Resolution Reboot: A few tips may help you get back on track with your fitness goals.

March 31, 2016 | by Ivan Black

Now that we are well into 2016, you have probably long forgotten any new year’s resolutions you may have made. Did you resolve to be healthier in 2016 or to finally make it a priority to “get fit?”

When people approach me about a fitness goal, I usually have a few follow-up questions because, in my experience, everyone is different. Before simply jumping into a new fitness routine, you may want to ask yourself:

What does fitness mean to you?
When you think about fitness, do you think about your appearance or do you think about your health?
What’s missing in your life?
How could fitness improve your life? Do you want to fit into your wedding dress again? Do you want to make the team? Do you want to improve your health so you can keep up with your kids? Does your job require you to meet certain physical demands?

We all have our reasons to work out, and we all know the countless benefits of doing so—stress management, athletic performance, health, physique, etc. The good news is that fitness is mainstream now, and there are a number of options available to help you meet your goals.

So, as we get further into 2016, whether you’ve been struggling with your resolutions or don’t even remember what they are, there is no better time than now to invigorate yourself with a new fitness routine. Here are five tips to get you back on track to ensure you meet your fitness goals this year.

Buddy up

When you’re setting fitness goals, try doing so with a workout buddy. If you can iron out the scheduling with another person, you could be arming yourself with a valuable instrument in the fight to stick to a training regimen. A friend can hold you accountable when your interest begins to fade. And a buddy system can help keep you motivated and make the training more fun. Additionally, you may find a little friendly competition brewing amidst your journey. This may help you get through some of your tougher workouts and, ultimately, help you reach your goals.

Do something you enjoy

There are a lot of fitness fads out there—and some of them might be perfect for you. Some, though, may not. Achieving your goals means finding a routine that works for you and sticking to it. So, make sure you find an activity you will enjoy. Think about a time you were more active. What were you doing? Is there a way for you to incorporate that activity into your life now? Just remember that success means sticking to your routine, whatever it is. Make sure you find something that works for you.

Set goals

One of the most important tools in the pursuit of health and transformation is goal setting. As you set goals, make sure they are realistic, attainable and measurable. You don’t want to set yourself up for failure.

As you set goals to improve your lifestyle, be mindful of the steps necessary to achieve them. For example, if you set a goal to drink more water, how will you go about achieving that goal, and how will you know whether you have achieved it? Instead, perhaps set a goal to drink a glass of water with breakfast, lunch and dinner. This way, you have a clear action plan, and you will know if you are achieving your goal. Goals like this are specific and attainable, which will allow you to hold yourself accountable.

It’s also important to set short-, medium- and long-term goals. Achieving your short- and medium-term goals will help give you the confidence you need to tackle your longer-term goals. And, again, if your goals are attainable, you will set yourself up for success. Heck, staying on track can be as simple as putting yourself out there and using your friends and family as a support system. If you are on social media, this can be a fantastic way to hold yourself accountable.

Join an active organization

There is no better way to get active than simply piggybacking on the efforts of others. Groups like Harrisburg Young Professionals can make that easy and exciting. They offer a variety of activities and events that get people moving and shaking. And, who knows, you might make a friend or two in the process.

Try group training

For those who are serious about taking their fitness to the next level, there is always group fitness training.

Group fitness is taking over the fitness scene because people are looking for creative ways to stay active and see results. This has created many opportunities for fitness entrepreneurs and, as a result, there are plenty of new fitness options on the market.

You don’t have to go to the gym and shell out for a trainer or stand among the undecipherable fitness equipment and try to put together your own routine. Group fitness is a way to get serious about your fitness. Leave it to a professional to come up with the creative program design and join a fitness community that will help keep you motivated.

It’s April, months after you made those 2016 resolutions. Fortunately, there’s still plenty of time to honor your pledge to get into better shape—especially with beach weather right around the corner.

Ivan Black is the owner and trainer at Next Step Performance, 1100 N. 3^rd St., Harrisburg. For more information, visit www.nsp.fitness or call 717-382-6398.

Measuring Up: Can Harrisburg Put Itself Back Together?

March 31, 2016 | by J. Alex Hartzler

James Fallows wrote a fascinating and insightful article for the March edition of The Atlantic titled “How America is Putting Itself Back Together.” Fallows’ essay provides a powerful and persuasive counter-argument to the prevailing political and media-driven narrative of America as a country in decline.

Over the past three years, Fallows and his family visited numerous small- and medium-sized cities throughout the country (i.e., not NYC, SF, LA and DC). The real story, he writes, is not that of a country in decline, but one of rebirth and resurgence. (He cites Pittsburgh and Allentown as two examples from Pennsylvania.) While some point to problems the country as a whole is said to have, most people he talked to refuse to acknowledge that those “other people’s problems” affect where they actually live and work.

Taken as a whole, America is still the land of invention, renewal, talent, assimilation, creativity and opportunity. While many are led to believe we are on the wrong track nationally, that story runs contrary to what is actually happening, according to Fallows. This may not be convenient for politicians running for office or media outlets that believe that only bad news sells, but it is a truth that is out there for those who spend the time to look, as he did.

I found Fallows’ observations to be exactly right, both from my travels around the country and here in our small city of Harrisburg. As I’ve often said in this column, don’t believe the bad news you read. Ninety-five or even 99 percent of what happens here every day tends to be positive, even it you have to wait monthly for TheBurg to read about it.

Fallows also suggests a way to evaluate the health of small cities and towns in the United States. His “Eleven Signs A City Will Succeed” is an instructive way of looking at the issue. So, I thought it would be a good exercise to take those 11 criteria and grade Harrisburg on the “Fallows scale.” Below is my attempt. No doubt your grades will be different based on your perspective. I find just thinking about these criteria and how we are doing in them can help determine how to move our city forward.

Divisive national politics seem a distant concern. Grade: B+. If this were “state” instead of “national” politics, the grade would go down, but, in general, I find that the many folks who hold strong views on national issues are quite willing to work together to make the local area, particularly the city, a better place. Many people who will never vote for the same presidential or gubernatorial candidate routinely work together on civic matters like the Downtown Improvement District, Harrisburg Chamber, Harrisburg Young Professionals and the like. The recent dust-ups between city and county leaders, however, prevent this category from being a solid A.

You can pick out the local patriots. Grade A. This one is easy. Harrisburg has both a broad-based group of civic leaders and a deep pool of talent that work daily to make the city better. It also has young talent rising through its ranks. Just look at the list of emerging leaders in HYP or the three newest members of City Council.

“Public-private partnerships” are real. Grade C. This item is hard to grade. On the one hand, a number of successful initiatives fall into this category: Whitaker Center, Harrisburg University, Harristown Development Corp. and Senators Baseball being a few. On the other hand, some of our biggest disasters do too: the former Harrisburg incinerator (now properly run by LCSWMA), the initially failed project at Cameron and Herr streets and the Wild West Museum, among others. The Civil War Museum may fall into either category, depending whom you talk to. Clearly, we have room for improvement here.

People know the civic story. Grade C. This category also highlights the strength of our city and a great weakness. For all the efforts of the Central Penn Business Journal, Harrisburg Magazine, Historic Harrisburg Association and, yes, TheBurg, to tell the real—and very encouraging—civic story about our city, the paper of record across the river runs a fairly constant drumbeat of doom and despair. Venture into the comment section of PennLive on nearly any article about the city (not that I recommend it), and you will see what giving public forum to a tiny minority of the disaffected will do to your civic psyche. Until PennLive vastly changes its ways, which are driven primarily by the motive to garner clicks for advertiser ratings rather than promote responsible discussion, it will continue to impede a healthy civic story about Harrisburg.

They have a downtown. Grade B+. From great restaurants, coffee shops and bars, a lively arts scene, 3^rd in the Burg and new apartments and condos, downtown is alive and well. However, many people correctly associate retail with a healthy downtown and, in this area, Harrisburg lags. Retail is tough, however, and it mostly follows residents, not leads them. As more people move downtown, more amenities and retail will follow.

They are near a research university. Grade D. I have often wondered what Harrisburg would look like if Penn State Harrisburg (the largest Penn State campus outside of State College) were actually in Harrisburg, instead of Middletown. There is no substitute for having a major research university physically located in your city as anyone from Madison, Columbus or Austin can tell you. But the good news is that, after 10 years, Harrisburg University has found its footing and is on its way to becoming a major institutional anchor and economic generator for the city.

They have, and care about, a community college. Grade B+. For what we lack in #6, we make up a lot of ground with this one. Both HACC and now Harrisburg University are important community educators in Harrisburg. Both are committed to the city and improving its overall health and reputation. Other area colleges like Messiah and Temple have also taken a welcome interest in the city by sending their students downtown during and after college, providing a bit of the college-town vibe.

They have unusual schools (K-12 level). Grade C. Harrisburg’s public schools are undeniably troubled, but this criterion involves “distinctive” schools. Harrisburg has several, led by the Capital Area School for the Arts Charter School, SciTech High and Math Science Academy, as well as several excellent parochial schools. My grade may have been higher, but Fallows adds that the average resident should be able to list these schools quickly as a source of pride. Unfortunately, the district’s general poor performance casts a shadow over other schools in the city.

They make themselves open. Grade B. Harrisburg is a diverse city on many levels, a source of both strength and strain from time to time. We welcome a variety of immigrants and visitors, whether to our colleges or for housing. We have been supporters of various religions and lifestyles long before those things were acceptable elsewhere. Some may argue that we have a long way to go, and I would not disagree, but we are no doubt ahead of many other parts of the country.

They have big plans. Grade A. Fallows means this as a government-led category, but, in Harrisburg, we tried that once, and it came crashing down around us. Today, city leadership is focused on basic competence, as it should be. The big plans come from the city’s entrepreneurial class. Witness St@rtup, WebpageFX, The Laus Group restaurants, Urban Churn, Stash, Char’s, AndCulture, Mangia Qui, Midtown Scholar, The Millworks, HMAC, The MakeSpace and many others with big plans that are happening today. One civic item Fallows also referenced is urban infrastructure. When 2^nd Street is returned to two-way traffic, Harrisburg will take a major step toward putting that part of the city back together again.

They have craft breweries (and small distilleries). Grade A. Harrisburg boasts Zeroday Brewing, Appalachian Brewing Company, Midstate Distillery and Troegs (a legacy Harrisburg company, so we still claim them). A few other breweries are slated to open this year. Let me add Little Amps coffee shop, which gives the same vibe. All fantastic.

Overall grade: solid B. On the items city residents can actually control, things are improving and have a very bright future. On those we cannot (schools, research universities and suburban media), we suffer. As an artist acquaintance of mine, who recently moved to Harrisburg from Chicago, told me, “There are few places around the country where you can have so much, for so little.” We need more people (and attitudes) like him to come help us grow.

J. Alex Hartzler is publisher of TheBurg.

All Dogs Go to 7th Street: It’s a pooch paradise at Keystone K9.

March 31, 2016 | by Andrew Bargh

It’s 10 a.m. on a Friday, and I’m being playfully mobbed by half-a-dozen large dogs bursting with enthusiasm over nothing and anything.

A ball, a passing car, the fact that a stranger has just walked in among them—it doesn’t really matter. All that seems to matter to these creatures is the sheer joy of being alive.

It’s a beautiful thing, even to a non-dog person such as myself. As they scamper around me, I wonder if many people remember being this excited about anything in a long time.

But this is a daily scene inside Keystone K9, a new dog care facility downtown near 7^th and Forster streets. Keystone K9 is the creation of Josh Feldman, who got the idea years ago while working long hours in Manhattan and dropping his own dog, Guvner, at a daycare center nearly every day.

Feldman says this helped keep Guvner happy and healthy while he was out of the house for most of the day. It also helped keep his furniture intact, he says, because destructive behavior can emanate from boredom.

In 2010, after moving back to Harrisburg, where he previously attended Widener Law, Feldman started thinking more seriously about making this service accessible for dog lovers here. He was always interested in business and entrepreneurship, and he was looking for a way to spend more time with Guvner as he gets older. He found the perfect space in a former plasma donation center on 7^th Street and cut down to part-time at his job with Kaplan Bar Review during renovations.

The center opened in mid-December after Feldman got all the requisite equipment, soundproofed the space and brought it up to fire code. He also decked out the walls with paintings by local artists, including a re-imagination of the “Abbey Road” cover with the Beatles’ heads swapped out for dogs’.

Feldman hired six employees to help with boarding and daycare, conduct grooming, and facilitate training sessions. All six are trained in dog first aid and CPR.

Camp for Dogs

Dogs board at Keystone K9 while their owners are at work or out of town. It’s sort of like summer camp for dogs.

They make some new friends, have new experiences, get a little exercise, and, presumably, it’s all over too soon. They spend most of the day playing in a large room with street-facing windows and plenty of toys. (You can see what it looks like via their website’s live-streaming “DoggyCam.”)

Just as at summer camp, there are cliques. The dogs are often segregated based on size or social abilities. Smaller dogs, as well as more rowdy or aggressive ones, may be kept separate from the rest of the pack.

But there is plenty of room for all to have a good time. The staff uses movable partitions to allocate space to different groups depending on the mix of “campers” on any given day.

The group that is affectionately mauling me this morning is primarily larger breeds—a poodle, a mastiff, a border collie, a pit bull and others. The dogs are energetic, but well trained and respectful. They rarely jump up on people or bark loudly, and they obey the on-duty trainer’s commands.

Across the partition, a Chihuahua named Gordie works on his social skills. I serve as a “test stranger.” Staffer Andrew Hyle gives me a few pieces of chicken, and I walk past Gordie before turning around and feeding him. This is supposed to help teach him that strangers aren’t so bad and help him chill out a bit in public.

The center offers group and individual dog training classes, which often feature activities like the one with Gordie, to encourage positive behaviors. As Hyle explains to me, many dogs are rescues and have certain anxieties based on unknown experiences in their past. In some cases, it takes a long time to shed lessons learned from mistreatment in previous living conditions. Hyle also emphasizes that positive reinforcement, not punishment, is the best way to manage and improve behavior.

Feldman says the center is more than a for-profit enterprise. It’s also an engaged member of the community. That’s why they offer free services for the Harrisburg Police Department K9 units and free washing for fostered dogs looking for a permanent home. It’s also why they use an app called Walk for a Dog, which donates to local animal shelters every time they take the residents out back for a walk.

A lifelong animal-lover, Feldman grew up with numerous dogs, as well ducks, chickens, guinea pigs, and even (briefly) a monkey. As a kid he remembers taking in strays and once being featured on a public TV show about animals and animal safety.

Why the enduring passion for animals? “It’s the unconditional love that they have,” he says. “They can bring a smile when you have the worst day in the world. You have a bad day and they’re always there to let you know that there are more important things in life.”

And I realize that perhaps I am a dog person after all.

Keystone K9 is located at 931 N. 7^th St., Harrisburg. For more information, call 717-384-5900 or visit www.keystone-k9.com.

Community Corner: Notable April Events

March 31, 2016 | by TheBurg Editor

Run for the Arts
April 2: Lace up your running shoes to support the arts during the sixth annual Capital 10-Miler, also known as the “Run for the Arts.” The race takes off from City Island in Harrisburg at 9 a.m., with the course winding through scenic areas along the Capital Greenbelt and the Susquehanna River. More information is at www.capital10-miler.com.

Monte Carlo Night
April 2: Play rounds of blackjack, craps, roulette and poker at Harrisburg Catholic Elementary School’s Monte Carlo Night at Radisson Penn Harris, Camp Hill, 6 p.m. Enjoy wine and beer, appetizers, dinner, dessert and a silent auction. Contact 717-232-9600, 717-234-3797 or [email protected].

Bowl for Kids’ Sake
April 2-22: Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Capital Region hosts “Bowl for Kids’ Sake” at area bowling alleys. For more details and a complete schedule that runs through May, visit capbigs.org.

Blood Donations
April 4-15: The American Red Cross encourages eligible donors to give blood during the month of April, which is National Volunteer Month. For a list of blood drive locations in the area, visit redcrossblood.org.

Leads Over Lunch
April 5: Mix and mingle with business leaders at this free lunch hosted by Harrisburg Regional Chamber & CREDC at Dixon University Center, 2986 N. 2^nd St., Harrisburg, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Visit harrisburgregionalchamber.org.

Soil Basics
April 5, 12, 19: Penn State Extension will offer an introductory soils course at the Penn State Extension Cumberland County office, 310 Allen Rd., Carlisle, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Registration fee is $60 and includes course materials. For more details, visit extension.psu.edu.

Green Drinks
April 6: Green Drinks kicks off its monthly information gatherings at Zeroday Brewing Co., Harrisburg, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Green Drinks provides the opportunity to chat about sustainable, environmental and socially beneficial topics with like-minded folks. Harrisburg’s chapter meets every first Wednesday of the month. Visit neilbakshi.com or email [email protected].

Town Hall Meeting
April 6: State Sen. Rob Teplitz will host a town hall meeting focused on government reform in the Community Room at Hamilton Health Center, 110 S. 17th St., Harrisburg, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Teplitz will also hold office hours April 15, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., at his district office at 46 Kline Village, Harrisburg. For more details, visit senatorteplitz.com.

World Culture Program
April 6: The World Culture Club of Central PA will present a free program, “Jewish Criminals and the American Dream” with Steven J. Wassner, professor and chief, Division of Pediatric Nephrology & Hypertension, at Penn State Hershey Medical Center, 500 University Dr., 7 p.m. Refreshments will be served. Visit worldcultureclubpa.org.

Astronomy Course
April 6: The Astronomical Society of Harrisburg will host a six-week “Introductory Observational Astronomy Course” Wednesdays from 7 to 9 p.m. at the society’s Naylor Observatory, 670 Observatory Dr., Lewisberry. For more details, visit astrohbg.org.

Art In The Wild
April 9: The Myth Makers will build a large-scale public art project as part of the opening festivities for Wildwood Park’s “Art In The Wild 2016,” 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. The community is invited to participate. Bring plastic bags of all colors to tie onto the “Phoenix.” For more information, visit wildwoodlake.org.

Earth Day Cleanup
April 9: In honor of Earth Day, Wildwood Park invites you to help clean up its lake, streams and trails, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Volunteers will spearhead litter pickup and invasive plant pulling. Bring a water bottle. Snacks, tools and work gloves will be provided. Pre-registration is required. Visit wildwoodlake.org.

Local Lunch
April 9: Join Friends of Midtown at their monthly community lunch, which will be held at Crawdaddy’s, 1500 N. 6th St., Harrisburg, 12 to 2 p.m. Contact [email protected] or visit friendsofmidtown.org.

Ned Smith Center Cabaret
April 9: Ned Smith Gallery at Ned Smith Center for Nature and Art, 176 Water Company Rd., Millersburg will host “A Gallery Cabaret: An Evening of Celebration and Song,” beginning at 7 p.m. Cost: $15 per person. Members can use coupons for $2 off admission. For more details, visit nedsmithcenter.org.

YAPA Book Con
April 9: Fredricksen Library, Mechanicsburg Mystery Bookshop and Cupboard Maker Books will host the Young Adult Literature Festival, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Fredricksen Library, 100 N. 19th St., Camp Hill. The event features more than 20 authors, panel discussions, a writers workshop and book giveaways. For additional details, visit fredricksenlibrary.org.

Railway Society Banquet
April 9: Harrisburg Chapter, National Railway Historical Society’s Annual Banquet will be held at Blue Ridge Country Club, 3940 Linglestown Rd., Harrisburg, 7 p.m. The keynote speaker is Adam J. Lemarr, director of Intermodal Operations—East, Norfolk Southern Railway. Tickets: $25 per person. For more details, call 717-439-9744 or email [email protected].

Open House Celebration
April 10: The John Harris-Simon Cameron Mansion, 219 S. Front St., Harrisburg, will be open free to the public, 1 to 5 p.m., to kick off its 250th anniversary. During the event, a new exhibit on the mansion’s history will be unveiled and a presentation will be held on the construction and evolution of the mansion. Visit dauphincountyhistory.org.

Great Decisions 2016
April 11 and 25: Fredricksen Library will host “Great Decisions,” America’s largest world affairs discussion program, in which topics are chosen by Foreign Policy Association experts. Topics for April are “The United Nations” (April 11) and “Climate Change” (April 25). Cost is $10 per session. Visit fredricksenlibrary.org.

Midtown Cleanup
April 12: Friends of Midtown hosts the Great Midtown Litter Cleanup, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Registration for volunteers begins at 8:30 a.m. at 329 Harris St. Gloves, bags and water will be provided. Contact [email protected] or visit friendsofmidtown.org.

End of Life Seminar Series
April 12: West Shore Chamber of Commerce will host the fourth seminar in a four-part series exploring elder estate planning, hospice care and funeral services at Bethany Village, Mechanicsburg, 6:30 to 9 p.m. This seminar will open with a light meal. Visit wschamber.org.

Lunch and Learn
April 13: The State Library of Pennsylvania, 607 South St., Harrisburg, will host a Lunch and Learn, Pennsylvania Authors Series, 12 to 1 p.m., with featured speaker Dr. William Miller, author of “The Politics of Prevailing.” For more information, call 783-5989 or email [email protected].

3rd in The Burg
April 15: Enjoy the best of Harrisburg during 3rd in the Burg, the monthly arts and culture event at galleries, restaurants and art spaces throughout downtown and Midtown. Check out all the action at thirdintheburg.org.

Styling with the Sisters
April 17: The Sisters of Saint Joseph will host a spring afternoon fashion show and brunch at the Antique Automobile Club of America Museum in Hershey, 1 p.m. Tickets are $40, which includes museum admission. Visit ssjphila.org for more details.

Gardenfest
April 17: Hershey Gardens, 170 Hotel Rd., Hershey, hosts its annual free community day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Local organizations will offer information on various community and garden programs. For more information, visit hersheygardens.org.

Homeschoolers’ Day
April 19: Homeschool students and their parents are invited to learn about early Native American life at Fort Hunter Park, 5300 N. Front St., Harrisburg, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Make pottery, furnish a wigwam, tour Fort Hunter Mansion and more. Admission is $5 for students and $3 for adults. Pre-register by calling 717-599-5751.

Rare Collection Open House
April 20: The State Library of Pennsylvania, 607 South St., Harrisburg, will host an open house in the Rare Collections Reading Room, ground floor, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 3:30 to 5 p.m. View antique maps and hear stories behind these treasures of cartography. For more information, call 783-5969 or email [email protected].

Business After Hours
April 21: Mingle with business professionals at this free networking event sponsored by the Harrisburg Regional Chamber and CREDC. This month, the event takes place at Brenner Nissan, 6271 Carlisle Pike, Mechanicsburg, 5 to 7 p.m. For more details, visit harrisburgregionalchamber.org.

Spring Book Sale
April 22-24: Fredricksen Library will host its Spring Book and Media Sale on April 22 from 9 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., April 23 from 1 to 5 p.m. and April 24 from 1 to 4 p.m. Visit fredricksenlibrary.org.

Earth Day Festival
April 23: Mechanicsburg’s eighth annual Earth Day Festival will take place 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. along Market Street in the borough. The event features live music, locally grown food, vendors, exhibits, on-site animals and more. More information is at MechanicsburgEarthDay.com.

Networking Mixer
April 28: Join the West Shore Chamber and other local business professionals at the April Afternoon Networking Mixer, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., at the Harrisburg Senators Baseball Club. The event is free and open to Chamber members. Potential members may attend up to three free Chamber events per year. For more information, visit wschamber.org.

Race Against Racism 5K
April 30: Take a run or walk along a 5K race route along Harrisburg’s 6th and 7th Street corridors to promote awareness of racism and injustice in our community and to support YWCA Greater Harrisburg’s racial justice programs, 7:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. For more details, visit ywcahbg.org.

Wetlands Festival
April 30: Celebrate Wildwood Park’s treasured wetlands with a day of free, fun and educational activities, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Enjoy live music, special wildlife exhibits, displays, used nature book sale, as well as local and regional environmental organizations. Visit wildwoodlake.org.

Garden Party: First friendship, then music, for members of Flower Garden.

March 31, 2016 | by Ashleigh Pollart

Artwork by Stephen Michael Haas.

“Colors on a palette” is how Stephen Michael Haas described the layers of instruments that intersect and melt together on his group’s self-titled album, “Flower Garden.”

“Every member of the band has our own beautiful things going on,” he said. “Everybody is really talented. We all just bring our love to the table, and that’s the most beautiful thing. We just all really, really love it.”

In addition to Haas (lead guitar and vocals), the group consists of longtime friends Dan Delaney (drums), Tyler Fuller (percussion) and Xander Moppin (bass guitar).

Beauty seems to be a strong link throughout the life of project leader Haas, who grew up playing in his grandmother’s flower garden—a place that he recalls as nurturing to the spirit and the eye and an inspiration for his art and music. Here, Haas started drawing flowers and people, including his grandmother, as the two played video games together. His cousin and Flower Garden’s bass guitarist, Moppin, also grew up in this beautiful landscape.

“We were playing tag together in the backyard, and now we’re just playing songs together,” Haas said.

Those songs have become popular around town. Flower Garden has a strong local following, and their live shows reflect a unique intimacy born of a strong bond among friends. Fuller and Haas both stressed one distinctive aspect of their shows. Instead of playing facing the audience, Flower Garden plays facing one another.

“The live performance is more intimate and is more like a conversation,” Haas said. “We’re not focusing on the crowd. There’s no showboating, and it’s not about our egos. It’s more about how we can connect and can perform.”

“It’s one of the coolest experiences I’ve had,” said Fuller. “The energy between the four of us is pretty incredible.”

That thoughtfulness and attention to detail are also carried over to Flower Garden’s eponymous debut album, which was released late last year.

“The cornerstone of the album used to be a really big thing before digital media came into existence, because you’d put the vinyl onto a record player and play from one side to the other side,” said Haas, explaining his creative thinking behind the album. “Three years before the album even existed, I had mock ups of it sort of in my head.”

Three of the bandmates share a house, which is where the album release show was held.

“Quite a few people came together (that night),” said Fuller. “It was cool to see people who weren’t our friends want to come out.”

The group has also noticed a significant change in Harrisburg’s music scene during the years it took to create several iterations of the album.

“In the past four years that I’ve been here, I’d say a lot of eclectic music has started to pop out,” said Haas. “It’s rivaling the big cities, maybe not as much [music], but the music here is really genuine and original. It’s really special.”

The evolution of the music scene is an offshoot of the growing art scene, which Haas also has a hand in. With murals around the city and his artwork featured on various publications and projects, Haas feels passionate about threading his visual artistry into his music.

“[On the album] I’ve made the packaging. I’ve made as much of the possible production as I can,” he said. “As a visual artist and a performer, I always wanted to be the guy who wanted to do it all.”

Flower Garden will perform April 3 at the Millworks, 340 Verbeke St., Harrisburg. Flower Garden’s unique sound also is available on Spotify. To learn more and to purchase the digital album, visit www.flowergardenband.bandcamp.com.

A Freeform Life: Genius meets tragedy in “Miles Ahead.”

March 31, 2016 | by Sammi Leigh Melville

“If you’re going to tell a story, come with attitude.” That is a phrase that is taken to heart in “Miles Ahead,” a film about jazz musician Miles Davis.

Produced/directed by/starring Don Cheadle, the film is a passion project if there ever was one, matching Davis’ music in its freeform structure. Fans hoping to see a complete biopic will be disappointed, as the film serves as a snapshot of Davis’ life towards the end of his five-year break from recording. Nevertheless, what an interesting snapshot it is—brimming with attitude.

Holing himself up in his apartment—and showing an affinity for cocaine and the gun he carries around—Davis clearly wants to be left alone. He even refuses to give the record label his most recent session tape, a decision that backfires on him. That tape becomes the Holy Grail for those who want a step up in the industry.

David Brill (Ewan McGregor), an eager reporter from Rolling Stone, begins following Davis around, hoping to write his comeback story, when the tape catches his eye. And he is not the only one interested in it. An agent producer (Michael Stuhlbarg), trying to get his client (Lakeith Lee Stanfield) noticed by Davis, instead refocuses his interest on the session tape. The narrative cuts jarringly back and forth from this chase to the past, indicating Davis’ ex-wife, Frances Taylor (Emayatzy Corinealdi), as the root of his break from music.

Cheadle, with his raspy voice and limping gait, transforms into Davis, revealing not just the story behind the music but the story behind the man. And it isn’t all pretty. The film gets right to the point examining the abuse he inflicted on Taylor, along with the abuse he received from a still-racist society. Davis’ nastiness and his genius are both exposed, offering a poetic study of the way that these opposing sides intertwined.

The film is not perfect. A few moments feel out of place, though this could be attributed to its freeform structure. But, overall, it is an absorbing watch. “Miles Ahead” is coming soon to the Midtown Cinema.

April Special Events

The Late Shift with Zeroday
“Inception”
Saturday, April 2, 10:30 p.m.

Down in Front!
“Hard Ticket to Hawaii”
Friday, April 8, 9:30 p.m.

Classic Film Series
“The African Queen”
Sunday, April 10, 6 p.m.

3^rd in the Burg! $3 Movie
“National Lampoon’s Vacation”
Friday, April 15, 9:30 p.m.

Faulkner Honda Family Film Series
“Where the Wild Things Are”
Saturday, April 16, 12 p.m.
Sunday, April 17, 2 p.m.

15^th Anniversary Series
“The Grand Budapest Hotel”
Saturday, April 23, 8 p.m.

Popcorn Bowl
Sunday, April 24

Shakes-Beer Week (Free!)
Sunday, April 24, 4 p.m.
Wednesday, April 27, 7 p.m.
Thursday, April 28, 7 p.m.
Saturday, April 30, 4 p.m.

Tasting, Tour & Tinseltown
Tuesday, April 26, 6 p.m.
(starts at Zeroday)

Park Art: Creativity goes back to nature at “Art in the Wild.”

March 31, 2016 | by Gina Napoli

2015 installation by Sam White.

Visiting an art exhibit can be a stuffy affair, with works often protected behind glass in closed, climate-controlled environments. That is, unless you visit “Art in the Wild,” which is best experienced in sneakers and sweat pants.

“Art in the Wild” is Wildwood Park’s annual outdoor exhibit, the “gallery” consisting of the meadows, trees and marshes along the 3.1-mile nature trail. Walking along the circular path, visitors experience more than dozen exhibits made from mostly natural materials.

“’Art in the Wild’ is locally designed by community members to encourage play and fun and to motivate,” said park Manager Chris Rebert.

Common exhibit elements include sticks, logs, branches, clay, cloth, wooden pieces, animal bones, shells, rocks, moss, nutshells, gourds, wool yarn, natural fiber, plant dyes and lots of weaving, said Michelle Hornberger, assistant program director, Dauphin County Parks and Recreation.

“Artists are planning to use lots of vines, particularly Asiatic bittersweet,” Rebert said. “This is a win-win, because bittersweet is a common problem plant, and we need help cutting the invasive, non-native vine to keep it from damaging trees.”

Each exhibit is labeled with a numbered placard. You may have to look high, low, through the trees or in the water. You can pick up a brochure featuring a map with the approximate location at any point in the visual hunt.

At press time, artists had divulged few details on the creations that park visitors can expect to see this year. Past exhibits have ranged from abstract concepts such as harmony or fluidity, moral messages like the importance of recycling, or a whimsical set of swings woven from vines.

Those who create the trailside installations are split among school students, individuals and group artists. Anyone can apply, plus the selection committee sent invitations to an extensive list of schools, regional art institutions and artists.

“Our evaluation committee had a difficult time selecting,” Rebert said.

“Art in the Wild” is a judged competition and, this year, artists Donna Dodson and Andy Moerlein will do the judging. Known professionally as “The Myth Makers,” they not only critique outdoor art throughout the country, but also create it using natural materials. They will evaluate each exhibit according to visual and conceptual criteria.

“The judges are a rather big name in outdoor art,” said Hornberger.

“Art in the Wild” brings awareness to Wildwood’s mission: preserving, enhancing and interpreting the park’s resources. The event is just one of the park’s programs that teaches about the natural world. It also brings in extra visitors, increasing the potential for community involvement and public educational opportunities.

“Those who visit the art installation and the accompanying programming continue to surprise us,” Rebert said. “Some have never been to the park before, while others return year after year. We are seeing school art classes engaging more with the program, including using it as a learning, and perhaps portfolio, opportunity for aspiring artists.”

This month, visitors can even bring plastic bags to add to an outdoor sculpture. The Myth Makers will build a large-scale public art project as part of the opening festivities on April 8 and 9. When completed, “The Harrisburg Phoenix,” with its multi-colored plastic “feathers,” will be a symbol of rebirth for discarded plastic bags.

While touring the exhibit, don’t forget to vote for your favorite art installation. People’s Choice winners will be announced at the annual “Celebrate Wildwood” event on Sept. 25.

For folks who cannot walk the loop around Wildwood, Capital Area School for the Arts students produced a video highlighting the exhibits and the artists who created them. The video premieres at the Artists’ Reception and Awards Ceremony on April 8. It then will be available all year long in the nature center.

Exhibits are on display until November. “It is interesting to tour the exhibit multiple times and enjoy how each installation responds and changes with the seasons,” Rebert said.

If you’re an artist, it’s too late to contribute to this year’s exhibit, but applications for the 2017 event will be available in September at the Wildwood Lake website.

Art in the Wild runs April 9 through November at Wildwood Park in Harrisburg. For more information, visit www.wildwoodlake.org

“Art in the Wild” April Events

To celebrate the opening of “Art in the Wild,” Wildwood Park will feature several special events this month.

April 3: Meet the Artists, 1 to 3 p.m.

April 7: Lecture by The Myth Makers, renowned artists Donna Dodson and Andy Moerlein, 7 to 8:30 p.m.

April 8-9: The Myth Makers construct a colorful, large-scale public art project, “The Harrisburg Phoenix.”

April 8: Artists’ Reception and Awards Ceremony, including premiere of a video created by CASA students.

April 9: “Art in the Wild” opens to the public.

News Digest: April Fool’s Edition

March 31, 2016 | by Lawrance Binda and Paul Barker

Under a new proposal in Harrisburg, this family will pay more in taxes.

Line Divides Market Street

The Dauphin County commissioners last month painted a solid white line down the middle of Market Street, just daring Mayor Eric Papenfuse to cross over it.

“I got the idea from ‘The Brady Bunch,’” said Chairman Jeff Haste. “You know, the episode where Peter and Bobby divide their bedroom in two?”

Haste laid claim to everything on his side of the line, including the Citizens Bank branch and the bus station. Papenfuse immediately retaliated, saying that Bacco and the Pita Pit belonged to him.

“Let’s see him try to get a chicken wrap now!” said the clearly excited mayor.

At last report, Haste and Papenfuse were making faces at each other from across the street, occasionally running up to the line like they were going to go over it, but then scurrying back at the last moment.

Budget Talks Start

Pennsylvania legislators began work today on the 2017 state budget, vowing to complete it before all life on Earth ceases to exist.

Sen. John DeSantos, R-Beaver, made a bold pledge that a bipartisan budget agreement would be reached by the time our sun expends all the hydrogen fuel in its core and swells to 166 times its current mass.

“Mark my words: This will be done before our planet becomes a stark, lifeless desert,” said DeSantos.

Sen. Joshua Tyrell, D-Allegheny, said he would “up the stakes,” setting a timeline for a preliminary budget accord while vast seas of lava were still melting down the Earth’s mountains.

“The other side wants to delay until the sun runs out of helium,” he charged. “Our side will wait only until the Earth is a burnt-out cinder.”

Pa. Something Something

A horrific, yet offbeat and hilarious crime occurred recently somewhere in Pa., PennLive reported today.

A Pa. man and a Pa. woman committed their dark, if comical and somewhat lewd, act in Pa.

The Pa. couple’s felonious, kinky hijinks occurred nowhere near Harrisburg, in a Pa. county that may be near Bradford or maybe Ohio—no one really knows. Still, it made local Pa. readers feel superior to what are clearly total pieces of Pa. trailer trash.

“It happened in Pa., Pa., Pa., Pa., Pa., Pa., Pa.,” remarked the writer-robot before someone hit the on/off switch to reboot it.

Everyone’s a Winner

Every person in the greater Harrisburg area will receive an award this year, according to a joint announcement last month by the Central Penn Business Journal, Harrisburg Magazine and Susquehanna Style.

The three publications have expanded their annual awards deluge to include 631,000 people in 55,000 categories, including “Best of” and “People’s Choice” awards for notable achievements in cutting the grass, watching TV and driving.

“My plaque points out how I usually pass on the left,” said Sheila Wyler of Mechanicsburg. “I’m so happy that someone finally noticed.”

Wyler’s 8-month-old son, Evan, is himself a proud recipient of a “10 under 10 Months” award.

“He would say he was honored,” Wyler said, “if he could speak.”

Goose Tax Passed

Harrisburg’s Canada geese will pay more in taxes under a new Goose Services Tax (GST) passed last month by City Council.

“These birds use our city to eat, mate and excrete, but don’t pay their fair share,” said Council President Wanda Williams.

The GST is aimed at the city’s migratory geese, though resident geese also will see their taxes go up.

Council is also said to be considering several other revenue enhancement proposals, including a groundhog tax, a squirrel tax and a tax on the garbage that drifts by the city on the river each day.

“Honk,” said some random goose in Riverfront Park before flying off to hunt for roots and grubs in a different municipality.

Chief Talks Down Lightning

Catastrophe was averted during a storm last night, as Harrisburg Police Chief Thomas Carter talked an impending lightning strike out of the air without incident.

“Think about your electrons,” Carter could be heard calling calmly towards the sky, where a dark cloud floated menacingly with a dense load of electric charges. “You don’t want things to go any worse than they have to.”

Officials said the ball of static energy was initially ready to lash out at random, but that the police chief’s courteous tone and gentle assurances convinced it to proceed safely down a distant plasma channel and into an uninhabited patch of ground.

“I grew up with these storms,” Carter said with a shrug, as officers moved to surround the site of the discharge. “They know I’ll treat them with respect.”

Stadium To Be Shared

FNB Field on City Island can expect a lively month, as its owners have announced plans to share the stadium with additional sporting and entertainment events as part of a plan to make the venue more financially sustainable.

Rugby, field hockey and a three-ring circus are expected to draw additional fans to the island ballpark, which is already being shared between the Harrisburg Senators minor-league baseball team and the City Islanders professional soccer team.

Skeet shooting, gladiator fights and the modern pentathlon will round out the packed schedule, increasing ticket sales and helping to pay back the city for its investment in the facility.

“Obviously, the occasional overlap will take some getting used to,” said groundskeeper William McGowan as he loaded up the clay pigeons that will be launched from an elephant’s back in the outfield during scrums. “We are hopeful the gladiators and circus will at least share their tiger.”

Museum Exhibit Opens

The National Civil War Museum last month announced plans to open a second exhibit sponsored with grant money from the National Rifle Association.

The exhibit, called “Cold Dead Hands,” will combine the museum’s collection of antique firearms and the lifeless, desiccated hands of Civil War soldiers from which visitors are tauntingly encouraged to try to pry them.

“Total coincidence,” said museum board member Gene Barr, when asked about the overlap between the exhibit’s title and the famous NRA slogan regarding the right to gun ownership. “We came up with it ourselves.”

The guns will be shown for three months or until stolen, whichever comes first.

City Recriminalizes Vices

The administration of Mayor Eric Papenfuse last month made it a summary offense to engage in previously-legal vices, including cigarette smoking, drinking, swearing and adultery, as part of a sweeping upgrade to the city’s criminal code.

The reform efforts began with plans to reduce the penalty for marijuana possession from a misdemeanor to the lower-grade summary offense.

But they quickly expanded when observers noted that the consuming the drug was no more harmful than many other behaviors.

From now on, it will also be a minor crime to tell a white lie, take the Lord’s name in vain, exchange lusty glances with a member of the opposite sex and play poker except for the purpose of wholesome bonding during family game nights.

“This is about internal consistency,” Mayor Papenfuse said, as he approached a young woman dancing suggestively at a downtown bar and slipped a citation into her pocket.

Monument Erected

A monument to honor Harrisburg commuters was unveiled last month, recognizing decades of unsung contributions by non-residents to the capital city.

Four square residential blocks were flattened to make way for the memorial, which consists of a giant sculpture of a frowning man in an SUV pointed towards the closest exit from the downtown.

“Finally, a little gratitude,” said local commuter John Friedberg, speaking from one of several suburban viewing towers that were built so honorees could appreciate the memorial from a safe distance.

The monument is slated to be open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Crazy Shit Day

All the crazy shit that happens in Harrisburg over the course of a year will be condensed to a single day this year, the city announced last month.

Harrisburg Police Chief Thomas Carter is asking all ISIS wannabes, fraudulent Ukrainian high school students, wilding youth and museum robbers to wait until Crazy Shit Day, which will be June 17.

“Do you plan to have sex on the roof of an office building? Do you want to harass someone about your stolen valor? Are you a former mayor with a house full of Wild West artifacts?” asked Carter. “We’ve reserved one day just for you.”

A lawsuit against the resolution was immediately filed by former mayoral candidate Lewis Butts.

Editor’s Note: All the crazy shit examples in this story actually happened. We made up everything else on this page. Happy April Fools!

Chardonnay: The Terroirist–It’s time to rediscover this refreshing white grape.

March 31, 2016 | by Steve Juliana

Of the seven wines known as “noble,” only two are white, Riesling and Chardonnay.

Both are the finest of their type, with Riesling dominating the vineyards of Germany, and Chardonnay the most popular white grape in French Burgundy. They both have a rich and elegant past, but the Gallic grape has received a tremendous amount of bad press, which I feel is not deserved.

In Burgundy, this grape has been cultivated and cloned for centuries. The best are rich and have wonderful flavors of green apples, stone fruits and buttered toast. They also have the ability to age gracefully and cost a small fortune.

The stainless steel versions from the French villages of Macon are well worth seeking out. My favorite Chards come from Saint-Veran and Chablis, which show great quality and are reasonable in price, while allowing the drinker to taste the famous Burgundy terroir.

Other Chardonnays do not reach this pinnacle because of the nature of the fruit and how it reacts to climate and soil. In warmer climates, the flavors of tropical fruits dominate the wine. This is clearly obvious in Chards from California and Australia.

You also can find Chardonnay in two distinct versions, oaked and unoaked. This is an indication of barrel fermentation, as opposed to the same process in stainless steel. Both can be pleasant and easy to drink, as well as a great match with light fare.

Aging wine in barrels is one thing, but the practice of simply adding wooden staves or even wood powder into the fermenting tanks gives the quaff the flavor of grapefruit and tannin. This has become such a wine type that it has spawned ABC clubs (anything but Chardonnay).

Closer to home, you’ll find abundant Chardonnays on any wine trail in Pennsylvania. A good summer sipper widely available locally, it contributes to our area’s uniqueness and livability.

There is another option that appeals to wine drinkers of all stripes. Champagne is the great sparkling French wine of that same-named region and is used on bottles of bubbly all over the world.

The words to look for on the label are blanc de blancs. This means a white wine made from white grapes, the finest of which is Chardonnay. The secondary fermentation transforms the still wine into the most ethereal of beverages, a fine match to foods complex and simple.

California has a huge bubbly industry, and vintners use French grapes in many of their wines—some may even be labeled Champagne. Fair enough. Just know that this white grape can be enjoyed in many wines with or without bubbles. And it can be wonderful.

Keep sipping, Steve

Student Scribes: How to Celebrate an Anniversary on Amtrak

March 31, 2016 | by Alison Smolinski

My husband and I are taking a five-year anniversary trip courtesy of my father-in-law’s Amtrak rewards. It’d be faster to fly from Harrisburg to Boston, even drive, but a free ride where passengers can sleep, read, eat, stretch is an easy choice.

Everyone is plugged in thanks to free WiFi. Heads are buried in phones, tablets and gaming gadgets. Tweens wearing Kentucky University tees text each other. They laugh in synchronicity. I wonder what’s so funny, but I probably wouldn’t understand their coded text-speak. I’m way too old. If you’re not attached into the dual, 120-volt plugs then you’re a snoring grandpa, Sudoku granny or a boring mommy enjoying the scenery while scribbling in a notebook.

I believe there are few better, more satisfying and relaxing places to write than on a train. Constant inspiration with movement is unbeatable. Flow—it’s impossible not to race along with the speeding locomotive, jotting down as much scribble as fast as possible for fear of losing even one thought to the tracks behind you.

The conductor routinely passes, inspecting tickets. He never makes eye contact or cracks a smile. Maybe his malformed right ear has made his life hard, and he’s detached because of it. Or maybe, like most people, it’s Friday and he’s ready for the weekend and has no desire to be on the job. He scans my e-ticket, places it above the seat, and sluggishly continues down the aisle.

The click and clack of the nine-car vessel against the tracks lulls some and invigorates others. My husband, Chris, is sleeping or pretending to. The window seat holds my attention. I can’t doze or drift, only briefly looking away from the changing scenery. Picking up speed as we leave the Paoli station, my eyes strain to focus. The horn blares, a warning call for anyone or anything in our path. Heading east, the sun breaks through the fog, revealing changing leaves hiding the subdivisions and used car lots. Maples, oaks, asters—I download an Audubon app to decode the varieties of trees and flowers I might see along the eight-hour trip. That makes me the biggest nerd on the 642.

Closer to Philly, graffiti holds my attention instead of trees. Random tags remind me of childhood. Trips on the Metro downtown with Grandaddy and Abuelita, to the Smithsonian. Eating in the members-only restaurant was muy especial. Abuelita always commented on the ugliness of the graffiti, but, to me, it was a voice to the voiceless. Art to be appreciated. Maybe not to the same extent as the fine works in the museum but art nonetheless. Philly graffiti is bright. There’s even a colorful tag of Amy Winehouse hanging with Stevie Wonder. I’d believe they’re friends. I can’t decipher most of the meanings because they look like my daughter’s crayon scribbles.

Massive freight trains pass, carrying materials that build or destroy our country. As we pull into Philly, the myriad of wires overhead seem within arm’s reach. How do all these wires stay above the lines? Maybe I should wake the electro-mechanical technician to my left. I won’t poke the bear. He deserves some extra shuteye, working 10-hour days and often mandatory overtime on top of that. This trip is supposed to be relaxing for both of us.

After a brief stop, we leave the 30th Street Station, heading to New York City. The ATF agent and his K-9 occasionally stop next to unsuspecting passengers, scaring the crap out of young and old alike. Chris is happy he opted not to bring anything. I told him that, with the added ISIS threat, there’d definitely be more security. Damn those militants, harshing everyone’s buzz.

West Philly looks like a war-torn, post-apocalyptic nightmare. It could be the backdrop for an episode of “The Wire,” reminiscent of South Baltimore in the early 1990s, just waking from a crack-fueled slumber. I see seemingly endless blocks of deteriorating row homes, empty lots filled with used tires, burned sofas and dogs roaming for scraps. This section of Philly could be Baltimore, the District, New York or Boston. Traveling at ground level offers close-up views of the real situation, which in this case is poverty.

The gentrified suburbs re-emerge but only for a few stops. A slick suit sits across the aisle with greasy, thinning hair, loafers without socks, and a deep tan. He’s conversing with his much younger associate about a 2 o’clock meeting in Midtown. I don’t care about quarterly earnings reports or break-even tables. Dear woman sitting behind me, please stop smacking your gum! It could only be worse if she were biting her fingernails, too. I wonder if maybe we should move to the quiet car.

Entering Jersey, my Irish family is in the front of my mind. “Hardscrabble” is the term of choice Nanny used to describe her Northern Irish immigrant parents and her 11 older brothers and sisters. The Connellys lived hand-to-mouth under the shadow of Campbell’s Soup and NJ Power & Light. Five of Trudy’s brothers and her father were county linemen. I see their silhouettes in the glare of the train window. Two died the cruelest deaths imaginable, including patriarch Pat, by high-voltage electrocution. What a way to meet St. Peter. Fifty dollars from Power & Light was all the family received in compensation, and, sadly, there was in-fighting over the small sum. Nanny speculated it’d be spent at O’Malley’s down the block by her “grieving brothers.” Their wives would be happy they’d be drinking someone else’s paycheck for a change. These were the days before mandatory life insurance for high-risk industries and advertisements for worker-injury attorneys vying to help you “get the compensation you deserve.” Newark, you pit of disparity—wasteland, dirty depressing midway point on a journey to somewhere else—somewhere better. Closed warehouses with broken windows and overgrown lots lost to time litter the landscape as the 642 gets closer to Penn Station.

Penn Station at last. A brief, 90-minute stop, then on to Beantown. We decide to leave the train for the layover. Air. Not fresh air, as we are in the guts of NYC, but it’s better than train air and the sun’s out. We book it to Lenny’s across from Madison Square Garden. Chris has never been there, and I want pastrami piled high with coleslaw and Thousand Island on fresh rye bread. And pickles, lots and lots of pickles. Count it as the first official pregnancy craving for baby Smolinski II. After shooing away the aggressive pigeons, we reluctantly head down the gigantic escalator where another four-hour train ride awaits. We’ve decided that, for this leg, however, we will ride in the quiet car.

A young Spanish couple and their toddler follow us to platform W10. We load in a somewhat orderly fashion. “Single file,” squawks the conductor. “86 to Bah Stun now boardin’.” A middle-aged woman snaps at the couple just as they place their stroller in the overhead bin. “This is the quiet car.” They don’t speak English, or not enough to make a confident reply. My heart sinks. Should I repeat the phrase in Spanish? Chris tells me to stay put and keep quiet. They leave the quiet car.

The horn blares and train 86 emerges slowly from the bowels of NYC. The clicking of cell phone cameras overtakes all other sounds as we catch a glimpse of the Brooklyn Bridge and Empire State Building. We snap some because the light is great and it’s NYC. The high-rises fade, skyscrapers of industry capitalists are long gone as the scenery mutates, revealing uniform apartment buildings. Still stretching high, these neatly spaced modern tenements showcase a vast array of international flags, laundry and other paraphernalia lining the barred windows, microscopic patios and open-air hallways where children play. Raising my children on a farmette in Lancaster County, I just can’t imagine living in those conditions—especially with children.

The quiet car is aptly named. Most people read, snooze, watch and re-watch episodes of “Friends,” “Girls” and “Modern Family”—even tackle the occasional Sudoku. We stare out the window, moving farther away from our child, Lucy, by the second. Leaving a child for the first time for more than an overnight—what were we thinking? She’s not ready, we’re not ready. Nanny and Pappy aren’t Mama and Daddy. This damn quiet car is too quiet. I need some non-recirculated air. I need a refill, but if I go to the cafe car again, I’ll have to use that horrible blue chemical potty—no thanks.

We pass the beautiful seaside towns, and then Providence and Pawtucket are in the dust— we’re almost in Boston. I can’t wait for the street clatter and the posh hotel room of the Hilton Back Bay.

We leave the train, and we’re almost skipping as we reach the corner of Dalton Avenue, where the hotel’s 26 stories beckon two tired travelers. A smiling face greets us as we take our hotel room keys. “Swanky. Dad doesn’t disappoint,” Chris comments as we take the elevator to the 25^th floor. A charmed view of the city emerges as we gaze out the panoramic windows. Getting comfortable isn’t difficult. Taking off our train traveler clothes, we laugh, because life with a toddler limits our amount of alone time.

Just as we fall into bed (it is our anniversary getaway)—there’s a knock at the door. A man with a thick accent says “room service,” as I leap to put on the robe hanging on the back of the bathroom door and Chris hides underneath the covers. The clean-cut young man wheels in a cart with red wine, chocolates and fresh fruit. Turning a deep shade of red, the server doesn’t make eye contact or attempt to leave the cheese tray but books it for the door. As soon as the door shuts, we burst into laughter. I put the do not disturb sign on the door handle and draw the curtains over the panoramic windows. Chris remerges from underneath the sheets to say, “Happy Anniversary.”

Alison Smolinski is a graduate student in communications at Penn State Harrisburg.

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