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!

New COVID-19 cases increase about 100 per day over past week in PA

July 3, 2020 | by Lawrance Binda

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

New COVID-19 cases in PA ticked up this past week, with the state reporting an average of just over 600 new daily diagnoses over the last seven days.

With today’s update, the state Department of Health reported an average of 624 new cases per day since last Friday, an increase of just over 100 new cases per day on average compared to the previous week, when the department reported an average of 515 new cases per day.

For the past 24 hours, the department confirmed 667 new positive cases throughout Pennsylvania.

Cases peaked in early April at nearly 2,000 daily new cases. Since then, new cases generally have leveled off, despite increasingly greater testing levels for the virus.

With the additional cases, 88,741 Pennsylvanians have now been diagnosed with the coronavirus, an increase of 4,368 over the past week.

Locally, total diagnosed cases are as follows:

Adams County: 344 cases (prior Friday, 324)
Cumberland County: 871 cases (prior Friday, 830)
Dauphin County: 2,161 cases (prior Friday, 1,917)
Franklin County: 954 cases (prior Friday, 902)
Lancaster County: 4,530 cases (prior Friday, 4,280)
Lebanon County: 1,375 cases (prior Friday, 1,300)
Perry County: 86 cases (prior Friday, 86)
York County: 1,577 cases (prior Friday, 1,428)

Overall, 11 percent of PA residents tested have shown to be positive for the virus.

The department also reported an additional 167 deaths since last Friday, meaning that 6,746 Pennsylvanians have died from the disease since March.

Around central PA, the COVID-19 fatality data now stands as follows:

Adams County: 13 deaths (prior Friday, 12)
Cumberland County: 64 deaths (prior Friday, 63)
Dauphin County: 140 deaths (prior Friday, 132)
Franklin County: 44 deaths (prior Friday, 42)
Lancaster County: 365 deaths (prior Friday, 354)
Lebanon County: 43 deaths (prior Friday, 43)
Perry County: 5 deaths (prior Friday, 5)
York County: 54 deaths (prior Friday, 43)

Statewide, Philadelphia County continues to have the most confirmed cases with 21,885 cases, followed by Montgomery County with 8,562 cases. The two counties also have reported the most deaths statewide from the disease: 1,619 and 810, respectively.

“As the entire state is now in the green phase, we must remain committed to protecting against COVID-19 by wearing a mask, practicing social distancing and avoiding large gatherings this holiday weekend,” health Secretary Rachel Levine said.

On Friday, Lebanon County became the last county in PA to move into the green phase of reopening, although Allegheny County, which has experienced a recent spike in cases, has its closed bars, restaurants and casinos for one week.

Nursing homes and personal care facilities have been particularly hard hit by the virus. Of total deaths, 4,583, or 67.9 percent, have occurred in residents from nursing or personal care facilities, according to the health department.

In nursing and personal care homes, there are 17,888 resident cases of COVID-19 and 3,323 cases among employees, for a total of 21,211 at 706 distinct facilities in 52 counties, according to the health department.

In addition, about 6,745 of total cases in PA are in health care workers.

Statewide, 804,144 coronavirus tests have been performed, with 715,403 people testing negative, according to the state health department. Last Friday, the state reported that 719,081 people had been tested for the virus.

Of the patients who have tested positive to date, the age breakdown is as follows, according to the health department:

Nearly 1 percent are aged 0-4
1 percent are aged 5-12
2 percent are aged 13-18
7 percent are aged 19-24
Nearly 37 percent are aged 25-49
24 percent are aged 50-64
27 percent are aged 65 or older.

Most of the patients hospitalized are 65 or older, as are most of the reported deaths, according to the state.

Levine 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.

“Pennsylvania has been a model for the country on how to reopen effectively using a careful, measured approach,” Levine said. “However, the virus has not gone away, and we are seeing cases rise, especially in southwest Pennsylvania.”

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

Currently, we are providing a COVID-19 update weekly, each Friday, or as breaking news warrants.

Harrisburg’s state oversight board loses another member, citing sour relationship with city

July 2, 2020 | by Lawrance Binda

Tina Nixon, far left, at an ICA board meeting last year.

The state body tasked with overseeing a long-term financial plan for Harrisburg has lost of one its members, who left citing a dysfunctional relationship with the city.

Tina Nixon has resigned from the seven-member Intergovernmental Cooperation Authority (ICA), according to a release from ICA Manager Jeffrey Stonehill.

“All committee members came to the authority without a political agenda and with a strong desire to help and wanting the best for our beloved City of Harrisburg,” Nixon said, in a statement. “However, we have not been able to move the needle in any direction as it relates to forging an agreement with the city.”

In 2018, the state legislature created the ICA, which allowed the city to retain extra taxing authority for five years pending a long-term financial arrangement with the city. Last year, the ICA and the city agreed to a five-year financial plan, but an annual update to the plan has been delayed twice, first due to city manpower issues and the second time because of the coronavirus pandemic.

In addition, the ICA and the city have been unable to agree on an Intergovernmental Cooperation Agreement, which would set the terms of the city’s relationship with the ICA and allow the city to exit the state’s Act 47 program for financially distressed municipalities.

The ICA and the city have disagreed on other issues, including the scope of the ICA’s mandate and whether the city’s non-voting member, finance director Bruce Weber, should be allowed to attend all ICA meetings.

In addition, in May, ICA vice chairman Ralph Vartan wrote a letter to PennLive calling for Weber to be dismissed or step down due to accounting issues raised by an independent auditor last year, particularly after the city wrote off sanitation and disposal accounts as uncollectible.

The ICA has also complained that the city still depends too much on the extra taxing authority that the state granted the city for five years. In its annual report to the legislature, (Intergovernmental-Cooperation-Authority-for-Harrisburg-Section-203-Annual-Report-043020c (2),) filed on April 30, the ICA said that the city had made little progress eliminating its reliance on those taxes, which, it said, still provides some 18 percent of the city’s operating revenue.

This is the second resignation from the board over the past year. Last year, former Chairman David Schankweiler also resigned.

State government leaders appoint the five voting members of the ICA. Senate Minority Leader Jay Costa appointed Nixon and presumably will be responsible for naming her replacement.

“I am not surprised, but am disheartened, that her primary reason for wanting to terminate her relationship is frustration with the unwillingness of the city leadership to work in partnership with the ICA to address some serious financial issues,” said board Chair Audry Carter in a statement.

Weekend Roundup with Sara Bozich

July 2, 2020 | by Sara Bozich

Happy Fourth of July Weekend! Hey, 2020 is halfway over. Fireworks are a weird thing. Please wear a gd mask when you’re in public. Get a tie-dye or themed one for the weekend. We’re heading to the in-laws for a holiday picnic, I’m wearing this sweet new chill set from Harrisburg-based Pretty Girlz Shop, and planning to pick up some local beer for the shindig. Let’s talk food for the weekend. Grilling? Get to Hummer’s ASAP (they’re closing early on Saturday) for all your burgers, dogs, sausages, and more. Cornerstone Coffeehouse will be cooking all day, too. Order a whole meal or just some sides to go with your own grilling specialties. Meanwhile, Greystone (both locations) has full Clam Bakes available — just order by Friday; pickup Saturday.

Top Picks:

Visit R.G. Hummer’s in the Broad Street Market for all your 4th of July grilling needs (but do it soon — they close early on Saturday!)
Book your appointments at Bronzed Bunny now
MoMo BBQ Co. is OPEN for outdoor and indoor seating!
ABC Mechanicsburg is OPEN! Check Facebook for details!
ABC Harrisburg is OPEN! Check Fa c ebook for details!
All Tattered Flag locations are open! Check Facebook for details!
Enjoy outdoor and indoor beers at Boneshire Brew Works all weekend!
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.
The Millworks is now open Tuesday-Sunday at 4 p.m.

Thursday

The Obstructed View with Open Stage on Facebook LIVE
Toward Racial Justice: A Conversation on Racial Trauma with WITF
Open Mic Thursdays at Ploughman Cider Taproom
LPT Historical Commission with John Harris JR & his horse Dexter
Trans Proud at The Brownstone Lounge
Trivia Night at Cassel Vineyards of Hershey
Reels on Wheels Presents Dirty Dancing at Mount Hope Estate Winery
Farm Store Drive-Thru at Wyndridge Farm
Quarantine Cat Festival (Last day!) with Midtown Cinema

Friday

F*CK Yo 4TH at La Cultura
On Deck LIVE at The Abbey Bar with Cumberland Honey
4th of July Weekend at SpringGate
Our 4th Birthday Extravaganza at Duck Donuts
Shrimp Band on The Roof at The Millworks
Kevin Kline at Mellow Mink Brewing
Tom May & Josh Tweedy at Nat’l Apple Museum
Live Music with Jessica Batz at Mount Gretna Craft Brewery
Music in the Vines: Generation Gap•RK Foodwrecker•Grappling Crab at Cassel Vineyards of Hershey
DRAG FIREWORKS AT 704 LOUNGE
Olivia Farabaugh at The Warwick Hotel
Reels on Wheels Presents Dirty Dancing at Mount Hope Estate & Winery
Night #8 – PA Speedweek – Williams Grove Speedway
Farm Store Drive-Thru at Wyndridge Farm

Saturday

July 4th Food Trucks & Fireworks in Harrisburg
Harrisburg River Rescue 4th of July Fireworks Raffle
4th of July Pig Roast at Rubicon featuring R.G. Hummer’s
4th of July Weekend at SpringGate
Saturday Nights in the City
New Cumberland Farmers’ Market on 4th
Outdoor Classes – Summer 2020 H2L Studio
Reels on Wheels Presents Dirty Dancing at Mount Hope Estate & Winery
Shrimp Band @ Dillsburg Farmers Market
Music in the Courtyard with RJ Conrad at Cristiano Winery
Wile & Smith, Buzzard Luck @ Ploughman Cider Patio
Independence Day at the Mansion
4th of July Party w/ Matt Wenger and RK Foodwrecker at Cassel Vineyards of Hershey
Biggest Yard Sale at NPM! Two Days!
Freedom Festival at Moondancer Vineyard & Winery
Ghost Town Serenade at Vineyard at Hershey-July 4th!
7th Anniversary & Independence Day Event at Battlefield Brew Works

Sunday

Pop-Up Beer Garden at The Farm at Wyndridge
4th of July Weekend at SpringGate
Biggest Yard Sale at NPM! Two Days!
Yoga in The Park: Fundraiser for Racial Justice with H2L Studio
Outdoor Classes – Summer 2020 H2L Studio
DMC Duo at The Vineyard and Brewery at Hershey
Freedom Festival at Moondancer Vineyard & Winery
Kevin Koa Debuts at Grand Illusion Hard Cider

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 want more power for proposed citizen’s policing advisory board

July 1, 2020 | by Maddie Conley

A screen shot Harrisburg City Council’s June 30 virtual work session

How much power should be given to a new citizen’s committee on police matters in Harrisburg?

That was the central question of the evening, as City Council on Tuesday night began debating a proposed “Citizen’s Law Enforcement Advisory Committee.”

In comments, some residents urged council to create a board with real enforcement mechanisms, though exactly how much power the board will have seemed to remain in question.

“It’s important that we recognize what we need to do when it comes to reform,” said City Council Vice President Ben Allatt.

The proposed bill was introduced at last week’s legislative session and explained as a way to improve relations between the Harrisburg Bureau of Police and the public.

As currently proposed, the committee would be made up of seven residents, each representing a Harrisburg policing district. As proposal stands now, members would have the power to collect information from the public record. This may include analyzing use-of-force summaries, body camera and other footage and then creating policy recommendations for the bureau, city Solicitor Neil Grover explained.

However, some residents who submitted comments to council oppose the bill in its current form, saying it doesn’t give the committee enough power and doesn’t grant them the power to subpoena.

The Young Professionals of Color—Greater Harrisburg held a virtual panel discussion on Monday night to deliberate their issues with the bill and called upon their members to demand amendments from City Council.

As a result, about 40 people submitted public comments to council that were read at the work session on Tuesday night. Most saw subpoena power as necessary, among other powers, such as the ability to initiate public investigations.

“We write to demand implementation of a citizen’s review board for the Harrisburg police department, one that holds affirmative oversight powers. The proposed police advisory board is limited in assuring this demand is met,” said a statement drafted by members of YPOC and submitted by 29 residents.

Grover was doubtful that delegating subpoena power would even be possible, let alone effective if granted.

“The authority that is being talked about is essentially judicial authority,” Grover said. “The council doesn’t have judicial authority to delegate to a third party, nor does the mayor.”

Grover explained that council has the power to issue administrative subpoenas, but not to enforce them, meaning they would need to go to court.

“You can try and maybe the public collection of persuasion gets you there […] but I’m here to give you, at least from my view, the reality of it,” Grover said. “There’s a major reform needed statewide and nationally to get what the public wants.”

Councilman Westburn Majors echoed the public’s frustration with the proposed bill, uncertain as to what change would truly result from it.

“It means nothing if we don’t make sure the police have to do something with [the advice],” he said.

In addition, council discussed a resolution that would require an annual use-of-force summary from the police bureau, which would be given to the advisory board and City Council.

Use-of-force data is already documented daily, but this would collect and categorize it to communicate a sense of how much force is being used and under what circumstances, Mayor Eric Papenfuse explained.

Papenfuse also commented on the progress of the city’s 8 Can’t Wait Campaign, which is being used as a framework to re-evaluate the policing general order and its use-of-force policies. He said the city has received around 60 public comments. Recurring concerns include the lack of a requirement for officers to intervene when excessive force is used by a fellow officer and worry that verbal warnings aren’t utilized fairly.

“In the end, I think we are going to look at making some revisions to the use-of-force policy,” Papenfuse said.

Councilwoman Ausha Green, chair of the council’s Public Safety Committee, said council will hold more town hall-style meetings on the proposed “Citizen’s Law Enforcement Advisory Committee,” although dates have not yet been announced.

On July 7, City Council will hold another work session immediately followed by a legislative session.

To view Harrisburg City Council’s Tuesday work session, visit their Youtube page. Click here to read the full text of the proposed bill. Read the proposed resolution here. Email [email protected] to comment on the police use of force general order. For more information, visit harrisburgpa.gov.