Civic Club experiences vandalism; community members step up

January 27, 2021 | by Maddie Conley Gittens

The Civic Club’s shed was broken into and air conditioning units were stolen.

As if local organizations aren’t struggling during COVID enough as it is, the Civic Club of Harrisburg faced another blow recently.

On Dec. 29, the club’s historic Front Street home, “Overlook,” suffered severe damage.

“It’s an agitation,” said club President Marybeth Lehtimaki. “I’ve always been pleased by how the property has been respected, so I’m disappointed.”

According to Lehtimaki, two large air conditioning units were stolen and a shed was broken into. She said that the cost of the damage is around $13,000.

Police are investigating the case, but do not yet have any suspects, she said. Lehtimaki believes this is part of a larger trend of increased crime during the pandemic.

Organizations in Allison Hill have picked up on this trend, as well, launching their “South Allison Hill Safety Plan” to increase lighting and security measures in their neighborhoods.

The Harrisburg Police Bureau also has addressed the issue, acknowledging a climb in violent crime, specifically shootings.

Remaining parts of the Civic Club building’s air conditioning units.

Lehtimaki said that she doesn’t remember anything as extensive as this incident of vandalism happening before at the club.

The Civic Club is now repairing damage, replacing the units and applying for security grants in order to install more lighting outside the building.

While the cost of the damage is great, the club already has received donations from people in the community, she said.

“People have already asked how they can help,” Lehtimaki said. “It’s heartwarming. With COVID, we are very reliant on the community.”

The Civic Club building functions as an event space for weddings and large gatherings. During the pandemic, many of those have been canceled, making it difficult for the club.

“This is the keystone of the city; it’s a gem,” Lehtimaki said. “It’s important to keep it in the best condition.”

Overlook was built in 1903 and is one of just two buildings remaining within the footprint of Riverfront Park in Harrisburg. The women’s club dates back to the late 1800s and functions as a service organization that works to create civil engagement within Harrisburg.

The club has helped the city through philanthropy and service, including city beautification, early childhood education, breast cancer awareness, hunger relief and other initiatives, Lehtimaki said.

“My vision is to do service for the community and create a center for diversity,” she said.

To donate to The Civic Club of Harrisburg, email [email protected] or call (717)-234-6736. For more information, visit https://www.civicclubofharrisburg.com/.

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Apartment conversion, “tiny house” project for veterans get Harrisburg zoning approval

January 26, 2021 | by Lawrance Binda

Two Harrisburg development projects jumped a key hurdle on Monday night, getting the approval of the city’s Zoning Hearing Board.

A split board first granted a variance and special exception to developer Derek Dilks, who plans to convert the former First United Methodist Church (pictured) into an eight-unit apartment building.

Dilks needed zoning relief because he has proposed a change in use for the 140-year-old church building at 260 Boas St. Also, the proposed one-bedroom apartments range in size from 550 to 1,125 square feet, which is smaller than the city allows by right.

Dilks explained that he plans to invest about $1.2 million into the building’s redevelopment and that the project would not be financially viable with fewer units.

“We’re projecting that eight apartments is a little bit better than break even,” said Dilks, who added that he considered as many as 12 units before scaling back to eight.

Rents would range from $1,250 to $1,800 a month, Dilks said. Some of the units include lofts and additional home office space, he said.

Last July, Dilks bought the property for $99,000 from the Susquehanna Conference of the United Methodist Church, which put most of its churches on the market in 2019.

The city’s zoning code did not require Dilks to provide off-street parking, but the issue came up both at the meeting and at the previous Harrisburg Planning Commission meeting. In response, he said that he’d provide eight dedicated parking spaces at the Lofts at 909, an apartment building he owns a block away at Green and Forster streets.

Only one resident spoke at the virtual meeting about the project and voiced support.

“My interest is only to say that I totally support it,” said Green Street resident Shane Fox. “It seems great. I would love to have more neighbors in Midtown.”

The Zoning Hearing Board approved the variance and special exception by a 2-1 vote, adding a condition that each unit be assigned a designated parking space at the Lofts at 909. Board Chair Thomas Leonard voted against it.

“I’m opposed . . . because the impact on the neighborhood is excessive,” he said.

Later on during the nearly four-hour meeting, the board gave unanimous approval for a variance and special exception for a project that proposes 15 “tiny houses” and a community center on vacant land along the Susquehanna River in south Harrisburg.

A nonprofit called Veterans Outreach of Pennsylvania has proposed the project at 1103 S. Front St. to provide temporary housing and support services for homeless veterans. The organization needed zoning relief for that specific use and because the community center does not meet the height requirement for the “riverfront” zoning district.

A rendering of the proposed “tiny house” community.

The development would be built on about 5.5 acres of what is commonly called Phoenix Park, former industrial land adjacent to the Capital Area Greenbelt. The property owners, Harrisburg philanthropist Peggy Grove and her son, Michael, have agreed to donate the land to the group, according to Thomas Zimmerman, president of Veterans Outreach of PA.

“Our homeless veterans are ones who were willing to sacrifice their lives for our freedom,” Zimmerman said to the board. “We want to give them the opportunity to have transitional housing to get them back on their feet so they can get back into society and live a life of normalcy.”

He said that they are modeling their village upon similar developments in places like Kansas City, Mo., San Diego, Calif., and Savannah, Ga., among other cities.

“This model has been proven in other parts of the country,” he said. “So, we’re just bringing it here to central PA.”

The project also includes 15 parking spaces.

With these approvals, both the church-to-apartment conversion and the veteran’s tiny house project now must have their land development plans approved by the city.

Several other significant development projects were on the Zoning Hearing Board agenda for the meeting on Monday. However, they were either given a continuance until the February meeting or will be heard at a special meeting scheduled for next week.

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Harrisburg area legislators discuss impacts of COVID, concerns

January 26, 2021 | by Maddie Conley Gittens

The Harrisburg Chamber’s Dave Black (left) emceed Tuesday’s virtual Legislators’ Forum.

Even with the pandemic, Harrisburg area state representatives were able to gather for an annual Legislators’ Forum, although this time appearing on screens instead of on stage.

Nine PA General Assembly members from Cumberland, Dauphin and Perry counties discussed topics like political civility, minimum wage and small business struggles and how COVID impacts all of them.

The forum was hosted by the Harrisburg Regional Chamber & CREDC and hosted by President and CEO Dave Black.

Panelists included Rep. Sheryl Delozier (R-88), Rep. Torren Ecker (R-193), Rep. Barb Gleim (R-199), Rep. Dawn Keefer (R-92), Rep. Perry Stambaugh (R-86), Rep. Andrew Lewis (R-105), Rep. Tom Mehaffie (R-106), Rep. Patty Kim (D-103) and Rep. Greg Rothman (R-87).

Starting off with the topic on everyone’s minds, Keefer addressed the COVID vaccine rollout in Pennsylvania.

“We are behind other states,” Keefer said. “We can’t get them out fast enough. Some of the areas in our state do not have enough manpower to administer the shots.”

Lewis weighed in as well, saying distribution is not the only issue. According to Lewis, there’s not enough vaccine to go around. He did say there is a single-dose vaccine coming that will help increase the vaccination rate.

Bringing the year full circle, the panelists discussed the minimum wage, as they did at last year’s forum.

Last year, most representatives opposed raising the minimum wage. However, this year, Kim, the Harrisburg area’s sole Democrat in the House, was in attendance to explain her support for reform.

“We need to reset the button,” she said. “$7.25 is an irrelevant number because it hasn’t been raised for 11 years. So let’s raise the floor and bring in the stragglers.”

Kim said that her bill would raise the state’s hourly minimum wage by increments of 50 cents per year until it reached $15 an hour.

“If we are to do it, and I agree with Patty, $7.25 is way too low, but how we get there is where we need to concentrate,” said Mehaffie.

Delozier wasn’t convinced by Kim’s argument, pointing out potential issues with raising the minimum wage, including people possibly becoming ineligible for certain social services like childcare.

“Our businesses can’t afford it, our social services can’t catch up, and people might be worse off than they were,” she said. “There’s a lot of things we need to take into consideration.”

Representatives also took time to focus specifically on how Harrisburg has fared during the pandemic. Kim spoke to some of the concerns that she has, including returning students to classrooms safely, vaccination rates, small businesses and development efforts in the city.

Rothman also discussed the effect on restaurants in the city.

“I’m concerned about the city,” Rothman said. “A very small percentage of state government is actually physically coming into work, which affects our restaurants.”

Closing out the forum, representatives discussed civility during an unprecedented time of political division in the country.

“The approach we need to take, whether we are Republicans or Democrats, is to say, ‘I may not agree, but at least I’m going to respect the person […] and acknowledge they are coming from a place of trying to better their community,’” Lewis said.

To watch the 2021 Legislators’ Forum, click here.

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Five buildings deemed “preservation priorities” by Historic Harrisburg

January 26, 2021 | by Lawrance Binda

Balsley House in downtown Harrisburg

One of Harrisburg’s oldest structures is a top preservation priority for 2021, the city’s principal historic preservation organization has announced.

At a virtual presentation on Monday, Historic Harrisburg Association unveiled its top five proposed preservation priorities for the year.

The list includes Balsley House, a dilapidated, double building located downtown at 220 N. 2nd St. Dating back almost two centuries, Balsley House is one of the few remaining federal-period buildings in Harrisburg.

“It’s one of the oldest structures still standing in Harrisburg,” said Sara Sweeney, chair of HHA’s preservation committee. “It’s deteriorating. It’s in very bad shape, especially if you go around to the back.”

The 2,590-square-foot building, owned since 2006 by Dusan Bratic of Mechanicsburg, has housed many different businesses over its lifetime, but has sat empty and increasingly blighted for a number of years.

“We’re hoping to really raise awareness of this property over the next year,” Sweeney said. “With the revitalization that Harrisburg is really primed for, hopefully, we can make some strides to bringing this building back to life before we lose it.”

The other properties on the 2021 list are:

William Penn High School, Uptown Harrisburg
Camp Curtin Memorial Mitchell UMC, Uptown Harrisburg
Harrisburg State Hospital campus, Harrisburg/Susquehanna Township
Prospect Hill Cemetery Gate House, Allison Hill/city line

William Penn, Camp Curtin UMC and the Harrisburg State Hospital campus are all on the market for sale. Prospect Hill Cemetery Gate House was severely damaged last year when it was struck by a car.

Balsley House, William Penn, Camp Curtin UMC and Harrisburg State Hospital all appeared on the 2019 list, as well.

This year, the committee changed its ranking structure, reducing its preservation priorities to just five “key” properties then adding more buildings on a “watch list.” The proposed watch list properties are:

Dixon University Center
Donald Cameron Mansion
Riverside Firehouse
Cumberland Valley Railroad Bridge
Milestone Inn
Coca-Cola Bottling Works
Brinser Mansion
Grace United Methodist Church
Derry Street United Methodist Church
Christ Lutheran Church
Paul’s Methodist Church
Zembo Shrine Center
Paxton Firehouse
Beidleman House
Walnut Street Bridge
Historic Peace Church (Hampden Township)
Elks Theater (Middletown)
Bishop Bridge (near Bowmansdale)

The HHA board now must approve the list at an upcoming meeting.

Sweeney also offered updates for several properties that have been on HHA’s preservation priority list in the past:

Gerber’s Department Store, Midtown Harrisburg—proposed for conversion to an apartment building.
Sheepford Road Bridge, Lower Allen Township—transfer of ownership proposed
Brotherhood Relief & Compensation Fund Building, Uptown Harrisburg—new owner, proposed conversion to a mixed-use building
First United Methodist Church, Midtown Harrisburg—new owner, proposed conversion to an apartment building
Lemoyne Middle School—currently being converted to an apartment building
Bishop McDevitt High School—proposed redevelopment as an eco-village called The Bridge
Jackson Hotel, Midtown Harrisburg—recently collapsed and razed, now with plans to rebuild the structure
Ridge Avenue Methodist Church Parsonage (Swallow Mansion), Midtown Harrisburg—conversion to an apartment building nearly complete
Broad Street Market, Midtown Harrisburg—upgrades and restoration continue
Historic Harrisburg Resource Center—restoration continues
Harrisburg History Project—ongoing rehabilitation to historical markers around Harrisburg

Sweeney also noted several Harrisburg buildings that have been restored in recent years, calling them “wins.” These include the former Mary K mansions on Front Street, the former Fox Hotel in Shipoke, Locust Street Houses downtown and the former Moose Lodge in Midtown.

David Morrison, HHA’s executive director, said that he believes that the annual list has raised awareness of the need for historic preservation and has been essential in the rehabilitation of numerous structures in Harrisburg.

“As a result of this exercise each year, I can say that quite a few properties that were listed as priorities in the past have become ‘alumni’ of the list,” Morrison said. “In other words, they’ve been restored.”

For more information on Historic Harrisburg Association, visit their website.

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Father-daughter duo brings former Harry’s Tavern back to life, with a modern twist

January 25, 2021 | by Maddie Conley Gittens

Lou and Anna Vazquez inside Harry’s Bistro

“Just write: ‘Harry’s is back—be careful what you wish for,’” Lou Vazquez told me as I interviewed him and his daughter in their new Harrisburg restaurant.

A previous co-owner of the former Harry’s Tavern, a popular Harrisburg bar that operated from 1949 to the early 1990s, Vazquez wants to bring back a piece of the good old days with his new restaurant, Harry’s Bistro, located on Herr Street near the Susquehanna Township line.

In a shiny silver and green restored trailer diner, Vazquez gives patrons a retro experience. Guitars, trumpets and cymbals hang on the walls, and record albums decorate the counter and each tabletop.

“It’s musically inspired,” Vazquez said.

But this go-around, Vazquez has a new partner in business—his daughter. Anna Vazquez is hip to her dad’s vintage theme but realizes the old must be balanced with the modern. If her dad wanted to also attract a younger crowd, Harry’s would need some updates.

Anna set her dad up with an Alexa device so that customers can request music. But he will still get his old-fashioned feeling with a jukebox that they plan to install in the dining room.

The food is a best-of-both-worlds situation, as well. The menu lists classics from the old Harry’s Tavern: cheese fries, sausage with honey and spicy shrimp, but with Anna’s additions, including avocado toast.

The menu is intentionally simple, compared to many sprawling diner menus. Anna said that they are focusing on quality over quantity and want to keep the menu in line with the modern feel they’re aiming for.

“I know what’s trending,” said Anna, who is also the marketing director at XL Live, a concert venue in Harrisburg. “He has the older mindset, and I have the younger mindset.”

Harry’s Bistro

Once statewide COVID restrictions are lifted, Vazquez hopes to have live music nights at Harry’s. He wants to make it a place where people hang out, listen to music and talk (but not about politics)—much like the old Harry’s Tavern.

According to Vazquez, who owned Harry’s Tavern for the last few years before it closed, it was a Harrisburg hotspot. The neighborhood bar in Allison Hill, started by Harry and Mary Touloumes, drew state workers and local “big wigs” for their steaks and fishbowls of beer, he explained.

“It was the place to go,” he said.

Vazquez sees his new venture as bringing Harry’s back to life. Once others hear that it’s back, he believes that the same energy that filled the once-bustling tavern will pack the bistro, too.

Anna sees a similar picture, but with a younger crowd mixed in.

“This is a fun place where people can come listen to music,” she said. “They can come here for good vibes.”

Vazquez bought the building before the pandemic started and planned to open sooner, but COVID changed his plans. Like many other restaurant owners, he had to adapt to the new reality. Still, the father-daughter duo is excited for their future.

“Right now, it’s different for a lot of restaurants, but we are really optimistic about what’s ahead,” Anna said.

Harry’s Bistro is located at 1933 Herr St., Harrisburg. For more information, visit their website.

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The Week that Was: News and features around Harrisburg

January 22, 2021 | by Lawrance Binda and Maddie Conley Gittens

Mounted officers near the state Capitol building on Sunday.

There was plenty of national news this week, including the presidential inauguration, threats of violent protests at state capitals and, we can’t forget, that Bernie Sanders meme everywhere. Catch up on what happened locally. All our news is listed and linked, below.

BlueCross BlueShield Association reported that Millennials are more likely than Gen Xers or Baby Boomers to have a behavioral health issue, our magazine story reported. According to the report, 92% of millennials say the pandemic is hurting their mental health.

COVID-19 cases fell in Pennsylvania this week, our reporting found. Since last Friday, the commonwealth recorded an average of 5,651 new cases per day, according to the state Department of Health.

Gamers in the Harrisburg area have two board game cafés to choose from. Both Game Table Café and UrTurn Café welcome players of all skill sets, our magazine story reported.

Harrisburg School District officials announced a plan to return small cohorts of students to classrooms as long as COVID cases continue to decrease, our online story reported. According to Acting Superintendent Chris Celmer, elementary students and special education students will be prioritized.

MLK Day looked different this year due to COVID, but the Harrisburg community still found ways to celebrate, our reporting found. The Central Pennsylvania MLK Day of Service group held a full day of virtual events, and Wildheart Ministries hosted a small group of volunteers for a neighborhood clean-up.

Rent and small business relief programs in Harrisburg have taken off, our online story reported. Administrators of both funding initiatives said that they have been flooded with applications and are beginning to distribute money.

Sara Bozich introduced Stock’s on Second’s new hybrid concept, Dinno — “dinner and a show,” which launches on Friday. She also has tips for self-care and ways to stay entertained in her Weekend Roundup.

The state Capitol saw lots of police and PA national guard members, but not many protesters during the days leading up to the presidential inauguration, our online story reported. The FBI reported last week that armed protestors were expected at every state capital. However, it seemed law enforcement’s beefed-up security measures kept people away.

Talking Breads in Mechanicsburg locally sources items for its full menu of baked goods, meats and cheeses. They have everything needed for a perfect charcuterie board, as well as cookies, bagels, chocolate bars and more. Read more about the Mechanicsburg shop in our magazine story.

The Year in Art in Harrisburg is reflected on by our arts columnist, Bob MacGinnes. In the second part of his 2020 summation, he highlights local painters, muralists and designers who made this year in art spectacular.

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Harrisburg’s rent, small business relief programs flooded with applications; city begins to distribute money

January 22, 2021 | by Maddie Conley Gittens

Gifted Hands Barber Shop is one of the businesses receiving federal CARES funding.

In November, Harrisburg announced a new rental relief program for residents in response to a national and local rise in evictions due to COVID.

To date, an overwhelming 600 renters have applied for the assistance program, said Interim Director of the Department of Building and Housing Development Lillie Williams on Mayor Eric Papenfuse’s Facebook Live conversation today.

“This is a great example of funding being disbursed in a way that is making an impact,” Papenfuse said.

Williams said that they are processing the first 200 applications and have sent out $122,000 of the $500,000 in federal Emergency Shelter Grant COVID (ESG/CV) funds. The average amount each renter is receiving is $2,000 to $5,000, she said, the cap being $5,000 each.

“Landlords have been very receptive and residents also have been,” Williams said.

The Department of Building and Housing Development has also been delegating funds to those in need of utility assistance. So far, they have awarded $19,000 for residents behind on those payments.

“It’s been very helpful,” said Sean Maurer, a landlord in Harrisburg. “The moratorium can put a lot of pressure on, especially on small landlords.”

He said that the funding gives him greater ability to work with other tenants who may be struggling to pay rent, as well.

Williams said that her office is processing checks every two weeks and that applicants can expect to hear from them by Jan. 29. For those who do not receive funds, Williams has hopeful news.

“I do believe there will be a second round,” she said.

She also suggested that residents in need contact the HELP Ministries, which is part of Christian Churches United of the Tri-County Area.

Additionally, around the same time that the rent relief program rolled out, the city announced another round of funding for small businesses in Harrisburg.

The “Neighborhood Business Stabilization Grant” directs funds to businesses negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Money is drawn from federal CARES funding, as well, and is administered in partnership with the Harrisburg Regional Chamber and CREDC.

Businesses could apply for up to $10,000 for expenses such as rent or mortgage payments, utilities, payroll, real estate tax and vendor invoices.

Within the first five days after opening the portal on Dec. 1, the Chamber already had received 136 applications, forcing them to close the application window early, said the Chamber’s Vice President of Economic Development Melissa Stone.

They are still working to comb through applications, Stone said. They have awarded 16 grants so far.

Michael Payne, owner of Harrisburg’s Gifted Hands Barber Studio, was one of the businesses awarded funds.

“If we didn’t get the support, we would be closing,” Payne said. “I thank the city for doing what they are doing to help out.”

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New COVID-19 cases fall in PA, fatalities still high, says health department

January 22, 2021 | by Lawrance Binda

COVID-19 cases and tests, over time. Source: PA Department of Health

New COVID-19 case rates have begun to decline in Pennsylvania, though the fatality rate remains high.

Since last Friday, the commonwealth recorded an average of 5,651 new cases per day, according to the state Department of Health. This is the lowest weekly new-case rate since mid-November.

Locally, diagnosed cases are now as follows since the pandemic began last year:

Adams County: 6,085 cases
Cumberland County: 12,969 cases
Dauphin County: 16,903 cases
Franklin County: 10,933 cases
Lancaster County: 34,992 cases
Lebanon County: 11,065 cases
Perry County: 2,274 cases
York County: 29,360 cases

Today, the department reported 5,338 newly positive cases throughout Pennsylvania for the past 24 hours ending at midnight. The positivity rate statewide now stands at 12.7%, also a recent low.

With today’s update, 794,172 Pennsylvanians have now been diagnosed with the coronavirus, an increase of 39,561 over the past week, according to the health department. Currently, 4,758 people are hospitalized in PA with coronavirus, and 851 are in intensive care.

Statewide, Philadelphia County continues to have the most confirmed cases with 99,915 total cases. Allegheny County ranks second with 66,002 cases, and Montgomery County is third statewide with 44,865 cases.

The health department today also reported an additional 1,364 deaths since last Friday, meaning that 20,321 Pennsylvanians have died from the disease since last March.

Around central PA, COVID-19 fatalities now stand as follows since the pandemic began:

Adams County: 128 deaths
Cumberland County: 392 deaths
Dauphin County: 406 deaths
Franklin County: 286 deaths
Lancaster County: 860 deaths
Lebanon County: 208 deaths
Perry County: 65 deaths
York County: 575 deaths

PA nursing homes and personal care facilities have been particularly hard hit by the virus. Of total deaths, 10,212, or 50.25%, have occurred in residents from nursing or personal care facilities, according to the health department.

In nursing and personal care homes, there have been 60,899 resident cases of COVID-19, and 11,425 cases among employees, for a total of 72,324 at 1,528 distinct facilities in all 67 counties, according to the health department.

In addition, about 21,979 of total cases in PA are in health care workers.

Statewide, 4,327,933 individuals have had coronavirus tests, with 3,533,761 people testing negative, according to the state health department.

The state reports a total of 8,688,757 PCR tests, which includes many people, such as health care workers, who have been tested more than once.

The department also reports that, as of Jan. 21, 585,691 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been administered in PA.

The health department continued to emphasize that Pennsylvanians should do the following:

Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
Cover any coughs or sneezes with your elbow, not your hands.
Clean surfaces frequently.
Stay home to avoid spreading COVID-19, especially if you are unwell.
Wear a mask whenever out of your house.

For more information, visit the PA Department of Health’s COVID-19 website.

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Weekend Roundup with Sara Bozich

January 21, 2021 | by Sara Bozich

If you’re looking for things to do this weekend around Harrisburg and central PA, we have a handful below, most of which are virtual or outdoor only.

Need something NEW to do? Miss the experience of restaurants and live music but aren’t quite ready to venture out? New hybrid concept, Dinno — “dinner and a show” — launches at Stock’s on Second on Friday. Get the details here.

Also worth noting: We revived our private Facebook group, Cheers Harrisburg. You can join the convo here.

Things on my agenda this weekend: Potty training (again). Send wine. I’ve also instituted “Steak Saturday,” and we’re having Delmonicos, baked potatoes, and some good wine (last week was Porterhouse | Broccoli | Mushrooms served with Gamble Paramount).

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

For your weekend planning:

Upgrade your bar cart with these local spirits
Add to calendar: Just a Taste – The Great Pennsylvania Cooking Show is on Tuesday, Jan. 26
↬ 5 Ways to Support Local Restaurants Right Now
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

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Top Weekend Recs

Some ideas for self-care
Shop Plum Bottom’s end-of-season sale (like 20% off leather jackets!)
Support Midtown Cinema by viewing films on-demand at home or booking a private screening.
Get wine delivered to your door with WTSO
Binge Poured in PA: The Series!

COVID-19 Disclaimer: As always, please click through the links or call ahead to get the most up-to-date information about venues and/or events below. It should also go without saying, but I’ll say it — Mask up, follow the rules, and be nice. And tip extra!

Thursday

WITF presents American Portrait Preview Screening (Virtual)
The Obstructed View | Gays Discuss Self-Care (virtual)
A Conversation with the Maestro with special guest Rebecca Kauffman, Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra Principal Harpist (via YouTube)
January Beans & Brews at Grandview Vineyard
Dumpster Fire Bingo with Felicia O’Toole! (Virtual)
Trivia Night returns at Mount Gretna Craft Brewery

Friday

Dinner & a Show: Dinno at Stock’s on Second
The Wizard of Oz | Presented by The Teen Studio from Open Stage
Kafka’s Shorts with Open Stage (virtual)
Once Upon A Time Drag Show at Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire
Shrimp Band @ Hook & Flask
Beer Release: Chocolate Peanut Butter Porter, plus Live music at Hemauer Brewing Co.
Community Blood Drive at the West Shore YMCA

Saturday

Midtown Scholar Sidewalk Sale
Another Man’s Treasure Pop-Up Shop at Yazmine Dance Studio
Doja Street Market in Lemoyne
The Wizard of Oz | Presented by The Teen Studio from Open Stage
Kafka’s Shorts with Open Stage (virtual)
Arcona Brunch at the SpringGate Fare Trailer!
Once Upon A Time Drag Show at Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire
Plant Palooza kicks off at Ashcombe

Sunday

Kafka’s Shorts with Open Stage (virtual)

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

Harrisburg School District may return elementary, special education students to the classroom in March

January 19, 2021 | by Maddie Conley Gittens

Acting Superintendent Chris Celmer.

Harrisburg School District officials may be closer to welcoming students back into school buildings.

If COVID-19 cases continue to decrease in the district, small cohorts of students could resume brick-and-mortar learning in March, said Acting Superintendent Chris Celmer at a school board meeting on Tuesday.

“This is our hope, this is our wish, this is what we want to see hopefully happen,” Celmer said.

He said that the focus would be on returning special education and elementary students to the buildings first, as well as other cohorts of students that the district determines are struggling the most.

The district has been operating with a 100% virtual learning model since the beginning of the school year. From the start, they have been looking for Dauphin County to meet certain benchmarks in order to bring students back to the buildings. Celmer said that they are still using those markers to determine if they will allow these small groups back to school buildings in March.

These include reduced positivity rates, below 10%, and incidence rates per 100,000 residents trending downward to a daily rate of 100 or less. He also wants to see the wastewater epidemiology tracker, Biobot, project Harrisburg virus cases closer to 100 or less per day.

Additionally, Celmer noted that the Pennsylvania Department of Education updated its recommendation for schools in regards to COVID on Jan. 7. They previously encouraged completely remote education for counties with a positivity rate above 10% and an incidence rate per 100,000 people above 100. With those same virus rates, they now recommend virtual but with a blended model for elementary students.

Celmer said that all students will definitely continue virtual learning in January and February.

“We recognize and we acknowledge that 100% remote learning is not for every student, and we understand that,” Celmer said. “But there’s an overwhelming safety issue and an overwhelming numbers issue here.”

Part of the concern for how a blended in-person model will pan out comes from the district’s experience with teachers this fall.

Up until early November, teachers were providing virtual instruction from classrooms in school buildings. However, Celmer said that the administration decided to have them work remotely when they saw an increased number of COVID cases among teachers.

“It went from one to two in an eight-week period to really every day we were having some type of COVID-related issue with staff,” he said. “Even with no students in our buildings, we were struggling.”

Celmer said that the district will continue to monitor state, county and city COVID data, but as of now, it is still too soon to consider bringing large numbers of students back.

He did say it was possible that teachers would come back to the buildings in February along with English language learning students for their required language proficiency testing.

“This has been hard,” Celmer said. “There isn’t a day that goes by that we don’t think about the impact of this on the families and the children of the Harrisburg School District.”

For more information, visit Harrisburg School District’s website.

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