New COVID-19 cases, deaths hit multi-month lows in PA

June 14, 2020 | by Lawrance Binda

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

New coronavirus cases notched another multi-month low today, and newly reported fatalities also fell substantially.

The state Department of Health today reported 336 new COVID-19 diagnoses. This represents the fewest newly reported cases for any 24-hour period since late March.

Cases peaked in early April at nearly 2,000 daily new cases. Since then, cases have shown a gradual decline, despite increasingly greater testing levels for the virus.

With the additional cases, 78,798 Pennsylvanians have now been diagnosed with the coronavirus.

Notably, data tends to be lower on weekends due to less reporting to the state health department.

Locally, total diagnosed cases are as follows:

Adams County: 290 cases (yesterday, 289)
Cumberland County: 728 cases (yesterday, 725)
Dauphin County: 1,634 cases (yesterday, 1,606)
Franklin County: 842 cases (yesterday, 843)
Lancaster County: 3,752 cases (yesterday, 3,719)
Lebanon County: 1,182 cases (yesterday, 1,162)
Perry County: 72 cases (yesterday, 71)
York County: 1,162 cases (yesterday, 1,157)

Overall, 13.5 percent of PA residents tested have shown to be positive for the virus.

The department also reported an additional four deaths, meaning that 6,215 Pennsylvanians have died from the disease since March.

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

Adams County: 9 deaths (yesterday, 9)
Cumberland County: 59 deaths (yesterday, 59)
Dauphin County: 107 deaths (yesterday, 107)
Franklin County: 42 deaths (yesterday, 42)
Lancaster County: 329 deaths (yesterday, 329)
Lebanon County: 40 deaths (yesterday, 39)
Perry County: 5 deaths (yesterday, 5)
York County: 31 deaths (yesterday, 31)

Statewide, Philadelphia County continues to have the most confirmed cases with 19,933 cases, followed by Montgomery County with 7,898 cases. The two counties also have reported the most deaths statewide from the disease: 1,505 and 763, respectively.

“With more than half of the state now in the green phase of the process to reopen, it is essential that we continue to take precautions to protect against COVID-19,” health Secretary Rachel Levine said. “The commonwealth’s careful, measured approach to reopening is working as we see case counts continue to decline even as many other states see increases. But the virus has not gone away.”

Much of the Harrisburg area is now in the “green” phase of reopening, which means fewer restrictions on businesses and gatherings. Dauphin and Perry counties are slated to enter the green phase on Friday.

Nursing homes and personal care facilities have been particularly hard hit by the virus. Of total deaths, 4,268, or 68.7 percent, have occurred in residents from nursing or personal care facilities, according to the health department.

In nursing and personal care homes, there are 16,578 resident cases of COVID-19, and 2,929 cases among employees, for a total of 19,507 at 638 distinct facilities in 45 counties, according to the health department.

In addition, about 5,982 of total cases in PA are in health care workers.

Statewide, 583,233 coronavirus tests have been performed, with 504,435 people testing negative, according to the state health department. Yesterday, the state reported that 575,051 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
Nearly 1 percent are aged 5-12
Nearly 2 percent are aged 13-18
6 percent are aged 19-24
Nearly 37 percent are aged 25-49
Nearly 25 percent are aged 50-64
28 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.

“Each of us has a responsibility to protect ourselves, our loved ones and others by wearing a mask, maintaining social distancing and washing our hands frequently,” Levine said. “Together, we can protect our most vulnerable Pennsylvanians, our essential workers and our healthcare system.”

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

Coronavirus cases continue downward slope with fewer new positives in PA

June 13, 2020 | by Lawrance Binda

An image from the PA Department of Health lab in Exton

New COVID-19 cases have again dipped below 500 in PA, concluding the week on a promising note.

The state Department of Health today reported 463 new cases for the 24-hour period ending at midnight. Except for Friday, every day this past week had fewer than 500 new cases in PA, a trend not seen since March.

Cases peaked in early April at nearly 2,000 daily new cases. Since then, cases have shown a gradual decline, despite increasingly greater testing levels for the virus.

With the additional cases, 78,462 Pennsylvanians have now been diagnosed with the coronavirus.

Locally, total diagnosed cases are as follows:

Adams County: 289 cases (yesterday, 284)
Cumberland County: 725 cases (yesterday, 709)
Dauphin County: 1,606 cases (yesterday, 1,587)
Franklin County: 843 cases (yesterday, 837)
Lancaster County: 3,719 cases (yesterday, 3,682)
Lebanon County: 1,162 cases (yesterday, 1,140)
Perry County: 71 cases (yesterday, 70)
York County: 1,157 cases (yesterday, 1,141)

Overall, 13.6 percent of PA residents tested have shown to be positive for the virus.

The department also reported an additional 49 deaths, meaning that 6,211 Pennsylvanians have died from the disease since March.

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

Adams County: 9 deaths (yesterday, 9)
Cumberland County: 59 deaths (yesterday, 58)
Dauphin County: 107 deaths (yesterday, 107)
Franklin County: 42 deaths (yesterday, 42)
Lancaster County: 329 deaths (yesterday, 325)
Lebanon County: 39 deaths (yesterday, 39)
Perry County: 5 deaths (yesterday, 5)
York County: 31 deaths (yesterday, 31)

Statewide, Philadelphia County continues to have the most confirmed cases with 19,856 cases, followed by Montgomery County with 7,865 cases. The two counties also have reported the most deaths statewide from the disease: 1,502 and 763, respectively.

Yesterday, three local counties—Cumberland, York and Adams—entered the “green” phase of reopening, which means fewer restrictions on businesses and gatherings. Dauphin and Perry counties are slated to enter the green phase on Friday.

In nursing and personal care homes, there are 16,546 resident cases of COVID-19, and 2,920 cases among employees, for a total of 19,466 at 637 distinct facilities in 45 counties, according to the health department.

In addition, about 5,965 of total cases in PA are in health care workers.

Statewide, 575,051 coronavirus tests have been performed, with 496,589 people testing negative, according to the state health department. Yesterday, the state reported that 566,384 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
Nearly 1 percent are aged 5-12
Nearly 2 percent are aged 13-18
6 percent are aged 19-24
Nearly 37 percent are aged 25-49
25 percent are aged 50-64
28 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.

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

Bob’s Art Blog: The Threads that Bind

June 13, 2020 | by Bob MacGinnes

A display wall at Modern Rugs in Harrisburg

Art knows no boundaries in the many ways it presents itself to the world.

Beyond the usual mediums of painting, photography and sculpture, there is the ancient art of rug making. Historically the province of “exotic” Eastern lands like the Orient, Persia, Turkey and India, known for their reputation for making the most beautiful rugs in the world, the art now finds itself encompassed under one roof in Midtown Harrisburg at Modern Rugs. No one appreciates this legacy more than the owners and curators, Zachary Nitzan and Tahirih Alia, who hold the art form near and dear to their hearts.

Their professional relationship and personal lives are as intertwined as the exquisite rugs they sell. I recently visited their headquarters, and, in the most serene and sincere way, they divulged the ancient tales of rugs and romance, of exotic locales and enchanting people. From the very first moment, we were “hooked.” It was a privilege to go on the journey with them. Rugs tell a tale with no two alike. In fact, Nitzan shared that “ancient rugs tell the story of life.”

Dyed-in-the-wool purists, both embrace the mysteries and rich history of how rug making became elevated to the art form it is today. Their journey together echoes the tantalizing tapestry of textiles woven to create horizontal works of art. What evolved out of necessity for protection from the elements thousands of years ago has transcended mere functionality to become the main focal point in a room. Originally created for comfort from the hard ground, rugs became a crucial element in completing the look and feel of beauty in home furnishings. It’s an art form as old as time, dating back to the caveman and his depiction of hunt scenes on walls and animal hides on the floors. The original weavers were the shepherds. Centuries ago, they started knotting wool into heavy woven cloth that was later developed into rugs.

Zachary and Tahirih, inveterate world travelers with a love of beauty, speak often about their never-ending search for sourcing the finest materials to provide inspiration for the latest in design technique. An expert like Nitzan knows instinctively, after a quarter-century in the business, what intricacies go into the manufacturing of rugs and the workmanship involved in artisinally hand-wrought goods. In fact, he is a member of the International Society of Appraisers. Generally, the more tightly a rug is woven, the more detailed the design can be. The elements that determine the value of a rug are attributed to materials used, density of knots and the rarity of the design. Silk and wool fabrications aid in the absorption of the organic dyes. As rug connoisseurs, both Nitzan and Alia hold a tremendous appreciation for the labor-intensive process involved in one-of-a-kind creations. Their exclusive in-house rugs, Christopher Fareed Design Collection, allows for maximum customer input with selection from a grouping of over 40,000 choices. These rugs have adorned such ornate residences as palaces in Dubai and can also be found in boutique hotels around the world.

Co-owner Tahirih Alia in the showroom at Modern Rugs.

Given the distinction of being an international force in the industry, their love affair with Harrisburg and, specifically, Midtown, is all the more remarkable. Four years ago, Zachary and Tahirih uprooted their established business in Washington, D.C., to move the entire operation to the city and never looked back. The team’s core group, including sales director Tara Clugston and marketing director Brad Moody, made the move from D.C. The design director, Kayla Reimold, operations manager, Cherri Parks-Taylor and graphic designer Blen Asres complete the front line of key players crucial to the success of Modern Rugs. The trio hails locally, bringing homegrown talent to the mix. It is no wonder that the staff has become an extension of family, as personal relationships are the threads that bind. That strength is made permanent by forging an investment in the people they work with so closely.

There is nothing quite like seeing and touching the rugs in person. With vaulted ceilings and exposed brick walls, the showroom reflects an aesthetic that is more an art gallery than a rug store. An entire expansive room is dedicated to one-of-a-kind rugs hanging like the works of art they are, from floor to ceiling. It sets the stage of a museum exhibit in the art of rug making.

The online business at Modern Rugs is a global one. Rugs make statements of personal style and taste reflecting clientele preferences for color, patterns and texture. With the collection’s ability to shift gears for custom work, the sky’s the limit. The design is limited only by the imagination in terms of the creative process. In fact, their rugs have been made from rough sketches on a napkin. One example is an historical script from a Civil War soldier lifted from a poignant letter home to his wife and replicated in rug form. If you can dream it or draw it, the rug becomes your personal tale.

Opening their flagship location was the first step to help turn Midtown into even more of an art destination. For Modern Rugs, “collaboration and community” go hand-in-hand in that the entire area benefits from a collective of likeminded entrepreneurs. Restoration, revitalization and renaissance join their vernacular in the next breath.

They shared future dreams of expansion, already well underway in the next building. With ample space on the second and third floors, the owners see endless possibilities ahead. The build-out is already in progress. The couple envisions a presentation combining the artistic components of rug making to networking with neighbors and friends like the Susquehanna Art Museum and other merchants on the block. An overriding goal is to be able to develop production of all rug manufacturing in Harrisburg, creating 100 new jobs. Nitzan and Alia flipped over one of the showroom sample rugs highlighting The Modern Rugs label as the last step in the process, their forever business card, ensuring the rug has surpassed every facet of inspection. The owners look forward to the day when the “green light” is given to reopen their doors. In the meantime, they are happy to meet by appointment following the guidelines outlined by the state.

One may view Modern Rugs as a lush garden in terms of nurture and care. From a deep appreciation of their staff’s contributions, Nitzan and Alia plant seeds in rich soil to produce a product that stands above the rest. And for the artists worldwide, that same philosophy applies, like helping to fund an orphanage in India. Civic and community-minded, they are good friends and neighbors both on a local level and a global stage.

In the space of two hours, we had sailed the Seven Seas to the Orient, strolled serpentine byways to Byzantine bazaars and traveled in “a passage to India,” all in a quest for a deeper appreciation of antiquities brought into the 21st century. We gained invaluable insight and came away richer from the experience. We were entertained, enlightened and enveloped in the very best of ways—like being wrapped up in the most special rug of all—we had shared in their story of life.

Modern Rugs is located at 1404 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg. For more information, visit their website.

The Week that Was: News and features around Harrisburg

June 12, 2020 | by Lawrance Binda and Maddie Conley

Hundreds of protestors rallied and marched at last weekend’s Black Lives Matters protest.

Judging by this week’s news, life seems to be returning to normal around the Harrisburg area. Yes, COVID and protests still predominate, but we’re increasingly seeing a greater mix of stories. We have all our coverage listed and linked below, in the greatest number of online stories we’ve ever published in a single week.

African American Music Appreciation Month continues locally, with an online profile of musician Sourface. So, who is this masked stranger, and what about his unique style of “bedroom rap?” Our story contains some revealing details.

Black Lives Matters movement showed its strength again around Harrisburg last weekend, with a rally and a march. We were there to cover the protest, which centered around calls for unity, action and peace.

Calobe Jackson Jr. has seen it all in his 90 years—and, when it comes to Harrisburg history, he definitely knows it all. In our June magazine, we profiled this local legend, the connecting tissue between a city past, present and future.

COVID-19 continues to affect the commonwealth, despite slowly dropping case numbers. We followed the ups and downs in our daily updates, the most recent of which is found here.

Dauphin and Perry counties will enter the green stage of reopening next Friday, joining most of the rest of the greater Harrisburg area. What does green mean? Our online news story has the details.

Harrisburg was worried that a “large number” of groups planned to converge on the city on Monday, perhaps in conflict with one another. The city closed several streets as a precaution, but the rally ended up being small and calm, as our news story described.

Harrisburg Bike Share has fallen victim to the COVID-19 pandemic, as the operator running it has called it quits. The three-year-old program gained thousands of supporters, but, as our online story explains, couldn’t overcome the larger economic forces at play.

Harrisburg City Council has hired Wildheart Ministries to disassemble an enormous solar array at the former headquarters of D&H Distributing. The property’s new owner is donating thousands of solar panels, but needs them removed immediately. Our online story tells the tale.

Harrisburg Regional Chamber & CREDC held a webinar examining issues of systemic racism in the business community. As our online story states, it contained advice for businesses dedicated to fighting racism and ensuring equality in their organizations.

Home sales in the Harrisburg area predictably took a tumble in May, but prices held firm. The Greater Harrisburg Association of Realtors released its monthly report, and we have the local data in our online story.

Hudson Building has a new owner and a new plan, as a Harrisburg-area native plans to gut and rehabilitate the long-dilapidated building. What’s in store? Our online feature tells the story.

Independence Day celebration in Harrisburg will go on this year—mostly as normal. The city announced plans for its fireworks show and food truck festival, though the latter will move to City Island. For all the information, check out our online story.

Nonprofits have been hit especially hard by the pandemic. The Foundation for Enhancing Communities, along with United Way of the Capital Region, has been trying to patch financial holes until better days arrive, as described in our online feature story.

Sara Bozich is finally breaking free from her house, and she has some ideas for people itching for something fun to do. Check out her list of both in-person and online activities and events.

“Saturday Nights in the City” was so successful last weekend that Harrisburg decided to expand it in hours and scope. What’s new for this weekend? Our online story has the details you’ll need before venturing out.

Small businesses have had to get creative in order to survive during pandemic times. Our June magazine feature describes what some Harrisburg businesses are doing until times return to normal.

Summer camp is an important part of the school break for many young people, but COVID-19 has greatly affected this rite of passage. Our online feature describes how some Harrisburg area organizations are adapting to the restrictions imposed by the pandemic.

TheBurg Podcast, June edition, dropped into feeds everywhere this past week, expanding upon several features from the June magazine. And, yes, it includes an interview with the ubiquitous, yet still mysterious, Sharkman! Tune in and find out what motivates the skating fish, and hang around for other segments, as well.

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

Do you love reading TheBurg as much as we love writing it? If so, join Friends of TheBurg, our new membership program. Click here to find out all the details.

Dauphin, Perry counties to enter “green” reopening phase next Friday, Wolf says

June 12, 2020 | by Lawrance Binda

PA Gov. Tom Wolf (right) at a recent press briefing.

Dauphin County is among the next batch of Pennsylvania counties poised to go green, as Gov. Tom Wolf today announced that eight more counties will enter the less-restrictive reopening phase next week.

In addition to Dauphin County, Wolf said today that Perry, Franklin, Huntingdon, Luzerne, Monroe, Pike and Schuylkill counties will move from the yellow to the green phase of reopening on June 19.

Wolf credited efforts to lower rates of new COVID-19 infections for the gradual reopening of the commonwealth’s economy.

“In Pennsylvania, not only did we flatten the curve, but we are continuing to keep case counts down even as we open our commonwealth,” he said. “We will continue to take a measured, phased approach to reopening that relies on science and health experts.”

Today, 15 counties jumped from the yellow phase to the green phase, including, locally, Cumberland, York and Adams counties. Currently, 46 counties are in the green phase, with 21 in the yellow phase.

After next Friday, only Lancaster and Lebanon counties locally will remain in the yellow phase, along with the entire Philadelphia metro area.

The green phase eases most restrictions by lifting the stay-at-home and business closure orders. Some restrictions, such as mask-wearing, do remain in place.

Under the green phase, restrictions on large gatherings also remain. Notably, restaurants, bars, theaters and personal care services, such as salons, are able to operate, but at 50 percent capacity.

New COVID-19 cases bump up in PA, but remain in long-term downward trend

June 12, 2020 | by Lawrance Binda

COVID-19 case and test charts in PA. Source: Department of Health

New COVID-19 cases bumped up somewhat today in Pennsylvania, exceeding 500 daily cases once more.

The state Department of Health today reported 686 new cases for the 24-hour period ending at midnight. This breaks a trend of four days around or below 500 daily cases.

Cases peaked in early April at nearly 2,000 daily new cases. Since then, cases have shown a gradual decline, despite increasingly greater testing levels for the virus.

With the additional cases, 77,999 Pennsylvanians have now been diagnosed with the coronavirus.

Locally, total diagnosed cases are as follows:

Adams County: 284 cases (yesterday, 279)
Cumberland County: 709 cases (yesterday, 692)
Dauphin County: 1,587 cases (yesterday, 1,561)
Franklin County: 837 cases (yesterday, 827)
Lancaster County: 3,682 cases (yesterday, 3,632)
Lebanon County: 1,140 cases (yesterday, 1,106)
Perry County: 70 cases (yesterday, 69)
York County: 1,141 cases (yesterday, 1,117)

Overall, 13.7 percent of PA residents tested have shown to be positive for the virus.

The department also reported an additional 49 deaths, meaning that 6,162 Pennsylvanians have died from the disease since March.

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

Adams County: 9 deaths (yesterday, 9)
Cumberland County: 58 deaths (yesterday, 58)
Dauphin County: 107 deaths (yesterday, 104)
Franklin County: 42 deaths (yesterday, 40)
Lancaster County: 325 deaths (yesterday, 322)
Lebanon County: 39 deaths (yesterday, 38)
Perry County: 5 deaths (yesterday, 4)
York County: 31 deaths (yesterday, 31)

Statewide, Philadelphia County continues to have the most confirmed cases with 19,746 cases, followed by Montgomery County with 7,834 cases. The two counties also have reported the most deaths statewide from the disease: 1,487 and 753, respectively.

Today, three local counties—Cumberland, York and Adams—entered the “green” phase of reopening, which means fewer restrictions on businesses and gatherings. The rest of the Harrisburg area remains in the more-restrictive “yellow” phase.

Nursing homes and personal care facilities have been particularly hard hit by the virus. Of total deaths, 4,249, or 69 percent, have occurred in residents from nursing or personal care facilities, according to the health department.

In nursing and personal care homes, there are 16,450 resident cases of COVID-19, and 2,899 cases among employees, for a total of 19,349 at 635 distinct facilities in 45 counties, according to the health department.

In addition, about 5,931 of total cases in PA are in health care workers.

Statewide, 566,384 coronavirus tests have been performed, with 488,385 people testing negative, according to the state health department. Yesterday, the state reported that 553,752 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
Nearly 1 percent are aged 5-12
Nearly 2 percent are aged 13-18
6 percent are aged 19-24
Nearly 37 percent are aged 25-49
25 percent are aged 50-64
28 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.

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

Harrisburg Regional Chamber talks systemic racism, changes needed in business

June 12, 2020 | by Maddie Conley

Screenshots from today’s “Chamber Live: A Conversation about Systemic Racism.” Pictured: Meron Yemane (left) and Amma Johnson (right).

Every so often, the Harrisburg Regional Chamber & CREDC hosts a seminar, but this one was different.

It was one that chamber board Vice Chair Meron Yemane has waited years for.

Today, the Chamber held a webinar entitled, “Chamber Live: A Conversation about Systemic Racism.”

“Today’s event is part of the desire of our board to try to do better and try to make a difference,” President David Black said.

Yemane explained how he believes this is the beginning of the process towards change for the Chamber. He pointed out the power structures within the organization itself and the hope he has for positive movement towards inclusivity.

“Next year, I’ll be the first black chair of the Chamber, and that doesn’t mean anything if there’s not a second,” Yemane said. “The Chamber can lead in this.”

He cited statistics showing black people are less likely to occupy executive positions, have a seat in Wall Street and even less likely to be hired if their name sounds black on an application.

Another panelist, Amma Johnson, member of the Chamber board of directors, recommended specific ways for businesses to make changes in their organizations. She encouraged making a clear statement against racism, considering hiring a diversity and inclusions professional, letting employees and customers in on the conversation and promoting black employees to leadership positions.

“I’m a big fan of internal task forces and councils,” she said. “Blending voices is the most helpful.”

Johnson suggested hiring black interns, as well, and looking for ways to mentor and provide opportunities for youth.

Black addressed the growing percentage of people of color in the central Pennsylvania region, about 20%, and the Chamber’s awareness of that.

“Your workforce should look like your customer base […] your workforce should look like your executive team,” he said.

The Harrisburg Chamber did release a statement against systemic racism on June 2 and called for more inclusivity and diversity within the organization. Johnson thinks more businesses need to take this important first step.

“I would encourage any organization who has not made a statement to not be silent,” she said.

For more information on the Harrisburg Regional Chamber & CREDC, visit https://www.harrisburgregionalchamber.org/.

African American Music Appreciation Month: Sourface

June 12, 2020 | by Yaasmeen Piper

Jason McNeil, aka Sourface

I’ve heard of bedroom pop before, the lo-fi genre filled with purposeful imperfections in the name of aesthetics. But, I never heard of bedroom rap before. That was until I was introduced to Jason McNeil.

The 20-year-old Camp Hill resident fits the genre to a “T.” Under the pseudonym Sourface, McNeil creates unique DYI-sounding music that mixes rap, R&B, punk and electronic all into one song. His lyrics are almost like spoken word at times, pulling from words in his notes app, notebook or even freestyled; sometimes rhyming, sometimes not.

The rapper lives in an aura of mystery. You’ll rarely find a picture of him when scrolling through his social media. If you do, he’ll be rocking a custom-made mask filled with doodles and symbols.

“People tell me that [my music] has a very different sound and they enjoy it, and people say that they connect to it,” he said. “I appreciate it when they reach out and tell me stuff like that.”

McNeil’s love for music had a legendary start. When he was only 4, his grandmother took him to see Michael Jackson in concert. Before Jackson even hit the stage, people were screaming and falling all over the place.

“I was like ‘What is this? What is this guy about to do?’ Then I saw him perform, and I was like ‘Okay, that makes sense’ and I was like ‘That is something that I need to do.’”

Years later, McNeil started crafting his own music and developing his own sound. Then came the name. Originally, it was Golden Gordon and Fritz the Cat and a bunch more after that.

Then his friend, whom he was making music with, said to him: “I know you’re changing your name a lot. So, what is your new name?”

So, McNeil mixed “Bearface,” a singer from the R&B group Brockhampton, along with the rapper Busdriver’s song “King Cookie Face” and his favorite candy, and created “Sourface.”

But, his favorite artist and love for sour candy weren’t the only reasons why he landed on the name Sourface.

“I feel like a lot of the time, Black people are stereotyped as having mean faces,” he said. “So, I was thinking made I could have this alternate personality where I’ve very aggressive and mean and strange all the time. So, that’s why I picked Sourface.”

Our expressions aren’t the only Black stereotypes that he hopes to diminish. Too often, he felt like the “weird Black kid” for liking the type of music and activities that he did, such as skateboarding. That was until he was introduced to the rapper Tyler the Creator.

Like McNeil, Tyler the Creator was given the “strange Black kid” label when he first broke into the music scene in 2011. Instead of trying to change himself, Tyler embraced it.

“I was like ‘Oh, I can be Black and like skateboarding, and I can like fashion, and I can like color….I feel like all the stereotypes that people put on me got shed away,” McNeil said. “I genuinely think that Tyler gave me that confidence that you can just be you. You don’t have to conform to whatever people want you to be. You can be yourself.”

And McNeil plans to continue being himself in his life and music. Currently, he doesn’t have any big projects planned, but the quarantine has caused a lot of artists to reach out to him. He hopes a few projects come out the situation, as well as more solo music.

In the next few years, McNeil plans to move to Lancaster and join the folk-punk music scene there and even help build more of a rap scene.

Overall, he plans to keep moving and making music and making sure he doesn’t become stagnant and is always challenging himself.

His only goals are to make good music, get his own place, and buy his mother a house. If he achieves those three things, in his book, he’s successful.

“If I hit that point, I’ll be happy.”

To hear McNeil’s music, visit his SoundCloud, and follow him on Instagram.

This story is one in a series of local musician profiles in celebration of African American Music Appreciation Month.

TheBurg Podcast: Innovation Inspiration, June 2020

June 11, 2020 | by Karen Hendricks

In the face of the pandemic, innovation and creativity abound.

TheBurg’s June podcast expands upon several examples of innovative change, forged by the crisis, found within the pages of our June magazine:

First, innovative strategies are helping to feed the hungry—and capitalizing on the timing of the summer produce season—at the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank. Joe Arthur, executive director, provides details. (Based on the magazine story, “Hunger Pains.”)

Secondly, we hear from Sheila Dow-Ford, executive director of Impact Harrisburg. Their innovative grant program swung into action in record time, to help city businesses lessen the pandemic’s impact—with a significant portion going to minority-owned businesses. (Based upon the magazine’s “News Digest.”)

Editor of TheBurg Lawrance Binda reflects on the links between tension and change, city and state, in his reoccurring TMHT feature (“the most Harrisburg thing”).

Finally, we switch gears, to innovation with a “fun factor.” Straight from the front cover of TheBurg’s June issue, we bring you an exclusive interview with Harrisburg’s newest celeb, “Sharkman” himself. (Here’s our digital June issue.)

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 at [email protected].

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

Camp in the Burg: Summer youth programs test out virtual, in-person approaches

June 11, 2020 | by Maddie Conley

The Bethesda Mission Community Center on Herr Street in Harrisburg

School is finally done, now what?

Many Harrisburg summer camps are still planned despite having to adapt in the COVID-19 pandemic.

Bethesda Mission’s Community Center in Allison Hill plans to hold camps for all age groups of kids. Beginning June 22, they will launch a program spanning about seven weeks.

“We are looking forward to opening,” Executive Director Scott Dunwoody said.

The program will only take around 25 kids in each age group for safety reasons, and much of the activities will be outdoors, Dunwoody said. Programming for elementary, middle and high school students is included.

Dunwoody explained how the teen group is especially beneficial because it provides internships and job training for young people.

Similarly, the Harrisburg Area YMCA will offer a youth program. However, this year it will look more like summer childcare than summer camp, explained Director of Marketing and Communications Rosie Turner.

“We know parents are going to have to go back to work so we had to provide some type of bridge care,” she said.

The capacity for children will be smaller than usual due to the limited number of schools allowing groups on their properties.

Opting out of the in-person approach Open Stage of Harrisburg announced it will hold virtual summer camps.

The program will run for 10 weeks and include live and pre-recorded instruction on musical theater, acting, theater history, design and tech. There will be two different age groups including 8- to 12-year-olds and 13 and up.

“Things are different this summer, but I think that has given us license to change things up,” Producing Artistic Director Stuart Landon said. “We’ve put together a really cool curriculum.”

Landon added that the course will be low-cost this summer as part of Open Stage’s effort to make their education accessible.

Open Stage has been more hesitant to reopen, but others, like Whitaker Center, are ready to open their doors.

They are offering a range of STEM, culinary and theater classes. Campers’ temperature will be checked at the door each day and all equipment and classrooms will be sanitized after each group’s use, according to a statement on their website.

Bethesda Mission’s Community Center is at 1438 Herr St., Harrisburg. For more information, visit https://www.bethesdamission.org/our-ministries/community-center/. To learn more about the Harrisburg Area YMCA’s summer childcare, visit https://ymcaharrisburg.org/. For more information on Open Stage’s Alsedek Theatre School, visit https://www.thealsedektheatreschool.com/. Whitaker Center is located at 222 Market St., Harrisburg. For more information or to register for camp, visit https://www.whitakercenter.org/camps.

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