Electric bike shop set to cruise into Strawberry Square

July 10, 2020 | by Lawrance Binda

This storefront, part of Strawberry Square, soon will house Pedego Harrisburg.

You lose a bike, you get a bike.

Recently, Harrisburg lost its three-year-old bicycle-sharing program, but it’s now poised to gain another two-wheel operation—an electric bike shop.

In early September, city resident Andrew Soisson plans to open Pedego Harrisburg, a local dealership of the Irvine, Calif.-based Pedego Electric Bikes. He, along with his parents, will open in the 3^rd Street retail space in Strawberry Square last occupied by the Provisions grocery store.

“My parent were the inspiration for this,” Soisson explained. “They traveled to France and got into electric biking there.”

Pedego is the largest electric bike retailer in the United States with more than 125 stores in the country and more worldwide. It also manufactures its bikes.

According to Soisson, Pedego bikes come in two basic formats, one that also can be used as a regular pedal bike and one that is exclusively motorized. Pedego’s e-bike line consists of 18 different styles that come in a variety of colors.

The bicycles, which can travel at speeds up to 20 mph, recharge through a standard wall outlet, Soisson said.

Soisson said he selected Harrisburg, and, specifically Strawberry Square, for its central location in the metropolitan area, in addition to its proximity to bike routes and the Capital Area Greenbelt.

“This is a tremendous new business for downtown Harrisburg,” said Brad Jones, president and CEO of Harristown Enterprises, which owns Strawberry Square. “Electric bikes are exploding in popularity nationwide, and this location in Strawberry Square is ideally suited for this use.”

This will be the first Pedego retailer in Pennsylvania, Soisson said. The next-closest locations are in Maryland and Virginia, he said.

“We’re excited to be here in Harrisburg,” he said. “We think there’s a niche in this market, a gap in this market, that we want to fill.”

In addition to bike sales, the shop will rent out bikes, give bike tours and have a repair and maintenance component.

Soisson, who’s also a realtor, said he planned to spend most of his work time in the new store.

“I’ve been looking for something to do with my parents,” he said. “The timing was just right.”

To learn more about Pedego Electric Bikes, visit their website.

Activist group to hold Unity Festival this weekend in Reservoir Park

July 10, 2020 | by Maddie Conley

Kevin Maxson led a rally at the state Capitol in early June.

Throughout recent Harrisburg Black Lives Matter protests, activist Kevin Maxson always emphasized unity.

On Saturday, Maxson, leader of the group Voices for the Voiceless, is planning a whole festival around that theme, hoping to create a space for Harrisburg residents to talk through differences and have fun together.

“Due to the atmosphere of our society, I thought it’d be best to unify our community,” Maxson said.

The festival will be held from 12 to 8 p.m. in Reservoir Park and is open to the public. There will be speeches, poetry readings and other live entertainment, along with games and free food.

Maxson said that Harrisburg Mayor Eric Papenfuse will attend, along with other local leaders and officials.

Other themes will include anti-drug and anti-gun violence messages.

“Even though there’s tension between law enforcement and the community, also affecting the minority community is drug use and violence,” Maxson said. “If we don’t acknowledge it, it’ll get overlooked.”

He hopes to highlight minority-owned businesses in Harrisburg by having them as vendors at the Unity Festival. Voter registration information will also be available.

The momentum gained through the rallies and protests will continue to bring people together through events like the Unity Festival, Maxson believes.

“What I have done is change the narrative,” he said. “I want to keep having this conversation until we work to correct and fix it.”

The Unity Festival is on July 11 from 12 to 8 p.m. at Reservoir Park in Harrisburg. For more information, visit the Facebook event page.

TheBurg Podcast: Community, Amid Covid, July 2020

July 9, 2020 | by Karen Hendricks

It may feel challenging to maintain a sense of community throughout the pandemic—but that’s the challenge all of our guests tackle in this episode.

First, we welcome Blake Lynch, Community Policing Coordinator for the Harrisburg Police Bureau. His voice is one of several in the July issue’s, “Voices of Our Community,” which highlights perspectives from Harrisburg’s Black community. On the podcast, we dive deeper into his unique position as Community Policing Coordinator–which he describes as “a bridge,” plus he shares his thoughts on the “defund the police” movement and more.

Community can grow from a garden (“Tough Times, Green Times”). Harrisburg’s community gardens are thriving—and they’re producing more than flowers and vegetables. On the podcast, writer Deb Schell expands on the many benefits of pandemic gardening. Plus Deb explains how she made a pandemic pivot to found a new venture, Find Calm Here.

Harrisburg is easing back into a cultural sense of community, with 3rd in the Burg events starting back up again in July. Coordinator Kelsey Tatge explains what 3rd in the Burg means to the city’s arts and cultural community.

Editor of TheBurg, Lawrance Binda returns with “The Most Harrisburg Thing” for July—and it’s a community icon.

Thank you for listening! We are happy to report that the podcast has garnered 1,000 downloads since our new format debuted in March.

Meet some of the Harrisburg area’s most fascinating people, and hear their own authentic stories, expanded from every month’s magazine, on TheBurg Podcast—because there’s always “more to the story.”

Hosted by Karen Hendricks. TheBurg is a monthly community magazine based in Harrisburg, Pa.; Lawrance Binda, co-publisher/editor.

Interested in sponsoring TheBurg Podcast? Contact Lauren ([email protected])

Karen Hendricks is a lifelong journalist; visit her website here.

At Broad Street Market, Gov. Wolf rolls out funding for food providers, focused on access and security

July 9, 2020 | by Maddie Conley

Gov. Tom Wolf today announced the Fresh Food Financing Initiative outside the Broad Street Market.

The smell of freshly grilled meat wafted through the Broad Street Market courtyard today, tempting Pennsylvania officials visiting with good news in hand.

Gov. Tom Wolf announced the state will roll out its Fresh Food Financing Initiative COVID-19 Relief Fund to help struggling food providers like the market and its vendors provide consumers with fresh food in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Everyone was affected in terms of access to food,” Wolf said. “It’s important throughout that we assured every Pennsylvanian had access to healthy fresh food.”

The $10 million coming from federal CARES Act funding will be used to ensure food access and security in the state. Wolf said the first round of funding for food providers was focused on large grocery stores, but this time the focus is farmers markets and small grocers.

The money will help offset costs that would otherwise be passed to consumers, Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding explained.

Eligible businesses must have 50% of sales from providing customers staple and perishable food items. In an effort to ensure equity, the retailer must live in a low-to-moderate income area and accept SNAP and WIC benefits or have plans to.

Wolf said that, because the Broad Street Market provides fresh food to an area he classifies as a food desert, it’s a prime example of a business they want to help.

“Three days a week, the market provides fresh produce that would otherwise be unavailable in this area,” he said. “We are going to give priorities to places like this.”

The funding is available to for-profit, nonprofit or cooperative entities impacted by the crisis. This includes grocery stores, corner stores, convenience stores, markets and bodegas, among others. Wolf added that prioritization will be given to minority and, specifically, Black-owned-businesses serving low-income communities of color.

The program is administered by the Department of Agriculture in partnership with the Department of Community and Economic Development. They will accept applications through Aug. 14. Grant funds anywhere from $100,000 to $1 million will be given to eligible applicants for impacts related to COVID-19.

Funds can be used for expenses such as equipment purchases, renovations, refrigeration updates, costs to expand access to PA-grown produce, among other one-time expenses related to COVID-19, Wolf said.

Wolf said that funds from the Food Financing Initiative could possibly go to the Broad Street Market as a whole or to specific vendors within. With the market losing about three to five vendors due to the pandemic, the grant could help keep others in business.

“Every stand that closes is one less place that members of the community can buy fresh food,” Wolf said.

The Broad Street Market is located at 1233 N. 3^rd St., Harrisburg. For more information on the Fresh Food Financing Initiative COVID-19 Relief Fund, visit the Department of Agriculture’s website.

Weekend Roundup with Sara Bozich

July 9, 2020 | by Sara Bozich

Happy Weekend!

Just about that garden life, might do that Thrive workout on Sunday even though Jimi told me the last one involved 100 Burpees and that’s terrifying.

Need a new socially distanced idea? Paulus Farm Market in Mechanicsburg is now open 6 days a week for U-Pick Fresh Flowers. Build your own bouquet to brighten your living space — these are the kind of perks we need right now. Pick one for yourself, then one for a friend, parent, or neighbor. While you’re there, feed the animals and grab some fresh produce.

Hey, have you happened to declutter and are selling or looking to sell your goods online? My BFF (and total #MomGoals) Betsy is hosting this FREE Side Hustle 101-Reselling From Home class via zoom on Saturday. Sign-up! She’s amazing.

Hiya, Are you on the email list? In addition to getting this weekly update directly in your inbox, I load it with a bunch of other fresh, original content. Sign-up here. I also recommend following me on IG.

Top Picks:

Visit R.G. Hummer’s in the Broad Street Market for all your summer grilling needs
Sick of stubble? Need some (safe) color? Book your buns at Bronzed Bunny now
MoMo BBQ Co. is OPEN for outdoor and indoor seating!
All ABC BREW PUBS are now open for limited indoor and outdoor dining
Beer Release: Appalachian Brewing Co. Orange Creamsicle Sour on Friday
All Tattered Flag locations are open! Check Facebook for details!
NEW extended hours at Boneshire Brew Works! Open 7 days a week!
Check out Midtown Cinema’s full list of on-demand films!
Grab some local brews and binge-watch Poured in PA: The Series free on YouTube!
Midtown Scholar Bookstore now offering curbside pickup.
Tröegs is now open for indoor and outdoor beer and food daily from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
The Millworks is now open Tuesday-Sunday at 4 p.m.

Resources for to-go/delivery

Need wine? Click here.
Need booze? Click here.
Need beer? Click here.
Need cocktails? Kits + premade options here.
Brunch? For serious. Click here.
Wait, what about coffee, kombucha, tea, juice? Got you!
Find Carry-Out options here

Residents urge Harrisburg Council to empower proposed citizen’s police board

July 8, 2020 | by Lawrance Binda

A Harrisburg police cruiser

Harrisburg City Council on Tuesday held its final regular session of the summer, but council plans to interrupt its seven-week hiatus to hold public hearings on two police-related issues.

Council member Ausha Green, who is chair of the public safety committee, said that she planned to hold at least two hearings over the summer on the issues—a revision of the city police use-of-force policy and, perhaps more significantly, a proposed Citizen’s Law Enforcement Advisory Committee.

“We will continue the discussion for both Bill 8 and Resolution 51 throughout our summer hiatus in a series of public meetings,” she said. “The dates will be confirmed and advertised in the near future.”

Her comments followed a lengthy reading of messages received by City Council regarding these issues during Tuesday’s virtual legislative session. Green said that council has received more than 40 public comments in all regarding the legislation.

Many comments, Green said, asked for subpoena power for the committee, proposed currently as a seven-member advisory board that would lack that power.

For example, a group of 31 city residents jointly submitted a letter to council asking that the advisory committee become a community review board with subpoena power to access internal police bureau documents and information.

“The right-to-know request serves as a good tool for seeking information as community members,” the statement said. “However, it doesn’t provide the full scope of documentation necessary to assess any wrongdoing within the police bureau. Administrative subpoena power is needed within the community review board, similar to the administrative subpoena power allowed through the tax board and zoning hearing board both of whom, as stated by [city solicitor] Mr. [Neil] Grover, hold administrative subpoena power to ensure that ethical procedures are followed.”

The city’s Environmental Advisory Council also contributed a group statement saying that Harrisburg should demonstrate leadership on creating more equality and fairness not only on police issues, but also for food, transportation and education, especially in communities of color.

“This is time to reflect on not only the silence and inaction that has plagued this country for decades and the devastating loss of life from this inaction, but also time to reimagine our communities and call for systemic change,” said the statement.

Other statements said that the police should routinely release more information, and one asked for paths for additional police accountability if subpoena powers—if granted—ultimately were judged not to be enforceable.

“I would also like to thank community organizations that have been holding public discussion to really continue the conversation in our community, such as the Young Professionals of Color,” Green said. “And I look forward to gaining more insight from residents as we continue this discussion.”

To view the full City Council meeting and hear all resident comments, visit the city’s recorded feed on YouTube.

Harrisburg University switches gears following federal mandate on foreign students, online instruction

July 8, 2020 | by Maddie Conley

The facade of Harrisburg University’s main academic building on Market Street.

Harrisburg University had planned for an online-only start to the school year. However, facing the loss of most of its student body, it has quickly changed its approach.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced on Monday that international students attending schools conducting online-only courses would not be issued visas and need to either leave the country or transfer to other schools. Those who don’t comply may face deportation.

This would have led to a loss of 75% to 85% of HU’s total student body, said HU President Eric Darr.

“We had very few options,” Darr said. “Our view, like most in higher education, is that it’s a terrible decision.”

HU had planned to begin the new semester with an online-only instruction model, given the COVID-19 pandemic. However, it now will implement an “executive delivery model” in which students take a mixture of online and in-person courses. This means that an entire three-credit class will be completed in-person over the course of three weekends, and the rest will be taught online.

This approach will follow ICE’s Student and Exchange Visitor Program orders, allowing students to remain in the United States.

Many other schools face a similar situation. This morning, Massachusetts schools Harvard University and MIT sued immigration authorities, calling for a restraining order prohibiting the enforcement of the order.

Fortunately for HU, the school has used the “executive delivery model” in the past, so Darr isn’t concerned about quickly changing plans.

He did say that he worries about what will happen if CDC guidelines change and courses must revert to online-only.

“That’s an unresolved dilemma,” he said. “But we will be ready and prepared for whatever happens.”

Harrisburg University is located at 326 Market St., Harrisburg. For more information, visit https://harrisburgu.edu/.

Harrisburg Council OKs agreement with Swatara Township as city continues quest for permanent composting site

July 7, 2020 | by Lawrance Binda

A screen shot of Tuesday’s virtual City Council meeting

Harrisburg’s leaves, grass and branches are headed to Swatara Township, as the city continues a longstanding quest to find a permanent place for its compostable waste.

City Council on Tuesday voted unanimously to enter into a two-year intergovernmental cooperation agreement to use the Swatara Township Yard Waste Composting Facility.

“The city is no longer taking any of its woody waste to the incinerator, so we’re looking to make sure we’re disposing of this properly,” said council member Westburn Majors.

Since 2017, the city has tried to get approval to build its own composting facility on land owned by the Harrisburg school district, just over the city line in the Edgemont section of Susquehanna Township. However, township officials have rejected that proposal, a decision the city has appealed to the courts.

“As we are in continued litigation regarding the potential set up of our own composting facility, this hopefully will be a short-term solution as we continue to work through those issues so that the city can finally have a place to dispose of its leafy and woody waste,” Majors said.

City Solicitor Neil Grover on Tuesday said that the appeal could easily take more than two years to wind its way through the courts and come to a conclusion.

In the meantime, the city already has been sending its compostable waste—vegetative material like leaf waste, grass clippings and garden residue—to the facility in the Oberlin section of Swatara Township. The resolution approved on Tuesday formalizes that arrangement, Grover said.

Harrisburg will pay the township $2,945.10 per year, starting on Jan. 1. Christopher Nafe, the city’s sustainability officer, said that amount was proposed by Swatara Township, a figure, he added, that the city deemed reasonable.

Also on Tuesday, council unanimously passed a resolution entering into a reimbursement agreement with Capital Region Water to fund the installation and construction of ADA-compliant curb ramps, curb extensions and other streetscape improvements as part of CRW’s South Allison Hill Green Stormwater Infrastructure Project. Under the arrangement, the city will provide $150,000 to reimburse CRW for certain improvements it is making as part of its extensive stormwater project in South Allison Hill.

City Council on Tuesday also:

Approved use of $250,000 from federal Community Development Grant Fund program to help fund a new “Chutes & Ladders” playground in Reservoir Park. At its last meeting, council approved a grant application for another $250,000 to the state Department of Community and Economic Development to fund the $1 million project. The CDBG funds will serve as a city match for the DCED application.
Approved the submission of a grant application for up to $150,000 to the National Endowment for the Arts’ “Our Town” program for the installation of murals on Derry Street in Allison Hill. If the grant is received, Sprocket Mural Works and Tri County Community Action would oversee the mural project.
Approved the submission of a grant application to the state’s Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program for up to $9 million to fund substantial renovations to Harrisburg’s MLK Jr. City Government Center.
Approved the appointment of residents Leland Nelson and Richard Martinez to serve on Harrisburg’s Environmental Advisory Council.

Harrisburg City Council now will go on its annual summer hiatus, with the next session slated for Aug. 25. Harrisburg Council member Ausha Green, though, said she plans to hold public hearings in the interim on two ongoing measures–a proposed police use-of-force resolution and a proposed citizen’s police advisory committee.

Bob’s Art Blog: Life’s a Beach

July 5, 2020 | by Bob MacGinnes

Psst…before the word gets out…

We just got back from the beach…in Paxtang.

After all, life is a state of mind. The Tiger Eye Coffee Co. not only subscribes to that notion, but promotes it in its approach by offering some of the best things in life. Art, coffee and ice cream are its mainstays and reasons for being, but that is merely the philosophy that opens the door each morning. When you stop to think about it, does life get any better? Its location is on Derry Street right off the Greenbelt path.

Makayla Burton, proprietress, paints a pretty convincing portrait of what has already become a “Dairy Street” destination. Part coffee house, part ice cream parlor, full-time art gallery, the shop offers the three loves of life for this 2019 graduate of Capital Area School of the Arts (CASA). With artistic help from her dad, Rob Burton, they built a throwback tiki bar time capsule with its decor.

Inside, lovely lacquered driftwood pieces and bamboo frame out the ice cream counter and display cases for housing some of the art, which has become an art gallery gathering place. The art is everywhere, with photography displayed even on the ceiling. At the present time, Makayla represents, in keeping with the ice cream theme, the “Sweet 16” artists. This menu includes Jadon Burton, Claudia Comeford, Mark Cluck, Cameron Emerick, Carley Furlow, Lisa Grant, Edward Hans, Barb Houck, Bethany Keefer, Casandra Kreiser, Robert McCloskey, Tim Ort, Gabriel Paup, Tessa the Artist, Bruce Wright and Ray Young. Many are fellow students from CASA. And last but certainly not least, Cheddar Paws Dog Art adoption wall is for all dog lovers. Woof! Burton has assembled eclectic elements of the loves of her life: coffee, check; ice cream, check; and art checks all the boxes! The icing on the cake is that it is the art of friends. And that it is all for sale.

Opening late last November, the neighborhood welcome literally has been word of mouth—as in “Yum!” With opportunities for impromptu music on a nearby acoustic guitar tucked away in a corner and a veritable library of books stacked and scattered around the shop, the possibilities for entertainment are endless. You spot a title you like and it’s yours for the taking, and the Tiger Eye accepts donations of books, too. Hershey’s ice cream and a world-class menu of tea and coffee choices provide something for everyone. With tables aplenty inside and out, tabletops and painted chairs push the gallery theme to a look resembling a hippie surf shack hangout. The art pervades every nook and cranny with a winding interior and even a kids’ table for budding artists. Photography, painting, jewelry and glassware provide for every taste. For now, tables are out front with more seating on the outside porch, spacious even with social distancing. For those who long to extend that beach vibe, there is more just doors away. Before we leave the Tiger Eye, there has been a shark siting. TheBurg’s own Sharkman frequents the shop. Cue the “Jaws” theme song.

We caught a wave with just “six degrees of separation” (remember Kevin Bacon’s game reference from the ‘90s?) at a surreal shell shop on the nearby corner. We were stoked to see Harrisburg Framing and Sea Gallery et al. Its presence provides living proof that you can bring the beach to the city. Hands down, this gallery is “epic” in its appeal—a rad idea whose day has come. The surf is up daily, except Sundays. Inside, you will find way-cool art for the home and gems to adorn the body. Exquisite shells line the shop walls and the latest in nautical-inspired decor to detail your beach house or to hang 10 wherever you call home. On hand to greet us was Karen Burton, partner with husband Rob. Throw in a framing shop for custom work, and you have the essence of synergistic, sensory surroundings—sublime and serene, like waves lapping at the water’s edge.

The Tiger Eye Coffee Co. is located at 3418 Derry St., Paxtang. For more information, visit their Facebook page.

Harrisburg Framing and Sea Gallery et al is located at 3430 Derry St., Paxtang. For more information, visit their website or Facebook page.

Pictured: Interior of Tiger Eye Coffee Co (top) and Harrisburg Framing and Sea Gallery et al (bottom). Credit: Jana MacGinnes

The Week that Was: News and features around Harrisburg

July 3, 2020 | by Lawrance Binda and Maddie Conley

Harrisburg’s Saturday Nights in the City outdoor dining event has been extended through August.

The coronavirus pandemic continued to have a major impact on local news this past week. Some stories showed progress in our gradual reopening, while others demonstrated the continuing destructive effect of the disease. In case you missed any of our coverage, we have it all summarized and linked below. Happy Independence Day, everyone!

Blake Lynch related his personal story of growing up as a Black man in America, part of TheBurg’s “Voices of our Community” feature. Read Blake’s compelling account in our July magazine or click here to read it online.

COVID-19 cases ticked up in the past week, though daily cases continued to be far below the early April highs in PA. Get the latest data from our weekly summary.

Harrisburg City Council began debate on a proposed citizen’s police advisory board. The discussion centered around how powerful the new board should be, as our online story reports.

Harrisburg Jewish Film Festival began this past week in a virtual format. The viewing experience may be different than usual, but the quality remains high, as our magazine story relates.

Harrisburg Senators threw in the towel on a 2020 baseball season, as Major League Baseball cancelled the minor league schedule. The Senators promised to be back next year, better than ever, as our online story details.

Harrisburg’s MLK City Government Center will re-open next week after being closed to the public since March. Per our online story, the city still encourages residents to avoid visiting unless unnecessary and to employ safety measures if they do.

Independence Day is this weekend, and the city has numerous events planned. Therefore, we’re relinking to our story from last month so that readers are reminded what’s happening in Harrisburg for the Fourth.

Intergovernmental Cooperation Authority lost another of its original members this past week. The resignation underscored the friction between Harrisburg and its state-appointed financial oversight board, which, according to our story, has been escalating over time.

Jeff Woodruff has stepped down after many years as executive director of the Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra. Our feature story explains what’s next for him and for the organization he led.

Middletown’s Press & Journal printed its final issue this past week, ending a publishing tradition stretching back more than 160 years. In a blog post, our editor paid tribute to the venerable weekly, which fell victim to several forces of destruction.

“Out in Central Pennsylvania” tells the history of the Harrisburg area’s LGBTQ+ community and its struggle for equality. To get the gist of the new book, we covered Midtown Scholar’s virtual author talk, which was held recently.

Resilience is a key trait for muddling through these difficult pandemic times. Our magazine feature interviews therapists and families who offer advice on how to cope with this huge disruption to our lives.

Sara Bozich has the skinny on the July 4 weekend, with many special events planned in her weekly to-do list. So go out, but mask up and be safe, she says.

Saturday Nights in the City has been extended throughout the summer. Our online story states that Harrisburg cited the success of the outdoor dining event in announcing the extension.

TheBurg distributed our July issue this past week, revving up the printing press once again as most our of delivery locations reopened. You can find a copy at hundreds of locations around the Harrisburg area or read it online here.

TheBurg’s editor welcomes our readers to the July issue with his editor’s note, with the welcome news that life seems to be creeping back to some sense of normalcy, even if it is a strange new kind of normal.

Do you receive TheBurg Daily, our daily digest of news and events delivered right to our email inbox? If not, subscribe here!

Would you like to support our journalism and get some great benefits to boot? If so, become a Friend of TheBurg!

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