Weekend Roundup with Sara Bozich

September 21, 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: Hershey native and TikTok star Warren Zeiders: Pretty Little Poison Tour at XL Live’s outdoor stage (pack that poncho!) Worth noting: It’s Week 2 of Harrisburg Restaurant Week. HYP Home Tour. Saturday is National Public Lands Day, which also kicks off Health Lands Week in Pennsylvania! Tap here to learn how to participate! Pizzeria Luca opens this week in Lancaster. Things on my agenda this weekend: nada. In need of some serious R&R.

For your weekend(ish) planning

See Broken Social Scene on Sept. 26; win tickets to see Margo Price on Sept. 28
🎧 My latest playlist
The Best Farmers Markets around Harrisburg
How to help the Broad Street Market and its displaced vendors
See what else you missed on the blog

Below are options for your weekend.

A Look Ahead

Harvest Hop in Downtown Camp Hill is Sept. 30
Fall Music Syllabus – Harrisburg University Presents September Lineup
Theatre Preview: Oyster Mill Playhouse
Fall Finds at Market on Market in Camp Hill
The next SoMa Block Party is Sept. 28
Submit your events for the Weekend Roundup

If you like what we do, please support our work. Become a Friend of TheBurg!

Front Street apartment project able to break ground despite initial resistance from City Council

September 20, 2023 | by Maddie Gittens

Site of the proposed project on the 2700-block of N. Front Street

A project to construct an apartment building on N. Front Street in Harrisburg can now move forward.

A land development plan for the 2700-block of N. Front St. was automatically approved by Harrisburg City Council, after the deadline to vote on the apartment project expired on Sept. 15.

The project, proposed by New Jersey-based EI Realty, includes demolishing two office buildings on the property and constructing a 21-unit modern-style apartment building.

Council originally voted, 5-2, against the proposal in May, with several council members voicing concern with the project’s lack of affordable housing. However, a week later, council approved a motion to reconsider the proposal, which essentially erased their previous vote.

The building plan consists of two-bedroom and one-bedroom units located at 2709 and 2717 N. Front St., according to Adam Kerr, vice president of the Harrisburg-based architect EI Associates, an entity affiliated with the developer. The units will rent at market rate. At a previous council meeting, representatives for the project said that they would not be interested in offering affordable units, as defined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

Council President Danielle Bowers told TheBurg that council decided to reconsider the proposal, based on the potential “legal ramifications” of denying the application, which conformed to city building code standards.

Following the reconsideration, the developer agreed to two extensions to the deadline for council’s re-vote. The latter has since expired, deeming the project approved, Bowers told TheBurg.

According to Bowers, council has not met with the developer since initially denying the application, and she does not believe that the proposal has changed to include affordable units.

If you like what we do, please support our work. Become a Friend of TheBurg!

Voting locations changing for three wards in Dauphin County

September 20, 2023 | by Lawrance Binda

Some Harrisburg-area voters will need to venture to a new polling place to cast their ballots in the November general election.

Dauphin County announced today a change for three polling locations, two in the city and one just outside.

For Harrisburg’s 11th ward, residents now will vote at Tri-County OIC at 500 Maclay St. Previously, they voted at the Governor’s Square Community Room, 2018 N. 5th St. According to the county, the location was moved due to “the present owners’ ongoing legal situation,” as the complex’s owners currently are in bankruptcy.

For Harrisburg’s 13th ward, residents now will vote at the Salvation Army, 506 S. 29th St. Previously, they voted at Holy Family Church, 555 S. 25th St. The move is being made because the church has been sold and, therefore, is no longer available as a polling place, according to the county.

Just outside the city, for Susquehanna Township’s 3rd Ward, residents now will vote at Solid Rock Missionary Baptist Church, 2400 Locust Lane. Previously, they voted at Grace Fellowship, 2415 Locust Lane.The change was made because the prior location was not ADA-compliant, according to the county.

“As this is a hilly terrain, there were few sites that could be considered, and the very real possibility of having to move this polling place outside of the Edgemont community was a serious concern for the Board of Elections and Bureau,” said Jerry Feaser, Dauphin County’s director of elections and voter registration. “However, Solid Rock Missionary Baptist Church has recently constructed a new and ADA-compliant site directly across the street from the present site, enabling this polling place to remain in Edgemont.”

The bureau will issue new voter cards to all voters in the three election districts to notify them of the polling place change, and voters will receive postcard reminders two weeks prior to the election, according to the county.

This year, Election Day is Nov. 7.

If you like what we do, please support our work. Become a Friend of TheBurg!

Smile! Harrisburg ranks among happiest cities to live in U.S., says national magazine

September 18, 2023 | by Lawrance Binda

Riverfront Park and the Market Street Bridge in Harrisburg

Are you feeling happy?

According to a national magazine, you should be, as Harrisburg is among the 15 “happiest places to live” in the United States.

Outside Magazine ranked Harrisburg as the ninth happiest in the nation, based on criteria like walkability, biking accessibility and proximity to parkland.

“What constitutes a happy town? It comes down to things like ample outdoor access for all, affordability, a safe environment, diversity, and freedom for residents to be who they are,” writes the magazine, which focuses on outdoors activities, health, travel and culture.

The “happiest” ranking is included among the magazine’s recently published “best towns” package of stories.

Harrisburg ranked especially high for affordability, with a median home price of $176,000, the lowest, by far, among the top-15 cities. Its median rental price of $1,425 a month was fourth lowest among the group.

The magazine cites other factors that contribute to Harrisburg’s “happiness,” including City Island, the Walnut Street Bridge, the Broad Street Market, the PA Farm Show Complex and a highly diverse population. Including the metro area, it lists proximity to rivers and streams, mountains and the Appalachian Trail.

In the section called “Room for Improvement,” the magazine only lists the recent Commonwealth Court case ruling that Pennsylvania’s school funding is unfair and unconstitutional and adds that lawmakers are attempting to remedy it.

In the “happiness” ranking, Reno, Nev., came in first, followed by Wilmington, Del., and New Orleans.

Why did Outside Magazine choose to focus on happiness? According to the editor, “Because the world is still rethinking how to work and live post-pandemic, and many people are searching for that perfect place to move to where they just feel better.”

Click here to read the full story,”The 15 Happiest Places to Live in the U.S.”

If you like what we do, please support our work. Become a Friend of TheBurg!

Local Italian restaurant to open location in H*MAC, serving authentic pizza, desserts

September 18, 2023 | by Maddie Gittens

Nonna Ilva pizza

It’s pizza time!

H*MAC announced that patrons will be able to grab a slice or a whole pie from the restaurant soon opening inside its Midtown music venue.

Nonna Ilva Authentic Italian is slated to open in H*MAC at the end of September, replacing Zachary’s BBQ, which operated there since 2021.

Nonna Ilva currently runs a location in Carlisle and was a vendor in the Broad Street Market for a year, before a devastating fire in July closed the building temporarily.

According to Mattia Cappella, who owns the business with his wife Hannah Houtz, he decided not to reopen as a vendor in the market’s temporary market structure, but rather move operations to H*MAC, after venue officials reached out to them about the opportunity.

“When the fire happened, I thought maybe the vendors needed some help,” said John Traynor, founder and spokesperson for H*MAC. “I thought pizza would be a good fit for H*MAC. It’s a win-win for everybody.”

H*MAC struggled to operate Zachary’s after the restaurant’s owner, Keith Taylor, was severely injured due to a car accident, Traynor said. With Nonna Ilva on board, Traynor views this as a new chapter for the venue’s restaurant.

Nonna Ilva will offer authentic Italian pizza, appetizers and desserts. The pizza will be thin crust, made with ingredients imported from Italy. One of the restaurant’s most popular pizzas is the salsiccia, topped with homemade sausage, sweet peppers, saffron sauce and stracciatella cheese, Capella said.

Nonna Ilva cannoli

They also plan to offer desserts, such as cannoli and tiramisu, along with vegan and gluten-free menu options.

“You will be able to drink a beer and eat pizza,” Cappella said. “I think H*MAC is a good location for us.”

Capella is from Italy, near Rome, where he also attended culinary school. He opened his Carlisle Nonna Ilva location in May.

When asked why he was interested in bringing the Italian restaurant in-house, Traynor said, “Honestly, it’s because I love pizza. He makes a really great pizza and makes everything by hand.”

According to Traynor, the restaurant will provide food for H*MAC’s large events and concerts, as well as its patrons during regular lunch and dinner hours.

Nonna Ilva is slated to hold a soft opening on Sept. 28 and open fully in early October.

Nonna Ilva’s Harrisburg restaurant will be located inside H*MAC, 1110 N. 3^rd St., Harrisburg. For more information, visit H*MAC’s website or Nonna Ilva’s website.

If you like what we do, please support our work. Become a Friend of TheBurg!

The Week that Was: News and features around Harrisburg

September 15, 2023 | by Lawrance Binda and Maddie Gittens

The site of a proposed convenience store that Harrisburg City Council approved this week.

As the cooler fall weather rolls in, it’s the perfect time to explore Harrisburg and all that the city has to offer. Head out tonight and experience 3^rd in the Burg’s music, art and food features. But first, catch up on all of this week’s news, below.

Bob’s Art Blog reviews this past weekend’s Gallery Walk in Harrisburg and features a new exhibit at the Susquehanna Art Museum. Click here to read more.

A curfew for youth in Harrisburg will be reinforced, the city announced this week, our online story reported. Youth under the age of 18 may not be in a public place during certain hours of the night.

Harrisburg City Council approved a plan for a new gas station and convenience store on the 1900-block of Herr Street, our online story reported. The project will replace a diner and dilapidated gas station currently at the location.

Home sales in the Harrisburg area cooled off in August, but prices continued to rise, our reporting found. To find home sale and price data for Dauphin, Cumberland and Perry counties, click here.

Mrs. Pennsylvania American and Miss Pennsylvania are both Harrisburg area residents, our magazine story reported. Both women are using their national platforms to champion important causes and make their hometown proud.

Narcisse Theatre Co. recently raised the curtain on its new home in downtown Harrisburg, our magazine story reported. The company will continue to perform its shows, which challenge the audience to think deeper, as well as add educational opportunities for youth.

New Cumberland Collective’s Music + Film Festival takes place this weekend, our magazine story reported. The festival will feature performances by local musicians, along with film screenings.

An overdose crisis in Harrisburg was the topic of conversation during a panel discussion with local officials who sought to increase prevention measures, our online story reported. City and Dauphin County officials shared where people can receive recovery services, as well as Narcan and Fentanyl test strips.

Rosemary is cooking up grilled shrimp with corn this month and has the perfect recipe for you to try. Click here to find it.

Sara Bozich has lots of live music on her weekend roundup, along with plenty of other local activities. Find all of her recommendations, here.

Do you receive TheBurg Daily, our daily digest of news and events delivered right to your email inbox? If not, sign up here!

Support quality local journalism. Join Friends of TheBurg today!

Local officials address Harrisburg drug overdose crisis, discuss prevention measures

September 14, 2023 | by Maddie Gittens

UPMC officials demonstrated how to administer Narcan during the filming of an upcoming program on Harrisburg’s WHBG20 television station.

Following a weekend marked by a spike in overdoses in Harrisburg, local officials are uniting around prevention efforts.

City and Dauphin County officials gathered on Thursday for a discussion on the recent numerous drug overdoses and how those struggling with addiction can receive help.

The conversation will air on Harrisburg’s TV station, WHBG20, on Friday at 7 p.m.

From this past Friday through Thursday, the Dauphin County 911 Center received 29 overdose calls, with nine of them being fatal. The overdoses are believed to be due to crack cocaine and synthetic drugs that tested positive for fentanyl. Many of the calls came from the downtown and Midtown areas of the city, where a “bad batch” of narcotics circulated, according to Police Commissioner Thomas Carter.

“We’ve always had overdoses, but we haven’t had this many, this sudden at the same time,” Carter said.

The county coroner’s office is still working to officially determine the cause of death in each case.

The fatal overdose victims ranged in age from around 56 to 70 years old, a population that Carter said is older than the overdose victims the police bureau usually encounters. According to Carter, the victims may have used drugs in the past but aren’t used to the potency of many drugs now, and their bodies couldn’t handle the fentanyl.

While people may assume those using and overdosing from drugs are generally younger, those struggling with addiction run the gamut of ages, said Kristin Varner, director of Dauphin County Drug and Alcohol Services.

However, Varner said that she believes, in this case, it doesn’t appear that the victims, most middle-aged or elderly, are people who would typically use opioids.

“Their bodies weren’t ready for it,” she said.

When it comes to reversing an overdose using naloxone, also known as Narcan, according to Carter, time is of the essence.

On Thursday, officials encouraged those with drug addictions, or those who know someone who struggles with addiction, to keep Narcan on hand. The medication, which can reverse an overdose, is available at pharmacies and many area agencies.

The police bureau is currently handing out Narcan for free to any community member in need, no questions asked, according to Carter. People can also access Narcan at Harrisburg-based The RASE Project, located at 100 N. Cameron St., as well as at JFT Recovery and Veterans Support Services, located in Lemoyne. JFT is also distributing fentanyl test strips, which are about 98% accurate at determining if a substance contains fentanyl, Varner said.

In addition to having tools like Narcan and test strips on hand, officials urge those using drugs to have someone with them in case of an overdose.

According to UPMC officials, administering Narcan is easy to do and should cause an immediate positive reaction for the overdose victim. Multiple doses of Narcan may need to be used in some circumstances, they explained.

To help those struggling with addiction, the county offers 24/7 access to recovery services by calling 717-635-2254.

“We need to figure out how we start to talk about harm reduction strategies,” said county Commissioner George Hartwick. “We need to make sure folks who are using are safe on the street today. We have a responsibility to save lives.”

For more information about Dauphin County Drug and Alcohol Services, visit their website.

If you like what we do, please support our work. Become a Friend of TheBurg!

Weekend Roundup with Sara Bozich

September 14, 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: HUGE live music weekend — close out the HU Presents Summer Concert Series with Mt. Joy on Saturday and Trey Anastasio and Classic TAB on Sunday — Tickets still available. Plus the new New Cumberland Music & Film Festival. Worth noting: Friday is 3rd in the Burg! Visit SoMa Harrisburg for wine, chocolate, music, macrame — and lots more from SoMa businesses. Harrisburg Restaurant Week 2023 is in effect. Things on my agenda this weekend: See above, including wine & chocolate at the sip @ soma pop-up tasting room tonight

For your weekend(ish) planning

WIN tickets to see Broken Social Scene on Sept. 26
🎧 My latest playlist
The Best Farmers Markets around Harrisburg
How to help the Broad Street Market and its displaced vendors
See what else you missed on the blog

Below are options for your weekend.

A Look Ahead

Harvest Hop in Downtown Camp Hill is Sept. 30
Fall Music Syllabus – Harrisburg University Presents September Lineup
Theatre Preview: Oyster Mill Playhouse
Fall Finds at Market on Market in Camp Hill
The next SoMa Block Party is Sept. 28
Submit your events for the Weekend Roundup

Thursday

- sip @ soma featuring Castlerigg Wine Shop, Cocoa Creek Chocolates, and Kreamer Kreations
- Octavia Blues Harp at The Sturges Speakeasy
- Harrisburg Restaurant Week 2023
- Live @ the ‘Shire w/ Shawan Rice at Boneshire Brew Works
- The Rummagers: Grand Opening & Ribbon Cutting
- Shrek at West Shore Theatre
- New Cumberland Food Truck & Restaurant Rally
- Kathleen Madigan: Boxed Wine & Tiny Banjos Tour at Hershey Theatre
- CapLive: Pat Metheny – Dream Box Tour at the Appell Center
- Theatre Harrisburg presents A Rock Sails By at the Kreskvy Center
- Poetry w/ Blacklisted Poets of Hbg at HMAC
- Marauda at HMAC

Friday

- 3rd in the Burg!
- sip @ soma featuring Castlerigg Wine Shop – plus live music, macrame, chocolate, and jewelry!
- Sound @ Found Collab
- 3rd in the Burg Movie Night: Donnie Darko at Midtown Cinema
- 3rd in the Burg at Susquehanna Art Museum
- Aortic Valve #3rdFridaze: September Edition at Nocturnal
- 3rd in the Burg at the Beach Club
- moe. @ XL Live
- Harrisburg Restaurant Week 2023
- ABC Oktoberfest!
- Lancaster Brewing Co. Oktoberfest
- New Cumberland Music & Film Festival
- Rock the Boat Cruise aboard The Pride of the Susquehanna
- Hollywood on High Summer Movie Series at Carlisle Theatre
- Ken Ludwig’s Shakespeare in Hollywood at Little Theatre of Mechanicsburg
- The Fulton presents Something Rotten
- Music in the Vines: Joe Cooney | Roxy’s Chatterbox Cafe & Creekview Food Company at Cassel Vineyards of Hershey
- Harrisburg Senators vs. Bowie Baysox (AA Orioles)
- Theatre Harrisburg presents A Rock Sails By at the Kreskvy Center
- Uprise Fest 2023 at Shippensburg Community Fairgrounds
- Cold Spring Union with Hockersville Station at The Englewood
- CapLive: Keller Williams at the Appell Center
- Megadeth – Crush The World Tour at Hollywood Casino
- Latin Fuzion Fridayz at Level 2
- Asking Alexandria & The HU at HMAC

Saturday

- HU Presents Mt. Joy in Riverfront Park – get your tickets here
- Lewisberry Fall Fest
- New Cumberland Farmers Market on 4th
- LIVE MUSIC + DANCE PARTY at Studio SOL Hershey
- ABC Oktoberfest!
- Lancaster Brewing Co. Oktoberfest
- Theatre Harrisburg presents A Rock Sails By at the Kreskvy Center
- Popcorn Hat Players presents Rapunzel en español at Gamut Theatre Group
- Cocktail Class~ Classic Cocktails! at Home 231
- New Cumberland Music & Film Festival
- The Annual Penn-Jersey District Rose Show at Hershey Gardens
- L’Italia Festival at Lititz Springs Park
- Sunset Dinner Cruise on The Pride of the Susquehanna
- Saturday Beach Bash: DJ Dance Party! at Harrisburg Beach Club
- Harrisburg Senators vs. Bowie Baysox (AA Orioles)
- Music in the Vines: Adam Blessing | Smoking Ace’s BBQ & Meat the Brown’s at Cassel Vineyards of Hershey
- Let’s Hang On! America’s #1 Frankie Valli Tribute Show at Carlisle Theatre
- Minnesota Presents: Out of The Void w/ CHIME at XL Live
- Third Eye Blind at Hollywood Casino
- The Fulton presents Something Rotten
- The Beach Boys at American Music Theatre
- Space Oddity: A Celebration of David Bowie at Open Stage
- Ciroc Saturdays at Level 2
- Son Little at HMAC
- Teenage Bottlerocket at HMAC

Sunday

- HU Presents Trey Anastasio and Classic TAB in Riverfront Park – get your tickets here
- Woofstock 2023
- ABC Oktoberfest!
- Lancaster Brewing Co. Oktoberfest
- Fort Hunter Day
- Yoga on the Terrace at Kings Gap Environmental Education Center
- Brewmaster’s Dinner at Isaac’s Craft Kitchen & Brewery Lemoyne
- Theatre Harrisburg presents A Rock Sails By at the Kreskvy Center
- Black, White & Read All Over Gala benefiting Fredricksen Library
- Space Oddity: A Celebration of David Bowie at Open Stage
- The Fulton presents Something Rotten
- The Annual Penn-Jersey District Rose Show at Hershey Gardens
- Yoga at the Orchard at Big Hill Ciderworks
- New Cumberland Music & Film Festival
- Harrisburg Senators vs. Bowie Baysox (AA Orioles)
- Candlelight Yin Yoga with Marisa at Studio SOL Hershey
- Harrisburg Area Roller Derby Vs Schuylkill County Scream Queens : DOUBLE HEADER
- Sunday Bloody Sunday: Bloody Mary Specials! at Harrisburg Beach Club
- Yoga and Brunch at Wyndridge Farm
- Drag Brunch at HMAC

If you like what we do, please support our work. Become a Friend of TheBurg!

Harrisburg Council OKs convenience store project on Herr Street

September 12, 2023 | by Lawrance Binda

The site of the proposed convenience store

Harrisburg City Council has approved a land use plan for a new gas station and convenience store near the city line, allowing the project to proceed.

On Tuesday, council voted unanimously to approve the land development plan for the project, located on the 1900-block of Herr Street.

Nirmal Singh Gill and Mohinder Kaur Gill with Mechanicsburg-based M&N, Inc., plan to build a 2,400-square-foot convenience store, with four gas pumps, on the site that currently houses a diner and a smaller convenience store.

Council members weighed the project last week during a work session, asking specifically about security and safety improvements in the area. On Tuesday, members offered no additional comment before voting.

Aman has said that the new convenience store would also offer hot food and beer, with indoor seating. They are considering keeping it open 24 hours, as well.

Aman previously told TheBurg that someone had purchased the diner, which last operated as Harry’s Bistro and, before that, the American Dream Diner. However, he didn’t know whether the diner would be removed in time before site demolition began.

If you like what we do, please support our work. Become a Friend of TheBurg!

Harrisburg-area home sales soften but prices rise, says latest data

September 12, 2023 | by Lawrance Binda

A house under contract in Harrisburg

The Harrisburg area’s housing market cooled a bit in August, but prices remained robust, according to the most recent report on previously owned homes.

For the three-county region, 604 houses sold compared to 734 houses in August 2022, as the median sales price jumped to $284,298 versus $260,000 a year ago, according to the Greater Harrisburg Association of Realtors (GHAR).

In Dauphin County, 299 homes sold in August versus 341 in the year-ago period, as the median price rose to $255,000 from $230,000 last year, said GHAR.

Cumberland County had 279 home sales compared to 358 the prior August, while the median sales price increased slightly to $308,000 from $300,000, GHAR stated.

In Perry County, sales totaled 25 homes, a drop from 38 the previous August, as the median price rose to $242,000 from $202,450 a year ago, according to GHAR.

In August, sales were somewhat slower than the prior year, as “average days on market” increased to 19 days, an increase of five days, over August 2022, said GHAR.

If you like what we do, please support our work. Become a Friend of TheBurg!

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