Art Debut: Eclectic “Energized” opens at Art Association

July 29, 2019 | by Bob MacGinnes

Have you heard the one about the three artists who walk into a “bistro” together?

The first orders a margarita and the shaker of salt goes missing. The second, a pina colada, and the rain starts to fall. And the third, a beer.

By now you’ve realized it’s 5 o’clock somewhere. At that very hour this past Friday, the new exhibit “Energized” opened at the Art Association of Harrisburg (AAH) under the auspices of CEO Carrie Wissler-Thomas and Curator Rachel O’Connor.

The point I am about to illustrate is that art and music go hand in hand. This energetic show of art featured three disparate worlds, put forth by a trio of creative composers using brushes and duct tape instead of baton and musical instruments. Although the latter was greatly in evidence too.

Artists from near and far comprised the group, starting with Mitchel Coffman, “the only living boy in New York” (thank you Paul Simon) who is showing art on a grand scale at AAH through Aug. 29. Coffman’s work is majestic in size and scope as well as in texture and tone. His deft touches with the brush and layers of paint often explore the relationships between beauty and the sexual nature of man. Dramatic intrigue is heightened by the frisson sparked by desire and attraction, often one and the same. Rich in texture, Coffman strips away the layers, deconstructing his art like peeling away the seam of vulnerability on the canvas.

Using “Every Day People” (a nod to Sly Stone) in what could be perceived as the common and mundane routines of life, like getting a trim at the barbershop, encourages the viewer to put themselves in that chair, with the easy banter between barber and customer. Or at his best with standing on a “Stoop in the Bronx” (pictured above), which shines a spotlight on the gang getting together and wanting to be a part of that scene, purely because it is a golden moment in life meant to be savored. Athletes, models and non-professional, interesting faces claim a title to Coffman’s wide range of subjects, especially boxers. But it is the rendering of all that brings a reward equal to the investment made by his audience.

Staged in the main gallery downstairs and part of the second floor, Curator O’Connor upped the ante with her ingenious use of spatial distancing, allowing Coffman and fellow artist, Rone Del Galeone (an artist’s name if ever there was one), to play off each other’s portraits and allow for needed breathing room as their energy was palpable. York-based Del Galeone brought “ed cred” (Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts) as well as “street cred” in two dramatically different approaches to her art. Portraits of children depict the formal side, with one detailed work looking like a modern day “Lord of the Flies.” In addition, some stylized portraits are equally prolific in her repertoire. An interesting group of human expression form a gentlemen’s gallery of roguish demeanors. Flip the record over to the B-side, and her too-cool-for-school “Bitch Face” series captures a culture of complaint. These numbered series are matched with an equally egalitarian array of “Mad Kids” (pictured “Mad Kid #4). All three series are numbered for anonymity’s sake (just kidding…maybe.)

Now, hold onto your senses as you may experience a spinning sensation in entering another dimension. “The room was humming harder as the ceiling flew away” (Procol Harum). We now enter the inner sanctum of Enola artist, Andrew Brodisch, and his trippy, psychedelia-personified room of duct tape-glowing tarps. LED lights made for a surreal, staccato-syncopated, strobe-lit experience back to the ‘70s as mind-expanding experimentation erupted onto the scene. Brodisch creates an intentional invitation to time travel to the era in his “Bonkerville” day glow-colored conflagration of a character comprised of equal parts Ken Kesey, Neal Cassady and Hunter S. Thompson. This work gives a whole new meaning to “jaw-dropping.” “Groovy” doesn’t even begin to capture it. More like “far out man.”

Many hands played a large part in making the afternoon-into-evening reception memorable. Sue Rothman, vice chair of the AAH board of directors, sponsored the event, as well as hosted the summer’s last show before Gallery Walk on Sept. 8. In addition, Jonathan Frazier, Renaissance man, provided the chill vibe, demonstrating temperament and talents with a kitchen sink full of musical instruments. Keyboard and guitar are only the beginning as no instrument is beyond his grasp. Kevin “Cap” Foster, gallery assistant, and Robert Potter serving at the bar rounded out the usual suspects. Thanks to Carrie Wissler-Thomas and Rachel O’Connor for an eclectic aesthetic—both kinetic and frenetic (at times) with “Energized” plugged in at AAH.

“Energized” runs through Aug. 29 at the Art Association of Harrisburg, 21 N. Front St., Harrisburg. For more information, visit www.artassocofhbg.com.

The Week That Was: News and features around Harrisburg

July 26, 2019 | by Lawrance Binda

Recycle Bicycle’s current home in the Atlas Street warehouse.

It may be mid-summer in the Harrisburg area, but the flow of news continues to be brisk. It’s time to catch up on any of our stories that you may have missed from the past week.

Bethesda Mission will host a vegan meal next month, thanks to Animal Advocates of Central PA. It will be the second time this year that the York-based group will prepare a meal for mission residents. Click here for the details.

Harris Tower Railway Museum may be one of Harrisburg’s best-kept secrets, a pocket-sized tribute to the city’s rail history. Learn about the museum and the men who toiled to preserve the fully restored switch tower.

Harrisburg is weighing selling its water and sewer system, issuing a request for information from interested parties. This move came as a surprise to Capital Region Water, the current system operator. Click here for the story and for CRW’s response.

Harrisburg Opera Association is planning two events next month: a concert in Italian Lake Park and mainstage production at Messiah College. Click here for all the high notes.

Harrisburg Police Bureau is hosting a citywide National Night Out event next month. The celebration, supported by several community organizations, will take place at Camp Curtin Academy. Click here for the details.

Harrisburg University broke ground this week on its new, 17-story academic tower, hotel and restaurant complex at S. 3^rd and Chestnut streets in downtown Harrisburg. The building is expected to take two years to complete. Read the details here.

Pablo Picasso is in town—or at least his prints are. The Susquehanna Art Museum has on loan a collection of Picasso prints from a New York gallery, and you can see them for yourself for the next two months. Find out what our art columnist thinks.

Recycle Bicycle needs to find a place for its operations, as its current Atlas Street warehouse location has sold. The nonprofit has been saving money and hopes to purchase a permanent home. Read the story here.

Sara Bozich has her usual long list of fun things to do around the Harrisburg area this weekend, with a focus on outdoor festivals. Learn about all the happenings here.

Shalom House has begun a construction project that will convert the former Unitarian Church of Harrisburg into a community center. Capital Area Head Start also will take space in the Market Street building on Allison Hill. Click here for our story.

VeggieFest returns next month to Strawberry Square, featuring vegetarian and vegan cuisine and lifestyles. Find out all the information here.

Do you receive TheBurg Daily, our daily digest of news and events? If not, subscribe here!

Capital Region Water says costs could increase, service deteriorate under privatization

July 26, 2019 | by Lawrance Binda

Capital Region Water workers replace a water main on Swatara Street in Harrisburg last year.

Capital Region Water this afternoon issued a response to Harrisburg’s proposal to sell the municipal water and sewer system, saying that privatization often has led to higher prices for consumers.

In a statement, CRW said that customers could experience higher bills and reduced service if the system were sold to a private entity.

“Given that most research shows rates increase approximately 60 percent when similar publicly-owned utilities are privatized, it is difficult, especially at this early stage, to understand how a plan like this benefits ratepayers,” said the statement, credited to “Capital Region Water and its board of directors.” “When ownership and operational control of water and wastewater systems remain local, customers experience better customer relations, better rates and higher quality products and services.”

CRW did not cite the source of the research.

This morning, TheBurg broke the news that the city had issued request for information, asking qualified private entities to indicate their interest in potentially buying all of the city’s water and sewer assets.

Companies have until Sept. 16 to respond. Interviews would be held the following week, possibly followed by a more formal bidding process.

In an interview last night, Mayor Eric Papenfuse told TheBurg that the move was prompted by the city’s loss of confidence in CRW’s ability to manage complex infrastructure projects, as well as his objection to a proposed stormwater fee, which CRW hopes to implement beginning Jan. 1.

“This [request for information] is to explore interest,” he said. “We may or may not decide to do it.”

In its statement, CRW defended its actions since its formation more than six years ago, when it took control of the city’s water and sewer system from the discredited Harrisburg Authority.

“Since 2013, Capital Region Water has been working to advance a plan that is fair and equitable to ratepayers while also meeting state and federal regulatory clean water requirements,” CRW said. “And we’re making progress. You can see investments and improvements made in every corner of our city and throughout our system regionally.”

CRW expects to spend more than $300 million over the next 20 years to meet EPA-mandated improvements to reduce the flow of wastewater and pollution into area waterways. The utility is currently under a federal consent decree to stem pollutants.

Perhaps most visibly, CRW has implementing catch basins and green areas around storm drains as part of the 3^rd Street corridor project.

“We need to build on this good work and continue with a community-based approach that restores our failing infrastructure, improves the health of our local waterways, and beautifies neighborhoods across Harrisburg and surrounding communities,” according to the statement. “As we always do, we look forward to working with the mayor and city council on our shared priority to ensure our communities grow and thrive.”

Read the city’s request for information.

Ready, Set, Build: Harrisburg University marks start of tower project with groundbreaking.

July 26, 2019 | by Yaasmeen Piper

City, Harrisburg University and project officials turned the dirt this morning at the ceremonial groundbreaking of HU’s new downtown tower.

It was all smiles in downtown Harrisburg this morning, as elected and Harrisburg University officials broke ground on HU’s 17-story tower.

Located at S. 3rd and Chestnut streets, the $130 million, 386,208-square-foot building will house HU’s new Health and Science Education Center, which will be home to at least 1,000 health science, advanced manufacturing and interactive media students.

“This project represents a major step forward for the university,” said Eric Darr, president of HU. “Not just because of the facility itself but because it represents a major movement in health care and health sciences for the university.”

The tower (rendering pictured) will also include a separately owned hotel, as well as a restaurant. The 10-story hotel, operated by Hersha Hospitality Management (HHM), will hold 197 rooms and front Chestnut Street. A $1.5 million restaurant will occupy the ground floor of the building. The restaurant operator has yet to be announced.

City Council approved the building’s land development last month, following a lengthy planning process that cut down the height of the tower by about half, as well as some disagreement with the city over the building design. Still, at 265 feet, the building will become the fourth-tallest in Harrisburg.

“These kinds of impactful projects will create a migratory moment and a real reflection of the development of this university,” said Jay Shah, CEO of HHM.

Shah and Darr say the building will not only benefit students but will support economic and workforce development in Harrisburg.

According to Mayor Eric Papenfuse, Harrisburg has more than $1 billion worth of projects planned for the next few years, including the new, $195 million federal courthouse taking shape at N. 6th and Reily streets.

“It really speaks to the confidence which the university and other investors have that Harrisburg is going to continue to grow,” Papenfuse said. “We are emerging from a time of financial distress to a time of great possibility for the city.”

The HU building is expected to open in fall 2021.

Harrisburg considers selling water, sewer system; asks interested parties to respond

July 26, 2019 | by Lawrance Binda

A file photo of Capital Region Water replacing a sewer pipe on Green Street in Harrisburg.

Harrisburg is considering privatizing its water and sewer system, asking qualified companies to submit letters of interest to the city.

The “request for information” is designed to gauge market interest and ascertain preliminary qualifications, a first step in potentially selling the system, said Mayor Eric Papenfuse.

“I’m not saying we’re going to do it,” Papenfuse said. “But if it seems beneficial, then we’ll take it to the next step.”

Letters of interest are due to the city by the end-of-day, Sept. 16, potentially followed by interviews and a formal bidding process.

Capital Region Water (CRW) currently operates the city’s water/sewer system, overseen by a five-member volunteer board appointed by the city. The municipal utility was established in 2013 following the dissolution of the former operator, the Harrisburg Authority. If the city sells the system, CRW would be dissolved.

Papenfuse said that the decision to explore privatization was prompted by the city’s dissatisfaction with CRW. He strongly objects to CRW’s proposal to implement a stormwater fee, which would initiate a new fee for most customers starting on Jan. 1. Under the proposal, customers would pay a fee of $72 a year or $6.15 per month, money designed to fund improvements to the city’s aging stormwater system and reduce the flow of toxins into streams and the Susquehanna River.

Papenfuse said that he also considers the Front Street interceptor project, which was delayed several times last year, to be a “complete boondoggle,” and charged that CRW lacks a firm plan to bring the city into compliance with a federal partial consent decree to reduce pollution into area waterways.

“I have concerns about Capital Region Water’s ability to manage the projects they do have planned,” Papenfuse said. “I want to explore if a private company can do a better job.”

Marc Kurowski, chairman of the CRW board, said that he was surprised by the city’s exploration of a sale, which he learned about on Thursday afternoon, just hours before Harrisburg publicly posted the request for information notice on its website. CRW officials and the board now need to discuss the matter and decide what to do next, he said.

“We were not part of the conversation or discussion that prompted this to happen,” he said. “We need to do some homework and figure out what it means and figure out what the next course of action is.”

If the system is sold, the buyer would get access to about 20,300 water customers, primarily in the city limits, and a 17,000-connection wastewater system that serves Harrisburg and several surrounding municipalities.

A buyer also would receive all assets currently owned and operated by CRW, including the stormwater infrastructure, a wastewater treatment facility, five pumping stations and the 6-billion-gallon capacity DeHart Reservoir.

“This is not a bid situation yet,” Papenfuse said. “We are only asking companies if they have an interest and the expertise.”

Click here to read the city’s “Request for Letter of Interest.”

Uphill Climb: Recycle Bicycle must pedal quickly to find new home.

July 25, 2019 | by Maddie Conley

The exterior of the Atlas Street warehouse, the current home of Recycle Bicycle.

Recycle Bicycle has been putting wheels to pavement for over 20 years, but the nonprofit now has to roll out and find a new place to call home.

For the past four years, the community group has operated out of an old warehouse on the 2200-block of Atlas Street in Harrisburg. But the building recently sold, leaving founder Ross Willard with the task of having to relocate–quickly.

“I would like to find a permanent home right away,” he said.

Recycle Bicycle serves the community by giving bicycles to those in need of one and by training people to be able to build and repair their own bikes. They receive unwanted or abandoned bikes and also register them with the Harrisburg Police Bureau. Willard has been retired for years, but he runs the shop like a full-time job, with volunteers from the community to help out.

At Atlas Street, Recycle Bicycle has paid no rent, so was able to save up about $150,000—a majority from donations. However, they were never able to find a suitable building to purchase.

“We’ve been aggressively looking for a new place since 2017,” said Jenifer Donnelly, a volunteer of four years. “We’ve been campaigning for capital.”

It’s been about six weeks since Willard got the news that they needed to move out, and he’s been up and down the city hunting for somewhere to house the hundreds of bikes currently in their shop.

“Are you familiar with every back alley in the city?” he said jokingly. “Because I am!”

Ross Willard stands near a pile of donated bicycles.

They have some prospects right now, like an old post office, a former machine shop and some warehouses, but they’ve been getting a few no’s and a lot of unanswered calls. Willard estimated that he’s toured the insides of about a dozen places.

He hope to find a building ranging from 5,000 to 6,000 square feet and also emphasized the necessity of it being on a slow, safe street for young riders.

Willard has already started clearing out bikes, but you can hardly tell. A mountain of donated bikes fills the first floor. If they don’t find a place before they’re forced to leave, they may have to revert to operating as a mobile repair shop, Willard explained.

In order to clear out the warehouse, Recycle Bicycle is working even harder to find other agencies and organizations to give bikes to. However, all the bikes they give out need to be repaired and ready to use safely, he explained. Because of this, Willard is in need of more volunteers.

The move is no small feat. It took 30 days to move everything into the current warehouse, and Willard expects no less this time around. He is hopeful that he will find a place soon, so he can get back to his main focus—making bikes safe for Harrisburg kids.

“We’ve outlasted a lot of other nonprofits in the area,” he explained. “Now, we need a place that’s going to outlast us.”

Recycle Bicycle is located at 2266 Atlas St. Harrisburg. For more information, visit https://recyclebicycleharrisburg.org/.

Harrisburg Police make plans for National Night Out, hope to bring together community

July 25, 2019 | by Hanna Martin

A girl has her face painted during last year’s National Night Out.

In its beginning nearly four decades ago, National Night Out consisted of people turning on their front lights, sitting on their porches and joining their neighbors in a town watch.

Today, the event has grown to unify communities and law enforcement nationwide in picnics, games and more.

Next month, the Harrisburg Police Bureau will host its second annual National Night Out. This year, the event will be held at the Camp Curtin Academy football field.

“[National Night Out] is really our heart and our passion,” said Blake Lynch, Harrisburg community policing coordinator. “[We want] to reach out to communities that are often forgotten. We want to make sure that we’re interacting in a positive light all around the city and that everyone has access to engage in a positive light.”

Like last year, the event will have free hot dogs, chips, Farm Show milkshakes, Kona ice and Hershey’s ice cream for people to enjoy. Community groups, including the Boys and Girls Club, Salvation Army, Friends of Midtown, UPMC Pinnacle, Rite Aid and many others, will have stands with information and giveaways. There will also be games and activities for children, such as bounce houses.

New this year are flyovers from the PA State Police helicopters and armored vehicles from the Dauphin County Community Emergency Response Team.

Last year, the Harrisburg Police Bureau was one of seven police departments nationwide to win the National Association of Town Watch Rookie of the Year award for the event. About 1,500 people attended, which Lynch hopes will grow to 2,000 this year.

“I’m pretty excited,” he said. “We’re looking to make it even bigger and better this year.”

In addition to the citywide event, some neighborhoods will continue to hold their own get-togethers, Lynch said.

Lynch said that he hopes National Night Out will strengthen community relationships, especially with local law enforcement and get neighbors to interact with each other, community groups and the police force.

“It’s about building positive community engagement and relationships,” he said. “The public gets to see the police in a different light. There’s a positive side of policing, which allows people to see that officers are just trying to do a good job, get out and meet people, and grow relationships and build a stronger, positive presence.”

National Night Out takes place Aug. 6 from 5 to 9 p.m. at the Camp Curtin Academy football field. For more information, visit the city’s website or the National Night Out website.

Weekend Roundup with Sara Bozich

July 25, 2019 | by Sara Bozich

Happy Weekend!

I’m back! Come see us in SoMa tonight for our SoMa Block Party! FREE to attend; pay-as-you-go! Friday is chill but Saturday we’re working then have a sitter and are heading to Lancaster for a date afternoon/night. Sunday is the Serb Picnic at Jimi’s church, and Bo and I need our çevapes!

What are you doing this weekend?

(more…)

Vegan meal, with a side of personal triumph, on the menu at Bethesda Mission

July 23, 2019 | by Maddie Conley

The serving line at Bethesda Mission during a vegan meal prepared by Animal Advocates of South Central PA last winter.

Seth Dellinger remembers the day he was dropped off at Bethesda Mission.

He was a recovering alcoholic, fresh out of rehab. He didn’t stay long, but his experience stayed with him. Now, he’s going back.

“Being able to go back there and help people in the same psychological place as me is important to me,” said Dellinger, director of community engagement at Animal Advocates of South Central PA.

Dellinger and a small group of five from Animal Advocates (pictured) will be serving a completely vegan meal to around 200 residents of the mission. It will include vegan chili, vegetables and other side dishes. They first served at Bethesda in January and decided to return on Aug. 10.

Animal Advocates is a York-based group with a mission to spread the practice of veganism in the area, Dellinger explained. They do this through outreach at fairs, vegan challenges, coaching and volunteer days at animal shelters and rescue missions.

Dellinger explained that one of the main criticisms vegans face is the allegation that they don’t care enough about people. The meal at Bethesda is one way to show that, while they do focus their attention on animals, they care a great deal about people, as well.

Bethesda Mission communications specialist Jessica Henry was grateful to hear the group was returning, especially during a time of year when volunteer participation can decrease.

“To have them in the summer when people aren’t necessarily thinking about shelters is really helpful,” she said. “We are happy to have them again.”

Although Animal Advocates is serving a vegan meal, the goal is not necessarily to persuade any Bethesda residents to become vegan, Dellinger said.

“It’s more about something we are able to do to help them that is in our own ethics,” he said. “No animals are being killed in that meal.”

He noted that, in January, almost all residents said that they enjoyed the meal.

Dellinger also pointed out that veganism doesn’t mean you have to purchase expensive specialty foods from vegan retailers–that it can be affordable.

“Rice is vegan, apples are vegan, you can eat healthy very inexpensively,” he said. “In a way, [the meal] is to demonstrate that vegan food is for everyone.”

Bethesda Mission is located at 611 Reily St., Harrisburg. For more information, visit https://www.animaladvocatesscpa.com/ or https://www.bethesdamission.org/.

Harris Tower Museum is a tribute to local rail history — and to the men who helped preserve it.

July 23, 2019 | by Maddie Conley

John Smith and Dan Rapak stand in front of the large interlocking machine inside Harris Tower.

Rounding the corner onto Walnut Street in Harrisburg, I could see the Harris Tower out of the corner of my eye. It’s one of those places I’d seen before in passing and recognized, but never really gave a second glance.

The tour began as soon as I walked up to the building. John Smith welcomed me and assured me he had turned the AC on over the weekend so it would be cool enough on this day that was already pushing 90 degrees.

As Harrisburg Chapter president of the National Railway Historical Society (NRHS), Smith knows his stuff, and he wasted no time taking me inside to show off the 90-year-old building.

“Railroads built this country,” Smith said. “Towers like these at one time dotted the landscape.”

Harris Tower once functioned as a command center of sorts for railways in Harrisburg, controlling how track connections moved, allowing trains to pass through safely. During the height of rail travel, more than 120 trains passed through the Harrisburg station each day, Smith explained.

In 1991, the tower shut down, but, a few years later, the Harrisburg Chapter of the NRHS began restoration of the building, with hopes to showcase the heyday of Harris Tower circa the 1940s.

“There were literally foot-long strips of paint hanging from the ceiling when we started,” said Dan Rapak, a long-time member of the NRHS.

The exterior of Harris Tower in Harrisburg.

The main attraction at the small museum is a large interlocking machine, which takes up most of the upstairs space. Rapak was instrumental in getting the machine functioning again as it did years ago—this time as a simulation.

When Rapak and his buddy Jeff Vinton began work on the machine, they had no previous experience. Both were engineers working at a television station in New Jersey at the time, but never touched a piece of equipment like this. All they had was a love of trains and the determination to get the machine up and running.

Smith remembered seeing parts—panels and levers—lying all over the floor. “Guys from the chapter thought, ‘Do these guys know what they’re doing?’” he said.

The interlocking machine has come a long way from a mess of scattered parts on a grease-stained floor. Visitors to the museum can now interact with the machine by guiding simulated trains through a course on the same schedule they would’ve run in years past.

Now it was my turn. With more than 470 indicator lights on the board, Rapak graciously pointed out the ones I needed to pay attention to as I turned the levers, switching imaginary tracks and guiding my train on its way.

To get the Harris Tower back to a functioning state, where visitors could be part of the railway action, it’s taken Smith and Rapak thousands of hours. Not to mention all the time other volunteers have given.

“Anything you see in here that’s brass, I’ve polished it,” Smith said.

A quick scan of the room, and I could see that was no small feat as there were brass knobs, hinges and detail everywhere.

I wondered—why would these guys put in so many hours to this tiny brick building that was just a small part of railroad history? But then Rapak told me the story of Don Rittler, a former train director in Harris Tower who has since passed away.

He painted a picture of Rittler, who was 82 at the time and going in for a double-knee replacement in a couple of weeks. Rapak remembers him hobbling up the staircase to the upstairs room as he started up the interlocking machine. Rittler directed trains just as he had done during his years working at the tower.

“I remember he hung his head and said, ‘I keep looking back [out the window] for the trains,’” Rapak said. “If you can fool someone that’s worked there for 40 years, we’ve got it pretty spot on.”

Seeing visitors, young and old, interact with the tower is exactly why Smith and Rapak are so invested.

“It’s not only about preserving it, but experiencing it,” Rapak said.

The Harris Tower Railway Museum is located at 637 Walnut St., Harrisburg. It is open Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., through the end of October. Admission is free. For more information, see visit https://www.harristower.org/or https://www.harrisburgnrhs.org/.

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