Sustenance in Steelton: Marla’s Place is basic, very basic, but the food and service will make you feel at home.

April 30, 2015 | by Paul Barker

The menu at Marla’s Place, in downtown Steelton, is an 8.5-by-11 sheet of printer paper, folded slightly askew of the centerline. On one side is a stock photo of a china table setting. On the other are pictures of yellow-toned food—fried chicken, cornbread muffins, mac ‘n’ cheese. The cash register, plain gray, sits on an open counter next to a stack of other people’s business cards.

Outside, across S. Front Street, a set of ornate stone steps leads up a steep hill to what used to be the train station. Marla shares her block with a municipal building, a vacant People’s Bank, a tattoo parlor and the local office of state Rep. Patty Kim. The road is a thoroughfare for cargo trucks, one of which, Marla suspects, was behind the destruction of a sign that used to hang from her exterior wall. The soundtrack during a lunch there recently was the snort of diesel engines and the rattle of passing freight.

The staff, all family, work as volunteers. During my visit, an hour ahead of the average lunch break, the atmosphere was of unharried hospitality. Marla’s sister, Lenore, sat at a nearby table in a hairnet, rolling up plastic cutlery in napkins. Her brother-in-law, Jack, strode out of the kitchen now and then to field questions on his cooking history.

Marla was born in Buffalo, N.Y., where she worked as a nurse for 25 years. The restaurant had its beginnings in her daughter’s Harrisburg home, in the form of big family dinners and meals for fundraisers. When Marla decided to relocate, her daughter scouted for storefronts and settled on the spot in Steelton, the former site of a burger joint and, before that, an insurance company. “A lot of people had told us it wouldn’t last that long, because the places only stay here two months and then they’re normally gone,” said Marla, who celebrates her one-year anniversary this month.

The menu is mostly home-style cooking—ribs, fried fish, potato salad, rice and gravy, coleslaw, peach cobbler and sweet potato pie. There’s also jerk and curry chicken, pizza and hot wings. Marla likes to be accommodating. Customers are often surprised, she said, to be asked if they want light or dark meat, chicken breast or thighs. Meats come one of four ways: fried, barbecued, baked or smothered. Entrees, ranging from $9 to $13, come with two sides, and first-time customers, whom she calls “Marla’s virgins,” get a free soda with their meal.

The restaurant has a broad-stroke kind of cuisine—sunshine to a downtown bistro’s laser show. Jack, one of the chefs at Marla’s and a cook since 1979, describes his resume as “quantity cooking.” He’s worked in kitchens at Denny’s, Bob Evans and a Buffalo steakhouse, at the farm show and the Hotel Wyndham, and as a cooking instructor at the county prison. My meal, smothered pork chops with sides of collard greens and mac ‘n’ cheese, came in a Styrofoam tray.

Yet, on a bitterly cold winter day, there was nothing quite so perfect. The rich gravy, the juicy pork, the sweet and bitter greens—they sank in the belly and stuck to the ribs, and warmed me as I drove home in the snow.

Marla’s Place is at 2 S. Front St., Steelton. For more information, visit www.marlas-place.com, see their Facebook page or call 717-939-6914.

Meet the Candidates: Harrisburg Democrats vie for 4 seats on City Council.

April 30, 2015 | by Paul Barker

Pat Stringer

Age: 65
Employment: Pa. Office of Inspector General (retired)
Address: 2100-block of Kensington Street
Previous Office: Harrisburg City Council, 2000-2004; Harrisburg Human Relations Commission, 1994-2000
Running for: Two-year seat

I am running because I wish to represent the citizens of Harrisburg by giving them a voice on issues that affect their everyday lives, such as safe neighborhoods, affordable housing and their rights as taxpayers. Having previously served on council, I have a clear understanding of the process and the people who must be contacted to get matters accomplished. Having served at the federal and state level, in city government and even on county committees and the recent Harrisburg Strong Plan Task Force, I am ready to once again serve my community as an elected official.

Ellis R. Rick Roy

Age: 63
Employment: Harrisburg Police Officer (retired)
Address: 600s Curtin St.
Previous Office: Dauphin County Democratic Committeeman; Harrisburg Civil Service Commission
Running for: Two-year seat and four-year seat

Ellis R. Rick Roy is a life-time resident of Harrisburg and has always been committed to the city. Mr. Roy served 35 years with the Bureau of Police and retired as a Police Lieutenant who was in charge of the Criminal Investigation Unit. Currently, Mr. Roy is the Dauphin County Democratic Committeeman for the 10^th Ward 2^nd Precinct, and Chair of the Harrisburg Civil Service Commission. Because of Mr. Roy’s diverse experience, he understands that public safety, economic development, and neighborhood revitalization are three very important issues.

Brad Koplinski

Age: 45
Address: 200s Sassafras Street
Current Employment: Attorney/Consultant, Penn Blue Strategies
Prior Offices: Harrisburg City Council, 2008-present
Running for: Four-year seat

I have been honored to serve on Harrisburg City Council since 2008. I have chaired both the Community and Economic Development and the Budget and Finance Committees. In those capacities, I have helped encourage smart investment in our neighborhoods and insure that the Administration is held to account on budgetary issues. Having served during three separate mayoral administrations, I have remained an independent voice for the people of our city. I remain committed to helping reduce crime and blight, as well as encouraging businesses to come to Harrisburg and making sure the quality of life in our city remains high.

Jeff Baltimore

Age: 56
Employment: BMore U., Fitness Company; Acting Deputy Director, Harrisburg Mayor’s Office of Economic Development (former)
Address: 1100s N. 17^th Street
Previous Office: Harrisburg City Council, 2014-present
Running for: Two-year seat and four-year seat

Jeff Baltimore, a third-generation Harrisburg resident and graduate of Shippensburg University, has held several prominent business, planning and economic development positions in Harrisburg, York and with the Commonwealth. He has worked with youth as a baseball coach and scout leader and recently began a nutrition and fitness start-up with his son that teaches the body is a temple and emphasizes people should forever be student athletes. As Public Safety chair, Mr. Baltimore helps create and develop programs that engage youth. He believes academic, athletic, vocational, and entrepreneurial skills training is essential and a major deterrent to criminal activity.

Destini Hodges

Age: 25
Address: 2000s Zarker St.
Employment: Admin Office Technician for Safety and Security at HACC
Lived in Harrisburg: 25 years
Political Office: Harrisburg School Board, 2011-present
Running for: Two-year seat

Serving on the Harrisburg School Board has been a great learning experience for me. One tool that it provided me was being able to see how the legislative process works. To be an effective governing body, it’s important to partner with the stakeholders that are affected by the board’s decision. We must embrace accountability, transparency, and be accessible to the community. Most importantly, work together as one sound board to keep pushing forward in a positive direction. By tackling the issues that face our community and youth, we will restore pride back into Harrisburg and unify our City.

Westburn Majors

Age: 30
Address: 2300s Market St.
Employment: Government Relations, Gmerek Government Relations
Previous office: Board Member, Capital Region Water (former Harrisburg Authority)
Running for: Four-year seat

Westburn Majors, a native of Harrisburg, holds a degree in Sociology from Lincoln University and a master’s degree in Public Administration from Pennsylvania State University. Since 2008, he has worked in government relations on a wide range of public policy issues. As a board member of the Harrisburg Authority, he supported the forensic audit that helped restore public trust in the utility. Wes volunteers with the Harrisburg Basketball Booster Club, is a member of the Harrisburg Young Professionals, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., and works with Major Preparation, a non-profit created by his family to help serve the city’s youth.

Jeremiah Chamberlin

Age: 32
Address: 600s N. 2^nd St.
Current Employment: Engineer and Project Manager, Volvo Construction Equipment (former)
Prior Offices: None
Running for: Two-year seat and four-year seat

The 2013 election was about how we would stop the inevitable slide into bankruptcy. This year we should be discussing about how we rebuild Harrisburg for the residents of today and the future. When polled, community groups list crime and city services (including pot holes, sinkholes, blighted properties and streetlights) as their largest issue. I developed skills from my experience as both an engineer and project manager solving problems and overseeing the projects to tackle these problems. Harrisburg will thrive only when all neighborhoods are attractive to live in and safe to travel.

Cornelius Johnson

Age: 26
Employment: Health Officer, Susquehanna Township
Address: 2900s Rumson Drive
Previous Office: None
Running for: Four-year seat

Cornelius Johnson is a Harrisburg native, a graduate of the Pennsylvania State University with two Bachelor of Science degrees in Toxicology and General Science, and serves as the Head of the Health Department for Susquehanna Township. In addition, Cornelius is pursuing his master’s degree in Public Administration from Shippensburg University. Finally, Cornelius is actively engaged in the community. He serves as a Cluster Leader for the Camp Curtin YMCA Teen Achievers Program, a member of Harrisburg Young Professionals, and is a member of the Greater Harrisburg Martin Luther King, Jr. Leadership Development Institute.

Ron Chapel

Age: 62
Address: 700s N. 3^rd St.
Employment: Vehicle Registration Clerk, PennDOT (former)
Previous office: None
Running for: Two-year seat and four-year seat

For years, I have used the public comment period of City Council meetings to speak against issues I believe were not in the city’s best interest, including the Harrisburg Strong Plan and the parking lease. Meanwhile, I have been active in the NAACP, African-American Chamber of Commerce and American Legion Post 733. I studied political science at Wayne State University between two tours as a U.S. Marine, from which I was twice honorably discharged. I want to bring a new sense of pride to the city to help it combat unsafe streets, blight, joblessness and helplessness.

Rhonda Mays

Age: 52
Address: 1700s Herr St.
Current Employment: Budget Analyst, Pa. Dept. of Public Welfare (retired)
Prior Offices: Dauphin County Democratic Committeewoman
Running for: Four-year seat

I believe one of the most important duties of our elected officials is to be “builders of bridges” between residents and the government. It is not good enough to elect candidates into office and then allow them to act as islands of power unto themselves. The residents are the ultimate decision-makers. As a citizen of Harrisburg I am committed to positive outcomes for 1) our children because they represent our future success, 2) our historic properties, which define our past accomplishments, and 3) our residents, who are the foundation upon which our community is built. We are in exciting times.

Easy City Rider: There’s plenty to do, celebrate during National Bike Month.

April 30, 2015 | by Matt Lewis

Did you wake up this morning wishing you could put on your best seersucker suit or vintage lace outfit, hop on your bike and cruise the city?

Or maybe your dream looks more like a ride along the Capital Area Greenbelt with 50 of your closest friends. Or, if your taste is less fashion and exercise and more food and socializing, you may see yourself at 3^rd in The Burg watching other people cruise by on a pedal-powered bike train.

If so, you might be one of Harrisburg’s bike people.

In May, Bike Harrisburg will host a variety of events to celebrate National Bike Month. In addition to such events as the “Seersucker and Lace Benefit Ride,” there are parties and socials and rides for good causes and rides just for the sake of riding.

Bike Harrisburg believes it has an event for you, whether you’re a serious bike-shorts-and-cycle-shoes type of person, a bicycle commuter or just a guy who takes the occasional ride around the neighborhood.

Ross Willard will gladly receive all takers. A veteran of Harrisburg biking, Willard is the founder of Recycle Bicycle and an unapologetic evangelist of all things two-wheeled.

“I promote bicycle culture by living it,” said Willard. “Harrisburg is a great to city to ride a bike in. I ride all the time, and I want to get people out to join me.”

Indeed, the city’s bicycling community has plenty to be excited about these days. Last year, artistic bike racks popped up all over downtown. This month, the state will begin the re-engineering and reconstruction of much of Front Street, which will include the city’s first dedicated bike lane.

In addition, Harrisburg Young Professionals, along with Bicycle South Central PA, is spearheading a movement to bring a bike share program to Harrisburg. Recently, the first community forum on the subject attracted a large crowd to Harrisburg University.

“We want to promote a bike-friendly community,” said Leigh Ann Urban, director of marketing and special events at the Harrisburg Downtown Improvement District and a panel member at the HYP bike forum. “Improving the bicycle community through programs like bike share will help attract new renters, businesses and help drive infrastructure improvements.”

For his part, Willard, who you might call the godfather of Harrisburg biking, will be out and about throughout the spring and summer at various festivals and gatherings promoting bicycle safety and green transportation. When he’s not at events like this month’s South Allison Hill Multicultural Festival, he probably can be found at his Recycle Bicycle headquarters in Uptown Harrisburg, wrench in hand, making sure the neighborhood kids’ bikes are in safe, working order.

Kelly Sangree is another of the city’s unofficial bicycle ambassadors.

“I drive when I need to, but I bike as much as I can,” she said.

Sangree is the owner/operator of a three-wheeled bike she describes as “similar to the old Good Humor bicycles they used to sell ice cream with.” Instead of a cooler on the front, you’ll see a box with benches, and she can be seen transporting kids and groceries and running errands around town.

Sangree started cycling when money was tight and discovered how much cheaper it was to maintain a bike than a car. Since then, she has gone from two wheels to three, but still relies on the bike for transportation as much as possible. Like Willard, she is a big proponent of the bicycle lifestyle and hopes to help initiate change in the city.

“If biking is made easier, more people will get out and do it,” she said. “I’m really looking forward to the bike lane on Front Street. Right now, I take my life into my hands every time I try to cross.”

Spring is finally here, and the climate is right in Harrisburg for all of the events planned for National Bike Month. So, do Ross over at Recycle Bicycle a favor and check your bike brakes, look both ways, and pedal your way through the month of May throughout the greater Harrisburg area.

Bike Harrisburg has a long list of events planned for National Bike Month. For the full rundown, please visit www.bikeharrisburg.org.

Dauphin County Wants Your Input

Is Dauphin County, PA ready for a Bike Share Program? You can do a number of things to get involved:

1.) Like Central PA Regional Bike Share Feasibility Study’s (tag the page) Facebook page to get involved in upcoming events.

2.) Take the survey by clicking here.

3.) Visit the website and educate yourself about the program.

A Seat in the Bard Room: Melissa Nicholson to helm international Shakespeare organization.

April 30, 2015 | by Lori M. Myers

Melissa Nicholson

You would think that Melissa Nicholson, executive director of Gamut Theatre Group, would be reciting Hamlet, Macbeth and Othello from the time she emerged from the womb; that the language of the Bard would roll off her tongue like honey and she’d be calling Elizabethan England her second home right from the start.

Think again.

“I had a terrible experience in high school with Shakespeare,” Nicholson recalls. “We read ‘Julius Caesar’ in ninth grade, and I hated it. I said ‘What is this?'”

But what a difference a few years and another Shakespeare play make. Nicholson attended Susquehanna University as a theater major, and the department performed a production of “Midsummer Night’s Dream.” Suddenly, it all made perfect sense.

“The director was great,” she says. “That production opened the doors for me.”

Nicholson went on to perform at The Lost Colony, an outdoors theater in North Carolina, before founding Gamut Theatre with husband, Clark. At the beginning, the couple was producing children’s shows as the Popcorn Hat Players, but, soon, a city official suggested that Harrisburg could use a dose or two of Shakespeare.

The duo complied, performing the Bard’s plays (including “Julius Caesar”) in any space they could find, including a former Midtown bank building that is now home to Historic Harrisburg Association.

Shakespeare is now a permanent part of the theatrical family in Gamut’s Strawberry Square space and will continue to be when the group moves to its new location across the way on N. 4^th Street.

But Nicholson’s reputation and love of Shakespeare has now gone beyond our city limits to the international stage. In January, she was appointed vice president of the Shakespeare Theatre Association, an organization established to provide a forum for the artistic, managerial and educational leadership for theaters primarily involved with the production of the works of William Shakespeare. The association discusses issues and methods of work, shares resources and information, and acts as an advocate for Shakespearean productions and training.

Nicholson will serve as vice president for two years and then two years as president beginning January 2017, allowing for not only continuity on the board, but also ensuring long-term institutional memory for the organization as she’ll be invited to executive committee meetings thereafter, according to Patrick Flick, executive director of the Shakespeare Theatre Association.

Flick views Nicholson as the perfect combination of keen businessperson and artist.

“Melissa is quick with a smile, a laugh and a kind word,” he says. “She is a consummate artist manager. This is a model that many regional theaters across the country use to run their theaters and Gamut/Harrisburg Shakespeare is a perfect example of this. Her politic and good-humored manner combined with years of experience running a theater make her the perfect person to be the vice president and consequently next president of Shakespeare Theatre Association.”

Despite the honor, the very busy Nicholson had some doubts if she could take on this added responsibility.

“Last year, people approached me about being vice president,” Nicholson says. “At first, I told them that I can’t do that; I’m in the middle of a capital campaign. But I realized that it’s good for Gamut and for Harrisburg to put us on the Shakespeare map.”

The association, formed in 1991, has had its meetings in different locales across the United States where various member theaters and individuals meet to discuss their needs and challenges and to offer help when necessary. This past January, the association met in San Francisco. Next year, it will get together at Shakespeare at Notre Dame in South Bend, Ind.; the following year in Baltimore.

Nicholson’s love of everything Shakespeare has grown and flourished since that initial dreaded encounter with Julius Caesar. She now pays it forward to children and teenagers through Gamut’s theater school and the Gamut Theatre Summer Academy, where new generations are performing the Bard’s plays. Nicholson says they are studying a language they’re not used to, but a language they begin to understand.

“It helps them express things not available in the modern vernacular,” Nicholson says. “But I don’t teach ninth graders ‘Julius Caesar.'”

To learn more about Gamut Theatre and contribute to its capital campaign, visit www.gamuttheatre.org.

A Taco Tale: The humble food gets a celebrity makeover at Mid St8 Taco.

April 30, 2015 | by Stephanie Kalina-Metzger

Pippa Calland moves through the details of her life and accomplishments quickly, methodically and with dizzying speed, much like the way she wields her chef’s knife at Mid St8 Taco, her new enterprise at the West Shore Farmer’s Market in Lemoyne.

This biography starts with her unique appellation. Her parents, she explains, were enamored with Robert Browning and named her after a drama verse he penned called “Pippa Passes,” which tells the story of a young, silk-winding girl who sings as she completes her work and influences others to act for the good.

Like her namesake, Calland started her career early and embraces a strong work ethic and a belief in trying to make the world a better place.

“My first job in food was when I was 14, in Westport, Conn., working for Joanne Hush,” she said. “She studied in Paris and was Martha Stewart’s first business partner. My mom, too, was a great cook.”

Eventually, Calland pursued graduate studies in Buffalo, where she worked in a restaurant to put herself through school.

“They thought I could be the chef at a restaurant called Reginald’s,” she said. “That ended up being the deciding factor. I taught myself to cook there and was there for four years.”

She also started a program at Buffalo’s AIDS hospice, Benedict House, where she created a “Meals for Residents” program.

The press got wind of her efforts and, after making the news, she sent her videotape to the James Beard Foundation, which awarded her a fully paid scholarship to the Peter Kump’s New York Cooking School and a stipend for books from a pastry chef who had died of AIDS.

“It’s now a massive school called ‘The Institute for Culinary Education,’” said Calland.

Getting Noticed

After graduating, Calland returned to Buffalo before setting her sights on Manhattan, where she spent 10 years. There, she found herself at the helm of the Tuscan restaurant Le Madri and was recognized by Esquire Magazine as one of “13 chefs to look out for” in 2002.

Calland’s fame rose to a whole new level when Food Network’s “Chopped” came calling.

Calland took the screen test and accepted the reality chef challenge. Her episode, which aired in 2009, featured tofu, oysters and blueberries. To this day, she laughs about the tofu, calling the requirement to include the ingredient “karma” for talking smack about the humble, but versatile, bean curd. Calland ended up acing the task and winning the competition.

“Time management was really crucial,” she said. “I was 100-percent steady, although there was a bit of a personality battle between me and one of the guys. I said, ‘you haven’t won yet, son,’ as we waited between the last round.”

In 2011, Calland moved to Malibu, Calif., where she was contacted by Fresh One productions and asked to appear on Jamie Oliver’s “Chef Race.” She made the cut and joined others in begging, borrowing and bartering for their meals.

Calland also appeared on “Chef Wanted with Ann Burrell” before making a pivotal decision to move to Mechanicsburg and open Mid St8 Taco.

“I’d had enough working for other people and wanted to be on my own as an independent restaurateur,” she said.

Light, Local, Fresh

With a nod to her love for Mexican cuisine, Calland set up Mid St8 Taco at the West Shore Farmer’s Market.

She credits her grandfather for passing down his knowledge of Mexican food to her mother, who passed it on to Pippa. When she decided to open the business, she traveled to Oaxaca, Mexico, to study with a renowned culinary expert, Pennsylvania native Susanna Trilling.

Since opening, business has been so brisk that Calland has added tables and chairs in front of her stand to accommodate diners who go wild for her selection of tacos nestled in made-from-scratch corn tortillas.

Nicole Falcone from Susquehanna Township eats there often with her fiancé Patrick.

“We both love to eat, and her food is so good,” she said. “Everything is so light, local, fresh and authentic. She makes everything from scratch, including the condiments. We love her food so much that we hired her to cater our wedding.”

Calland, always evolving, decided to expand recently, adding a tortilleria to her taco stand. Sourcing organic corn from Cumberland County, Calland uses a motorized stone ground mill purchased from Texas and a mechanized press to turn out her tortillas quickly.

“What used to take five hours, can now be done in five minutes,” she said, adding that plans are in the works for wholesale distribution.

Calland said this current labor of love allows her to use her imagination, skill and creativity to come up with unique taco creations.

“I think we’ve hit a chord with Penn-Mex and this enables me to draw on all my years of training, using authentic underpinnings,” she said. “I have the freedom to follow my inner voice.”

And judging by her brisk business, customers wouldn’t want it any other way.

Mid St8 Taco is located inside the West Shore Farmers Market, 900 Market St., Lemoyne. For more information, visit www.midst8taco.com or call 717-737-9881.

Musical Notes: May Montage–Something for everyone this month.

April 30, 2015 | by Andrew Dyrli Hermeling

Whether you’re in the mood for literary songwriting, ethereal pop or genre-defying frenetic rock, May has a live show perfectly suited for your tastes. And, as spring nears its finish line, there is no better time for live music. Days are longer, and the evenings are warm. So either relax or move to the beat, just make sure to order a beverage and take in May’s musical offerings.

FREEDY JOHNSTON, 5/7, HMAC, TIME AND ADMISSION TBD
One of the ‘90s most acclaimed singer-songwriters, Freedy Johnston has continued to build upon his extensive repertoire. He will by stopping by the capital of the Commonwealth in support of his forthcoming LP, “Neon Repairman.” Like many of his contemporaries, Johnston has used a faltering record industry to his advantage, taking creative direction into his own hands and producing his most recent work through private fundraising. This is fitting considering he is often referred to as “a songwriter’s songwriter.” This is a perfect show for fans of Neil Young, Tom Petty or Elvis Costello.

ERIC + ERICA w/SHAWAN & THE WONTON, 5/8, 6:30PM, LITTLE AMPS DOWNTOWN
Dreampop seems to make a lot more sense come the warmer months. It’s hazy yet inviting, never in too much of a hurry, but not morose. Durham, N.C.’s Eric + Erica perfectly exemplify these particular characteristics. Their live performances feature such exotic instrumentation as autoharp and foot pedal bass synth. Yet their music is also somehow familiar and reassuring. Since the release of their first album “This is Where”in 2013, they have been constantly touring. They are wrapping up their second full-length album, due to be released later this year. They will be joined by local artist Shawan & the Wonton.

JON SPENCER BLUES EXPLOSION, 5/27, 8PM, ABBEY BAR, $15
Formed more than 20 years ago, Jon Spencer Blues Explosion has earned a reputation for musical iconoclasm and limitless experimentation. Drawing influences from such divergent styles as R&B, noise rock and rockabilly, they have worked with equally diverse artists such as Ad Rock, Elliott Smith and Steve Albini. Their live shows are high energy and electric, disorienting yet still somehow indisputably rock n’ roll. Either way, this is a show that will surely make you move.

Mentionables: Vacationer, 5/1, The Millworks; Cruisr, 5/8, FedLive; the Baseball Project, 5/15, HMAC; Steven Wilson, 5/23, Whitaker Center; Kelly Zullo, 5/30, Midtown Scholar

Upgrade Your Anchors: Good style starts from the bottom, up.

April 30, 2015 | by Dave Marcheskie

Getting a fresh pair of kicks as a kid was the best feeling, right? Inside that future diorama vessel was one’s status. A new pair of Nike Air or Adidas shell tops (Airwalks once) would always impress your classmates.

As an adult, nothing will make a man more impressive than a pair of proper footwear—the true anchors of men’s style.

After this column debuted in February (I’ve noticed a lot more pocket squares around town, nice job!), a lot of guys asked questions regarding shoes. What color goes with what color suit? Wingtips or double monk-strap? And, if you can’t name one men’s shoes designer other than Nike, we’re in trouble.

Basics. Men’s shoes are broken down into four main food groups: oxfords, loafers, casual and athletic. Oxfords are any variety of dress shoes with laces; loafers are without laces. Casual can be boots, boat shoes or sneakers, but not running shoes—that’s athletic. Think Converse’s iconic Chuck Taylors vs. Reebok ZPump Fusion—a ‘90s comeback!

Any man should have at least a pair of black and brown dress shoes, any variety. Match your shoes with your belt—always! Black shoes work best with navy, gray, charcoal or black suits. Brown shoes pair well with navy, tan, coffee and even some medium-gray suits. Wanna go further? Oxblood-colored shoes work best with blue suits and walnut plays nicely with light gray. For better visuals, there are plenty of shoe-and-suit combo charts online and on Pinterest.

Fellas, they might be comfortable, but please stop wearing the square-toed, thick-soled Dockers or Rockport slip-ons that come in wonderful shades of matte Tootsie Roll. Stop it. You helped kill cobblers. If there’s one thing to splurge a little on, let it be shoes.

A well-dressed, professional man should have polished, hard-soled dress shoes. Think about it: Our eyes are attracted to the shine and quality. Take a close look at Jimmy Fallon’s shoes next time.

Remember: clean, simple details truly matter.

If you can afford it, choose Allen Edmonds ($250 to $385). Me? I try to fit my 12E feet at shoe outlets like DSW or online. eBay will even have discounted off-season styles.

You’ll never go wrong with a classic pair of wingtips with broguing (tiny holes). These often showcase a shoemaker’s well-stitched leatherwork. Style fact: the holes were originally designed for Celtic countrymen to allow bog water to seep out. Choose a lighter brown pair with a deep burnish at the toe. You can also achieve this look yourself with dark shoe polish.

If you want something a little trendier, the double-monk strap is top choice. Pick up a pair without broguing for a streamlined look. Double monk-straps are great versatile anchors for work and play. You can wear ‘em with chinos or jeans with either a blazer or button-down.

Want to really stand out? Spectators are great wingtips for summer. They’re the two-tone, bone-and-biscuit shoe that’ll impress anyone at that wedding or garden party.

If you already have decent dress shoes, I have one easy and affordable tip that’ll set you apart—colored laces. You may have noticed this style creep up in out-of-the-box kicks, as well. Swap out those brown or black dress shoelaces for your favorite color. You can get a four-pack for $7 on Amazon. This is especially great for your casual leather boots and suede chukkas.

“Boat dockers” are another great staple for summer. Try rocking a colored canvas pair instead of the brown leather Sperry’s. Canvas shoes are more breathable and infinitely better looking than sandals with socks—or Crocs.

Once you’ve plopped down a pretty penny for your penny loafers, you must invest in shoetrees. They are usually made of cedar (to defeat stinky feet) and fit inside your shoe to help keep its form and shape. This decreases unwanted creases where your toes flex.

Since the cobbler closed downtown, your best bet is to head to Top Shelf Menswear in New Cumberland. I’ve noticed Dave Wise has a forest of shoetrees and will prune your bad habits with his extensive knowledge on this stuff.

Wise would even tell ya, “Keep ‘em shined!” No Internet banana-peel tricks. Just use some good, old-fashioned shoe polish, an old T-shirt and elbow grease. Women may still have our closets beat with quantity of shoes, but we should at least battle back with quality. Remember, it always feels good to upgrade your anchors.

Our Sharp Press Man, Dave Marcheskie, is a reporter for abc27 News. If you’d like to ask Dave a question, please email it to [email protected]. He may use it in a future column.

This column is sponsored by and the shoes were provided by Top Shelf Menswear, 300 Bridge St., New Cumberland, 717-770-2080. www.topshelfmenswear.com.

CASA Student Scribes: Fade Away

April 30, 2015 | by Yaasmeen Piper

My eyes flutter open. The light hanging above my head nearly blinds me. The first thing I see: the wooden ceiling covered in chipped red paint. To my right is a wall full of old wine bottles, cardboard boxes with baby clothes spilling out, and numerous bobble heads my dad swore he threw out.

I’m in my shed.

I have no idea how I got here, but I guess it’s better than laying in a ditch somewhere or waking up with a face tattoo. Now that I think about it, I grab my face feeling for any abnormalities when red catches my eye. Blood. With having two older brothers the sight of blood is nothing new, but seeing my hands and t-shirt covered in it and possessing no memory of how it got there gives me an uneasy feeling. I scan my body looking for any open wounds. Nothing, and other than the throbbing in my head, I feel no pain. I gradually sit up and immediately feel hundreds of tiny soldiers stomp around in my head. I rub my temples but the throbbing continues. Tiny drops of blood scatter around my sneakers. I raise my head to see a trail of blood leading to the door. I follow them. I expect to see a dead body at the end of it. It’s probably Jack the Jock. I always hated that guy with his perfect hair and perfect teeth. Maybe my drunk self ripped them out. The thought kind of makes me smile.

The trail ends at the door. Slowly, I creep the door open, preparing for the worst. I’m greeted by blinding sunlight. I examine my surroundings: grass with daisies and tulips popping up from the ground, a tall oak tree, which I jumped off in seventh grade and broke my leg, and a white house full of parents that are probably looking for an explanation. No dead body, but a bloody handprint smudged at the doorjamb as if the person stumbled out of the shed. Around the fingernail impressions, four tiny indents mar the wood, each displaying a piece of purple paint. I match my hand to them. The fingers are too skinny to be mine, which confirms my original theory: the blood scattered around the shed and on my clothes doesn’t belong to me.

The Monday morning chatter at school consists of Natalie Thelman’s party. The hundreds that attended recalled their favorite moments (like when Trish threw up on Ava and Chad did the “chicken challenge,” whatever that is). Those who didn’t go told stories they heard had from others. I don’t remember any of it, the entire night a blur. The last thing I remember after walking in with Travis is seeing Lila. From twenty feet away, I still smelled her: fresh strawberries and rain. It made me sick watching her straddle Jack the Jock that night, knowing we had broken up just two weeks before.

I find Travis in the main hall, eager to tell him about the blood I found in the shed. I wave at him from a few feet away, but he doesn’t meet my eyes. His body stiffens, face goes pale as if he’s going to puke any second.

“Hey Travis,” I call after him, catching up to him. “Why do you…” I pause, following his gaze. About ten police officers scatter around the hallway. Two officers talk to our principal, Ms. Andrews. The others chat up some students who look like they’re about to crap their pants.

“Ah man, this is it, “ says Travis, trembling. “I knew I shouldn’t have downloaded all that illegal music. Oh god, I can’t make it in prison. Do you see this face? I’ll be someone’s bitch within the first twenty-four hours.”

“Calm down. I’m sure they aren’t here for you.” But my heartbeat quickens. What if they know about the blood in the shed? What if I really did hurt someone? What if I murdered someone?

“…I’ll move to Canada and change my name, “ Travis continues. “William Chatterberry. Yeah, I like that.“

“Hey,” I call to a girl named April as she struts my way. “Do you know why they’re here?” I motion toward the cops.

She looks both ways then leans in.

“That Charlie girl went missing Friday night,” she whispers. “The last time anyone saw her was at Natalie’s party.”

Charlie Westbrooks, Crestwood’s infamous rebel. I have creative writing class with her. I usually joke around in that class unlike Charlie. Her poetry and stories are rich and oozing with pain. Every time she presents I get lost in her chaotic world. I just never heard someone so…broken.

Travis lets out a loud sigh of relief and collapses back onto the lockers.

“Do they have any leads?” I stuff my shaking hands in my pocket.

April shakes her head. “Not that I know of.”

“Excuse me.” I squeeze past her and start toward the officers. I keep my eyes focused on everything but them. I lean down to tie my shoe close enough to overhear one of the conversations.

“Last time I saw her she was in the pool—fully clothed,” says a student. “She was alone.”

“Do you know anything about Ms.Thelman’s car?”

He shakes his head.

Suddenly a cold hand grips my arms and pulls me into a dark classroom.

“What the hell?” I stare down at my little sister, Riley.

“I should ask you the same thing.” She shoves her phone in my face. I pull her hand back and stare at the picture. Natalie, in a black crop top and skinny jeans, chugs beer straight from the keg while a plethora of teens cheer her on.

“Wow,” I say, sarcasm lacing my voice. “Natalie sure is impressive.”

“Not that, you idiot.” She takes the phone and zooms in on two people. It’s a moment before I realize one of them is me. The other Charlie. It looks like we’re stepping out into the backyard. My arm is laced around hers. I’m smiling like an idiot staring at the ground. Charlie stares into the camera looking like a deer in headlights. My focus zooms in on her hand resting on the doorway, mostly her fingernails. Her purple fingernails.

Oh god. “Oh god.” My hands shake so severely I nearly drop the phone.

“I know. Garrett told me he saw Charlie pulling off in Natalie’s car with someone. He couldn’t identify the passenger. Let’s keep it that way. If the police saw this you could get in some serious trouble.”

They’d take me into questioning no doubt. What would I say? Sorry officer, I was too drunk to remember anything, but I did wake up with her blood all over me and I’m just now telling you about it. I might as well just write guilty on my forehead.

“Crap crap crap,” I pace the floor. “Who else has seen this?”

“I found it on Garrett’s phone. He left at the party.”

“Delete it. Now.” My voice came out more menacing than intended. I can’t shake this uneasy feeling in my gut. The last time I got that drunk was when my father caught my mother cheating on him. It tore the family apart and I was a wreck for months, but even then I remembered most things. This night comes up completely blank.

“Even if I did delete it, what if someone else has it on camera? What if the police see it?” says Riley.

I press my palms into my eyes. She’s right. There’s only one thing left to do.

“I need to find Charlie.”

Walking home I keep looking over my shoulder expecting a swat team to roll out of the bushes at any moment. I thought it was over when the cops left the school until I see them posted in Joe’s Coffee Shop and some local gas stations. I panic and quickly alter my path. I cut toward Perch Park. Silence and tall trees with decaying leaves surround me. Most importantly, it was cop free. My body relaxes. Something I haven’t done since Sunday morning.

A car engine roars in the distance. I see sunbeams bounce off the red and blue siren. I freeze. Cops. Without thinking, I dash through the woods, my arms in perfect right angles. I keep running until my lungs overflow with air and my knees begin to give out. I collapse onto the leaves and my back strikes a cold, metal object. I groan in agony. I look behind me to see a pastel, blue convertible. Band stickers cover the passenger’s side door and a pair of tiny flip flops hang from the mirror. This car could only belong to one person: Natalie Thelman.

Charlie has to be close and I need to find her before the police do. I scan the car. Glass litters the front seat. An orange towel, spotted with red is tucked under the driver’s seat . A blue cabin, overgrown with vines and moss, and looking like it could collapse at any moment, appears a few feet away. A shadow moves across the second story window. My heart skips a beat. A tiny voice in the back of my mind echoes: Charlie. I grab the largest stick I could find and creep closer, peeking through the window. There’s a single floral couch. No Charlie in sight. I inch toward the front door and pull the knob. Unlocked. If the person who kidnapped/ murdered Charlie is here they sure are dumb. What criminal leaves the door unlocked? Unless there’s something in here they want me to find.

The wood creaks under my Doc Martens. The room reeks of dust and moss, the sun escaping from the cracked windows my only source of light. The thump of footsteps comes closer. I tiptoe up the stairs holding the stick out in front of me, stopping at the second to top step. I lean against the wall until I look into one of the bedrooms. There’s a twin bed with a thick white blanket. I was about to dismiss the room as clear when a male body moves into view. Tattoos run down his arm and poke out of the back of his black tank top. He talks into a flip phone and by his red face and the vein popping out of his forehead, I can see he’s not happy.

I tighten my grip around the stick and inch closer.

I’m going to die. This man is ten times bigger than me, but what do I have to lose? Soon I’ll be the number one suspect in the missing Charlie case.

A step closer.

Who will get my things? I never had time to write a will. Oh god, I hope Travis clears my internet history.

I step into the second floor hallway. The guy slowly turns my way when I feel damp hands wrap around my mouth and pull my shirt. They drag me down the hall. I had no time to scream or react before they slam me against a wall and flick on the light. I was about to protest but then I notice the thick red curls. I smile. Charlie.

My mouth opens as her chipped, purple fingernails crush my throat.

“What the hell are you doing here?” says Charlie. “ Do you have a death wish?” Her grip tightens. My windpipe grows narrower and narrower.

“You’re. Choking. Me.” I gasp. Her face remains stern but she removes her hand. I dive in and hug her, happy that she’s here and breathing instead of a bag of bones. Her arms shoot up as if she’s about to be arrested. I hear something crunch. I feel a thick cloth on her lower abdomen.

I reach my hand toward it. “Hey what’s—” She smacks my hand away.

“Charlie?” I hear a male voice call.

“I’m fine, Lee.”

“Lee?” I whisper to her. “You’re friends with your kidnapper?” Oh no. She’s delusional.

“Kidnapper? What are you. . .you need to go now.” Charlie nudges me toward the door but I push her hand away.

“No. Not until we call the police and I get some damn answers. Half the town is looking for you.”

Her expression softens and I swear I see tears swell in her eyes. “They’re… they’re looking for me?”

“Yes. That’s what the town does when people go missing. Now, let’s go.” I grab her by her arm but she slaps my hands away.

“No. I can’t.”

“You have to. People think you’re dead.”

“Let them think that.”

“And they think I did it.” Well, that’s not exactly true. Not yet anyways. “Why was your blood all over my shed?” I look down at her lower abdomen. “What happened that night?”

“It’s better you don’t remember.”

I step closer to her. “What happened to you?”

“Leave it alone, Noah.” She turns away from me.

“Tell me. Did I hurt you?”

She rolls her eyes.

“Tell me. I can take it.”

She shakes her head.

“Please.”

Charlie stands face to face with me. She searches for something in my eyes, then speaks. “Someone is trying to kill me.”

Yaasmeen Piper is a senior at Capital Area Charter School for the Arts.

Peace in the City: In Riverfront Park, a tranquil, inspirational respite.

April 30, 2015 | by Missy Smith

Walking or jogging through Riverfront Park, you may get a serene feeling as you enter the Peace Garden.

You might see garden coordinator Gwen Lehman in the dirt, volunteering her time to give some love to the various flowers planted throughout the natural, tranquil space. Or maybe you have only seen the garden as a blur through the car window while traveling down N. Front Street.

As May brings its sun and warmth, Peace Garden will begin to show its true magnificence, offering an oasis of calm and beauty amidst the busy city.

Up for the Challenge

Peace Garden traces its roots to 1990, when Harrisburg pediatrician James Jones returned from a gathering of the International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War in Hiroshima, Japan.

“The co-founder of [IPPNW], Dr. Bernard Lown, challenged us to create parks to affirm life’s fragility and the human spirit’s resilience,” recalled Jones, who at the time was president of the Harrisburg-Hershey chapter of U.S. affiliate Physicians for Social Responsibility (PSR). “There are many parks and statues dedicated to wars, battles and soldiers, but few to the protection of the environment and the pursuit of peace.”

He came home inspired and ready to act and was met with a positive response from members of PSR and city officials in Harrisburg.

The physicians envisioned an artistically designed, natural public space with annual and perennial plants, striking sculptures and a coming together as a community.

“The Peace Garden planted flowers and trees for beauty and ideas promoting peace, justice and the environment, in plaques and sculptures overlooking the beautiful Susquehanna River,” explained James.

Local organizations, churches, rotary foundations and social clubs donated the plaques.

“[The donors] really represent a broad spectrum of Harrisburg,” said Lehman. “As stated on the dedication plaques at each of the designated, three-block areas along the beautiful Susquehanna River, the Peace Garden is dedicated to the pursuit of peace and the preservation of our earth.”

The overall message, she said, is that the natural world, nations and the welfare of individuals are inextricably linked.

“We hope that people take the time to stop and read the messages on plaques,” she said. “They are some of the most thoughtful ideas from people all over the world.”

A Major Joy

Writer, artist and oral surgeon Frederick Frank—who worked alongside Dr. Albert Schweitzer in Africa—created life-size sculptures depicting the infamous destruction in Hiroshima, while allowing viewers to reflect on the power of new life and hope that is born after horror.

Long-time coordinator Michael Lehman designed the main garden beds when PSR first created the Peace Garden. Five years ago, Gwen Lehman took over as coordinator, and, each year, along with PSR volunteers, leads the task of planting all of the flowers and beautifying the garden.

“Physicians for Social Responsibility is primarily in charge of the design, maintenance and upkeep, but the Peace Garden has been a true partnership with the city of Harrisburg,” said Lehman, explaining that the city provides the land, water and some mowing. “They have been great to work with during these 20 years. This is a really positive public/private partnership that I’d really love to see more of.”

This cooperation has allowed Harrisburg-area residents to take time away from their busy lives and to be inspired and to enjoy the peace that only nature can offer.

“I feel good when I’m there, partly because of its beauty and partly because of the inspiration of the things I read when I’m there,” said Lehman. “It is a major joy for me.”

Planting and pruning, she experiences first-hand how much the garden has touched people.

“Almost always, someone stops with appreciation or they call things out as they are running by,” she said. “I think people really do appreciate the fact that there is a place like this in the city. Sometimes, people will hand me $20 while I’m working.”

Lehman also believes that the Peace Garden brings people together in a community who otherwise can be alienated from one another.

“There are typically deep divisions in greater Harrisburg, between people who are financially challenged and who are not,” she said. “Peace Garden is really a space where all aspects of our community come together. We all need to be reminded of the power of ideas for good, and I think natural beauty is the most effective way of taking us outside of ourselves.”

Keep Peace Alive

Maintaining the Peace Garden takes a large commitment of resources.

PSR has a core group of volunteers dedicated to ensuring that the garden continues to thrive, but, as with any volunteer effort, donations of time are much needed, especially around the middle of May.

“In one day, we’ll put in about 1,000 individual plants,” Lehman said. “That’s the time of greatest need in terms of physical labor.”

PSR also needs volunteers who can help with routine weeding in the summer, she added.

And, of course, donations are always welcomed.

“This is an expensive endeavor, to put in the number of flowers we plant every year,” said Lehman. “We put in the irrigation system, which was expensive. We hire a landscaping company to do heavy lifting for us, and they edge all of the beds.”

Each October, PSR holds an annual banquet, which is a major fundraiser for the garden. Also, it has established an endowment fund through The Foundation for Enhancing Communities to help support the work.

“All the funds to carry out the mission are privately provided by Physicians for Social Responsibility, other individuals and organizations,” said Jones.

Those wishing to donate funds to the Peace Garden can do so by contacting The Foundation for Enhancing Communities at 717-236-5040 or by visiting www.tfec.org.

For more information about the Harrisburg-Hershey chapter of the Physicians for Social Responsibility and the Peace Garden, visit www.psr.org/chapters/harrisburg.

Eat With Purpose: Good food, a good cause at the monthly Harrisburg Food Truck Feast.

April 30, 2015 | by Rebecca Hanlon

Olivia and Rodrigo Madrigal

Olivia Madrigal wants to give something back to the city that has supported her through the years.

As the co-owner of MAD Sandwiches and the organizer of 3rd in The Burg’s Harrisburg Food Truck Feast, Madrigal looked on the masses that flood Midtown Harrisburg those Friday nights and wondered if they could all work together to do something great.

“Any time I’ve ever had the opportunity to give back, I’m overwhelmed by how great it feels,” Madrigal said. “I wanted to magnify that.”

Madrigal came up with the idea to benefit a different Harrisburg-based charity each month during the feast, which takes place at N. 3^rd and Harris streets every third Friday of the month through October.

A different organization has been selected for each month, and donation boxes and cash jars will be set out so visitors can make contributions, Madrigal said. While she hasn’t set any goals for how much she wants to collect each month, she knows every little bit helps feed someone who is hungry or clothe someone who has nothing.

“We wish we had enough resources to reach out beyond Harrisburg, but we don’t want to stretch ourselves too thin,” Madrigal said. “Instead, I think we can make a greater impact on the organizations that are doing good work right here.”

She also hopes to give incentives to encourage people to donate, such as coupons to use at the food trucks or random drawings for event tickets. Whatever helps people give, she said, is worth it.

Food trucks that participate in the monthly event also are doing their part to give back. Part of the $60 fee for each participating truck covers advertising, a special events license from the city and the rental of portable toilets. Any money left over after those initial fees will be donated to charity, Madrigal said.

The first charity to benefit during the April feast was the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank. Brad Peterson, director of communications for the organization, said they usually ask for non-perishable items, such as peanut butter, canned tuna and canned fruits and vegetables. Cereal, pasta, rice and soups also tend to be in high demand, he said.

The impact the food bank has on Dauphin County alone is substantial, Peterson said.

In 2014, Dauphin County residents received 7.4 million pounds of food, or the equivalent of 6.1 million meals, he said. The food bank served about 22,500 households in Dauphin County that same year, he said.

Dauphin County is one of 27 counties the food bank serves and has just a fraction of the 55,000 people who use its services each week.

“The food bank relies on donations to fulfill our mission,” he said. “More than 80 percent of the food we distribute comes from donations, so public support and donations are vital to our work and the people we serve.”

The YWCA of Greater Harrisburg is the charity selected for May, Madrigal said.

The organization provides care to single women and children through its emergency shelter, and it empowers those women through its housing program, clothing and food bank, life skills education and drug and alcohol recovery support groups.

Tina Nixon, chief executive officer of the YWCA of Greater Harrisburg, said she thought adding a charity element to the feast was a great way to make the event about everyone in the community.

“It’s good that the community is engaged in what we do,” Nixon said. “We see a lot of women come here who want to give back later. There seems to be this constant circle of support in Harrisburg, and I’m so grateful for it.”

The YWCA is often in need of new bath towels, hand towels, pillows and twin sheet sets, Nixon said. They also need umbrellas, underwear and socks. Gift cards for groceries, clothing stores and other items also are accepted.

Many of the women who seek refuge in the emergency shelter arrive with just the clothes on their backs, Nixon said. Anything the shelter can give them—from a toothbrush to a new sweater—is a great comfort, she said.

Madrigal hopes to spread the word about each month’s charity through announcements on NASH FM 106.7, as well as on the event’s Facebook page.

Some people didn’t come to the feast last year, she said, because they felt they didn’t have anywhere to park. She hopes people keep in mind that they can park directly in the lot where the trucks are set up at no additional cost.

For Madrigal, the opportunity to give back is a call she has to answer. She still has a few charities to add to the calendar for the rest of the year, but she knows that any organization they choose will benefit.

“There’s a lot of need in our community,” she said. “We want to give back without seeking anything in return. This city means that much to us.”

Harrisburg Food Truck Feast takes places every third Friday of the month during 3^rd in The Burg. The trucks gather in the parking lot at N. 3^rd and Harris streets starting at 5 p.m. For more information on the featured food trucks and charities, visit their Facebook page: HBG Food Truck Feast. This month, 3^rd in The Burg takes place May 15.

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