The Silent Thief: Glaucoma can steal your sight, but vision loss is preventable.

December 30, 2019 | by Dr. John J. O'Donnell Jr.

Glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness in the world and the United States.

The number of people with glaucoma worldwide is estimated to be over 70 million and is expected to increase to over 110 million by 2040. It currently affects more than 3 million people in the United States and is the leading cause of blindness in both African American and Hispanic populations. This is despite the fact of a low overall prevalence of 3.5 percent.

Glaucoma belongs to a class of eye diseases known as optic neuropathy. There are two main types of glaucoma: open angle and narrow or closed angle. The “angle” is the opening where the fluid drains from the eye. In narrow angle, the channel is blocked and the fluid can’t exit. With open angle, the channel is not obstructed. In the western world, 90 percent of glaucoma is of the open angle type.

Vision loss is caused by progressive damage to the optic nerve. The eye is similar to a video camera. It is connected to the vision center in the brain by a cable that is called the optic nerve. The nerve is a bundle of about 1 to 1.5 million nerve fibers. In glaucoma, for a reason we still do not fully understand, these fibers begin to die off. Without proper treatment, the number of fibers will continue decline and, with that, the patient’s vision.

It used to be thought that the loss of nerve fibers was the result of a high pressure inside the eye. Studies have shown that damage can actually occur at normal or even low pressures. Current thinking is that an elevated pressure is a risk factor for glaucoma but not the disease itself. As it is the only risk factor that can be treated, all current treatment of glaucoma involves lowering the eye pressure. This can be achieved by using topical medication (drops), laser therapy, surgery or a combination of treatments. Successful treatment will lower the pressure to the point that no further nerve fibers and, hence, vision will be lost.

There are three main reasons why people go blind from this disease. First, they are not diagnosed. Recent studies have estimated about 1 million people in the United States with glaucoma are currently undiagnosed. Although many factors are involved here, the two main culprits are lack of symptoms until very late in the disease and failure to routinely have a thorough eye examination.

The second reason is that patients are notoriously non-compliant with their therapy. There have been many papers, articles and even YouTube videos about this. But the bottom line is this—no treatment is effective if it is not used.

Finally, treatment has to be sufficient to slow or stop disease progression. If therapy is inadequate, the benefit of accurate diagnosis and compliance will suffer.

Glaucoma can be diagnosed at any age, but is more common after the age of 40. Vision loss is completely preventable with early diagnosis and proper treatment. This cannot happen without routine eye examinations. A minimum examination would consist of a measurement of eye pressure and a dilated stereoscopic evaluation of the optic nerve. If there is evidence of increased risk, a more detailed investigation would include formal test of the visual field and optic nerve imaging.

Remember—glaucoma is known as the “silent thief of sight” as there are no symptoms until late in the disease. If you are over 40, have a family history of glaucoma or any other risk factors, make sure to have your eyes examined regularly.

Dr. John J. O’Donnell Jr. is an optometrist with Premier Eye Care Group. For more information, visit www.premiereyes.com.

Community Corner: Notable January Events

December 30, 2019 | by Missy Smith

January Community Corner

Penguin Plunge
Jan. 1: Welcome the New Year by taking a plunge into the Susquehanna River with hundreds of other supporters of the Humane Society of Harrisburg. The 23rd annual event begins at 10 a.m. on City Island beach in Harrisburg with the actual plunge at noon. www.humanesocietyhbg.org

Photo Display
Jan. 1-25: Visit Olewine Nature Center at Wildwood Park, 100 Wildwood Way, Harrisburg, during business hours to view photographs entered in the Friends of Wildwood annual photography contest. Winners will be announced, and prizes will be awarded on Jan. 12 at 1 p.m. People’s Choice awards will be announced when the display ends. www.wildwoodlake.org

HBG Flea
Jan. 4: Shop the HBG Flea for local art, vintage treasures and curated curios, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Strawberry Square, 320 Market St., Harrisburg. www.hbgflea.com

2020 Farm Show
Jan. 4-11: Attend the annual PA Farm Show, the largest indoor agricultural show in the nation, at the PA Farm Show Complex and Expo Center, N. Cameron and Maclay streets, Harrisburg. Milk a cow, enjoy a famous Farm Show milkshake or learn firsthand the science and skills used in agriculture. www.farmshow.state.pa.us

Book Sales
Jan. 4, 18: Friends of New Cumberland Public Library, 1 Benjamin Plaza, will hold pre-owned book sales, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., in Foundation House, across the shared parking lot from the library. Shop for books, vintage items, jewelry, DVDs, CDs, puzzles, kids’ books and more. www.newcumberlandlibrary.org

Crazy for Coloring
Jan. 5, 27: Dauphin County Library System will host “Crazy for Coloring” two-hour sessions of social, adult coloring at East Shore Area Library on Jan. 5, from 2 to 4 p.m., and William H. & Marion C. Alexander Family Library on Jan. 27, 6 to 8 p.m. The library will provide coloring sheets and colored pencils, but feel free to bring your own coloring tools with you. www.dcls.org

Unsung Heroes
Jan. 7-31: Celebrate unsung history makers in a display at Messiah College’s Murray Library, 2850 Crestline Dr, Mechanicsburg, highlighting their groundbreaking achievements. www.messiah.edu

Curiosity Kids
Jan. 9: State Museum of Pennsylvania, 300 North St., Harrisburg, invites kids ages 3 to 6 and their families to “Curiosity Kids—Owls” to explore owls, learn about their unique adaptations and make an owl craft to take home, at 11:30 a.m. www.statemuseumpa.org

Indie Film Friday
Jan. 10: Join Fredricksen Library, 100 N. 19th St., Camp Hill, for “Blindspotting,” an American comedy-drama film that follows a parolee with three days left on his sentence, when he witnesses a police shooting that threatens to ruin a lifelong friendship. Showings are at 2 and 7 p.m. www.fredricksenlibrary.org

Kids Club Event
Jan. 11: Head to the Harrisburg Mall, 3501 Paxton St., for Kids Club on the second Saturday of each month, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., for a free, fun-filled event for kids of all ages. Each month may feature shows, crafts, interactive activities and more. All kids and families are welcome to attend. www.shopharrisburgmall.com

Trivia After Hours
Jan. 11: Guests 21 and older are invited to BYOB at “80s Movie Challenge” trivia night at Fredricksen Library, 100. N. 19th St., Camp Hill, 7 to 9 p.m. Popcorn, corkscrews, bottle openers and prizes provided. www.fredricksenlibrary.org

Bike Clinic
Jan. 11, 18, 25: Harrisburg Bicycle Club will host free Bike Maintenance Clinic, 12 to 3 p.m., at the Lemoyne Borough office, 510 Herman Ave. Learn how to change a tire, adjust brakes, replace a rusty chain and more. Experienced mechanics will be on hand to teach and provide assistance. www.harrisburgbicycleclub.org

KIDZ Wednesday
Jan. 15: Toddlers and young children who are not in school and their families are invited to have fun learning with educational, hands-on activities at free KIDZ Wednesdays at Harrisburg Mall, 3501 Paxton St., Harrisburg. www.shopharrisburgmall.com

Mid-Day Getaway
Jan. 15, 16, 22, 23, 29, 30: Unwind over your lunch break at the McCormick Riverfront Library, 101 Walnut St., Harrisburg. Bring your lunch to the library between 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. for coloring, card games, board games and low-stress activities. www.dcls.org

3rd in The Burg
Jan. 17: Enjoy the best of Harrisburg during 3rd in the Burg, the monthly arts and culture event at galleries, restaurants and art spaces throughout downtown and Midtown, generally 6 to 9 p.m. www.thirdintheburg.org

Phiroza Kapadia Artist Reception
Jan. 18: Meet the artist and learn the stories behind the paintings. Saturday Jan 18th, from 4-7 pm at Pure Gallery at the Shops at Arcona. For info call (717) 620 8290.
https://www.puregallery.net/

Polar Race
Jan. 18: Lancaster Group of the Sierra Club hosts the 10th anniversary Polar Bear 5K (3.1 miles) Trail Run/Hike at 10 a.m. in Lancaster County Central Park, with prizes and ribbons awarded in various categories. Participants may bring their dogs (on a leash) to run or walk with them. www.lancastersierraclub.org

Community Weekend
Jan. 18-20: Antique Automobile Club of America Museum, 161 Museum Dr., Hershey, opens its doors to its neighbors for its annual Community Weekend, with general admission of just $9.50. Kids 3 and younger are free. Guests can participate in a museum-wide scavenger hunt and other fun activities. www.aacamuseum.org

Game Day
Jan. 19: Drop by Fredricksen Library, 100. N. 19th St., Camp Hill, 1:30 and 4:30 p.m., for a day of board game fun. The library will have some games available, but feel free to bring your own. All ages welcome; kids ages 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult. www.fredricksenlibrary.org

MLK Commemoration
Jan. 19: The 31st annual Carlisle commemoration of the life and legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and ceremonial march will begin at 2:45 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church of Carlisle, 2 N. Hanover St. Participants are asked to assemble at the church at 2:30 p.m. www.facebook.com/CarlisleMartinLutherKingCommemoration

MLK Service Day
Jan. 20: The 11th annual Central PA MLK Day of Service will be held at Commonwealth Charter Academy, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. This year’s theme is environmental justice. Service projects take place throughout the Harrisburg area. www.centralpamlkday.org

CapCOG Annual Dinner
Jan. 20: Join the Capital Region Council of Governments at Best Western Premier, the Central Hotel & Conference Center, 800 E. Park Dr., Harrisburg, for its annual dinner, reorganization meeting and presentation of the Perry Albert Award. Reception begins at 5:30 p.m., with dinner starting at 6:30 p.m. www.capitalregioncog.org

Civil Rights Program
Jan. 20: Fredricksen Library, 100. N. 19th St., Camp Hill, hosts “Let It Shine: The American Civil Rights Movement 1955-1968,” an introduction to Civil Rights movement events and notable names with Bright Star Touring Theatre, 1 to 3 p.m. Attendees can meet important figures and hear songs of the era. This program is recommended for audience members in 3rd grade and older. www.fredricksenlibrary.org

Legislators’ Forum
Jan. 21: Join the Harrisburg Regional Chamber and the West Shore Chamber of Commerce for the 2020 Legislators’ Forum, featuring area members of the state House of Representatives, at the Hilton Harrisburg, 1 N. 2nd St., 8 to 10 a.m. Cost is $70 or $45 for members. www.harrisburgregionalchamber.org

Jazz Works
Jan. 21: Vocalist and composer Ruth Naomi Floyd presents “Frederick Douglass Jazz Works” in Blair Music Center, Lutz Recital Hall, at Lebanon Valley College, 101 College Ave., Annville, 7:30 p.m. By taking the words of Douglass from his autobiographies, speeches and sermons, Floyd has composed original compositions using the language of jazz music. www.frederickdouglassjazzworks.com

Nature Lab
Jan. 23: Join educators at 11:30 a.m. in the Nature Lab of the State Museum of Pennsylvania, 300 North St., Harrisburg, to explore rocks. This presentation is designed for general audiences, ages 7 and up, and is included with general admission. www.statemuseumpa.org

Books on Tap
Jan. 23: Dauphin County Library System hosts a special book club at Zeroday Brewing Co., 250 Reily St., Harrisburg, 5 to 6 p.m., to dive into new genres and forms while getting to know other readers in a social setting. Join the discussion about Catherine Chung’s “The Tenth Muse.” www.dcls.org

Trade War
Jan. 23: Foreign Policy Association of Harrisburg will host retired Col. and Army War College Professor John (Jef) Troxell, who will give a free talk on the ongoing trade war between the United States and China. The talk is at 7:30 p.m. at the West Shore Country Club, Camp Hill. Reception and dinner precede the talk. www.fpaharrisburg.org

2020 Auto Show
Jan. 23-26: Roll into the annual PA Auto Show, featuring what’s new and exciting in the world of automobiles. The four-day show takes place at the PA Farm Show Complex, N. Cameron and Maclay streets, Harrisburg. www.autoshowharrisburg.com

Escape Poverty
Jan. 25: In recognition of “National Poverty in America Awareness Month,” Tri County Community Action will host “Escape from Poverty,” an escape room fundraising event at ABC East Lanes’ Harrisburg Escape Rooms, 1001 Eisenhower Blvd., Harrisburg, 2 p.m. The event includes bowling, a NASCAR-style virtual reality racing simulation, food and drinks. cactricounty.org

Adult “Crafternoon”
Jan. 26: Join the Ladies of DIY, professional crafters, at Fredricksen Library, 100. N. 19th St., Camp Hill, 1:30 to 4:30 p.m., to make winter porch décor. Basic supplies provided. Cost is $7.50 per person, ages 16 and older. www.fredricksenlibrary.org

Networking Mixer
Jan. 29: Join the West Shore Chamber of Commerce and other local business professionals at the January networking mixer, 5 to 7 p.m., at Capital Blue Cross, Healthy You Cafe, 4500 Marketplace Way, Enola. The event is free and open to chamber members. www.wschamber.org

Oscar Nominated Shorts
Jan. 31-Feb. 1: Join Fredricksen Library, 100 N. 19th St., Camp Hill, to view this year’s Oscar-nominated short films before the awards are given. Nominees will be shown in documentary short film, live action short film and animated short film categories. Not recommended for children under 17 without parental permission. www.fredricksenlibrary.org

Ice Festival
Jan. 30-Feb. 1: Marvel at artistic ice sculptures and watch live carvings of sculptures at the 18th Annual Chambersburg IceFest. There will be a variety of other fun activities for all to enjoy. www.icefestpa.com

Orchid Show
Jan. 31-Feb. 2: Visit Hershey Gardens, 170 Hotel Rd., Hershey, for the Susquehanna Orchid Society’s 36th annual Orchid Show and Sale in the Milton & Catherine Hershey Conservatory, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. More than 1,000 orchids will be on display, including rare species and unique hybrids. A member-only preview will be held on Jan. 30, 2 to 5 p.m. www.HersheyGardens.org

What’s the Skinny? Local estheticians offer skincare tips.

December 30, 2019 | by Nadine Quava

The Harrisburg region is home to some of the most experienced skincare professionals (estheticians) in central PA.

An esthetician specializes in the beautification of the skin by dealing with skin concerns like sun damage, pigmentation, acne, acne scarring, fine lines, wrinkles and uneven skin tone and texture. Estheticians do not diagnose or treat skin diseases. Instead, they focus on the overall health and beauty of the skin.

Estheticians analyze your skin and work with you to craft a personalized program that includes professional skin treatments and home care products. An esthetician guides you on your journey to better skin.

I had the chance to chat with several local estheticians and gather some tips and advice. Like myself, each of these seasoned estheticians has 20 or more years of experience in the industry. We are all passionate about skincare and love what we do.

I’ll start things off with our first tip.

Make nighttime skincare a priority.
When you sleep, your skin has time to repair and regenerate. During sleep, you produce collagen, the protein that gives you shiny hair, strong nails and glowing skin. Sleep also allows your body to properly absorb your skincare products. Reap the rewards of beauty sleep by sticking to a nighttime skincare routine.

If you find yourself skipping a nightly routine because you’re too tired before bedtime, try making time earlier in the evening. Here’s a quick five- to 10-minute routine that anyone can follow:

Cleanse to wash off makeup, dirt and pollution from the day.
Apply a serum. Concentrated serums are the most potent step in your skincare routine. Your skin issues will determine what product you’ll need.
Moisturize to seal in hydration.

Follow these steps each night, and you’ll wake up with glowing skin.

It’s never too early to start an anti-aging skincare regime.
This tip comes from Tracey Lencioni of Innovations Skin Care in Harrisburg. Her best advice is don’t wait until wrinkles and poor skin texture are evident. The best plan to age gracefully is to use quality skincare products and have regular skincare treatments. Be proactive. Have an anti-aging game plan before you notice aging skin.

Maintenance is one of the most important things you can do for your skin.
Alice Brewbaker of Serenity Skin Care in Camp Hill spoke about the importance of skin maintenance. She tells all of her clients that, to have great skin, you need to maintain it. Regular facials, good skincare products and sunscreen are essential for glowing skin. You maintain everything else in your life, like your hair, nails, diet and fitness. By maintaining your skin, you always put your best face forward.

The “holy trinity” of skincare.
Robin Keister of Waters Edge in Camp Hill shared her product tips, which together constitute what she calls “the holy trinity” of skincare. In the morning use a good vitamin C applied topically, followed by a broad-spectrum SPF, preferably a mineral sunblock. In the evening, apply a quality retinol cream that also contains antioxidants to speed up your cellular turnover and help with fine lines, wrinkles and unwanted pigment.

Wear sunscreen in the winter.
Dianne Stein of Stratis Gayner Plastic Surgery in Harrisburg is a true believer in sunscreen every day of the year. While UVB rays (burning rays) are somewhat weaker in the winter, and you won’t get sunburned as easily, those pesky UVA rays that cause wrinkles, premature aging and make us dry and dehydrated are just as strong all year long. Indoor lighting, our phones and all other lighting also affects our skin and can cause premature aging, as well. There is no reason to not wear SPF. There are so many cosmetically elegant, tinted sunscreens available to choose from.

Our final two tips will help you enhance your glowing skin.

Get the perfect set of brows by knowing your options.
Patricia Moore of Lasting Looks in Harrisburg. emphasized eyebrow enhancement, particularly microblading, a newer, increasingly popular treatment. It is meant to look like natural hair strokes and uses a blade with many micro-needles to create fine hair strokes. It is semi-permanent and fades over time. Permanent eyebrow makeup creates more of a thick, solid line and is meant to last the course of a client’s lifetime because the pigment is deposited deeper in the skin using a tattoo gun with a rotary and coil to draw on the eyebrows. Always seek the advice of a professional that is skilled in both methods before deciding what is best for you.

Follow your bone structure when enhancing your features.
Carmina Cristina of Carmina Cristina Makeup in Camp Hill offered a tip for flawless, natural-looking makeup. If you follow your bone structure when enhancing your features (eyes, cheeks, eyebrows), your makeup will stay true to who you are and always look natural and like it belongs there.

Make 2020 your year for healthy, beautiful and glowing skin. Take time for yourself, follow our tips, and remember that skincare is self-care.

Nadine Quava is an esthetician with the Skin Care Coach, 2204 Market St., Suite 5, Camp Hill. For more information call 717-903-4441 or visit www.theskincarecoach.com.

I Got a Guy: Michael Parr can turn the fashion-challenged into fashion plates.

December 30, 2019 | by Cathy Jordan

Michael Parr

Michael Parr has always loved clothes.

“When I graduated from WVU, I went directly into sales and marketing,” he said. “I used to speak about clothing and how to dress at business sales meetings.”

When I met him, he wore a royal blue, white-pinstriped jacket lined with Van Gogh’s “A Starry Night.” The jacket had a contrasting white lapel and white buttonhole stitching. Blue marble buttons were also stitched in white.

“I met a guy one evening after a presentation who mentioned custom clothing,” he said, continuing the origin story of his company, Michael’s Custom Clothing. “I was interested. And then a different guy—that same evening—suggested I consider selling custom clothing. That was 23 years ago.”

Sounds expensive, right? Parr insists it isn’t.

“I can tailor-make entry-level suits that won’t cost much more than ones from a ready-to-wear suit store,” he said.

I immediately thought of my husband and his suit-uniform.

“So, why not shop some high-brow retail shop?” I asked. “Why would I want a clothier?”

Parr smiled broadly then replied, “Because you get me.”

Parr said that he sits down with clients for a good half hour to 45 minutes to understand who they are and what they need.

“I learn about you, and listen to your likes and dislikes, what matters to you,” he said. “We talk about how you dress on a daily basis, for functions, and events. I bring try-ons, and show shirt swatches and my Italian Geoff Nicholson ties. You pick your own fabrics. You and I can look at over a thousand suits, and it’s fun!”

It was fun checking out all the options, fingering the Oxford cloth and the silk, gazing at rows of colorful sample materials. Parr offers a plethora of fabric choices ranging from wool to cotton to cashmere, personalized silk lining—half lining or full or cuff, different colored buttons and stitch threads, functioning button holes (the sign of a good quality suit), lapel color, collar style, shape—the list goes on and on.

“Shopping doesn’t have to be a nuisance,” Parr said. “Men shouldn’t spend their money on clothes that don’t fit well or that they don’t really like. Once I have your measurements and size, then it’s simple.”

Measurements include the chest, seat, shoulder pitch and slope, posture stoop, leg and calf curvature and size, arm bicep and wrist.

“Measurements are so detailed that, when we do the final fitting, alterations aren’t usually needed,” he said. “But if so—even down the line when you gain or lose weight—I can make adjustments.”

Throughout our conversation, Parr emphasized the importance of a good fit—and how men often wear ill-fitting clothing.

“Any advice?” I ask, still thinking of my husband.

Parr nodded and straightened his shoulders.

“Class is timeless,” he said. “When people get too edgy, that messes up the whole look. I always wear a pocket square—it’s where my personality shows.”

Parr withdrew his tablet and pulled up a computerized interactive display that allows clients to see a virtual look.

“If a client doesn’t have the time, or doesn’t want to browse through everything, if he wants me to pick the style, then I can do that,” he said. “I see the big picture in clothing and the details.”

Parr sat back and crossed his arms. He recalled a few of his most memorable clients, such as a groom-to-be.

“As we were talking, I caught the nickname he had for his fiancé,” he said. “I had her nickname embroidered under his collar. Brought him to tears. And the bride loved it. It was a nice surprise for both of them.”

He also offered the example of a financier who had to dress for a party.

“For his dinner jacket, we chose a white paisley shawl collar with white ivory buttons, and a white mambo silk lining,” he said. “I embroidered ‘007’ under his collar.”

Not all his clothes are suits, tuxes and formal. He offers casual apparel too: sport coats, pants, shirts, ties, topcoats and car coats.

“I love clothes, but really, the best part of my job? I sit down with guys who are on top of their game and just kind of pick their brains,” he said. “I get to be around some really cool people in our community, and it’s a blessing.”

For more information on Michael’s Custom Clothing, contact Michael Parr at 717-979-0130 or [email protected].

Suit Up
Men aren’t generally known for their fashion sense. As a public service, Michael Parr offers the following tips:

Don’t buy too big or too small.
Your suit shouldn’t need a belt, which is worn as an accessory.
Never wear a belt with suspenders—the look is redundant.
Sleeve length should show at least a quarter inch of your shirt.
Jacket length must cover your rear-end.
Do not button the bottom button in a single breast suit.
Tie should not hang below the belt or above the waistline.
Pants—flat front, no pleats.
Pants should hit the top of the shoe.
In a professional environment, always wear socks.

I’ll Be Your Voice: Area kids bring stories of homeless children to life on stage.

December 30, 2019 | by Karen Hendricks

Aneliese Saxman

Eight-year old Alexi is hiding in a closet with his younger brother.

It’s a game they often play called “invisibility cloak” because, as Alexi says, “Being invisible is the best superpower.”

But the real story is that their mother locked them in the closet for their own safety. Ultimately, domestic violence drove them into homelessness.

It’s one child’s story of being homeless of a dozen told through the play, “I Will Be Your Voice.” Alexi, portrayed by Dominic Saxman, 9, of Enola, is one of the youngest in a cast comprised of area children.

For about five minutes, he sits perched on a stool before a crowd of about 200 people. They’re gathered for the play’s debut in late November at the Unitarian Universalists of the Cumberland Valley in Boiling Springs. His boyish voice, amplified by a microphone, gives voice to Alexi’s story.

“I’ve interviewed and spoken with hundreds of homeless children in the past 20 years,” said playwright Chris Kapp, manager of the coordinated entry system for 11 Pennsylvania counties based in Carlisle.

Kapp works under the umbrella of the Cumberland County Housing and Redevelopment Authorities. All 12 of the play’s monologues are actual stories she documented, detailing how area children became homeless.

“It’s been 10 years in the making,” Kapp said. “It’s the intersection of two gifts and vocations. I’ve worked with the homeless by day for 20 years, and I’ve been in theater for almost 35 years. Finding a way to have them come together is an incredible gift.”

Her goal is to increase awareness of the fastest-growing segment of the homeless population—families with children. In between the children’s monologues, a narrator provides backstories as well as facts and stats.

This current school year (2019-20), there are 30,000 homeless children attending Pennsylvania schools; 199 are in Cumberland County classrooms.

School provides meals, heat and a reliable, predictable schedule—a safe haven from homelessness—for 11-year old Gabe. His story, told by Zach Woodward, 12, of Carlisle, explains how he finds refuge in math: “Numbers make me feel safe because they don’t change.”

Cheyanne, 15, became homeless after she endured years of bullying by her older brothers. Called “sibling violence,” the situation became unbearable, and she began sleeping in an area park overnight. One of her teachers recognized her and helped her into a youth shelter.

“Twelve-year-olds shouldn’t know what the word ‘foreclosure’ means,” said Alyanna Grim, portraying Maddie. Her story focuses on lot of things that “shouldn’t” be in her young life.

Katelynn’s story recounts how her father’s job loss led to homelessness. The family spent the summer living in a tent at the nearby state park, followed by months living out of their minivan.

There are bright spots throughout the stories.

Emmanne’s success in high school, along with support from her advocate, propelled her to Cornell University. This, despite being homeless and living in six different motels with her schizophrenic mother during her teen years.

“I started crying the first time I read the script because it hit me that these are real stories,” said Torrence Brown, 16, who portrayed Emmanne.

Many of the cast’s children—from six school districts between Harrisburg and Newville—say the experience opened their eyes and changed them.

“Homelessness comes in many shapes and sizes, and no kid deserves to be homeless,” said 13-year-old Greta Weirich of Carlisle.

“After hearing the stories, it made me feel thankful,” said 17-year-old Jaden O’Brian of Enola. “Homelessness is much more common than we think, and it woke me up. Sometimes it’s just simple, not big things that cause homelessness,”

O’Brian gave the final performance of the night, but it was his first ever experience on stage. He gave voice to the story of 19-year-old The’ron, who was homeless for two years.

The’ron had something in common with the abandoned buildings he lived in—he was abandoned by his mother. But a child welfare advocate connected him with services, including a volunteer position at a senior center, which sparked his pursuit of a college degree and career path as a senior center activity director. Residents at the center where he volunteered watched O’Brian’s portrayal of The’ron in “I’ll Be Your Voice,” thanks to a livestream via Facebook.

“Having them connect the stories to where they are in life, by playing children exactly their ages,” said Manuela Saxman of Enola. “It’s a beautiful thing because it impacts them personally.”

Three of her children, including O’Brian, were in the play.

As for the audience, many were moved to tears during the show.

“I thought about the issue of homelessness before, but I didn’t think about children—I didn’t know there were so many,” said Lani Breidenstein of Carlisle. “I cried because, although I knew they were actors, the stories were real.”

Playwright Chris Kapp designed “I’ll Be Your Voice” to be performed by school districts, theater companies, church youth groups and other community groups. She welcomes the public to contact her for licensing rights by emailing her at [email protected].

New Year, New View: How to shop clearly for 20/20.

December 30, 2019 | by Dr. Brett B. Ernst

Illustration by Ryan Spahr.

2020 might just be the year you get rid of your glasses and contacts to see 20/20. But is laser vision correction with LASIK the right answer for you?

LASIK uses a flap of tissue in the cornea to allow cool laser beams to reshape the cornea, allowing light entering the eye to be properly focused for clear vision. More than 10 million people in the United States alone have had this life-changing surgery and over 90 percent would recommend it to a friend or family member.

Why? Probably because 94 percent of them see 20/20 or better without glasses or contacts after LASIK and are experiencing visual freedom they previously only dreamed about. LASIK has a high satisfaction rate among patients because the rate of complications is estimated to be less than 1 percent, making it one of the safest elective surgical procedures available today.

Although they’re minimal, the risks associated with LASIK should still be considered and discussed before moving forward with the procedure. Being able to see clearly can improve your life in many ways, but the most important factors to consider are safety and effectiveness. Here are some helpful tips for you to shop smart for 2020.

It starts with you. First, consider your individual goals and visual needs. What do your glasses or contact lenses provide for you? Do they help you to see at a distance? Are you wearing readers to see things up close? Bifocals?

LASIK is not a “cure all” for all vision correction needs. Most commonly, LASIK is used to treat distance correction and astigmatism. If you rarely wear glasses or contacts for distance, LASIK may not be necessary.

If you are starting to experience difficulty reading or other tasks “up-close,” a form of LASIK called monovision can help some people. Not everyone can adjust to monovision, and you should be tested, often in contact lenses prior to your consultation. Some visual symptoms such as large glass prescription changes, glare or halos may mean that an alternative procedure, such as cataract surgery, would be best for you.

Most importantly, you need to know that your goals after surgery are achievable, and you should discuss this with the doctor who will perform your LASIK prior to your surgery.

Preparing your eyes for LASIK is key to success. If you wear contact lenses, even occasionally, your contacts are changing the shape of your cornea. Your contacts must be discontinued long enough to allow your cornea to return to its natural shape for accurate measurements. The FDA recommends two weeks for soft and three weeks for rigid (gas permeable) lenses.

If you have dry eyes or inflammation of the eyelids called blepharitis, you should have this addressed by your doctor prior to surgery. Certain medications, like Accutane or Imitrex, should be stopped well in advance of your LASIK procedure.

Consider the experience and reputation of the LASIK practice. Read reviews, talk to friends and neighbors, ask your optometrist, and try to find a local doctor that has been practicing for a long time in the local area. LASIK is an investment in your future and you want to be sure that a surgeon will be there for you, even years after the surgery. Occasionally, some patients need to consider additional correction in the future if their vision changes. So, be sure to look ahead and know what options are available to you down the road.

Transparency and trust are a must. When you go for a consultation and meet the surgeon, assess how the facility and the staff make you feel. Since safety is a priority, and LASIK can often invoke fear and anxiety, the practice you choose should make you feel secure in your decision and throughout the process. They should be friendly and knowledgeable, but, most importantly, transparent on the entire process—pricing, treatment options, risks, etc. It’s okay to visit a few offices to find a place where you feel comfortable. If you feel that a facility is not upfront about everything, you may want to consider other options.

Be sure your screening and testing process is thorough. Answer health questions clearly and honestly. These questions are a good indicator of how well your body will heal after surgery. Most of the time you invest in a LASIK procedure is dedicated to the testing process (the procedure itself only takes 15 to 20 minutes). Be patient and allow the staff to get accurate measurements. A good testing process should take two to three hours and possibly a few trips to the office.

Advanced technology and personalization are imperative. At this point, most facilities are using advanced lasers, but treatment options can vary. Do some research on the lasers that are being used to help ensure accuracy. Be sure the surgeon is able to personalize your LASIK treatment to your eyes specifically. Don’t be afraid to ask questions regarding the treatment process or testing equipment during your consultation.

LASIK is one of the most technologically advanced and successful procedures available. It has proven safety in the right hands, and, with a few careful steps, you too can experience this life-changing event. So if you are ready, 2020 could be the year for you to have 20/20 vision.

Brett B. Ernst, MD, is president of Schein Ernst Mishra Eye, 10 Capital Dr., Suite 300, Harrisburg. For more information, call 717-233-EYES or visit www.seegreat.net.

Happenings: Our January Calendar of Events

December 30, 2019 | by Missy Smith

January Happenings

Museum & Art Spaces

AACA Museum
161 Museum Dr., Hershey
717-566-7100; aacamuseum.org

“Cars & Christmas,” the museum’s annual holiday celebration with themed decorated Christmas trees, awesome automobiles, model train displays, and more, through Jan. 6

“To Protect and Serve: Pennsylvania State Police Museum Exhibit, Jan. 15-May 6

“Age of Aquarius,” featuring unique vehicles that were manufactured and marketed in America from about 1967 through the early mid-1970s, through April 26

Art Association of Harrisburg
21 N. Front St., Harrisburg
717-236-1432; artassocofhbg.com

“Texture, Fiber, and Form,” featuring the works of Stephanie Wallendjack, Liz Hamilton Quay and Paula Lehman, through Jan. 2

“Figuratively Speaking,” eclectic and exciting mix of AAH members’ take on the human form from the most traditional interpretations to the most abstract, Jan. 10-Feb. 13; reception: Jan. 10, 5 to 8 p.m.

Carlisle Arts Learning Center
38 W. Pomfret St., Carlisle
717-249-6973; carlislearts.org

“On Thin Ice,” 5th annual exhibition featuring artists’ take on the theme, with artwork in a variety of media and style, selected by juror Lauren Nye, director of exhibitions, Susquehanna Art Museum, Jan. 10-Feb. 1

The Cornerstone Coffeehouse
2133 Market St., Camp Hill
717-737-5026; thecornerstonecoffeehouse.com

Artist of the Month: Michelle-Lee Kozimor King

Dickinson College
The Trout Gallery
240 W. High St., Carlisle
717-254-8159; troutgallery.org

“Manifestation and Adaptation: Variations in Buddhist Sculpture Across Asia,” curated by Dickinson student Bizz Fretty working with faculty members, through Feb. 1

“Abstract Impressions: Postwar Japanese Prints from the DePauw University Permanent Art Collection,” through Feb. 15

Hershey Area Art Association (HAAA)
hersheyareaartassociation.com

Hershey Public Library exhibit, through Jan. 18

Historical Society of Dauphin County
John Harris-Simon Cameron Mansion
219 S. Front St., Harrisburg
717-233-3462; dauphincountyhistory.org

“100th Anniversary of the Treaty of Versailles,” Vance McCormick’s role as chair of the American delegation, through spring

Messiah College School of Arts
One College Ave., Mechanicsburg
717-766-2511; messiah.edu

“Postcards from the Unknown,” paintings by Nora Sturges, through Jan. 29

Metropolis Collective
17 W. Main St., Mechanicsburg
717-458-8245; metropoliscollective.com

“A Wintry Mix 5,” group art show, Jan. 10-Feb. 20

The Millworks
340 Verbeke St., Harrisburg
717-695-4888; millworksharrisburg.com

Group show with the Millworks’ in-house artists, through Jan. 12

New works by Pamela Black, Averill Shepps, Susan Bailey, Judy Kelly, Tara Chickey and Marsha Souders, Jan. 14-Feb. 16

National Civil War Museum
One Lincoln Circle, Harrisburg
717-260-1861; nationalcivilwarmuseum.org

“Boots and Saddles: Horses in the Civil War,” through June 7

Ned Smith Center for Nature and Art
176 Water Company Rd., Millersburg
717-692-3699; nedsmithcenter.org

“The Best of Jim Bashline Outside and In,” through January

“Nature’s Palette,” a group exhibition of Perry County Council of the Arts member artists’ work that interprets nature’s various hues and shades, Jan. 17-May 9; reception: Feb. 29, 1-4 p.m.

Pennsylvania National Fire Museum
1820 N. 4th St., Harrisburg
717-232-8915; pnfm.org

Exhibits dedicated to Pennsylvania firefighting history

Perry County Council of the Arts
Landis House, 67 N. 4th St., Newport
717-567-7023; perrycountyarts.org

“Annual Juried Exhibition,” showcasing top artistic talent in the region selected by juror Oren Helbok of the Exchange Gallery, through Jan. 17

“Nature’s Palette,” a group exhibition of Perry County Council of the Arts’ member artists’ work that interprets nature’s various hues and shades, Jan. 17-May 9; reception: Feb. 29, 1-4 p.m., at Ned Smith Center for Nature and Art

Perry County Council of the Arts
PCCA Gallery, 1 S. Second St., Newport
717-567-7023; perrycountyarts.org

“Artisan Marketplace,” holiday shopping exhibition, filled with unique, locally made fine art and handcrafted items for gift giving, through Jan. 11

Pine Street Presbyterian Church
310 N. Third Street, Harrisburg
717-238-9304; pinestreet.org

Winter art show featuring works by Woodrow Derricks and Tom Gianelli; reception with live piano music, Jan. 23, 7-9 p.m.

Rose Lehrman Art Gallery
One HACC Dr., Harrisburg
717-231-ROSE; hacc.edu/RLAC

Art Program faculty exhibit, Jan. 21 through Feb. 13; reception: Feb. 6, 5:30-7 p.m.

The State Museum of Pennsylvania
300 North St., Harrisburg
717-787-4980; statemuseumpa.org

“Picturing a More Perfect Union—Violet Oakley’s Mural Studies for the Pennsylvania Senate Chamber, 1911-1919,” through April 26

Susquehanna Art Museum
1401 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg
717-233-8668; sqart.org

“Dreams: Selections from Easton Nights,” photographs by Peter Ydeen, through Jan. 12

“Explore: Found Objects,” an investigation of how historic and contemporary artists utilize found objects in their work, Jan. 15-Feb. 15; reception, Jan. 15, 5-8 p.m.

“War is Only Half the Story,” moving stories of the people left behind after the cameras have moved on from a war zone, through Jan.19

“Other Worlds—Inka Essenhigh,” richly colored distorted fables with archetypes, sprites and anthropomorphized nature, through Jan. 19

“SHIFT,” featuring the work of contemporary painters Tiffany Calvert and Alex Kanevsky, through Feb. 16

Suzanne H. Arnold Art Gallery
Lebanon Valley College
101 College Ave., Annville
717-233-8668; lvc.edu/gallery

“Danny Lyon: Memories of the Southern Civil Rights Movement,” Jan. 24-March 22

Wildwood Park
100 Wildwood Way, Harrisburg
717-221-0292; wildwoodlake.org

Photography contest display, showcasing more than 100 exhibited photo entries, through Jan. 25

Zeroday Brewing Co.
250 Reily St., Harrisburg
717-745-6218; zerodaybrewing.com

Art gallery by Enoch Cincotta, Jan. 16

Art gallery by Joanna Pendergast, Jan. 17-Feb. 20

Read, Make, Learn

Boutique on Pomfret
16 W. Pomfret St., Carlisle
717-347-7594; facebook.com/boutiqueonpomfret

Jan. 9: VIP Essential Oil Continuing Education, 5-6 p.m.

BrainVessel Gallery
4707 Carlisle Pike, Mechanicsburg
717-350-2306; bvcargo.com

Jan. 25: An Introduction to Handwriting and Statement Analysis, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

Carlisle Arts Learning Center
38 W. Pomfret St., Carlisle
717-249-6973; carlislearts.org

Jan. 4: Processing Photos in Lightroom, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Jan. 8-29: Beginning Watercolor, 1-3 p.m.
Jan. 8-29: Watercolor Landscapes, 3:30-6 p.m.
Jan. 8-Feb. 12: Play with Clay at the End of the Day, 6 Wednesdays, 3:45-5:15 p.m.
Jan. 9-30: Beginning Knitting, Thursdays, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Jan. 10: Fused Glass Pendants, 6-8 p.m.
Jan. 10: Craft Beer & Clay, 7 p.m.
Jan. 11: Flower Enamel Pendant, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
Jan. 11: Swizzle Sticks & Wine Charms, 12:30-2:30 p.m.
Jan. 21: May 14: ArtWorks! teen program, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 3-5 p.m.
Jan. 23: Crepe Paper Flowers 101, 6-8 p.m.
Jan. 28-March 3: Wheel 101, Tuesdays, 6:30-8:30 p.m.

The Cornerstone Coffeehouse
2133 Market St., Camp Hill
717-737-5026; thecornerstonecoffeehouse.com

Jan. 9: Home-Cooked Comfort Foods, 6-9 p.m.
Jan. 22: Date Night Dinner & Wine Pairing, 6-9 p.m.
Jan. 30: Sunday Suppers, 6-9 p.m.

East Shore Area Library
4501 Ethel St., Harrisburg
717-652-9380; dcls.org

Jan. 5: Crazy for Coloring, 2-4 p.m.
Jan. 11: Cocoa and Snowflakes, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Jan. 17: Device Club, 1-2:30 p.m.
Jan. 28: Friends of East Shore Area Library Meeting, 9:30-11;15 a.m.

Elizabethtown Public Library
10 S. Market St., Elizabethtown
717-367-7467; etownpubliclibrary.org

Jan. 7, 14, 21, 28: Cards & Coffee, 9:15-10:30 a.m., 6:30-8 p.m.
Jan. 9, 23: Community Knitters, 6 p.m.
Jan. 18: Family LEGO Club, 11 a.m.
Jan. 4, 18: Cards & Coffee, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
Jan. 11: Lace Cottage Workshop, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Jan. 11: Dog Tales, 10:30 a.m.
Jan. 18: Book Discussion Group, 9:15 a.m.
Jan. 18: Community Knitters, 11 a.m.

Fredricksen Library
100 N. 19th St., Camp Hill
717-761-3900; fredricksenlibrary.org

Jan. 2, 16: The Plot Twisters (ages 15-18), 6:30 p.m.
Jan. 3: Youth Chess Night, 6:30 p.m.
Jan. 6: Teen Makerspace Hangout, 4-6 p.m.
Jan. 7: Curl up with the Classics—“Murder at the Vicarage,” 10 a.m.
Jan. 8: Moving Forward Book Group w/Hospice of Central PA, 1 p.m.
Jan. 10: Indie Film Friday—“Blindspotting,” 2 and 7 p.m.
Jan. 11: BYOB After Hours Trivia—80s Movie Challenge, 7 p.m.
Jan. 13: Twisted Stitchers Knitting Group, 6:30 p.m.
Jan. 16: READ to Dogs, 6:30 p.m.
Jan. 17: Family Movie Night, 6:30 p.m.
Jan. 27, 29 : Library for Lunch—Penguins and Polar Bears, 12 p.m.

Gallery on the Square
Millersburg Area Art Association
226 Union St., Millersburg
Facebook: Gallery on the Square

Jan. 8: Fiber and Friends, 6-8 p.m.

Harrisburg Improv Theatre
1633 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg
hbgimprov.com

Jan. 7-Feb. 25: Level 1 Introduction to Improv, 7-10 p.m.
Jan. 13-March 2: Level 1 Introduction to Improv, 7-10 p.m.
Jan. 18: One Day Workshop—Slow Comedy, 1-4 p.m.

Hershey Area Art Association (HAAA)
hersheyareaartassociation.com

Jan. 2: ’80s Aerobics Experience, 4 p.m.
Jan. 2, 7, 9, 14, 16, 21, 23, 28, 30: Penn State Hershey—Mothers and Babies Together, 10 a.m.
Jan. 3: Wee Build Block Party!, 10 a.m.
Jan. 3, 10 , 17, 24, 31: Dungeons and Dragons, 3 p.m.
Jan. 4, 18, 25: Chess Club, 1:30 p.m.
Jan. 7, 14, 21, 28: Girls Who Code, 6 p.m.
Jan. 8: LEGO Club, 4 p.m.
Jan. 8, 15, 22, 29: Tween Lounge, 3 p.m.
Jan. 8, 15, 22, 29: LEGO League, 6 p.m.
Jan. 9, 16, 23, 30: Teen Lounge, 4 p.m.
Jan. 10, 24: Play Day for Families, 10 a.m.
Jan. 11: Chess Tournament, 9 a.m.
Jan. 12: Friends’ Children’s Program: Barynya-: Russian Music, Dance, and Song, 2 p.m.
Jan. 13, 20, 27: Storytime for 3s & 4s, 10 a.m.
Jan. 13, 20, 27: Storytime for 4s & 5s, 1:30 p.m.
Jan. 14: Hosted Writer’s Group, 6 p.m.
Jan. 14, 15, 21, 22, 28, 29: 1, 2, Whee!, 10 a.m.
Jan. 15, 22, 29: Sensory 1, 2, Whee!, 11 a.m.
Jan. 26: Friend’s Adult Program—Groundhog Lodges, 2 p.m.

Hershey Public Library
701 Cocoa Ave., Hershey
717-533-6555; hersheylibrary.org

Jan. 2, 7, 9, 24, 14, 16, 21, 23, 28, 30: Penn State Hershey—Mothers & Babies Together, 10 a.m.
Jan. 2: 80s Aerobics Experience, 4 p.m.
Jan. 3 Wee Build Block Party, 10 a.m.
Jan. 3, 10, 17, 24, 31: Dungeons and Dragons, 3 p.m.
Jan. 4, 18, 25: Chess Club, 1:30 p.m.
Jan. 7, 14, 21, 28: Girls Who Code, 6 p.m.
Jan. 8, 15, 22, 29: Tween Lounge, 3 p.m.
Jan. 8: LEGO Club, 4 p.m.
Jan. 8, 15, 22, 29: LEGO League, 6 p.m.
Jan. 9, 16, 23, 30: Teen Lounge, 4 p.m.
Jan. 10, 24: Play Day for Families, 10 a.m.
Jan 11: Chess Tournament, 9 a.m.
Jan. 12: Friends’ Children’s Program—Barynya Russian Music, Dance, and Song, 2 p.m.
Jan 13, 20, 27: Storytime for 3s & 4s, 10 a.m.
Jan 13, 20, 27: Storytime for 4s & 5s, 1:30 p.m.
Jan. 14, 15, 21, 22, 28, 29: 1, 2, Whee!, 10 a.m.
Jan. 14: Hosted Writer’s Group, 6 p.m.
Jan. 15, 22, 29: Sensory 1, 2, Whee!, 11 a.m.
Jan 26: Friend’s Adult Program: Groundhog Lodges, 2 p.m.

Joseph T. Simpson Public Library
16 N. Walnut St, Mechanicsburg
717-766-0171; simpsonlibrary.org

Jan. 2: Learn to Knit/Crochet, 7-8 p.m.
Jan. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30: Mah Jongg, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Jan. 6: Monday Morning Board Games, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
Jan. 6, 13, 20, 27: English Conversation Group, 6:30-8 p.m.
Jan. 7: Tabletop Games, 6-8 p.m.
Jan. 8: Mad About Mysteries, 7-8 p.m.
Jan. 13: iPad/iPhone Beginners, 1-3 p.m.
Jan. 14, 21: Tea & Stitches, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
Jan. 15: Sci Fi Book Club, 7-9 p.m.
Jan. 15: Caring for House Plants, 7-8 p.m.
Jan. 16: Thursday Morning Book Club, 10-11 a.m.
Jan. 18: BYOB Trivia—1990s, 6-8 p.m.
Jan. 20: Monday Morning Board Games, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
Jan. 20: Monday Night Book Club, 7-8 p.m.
Jan. 22: Apple Users Group, 1-3 p.m.
Jan. 22: Yoga for Beginners, 7-8 p.m.
Jan. 28: Tea & Stitches, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Kline Library
530 S. 29th St., Harrisburg
717-234-3934; dcls.org

Jan. 14: Cocoa and Snowflakes, 6-7 p.m.
Jan 16: Friends of Kline Library Meeting, 6:30-8 p.m.
Jan. 22: Knit 1, Crochet, Too!, 6-8 p.m.

Madeline L. Olewine Memorial Library
2410 North 3rd St., Harrisburg
717-232-7286; dcls.org

Jan. 6, 13, 27: Video Game Club, 4-5 p.m.
Jan. 27: Cookbook Book Club—Soup’s On, 6-7 p.m.

McCormick Riverfront Library
101 Walnut St., Harrisburg
717-234-4976; dcls.org

Jan. 15, 22, 29: Mid-day Getaway, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Jan. 17: Role Playing Game Night, 6-7:30 p.m.

Midtown Scholar Bookstore-Café
1302 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg
717-236-1680; midtownscholar.com

Jan. 10: Local Author Night with Nathaniel Gadsden and Amery Weaver, 7-9 p.m.
Jan. 17: An Evening with Liz Moore, 7-9 p.m.
Jan. 22: An Evening with Stephanie Land, 7-9 p.m.

The Millworks
340 Verbeke St., Harrisburg
717-695-4888; millworksharrisburg.com

Jan. 16: Sip and Sitch, 6-9 p.m.
Jan. 18: Fluid Art with Ann Benton Yeager, 12-2:30 p.m.

New Cumberland Public Library
1 Benjamin Plaza, New Cumberland
717-774-7820; newcumberlandlibrary.org

Jan. 3: Play-Doh Palooza!, 10:15-11:45 a.m.
Jan. 4: LEGO Madness, 10:30-11:30 a.m.
Jan. 6, 13, 27: Preschool Storytime (ages 2-5), 10:30 a.m.
Jan. 6, 13, 27: 123 Library! Family Storytime, 6:30 p.m.
Jan. 6, 20: Monday Great Books Discussion Group, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Jan. 7: Tales for T.A.I.L.S., 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Jan. 7, 14, 21, 28: Book Babies Storytime (ages 6-23 months), 11:15 a.m.
Jan. 8, 22: Wednesday Great Books Discussion group, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Jan. 9: Ruth’s Mystery Discussion Group, 10:15 a.m.-12 p.m.
Jan. 11: Write-On Writer’s Workshop, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Jan. 14: Book Review Program—“The Library Book,” 10:30-11:30 a.m.
Jan. 18: Couponing for Extreme Savings, 11 a.m.-12 p.m.
Jan. 18: Children’s Book Writers Critique Group, 2-4 p.m.
Jan. 20: Block Party, 10:30-11:45 a.m.
Jan. 22: PennWriters Writing Group, 6-9 p.m.
Jan. 30: New Cumberland Library History Room, 6:30-7:30 p.m.

Perry County Council of the Arts
Landis House, 67 N. 4th St., Newport
717-567-7023; perrycountyarts.org

Jan. 4; Drop-In Art, 1-4 p.m.

Pine Street Presbyterian Church
310 N. Third Street, Harrisburg
717-238-9304; pinestreet.org

Jan. 5: “How to Help Individuals with Mental Illness,” 8:45 a.m.
Jan. 12: “Suicide & Its Prevention,” 8:45 a.m.
Jan. 19: “Overcoming Addiction,” 8:45 a.m.

The State Museum of Pennsylvania
300 North St., Harrisburg
717-787-4980; statemuseumpa.org

Jan. 3: StoryTime—“Charlotte the Scientist is Squished,” 10:30-11:30 a.m.
Jan. 9: Curiosity Kids—Owls!, 11:30 a.m.
Jan. 17: Learn at Lunchtime—Picturing a More Perfect Union: Violet Oakley’s Mural Studies, 12:15-12:45 p.m.
Jan. 23: Nature Lab—Rock Identification, 11:30 a.m.-12 p.m.

Susquehanna Art Museum
1401 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg
717-233-8668; sqart.org

Jan. 15: Life Drawing Class, 6-9 p.m.

Wildwood Park
100 Wildwood Way, Harrisburg
717-221-0292; wildwoodlake.org

Jan. 11: Kids Discover—Animal Adaptations, 1:30-3 p.m.
Jan. 14: Winter Lecture Series on PA State Species—Eastern Hemlock, 7-8:30 p.m.
Jan. 18: Full Cadettes—Night Owl, 4-8 p.m.
Jan. 28: Winter Lecture Series on PA State Species—White-tailed Deer, 7-8:30 p.m.

William H. & Marion C. Alexander Family Library
200 W. Second St., Hummelstown
717-566-0949; dcls.org

Jan. 2: Teen Night—Tech Toys and Tiny Houses, 6-7 p.m.
Jan. 7: Novel Thoughts Book Club, 6:30-8 p.m.
Jan. 9: Cocoa and Snowflakes, 6-7 p.m.
Jan. 14: Friends of Alexander Family Library Meeting, 6:30-8 p.m.
Jan. 21: Novel Thoughts Too Book Club, 1-3 p.m.
Jan. 27: Crazy for Coloring, 6-8 p.m.

Yoga at Simply Well
28 S. Pitt St., Carlisle
717-968-0167; yogaatsimplywell.com

Jan. 3: Amrit Yoga Nidra, 7-8:30 p.m.
Jan. 11-Feb. 22: Kids Yoga 6-week series, 2-3 p.m.
Jan. 11-Feb. 22: Youth Yoga 6-week series, 3:15-4:15 p.m.

Live Music

American Music Theatre
2425 Lincoln Highway East, Lancaster
717-397-7700; amtshows.com

Jan. 10: Under the Streetlamp
Jan. 24: The Main in Black—Tribute to Johnny Cash
Jan. 25: Elvis Birthday Bash
Jan. 26: Mike Albert’s Elvis Gospel Show with The Stamps Quartet

Appalachian Brewing Co./Abbey Bar
50 N. Cameron St., Harrisburg
717-221-1083; abcbrew.com

Jan. 3: Hexbelt
Jan. 4: Steal Your Face
Jan. 10: Aaron Kamm and the One Drops
Jan. 18: Derek Woods Band
Jan. 24: Bumpin Uglies

Appell Center for the Performing Arts
50 N. George St., York
717-846-1111; appellcenter.org

Jan. 3: Jazz in the City
Jan. 9: The Philly Keys
Jan. 17: 70s Flashback—The Soundtrack of a Generation
Jan. 22: Classic Albums Live—David Bowie, The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars
Jan. 25: York Symphony Orchestra

Blair Music Center, Lutz Recital Hall
Lebanon Valley College
101 College Ave., Annville
717-233-8668; lvc.edu/gallery

Jan. 21: Ruth Naomi Floyd presents “Frederick Douglass Jazz Works”

Boneshire Brew Works
7462 Derry St., Harrisburg
717-469-5007; boneshire.com

Jan. 23: Dave McCullough
Jan. 30: Shawan and the Wonton

Carley’s Ristorante and Piano Bar
204 Locust St., Harrisburg
717-909-9191; carleysristorante.com

Jan. 2, 14, 23: Natalie Ness
Jan. 3, 7, 9, 15, 17, 21, 24, 28: Noel Gevers
Jan. 4, 10: Ted Ansel
Jan. 8: Andrea Britton
Jan. 11, 26, 30: Anthony Haubert
Jan. 16, 18, 29: Roy Lefevre
Jan. 22: Christine Purcell
Jan. 25: Corinna Joy and Noel Gevers
Jan. 31: Andrea Britton and Noel Gevers

Chameleon Club
223 N. Water St., Lancaster
717-299-9684; chameleonclub.net

Jan. 3: Handguns, The Stonewall Vessels
Jan. 4: Departed
Jan. 10: NAH
Jan. 11: Prince Diamond, Sonic Creeps
Jan. 15: The Addicts
Jan. 18: Placeholder
Jan. 24: Medusa’s Disco
Jan. 25: Pennter

The Cornerstone Coffeehouse
2133 Market St., Camp Hill
717-737-5026; thecornerstonecoffeehouse.com

Jan. 3: Antonio Andrade
Jan. 4: Doug Morris
Jan. 5: Allan Combs II
Jan. 10: Paul Zavinsky
Jan. 11: Dominick Cicco
Jan. 12: Peter Stone
Jan. 17: Michael Arthur
Jan. 18: Shoot the Moon
Jan. 19: Jim Sigrist
Jan. 24: Kevin Kline
Jan. 25: Hard Travelin’
Jan. 26: Betsy Barnicle

Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra
The Forum at 5th and Walnut St., Harrisburg
717-545-5527; harrisburgsymphony.org

Jan. 11-12: “Shoot for the Stars”
Jan. 25-26: Rodgers & Hammerstein’s “South Pacific” in Concert

Hershey Theatre
15 E. Caracas Ave., Hershey
717-534-3405; hersheytheatre.com

Jan. 25: Beyond the Footlights Cabaret

Hollywood Casino
777 Hollywood Blvd., Grantville
717-469-2211; hollywoodpnrc.com

Jan. 3: Ryan Pelton, DJ Jayson Matrix
Jan. 4: DJ Ray Rossi, Sapphire
Jan. 10: Josh Squared Band
Jan. 11: DJ Magic, The Luv Gods
Jan. 17: Funktion
Jan. 18: DJ Jayson Matrix, Emily’s Toy Box
Jan. 24: That Band
Jan. 25: DJ Koolie Kirk, Smooth Like Clyde
Jan. 31: Uptown Band

House of Music, Arts & Culture (H*MAC)
1110 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg
717-441-7506; harrisburgarts.com

Jan. 17: Awake At Last
Jan. 19: Danny Worsnop, StarBenders
Jan. 24: From Ashes to New, Defiant, Eva Under Fire, Dawn’s Divide
Jan. 25: Offensive, Traverse the Abyss, Suicide Puppets, Feltsideout, Illusion of Solace, Dreams of Eden
Jan. 25: Moon Hooch
Jan. 26: Turkuaz. Neal Francis
Jan. 30: Lukr
Jan. 31: Green Jelly

Little Amps Coffee Roasters, Downtown
133 State St., Harrisburg
717-635-9870; littleampscoffee.com

Jan. 18: Pomelo

Little Amps Coffee Roasters, Midtown
1836 Green St., Harrisburg
717-695-4882; littleampscoffee.com

Jan. 31: Hollan, Margaret Gehman, Sarah Fiore

Market Cross Pub & Brewery
113 N. Hanover St., Carlisle
717-258-1234; marketcrosspub.com

Jan. 4: Zach King & Guest
Jan. 11: Trio De Janero
Jan. 18: Jill Fullerton Band
Jan. 19: Open Irish Jam
Jan. 25: Twisted Bluez

River City Blues Club & Dart Room
819 S. Cameron St., Harrisburg
717-525-8926; rivercityhbg.com

Jan. 4, 5: The Give Take, Bad Luck Charms, Timmy’s Creep Show
Jan. 11, 12: Mountain Road Band
Jan. 18, 19: Don Johnson
Jan. 20: River City Big Band

Rusty Rail Brewing Company
5 N. 8th North St., Mifflinburg
570-966-7878; rustyrailbrewing.com

Jan. 12: Deadgrass

Stock’s on 2nd
211 N. 2nd Street, Harrisburg
717-233-6699; stocksonsecond.com

Jan. 3: Derek Henry
Jan. 4: Drew Adams
Jan. 10: Natalie Ness
Jan. 11: Quentin Jones
Jan. 17: Shea Quinn and Friends
Jan. 18: Lucille and The Wolf
Jan. 24: Ben Simcox Music
Jan. 25: Visitors Duo
Jan. 31: Kevin Koa

Susquehanna Folk Music Society
717-745-6577; sfmsfolk.org

Jan. 5: January Jam

The Ware Center
42 N. Prince St., Lancaster
717-871-2308; artsmu.com

Jan. 10: Allegro’s Music in the Round—Back to Bach

Whitaker Center
222 Market St., Harrisburg
717-214-ARTS; whitakercenter.org

Jan. 21: Phillip Phillips
Jan. 25: Richard Thompson
Jan. 30: Central Pennsylvania Music Hall of Fame

XL Live
801 S. 10th St., Harrisburg
717-409-8975; xlhbg.com

Jan. 3: Glassbeard w/FoxyPanda and Corporate Thugz
Jan. 4: Biz Markie
Jan. 10: Observe the 93rd, Gas Station Disco, Big Fat Meanies & Big Boy Brass
Jan. 11: Under the Radar, Moxie & Rebel, One Trick Grizzly, Silvertung, Gun Metal Gray & Voice the Chaos
Jan. 16: The Glorious Sons w/Des Rocs
Jan. 17: Ghost Light
Jan. 18: Go Go Gadjet
Jan. 24: The Amish Outlaws
Jan. 25: 2nd Generation Wu w/iNTeLL, PxWeR, SunGod & Young Dirty Bastard
Jan. 31: Lettuce

Zeroday Brewing Co.
250 Reily St., Harrisburg
717-745-6218; zerodaybrewing.com

Jan. 17: Bend the Rails
Jan. 24: Josh Dominick

The Stage Door

American Music Theatre
2425 Lincoln Highway East, Lancaster
717-397-7700; amtshows.com

Jan. 28: The Simon & Garfunkel Story

Appell Center for the Performing Arts
50 N. George St., York
717-846-1111; appellcenter.org

Jan. 10: Joel Lindley
Jan. 17: Terry Pator

The Belmont Theatre
27 S. Belmont St., York
717-854-3894; thebelmont.org

Jan. 10-19: Neil Simon’s “Rumors”

Chameleon Club
223 N. Water St., Lancaster
717-299-9684; chameleonclub.net

Jan. 27: Joe DeRosa

Castlerigg Wine Shop
110 S. Hanover St., Carlisle
717-462-4663; castleriggwineshop.com

Jan. 17: Garry’s Comedy Show

Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre
510 Centerville Rd., Lancaster
717-898-1900; DutchApple.com

Jan. 2-4: Irving Berlin’s “Holiday Inn”
Jan. 9-Feb. 15: “Savannah Sipping Society”

Gamut Theatre Group
15 N. 4th St., Harrisburg
717-238-4111; gamuttheatre.org

Jan. 17-26: “Journey to the Center of the Earth”

Harrisburg Christian Performing Arts Center
1000 S. Eisenhower Blvd, Middletown
717-939-9333; hbg-cpac.org

Jan. 24-26: “Back to the 80s”

Harrisburg Comedy Zone
110 Limekiln Rd., New Cumberland
717-920-5653; harrisburgcomedyzone.com

Jan. 3, 4: Steve Sabo, Corey Hunter
Jan. 10, 11: Jason Kanter, Isabel Hagen
Jan. 17, 18: Darrer DS Sanders
Jan. 24, 25: Joel Lindley, Todd Youngman
Jan. 31: Jay Stevens, Ben Jones

Harrisburg Improv Theatre
1633 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg
717-798-6973; hbgimprov.com

Jan. 3: Free Jam Beef (Howie), Scoreface/The Director, JODY/Drive Thru Pals, Ferd Majelly/Acoustic Tour
Jan. 4: Free Mixer (Preteen Girls), Bad Berries/The Bat, Rockstar Goes Supernova, Introduce A Self
Jan. 10: Free Jam (Oh No Mono), Leg Of Lamp/Art Patrol, ElderProv/Closed Casket, Sangy & Dock/Unbelievably Tasty
Jan. 11: Free Mixer (What? Hell Yeah! What?), Side Hustle/Ball N’ Chain, Critical HIT/Two Princesses, Dang/Without A Tres
Jan. 17: Free Jam (Six In A Row), Scoreface/Bandito, BEEF, Bemafo
Jan. 18: Free Mixer (Wild Goose Chaise), Bad Berries/Sketch Pad, Barbra, Tiny Town
Jan. 24: Free Jam (The Assembly), Leg Of Lamp/This Show Will Self Destruct, Mary Todd Lincoln/Love Triangle, HIT BITS
Jan. 25: Free Mixer (PSYENTZ), Side Hustle/Bandjob, Solo Sleepover/Dropkick Morpheus, The Real FAST Coast Wives

Hershey Theatre
15 E. Caracas Ave., Hershey
717-534-3405; hersheytheatre.com

Jan. 18: “Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood”

Little Theatre of Mechanicsburg
915 S. York St., Mechanicsburg
717-766-0535; ltmpa.com

Jan. 17-Feb. 2: “Three Tall Women”

Majestic Theater
25 Carlisle St., Gettysburg
717-337-8200; gettysburgmajestic.org

Jan. 17: “Dancing with the Local Stars”
Jan. 25: “We Shall Overcome—A Celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.”
Jan. 31: Mountainfilm on Tour

Open Stage of Harrisburg
223 Walnut St., Harrisburg
717-232-OPEN; openstagehbg.com

Jan. 10-12: “Heathers the Musical” High School Edition

Oyster Mill Playhouse
1001 Oyster Mill Road, Camp Hill
717-737-6768; www.oystermill.com

Jan. 17-Feb. 2: “Towards Zero”

Theatre Harrisburg
513 Hurlock St., Harrisburg
717-232-5501; theatreharrisburg.com

Jan. 17-Feb. 2: “The Scarlet Letter” at Whitaker Center

Untitled: A Storytelling Project
untitledhbg.com

Jan. 23: 4th Annual Grand Slam

Whitaker Center
222 Market St., Harrisburg
717-214-ARTS; whitakercenter.org

Jan. 11: Artie Lange
Jan. 17-Feb. 2: “The Scarlet Letter” w/Theatre Harrisburg

The Week that Was: News and features around Harrisburg

December 27, 2019 | by Lawrance Binda

Michael Kenneth Williams is appearing at the Sankofa Film Festival.

Christmastime is typically the slow season for news, and so it was around Harrisburg this week. We posted TheBurg Daily for four of the five days, skipping Christmas Day, and now have our coverage recapped below in case you missed anything during this busy week. Happy holidays, everyone!

Black Girl Health returns next month with a series of events that extends over six weeks. Workshops this time around will focus on mental health issues. Read more about this important program in our online story.

The Drunken Smithy lets you get out your frustrations while creating an object for your efforts. Our writer took a trip to Palmyra to get in touch with her inner blacksmith. Click here to find out how she did.

“Joy to the Burg” is an album of holiday music performed exclusively by central PA musicians and bands. You still can order this homegrown album and be all set for next year, with proceeds going to a good cause. Learn how from our feature story.

New Year’s Eve in Harrisburg will feature music, activities, fireworks and, of course, the strawberry drop at midnight. Find out all the details in our online story.

Olive Oil Grille is one of several eateries that opened recently on the West Shore. Discover what makes this restaurant unique in our December feature story.

Sankofa Film Festival is bringing several notable filmmakers to Harrisburg this weekend, along with their movies. Read the story behind the Harrisburg area’s first African American film festival.

Sara Bozich has your last-chance Christmas events, as well as many other things to do during this extremely long weekend. Make like Santa and check over her list twice, then go do something fun.

Story Makers can help turn your scribblings into prose with a yearlong program at Cupboard Maker Books in Enola. If you have a resolution to write better—maybe even write a book—this might be your ticket to success in 2020. Find the details here.

Wine is often a key component of New Year’s Eve dinner. Our wine columnist has his recommendations for a festive bottle to bring along to your celebration.

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

Weekend Roundup with Sara Bozich

December 26, 2019 | by Sara Bozich

Happy Holiday Weekend!

I hope you all had the merriest and happiest and are heading into an epically long weekend. We’re headed to another family gathering today then out of town for the weekend to visit my in-laws in the PA Wilds.

What are you doing this weekend?

(more…)

Black Girl Health to launch campaign focused on mental health issues

December 23, 2019 | by Yaasmeen Piper

Since its formation in 2014, the nonprofit Black Girl Health has strived to help improve the health of black women through education, workouts and more.

This January, the organization is targeting mental health with its first-ever “Minds Matter” campaign.

Across six weeks, the Black Girl Health’s nonprofit arm, Black Girl Health Foundation Inc., will hold free workshops focusing on different aspects of mental health at Dauphin Counties libraries.

“We decided to specifically focus on mental health because there is not enough awareness on this topic and there are so many people who need help but don’t get it,” said Porcha Johnson, founder of Black Girl Health. “We want to detach that stigma, and we hope to motivate people to get help with their mental health and also provide resources and let people know where that help is.”

The workshops include panels that address postpartum depression, stress, racial and cultural disparities in treatment, yoga, natural remedies to help combat anxiety and more.

The campaign kicks off Saturday, Jan. 10, with Dauphin County Commissioner George Hartwick, Shalawn James, acting executive director of Mental Health Association of PA (MHAPA), and Deshauna Barber, 2016’s Miss USA and a former army captain. Barber will present the campaign’s keynote address and discuss how she navigated through post-traumatic stress disorder.

James will speak on the history of black people in America and its impact on mental health over the years, as well as some of the resources MHAPA provides.

“Black women represent one of the underserved portions of our communities where mental health impacts everyday life,” James said. “So, part of my work with [Black Girl Health] is to bring awareness to that and to also help with some larger initiatives of acquiring more therapists of color and targeting, not just African American women, but African Americans in general.”

Johnson said the panel, “Mom’s Suffering in Silence,” on Jan. 18 is especially important to her. After having her baby, retiring early from her job as a reporter for WGAL and becoming a full-time mother and entrepreneur, Johnson said she went through a “mental shock.”

“There is so much stress in being a mom—trying to be a good mother, taking care of your children, keeping relationships…we go through so much,” she said. “We, as women, often try to multi-task and do everything and that often leads to stress that leads to chronic illnesses.”

Through Black Girl Health, Johnson hopes to help prevent that stress and encourage women to relieve stress through yoga, meditation, natural supplements and therapy.

“All these solutions are going to be presented at the event,” she said. “I want to present these to help people live healthy lifestyles. That’s what it’s really about, increasing the longevity of life.”

The Minds Matter campaign runs from Jan. 10 to Feb. 15. All events are free with registration that can be found on the campaign’s website.

“We brought this to Harrisburg for free because it’s so important, and we want everyone to be able to get help and I hope people take advantage of this opportunity,” Johnson said. “I want people to see that there is help around, and I want people to get motivated to actually seek out that help.”

To register, visit mindsmatter.blackgirlhealthfoundation.org. For more information on Black Girl Health visit blackgirlhealth.com.

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Happy Holiday Weekend!

What are you doing this weekend?

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