Art of the Egg: Cafe Uovo celebrates the arts with creative cuisine.

February 29, 2016 | by Stephanie Kalina-Metzger

Near the Olde Camp Hill borough hall, both an American flag and an “OPEN” flag wave in the wind out front, commanding commuters’ attention as they drive past the pale blue corner building.

Until recently, an air of mystery surrounded the prominent location on Market Street, as neighbors discussed what type of business might be taking over the former “Help U Sell” building.

Then, in early January, John and Cheryl Bisel ended the speculation. They unveiled their personal masterpiece deemed Café Uovo, with dishes named for artists and composers and John’s artwork featured on the walls. News of the snug eatery has since spread through word of mouth, and the only mystery that remains (for newbies at least) is how to pronounce the name.

Soft-spoken and pleasant, John is happy to oblige, although he’s probably answered the “Uovo” question at least 100 times already. “Uovo,” he says, “means ‘egg’ in Italian.” Pronounced “wah-vo,” the name sparks conversation. “Every person who walks in here wants to know how to pronounce it,” he said.

As for the choice of an Italian word, John explains that his wife’s family is Italian. “Me? I’m a ‘Heinz 57’—a little of everything,” he says with a chuckle.

For Cheryl, opening the business has allowed her to return to her roots. She grew up in the Mechanicsburg area and moved to Arizona, where she met John, who owned Grand Canyon Laser.

“She wanted to return to a place with ‘real trees,’” explains John with a smile.

The couple now embraces their role as part of the community, living on site and enlisting the family to help run the business. Daughter Jessica Wellington and husband Sam work each day to help with the new venture. Sam, who previously worked at the Sheraton Wild Horse Pass in Arizona, offers his cooking talents, learned working in the hospitality industry, and Jessica brings her social media skills to the table, literally (you can sometimes spot her posting from her perch at the front counter).

Uovo offers light, healthy fare in a contemporary setting. Brown and beige hues dominate the color scheme, from the dark wooden floor to the tables and front counter. Chalkboards hang from ceilings and festoon walls listing menu items, while attractive chandeliers provide subtle illumination.

It was important to the Bisels to offer the community a little something different.

“We consider ourselves ‘foodies’ and wanted to bring in some of the flavors we experienced in other places—some of the lighter fare,” said John, who consulted with his family to create the small, manageable menu comprised of breakfast and lunch dishes. “I borrowed things that worked well in Arizona and sat down with Sam, and he brought in some of the things he learned in the Southwest.”

Among the selections are “bowls,” like the colorful “Rembrandt,” which includes a mixture of yellow squash, zucchini, spinach and roasted peppers; the palate-pleasing “Cezanne,” which combines avocado, tomatoes, corn, black beans, green onion, cilantro and lime; and the “Mozart,” a composition of asparagus, Brussels sprouts, yellow squash, onion, mushroom and honey chipotle sauce. All bowls are served over the diner’s choice of quinoa or rosemary potatoes with optional chicken or eggs cooked to order.

Brustini, a Café Uovo creation, marries bruschetta and crostini and is popular for breakfast and lunch, said John. Among the half-dozen or so creations served on toasted ciabatta are the “Pollock,” an artful combination of blueberries, brie and pistachio and the more substantial “Dali,” which is comprised of prosciutto, Spanish chorizo and Manchego, a Spanish cheese. These flavors pop with the surprise component of pineapple jam. The complex “Rothko” includes roast beef, ham, olive tapenade, Swiss cheese, pickle and mustard, and the slightly sweet “Van Gogh” features slices of pair, dried cranberries, bleu cheese, raspberry puree and a chiffonade of spinach.

Seasonal salad choices include the “Dante,” comprised of sautéed Brussels sprouts, dried cranberries, bacon, Manchego, almonds and mustard vinaigrette served over chopped green cabbage and the veggie-laden “Titian,” with fresh, sautéed asparagus, red peppers, mushrooms, zucchini, onion and garlic served over red leaf lettuce.

Fans of eggs Benedict will love “The Uovo,” two poached eggs served with Canadian bacon and hollandaise sauce on toasted ciabatta.

“We had a couple who came in and ordered it and said it was the best they ever had,” said John.

Other breakfast selections include omelets with ingredients running the gamut from Italian sausage to kale, pork chili verde and a variety of cheeses and vegetables.

“We encourage customers to feel free to customize,” said John. “If we have the ingredients on hand, we’ll make it.”

Special teas, coffee, hot chocolate and hot ciders are popular this time of year, as are Café Uovo’s creative “mocktails” with names like “Pink Fusion”—a refreshing combination of ginger beer, San Pellegrino, pomegranate and orange. During the spring and summer, mock mojitos and sangria sans alcohol will be available for customers to enjoy as is or with their favorite BYO libation.

Adam Powars and his wife Angela live nearby and have welcomed Café Uovo to the neighborhood.

“The food is very good, and, when I ordered an omelet, the ingredients were all fresh, and it was cooked perfectly,” Powars said. “My wife and son each ordered a breakfast sandwich, and they loved them.”

Jennedy Johnson also takes her family there.

“My daughter enjoys the café’s spin on a PB&J, which is served with an amazing blueberry compote,” she said. “She also loves the hot apple cider drink.”

The Mechanicsburg resident said she enjoys the brustini and the bowls. “The staff is very nice and is also willing to work with those with allergies (or picky children),” she added.

John and his family said they appreciate the support of the local residents and their welcoming embrace. Based on community feedback, the feeling is mutual.

Café Uovo is located at 2163 Market St., Camp Hill. For more information, call 717-761-6856 or visit www.cafeuovo.com.

Musical Awakening: These bands will stir you from winter’s slumber.

February 29, 2016 | by Andrew Dyrli Hermeling

The Receiver. Photo courtesy of The Receiver.

March is a time of rebirth, a time when the midstate emerges from the cold of winter.

Like a bear awakening from hibernation, the city blinks and readjusts to the sun. I like to think that the musical selections for this month reflect this phenomenon. They are dreamy and convey a deep sense of yearning. But they are also diverse, ranging from songwriting deeply rooted in America’s folk tradition to ethereal electronic soundscapes. So, whatever your tastes, make sure to head over to one of these venues as you venture out from your winter’s quarters.

THE RECEIVER, 3/8, 8PM, THE MAKESPACE, $5 SUGGESTED DONATION:
Poppy and synthy, the Receiver is a duo hailing from Columbus, Ohio. Clicky beats sustain sweeping synth pads and somber melodies, reminiscent of other emotionally rich synth groups, such as M83. They are touring in support of their recently released “All Burn,” which has caught the attention of Paste Magazine and NPR’s “All Songs Considered.” The Receiver is part of a recent trend in electronic music that forgoes the large party atmosphere, instead creating intimate live arrangements, making them a perfect fit for the comfort and accessibility of the MakeSpace.

LAZYEYES w/BEVERLY, 3/9, 9:30PM, THE MILLWORKS, $8, 21+:
Although shoegaze—a hazy, distorted and ethereal type of music—is often lumped into the larger alternative music scene of the early ‘90s, the style has continued to influence rock bands and is presently experiencing a bit of a resurgence. Closely related to both dreampop and chillwave, shoegaze’s analog fuzz has proven to be an effective antidote for this harsh and sterile digital age. Lazyeyes and Beverly (both of which hail from Brooklyn) are tapping into this welcome musical trend. Heavily distorted guitars swirl beneath sweet, simple, evocative melodies. Beverly’s lead singer, Frankie Rose, has made a name for herself, both with her solo work and as a member of Vivian Girls. So, if you find yourself tiring of the incessant thump of EDM, head over to the Millworks and catch this excellent display of analog haze.

MELANIE SAFKA w/EVA, 3/18, 8PM, STAGE ON HERR, $30:
As the story goes, Melanie Safka was a virtual unknown when she took the stage late one night in 1969. In the haze of the rain, the crowd lit candles to better see her performance, while those without candles flicked their lighters. But this wasn’t just some impromptu folk show. The crowd was 400,000 strong and the performance took place on a farm outside Woodstock, N.Y. So inspired by the scene, Safka penned “Lay Down (Candles in the Rain).” And, as Safka’s fame spread, so too did the tradition of raising lighters (and now cellphone screens) at concerts. Seeing such an important figure in American pop music history should be reason enough to attend this show at Stage on Herr. But her fame is deserved, as her sweet vibrato instantly conjures up a power and optimism that serves as a voice for the hippy generation.

Mentionables: Chris Purcell and the Sinners, 3/12, River City Blues Club; Scythian, 3/16, Abbey Bar; The Michelle Canning Band, 3/20, Stage on Herr; The Ann Wilson Thing, 3/23, Whitaker Center; Jimkata, 3/25, Abbey Bar

Happenings: Our March Calendar of Events

February 29, 2016 | by TheBurg Editor

Museum & Art Spaces

3rd Street Studio
1725 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg
Facebook: 3^rd Street Studio

“Creepy Crawlers,” featuring imaginative acrylic, ink and graphite works by Sean Arce, March 18-May 20; reception: March 18, 6-10 p.m.

AACA Museum
161 Museum Dr., Hershey
717-566-7100; aacamuseum.org

“Pinstriping & Automotive Art” by HotRod Jen, March 11-May 31; special program with the artist: March 12, 2 p.m.

“Mods vs. Rockers,” motorcycles and scooters, March 19-Oct. 29.

“It’s a Small World: Micro & Mini Cars,” through April 22.

“Pioneers in African-American Auto History,” through April 30.

Art Association of Harrisburg
21 N. Front St., Harrisburg
717-236-1432; artassocofhbg.com

“5 Artist Invitational,” with Josephine Alexander, Matthew Bennett, Karen Commings, Francesca Pizzurro and Deborah Williams, through March 31.

BrainVessel Gallery
4707 Carlisle Pike, Mechanicsburg
717-350-2306; www.bvcargo.com

“Catch and Release: Fish and Lure Paintings,” works by Mary Anne Lard and Thom Glace, through March 11.

The Cornerstone Coffeehouse
2133 Market St., Camp Hill
717-737-5026; thecornerstonecoffeehouse.com

Artist of the Month: Jim Lambert

Gallery@Second
608 N. 2nd St., Harrisburg
717-233-2498; galleryatsecond.com

“The Burg 2: About Harrisburg, For Harrisburg,” through March 12.

Works by Nancy Huerter and Chris Lyter, March 14-April 30; reception: March 18, 6-9 p.m.

The Hershey Story Museum
63 W. Chocolate Ave., Hershey
717-534-8939; hersheystory.org

“Chocolate Workers Wanted,” life in Hershey’s chocolate factory from 1905 to 1925, through spring 2016.

Landis House
Perry County Council of the Arts
67 N. 4^th St., Newport
717-567-7023; www.perrycountyarts.org

“Interior,” an exploration of physical, emotional, sculptural and pictorial aspects of interior space through sculptures and paintings by Brian and Naomi Menkis, through May 7.

Little Amps Coffee Roasters, Downtown
133 State St., Harrisburg
717-635-9870; littleampscoffee.com

“Illustrations by Liatra Myers,” March through April; reception: March 18, 5-7 p.m.

Metropolis Collective
17 W. Main St., Mechanicsburg
717-458-8245; Facebook: Metropolis Collective

“Eros,” a provocative exhibit by fine art photographer Stewart A., which is intended for a mature audience, through March 26.

“Hard Boiled,” an art tribute to pulp novels and B movies, March 4-April 30; reception: March 4, 6-10 p.m.

National Civil War Museum
One Lincoln Circle, Harrisburg
717-260-1861; nationalcivilwarmuseum.org

“The Life and Times of Congressman Robert Smalls,” the story of a man born into slavery, who later rose to the U.S. Congress, through June 2016.

“Tell Mother I’ve Been Good: Vice & Virtue in the Civil War,” illustrating the moral challenges faced by thousands of men in the ranks, through Dec. 31.

Ned Smith Center for Nature and Art
176 Water Company Rd., Millersburg
717-692-3699; nedsmithcenter.org

“The Hidden Works of Jay N. ‘Ding’ Darling,” featuring personal works of the pioneering conservationist and cartoonist, through June 18.

“A Four-Year Retrospective: Ned Wert Workshops at Ned Smith Center for Nature and Art,” March 19-26; reception: March 19, 2 p.m.

PCCA Gallery
Perry County Council of the Arts
1 S. 2nd St., Newport
perrycountyarts.org

“Stories of Individual Struggles and Personal Growth,” featuring relief paintings and sculptures by Evgeny Krayushkin (ZheKa), through April 2.

Rose Lehrman Art Gallery
1 HACC Dr., Harrisburg
717-780-2435; hacc.edu

”Consequences,” photographs by Rita Bernstein, through April 1.

The State Museum of Pennsylvania
300 North St., Harrisburg
717-787-4980; statemuseumpa.org

“National History Day in Pennsylvania,” highlighting a year-long classroom program that engages students in hands-on historical research and exploration based on the 2016 theme “Exploration, Encounter & Exchange,” March 11-May 1.

“Pennsylvania Modern, A Juried Photography Exhibition of Midcentury Modern Architecture,” honoring iconic and modern architecture, extended through April 24.

Susquehanna Art Museum
1401 N. 3^rd St., Harrisburg
717-233-8668; sqart.org

“New Light: The Pennsylvania Impressionists, Highlights from the Woodmere Art Museum Collection,” through May 22.

Whitaker Center/The Curved Wall
222 Market St., Harrisburg
717-214-ARTS; whitakercenter.org

“Art Center Instructor Exhibition,” featuring the work of the Art Center School and Galleries of Mechanicsburg instructors, through April 1.

WITF Atrium Gallery
4801 Lindle Rd., Harrisburg
717-704-3000; witf.org

“Foundations,” works of photography by Michael Hower, March 1-April 14; reception: March 9, 5-7 p.m.

Yellow Bird Café
1320 N. 3^rd St., Harrisburg
717-635-8991; yellowbird-cafe.com

Works by Kyle Baskin, through March 13.

Zeroday Brewing Co.
250 Reily St., Harrisburg
717-745-6218; zerodaybrewing.com

“Deep Cuts,” works by SR81, through March 17.

“Facets of Nature,” contemporary impressionism by Meaghan Troup, March 18-April 14.

Read, Make, Learn

The Cornerstone Coffeehouse
2133 Market St., Camp Hill
717-737-5026; thecornerstonecoffeehouse.com

March 10: “Homemade Pastas and Sauces,” 6-9 p.m.
March 16: “Sunday Dinner Classics,” 6-9 p.m.
March 20: “What is Socialism and the Bernie Sanders Revolution?” 2 p.m.
March 23: “Taste of Thai,” 6-9 p.m.

Fort Hunter Mansion and Park
5300 N. Front St., Harrisburg
717-599-5751; forthunter.org

March 6: Maple Sugar Festival, 12-4 p.m.
March 11: “Tales for St. Patrick’s Day,” 7 p.m.
March 16: Author reading: “Hold Your Horses: The Pennsylvania Farm Show at 100” by Mary Klaus, 7 p.m.

Fredricksen Library
100 N. 19th St., Camp Hill
717-761-3900; fredricksenlibrary.org

March 1: Curl Up With the Classics—“Jane Eyre,” 1 p.m.
March 4: Youth Chess Night, 6:30 p.m.
March 5: Story Time and Music Therapy, 3:30 p.m.
March 7: Fredricksen Writes, 6:45 p.m.
March 10, 24: Teen Writers Group, 7 p.m.
March 11: Foreign Film Friday—“Priceless,” 2 p.m., 7 p.m.
March 15: Fredricksen Reads, 7 p.m.
March 15: “Gardening with Nature: Spice up Your Landscape with Herbs,” 7 p.m.
March 17: Kids and Companions Book Club, 6:30 p.m.
March 18: Family Movie Night, 6:30 p.m.
March 20: LEGO Workshop, 2 p.m.
March 22: Zen Coloring, 7 p.m.
March 23: Adventure Crafts—“Secret Agents,” 4:30 p.m.

Harrisburg Improv Theatre
1633 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg
717-798-6973; hbgimprov.com

March 5-April 30: Kidprov (ages 5-8), 10:30-11:30 a.m.
March 5-April 30: Kidprov (ages 9-12), 2-3:30 p.m.
March 20: Storytelling Workshop: Untitled Harrisburg, 2-5 p.m.

Healthy Living Kitchen
16 S. Rosanna St., Hummelstown
717-512-0077; healthylivingkitchenpa.com

March 3: Immune Boosting Cooking
March 8: Cooking Grains & Beans the Right Way
March 17: A Dietary Guide to Reducing Inflammation
March 22: Healthy Fats Keep You Moving

The LBGT Center of Central PA
1306 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg
717-920-9534; centralpalgbtcenter.org

March 2, 9, 16, 23, 30: Common Roads Youth, 6 p.m.
March 5, 12, 19, 26: Weekly Meditation Practice, 11 a.m.
March 6, 13, 20, 27: Alcoholics Anonymous, 12 p.m.
March 7, 14, 21, 28: Common Roads Young Adults, 4 p.m.
March 10: Aging with Pride Lunchtime Discussion, 12 p.m.
March 15: Women’s Group, 6 p.m.

Luhrs Performing Arts Center
1871 Old Main Dr., Shippensburg
717-477-7469; luhrscenter.com

March 14-April 25: Ballroom Dance Lessons, 5:30 p.m.

Messiah College School of Arts
1 College Ave., Mechanicsburg
717-766-2511; messiah.edu

March 18: Azaguno: African Drum and Dance Ensemble

Midtown Scholar Bookstore-Cafe
1302 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg
717-236-1680; midtownscholar.com

March 1: Sci-Fi Writer’s Group, 7 p.m.
March 2, 9, 16, 23, 30: Midtown Chess Club, 11 a.m.
March 3: Almost Uptown Poetry Cartel, 7 p.m.
March 4, 11, 18, 25: Nathaniel Gadsden’s Spoken Word Café, 7 p.m.
March 5: Sign Language with Karen, 11 am.
March 5: Good News Café, 6 p.m.
March 8: Dauphin County Young Democrats Meeting, 7 p.m.
March 8, 22: Meet-Up, 9 a.m.
March 10, 17: Camp Curtin Toastmasters, 6:30 p.m.
March 12: Storytime with Samantha, 11 a.m.
March 13, 27: TED Talks, 1 p.m.
March 16: Sci Fi & Fantasy Book Club, 7 p.m.
March 18: Coffee Tasting with Café Staff, 12 p.m.
March 18: Tea Tasting w/Café Staff, 2 p.m.
March 19: Coffee & Critique—Designer Workshop, 8:30 a.m.
March 20: Midtown Writer’s Group, 1 p.m.
March 20: LGBT Book Club, 5 p.m.
March 22: Friends of Midtown Safety Committee, 6:30 p.m.
March 27: Harrisburg Young Professionals Book Club, 2 p.m.
March 28: Feminism Book Club, 7 p.m.

The Millworks
340 Verbeke St., Harrisburg
717-695-4888; millworksharrisburg.com

March 4: “Letting Go!” Paint Night, 6:30-9:30 p.m.
March 22-May 3: Abstract Painting 7-week class, 6-8:30 p.m.
March 26: Digital Art Photography Workshop, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

The Movement Center
2134 N. 2^nd St., Harrisburg
717-238-0357; themovementcenter.net

March 12: Open House free classes, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

Perry County Council of the Arts, Landis House
67 N. Fourth St., Newport
717-567-7023; perrycountyarts.org

March 5: Free Drop-in Art for Kids, 1-4 p.m.
March 12: “A Novel Idea” writing workshop, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
March 16: Perry County Camera Club, 6-8 p.m.
March 19: Writing Workshop—Writing Plays, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
March 19: Beginning Basketry: Berry Basket, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

Susquehanna Art Museum
1401 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg
717-233-8668; sqart.org

March 6: First Family Sunday, 2-5 p.m.

Wildwood Park
100 Wildwood Way, Harrisburg
717-221-0292; wildwoodlake.org

March 1: “Pennsylvania Bats on the Rebound,” 7-8:30 p.m.
March 3: “Educator Workshop—Healthy Water, Healthy People,” 9 am.-3 p.m.
March 6: “Beginner’s Yoga and Walk,” 10-11:30 a.m.
March 12: “Aquatic Insects,” 1-2:30 p.m.
March 12: Volunteer Work Day, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
March 13: “Kids Discover,” 1-2:30 p.m.
March 19: “Scout Program—Weather Bear Elective,” 10:30-2:30 p.m.
March 19: Photography Workshop, 10 a.m.- 3 p.m.
March 20: “Conservation Video Series—Bald Eagles and Elk in PA,” 1-2:30 p.m.
March 20: “Flower Walk—Cold Tolerant Plants,” 1:30-3 p.m.
March 30: Preschool Storytime: Spring at Wildwood, 10-10:45 a.m.

Live Music Around Harrisburg

American Music Theatre
2425 Lincoln Highway East, Lancaster
717-397-7700; amtshows.com

March 8-9: STOMP
March 15: The Pink Floyd Experience
March 19: The Oak Ridge Boys
March 20: Marty Stuart & Connie Smith
March 29-30: Yanni

Appalachian Brewing Co./Abbey Bar
50 N. Cameron St., Harrisburg
717-221-1083; abcbrew.com

March 3: Consider the Source
March 4: Midnight Spaghetti & the Chocolate G Strings
March 5: Splintered Sunlight
March 6: De Temps Antan
March 10: PitchBlak Brass Band
March 11: Case 150’s 20^th Anniversary Show
March 12: Dr. Southclaw & Muppet’s Titanium Stardust Machine
March 16: Sythian
March 17: Cornmeal
March 18: Kilmaine Saints
March 25: Jimkata w/Humandala

Carley’s Ristorante and Piano Bar
204 Locust St., Harrisburg
717-909-9191; carleysristorante.com

March 1: Daniel Sheehan
March 2: Christine Purcell
March 3: Jessica Perla
March 4, 15, 18: Noel Gevers
March 5, 26: Roy Lefever
March 8: Maria Battista
March 10, 13, 17, 24: Anthony Haubert
March 11, 19: Chris Emkey
March 12, 25: Ted Ansel
March 16, 23: Deborah Anderson
March 22: Corinna Joy

Chameleon Club
223 N. Water St., Lancaster
717-299-9684; chameleonclub.net

March 18: RJD2

March 26: Silverstein

The Cornerstone Coffeehouse
2133 Market St., Camp Hill
717-737-5026; thecornerstonecoffeehouse.com

March 4: Antonio Andrade
March 5: Womack & Lowery
March 6: Coco & The Bug
March 11: Dominick Cicco
March 12: Kirk Wise
March 13: Jane Ramsey
March 18: Jim Haas
March 19: Steven Gellman
March 20: Shawan and the Wonton
March 25: Jeanine and Friends
March 26: Doug Morris
March 26: “A Night of Protest Music”
March 27: Suzi Brown

Grain + Verse Bottlehouse
148 Sheraton Dr., New Cumberland
717-317-3044; grainandverse.com

March 3: Ghost Town Cinema
March 10: Sweet Corn & Peanut
March 17: Tim Cooney
March 24: Shotgun Ragtime Band
March 31: Corty Byron

Harrisburg Midtown Arts Center (H*MAC)
1110 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg
717-441-7506; harrisburgarts.com

March 5: First Friday w/Vetour Productions
March 18: Melanie Safka w/Eva
March 19: The Bo Deadlys
March 20: The Michelle Canning Band
March 25: The Fleshtones w/The Split Squad & Stupidity
March 26: The Jellybricks, Andy Bopp, Andy Grimm & Matt Monta
Every Monday: Barcrawler Karaoke
Every Tuesday: Open Mic

Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra

The Forum at 5^th and Walnut St., Harrisburg
717-545-5527; harrisburgsymphony.org

March 5-6: Hollywood Heroes & Villains
March 12: “Swingin’ on a Star” w/Stuart Malina and his Big Band
March 19-20: Masterworks 5

Hershey Theatre
15 E. Caracas Ave., Hershey
717-534-3405; hersheytheatre.com
March 12: Red Hot Chilli Pipers
March 15-17: Blue Man Group

Hollywood Casino
777 Hollywood Blvd., Grantville
717-469-2211; hollywoodprnc.com

March 4: Stand Tall Baby Doll
March 5: The Luv Gods
March 11: Big Shot (Billy Joel Tribute Band)
March 11: Restless
March 12: Green Eggs
March 18: Uptown
March 19: Gold Dust
March 25: Sunshine Symphony
March 26: Smooth Like Clyde

Johnny Joe’s Sports Bar & Grill
5327 E. Trindle Rd., Mechanicsburg
717-766-2254; johnnyjoesbar.com

March 5: SOS
March 12: Martini Bros.
March 19: Stealing the Covers
March 26: Off the Wagon

Little Amps Coffee Roasters, Downtown
133 State St., Harrisburg
717-635-9870; littleampscoffee.com

March 4: Rivers
March 18: Stereoma
March 25: Drew & Ket

Little Amps Coffee Roasters, Uptown
1836 Green St., Harrisburg
717-695-4882; littleampscoffee.com

March 17: Yam Yam

Luhrs Performing Arts Center
1871 Old Main Dr., Shippensburg
717-477-7469; luhrscenter.com

March 15: Yamato Drummers of Japan
March 18: Jay & the Americans w/Dennis Tufano

Majestic Theater
25 Carlisle St., Gettysburg
717-337-8200; gettysburgmajestic.org

March 9: Lady Antebellum’s Charles Kelley

The MakeSpace
1916 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg
hbgmakespace.com

March 5: Honduras, Seasonal, Prodigal Suns
March 8: The Receiver, Saint Brendan and the Navigators, Fly Overs

Market Square Concerts
www.marketsquareconcerts.org

March 31: Doric String Quartet

Midtown Scholar Bookstore-Cafe
1302 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg
717-236-1680; midtownscholar.com

March 18: Harrisburg Symphony Youth Orchestra

The Mill in Hershey
810 Old West Chocolate Ave., Hershey
717-256-9965; themillinhershey.com

March 5: Funktion
March 12: Shea and Swish of The Luv Gods
March 17: Erich Cawalla Trio
March 19: Still Hang String Band
March 26: Hip 450

The Millworks
340 Verbeke St., Harrisburg
717-695-4888; millworksharrisburg.com

March 9: Lazyeyes w/Beverly
March 10: David Mayfield Parade
March 18: Hot Jam Factory w/Mellowells & Port Ellis
March 27: Restorations w/Creepoid

Ned Smith Center for Nature and Art
176 Water Company Rd., Millersburg
717-692-3699; nedsmithcenter.org

March 11: Ann Kerstetter Band

River City Blues Club & Dart Room
819 S. Cameron St., Harrisburg
rivercityhbg.com

March 2: Acoustic Stew Open Jam
March 3, 10, 17, 24, 31: Open Electric Jam
March 5: Shawan and the Wonton
March 9: Blue Elephant Open Jam
March 12: Chris Purcell and the Sinners
March 18: Kat Hart & The Norm Eberly Quartet
March 19: Crippled But Free
March 23: Don Johnson Open Jam
March 25: Peoples Open Jam
March 27: Miami Fusion Dance Party

Stock’s on 2nd
211 N. 2nd Street, Harrisburg
717-233-6699; stocksonsecond.com

March 4: Music thru Science Lite
March 11: Houston Baker
March 12: Song Smith
March 18: US2 Duo
March 19: Up Pops the Devil
March 25: A Perfect Storm
March 26: Visitors Duo

Strand Capitol Performing Arts Center
50 N. George St., York
717-846-1111; mystrandcapitol.org

March 4: Jazz in the City
March 11: WXPN presents Deer Tick
March 12: Saturday Morning Symphony w/York Symphony Orchestra
March 12: The Piano Men w/York Symphony Orchestra

March 15: Patty Griffin, Sara Watkins and Anaïs Mitchell

Suba Tapas Bar
272 North St., Harrisburg
717-233-7358; mangiaqui.com
March 5: Gary Brown
March 12: Bryan Weber
March 19: Chris Dean

Susquehanna Folk Music Society
sfmsfolk.org

March 6: De Temps Antan
March 13: March Jam Session
March 13: Mick Moloney, Billy McComiskey & Athena Tergis (at Fort Hunter)

The Ware Center
42 N. Prince St., Lancaster
717-871-2308; artsmu.com
March 5: Jazz in the Sky w/Kenia
March 11: Music in the Round: Easy Come, Easy Go

Whitaker Center
222 Market St., Harrisburg
717-214-ARTS; whitakercenter.org

March 23: The Ann Wilson Thing

Zeroday Brewing Co.
250 Reily St., Harrisburg
717-745-6218; zerodaybrewing.com

March 4: HIP450
March 11: Patty Mac and the Motion
March 25: The Jayplayers

The Stage Door

American Music Theatre
2425 Lincoln Highway East, Lancaster
717-397-7700; amtshows.com

March 5: Bill Engvall
March 6: “Always…Patsy Cline”
March 13: “The Man in Black: A Tribute to Johnny Cash”
March 24: The Temptations & The Four Tops

Carlisle Theatre
44 West High St., Carlisle
717-258-0666; carlisletheatre.org

March 3-6: “James and the Giant Peach”

Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre
510 Centerville Rd., Lancaster
717-898-1900; DutchApple.com

Through March 12: “Clue, the Musical”
March 17-April 30: “Menopause, the Musical”

Gamut Theatre
15 N. 4^th St., Harrisburg
717-238-4111; gamuttheatre.org

Through March 5: “Stone Soup” (Popcorn Hat Players)
March 12-26: “The Seagull”

Harrisburg Christian Performing Arts Center
1000 S. Eisenhower Blvd., Middletown
717-939-9333; www.hbg-cpac.org

March 17-20: “The Prophets Foretold”

Harrisburg Comedy Zone
110 Limekiln Rd., New Cumberland
717-920-5653; harrisburgcomedyzone.com

March 4-5: Rich Vos
March 11-12: John Moses w/David Beck
March 18-19: Chris Killian & Dusty Slay
March 25-26: Jim Holder and Andy Forrester

Harrisburg Improv Theatre
1633 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg
717-798-6973; hbgimprov.com

March 4, 11, 18, 25: Harold Hour
March 5: Mary Todd Lincoln/Love Triangle
March 5: Power Trio
March 5, 19: Monotone—An Improvised Musical
March 12: Introduce A Self
March 12: Missed Connections
March 12: Panzer Division/Pillow Talk
March 26: Hardly Working
Every Saturday: Free Improv Mixer

Harrisburg Midtown Arts Center (H*MAC)
1110 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg
717-441-7506; harrisburgarts.com

March 13: Sundae Best Variety Show

Hershey Theatre
15 E. Caracas Ave., Hershey
717-534-3405; hersheyentertainment.com

March 18: “Rhythm in the Night,” Irish Dance Spectacular
March 19-20: Theresa Caputo Live

Little Amps Coffee Roasters, Downtown
133 State St., Harrisburg
717-635-9870; littleampscoffee.com

March 11: “Say What?” Poetry Night

Little Theatre of Mechanicsburg
915 S. York St., Mechanicsburg
717-766-0535; ltmonline.net

March 25-April 10: “Death Trap”

Luhrs Performing Arts Center
1871 Old Main Dr., Shippensburg
717-477-7469; luhrscenter.com

March 19: “Skippyjon Jones Snow What”

Majestic Theater
25 Carlisle St., Gettysburg
717-337-8200; gettysburgmajestic.org

March 19: Imago Theatre, “ZooZoo”

Midtown Scholar Bookstore-Cafe
1302 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg
717-236-1680; midtownscholar.com

March 18: Comedy Night
March 26: Carraig School of Irish Dance

Open Stage of Harrisburg
223 Walnut St., Harrisburg
717-232-OPEN; openstagehbg.com

March 12: “The Diary of Anne Frank”

Oyster Mill Playhouse
1001 Oyster Mill Road, Camp Hill
717-737-6768; oystermill.com

March 4-20: “One Man, Two Guvnors”

Rose Lehrman Arts Center
One HACC Drive, Harrisburg
717-780-2435; hacc.edu

March 23: “The Second City”

Strand Capitol Performing Arts Center
50 N. George St., York
717-846-1111; mystrandcapitol.org

March 3: “Mamma Mia!”
March 5: Frank Ferrante in an Evening with Groucho
March 11: Ron White w/Josh Blue
March 13: “Ailey II”
March 19: “Invincible—A Glorious Tribute to Michael Jackson”

The Ware Center
42 N. Prince St., Lancaster
717-871-2308; artsmu.com

March 4: “Anna in the Tropics”
March 12-13: Dance Lancaster—5th Season Festival

York Little Theatre
27 S. Belmont St., York
717-854-5715; ylt.org

March 4-13: “The Taffetas”

House + Art: Habitat’s annual art auction helps folks stay in their homes.

February 29, 2016 | by Rebecca Hanlon

It might be a basement filled with water, a cold wind blowing through an old window pane or a roof that leaks and creaks and falls to pieces.

Each of these home repairs can be a devastating burden on a family, said Antron Watson, assistant executive director of the Habitat for Humanity of the Greater Harrisburg area.

Instead of watching families pack up and abandon their homes when the maintenance becomes too much, Habitat has been hiring contractors to fix the plumbing, put in new insulation and replace the roofs.

“Staying on top of home repairs means we can keep another vacant property from occurring,” Watson said. “We’re offering families the chance to work with professional contractors who offer a warranty on their work. It makes homeownership more of a victory and less of a burden.”

Perhaps the biggest help to making those repairs a reality is Habitat’s annual “Art Builds Homes” art auction. For the 11^th year, the event, scheduled for April 1 at the Hershey Country Club, will showcase the work of local and regional artists.

The event, which typically raises $20,000, is one of the largest fundraisers Habitat hosts, and it helps the organization get out of its slow winter season and jump-start the spring.

Shannon Deatrich, chairperson for the event and a long-time volunteer with Habitat, is bringing back some old favorites to keep the evening entertaining.

When the doors open at 6 p.m., she said, guests will have a chance to mingle with the artists, who will showcase pieces ranging from acrylics to oils, from sculptures and photography. By 7:15 p.m., the art auction will begin in the main ballroom.

“Seeing and talking with the artists makes art feel more obtainable to a lot of people,” Deatrich said. “You can get a piece that’s affordable, original and beautiful. Even if people don’t get the piece they want, this event gives them the chance to connect with the artists and learn about other pieces that might be out there.”

The event also will feature a raffle, as well as a 50/50 drawing. Beer tastings from Tröegs Independent Brewing and wine from Spring Gate Vineyard also will be available for guests as they nibble on gourmet hors d’oeuvres provided by the Hershey Lodge.

The evening can be as formal or casual as anyone likes, Deatrich said. Some people have used the night as an excuse to break out their evening wear and rent a limo. Others come as they are most comfortable.

“The goal is for people to have a good time,” she said. “If that means dressing up or coming in blue jeans, we just want every guest to have fun.”

The money raised through the art auction has helped with a bulk of the home repairs Habitat does, which grants typically don’t cover, Watson said. Some of last year’s auction funds helped pay for the demo and reframing of a rehab project on a vacant property in Steelton.

About 80 percent of Habitat’s work is in critical home repairs, while the remaining 20 percent is in building or rehabbing new homes, Watson said. Building a house might cost $100,000, while keeping someone in his or her current home is $20,000, depending on the repair, he said.

“The biggest thing I’d like people to know is that Habitat is here,” Watson said. “There’s a misconception that we only serve the heart of the city or that we only build homes. In reality, we serve all of Dauphin County, and we want to do everything we can to make sure people are living in safe, secure, accessible and weatherized homes.”

With each piece of art that finds its way into a home, Deatrich said, there’s a Dauphin County resident who gets help staying in their own.

“The whole experience is very rewarding,” she said. “You never know how much you appreciate your own home until you see people who are at risk of losing their own.”

“Art Builds Homes” takes place April 1 at 6 p.m. at the Hershey Country Club, 1000 E. Derry Road, Hershey. Tickets are $25 and are available in advance through the Habitat for Humanity of Greater Harrisburg Area by visiting harrisburghabitat.org/artauction. Tickets also will be available at the door.

From Sky to Sea: Despite retirement, former Camp Hill Mayor Lou Thieblemont moves full-steam ahead.

February 29, 2016 | by Don Helin

Most mornings, when he’s on land, that is, you’ll see Lou Thieblemont holding court at a small table in the dining area of Cornerstone Coffeehouse.

That’s where I typically find him, regaling his breakfast mates with tales of his life as a pilot, his time as Camp Hill mayor and, for the past few years, his adventures on the high seas.

Some people refer to Thieblemont as Camp Hill’s renaissance man, but I don’t know. I just find it fascinating that he’s been able to squeeze so much living into one lifetime.

Taking Off

Thieblemont grew up in New York, went to Catholic high school and attended the New York Institute of Technology, graduating with a degree in communications and broadcasting.

“In high school, I received my pilot’s license at the tender age of 17 and went on to get a commercial pilot’s license and flight instructor’s rating,” he said. “It was kind of funny because I couldn’t drive a car in New York until I turned 18. So, I would need friends to drive me to the airport, then I could give them a plane ride.”

Thieblemont graduated from college in 1967, intent on going into broadcasting, but he continued to teach flying. One day, he saw a brochure announcing that TWA, United and Pan Am were all recruiting pilots. He applied to each of them and was offered employment by all three. TWA presented the earliest class date, so he took a job there in May 1968.

In his long pilot’s career, he had many unique experiences, but one especially stood out.

“The shah of Iran was building up his domestic cattle herd so he contracted with TWA to bring cows to Iran,” he said. “We flew Boeing 707 cargo planes twice a week from the U.S. to Iran with 88,000 pounds of pregnant Herefords.”

He laughed.

“When we arrived in Tehran at nine in the morning, it was already hot so we had to offload the cattle quickly so they wouldn’t die. When we opened the cargo door, hundreds of gallons of cow urine poured out. After the cows were off the plane, we hosed out the cargo area and loaded 88,000 pounds of strawberries and flew them to Paris.”

Soon, the overwhelming aroma of strawberries filled the cockpit air and, to this day, he said, the smell of strawberries brings back one of the strangest days of his life.

Mr. Mayor

Thieblemont flew for TWA until American Airlines bought the carrier in 2001. After four years with American, he retired in 2005 with almost 38 years of experience.

A long-time Camp Hill resident, he had made a name for himself in the borough through volunteer work, which included developing the police department website. Then the position of mayor came open.

“The job of mayor became available due to some mistakes by the incumbent,” he said. “Six of us applied for the remainder of his term. The interview process narrowed the field, and finally I was appointed to serve until the next election. At that time, I ran for the position and was elected to finish the remainder of the four-year term.”

As the full-time mayor of the borough of almost 8,000 residents, Thieblemont had “a multitude of responsibilities.”

“I set up a formal welcoming program and tried to personally meet and greet all new residents to the borough,” he said. “I also started a recycling center for things such as batteries, computers, etc. Then I developed a group of volunteers who would be on call to cut grass, shovel snow or run errands for seniors and disabled folks.”

Of course, he had more mundane mayoral duties, as well. He performed weddings and presented awards at various events and ceremonies. He acted as the borough ombudsman, giving speeches and making presentations. He even got some national publicity when, in 2008, he switched political parties so that he could vote for future President Barack Obama in the Democratic primary.

In 2009, having completed one full term, he decided it was time to move on. So, he didn’t run again.

At Sea

Shortly after retiring as mayor, Thieblemont and his wife took a 12-day cruise to the Caribbean. As they were leaving Baltimore harbor, the cruise director made an announcement that the person scheduled to make presentations was sick.

“Since I’d given a number of talks on a variety of subjects to groups in central Pennsylvania, I offered to substitute with talks on astronomy and Antarctic exploration,” he said. “The cruise director was thrilled. So, I put together a quick PowerPoint presentation, since I didn’t bring any of my computer talks with me.”

That evening, Thieblemont presented his talk in one of the theaters, and the house was packed. After the talk and Q&A, the cruise director told him how much he had enjoyed the presentation and asked him to do others.

“I have been giving talks on various cruise ships ever since,” he said.

So, when you take your next cruise, don’t be surprised to see a picture of the former mayor in the brochure, with a blurb that reads:

“Join the M/S Paul Gauguin’s cruise as a true Renaissance Man offers a series of lectures on topics as diverse as aviation, astronomy, Antarctic exploration, optical illusions and computer graphics.”

That’s just Camp Hill’s Lou Thieblemont, enjoying his post-, post-retirement.

Doing the Opposite: As the community changes, so does Derry Street UMC.

February 29, 2016 | by Susan Ryder

Just three years ago, Derry Street United Methodist Church was floundering.

With only about 28 congregants, this house of worship experienced the financial and building deterioration associated with such a small membership. The beautiful church, with enormous stained glass windows, a pipe organ and expansive space, had an uncertain future. Then Pastor Mack Granderson arrived.

At a time when church attendance nationwide has diminished, this congregation of 28 has grown to 90. It holds two Sunday services, one in English and one in Spanish.

When asked how Derry Street turned its future around, Granderson put it like this: “Do the opposite of what churches have done in the last 70 or 80 years.”

For the most part, churches have remained insular, content to meet the needs of those attending, he said.

“Churches found that they finally needed to recognize that their communities have changed, and they needed to open their doors,” he said.

The church has a long history of working with the Allison Hill Community Ministry, which operates out of the church building. But, recently, Derry Street Church has made a mission of the organization, formalizing the relationship and encouraging church member participation in its work. This allows for more collaboration between the ministry and the church in running a clothing closet, two food ministries that feed 1,400 people a month and a tutoring program, among other initiatives.

Benefactors of the Derry Street Church collaboration, Michael Baublitz, his wife and 3-year-old son, moved to the area after experiencing homelessness. He said that, without the church’s food help, he and his family would be “struggling even harder.”

In addition to these programs, the church building serves as a meeting place for Narcotics Anonymous groups, headquarters for an online Christian radio station, The Voice 17104, and a meal preparation area for Meals on Wheels.

Granderson wants to use as much of this building to serve the community as possible.

“I actually feel that we are committing a sin if we have space within our church and it is not being used for the community good,” he said. “All of this does not belong to us. It is a gift from God almighty, and he is expecting us to use it and to use it well.”

Though Derry Street Church has grown in numbers and mission, Granderson doesn’t take credit for the changes there. The credit, he said, goes to the congregation.

“You have never met a congregation like these people,” he said. “This congregation is extraordinary.”

Doors Open

In the spirit of changing with the community, the church recently began hosting English as a Second Language classes. After coordinating with local small businesses and foundations for funding, Derry Street was able to begin offering the classes, coordinated by HACC.

The community college donated a semester of classes and Derry Street Church, along with individuals and businesses, provided financial support. Granderson expressed gratitude for the philanthropic community’s investment in the people of Allison Hill.

He feels that classes like this are requisite for a way out of poverty.

“We recognize that a number of people within our community were not bilingual, in terms of Spanish to English, and that could hold them back from employment and therefore quality housing,” he said.

The yearlong program expects to graduate 75 students this year.

To further its community outreach, in April, the church will begin a new multicultural, contemporary and interactive worship service called New Breed.

Within a room that holds 15-foot textured, clear, stained-glass pocket doors, Granderson explains where a screen will go and how the sound system and band will be placed for the new service. This room once served as a sanctuary overflow, at a time when 1,000 folks worshipped on any given Sunday. Granderson doesn’t pine for the old days of overflowing pews, however. He plants his thoughts and plans squarely in moving forward.

To help him do so, he enthusiastically embraces technology, even as a 67-year-old digital immigrant. In March, the church will install devices that will allow it to translate services into many languages. This will open the doors even wider to include French-speaking, African-born community members.

Derry Street is not the church of its past, with brimming pews. Perhaps it’s something even richer. A cathedral of sorts, providing leadership to recognize and meet societal needs. A church can gauge its effectiveness by the asking the question, “Would the church be missed if it disappeared?”

“If, for whatever reason, this church did not exist anymore, there would be a lot of hurt in this community,” Granderson said.

Derry Street United Methodist Church is located at 1508 Derry St., Harrisburg. For more information, call 717-233-6441 or visit the Facebook page.

A Youth Center Grows: With expansion, Bethesda Mission seeks to boost capabilities, programs.

February 29, 2016 | by Alexis Campbell

Back in 1990, Harrisburg-based Bethesda Mission acquired the defunct Shamrock Fire Station on Allison Hill and turned it into a youth center.

Since then, the center has been a fixture in the community, providing myriad programs for children and teens, including a comprehensive after-school program, summer camps, special programs for teenagers and the UCAN Mentoring Program, which matches youth with volunteer mentors.

“We’ve made it work for 25 years,” said Scott Dunwoody, vice president of business development for Bethesda. “We’ve simply outgrown it. It was built in 1908, and it’s structurally sound, but is in need of major repairs and upgrades.”

Additionally, the current youth center has no outdoor area where kids can play.

“Anytime that we want to take the kids anywhere outside, we have to put them in vans and drive them,” Dunwoody explained.

Bethesda’s plan is to renovate the existing youth center, create an outdoor play area and parking, construct an improved entryway off Herr Street, and renovate the recently acquired adjacent building into a gymnasium and program facility.

The adjacent property, which includes half-an-acre of land and a 10,000-square-foot building, is the former Kurzenknabe Printing Co. It was not initially part of Bethesda’s renovation plan, but, when officials approached the building’s owner about expanding eight feet in his direction, he told them that he was looking to sell the property.

“It was truly an answered prayer,” Dunwoody said. “We had always talked about how great it would be if that building ever became available, and here it was.”

Through the support of five foundations, seven churches, six businesses and 91 individuals, Bethesda raised the necessary funds to purchase the building in July 2015, completing the first phase of the expansion project. They’re still raising funds for the renovations phase.

Bethesda believes that the expansion of the youth center will lead to a doubling or even tripling of the number of families reached through their programs.

“We envision not just a youth center, but a community center,” Dunwoody said.

Bethesda’s youth programs are aimed at giving young people a solid foundation upon which to build their futures.

“Our programs seek to ‘fireproof’ young people from all of the things that they may struggle with in life,” Dunwoody explained. “We often see adults who have destroyed their lives through drug and alcohol abuse and other destructive decisions. These programs intercede before things get to that point.”

Dunwoody said that parents in the community often express their appreciation to Bethesda for being a safe place for their children to spend time.

“Many parents need this,” said Dunwoody. “They need a place where their kids can be safe while they work to support them. The youth center provides that, and, with this expansion, we’ll be able to take that support even farther.”

In addition to youth programming, Bethesda envisions expanding the center’s outreach to seniors, as well.

“We see this as a ‘legacy project,’” Dunwoody said. “This will have a positive impact on the community for years to come.”

Bethesda Mission Youth Center is located at 1428 Herr St., Harrisburg. The organization continues to raise funds for Phase 2 of the renovation project. To learn more about their programming or to make a gift, visit www.bethesdamission.org.

Layers of Flavor: Phyllo draws Greek food fans to the Broad Street Market.

February 29, 2016 | by Stephanie Kalina-Metzger

Photo by Waxman Photography.

Like the phyllo dough that Katerina Ntzanis works with to craft her Greek specialties, the story of how she decided to embark upon a culinary career consists of many layers, but in the end, it’s all been built on family.

The young chef arrived in the United States at the age of 4 and, shortly afterwards, developed a keen interest in her mother’s culinary skills.

“Throughout my years in school, I paid close attention to what she was doing in the kitchen,” she said. “Everything she made was amazing.”

For Ntzanis, cooking became synonymous with nurturing, love and comfort as she learned various techniques. By the time she reached adulthood, her path was clear. Soon, she was honing her cooking chops at the prestigious International Culinary Center in New York. As part of the program, she also had the opportunity to work at L’Ecole, a restaurant run by the center.

After she completed the program, Ntzanis stayed in New York for a time and worked at a restaurant called Park Avenue Seasonal before returning to the Harrisburg area.

“I moved back because the restaurant was relocating, and I wanted to start something of my own,” she said.

By investing her time and talents in Harrisburg, she is following in the footsteps of other family members. Her father Thomas and brother Sotirios operate the Midtown Tavern on N. 2^nd Street.

Her attractive and spacious stand in the stone market building serves the needs of the crowds who flock there.

“We have a convection oven, a fryer, a char broiler and a four-top stove,” said Ntzanis, who is joined by her mother Anna and cousin Vasoula Tsandopoulou in whipping up signature Greek dishes. “My favorite part of the business is working with my family. I feel like I’m at home here.”

The family’s extended network also pitched in to make Phyllo a reality.

“One of my father’s friends built the stand and put in the gas line, the water line and installed the hood system,” she said.

Greek to Me

For those uninitiated in Greek cuisine, Phyllo is there to help.

Several laminated sheets—emblazoned with a simple question, “What is that?”—are placed on the counter so customers can peruse the contents of dishes like horiatiki (red onion, bell pepper, feta, kalamata olives, tomato, cucumber, oregano and olive oil) and the popular spanakopita (“phyllo with filling of mama’s blend of greens and feta”).

“A lot of people are looking for a home-cooked meal, and we provide that, making everything from scratch,” said Ntzanis.

Phyllo also offers a mix-and-match souvlaki skewer option. Customers can choose chicken, pork, lamb or a vegetable mixture of zucchini, onion, pepper and mushroom and pair the skewers with sauces like tzatziki (Greek yogurt, cucumber, garlic, red wine vinegar and olive oil), melitzanosalata (pureed eggplant, garlic, parsley, balsamic vinegar and olive oil) and tirokafteri (described as “ricotta with mama’s spicy blend”).

Daily specials vary and range from dishes like the savory moussaka made with meat sauce, eggplant and béchamel, a baked pasta dish known as pastitsio and a soup called avgolemono, which contains chicken, rice and a lemon egg foam and is guaranteed to warm the insides of patrons during the cold winter months.

As for sweets, the honey-laden, phyllo-layered crowd favorite baklava is a mainstay on the menu, with other Greek desserts making the occasional appearance to keep things interesting.

Customer Nora Noone said the baklava was just one of the offerings that drew her back to the Broad Street Market.

“I also like souvlaki, but hadn’t visited the market for about 10 years,” said the Mechanicsburg resident, who remarked on the portion size of the popular dessert. “They give you a huge triangle, especially compared to what you get at other places.”

Valerie Osipov, also of Mechanicsburg, visited after the opening in December.

“I ordered the souvlaki with the pita bread, and we tried an assortment of dips,” she said. “I think she’ll be very successful.”

David Morrison, acting executive director of Historic Harrisburg Association, said that his recent experience was very positive.

“Phyllo played a crucial role in our Candlelight House Tour,” he said. “They set up a pop-up pastry stall and provided finger food that was excellent.”

“I saw people from the tour visiting our stand after that,” said Ntzanis.

She said she’s excited to be part of a market that is experiencing a renaissance, thanks to an influx of new vendors and growing attractions in Midtown Harrisburg.

“I chose this market specifically because I enjoy the diversity, and I want to be part of the Midtown community,” she said with a smile. “Because I love what I do, I feel like I’m not even working.”

Phyllo is open for lunch and dinner during regular Broad Street Market hours. Visit their Facebook page: Phyllo.

House Hunters Harrisburg: As amenities, confidence grow, so does interest in living in the city.

February 29, 2016 | by Ashleigh Pollart

A year ago, Jared Blouch packed up his belongings and did something that, until recently, would have seemed decidedly backwards.

He sold his house in Mechanicsburg and moved into Harrisburg.

He was tired of the commute and traffic into the city each day, he said. So, he found a beautiful, historic house that he also thought was very affordable and started a new way of life that included—egads—walking.

“I like that everything is so close, and I don’t have to drive far,” said Blouch, who purchased on Green Street. “I can get everything I want right there.”

Blouch became so enamored with his new neighborhood that he quickly became an activist for it, joining the board of Friends of Midtown and serving as president of the Olde Uptown Neighborhood Association.

Blouch’s introduction to Midtown Harrisburg could hardly be more different than that experienced by Ray Davis, who moved there in 1986.

“I bought my house on Green Street, and I drove my mother by and she looked at me, and she looked back at the house and said, ‘Are you serious?’” he said.

Davis, a familiar licensed real estate agent in central PA, and particularly in Harrisburg, laughed as he recalled the memory.

“She had no experience with city living,” he said. “So, she put her hand on my knee and said, ‘Is it safe?’”

In those three decades in Harrisburg, Davis has seen many changes—from the transition of the plasma center on Reily Street to the current Midtown Cinema; from rows of empty buildings to the recent surge of new businesses in Midtown.

“We didn’t have anything—anything!” he stressed. “It was so different than it is now.”

Today, Midtown residents have numerous restaurants, nightspots and even a brewery among a long list of amenities just a short stroll away. In part, that’s what may be driving new interest in living in the heart of the city, said Davis.

“Comparing 2011 to 2015, there were literally twice as many sales,” he said.

In 2011, the data (price range of $50,000 to $250,000) showed that 49 houses were sold in the 17102 zip code, which includes North Street to Maclay Street and Front Street to N. 7^th Street. In 2015, the same zip code totaled 99 units sold. Even more encouraging, the average time on the market for those 99 units was 87 days, just below the average of 90 days in the surrounding suburbs.

Faring Better

Wendell Hoover, Harrisburg’s other go-to agent, looked past the borders of the 17102 zip code to find that the dips and peaks of the average sales price over a six-year period told the same story.

Including data from downtown, Midtown and Uptown, the average sales price was $97,241 in 2010. In 2011, the average sales price dropped drastically to $85,339 then dropped further in 2013 to $75,058. The last two years have seen a reversal. The 2015 figures show a 22 percent increase since 2013 to an average price of $91,600.

The low numbers in 2011 were not unique to Harrisburg as the country experienced a bursting of the housing bubble. Harrisburg, however, was experiencing other challenges, financially and politically, over those years. Now, the opinion of the city has changed, said Hoover, who credited this improved perception as the main factor behind the current upswing.

“There were just so many negative things, and there were very few positive things before, so that’s the biggest trend—people have changed their viewpoint,” he said. “Whether they’re first-time homeowners or they’re investors, you need to have that confidence in the immediate market, and now a lot of people do.”

More Attractive

Hoover has been a realtor in central PA for six years and, during that time, he, too, has observed many of the changes in the city and optimistically foresees continued growth.

“Interest rates, although they might inch up, will remain relatively low, and the economy, although not good for everyone, has incrementally improved,” he said. “I don’t see much to stop this positive momentum, particularly as we get more things in Midtown.”

Hoover cited the opening of the Millworks and the expansion of the Harrisburg Midtown Arts Center as two important recent projects that have made the neighborhood more attractive to buyers.

“There are different venues I could point to, but it doesn’t necessarily have to be restaurants,” he said. “It’s just things that people can walk to.”

The desire to live in a walkable city is something that both Davis and Hoover have noticed from clients such as young professionals, first-time homebuyers and empty-nesters looking to downsize.

“I can’t put a particular amount of weight on it, but I believe the trend going forward is people wanting a house in a walkable community, and Harrisburg is definitely that,” Hoover said. “Some areas more than others, but that’s the biggest demand, particularly in Midtown. That’s a trend that I’ve seen for several years, but I’ve seen it grow in the last year or two years.”

The city’s walkability is not only attractive to potential homebuyers, but also to renters. The rental market is another facet of Harrisburg’s housing market that’s been trending up.

“The rental market was always good and remained good,” Hoover said. “Even during the time when people didn’t have the confidence in the overall market, they were at least willing to rent. They wanted to be in Midtown, they wanted to be in Uptown, but they weren’t convinced that maybe the market wasn’t going to get worse.”

And, in fact, developers have been responding to the growth in rental demand, with many new apartment buildings—particularly high-end renovations of historic buildings—coming on the market over the past couple of years. LUX, Walnut Court and COBA are a few examples of recently renovated multi-dwelling buildings. This year, both Harristown Enterprises and WCI Partners will add significant new rental inventory to downtown and Midtown.

Some of those renters eventually turn into homeowners.

“Renters who are renting upper-end properties, if they decide to stay, or when they decide to stay here, they turn into really good buyers,” Davis said. “They’re having a good experience in the city, and they want to stay.”

Both realtors also have had a growing number of clients moving to the city from larger metropolitan areas. These buyers, or renters, are attracted to Harrisburg because of the amount of space they can get for their hard-earned money compared to the cities they came from, the realtors said.

“Folks coming from those areas really help our values because they see value where natives don’t,” Davis said. “But do I see a big trend of that? I don’t know if it’s a huge trend, but it’s happening.”

What do the next five years hold? If demand continues, perhaps developers will begin to build single-family homes. The city’s new construction market—unlike the growing multi-family segment—has seen little action for many years.

“The city isn’t like Lower Paxton Township or Silver Spring Township, where they’re building new stuff all of the time,” said Davis. “[Zip code] 17102 doesn’t really have anywhere to go other than a few townhomes up at the [Broad Street] market.”

So far, Blouch appears happy with his choice to ditch “the boonies” for city life. Not only is he within blocks of places like Little Amps Coffee Roasters, Alvaro Bakery and Zeroday Brewing Co., but he’s met “tons” of people in his first year in Harrisburg.

“This works for me because I’m very social,” he said. “I’m more of a city person. I like being around other people.”

Dublin on the Mediterranean: Put some Italian in your Irish with this stew.

February 29, 2016 | by Rosemary Ruggieri Baer

When I was a little girl, I loved St. Patrick’s Day.

I drew shamrocks, pots of gold and leprechauns and sang, “How are things in Glocca Mora?” endlessly. The song was Perry Como’s fault (but he was Italian, too). As a young mother, I once made dozens of little shamrock cookies by rolling little balls of cookie dough into leaves and stems. They took an entire afternoon to make and no one ate them. They had no taste.

And, like many others, every March I bought a slab of artificially died red meat, pared it with cabbage wedges, potatoes and carrots, boiled it forever, and served my family an “authentic” Irish corned beef and cabbage dinner. This never was a hit either.

So, what to serve to celebrate on this festive little holiday? The winds can blow bitterly this month as winter hangs on. A warming stew seems just right, but my challenge has always been avoiding my husband’s assertion that I am cooking “mystery meat.” This accusation usually comes when he is served anything from a crockpot, as well.

Nevertheless, a good stew can be satisfying and delicious on St. Patrick’s Day or any cold day in March. The following recipe is for an Italian lamb stew, a wonderful spring dish from one of my favorite cooking bibles, “How to Cook Italian.”

It takes a little time to cook, but can be made a day or two ahead of time and re-heated when ready to serve. I make some changes to the ingredient list by substituting red wine for the white and peas for the olives. If you don’t like lamb, the stew can be made with beef or veal. If you’ve never tackled a dish like this before, give it a try. The leftovers are even better the next day.

Ingredients

1 small garlic clove
1 sprig fresh rosemary
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 pounds boneless lamb, cut into 1-inch cubes (or veal or beef cubes)
Salt and freshly ground pepper
1/3 cup white or red wine
1 ½ cups good quality, crushed tomatoes (like POMI)
6-8 sprigs Italian parsley, chopped
1 cup of frozen baby peas or 12 kalamata olives, flesh sliced away from the pits

Recipe

Peel and finely chop the garlic and chop enough of the rosemary to measure 1 teaspoon.
Put the olive oil into a heavy pot, like a Dutch oven or Le Creuset casserole. Heat the oil over medium-high heat and, when the oil is hot, begin browning the lamb cubes. (I like to sprinkle the meat with a little Wondra flour, which serves to thicken the juices.) Brown half the meat at a time so as not to crowd the cubes.
When all the lamb is browned, season it with salt and pepper.
Lower the heat to medium and add the garlic and rosemary. Stir briefly with a wooden spoon.
Add the wine and let it bubble for about 30 seconds.
Add the tomatoes, salt them gently, and, when they begin to boil, add the meat cubes back into the pan.
Put a lid (slightly askew) on the pot and simmer gently for about 90 minutes. (Good “slow food” takes a little time.) Stir every 20 minutes or so.
When the meat is tender, add the peas or olives. If there is too much liquid remaining in the pot, remove the lid and let it evaporate as you finish cooking.

This stew only needs a loaf of crusty bread, perhaps sourdough or even Irish soda bread. A tossed salad such as arugula (we need some green) and some nice cold beer (maybe Harp?) will round out the meal.

I think this Italian stew would satisfy my Irish friends. Enjoy. And “may the road rise with you.”

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