“Bleacher Garden” at The Bridge Ecovillage spotlighted during PA Urban Ag Week

July 13, 2022 | by Maddie Gittens

PA Secretary of Agriculture Russell Redding and The Bridge CEO Garry Gilliam at the “bleacher garden”

Where fans once sat to watch football games at the old Bishop McDevitt School in Harrisburg, a dedicated gardening team now tends to cucumbers, lettuce and tomatoes.

On Wednesday, officials from The Bridge Ecovillage showed off their “bleacher garden” to state Secretary of Agriculture Russell Redding during an Urban Ag Week celebration.

“These are folks who are making things happen,” Redding said of the state’s urban farmers. “The vibrancy of a community is predicated on being able to feed itself.”

Redding and staff from the Department of Agriculture are visiting urban gardens and farms across Pennsylvania during the week. The Bridge Ecovillage’s garden, located behind the old school building at 2200 Market St., was one of two stops in Harrisburg. In the afternoon, they moved on to tour the Camp Curtin YMCA’s community garden.

The garden is one of the first aspects to take shape of The Bridge’s plan to transform the old Bishop McDevitt school into apartments, event space, classrooms and restaurants, among other things.

“This is our contribution to our community,” said Garry Gilliam, CEO of The Bridge. “We want to play a role in converting Harrisburg from a food desert to a food oasis.”

The bleacher garden began in February and is managed by community organization City F.A.R.M. All of the food that is grown is given to local food banks and families who can receive produce from the garden on harvesting days.

According to Gilliam, they expect the garden to produce anywhere from 6,000 to 10,000 pounds of food within two years, enough for over 100 families. The garden grows produce like kale, scallions, tomatoes, turnips and cauliflower, among other items.

Many local groups from schools and organizations have volunteered at the garden, as well. The garden hosts volunteer days each week.

Gilliam added that The Bridge will begin the first phase of its building renovation project by the end of the year, which could take over a year to complete. They plan to begin by creating the “JEDII (Justice, Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion) Center,” which will serve as an event space. The ecovillage project as a whole is expected to be completed in 2026, Gilliam said.

For more information about The Bridge Ecovillage, visit their website.

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Community Comment: Understanding healthcare coverage–who pays for what?

July 13, 2022 | by Capital Blue Cross Staff

You visit your doctor and show your insurance card … and they tell you there’s a $25 copay.

You get a prescription filled and the pharmacist says you owe $30, even with insurance.

You have a medical procedure and receive a bill for $300 after your insurance coverage is factored in.

What’s going on here? If you have health insurance, what exactly are you paying for?

Healthcare coverage, like many other forms of insurance, doesn’t entirely eliminate your costs. It’s a shared responsibility with your insurer, and understanding how it works can be confusing sometimes.

Generally, healthcare costs when you have insurance can be sorted into three basic steps:

Your costs– With the start of each new plan year, you pay for your healthcare services until you meet your deductible – a pre-determined amount that must be reached before your insurer begins sharing your healthcare costs.
Shared costs– Once you’ve reached your deductible amount, you insurer will start to cover a certain percentage of your healthcare costs, called your coinsurance, until you reach the maximum amount that you or your family pay during a benefit period – an amount called your out-of-pocket maximum. You also continue to cover any applicable copays during this period.
Insurer costs– Once you’ve reached your out-of-pocket maximum, your insurer pays all covered costs for the rest of the plan year. When the next plan year begins, so does this three-step cycle.

The easiest way to find out what your copay, deductible and out-of-pocket amounts are is to ask your insurer or employer for a summary of benefits and coverage, or SBC. This document shows how you and your insurance plan share costs for covered health care services, and it will list specific amounts related to your coverage.

Once you know which costs you are responsible for, you can take steps to save money by choosing the most affordable healthcare options that suit your preferences and needs.

THINK (Trusted Health Information, News, and Knowledge) is a community publication of Capital Blue Cross. Our mission is to provide education, resources, and news on the latest health and insurance issues.

Bob’s Art Blog: Makers and Shakers of Sustainability

July 11, 2022 | by Bob MacGinnes

Work by Phillip Wells

A shared appreciation for sustainability connects two unique artists, Phillip Wells and Jennifer Hara, who embrace saving the earth one project at a time.

The “shaker,” Phil Wells of Millworks Studio 213, is like lightning, constantly on the move creating and designing furniture and light fixtures and employing his skills as a carpenter for the preservation firm, Johnson & Griffiths. Certainly one of the most interesting characters walking the streets of Midtown, Phil is truly a modern-day renaissance man. His prowess as a carpenter and lighting specialist is legendary. He appreciates the educational foundation he received from the Memphis School of Design. Memphis as in Milan, Italy, not Tennessee, as one might think.

The brightly colored components found in Phil’s aesthetic sprang up in the 1980s, the brainchild of Ettore Sottsass, who designed postmodern furniture. For Phil, the appeal goes beyond the terrazzo materials and plastic laminate often associated with the abstract decoration. Phil’s inspiration can be childlike, filled with joy and whimsy.

In addition, Phil is a sustainability proponent and certified as a LEED Green associate, which is helpful in his role as a preservationist technician. With over 12 years of hands-on study and experience, Wells brings a wealth of craftsmanship to the table. Focusing on sustainability, Phil shared that he employs non-toxic finishes, natural dyes, beeswax, hand-rubbed oils and local PA materials. He prides himself “in creating household wares that speak to modern sensibilities.” His work can be viewed in homes and businesses throughout the midstate area. His restoration work with Johnson & Griffiths can be seen at the state Capitol and Forum buildings. Look for Phil in his Millworks studio and out and about on the streets of Midtown.

For 25 years, local artist Jennifer Hara has been a “maker” of naturally organic jewelry under the name NomadicInspiration. She is drawn to the lifestyle of a tribe, always on the move. Sustainability is key to the philosophy that nomads embrace in their daily walk as they “use what is around them in nature, sustainably, without producing waste,” Hara said.

“This reflects not only in my use of natural items, bone, shells, feathers, stones, but in repurposing outdated jewelry—breaking it down and using its components in new pieces,” the artist revealed.

Display and jewelry by Jennifer Hara

Her artistic accouterments include earrings, necklaces and suncatchers. The feathers she incorporates in her offerings are all “gifted” and, if a customer wants to commission a special piece, she could incorporate a feather of their own. The exquisite adornments speak for themselves and are created unparalleled, with no two exactly alike.

At the most recent Odd Ones Bizarre, held in the community room at Millworks, Ms. Hara showcased her jewelry on a unique display of connecting tree branches and limbs with moss and lichen. Found hanging from this miniature forest were the earrings, suncatchers and necklaces that sparkled and shined, baubles to catch the eye of passersby. Not one to resist such an artistic atmosphere, I immediately saw “the forest for the trees” as the jewelry emerged, capturing the imagination.

Jennifer, the jeweler/artist and display aficionado all rolled into one, presented a powerful package. The jewelry, as mentioned before, lends itself to the natural surroundings, treasures dangling dramatically, delicately and desirably. Her art speaks to exotic locales as her Etsy shop is aptly titled NomadicInspiration. Her skills as a creative crafter and cobbler of gems for adventurous and free-spirited vagabonds embody the romantic side of life. Her collection captures it all.

Select items can be found at the Healing Spot above the Cornerstone Café in Camp Hill. In addition, Jennifer will be at the “Women of Folk Festival” at Moon Dancer Winery in Wrightsville on Sept. 10. She can also be reached by email at [email protected].

3^rd in the Burg—Birds of a Feather

Sustainability has always been a core component in the art of Harrisburg artist Charlie Feathers. Recycling found objects from discarded wire and tubing, he creates treasures from others’ trash and cast-off items. At least for the summer, Charlie has joined the flock of artists at Harrisburg’s Gallery at 2^nd, adding newness to Ted Walke’s nest of nascent nonconformists creating lowbrow, surrealistic art. The art aviary features in-house residents Sean Adomanis, Chad Whitaker, Rance Shepstone, Ashley Russo, Keegan Beinhower and, of course, Ted.

Charlie shared that, for Friday’s 3^rd in the Burg, he will be in two places at once, flying from Gallery at 2^nd to the Art Association of Harrisburg’s opening night reception for its summer members’ art exhibit from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Surprise jurors from the Burg will add an element of mystery to the evening’s events. And the best part…it is free for all.

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The Week that Was: News and features around Harrisburg

July 8, 2022 | by Lawrance Binda and Maddie Gittens

The”Carpets and Draperies” building in Midtown Harrisburg is nearing the end of construction.

After a long last weekend, this week has flown by! In case you missed any of this week’s news from the Harrisburg area, we’ve got you covered.

Bicyclist Leyla Monroy, who died after colliding with a car in Harrisburg, will be honored at a memorial on Saturday, our online story reported. Organizers hope also to bring awareness to the issue of bike and pedestrian safety.

Bridges spanning the Susquehanna River in Harrisburg may be in for upgrades as the Harrisburg Area Transportation Study (HATS) seeks to use millions of dollars in federal infrastructure funds. In his column, our editor weighs in on the proposals and what each bridge may be best used for.

TheBurg Podcast for July is spotlighting all things cute and fluffy. Tune in to hear from the Humane Society of Harrisburg Area and the Harrisburg Great Dog Program, among other segments.

The Catherine Hershey School for Early Learning, which has proposed a childcare facility in Uptown Harrisburg, will move forward after receiving City Council approval, our reporting found. Council also voted in favor of an affordable housing development in South Harrisburg.

The “Carpets and Draperies” building in Midtown Harrisburg is nearly complete after an extensive renovation, our online story reported. The building will feature five apartments and a first-floor bakery.

Harrisburg’s Great Dog Program trains pups and parents through a relationship-based method, our magazine story reported. The program can assist dogs with issues like aggression and separation anxiety.

Harrisburg officials addressed an incident that occurred at the city’s Fourth of July festival when a fight broke out, causing hundreds of attendees to flee Riverfront Park, our online story reported. They also announced that attendees who lost personal items in the chaos could pick them up at the Reservoir Park mansion.

Harrisburg Young Professionals opened its nominations for “20 In Their 20s,” our online story reported. The organization will choose 20 young professionals who live and work in Harrisburg to honor.

Hydration is especially important during the hot summer months, according to Capital Blue Cross. Click here to find tips on how to stay healthy and hydrated.

Mecum Auctions will return to Harrisburg with hundreds of collector cars up for bid, our online story reported. The auction will take place at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex and Expo Center from July 27 to 30.

N. 2^nd Street in Harrisburg is slated to transition from one-way to two-way traffic a little later than expected, our reporting found. N. 2^nd Street from Maclay to Division streets will go two-way by the end of the month, with the entire corridor likely transitioning in late September.

Rosemary has been searching for the perfect calamari recipe, and she finally found a good one. Find her recipe for barbecued calamari, here.

Sara Bozich’s Weekend Roundup will give you plenty of ideas for how to spend your weekend. To find out what’s happening in the Harrisburg area, click here.

Strawberry Square’s “Chockablock Clock” will soon be replaced with a new meeting and entertainment space, our online story reported. According to Harristown Enterprises, the large clock has been difficult to maintain and repair.

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Maclay Street Bridge to be replaced; PennDOT opens project comment window

July 8, 2022 | by Lawrance Binda

The Maclay Street Bridge in Harrisburg

A critical link in Harrisburg is set for an upgrade, as PennDOT prepares to replace the Maclay Street Bridge.

The PA Department of Transportation on Friday unveiled its project website and opened up the comment period for its plan to replace the bridge, which carries about 25,000 vehicles a day.

The comment period lasts through Aug. 5. In addition, PennDOT plans one in-person public meeting on July 19.

Under the current schedule, the $35 million project would begin in 2024 and last for about two years. The project extends from the Maclay Street/7th Street intersection to Julia Street, which is a half-block west of Cameron Street.

PennDOT describes the existing, 82-year-old bridge as in “poor condition with advanced deterioration to the primary load carrying members.”

Major elements of the bridge project include:

Construction of a new, four-span steel girder bridge over the Norfolk Southern Harrisburg Rail Yard, replacing the existing seven-span bridge, which was built in 1940.
Raising the profile of the Maclay Street roadway to increase the vertical clearance of the bridge from 21 feet to 23 feet to better accommodate double-stacked rail cars.
Widening of Maclay Street from four lanes to five lanes in the project area.
Addition of bicycle lanes in both the eastbound and westbound directions.

As part of the project, the small bridge carrying Maclay Street over Paxton Creek also will be replaced.

The width of both bridges will be increased from 62 feet to 86 feet. The new bridges will carry five 11-foot-wide lanes, two 6-foot-wide bike lanes, and two 8-foot-wide sidewalks (see rendering, below).

According to PennDOT, construction will be performed in stages while maintaining three lanes of traffic and at least one sidewalk in each stage. The temporary lane configuration will carry two lanes of traffic westbound into the city and one lane of traffic eastbound out of the city.

For more information and to comment on the proposal, visit the project website. The in-person open house is slated for July 19, 6 to 8 p.m., at the PA Farm Show Complex Keystone Conference Center, 2300 N. Cameron St., Harrisburg.

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“Carpets and Draperies” building nears completion, will house apartments, local bakery

July 8, 2022 | by Maddie Gittens

Nate Foote, owner of the “Carpets and Draperies,” standing in one of the apartments.

For seven years, Harrisburg resident Nate Foote walked by the same dilapidated building in Midtown, thinking about its potential.

In December 2020, he decided to do something about it.

Foote purchased and prepared to renovate the property, known as the “Carpets & Draperies” building, on the 1500-block of N. 3^rd Street in Harrisburg. Since then, the building has undergone a total transformation, with construction finally nearing the finish line.

“I saw a lot of potential and thought this is a place I’d like to invest in,” Foote, an attorney, said. “This was really the last building in this stretch of 3^rd Street that was vacant.”

Formerly Gerber’s Department Store, the century-old, 4,800-square-foot building is now on its way to housing five apartment units and a first-floor retail space. Broad Street Market vendor Raising The Bar will open a bakery/café in the space come fall.

The renovation process was extensive as Foote’s contractor, Harrisburg Commercial Interiors, had to gut the entire building, which has been vacant since the mid-2000s, and start from scratch. One of the few things that remained was the antique “Carpets and Draperies” sign on the front façade, now updated with paint and new lighting. As the name has stuck with the building over the years, Foote plans to continue calling it that.

“Carpets and Draperies” building

The three-story brick structure features sprawling new windows, fresh flooring and a modern feel. There are two, one-bedroom units on the first floor, two, two-bedroom apartments on the second floor, and a roomy apartment on the third floor that Foote plans to occupy himself.

He characterized each unit as unique. Some retain industrial design aspects, and one includes a bonus room and another a deck. Two of the five include a floor-to-ceiling living room window.

Foote hopes to complete the units by the end of the month and lease them by September. He expects to rent the one-bedroom units for around $1,200, with the two-bedroom apartments somewhat higher in price.

Instead of wet paint, the first-floor retail space will soon smell of fresh baked goods when Harrisburg bakery Raising The Bar moves in.

Owners Casey Callahan and Timishia Goodson opened their businesses, known for made-from-scratch, small-batch baked goods, in the Broad Street Market in 2016. As the business has grown over the years, the pair has been in need of a larger production space.

In their new location, Callahan and Goodson will offer all of their staple menu items—croissants, baguettes, almond cake, brownies and more. However, they will also expand the menu to include sandwiches and coffee.

Goodson hopes to foster a “chill vibe” where people can unplug from their phones and relax.

“We want it to be a place where people want to come and enjoy their food,” she said.

Raising The Bar will also maintain its stand in the Broad Street Market.

Topping off the Carpets and Draperies building renovation is a large mural by Sprocket Mural Works, painted by Harrisburg artist Tara Chickey. The abstract mural extends the height of the building with pink, yellow, purple and blue hues.

In total, Foote expects to invest around $700,000 into the building by the time it’s complete, but it’s a project that he’s been interested in taking on for years.

“I hope this continues the trend of new business moving in and renovations taking place,” he said. “I think there’s a lot more that’s going to happen in the coming years.”

“Carpets and Draperies” is located at 1507 N. 3^rd St., Harrisburg.

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A Dog Named Pursuit: TheBurg Podcast, July 2022

July 7, 2022 | by Karen Hendricks

Has “Pursuit” been adopted, as a result of being TheBurg magazine’s “cover doggy?” Our July edition of TheBurg Podcast asks that question—and many more pet-related questions to celebrate these dog days of summer.

As a companion to TheBurg magazine, this month’s podcast welcomes the following guests:

Amy Kaunas, executive director of the Humane Society of Harrisburg Area
Natahnee Miller of the nonprofit Harrisburg’s Great Dog Program
Elle Lamboy of the Gettysburg Foundation, including the new children’s museum, Children of Gettysburg 1863

Lawrance Binda, editor of TheBurg, also pops in with his monthly “The Most Harrisburg Thing.” TheBurg Podcast is hosted and produced by award-winning Harrisburg-area journalist Karen Hendricks. Every month, TheBurg Podcast expands stories from the pages of TheBurg magazine because “there’s always more to the story.”

Backstories that coordinate with this episode include:

See Pursuit’s portrait on TheBurg’s July cover | Good Dogs, Made Great | Hands-On History

DYK? TheBurg Podcast has received three prestigious podcast journalism awards over the past two years, including First place, Excellence in Journalism, Society of Professional Journalists, Keystone Chapter, in 2021.

Interested in sharing your advertising message with TheBurg Podcast’s dedicated audience? Research shows that podcast sponsorships are one of the most effective forms of advertising! Contact Lauren ([email protected]).

Visit Karen Hendricks’ website for more of her writing, journalism and PR work. TheBurg is a monthly community magazine based in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; Lawrance Binda, co-publisher/editor.

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Harrisburg’s N. 2nd Street 2-way conversion delayed, slated to fully make the switch in September

July 7, 2022 | by Maddie Gittens

N. 2nd Street in Harrisburg

A major road project in Harrisburg will take somewhat longer than expected.

Under a project to make N. 2^nd Street more walkable and safe, a portion of the roadway was set to transition from one-way to two-way traffic in mid-June. However, that may not happen now until late July, with a total two-way conversion planned for September.

According to Percy Bullock, project manager for the city, issues with outdated underground utilities have pushed back the construction timeline. The city now expects to make the stretch of N. 2^nd Street from Maclay to Division streets two-way by the end of the month, once utilities are replaced and median construction is completed.

The rest of the roadway, from Forster to Maclay streets, will not go two-way until likely the end of September, Bullock said. Before that happens, roundabouts need to be constructed at Verbeke, Reily and Kelker streets. Those will take around two to three weeks to complete.

Until the section of the road switches to two-way, the current traffic pattern will remain the same, with one right lane open.

In about two weeks, Bullock expects road paving to take place along the corridor.

By October, the entire project should be completed, he said. Harrisburg officially kicked off the project in May 2021.

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Community to hold memorial for Harrisburg bicyclist who died in crash, advocate for bicycle safety

July 7, 2022 | by Maddie Gittens

A ghost bike was placed at Market and Cameron streets in Harrisburg to memorialize bicyclist Leyla Monroy, who died after colliding with a car.

When Harrisburg resident Brandon Basom found out that a local bicyclist died after colliding with a car on June 17, the news hit close to home, as he has also been struck while biking.

But Basom was overtaken with even more grief when he found out that the victim was his friend, Leyla Monroy.

“I was pretty gutted,” he said. “I was lucky to survive. She wasn’t as lucky as I was.”

Community members plan to honor Monroy’s life and seek justice at a memorial on Saturday, July 9, at noon. The gathering will be held near the location of the fatal incident, where Basom and others have placed a ghost bike, at the corner of Market and S. Cameron streets.

Ghost bikes, painted white, honor people who have died in biking accidents, often due to collisions with automobiles.

According to the Harrisburg Police Bureau, Monroy collided with a car that was making a U-turn on the 1100-block of Market Street. She was taken to the hospital in critical condition, passing away on June 19. Police identified Monroy several days after her death. Monroy was the third non-motorist to suffer injury in the area in less than a year.

Monroy’s brother, Andre Monroy, said that his late sister worked as a waitress and was an artist who created jewelry and paintings. He described her as “fun and full of energy.”

“She was a light whenever she came into the room,” he said.

Monroy’s family, hailing from Peru, will attend the memorial event on Saturday. Andre said that the family will remain in the city until they receive justice for his sister and closure on the case, which is still an open investigation.

Additionally, Andre organized a GoFundMe to support Monroy’s family.

At the memorial, bicycle safety advocates like Basom hope to bring awareness to the tragic incident and push for infrastructure to increase pedestrian and bicycle safety in Harrisburg.

“I want to put a face to this issue,” Basom said. “These are people. We have to start taking people seriously who have to get around the city by other means than a car.”

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Community Comment: Tap into Summer Hydration Tips

July 7, 2022 | by Capital Blue Cross

As an avid runner, certified running coach, and veteran of a variety of marathons, Nicole Cassel knows the importance of proper hydration.

She understands it so well, in fact, that she actually makes hydration plans before logging longer runs – like the 40-mile solo run she completed to celebrate her 40^th birthday.

“I went out the night before and stashed my water bottles and some high water-content food along the route to ensure I had of plenty of hydration to sustain my run,” says Cassel, senior health education consultant at Capital Blue Cross. “I knew it was important to replenish with the proper nutrients, including water, every 45 to 60 minutes to be able to endure the total mileage, keep my body from experiencing muscle cramps, and maintain my energy.”

Cassel couldn’t have finished those 40 miles minus those planned fueling pick-ups. But you needn’t be a marathoner to require proper hydration.

Exercisers and non-exercisers alike must replenish vital fluids, particularly as we enter summer’s most sweltering stretch. Failure to do so, says Johns Hopkins Medicine, may put our bodies at risk of being unable to cool themselves, raising our internal temperature and potentially leading to heat stroke.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) adds that dehydration can cause foggy thinking, overheating, mood swings, and constipation. Prolonged dehydration cases, the Mayo Clinic reports, can even trigger urinary tract infections, kidney stones, and kidney failure.

“It’s important to drink several glasses of water daily to stay well hydrated,” advises Debi Garzon, a registered dietitian with Capital Blue Cross. “However, you can also complement your water intake by eating foods high in water content. Fresh produce is your best source for hydrating foods – things like watermelon, cucumber, strawberries, celery, tomatoes and zucchini, to name a few.”

Statistics suggest too few Americans follow such advice. One study of more than 15,000 Americans concluded that 43% of men and 41% of women aged 20 to 50 fall short of the daily water intake urged by the U.S. Institute of Medicine. Those age 50-70 drank even less, and those 71 and older were the worst offenders: 95% of men and 83% of women in that age group didn’t drink enough water.

Keep It Flowing

We can all lower the health and low-energy risks associated with low hydration, and there are resources available to help.

Many covered by their employer’s Capital Blue Cross health plans, for instance, have access to the health insurer’s “Wat’r You Drinking” initiatives. Capital’s “Wat’r You Drinking Challenge” – which Capital also offers to its own staff – is a 30-day water-drinking program that helps participants better hydrate throughout the day. “Wat’r You Drinking Live” is a 30-minute onsite or virtual presentation that teaches the health benefits of drinking water and discusses how to make healthy drink choices and increase daily water intake.

Garzon also suggests these hydration tips:

Begin the day with a glass of fresh water or water infused with things like a favorite fruit free of artificial sweeteners or sugars.
Steadily drink water throughout the day. A general rule is to drink half your body weight – in ounces – daily. So a 200-pound man should drink roughly 100 ounces of water.
Eat foods with high water content such as cucumbers (95% water), melons (92% water), or strawberries (91% water).
Avoid alcohol, sugary drinks, and caffeine.
Before reaching for a snack, drink some water. We often mistake thirst for hunger.

If that’s too many pointers to track, don’t fret. Garzon summarizes proper summer hydration with one key principle: “Remember that when you sweat you are losing fluids, so make sure to sip water throughout the day!”

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