Gown then Town: Harrisburg ranked among best cities for recent college grads.

May 20, 2019 | by Yaasmeen Piper

Erin Templeton, Tyler Eaglowski, Liz Barrentes and Dove Reinford gather inside Capital Joe, one of Harrisburg’s many meeting places for young people.

Seth Robbins’ bags were packed before he even hit his Lock Haven University graduation stage in 2015. Afterwards, he drove himself out to Indianapolis, Ind.

In the fall of 2017, he finally landed a job in the field he spent four years studying, right in his hometown of Harrisburg.

According to Realtor.com, a popular real estate website run by the National Association of Realtors, more college grads like Robbins should be flocking to Harrisburg.

Recently, Realtor.com ran a story titled, “Give It a College Try: 10 Best Cities for New Grads to Live, Work Play,” and Harrisburg ranked an impressive fourth in the nation. Their team examined job opportunities, wage growth, housing affordability, social clubs and more in the 100 largest metropolitan areas in the country to help determine the best places for college grads.

The Capitol complex is a rich source of jobs for recent college graduates.

Though Harrisburg might not be your typical college town, it features many aspects that attract young people upon graduation, according to Realtor.com. The article specifically mentions running groups and Wildwood Park, and there is no shortage of activities–from 2nd Street’s bars and clubs to the State Museum and City Island.

In fact, only large college towns, like Madison, Wisc., and Austin, Texas, outranked Harrisburg on the list, while Pennsylvania’s capital city beat out other popular post-college cities, such as Nashville, Pittsburgh and Denver, which ranked sixth, seventh and ninth, respectively.

Pricey destinations, like Washington, D.C., New York, Boston and Seattle, which attract many graduates, didn’t make the top-10 list.

But there’s more to Harrisburg than just its nightlife. There’s also a growing job market, which contributed significantly to its high ranking. According to Realtor.com, with a 3.5-percent unemployment rate, students can find many types of jobs here, especially in government, politics and lobbying.

“I think Harrisburg in general is a great place to live, work and play,” said Derek Whitesel, executive director of Harrisburg Young Professionals (HYP). “There are a lot of jobs for those that are coming out of college. You can make a decent starting salary and have a decent cost of living.”

The job market might pull students in and nightlife will keep them entertained, but Harrisburg’s biggest draw, according to the site, is affordability.

Katherine Bosak, an undergraduate at Temple University, said that she plans to move to Harrisburg once she graduates because of its affordable housing. Currently, she pays $945 a month for her off-campus studio apartment in Philadelphia.

According to Realtor.com, the median home price in Harrisburg is $129,500. The average rent price is $900, $500 less than the state average, according to Zillow, another real estate-focused website.

“Compared to Philadelphia, [Harrisburg] is way more affordable,” Bosak said. “There is still nightlife and there are still things to do here, but it’s on a smaller and more affordable scale.”

After two years, Robbins is still in love with Harrisburg. When he’s not working as an associate residential mortgage loan officer at Fulton Bank, he works with Whitesel and other members of HYP to help highlight and improve the city.

“There is no other place better on the East Coast, and I’m not just saying that because I live here,” Robbins said. “You can go to a bigger city where there is more stuff to do, but you can’t make as big of an impact.”

To read the full realtor.com story, visit https://www.realtor.com/news/trends/best-places-for-new-college-grads-to-find-a-job-mate-and-affordable-home/.

Create Globally: 91st “International Juried Show” opens at Art Association.

May 19, 2019 | by Bob MacGinnes

All birthdays should have at least one surprise, and mine was waiting for me at the Art Association of Harrisburg’s 91st annual “International Juried Show.”

No amount of precognition could have prepared me for the pleasant surprise that, in a show reserved for world-class talent, central PA artists held their own and then some.

Art Association CEO Carrie Wissler-Thomas greeted me at the venerable institution’s Front Street front door. For as long as memory serves (1980 to be exact), Wissler-Thomas and the Art Association have been synonymous with the art community at large in the Harrisburg area. But that’s a story for another day.

The juried show, which opened during 3rd in the Burg on Friday, is a collection selected from artists the world over, giving its “International” title the designation it deserves. Every medium imaginable is represented: from textile wall hangings to seamless sculptures to paintings and photography. Lauren Zelaya, assistant curator at the Brooklyn Museum, served as the guest juror for the exhibit.

I immediately fell under the spell of artist Sri Koya’s acrylic painting in the foyer. Her “Dark Gold” (left) set the tone for the evening ahead as enchanting, mystical and most of all, enlightening. Monique Johnson captivated my imagination with a mixed media assemblage of a multi-layered photograph entitled, “Wavering,” which made me think of images from the portal of the Titanic. I found her work upstairs, entitled “Crest,” of a young maiden outstretched on a cloud floating off into the ether, soothing in a Maxfield Parrish vibe.

AAH Curator Rachel O’Connor’s vertiginous delivery of “art electric” is also featured upstairs in the Milford Patterson Gallery. Her handiwork as a curator is greatly in evidence in the explosion of color and materials represented, creating the curator’s “Game of Tones.”

Ingrid Guderle and Toby Bouder offer a pair of unusual pieces. Guderle wove a talking heads tapestry of embroidery floss, canvas and paper called “Cross Words.” In today’s culture of talking at each other (instead of with one another), this piece is topical and timely. Bouder’s vase made of box elderwood is beautiful in its natural simplicity.

Devin de Pamphilis’s playful foray consists of tongue-in-cheek photographs called “Hiking Across Do Si Dos,” which depicts a trio of scouts trekking on a confectionary continent. Another of his works, “Jumping In Ice Cream,” features two miniature humans on an ice cream scoop—you guessed it—“we all scream.” A creative take in another mixed media mash up is aptly called, “Paint a Wall, Clear Your Mind,” by Bernadette Scelta, who employs paint stir sticks to frame her acrylic-on-canvas work with the title uniquely rendered with twisted wire.

Fascinating in its theme and tone, Tina Berrier’s “He Gave Me a Wooden Nickel” (top image) provides charged commentary on the plight of Native Americans in its visual depiction of broken treaties and the toll it has taken on their way of life. Colors abound from a wild woodpecker alighting atop a head, pecking a wooden totem. The figure’s dress is both spiritual and symbolic of a heart broken by false promises. Powerful in its presentation, the acrylic work on stretched canvas speaks volumes with just the figure’s gaze.

“Decaying In Silence” from Michael Munchel shows a burnt-out structure with a pink piano still intact, a stark portrayal of abandoned atrophy. His use of color saturation highlights the photo in unexpected ways, conveying a heightened sense of beauty lost forever. In the same vein, “Remnant,” from Michael Hower, is a digital, black-and-white photograph of an old garment factory left in tatters for all time.

Lastly, in an unintentional (or not) homage to Michael Mann’s groundbreaking TV series, “Miami Vice,” Chad Whitaker’s “South Beach Artifact 1,” in the sculpture/ceramics category, creatively uses bed sheets, styrofoam, wood, glue, paint and rope in a pastel pastiche reminiscent of character Sonny Crockett’s Daytona Spyder hitting a wall going 172 miles per hour. And this is what it would end up looking like. One can only hope that Crockett would live to say, “Hey pal,” just one more time.

“International Juried Show” runs through June 20 at the Art Association of Harrisburg, 21 N. Front St. Harrisburg. For more information, visit https://www.artassocofhbg.com.

Picture above: “He Gave Me a Wooden Nickel” and “Dark Gold.”

The Week that Was: A summary of news and events around Harrisburg

May 17, 2019 | by Lawrance Binda

It’s election season in Harrisburg

What happened around Harrisburg over the past week? Here’s a summary of news and events that you may have missed.

The campaign for the May 21 primary is nearly over, and it’s been a more active, engaged and interesting campaign than usual in Harrisburg, according to our editor. Click here for the full blog post.

Harrisburg school district expects a 3.4-percent jump in the school portion of the local property tax, according to a preliminary budget. The final budget must be passed by June 30. Click here for the full story.

Naed Smith, the long-time manager of the Catholic Worker House in Harrisburg, died suddenly. Smith worked tirelessly for more than 20 years to improve the lives of the city’s poor and destitute. Click here for the full story.

Riverfront Park in Harrisburg soon will be the site of a new, nature-themed sculpture, as chainsaw artist Brad Heilman began to carve a scene featuring native fish from a large tree stump. Later this year, he’ll begin work on another stump on City Island. Click here for the full story.

Sara Bozich has plenty of suggestions for things to do around Harrisburg this weekend, both indoors and outdoors. And, don’t forget: 3rd in the Burg is Friday (May 17). Click here for her long list of events.

The Storm, Harrisburg University’s varsity e-sports team, captured the ESPN Overwatch National Championship trophy, defeating three other teams in the inaugural Collegiate Esports Championship. The victory closed out The Storm’s undefeated 33-0 season.

Three Mile Island plans to proceed with a plan to shut down the nuclear energy facility by Sept. 30. In a news release, TMI owner Excelon Generation stated that hoped-for legislative relief would not come in time to save the plant, which is located in Londonderry Township.

Additional stories from TheBurg Daily over the past week:

Bube’s Brewery has upped its game for beer and food but remains a fun, quirky place to visit.

Harrisburg City Council candidates share their visions for the city prior to the primary election next week.

Joel Burcat is a local author who just published his first book, despite an unexpected and profound personal setback.

Make-your-own-snacks is a fun, unique way to spend a day around central PA.

Peyton Walker Foundation was founded to fight sudden cardiac arrest, especially among young people.

Seasonal Grounds has opened in the Broad Street Market, offering gourmet and hard-to-find hot and cold teas.

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

Weekend Roundup with Sara Bozich

May 16, 2019 | by Sara Bozich

Happy Weekend!

Hi. Have you ever been like, just let me get through this week — or even a big f, say Harrisburg Beer Week — and then everything will calm down/be smooth sailing. Are you, too, totally naive? I mean I guess if I didn’t have so many things going on I’d be bored and just find new things to do. Right? That’s what I tell myself. ANYWAY. Speaking of Harrisburg Beer Week, we have yet one more event happening this weekend — the previously postponed Mini Golf Tournament. $100 gets you mini golf for 4, free beer, food, guaranteed door prizes, and A DAY IN THE OUTSIDE + SUNSHINE. Guys, it’s for a good cause. And since we had to change the date, some of the original players could no longer make the date and if you’re still reading, THERE ARE STILL TICKETS AVAILABLE. Buy them here to support Harrisburg River Rescue. ALSO OF NOTE, GOOD PEOPLE: sip @ soma. 3rd in the Burg. Also, tonight and Saturday. Pittsburgh’s East End Brewing Co. (as see in Poured in PA – have you watched that yet?)

What are you doing this weekend?

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From Stump to Art: More wood sculptures coming to Harrisburg waterfront.

May 15, 2019 | by Yaasmeen Piper

Brad Heilman at work this morning, carving a wood sculpture from a dead tree.

An old tree destined for the wood chipper is now becoming a work of art along Harrisburg’s riverfront.

With the help of the Harrisburg Riverboat Society, artist Brad Heilman is creating intricate carvings in a hulking stump in Riverfront Park, with a second planned for City Island.

According to Riverboat Society Chairman Jeffrey Tinsman, members heard that the city was planning to dispose of the remnants of some dead trees and decided to step in and make art out of them instead.

“We’re going to preserve these trees for years to come and enhance the grounds with beautiful artwork,” he said.

Heilman’s first chainsaw carving, which is located between Walnut and Locust streets along the riverfront, is a depiction of fish that are native to the Susquehanna River.

The second carving will feature a 40-foot bat, 20-foot baseball glove and a 15-foot baseball next to City Island’s FNB Field, home to the Harrisburg Senators. According to Tinsman, the piece will commemorate the seven athletes who were born in Harrisburg and made it to the Major Leagues.

“As more of these trees fall, we are hoping to carve them into artwork,” Tinsman said.

Heilman started carving trees 19 years ago. As a kid, he loved to draw and then worked as a tree trimmer for 22 years. Now, he gets to combine the two.

Ten years ago, he worked with Harrisburg to create the Susquehannock Native American carving that’s now a familiar site next to the Walnut Street Bridge.

“This is all I do,” he said. “I get to carve all year round.”

The project is also designed to be a moneymaker, with donations going to support the Susquehanna River School, a class on the Pride of Susquehanna where students learn the history of the Susquehanna River, natural wonders and aquatic life.

“Every $10 we raise gives us an opportunity to provide an education cruise for one city school student free of charge,” Tinsman said.

For almost 21 years, the school has provided hands-on activities for students K-12 from certified teachers. According to Jason Meckes, executive director of the Harrisburg Riverboat Society, the school has already taught more than 25,000 students.

Tinsman and Heilman expect the Riverfront Park carving to be finished by Artsfest weekend starting on May 25. The second carving on City Island will be ready by the Kipona Festival in September.

“We’re just trying to do something for our community,” Tinsman said. “We love our city and want to see it enhance and grow and bring art to trees that were being disposed of.”

For more information on The Harrisburg Riverboat Society or the Susquehanna River School visit harrisburgriverboat.com. To see more of Heilman’s work visit his website at www.bdhcustomchainsawcarving.com.

Burg Blog: In a Race

May 15, 2019 | by Lawrance Binda

Campaign signs outside of HMAC, where many of the candidate debates were held.

If you’re a regular reader of my columns and blogs, you may be aware of an annual complaint of mine.

When an election comes around, Harrisburg candidates, too often, run what I’ve called “invisible” campaigns. Local races have tended to start late, been low energy and even have featured candidates who never seem to show up for their own campaigns.

As I’ve said many times, if you’re not going to make the effort, why run at all?

This year, though, has seen a marked improvement.

With less than a week to go before the primary, I thought I’d give a quick nod to a number of candidates who have been running solid campaigns—showing, through their actions, that they want the votes and the office.

By far, the most energetic race has been for city school board. However, all that energy has been on one side—the challengers for the five seats at stake in the May 21 primary.

So, kudos to challengers Gerald Welch, Jayne Buchwach, Cory X. Williams, Lewis Butts Jr., Steven Williams, James Thompson and Doug Thompson Leader. They attended every debate that was held, were respectful of one another and gave the public hours of engagement and thoughtful commentary.

Hundreds of people heard the candidates explain, live, what they would do as school board directors—from Buchwach’s insistence on transparency and accountability to Welch’s emphasis on graduation rates to Butts’ predictably imaginative proposals.

Indeed, attending a debate was like taking an advanced course in possible ways to fix the Harrisburg school district. And, while the press coverage (including ours) tried to capture the essence of the events, a few 700-word stories simply can’t do justice to all the information conveyed in the lengthy, two-hour sessions.

Many of these candidates also have campaigned vigorously outside of the debate hall, going door-to-door, engaging voters and showing, through their time and effort, how much they want to serve the district, its students and its residents.

Not all of the candidates have demonstrated equal commitment through their campaigns. Incumbent Lionel Gonzalez burst onto the stage for about 15 minutes of the last debate, then disappeared just as suddenly, and incumbents Patricia Whitehead-Myers, Lola Lawson and Ellis Roy didn’t attend any.

Candidate Welch recorded the final school debate, which was hosted by Friends of Midtown. I strongly urge all Harrisburg voters (who are Facebook users) to watch it before heading to the polls next week. https://www.facebook.com/gerald.welch1/videos/10218918978944656/

The Harrisburg City Council race hasn’t been as high profile, but several of the candidates have been actively campaigning and engaging voters.

Arguably, the highlight of the council campaign was the Friends of Midtown debate, which was attended by four of the six candidates: current office-holders Westburn Majors, Dave Madsen and Danielle Bowers and challenger Christina Kostelecky.

All four, in my opinion, showed considerable knowledge of the issues, concern for the city and a desire to play a role in moving it forward.

I believe that the next four years will be a critical time in the history of Harrisburg, as the city shakes off the last of its post-industrial funk and firmly enters a new, more promising era. Progress, though, comes with its own challenges, with inevitable concerns over growth, housing, traffic, fairness and, of course, finances and taxation (among other issues), especially as the city exits Act 47.

Through their campaigns, the candidates have addressed these issues and many others. In my opinion, it’s too bad that there are only three seats at stake, meaning that one of these qualified candidates will not be able to serve on council–at least not until the next election two years from now.

I’ll conclude this blog with something I’ve said in similar posts before. High-quality, conscientious, energetic candidates often make high-quality, conscientious, energetic office-holders. I stand by that.

Lawrance Binda is editor-in-chief of TheBurg.

Preliminary Harrisburg school district budget proposes 3.4% property tax hike

May 13, 2019 | by Lawrance Binda

Harrisburg school district’s Lincoln Administration Building.

For a second straight year, Harrisburg property owners would see their tax bills shoot up under a proposed budget by the city school administration.

The district is proposing a 3.4 percent tax hike that would increase the millage rate from 28.8 mills to 29.78 mills.

The average city homeowner, with a median property value of $42.800, would see the school portion of their property tax bill increase by $41.91, according to budget data. The hike would raise $1.37 million for the district.

Property taxes support about one-quarter of the district’s annual budget, with the remainder originating from a variety of other taxes and fees, as well as state and federal government support.

“I don’t agree with raising taxes to make up for the budget shortfall,” said board member Carrie Fowler, who added that she opposes the proposed budget. “We’ve been taxed enough. We don’t need to be taxed more for this over-bloated administration.”

The $155.5 million proposed budget for the 2019-20 school year is about $5 million more than the current, 2018-19 budget and about $9 million more than the 2017-18 budget.

The greatest increases in expenses originate from faculty pay and retirement contributions. The district, which has 6,540 K-12 students and 936 faculty and staff, also proposes dipping into its reserve (savings), reducing that fund by some $3 million.

Last year, school property taxes rose 3.6 percent, the maximum amount allowable under state law.

Meanwhile, the state continues to withhold $10.9 million from the district after charging that the district was not fully complying with a financial audit. The district since has stated that it has complied with the audit, but the state has not yet reinstated those funds, said Fowler.

The administration plans a series of community meetings to publicly discuss the budget. The next one is slated for May 20 at 5:30 p.m. at Marshall Math Science Academy, 301 Hale Ave.

That meeting, however, is taking place far too late, said Fowler.

She charges that the administration is not in compliance with the state-mandated budget process, as the preliminary budget was supposed to be available for public review by Jan. 31.

“We’re out of compliance,” she said. “I didn’t see a proposed budget until today.”

The deadline to pass a proposed preliminary budget is May 31, with a final budget due to pass by June 30. New tax rates would be reflected on school property tax bills that are mailed in July.

Obituary: Naed Smith

May 13, 2019 | by Lawrance Binda

Naed Smith. Photo: Dani Fresh

It is with deep sadness that we learned of the sudden passing of Naed Smith, the long-time manager of the Catholic Worker House on Market Street.

Originally from Wilkes Barre, Edward “Naed” Smith, 52, came to Harrisburg more than 20 years ago and had been a constant presence in Allison Hill since, with his House of Hospitality helping innumerable people throughout the years.

Harrisburg will be a lesser place without Naed’s selfless devotion to helping the city’s poor and destitute. Visitation will be held on Thursday, May 16 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the St. Francis Assisi Catholic Church, 1439 Market St., Harrisburg, followed by a memorial Mass.

Several years ago, Dan Webster, a former managing editor for TheBurg, wrote a lengthy profile of Naed for his periodical “Local.” Dan has kindly allowed us to link to it. Please click here (Naed) to read this wonderful tribute to the life and work of Naed Smith.

In addition, please find below the full obituary for Naed Smith, which offers more information about his life and work, as well as details of the memorial Mass.

Obituary: Naed Smith

Following a challenging struggle with depression, Edward J. “Ned” Smith, Jr., (Naed), 52, ended his life at his home in Harrisburg on Friday, May 10, 2019.

A native of Wilkes-Barre and a resident of Harrisburg, Ned was well known in both cities and internationally for his tireless commitment to promote peace and build strong communities over several decades.

Our family asks that you open your heart and offer compassion without judgement for Ned and those who suffer from mental illness. Ned was a servant leader who was dealing with depression for some time, leaving behind a bereaved community, family, and friends.

Over the last several days, we have received an outpouring of condolences from friends and neighbors who have recounted their most heartfelt memories and stories of Ned. Many have shared that Ned ended every conversation with a simple: “Peace”. And so we say it to you now, Ned, Peace – with the hope you’ve finally found it.

Born March 13, 1967 in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, Ned was the son of the late Edward J. Smith, Sr. and Dorothy Ann (Whitonis) Smith. He grew up in the Mayflower section of Wilkes-Barre, PA where he could often be found playing with his friends at the Huber Street neighborhood park across from his family’s home. He was a member of St. Patrick’s Church, the Heights Packers mini-football team, and later played varsity football as a linebacker in high school.

Ned graduated from the Grand Army of the Republic Memorial High School in 1985 and received his Bachelor of Sociology from King’s College in Wilkes-Barre, PA. During college, Ned was drawn to prayer and contemplation. In addition to sociology studies, Ned was a student of theology and attended Catholic Mass daily. He volunteered in the early programs of the Peace and Justice Center, directed by Sister Constance Kozel, RSM. He credited Sister Kozel with encouraging him to follow his interests in peacemaking. It was in the chapel at King’s College where Ned encountered Catholic Worker literature. He learned about the famed social justice movement, founded by Catholic intellectual, Dorothy Day, who advocated honoring the dignity of the poor by living amongst them.

Following graduation from college, Ned served as a campus minister at Wilkes University, and as a staff member at Vision House in Scranton, which offered shelter and counseling to men who had been released from prison and struggled with addictions. Ned also served as a human rights observer in Haiti during the time the Haitian military seized power, and Ned returned to Haiti and to El Salvador throughout his social justice career to discourage political intimidation and violence. Ned has participated in numerous acts of non-violent civil disobedience, including a protest action at the Ft. Benning School of Americas that led to his arrest, conviction, and six-month sentence in federal prison in 2006.

Despite Ned’s activism, there was a quiet shyness about him. He was a free-spirited, somewhat stubborn soul and in the words of a dear friend “was in the rarest class of humans, one of the quiet walkers”. Ned’s actions spoke louder than his words, he gave of himself and was actively and quietly helping those in need. He planted and cultivated a vibrant vegetable and flower garden and, as one former community member remarked, “Ned struggled to balance his need for regenerative time in nature with his commitment to his neighbors on the Hill”. Ned himself said, “I need some green space to breathe properly.” Over the past 20 years, the St. Martin de Porres Catholic Worker House has been Ned’s primary home and place of vocation and servant leadership. The home is an intentional community that practices voluntary poverty as it addresses the spiritual and material needs of an economically poor neighborhood just a mile from the state’s Capitol Building in the Allison Hill community. Allison Hill had been the center of Ned’s world. He envisioned a dignified, peaceful community and he worked tirelessly to support that vision.

Ned was a member of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Harrisburg where he was a 3rd Order Lay Franciscan and actively involved in Pax Christi, the international Catholic peace movement for 22 years. He later helped to establish Pax Christi’s USA’s national Youth and Young Adult Forum. In 2013, he was the recipient of the Susan Merrill Constance Kozel Award. This award is presented to individuals whose contributions to society reflects the principles of justice and peace.

Surviving is his mother, Dorothy A. Smith, Hunlock Creek, PA; three sisters: Jennifer Smith, Baltimore, MD, Kristen Prutzman (and her husband, Todd), Forty Fort, and Lauren Siegfried (and her husband, Tim), Shavertown; one niece and one nephew, Lauren and Owen Oechsle, Baltimore (who knew Ned as “Tio”); and many, many friends, too numerous to count, all of whom will miss him greatly.

A Memorial Mass will be celebrated 11:00 am Thursday, May 16, 2019, at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, 1439 Market Street, Harrisburg, PA 17103 with the Rev. Orlando Reyes officiating. Friends will be received Thursday at the church from 9:00 am until 11:00 am and are invited to join the family for a luncheon in the church hall following Mass.

A second Memorial Mass will be celebrated 9:00 am Saturday, May 18, 2019, at St. Patrick’s/St. Andrew’s Church, 316 Parrish St, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702. The Mass will be followed by a luncheon. Directions and venue details will be shared at the Mass.

Burial in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Wilkes-Barre will be held at the convenience of the family.

Friends are encouraged to make contributions in his memory to his church or to the Saint Martin de Porres Catholic Worker House, 1440 Market Street, Harrisburg, PA 17103.

Kimmel Funeral Home is handling arrangements.

The Week that Was: A summary of news and events around Harrisburg

May 10, 2019 | by Lawrance Binda

A scene from Wednesday’s school board candidates debate

What happened around Harrisburg last week? Here’s a summary of news and events that you may have missed.

Harrisburg city administration briefed City Council on a proposed five-year financial plan for the city, which shows essentially a flat operating budget through 2023. The city and the state-appointed Intergovernmental Cooperation Authority must approve a plan before Harrisburg can exit Act 47. Click here for the full story.

Harrisburg school board candidates held their final debate before the May 21 primary election. Once again, the stage was left to the challengers, as no incumbents (with one brief exception) showed up to engage in the discussion. Click here for the full story.

Harrisburg voters will experience changes to their polling locations in three wards. Voters in the 6^th Ward, the 11^th Ward and the 9^th Ward, 2^nd Precinct will have new voting sites for the May 21 primary. Click here for the full story.

Sara Bozich listed more than 100 things to do for this weekend, with something to suit about every taste and interest. Click here for the full story.

Sprint soon will open a new store inside of Strawberry Square. The store will occupy space on the first floor recently vacated by GNC. Click here for the full story.

Additional stories from TheBurg Daily over the past week:

Allison Hill stakeholders wonder why their neighborhood was selected for a medical marijuana facility.

Andrew Guth is our “Artist in Focus” for the month of May.

Cost of housing is on our editor’s mind as he ponders the question: What can you buy for $200,000?

Harrisburg Symphony Youth Orchestra will hold its annual Mother’s Day concert this weekend.

Our Musical Notes columnist opines on several shows this month that aren’t exactly youth-oriented.

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

Where Do I Vote? Several polling locations have changed in Harrisburg

May 9, 2019 | by Lawrance Binda

The Susquehanna Art Museum will serve as an emergency polling station for Ward 6 in Harrisburg.

The municipal primary is fast approaching, prompting Dauphin County to remind voters that several polling stations have changed in Harrisburg.

Recently, the county changed three voting places in the city due to various issues with the former locations, Board of Elections Director Gerald Feaser has said.

For the 6^th Ward, the board just this week found it had to move the polling location to the Susquehanna Art Museum, 1401 N. 3^rd St., from the United House of Prayer for All People on Reily Street. This emergency move is due to construction at the church that has taken longer than expected, according to the county.

In the 9^th Ward, 2^nd Precinct, the polling station has been moved to the Choice Community Christian Church Social Hall, 1524 Walnut St. This change was made because the former location, the Unitarian Church of Harrisburg, was sold, and the new owner plans to begin construction work. Also, the old site was not compliant with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) regulations, the county said.

In the 11^th Ward, the polling place has been moved to the Governor’s Square Community Room, 2018 N. 5^th St. The former location, the Neighborhood Center on N. 3rd Street, no longer wanted to serve as a polling site, according to the county.

The primary election is slated for Tuesday, May 21.

For a complete list of polling places, click here.

For more information on the candidates for Harrisburg City Council, click here. For more information on the candidates for school board, click here, here and here.

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