Harrisburg SoMa Sips festival to feature craft beverage vendors, live music, food

March 29, 2023 | by Maddie Gittens

A past SoMa Block Party. Photo by Michael Yatsko Photography.

An event is brewing in Harrisburg to bring the community together for some spirited company.

The SoMa Sips Beer, Wine & Spirits Festival will take place on Saturday, April 22 in downtown Harrisburg, featuring Pennsylvania craft producers, food trucks and live music.

The festival, from 1 to 5 p.m., will be held on S. 3rd Street, between Market and Chestnut streets, in the city’s SoMa neighborhood.

Vendors will include breweries, wineries, distilleries and cideries, along with non-alcoholic options. There will also be several food trucks and live music from bands Midnite Riot and Shine Delphi. Additionally, attendees can enjoy a pinball lounge, yard games and a photo booth.

“We’re excited to host this street festival in SoMa Harrisburg,” said Brad Jones, president and CEO of Harristown Enterprises, who is presenting the event in partnership with Sara Bozich Events. “If you haven’t made it to one of our SoMa Block Parties – or even if you have – you’re in for a treat. Sara has put together a great lineup of vendors and entertainment, and we really hope people will enjoy exploring the SoMa Harrisburg neighborhood for the afternoon.”

Throughout the summer months, Sara Bozich Events holds monthly SoMa Block Parties in the area, which also feature vendors, music and more.

Tickets for the SoMa Sips are required and can be purchased for $25 for adult general admission or $10 for designated drivers.

General admission ticket holders will receive 10 tasting tickets good for samples from any vendors.

For more information or to purchase tickets for the SoMa Sips Beer, Wine & Spirits Festival, visit Sara Bozich Events’ website.

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

Tree Time: Harrisburg to plant dozens of trees in Uptown, seeking volunteers

March 29, 2023 | by Maddie Gittens

Volunteers plant a tree at a city planting day in 2022.

Harrisburg has plans to make the city a little greener and needs some help making it happen.

The city announced that it will plant 75 new trees in Uptown Harrisburg on April 21 and 22 and is calling on volunteers to assist in planting them.

The new trees will be planted between Division and Maclay streets, from 2nd to 7th streets, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. each day.

“Trees provide essential ecoservices to urban areas, like cleaning and cooling the air, reducing stormwater runoff, and taking up carbon, while also adding tremendous beauty to our homes and streets,” said Ellen Roane, city forester. “Yet for far too long, the rate at which street trees are removed in Harrisburg has exceeded the number that are replanted, resulting in a net loss of tree cover.”

According to Roane, in recent years, in an effort to reverse this trend, significant funds have been allocated to the city’s Shade Tree Program toward the purchase of new street and park trees. Since 2019, about 500 new trees have been planted in the city.

For the April planting, all trees will be bare root and between 8 to 10 feet tall, but are lightweight and easy to lift, Roane said.

Volunteers who sign up for the Friday, April 21, tree planting will meet at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, at the corner of Green and Seneca streets, at 9 a.m. Those participating in the Saturday, April 22, tree planting will meet at the Goodwin Memorial Baptist Church at the corner of Green and Schuylkill streets, also at 9 a.m.

Tools, work gloves, water and snacks will be provided.

Harrisburg’s community tree plantings take place every spring and fall in different neighborhoods throughout the city. Property owners are offered new street trees at no cost.

“We are always looking for neighborhoods in need of trees where resident interest in increasing tree cover is also high,” Roane said. “If you know of such a site, or would be willing to help with outreach to such neighborhoods, please let us know!”

To sign up to volunteer for the April Harrisburg tree plantings, click here. For more information, visit the city’s website.

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

Harrisburg Housing Authority recognizes demand for housing as it prepares to open Section 8 waiting list

March 28, 2023 | by Maddie Gittens

The Harrisburg Housing Authority leasing office

For those with housing needs, the Harrisburg Housing Authority (HHA) will soon reopen its financial assistance program.

The authority announced that on March 29 and 30, it will accept new applicants to the waiting list for its housing choice voucher, or Section 8, program for the first time in about two years.

According to Oche Bridgeford, director of communications and compliance for HHA, it has taken that long to work through the entire previous waiting list, as the agency typically receives thousands of applicants during each application period.

It’s hard to know how many people will apply this time around, but Bridgeford expects the need will meet or exceed last year’s demand, especially considering the effects of COVID and a hot housing market.

“The hunger for housing is as intense as it’s ever been,” he said.

According to Bridgeford, the authority will select 1,500 applicants to enter the waiting list. From there, vouchers will be awarded to applicants using a lottery system. Those who apply quickly and are eligible may receive a voucher within several weeks, but others may wait up to two years.

“We are working to make sure the process is smooth and to make sure as many people that are in need can apply,” Bridgeford said.

The authority has 1,500 vouchers in total, including those that are already assigned. Currently, the authority has 1,240 residents housed with vouchers.

With a voucher, a tenant is responsible to pay up to 30% of their income for rent and utilities.

Once a resident receives a voucher, they have 60 days to find housing before it expires. They may request a 30-day extension. However, if housing isn’t found, their voucher will be withdrawn.

While the authority helps to point residents in the right direction when it comes to finding housing, Bridgeford described a rental market lacking in affordable housing options and landlords willing to accept vouchers.

“There is a limited amount of affordable housing, especially for the Section 8 program,” he said. “Someone could get a voucher and not be able to find housing.”

The authority recently launched a program to address this issue, offering sign-on and retention bonuses for landlords who decide to accept vouchers.

The program is still too new for the authority to tell if it’s getting more landlords on board, but Bridgeford is hopeful.

“One of our biggest issues is finding quality properties and partners,” he said. “We are always trying to increase that.”

HHA will accept applications for its Housing Choice Voucher program beginning on Wednesday at 8 a.m. and closing on Thursday at 3 p.m. Applications must be submitted via the authority’s website. Paper applications will not be accepted.

For those without internet access, the following nonprofit partners will provide access to computers and assistance:

Tri County Community Action, 1514 Derry St., Harrisburg, bilingual assistance available, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day
Latino Hispanic American Community Center (LHACC), 1319 Derry St., Harrisburg, bilingual assistance available, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day
YWCA of Greater of Harrisburg, 1101 Market St., Harrisburg, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day

The Harrisburg Housing Authority’s leasing office is located at 916 S. 14^th St., Harrisburg. For more information on the Housing Choice Voucher Program, visit their website.

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

At ceremony, adaptive bikes donated, provided to children with disabilities

March 28, 2023 | by Lawrance Binda

An adaptive bike recipient rolls through the atrium of Capital Blue Cross headquarters.

Eight central PA children are the new owners of adaptive bikes and strollers, which were distributed on Monday at a ceremony at Capital Blue Cross headquarters.

Capital Blue Cross, based in Susquehanna Township, and Pittsburgh-based Variety, the Children’s Charity joined forces to distribute the equipment during a ceremony in conjunction with Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month.

“Today was a touching and poignant reminder of how important it is for all of us to feel like we belong,” said Capital Blue Cross President and CEO Todd Shamash.

Variety, the Children’s Charity funds and delivers medical equipment and services to children who are sick, disadvantaged or living with a disability. Capital Blue Cross provided a donation for the bikes.

“Variety’s programs align wonderfully with Capital’s values and mission,” Shamash said. “Variety goes above and beyond to empower children with disabilities to live life to the fullest, and Capital goes the extra mile every day to improve the health and well-being not only of our members, but of the communities they call home.”

Former Gov. Tom Corbett and several area officials were also on hand during the presentation and donation.

During the ceremony, several children rode their new bikes and strollers around the Capital Blue Cross building atrium, as dozens of employees looked on.

In all, five children received bikes and three received strollers. Among the stroller recipients was 7-year-old Thomas of Elizabethtown. His mother, Charlotte, said the stroller will keep him safer.

“This is more suited to his needs,” Charlotte said. “Thomas runs off a lot when the opportunity arises, because he can get out of the stroller he currently uses. He needs something that will keep him safer as he grows, so the adaptive stroller will make a big difference.”

Variety the Children’s Charity began its adaptive bike program in 2012 and now serves 59 Pennsylvania counties. It has presented more than 6,100 adaptive bikes, strollers, and communications devices, and provides the equipment at no cost to qualifying children and families.

For more information on Capital Blue Cross, visit their website. For more information on Variety, the Children’s Charity, visit their website.

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

Pest Prevention: Spotted lanternflies headed back for the summer; city forester shares mitigation tips

March 28, 2023 | by Maddie Gittens

City Forester Ellen Roane and city Arborist Cody Legge secure a sticky band spotted lanternfly trap on a tree at Italian Lake Park in Harrisburg.

With summer around the corner, one pesky insect is on its way too.

Spotted lanternflies will again descend on Harrisburg in the warmer months, feasting on trees and plants around the city. Ellen Roane, city forester, has some tips for dealing with them.

“They’re just a pest,” said Roane of the spotted, black, red and grey invasive fly.

The bugs, currently in egg form, will likely hatch toward the end of April and develop over the summer months into adult form by late June.

On Tuesday, Roane and city staff began placing traps along trees at Italian Lake Park in Uptown Harrisburg, with plans to do the same at other city parks, such as Reservoir Park in Allison Hill.

According to Roane, the insects are attracted to trees like the tree of heaven, red maple, black walnut, silver maple and willow, among others. The flies will feast on these trees, often leaving behind a sticky honeydew secretion, prone to growing black mold.

While spotted lanternflies are not known to kill trees directly, they can weaken them over time, especially small trees. They can also cause damage to grape vines and other produce plants. Other than that, the bugs are mainly a nuisance, Roane described, as sometimes hundreds may cover a tree, but they are not harmful to people.

Now through April is the best time to begin setting up traps on trees, and Roane has suggestions on the best way to catch the pests.

In the early spring and summer months, it’s best to set up a sticky band trap that will catch lanternflies in their nymph stage. This can be made by wrapping sticky paper around the trunk of a tree and securing a piece of screening around it so that other insects or animals, such as butterflies, squirrels and birds, don’t get caught.

Roane recommends using a roll of giant flypaper, cutting it in half to make about a 5-inch-wide band of paper to wrap around the tree. This paper can be purchased online. Then, measure a piece of mesh window screening that is double the circumference of the trunk. Secure the mesh over the sticky band using thumbtacks and pleating it so it doesn’t stick to the band.

In the later summer months, when lanternflies have reached their adult stage, Roane recommends using a circle trap, which can be purchased online or made using items like screening, small pieces of wood and a clear plastic bag.

City Forester Ellen Roane shows a circle trap to catch spotted lanternflies at Italian Lake.

After the flies hatch and feed on the upper branches of the tree, they will eventually fall off and try to climb back up, which both traps will attempt to stop.

Either trap must be replaced periodically, Roane advised.

Other ways to rid your environment of the pests could include stomping on them, using a systemic insecticide treatment for larger trees and scraping gray egg masses off trees and into alcohol to kill them. Each egg mass can contain 30 to 50 lanternfly eggs.

How bad will the spotted lanternfly infestation be this season?

It’s too soon to tell, Roane said. But through a few simple methods, residents can at least manage how many pests invade their yards and living spaces this summer.

To learn more about spotted lanternflies and how to create your own traps, visit the PennState Extension website.

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

Hamilton Health breaks ground on Steelton facility, will be fourth satellite location

March 27, 2023 | by Lawrance Binda

Hamilton Health’s CEO Terese Delaplaine (center) is joined by local, county and state officials at the ceremonial groundbreaking on Friday.

A new satellite location for Hamilton Health Center has begun construction, part of a larger, mixed-used project in Steelton.

Area officials gathered on Friday at the site on N. Front Street in the center of the borough to ceremonially break ground on 20,000-square-foot healthcare facility.

The new facility is part of a 102,000-square-foot, mixed-use development called The Steel Works Revitalization, developed by Wormleysburg-based Integrated Development Partners. In addition to Hamilton, the development includes a retail store and a 41-unit apartment complex with additional first floor commercial space.

At the groundbreaking, Hamilton’s board Chair Michael Harris stated that the expansion positions the organization “to meet growing needs of the community.”

“We all look forward to serving the Steelton area,” he said.

Hamilton’s Steelton location will consist of a two-story steel building with about 10,000 square feet of space per floor.

The first floor of the building will include a clinical space for eight family practice exam rooms, a Women’s Infant & Children (WIC) office, and a space for the future Hamilton Pharmacy location that will include a drive-through for prescription care. The second floor of the facility will house office space for staff and providers. In addition, the roof of the building will utilize green technology with 7,000 square feet of solar panels.

The Steelton facility will mark the fifth location for Hamilton Health, a federally qualified health center. In addition to its main facility in Harrisburg, Hamilton has sites in Union Deposit, Millersburg and Newport.

For more information on Hamilton Health Center, visit their website.

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

Game On: New e-sports center debuts in downtown Harrisburg

March 27, 2023 | by Lawrance Binda

Soniqs CEO Darren Moore, accompanied by HU President Eric Darr, cuts the ribbon on the new LAN Center in downtown Harrisburg.

Do you want to play a game?

If so, you’re in luck, as downtown Harrisburg has a new facility, called the LAN Center, for state-of-the-art e-sports gaming.

The center will serve as the home for the Harrisburg-based Soniqs, a professional e-sports team. It also will be available to Harrisburg University’s varsity e-sports team, the Storm, and clubs and groups for private events, according to HU.

A local area network (LAN) gaming center is a facility where players use a computer connected over a LAN to other computers, primarily for competing in multiplayer games.

“We wanted to build the LAN Center in the middle of downtown Harrisburg so we could give back to the gaming community,” said Soniqs CEO Darren Moore, who cut the ribbon, officially opening the center on Monday morning.

LAN Center patrons will be able to participate in tournaments, engage in casual play with peers, and watch games as spectators. The center will include gaming set-ups and spectator seating for e-sports events. E-sports professionals will also teach workshops and other educational events in the roughly 2,000-square-foot space, which was constructed by Harrisburg-based JEM Group.

The center features Intel NUC PC’s built with 12th Gen Intel Core i9-12900 CPU’s, 16GB of RAM, and RTX 3060 TI’s. Accompanying the PCs are ViewSonic’s 27-inch 1080p 240Hz IPS gaming monitor. At each setup are Glide Gaming Chairs from Zipchair, which feature ergonomic support, height controls, adjustable armrests and tilt tension regulation.

“We really wanted to give people a space where they could come, play, and learn,” Moore said.

The LAN Center is located at 19 S. 3^rd St., Harrisburg. For more information, visit the Soniqs 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

March 24, 2023 | by Lawrance Binda and Maddie Gittens

Harrisburg Police Bureau’s Cpl. Don Bender with K-9 Zoe at retirement ceremony.

It’s officially spring and we at TheBurg couldn’t be more excited for the warmer days ahead! Just as April showers bring May flowers, Fridays bring our weekly roundup of Harrisburg news stories. Find all of our coverage, below.

Arlene Holmes has been at the helm of Holmes-O.K. Lettershop for 57 years, our magazine story reported. The Lemoyne design and print shop provides services for clients like the Kiwanis, the West Shore Lions and the Distinguished Daughters of PA, among others.

Artist Cheryl Kugler has created drawings of 100 cats and kittens from Lemoyne-based Loving Care Cat Rescue that still need homes, our magazine story reported. She recently held an art show and sale to benefit the nonprofit, as well.

Bike share is back for the season in Harrisburg with the return of Susquecycle, our online story reported. The program, run by Tri-County Regional Planning Commission, offers bikes for rent at locations around the city.

Friends of Midtown will host its first Midtown Makers Series throughout April, our online story reported. The month will feature a long list of workshops taught by local artists on everything from candle making to painting to knitting.

“HairStory: Reclaiming Our Crown” will debut at Gamut Theatre in early May, poetically sharing stories of hair inequality and Black hair history, our reporting found. The show, presented by Reclaim Artist Collective, will include true stories from local community members.

Harrisburg city and the school district will host a job fair on March 25 for residents searching for employment, our online story reported. The event will allow people to network with local professionals, business owners and city and school district officials.

The Harrisburg Police Bureau celebrated the retirement of one of its four-legged officers this week, our online story reported. K-9 Zoe served with the bureau for nearly seven years before recently being diagnosed with lymphoma.

Medard’s House, a New Cumberland youth center, focuses on giving youth productive, supervised things to do during the after-school hours. In our magazine story, hear from students on how the program has impacted them.

Our theater reviewer reflects on Open Stage’s current production of “Anne & Emmett,” an imaginary conversation between Anne Frank and Emmett Till, both fatal victims of racial prejudice. The play is graphic, heartbreaking and powerful, she shares.

Sara Bozich has tons of great ways to spend the weekend, here. From concerts to art exhibits to adult egg hunts, there’s something for everyone.

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!

Harrisburg city and school district to host job fair, networking event

March 23, 2023 | by Maddie Gittens

Harrisburg School District’s Lincoln Administration Building

Harrisburg residents seeking employment will soon have a chance to network with business owners, local professionals and city officials.

The city, in partnership with the Harrisburg School District, will host a Contractor, Vendor and Employment Resource Fair on Saturday, March 25, at the district’s Lincoln Administration Building on State Street.

“The city of Harrisburg is open for business, whether that’s on Main Street or in city hall,” said Mayor Wanda Williams. “If we’re going to promote working in or for the city, then we need to have the resources available for anyone who wants to take part in what we’re building. I’m thrilled to partner with the Harrisburg School District to ensure anyone who wants to work here has that ability.”

The fair, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., will give businesses and people seeking employment the chance to meet with business and hiring professionals and officials from both the city and school district. Human resources staff will be present to give guidance on the application process.

Contractors, vendors and suppliers also can engage with administrators to learn more about the procurement process.

Spanish translation support will be available.

“The Harrisburg School District is excited to welcome talented, qualified contractors and vendors, including local, minority and women-owned entrepreneurs,” said district Superintendent Eric Turman. “We are looking forward to strengthening our collaboration with the city of Harrisburg, so that together, we can create innovative partnerships that will benefit and support our diverse school community and city.”

The Harrisburg School District’s Lincoln Administration Building is located at 1601 State St., Harrisburg. For more information, click here.

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

“Lights Out Harrisburg” urges residents to switch off lights at night to save migrating birds

March 23, 2023 | by Maddie Gittens

Starting next week, saving migrating birds is as easy as flipping a switch.

From the start of April to the end of May, the Appalachian Audubon Society is encouraging Harrisburg residents and businesses to turn off their lights at night to prevent bird collisions with buildings and windows.

The initiative, Lights Out Harrisburg, asks community members to turn off or dim exterior and interior lights during the migratory season’s overnight hours, from 12 to 6 a.m.

According to Audubon society officials, as birds migrate north for the season during the night, lights can be distracting and cause birds to crash into buildings. According to the National Audubon Society, up to 1 billion birds die each year across the United States by colliding with buildings and windows.

Harrisburg will join over 40 other cities across the country for Lights Out.

The initiative will take place again from Aug. 15 to Nov. 15, during the return migratory season.

Partners for the program include the PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, PA Department of General Services, PA Game Commission, Harristown Enterprises, Harrisburg Downtown Improvement District, National Audubon Society, Wyncote Audubon Society and West Shore Wildlife Center.

To learn more about Lights Out Harrisburg, visit the Appalachian Audubon Society’s website.

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

You May Also Like

You May Also Like

You May Also Like

You May Also Like

You May Also Like

You May Also Like

You May Also Like

You May Also Like

You May Also Like

You May Also Like