Layers of Truth: “No Bears” feels like real life, which it sort of is

January 31, 2023 | by Sammi Leigh Melville

Photo courtesy of Janus Films.

“There are no bears. Nonsense! Stories made up to scare us! Our fear empowers others. No bears.”

Promotional content of the Iranian film, “No Bears,” claims the film is composed of two love stories thwarted by societal demands. But I would go so far as to claim that there is a third love story—that of director Jafar Panahi and his craft.

All of these love stories are tragic.

Panahi takes to the screen, at least in fictionalized constructs, as our main character, and, in fact, the entirety of the story is seen through his eyes as he attempts to make a film remotely from another country.

Short note: outside of this fictional story, Panahi actually was arrested in 2010 for supporting protests and was barred from making movies and leaving Iran for 20 years. While it is clear that he has defied the former restriction (he has made five films since then, all of which were smuggled out of the country and screened at film festivals), he seems to be stuck by the latter point, or at least as far as the narrative of this film goes.

There are three narrative tracks to the film. The first is Panahi’s journey as he attempts to direct a film without crossing the Iranian border, using video chat to give direction to actors miles away. His film crew, recognizing the less-than-ideal situation every time the wifi in Panahi’s village goes out, offers to smuggle him across the border, but Panahi refuses, worrying about what might happen if he’s caught. But even his small attempts to film in the village cause more trouble than satisfaction for the filmmaker.

Which leads us to narrative number two: the reaction of the village to a woman, Gozal (Darya Alei), who was promised at birth to a man, finding love with another man, Solduz (Amir Davari). Panahi takes a photograph of the forbidden couple on the street, and the villagers appear at his door, demanding the photograph as evidence against Solduz. Everything Panahi does to fix the problem seems to get him into further trouble. The narrative focuses less on the forbidden lovers than it does on the tension in the village and the promised man’s bruised pride. Perhaps the love story here is more about the village’s love for tradition.

The third story is that of a couple, Bakhtiar (Bakhtiyar Panjeei) and Zara (Mina Kavani), who are trying to emigrate out of the country and flee to a better place, but are having a difficult time securing a second fake passport for the trip—and Zara refuses to leave the country without Bakhtiar. Theirs is the story that Panahi is filming via video chat, taking their situation and turning it into a nicely wrapped version of itself for the camera. But it becomes clear that the outcome of the couple’s illegal immigration will differ greatly from the outcome of Panahi’s film—that is to say, not happily ever after.

At times, “No Bears” feels like a slice of life. But there is so much packed into the film that will leave you plenty to think about long after the credits roll. It is a film that insists, though it is framed as fiction, that there is more reality to it than initially indicated. Though cloaked with this heaviness, the film is still refreshingly beautiful, and Panahi makes quick work of making the cast of characters come to life.

The end of Panahi’s love story is not over yet. However, as “No Bears” plays in theaters across the United States, he has reached a low point in his arc, now in prison for a sentence of six years that the Iranian government states was previously handed down. While we hope for his release, we may as well enjoy “No Bears” for the dark, barely fictional piece that it is.

Midtown Cinema is located at 250 Reily St., Harrisburg. For more information, visit www.midtowncinema.com.

February Events At Midtown Cinema

First Run Film Opening

“Saint Omer”
Friday, Feb. 3

National Theatre Live presents

“Much Ado about Nothing”

Sunday, Feb. 5, 5 p.m.

First Run Films Opening

“No Bears”

“Turn Every Page”
Friday, Feb. 10

Down in Front! riffs on

“Streets of Fire” (1984)
Friday, Feb. 10, 9:30 p.m.

FraserFest presents

“Blast from the Past”
Sunday, Feb. 12, 7:30 p.m.

Valentine’s Day Film

“When Harry Met Sally” (1989)
Tuesday, Feb. 14, 7:30 p.m.

3rd in the Burg Movie Night

“Pink Floyd: The Wall”
Friday, Feb. 17, 9:30 p.m.

National Theatre Live presents

“The Seagull”
Sunday, Feb. 19, 5 p.m.

First Run Films Opening

“Close”

“Emily”
Friday, Feb. 24

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A Vodka Valentine: Share your love with this spirited sauce

January 31, 2023 | by Rosemary Ruggieri Baer

There are many wonderful city and suburban restaurants in our Harrisburg area that will plan special Valentine’s Day dinners.

Restaurants will likely suggest early reservations, as it’s a very popular night out. Special menus may include lobster, crab cakes, steak Diane, osso bucco, and other items to splurge on.

While wishing all our favorite restaurants well on this special February day, how about a little Valentine’s dinner for two at home this year? We should look for something easy because, for many, it’s a “work day” or a “school night,” but it still can be elegant. Perhaps a little table could be set up by the fireplace, with prosecco or champagne on hand for cocktail time.

When I went looking for an appropriate choice for my Valentine meal, I came across a pasta dish that many restaurants do serve. It is not an unusual find on an Italian menu, but the addition of vodka lends it a touch of elegance.

As is the case with many Italian classic dishes, disagreements exist as to the origin of “penne alla vodka.” I did a little research. A chef at Orsini’s restaurant in New York has claimed inventing it in the 1970s, while a restaurant in Bologna, Italy, has made a similar claim. It doesn’t matter, of course, and you, as a home chef, can prepare several variations to make the dish your own.

My recipe is from the Italian classic cookbook, “The Silver Spoon.” Because it contains only a few ingredients, use real butter and cream, good imported pasta, fresh parsley and a high-quality vodka. It really makes a difference. This is a very basic and simple recipe. You can be a little innovative by substituting prosciutto, bacon or pancetta for the cooked ham or even smoked salmon if you like. Many recipes call for a little chopped garlic or onion to be added to the sauce, as well as chopped fresh herbs like chives, basil or oregano. This is one dish you can have fun with.

Penne alla Vodka

Ingredients

4 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 cup diced ham (small dice)
2 tablespoons tomato paste (I use Cento double concentrated)
1 tablespoon chopped flat-leaf parsley
5 tablespoons heavy cream
3 tablespoons vodka
12 ounces penne pasta
Salt and pepper to taste

Directions

Melt the butter in a large, deep-sided pan over low medium heat. (I use an All Clad “Everything Pan.” It is perfect for tossing sauces and pasta together.)
Add the chopped ham, tomato paste and parsley. Season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, for about 10 minutes.
Stir in the cream and vodka and stir for a few more minutes. (The alcohol will evaporate a little, but the taste and aroma of the spirit will remain.)
Meanwhile, cook the penne in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente, then drain.
Transfer to the pot of warm sauce on the stove and toss gently to incorporate.
Place in warm bowls and sprinkle with freshly grated Parmesan cheese, if desired.

So, back to our Valentine’s Day dinner.

A wonderful accompaniment to this pasta is a crisp, chilled arugula salad. Dress it with a balsamic or lemon vinaigrette. There are lots of recipes out there for homemade salad dressings, and they are easy to make. Shave some Parmesan cheese over the salad or, instead, toss in some Mandarin orange slices. Both of these salads really complement the vodka sauce. Fresh berries, tossed with a little chilled limoncello, is a perfect dessert.

Your ”Valentine,” whomever they might be, will love you for this dinner. No need for roses or chocolate. But don’t forget the “bubbly!”

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How to Help Contain Thyroid Issues

January 31, 2023 | by Capital Blue Cross Staff

For such a little gland, the thyroid sure causes some big problems.

We’re just past January’s Thyroid Awareness Month, but it’s never too late to talk about this potentially pesky, butterfly-shaped organ wrapped around the windpipe. The thyroid makes and releases hormones that keep your body humming along normally—metabolism control, for instance, is among its main jobs. When something is askew, it can release too many or too few of these hormones.

That can create havoc.

“Thyroid issues can put patients at risk for a broad range of conditions that can span everything from weight variation and exhaustion to cardiovascular problems, osteoporosis, even infertility,” said Dr. Jennifer Chambers, chief medical officer at Capital Blue Cross. “The good news is that most thyroid issues—while they’re usually life-long conditions—can be successfully managed through proper treatment, often including medication.”

The key, Dr. Chambers said, is getting to your doctor for the right tests that lead to the right diagnoses, which then ripple to the right treatments and medications.

Trouble is, roughly 12 million of the 20 million Americans with thyroid conditions don’t even know they have them, according to the American Thyroid Association (ATA). The ATA also reports that 10% of Americans will develop thyroid issues in their lifetimes, and that they’re far more prevalent—by a factor of 5 to 8 times—in women than men.

Two Main Types

While there are various subtypes of thyroid disease across a broad spectrum, there are two primary types: hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism.

Hyperthyroidism is when the thyroid makes too much of its hormone, causing the body to burn energy more quickly than it should. This can exhaust you, accelerate your heartbeat, cause unintended or unwanted weight loss, and even spike nervousness.

Hypothyroidism is when the thyroid produces too little of its hormone. This also makes you tired, but may lead to weight gain and an intolerance for colder temperatures.

A wide variety of other symptoms specific to a particular thyroid condition also can signal thyroid disease, and these issues can affect anyone, though they’re more likely to afflict women, people with family histories of thyroid problems, those with certain conditions such as Type 1 diabetes, those on medication high in iodine, and people over 60.

How to Help

You can cope with and catch thyroid issues by educating yourself about the many signals and perils of the problems, and through proper screenings and exams.

While thyroid diseases can sometimes be difficult to diagnose because they mirror other conditions, blood tests, imaging tests and regular physicals can lead doctors to accurate conclusions. Of course, having health insurance that helps cover screenings and prescribed medications obviously goes a long way toward helping you contain any thyroid issues.

Capital Blue Cross offers many employer group and individual benefits that may cover a variety of thyroid screenings, treatments and medications when medically necessary.

“So, if you’re suffering from one or more thyroid-condition symptoms, see your doctor,” Dr. Chambers said. “Many times, the right medical recommendations or prescriptions can keep thyroid conditions in check, and keep them from impacting your quality of life.”

For more health and wellness news and information that can benefit your business and employees, visit thinkcapitalbluecross.com.

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Tax preparation office set to debut in downtown Harrisburg

January 27, 2023 | by Lawrance Binda

The location of the new H&R Block office

A new tax preparation office is set to open in downtown Harrisburg just as tax season kicks into gear.

H&R Block will open on Feb.1 at the corner of Market and S. 3^rd streets, according to building manager, Harristown Enterprises.

“With the influx of new residential tenants in the SoMa neighborhood over the past five years, having this reputable tax service location will be invaluable,” said Harristown president and CEO Brad Jones.

H&R Block will occupy about 1,180 square feet of space at 225 Market St., which, in recent years, has housed a number of businesses, including a couple of coffee shops.

From this location, the company will offer services including tax preparation, tax audit assistance, electronic tax filing, refund transfers, refund anticipation loans and similar financial services, according to Harristown.

Recently, several other businesses have opened in the neighborhood, including Tamara Boutique, and Harrisburg University is finishing construction of its new academic building a block away.

“This addition helps to solidify the concept of a walkable community, where everything you need is in a few blocks’ walk,” Jones said.

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The Week that Was: News and features around Harrisburg

January 27, 2023 | by Lawrance Binda and Maddie Gittens

Robert Lawson was appointed to Harrisburg City Council last week.

The last week of January delivered a busy news week for Harrisburg. In case you missed any of our reporting, we have it all wrapped up, with our stories listed and linked below.

Harrisburg officials offered an update on the Mulberry Street Bridge homeless encampment as the city prepared to clean up the site. They provided details on where occupants went and what the city’s next steps would be.

Harrisburg University’s Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship is on a growth path, about to open a new facility in Strawberry Square. Our magazine story explains how this incubator is helping to stoke new businesses in central PA.

Historic Harrisburg Association released its annual list of “preservation priorities,” bringing to public attention its concern for some of our area’s historic buildings and structures. Read our online story to find out which local properties topped the list this year, as well as recent “successes” and “losses.”

Jay’s Boutique is a snug shop that specializes in affordable, fashionable clothing and accessories for women. In our magazine story, read about owner Janica Wright and why she believed a store like hers was needed in the Harrisburg area.

Life Lion roars through the air, rushing to save lives. Our magazine feature tells the story of the helicopter ambulance service that quickly delivers patients to Penn State Health’s Hershey Medical Center.

Mulberry Street Bridge homeless encampment was in the process of shutting down last weekend. One of our writers was there to offer a firsthand report as the last occupants searched for a new place to go.

Robert Lawson is the newest Harrisburg City Council member, appointed Tuesday night to fill an open seat on the body. Find out who applied to be a member of city’s legislative body and how sitting members chose Lawson.

Sara Bozich has a full lineup of fun things to do this weekend in her “Weekend Roundup.” This week, she also has embedded her podcast in the column, so readers can learn even more about what’s up in and around Harrisburg.

State Street in Harrisburg’s Allison Hill neighborhood has a reputation for being a dangerous road. However, the recent death of woman hit by a car has been ruled a suicide, according to city officials.

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Coroner rules suicide in death of woman hit on State Street in Harrisburg

January 26, 2023 | by Lawrance Binda

State Street in Harrisburg (file photo)

The death of a woman killed after being struck by multiple cars on State Street has been ruled a suicide.

During a Thursday press conference, Harrisburg police Lt. Kyle Gautsch said that the woman, whose name has not been released, purposely lied down in the middle of the eastbound lanes of the 1600-block of State Street, where she was struck by two vehicles on Tuesday night.

The 24-year-old woman was rushed to the hospital, where she died of her injuries.

“The adult female did intentionally enter into the roadway and did intentionally lie down in front of traveling vehicles when she was struck by two different cars,” Gautsch said. “That is the unfortunate circumstance.”

According to Gautsch, eyewitness testimony and video evidence both support the finding of death by suicide, which also was affirmed on Thursday by the Dauphin County coroner’s office.

He added that police are not currently pursuing charges against the drivers who struck the woman.

“There have been other accidents in the State Street corridor area, but this is not one of those that, unfortunately, in my opinion, could have been avoided without some kind of intervention with this young lady,” Gautsch said.

Over the years, a spate of accidents and fatalities has given State Street in Allison Hill a reputation for being dangerous for pedestrians and bicyclists. At least five people died on the street over a short time period in 2017 and 2018.

The accidents prompted the city to draw up plans to improve safety on the street, in conjunction with the PA Department of Transportation, which owns the road.

PennDOT began construction last year, but the city halted the project after some residents complained that the re-designed road would force them to move their parked cars twice daily.

Ultimately, the city outlined a new plan that retained full street parking, eliminated proposed bicycle lanes and kept the current configuration of two eastbound and two westbound lanes. The new lanes, however, would be reduced in width from 12 to 11 feet, with a 10-foot-wide turning lane.

At the press conference on Thursday, Matt Maisel, the city’s communications director, said that contractors are slated to resume work this spring on the project, which also includes new ADA-accessible intersections, brighter lighting, textured crosswalks and new pavement.

Maisel said that the original plan did not include repaving the road, but, following an analysis, PennDOT determined that the street needed to be repaved and will pick up the $1.5 million cost.

The project should be completed by the end of 2023, he said.

Gautsch urged anyone contemplating suicide, or if they know anyone who is, to contact Dauphin County Intervention or the PA Suicide Prevention Task Force.

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Weekend Roundup with Sara Bozich

January 26, 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: Wishes for Drew Pint Night at Boneshire tonight, and Notes of Hope for the Hemauers on Saturday. Worth noting: The PA Auto Show is in town Things on my agenda this weekend: literally nothing, and I am OK with that

For your weekend planning

View my local Restaurant Directory or Local Brewery, Winery, & Cidery Directory
See what else you missed on the blog

Below are options for your weekend.

A Look Ahead

1. HU Presents announces spring 2023 lineup

1. The Best Farmers Markets around Harrisburg

1. Submit your events for the Weekend Roundup

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Historic Harrisburg outlines “preservation priorities” for 2023; Market Street Bridge tops list

January 25, 2023 | by Lawrance Binda

The Market Street Bridge in Harrisburg (file photo)

A Harrisburg-based historic preservation group has released its annual list of endangered and threatened area landmarks, and, this year, a century-old bridge tops the list.

Earlier this week, Historic Harrisburg Association (HHA) officials announced that its top “preservation priority” for 2023 is the Market Street Bridge, a 95-year-old stone arch structure that spans the Susquehanna River.

Last year, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation unveiled a multi-year plan to restore the bridge, which includes constructing a separate utility bridge along the bridge’s southern façade.

Sara Sweeney, chair of HHA’s preservation committee, said that the organization has been in discussions with PennDOT regarding this proposal.

“We continue to applaud PennDOT for its plan to restore the bridge and hope that, in the process, the original design and features are maintained,” said Sweeney, during a Facebook Live presentation outlining HHA’s 2023 “preservation priorities.” “We will continue to monitor progress as the design progresses.”

A PennDOT rendering of the south facade of the Market Street Bridge, showing the proposed utility bridge addition

This is the first year that the Market Street Bridge has been a top priority for HHA. In 2022, the list was headed by Balsley House, a 2,590-square-foot building located at 220 N. 2nd St. According to HHA, the Federal-style building, one of the oldest structures in Harrisburg, continues to be threatened and, this year, is ranked second on the list.

However, according to HHA, there may be hope for the long-vacant, blighted structure in the heart of downtown.

“We have heard that there is actually some interest in the property by a private party, and we are hopeful for movement in 2023,” Sweeney said.

Balsley House in downtown Harrisburg

The remaining three “preservation priorities” also made last year’s top-five list. They are:

The former William Penn High School at Italian Lake
The former Harrisburg State Hospital complex
Prospect Hill Cemetery Gatehouse near the city line

Balsley House has been on the list since 2018, William Penn since 2017, and the former state hospital since 2014. The Prospect Hill Cemetery Gatehouse went on the list in 2021 after a car hit the structure, severely damaging it.

In the presentation, Sweeney also noted several recent preservation “successes” and two preservation “losses.”

The successes include:

The former Lemoyne Middle School, which has been renovated and converted into an apartment building
The former Gerber’s Department Store, also known as the “Carpets and Draperies building,” which was renovated into a mixed-used structure in Midtown Harrisburg
The former Milestone Inn, which now serves as headquarters for Dilks Properties in Uptown Harrisburg
The Harrisburg History Project, a series of historical markers in Harrisburg that needed replacement and updating

A win: The restored Carpets and Draperies building in Harrisburg

Sweeney also noted two recent “preservation losses”:

Beidleman House, an Allison Hill structure on Market Street that was razed last year
The Jackson Hotel on N. 6th Street in Harrisburg, which collapsed in early 2021

Moreover, HHA put about 30 structures in and around Harrisburg on its “watch list,” meaning that they’re historic properties of concern. These range widely, but include such landmark buildings as the Broad Street Market, the former Coca-Cola bottling works on Allison Hill, the Riverside firehouse and even HHA’s own Historic Harrisburg Resource Center.

Two new properties were added to the watch list this year.

The first, Myers House, at 213 N. Front St. in Harrisburg, made the watch list as the owner, the Dauphin County Bar Association, may no longer need such a large space, said David Morrison, HHA’s executive director. The second “watch list” addition this year is Buck’s Tavern, a nearly three-century-old structure located in West Hanover Township, which is threatened by blight and possible demolition.

HHA’s board is expected to approve the preservation priority list at its February meeting.

Historic Harrisburg Association is located at 1230 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg. To view the entire presentation, visit https://www.facebook.com/HistoricHarrisburgAssociation. For more information on Historic Harrisburg Association, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, visit www.historicharrisburg.org.

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Harrisburg native Robert Lawson appointed to fill open City Council seat

January 24, 2023 | by Lawrance Binda

Robert Lawson, following his appointment to Harrisburg City Council

Robert Lawson is the newest member of Harrisburg City Council, as he was appointed on Tuesday night to fill a vacant seat on the seven-member legislative body.

Lawson’s appointment capped a four-hour meeting that started with a large field of 16 hopefuls and involved multiple interviews throughout the night.

“City Council has been a goal of mine because it’s one of the most visible ways that I can serve my fellow citizens,” said Lawson, who was raised in Harrisburg, following the vote. “I’m nearly speechless.”

During his interview with council, Lawson stressed that he’s especially interested in helping to grow and strengthen the city’s small business environment, find solutions to affordable housing and encourage young people to stay in the city.

“My heart is with making this a city that thrives and making this a city where people can come here and improve their life situations,” said Lawson, a salesperson for Keystone Custom Homes and president of Lawson Group Insurance Agency. “I want to make sure that people make money, and that’s why community and economic development would be my dream committee to chair.”

The council seat was open following the resignation of former council member Dave Madsen, who was elected to the state House of Representatives. Lawson, 50, will serve the remainder of Madsen’s term, which expires in January 2024.

On Monday, the city reported that there were 20 applicants for the open seat, but only 16 attended the council meeting to be interviewed.

After brief introductions by each applicant, council members each nominated a finalist, leading to lengthier interviews of six nominees. When those interviews were completed, council members cast final votes for their preferred candidates, which also included nominees Pamela Parson and Tina Nixon.

In the end, council went through three rounds of voting to achieve the four-vote majority needed to select a new member. Lawson, who previously ran unsuccessfully for council in 2021, will be sworn into office on Wednesday, preceding the next council meeting.

“This is just wonderful,” Lawson said. “I look forward to serving.”

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Harrisburg City Council to choose among 20 applicants for next council colleague

January 23, 2023 | by Lawrance Binda

Harrisburg’s MLK Jr. City Government Center (file photo)

Who will be the next member of Harrisburg City Council?

On Tuesday night, city residents will find out who will fill the open seat on the seven-member body, as sitting council members interview and then vote to appoint the next member.

In all, 20 residents submitted applications for the slot. According to the city, they are:

Lewis Butts Jr.
Nicole Collins
Crystal Davis
Joan Downs
DeRon Jordan
Cole Goodman
Lavet Henderson
Thaddeus Hill
Rhonda L. Howard
Elyse Irvis
Robert Lawson
Lamont Jones
Jessica Marpe
James Bear Murray IV
Tina Nixon
Pamela Parson
Kathryn Rhett
Seth Rubinstein
Patricia Stringer
Aaron W. Ward

The council seat is open following the resignation of former council member Dave Madsen, who left after he was elected to the state Assembly. He now represents the 104th House district, which includes a large part of Harrisburg and several neighboring east shore communities.

Council has devoted all of Tuesday’s meeting, which starts at 5:30 p.m., to the selection process.

First, council will give candidates one to two minutes to introduce themselves. After that, sitting council members will be able to nominate one of the candidates. Council will then interview the nominees, followed by one or more rounds of voting. The first candidate to get four votes will earn the appointment.

The new council member will serve the remainder of Madsen’s term, which runs through January 2024.

Council last went through this process in October 2018, when now-council President Danielle Bowers was appointed to the seat vacated by former council member Cornelius Johnson.

Seventeen people applied for that seat, though only 15 went through the selection process, as one was eliminated in the city’s vetting process and another didn’t attend the meeting.

Editor’s Note: We have updated this story after receiving a new, updated list of applicants from the city clerk’s office.

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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 planning

A Look Ahead

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

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