the years, the business grew a strong Harrisburg customer base.

“People were always asking when we were going to open a shop,” Dave said. “We love Harrisburg and wanted to be a part of the community here.”

Blending Kaci’s background of working in pizza shops and Dave’s BBQ specialty, the husband-and-wife duo decided to try something unique and start a second business, this time without wheels.

At the new market stand, which opened on Nov. 2, they pile their smoked meats and homemade BBQ sauces on flatbreads.

The menu includes pizzas like bourbon bacon brisket, brisket and brie, chicken bacon ranch, and “The Porky,” which is topped with pulled pork, gouda and bacon. White sauce and lobster tops “The Claw,” and “The Roasted Veg” features Brussels sprouts, artichokes and asparagus. For those looking for a classic pie, cheese and pepperoni are on the menu, as well.

Most of their offerings are simply a pizza version of menu items from their long-time food truck.

“Our customers already know what they love and now they can have it on pizza,” Dave said.

Piper Belles fans, however, will still see the food truck on the road, as it will continue to operate.

In addition to their homemade sauces, which are also sold in Giant grocery stores, Piper Belles makes their own fresh pizza dough and uses a smoker that can cook 1,000 pounds of pork at a time.

Piper Belles is located in the market where Knead Pizza operated, before closing in August 2022.

The new vendor brings pizza back to the market with a unique twist.

Kaci said that the couple did have some concerns about opening after the devastating July fire at the market that heavily damaged much of the brick building, which is now closed, and how that would impact business. However, she felt confident in the Harrisburg community’s support of the market, she said.

“We know the market is continually supported by the community, and the market is going to get back to where it was,” she said. “Everybody’s very welcoming here.”

Dave and Kaci have dreamed of opening their own brick-and-mortar location for a while and are excited that the market is the next big step in the continued expansion of Piper Belles, they said.

“It’s exciting to be part of this community,” Kaci said.

For more information, visit Piper Belles website.

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Community Comment: Capital Region Water marks 10 years of infrastructure, community improvements

November 2, 2023 | by Charlotte Katzenmoyer

Charlotte Katzenmoyer

When Capital Region Water formed in 2013, it inherited a water and wastewater system that was reeling from years of neglect and suffering under a massive backlog of deferred maintenance needs. Now, with the municipal authority marking its 10th anniversary this month, the city’s infrastructure is on the mend.

Over the last decade, Capital Region Water has invested more than $200 million in capital projects to restore failing infrastructure, improve the health of local waterways, and beautify neighborhoods through community greening.

And that is only the beginning. Over the next 10 years, more than $350 million will be invested to address localized flooding and fix aged and undersized infrastructure that long ago exceeded its useful life.

No one denies the challenges of maintaining and upgrading a water and wastewater system that is more than a century old in some places. Nearly 40 percent of Harrisburg’s sewer and stormwater (rainwater) infrastructure needs to be repaired or replaced.

But these improvements are essential to our quality of life and economic growth. They also go a long way in ensuring we meet our environmental obligations.

A CRW crew performs inlet maintenance.

Recently, after months of negotiation and public comment, the U.S. Department of Justice approved a modification to the 2015 Partial Consent Decree among Capital Region Water, the city of Harrisburg, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. This historic agreement defines the work we must do to continue improvements and ensure regulatory compliance.

More certainly needs to be done. But that doesn’t mean we should ignore some of the good work and significant investments that have been made over the years.

In 2016, Capital Region Water completed a $50 million biological nutrient removal (BNR) upgrade to our Advanced Wastewater Treatment Facility. We demonstrated that the facility, which employs the most cutting-edge treatment processes in the region, can reduce total nitrogen in the outflowing water to better protect the Susquehanna River and downstream in the Chesapeake Bay.

We continue to further improve the facility as evidenced by an additional $15 million investment in screening and anaerobic digester rehabilitation projects undertaken since the BNR upgrade. Additional improvements to the energy recovery systems are planned over the next few years that will significantly increase the revenue generated from this facility.

Since 2014, Capital Region Water has repaired more than 100 sinkholes created by sewer pipe failures. Fixing old, cracked pipes reduces leakage that leaches into waterways. Our team also has cleaned and inspected all 4,000-plus storm inlets to collect runoff and prevent localized flooding. Many inlets had dirt that allowed weeds and even small trees to take root preventing proper rainwater drainage.

Capital Region Water works on the Front Street Interceptor project earlier this year.

Anyone who drives along Front Street has witnessed firsthand the investments being made in the city. Capital Region Water upgraded the Front Street Pump Station and work is wrapping up on the multi-phased Front Street Interceptor Rehabilitation Project.

In just the last few years, Capital Region Water has secured more than $141 million in low-interest PENNVEST loans from the state to complete many of the aforementioned projects, easing the burden on ratepayers.

Being able to obtain state and federal grants, low-rate loans, revolving loan funds at sub-market rates, and favored bond issues has been a hallmark of Capital Region Water’s independent five-member board, which despite being all volunteer has the relevant professional expertise to manage complex decisions and provide leadership to the 140-strong professional staff that manages daily operations.

That much can be seen in the financial turnaround of the system. When CRW assumed functions from The Harrisburg Authority, the water and sewer system essentially had junk bond status. Today, S&P Global has affirmed Capital Region Water’s A+ water and sewer bond ratings. Financial markets like predictability and stability.

CRW rebuilds a manhole.

Harrisburg’s water routinely ranks among the best-tasting water in the state, thanks to protections in place at the source at DeHart Dam, and we want to keep it that way. Safety improvements to the DeHart Dam are planned for 2024 and continued investments and improvements are being made to the water systems that supply that pristine water to our customers.

Managing stormwater runoff remains a priority. Capital Region Water’s stormwater fee generates about $5 million annually in dedicated funds to transform vacant lots into green spaces, improve parks, install raingardens and other stormwater infiltrating features, and manage stormwater with street-level planters that also calm traffic.

Looking back, residents should be proud of the work that has been accomplished over the last 10 years. It’s an impressive track record that should make us all realize that over the next 10 years, there isn’t much we can’t do when we do it together.

Charlotte Katzenmoyer is CEO of Capital Region Water. For more information on Capital Region Water, visit their website.

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Harrisburg to kick off the merry season with annual Holiday Parade this month

November 2, 2023 | by Maddie Gittens

Harrisburg’s 2022 Holiday Parade

It’ll soon be time to deck out Harrisburg with holiday cheer.

The city announced that it will ring in the season with its annual Holiday Parade on Nov. 18, featuring music, dance and floats.

This year’s parade, with the theme “Rockin’ Around the Burg,” will take place on N. Front and 2nd streets, from Market to North streets, starting at 10 a.m.

Attendees can watch giant parade balloons, including Elmo, Where’s Waldo and a snowman, float down the street. Local marching bands and dance teams will also perform as part of the parade. Designated performance zones will be on N. 2^nd Street, in front of the stage beside Market Street and at State Street.

Judges will score and decide on which dance teams, marching bands and other community groups will be awarded cash prizes.

After the parade, visitors can head to Strawberry Square to meet Santa, enjoy free hot chocolate and cookies and find out which teams won the contest.

Attendees can use the code LUVHBG in the ParkMobile app for four free hours of parking downtown on Saturday. The Market Square Garage is $10 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., courtesy of Park Harrisburg.

The Market Street Bridge will be closed starting at 7 a.m. N. 2nd Street and Front Street will be closed from Market to Forster streets starting at 7 a.m.

For more information, visit the city’s website.

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Weekend Roundup with Sara Bozich

November 2, 2023 | by Sara Bozich

Plan your weekend with my weekly list of things to do around Harrisburg and central PA!

What you’ll find:

For something new: Mrs. Kasha Davis: There’s Always Time for a Cocktail at Open Stage on Saturday; Bare Bones Theatre Ensemble & Supper at Rubicon on Sunday Worth noting: Autos & Ales Craft Beer Festival on Friday; lots of way to start that holiday shopping on Saturday Things on my agenda this weekend: Seeing some friends, otherwise a quiet weekend – I’ll take it

For your weekend(ish) planning

9 Foodie Trips Not to Miss | AAA Central Penn
See what else you missed on the blog

Below are options for your weekend.

A Look Ahead

November sip @ soma featuring Deer Creek Malthouse
Find the perfect holiday-themed getaway — no planning required!
The Best Farmers Markets around Harrisburg
Submit your events for the Weekend Roundup

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SoMa Christmas Market to debut, kick off holiday shopping season

November 1, 2023 | by Lawrance Binda

Harrisburg’s SoMa neighborhood

This month, downtown Harrisburg will join a growing trend throughout central PA—an outdoors holiday market.

On Nov. 25, the SoMa Christmas Market will debut on S. 3^rd Street, running from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., featuring a variety of artists, crafts people, food trucks, beverage vendors and entertainment, according to organizer Harristown Enterprises.

“We’re excited to host this new event in SoMa,” said Brad Jones, Harristown’s president and CEO. “If you haven’t made it to one of our SoMa block parties—or even if you have—you’re in for a treat.”

For several years, Harristown has hosted summertime block parties on the 100-block of S. 3^rd Street, between Market and Chestnut streets, where the market also will take place.

In addition to street vendors, local SoMa retailers will be open, including such places as Tamara Boutique, Found Collab and Boneshire Taps at SoMa. Live entertainment will be provided by Nate Myers and the Aces and the Collinsville Discount Band.

The SoMa Christmas Market takes place on Small Business Saturday, offering shoppers a chance to support local small businesses.

The event is rain or shine. However, in the event of very bad weather, it will be moved indoors to Strawberry Square, according to Harristown.

For more information, visit www.somaharrisburg.com/soma-christmas-market.

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Could Be Yours: Pieces of Harrisburg’s commercial, cultural history set to hit the auction block

October 31, 2023 | by Lawrance Binda

A commercial sign from Camp Curtin Shoe Repair

Calling all Harrisburg history buffs: an upcoming auction will feature vintage items from such lost local icons as the Senate Theater and Fink Brewing Co.

On Tuesday, Cordier Auctions announced that a Nov. 11 consignment and estates auction will feature numerous pieces tied to Harrisburg history, in addition to other arts, antiques and collectibles.

Perhaps most notable, the auction will have up for bid many items from the art deco Senate Theater, which stood in downtown Harrisburg for half-a-century until being razed in 1988. These include theater seats, original doors, mirrors, a marque and Westinghouse speaker covers, among other pieces.

Seats from the Senate Theater

Numerous commercial and advertising pieces will also be up for sale. These include items from once-notable local businesses such as Hirsch Jewelers on 3rd Street, Schell Country Store on 10th and Market streets and Camp Curtin Shoe Repair in Uptown.

An Angelo Asti Fink’s Beer lithograph

The auction also includes an Angelo Asti lithograph for Fink’s Beer, a brewery located on Forster Street, coincidentally now the site of the state Liquor Control Board. Asti’s art, which often featured Victorian-era “pinup girls,” was often used for beer advertising.

The auction also will include furniture, art, collectibles and house and home items.

According to Cordier, other highlights include a Yrjo Krkkapuro mid-century modern sofa (estimate $600 to $1,000); Salvador Dali lithograph (estimate $600 to $800); Barnum & Bailey vintage circus posters (estimate $100 to $200); Jiang Tie Feng limited edition silkscreen (estimate $100to $200); a fur coat sewing table (estimate $80 to $100); a scientific sample chest from the Philadelphia Museum (estimate $100 to $200); and a Victorian marble wash stand (estimate $80 to $120).

Bidding for the auction will be online via LiveAuctioneers. Previews are available by appointment by contacting Cordier Auctions. For more information, visit www.CordierAuction.com or call 717-731-8662.

Click here to read TheBurg’s 2022 feature story on the history of Harrisburg breweries.

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Fly Away: State to begin crow dispersal program to prevent roosting at Capitol

October 31, 2023 | by Maddie Gittens

Pennsylvania State Capitol Complex

The commonwealth hopes to deter some unwelcome visitors from coming to the Capitol building in Harrisburg.

The Pennsylvania Department of General Services announced on Tuesday that it will begin its months-long “Crow Dispersal Program” on Nov. 6.

The annual program uses U.S. Department of Agriculture-approved methods of discharging exploding shells and whistling devices to deter crows from roosting on the buildings.

“Each year, for the past 26 years, the Capitol Police have implemented anti-roosting measures to keep crows off of the Capitol Complex – along with the hazards they can create,” Capitol Police Superintendent Joe Jacob said. “Since our measures include explosive shells and whistling devices, we always give the surrounding community advance notice to avoid any unnecessary panic or alarm.”

The program aims to disperse crows in order to help reduce slipping hazards for pedestrians due to a possible increase of crow waste that can accumulate on sidewalks, especially in wet weather. The crow waste can also cause damage to buildings in the Capitol Complex.

According to the state, the methods are non-lethal and not harmful to people, crows, other animals, or the environment.

The program will continue through the next few months and occur daily between 5 to 7 p.m., until the crows have been effectively dispersed.

For more information, visit the Department of General Services’ Crow Dispersal Program website.

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Hunger and Homelessness Awareness week to shine light on need, encourage volunteering

October 31, 2023 | by Maddie Gittens

A previous CCU cleanup event.

An upcoming week-long initiative will seek to shine a spotlight on a local need.

Christian Churches United of the Tri-County Area (CCU) will participate in National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week from Nov. 11 through 18.

During the week, the organization will highlight the challenges of hunger and homelessness and provide opportunities for people to volunteer and donate to support outreach efforts.

“It’s all of us coming together; that’s what our community needs,” said Nick Mucci, CCU’s director of development.

According to the Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week website, more than 700 community organizations across the country are expected to participate in the initiative.

In Harrisburg, the community can get involved in cleaning encampments, serving meals to those in need and helping with laundry services, among other volunteer opportunities. CCU has partnered with other area groups to coordinate the week’s outreach efforts.

“We know we aren’t the only one engaging in doing local work,” Mucci said. “We are better together.”

The Kappa Omega Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity is one of the local organizations participating in the week. The group will provide a meal to 100 people at the homeless encampment near PennDOT.

“We hope to put a smile on some faces,” said Ian Wingfield, a member of Kappa Omega. “We want to let them know that people still care about you in spite of your situation.”

Additionally, the week will kick off with CCU’s annual United in Love Banquet and a clothing drive on Nov. 10. The week will also launch the 5th annual “Joy to the Burg” album and concert, which helps raise funds and awareness for homelessness services throughout the holiday season.

The schedule for the week is as follows:

Nov. 10: United in Love Banquet, clothing drive and Joy to the Burg kick-off
Nov. 11: Omega Psi Phi Fraternity meal, Harrisburg Havoc engagement activity and supplies, Compassion Action Network (CAN) litter clean up
Nov. 12: The Eclipse Project – Helping Harrisburg’s Homeless, meal and supply handout
Nov. 13: Project ASK information drop-in/Zoom: Supporting Students in West Shore SD
Nov. 16: Laundry Angels
Nov. 18: Winter Shelter and Safe Haven Volunteer Recruitment Breakfast
Nov. 18: Tent Valley Ministries Feeding and CAN Litter Clean Up
Nov. 18: Joy to the Burg at “Rockin’ the Burg” Harrisburg Parade

Mucci hopes that through the week, there will be an increased awareness of the issues of homelessness and poverty and that more people will decide to volunteer.

“The need is for ongoing volunteers that can commit to serve,” he said.

For more information about Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week, visit CCU’s website.

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Harrisburg officials respond to weekend shooting involving youth, discuss prevention efforts

October 30, 2023 | by Maddie Gittens

(From left) Police Commissioner Thomas Carter, Mayor Wanda Williams, City Council member Ralph Rodriguez, Harrisburg School District Superintendent Eric Turman and police Lt. Kyle Gautsch, at a press conference.

Harrisburg officials have vowed to double down on the city’s efforts to prevent violence, following a weekend shooting involving youth.

At a Monday morning press conference, Mayor Wanda Williams, along with Harrisburg Police Bureau and other city officials, addressed a Sunday afternoon shooting, which left three children injured.

“When is enough enough?” Williams said. “Now we are talking about children who are on the streets playing, and I want to say today that we are not going to tolerate this.”

On Sunday at 3:30 p.m., police were dispatched to the area of N. 18^th and Regina streets to investigate reports of shots fired. Officers first located an 11-year-old girl who was shot in the abdomen. She was taken to a local hospital in critical condition, but after surgery, is in stable condition and expected to recover, according to Lt. Kyle Gautsch.

Shortly after the girl was found, police were advised that a 3-year-old boy was shot, sustaining a minor wound in his leg. Police were then made aware that a 13-year-old boy had also been shot. Both victims were taken to the hospital and are expected to recover as well, Gautsch confirmed.

According to Gautsch, police believe that the 13-year-old may have been with someone who was possibly the intended target, when the shooters, who were on foot, began firing in the area. They do not believe that the 11- or 3-year-old were intended targets. Police currently believe that there were two shooters involved.

“The type of person that does that—that’s just horrible,” Gautsch said. “I think there’s probably a lot of us that have children and are parents. I envision my own children on the street when something like that happens.”

The investigation is currently ongoing, Gautsch said.

However, police officials shared that they are feeling hopeful that progress will be made based on the amount of community and witness assistance on the case. Neighbors were helpful in speaking with police and several tips have been submitted to the Harrisburg CRIMEWATCH website.

“It’s reassuring to see that the community is not willing to tolerate children being shot in our streets,” Gautsch said.

Williams shared that the bureau has deployed around 30 to 40 additional police officers, along with help from other agencies, as part of a saturation detail in the community following the incident.

City officials also plan to meet in the coming days to discuss an action plan to address preventative measures, she said.

The bureau received over $3.3 million in grants from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency in December 2022 to purchase gunshot detection technology and video doorbell cameras for homes in high-crime areas, among other technologies. These initiatives are still in progress and have yet to be implemented, according to Police Commissioner Thomas Carter.

Carter also shared that the police bureau has increased its presence in the community this year, as it has worked with other agencies to get additional officers on the streets.

“We’ve been out there constantly,” he told TheBurg. “We’ve been out there so much that I am depleting the public safety budget because of this mess.”

Referring to Sunday’s tragic shooting, Carter said that the bureau will find those responsible.

“We are going to bring the noise,” he said.

Anyone with information on the incident is encouraged to contact the Harrisburg Police Bureau at 717-558-6900. Tips and information can also be submitted via the CRIMEWATCH website.

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Plan your weekend with my weekly list of things to do around Harrisburg and central PA!

What you’ll find:

For your weekend(ish) planning

A Look Ahead

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

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