Greater Harrisburg's Community Magazine
Well well — Christmastime is here again.
Tonight, Andy and I are making peanut brittle, a Surra tradition, before we embark on a weekend of gatherings, get-togethers and travel.
What do you want for Christmas?
If you’re a Harrisburg resident or visitor, chances are good that free parking is high on your wish list. Well, that wish is granted, as the city’s parking manager today announced that street parking will not be enforced on Dec. 24, 25 and 26.
“Though Saturday is not an official city holiday, Park Harrisburg will suspend ticketing enforcement activities for everybody planning to visit the city for the holiday,” said Nancy Keim, senior manager of SP Plus.
Parking enforcement then will resume as normal, though street parkers will not have to pay on Jan. 1—but only because New Year’s Day falls on a Sunday.
Coming into the city for New Year’s Eve? Mayor Eric Papenfuse reminded drivers today that they can use the code “LUVHBG” with the Pango app for four hours of free parking on Saturday.
Also, parking garages will cost a $10 flat rate for Dec. 31. Drivers can park there all night while enjoying the city’s celebration downtown.
And what about that celebration?
Things start early for the kiddos, as the Gamut Theatre’s Popcorn Hat Players’ annual celebration begins at 11 a.m. with a play and a balloon drop at Whitaker Center.
For the adults, the official fun begins at 9 p.m, with light refreshments and the music of Jimmy Lawrence at Harrisburg city hall. Across the street, Harrisburg Young Professionals and the Hill Society will present a New Year’s Eve party at the Hilton Harrisburg.
And, as has become a central PA tradition, come midnight, a giant strawberry will drop from the hotel, followed by fireworks, to welcome the new year.
Aaron Johnson, the city’s director of Public Works, said his team will be ready to clean up after the holiday mess.
Speaking of which: Trash collection will be delayed a day during the weeks following Christmas and New Year’s, both Sundays. So, if your trash is normally collected on a Monday, the city will collect it on Tuesday, and so forth, Johnson said.
During the week after Christmas, Public Works will accept extra trash loads without a fee, an exception to the rule. In addition, during the entire month of January, residents can place Christmas trees to the curb for compost collection, according to Johnson.
For more information on city-sponsored events and schedules, visit www.harrisburgpa.gov or www.explorehbg.com/holiday/.
Author: Danielle Roth
Some students described their frustrations with working through packets of worksheets rather than following a teacher’s instructions. Some students penned their desire to develop leadership skills. Some wrote about needing to feel safe and appreciated.
More than 100 letters stuffed into four manila envelopes and a folder document these concerns from Harrisburg School District students and teachers. Last month, Harrisburg Education Association President Jody Barksdale delivered the letters to the school board.
At last night’s meeting, HEA Vice President Paul Kornfeld followed up on the delivery.
“There are other things going on in buildings that board members need to see,” he said.
School Board President Danielle Robinson said she will schedule a day off from her full-time information technology contractor position with the state so she can tour the schools with HEA to learn more about the concerns expressed in the letters.
“I read each and every one,” Robinson said.
She wrote a synopsis to give to the board, and board Vice President James R. Thompson received the letters to review.
“Even if things take some time, we are working on it,” Robinson said.
Students want structure, boundaries and discipline, Robinson said, referencing the letters, in addition to concerns about safety, teaching techniques and learning leadership skills.
Kornfeld, a life skills teacher at John Harris High School, said students need more mental health support. The district does not offer the stability and structure needed for students who come from unstable homes, he said.
“These are the kids missed in the shuffle,” he said. “I think students need an avenue to communicate.”
Teachers frequently leave the district, causing students to lose a sense of security, he said.
Board members took a step toward increasing teacher retention last night, though the district continues to search for a full-time human resources director.
Robinson said the board will review employee resignations in executive session. This decision comes after the advocacy of school board member Judd Pittman, who suggested the idea of exit interviews tonight and in past meetings.
“It’s hard to understand what we are doing as a board [without this information],” he said. “It’s like shots in the dark.”
Pittman said he wants to know what caused teachers to leave, but also why the teachers stayed for so long. This information would inform teacher development and support, he said.
Last night, the board approved the resignation of a teacher, an aide and a secretary. More than 50 employees have resigned this school year, according to past meeting agendas.
“An employee evaluation system should be in place,” said Ellis R. Roy, Jr., the chair of the board’s policy and procedure committee.
Author: Danielle Roth
I guess it’s winter, and I don’t know about you but my holiday schedule is completely in gear for this weekend.
Tonight I’m headed to the Jump Street Open House, then off for a little QT with T. After which, I’ll return home to finally decorate the tree.
On Friday, Jimtern and I are headed to York for a mini field trip and cowork. Collusion is on the list, as is ORD.
Saturday morning should be the usual gym + market, but by evening, we’re off to the ballet to see CPYB perform with the Harrisburg Symphony at Hershey Theatre. Then Sunday, it’s a birthday Brunch ‘n Bowl (plus sneaking in the Steelers game).
City Council voted 6-1 to approve the 2017 budget yesterday.
City Council tonight approved a $65 million budget for 2017, which largely reflected the budget that Mayor Eric Papenfuse proposed last month.
“The process could not have gone more smoothly,” Papenfuse said after the spending plan was passed.
The budget, a nearly $6 million spending increase from last year, includes $2.5 million for a new public works facility, $127,754 for police body cameras and Tasers and $90,000 to repair Reservoir Park’s band shell.
City Council considered five amendments to the proposed budget before passing it. As a result, the Bureau of Police will receive funding so officers can take eight hours of mental health training. In addition, the general fund and the “host fee,” an annual allotment Harrisburg receives by hosting the regional incinerator, will fund the salaries of a park ranger and a sustainability manager, respectively. Non-uniformed city employees of the AFSCME union will receive a 1-percent raise and bonuses per their agreed upon contract.
Council Vice President Shamaine Daniels proposed an amendment to reduce the salary of the director of the city’s Department of Community and Economic Development from $90,000 to $70,000.
For the past three years, the Capital Region Economic Development Corp. (CREDC) has subsidized Director Jackie Parker’s $90,000 salary. Next year, the city is responsible for her entire salary, though Papenfuse said he is waiting to find out if CREDC will kick in $20,000 towards it.
Daniels insisted that her amendment was not intended to target Parker.
“This is not about the person in the position,” said Daniels, stating that the salary is about $20,000 more than the salaries of other departmental directors. “This is about the city’s position financially.”
Her budget amendment failed 6-1, with only Daniels supporting it. Daniels then voted against the budget as a whole, which was approved 6-1.
Overall, the budget largely reflected what Papenfuse proposed last month during his budget presentation.
As per capital expenditures, the Bureau of Police will receive new Tasers for every officer and the deployment of 303s on every shift. A 303 is an impact device shoots lead paintballs. With an extended range of 55 feet, the 303s can mark individuals for apprehension in a protest.
The budget also funds body cameras for every officer, as well as two new positions—a public safety information technology specialist and a crime analyst.
The new budget also gives $130,000 to the Bureau of Fire to replace a straight truck and to upgrade inspector vehicles.
Other infrastructure spending was approved for projects such as traffic signal upgrades, accessibility improvements per ADA requirements and streetlights.
City Council tonight also passed a tax bill, which will keep the city’s property tax rate unchanged for 2017.
Author: Danielle Roth
Harrisburg’s historic farmers market was given the all clear to transition to a nonprofit entity tonight, as City Council approved a lease and management agreement with the soon-to-be-formed Broad Street Market Alliance.
Though not on the agenda, a resolution to enter into the agreement was approved by a unanimous vote after council brought it up from the floor.
Market Manager Beth Taylor, who attended tonight’s meeting, said the management agreement will allow the market to enter a new era, able to tap into grants reserved for nonprofits and raise funds more easily for upgrades and improvements.
“I find this to be an exciting time,” she said. “I’m looking forward to the future to see everything that the market is able to do.”
For decades, the market, which dates back to 1861, was squeezed among various entities, run by the for-profit Broad Street Market Corp. under the auspices of Historic Harrisburg Association. In addition, the city owns the two market buildings and property and had been liable for all maintenance and repairs. That responsibility now will fall to the Broad Street Market Alliance.
“This is big news on the Broad Street Market,” Mayor Eric Papenfuse said after the meeting. “The new Alliance will be able to start out completely fresh.”
Papenfuse said that market leadership already is eyeing a $100,000 U.S. Department of Agriculture grant that would allow it to make critical repairs. The grant, he hopes, will be awarded in springtime.
Before approving the agreement, council passed an amendment that will give council members or representatives two seats on the Alliance’s 15-member board of directors.
Moreover, council introduced a resolution that would add more free parking for the market. Under the resolution, James Street, William Street and N. 4th Street would become two-hour market parking from Verbeke to Sayford streets.
Currently, those streets are residential permit parking for the Marketplace neighborhood, though most of the effected blocks are lightly developed. Having been introduced, the resolution likely will be voted on by council next month.
The market also plans to form a group called Friends of the Broad Street Market, which will assist the board in raising funds and will participate in other efforts to support the market.
“Now the real work begins,” said Chris Herr, president of the current, for-profit board. “There’s lot of work to do.”
The first order of business, he said, will be organizational—dissolving the current Broad Street Market Corp., officially becoming the new, nonprofit Broad Street Market Alliance and naming board members.
“It’s very appropriate to the new year that we have a new beginning,” Taylor said.
Author: Lawrance Binda
Harrisburg resident Les Ford shared his concerns with the board of Park Harrisburg on Dec. 13.
Park Harrisburg has operated and enforced Harrisburg’s street and garage parking for two years now. Yet residents at last night’s public parking meeting said the independent organization has not adapted to their needs.
A millennial said it took him several weeks to figure out how to use the Pango app, which allows motorists to buy parking time from their mobile devices. Several senior citizens echoed his sentiments, adding that the meters take too long to “warm up” during cold temperatures.
Harrisburg resident Les Ford recounted the story of an 83-year-old couple standing at a meter trying to figure out what happened to the screen.
“The problem is that that was two years ago,” he said. “Nothing has changed.”
Residents said the meters do not clearly denote hourly prices, discounts and holidays.
“I know that Dec. 25 is a holiday, but what about Dec. 26?” a resident asked.
With a decision to increase parking rates looming, Harrisburg residents and visitors may have more to lament.
John Gass, the director of parking system manager Trimont, said that Park Harrisburg will announce a rate increase in late December. He did not say what type—for street parking, garages or enforcement—or give any specifics to the increase.
In order to make bond payments, Gass said he sees the only two options as increasing revenue and decreasing expenses. He said revenues and operating expenses are on budget for 2016.
Standard Parking Regional Manager Jon Kemp announced yesterday that the company has decreased expenses by $60,000 this year by implementing two projects.
First, changing electricity providers from PPL Electric Utilities decreased the rate for electricity, he said. In addition, updating to energy-efficient LED lights in the four most outdated garages – River Street, Walnut Street, 5th Street and Chestnut Street – saved Park Harrisburg $33,000 from July to September, Kemp said.
Park Harrisburg typically has two public meetings per year. Chris Sherman, senior vice president of SP+ Municipal Services, which manages Park Harrisburg, said he did not know when the next meeting would be held.
Author: Danielle Roth
This weekend was originally on hold for a trip to NYC, but we canceled it, so now we have zero plans! I’m looking forward to finishing my Christmas shopping and wrapping and getting into the minor decorating we do here at Surra World Meat Headquarters.
Also on my list: bad Christmas movies (and hey, maybe a good one), making a roast and watching the Steelers on Sunday.
Students at Capital Area School for the Arts made decorations for the children’s tree.
Stockings have been hung, trees decorated and halls decked in one of Pennsylvania’s most notable homes–and you’re invited to drop by.
This Sunday, Gov. Tom Wolf and First Lady Frances Wolf will welcome visitors to the Governor’s Residence, which will be open to the public from 1 to 6 p.m. for an open house held in conjunction with Historic Harrisburg Association’s Annual Candlelight House Tour.
A nature theme inspired Pennsylvania artists, students and the Wolf family to decorate six Fraser firs found in the house.
“I like the way different people interpreted the theme,” Frances Wolf said.
The Wolfs invited their extended relatives to decorate the tree with colonial-inspired decorations such as dried oranges and apples.
Staff from Governor Tom Wolf’s office decorated his study.
Staffers from Wolf’s office “shopped the attic” to find the stockings and other decorations for his study, Frances Wolf said.
Debra Eberly from d.w. designs in Harrisburg decorated the Mellon Parlor.
Students from the Capital Area School for the Arts and a Highland Park elementary school created decorations for the children’s tree, which is circled by a toy train. Debra Eberly from d.w. designs in Harrisburg designed and decorated the Mellon Parlor.
Local groups will be performing at this year’s open house, including the Camp Hill United Methodist Bell Choir, Lemoyne Trinity Lutheran Bell Choir and the Mechanicsburg Area Senior High Wildcat Singers.
Visitors will have the opportunity to donate new, unwrapped toys to Toys for Tots and write cards for The American Red Cross “Holiday Mail for Heroes” program.
The Governor’s Residence is located at 2035 N. Front St. in Harrisburg. Click here for for more information about Historic Harrisburg Association’s candlelight tour.
Author: Danielle Roth
Diners get to know each other before sharing a meal at the inaugural gathering of the Islamic-Lutheran Taskforce of Central Pennsylvania.
This past Sunday, Tree of Life Lutheran Church hosted a unique potluck dinner, one marked by great food, occasional laughter and meaningful conversation.
Alongside the scalloped potatoes and vegetable pizza were Tandoori chicken, goat biryani and samosa, a flavorful, potato-filled, flakey pastry. It was the inaugural gathering of the Islamic-Lutheran Taskforce of Central Pennsylvania, and participants eagerly shared their dishes and their traditions inside the church in Susquehanna Township.
The taskforce began after The Muslim Community of Central Pennsylvania invited local church leaders to the “United We Stand Against Hatred & Bigotry” event at the Crowne Plaza in downtown Harrisburg last March. Afterwards, Bishop James Dunlop of the Lower Susquehanna Synod reached out to Muslim leadership and asked how Lutherans and Muslims could collaborate.
“This is the first of what will hopefully be a series of interfaith gatherings to broaden our understanding of our respective faiths and the God we share,” said Rev. Dr. Martin Zimmann, pastor at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church in Mechanicsburg.
The room buzzed with conversation among the 120 attendees, and people leaned in with interest to hear what others were saying.
One group discussed Islamic prayer and its required discipline of praying five times a day—before sunrise, at noon, before sunset, after sunset and before bedtime. The women, clothed in colorful hijabs, said that, with no public call to prayer, they use phone apps to help them remember the prescribed prayer times. They inquired about Christian prayer practices.
Conversations not only taught one another about differences, but also acknowledged similarities, most notably the group’s Abrahamic roots.
The Five Pillars of Islam (a belief in one God, prayer, charity, fasting and pilgrimage to Mecca) are akin to certain Christian concepts. Monotheistic Christianity encourages regular prayer, tithing and giving to the less fortunate. Catholicism embraces the discipline of fasting and abstaining from meat during Lent. Even the Muslim hijab—widely known as a head covering but that actually includes covering the body with loose-fitting garments—has a parallel in Christianity. Some women in Catholic and Anabaptist traditions wear hair coverings and dress modestly.
“For the most part, churches, mosques, synagogues and temples exist side by side, on the same block without any problems, and that’s a good thing,” said taskforce member Athar Aziz. “But what I have noticed is, despite the fact that we live close to each other, we don’t necessarily know a lot about each other.”
That ignorance, he said, can lead to misinformation, misunderstandings, fear and prejudice.
“In the light of information and understanding, I believe we can develop tolerance and friendship and cooperation,” he said.
A prayer is shared before eating.
Some of the conversation turned to presidential campaign rhetoric, which has caused concern among some Muslims living in the United States, as well as the recent threatening letter received by the Islamic Society of Greater Harrisburg. Despite this, women in the group shared that they have been treated well since the election. In fact, it seems people have gone out of their way to counter anti-Muslim sentiments by being kind to them, smiling, holding doors and even offering hugs, they said.
There was a sense of solidarity in the room, and Zimmann noted that, whatever the future may hold for Muslims in America, they will not stand alone.
Taskforce member Shahul Hemeed said he was happy that this event was happening.
“We can know each other and build a bond,” he said.
He added that Muslims and non-Muslims want the same thing— to work, raise their families and live peacefully.
“It’s important that we meet our neighbors, not just [listen to] the negativity that’s in the recent discourse,” said Joel Kroft of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Shiremanstown. “As Christians, we are called to know and care for our neighbors.”
Folks mingled long after the meal finished. Participants parted with hugs and handshakes and, like all good potlucks, went home with Styrofoam trays full of leftovers.
More importantly, they left with information, a new perspective and a few new friends.
Author: Susan Ryder
