Greater Harrisburg's Community Magazine
The stop sign at the corner of N. 3rd and Kelker streets in Harrisburg
Should Harrisburg proceed with a plan to remove stop signs at two intersections on N. 3rd Street?
At a City Council meeting on Tuesday night, several residents spoke out against the planned removal next week of signs at the corners of N. 3rd and Kelker streets and N. 3rd and Emerald streets.
“There are multiple playgrounds there,” said 3rd Street resident Laura Harding. “I see kids running across the street every day, multiple times a day without checking both ways.”
Currently, both intersections are all-way stops. The planned removals are only for 3rd Street. The stop signs halting traffic traveling along Kelker and Emerald streets would remain.
Residents’ remarks echoed similar concerns voiced on local social media pages in recent days, and council members said they also had been contacted by residents.
“There have been numerous emails and phone calls regarding the removal of the 3rd Street stop signs,” said council President Wanda Williams, who then announced a council hearing on the issue for Tuesday, Aug. 20, three days before the signs are slated to be removed.
Last week, residents began to notice a second sign attached to the stop sign poles, notifying people that the signs would be eliminated.
This prompted concerns about safety at those intersections, as the large Neighborhood Center playground is at the intersection at Kelker and the busy Emerald Chinese Restaurant is at the intersection at Emerald.
Some social media posts also posited a theory that the sign removals were part of the planned conversion of much of N. 2nd Street to two-way traffic, presumably because traffic displaced from 2nd Street would flow faster along the 3rd Street corridor.
However, according to city Business Administrator Marc Woolley, that is not the case. He said that the decision to remove those stop signs was made back in 2016 when the final design for the 3rd Street multimodal project was approved and that it had nothing to do with 2nd Street.
The city, he said, decided that those stop signs would no longer be necessary because the 3rd Street redesign, which includes numerous bump-outs at intersections, would have enough of a calming effect on through-traffic. And that, he said, has happened.
“It was determined that these were overused stop signs,” he said. “The bump-outs did work.”
Today, city Engineer Wayne Martin echoed that view, saying the bump-outs already have led to slower traffic along 3rd Street.
Martin also said that the signs violate the Federal Highway Administration’s “Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices,” which specifies standards for road signs. The intersections do not meet the requirements for stop signs, which must conform to certain standards for traffic volume, accidents and other criteria, he said.
He added that stop signs at intersections that don’t warrant them actually make intersections more dangerous because motorists don’t expect them, brake suddenly, and may get rear-ended.
The Kelker Street and Emerald Street signs aren’t the only ones slated for removal. Martin said that the city also plans to remove the signs at N. 3rd and Harris streets and N. 3rd and Boyd streets once those streets are repaved. The Boyd Street intersection, which is actually now a pedestrian walkway, would be replaced with a yield sign.
Martin said that he would explain the city’s reasoning for the sign removals at the council meeting on Tuesday.
“The stop signs that were installed were never warranted,” he said. “What was needed was traffic-calming, which we now have because of the bump-outs.”
Nonetheless, the city is willing to listen to the concerns of residents, Woolley said.
“We understand that people are concerned with schools and playgrounds,” he said. “We’ll take a look at that.”
The special City Council meeting on road safety and streets signs is slated for Tuesday, Aug. 20, 5:30 p.m., in City Council chambers, 10 N. 2nd St., Harrisburg.
It’s a long way down, but a great view, as a police officer goes “Over the Edge” during last year’s event.
If you’ve ever wondered what Harrisburg looks like from the top of an 18-story building, Capital Region’s Big Brothers Big Sisters can give you a bird’s-eye view of the city this October.
For a third year, supporters of the nonprofit will rappel down the Market Square Plaza building as part of their “Over the Edge” fundraiser in which participants raise $1,000 to lower themselves down the entire 220-foot-tall building.
“We’ve got a couple of people who have done it year after year, and those are individuals who truly believe in the mission,” said Krystina Shultz, the organization’s communications and marketing manager. “They’re really focused on supporting Big Brothers Big Sisters and supporting the kids in the program.”
This year, the fundraising goal is $100,000. A maximum of 76 participants each must raise a minimum of $1,000 to rappel, or the rough cost of the typical school-based match. In school-based matches, mentors engage with their mentees at school.
On the day of the event, two participants will rappel down the building at a time. Over the Edge technicians equip participants with an industrial harness and an industrial descender, allowing climbers to lower themselves down with the lever-like device. Typically, participants take 10 to 20 minutes to reach the ground, depending on whether they can brave the height to enjoy the view.
“I would say that this is probably simpler than rock climbing because the setup is intended for beginners, so you basically lower yourself with a lever,” Shultz said. “You determine your own speed.”
Fundraisers are encouraged to go above and beyond. After raising $1,200, participants can choose the song they rappel to. At $1,500, they receive a hot-and-cold branded tumbler. If they raise $2,000, they will receive an Over the Edge quarter-zip jacket.
Volunteers can be individual fundraisers or part of a corporation’s efforts. Adults who mentor with Big Brothers Big Sisters, or “bigs,” also frequently participate, including many police officers who are part of the “Bigs in Blue” program, in which local police officers mentor young people.
Corporations can also sponsor rappelers. One of the most popular corporate sponsorships is “Toss Your Boss,” in which companies nominate a top employee to go “over the edge.” A company can also sponsor a police officer from a local department to make the descent.
“We’ve never had anybody who has chickened out,” Shultz said. “Everyone is doing it because they are excited to support Big Brothers Big Sisters and check an adventure off their bucket list.
But if you don’t want to rappel down 18 stories, there are other ways to show your support. The community is welcome to donate to sponsor participants, volunteer at the event or come out and cheer rappelers on. A DJ and information stands will be at street level for spectators to enjoy.
“We really want to make sure anyone can join the fun and excitement on the ground. We welcome everyone to stop by, dance with us and the DJ and support the brave rappelers,” said Angela Linton, the organization’s events and engagement manager.
In the months leading up to the event, Big Brothers Big Sisters hosts meet-and-greet activities for participants to feel more comfortable with both Over the Edge and each other.
“The meet and greets are a great way to meet fellow ‘Edgers’ as well as network with other event volunteers or participants,” Linton said. “It’s all part of the fun.”
“Over the Edge” take place on Friday, Oct. 18, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., at the Market Square Plaza Building, 17 N. 2nd St., Harrisburg. Two lanes of N. 2nd Street will be closed from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to allow for spectators to watch the event. For more information, visit https://capbigs.org/events/over-the-edge/.
Harrisburg City Council on Tuesday night.
Harrisburg agreed on Tuesday to switch up the process of how it distributes its annual allocation of federal housing funds.
City Council unanimously passed ordinances that will substantially change how nonprofit organizations apply for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds.
Previously, community groups—called “sub-recipients”—applied for grants that were individually approved by council.
Now, the sub-recipients will have to respond to a “request for proposals” that is being issued by the city. All interested applicants then will have to attend a mandatory workshop on Sept. 10 at the city Public Works building and submit their final applications by Sept. 20.
Moreover, organizations will have to apply from two separate funding buckets.
Of the $1.94 million in total CDBG funding, the city is setting aside $100,000 for “public service activities,” which includes most programming activities. It then has allocated another $407,261 for “public improvement/public facilities,” which includes most facility and building projects.
In the past, funds for these activities had been combined into a single application process and source of funds. However, HUD recently instructed the city to separate operational projects from infrastructure projects.
“The primary reason for this change is so we can get those dollars separated properly,” said Franchon Dickinson, director of the city’s Building and Housing Department. “Nonprofits can apply for both public services and public facilities dollars, but have to apply separately.”
The city will favor applications that show that a service is new or has demonstrated a quantifiable increase in a level of service over the last 12 months, said Dickinson. In addition, she said that HUD prefers to fund senior enrichment programs or programs geared towards special needs populations.
Dickinson said that a scoring matrix will be used to judge applications and determine who will receive funding. City Council then will approve the contracts with the sub-recipients, said city Business Administrator Marc Woolley.
Other CDBG allotments included:
Representatives from several social service agencies attended Tuesday’s meeting, speaking publicly to stress how important CDBG funds are for them.
“I hope the available funding will be such that it can help groups such as CRAM,” said Juanita Grant, director of Christian Recovery Aftercare Ministry (CRAM), which assists those recently released from prison. “We really do need that money. We really do need help to help the people in the community.”
Dickinson said that the city is now conducting a reconciliation of disbursals in recent years, matching allocations with expenditures. It’s possible, she said, that additional funds could be available following the results of that reconciliation.
Several council members complained that the allocation process this year started late and now seems rushed.
Dickinson primarily blamed HUD, which she said met with city officials only in June, leading to the unexpected change in process. She pledged that next year’s process would go more smoothly.
“We’ll be ready to go early,” she said. “We should be able to provide a timeline for next year by the end of this year.”
Council President Wanda Williams urged her to begin the 2020 process as soon as possible.
“I want to make sure next year that we have this information in front of us well before we vote,” she said.
Lori Snyder’s “The Maples in Autumn”
There is something incandescent about the last art show of the summer, especially when in a packed house in the upstairs gallery and down in the G.B. Stuart Gallery of Carlisle Arts Learning Center (CALC)
On Friday night, you could hear a pin drop. The galleries were filled with art that brought its own heat. That is “Art” with a capital “A,” when it speaks for itself in hushed tones and whispers. Art that requires no fanfare at all. Its pronouncements are clear as a bell or a bulb, both in photographs and in pottery from two masters of their craft.
Home can mean a different thing to each and every one of us. For some, it is a place to hang your hat. For others, a place to kick back and relax. It can be a haven and even a bit of heaven. Home is a state of mind. Not so much what is on the inside but what awaits in the world outside.
Lori Snyder, philosophical photographer, captures it all in a new, shared exhibit that opened at CALC on Friday and runs through Sept. 21. Showcasing her as a “naturalist” photographer means more than talent due to the surroundings she captures on film. The exhibit is aptly titled “This Place I Call Home.” Her imagery transports the viewer to places reserved for peace and quiet—out in nature, the sight of the master canvas, never the same twice, always surprising.
Snyder does her best in expressing that love for nature in all its simplistic beauty. From obedient orchards to majestic mountains, fertile fields and wild waterways, all add up to indelible images that linger in our collective memory. An open field beckons with just a pair of trees in transition titled, “The Maples in Autumn.” It is the openness of space that frees the mind and the rest of the senses. To imagine the solitude felt in that moment as the light shades the area cascading through the leaves is nothing short of boundless bliss.
Sharing the stage and his love for nature—in the sense of incorporating raw materials sourced locally for his wood-fired stoneware—is potter Kurt Brantner.
Brantner’s path to pottery was a circuitous one in that his college studies at Kutztown were in fine art as a painter. However, he chose a road less traveled after taking one pottery class and becoming fascinated with the process, making it a lifelong pursuit. When one looks at the sheer magnitude of some of his larger vessels, it’s hard to fathom the skill it takes to turn clay into such a towering treasure. It is nothing short of gravity-defying art.
Brantner uses an old-world method to create his pottery, one that dates to fifth-century Japan, firing his wares with an anagama kiln. There are a number of variants employed in this labor-intensive process that takes 70 to 80 hours of firing and uses up to five cords of wood sourced from the area. The results are worthy of admiration and appreciation for the art and the artist that brought them to life. Brantner’s subtle style is that of a geologist searching for the right clay and turning it just so and firing it to its glorified end. Some of his best pieces reveal a sheen in the way the glaze elevates a simple pot to a rare thing of beauty. From everyday coffee mugs to collectible earthenware, Brantner’s range defies category, but instead creates art that speaks a language all its own. If you listen closely, a piece may speak to you.
Snyder and Brantner, two Cumberland County artists, are each experts in their own fields. One uses a camera, the other, clay, complementing and completing a circle of continuity. After all, everything in life, to a certain degree, is interrelated as CALC’s Cathy Stone shows with this collection.
We as the human race are all connected to each other on a grand scale. Or at least we should be. Art has the power to change ideologies, to shift the paradigm from fear to friendship. Art connects us in ways unimaginable and in vastly different arenas. The disciplines of art, literature, fashion, music and sports, all unique in their approach, contain unifying elements that can trigger global responses and elevate the soul of mankind to new heights. All one has to do is share from the heart.
“This Place I Call Home” runs through Sept. 21 at Carlisle Arts Learning Center, 38 W. Pomfret St., Carlisle. For more information, visit www.carlislearts.org.
“The Weekender” festival returns next week.
Was everyone on vacation this week, or did it just seem that way? Indeed, life seemed to slow down here in the dog days of summer, but the news scene was busy as always.
Aquaponics is one of the most exciting trends in agriculture, and a major facility is located right here in Harrisburg. Read how this technology is helping to reshape agriculture, while educating public school students.
Cameron Street Boxing Club houses the hopes and dreams of many of Harrisburg’s best boxers. Read our feature story about the coach, the fighters and the facility.
Capital Rebirth is dedicated to helping Harrisburg youth, scheduling two events over the next two months to further its cause. The first, a talent festival slated for Reservoir Park, is coming up soon. Get all the details here.
Dynasty Harrisburg is far more than just a cheerleading and dance gym. It’s a place where Harrisburg’s young people can gather, receive support and learn life-affirming skills. Click here to read our feature story.
Harrisburg is experiencing a rebirth of business and culture, and much of the credit goes to ordinary people who have dug deep financially to support the progress of the city, says our editor in his monthly “City View” column.
Marshall Math Science Academy hosted a STEAM camp this summer, focused on the important role of historically black colleges and universities (HCBUs). Read our feature story from the August issue.
Mount Gretna Art Show turns 45 this month and is bigger and more significant than ever. Find out how a small, quaint village fostered the growth of one of central PA’s cultural gems.
Sara Bozich has more than 100 ideas for fun things to do this weekend. So, you’d best make some room in your calendar to fit it all in. Find out what’s happening in and around town.
Vocational education is gaining renewed attention as students seek a lower-cost way to prepare for good jobs in industries that need skilled workers. Read our feature story from the August magazine.
Weekender Festival returns next week with four days of music, entertainment and education. Find out all the details about this annual event sponsored by the Harrisburg Housing Authority.
Wine is not only for drinking but now also is for speculation and investment, as PA Fine Wine and Good Spirits is allowing the purchase of select “wine futures.” Our wine columnist chimes in on this trend.
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You may remember seeing a bunch of superheroes on City Island last October and wondering, “Is there a villain in town that needs defeating?”
It may have looked like the Avengers assembled here in Harrisburg, but that wasn’t quite the case. This anti-bullying community event was sponsored by Capital Rebirth, which has more events coming soon.
“We like to find solutions to all of the issues that are happening in our community,” said Madeline Williams the marketing and media relations director at Capital Rebirth.
The organization, which is made up of seven members, seeks to educate and be a resource for families in Harrisburg, with a focus on kids. Founder and CEO Mikell Simpson explained how their focus is on unifying Harrisburg residents, rather than on one specific issue.
However, this month, Capital Rebirth is hosting a “Stop the Violence & Drug Abuse” talent festival in Reservoir Park in Harrisburg. They plan to have local vendors, poetry readings, musical performances, a fashion show and food. All of the performances will be free of references to violence, drugs and profanity—creating a positive atmosphere is important to Simpson.
“It’s entertainment with a mission behind it,” Simpson explained.
In addition to the performances, the line-up includes guest speakers from City Council, the Police Bureau and others who will talk about their personal experiences with violence prevention and the opioid epidemic.
“This isn’t the Harrisburg I grew up in” Williams said. “It’s not just a Harrisburg or central PA issue. It’s a national issue. It’s become too normal for us.”
There will also be onsite resources provided by local businesses and organizations to connect people to services that can help them with an array of issues related to substance abuse and health.
The event is free and hot dogs and hamburgers will be provided to kids.
That is a main focus of Simpson’s—serving Harrisburg kids struggling financially. This is why Capital Rebirth holds free sports camps and children’s events, so that no kid is excluded.
“These kids get left behind, because most things deal with money,” Simpson said.
Funding for all of their events comes directly from the seven members’ pockets. Since they are not yet a nonprofit—but are looking to become one soon—they don’t typically raise money for their events.
All of the members are from Harrisburg, attending Harrisburg or Susquehanna high schools. They hope to serve as role models and mentors to kids growing up similarly to the way they did.
“Many people who are fortunate to go to college or are successful from here, they up and they move,” Simpson said. “There’s not a lot of success left for the youth here to see. We want to stay here. Our whole team is living proof.”
Simpson mentioned that once they become a nonprofit, they will be able to do more of this through after-school programs, summer programs and career path coaching.
“It all goes back to our name,” Williams said. “It’s all about capital rebirth. It’s all about revitalization. We are trying to bring our area back to a place where it was before, where we felt like it was prospering and thriving.”
Capital Rebirth’s “Stop the Violence & Drug Abuse” talent festival will be held on Aug. 24, 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Reservoir Park, Harrisburg. Their second annual Anti-Bullying Superhero Day is Sept. 14, 3:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. For more information visit https://www.capitalrebirth.com.
I’m starting my weekend off with a 100-min massage in the name of #selfcare.
From there, a trip to the Market (and pick up my new Friends of the Market tote!). Andy doesn’t know it yet, but I’m definitely making lamb chops this weekend with a cucumber sauce and other fresh veggies.
On Sunday, we’re getting together with friends for an afternoon que — otherwise just soaking in the last warm and sunny days of the season!
One of many performers during last year’s Weekender festival. Photo credit: Harrisburg Housing Authority
For a second straight year, the Harrisburg Housing Authority (HHA) is bringing its resources and music to the community with its Weekender festival, a four-day celebration designed to educate, entertain and uplift.
The multi-faceted event will be packed with live performances, food and educational resources for residents.
“This was a great opportunity for us to hold a cross-venue celebration where we take our residents out into the general community and invite everyone else onto our property as well,” said Casey “Oche” Bridgeford, HHA’s director of communications and compliance.
HHA is kicking off the event with a “NetWorth” summit at the Hilton Harrisburg. The summit provides attendees with the “ins and outs of entrepreneurship and wealth-building,” according to its website. Speakers from 100 Percent Financed, Black upStart, BB&T and Penn State will host sessions on starting your own business, credit management and more.
“This is a great opportunity for them to come out and learn the nuts and bolts of getting started,” Bridgeford said. “We want to put all those resources in one place.”
Friday, the second day of the Weekender, is “Community Day,” hosted in Hall Manor. Along with music by DJ Beauty and The Beatz and Johnny Bliss, HHA will have kids’ activities, health screenings and a school supply giveaway.
The last two days are the Weekender’s “Music in the Park” in Reservoir Park. Performers include international jazz artist Laurin Talese, two-time Grammy-nominated singer Case, as well as local artists such as Lady Shakespere, Maschine Life, The Singer’s Lounge and more.
HHA started its Weekender events last year with the goal of bringing the community together and highlighting some of the programs and services that HHA offers. According to Bridgeford, HHA houses more than 5,000 residents, which amounts to about 10 percent of Harrisburg’s population. Some of the programs offered include a Summer Team Program that pays youth to work in the community doing beautification, a food pantry and a free clinic.
“It’s really an enriching experience. From the beginning to the end, [the event] is packed full of resources for attendees to enrich their lives,” Bridgeford said. “That’s what we want to do at the end of the day.”
The Weekender event runs Thursday, Aug. 15 to Sunday, Aug, 18. For more information visit www.weekenderhbg.com.
Thank you to the Sponsors:
