Adult Oasis: Bacco aims to meet the nightlife needs of a maturing downtown clientele.

June 30, 2015 | by Stephanie Kalina-Metzger

It’s been said that Harrisburg’s Restaurant Row is playing to an older audience these days, with crowds that demand quality over quantity.

After all, the area has been a popular playground for the region’s 20-somethings for many years now. So, it only stands to reason that the 2^nd Street crowd would mature.

Enter Bacco Pizzeria and Wine Bar, housed in a downtown building that has been through many incarnations over the years, including Privado, the late-night lounge with the sexy vibe.

Owner Max Randazzo now is switching gears to appeal to the discerning tastes of today’s older demographic. To do so, he’s fashioned a rustic Italian menu, along with a premium selection of wine, beer and craft cocktails.

But don’t mistake this restaurant for some retirement castle. After all, the place is named for Bacco, the Roman god of wine, a deity synonymous with joy and merrymaking.

Sicilian Inspired

If you’re driving down 2^nd Street, you may miss the black awning sporting the large, cursive “B,” but that’s where the understatement ends. Large doors lead the way into the 100-year-old building, which once served as a bank.

Inside, marble walls, highlighted by ornate pilasters, give an upscale feeling to the space. Oversized windows usher in natural light, and wooden tables are placed far enough apart to give patrons plenty of room to dine and socialize. The long bar provides more seating for those interested in stopping in for a drink and, on nice days, patrons can choose to dine al fresco at six tables positioned out front.

The one-page menu featuring locally sourced products is simple, but diverse. Diners can choose from six different salads, four types of cheese, cured meats like duck prosciutto made on site, and pasta dishes like lasagna and veal spinach cannelloni. Small plates are a nod to the popular sharing trend and include bruschetta, lollipop lamb chops and roasted vegetables.

Of all the choices, pizza emerges as the standout favorite.

Randazzo’s family hails from Sicily, and years of pizza-making experience were passed down to the offspring. Diners can choose from 11 pies, which are cooked in a 700-degree, gas-fired oven.

Traditionalists will enjoy classics like the margherita, comprised of crushed tomato, olive oil, mozzarella and basil, while spice-lovers will savor the fiery flavor of the “Inferno,” which includes crushed tomato, red pepper flakes, hot soppressata, Parmesan flakes and mozzarella.

During my visit, I chose to sample the “funghi,” which was suitable for sharing and was topped with wild mushrooms, béchamel and pine nuts. I particularly enjoyed the hint of rosemary, which I was told came from an infused olive oil.

Diners who save room for dessert can choose among six sweet selections, like crème brûlée, lemon gelato and cannoli.

Drinks to Perfection

Dry or sweet? Light or full-bodied? Whatever your preference, you’ll likely find a choice that’s right for you on the page-long list of wines.

If you prefer a cocktail, beverage director Tommy Pavlovic aims to please. The mixologist takes his craft seriously, having worked for six years at a world-famous, classic cocktail bar in Los Angeles.

“I worked with the best in the industry,” said Pavlovic, whose eyes light up when he launches into the history of classic cocktails and his perfectionist approach.

“Everything we’re doing here right now dates from 1900 to 1920,” he added, presenting the pre-Prohibition cocktail list he created.

Pavlovic works diligently behind the scenes before the drinks hit the table, a point he proves when he pulls out a huge bowl filled with raw fruit strips and demerara from behind the bar. The large-grained, raw sugar, with origins in Guyana, is slowly making inroads into the United States from Europe.

Pavlovic explained that he is in the process of making an oleo-saccharum, a technique used in 19^th-century bartending to infuse alcoholic beverages with a citrusy flavor.

He also informed me that ice is a “thing.” He is not one who is content to purchase his ice. He insists upon making it, taking steps to ensure crystal clarity, then carving a 40-pound block down into spheres for the cocktails he crafts.

“Surface area and core temperature dictate whether the drink will taste anything like the first sip on the last sip,” he said.

As I perused the cocktail menu, I recognized my stepfather’s favorite Manhattan. Pavlovic’s includes orange essence and an Italian cherry, which I’m betting doesn’t contain Red Dye #2 like the ones available at our local supermarket.

The classic old fashioned tops the list on the menu and in patrons’ hearts, according to Pavlovic. Other notable drinks include the sazerac, a whisky-based concoction, which some claim is one of the oldest known cocktails, and the Negroni, comprised of gin, vermouth, Campari, Gran Classico and orange essence and the house sangria, to name a few.

Pavlovic is an affable gent who will craft a drink to your liking if nothing on the menu strikes your fancy. Just don’t request anything remotely related to the flavors found in “whipped” vodka. Ever.

For beer aficionados, Pavlovic selected 13 different types of Pennsylvania beers.

“A lot of excellent beer is being made right here in PA,” he said.

Future plans are in the works to create a downstairs cocktail room as word about the restaurant spreads.

“It’s exciting to serve people who want to see things done properly, and we as a team of professionals are just aiming to be as good as we can,” said Pavlovic.

Bacco Pizzeria and Wine Bar is located at 20 N. 2^nd St., Harrisburg. To learn more, call 717-234-7508 or visit www.baccopizzeriawinebar.com.

Better Shape: Ivan Black brings his passion for fitness to a struggling corner of Harrisburg.

June 30, 2015 | by Paul Barker

Last month, on a not-too-hot Wednesday morning, I found myself hanging from a pull-up bar in Riverfront Park, doing something called a “scap pull,” while Front Street’s southbound traffic whizzed by. “Awesome,” said Ivan Black, a fitness instructor who was standing beside me, adding (generously, I thought) “good stuff.” Minutes before, I had done a series of forward, sideward and backward lunges, teetering on my feet like a cardboard skeleton. Now Black was talking me through some verbs that, in theory, corresponded to what I was doing with my shoulders. I drove, I squeezed, I pinched, I pulled. Then he had me drop from the bar and run in place. “So,” he said when I was finished, “that was our warm up.”

This month, Black will open a fitness studio, Next Step Performance, at the corner of 3^rd and Herr streets in Midtown. The studio will focus on calisthenics and training that relies on the exerciser’s own body weight. It will look like a “typical CrossFit studio,” he says, referring to the high-intensity fitness regime, with lots of open space and some minimal equipment, like medicine balls and a pull-up bar.

Black, a former college baseball player, moved to Harrisburg with his wife three months ago from Washington, D.C. There, he taught classes at Reformation Fitness, an area gym, and launched a personal fitness website. When he arrived here, he had already formed plans for the studio, but he also wanted to get involved in something while he ironed out the details. “To sort of ground myself and find some normalcy, I had to start playing baseball,” he said. He joined the East Hanover Braves in the amateur Pennsylvania Midstate Baseball League, where, as of this writing, he was batting .375 in 16 at-bats. “The guy that runs the team is awesome,” Black said. “His name is Harry Hitz. Perfect name for baseball, you know?”

Next Step Performance will take up residence in a block that has struggled to find a stable mix of businesses. Across the street is Pastorante, a sleek fresh-pasta restaurant, but also a recently vacated corner property. The studio will occupy the site of the former T-Mart convenience store, which was evicted by the landlord late last year after repeatedly running afoul of neighbors and city officials. “It was an absolute wreck, but there was something charming about it,” Black said of the space. “I had a bat hanging from the ceiling. I took a picture of that.” When he learned that vocal neighborhood opposition had helped lead to his predecessor’s eviction, he found it encouraging. “That made me feel good, because the sort of business I have, I need the community involved,” he said. “I knew if I did the right thing, I’d be OK.”

My post-warm-up workout with Black in Riverfront Park proceeded in two stages. The first was a seven-minute rotation through a sequence of reverse lunges (hands behind my head, in “prisoner position”), crawling in a pushup stance down a rope ladder he’d laid out on the pavement, and a set of six chin-ups on the bar. I am to upper body strength as Escalades are to fuel efficiency, and when the chin-ups weren’t working out, Black switched me back to scap—short for “scapular”—pulls. While I toiled, he would dole out snippets of encouragement interspersed with philosophical reflections. “There’s that unconscious, like, boost in your, not to say your ego, but just how you feel, how you walk around, how you approach everything in your day-to-day, just because you’ve got—there you go—a little bit of added mental and physical strength,” he said. After the seven minutes, he joined me for a leg stretch. “Whoooo!” he cried. “Hamstring City. Hamstring City.”

After that, Black led me to another station for something he called “tabata intervals,” which, when Googled, returns as the top hit a page titled “The 4-Minute Fat-Burning Miracle.” The routine involved timed pushups on an incline, followed by jumping jacks with a rubber resistance band wrapped around my ankles. “Ready to bring it home? Let’s get her done,” Black said, as I went into my final 20 seconds of jumping. “So much work behind you, so little in front of you.”

Whether he was reacting to the pace of my breathing or the fact that the park drinking fountain was malfunctioning, I don’t know, but after the intervals, Black decided it was time to “Zen it out a little bit.” We sat on a bench facing the river and did some yoga stretches. “I went on a cruise with my wife about a year and a half ago, and the yoga instructor was awesome,” he said. “Young kid, and just, like, more excited about yoga than anybody I’d seen. And I’m in fitness. And then bring it down. He taught the same class every day. Said the same thing—everything.

“I can definitely remember saying to my wife a couple times, ‘You know, this is the same class every week, it’s hard to get excited about this. It’s just sort of something we’re doing.’ Right now, we’re just gonna keep it going, from there just bring it down right in between the legs, big stretch through the lower back. And so, at the end of the cruise, the last class we were in, I go into that class with that same sentiment in my mind. And, like, the first portion of the class I’m doing profoundly better at everything. So I’m like, all right. There is something to doing the same routine. You learn from that.”

The morning of our workout, Black was a few weeks from putting the final touches on his studio. He still had to install the flooring and the pull-up bar. He had already started to lock down some clients, though, including a high-school baseball player from Susquehanna Township. He was excited about the prospect of working with young athletes “with potential and a brand-new, like, love for the game,” at “that point where taking it seriously makes sense, you know?”

“I’m all about progression,” he said. “That’s why I train. That’s like the poetic side that I love. You come out of it a different person. Even if you give just a decent effort. And you learn so much about yourself—not just the physical, beyond the physical. You learn about what you can stand mentally. How much pain you can take. All of that resonates with the person you are.”

Next Step Performance will open soon at 1100 N. 3^rd St., Harrisburg. For more information, visit https://www.nsp.fitness or call 717-382-6398.

Best in the Business: For 2 years running, Harrisburg businesswomen are honored for their success.

June 30, 2015 | by Ashleigh Pollart

Jessica Meyers

Char Magaro

Is it something in the water—or the air?

Or just maybe, there’s a certain spirit in this community, a spirit of diversity, appreciation of culture and support.

For the second straight year, a Harrisburg woman has been selected to receive the Woman-Owned Small Business of the Year honor from the district office of the U.S. Small Business Administration.

In May, Jessica Meyers, owner of JEM Group, a downtown-based construction firm, received the 2015 award. A year earlier, restaurateur Char Magaro was presented with the 2014 award.

“For the same city to win in the same category two years running does seem a bit like lightning striking twice in the same spot. It’s certainly something for Harrisburg to be very proud of,” said Tony Leta, director for the SBA’s Eastern Pennsylvania District Office. “Harrisburg firms have definitely been successful in winning these awards.”

The awards are given each year by Leta’s office, which covers 40 counties, totaling 727,000 small businesses. Award criteria include the firm’s staying power, growth in number of employees, innovativeness of product, response to adversity and contributions to community-oriented projects, to name a few.

“It was so gratifying that the huge struggle to make my vision manifest had been recognized,” said Magaro, owner of Char’s at Tracy Mansion on N. Front Street in Midtown. “I likened this project to trying to fly a kite with a thousand strings without any wind.”

Meyers was delighted that her firm was recognized for a focus on building quality buildings, creating jobs and benefiting the community economically.

“For us, it’s great recognition for my team of our hard work and dedication for what we’ve given to the community,” said Meyers, who accepted the award in one her firm’s recently completed projects, the new Susquehanna Art Museum in Midtown Harrisburg. “It’s nice to have that formal recognition.”

Meyers, who began JEM Group in 2003, said that she chose Harrisburg as a home for her business due to her history in central PA and the revitalization she witnessed happening in the region, such as the restaurants along N. 2^nd Street.

“I began my career working in the city. I was really able to see the revitalization and development from early in my career,” she said. “I wanted to be a part of that, not only by building buildings but by personally investing in the city.”

Meyers was nominated by Melissa McLaughlin, director of business finance at the Harrisburg Regional Chamber & CREDC, for her ability to break down barriers and stereotypes to conquer the construction industry. McLaughlin also recognized her energy, professionalism and community-mindedness as she served as a role model for female entrepreneurs in the community.

Indeed, mutual support among businesswomen is a core strength in Harrisburg, said Meyers.

“Harrisburg is really fortunate to have so many great women leaders and entrepreneurs. We are just flush with a lot of talent,” she said. “There is an openness in Harrisburg and in our region and a willingness to recognize talent and leadership regardless of whether someone is a man or a woman. It’s a great place for women leaders or entrepreneurs to grow a business.”

Other Harrisburg businesswomen agree. The co-owners of Stash Collective point to the city’s spirit of entrepreneurship and community support as major contributors to their success over the past two years.

“We see the Harrisburg small business scene as being very supportive, positive and growing, with businesses always looking for ways that they can boost each other up through cross-promotion or simple word of mouth,” said co-owner Jen Merrill. “It’s an inspiring time to be a business owner here, and we hope to see more and more women taking the leap to work for themselves.”

To underscore their success, Stash Collective last month moved into new, larger retail space at the corner of Walnut and Court streets downtown.

When Meyers was asked what advice she gives to women daydreaming of launching their own business venture, she responded that women shouldn’t be overly risk-averse.

“Don’t be afraid to take chances and step outside of your comfort zone,” she said. “If someone told me I’d own my own business—let alone a construction business—19 years ago, I would’ve thought they were crazy.”

Meyers also suggests spending time on personal and professional development and surrounding oneself with the right people who will be honest when giving feedback.

“Be visible. Get out there and get involved in the community,” she said. “It’s incredibly rewarding to spend time with organizations you’re passionate about. People will also know who you are and know what you’re capable of doing.”

Recognizing talent regardless of gender is something that the Stash co-owners also see within their business, one in which people presume that it must be difficult for three women to work together.

“We do, quite frequently, field questions and comments assuming that, because we are three women, it must be, in some way, hard for us to work with one another,” said Merrill. “That couldn’t be further from the truth.”

She added that each partner brings unique strengths to the business, and they try to use those strengths as effectively as possible.

“We see it as a major perk that, after over two years of owning the business together, our friendships with one another have continued to grow,” she said.

Run, Residents, Run: Memo to City Council hopefuls: Serious candidates win elections.

June 30, 2015 | by Lawrance Binda

Illustration by Rich Hauck.

So, you say you want to run for Harrisburg City Council.

The long meetings, the low pay, the sniping, the late-night constituent phone calls—it’s all very glamorous.

Still, some people wish to serve, perhaps from a sense of civic duty or for their own egos or maybe the $20,000 a year really does mean something to them.

But first you need to get elected, which is the obstacle that stands between you and stardom on WHBG TV 20. How are you going to do that?

Here’s a little secret—it’s not terribly difficult.

Every two years, three or four seats come up for election to the seven-member body. Over the past few cycles, about a dozen candidates have thrown in for them. Those odds may seem long, but they’re not nearly as daunting as they appear.

Why? Because most local candidates are—how shall I put this?—terrible at politics, with no good plan of how to win. So, they put out some lawn signs, attend a few candidate forums, say a prayer and hope for the best. That’s a one-way ticket to spending Tuesday nights on your sofa, watching the proceedings on Comcast.

If you run a competent, well-organized campaign, you will greatly increase your odds of victory. This statement may seem obvious, but based upon the ill-planned, phoned-in campaigns over the past few election cycles, I believe it must be said. So, here are a few tips on how to go from council hopeful to council member.

1. Attend Council Meetings

Every two years, I bite my lip as 10 people who I’ve never seen before in council chambers boldly declare that they want to serve there. After they announce for a seat, they still don’t show up. It drives me mad. Start attending council meetings. You don’t need to speak, but go, take in the vibe, observe the goings-on and learn how things are done. In the end, you may decide you don’t want anything to do with this mess, which is a valuable thing to know before you make the effort. If you still decide to run, you’ll be ahead of the rest of the pack—knowledgeable and conversant on the issues, which will help immeasurably when you’re on the stump. You’ll also understand council procedures, the dynamics between council members and the role of the administration, among other vital things. And don’t just watch the meeting on cable or YouTube. You’ll miss half of what goes on, as much of the action takes place beyond the camera. Your time commitment: about four hours a month. If you can’t spare that, you shouldn’t run at all.

2. Fill Out Your Petitions Correctly

Each election cycle, some would-be candidate gets tripped up because he hasn’t filled out his nominating papers correctly. He’s then challenged and, inevitably, loses the challenge. This isn’t rocket science. Follow the instructions to the letter. And, for Pete’s sake, don’t notarize your own petitions.

3. Raise Some Money

You’re going to need a bunch of stuff—campaign signs, literature, postcards, postage, etc.—so you need money. It will take at least $5,000 to run a serious City Council campaign. Sometimes, a popular incumbent and/or someone with deep community support can get by with less (for instance, incumbent Jeff Baltimore spent less than $1,000 on his campaign this past primary). But, if you’re starting with limited name recognition, you’ll have to raise and spend money. If you can’t raise enough from family and friends and find going hat in hand to the usual PACs and powerbrokers distasteful, you can always self-finance (assuming you have access to funds). If you win, consider the first few months of your council salary to be your payback. If you’re an incumbent, you should set aside a small portion of your salary for a re-election fund. It will be money well invested.

4. Hit the Streets

I can’t stress enough the importance of identifying likely voters and knocking on their doors. In the window between the March start of the campaign and the May Democratic primary (where most council candidates win or lose), super-voters should be visited twice, those visits reinforced with direct mail. If you have more time, spend it in high-vote precincts or where lots of people gather (such as the Broad Street Market). Be bold, engage people, ask for their vote. Exude energy, optimism and concern. Don’t run a lazy campaign or rely too much on your social circle or on candidate nights or the Internet or powerbrokers. Also, don’t allow yourself to get sidetracked. Don’t obsess over your competition or your press coverage or whatever silly thing the county party is doing (do you know anyone who’s ever cast a vote based upon a county party endorsement?). Stay focused, use your time wisely and show voters you want it. Despite the march of technology, you still can’t beat old-fashioned, shake-the-hand, kiss-the-baby retail politics.

The next council primary election is a distant two years away. But, if you have a notion to run, get started now. Put out some feelers, attend council meetings, get to know the actors. By this time next year, you should be gearing up to raise money and mount a serious race.

In the interim, chat up recently nominated candidate Cornelius Johnson. A young man with little name recognition a few months ago, Johnson blasted out of the starting gate and lapped the field—even the incumbents—by running one of the best campaigns I’ve seen in Harrisburg. He’s now a shoo-in to win in the general election in November.

Sure, Johnson was endorsed by Mayor Eric Papenfuse, which helped his case with some voters. However, make no mistake—Johnson earned his council seat. That’s what preparation, a plan, some money and a lot of energy and hard work will do for you.

Lawrance Binda is editor-in-chief of TheBurg.

Happenings: Our July Calendar of Events

June 30, 2015 | by Admin

Museum & Art Spaces

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

“Suspensions,” a series of work by Hanna Dobek that shows unnaturally suspended moments; reception, July 17, 6-9 p.m.

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

“1932 Auburn 8-100A Custom Deluxe,” a display of one of the first six Speedsters built in 1932, through July 17.

“Back to the Future Tribute Car,” a display of an original DeLorean that has been handcrafted to look like the original, through Aug. 30.

“1929 Duesenberg J Dual-Cowl Phaeton,” a display of ‘The World’s Finest Motor Car,’ through Oct. 9.

“Motorbikes for the Masses,” an exhibit dedicated to low-cost transportation including motorbikes, scooters and mopeds, through Oct. 11.

“Automotive Jewelry Art Exhibit,” images by Michael Furman, through Oct. 11.

“A Family Affair,” an exhibit celebrating the station wagon, through Oct. 12.

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

“Art School Annual,” featuring works of art by AAH students, through July 23.

The Cornerstone Coffeehouse
2133 Market St., Camp Hill
thecornerstonecoffeehouse.com

Artist of the Month: Joe O’Donnell

Gallery@Second
608 N. 2nd St., Harrisburg
galleryatsecond.com

Artwork by Jim Lambert and Tami Bitner, through Aug. 15.

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. Daily activities for families July 1-Sept. 7.

Historic Harrisburg Association
1230 N. 3^rd St., Harrisburg
717-233-4646; historicharrisburg.com

Photography of Italy and other countries by Paula Medori and Brenda Stouffer, July 17, 5 p.m.

Landis House
67 N. 4^th St., Newport
www.perrycountyarts.org

“Cosplay,” featuring the character performance photography of Nicole Dube and Aara Vinsh, through July 3.

“The Texture of Ireland,” featuring Nemo Niemann’s images of Ireland, July 10-Oct. 2; reception, July 10, 6-8:30 p.m.

Mangia Qui/Suba Tapas Bar
272 North St., Harrisburg
717-233-7358; mangiaqui.com

Artwork by Lynn Kennedy, through July.

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

Artist studios open for 3^rd in the Burg, July 17.

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

“1865,” an exhibit highlighting the fifth year of the Civil War covering battles, strategies and civilian lives, through December.

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

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

Works by Mark Anderson, through Aug. 22.

The artwork of Susan Bankey-Yoder, July 5-Aug. 22.

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

“Man Cave,” showcasing items and artwork associated with the man’s room of the home, through July 3.

“Celebrate Newport,” an art exhibition featuring views of Newport, Pa., July 10-Aug. 8; reception, July 10, 6-8:30 p.m.

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

“Art of the State,” the annual exhibit dedicated to the works of Pennsylvania artists, through Sept. 13.

“A Fondness for Birds: Pennsylvania’s Alexander Wilson,” featuring bird prints and first-edition volumes of the 200-year-old “American Ornithology” series by Alexander Wilson, through Jan. 3.

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

“Quilts,” an exhibition of historic and contemporary quilts, through Aug. 30.

“Found in Transition,” a juried Doshi exhibit, through July 5.

“Constant Bearing: Recent Work by Donald Forsythe and Brenton Good,” July 14-Aug. 23; reception, July 17, 6-9 p.m.

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

“Animation,” an interactive exhibit exploring animation from concept to finished product, through Sept. 6.

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

“Art in the Wild,” through Oct. 31.

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

Artwork by Kelly Curran, though July 15.

Photography by Kayla Mini, July 17-Aug.16; reception, July 17, 5-9 p.m.

Yellow Wall Gallery/Midtown Scholar
1302 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg
717-236-1680; midtownscholar.com

Artwork by Monica Smith, through mid-July.

Read, Make, Learn

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

July 17: Sicilian Cooking, 6:30 p.m.
July 22: Classic Chinese Creations, 6 p.m.
July 29: Cruising the Caribbean, 6 p.m.

Harrisburg Improv Theatre
1633 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg
hbgimprov.com

Saturdays: Free improv mixer, 7 p.m.

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

July 5, 12, 19, 26: Alcoholics Anonymous, noon-1 p.m.
July 7: Women’s Group, 7-9 p.m.
July 9: Aging with Pride Lunchtime Discussion, 12-2 p.m.

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

July 1, 8, 15, 22, 29: Midtown Chess Club, 11 a.m
July 1: Alder Healthcare Community Class on Transgender Children, 6 p.m.
July 2, 9, 16, 23, 30: Almost Uptown Poetry Cartel, 7 p.m.
July 3, 10, 17, 24, 31: Nathaniel Gadsden’s Spoken Word Café, 7 p.m.
July 4: Good News Café, 6:30 p.m.
July 5: Book talk and signing w/Frank Varney, 2 p.m.
July 7: Sci Fi Writer’s Group, 7 p.m.
July 8: Friends of Midtown: Events Meeting
July 9: Young Writers Workshop, 11:30 a.m.
July 9, 16: Camp Curtin Toastmasters, 6:30 p.m.
July 11: Poetry Reading by Jordan Windholz and Matt Roth, 7 p.m.
July 12, 26: TED Talks, 1 p.m.
July 12: Central PA Writer’s Workshop, 5 p.m.
July 14: Dauphin County Young Democrats Meeting, 7 p.m.
July 15: Sci-Fi/Fantasy Book Club, 7 p.m.
July 17: Coffee Tasting with Café Staff, noon
July 17: Tea Tasting with Café Staff, 2 p.m.
July 18: Coffee and Critique—Designer Workshop, 8:30 a.m.
July 19: Midtown Writers Group, 1 p.m.
July 19: LGBT Book Club, 5 p.m.
July 25: “Discover the Author Within You,” 10 a.m.
July 25: Book-reading/signing w/Brandy Liên Worrall
July 27: Feminist Book Club, 7 p.m.

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

July 4: First Saturday Open Studio Walk, 10 a.m.
July 11: Watercolor Workshop w/Yachiyo Beck, noon
July 17: Letting Go! Painting Night Party, 6:30 p.m.
July 22: Watercolor “Full Bloom” Poppy Painting Party, 5:30 p.m.
July 25: Tarot Card Collage Class, 11 a.m.

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

July 18-19: Living History Encampment—2^nd US Sharpshooters
July 25-26: Living History Encampment—1^st Maryland Battalion CSA

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

Learn at Lunchtime:
July 3: Tour at Your Own Pace
July 10: Exploring the Urban Environment, 12:15-1 p.m.
July 17: Solar Superstorms, 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
July 24: Pennsylvania’s Amphibians & Reptiles, 12:15-1 p.m.
July 31: Retro Tour of State Museum, 12:15-1 p.m.

Meet the Experts, Nature Lab:
July 1: A Snake of Many Colors, 1 p.m.
July 2: Who’s Digging PA?? 1 p.m.
July 8: When Biodiversity Is Not a Good Thing, 1 p.m.
July 9: Chipped Stone and the Prehistoric Tool Box, 1 p.m.
July 10: Exploring the Urban Environment, 11 a.m.
July 15: Rocks from Space, 1 p.m.
July 16: Groovin’ with Stone Axes, 1 p.m.
July 17: Animal CSI, 1 p.m.
July 22: Islands in an Ocean of Forest, 1 p.m.
July 23: Pots of Clay and What They Say, 1 p.m.
July 24: Pennsylvania’s Amphibians & Reptiles, 11 a.m.
July 29: Frogs from North to South, 1 p.m.
July 30: Forget Me Not—Labeling Artifacts for the Future, 1 p.m.
July 31: Amazing Birds, 1 p.m.

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

July 11: Civil War Family Workshop, 10 a.m. and noon
July 20-24: Cool Summer Nights at SAM, 5:30 p.m.
July 25: Landscape Study Group, 11 a.m.

Untitled: A Storytelling Project
untitledhbg.com

July 9: “Revolutions” at Susquehanna Art Museum, 8 p.m.

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

July 6-10: Junior Naturalist Day Camp, 9 a.m.
July 8: Stress Relief Walk, 6 p.m.
July 11: Volunteer Work Day, 10 a.m.
July 12: Flower Walk: Still More Blooms, 10:30 a.m.
July 12: Sunday Evening Bird Walk, 6 p.m.
July 14: Educator Workshop: Birds of the Susquehanna River, 8:30 a.m.
July 15: Preschool Storytime: Summer at Wildwood, 10 a.m.
July 19: Meet a Naturalist: Wildwood’s Wetland Animals, 1 p.m.
July 20-24: Outdoor Week, 9 a.m.
July 28: Educator Workshop: Project WET, 8:30 a.m.
July 28-July 31: Science Series, 9 a.m.

Live Music Around Harrisburg

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

July 10: The Texas Tenors
July 16: Kenny Rogers
July 17: Inspire—Performance Benefiting Hospice & Community Care
July 19: Bobby Vinton & Jimmy Sturr
July 26: Country Gold Tour

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

July 1: Los Straitjackets
July 3: Consider the Source
July 10: Hank and Cupcakes
July 17: Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band
July 18: A Tribute to the Rolling Stones: Featuring The Jesse Lundy Band, North Lawrence Midnight Singers & Brown Sugar
July 24: Mystery Fyre & Citizens Band Radio
July 25: Jubilee Riots

Broad Street Market
1233 N. 3^rd St., Harrisburg
broadstreetmarket.org

July 11, 24: The Coalishun

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

July 1, 10, 18: Roy Lefever
July 2, 12, 16, 23, 26: Anthony Haubert
July 3, 9, 24: Noel Gevers
July 4, 11, 25, 31: Ted Ansel
July 7: Corinna Mazzitti
July 8: Christine Purcell
July 14: Andrea Britton
July 15: Julie Moffit
July 17: Jessica Cook
July 21: Daniel Sheahan
July 22, 29: Deborah Anderson
July 28: Maria Battista
July 30: Chris Emkey

Central PA Friends of Jazz
www.friendsofjazz.org

July 8: CPFJ Jam Session

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

July 2: Quincy Mumford & The Reason Why
July 5: Sebastian Bach
July 6: Say Anything
July 8: The Glorious Sons
July 9: Hinder
July 10: Seaton Smith
July 14: Langhorne Slim
July 15: Jake Miller
July 17: Crobot
July 18: Superjoint
July 22: The Gaslight Anthem
July 25: The Devil Makes Three

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

July 3: Seasons
July 5: Shawan and the Wonton
July 10: Antonio Andrade
July 11: Doug Morris “Woodie Guthrie Celebration”
July 12: Dan Zukowski
July 17: Jim Haas
July 18: Legus Motus
July 19: Kevin Kline
July 24: Paul Vausteay
July 25: Womack & Lowery
July 26: Erik Bohn
July 31: The Match Twins

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

July 2-6: HSO Free Summer Concerts

HMAC/Herr Street Stage
1110 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg
717-441-7506; harrisburgarts.com

July 1: Stooges Brass Band
July 3: Vetour Productions First Friday
July 9: Lydia Loveless w/Shawan and the Wonton
July 10: I Yahn I Arkestra w/Tubafresh
July 11: The April Skies w/Marathon
July 16: Gangstagrass
July 17: The Mekons w/Johnny Dowd
July 18: Scott Miller w/Jamie Lin Wilson
July 22: Jarekus Singleton w/Nate Myers & the Aces
July 23: Kieran Strange w/Professor Shy Guy
July 28: Marshall Crenshaw Trio
July 30: The Toasters w/Fink’s Constant
July 31: Roosevelt Dime
Every Tuesday: Open Mic

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

July 3: Indian Burn: Double Disc Release Party
July 10: The One and Only Matt Miller
July 17: “Voiceless” Open Mic Night
July 24: Lauren Lizcono
July 31: TBA

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

July 9, 16, 23: Shippensburg Symphony Festival Series

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

July 9: Show TBD
July 14: Show TBD

Market Square Concerts
www.marketsquareconcerts.org

July 17, 19: “Summermusic 2015” (Market Square Presbyterian Church)
July 22: “Summermusic 2015” (Civic Club of Harrisburg)

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

July 10: Carly Clark
July 17: Jeff Miller
July 25: Porcelain

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

July 9: Shine Delphi
July 15: Surfer Blood
July 23: Dustbowl Revival
July 29: Saintseneca w/Heavy Lights
July 31: Adam Stehr Band

MoMo’s BBQ & Grille
307 Market St., Harrisburg
717-230-1030 momosbbqandgrill.com

July 10: Maudlin Moon
July 17: Havana Blue
July 24: Back Rhodes
July 31: Visitors Duo

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

July 1: Acoustic Stew Open Jam
July 2: Mark Santanna Electric Jam
July 8: Blue Elephant Open Jam
July 9: Mark Santanna Electric Jam
July 11: Shawan, The Outhouse and Flower Garden
July 15: Nate Myers Trio Open Jam
July 16: Mark Santanna Electric Jam
July 20: River City Big Band
July 22: Shawan & the Wonton Open Jam

St. Thomas Roasters
5951 Linglestown Rd., Harrisburg
717-526-4171; stthomasroasters.com

July 2: Natalie Savage
July 3: Connor and Friends
July 9: Matt Smith & Nate Spaar
July 10: One Trick Grizzly
July 11: Craig Bonner
July 16: Hank Imhof
July 17: Cotolo
July 18: Sofeya & The Puffins
July 23: Avaia Match
July 24: Chris Engel & Friends
July 25: Ed Horan
July 30: Natalie Savage
July 31: Mark Lubbers

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

July 3, 24: Wally DeWall
July 4: Houston Baker
July 10: US2 Duo
July 11: Shea Quinn and Steve Swisher
July 17: Scott Rivers
July 18: Music Thru Science Lite
July 25: Keith Goldstein
July 31: Up Pops the Devil

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

July 26: Boz Scaggs

Suba Tapas Bar
272 North St., Harrisburg
717-233-7358; mangiaqui.com

July 10: Ethan Jano
July 11: Blind Man Leading
July 17: MaryLeigh Rookan
July 18: Pine Mountain Band
July 24: Chris Dean and Nate Myers
July 25: Christian Lee Hutson
July 31: Tommy Roberts

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

July 12: Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue w/The Main Squeeze
July 30: Zappa Plays Zappa

The Stage Door

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

July 14-30: “Inspire,” an American Music Theatre original show

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

Through Aug. 1: “Oklahoma!”

Gamut Theatre Group
3^rd Floor, Strawberry Square, Harrisburg
717-238-4111; www.gamutplays.org

July 11: T.M.I. Comedy Troupe
July 15-Aug. 22: “The Princess and the Pea” (Popcorn Hat)

Harrisburg Improv Theatre
1633 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg
hbgimprov.com

July 17: 3^rd in the Burg
July 17: Kidprov Class Show
July 17, 25: Improv Show
July 17-19, 24-26: “My Electric Life”
July 5, 12, 26: Really Open Mic

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

July 21-26: “Annie”

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

Through July 5: “Clue: The Musical”

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

July 17: TMI Improv
July 17: Comedy Night at the Scholar

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

July 17, 18: Shakespeare in the Woods: “Hamlet”

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

July 25: “The Normal Heart” (staged reading)

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

July 10-26: “The Cat’s Meow”

The Taco Next Door: New menu, colorful decor, more seating as Taco Solo expands.

June 30, 2015 | by Julie Vitto

Since opening in 2013, Harrisburg’s Taco Solo has been a popular spot to grab authentic Mexican tacos on the go. A line of customers extending out the doorway of the tiny 2^nd Street taqueria was not an uncommon sight in the middle of the lunch rush or after the bars let out on the weekend.

When the shoe repair shop next door relocated, restaurateurs Juan and Lisa Garcia decided it was a logical move to expand into the available space.

Manager Cristina Chitoroaga is married to Josue Garcia, the third youngest of Juan’s nine siblings. She worked hard to prepare Taco Solo and its patrons for the next phase while keeping the shop open for business.

“They would come in and be so excited to see that the other side is coming along,” she said of Taco Solo’s loyal customers who witnessed the expansion.

The renovations started in March and have wrapped up in time for summer. While the shop continues to have a few outside tables, there is now room for about 25 more people inside the new dining room.

The renovated space is colorful and inviting, invoking the charm of a Mexican street fair with strands of light bulbs hung from the ceiling. Wooden mirrors decorate a wall opposite the giant storefront window where customers will be able to sit at tables and enjoy a quick meal.

The register and assembly line remain at the entrance where customers can order from the new blackboard menu overhead, which was covered in dollar bills from satisfied customers. Chitoroaga plans to frame the bills for the shop so customers can read the messages written on them. Also at the front is an expanded ice cream case that features eight rotating flavors offered with toppings or as a milkshake.

Beverages include glass-bottled Jarritos Mexican sodas, made with real fruit flavors and no high fructose corn syrup or caffeine. And the house-made horchata, a sweet rice milk drink served over ice and blended with spices, is not to be missed.

In addition to the physical changes, there are new menu items to sample. The introduction of grilled fish and shrimp to dishes like tacos, burritos and quesadillas adds another dimension of flavor and freshness. Taco Solo is also excited to reveal a new salsa bar with eight different types of house-made salsas, ranging from mild to hot, and freshly prepared garnishes like cilantro, limes, jalapenos and pico de gallo.

“The customers basically can serve themselves with any kind they want,” said Chitoroaga.
She added that all the salsas are homemade, with fresh and local ingredients.

“The tomatillos are an important ingredient, which look like green tomatoes, but are actually from the gooseberry family,” she explained.

The menu has an extensive selection of appetizers, salads, quesadillas, burritos, tacos and desserts for both meat lovers and vegetarians. No item is more than $10. Taco prices range from $2.98 for a single or up to $8.99 for a choice of three. Coupons are also available.

Everything from the warm tortilla chips to the fresh guacamole and slow-cooked pork and beef on a spit is made in-house. Chitoroaga highlighted Taco Solo’s signature al pastor, which, she explained, presents a twist of tender pork baked and marinated in three different kinds of chilies.

“We marinate it overnight, and then we cook it. And it’s freshly carved out of the rotisserie,” she said.

The Garcia’s restaurants extend beyond Taco Solo. Their flagship restaurant, El Sol, opened in downtown Harrisburg in 2007. Since then, they’ve opened El Sol Express, Taco Solo and the newest addition to the family, La Noche Cantina.

“We truly enjoy being a part of Harrisburg’s downtown landscape,” said Lisa Garcia.

She explained how important it is for a capital city to have good restaurants of all kinds, price ranges and atmospheres and added, “When we opened Taco Solo, it seemed like 2^nd Street could benefit from a taqueria.”

With the recent expansion, Taco Solo is prepared to welcome its hungry diners year-round for lunch, dinner or late at night.

Chitoroaga praised her brother-in-law for the positive impact he’s had on the city.

“With just hard work, motivation and determination, Juan brought to Harrisburg what it was missing—authentic Mexican cuisine and culture,” she said.

Taco Solo is located at 200 N. 2^nd St., Harrisburg. For more information, call 717-238-1420 or visit www.tacosolohbg.com.

Community Corner: Notable Events in July

June 30, 2015 | by Admin

Learn at Lunchtime
July 3: The State Museum of Pennsylvania will offer free admission 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. so that lunchtime visitors can explore the museum at their own pace and with the help of docents for the “Art of the State” exhibit. For more information, visit statemuseumpa.org.

Independence Day
July 4: Take in regional musical acts, a magician and other family fun during Harrisburg’s one-day Independence Day celebration. The daylong activities on City Island will culminate in a concert by the Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra and a fireworks celebration.

Declaration Reading
July 4: David Biser returns to play the role of John Harris Jr. during the annual reading of the Declaration of Independence, 10 a.m., 11 a.m., noon and 1 p.m., at the Harris-Cameron Mansion in Harrisburg. Tours of the mansion will be offered, and the Historical Society of Dauphin County will host a festival on the mansion grounds. For more, visit dauphincountyhistory.org.

July 4 Celebration
July 4: The AACA Museum will stay open late with special admission pricing to tour the museum then watch Hershey’s fireworks on the museum’s grounds, 161 Museum Dr., Hershey. More information is at aacamuseum.org.

Party on the River
July 4: The annual Fireworks Express moves to a new venue this year due to railroad track work. The Modern Transit Partnership event will take place at the Overlook at the Civic Club of Harrisburg, 612 N. Front St. Cost is $55 for adults and $15 for ages 6 to 20. Ticket price includes food, beverages and access to the fireworks viewing area. For more information, visit mtptransit.org.

Concert on the Lawn
July 6 & 23: The Amber Waves Band plays on July 6 and the Greater Harrisburg Concert Band on July 23 as part of Fredricksen Library’s “Concerts on the Lawn” series. The music starts at 7 p.m. on the library grounds in Camp Hill. Information is at fredricksenlibrary.org.

Chamber Mixer
July 8: Join the Central Pennsylvania Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce for its monthly business networking mixer at the Hospice of Central Pennsylvania, 1320 Linglestown Rd., Harrisburg. More information is at cpglcc.org.

Stress Relief Walk
July 8: Release the stress of the workday with a Stress Relief Walk, a three-mile stroll around Wildwood Park. Meet at the Nature Center at 6 p.m. Bring water and sturdy shoes. Information is at wildwoodlake.org.

Midtown Movie Nights
July 10 & 24: Enjoy a movie in the open air during Midtown Movie Nights, sponsored by Friends of Midtown. The July 10 show (“Plan 9 from Outer Space”) and the July 24 show (“Labyrinth”) begin at dusk in the parking lot of Midtown Cinema, 250 Reily St., Harrisburg. Information is at friendsofmidtown.org.

Civil War Workshop
July 11: Visit the Susquehanna Art Museum and create a work of art inspired by David Bustill Bowser. The event, which starts at 10 a.m. and repeats at noon, includes a discussion about the artist followed by an art-making project for the whole family. Workshop is included with price of admission. For more information, visit sqart.org.

Shipoke Flea Market
July 11: Buy, sell or just browse at the Shipoke Flea Market and Bake Sale, the annual used goods market along the riverfront in Harrisburg’s Shipoke neighborhood. The event begins at 7 a.m. and runs until 2 p.m., rain or shine. For more information, visit shipoke.org.

Harrisburg Senators Game
July 11: Spend a summer night with friends, neighbors and the great American pastime. The evening begins at 6 p.m. at Metro Bank Park on City Island. Tickets are $10 for Friends of Midtown members and $11 for non-members. Visit friendsofmidtown.org.

One-Woman Show
July 11: Lynn Blackston will give a creative performance of storytelling, poetry and inspirational song based on the life of former slave and anti-slavery activist Harriet Jacobs. The presentation takes place at 5 p.m. at the Susquehanna Art Museum, 1401 N. 3^rd St., Harrisburg. Free with admission. Visit sqart.org.

Volunteer Work Day
July 11: Help beautify Wildwood Park by volunteering for a few hours. Meet at the Nature Center starting at 10 a.m. Snacks, tools and gloves provided. Visit wildwoodlake.org.

Bridges on the Susquehanna
July 12: Local author Erik Fasick will give a presentation on the bridges over the Susquehanna River, followed by a tour of the current photo exhibit. The event starts at 2:30 p.m. at the Harris-Cameron Mansion in Harrisburg. $5 donation requested. Visit dauphincountyhistory.org.

Local History Cruise
July 15: Join the Dauphin County Historical Society for a cruise aboard the Pride of the Susquehanna. Erik Fasick, author of “Harrisburg and the Susquehanna River,” will be on board for this special tour of the river. Tickets are $25 for the 6 to 8 p.m. event. Food and drink will be available for purchase. RSVP at 717-233-3462 by July 10 and visit dauphincountyhistory.org.

Harrisburg Mile
July 15: Lace up your running shoes for the annual sprint down Front Street. Starting at 6 p.m., waves of runners will take off from Maclay Street, followed by a party in Riverfront Park near the finish line at Herr Street. For registration and information, visit ymcarun.com.

Planetarium 50^th Celebration
July 15-19: The State Museum of Pennsylvania celebrates the 50^th anniversary of its popular planetarium by hosting the East Coast debut of the full-dome feature, “Solar Superstorms,” which ventures into the interior of the sun. The show is included in museum’s general admission price. For times, check statemuseumpa.org.

Business After Hours
July 16: Mix and mingle with local business professionals at this free networking event sponsored by the Harrisburg Regional Chamber and CREDC. This month, the 5 to 7 p.m. event takes place at Brenner Nissan, 6271 Carlisle Pike, Mechanicsburg. Visit harrisburgregionalchamber.org.

3^rd in The Burg
July 17: Enjoy the best of Harrisburg during 3^rd 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.

Brewfest
July 18: The Dauphin County Brewfest is back with some of central PA’s finest craft beer, food and music. The annual event runs 3 to 7 p.m. at Fort Hunter and costs $35 in advance and $50 at the door. Visit forthunter.org.

Summer Soiree
July 18: Show your appreciation for the arts in the Harrisburg area at this summer soiree held in support of the Art Association of Harrisburg. The soiree takes place at 790 Garriston Rd., Lewisberry, and features food, music and, of course, art. Cost is $40 in advance, $45 at the door. Visit artassocofhbg.com.

Local Lunch
July 19: Dine with Friends of Midtown during their local lunch, which this month will be held at Pastorante, 1012 N. 3^rd St., Harrisburg. The meal and get-together run noon to 2 p.m. For more, visit friendsofmidtown.org.

History Lecture
July 20: Michael Long will deliver a lecture on gay civil rights activist Frank Kameny. Long edited “Gay Is Good: The Life and Letters of Gay Rights Pioneer Franklin Kameny.” The 6 to 8 p.m. event will take place at the LGBT Center of Central PA, 1306 N. 3^rd St., Harrisburg. Visit centralpalgbtcenter.org.

City Island Outing
July 23: Join the West Shore Chamber of Commerce for “Putt It into the Park,” an outing on City Island that includes miniature golf, a Harrisburg Senators game and a picnic dinner. The event costs $20 and runs 4 to 10 p.m. Information is at wschamber.org.

Nature & Arts Festival
July 25: The annual Nature and Arts Festival runs 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at MYO Park and the Ned Smith Center in Millersburg. Enjoy live music, food, educational programs, art events, contests and more. For all programming, visit nedsmithcenter.org.

Pride Fest
July 25: The 23^rd annual Pride Festival of Central Pennsylvania begins at 11 a.m. in Riverfront Park in Harrisburg with food, vendors, entertainment and more. Admission is $9; children under 12 are free. Visit centralpapridefestival.com.

Library Loop
July 25: For a 10^th year, runners and walkers will participate in the Fredricksen Library Loop, which starts at 8:30 a.m. at the library in Camp Hill. Prizes awarded to the top finishers. Register online or at the library. Visit fredricksenlibrary.org.

Dare to Defy
July 26: Artist and educator Selby Doughty will deliver a lecture, “The Women Artists of Pennsylvania: Dare to Defy,” at 3 p.m. at the Susquehanna Art Museum, 1401 N. 3^rd St., Harrisburg. The program about women artists and their influences is free with admission. Please visit sqart.org.

Science Camp
July 28-31: The four-day camp will feature hands-on outdoor experiences for youth ages 10 to 15, who will learn about species identification, natural history and ecology. Each day runs 9 a.m. to noon. Cost is $80 per participant. More information is at wildwoodlake.org.

Networking Mixer
July 30: Mingle with fellow business people at the West Shore Chamber of Commerce’s monthly mixer, which will be held at the Susquehanna Club in New Cumberland. The free event begins at 7:30 p.m. Visit wschamber.org.

Growing Up . . . and Going for a Run: More than a physical challenge, Girls on the Run helps students open up, learn about life and mature.

June 30, 2015 | by Rebecca Hanlon

Illustration by Stephen Michael Haas.

Girls on the Run teaches young students valuable life skills like believing in oneself, cooperation and community.

For many girls in the Harrisburg school system, the program instills in them the power to overcome bullying, build their self-esteem and uncover the value of working as a team.

Then there’s the 5K.

“We know that running a 5K is a great accomplishment, but Girls on the Run is about so much more than that,” said Gillian Byerly, the executive director of the Capital Area chapter. “We are giving some of these girls the only chance they’ll have at learning what it means to have personal value and to work together to accomplish personal goals.”

When the Capital Area Girls on the Run chapter was founded in 2011, just 22 girls and four volunteers signed up for the 10-week program. Through twice-a-week meetings, the girls participated in group discussions that tackled tough issues while training for a 5K to be held at the end of the season.

Today, 860 girls in third through eighth grades—and several hundred volunteers throughout Perry, Dauphin and Cumberland counties—participate in the program.

Harrisburg School District students, in particular, have made remarkable progress in a short time. The first Girls on the Run team entered Melrose School in 2014 with teacher volunteers who stayed after long days in the classroom to coach.

Some teachers noticed attendance was spotty at first. Many of the girls left in hopes of finding food they might not get at home, Byerly said. This season, the program provided subs for the girls. Now, with food in their bellies and mentors who continue to be attentive, the program has flourished.

Kere Washington, a fifth-grade teacher at Rowland Academy, recently celebrated her second season as a Girls on the Run coach at her school. About 10 girls participated this spring, bringing with them an enthusiasm and energy that bubbled over as they celebrated their accomplishments during an after-school party.

“I’ve seen how the program allows some of the girls to open up about problems they wouldn’t otherwise discuss,” Washington said. “When we show them how to make strategies for school problems, we’re starting to see them follow through.”

One student who acted out frustrations with physical fights went to a coach when she noticed herself getting upset, Byerly said. Instead of lashing out, the girl sought help and got advice on how to express her frustration with words instead of fists.

Marie Adamu, 10, said she liked how everyone was so nice at Girls on the Run. When her family couldn’t attend the May 5K, Marie’s friends and coaches stepped in to cheer her on.

“I think I did excellent,” Marie said of her first 5K experience. “I was nervous at first, but everyone helped me. It went just how I expected.”

Marie also admits that the program helped her work through her own issues with bullying—both acting out as a bully and handling herself when others bullied her.

Nyara Jones-Lowden, 9, said the program helped her learn how to listen to what other people had to say. The bubbly fourth-grader sometimes gets a little distracted when others are speaking, she confessed. But Girls on the Run helped her learn to focus and respectfully pay attention.

Nyara also learned that goals can be accomplished in many ways as she ran, walked, jogged and skipped her way to the 5K finish line.

As the program grows in popularity, Byerly hopes Girls on the Run can add programs at Downey Elementary and Ben Franklin elementary schools.

“I think, in Harrisburg especially, girls need to have a safe, emotional space where role models can help them overcome challenges,” Byerly said.

While the growth has been an unexpected blessing the past few years, it’s also created challenges for the group. Byerly hopes more community volunteers step in so that teachers don’t always have to run the programs.

She also looks forward to seeing the program come full circle as students transition to high school, allowing former participants to join as junior coaches.

In the near future, Byerly is eagerly anticipating the rollout of the newest Girls on the Run program. Heart and Soul, set to be offered this fall, focuses on helping middle-school girls live out random acts of kindness.

“Many of these girls have voices, and they want to be heard,” Byerly said. “They are of value to their families, their teachers and their communities. That’s a pretty powerful message that we’re not sure they’d hear without Girls on the Run.”

For more information on Capital Area Girls on the Run, visit www.capareagirlsontherun.org.

There’s Something about Zin: From red to white, California zinfandels are perfect for summer.

June 30, 2015 | by Steve Juliana

If there is one question that wine-lovers enjoy debating, it is, “Where does the best wine in the world come from?”

Almost always, California emerges as a serious contender. With its Napa cabernets and chardonnays, pinot noirs from the Russian River Valley to the Santa Maria Valley and an influx of Italian and Rhône varietals, there is a wine for every palate. The one grape considered the elder statesman of Golden State wine is zinfandel. This black grape arrived on the West Coast shortly after the Gold Rush began. It not only slaked the 49ers’ thirst, but was a commercial success in the big Central Valley where it was grown for raisins.

The origin of this fruit is Mediterranean Europe. In Italy, the grape known as primitivo is an earlier ripening clone of our beloved zin. The first vines have been traced back to Croatia, where it was called tribidrag in the local dialect. In 2001, this oldest variety was rediscovered growing along the Dalmatian coast and, since, has become available in American markets.

Back in California, the zinfandel grape was saved from the ravages of Prohibition by its use in the production of communion wine and the aforementioned raisin industry. Today, this reason, along with the plant’s durability, is why zin vines are the oldest in the state.

Planted with other grapes in plots that were harvested together, this California “field blend” was bottled in bulk and sold throughout the country under a variety of names. Nowadays, there is more interest in a pure wine that reflects the true terroir, or growing site traits, of the grape. A single-vineyard, old-vine zin attracts attention not only because such wine is very hard to find, but because it shows a complexity of flavors and structure that is not found in younger grapes.

When it comes to food, the key word here is barbecue. Red zin is described as “brambly” or “briary,” words that bring to mind fresh berries picked on a hot day or the scent of a newly opened jar of jam. It matches perfectly with any beef, pork or fowl cooked in the tradition of the American South.

But wait. What is white zinfandel? This easy drinking quaff is a blush that burst onto the California wine scene in the 1970s. Originating from Sutter Home Wineries, it was supposed to become a dry rosè in the tradition of southern France. However, an anomaly called “stuck fermentation” allowed the juice to retain a higher level of sugar. History was made as white zin became hugely popular, outselling its red brother by a margin of 10 to one.

To many enthusiasts, white zinfandel is not a serious wine. For summer sipping, though, it is perfect, light in body and low in alcohol, best enjoyed chilled and with finger foods. As a first wine, it is a good choice and has a rich history. It’s just a little pale.

Keep sipping, Steve.

Coffee Country: He had poured thousands of cups. Then he decided to trace the origins of the coffee he served.

June 30, 2015 | by Susan Ryder

Chris Scott. Photo compliments of Counter Culture Coffee.

That morning cup of Joe, water poured through a filter over grounds or delicately French pressed. You add a bit of creamer and sprinkle in some sugar, or maybe you leave it black. After a slurpy, hot sip—ah—the day can start.

But where does this delicious concoction come from, who grows it, and why should anyone care?

In March, Chris Scott, general manager of Midtown Scholar Bookstore, took a journey to Honduras to find out.

This trip was an unexpected one. He had planned to visit Sweden when he happened upon the website for Counter Culture Coffee, which supplies the coffee sold at Midtown Scholar.

“Honduras wasn’t anywhere that was on my bucket list,” said Scott.

He quickly adjusted his travel plans after he saw that Counter Culture was offering an opportunity to travel to the Central American country for people interested in learning more about its coffee.

He wanted to address a question that had been on his mind from pouring countless cups of Counter Culture Coffee from behind the bar at Midtown Scholar: “Here we are drinking a cup of coffee, but what all went into this cup?”

Plant to Mug

The trip began by giving participants an understanding of how coffee is grown and processed before it leaves Honduras.

An evergreen shrub, grown in high elevations in tropical climates, the coffee plant produces cherries. The cherry holds two seeds, which eventually become drinkers’ morning pick-me-up.

Cherries ripen at different rates, so workers must handpick the ripe fruit, about a 100-pound sack per day.

Scott and his group picked coffee, viewed the washing process used to remove the pulp from the coffee seed and watched how the beans were sorted. Lastly, they visited the coffee storage areas, where thousands of sacks of beans are stored and loaded on to ships, one of Scott’s favorite parts of the trip.

As a result, Scott received a 360-degree understanding of how coffee is made—from plant to cup.

“I feel like a part of the process on both sides,” he said.

A Passion, an Understanding

Scott also learned about the struggles of growing the product and how Counter Culture helps growers address them.

One of those struggles is climate change. Farmers said that warming temperatures have forced them to move their crop to cooler areas farther up the mountains, as lower land has become unusable for coffee. Counter Culture helps farmers learn how to diversify their crops by growing cacao, more suited to the higher temperatures, or educating farmers about shifting to animal crops instead.

“We seek coffee that not only tastes good but also does good, from our local communities to the communities around the world where we source our coffee,” says Counter Culture’s mission statement.

That “good” includes fairly paying growers for their crops. Counter Culture works directly with the farmers, eliminating the need for middlemen such as exporters and importers. Its website also lists how much each farmer or cooperative earns.

Farmers Moisés and Marysabel, who hosted a visit from Scott’s group, make $3 to $4 per pound, according to the company’s 2013 report, compared to the less than 50 cents per pound that globalexchange.org reports growers typically receive.

Scott explained that Counter Culture is similar to fair trade coffee with a few exceptions. Fair trade organizations require growers to belong to a cooperative, which charges them for their portion of the expense for the Fair Trade label. Counter Culture, Scott said, has created its own type of fair trade without the label and the expense to farmers.

Scott was most impacted by the Honduran people.

The coffee growers and workers displayed an immense amount of national pride and, despite their poverty, showed terrific hospitality to the Counter Culture visitors, he said. In coffee shops they visited, workers took special interest in them, insisting on making them their best coffee. Scott said this represents the mutual respect among those in the coffee world. One worker came in on her day off to meet these coffee visitors.

Another farmer, Oscar, roasted beans grown on his own farm; and in his home, proudly served the group his farm’s fresh coffee. Just a few days from field to service, it was a fantastic cup, Scott said.

“It instills in me a passion, understanding and respect for these people, that it’s so important for us to be serving a quality product,” he said. “We represent all the hard work these people did.”

Essentially, if an espresso shot is poorly poured, or coffee left to sit too long, it’s a disservice to the growers as well as those partaking, he said.

Ironically, farmers aren’t drinking much of their own best coffee.

“People who grow it can’t afford to drink this quality of product,” Scott said. “It’s too valuable.”

Scott overflows with fervor about the trip. He said that many of the employees at Midtown Scholar scold him with, “Shut up about Honduras already!” For a man who had no expectations for the trip, he came home with a lot: lasting friendships with trip participants, Counter Culture employees and coffee growers.

He also left with something else—responsibility.

He can’t drink or serve a cup of coffee without thinking about Oscar, Moisés or Marysabel and whether their dedication and pride are being adequately represented.

You can enjoy Counter Culture Coffee at Midtown Scholar Bookstore, 1302 N. 3^rd St., Harrisburg. www.midtownscholar.com

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