Bethesda Mission will begin annual food drive for those in need during the holidays

October 20, 2021 | by Maddie Gittens

Bethesda Mission

Every year, a local Harrisburg nonprofit collects thousands of pounds of food for people in need, and this year is no different.

On Oct. 25, Bethesda Mission will kick off its annual food drive, soliciting the community’s help in stocking up on food for city residents during the winter months.

“The food feeds people now through the holidays,” said Rebecca Clymer, event/volunteer coordinator for Bethesda. “The donations really enable us to do what we do.”

Clymer said that Bethesda’s goal this year is to collect 120,000 pounds of food by the end of the drive on Dec. 8.

Much of the food will be used to fill 500 boxes of Thanksgiving meals and another 500 for Christmas.

“Those end up in the homes of people in need for the holidays,” Clymer said.

Food will also be used to fill Bethesda’s food pantry and to make meals for residents at the organization’s men’s and women’s shelters.

Bethesda is accepting nonperishable food items such as canned green beans, boxed mashed potatoes, pasta and canned fruit.

These can be dropped off at the following locations:

Dauphin County Library System
- East Shore Area Library, 4501 Ethel St., Harrisburg
- Kline Library, 530 S. 29^th St., Harrisburg
- Madeline L. Olewine Memorial Library, 2410 N. 3^rd St., Harrisburg
- McCormick Riverfront Library, 101 Walnut St., Harrisburg
- Northern Dauphin Library, 683 Main St., Lykens
- Elizabethville Area Library, 80 N. Market St., Elizabethville
- Johnson Memorial Library, 799 E. Center St., Millersburg
Gateway Health Community Connection Center, 1426 N. 3 rd St., Harrisburg
Bethesda Men’s Mission, 611 Reily St., Harrisburg
Sharp Shopper, 1577 W. Harrisburg Pike, Middletown

They will also accept turkeys and hams at their men’s mission.

People can also make monetary donations to help Bethesda purchase fresh fruit, vegetables, meat and dairy products.

The food drive is especially important this year as many residents struggle from the effects of the pandemic, Clymer said.

“Especially around the holidays where the expectations are for bigger meals, it can be harder for someone who has lost a job,” she said.

Clymer is hopeful for another successful drive, noting that they have reached their goal in the past.

“We see the community come together each year to meet this goal,” she said. “It really does come down to each person who donates. We are really thankful.”

For more information about Bethesda Mission’s food drive and to find a list of food drop-off locations, visit their website.

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Large Midtown apartment building gets OK from Harrisburg zoning board

October 19, 2021 | by Lawrance Binda

A rendering of the proposed apartment building at Reily and N. 4th streets

A large apartment building proposed for Midtown Harrisburg received a key approval on Monday night, as the project passed muster with the city zoning board.

The Harrisburg Zoning Hearing Board voted 2-0 to approve a variance and several special exceptions for the 155-unit project at 320 Reily St., currently a paved parking lot covering an entire city block at Reily and N. 4th streets.

Several issues were on the table, but most of the two-hour discussion centered on parking for the project, which consists of one- and two-bedroom, market-rate apartments and a 3,000-square-foot commercial space.

As currently configured, the project would be built with 86 parking spaces on site, considerably fewer than the 206 spaces required by city code.

The developer also proposes to use an adjacent parking lot that consists of 72 spaces. Those spaces would be shared with commercial tenants of GreenWorks Development, whose owner, Doug Neidich, is a partner in the apartment project, along with Baltimore-based Washington Place Equities.

The developers told the board that they believed that this amount of parking would be sufficient, saying that some tenants wouldn’t have cars and that most residential and commercial tenants would use the shared lot at different times of the day.

“Statistically, over the course of a day, we feel we have adequate parking for the residential uses as well as the commercial uses that will be … as efficient a use as possible,” Neidich told the board.

The current site of the proposed apartment building is a surface parking lot.

Zoning board members acknowledged that parking presented a difficult challenge.

“The 72-space lot being non-exclusive is sort of contrary to how I understand human nature to work,” said board Chair Thomas Leonard. “I could see squabbles over those spaces.”

The developers told the board that they’d consider other measures to alleviate parking issues, such as mass transit subsidies for tenants and/or a car sharing service like Zipcar.

Board member Shannon Gority added that the 72-space shared lot is lightly used currently and that she believed additional parking would be developed in the neighborhood as demand increased for it.

In fact, earlier this year, the city approved another apartment project two blocks up Reily Street that, under the current design, includes a 500-space parking garage.

In the end, the board voted to grant the parking exception, with the provision that the developers enter into a legally binding agreement linking the shared lot to the apartment building.

Before breaking ground, the developers now must submit a land development plan to the city, which must be approved by the city Planning Commission and City Council.

“It’s a matter of getting a couple of more steps done, and we’ll get moving,” Neidich said, following the meeting.

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Federal, local law enforcement targets illegal gun purchases in Harrisburg area through “Operation Scarecrow”

October 19, 2021 | by Maddie Gittens

Local and federal law enforcement officials introduced “Operation Scarecrow” at a press conference.

Getting illegal guns off the streets is the focus of a new initiative by federal and local law enforcement agencies.

At a press conference on Tuesday, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Pennsylvania Bruce Brandler announced “Operation Scarecrow,” which targets those who illegally purchase and possess guns.

The initiative is a partnership between the attorney’s office, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Harrisburg Police Bureau.

“As we all know and read about far too often in the press, violent crime is rising around the nation,” Brandler said. “Unfortunately, Harrisburg is not immune to this trend and ‘Operation Scarecrow’ is part of our strategy to reduce violent crime.”

Under “Operation Scarecrow,” officials will focus on finding those who are prohibited from purchasing a gun due to a prior felony, but who use a third party, or “straw party,” to buy guns for them. All parties involved in these straw transactions are subject to criminal prosecution, Brandler said.

The initiative began this past April and will continue indefinitely, he added.

Since its beginning, officials have charged 10 people for 139 straw purchases. Only 26 of those firearms have been recovered, Brandler said, explaining how hard it is to track illegal guns.

Often officials are able to track down criminals involved in straw purchases through tips from gun dealers or colleagues of criminals who “snitch,” Brandler said.

“When you go to any neighborhood in Harrisburg, the question you hear is how can we get the shootings to stop,” Mayor Eric Papenfuse said. “It is a complicated answer to those questions, but one of the things we have to focus on is getting the guns off the street that are being utilized illegally.”

This year in Harrisburg, there have been eight homicides, a decrease from last year’s numbers, Papenfuse said.

According to Harrisburg Police Commissioner Thomas Carter, the police bureau has taken 153 illegal guns off the streets this year.

Brandler said that “Operation Scarecrow” has been started in other districts in the state, as well.

The initiative is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a U.S. Department of Justice program that aims to bring together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime.

“We routinely target and prosecute other violent criminals who plague our community,” Brandler said. “But prosecuting gun violence is the centerpiece of our strategy to reduce violent crimes in Harrisburg.”

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Harrisburg School District expects to offer additional mental health support for students

October 19, 2021 | by Maddie Gittens

Harrisburg High School–John Harris Campus

Harrisburg students struggling with mental health issues may soon see increased support opportunities.

At a business meeting on Monday night, Harrisburg School District officials discussed working with Effective School Solutions (ESS), which provides mental health programming to K to 12 students.

District Receiver Janet Samuels approved the partnership, contingent on allowing the district’s solicitor to review the contract.

“The social and emotional wellbeing of our students and staff is essential,” she said.

ESS CEO Duncan Young explained that they plan to provide services to students who have faced trauma as a result of the pandemic, but also to students who already suffered from mental health issues before COVID.

“Even before COVID-19, the data clearly indicated that there was a growing mental health epidemic among K to 12 students,” he said.

The ESS programming will begin working with students and staff at Harrisburg High School—John Harris Campus and possibly expand to include Camp Curtin and Rowland Academy next year, Superintendent Eric Turman said.

Samuels pointed out that this partnership will increase the district’s capacity to address mental health, as it already works with several other providers.

The district may implement the ESS programming as early as December, Turman said.

According to Young, programming will address the needs of students facing mild to intensive mental health challenges. It will include individual, group and family therapy sessions, he said.

“What we’ve really seen in the last 18 months is a universal adverse childhood experience that many of our young people have faced,” Young said. “And now that we are coming back into what appears to be the first stages of a return to normalcy, we are hearing again and again from educators across all of our districts, that students are struggling with these challenges.”

He cited an uptick in behavioral challenges, depression and fighting as results of trauma caused by the pandemic. Academic stressors, social isolation, family and economic stressors, and anxiety over COVID all play a role in the trauma students have faced, Young said.

ESS works with 90 districts across the state, including local districts like Steelton-Highspire, Susquehanna Township and Middletown.

According to Michael Roseman, vice president of district partnerships, ESS has a 99% retention rate of keeping students in the district. They’ve also seen a 16% increase in grade point averages, a 35% reduction in student absences and a 38% reduction in disciplinary incidents, among students in their programming.

The district will utilize its federal COVID relief funds to pay for the over half a-million-dollar partnership.

In other news, Harrisburg High School—John Harris Campus will have a new assistant principal, Abigail Dougherty, who begins in November. Dougherty replaces Leni Cordero, who resigned.

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LGBT Center of Central PA to move out of Midtown building, looking for new home

October 18, 2021 | by Maddie Gittens

The LGBT Center of Central PA

A prominent Harrisburg organization that supports the LGBTQ community will leave its current location in search of a new home.

The LGBT Center of Central PA announced its plans to move this month from its location at 1306 N. 3^rd St, where it has resided since 2012.

“A number of factors have aligned to indicate that now is the right time to make this move,” said Amanda Arbour, executive director of the center, in a statement. “While we’re excited about the opportunity to find a new, larger space to support our growing staff and programs, we recognize that this was the center’s first home of our own and leaving it is bittersweet. We’re grateful for all of the work that went into creating this space for the center.”

The center has been closed to the public throughout the pandemic, opting instead for virtual programming.

“Our goal was to reopen for in-person programming again, but our plans have changed,” Arbour said.

The center staff will work remotely out of the GLO-Harrisburg building on N. 3rd Street until they find a new, larger home. Arbour said that they plan to solicit community feedback about what people hope to see in a new space.

A farewell party will be held on Oct. 31 from 2 to 4 p.m. across from the center, in the grass lot at N. 3^rd and Verbeke streets. Past and present staff and board members will be recognized and there will be an “open mic” time for people to share memories and reflections.

Light refreshments will be provided, and attendees are asked to wear masks.

The LGBT Center provides programming for LGBTQ youth, transgender and non-binary people, queer and trans people of color and LGBTQ older adults. It also provides virtual training and education sessions for the community.

For more information about the LGBT Center of Central PA, visit their website.

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Edgy Event: Big Brothers/Big Sisters of the Capital Region is taking “Over the Edge” to new heights.

October 18, 2021 | by Karen Hendricks

A past “Over the Edge” event

Everyone faces challenges in life.

In a nutshell, that’s what Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Capital Region’s (BBBSCR) “Over the Edge” event is all about.

The nonprofit organization’s fundraiser and adventure, set for Oct. 29, challenges participants to go over the edge of Harrisburg’s Fulton Bank building and rappel 21 stories, or 257 feet, down to the street below.*

“Everyone who’s done it says it’s exhilarating,” said Rich Carroll, BBBSCR’s events and engagement manager. “Overcoming fears is important, and the importance of the matter will overshadow any fears I personally have.”

This is Carroll’s first time managing the event, as well as his first time being an “edger”—the term BBBSCR uses to describe participants brave—or crazy—enough to take a leap of faith, with safety gear of course.

Although the Fulton Bank building—as one of Harrisburg’s tallest buildings—dominates the skyline, he puts the tall task in perspective.

“We’ve all been kids at some point, or we have kids, so we know the challenges kids face and how those challenges can be tough to support through mentoring—especially in today’s world. The bullying problem is so huge and kids feel sometimes as though they don’t have somebody to connect with, so having a mentor helps empower them to power through it,” Carroll said.

Over the Edge is expected to raise about $50,000 toward the program Big Brothers Big Sisters is nationally known for—matching “bigs” and “littles,” or community mentors with area kids. BBBSCR serves five counties—Cumberland, Dauphin, Lancaster, Lebanon and Perry.

“Building those positive relationships—that’s why we’re here, setting these kids up to defend their potential. We want that to be protected,” Carroll said. “And that’s what we’re going down the side of a building for.”

Fulton Bank building

To date, 45 “edgers” are signed up, with about 30 spots still available. Participants are asked to fundraise a minimum of $1,000. To up the ante, corporate sponsors can pay for the “toss your boss” option. And donations can underwrite the cost of allowing an area police officer to rappel, heightening the awareness of BBBSCR’s “Bigs in Blue” mentoring program.

Fundraising stands just over $35,000 currently—a total that Carroll said is no small feat during a year that’s presented seemingly insurmountable issues and obstacles.

“Right now, it’s a pretty good cross-section of the community—some hometown heroes, EMTs, several of our ‘bigs,’ even Sharkman has signed up,” Carroll says. “To be at this point with these kinds of numbers and support is exciting, especially since we got a late start planning.”

The event typically requires a solid year’s worth of planning, but during this pandemic year, the groundwork was laid in late summer.

“The building we’ve used in the past didn’t work out, so we say we’re going higher with the Fulton Bank building this year, in celebration of our 40th anniversary,” said Mary Murphy, BBBSCR’s development director. The organization is gearing up for its 40th anniversary celebration on Dec. 7.

Over the Edge began several years ago as a counterpoint to its nationally-known Bowl for Kids’ Sake fundraiser. Amid the pandemic, Bowl for Kids’ Sake has been canceled.

“We started Over the Edge as a way to recognize the adventurous side in many of our supporters. Bowling is on the safe side, but we want to provide different groups of people the opportunity to support our mission,” said Amy Rote, BBBSCR’s president and CEO.

As a thank you to all edgers, especially edgers who may be second-guessing their adventurous abilities, BBBSCR is holding a “Liquid Courage” event the night before Over the Edge. It’s set for the Capitol’s East Rotunda, sponsored in part by Boneshire Brew Works and The Vineyard at Hershey.

Carroll said there will be a handful of spots available for anyone who musters up last-minute courage—along with a check for $1,000—to go over the edge, even on Oct. 29.

In the meantime, he’s hearing incredible stories from edgers going to great lengths—actually great heights—for area children.

“One young lady is excited to do it because she’s deathly afraid of heights,” Carroll said. “She’s a ‘big,’ and she told me, ‘It’s important to support you guys and face my fears, because the kids do it all the time.’ Another woman is a breast cancer survivor, and to her, going over the edge is a unique way to continue her cancer survival story as well as wanting to support Big Brothers Big Sisters.”

Personally, Carroll admits he’s afraid of heights and “slightly nervous” about his own journey over the edge.

“I was at Negley Park last week, and seeing the building from over there—I was asking myself if I was insane,” Carroll said with a laugh. “I think if I can get over the edge of the wall I should be ok, it’s going to be that first step that’s the toughest.”

For more information on Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Capital Region, including Over the Edge, see capbigs.org.

* Due to a forecast of inclement weather, the event was held one day early, on Oct. 28.

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Local business owner to hold networking event for minority women entrepreneurs

October 18, 2021 | by Maddie Gittens

Christine Titih

While many businesses have faced closure during the pandemic, for some entrepreneurs it was the perfect time to start a business.

The organizer of the upcoming panel discussion, “EmergeHer,” hopes to encourage and provide resources to those budding business owners, specifically minority women.

“I’ve enjoyed seeing the number of new businesses that have developed during the pandemic,” said local business owner Christine Titih, organizer of the event. “I felt like there may be minority women that may be looking to get into business and don’t know how to start.”

Titih founded CT Home Care Services which provides assistance to people with intellectual disabilities. She also started Oaks of Central PA, a nonprofit that advocates for the African immigrant and refugee community of the Harrisburg area.

Her panel discussion, on Oct. 21 at Capital Blue Cross Connect in Enola, will feature minority women business owners who will share their stories of success and answer audience questions, Titih said.

Titih said she remembers how important it was to have business owner friends she could ask questions of when she started her home care service.

“It helped to be able to have that information and encouragement from someone who knows the field,” she said.

That’s why creating a space for networking and mentoring is important to her, she said.

The panel will feature the following speakers:

Hagir Elsheikh, owner/CEO of HSE Staffing Agency, founder/CEO of Tomorrow’s Smile
Emelia Kah Makor, co-owner and founder of Reves Etheres
Shariah Brown, president of Personal Touch Professional Cleaning Services, chairperson of the African American Chamber of Commerce of Central PA
Dr. Robyn Joppy, founder of Visionary Pearls Management and Project Cultivate Inc.
Moriah Hathaway, executive director of the Pennsylvania Commission for Women

Hors d’oeuvres will be served.

Titih said that while registration for the in-person event is almost full, people can join the discussion via Zoom.

There will also be two grant giveaways, sponsored by Giant and Belco Community Credit Union. Attendees can apply for a $1,000 grant for a startup business that is less than two years old or for a $1,000 grant for an existing business.

“It’s all about giving women the tools, encouragement and connections to not only start a business, but sustain it,” she said.

“EmergeHer” will take place on Oct. 21 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Capital Blue Cross Connect, 4500 Marketplace Way, Enola. For more information, contact Christine Titih at [email protected].

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The Week that Was: News and features around Harrisburg

October 15, 2021 | by Maddie Gittens

Local officials ceremoniously broke ground on an expansion project at the McCormick Riverfront Library on Thursday.

Tonight is 3^rd in the Burg, which means it’s the perfect time to get out and enjoy some of the best art, music and food that Harrisburg has to offer. While you’re out, grab a copy of the magazine at one of our distribution locations. And don’t forget to check out the most recent local news, listed and linked, below.

“Bergman Island” is playing at Midtown Cinema this month. Our movie reviewer says the film is slow at times, but beautiful to watch.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Capital Region is ready to meet the needs of children dealing with mental health issues, our magazine story reported. According to organization officials, kids need mentorship now more than ever.

Bob loves October almost as much as he loves art. In his art blog, he shares a 3^rd in the Burg preview and highlights artists from Millworks.

The Community Check-Up Center offers medical care in the Hall Manor community for those who may not be accepted elsewhere due to a lack of insurance or available funds. In our magazine story, read about the history of the center and its upcoming fundraiser.

The Dauphin County Library System broke ground on a major expansion project of the McCormick Riverfront Library in Harrisburg, our reporting found. The $3.5 million project partially renovates the library and connects it to the neighboring, historically significant house.

Gamut Theatre is presenting “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” our online story reported. Actors give their audience a confident delivery of Shakespeare’s signature iambic pentameter, with moments on a sliding scale of sinister and silly, says our theater reviewer.

Harrisburg-area home prices continued to climb while sales dipped in September, our reporting found. For the month, 757 houses sold in the three-county region compared to 812 in September 2020.

The Harrisburg Regional Chamber & CREDC announced its 2021 Catalyst Award winners, our online story reported. Eight community members and organizations were selected for the awards, which recognize positive forces in the community.

Harrisburg Mayor Eric Papenfuse announced his proposal to use $13 million in federal American Rescue Plan funds to reconstruct two city pools, our reporting found. However, City Council members expressed concern that they aren’t being included in the planning process.

The LGBT Center of Central PA unveiled two new historical markers in Harrisburg to honor LGBTQ state history, our online story reported. The plaques tell the stories of past Pennsylvania Gov. Milton J. Shapp and Richard Schlegel, a pioneering gay activist.

Maureen Marks Arts in Lower Paxton Township encourages children and families to create, our magazine story reported. Classes cover topics such as drawing, painting, clay, printmaking, pastel and crafts such as jewelry making.

Radish & Rye Food Hub in Harrisburg is facing a challenge that many small businesses are dealing with right now—staffing shortages. We published a blog post written by co-owner Julia James to give readers a sense of the difficulties local businesses deal with as they try to adapt to an uncertain, rapidly changing economic landscape.

Sara Bozich has the Weekend Roundup of local events, as always. Click here to find a fun way to enjoy fall.

Sip@SoMa is back, reopening just a few doors down from its original location on S. 3^rd Street in downtown Harrisburg, our online story reported. The tasting room will feature products from a rotating lineup of Pennsylvania brewers, vintners and distillers, in limited engagements.

TheBurg Podcast takes several of our magazine features and expands upon the print story. This month, we feature stories of a lost-and-found elk, a very large mural and a place for kids to create art, along with the monthly fan favorite, The Most Harrisburg Thing.

Walnut Street in downtown Harrisburg will receive a secondary name to honor a Black historical figure from the city, our online story reported. It will be named T. Morris Chester Way in remembrance of the prominent lawyer, soldier and the only Black war correspondent during the Civil War.

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Harrisburg mayor proposes using federal funds on new pools; council members ask to be included in planning

October 14, 2021 | by Maddie Gittens

Mayor Eric Papenfuse held a press conference at the Hall Manor pool on Thursday.

As Harrisburg finds itself swimming in federal COVID relief money, the mayor has some plans for how to use it.

At a press conference on Thursday at the Hall Manor Pool, Mayor Eric Papenfuse announced his proposal to use a portion of the city’s allocated American Rescue Plan money to rebuild Harrisburg’s two public pools.

“Those pools have served the city well for five decades, but they are now officially beyond their useful life,” Papenfuse said. “The American Rescue plan funds […] are designed to help people who need help the most. This is the perfect use for those funds.”

Papenfuse said that he intends to use $13 million of the city’s rescue plan funds to renovate both the Hall Manor and Jackson Lick pools, which are both over 50 years old.

In total, Harrisburg is set to receive $48.8 million in American Rescue Plan funds. The city has received half of the total funds already and expects to receive the rest next year.

Papenfuse said that rebuilding the pools will provide a form of safe recreation for children and families in Harrisburg.

The city is currently soliciting feedback from residents on what they would like to see incorporated into the designs of the pools, however, Papenfuse already has some ideas.

Proposed plans for the Hall Manor pool

Proposed plans for the Jackson Lick pool

Harrisburg has worked with engineering firm Brandstetter Carroll Inc. to draw up plans for the pools that include water slides, splash pads, lazy rivers, picnic pavilions and lap pools, among other features. Pool houses will be reconstructed, as well.

“The constant feedback from the community has been just how important the pools are to our civic life,” Papenfuse said. “The community would like to see these pools reinvigorated for the next generation.”

He added that, for the past eight years, the city has conducted various studies on the pools. While there has been demand for the pools, the city has never had the funds to reconstruct them, but rather, patched and repaired wherever they could over the years, Papenfuse said.

Both pools have been closed for the majority of the past two years due to COVID. The Jackson Lick pool only opening briefly this past August, after facing a shortage of lifeguards. Parks and Recreation Manager Kevin Sanders said that he thinks finding staff will continue to be an issue even after the reconstruction.

Papenfuse said that the construction would take about three years to complete and that they would stagger work on the pools so that one is always open.

Admission to the pools would be free during construction and for at least a year after, Papenfuse said.

The new pools, Papenfuse said, would last for years to come.

Under the rescue plan fund guidelines, there are rules for how the money can be used. Papenfuse said that this project complies.

“The pools are going to benefit some of the folks who were affected by COVID the most,” he said. “It’s about racial equity; it’s about social justice.”

Harrisburg’s City Council would need to approve the plan, which Papenfuse said he will propose as part of the 2022 budget. He said that he has spoken with members of council about his plan.

“I think they will be very supportive,” he said.

City Council member Westburn Majors said that he had a brief conversation with Papenfuse last week, but that overall, communication with the administration has been lacking.

“It’s extremely frustrating that the first time we formally hear about the plans, it’s at a press conference,” Majors said when reached by phone. “Since the rescue plan money got passed, I have repeatedly asked for the administration to have a conversation with council.”

Majors said that, historically, council has been supportive of renovating and keeping the pools, even when the administration has pushed replacing the pools with splash pads.

“I don’t think anyone is opposed to looking at pools as an option,” he said. “But I want to have a larger conversation. Everyone should have a stake in how this is spent.”

Several other council members have voiced concern about the lack of communication, as well. Most recently, council member Danielle Bowers publicly shared her sentiments towards Papenfuse at a legislative session on Tuesday.

“We are ready and waiting to meet with you to discuss a spending plan for the American Rescue Plan funding that makes sense for the longevity of the city,” she said. “My colleagues have politely inquired about the mayor’s absence and have received radio silence.”

In addition to the pool proposal, Papenfuse has also discussed using about $12 million more in the federal funding to create a guaranteed income program. Under that initiative, the city would provide monthly payments to possibly thousands of qualifying low-income families for a multi-year period, he said.

In addition to the online survey, residents can comment on the pool proposal at various outreach opportunities throughout the city.

The dates for outreach pop-ups are listed below:

Oct. 14, from 2 to 6 p.m. at the Broad Street Market
Oct. 15, from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Broad Street Market
Oct. 16, from 8 to 11 a.m. at the Broad Street Market and from 1 to 4 p.m. at Capital Rebirth’s Superhero Day on City Island
Oct. 23, from 8 to 11 a.m. at the Broad Street Market and from 1 to 5 p.m. at Southside Fiesta-Hall Manor Apartments

To complete the pool survey, click here.

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Two new tasting rooms to open in downtown Harrisburg, part of “tasting row” in SoMa

October 14, 2021 | by Lawrance Binda

The interior of the new Sip@SoMa

Last April, downtown Harrisburg lost Sip@SoMa, a rotating, limited-engagement brewery concept on S. 3^rd Street.

This was actually good news, as Swatara Township-based Boneshire Brew Works opened a permanent tasting room in the space.

But now Sip@SoMa is back—times two.

This week, Harristown Enterprises will debut a new Sip@SoMa just a few doors down from the original location. In addition, it plans to open another tasting room on the street, Sip@17, which will cater to small-group gatherings and tastings.

Both locations will feature products from a rotating lineup of Pennsylvania brewers, vintners and distillers, in limited engagements.

The bar at the new Sip@SoMa

“Harristown is thrilled to add these two new tasting rooms to this thriving neighborhood,” said Brad Jones, president and CEO of Harristown. “The first Sip@SoMa was a great success. These two new tasting rooms will add to the vibrancy of this block and create a destination tasting row for the SoMa neighborhood.”

Located at 23 S. 3^rd St., the new Sip@SoMa is larger than the original location at about 1,000 square feet, plus a 600-square-foot patio in the back, which together seats about 40 customers. The industrial-style design also features a small bar and performance stage.

It will be open on Friday for 3^rd in the Burg, featuring beverages from Adams County-based Ploughman Cider, the art of Sarah Fogg and live music from Shine Delphi. The Ploughman Cider engagement runs from Thursday to Saturday, Oct. 14 to 16.

Sip@17, located at 17 S. 3^rd St., is a smaller space of about 600 square feet. It is intended mostly for special, more intimate events, such as wine tastings.

Sara Bozich will be responsible for booking vendors and promotion.

“We’re excited to again partner with Harristown with these new tasting rooms,” she said. “Adding to the success of the original Sip@SoMa will continue to grow this neighborhood and showcase downtown Harrisburg’s potential. We’re looking forward to introducing brewers and producers from around the state to the SoMa district—and vice versa.”

Longer term, Harristown’s plan for the two spaces is the same as for the original Sip@SoMa, now occupied by Boneshire—to lease them permanently and turn S. 3^rd Street into a “tasting row,” according to the company.

“Harristown intends to offer these spaces for lease eventually and will be looking to build additional tap rooms in the neighborhood at other storefronts it owns,” Jones said.

To follow what’s happening at Sip@SoMa, visit www.sarabozich.com.

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