Student Scribes: Tricky Transport, Tackling Troubles with Trolleys

April 30, 2015 | by Mary Imgrund

Walking towards the stop, the man sees a bus pull up and drive away within secondsof hisreaching the sign. A 15-minute walk later, he finds himself at the next stop along the way; after waiting 20 minutes, he is left disappointed again. Even after waving and locking eyes with the driver, he is ignored, stranded once again. “I wasn’t worth the stop,” he sarcastically thinks to himself. He decides to take a taxi home.

This story was told to me by a friend who has lived in Harrisburg for most of his life. Though public transportation should be the heart of any city hoping to avoid being cut off from itself, many find personal vehicles necessary to get around the Harrisburg area. Transportation does not need to be that way. Harrisburg used to have trolleys—the proof, their tracks, is buried by asphalt. Though companies who own and operate the bus system might say otherwise, trolleys are the most efficient way to move people.

Not only would a trolley system be more fuel efficient than both buses and privately owned vehicles, it would also cut back on many traffic problems. According to a study implemented by the Central European Programme, trolleys, running on electricity, would demand fewer variable costs than buses running on petroleum, which varies greatly in price. Citizens would enjoy less noise and fewer emissions. Because they cannot move from their tracks, these streetcars would need to run on a very regular schedule; buses remain subverted by traffic and the whims of their drivers. A trolley can’t cut anyone off, nor would it take up two lanes of traffic making awkward turns. They would cut down on the need for privately owned cars, which take up highly prized parking spaces and cause damage to frequently traveled roads. Commuters often drive through the city to their place of work then promptly leave at five. Many don’t live within the city limits, so the community is not compensated by their earnings.

A trolley system could improve both the traffic and carbon footprint of the city, as well as interpersonal relationships in the community. Rather than driving from destination to destination, isolated from the other drivers and pedestrians, trolley riders would be forced to travel with each other through the city. It would reinforce the notion that Harrisburg is the center of commerce and recreation and make travelers interact with each other.

Many cities such as Portland, Cincinnati and Charlotte have brought public transportation and environmental issues into the spotlight by investing in an ultimately successful streetcar system. I stayed in Toronto for a week and a half with a class, and, while I was there, I was shocked by how easy it was to navigate the city, how safe I felt doing so when using the user-friendly streetcar system. Toronto still had buses, bike lanes and even some personal cars, but the trolleys were what we used most frequently. I never once felt crowded, stressed or worn out by my travels there. The abundance of public transportation made me feel immediately connected to the city because my desire for exploration was not only easily satiated, but encouraged.

A streetcar system would simplify some of the complications of city life: being on tracks makes trolley travel more dependable than buses, and, as such, trolley-riding would become more appealing than driving. Fewer cars on the road mean fewer repairs, more community spirit andsmaller environmental impact. Shouldn’t Harrisburg, as the capital city, set the example for the rest of the state?

Mary Imgrund is a senior English major at Penn State Harrisburg.

A River Connects Us: As the weather warms, take time to enjoy the glorious Susquehanna.

April 30, 2015 | by Tara Leo Auchey

Harrisburg is a river city.

It’s the reason it exists in the first place. The enterprising and astute John Harris realized the significance of this location when he came here in the early 1700s and established himself on the mighty Susquehanna.

Until the 20^th century, the Susquehanna and its banks were primarily used for commerce, disposal of the city’s sewage and rubbish, and, ironically, drinking water. However, the City Beautiful movement of 1902 to 1926 changed that. Riverfront Park was built, along with the Dock Street Dam, so that the river could be enjoyed and used for swimming and boating.

That’s precisely what I do every summer.

About two years after we moved to the city, we bought a pontoon boat. It’s a used gem with a hard top and plenty of seating for all-day floats on the river. We dock it at one of the marinas on City Island and can easily walk there from our house when we want to.

For us, it’s our getaway. Pretty much every weekend from May to October—weather and water conditions permitting—you’ll find us in our favorite spots just a stone’s pitch from the concrete steps of the city. However, it’s not something we do just on the weekends. The proximity permits us to go any time we want to watch the sunset, have our dinner, and unwind from a long day.

The views are stunning. We’ve seen the state Capitol dome and surrounding buildings drenched in the hot pink glow of a setting summer sun. We’ve watched spectacular lightning storms from afar and seen blue moons rise more than once.

Of course, we’re not alone out there. There are many others enjoying the water, including fellow pontooners, jet skiers, kayakers, canoers, paddle boarders and folks fishing. In fact, one of the most remarkable things about recreation on the river is that there are people from all over the region enjoying Harrisburg in that way.

Then there’s the wildlife. We have kayaks tied up to our old boat, and, when we’re in the mood, we take adventures through the islands of the Susquehanna. It’s magnificent, not just the serene scenery of lush flora but especially the birds. We’ve observed bald eagles swoop to catch fish, an American coot nest in the marshes, blue herons dance in courtship, and anyone who follows my water escapades knows I befriended a loon a couple of years ago.

Not enough can be said about the incredible bird-watching from the middle of the river. This area is a National Audubon Society designated “Important Bird Area,” and it’s known for its waterfowl and birds of prey. As Paul Zeph, director of conservation for Audubon Pennsylvania, once said, “The birds of this crossroads epitomize what a special, amazing place this is.”

This place is special and amazing, and more people need to realize how much of that is based on Harrisburg being a river city. We’ve had many guests on the boat, and just like us, they, too, have been struck with the awareness that being near the water and on the water makes you understand better just how poignant and important Harrisburg is.

I’ve encountered many people who grew up in the city and steer clear of the water. I’ve been told it’s because it’s safer that way. After all, it is the mighty Susquehanna, and it can be more dangerous than it looks.

After rains, it can be high and swift and filled with debris, such as floating logs and branches. When the waters go down, large, jagged rocks sit unseen right below the surface. The Susquehanna River is wide, powerful and constantly changing with the seasons and weather.

Some mothers have warned children to stay away from the water to be safe.

I, of course, do not advocate that.

Rather, I believe we should embrace the river, learn about it, know it and respect it. There are lots of ways to do that.

Take a ride on the Pride riverboat and check out its River School for the kids. Walk the river or sit on the beach at City Island. Rent a kayak from Susquehanna Outfitters along with a guided tour. If you’re so inclined, do some research. The Susquehanna River Basin Commission, Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission and the Chesapeake Bay Foundation (yes, Harrisburg falls in the bay’s watershed, which makes the people of Harrisburg stewards of the bay, a considerable responsibility) are great sources to get you started on discovering the importance of the river.

I love the river. I never cease to exalt its value or appreciate its mightiness. I never take for granted what an asset it is to my home city.

The Susquehanna River is the region’s splendor. It offers something to everyone. It brings us together. It connects us as a resource. We all share in its power and wonder.

And it’s worth saying again, it’s why this place—all of it from East Shore to West Shore—even exists in the first place.

That’s something to appreciate.

Tara Leo Auchey is creator and editor of today’s the day Harrisburg. www.todaysthedayhbg.com

Of Drama, Comedy: Jewish Film Festival takes on the light, the dark.

April 30, 2015 | by Barbara Trainin Blank

Ida

Cecilia Peck remembers her first meeting with Linor Abargil back in 2008. The Miss World winner of 1998 was looking for a filmmaker to recount her story.

Just six weeks before attaining her crown, the then-18-year-old Israeli had been a victim of a terrifying kidnapping, stabbing and rape in Milan.

“Linor had vowed then to tell her story one day,” said Peck, a director/producer and daughter of actor Gregory Peck. “But it took her 10 years to heal and get ready. She wanted to make a film about her fight for justice, in the hopes of encouraging other survivors of rape around the world not to be ashamed and not to stay silent.”

Peck created “Brave Miss World,” an Emmy-nominated documentary about Abargil’s journey from rape victim to global activist. She realized that a documentary with a powerful narrative could be impactful.

“Linor was so riveting in person,” Peck said. “She was determined to change the way people think about rape. But she was also very vulnerable, willing to risk her hard-fought healing to do a film that could help others.”

The screening will be followed by a panel discussion featuring Kristen Houser, vice president of public relations for the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape; Rhonda Hendrickson, director of violence intervention and prevention services at the YWCA Greater Harrisburg; and Kate Cook, a local rape survivor-activist.

“Brave Miss World” is the opening film in this year’s Harrisburg Jewish Film Festival, which this month celebrates its 21^st year.

The festival offers other dramatic films. “The Green Prince” is a documentary account of Moab Hassan Youssef, son of a Hamas leader, who emerged as one of Israel’s prized informants and the Shin Bet (internal security service) agent Gonan Ben Yitzhak, who risked his career to protect him.

More wrenching is “24 Days,” the French true-life thriller based on the 2006 abduction in Paris of French Jew Ilan Halimi. It was a case the police treated as an ordinary, for-ransom kidnapping, ignoring the anti-Semitic elements. Prof. Robert Weiner of Lafayette College will speak after the film.

Nominated for three Israeli Academy Awards, “Apples in the Desert” concerns Rebecca, an only child, who lives a cloistered existence with her strictly religious Sephardic parents in Jerusalem. Unhappy with the restrictions of home and community, she secretly breaks taboos and attends dance classes, where she forms a relationship with secular kibbutznik Dooby.

“It’s a good coming-of-age story,” said Julie Sherman, festival chairwoman and coordinator. “Since this is the Film Festival’s 21^st year, we selected a few films with a coming-of-age theme.”

Also featured is the Polish movie “Ida.” The 2013 Oscar-winning Best Foreign Film concerns a young woman on the verge of taking vows as a nun. Orphaned as an infant, she meets her aunt, her only living relative, who tells Ida her parents were Jewish. The two women embark on a road trip into the Polish countryside to learn the fate of their family.

Two other Holocaust-era films are “Run, Boy, Run,” the true story of a Polish boy who seeks the kindness of others in his solitary struggle to outlast the Nazi occupation and keep alive his Jewish faith, and “The Last Mentsch,” about a survivor of Auschwitz who has denied his identity.

Also included is the Golden Globe-nominated courtroom drama, “Gett: The Trial of Viviane Amsalem.” An Israeli woman (Ronit Elkabetz) is trapped in a loveless marriage and seeks to finalize a divorce from her estranged husband. In Orthodoxy, dissolution of a marriage is possible only with the husband’s full consent, and her devout husband refuses.

If the festival seems drama-heavy, it is also full of comedies, said Sherman.

“There are comic films for everyone,” she said. “These include the date-night film, ‘It Happened in St. Tropez,’ a fun, light, romantic comedy/French farce with exaggerated family conflicts between two brothers who are always fighting and love triangles that will particularly appeal to Baby Boomers.”

Israel’s “Hunting Elephants” is a coming-of-age crime comedy about a 12-year-old who bands together with his grandfather and two elderly men to rob the bank the boy’s father had worked in. “The film is great fun and appeals across generations,” said Sherman.

“Zero Motivation” has been called a movie that combines “Private Benjamin” and “M*A*S*H,” but, Sherman said, it can be more accurately described as “M*A*S*H” meets “Office Space.”

In a remote desert military base, a platoon of young female Israeli conscripts serve out their time playing computer games, singing pop songs, and conspiring to get transferred to Tel Aviv—while endlessly serving coffee to the men in charge.

“It’s definitely a millennial movie,” Sherman said.

The 2015 Jewish Film Festival opens May 14 with “Brave Miss World” at the Jewish Community Center, 3301 N. Front St., Harrisburg. It continues May 15 to 21 at Midtown Cinema, 250 Reily St., Harrisburg. A full schedule of films can be found at www.hbgjff.com.

For more information about the special screening of “Brave Miss World,” contact Roberta Silver at [email protected] or 717-379-5997.

Happenings: May’s Calendar of Events

April 30, 2015 | by Admin

Museum & Art Spaces

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

Works by Marianne Friedman and daughter Lindsey Miller; reception, May 15, 6-9 p.m.

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

“Lotus: The Art of Lightness,” featuring Lotus road and racing cars, through April 26.

“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, May 23-Oct. 11.

“A Family Affair,” an exhibit celebrating the station wagon, May 23-Oct. 12.

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

“The MakeSpace Arts Collective,” an exhibit featuring the artists of The MakeSpace in Harrisburg, through May 7.

“87^th Annual International Juried Show,” May 15-June 18; reception, May 16, 6-9 p.m.

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

Artist of the Month: Annie Chase

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

Artwork by Beverly Spitzer and Michele Taber, through May 4.

The works of Larry Doyle and Mairin Egge, May 9-June 13; reception, May 15, 6-9 p.m.

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

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

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

“Artistic Expressions: 6^th Annual Central Pennsylvania Student Art Show,” an exhibit celebrating the works of exemplary student artists from secondary schools throughout our area, through May 19; reception, May 15, 5-9 p.m.

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

“Director’s Choice,” featuring the director’s favorite works of student art from PCCA’s 2015 Youth Art Day, through June 5; reception, May 8, 6 to 8:30 p.m.

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

Works by Gianna Veno & Elide Hower, though May.

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

“In the Hands of the Enemy: Captivity, Parole & Exchange of Prisoners in the Civil War,” through June 1.

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

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

The art of David Hughes, through May 30

“Abandoned America,” photography by Matthew Christopher, through June 27

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

“Creative Synthesis of Organic Life,” highlighting modern-styled pressed wildflower pictures by Judy Bouder and rustic and elegant turned wooden burl vessels by Toby Bouder, through June 6; reception, May 8, 6-8:30 p.m.

Rose Lehrman Art Gallery
One HACC Drive, Harrisburg
717-780-2435; hacc.edu

“Student Honors Shows,” through May 8.

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

“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

“Everyone Can Fly: Faith Ringgold’s Tar Beach & Regional Picture Book Illustrators,” through May 24.

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

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

Art by Susan Kramer, through May 13.

Artwork by Andy Getty and Ashley Zimmer, May 15-June 13.

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

The artwork of Jamie Rice and Adrianne Rice Visnofsky, through May 13.

Read, Make, Learn

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

May 6: Sensational Salmon and Sides, 6-9 p.m.
May 22: Magic of the Mediterranean, 6:30-9:30 p.m.
May 27: Creative Crab, 6-9 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

May 14, 28: Aging with Pride Lunchtime Discussion, 12-2 p.m.

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

May 24: Figure Drawing

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

May 1, 8, 22, 29: Nathaniel Gadsden’s Spoken Word Café, 7 p.m.
May 2: Storytime w/Rovenia Braddy, 11 a.m.
May 2: Good News Café, 6 p.m.
May 3, 10, 17, 24, 31: TED Talks, 1 p.m.
May 5: Sci-Fi Writers Group, 7 p.m.
May 6, 13, 20, 27: Midtown Chess Club, 11 a.m.
May 6: Alder Healthcare Community Class, Transgender Children, 6 p.m.
May 7, 14, 21, 28: Almost Uptown Poetry Cartel, 7 p.m.
May 9: Parents of Midtown, 10 a.m.
May 9: Earth Day Celebration, 11 a.m.
May 10, 24: Central PA Writers Workshop, 5 p.m.
May 12: Dauphin County Young Democrats, 7 p.m.
May 14, 21: Camp Curtin Toastmasters, 6:30 p.m.
May 15: Coffee Education with café staff, noon
May 15: Tea Tasting with café staff, 2 p.m.
May 16: Coffee & Critique Designer Workshop, 8:30 a.m.
May 16: Storytime, 11 a.m.
May 16: Book-signing with Chris Papst, 2 p.m.
May 17: Midtown Writers Group, 1 p.m.
May 17: LGBT Book Club, 5 p.m.
May 20: Sci-Fi/Fantasy Book Club, 7 p.m.
May 23: Book talk/signing w/Jim Remsen & Stan Harris
May 25: Feminist Book Club, 7 p.m.
May 30: Kalpa Bhadra Kadampa Buddhist Center program, 11 a.m.
May 30: Outdoor Crafts w/Aletheia
May 30: Book talk/signing w/Lucy Murray & Market Square Concerts

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

May 5: Abstract Weekly Class
May 13, 27: May Watercolor Workshop
May 16: Rock and Roll Day of Painting

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

May 14: Discovery Lecture Series, “Wild Edibles,” 7 p.m.
May 20: “Adopt-a-Monarch,” 7 p..m.

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

May 2: “Ekphrastic,” making poetry from art, noon (children), 2:30 p.m. (adults)
May 3: “What a Character!” 3 p.m. (children)

Untitled: A Storytelling Project
untitledhbg.com

May 14: Theme: “Race,” 8 p.m. (at Harrisburg Brethren in Christ Church)

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

May 3: Discovery Walk, 1-2:30 p.m.
May 6: Bird Walk, “Peak Migration,” 7:30-9:30 a.m.
May 10: Meet a Naturalist, “Wildwood’s Wetland Animals,” 1-3 p.m.
May 10: Flower Walk, “Spring Flowers,” 1:30-3 p.m.
May 13: Stress Relief Walk, 6-7:30 p.m.
May 16: Bird Walk, “Songbirds,” 8-10 a.m.
May 17: Creature Feature, “The Honey Bee,” 1-2 p.m.
May 19: Outdoor Learning Day, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
May 23: Outdoor Skills, “Wild Edible Plants,” 1-2:30 p.m.
May 31: Wild About Art, “Flower Pressing,” 12:30-3 p.m.

Live Music Around Harrisburg

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

May 1: “Abba: The Concert”
May 8: Air Supply
May 9: Hotel California
May 17: Neil Sedaka
May 29: “In the Mood”

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

May 1: Nate Myers and the Aces
May 2: The Bird Reserve, Humandala, Close to Consideration
May 3: Nordic Fiddlers Bloc
May 8: Flux Capacitor
May 9: Willie Jack and the Northern Light
May 22: Blueprint featuring Supastition & DJ Rare Groove
May 27: The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion
May 29: YARN and Blind Owl Band
May 30: Yo Mama’s Big Fat Booty Band

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

May 2: The Coalishun
May 16: The Coalishun

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

May 1, 15: Noel Gevers
May 2, 19, 29: Roy Lefever
May 5: Daniel Sheehan
May 6: Marcus Spreecher
May 7, 9, 23, 25: Chris Emkey
May 8, 22: Ted Ansel
May 10, 21, 24: Anthony Haubert
May 12: Deborah Anderson
May 13: Julie Moffitt
May 14, 20, 27: Jessica Cook
May 16: Jeff Waters
May 26: Christine Purcell
May 28: Giovanni Triano

Central PA Friends of Jazz
www.friendsofjazz.org

May 31: Steve Nelson Group (Rose Lehrman Arts Center)

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

May 4: Of Montreal & Icky Blossoms
May 8: Rage Against the Machine 2
May 12: Papa Roach
May 13: Yelawolf
May 15: Scott Weiland and the Wildabouts
May 16: Black Stone Cherry & Surfer Blood
May 23: The Contortionist

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

May 1: Antonio Andrade
May 2: Jim Haas
May 3: Chad Wright
May 8: Buc Hill Aces
May 9: Joe Cooney
May 10: Elliot H. Ray
May 15: Kevin Kline
May 16: Norma Swain & Friends
May 17: Yankee Blood
May 22: Josh Krevsky
May 23: Doug Morris (Bob Dylan celebration)
May 24: Rivers
May 29: Steve Wilkins
May 30: Tina Marie Young
May 31: Marc Lubbers

The Garlic Poet
148 Sheraton Dr., New Cumberland
717-774-5435; garlicpoet.com

May 7: Shea Quinn
May 14: Aaron Daniel Gaul
May 21: Josh Dominick
May 28: Mike Banks

Harrisburg Gay Men’s Chorus
harrisburggaymenschorus.org

May 9-10: “Icons & Divas” (at Penn State Harrisburg Black Box Theater)

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

May 2-3: “An Evening of Rodgers & Hammerstein Classics”
May 5: Stuart and Friends (at Rose Lehrman Art Center)
May 10: Harrisburg Symphony Youth Orchestra
May 16-17: Symphonic Sessions

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

May 17: Hershey Theatre Apollo Awards

HMAC/Stage on Herr
1110 N. 3rd St./268 Herr St., Harrisburg
717-441-7506; harrisburgarts.com

May 1: First Friday Dance Party w/Vetour Productions
May 2: The Bluebonnets w/Jane Lee Hooker
May 7: Freedy Johnston
May 15: The Baseball Project w/Minus 5
May 16: Adam Ezra Band

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

May 1: Kyle Klose & Vincent Yarnell
May 8: Eric + Erica w/Shawan & the Wonton
May 22: Dean Thomas
May 29: Jeremy Ritch & special guests

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

May 1: Phil Vassar w/Lyndsey Highlander
May 30: Johnny Rivers

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

May 10: Roseanne Cash

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

May 6: American Opera
May 13: Kelly Ruth
May 17: From Fragile Seeds & You You Dark Forest

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

May 8: Ryan Dishen
May 30: Kelly Zullo

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

May 1: Vacationer
May 8: Big Hoax
May 9: Ben & Joe
May 16: Jeffrey Gaines
May 21: Shawan & The Wonton
May 22: Cayetana
May 29: Beverly w/Very Americans
May 30: Eric Avery

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

May 6: Spring Serenade w/Stuart Malina & guests

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

May 1: Bardledoo
May 2: Diane Wilson and Steve Rudolph Trio
May 6: Acoustic Stew Open Jam
May 7: Mark Santanna Electric Jam
May 8: Hip Pocket

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

May 1: Silver City Rodeo
May 2: Shea Quinn and Steve Swisher
May 8: Up Pops the Devil
May 9: Wally DeWall
May 15: Scott Rivers
May 16: Keith Gold Stein
May 22: Wally DeWall
May 23: Songsmith
May 29: Up Pops the Devil
May 30: Wally DeWall

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

May 2: York Symphony Orchestra
May 9: York Symphony Orchestra
May 30: Josh Ritter

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

May 1: Ol’ Cabbage
May 2: Anthony James
May 8: Meg & The Right Sound
May 9: Mathis Grey & Patrick Woods
May 15: Dirty Little Secret
May 16: Blue Elephant
May 22: David Pedrick
May 23: Flint Zeigler
May 29: Tough Old Birds
May 30: Basswood

The Susquehanna Folk Music Society
717-745-6577; sfmfolk.org

May 3: Nordic Fiddlers Bloc (at Appalachian Brewing Co.)
May 10: May Jam Session (at Fort Hunter)
May 21: Yann Falquet & Natalie Haas (at Fort Hunter)
May 31: “Gone with the Wind” Gala (at Appalachian Brewing Co.)

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

May 23: Steven Wilson

The Stage Door

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

May 1: Steven Wright
May 15: Bob Newhart

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

May 10: Oxymorons

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

May 1-9: “Shrek the Musical Jr.”

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

Through May 2: “Funny Girl”
May 7-June 13: “Les Miserables”

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

May 6-21: “The Emperor’s New Clothes” (Popcorn Hat)
May 23-25: Kidsfest

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

May 2, 9, 16, 23, 30: Improv Comedy

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

May 17: Hershey Theatre Apollo Awards

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

Through May 10: “There Goes the Bride”

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

May 1: “Nation of Improv” (Mechanicsburg Area High School)
May 15: TMI Improv
May 15: Comedy Night at the Scholar

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

Through May 3: “Talley’s Folly”
May 8-9: “The Normal Heart” (staged reading)

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

May 22-June 7: “Bus Stop”

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

May 15-16: “Aida”
May 20: John Edward

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

May 1-16: “The Addams Family” (Theatre Harrisburg)

Havana on the Susquehanna: Authentic Cuban cuisine sails into Shipoke.

April 30, 2015 | by Julie Vitto

Button up your guayabera and think tropical thoughts. An authentic Cuban dining experience is about to warm up Harrisburg.

Poised to open for dinner in the charming Shipoke neighborhood this month, Los Tres Cubanos will feature a farm-to-table menu with nightly specials that celebrate traditional Cuban cuisine.

“The food that you see—you’re going to smell and taste it before you can eat it,” said the chef Daniel Avila, a recent Cuban immigrant, who spoke in his native Spanish.

Avila explained that what tends to set Cuban food apart is its flavor, rich without necessarily being spicy. There is also an emphasis on intensive preparation, like marinating or roasting, that requires planning ahead.

Los Tres Cubanos, or The Three Cubans, is named for its owners, who, in their day jobs, are physicians. Jose Manjon and Jose Misas are doctors at PinnacleHealth, and Alfred Leal is an oncologist at Hematology & Oncology Consultants of Pennsylvania.

The trio wish to share their native culture and cuisine with the people of the Harrisburg area, so are opening in the building last occupied by Char’s Bella Mundo at the corner of Race and Conoy streets in Shipoke.

“We want to offer what we tasted as a child and what we love now,” said Manjon.

The corner restaurant will have seating for 46 and a 10-chair bar, with additional seats for al fresco dining. The three partners envision an atmosphere that will sweep diners away to the Cuba of the 1940s and ‘50s. Tables on the sidewalk will allow people to play a traditional game of dominoes, sip Cuban coffee and enjoy a cigar.

“One of the things that attracted us as three physicians,” said Leal, “is we want to be the kind of place where, when someone we know walks in, we’ll know them by their first name, give them a hug, ask how their kids are doing. I want people to know I’m taking care of them.”

Manjon added, “The three of us feel that we will be part of this. We will be there. We will eat there. We will greet our guests and people that we know.”

Close to His Heart

It was while dining at a friend’s restaurant that Manjon was introduced to his future chef.

“He was working for a friend of mine,” said Manjon of Avila, who was cooking Italian cuisine at Gabriella Ristorante in Colonial Park. “But when he heard that I was looking for someone to open up a Cuban restaurant, he went nuts.”

Avila, 28, comes from Holguín, Cuba, and is a graduate of the School of Hospitality and Tourism in Varadero, where he specialized in Cuban and Italian cuisine. After working at resorts and building up banquet experience, he decided to pursue his culinary career in the United States. It’s been less than a year since the move, and Avila is excited to create a menu close to his heart.

Some of the traditional dishes he’ll prepare include ropa vieja (shredded beef), picadillo (ground beef and tomatoes with raisins), arroz con pollo (chicken and rice), roasted pork and white rice and black beans.

While it’s not actually widely eaten in Cuba, Leal enthusiastically described the perfect Cuban sandwich: “Roasted pork, deli ham, Swiss cheese, cheap yellow mustard and kosher pickles.”

“The bread is the key,” he said. “Cuban bread is very different. It’s called ‘paniagua,’ or water bread. The crust is paper-thin. You put butter on the outside. And the key is being able to smash it down.”

And for dessert?

While highlights include flan and arroz con leche (rice pudding), cheese, fruit and nuts are traditional after-dinner fare in most Cuban households.

“Dessert was something for special occasions,” Leal said. “I remember my grandfather. He always had his Cuban coffee and a little bit of cheese after dinner.”

Cuban coffee is like espresso, they explained—very strong but with sugar in it.

“When you finish your coffee,” said Leal, “there’s the sugar at the bottom. The residue. I remember as a kid just waiting for that syrup at the bottom of the cup.”

The Cuban cocktails you can expect to see include the daiquiri, mojito, Cuba libre, rum-based drinks and sherry, which is common before or after dinner.

“We want to have wines that are reminiscent of the kinds our parents drank,” said Leal. “Like Spanish or Argentine wines. They’re not extraordinarily dry. They’re on the sweet end of the scale.”

While inspired by their childhood memories, the three partners also get inspiration from great Cuban restaurants in the United States, such as Philadelphia’s Alma de Cuba and the metropolitan franchise Cuba Libre.

“We ate at Versailles in Miami,” said Leal. “I said to my mom, ‘I would have thought you and grandma were in the kitchen.’”

When asked if the renewed interest in American relations with Cuba informed their decision to open the new restaurant, Manjon asserted that they don’t want to make politics part of it.

“To me, it’s not political,” said Leal. “To me, it’s keeping something alive.”

Los Tres Cubanos is located at 540 Race St., Harrisburg.

Above and Beyond: Showing you care in business, life means providing the “wow factor.”

April 30, 2015 | by Jaime Novinger-Toigo

I was on a recent flight as I started to write this piece on service, relationships and integrity.

Being in the service industry, it is very common for me to critique others in service, always seeking the “wow factor” or the one thing that someone is doing to set themselves apart from others. I have tried to turn this switch off, but it doesn’t happen. I love to be re-energized by someone’s efforts to turn a common experience into a great experience.

The flight I was on was rather short, a one-hour trip to Charlotte, non-work related. We had a flight attendant named Scott, who took time to connect with each guest on this flight, particularly a child in front of us whom he offered almonds to, which she politely declined. He returned several minutes later with a box of donuts that he had purchased pre-flight from Harrisburg International Airport. These were not just glazed donuts. It was around Easter, and the donuts were colorfully decorated with mounting Peeps, and, as you can imagine, the child’s reaction was much different with the donuts.

When Scott had offered drinks to us, he shared that there was an issue with the coffee machine and apologized for the inconvenience. This wasn’t a big deal for us, so my husband opted for the next best thing, a bloody Mary. The drink was nothing less than exceptional. We couldn’t believe the flavor profile, so we asked what mix he had served. He shared that it was the airline’s mix, but that he was from Texas, and Texans like their bloodies a bit spicy, so he added to the mix. A few minutes later, he showed the bloody Mary condiment bag that he carries with him to make an exceptional drink for his clients, consisting of hot sauce, lemon juice, Worcestershire and olives.

I don’t fly often, but I believe that Scott was going above and beyond to make our service exceptional. Several minutes later, the other flight attendant stopped at our row and asked if we had brought our own olives. We shared with her that the drink was incredible and that Scott had made it. Her exact comment was, “That is above and beyond.” And that’s exactly how we felt.

I see time as the biggest “wow factor” of all. In our daily lives, most of us have a tendency to believe that we just don’t have time. In this particular situation, Scott had an entire plane to cater, and we were no different than anyone else on that flight. He made it a point to make it an enjoyable and memorable experience for everyone. As I thought about this experience, I thought about the people in my life who have made this same type of impact. When you have the ability to make someone feel that they have your undivided attention and that you really care, the “wow factor” becomes easier to achieve. In the service industry and in life in general, we are faced with decisions every day that reflect on who we are as a person and how we want to be perceived. Those decisions we make leave the impression on others of who we are.

Coming from a family that has established a local business and living with my husband who also has a local business, we have a tendency to shop local first and a drive to promote the importance of local. When you can support a business that has been built in and within your community, you are supporting the local organic drive. Building a local brand doesn’t come without its own difficulties. You are faced with all the same challenges as a large enterprise but without the typical funding. It’s great to see the hype created over the years to support local, but it’s a question we should all ask ourselves. Where are we spending our dollars and can they be exchanged to support a local business?

One of the reasons I live here in the area is that I believe small businesses have been empowered by our community. When a customer shows loyalty to a small business, in my opinion, it’s not because they support local so much as it is because of the experience they’ve had with that or another small business. When someone invests time and energy into getting to know you as a person and as their shopper or supporter, I believe they are showing you they value your relationship and want you to know they don’t take it for granted.

I believe there are a few simple keys to this concept being successful: exceptional service, honest relationships and integrity. The combination of these words alone speaks volumes. They encompass many of the best and most admirable traits: honesty, uprightness, trustworthiness, fairness, loyalty and the courage to keep one’s words and one’s promises, regardless of the consequences.

Coming from parents who never chose to speak negatively of anyone, I have been fortunate to be surrounded by wholeness, which is a blessing. May we all learn to be less judgmental, more supportive and encouraging of each other in order to continue to establish a foundation in our community, where our families will desire to live and work for endless generations to come.

Jaime Novinger-Toigo is president of Service 1^st Restoration & Remodeling, a community publisher of TheBurg.

The Risk of Winning: Harrisburg, place your bets.

April 30, 2015 | by Lawrance Binda

My mother once told me about her first gambling experience.

She was 21, newly married, and she and my father spent an afternoon at a racetrack in New York.

An elderly, grizzled denizen of the track sat next to them and noticed my mother’s increasing frustration as she lost race after race.

“It’s good that you lost,” he told her after the day’s program was over. “This way, you won’t come back.”

The old guy was onto something. He understood the allure of gambling, even if he couldn’t resist it himself. Once in, it’s hard to get out, as the gambler keeps trying to relive the thrill of the big win, hoping it will happen again.

When I look back at the history of Harrisburg, I see bets all over the place. The Reed administration was a 28-year, high-stakes game, one that followed the pattern my mother was warned about.

Former Mayor Steve Reed had some significant early victories, betting big and coming up with a winning hand on things like attracting a minor league baseball team to Harrisburg and deciding where to locate a new downtown hotel.

In those early days, he seemed to win even when he lost. Reed never got his hydroelectric dam across the Susquehanna built, but invested the project’s $391 million at a higher interest rate than was paid out to municipal bond-holders, earning enough money to build a baseball stadium and make other improvements to City Island.

Over time, though, the odds turned against him, as they do every gambler. By the 1990s, his overspending and refusal to raise taxes began to catch up, requiring constant scrambles and financial gimmickry to fill budget holes. His $6 million revolving loan fund never bore much fruit, with many businesses refusing to pay back their loans. And his big economic development initiative, building, in his words, “five nationally scaled museums,” thus turning Harrisburg into a museum mecca, largely flopped at a very high cost.

Reed’s biggest mistake, however, was a classic gambler’s error—chasing your losses. Faced with a broken-down incinerator, Reed kept doubling down on a bad hand, taking greater and greater risks to make back the money he already had sunk into it. He couldn’t bring himself to abandon the project and eat the losses when they reached $50 million, $75 million, $100 million. Finally, hundreds of millions in the hole, he was removed from the table by the city’s voters.

But why am I revisiting the Reed years?

In March, now-Mayor Eric Papenfuse made a wager of his own. He placed a bet that some tweaks to Harrisburg’s hated parking system would deliver more people to downtown businesses, some of which say they’ve suffered after the cost of on-street parking doubled last year and paid parking was extended to Saturdays.

In a deal with Park Harrisburg, “happy hour” rates were cut by $1 an hour and, through the Pango mobile app, parkers can get four free hours on Saturdays. To pay for this, Harrisburg staked up to $285,000 in unspent hotel tax funds set aside for marketing, money that will be used to cover any losses that Park Harrisburg might incur because of the lower rates.

Papenfuse believes that the cost to the city will be “much, much less” than the amount committed, perhaps nothing. In a best-case scenario, lower rates will lead to more customers and greater revenues for Park Harrisburg, which might lower parking fees permanently.

In general, I don’t believe in taking undue risks with taxpayer money. However, I think that Papenfuse’s bet is a good one, as it has limited downside and potentially significant upside. In a way, it reminds me of the dam-money arbitrage from Reed’s early years. Both men were faced with what appeared to be intractable problems—the decrepit, embarrassing state of City Island for Reed and onerous parking fees for Papenfuse. Both then employed highly creative solutions that also made financial sense.

Now, Eric Papenfuse is no Steve Reed. While quite confident, he lacks Reed’s dismissive arrogance and take-no-prisoners approach to governing. While a risk-taker, his risks, so far, have been calculated and limited. He shows far more respect for the public dollar and seems less likely to become addicted to the allure of creative financing. I also don’t think Papenfuse will serve in office for nearly three decades, which compounded the severity of the errors that Reed made.

Nonetheless, it’s worth remembering that there’s danger in a winning bet. The peril is over-confidence, in believing in your own infallibility, of thinking that great victory requires great gamble, of wishing to relive the rush of the big score.

So, we’ll see what happens with Papenfuse’s roll of the dice. For the sake of Harrisburg, I hope it pays off and, by this time next year, we’ll have lower parking rates, more customers downtown and $285,000 still sitting in the bank. Unlike my mother’s acquaintance from the racetrack, I can’t silently root for failure, even if, as the old man knew, when it comes to gambling, we often win most when we walk away dejected the first time out.

Lawrance Binda is editor-in-chief of TheBurg.

Community Corner: Notable Events in May

April 30, 2015 | by Admin

Derby Day
May 2: Catch the ponies and see the floppy hats at Derby Day 2015, which this year migrates to Linwood Estate in Carlisle. The annual Jump Street fundraiser also features music, food and plenty of mint juleps. For more information, visit jumpstreet.org or the Facebook page: Jump Street’s Derby Day.

Mother’s Day Market
May 2: Enjoy a day of shopping at the Mother’s Day Market, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Perking Point, 257 Hershey Rd., Hummelstown. Vendors and crafters will sell wares, and donations of clothing, toiletries and other goods will help support Greater Harrisburg Area YWCA Human Trafficking Victim Services. Visit the Facebook page: Aanchal Apparel and Accessories.

Litter Cleanup
May 2: Grab a pair of gloves and join the Great Harrisburg Litter Cleanup, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Volunteers are needed for projects across the city. For more information, visit the Facebook page: Great Harrisburg Litter CleanUp.

Barbershop Show
May 2: Music from the 1950s and ‘60s will be highlighted as the Keystone Capital Chorus presents “Happy Daze (Revisited),” its 67^th annual show at St. Patrick’s Activity Center in Carlisle. Dinner starts at 6 p.m. with the show following. Tickets are $35 and are available at kccsing.com or 717-695-7527.

Ikebana Exhibition
May 2-3: Ikebana, the Japanese art of flower arranging, will be the focus of a two-day exhibit presented by Harrisburg Chapter #18 of Ikebana International. The free event will take place at Fort Hunter’s Centennial Barn. More information is at www.ikebanainternationalharrisburg.org.

Garden Faire
May 3: Exhibits, crafts, food, plant sales and Victorian-themed dancing and music will be featured at the annual Garden Faire at Fort Hunter. While there, check out the ikebana exhibit and the Marshmallow Peep Show, which run concurrently. Additional information is at forthunter.org.

Leads Over Lunch
May 5: Mix and mingle with area business leaders and enjoy a free lunch at Leads Over Lunch, sponsored by the Harrisburg Regional Chamber and CREDC. The 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. event will be held at Dixon University Center, 2986 N. 2^nd St., Harrisburg. Information is at harrisburgregionalchamber.org.

Protect Your Lungs
May 5: PinnacleHealth thoracic surgeon Troy Moritz will discuss how radon damages lungs, how to protect your family and what to do if you’ve had long-term exposure. Event starts at 7 p.m. at Giant Food Store Community Center, 3301 Trindle Rd., Camp Hill. Register in advance at www.pinnaclehealth.org.

Blood Drive
May 8: Donate blood at the Bloodmobile in Fredricksen Library’s lower parking lot (Walnut Street) with the Central PA Blood Bank, 4 to 7:30 p.m. For questions about donating, call Central Pennsylvania Blood Bank at 800-771-0059 or visit www.cpbb.org.

Volunteer Work Day
May 9: 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.

HYP Home Tour
May 9: Grab mom and check out some of Harrisburg’s most beautiful homes during the 17^th annual HYP Home Tour, which this year focuses on the Italian Lake neighborhood. The $30 ticket covers the tour, plus local food and drink at every stop. For more information, visit hyp.org.

Sidewalk Sale
May 9: Put to use what your neighbors no longer need at the annual Midtown neighborhood sidewalk sale, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. The sale area encompasses Forster to Verbeke and N. Front to N. 3^rd streets in Harrisburg. For more information, visit midtownsquareactioncouncil.com.

Allison Hill Festival
May 9: Help celebrate one of Harrisburg’s most diverse neighborhoods at the 13^th annual South Allison Hill Multicultural Parade and Festival. The fun gets started at 1:30 p.m. and features music, food, entertainment and family activities. For more information, visit www.cactricounty.org.

Tea in the Parlor
May 9: Marcia Martin of Harrisburg’s Past Players will portray Harrisburg native Dr. Kemp, a 19^th-century social activist. In addition to the performance, a menu of teas, desserts and sandwiches is included starting at 2:30 p.m. at the Harris-Cameron Mansion in Harrisburg. RSVP to 717-233-3462. For more information, visit hsdchappenings.blogspot.com.

Railroad Lecture
May 12: Dale Woodland of Railpace Newsmagazine will deliver the lecture, “Reading Railroad: Then and Now,” at the monthly meeting of the Harrisburg Chapter, National Railway Historical Society. A business meeting and the public program begin at 7 p.m. at Hoss’s Restaurant, 743 Wertzville Rd., Enola, with dinner available as early as 5 p.m.

Healthy Spine
May 12: PinnacleHealth Spine Institute will offer a free, one-hour spine care class with an overview of spine conditions, treatment options and how to improve back health. The 10 a.m. event is at Giant Food Store Community Center, 3301 Trindle Rd, Camp Hill. Register online at www.pinnaclehealth.org.

Chamber Mixer
May 13: Join the Central Pennsylvania Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce for its monthly business networking mixer at PNC, 6416 Carlisle Pike, Mechanicsburg, 6 to 8 p.m. More information is at cpglcc.org.

Breast Cancer Awareness
May 13: Learn about breast cancer prevention and treatment at Penn State Hershey Medical Center, noon to 1 p.m. Registration is required and seating is limited for this free event. Register at pennstatehershey.org/breast.

Anniversary Celebration
May 13: Help the Salvation Army Harrisburg celebrate 130 years at its Annual Civic Event and Anniversary Celebration. The gala begins at 6:30 p.m. at the Radisson Hotel Harrisburg in Camp Hill and honors Penn State football coach James Franklin. For more information, visit www.salvationarmyharrisburg.org.

3^rd in The Burg
May 15: 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.

Plein Air Event
May 15: Join the iconic 7 Lively Artists at the opening of a new gallery along the Susquehanna River at The Manor on Front, 2917 N. Front St., Harrisburg. Plein air artists will be painting on the grounds, with music by Steve Jewett, 5 to 9 p.m. Information is at the Facebook page: The Manor on Front.

Greek Festival
May 15-17: The annual Greek Festival returns to Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Camp Hill. Enjoy some of the area’s finest Greek food, in addition to music, dancing and vendors. Visit holytrinityhbg.com/PAGreekFest.

Courthouse Tour
May 16: Join Dauphin County Sheriff Jack Lotwick and the Historic Harrisburg Association on a tour of the inside and outside of the art deco county courthouse. Meet at the courthouse steps, 101 Market St., Harrisburg, at 10 a.m. For more information, visit historicharrisburg.com.

Skin Cancer Screening
May 16: As part of Skin Cancer Detection and Prevention Month, Penn State Hershey Dermatology will offer a free screening, 8:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Appointments are required and must be made by calling 800-243-1455.

Motors & Music
May 17: View classic Rolls Royce autos and enjoy the violin music of Mary Ann Guerrisi, 12:30 to 2 p.m., at the Fort Hunter Mansion. Additional information is at forthunter.org.

Wellness Fair
May 20: Learn how to lead a healthier life by attending a free health and wellness fair, 5 to 7 p.m., at the University Physician Center, Suite 100, Penn State Hershey Medical Center. For more information, visit pennstatehershey.org/cancer.

Bicycle Tour
May 21: Join architectural historian Dan Deibler for a bike tour along the Harrisburg waterfront. Along the way, he’ll explain infrastructure improvements that were part of the City Beautiful movement. Meet at 6 p.m. at Sunken Gardens, Front and Verbeke streets. Information is at wildwoodlake.org/events.

Ladies Who Lead
May 21: Harrisburg Regional Chamber & CREDC sponsors this half-day conference that features a luncheon, keynote presentation and breakout sessions. There also will be a marketplace, a relaxation area and a dessert reception. Tickets are $50 for members and $75 for nonmembers. Visit harrisburgregionalchamber.org.

Indie Film Friday
May 22: The Fredricksen Library will show “From the USA,” a story of the struggles of an immigrant family in New York, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Information is at www.fredricksenlibrary.org.

Artsfest
May 23-25: If it’s Memorial Day weekend, it must be time for Artsfest in Harrisburg. For the 48^th year, artists will gather in and along Riverfront Park to show and sell their creations. In addition, the 17^th annual Moviate Underground film festival at Artsfest will screen movies at the Harrisburg Civic Club and Midtown Cinema throughout the weekend. Information is at jumpstreet.org and moviate.org.

Statue Dedication
May 27: The National Civil War Museum will dedicate a life-size figure of African-American soldier and Harrisburg native, Ephraim Slaughter, who enlisted and fought in the Civil War, 9 to 10 a.m. Please visit nationalcivilwarmuseum.org.

Plein Air Festival
May 29-31: The fifth annual Plein Air Camp Hill Arts Festival will feature outdoor painting, photography, competitions, sales and more, with most events around Willow Park in Camp Hill and at borough hall. For more information, see a story in this month’s Burg or visit pleinaircamphill.org.

Explore Wildwood
May 30: Celebrate Pennsylvania Hiking Week with a family adventure at Wildwood Park in Harrisburg. Stop by the nature center, pick up a packet and head out to the 3.1-mile loop to complete designated challenges. The event runs 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visit wildwoodlake.org.

Anniversary Concert
May 30: The Central Pennsylvania Womyn’s Chorus will mark its 20^th anniversary with “Coming of Age,” a concert featuring a variety of music from past shows. The concert will take place at 7:30 p.m. at the Mechanicsburg Presbyterian Church, 300 E. Simpson St., Mechanicsburg. For concert and ticket information, call 717-564-0112.

Head in the Clouds: Aging, introspection in “Clouds of Sils Maria.”

April 30, 2015 | by Sammi Leigh Melville

Olivier Assayas delivers a breathtaking view into the mind of an aging actress with “Clouds of Sils Maria.”

Juliette Binoche plays Maria Enders, a renowned actress who lives for the art, not for the paycheck. But a role comes along that strikes a chord of dissonance.

After learning that a beloved director, Wilhelm Melchior (under whose direction she garnered her fame as the young, driven Sigrid in the production of “Maloja Snake”) has died, Maria is approached by a director doing a production of the same play. But Maria is now offered the role of Helena—the older, emotionally beaten character on the verge of suicide—while younger actress Jo-Ann Ellis (Chloë Grace Moretz) will take the part of Sigrid.

Maria still wants to play Sigrid, but accepts the role of Helena, dragging her feet all the way, much to the dismay of her personal assistant, Valentine (Kristen Stewart). As Maria continuously states that she despises Helena and doesn’t “feel good in her skin,” it becomes clear that her disconnection with the role has less to do with the character and more to do with the denial of her position in life. Valentine sums it up beautifully as the two run lines: “The text is like an object. It’s gonna change perspective based on where you’re standing.”

The film skimps a bit on production values here and there. It’s as if Assayas forwent perfecting the small details to make way for the intellect of the story. But, at its core, the film is a character study, and a fascinating one at that.

That being said, not everyone will like this film. It’s very self-analytical and relies heavily on the less glamorous, preparatory side of theatre. Its reliance on dialogue could (ironically) make it a better play than film, were it not for the backdrop of the Swiss Alps, which beautifully demonstrate the distance that Maria lacks to view her own life. But, for those not interested in a two-hour film about introspection, there is some respite. Binoche and Stewart unfold the scenes magnificently, breaking up the weight of the story with their antics and constructing such a familiarity between the protagonist and her assistant that even the most analytical of scenes feels comfortable.

This is a film that can teach you about the tricky nature of soul-searching. It’s well worth a watch, in my book. “Clouds of Sils Maria” is now playing at the Midtown Cinema.

Lack of Motivation

The Harrisburg Jewish Film Festival is drawing near.

This year, there will be 12 films that you won’t want to miss during the festival’s run at the Midtown Cinema—one of which is the delightful comedy “Zero Motivation.” I’ve heard it described as an Israeli, girl-centric version of “M*A*S*H,” and that description hits the nail on the head.

The film follows a handful of female soldiers whose main job is to push papers at an Israeli military base, more specifically focusing on best friends Zohar (Dana Ivgy) and Daffi (Nelly Tagar). Zohar is sarcastic and rebellious, and Daffi is spoiled and only dreams of living in Tel Aviv. Both are lazy and outside of the graces of their chief of staff, Rama (Shani Klein).

The soldiers continually get themselves into ridiculous situations. The story is silly, biting and surprising at times; the characters are bold and refreshing. This is certainly a gem of a film. Come see “Zero Motivation” and the other films at the festival.

Midtown Cinema May Events

Harrisburg Beer Week Presents
“Beer Wars” (2009 documentary)
Sponsored by Zeroday Brewing Co.
Wednesday, April 29, Thursday, April 30 & Friday, May 1, 7pm

Midnight Matinee Series
“Fight Club” (1999)
Saturday, May 2, 11:45pm (BYOB)

Contemporary Digital Theatre Series
National Theatre Live’s
“The Hard Problem,” Sunday, May 3, 4pm & Tuesday, May 5, 7pm
“A View from the Bridge,” Sunday, May 10, 4pm
“Showboat,” Sunday, May 31, 4pm

MOVIATE Presents
Black Mariah Festival
Sunday, May 3, 7pm

Down in Front!
Improv crew skewers
“Bloody Pit of Horror”(1965)
Friday, May 8, 9:30pm (BYOB)

Saturday Morning Cartoons
May 9, 9:30am-11:30am

Mommy & Me Matinees
Saturday, May 9

Classic Film Series
“Psycho” (1960)
Sunday, May 10, 6pm
Happy Mother’s Day! (BYOB)

3rd in the Burg $3 Movie
“Monty Python and the Holy Grail”
Friday, May 15, 9:30ish (BYOB)

Jewish Film Festival
May 15-21 (see story in TheBurg)

Family Film Series
“Mary Poppins”
Saturday, May 16, noon & Sunday, May 17, 2pm

Classic Digital Theatre Series
“Antony & Cleopatra”
Presented by Gamut Theatre Group
Sunday, May 24, 4pm & Tuesday, May 26, 7pm

MOVIATE Underground Film Festival at Artsfest
Guy Maddin, in-person
Screening his short films & “The Forbidden Room”
Friday, May 22, 8pm (free)

Documentary screening
Saturday, May 23, 8pm (free)

“Texas Chainsaw Massacre” (1974)
New restoration!
Saturday, May 23, midnight (free)

David Fair, in-person
Screening his short films
Sunday, May 24, 7pm

Student Scribes: 3 Poems

April 30, 2015 | by Stephanie Rubright

Hidden in the Forest

The entrance to the walking trail
is framed by overgrown bushes. It is daunting,
spewing out its sinister aura into my backyard
as the forest tries, fruitlessly, to rid itself of an illness.

The entry looms whenever I stare
from my kitchen window. Years ago, deep along
the path, my hiking partner barked, a muffled cry
of thrill as she tried to lift a discovery with her teeth.

I approached, she dropped the skull; its hollowed
holes gazed up at me. Moving a fallen branch,
I made outbrittlehips and a shattered hand.
I kneeled with a hand over my nose,

anticipating a smell I knew
would not be there. Slices of a yellow fabric lingered—
clothing I’d find at a thrift store, tangled with bones, knotted
tendrils of hair still attached. I draped my jacket over

the butchered heap, a long forgotten killing;
my path felt poisoned.
The dog whined, tail eager, waiting for my consent to take
a cursed white stick home. My muscles stiffened,

I made us turn around, and we followed the trail
back without stopping.

Vesuvius

Sparks settle far along the fields below me.
The light lingers for a moment, dims, then sizzles
out as small puffs of smoke rise.

Beneath the earth’s crust, my heart pulsates
on newly born beats as my brood runs down the length
of me, crawling and swallowing all. My mouth billows smoke,

lava flowsfrom my veins. Blackened ground crumbles
as I crack the sky. Pumice falls down and a torrent of fire drenches
creatures, burning ash in their mouths as I bluster.

Panicked birds take flight as smothered screams replace their songs.
Flames shine down on my shadow’s residents as I make this land mine
again. Herculaneum will be their grave.

The world bleeds fire and dust. I can hear
the people calling out to their gods who suffocate beside them.
Heat scorches their eyes, blistering their skin.

Their ashen hands claw at their throats,
desperately trying to draw one last breath.
A silence soon comes, with bodies buried deep.

For centuries I stand, new pests making homes
upon my forgotten neighbors.Ruined villasand narrow,
uneven streets hide under legions of ash.

Had the winds blown differently, the city may
Have been spared and not filled lungs with stone.

Hunting Season

I treaded carefully in the snow.
The target struggled, its limbs branching
wildly before it abandoned
any hope of freedom. The salty
language that escaped its mouth made me certain
it would never speak again. Dragging my trophy, I headed toward the road.

The hunting-season climate emptied the roads,
and my animal is innocent, unguarded as the snow.
I loom behind them, remarkably tempted. They never move. I am certain
I have perfected the art in the undervalued quiet. Bare branches
conceal my shadow with theirs as I creep, eager for the assault.
My façade is abandoned.

It laid in my car unrestrained and drugged, abandoning
its fear. The meat goes bad when they die scared, alone on the road.
Three, seven, ten minutes of resistance and the bitter salt
would transform the meat into something inedible. Heavier snowfall
makes me drive slower. Makes my hunger thick, branching
throughout my body. The party tonight will be divine for certain.

I pluck, rip, twist the ocher skin in the certain
way that will ensure most of this creature will not go abandoned
in the trash. It’s a savage pleasure branching
into a civil skill that I have refined in the kitchen. It erodes
even the most vile aspects of the task. The grinded meat I cup like a snowball,
and when the oven beeps, I taste, then add some salt.

The broth is golden, with flecks of green parsley and salted
with cubes of white chicken breasts. Matzo ball soup is certainly
a suitable appetizer for tonight’s company. Snow
white spheres bob along the surface of the soup and I abandon
my apron for more suitable attire. Outside of my house, the roads
light up under headlights. The tenderloin with marrow sauce decorated like branches.

Rid yourself of the Soylent Green notion and enjoy. The branch
of a family tree trimmed for the meal; lamb saltimbocca with marsala sauce; salt
to taste. My table is set and the first course is a success. All roads
to hell must lead here certainly,
their innocence abandoned
out there in the snow.

I implore my guests to branch out, even if they may not be certain what
They are putting in their salted mouths, abandoning their instinct.
I enjoy the hunting season on my back roads covered with snow.

My kitchen is always open to friends.

Stephanie Rubright is a junior English major at Penn State Harrisburg.

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