Born to Romp: With a much larger facility, Keystone K9 can let a lot more dogs out.

October 31, 2018 | by Stephanie Kalina-Metzger

When Josh Feldman made the decision to work in Manhattan, he was faced with a dilemma, wondering what to do with his beloved dog, Guvner, while he toiled long hours on the job.

After a bit of research, he decided on doggie daycare.

Impressed by his experience, he decided to start his own doggie daycare/boarding business when he returned to Harrisburg, opening up in a former plasma center on N. 7th Street. In just two short years, Keystone K9 was attracting more business than it could handle in that space, which prompted Feldman to take another leap, purchasing and moving into a new building nearly three times the size on N. Cameron Street.

“Our goal is to accommodate the needs of a burgeoning city, and, with the federal courthouse being built nearby, we anticipate a high demand for our services,” Feldman said.

Last month, workmen put the finishing touches on the former warehouse beneath the State Street Bridge, and Feldman and company moved in. The facility features an 8,000-square-foot indoor area with accommodations that range from an economical 30-square-foot enclosure to suites up to 100 square feet.

During the planning phase, Feldman made it a point to steer clear of the antiseptic, cold atmosphere that is prevalent in many traditional boarding facilities.

“Dogs don’t necessarily want to be in a kennel situation, so even our more economical options resemble rooms, which makes them feel more at home,” said Feldman, likening the atmosphere to that of a hotel for dogs, with a décor created with humans in mind.

“The suites all have sports themes,” he said. “We have a Steelers suite, an Eagles suite, Yankees, Orioles and so on.”

Ample Space

As in the previous facility, each dog is welcomed at the door, except now the reception area is more spacious. First-time boarders are evaluated according to age, size and maturity.

“We place them in the appropriate group for their play style,” said Feldman.

Indulgent pet parents can pamper their pooches by scheduling a massage or grooming appointment. Furry friends in need of instruction can take advantage of the on-site trainer who offers a variety of classes, from nose work to obedience to agility.

“One challenge we face is explaining to people that our dogs do get a tremendous amount of exercise,” said Feldman, stating that the new facility has ample space both inside and out for a romping good time.

For pooped-out and older pets, Keystone K9 offers a quiet place where they can snooze on comfy couches and soft flooring.

One thing that sets Keystone K9 apart from other facilities, according to Feldman, is 24-hour supervision.

“We have someone staying overnight with the animals so that pet owners have peace of mind,” he said. “Veterinary offices don’t even offer that, which kind of surprised me.”

The facility is open for business as early as 5:30 a.m. Business travelers are permitted to park in the lot onsite and use the Keystone K9 shuttle to continue on to the train station.

Keystone K9 even plans to partner with Abrams & Weakley, a popular pet shop in Susquehanna Township, to provide food and pet supplies.

“Sometimes, people returning home from a trip might want to pick up a few things, and this makes it convenient for them,” Feldman said.

Whole New Dog

Lauren Orazi has entrusted Feldman and his staff with a stray she adopted about a decade ago.

“Foxy wasn’t well socialized, and I was scared and nervous because she was nervous,” said the Harrisburg resident. “They broke her in a little at a time, and the difference has been unbelievable.”

Orazi laughed when she reflected back on the situation.

“She was kind of a jerk at first; she’s a little grumpy,” she said. “But they were super patient and, over time, her demeanor changed, and she even lost 10 pounds. It’s like she’s a whole new dog, and I’m so relieved.”

Hearing such stories warms Feldman’s heart.

“I really enjoy watching the animals develop relationships with each other and the people who tend to them,” he said. “We have a lot of success stories like Lauren’s—people who think that their dogs aren’t socialized and, when you put them in a daycare setting, then you find out they are.”

As for the dog responsible for helping Feldman pursue his dream, he sadly has crossed the rainbow bridge. Feldman wiped away a tear as he thought of his old friend.

“The day that I knew we were getting too big and had to move, I met with city officials and, when I returned, Guvner was very ill,” he said. “He died that night. It was like he was saying to me, ‘Okay, I got you this far, you are on your own now.’”

Feldman’s heart still aches for his beloved Guvner, but, like any true animal lover, Feldman knows the importance of providing a happy home to another animal in need. Now, Dr. Watson, a Samoyed-Eskimo mix, stands by his side as a loyal companion and cheer giver, and that is certainly nothing to sniff at.

Keystone K9 is located at 147 N. Cameron Street, Harrisburg. For more information, call 717-384-5900 or visit www.keystone-k9.com.

Play Us a Song: Bob Barry celebrates a lifetime at the piano.

October 31, 2018 | by Barbara Trainin Blank

illustration by Ryan Spahr

Early behavior doesn’t always predict what lies ahead in life.

Bob Barry’s mother, he recalled, had the hardest time convincing him to take piano lessons. But she needn’t have worried. Her son has been a professional pianist—self-taught on the instrument—for decades.

He actually started out as a drummer/percussionist at the tender age of 10, then transitioned to the piano when he began to “fall in love with rock ‘n roll” and “discovered the gift of playing by ear.” At the time he was, and still is, a “huge Beatles fan.”

Four years later, he formed a band called the Checkmates—the first of several. Though, since 1980, he has played mostly instrumental solo.

Thankfully, there was one time when the young Barry absolutely listened to his mother—to his great benefit. In 1974, she sent him a newspaper clipping about a piano competition. He entered with his own compositions and took home the top prize out of 65 musicians.

The actual prize was the opportunity to play at New York City’s prestigious Carnegie Hall.

“That started my career,” he said.

That same year, the group New Found Freedom, which offered a mix of covers and original music, invited Barry to join.

Over time, he developed his own musical niche, a fusion of instrumental classical rock, progressive rock, New Age and smooth jazz. And he’s been busy.

There were years when the Susquehanna Township resident played more than 100 shows, mostly between New York City and Washington, D.C. But he has also toured widely, including to Hawaii, around the Caribbean, Mexico, Amsterdam, Dublin, Scotland and Dover, England.

“Some of my favorite destinations, usually they’re warmer ones, are Boca Raton, Fla., Barbados, Jamaica and Riviera Maya, Mexico,” said Barry.

These days, the number of shows he plays has decreased to 30 or 40 a year.

The decision to cut back, especially on touring, related to the birth of his children—a son and a daughter.

“I didn’t want to be away for more than a few days,” he said. “My kids came first.”

His piano-related activities go beyond playing. In 1981, he opened Piano One Gallery, which expanded his earlier offerings of piano tuning and restoration to piano moving and the sales of pre-owned vintage pianos.

He has tuned or played for several major recording artists, including Billy Joel, Ray Charles, the Beach Boys, Laura Branigan and Yanni, to mention a few.

In 2014, the Moody Blues, a band he considers his “main mentors,” invited him to perform on a cruise, which proved to be a career highlight.

“I did nine shows along with Starship, Roger Daltrey of The Who and others,” said Barry. “I learned a lot. This was one of my most-iconic music experiences ever.”

Locally, he plays often on Pride of the Susquehanna cruises and has played at Whitaker Center. He’s particularly proud to be one of the “three main players” at the River House concert series—the other two being jazz pianist Steve Rudolph and violinist Odin Rathnam.

In 1994, the pianist released his first instrumental album, “Caverns of the Mind.” There have been five others since, with a sixth, entitled “52/52,” due out soon.

Some of Barry’s favorite pieces, he said, are “scattered throughout the albums, inspired by the people he loves.” For example, he wrote “The Courtship,” for his wife.

Barry has other passions besides music. One is nature, another travel.

Then there’s staying home, which he calls his “calm estate,” which is nonetheless only minutes from downtown Harrisburg.

Aside from the creative meaning Barry has gained over many years from playing and performing, he considers himself particularly fortunate to be able to pursue his career “on my own terms.”

“My wife and, many times, other family members and friends have accompanied me,” he said.

Barry has a simple way of summing up his many years of musical and domestic satisfaction.

“I’ve been a very blessed and happy man,” he said.

To learn more about Bob Barry and his music, visit www.bobbarrypiano.com.

Student Scribes: “Taking the First Step in the Right Direction”

October 31, 2018 | by Sara Stevenson

In August, I stepped onto the Penn State Harrisburg campus prepared to take on my final semester as a graduate student. I stepped onto campus knowing I only had 15 short weeks until I’d be walking across the Giant Center stage with my master’s degree.

In August, I stepped onto campus a new mother.

Before leaving for my first night class of the semester, I made sure to warn my 10-year-old about her screen time (YouTube will probably rot her brain in the three hours I would be gone), and I reminded my 2-year-old that vanilla yogurt is not a substantial dinner, no matter how many times he says, “But yes, it is.” Finally, I gave my 2-month-old a kiss on his forehead and wished my fiancé the best of luck while I was gone.

When you think about all the things that college students have to be concerned about, it’s easy to understand why they are so quickly overcome with stress. Mounds of coursework, projects, clubs, sports and exams; many college students also have part-time or full-time jobs outside of school, and they quickly find themselves juggling their academic responsibilities and their work schedules. All of that is hard enough to handle, but if you throw children into the mix, it becomes that much more difficult.

People constantly ask me how I do it. How do I keep going, keep moving forward with my education, with three young children in tow? Usually when they ask, I chuckle and make a joke—lots of coffee and no sleep. Over the years, I’ve learned to weave my academic life into the hectic personal life that I have: classes during the day, family time and helping with homework (and we can’t forget sports and church and countless other extracurricular activities) until it’s time for bed. Studying and schoolwork get done after the kids are in bed, and a few quick hours of sleep get squeezed in before I have to wake up and do it all again the next day. My life is a delicate balance, and I am constantly changing, adapting and recalibrating to keep that balance.

Continuing my education has been a challenge, and I often find myself continuously frustrated by the things that are beyond my control. For a while, I thought I was wrong for feeling stressed and for feeling like I was constantly at my breaking point; there are so many others in the world who have lives much worse than my own, others who have real reason to be stressed out or frustrated. The truth, I’ve learned over the last few years, is that it’s perfectly OK to feel frustrated and to feel like there’s no possible way you can handle anything else being thrown in your direction.

Taking that first step can be terrifying and, even though I’ve been in college for almost eight years, every semester provides me with new challenges and new struggles. Juggling the intense coursework of my final few graduate classes with my chaotic home life with three children is proving to be the most difficult challenge to date. Struggling to tweak and recalibrate my daily schedule to accommodate softball practices, Girl Scout meetings, diaper changes and meltdowns about what shoes we’re going to wear to leave the house. Squeezing in 30-minute study sessions and consuming copious amounts of caffeine while praying that I’m giving each of my children the attention they need and deserve.

But this semester is also providing me with new opportunities. It’s providing me with the chance to prove to myself that I’m capable of achieving my goals, of reaching my dreams. It’s providing me with the chance to show my children that they are capable of doing anything they set their minds to, regardless of the obstacles they encounter before they get there. My children are what push me to do better, to be better, and I wholeheartedly embrace the struggles and challenges that come. The early morning hours spent cuddling my newborn while reading Shakespeare’s “Hamlet” for the 50th time and the afternoon hours sitting outside while my son and daughter throw sand at one another (despite my urges to please keep the sand in the sandbox) seem like hurdles I’ll never jump right now, but, in the end, I’ll be able to look back and laugh at those moments. Because those were the moments that pushed me to where I am right now.

In August, I stepped onto campus unsure of the path I would be taking to reach my goals, but knowing that I was taking a step in the right direction.

Sara Stevenson graduated with a double major in English and interdisciplinary humanities in 2016. In December, she will earn her master’s degree in humanities from Penn State Harrisburg.

Pet Project: Fido, Fluffy get screen time this month.

October 31, 2018 | by Sammi Leigh Melville

It is said that the world is divided into two types of people: cat people and dog people.

The evidence of this controversy is overwhelming. Humans are very passionate about their furry friends, whether they live with them or see them on the street.

The love for these companion animals is so abounding that it is really not surprising that a film festival exists, both for cats and dogs. This year marks the second annual “NY Dog Film Festival,” founded by Tracie Hotchner, and the first annual “NY Cat Film Festival”—because you can’t have one for very long without the other. The short films chosen for these festivals fill two programs each—two for cats, two for dogs—and range from informative to funny to sweet. There is a healthy mix of documentary and fiction.

The quality of the films also, oddly enough, ranges broadly. Some films seem to be well-bolstered slideshows with narration, while others have structured plots and characters. The cat festival, in its first year, seems to still be finding its whiskers, while the dog festival has more surefooted content. But no matter which program you watch, you will be struck with the realization that these are not just films about cats and dogs—they are films that show humans in relation to these companion animals. Cats and dogs serve as mirrors of our humanity. The way we react to these creatures, and pour our hope and love into them, is telling of the very people we are.

Whether you’re a dog person or a cat person, these films will tug at your heartstrings, make you laugh, and give you a chance to “ooh” and “aww” at lovable, furry creatures.

“The NY Cat Film Festival” and “The NY Dog Film Festival” will play on Nov. 10 and 11, respectively, at Midtown Cinema, 250 Reily St., Harrisburg.

November Events
At Midtown Cinema

Digital Theatre
“Hamlet”
Sunday, Nov. 4, 3 p.m.

“The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time”
Monday, Nov. 12, 7 p.m.

“Everybody’s Talking about Jamie”
Wednesday, Nov. 14, 7 p.m.

Down in Front! Presents
“Merlin’s Shop of Mystical Wonders” (1996)
Friday, Nov. 9, 9:30 p.m.

The First Annual NY Cat Film Festival
Saturday, Nov. 10
Program 1: 12 p.m.
Program 2: 1:30 p.m.

The Second Annual NY Dog Film Festival
Sunday, Nov. 11
Program 1: 12 p.m.
Program 2: 1:30 p.m.

3rd in the Burg $3 Movie
“The Adventures of Baron Munchausen” (1989)
Friday, Nov. 16, 9:30 p.m.

Moviate Presents
“Queercore: How to Punk a Revolution” (2017)
Sunday, Nov. 25, 7 p.m.

Artist in Focus: Gabriel Spangler

October 31, 2018 | by TheBurg Editor

Some amazing artists call the Harrisburg area home, and we feature their work in TheBurg each month. However, we want to shower even more attention on the incredible painters, illustrators, photographers and sculptors that reside in central PA.

Therefore, we plan to feature more of the work of a single artist in our pages. In so doing, we hope to give greater recognition to these talented individuals and better highlight the artwork created right here in our area.

So, please enjoy a selection from Gabriel Spangler, a Harrisburg-based photographer who specializes in candid, street and documentary-style photography. You also can see his work in person at Integrative Bodywork Therapy studio, 4076 Market St., Camp Hill, on Friday, Dec. 7, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., and Saturday, Dec. 8, 1 to 4 p.m. At those shows, you also can purchase two just-released books of his recent photography.

For more information and examples of his work, visit his Facebook page, Gabriel Spangler Photography, and his Instagram page, gabriel_spangler.

October News Digest

October 31, 2018 | by Lawrance Binda and Lizzy Hardison

Harrisburg to Leave Act 47

A bill passed by the state legislature last month allows Harrisburg to preserve its current tax rates and exit Act 47, a state oversight program for financially distressed municipalities.

The House and Senate both voted overwhelmingly to pass House Bill 2557, which allows Harrisburg to maintain its current local services tax (LST) and earned income tax (EIT) for five years after it exits state oversight. The bill also prohibits the city from enacting a commuter tax and convenes a five-member Intergovernmental Cooperation Authority (ICA) to monitor Harrisburg’s finances.

After the vote took place, Harrisburg Mayor Eric Papenfuse thanked the lawmakers who supported its passage, including its sponsor, Rep. Greg Rothman, R-Cumberland County, and Harrisburg’s lawmakers in the House and Senate, Rep. Patty Kim and Sen. John DiSanto.

“While I wish we had been able to achieve a permanent solution for the city and the region, Harrisburg’s immediate fiscal crisis has lifted,” Papenfuse said. “I look forward to working with the new members of the Intergovernmental Cooperation Authority—as it’s time to roll up our sleeves and continue to work for the long-term success of Harrisburg and the capital region.”

The bill is the culmination of a 10-month lobbying effort by Harrisburg officials, who have long said the city needs stronger taxing powers to support the capital city. It will allow Harrisburg to preserve about $12 million in annual revenue that would have been lost in a traditional Act 47 exit.

Act 47 allows Harrisburg to levy a 2 percent EIT on all residents and a $156 LST, even though state law caps EIT rates at 1 percent and LST at $56 per year. Without HB 2557, Harrisburg would have been forced to cut its EIT in half and slash its LST by two-thirds when it exits state oversight.

Local officials say those rates are untenable in Harrisburg, which supports large swaths of tax-exempt properties and a daily population of some 50,000 commuters. Mayor Eric Papenfuse had told lawmakers that the city’s emergency services and infrastructure would be in jeopardy if the city had to cut its taxes.

With HB 2557 in place, Harrisburg will also be spared high property tax increases that were prescribed in a proposed three-year Act 47 exit plan.

The city did make one significant sacrifice in the final bill, which was amended in October to put a five-year time limit on the enhanced taxing power.

The original legislation only required Harrisburg to retire its tax rates once its surpluses partially funded a post-retirement benefit fund for its employees. Projections estimated that could take up to 20 years.

Rep. Kim called it “the best we can do” in a Republican-controlled legislature. She hopes that the five-year timeframe will still give Harrisburg enough time to increase its tax base.

Bowers Named to City Council

Danielle Bowers, a lifelong Harrisburg resident and state government staffer, is the newest member of Harrisburg City Council.

Last month, Bowers beat out 14 other candidates, including one past council president, to take the seat formerly held by council member Cornelius Johnson.

Bowers works as an executive director for the Pennsylvania House of Representatives Tourism and Recreational Development Committee. She previously held researcher roles with the Democratic Policy Office and Legislative Black Caucus and holds a master’s degree in public administration from Pennsylvania State University.

Her appointment to council creates a vacancy on the Zoning Hearing Board, where she has served for the past three years.

Fifteen candidates appeared before council last month to share their qualifications and ask for a chance to serve on the city’s legislative branch. But only four were invited to participate in the interview phase, where sitting council members asked candidates about their skills and goals for public service.

During her interview, Bowers touted her legislative experience and her knowledge of the city’s finances. She said she would like to pass legislation to bolster public safety and hopes to see the city’s Police Bureau return to its full complement.

Candidates Josiah Yonker, an IT professional, Gloria Martin-Roberts, a former council president and mayoral candidate, and Airis Smallwood, a healthcare administrator and musician, also received nominations and sat for interviews.

City Releases Housing Study

The results of Harrisburg’s first citywide housing study are in, and they predict a shortfall of more than 200 rental units at all price points over the next three years.

Representatives from the consulting firm that prepared the study presented their main findings to City Council last month. The authors said demand for rental housing in Harrisburg will outpace supply through 2020, even as development projects put new units on the market.

As a result, Harrisburg will face a shortage of about 244 rental units across the city—a figure that accounts for the city’s existing housing stock, new units coming onto the market and old units becoming uninhabitable.

The study also considers population projections, which anticipate that Harrisburg will gain 300 households in the next three years, mostly in the Allison Hill and Uptown neighborhoods.

The study didn’t offer any policy recommendations, but city hall officials intend to use its findings to develop long-term development strategies and housing policy proposals.

3rd Street Study Released

Harrisburg’s 3rd Street corridor is headed in a positive direction, though it remains a work in progress in terms of redevelopment, economic activity and walkability.

That’s the general conclusion of a study by the Washington, D.C.-based Urban Land Institute (ULI), a nonprofit research and educational organization that recently examined the corridor from Reily Street in Midtown to Chestnut Street downtown.

“The 3rd Street corridor possesses a great deal of momentum and potential for continued development,” stated the report, titled “TLC for Harrisburg’s Third Street Corridor.” “Strategically bridging the gap between the downtown and Midtown neighborhoods can put Harrisburg on the map as a vibrant capital city with a strong urban core.”

ULI visited Harrisburg for two days in April, walking the two-mile stretch then interviewing stakeholders who live, work and own businesses there. Their analysis and report were sponsored by Harristown Development, which owns Strawberry Square.

The 14-page report lauds the recent redevelopment and adaptive reuse that has occurred along the stretch. However, it states that much work still needs to be done so that the corridor can achieve a fuller potential. It cites three specific challenges:

“Dead Zones”: Many buildings have been restored, but many have not. There is still too much blight and too many empty storefronts.
Forster Street: Forster Street is too wide, busy and inhospitable, cutting off downtown from Midtown and deterring pedestrian activity.
Aesthetics: Aesthetics are inconsistent. Some areas appear pleasant, while others do not, both in terms of streetscape and the condition of structures.

The study then offers a variety of recommendations, such as incentivizing homeownership, encouraging pop-ups in empty storefronts, increasing police visibility, enforcing maintenance codes, improving the streetscape and better connecting downtown and Midtown.

Two suggestions stood out as especially ambitious.

The first recommended improving the intersection of N. 3rd and Forster streets by employing traffic-calming measures, making it more pedestrian-friendly and possibly reducing the number of lanes. The second proposed forming a “Third Street Coalition,” which would help promote, brand and advocate for the corridor.

Environmental Council Reconstituted

After more than two years of dormancy, Harrisburg’s Environmental Advocacy Council is back in action.

City Council repopulated the all-volunteer body recently when it voted unanimously to approve five appointees nominated by council members and the city administration. One appointee, Rafiyqa Muhammad, is a holdover from the former EAC that dissolved in 2016.

She’s joined by new members Tanya Dierolf, Christine Proctor, Molly Cheatum and Melanie Cook.

The five-member body will advise the mayor and other city officials on matters related to the environment and sustainability. As an advisory group, it does not have the power to manage or disburse money, but it will make recommendations on how to spend the money collected by Harrisburg’s “host fee.”

Harrisburg collects more than $250,000 a year in fees for hosting a regional incinerator, which is owned by the Lancaster County Solid Waste Management Authority (LCSWMA). State law allows cities with regional waste sites to assess a $1 per ton fee on the waste processed there. That money must be used to make environmental improvements in the city.

Christopher Nafe, the city’s new sustainability coordinator, will manage the EAC and attend all of its meetings, Mayor Eric Papenfuse said.

Papenfuse hopes that having a designated city hall staff member will help the EAC avoid the dysfunction that felled it in 2016, when most of its five members resigned.

Nafe hopes that the new EAC will advise the city on existing and new initiatives. Those include working with the Tree Advisory Council, which monitors the city’s tree population, and developing educational programs at the city’s new composting facility in Susquehanna Township.

New CRO for Harrisburg Schools

A retired Philadelphia-area superintendent will serve as the new state oversight officer for the Harrisburg School District.

The Pennsylvania Department of Education appointed Dr. Janet Samuels as the district’s new chief recovery officer in October.

She will oversee the implementation of a new, long-term recovery plan aimed at raising the district’s academic performance and financial health.

PDE put the school district under a financial recovery designation in 2012. State law requires every district in recovery to have a state-appointed recovery officer.

Samuels replaces Audrey Utley, who retired in June after serving as Harrisburg’s CRO for three years.

Her salary is capped at $144,000 annually and will be paid by PDE.

Last June, Samuels retired as the superintendent of Norristown Area School District, where she oversaw a $150 million annual budget and nine schools enrolling 7,400 students. She previously served as a regional superintendent for the Philadelphia Area School District. Her career in public education spans 35 years and includes experience as a principal and classroom teacher.

So Noted

Donald E. Schell has been named the new chair of the Homeland Center’s board of trustees. Schell, who has served on the board since 2001, takes over from Morton Spector, who will continue to serve on the board as immediate past chair.

Jeanne Troy is the new development director for Tri County Community Action, it was announced last month. In the newly created position, Troy is responsible for advancing the mission of TCCA by developing donor strategies and increasing fundraising opportunities.

Justin Roth has been named marketing manager for Capital City Mall, leading the marketing efforts for the Camp Hill shopping center. He previously served as the marketing and communications manager for the Harrisburg Regional Chamber & CREDC.

Minuteman Press is relocating to larger space next door to its current location on the first block of S. 3rd Street in Harrisburg. Franchise owner Charlotte Todd recently purchased the Original Copy Shop, which had operated for 32 years, and converted it to a Minuteman shop.

Robert W. Morris & Co. last month celebrated the grand opening of its new office at 510 N. Front St., Wormleysburg. This is the second location for the CPA firm, which also has offices in New Bloomfield, Pa.

Three Little Birds Boutique opened a second location last month at the new Hershey Towne Square. The shop, which specializes in women’s clothing, shoes and accessories, joins businesses like Iron Hill Brewpub, Starbucks and several other restaurants and shops at the mixed-use retail and office project in downtown Hershey.
Changing Hands

Bigelow Dr., 22: E. Johnson to T. Henry, $55,000

Briggs St., 214: X. Chen to Around the Corner LLC, $135,000

Capital St., 909: M. Dietz to J. Canamucio & J. Block, $130,000

Chestnut St., 1836: G. Norman to A. Nebbou, $30,000

Crescent St., 219: Anpat LLC to J. Le, $47,000

Croyden Rd., 2926: S. McDougal to A. Guerrero, $74,900

Cumberland St., 260: J. Bane to M. Mueller, $122,250

Delaware St., 266: WCI Partners to D. Taylor, $124,900

Fillmore St., 622: J. Hoch to KAB Rental Properties LLC, $40,000

Fulton St., 1729: J. Tanjung & W. Leyu to M. Gleason, $112,500

Grand St., 924: L. Searles to N. McClure, $79,900

Green St., 1818: J. Lightner to Fratelli Property Investments LLC, $110,000

Greenwood St., 2151: Alliance of Automotive Service Providers of PA Inc. to Edwin L. Heim Co., $320,000

Holly St., 1811: Wells Fargo Bank NA to R. Murphy, $32,500

Holly St., 2009: PA Deals LLC to E. Shelly, $65,900

Hunter St., 1535: P. & F. Kehler to S. Costa, $35,000

Kelker St., 231: Cartus Financial Corp. to E. Bliman & H. Hamilton, $180,000

Kelker St., 332 & 1821 N. 3^rd St.: Harrisburg Redevelopment Authority to Pennsylvania National Fire Museum, $125,000

Kensington St., 2302: X. Weng & C. Yang to Fowler Investments LLC, $39,500

Kensington St., 2348: M. Hardison to N. Terry, $66,000

Kent Lane, 198: Neidlinger Enterprises to F. Manzanillo & S. Rodriguez, $75,000

Lenox St., 1910: RTD Properties and Management to R. Do, $40,000

Lewis St., 321: D. Licciardello to R. Neely, $114,900

Luce St., 2354 & 2356: L. Salcedo to C. Santiago, $102,000

Market St., 1829: D. & S. Parikh to G. Allen, $69,000

Market St., 2211: G. Dunn to S., J. & M. Buckham, $84,400

Muench St., 402: M. Huynh to SA Home Solutions LLC, $30,000

Mulberry St., 1842: A. Woolridge to A. Faican & E. Sumbra, $49,900

North St., 1609: W. Davis to R. Cantave, $120,000

N. 2^nd St., 901 & 903: W. & J. Hobbie to B. Golper & WG PA Holdings LLC, $365,000

N. 2^nd St., 907: D. Pong to R. Anspach Jr., 173,900

N. 3^rd St., 1636: MJ Trust Properties LLC & C. Jurasits to Fratelli Property Investment LLC, $110,000

N. 4^th St., 2443: T. & K. Malesic to W. Lawrence, $80,000

N. 5^th St., 2605: Harrisburg Homes Investment LLC to NGDGR Company Inc., $48,000

N. 6^th St., 2605: A. & P. Ashenberg to R2 Property Group LLC, $43,000

N. 7^th St., 2400: J. Holmes & BAS Tax Services Corp. to DAP 7 Curtin LP, $270,000

N. 7^th St., 2640: Q. Higgs to Riley Residential Real Estate LLC, $35,000

N. 15^th St., 1121: Golden Lover Realty LLC to B. Shephard & N. Cook, $39,000

N. 15^th St., 1415: J. & O. Hearn to E. Mantilla, $43,500

Peffer St., 613: K. Timmons to J. Santiago, $46,000

Penn St., 1336: H. & L. Roberts to J. O’Neill, $36,100

Penn St., 2105: G. Hanslovan to T. Hage, $45,000

Penn St., 2139: PA Capital Area Investments LLC to DHS Team LLC, $30,000

Reily St., 333: Dobson Family Partnership to ADS Investments LLC, $89,900

Seneca St., 241: J. Williamson to CR Property Group, $32,500

S. 13^th St., 1403: M. Stewart to B. Price Jr., $38,000

S. 14^th St., 916: 916 S. 14^th Street Partnership to Harrisburg Housing Authority, $1,150,000

S. 14^th St., 1435 & 1400 Randolph St.: A. Ingram Jr. & W. Blankenship to City of Harrisburg, $43,000

S. 20^th St., 1100: Paxton Street Home Benevolent Society Inc. to Paxton Place I LP, $250,000

S. 21^st St., 922: A. Mariluz Jr. to D. Ramos, $68,000

State St., 231, Unit 304: P. Brommer to BCRA Realty LLC, $102,000

Susquehanna St., 1805: HBG Rents LLC to V. & C. Vergara, $61,000

Sycamore St., 1711: Leonard J. Dobson Family LP to H. Yunis, $70,000

Valley Rd., 2305: J. Dunn & A. Meyers to J. Alpert, $179,900

Verbeke St., 233: D. Varno & C. Johnson to E. Herrmann & L. Hall, $126,900

Walnut St., 1232: Valley Real Estate Holdings LLC to C. & C. Hinckley, $33,000

Wayne St., 1517: J. Alvarado to A. Sweet Sr., $120,000

From the Heart: River City Singers bring a message with their music.

October 31, 2018 | by Stephanie Kalina-Metzger

Illustration by Aron Rook.

Hans Christian Andersen once said, “Where words fail, music speaks.”

When you sit down and chat with members of the River City Singers, you learn that their repertoire is carefully crafted to lead observers down a particular path—one that is designed to be impactful, yet entertaining; thought provoking, yet accessible.

Uplifting songs brimming with messages of peace, love and inclusivity are designed to transport the observer away from the cares of the day, if but for a few hours.

A group of friends with a shared passion formed the River City Singers.

“About a dozen of us used to sing together,” said Harrisburg resident Sparkie Radcliffe, who serves as the group’s artistic director, along with David Walker. “When we stopped, I missed it terribly.”

Both Radcliffe and Walker bring considerable experience to the table, with musical bona fides including, but not limited to, Radcliffe’s position as the former musical arranger for the Arcona Reel Band and Walker’s positions as director of the Hummelstown Community Singers and the Harrisburg Gay Men’s Chorus.

When the singer-friends decided to resurrect the idea of performing as a group, everything seemed to fall into place, including the practice venue.

“The Penbrook United Church of Christ was willing to give us much-needed rehearsal space, and various members of the church picked up that rental fee for us,” Radcliffe said. “They really are terrific people.”

Participants possess a wide range of musical experience, and the chorus is willing to work with anyone who is interested in joining.

“We welcome volunteer singers and instrumentalists from all ages, faiths, ethnicities and gender identities,” said Radcliffe.

As for musical instrumentation, it varies according to the mood of the song and currently includes piano, bass, drums and guitar.

In January, the chorus will celebrate its second anniversary. During this short period, it has expanded to 33 people, who rehearse each Monday night. Because the group is always open to new members, interested parties are invited to simply show up at the church to learn more.

“There’s not necessarily an audition, but we do require that they can carry a tune,” Radcliffe said, emphasizing that the group seeks passion over perfection. “Beyond that, any singer is welcome to join our chorus. Other choirs may be a bit more polished, but we sing from our hearts.”

Members of the chorus range in age from 19 to 84.

“That’s what makes it fun,” said Kathleen Daugherty, who has been with the group since its inception. “I love to sing. I’ve sung in churches and in my college choir. So, when Sparkie put out the invitation, I decided to join.”

According to Radcliffe, it’s not unusual for their performances to elicit a roller coaster of emotions.

“They bring both tears and laughter,” she said, reflecting back on one of the more light-hearted numbers performed last Christmas season. “We like to include the audience and, last year, when we performed ‘The 12 Days of Christmas,’ we divided them into 12 sections, and three of my neighbors were the three French hens.”

Daugherty broke into a wide smile at the thought, before referencing another song that most people find amusing.

“It’s called, ‘I Want to Stare at My Phone with You,” she said.

Like the makeup of the chorus, the material is inclusive, spanning cultures and generations.

Currently, the group is working on its upcoming holiday performances, most of which deliver a message.

“We sing a song called, ‘The Work of Christmas,’ which describes how the real work of Christmas comes after the excitement of the season is over,” said Daugherty.

When it comes to genres, the River City Singers refuse to be pigeonholed. Songs range from jazz to contemporary to ancient hymns. Radcliffe mentioned that the Indigo Girls song, “There’s Still My Joy,” may be performed on the same evening as “Boar’s Head Carol,” which dates back to the 15th century. Currently in the works—a Fred Rogers “Won’t You Be My Neighbor” tribute.

Radcliffe described the multi-faceted group as “multi-cultural, multi-racial and multi-generational,” yet unified in one objective—to bring people together with a message of love.

For more information about the River City Singers, visit their Facebook page, “Harrisburg’s River City Singers.”

Sing Me a Song

The River City Singers have two shows coming up in December:

Dec. 2, 3 p.m.
Penbrook United Church of Christ
56 Banks St., Harrisburg

Dec. 9, 2 p.m.
Colonial Park United Church of Christ
5000 Devonshire Rd., Harrisburg

Musical Notes: Fall Swingin’

October 31, 2018 | by Kait Gibboney

Fall is in full swing, and Harrisburg keeps coming out with some real hits. But, before we get to this month’s killer music, I want to highlight a few events that fall outside the usual conception of music concert.

The HBG Flea moves their monthly market indoors starting this month, giving you an opportunity to fully experience the cultural melting pot that is Strawberry Square. Check out some live music and local artisans while you’re there, and be sure to snag some vinyl while you’ve got music on the brain. If you’ve missed the magic that is a live “Rocky Horror” show during Halloween, H*MAC’s got your back this month with their annual performances on Nov. 2 and 3 by the H*MAC Theatre Co. And if you didn’t know already, River City’s got a killer karaoke setup every Thursday night, every week. Perfect for a night out after work and a perfect opportunity to sing your lil’ heart out.

Sometimes, it can be hard to keep track of all that our city has to offer, but it’s my hope that y’all get out and support the businesses and people that help to grow the arts and music scene in the city. Show your local love and get some live shows in your life.

JOEY CALDERAZZO, 11/4, 3PM, WITF, $10-24
If you’re feeling kinda jazzy, Central PA Friends of Jazz has got one heck of a show for you. Joey Calderazzo performs at WITF for the final concert on their 38th season. Associated with his former bandmates Michael Brecker and Branford Marsalis, Calderazzo has made a name for himself, forming his own group and touring extensively. He started his classical studies at the age of 6, started playing the piano when he was 8, studied with Richard Beirach, continued his musical education, and been part of many groups in his lifetime of music. In 1998, the Branford Marsalis Quartet pianist Kenny Kirkland died. Assuming his place in the band, Calderazzo eventually went on to be one of the first musicians to sign with Marsalis Music. Today, he’s known as one of the best pianists in the jazz field. Be prepared to be dazzled as Calderazzo plays the 9-foot Steinway piano at WITF’s Public Media Center.

FRUIT BOOTS / NATURAL VELVET, 11/10, 8PM, THE UNDERGROUND BIKE SHOP, $5
Drag shows are something that drew me to the city in college. It’s a fun evening of free gender expression and empowerment that I feel everyone should experience at least once. Fortunately, this is the Sundae Best Variety Show’s all-ages edition of their “Fruit Boots” show, which is a perfect introduction to anyone wanting a bit of punk drag performance in their lives. Joining the stage with the Fruit Boots cast is Natural Velvet, Baltimore natives who are bringing some post-punk aggression to the Underground Bike Shop. The group is made up of bassist and vocalist Corynne Ostermann, drummer Greg Hatem, guitarist Spike Arreaga and guitarist Kim Te. Their album, “She is Me,” is a good place to start to get a taste of their style, and their cover of David Bowie’s “Boys Keep Swinging” is one of my favorites. Get your fruits, get your boots, and get ready to rock!

EXPLODED VIEW, 11/12, 7PM, THE ABBEY BAR, $15
My introduction to Exploded View was through their music video for their song, “Summer Came Early.” Not only was it visually striking from a film standpoint, but their dreamy sound really drew me in. In 2014, Anika, a British political journalist turned musician, formed a new collaboration after playing a few solo shows in Mexico. She and local producers Martin Thulin, Hugo Quezada and Amon Melgarejo cultivated a truly unique sound that they felt had to be captured. Believing in the power of improvisational and raw music, their unscripted album was recorded by capturing every sound produced in the room, first takes only. Head on over to The Abbey Bar to experience their true sound in person, the way music is meant to be heard.

Mentionables:

Allen Stone, Nov. 20, H*MAC Capitol Room
The Machine, Nov. 21, Whitaker Center
Yam Yam, Nov. 21, The Abbey Bar
Kix, Nov. 23, Club XL
Atreyu, Nov. 23, H*MAC Capitol Room
The Dirty Sweet, Nov. 24, The Abbey Bar
Toubab Krewe, Nov. 27, The Abbey Bar

$4.5 million extension underway to link Fort Hunter Park to Greenbelt.

October 30, 2018 | by Lizzy Hardison

Local and state officials break ground on the Fort Hunter Link, which will connect the park in Susquehanna Township to the Greenbelt Trail via Wildwood Park in Harrisburg.

Have you ever wanted to ride your bike from Paxtang to Fort Hunter Park?

That could soon be possible, thanks to a $4.5 million expansion to the Capital Area Greenbelt Trail, which runs for 20 miles through five municipalities in Dauphin County.

A two-mile trail extension will create a contiguous route from Fort Hunter Park in Susquehanna Township to Wildwood Park in Harrisburg. Local and state officials gathered at Fort Hunter today to break ground on the new segment, which has an anticipated completion date of late 2019.

Framed by sweeping views of the Susquehanna River and the Rockville Bridge, project leaders hailed the trail’s potential to make Fort Hunter accessible to cyclists and pedestrians.

“When you’re out biking, who would not want to come here?” said Barry Schoch, a former PennDOT secretary who serves as president of the Capital Area Greenbelt Association’s board of directors. “With this connection, you can come up to Fort Hunter, attend one of the many events Dauphin County puts on, enjoy this beautiful view and ride your bike back home.”

Located on the banks of the Susquehanna River, Fort Hunter is home to a historic mansion, outbuildings and playground. Its 40-acre grounds are popular for outdoor festivals, but the only safe way to travel to the park is by car, said Dauphin County Commissioner George Hartwick.

The Greenbelt extension will make the park accessible by foot and bike by creating a pedestrian lane on Front Street north of Linglestown Road. Front Street’s four traffic lanes will be reduced to three, with one turning lane and one northbound and southbound lane each for cars.

Traffic studies show the impact on motorists will be negligible, Hartwick said.

The project will also eliminate an on-road section of the Greenbelt trail along industrial sites near Wildwood Park. The new segment will start at the northern tip of Wildwood Park at Linglestown Road, running west to link with the new pedestrian lane on Front Street.

Click to enlarge the map of the 20-mile Greenbelt, including the 2-mile Fort Hunter Link.

In addition to the $4.5 million expansion, the leaders also heralded an additional $3 million in safety enhancements planned elsewhere along the Greenbelt.

Six sites along the trail will get new paving and crossing signals in coming months, including intersections at Front and Vaughn streets in Harrisburg; Herr Street and Parkway Drive in Harrisburg; Market and 28th streets in Penbrook; Paxton and 32nd streets in Penbrook; Route 511 at the Five Senses Garden in Swatara Township; and Cameron and Elliot streets near the Dauphin County Recycling Center in Harrisburg.

Other downtrodden segments of the Greenbelt will also be repaved, among them the riverfront trail outside the PennDOT building in Harrisburg.

The bulk of the $7.5 million project budget came from a $5 million grant from PennDOT. The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources contributed $1 million, and the remainder came from state and county agencies, including Dauphin County Gaming Grants.

More than 400,000 visitors use the Greenbelt annually, Hartwick said. The 20-mile trail was conceived more than 100 years ago by Harrisburg resident Mira Lloyd Dock, who advocated for Harrisburg to join the nationwide City Beautiful movement and improve its public spaces.

Along with the landscape architect William Manning, Dock envisioned the Greenbelt as an “emerald necklace” connecting the city’s Riverfront Park to surrounding communities.

The project was partially completed by 1917, but extensions stalled until a group of residents formed the Capital Area Greenbelt Association in the 1990s. Grants that CAGA obtained in 1999 allowed it to complete the trail according to Dock’s original vision.

Plans for the CAGA Fort Hunter Link extension. (Courtesy of Dauphin County.)

Harrisburg U completes land purchase for new downtown building, now planned for 19 stories.

October 30, 2018 | by Lawrance Binda

Harrisburg University of Science and Technology plans to build its new tower at this site at S. 3rd and Chestnut streets in Harrisburg.

Harrisburg University has completed the purchase of four parcels of land in downtown Harrisburg, bringing it a step closer to starting construction of a new academic tower and hotel.

In mid-October, HU bought 24, 26 and 28 S. 3rd St., as well as 222 Chestnut St., for a total of almost $3.2 million, according to Dauphin County property records. As the new landowner, the university, next month, will begin going through the city’s planning and zoning processes, said HU President Eric Darr.

If all goes according to schedule, HU expects to begin clearing the site, which includes demolishing three small, 19th-century-era buildings, in late spring, and initiate actual building construction in the early summer.

“The plan was always to put together those different parcels for the project,” Darr said.

Darr said that he expects a two-year construction timeframe for the building, now projected to be 19 stories tall, with completion expected in the summer of 2021. Originally, the university had planned for the building to rise more than 30 stories, but the size was scaled back due to higher-than-anticipated costs.

“The cost of the project exceeded what we felt comfortable with,” Darr said.

As now envisioned, the 280,000-square-foot building will have two main components. An academic portion will house HU’s health sciences programs, as well as several other disciplines, including advanced manufacturing and interactive media. An on-site boutique hotel will include 190 rooms, Darr said.

HU, Darr said, is currently “in negotiation” with its hotel partner, which will operate the hotel privately. He added that he’s confident that Harrisburg easily can absorb a new hotel, as, already, the university attracts a large population of visiting students, who often must stay in hotels outside the city.

Many HU graduate students work in high-tech jobs throughout the United States and commute into Harrisburg several weekends per semester to take classes on site. In all, HU enrolls nearly 6,000 students, the far majority of whom are graduate-level.

“We bring in the demand on the weekends,” Darr said. “To have a hotel just makes sense to us.”

Another view of the future site of HU’s new building.

The original project plan included space for student housing, which, Darr said, remains a critical need. However, HU now expects to convert some underused downtown buildings to housing, which would be a less expensive alternative.

“We’re evaluating other properties close to us to retrofit for student housing,” Darr said.

The revised plan also eliminated parking from the project, which, Darr said, shouldn’t be an issue as the site is near several parking garages. The plan also calls for a first-floor restaurant.

In addition to shepherding the project through the city’s land use process, the university, in the coming months, will focus on firming up financing for the $130 million building. Darr said that he expects the academic portion of the project—estimated at $95 million—to be financed through a combination of university reserve funds and commercial loans or bonds. The hotel portion, estimated at $30 to $35 million, will be financed by the hotel owner.

Alex Wing of Stantec, an Edmonton, Canada-based design and engineering firm, is leading the project. Wing also designed HU’s existing, 16-story building on Market Street.

For more information about Harrisburg University, visit https://harrisburgu.edu.

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