Just a little wet, joyful crowd cheers Death Cab for Cutie in Riverfront Park

June 20, 2019 | by Yaasmeen Piper

In the twilight, a crowd cheers as Death Cab for Cutie plays in Riverfront Park in Harrisburg.

The rains fell early, but wet clothes and mud-soaked shoes were not enough to dampen enthusiasm for Death Cab for Cutie on Wednesday night.

Thousands of people gathered in Riverfront Park, a mix of generations, some sporting sleeve tattoos and flower crowns, others wearing button-downs and slacks. Some came from out of town, but many walked to the concert from their houses and apartments in Harrisburg. In any case, everyone was itching to see the band–and, like magic, the skies cleared up just in time.

“Death Cab for Cutie is one of the top six alternative bands of all time. They’re up there with U2, Coldplay and a bunch of others,” said Frank Schofield, director of live entertainment and media services for Harrisburg University, which organized the concert. “We’re just happy they came in to be part of this moment for us.”

Following well-received opener Bad Bad Hats and without an introduction (because, do they really need one?), the Grammy-nominated band fell into their song, “I Dreamt We Spoke Again.” Many of their songs from the night were from their latest album, “Thank You for Today.” The band’s unwavering energy kept the audience up and moving for almost two hours, even through some of their more mellow tunes.

Lead singer Benjamin Gibbard moved up, down and around the stage, often smiling and singing with his bandmates. Keyboardist Zac Rae, sporting a Claude Monet-esque beard, stood through some songs, leading the audience on clapping to the beat. For some songs, the band extended their instruments forward, prompting cheers from the crowd.

Death Cab for Cutie on Wednesday night.

Their ending song, “We Look Like Giants,” featured a red, purple and blue light show flashing all over the crowd and the stage. Gibbard held his guitar in the air singing the ending lyrics, “And I held you closer…”

But the audience wasn’t done yet. Shouts of “encore,” and “one more song,” got the band back on stage. They played three more songs, including a solo rendition of “I’ll Follow You Into The Dark,” from Gibbard.

“I love that they came to Harrisburg because it’s way more convenient and the fact that it’s an outdoor concert is way more fun,” said concertgoer Grace Moe. “Rain or shine, it’s still a lot of fun to hang out and have a good time.”

The Death Cab for Cutie show is a part of Harrisburg University’s Concert Series. The university previously hosted artists such as Kurt Vile, The Record Company and Joan Osborne. Next up is Chris Pureka on July 12 at Greystone Public House.

For information on upcoming shows, visit concertseries.harrisburgu.edu.

Mostly Toasted makes a cheesy debut as Broad Street Market’s newest food choice

June 20, 2019 | by Maddie Conley

It wasn’t even noon, and already a line had formed on the first day of business at Mostly Toasted, the newest vendor at the Broad Street Market.

The Broad Street Market is known for its unique array of cuisines from around the world.

The market’s newest business, Mostly Toasted, is taking it back to the basics of Americana.

Mother-daughter duo Sally and Jewel Shanahan are the artists behind the gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches being served up, starting today.

“I started cooking sandwiches because I’m a mom,” Sally said, as she juggled an early rush of customers to her new stand. “Kids like grilled cheese sandwiches, so I just started playing around with them.”

Mostly Toasted’s menu features sandwiches stuffed with more than just cheese. There are seven options to choose from.

The “Bold and Beautiful” is piled with cheddar merlot, steak, onions and asparagus, while the “Johnny Appleseed” adds a fruity flavor combining Havarti, bacon and granny smith apples. Grilled cheese prices range from $7.50 to $8.95.

“I heard they were coming a few months ago—and I’ve been excited ever since,” said Samay Sappal, one of the first customers to order. “It’s real cheese. You can’t go wrong.”

Sally confirmed that all of their products are locally sourced and the main ingredient, cheese, comes from grass-fed cows. Focusing on organic and sustainable products and practices, Mostly Toasted uses many compostable food service items as well, such as their cups and paper bags that can be composted in the organics bin next to their stand.

“The Broad Street Market is so cool, and that’s why I’m so excited to be here,” Sally said. “I’m 50 years old, and I’m finally doing something I’m excited to do for work.”

Mostly Toasted is located towards the back of the brick building of the Broad Street Market in Harrisburg. For more information, visit their Facebook page.

Weekend Roundup with Sara Bozich

June 20, 2019 | by Sara Bozich

Happy Weekend!

Need something to do tonight?? Voodoo Brewery is at sip @ soma and we still have spots for the 8 p.m. seating! FREE rez, pay-as-you-go, Bricco delivery menu, I’ll be there, yada.

I’m super stoked to be joining fellow blogger/influencers beforehand at Neighbors & Smith’s special event (and I plan on bringing some of ya’ll downtown with me) to check out the brand new building in downtown Camp Hill. Follow me on IG for the preview, then visit this Saturday for the grand opening or anytime after!

3rd in the Burg is Friday with loads to do city-wide. May we suggest spending it in SoMa with sip @ soma with Voodoo, shop Stash x Midtown Dandy, then dinner at El Sol or Bricco?

You’ll also want to check out Steelton Fest on Saturday — we have a bunch of great local vendors providing craft beer, wine, and cocktails — plus there’s loads of live music, food trucks, and more.

On Sunday, how ’bout a trip to Carlisle to check out Music & Mimosas Brunch at Grand Illusion Cider?

What are you doing this weekend?

(more…)

Harrisburg officially picks up Steelton as new trash customer

June 19, 2019 | by Maddie Conley

Harrisburg Mayor Eric Papenfuse, surrounded by city and Steelton officials, announced a new intergovernmental agreement on Wednesday.

Usually, Harrisburg’s mayor doesn’t intentionally stand in front of trash trucks for photo ops, but this day was different.

Both Harrisburg and Steelton officials gathered at the city’s Public Works building late on Wednesday to officially announce their new intergovernmental sanitation agreement.

Last night, Harrisburg City Council voted unanimously to allow the city to begin collecting Steelton’s residential trash and recycling starting the week of July 1.

“This was an opportunity we were really pleased to grab hold of and work together on,” Mayor Eric Papenfuse said.

Steelton Council President Brian Proctor said that he was the first to approach Harrisburg officials with the idea of joining forces after borough residents voiced complaints about the service provided by their long-time hauler, Republic Services. They also were staring at a significant price increase from $24.45 to as high as $39.45 per month for trash collection.

“The borough of Steelton listened to its residents—and we listened to our residents,” Papenfuse said.

Steelton residents will now pay $25 a month for trash pickup compared to the $32.34 Harrisburg city residents pay.

Papenfuse explained that this discrepancy is due to the much higher “tipping fee” that Harrisburg pays for refuse disposal at the Lancaster County Solid Waste Management Authority (LCSWMA) facility in south Harrisburg.

Public Works Director Aaron Johnson emphasized that the new agreement will not cause a shortage of employees in Harrisburg.

“It’s my belief that we can do this better than anyone,” added Deputy Director David West.

Local officials from both municipalities said they were pleased at how quickly the agreement came together since the process began less than a month ago.

“To get two municipal councils to work together in a few weeks is remarkable,” Papenfuse said.

Steelton residents can expect welcome letters, and an initial quarterly bill, to be sent out in July, along with the dimensions and models of their new trashcans, Papenfuse said.

Steelton Planning Commission Chairman Dennis Heefner summed up the end result in a simple way–better service for borough residents.

“I’m just happy they will take their time and empty the trash,” he said.

Harrisburg will provide sanitation services to Steelton under new intergovernmental agreement

June 18, 2019 | by Lawrance Binda

Members of Harrisburg City Council in session on Tuesday night.

Harrisburg soon will provide sanitation services to Steelton, as the city on Tuesday night agreed to begin trash collection in the neighboring borough.

Harrisburg City Council unanimously voted to enter into an intergovernmental agreement so that the city will begin picking up Steelton’s residential trash and recyclables starting the week of July 1.

Steelton’s council approved the same agreement on Monday night.

“This is a really exciting and positive development for the city of Harrisburg and the borough of Steelton,” said Harrisburg Mayor Eric Papenfuse.

Borough Manager Doug Brown said that Steelton wanted to make the change because of residents’ dissatisfaction with the service provided by long-time hauler Republic Services, as well as a proposed price increase by the company.

“It was significantly more money,” Brown said. “That, plus the problematic service we were getting.”

Therefore, Steelton had the idea of approaching Harrisburg to see if the city had the interest and ability to take on its trash removal.

Harrisburg Public Works Director Aaron Johnson described the arrangement as “all positive,” since Steelton’s trash has been picked up on Wednesdays, the one day when Harrisburg has enough spare capacity to handle the borough’s 2,500 residential customers.

“It couldn’t happen on a better day,” he said. “For us, it’s just like adding another route.”

The agreement calls only for residential, not commercial, trash pickup, which is handled privately in Steelton.

Papenfuse said that Harrisburg does not expect to have to add any personnel or equipment to handle Steelton’s trash, because Wednesday has been a slow day for the city’s sanitation workforce.

Under the agreement, Steelton households will pay Harrisburg $25 a month for pickup, or $300 per year. Residents now pay Republic $24.45 a month, but that price would have increased by $13 to $15 a month under the company’s renewal proposal, Brown said.

Papenfuse declined to describe the agreement as a potential revenue generator for the city, but said it would offset some costs.

“It will pay for part of our employees’ time and the truck’s time, which will free up money for other uses,” he said.

Papenfuse also pointed out the turnabout from several years ago, when, under the “Harrisburg Strong” financial recovery plan, the city almost privatized its trash pickup to Republic Services. City Council pushed back on the deal brokered by then-Mayor Linda Thompson, and sanitation remained a city-provided service.

Notably, the sanitation charge for Steelton residents will be less than that for Harrisburg residents, who receive a monthly sanitation bill of $32.34. The difference, Papenfuse told council, is due to the vastly different amounts that the two municipalities pay for refuse disposal at the Lancaster County Solid Waste Management Authority (LCSWMA) facility in south Harrisburg.

Steelton pays a “tipping fee” of $85 per ton, while Harrisburg, due to the terms of its agreement with LCSWMA that helped resolve its financial crisis, pays $195 per ton.

The agreement reached between Harrisburg and Steelton is only a temporary measure that runs through Dec. 31. Both municipalities will need to hammer out a longer-term deal in the fall.

Council members said they were pleased with the agreement, both because it represented an efficient use of the city’s resources and because it offered a rare example of cooperation and shared services between local governments.

“It seems like a no brainer,” said Councilwoman Danielle Bowers. “I hope this is the first of many cooperation agreements between us and neighboring municipalities.”

Harrisburg and Steelton officials plan to make a formal announcement of their agreement during a press conference tomorrow afternoon.

Ice Cream & an Idea: Young photographer makes impression with whimsical style

June 18, 2019 | by Hanna Martin

When Devin DePamphilis heard he had won first place in a prestigious art competition, he was shocked.

The recent Harrisburg Academy graduate didn’t expect to score the top spot, let alone see his work displayed in the Cannon Tunnel, a pedestrian walkway that leads to the U.S. Capitol Building.

DePamphilis’ winning photograph, “Jumping in Ice Cream,” depicts two miniature figurine children enjoying a swim in a fake cup of spilled ice cream. One figure is balanced precariously on a spoon, while the other stands behind with his hands on his hips.

“It’s honestly pretty awesome, but at the same time, I don’t know if I should be up here,” DePamphilis (above) said about winning the 10^th Congressional District’s 2019 Congressional High School Art Competition. “Because although I won, I’m a little embarrassed.”

DePamphilis started creating art when he was only 3 years old during art classes at Harrisburg Academy.

When he was older, he started taking art classes with the Paxtang Art Association, studying mostly drawing and painting under Nick Feher, a local artist and teacher.

At age 11, he participated in the “Photography for Kids” program, an introduction to photography camp at Wildwood Park taught by Charlie Smith, a local photographer. There, he realized his love for photography, especially wildlife photography.

“Since then, I started to enter some contests and noticed I was winning, so that gave me a lot of encouragement, in addition to the encouragement my parents and teachers give me,” DePamphilis said.

Although his main interest lies in abstract, architectural and wildlife photography, he recently has taken an interest in photographing miniature scenes with food, everyday objects and miniature model figurines, typically used for model trains and villages. After completing several assignments with the figurines, he spotted a cup of fake ice cream and got an idea.

“Jumping in Ice Cream”

“I just thought that it would be pretty neat to incorporate my figures into the ice cream because it’s already fake, and you don’t have to mess around with it,” he said. “It’s not messy.”

So, he connected with Smith, who had taught him for seven summers, and asked to borrow two swimmer figurines. After a trip to pick up the figurines, DePamphilis set up his uncle’s professional lighting equipment and got to work.

However, his subjects were not so willing to cooperate.

“I took many, many photos to get the one I really liked,” DePamphilis said. “It was very difficult to get the kid who’s standing on the edge of the spoon to stay. I used this temporary glue, and he just kept falling. I was getting a little bit frustrated with that.”

His persistence and perfectionism has paid off. In addition to winning the Congressional High School Art Competition, he has also won Scholastic Art Awards, including winning a National Medal, Pennsylvania Farm Show photography ribbons and many other awards.

However, he often remains surprised by his own talent.

“The funny thing is, I don’t think that they’re good photos until I put them up on my computer,” he said. “I just think, ‘Oh well, I think I might have gotten a good one in there,’ and don’t really think much of it. Then I pull up the photographs on a larger screen and I’m like—holy crap.”

“Seeing Green”

Additionally, DePamphilis’ popular photograph of a frog, titled “Seeing Green,” was sold at Harrisburg Academy’s spring gala for more than $300. He has also donated work to Caitlin’s Smiles, a nonprofit that helps children with chronic or life-threatening conditions.

Though already an accomplished artist, DePamphilis is weighing a more practical career as he gears up to attend the University of Pittsburgh this fall. Under consideration: a career in dentistry.

History Restored: HHA, Midtown Action Council repair, replace Harrisburg history markers

June 18, 2019 | by Maddie Conley

The timeworn historical marker for the Payne-Shoemaker Building on N. 3rd Street sits temporarily in the Historic Harrisburg Resource Center awaiting refurbishment.

If you want to know which famous author visited Harrisburg in 1842, you can venture over to Market Square, near the site that once housed the Eagle Hotel.

There, you’ll discover one of the 113 historical signs scattered throughout the city, chock full of tidbits from Harrisburg’s past. Originally part of the “Harrisburg History Project,” many of these aging, worn-out signs are now being refurbished, thanks to Historic Harrisburg Association and the Midtown Action Council.

Spoiler alert—the author was Charles Dickens.

Originally installed between 2002 and 2004, most of the signs are badly in need of repair and replacement. The city replaced 30 of the panels in late 2017, but many others need work.

“The city was wonderful in allowing us to keep them up to date,” said David Morrison, executive director of HHA.

HHA currently has 40 panels to be replaced, 10 of which were ordered new and 30 that were found in storage. They will also be getting new stands for some of the signs, which have been damaged, hit by cars or aged over time.

Historical markers can be found all over the city, including in such areas as Midtown, downtown and Allison Hill. They include images from the state Archives accompanied by text highlighting historical sites and buildings.

“It’s available 24/7,” Morrison said. “It’s not like a museum that locks up at night.”

This new replacement panel soon will be inserted into the State Arsenal marker.

Harrisburg historian Jeb Stuart, who writes the text for each marker, explained the two-fold purpose the signs serve. They educate Harrisburg residents and visitors on the history of the city and provide a tourist destination.

“This is one of the most extensive systems anywhere for a city of this size,” said Stuart.

For the refurbishing, a majority of the funds have come through a Dauphin County gaming grant, which awarded Midtown Action Council $13,652 last year for the project. However, further fundraising will be needed to complete the replacement.

Morrison and Stuart hinted at the possibility of one or two new historical markers, but haven’t released information on that yet.

The markers hopefully help to brand Harrisburg as having a lot of history out there,” Stuart said. “A lot of people look at them.”

Now that’s a good sign.

Receiver Samuels pledges transparency, collegiality in first school board meeting under her leadership

June 17, 2019 | by Maddie Crocenzi

The Harrisburg school district’s newly appointed receiver, Dr. Janet Samuels, pledged collaboration with the school board, staff members and the larger community during the district’s first school board meeting under state control.

Samuels (pictured at microphone) was appointed as receiver Monday afternoon by Dauphin County Judge William Tully. The three-year appointment requested by the state Department of Education gives Samuels tremendous power to run the district, including responsibility for most educational, administrative and financial policies and decisions.

From the beginning, Samuels ran the meeting differently than board meetings were run previously, stating that she wants the district to operate efficiently and cost effectively. Staff members from the school district read agenda items that related to their departments, and Samuels said that she expects staff members to come to school board meetings.

“One of the things that is expected is members of the staff will read recommendations, but they will also be expected to do homework,” she said. “It is the expectation they are taking copious notes and that we follow up with members of the public.”

Throughout the meeting, Samuels asked staffers to provide rationale for agenda items for greater transparency with the public. She also made notes to address public questions and included costs, funding sources and terms of contracts in the agenda.

In an effort for transparency, the agenda and personnel items were displayed on a screen behind the board so the public could follow along. Samuels said that she also plans to use board documents so members of the public can access agenda items online before the meeting starts.

Cost-efficiency is another one of Samuels’ goals, she said. In the case of a nearly $2 million contract renewal with for-profit alternative education provider Camelot Education, she said that the district plans to be more mindful of spending going forward and will look across the board at re-evaluating contracts in the coming years.

“This is a one-year contract only so that the district and staff have time to do due diligence to look at what’s most appropriate for children and look at how and why decisions were made,” Samuels explained.

Although some school board members and Superintendent Sybil Knight-Burney sat with her during the meeting, Samuels was responsible for approving recommendations.

At the end of the night, Samuels said the goal will be transparency, serving the public and posting agenda items on the screen and prior to board meetings.

“The bottom line is this is about the business of children,” Samuels said. “I see this as an opportunity to work in a collaborative fashion with school board members, with the community, with parents to make a difference for the children in the Harrisburg school district. There are incredible and extraordinary children in this district, and this is about rolling up our sleeves and working together to support all students.”

Samuels said that Monday night’s meeting only addressed the most time-sensitive items. Another school board meeting is scheduled for June 27 at 6 p.m., when Samuels will address payments, approval of the treasurer’s report, budget transfers and other items. The district also must pass a final budget for the 2019-20 school year.

Samuels named Harrisburg school district receiver; administration pledges cooperation

June 17, 2019 | by Lawrance Binda

Harrisburg school district Solicitor James Ellison

A Dauphin County judge has appointed Dr. Janet Samuels as receiver for the Harrisburg school district, giving her broad authority to run the district for the next three years.

Judge William Tully issued an order that Samuels serve as receiver, a three-year appointment requested by the state Department of Education. Samuels has served as the district’s state-appointed chief recovery officer since last year.

In his “Memorandum Opinion,” Judge Tully outlined how the district has failed to meet the academic objectives outlined in the 2013 recovery plan and the 2016 amended plan, thus necessitating the receivership. The district fell far short on a number of measures, including graduation rates and standardized test scores, the opinion states.

The opinion further faults the school board for “failing to comply with the directives issued by the CRO.”

With her appointment, Samuels now is widely empowered to run the district, assuming the roles of both the CRO and the school board. The one power she explicitly lacks is the ability to levy and raise taxes, which remains with the elected school board.

If she chooses, Samuels has the ability to cede some authority back to the board or even appoint an advisory body.

Just before Tully’s order was made public, district Solicitor James Ellison held a hastily arranged press conference at the district’s administration building, during which he emphasized that school administrators, including Superintendent Sybil Knight-Burney, would fully cooperate with the receiver.

Ellison said that the decision to drop the district’s opposition to receivership came last night, at a special, closed-door session of the Harrisburg school board.

“The board of school directors and the superintendent of schools decidedly determined that it is in the best interest of our children if we pivoted our time and energy and resources from litigation to continue cooperation and work collaboratively with the receiver and the secretary to bring about positive educational changes for them,” he said.

Despite Ellison’s statement, school board Director Carrie Fowler said this morning that she did not know of this decision and described herself as “shocked” that the district had dropped its opposition to state receivership.

Samuels is expected to run the regularly scheduled school board meeting tonight. Among other issues, the district still must approve a final budget for the 2019-20 school year. The district, until now, has only approved a preliminary budget, which contains a 3.4-percent property tax increase.

“Dr. Samuels is upstairs as we speak and getting ready for tonight’s board meeting,” Ellison said. “She is the receiver of this district, and our obligation and our duty is to work with her to bring about the positive educational changes that she intends to bring.”

Ellison cited the “failed city takeover” of the district from 2000 to 2010 as a lesson for today, saying that effort proved that stakeholders should cooperate, not be in conflict. The previous receivership, led by former Mayor Steve Reed, yielded little academic progress, but resulted in tremendous financial pain for the district, Ellison said.

At his press conference, Ellison painted a very positive picture of the school system.

“This district has rewarded the trust of many parents, as our city schools have done well by their children and countless others that have personally passed through our schoolhouse doors and gone on to become prominent and productive citizens here and elsewhere,” he said.

State to take over Harrisburg school district as administration concedes receivership fight

June 17, 2019 | by Lawrance Binda

Harrisburg school board Director Carrie Fowler speaks to the media following today’s brief court hearing.

A Dauphin County courthouse let out a collective gasp this morning, as a judge announced that the Harrisburg school district would not contest a petition to place the district under state receivership.

Judge William Tully announced from the bench that the district decided not to challenge the state Department of Education’s takeover of the district, surprising a crowded courtroom, which expected the hearing to last at least a full day.

“I’m shocked, absolutely shocked,” said current school board Director Carrie Fowler, following the announcement. “I thought they were going to fight this.”

Fowler said that, while she initially opposed the state’s move, she now backs receivership for the district.

By every indication, the district seemed prepared to contest the petition filed on June 3 by state Education Secretary Pedro Rivera. Just last Wednesday, district Solicitor James Ellison filed a lengthy response to the petition, offering a point-by-point refutation of the state’s critique of the district and its case for receivership.

The district, however, had a very high bar to reach to successfully battle receivership. It needed to show that the state’s request was “arbitrary, capricious or wholly irrelevant” to restoring the district to financial stability.

In a previous hearing, Tully already had indicated that he believed that the state’s case for receivership was strong.

From the bench, Tully commended the district for its decision. He said that the district and the state now needed to work together to “complete the goals” of the district’s 2013 recovery plan.

“I hereby grant the receivership,” he stated, before banging the gavel and dismissing the courtroom.

Tully still must issue his formal order, in which he may announce the name of the receiver. The state has asked that Dr. Janet Samuels, the current chief recovery officer for the district, be appointed receiver for the district for a three-year period.

Under state law, the elected school board is now stripped of all authority, except the power to levy and raise taxes.

In fact, the Harrisburg school board is in the midst of the budget process for the 2019-20 school year. It was due to pass a final budget by June 30, though it seems now to lack the authority to do so. That budget assumed a property tax increase of 3.4 percent.

It remains to be seen how exactly the receivership will manifest itself, in terms of organization and additional resources that may be made available to the district.

Only two other school districts in Pennsylvania are currently under receivership, Duquesne and Chester-Upland. In Duquesne, the receiver is responsible for all financial, administrative and educational decisions, backed by a 20-person “Receiver Advisory Council” made up of city residents.

Jayne Buchwach, a Democratic nominee for school board, said that she believed that the receivership would take effect immediately. She hoped that the receiver, the administration and the school board now would work together.

“Will it be a cooperative relationship?” she asked. “I hope so. If so, it would make history.”

She also echoed Fowler in her surprise at today’s outcome.

“I’m just stunned, but I do appreciate that the current school board and the administration did not fight this, saving us all a long day in court,” she said. “Now, onto the next chapter.”

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