Life Performers: A dreamy journey awaits in “Annette”

July 30, 2021 | by Sammi Leigh Melville

“But where’s the stage, you wonder? Is it outside, or is it within?”

What a line to include in the opening number of director Leos Carax’s “Annette.”

And what an opening scene, even including Carax himself and the film’s writers, Ron and Russell Mael (of Sparks fame), on screen, playing the opening number while the cast strides down the streets of Santa Monica, announcing the beginning of the show. We are immediately thrust into the powerful draw of performance, a tone that is quickly set for the rest of the film and will quickly turn ominous as the story begins.

“Annette” details the love affair of Henry (Adam Driver), a ranting comedian whose shtick is unconventional, confusing and provocative—speckled with musical numbers by his backup singers who insist his jokes will make you laugh—and Ann (Marion Cotillard), an opera singer whose voice has brought her great fame, nurtured by her patient and secretly-in-love conductor (Simon Helberg).

Though the film reads as a rocky caricature of an opera, sung almost all the way through, it’s important that fans of musical theater not get too excited. There are very few scenes that will satisfy the musical lover’s hunger, though the film does leave a startling impression of a life in constant performance. Every character that crosses the screen in “Annette” is a part of the show, to the point that it can be exhausting at first, and a nod at some deeply unresolved need for Henry to constantly carry on his big act.

Though Henry and Ann’s relationship quickly falls into marriage, their would-be whirlwind romance feels a little bit off—or perhaps it is Henry that feels off. His unchecked antisocial nature is at the forefront of the story, as he seems pretty disconnected from emotions and tries to fake his way through them. This idea could not be any clearer than in Henry and Ann’s alone moments, in which they melodically repeat, “We love each other so much,” a line that would only need repeating if they have to convince themselves of it.

Almost immediately after marrying, the couple has a child, Annette. But with Henry’s provocative nature and the possibility that he has contributed to #MeToo culture numerous times, the seemingly happy parents’ relationship seems to be running out of fuel, and family life gets a little dicey, especially for Annette.

Annette, by the way, is an oddity in more than one way throughout the film. Just the anticipation of her birth causes dream sequences of a baby with a clown’s face. And, when she is born (and for the majority of the film, for that matter), she is depicted in CGI as some kind of living marionette, with wooden joints. In every frame she is in, she represents something to her parents—a reflection of their relationship, or of Henry’s need to feel in control.

Carax’s work in this film is absolutely brilliant. And, while the first half of the film is not exactly enjoyable (a better description would be uncomfortable and on edge), the way he weaves symbolism into every moment—and the careful transformation of the story—is fascinating. This is a perfect example of form before function. The second half of the film seems to focus more heavily on the story. Even the lyrics of the songs start off as hollow and childish, but slowly transform into something beautiful as those simplistic words begin to resonate in different circumstances. The music builds in complexity as these fragile characters start off desperately trying to confirm their emotions by stating them to the audience, then slowly come to grips with their realities by the end of the film.

The film boasts powerhouse performances by Driver, Cotillard and Helberg, as well as a heartbreakingly beautiful final scene that promises to satisfy even the most frustrated of audience members in this bizarre journey of a film. Even with that frustration, it is 100% worth the watch and will definitely give you lots to think about. “Annette” starts at Midtown Cinema in August.

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

AUGUST EVENTS

At Midtown Cinema

Down in Front! presents

“The Room” (2003)

Friday, Aug. 13, 9:30 p.m.

3rd in the Burg

“Drop Dead Gorgeous” (1999)

Friday, Aug. 20, 9:30 p.m.

Outdoor Film Series

“The Lego Movie”

Saturday, Aug. 28, at dusk

(Rain date Aug. 29)

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Beat Goes On: Steve Swisher reflects on a lifetime of playing, gigging

July 30, 2021 | by Jeff Falk

Steve Swisher

Music has a way of getting into your blood, coursing deep into the heart and then seeping into your soul. For musicians, the experience is even more intense.

Steve Swisher doesn’t have longevity as much as he does a rock-and-roll affliction.

At age 59, he’s still doing things usually associated with musicians half his age. Playing, drumming and performing can serve as their own fountains of youth.

“I am young at heart,” said Swisher, with a chuckle. “My age is advanced, but I’m young at heart. Performing keeps you young, Music keeps you alive. All the positivity around it keeps you feeling young.”

Swisher has long been popular on the vibrant Harrisburg music scene, playing area clubs, bars and restaurants. But he’s also outgoing, genuine, talented and in tune with his audience.

Currently, Swisher is the drumming front man of the Swisher Sweets, a three-piece band that also features lead guitarist Joey Dalto and bass guitarist Phil Cannizaro. The Swisher Sweets are performing regulars at such Harrisburg-area hot spots as Flinchy’s, Dockside Willie’s and the Vineyard at Hershey.

In fact, this month, on Aug. 28 at the vineyard, the band will open for national recording artists, the Gin Blossoms.

From time to time, Swisher also provides percussion for live performances by the ultra-talented Shea Quinn.

“I do it for the love of music and the love of playing music,” said Swisher. “But right underneath that is the crowd and the support you get. When you’re up there, it’s just such a great feeling because you’re doing what you love to do.”

Before the Swisher Sweets came into being, Swisher and Quinn founded the Luv Gods in the late 1990s. Swisher was a big part of that band for 15 years, before moving on in 2016.

Over the last 40-some years, Swisher has contributed to no fewer than 20 local bands and musical groups.

“The (musical) talent in the Harrisburg area is really incredible,” he said. “There are a lot of great players, and they all know each other and support each other. It’s a way for everyone to be successful. But every musician has a different life, a different personality. When you get guys together, it’s got to gel, not only with the music, but also personality-wise.”

So Lucky

Swisher is a product of the 1970s and ‘80s, a time when pop music and rock and roll were really influencing popular culture. His origin as a musician was typical, in that he started playing drums with a garage band as a teenager.

“I was probably 12, my dad would play in a carnival band, and I would go see him,” said Swisher, a graduate of Cedar Crest High School in Lebanon. “I started playing the drums, even though I liked sports. I started to love it, and it was something I pursued. I kind of gave it up for a little while because I loved sports. Then I went back to music, just because I loved it.”

Swisher was an emerging presence on the local music scene when he moved to Harrisburg for a full-time job in the late 1990s. It was at that time that he began to fully understand the financial side of the music industry.

For musicians like Swisher, performing at local bars and restaurants can be a lucrative side hustle, but it is extremely difficult to make a full-time living at it.

“Over the years, I’ve definitely evolved talent-wise, but I also began to understand the business side of it,” he said. “I went out and chased downed the owners of places. I networked myself into places because I knew all we needed was a chance to get that first gig. I knew we were going to do well.”

Now, he said, the owners call him for gigs.

Approaching 60, Swisher cannot imagine a life without music and performing. He often looks ahead, but never at the past.

“I feel lucky and so fortunate to have been doing it that long, just playing with all the great players I’ve come to know,” he said. “I’ve never thought about quitting. I’ll never give it up, because I love the music and I love playing. I can see myself playing in a cocktail lounge when I’m 90 years old.”

For more information on the Swisher Sweets/Gin Blossoms concert, visit www.vineyardathershey.com. The Swisher Sweets can also be found on Facebook.

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Running in Circles: Three Mile Islanders running group bonds by running laps around City Island through the pandemic

July 30, 2021 | by Karen Hendricks

It was the night before lockdown. Pandemic restrictions announced by Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf in March of 2020 were about to go into effect.

Among the slew of closures and event cancellations? Organized running groups and clubs.

That’s when a light bulb moment struck a group of Harrisburg-area runners, gathered at a local brewery. Ideas and plans hatched over beers often fizzle—but this one actually took hold.

Julia Tolosa of Harrisburg remembers it this way:

“We said, ‘Why don’t we meet at the island tomorrow night? We’ll see how it goes,’” said Tolosa, a nurse of 24 years. “Having a psych background, I was really concerned about what isolation would do to people.”

“The island” was City Island. And around 5 p.m., on March 17, 2020, the ragtag group of fewer than 10 runners met and ran the mile-long path that circles the island, three times.

“We said, ‘Let’s do it again tomorrow night,’ and we just kinda kept it up,” Tolosa said.

In fact, they still haven’t stopped. Every weeknight since, they’ve met to run three miles—hence, their name: The Three Mile Islanders, likely one of the few humorous references to the infamous Three Mile Island nuclear power plant, downstream.

A Win-Win

In the beginning, the group—like the rest of society—was trying to get a handle on COVID-19 facts.

“We thought the risk, being outside, had to be so very low,” said Tolosa. “I was more concerned about the mental toll.”

They were careful to run socially distanced. And while their feet did the running, their conversations ran the gamut.

“We could check on each other and talk about being in a global pandemic together, every night,” Tolosa said. “We could talk about what we saw on the news. We could talk about wild predictions—would it be similar to the Spanish flu?—all these things early on, were crazy discussions.”

Fears, information, frustrations, as well as glimmers of hope, were all shared on the run. What started as a running group morphed into much more.

“It’s like a therapy group. You need both physical and psychological health, for optimum health. Running can help both physically and psychologically, so running was a win-win,” said Tolosa. “And, sometimes, we just walked because the emotional toll of something that happened in life was too much.”

On a little island in the middle of the Susquehanna River, during the pandemic’s bleak moments, the group also found humor.

They named the island’s resident skunks—Dancing Snowflake was nearly all white, Junior was the smallest, and Bikini’s markings determined her name. One night, the runners chased and corralled a dog that had gotten loose. They made friends with other City Island regulars, including a family with a little boy who raced them every night.

One tradition continues. They celebrate every Friday by walking rather than running, followed by a stop at the island’s ice cream stand.

Lauren McIntire and her entire family come often.

“It’s given us a sense of normalcy. It was nice to see people through the quarantine and to be able to socialize with people outside our family,” said Lauren, of Camp Hill.

Her children are some of the youngest Three Mile Islanders.

“It was one of the few things keeping me from flipping over the edge of insanity,” said Lauren’s daughter, Bella, 13. “I’m actually better talking with adults. Kids my own age—you can tell they’re judging you, and plus you can have mature, civil conversations with adults. This group helped me overcome social anxiety—not being totally socially awkward.”

In the Long Run

One of the runners best known for telling funny stories and cheering up others is Ali Firoozmand of Harrisburg.

“We had so many laughs and cries, unbelievable discussions—I don’t know what I would have done without this group through the pandemic,” said Firoozmand, a retiree who lives alone. “I don’t see my family as often as I see these people.”

He was one of the original runners who came on day one. And he’s hardly missed a day since. In fact, a few times, he was the lone Three Mile Islander looping the island, solo. The group, all friends of friends, has grown to 30-ish runners.

“The support from this group is awesome,” said Firoozmand. “As a society, we think a man shouldn’t show his emotions, but there’s no shame in crying or being sad or upset—just share it. Holding it inside is much worse in the long run.”

Melissa Powell of Harrisburg never belonged to a running group before joining the Three Mile Islanders.

“When they said they run every day, I said, ‘I can’t do that.’ I was lagging behind in the beginning,” Powell said. “Six months in, my body started to adjust, I started losing weight, getting more muscular and confident.”

That confidence propelled Powell to run the Capital 10-Miler this past spring—her longest run ever.

“I had been running for years, but I never had running friends,” Powell said. “I wasn’t expecting this—I wasn’t searching for this. I wish I could say the same about my love life.”

Full Circle

As vaccine rates increase and mask restrictions lift, will the group continue?

“I don’t ever see us ending,” said Firoozmand.

Weather certainly hasn’t stopped them. They’ve run through sleet, snow and “wind that has gusted so bad you just laugh because you want to cry,” said Tolosa. Bad weather drove them into the City Island parking garage a few times—they ran under cover, up and down the ramps.

Otherwise, “we’ve never gotten sick of looping this island three times a night, and we’ve never been at a loss for words,” said Tolosa. “This island was like our little sanctuary.”

The pandemic may be coming full circle, but this tight-knit circle of runners is still, well, running circles.

“We bonded through a really traumatic time in our world’s history,” said Tolosa. “COVID has been a terrible thing, but we created something awesome through it.”

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August News Digest

July 30, 2021 | by Lawrance Binda and Maddie Gittens

Council Approves Projects, Artifact Sale

At a final legislative meeting before taking a summer break, Harrisburg City Council last month approved two development projects.

A village of tiny homes for veterans on S. Front Street can move forward, along with a mixed-use office and apartment building on N. Cameron Street.

The tiny home village received a vote of 6-1, with council member Shamaine Daniels voting against it.

The project was proposed last year by the nonprofit Veterans Outreach of Pennsylvania, which plans to build 15 tiny houses and a community center at 1103 S. Front St. to provide temporary housing and support services for homeless veterans.

At the council meeting, some residents expressed concern with the site of the project, saying that it was prone to flooding.

However, representatives with the nonprofit said that, while the area is in the floodplain, they plan to build the houses a few feet off of the ground, alleviating flooding concerns.

In a 5-2 council vote, another development proposal—converting a long-abandoned building into office and apartment space on Cameron Street—got the go-ahead. Council President Wanda Williams and council member Danielle Bowers voted in opposition.

Bowers explained that she would not vote for the project because developer Harrisburg Commercial Interiors would not commit to participating in the city’s affordable housing program.

In other council action last month, Harrisburg will move towards ending what has been a long process in dealing with artifacts purchased by former Mayor Steve Reed. In 2015, numerous collectibles and artifacts were seized from Reed’s home and storage units, many bought with public money.

Council approved a resolution to work with Cordier Auctions & Appraisals, as well as Reed’s estate, to auction off the remaining items and split the funds between the city, estate and auction company.

On the topic of Harrisburg history, council also approved the adoption of updated “Historic District Design and Preservation Guidelines,” which lay out the rules for property changes and repairs for houses in the city’s historic districts.

Council is on summer hiatus until Aug. 24.

Senior Housing Proposed

A new affordable housing initiative for seniors has been proposed in Harrisburg.

The almost $15 million “Bethel Village” would constitute the largest phase of the “Jackson Square” project at N. 6th and Herr streets, according to Ryan Sanders, co-owner of Harrisburg-based RB Development.

Along with RB Development, Paladin Development, a branch of the Harrisburg Housing Authority, Gardner Capital Development and Bethel AME Church are partners in the project.

The proposed four-story, nearly 45,000-square-foot building would be available for low-income seniors 62 years of age and older. It would provide one- and two-bedroom rental units ranging in price from $300 to $1,000 per month.

Generally, residents would pay about 30% of their income on rent, explained Ava Goldman of Gardner Capital, which specializes in providing affordable senior living. They plan to have designated units for visually and hearing impaired residents, as well.

Previously, Sanders had proposed a market-rate, mixed-use residential and commercial complex for the site.

The proposed site of the project sits on the land where the historic Bethel AME Church once stood before burning down in 1995. The lot currently contains paved parking and grassy areas.

Bethel Village developers are under contract with both Bethel AME, which owns about one-third of the proposed ¾-acre building site, and owners of the connected lots.

New Owners, Plans for Midtown Bars

Two Midtown bars once targeted for closure by Harrisburg’s mayor have been sold, with plans to create a restaurant, retail space and apartments.

Last month, restaurateur Josh Kesler bought 1400 N. 3rd St., which most recently housed the Third Street Café, and, before that, the 1400 Club and Club Wanda’s.

Kesler, who owns the Millworks in Midtown and the Watershed Pub in Camp Hill, said that he would like to open a two-floor restaurant/bar, but doesn’t yet have a firm plan for the two-story, 2,500-square-foot space.

“I want to do something cool and creative, something that adds uniqueness to the neighborhood,” said Kesler, who paid $153,000 for the building.

He expects to complete the renovation and open in 2022.

The Third Street Café has been closed since April under terms of a conditional licensing agreement between the owners and the PA Liquor Control Board. The owners since have placed the license into safekeeping, according to their attorney, Chris Wilson.

The co-owners of the Third Street Café, Anthony Paliometros and the heirs of the late Frank Karnouskos, also owned the building next door, 1402 N. 3rd St., once the home of the Taproom bar.

Sean Linder and his Bethlehem-based investment group, SJL Rentals LLC, bought that building for $231,000.

Linder said that he plans to undertake a restoration of the three-story, 4,000-square-foot building, creating five market-rate apartments with commercial space on the first floor. He also plans a small addition in the rear, which would add another 350 square feet of space.

“Midtown is obviously an up-and-coming area,” Linder said, when asked why he was interested in the building. “There’s a lot of great development going on in the city.”

Linder credited Justin Heinly of Midtown Property Management for bringing the property to his attention and mentioned that anyone interested in the first-floor retail space should contact Heinly.

He said he expects to complete the building renovation by spring 2022.

Notably, in 2015, Harrisburg Mayor Eric Papenfuse tried to revoke the business licenses of both bars, claiming that they were “nuisance bars.”

Dave Larche, then the owner of the Taproom, agreed to close his bar and later sold his building to his next-door neighbors, Paliometros and Karnouskos. For their part, Paliometros and Karnouskos repeatedly appealed the city’s business license revocation, eventually winning their case in court.

Alice Anne Schwab, the executive director of the Susquehanna Art Museum, located directly across the street from the bars, said that she looks forward to the renovations of the two buildings.

“We’re super-excited about something positive happening there,” she said. “The proposals I have heard about are really very much in keeping with businesses that are above board and operate with the public interest in mind.”

Kesler said that, in part, he was motivated to make the purchase in order to add to the growing vibrancy of the Midtown commercial district on 3rd Street, where numerous small businesses have opened recently.

Linder added that he also wanted to ensure that the block retained its architectural character.

“For years, they just let their beautiful buildings deteriorate,” he said. “There’s so much historical integrity there that needs to be preserved.”

Business Grant Program

Through a local grant program, some Harrisburg businesses have a chance at receiving financial support.

Impact Harrisburg last month rolled out its “Making an Impact” funding to benefit projects that impact the city economically.

“We can affirm that access to our funding has been a benefit to the economic structure and overall wellbeing of our community,” said Gloria Martin-Roberts, board chair of Impact Harrisburg.

The program will distribute $300,000 to eligible businesses and nonprofits. Eligible projects include those that wouldn’t have adequate funding otherwise and will be started immediately. Businesses must also contribute a match to the project, financial or otherwise, and have annual net revenues of $500,000 or less.

The Impact Harrisburg board plans to focus on assisting minority-owned businesses, Martin-Roberts said.

Applicants may request up to $25,000 for activities such as minor construction, building façade improvements, equipment purchases, furniture and fixture purchases, installation costs and job training, explained Sheila Dow-Ford, executive director of Impact Harrisburg.

In May 2020, Impact Harrisburg, along with the city, distributed around $1.5 million in “Neighborhood Business Stabilization” grant money to 314 small businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. That program allowed businesses to utilize funds for general administrative expenses like rent, mortgage and payroll. This new round of funding cannot be used for those purposes, Dow-Ford said.

Dow-Ford described the “Making an Impact” program as “small, but mighty,” with the possibility to uplift often overlooked organizations in the city.

“This is a good news story in Harrisburg,” she said.

Home Sales, Prices Rise

Harrisburg-area home sales continued to show strength in June, in terms of both transactions and prices.

The Greater Harrisburg Association of Realtors (GHAR) reported that 819 housing units sold in June, compared to 530 in June 2020, while the median price rose to $228,000 from $199,900 a year ago.

Last year, the number of home sales was depressed due to the pandemic. A better comparison may be June 2019, when 850 houses sold for a median price of $190,788.

In Dauphin County, 376 homes sold in June for a median price of $209,000, versus $179,950 the previous year. In Cumberland County, 394 houses sold for a median price of $258,500, compared to $224,900 in the year-ago period, according to GHAR.

Prices also were up in Perry County, where 35 houses sold for a median price of $200,000 versus $175,900 last year.

Houses were also selling quickly. According to GHAR, the “average day on market” dropped to 16 days in the three-county area, compared to 45 days last year and 41 days the year before.

So Noted

Camp Curtin Memorial-Mitchell UMC Church has been purchased by a Harrisburg couple, Chris and Erica Bryce, for $50,000. Two years ago, the Susquehanna Methodist Conference put six churches on the market as it consolidated congregations. Chris Bryce said that he had no firm plans yet for the building, but that conversion to apartments was probable.

Dustin LeBlanc was named last month as the managing director of the West Shore Theatre in New Cumberland. In this position, LeBlanc will be responsible for most operations of the 81-year-old theater, which is set to reopen next year following a renovation.

Eric Turman last month was sworn in as the new superintendent of the Harrisburg School District. Turman, the former principal of Reading High School in Reading, replaces Chris Celmer, who served as acting superintendent until a permanent replacement was hired.

Fresh Pressed HBG held its grand opening last month at 221 N. 2nd St. in downtown Harrisburg. It’s the second location for the York-based business, which offers juices, smoothies and cleanses.

Harrisburg University last month announced “Tech ‘n Town Week,” which will feature concerts, a crypto-currency conference and the return of the e-sports tournament, the HUE Invitational, among other events. The festival takes place Sept. 19 to 25, with full information at www.harrisburgu.edu/tech-n-town-week.

H*MAC’s former owners last month were awarded $4.7 million in actual and punitive damages in a defamation lawsuit. A Dauphin County judged ruled that John Traynor and the former partnership of Bartlett, Traynor & London, which owned the Midtown Harrisburg arts and entertainment venue, were defamed by online comments that later turned out to be false.

Kipona will return next month with a live, three-day festival in Riverfront Park and on City Island, according to Harrisburg officials. The Labor Day weekend event will feature art, music, food vendors, fireworks, a beer garden and Native American cultural performances, among other activities. Due to the pandemic, much of last year’s festival was held virtually.

Trader Joe’s is slated to open its first store in central PA next year, as it repurposes about 12,500 square feet of space in the former Camp Hill Bon-Ton in Lower Allen Township. Trader Joe’s has about 500 stores in 42 states and is known for offering high-quality food products at affordable prices.

Verber Dental Group last month announced Search Dental, a $2.5 million dental facility, which will open in Silver Spring Township in April 2022. The 7,500-square-foot, 12-operatory facility is the first phase in a 3.5-acre dental campus located adjacent to Cumberland Valley High School, according to Verber.

Zachary’s BBQ & Soul opened last month as the newest restaurant concept at H*MAC in Midtown Harrisburg. Philadelphia-area chef Keith Taylor offers his take on soul food staples such as Carolina pulled pork, pulled chicken, boneless short rib, pork spare ribs and Caribbean jerk barbecue chicken, as well as some bar food favorites.

Changing Hands

Barkley Lane, 2527: D. Sharp to H. Alberto, $69,900

Bellevue Rd., 1915: J. Charles & D. Vanlee to C. Bouslama, $61,000

Benton St., 700: J. Sourbeer to SPG Capital LLC, $62,000

Berryhill St., 1506: RWH Properties LLC to RRMM Real Estate LLC, $42,000

Berryhill St., 1645: M. & M. Quinones to P. & C. Baquero, $46,100

Berryhill St., 2016 & 2020: Staley Berryhill Street Properties LLC to W. Stanley, $850,000

Berryhill St., 2146: J. Elias Holdings LLC to R. & C. Murphy, $65,000

Berryhill St., 2258: T. Baka & R. Teklit to E. Tesfamicael & L. Ghebremichael, $50,000

Boas St., 405: J. Varner & C. Fowler to H. Lewis, $185,000

Boas St., 424: C. Furlong to J. Smith, $170,000

Boas St., 1907: Ultra Renovations and Investments Inc. to T. Roebuck, $115,000

Brookwood St., 2314: E. Hager to M. Kraft, $89,000

Calder St., 118: Lynch Financial LLC to A. & W. Harvey, $190,000

Calder St., 500: R. Metzger to E. Shellenberger, $180,000

Chestnut St., 2031: K. Hassinger to N. & C. Hamani, $68,829

Conoy St., 114: W. McMartin to B. Stehle & A. Johnson, $147,500

Croydon Rd., 2854: R. Williams to G. & M. Romero, $88,000

Delaware St., 262: A. Hanlon to C. Zeger, $138,000

Delaware St., 268: F. Hamid to C. & E. Batista, $137,500

Derry St., 1441: SNL Realty Holdings LLC & Touch of Color to K. Tejada, $80,000

Derry St., 2403: Tassia Corp. to A. Lopez, $115,000

Derry St., 2529: T. Thornton to SPG Capital LLC, $65,000

Division St., 505: J. Elias Holdings LLC to SPG Capital LLC, $45,000

Edgewood Rd., 2307: J. Perkins to M. Bailor & S. Yann, $226,000

Emerald Ct., 2451: J. & S. Theodorou to M. Spence, $111,000

Forster St., 226: League of Women Voters Pennsylvania to J. Dubina, $88,750

Fulton St., 1409: R. Buyers to R. Davis Jr., $130,000

Green St., 710: N. Pinkston & C. Maximowicz to J. Elliott, $202,000

Green St., 916: J. Ehring to Capozzi & Ehring Realty LLC, $160,000

Green St., 1401: Hunter Properties to R. Rammouni, $80,000

Green St., 1405: A. Stouffer to C. & C. Thomas, $195,000

Green St., 1412: J. Ehring to Capozzi & Ehring Realty LLC, $150,000

Green St., 2810: Church of God of Prophecy & Christian Insight Ministry to Christian Insight Ministry, $145,000

Green St., 3208: G. Arrieta & K. King to J. Aponte & D. Torres, $235,000

Green St., 3232: B. Spangler & S. Keene to J. Jones, $155,000

Greenwood St., 2111: J. Elias Holdings LLC to SPG Capital LLC, $48,000

Hale Ave., 411: D. Wilson to I. Yolov, $50,000

Harris Terr., 2465: J. Davis to E. Garcia & Y. Marcucci, $35,000

Herr St., 307: B. Andreozzi to J. Varner & C. Fowler, $192,500

Herr St., 313: J. Kleinfelter to J. & M. O’Callaghan, $178,600

Holly St., 2002: J. Elias Holdings LLC to SPG Capital LLC, $48,000

Hummel St., 340: M. Nichols to K. Torres, $55,000

James St., 1329: V. Paredes to I. Mallouli, $85,000

Liberty St., 1610: Ivy Leaf Properties LLC & Lehman Property Management to H. Lopez, $60,000

Manada St., 2031: R. Torres to D. Perez, $120,000

Market St., 1811: HE Pressley Properties LLC to Jimruz LLC, $72,000

North St., 1711: SPG Capital LLC to P. Marte, $80,000

North St., 1842: Sunshine ABQ Real Estate Investment LLC to O. Perez, $105,000

N. 2nd St., 809: Vantage Rentals LP to A. & S. Grimes, $179,000

N. 2nd St., 1009: J. Kok to J. Flothmeier to J. Ambridge, $215,000

N. 2nd St., 1102: L. & A. Morato Lara to S. & J. Toole, $195,000

N. 2nd St., 2323: A. & A. Mathew to A. Deitrich & J. Cortez, $190,000

N. 2nd St., 2404: K. Liu to JLE Ventures 2404 LLC, $90,000

N. 3rd St., 1218, 1220 & 1222: Furlow Partners Inc. to COBA Apartments LLC, $2,800,000

N. 3rd St., 1619: T. Fridirici to J. Pronio, $187,500

N. 3rd St., 3010: Equitable Builds LLC to S. Ruiz & A. Ramirez, $212,000

N. 4th St., 1920: Tang & Perkins Property Management LLC to A. Nix, $109,000

N. 4th St., 2112: J. Elias Holdings LLC to SPG Capital LLC, $60,000

N. 4th St., 2215: L. & C. Sukhwinder to K. Torres, $54,000

N. 4th St., 2333: Dauphin County Property Investors LLC to I. Molina, $51,500

N. 4th St., 2448: S. Lewis to J. Graf, $100,000

N. 4th St., 2709: T. Landis to H. Fountain, $137,000

N. 5th St., 1504, 1504½, 1506, 1506½, 1508, 1508½, 1510, 1510½, 1512, 1514, 1516, 1516½, 1518; 439, 441 & 443 Boyd St.; 427, 429, 429B, 429½, 431 & 433 Kelker Alley; 1517 Fulton St.; 420, 426 & 428 Reily St. & 1515 Walker Alley: Redevelopment Authority to 400 Reily Street LLC, $81,000

N. 5th St., 1634: P. Hardy to N. Kamel, $150,000

N. 6th St., 1328: W. Zhang to M. Osborne, $170,000

N. 6th St., 2211: Curtin Heights ME Church to 608 N. Third LLC, $50,000

N. 6th St., 2612: MNK Properties LLC to C. Guerrier, $50,000

N. 6th St., 2665: J. Elias Holdings LLC to SPG Capital, $48,000

N. 6th St., 2667: J. Elias Holdings LLC to SPG Capital LLC, $55,000

N. 6th St., 3014: C. Dixon to A. & W. Keisling, $83,500

N. 14th St., 210: PBTB Group LLC to Dreams2Reality Services LLC, $67,500

N. 16th St., 606: 2020 Real Estate Ventures LLC to J. Moore, $120,700

N. 16th St., 820: Truemac Homes Trust to E. Hubbard, $123,000

N. 18th St., 802: Integrity First Home Buyers LLC to B. Nevid, $119,000

N. 19th St., 706: Integrity First Home Buyers LLC to L. Murrell, $40,000

N. 19th St., 1001: M. Myers to Neidlinger Enterprises LLC, $45,000

N. Front St., 1525, Unit 305: M. DiMatteo to Zinc One Texas LLC, $195,000

N. Front St., 3201: F. & W. Krevsky to Y. Duan, $310,000

Park St., 1840: T. & S. Rollason to J. Pichardo, $35,000

Penn St., 1311: A. Genre to Integrity First Home Buyers LLC, $75,000

Penn St., 1526: Heinly Homes LLC to H. Stevens, $190,500

Penn St., 1702: A. & D. Schade to T. Underkoffler, $175,000

Penn St., 1726: A. Hovne to C. Benedict & J. Sarji, $190,000

Penn St., 1820: Alex Manning Enterprises LLC & D. Kapil to Lancaster County Restoration LLC, $135,000

Penn St., 2334: N. Symons to T. Jackson & R. Pennypacker, $135,000

Pennwood Rd., 3204: C. Heckert to A. Daniels, $95,000

Prince St., 713: J. Mosco to Z. & A. Einhorn, $106,100

Reel St., 2618: E. Chattah to L. Ware, $88,450

Reel St., 2725: J. Louden to D. & C. Huffer, $56,000

Seneca St., 640: Kirsch & Burns LLC to B. Brown, $130,000

S. 13th St., 431: R&K Realty Group LP to Dima Properties LLC, $65,000

S. 13th St., 1413: Integrity First Home Buyers LLC to 1413 S 13th St Harrisburg LLC, $116,000

S. 13th St., 1440: J. Elias Holdings LLC to SPG Capital LLC, $45,000

S. 13th St., 1463: J. White to D. Adams, B. Groft, E. Roy & A. Sullivan, $62,500

S. 15th St., 316: Great Row LLC to Cooperwink LLC, $42,900

S. 16th St., 16: M. Carter to NA Capital Group LLC, $35,000

S. 16th St., 524: W. Brown to J. Camacho, $46,500

S. 16th St., 1014: M. Batista to D. Cario & Y. Mercedes, $123,500

S. 19th St., 1324: J. Elias Holdings LLC to SPG Capital LLC, $48,000

S. 24th St., 700: C. Barna to J. Valverde, $82,000

S. 25th St., 734: G. Mathias to SPG Capital LLC, $63,000

S. 26th St., 622: M. Cain to K. Seitz, $140,000

S. 26th St., 628: R. & R. Seneca to A. Rai, $163,000

S. 27th St., 655: B. Dehning to T. Young, $99,000

Spencer St., 1855: M. Castro, B. Villalobos & R. Alexandra to M. Hoogerbrugge, $75,900

State St., 231, Unit 204: J. Montenegro to S. & Y. Yates, $130,000

Susquehanna St., 1703: R. Taylor to L. Mayton, $130,000

Susquehanna St., 1915: D. James to E. Seaman & J. Baran, $145,000

Susquehanna St., 2116: J. Elias Holdings LLC to SPF Capital LLC, $48,000

Susquehanna St., 2118: J. Elias Holdings LLC to SPG Capital LLC, $48,000

Sycamore St., 1506: J. Elias Holdings LLC to SPG Capital LLC, $50,000

Verbeke St., 254: D. Bixler to R. Unger, $205,000

Verbeke St., 1327 & 1329: DC Projects LLC to Phantom Property Investments LLC, $75,000

Vernon St., 1306: Sweet Properties of Philadelphia LLC to JCAS1 LLC, $240,000

Vernon St., 1407: G. Thomas & K. Hernandez to JIMRUZ LLC, $30,000

Vineyard Rd., 212: E. Kawa to R. & J. Aronson, $222,000

Walnut St., 1610: C. Hall to J. Cherry Jr., $30,000

Zarker St., 1942: Next Generation Trust Services FBO Leon Wriole IRA to G. & L. Boone, $38,500

Harrisburg property sales for June 2021, greater than $30,000. Source: Dauphin County. Data is assumed to be accurate.

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Harrisburg police hire seven community service aides to create bridge between bureau, residents

July 29, 2021 | by Maddie Gittens

A new crew from the Harrisburg Police Bureau will soon hit the streets.

The city has hired seven community service aides, part of an effort to improve relationships between the bureau and residents, as well as assist busy officers.

These full-time civilian positions were approved as part of Harrisburg’s 2021 budget, which included a $1 million increase for the bureau.

During the budget process last year, the proposal for the CSAs faced community opposition, with some residents unhappy that additional funds would go to the police rather than to other community resources.

However, council voted to add the seven positions, expanding the bureau’s community policing division. Over 140 people applied for the positions, receiving more interest than any other position in the bureau, said Blake Lynch, director of community relations and engagement for the bureau.

The new hires will interact with residents, handle quality of life issues and assist offers on calls, Lynch explained.

The CSAs are currently still training and beginning to meet with residents, Lynch said. Community members will have the chance to meet them at National Night Out, an upcoming event hosted by the bureau.

The seven aides are all from the Harrisburg area, are familiar with the city and meet the bureau’s main qualification for hiring— “a heart to serve our residents,” Lynch said.

“The CSAs will serve and be a resource for our residents and officers, as well as continue to build trust,” he said.

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National Night Out set for next week to help foster community, build relationships

July 29, 2021 | by Maddie Gittens

A past National Night Out

Harrisburg residents and law enforcement officials soon will have the chance to talk, play games and enjoy a night out together.

On Aug. 3, the Harrisburg Police Bureau will celebrate National Night Out at the Camp Curtin School Athletic Field to help connect neighbors and further relationships with the community.

“It’s all about getting together and connecting in a relaxed environment,” said Blake Lynch, director of community relations and engagement for the bureau. “This is something that’s always been needed.”

National Night Out has been taking place for some 50 years, often with small gatherings in neighborhoods. It’s the third time that the Harrisburg police have sponsored a large, centralized celebration, which will be joined by several community groups. The event was cancelled last year due to the pandemic.

This year’s celebration, free to the public, will feature a fireworks display at 8:30 p.m. sponsored by FNB Bank. There will also be a concert by The Singer’s Lounge, music by DJ Godfather and a performance by Harrisburg High School cheerleaders. The Pennsylvania State Police helicopter will land onsite, as well.

In addition to law enforcement officials, first responders and over 50 community organizations will be in attendance.

Free food, Rita’s Italian Ice and Farm Show milkshakes will be provided. There will also be kids’ activities such as games and inflatables.

“I’m looking forward to the opportunity to see the city come together after such a tough year with COVID,” Lynch said.

National Night Out will be held on Aug. 3 from 5 to 9 p.m. at the Camp Curtin School Athletic Field located at 2900 N. 6^th St., Harrisburg. For more information, visit the Harrisburg Police Bureau’s website.

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Weekend Roundup with Sara Bozich

July 29, 2021 | by Sara Bozich

Plan your weekend with my weekly list of things to do around Harrisburg and central PA! Scroll down or use the menu links to find ideas for your weekend.

What’s inside:

For your weekend planning:
Top Weekend Recs
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- Friday
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Need something NEW to do? Catch an outdoor flick.

(Still) Worth noting: We revived our private Facebook group, Cheers Harrisburg. You can join the convo here.

Things on my agenda this weekend: Pool day with friends, puppy life.

Don’t forget to support your local brewery! Click here to find one near you.

For your weekend planning:

Try this easy cocktail
View our local Restaurant Directory
Local Brewery, Winery, & Cidery Directory
See what else you missed on the blog.

Below are options for your weekend.

Things to Do in Harrisburg + Central PA | Weekend Roundup | Sara Bozich

Top Weekend Recs

Buy tix to a summer concert
Catch an outdoor movie
Explore the best local markets
Pick up a new-to-you local 6-pack and stream ? episodes of Poured in PA: The Series

COVID-19 Disclaimer: Masking and social distancing policies may vary per business, venue, and event. Please be considerate, follow the rules, and be nice. And tip extra!

What are you doing this weekend around Harrisburg? Let us know on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.

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Virtual Burn: LCSWMA offers online tour of Harrisburg waste facility

July 28, 2021 | by Maddie Gittens

Screenshot from the Susquehanna Resource Management Facility virtual tour.

There’s a new way for Harrisburg residents to see and learn about where their trash goes when it leaves their homes.

The Lancaster County Solid Waste Management Authority (LCSWMA) has recently launched a virtual tour of the Susquehanna Resource Management Facility, formerly known as the Harrisburg incinerator.

“We have found that the best way for people to truly understand what we do as an organization is to take people through to tour it,” said Katie Sandoe, head of communications and public affairs at LCSWMA.

Through the online resource, people can explore a 360-degree view of various parts of the center, including the scalehouse, tipping floor and turbine generator. Additional videos, pictures and a virtual tour guide explain the process of turning waste into electricity.

Sandoe said that LCSWMA takes various groups through tours of the facility regularly, but started to rethink how they could do that during the pandemic.

“We reimagined how we can bring the immersive experience of touring the facility to people where they’re at,” she said. “It’s become a great way for us to amplify our outreach.”

LCSWMA has virtual tours for two of its other facilities, the Transfer Station Complex in Lancaster and Lancaster Waste-to-Energy Facility. They are currently working on creating one for their final location, the Frey Farm Landfill in Lancaster.

Whereas LCSWMA can typically only conduct around 2,000 tours across its facilities in a good year, Sandoe said, over 10,000 people have already completed the virtual tours.

Sandoe hopes that the virtual tours will increase accessibility for people who may not have been able to tour the site in person due to physical challenges or disabilities.

She also sees them as a tool for educators to use in the classroom, especially as part of a STEM curriculum.

Otherwise, it’s a great resource for community members who are simply interested in what the complex does. Many people have heard of the incinerator, but don’t really know what happens at the complex, Sandoe said.

“Typically it’s curiosity that leads people to us,” she said. “People are just interested in how something is made.”

To virtually tour LCSWMA’s Susquehanna Resource Management Facility, visit their website.

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Moran Logistics acquires sprawling industrial site in Harrisburg

July 27, 2021 | by Lawrance Binda

Moran Industries has acquired land that once housed the Harrisburg Steel Corp.

A major logistics company has purchased a large swath of industrial land in Harrisburg, completing a years-long transaction.

Under the name Herr Street Investments, Watsontown, Pa.-based Moran Logistics last week bought a 21-acre site off of Cameron and Herr streets, once the heart of industrial Harrisburg.

CREDC, the nonprofit economic development arm of the Harrisburg Regional Chamber, sold the land for $505,000, following an environmental assessment of the property.

In a statement, John Moran Jr., owner of Herr Street Investments, thanked the Chamber and CREDC for their involvement, adding that, “this unused site is now positioned to provide many new opportunities for the City of Harrisburg.”

Moran did not specify how the company planned to use the site, though Moran Logistics already operates at the adjoining World Trade Center Harrisburg at the corner of Cameron and Herr streets. Statewide, the company operates over 5 million square feet of storage space in numerous locations.

Moran could not be reached immediately for additional comment.

Historically, the Harrisburg Steel Corp., which became the industrial giant Harsco, now based in Camp Hill, operated from the site, which has been largely unused for decades.

In 2018, CREDC purchased the property for $505,000. It then used $133,670 to perform an environmental assessment of the long-time industrial site, three-quarters of which was funded with a PA Industrial Site Reuse Program grant, according to CREDC.

“Undertaking this project was a unique opportunity to use our expertise to bring a blighted industrial property one step closer to being ready for productive reuse,” said Ryan Unger, president of the Harrisburg Regional Chamber & CREDC, in a statement. “Thanks to the guidance of our economic development lead Melissa Stone, the support of the state’s Industrial Sites Reuse Program, and the transfer of the property to John Moran and his team, we now look forward to the ongoing redevelopment and future opportunities that are now possible at this site.”

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What’s in Your Lunchbox? Upcoming art exhibit will feature stories of culture clash in the cafeteria

July 27, 2021 | by Maddie Gittens

Amie Bantz and some her lunchboxes that will be part of her “Lunchbox Moments” exhibit.

The school lunchroom can be a stressful place for kids. Who do you sit with? Whose mom packed them a lunch? Who gets the free lunch?

It’s even more anxiety-inducing when your food doesn’t look like all the other kids’.

In Harrisburg artist Amie Bantz’s upcoming exhibit, she unboxes the shared story that many Asian Americans have had in the cafeteria when their peers react to their traditional Asian food.

“I have a story, my mom has a story, all of my friends have stories,” she said. “I feel like that creates a collective narrative and identity.”

Bantz and other Asian Americans from the community painted about 90 lunchboxes with phrases and short stories from their own experiences with food. The boxes, along with other selections of Bantz’s art, will hang in the Carlisle Arts Learning Center next month.

As a Korean American, Bantz remembers having these “lunchbox moments” as a kid. Some of those memories are a part of the exhibit—like the time she asked her mom, a South Korean immigrant, to make mac and cheese, and she melted a Kraft single on top of white rice. Or there was the time she got in line to get a box of milk at lunch because all of the other kids were doing it, even though she was lactose intolerant, which she said is common among people of Asian descent.

“I really wanted it to be a little bit of humor, a little bit of seriousness, but ultimately just showcasing the Asian American experience in America through this one lens,” Bantz said.

As much as the project was a cathartic experience for Bantz, it was impactful to those from the community who she included, as well. She hosted classes to allow people to share their lunchbox moments and paint them on a lunchbox to be included in the show. The stories, she said, are even more emotional and impactful than she imagined.

“A lot of the folks that came to the workshops, I don’t think they realized that other people had that same moment,” she said. “I want other Asian Americans to be able to walk into that gallery and see all of the lunchboxes and stories and be like ‘oh, these are my people, they get it.’”

Bantz’s show comes on the heels of many instances of Asian hate crimes in the United States during the pandemic. She hopes that her exhibit keeps the conversation around the issue going, while also allowing room for people to giggle and smile a bit.

“Initially, this whole idea was just because I needed to do something to cope—I needed an outlet,” Bantz said. “And then I realized that other people needed an outlet.”

The exhibit will also include an interactive piece for people to share their lunchbox moments, reactions to the exhibit and stories of not fitting in. She hopes that community members of all cultures and races will participate.

“The only way to reduce hate is if we find common ground,” Bantz said. “That’s the whole premise of the show.”

“Lunchbox Moments” will be on display at the Carlisle Arts Learning Center from Aug. 6 to Sept. 18 in their 2^nd floor gallery. For more information, visit Amie Bantz’s website.

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What’s inside:

For your weekend planning:

Top Weekend Recs

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

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