It’s a Man’s Whisk: Guys take over the kitchen at “Kings Who Cook.”

March 31, 2015 | by Barbara Trainin Blank

You can take a New Orleanian out of New Orleans, but you can’t take the New Orleans out of a New Orleanian.

When it comes to cooking, former resident James M. Ruiz hasn’t forgotten his roots.

That’s clear from the name of the business he co-owns with his wife: Cajuns in Exile Catering. The two launched the business after participating a few years ago in The Preservation Historical Trust of Lancaster County’s annual gala.

“We had no intention of starting a catering company then,” said Ruiz, a long-time New Orleans police officer and now associate professor in criminal justice at Penn State Harrisburg. “We were just trying to support a worthy cause.”

Customers grew out of the event nonetheless.

Ruiz is still pleasing customers and carrying on his involvement in special events with a social purpose.

For the past five or so years, Ruiz has participated in the Kings Who Cook festival, sponsored by the Harrisburg Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority.

Delta Sigma Theta is an organization of college-educated women committed to the constructive development of its members and to public service, with a primary focus on the black community. The sorority turned 100 years old in 2013.

The festival itself is in its 17^th year and has grown progressively larger, said Dorothy Jean Guy, a member of the Alumnae Chapter and director of human resources at Penn State Harrisburg.

“This is the signature and major fundraiser of our sorority chapter, “said Guy. “Its main purpose is to raise money for scholarships for worthy college students and for community service projects and programs.”

In 2014, the sorority raised more than $12,000 toward these purposes.

More than 100 cooking-loving men participated in the Kings Who Cook Festival last year. Two have taken part since the festival began in 1998.

In addition to the Kings, there are other men’s groups preparing food in the festival. Fraternity Row includes all Greek-letter participants, and Preacher’s Corner involves pastors of area churches. The International Cuisine participants bring dishes from their home countries, which have included India, Ghana, Kenya, Philippines and Nigeria, among others.

“We also have princes, participants 17 and under, who prepare a dish or serve one with a parent, grandparent or neighbor,” said Guy.

The festival was the brainchild of Ruth Johnson and Dr. Alfreda Johnson of Penn State (not related), who were looking for a great fundraiser, saw something similar, and borrowed the name, said Guy.

Ruiz will be serving some of his signature Cajun dishes at Kings Who Cook. Not exactly qualifying as “international cuisine,” Cajun food does have an exotic appeal. Yet it is, Ruiz noted, very popular in central PA.

“Perhaps the two most requested items in our catering business are garlic cheese and shrimp grits and cornbread salad,” he said. “The popularity stems from Cajun’s unique items and taste.”

Those who still haven’t tried Cajun may be operating under the misconception that it is spicy hot. “But that’s because the person preparing it does not know how to cook it,” he insisted. “The seasonings we use are orchestrated to excite your taste buds, not burn them out.”

Another regular at the festival is Charles Wallace, a barber by trade, who prepares salmon, shrimp and scallops and other seafood on site.

“Visitors will also find dishes ranging from mac and cheese to Italian sausage. We have at least 50 dishes to sample, and only ran out of food once,” Guy laughed.

One of the expected guests this year, as he was the past few years, is Mayor Eric Papenfuse. The festival, in fact, often has celebrity participants. About five or six years ago, a former White House chef with a pastry specialty brought cupcakes “so intricately designed no one wanted to bite into them,” Guy added. “Whatever you sample is part of the price.”

Although there have been Queens Who Cook festivals elsewhere, Delta Sigma Theta has stuck to its male-cooks-only format.

“Women are typically in the kitchen,” Guy said. “This gives men with real zest for cooking and are at their grills the opportunity to be specialty cooks on a Sunday. The men also enjoy the camaraderie—as well as gifts, like aprons from the sorority and chef hats.”

Much as Ruiz loves to cook and expose people to his beloved Cajun food, the most important goal for him is the same as the one at the Lancaster County event, which in a sense launched his business.

“It’s that the proceeds are used to sponsor scholarships for students,” he said. “That’s enough for us.”

The festival will also feature vendors, door prizes and community soul line dancing to “work off those temptingly delicious dishes,” said Guy.

The Kings Who Cook festival takes place Sunday, April 19, 2:30 p.m. to 5 p.m., at HACC’s Cooper Student Center on the Wildwood campus in Harrisburg. Tickets for adults are $25 in advance and $35 at the door; for ages 5 to 12, they’re $15 in advance and $25 at the door. For more information, call 717-902-9813 or visit the Facebook page for Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Harrisburg Alumnae Chapter.

Course of a Lifetime: This Harrisburg author marches forward, with no regrets.

March 31, 2015 | by Susan Ryder

Having a successful real estate career, traveling the world, calling France a part-time home, writing five books—accomplishing any of these things might be considered a life well lived. What then is a life that has attained all three?

Gene Albano knows and, with just a little prompting, he will tell you.

When he’s stateside, you can find him holding court most mornings over coffee in Café Fresco in downtown Harrisburg, which is where I encountered him, a dark, peaked beret perched atop his head, an air of relaxed determination over his face.

As I approached him, the first thing he said was, “You look like a writer.”

Yes, this is a guy who knows how to make friends fast.

No Obstacles

Albano has led a long life moving forward, not allowing regret, failure or any other obstacle to stand in his way.

Born Eugenio Michael Albano in 1939, he grew up in the hamlet of Philipsburg, Pa.

Following a less-than-impressive stint at Penn State (“I flunked out”) and a turn as an Arthur Murray dance instructor, he landed in the Army, which sent him to France, beginning a lifelong love affair with that country and language.

Fast-forward 50-plus years, and France is where Albano, now 76, writes his books.

His first novel, “The Letters of Peter Mitchell,” describes some of his initial experiences in that country. Published in 2008, the semi-autobiographical novel tells the story of a young soldier who can’t shake a memory of what happened to him just before his deployment abroad.

A year later, he published “Bashful Lucy,” a book that describes his mother’s life and also delves into the rich Italian, Roman Catholic culture of the early 1900s.

“I use nonfiction to draw out fiction,” Albano said of his approach to storytelling.

A good example of this blend of fact and fiction is Le Procope café, which finds its way into each novel. When in Paris, he frequents the restaurant and has even held book-signings there. His experiences as an adjunct professor crept into “Martin’s Story,” and Café Fresco, his morning Harrisburg haunt, appears in an early novel.

Intriguing

Writing may have fictionalized his real life, but being a writer is just Albano’s most recent reinvention of himself.

For 42 years, he worked in real estate, helping to plant the seeds of Harrisburg’s eventual revival.

In the late 1970s and early 1980s, he and two partners redeveloped and restored the 1700-block of Penn Street. Albano said that he introduced loft living, exposed kitchen brick and second-story laundries to the city, new ideas at the time.

Not willing to rest on his laurels and wanting to learn French, he returned to school in 1983, starting with a French course at HACC. Snagged by a love of learning, he continued to Penn State Capital Campus, even as a single parent of two boys, where he received his bachelor’s degree.

Thinking his age might preclude him from working towards a master’s degree, he told a friend, “I’m going to be 50!” The friend then replied, “Aren’t you going to turn 50 anyhow?” Seeing the point, he went on to receive a master’s degree in humanities from Penn State in 1988.

He put his humanities education to work by writing for the New Hope Gazette, a weekly paper in Bucks County, Pa. His editor, Scott Edwards, who also had an interest in travel, found Albano intriguing.

“It was great to see someone think something and accomplish it,” he told me, saying he admired Albano’s “well-rounded life.”

Edwards admits they were an odd pair, this guy in his 70s and a 20-something hanging out for coffee, but he felt as though he could learn something from Albano. As a young person, he appreciated Albano as “a guy who wasn’t going to let anything stand in his way.”

What could have stood in Albano’s way was the lack of a publisher for his books. No matter—he self-published.

Albano acknowledges that self-publishing isn’t as prestigious but said “that doesn’t bother me anymore.” He’s pleased with his ability to have written and published five books that have been well received by the community, both in the states and abroad.

“I want to share my writing with a reading audience,” which self-publishing has allowed, he said.

His advice for young writers: Your motivation should be purer than just to see your name in print.

“Please, don’t waste your time with that,” he said, saying there are other ways to make a name for yourself.

Secondly, believe in what you are writing and be willing to “stick your neck out.” Lastly, “Don’t let writing clubs dictate what you should be writing.”

Albano doesn’t want to prescribe what people read, either. When I asked what I should read if I only had time to read one of his novels, he said that it depends on what I want to get out of the book. I should read “Letters to Andrea,” for a narrative about a young woman’s life; “The Letters of Peter Mitchell” for a glimpse into Army life; and “Bashful Lucy” for the quality of the story.

Quality best describes Albano’s time on this planet and will continue to define it. Soon, he will travel to Europe for an Italian opera tour, continues to learn French and Italian and is working on a new book. Look for “The Other Marconi” on the shelves in a year or so.

In other words, after seven-plus decades, making the most of life remains Albano’s top priority.

Gene Albano will hold two book-signings this month: Friday, April 17, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Strawberry Square in Harrisburg; and Sunday, April 19, 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Cornerstone Coffeehouse in Camp Hill. His books also can be purchased through Amazon.com, AuthorHouse Publishing or at the Hallmark Store in Strawberry Square, Harrisburg.

Reversing Course: By returning its roads to its residents, Harrisburg begins the process of weaving itself back together.

March 31, 2015 | by J. Alex Hartzler

With spring finally upon us, city residents’ thoughts turn to better days ahead after a particularly long, cold and snowy winter. In a similar way, the city itself is poised to emerge from a half-century-long “winter” of misguided urban planning and destructive transportation infrastructure with several upcoming projects that will reverse many of the mistakes made during the 1950s and give way to better days ahead.

Starting shortly, much of Front Street, historically Harrisburg’s most important road, will get a makeover with the addition of a bike lane, repaving, curb improvements and, most significantly, a reduction from three to two lanes of vehicle traffic. Then, perhaps in the next couple of years,N. 2^nd Street will return to two-way traffic from Forster to Division streets. Both plans, approved by PennDOT and promoted by Mayor Papenfuse, are long overdue transportation improvements that have been talked about since the 1970s.

Most immediately, both changes will improve safety for residents and visitors alike by slowing vehicular traffic and encouraging pedestrians and bicycles. The Susquehanna River, physically divided from the city by not one, but two, three-lane “highways” running through residential neighborhoods, will be reconnected to those neighborhoods that border it. Property values and the overall condition of the Midtown and Uptown neighborhoods will improve as the highways shrink in favor of the original residential streets and traffic patterns. Currently, property values for similar-sized homes on 2^nd Street are about one-third less between Forster and Division, where traffic is one-way, compared to properties north of Division Street, where traffic is two-way; no one really wants to live next to a three-lane highway, and market prices reflect that.

From an economic development perspective, the change could add tens of millions of dollars in increased value over the coming decade. From a civic perspective, the change is priceless.

Meanwhile, commuter traffic into and out of the downtown will experience slower traffic moving north to I-81. I personally take these streets several times a day from my downtown office to my home near Italian Lake and look forward to a more leisurely commute instead of the frantic current pace. Some traffic that uses these streets to go through the city as a route to somewhere outside of it will no doubt find alternative routes, to the benefit of all.

Just as important as the immediate practical impacts on safety, economic development and beautification is the profound symbolic and philosophical impact of these changes. They signal nothing less than the city beginning to reclaim itself as the central place in the region while simultaneously shaking off a mid-century view of cities as places to leave a quickly as possible, as reflected in their transportation infrastructure.

To understand the broader contextual impact, one must first understand why these streets were changed from their original two-way nature in 1956 by then-Mayor Nolan Ziegler. While the stated reason was “easing congestion,” ironically, Ziegler’s inspiration came not from local residents but from his traffic engineer Eugene Simms, a transplant from New York City. And those ideas had their roots in the ideas of an urban planner who had reinvisioned the nature of cities themselves.

Ziegler and Simms, it turns out, were mere applicants of the ascendant urban design and planning philosophy of the 1950s, known broadly as Modernism. One of the chief architects and leading proponents of Modernism (and perhaps its most destructively influential one) was the architect and city planner Charles-Edouard Jeanneret-Gris, better known as Le Corbusier. The Swiss-French Le Corbusier envisioned a clean and modern city that separated where people work and live. And he placed great value upon speeding the flow of traffic through cities with the creation of multi-lane superhighways.

Although offered as a solution to restore cities that were no doubt neglected and tired in many ways after the Great Depression and Second World War, Le Corbusier’s planning ideas actually caused great harm and have been largely rejected today by New Urbanism and a more mixed-use, pedestrian-friendly view of urban areas. Even at the time, Jane Jacobs, a prominent critic, pointed out in her book, “The Death and Life of Great American Cities,” that the Modernist view was profoundly at odds with the essential nature of cities that requires density, sidewalks and walkability, multiple overlapping uses and the mixing and mingling of people of all natures in order to achieve vibrancy and their full potential.

Put plainly, cities should be built and function foremost for their residents and visitors, not for commuters driving through. A vibrant city that is a great place to live, work and play will attract residents, businesses and visitors. As we’ve learned and as has been borne out in many cities, the ease of getting in and out is secondary, if relevant at all. Anyone who has been to Manhattan realizes that it is not easy or fast to drive in or through. That hardly limits the multitude of visitors, residents and workers who choose to live and visit one of the greatest cities in the world. Of course, this reality isn’t limited to New York. Nearly all great urban centers have traffic and congestion, but people want to live and visit them nonetheless.

So too Harrisburg, in order to realize its full potential, must function first and foremost to the benefit of its residents, not for the ease of entering or leaving. The fact that this has not been the case for more than 60 years is ironic on at least two levels. First, if Harrisburg were vibrant and aesthetically pleasing, more people from the surrounding area would want to live, work and visit, not just pass through. Secondly, when Harrisburg regains its place as the vibrant heart of central PA, the city and all of the region will benefit from a vibrant core. The racing in and out results in the worst of all worlds for both urban and suburban residents.

Most importantly, though, the coming change reflects an improvement in the very civic nature of Harrisburg. With three-lane super-highways racing up and down its best real estate, Harrisburg can never be thought of as anything more than a place to go through on the way to some other, “better” place. However, with restored residential neighborhoods and lovely homes and businesses along the Susquehanna, Harrisburg can once again be the best destination and address for those who choose to live and work in the region, just as it was a century ago. The few extra minutes to arrive and depart—if you must—will be well worth the effort.

In 1956, a mistaken philosophy was thrust upon Harrisburg, and it ripped apart several of its best neighborhoods, helping to hasten its decline in the name of progress. Long after the philosophy crumbled under its own weight, Harrisburg has been living with its consequences and enduring legacy. We are now on the cusp of a major restoration for our neighborhoods, for our city and for our own self-determination and civic pride. It can’t come soon enough.

J. Alex Hartzler is publisher of TheBurg.

Resident Artist: Renowned artist Crystal Wagner could work anywhere. Attracted to The Millworks, she now calls Harrisburg her home.

March 31, 2015 | by Rebecca Hanlon

Crystal Wagner was a kindergarten student in Baltimore when the teacher pulled her mother aside and predicted the young girl would be a famous artist.

“My mom kind of laughed at it,” Wagner said of the experience. “But, after that moment, everything in my life was geared toward art.”

At 33, Wagner is living the dream as a full-time artist, showcasing her meticulously crafted boxes that hold paper folded into three-dimensional objects at The Millworks in Harrisburg.

Cultivating her love of art at a young age, Wagner’s parents would line her bedroom floor with tiles instead of carpet so she could create without worry of ruining the flooring. An entire wall was devoted to a peg-system easel to allow her to paint and draw at will.

Wagner never doubted she would pursue art as a profession—it was the only option she saw for herself. Art as an expression was the language that spoke the loudest to her, she said.

She would spend the rest of her life moving around the country, living in Pine Grove through high school before pursuing an associate’s degree at Keystone College in La Plume. In 2004, she received her bachelor’s in fine arts from Atlanta College, and in 2008, she earned her master’s in fine arts from the University of Tennessee.

Like many artists, Wagner’s craft wasn’t lucrative enough to support her. Instead, she started teaching art at Georgia College of Liberal Arts, just south of Atlanta. After five years in academia, it was her time to shine as an artist.

“It was clear that the potential was there for me to live on my art alone,” Wagner said. “People were noticing the work that I was doing, and they wanted me to do more. It was a surreal time for me.”

Handing in her resignation felt much like the day she handed in her apron at her first job as a waitress, Wagner said. She was done with this. It was time for something new.

Now, on any given day, she’ll open her inbox to see fan mail from all over the world and requests from museums, galleries and collectors who want to showcase her work. After years of working to get that attention, she said, it’s nice to see people coming to her.

The decision to move to Harrisburg was one that seemed inevitable but worked out well, she said. Wagner and her ex-husband share custody of their two children, and, after he started attending school at Penn State, Wagner said, she needed to move closer. Hoping to not have to venture as far as Philadelphia, she searched for galleries in the area and found The Millworks.

“(Wagner) is passionate and focused, and we are delighted to have her,” said Tara Chickey, arts director for The Millworks.

Wagner will have three shadowboxes on display through April 30.

“These works are so unique, modern, organic, rhythmic and absolutely beautiful,” Chickey said. She has found herself admiring them on numerous occasions and is eager to see more of what Wagner has to offer.

In addition to her boxes, Wagner is known for creating larger-than-life paper sculptures that can take up entire rooms and require viewers to walk inside them. Her goal is to create a sense of wonder for those who enter the sculptures, and she’s seen people brought to tears, laughter and joy as they view them.

Since moving to Harrisburg in August, Wagner hasn’t spent too much time in the area. She’s often traveling to different exhibits where she sets up her sculptures for display—sometimes taking weeks at a time to complete the projects.

But she’s looking forward to the times she does get to settle in to her new home. While Harrisburg doesn’t have the amount of contemporary art she’s used to seeing in Los Angeles or San Francisco, she’s met many people who are proud and passionate about what they create.

“There are craftsmen here who value conviction in their labor and work,” Wagner said. “There’s a real sense of community in all of it. The excitement is really wonderful, and, the second this place becomes a destination for artists, I think we’ll see contemporary art take over.”

The Millworks is located at 340 Verbeke St., Harrisburg. Crystal Wagner’s shadowboxes will be on display through April 30. For more information, visit www.millworksharrisburg.com or call 717-695-4888.

Music, Gumbo, Faith: Hot time for a great cause at “Taste of Jazz.”

March 31, 2015 | by Priscilla Morales

Steve Rudolph

Spring. Flowers. Easter. April is a month for being outdoors, warming up and preparing for the summer ahead.

Perhaps lesser known, it’s also a good month to listen to some great music. April is Jazz Appreciation Month, and there may be no better way to celebrate in Harrisburg than with a “Taste of Jazz.”

Sponsored by St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, this event features the sounds of vocalist Diane Wilson Bedford, the Steve Rudolph Trio and the Break from Blue Collar Barbershop Quartet. That’s the jazz part. The “taste” part comes thanks to the Cajun cuisine of Crawdaddy’s, where the event takes place.

But it’s not just cool jazz and spicy food. “Taste of Jazz” also serves as a fundraiser, supporting and highlighting the work of the church.

“It will create a sense of family and community, understanding of the programs and mission of church, as jazz is multicultural, which highlights the theme of the church, and is a day of celebration,” said Sarah Weedon, senior warden of St. Paul’s Vestry.

Diversity, Empowerment

Event organizers expect more than 150 people to attend the event, given the popularity of the performers and the restaurant.

Steve Rudolph is a prominent fixture in Harrisburg’s jazz scene, keeping the movement alive and going. He is currently the executive director of Central PA Friends of Jazz.

Harrisburg native Diane Wilson Bedford is a well-known vocalist locally and performs both regionally and nationally. Break from Blue Collar is a barbershop quartet comprised of classically trained singers.

“They will provide an added dimension to the event displaying tight harmony to the jazz standards they will perform,” explained Christyan Seay, the musical coordinator of the event, member of St. Paul’s and participant in the choir.

Given the multicultural nature of jazz, the event fits well into the mission of St. Paul’s, which ministers to a diverse congregation and neighborhood in Uptown Harrisburg.

The church has been at the corner of Green and Seneca streets since 1993, though it first came together as a Mission Sunday School at St. Stephen’s in November 1857. Due to floods, fires and economic spirals, St. Paul’s has switched building locations throughout Harrisburg over the past 150 years.

In addition to worship services, St. Paul’s oversees several important community programs. In partnership with St. Barnabas, a youth center that is located at St. Paul’s, the church runs a summer program for about 60 Uptown neighborhood children. Meals, educational activities and field trips, including theaters and amusement parks, are incorporated in this child-focused ministry.

A newer ministry, which just launched on March 3, is the Beacon Clinic for Health and Hope. This health clinic is targeted to those in the community who are uninsured and underserved in the Dauphin County area. Volunteer doctors and nurses supply a holistic treatment in caring for these people.

“[St. Paul’s] is about empowering people to do God’s work in the church and the community,” said St. Paul’s member Kara Beem.

To continue its ministries, St. Paul’s relies largely on congregational donations and community fundraisers. Much has gone into “Taste of Jazz,” as it is the first fundraiser of its kind for the church, and the event planning committee has been hard at work since last summer, carefully fine-tuning the details.

“[The goal of ‘Taste of Jazz’] is for everyone to have a good time, acquire a sense of breadth with what St. Paul’s is about, which is love of God and neighbor, an appreciation of community, to know more, meet people and enjoy fellowship,” said the Rev. Canon Katherine Harrigan, the rector of the church.

“Taste of Jazz” takes place April 12, 2 to 5 p.m., at Crawdaddy’s, 1500 N. 6^th St., Harrisburg. The cost is $45 per person. For more information and to order tickets, visit www.eventbrite.com/e/a-taste-of-jazz-tickets-15485657017?aff=eac2.

Change of Course: New races, dates, routes for 2015 Harrisburg runs.

March 31, 2015 | by Matt Lewis

If you’re a runner in Harrisburg, you know the drill.

The Harrisburg Mile is in July, the half marathon in September, the marathon in November.

It’s been that way seemingly forever.

For 2015, the East Shore YMCA has decided to shake things up to inject new life into an old routine, add some races and better integrate the events.

“This new series is no longer a number of single events,” said Tom Gifford, race director for the East Shore Y. “Now, they are all tied together for the cause of promoting the Y and its programming for the community.”

The result is the Harrisburg Area YMCA Race Series, sponsored by Capital BlueCross.

“This is an ideal sponsorship for Capital BlueCross because of the strong connection to health and community,” said Amy Nilsen, manager of community relations for Capital BlueCross.

For many runners, the greatest change will be in the popular half marathon, which now will take place in late June, not September. The event was moved up to serve as a training run for the marathon later in the fall, said Gifford.

The marathon still will be run in early November, but runners will enjoy new scenery as the course has been completely rethought. Instead of plodding mainly along the Greenbelt, runner also will wind through Harrisburg neighborhoods.

“We are looking at featuring the bridges and neighborhoods of Harrisburg with the new course design, as well as the most scenic parts of the Greenbelt and downtown,” said Gifford. “However, we will still try to keep it as flat as possible since this is a Boston [Marathon] qualifier, and people look to run good times here.”

The course change will better connect the race with its host city, said Chad Krebs, executive director of the East Shore Y.

“We have a gem of a city and would love to grow the marathon to a premier race on the East Coast with 3,000 to 5,000 runners,” he said. “Ultimately, we look for the series to have a positive economic effect on the city.”

The marathon also has a new sponsor, AspireCARE/AspireFIT of Harrisburg.

“This is a great hometown race with a beautiful course, and Aspire is excited to promote it,” said Dr. Richard Rayner, Aspire’s director of family medicine, who has volunteered for and run the marathon in the past. “At Aspire, we are all about encouraging fitness as a way to prevent illness.”

Wine, Beer, Mud

The East Shore Y is hosting new and near-new events designed to appeal to every type of racer, from those who just like to run to those who also like a tasty drink. In addition, there’s now a racing event nearly every month.

On May 3, the Vinewinder will debut, covering a four-mile course of rolling hills in and around the Vineyard and Brewery at Hershey.

“This is the first year we have partnered with them, and we are really excited,” said Gifford. “We hope to sell out and make it a yearly event.”

The following week, the Y will hold the Freedom 5K to give members of the military and veterans their own event, while still involving the community. This will be an evening run, and organizers plan to follow the race with an after-party and fireworks.

“This year, we are offering separate heats, one for civilians and one for individuals with military service,” said Gifford.

Another addition is the Mud Mash, to be held on Aug. 23 near Fort Hunter. At press time, specifics for this race were still being planned. However, Gifford promised a “fun event where finishing time doesn’t matter and people get as filthy as possible.”

The Troeg’s Hop Dash was introduced last year, and the 500 participant spots sold out in 90 minutes. This is a 5K that starts and finishes at the Troeg’s Brewery in Hershey.

Local Cause

Gifford and Krebs said that they want to continue to cater to locals, but would also like to attract elite runners from around the country.

“Each race has something for everyone, from the novice to the expert,” said Krebs. “We want to draw people into the city from the East Shore, suburbs and greater region to show them that the city is not a bad place. It is safe, and it is thriving.”

The YMCA also wants people to understand that they are running to support a great local cause.

“Ultimately, our goal is to allow the Y to do better for the community,” said Krebs. “This series will provide us with positive income that we can reinvest in our programming, and the rebranding will help us raise our visibility and let people know that we are here to help serve Harrisburg.”

For more information on the Harrisburg Area YMCA Race Series and to register, visit www.ymcarun.com.

2015 Harrisburg Area YMCA Race Series

Vinewinder
Sunday, May 3

Harrisburg Freedom 5K
Thursday, May 14

Harrisburg Half Marathon
Sunday, June 28

Harrisburg Mile
Wednesday, July 15

Harrisburg Mud Mash
Sunday, Aug. 23

Troeg’s Hop Dash 5K
TBD

Aspire Harrisburg Marathon
Nov. 7 and 8

A Kid’s-Eye View: What do Harrisburg youth think of their city? I asked.

March 31, 2015 | by Tara Leo Auchey

Lately, I’ve been talking with a lot of kids in the city of Harrisburg. They’re all ages, from little ones to young adults, and we’re talking about all sorts of things.

Mostly, though, we’re talking about how they see the city. I keep asking them what they think of this place. How do they see other people seeing the city? What do they think the city’s best parts are? What do they think the city needs?

Specifically, I’ve been asking them their points of view of Harrisburg. Here’s what I’ve heard.

They want things to do

“It seems like every time we have something good, the city takes it away.”

So said a 17-year-old SciTech student during a discussion about what there is for young people to do in Harrisburg.

From what I’ve gathered, there’s not much.

Sure, all kids say that about their hometown, but, in the city of Harrisburg, it’s a bit different.

This is a city so, by its very definition, there should be a variety of options for the kids, from shopping spots and entertainment venues to skate parks and diners. But, around here, there really aren’t many places for kids to gather. Yes, there’s the Boys and Girls Club, Harrisburg Police Activity League and the Bethesda Youth group, all of which have youth activities. However, this isn’t for everyone, especially the teenagers of our city.

They don’t always want to do something so organized. They simply want to meet up with each other and chill in a cool city space.

“So many people think that all of us Harrisburg kids are bad. We’re not. But there’s not much for us to do. There used to be a skating rink out on Derry Street. That’s gone. Music? We don’t have anywhere to see it or perform. We’re too young for most places. The nearest mall is awful. We don’t have any place to go and just hang out with our friends.”

Think about it. They’re right.

They want people to talk to and ways to express themselves

When I get together with the older kids, I push them to learn Harrisburg stories, history, people and facts.

Sometimes, I push hard and, in response to one such push, a young lady said to me, “Miss Tara, you want us to go interview people, but I’ve never felt anyone ever wanted to talk with me. I mean,” and she swept her hand over the six adults in the room, “this is the first time a grownup has ever asked me what I think.”

There was a collective intake of breath in the room among those adults. We felt the impact of what she had just said.

She was a high school student who never had been asked to give her thoughts before. She never had the opportunity to converse with an adult, simply asking questions and freely discussing the answers.

It wasn’t that simple, though, because, for her and so many of her classmates, no adult had sat with them and chatted with them about their perspectives, desires, concerns, hopes and ideas.

These kids are ready to express themselves, but they need the grownups in the room to help them do it.

They want respect

Disrespect hurts. It kills. It devastates. It ruins things.

These kids know that. Sort of. They know disrespect for Harrisburg is there, but I’m not sure they know exactly how insidious it is.

What they do know is that they want to get away from it.

As a result, many of them are ready to leave this place just to get away from the contempt.

They hear/see/experience disrespect for their hometown all of the time. They see the bleeding headlines on the news. They hear people say awful things. They know the horror stories, many of which are not true from their points of view.

In February, I attended a gathering at Messiah College. It was at the president’s house after Michele Norris of NPR notoriety gave a talk entitled, “Eavesdropping on America’s Conversation on Race.”

A Harrisburg student from Rowland Middle School was there dressed and poised for the occasion. Initially, I was just impressed with her mature presence and good manners.

Then I started talking to her about our city.

She spoke of perceptions. She spoke of misconceptions.

Her words to me were short and sweet, but they conveyed a young person with keen awareness and wisdom.

She knows that a lot of people talk bad about the city, and she knows it hurts everyone who lives here.

“There are so many people that say so many terrible things about Harrisburg that if we don’t start showing how much good is here, then well, we’re just going to get crushed.”

She’s right.

Ultimately, we have to remember that, with every generalization, with every stereotype so rudely stated, there’s a young person who hears it.

Every time someone bashes this place, there’s a child here who feels the blow.

It’s as simple as that.

What’s especially harmful is that this place is supposed to be someplace special. It’s the capital city. It’s along the mighty Susquehanna River. It’s one of the early settlements of America.

We try to teach the youth that, yet, everyday, it gets so vehemently dismissed by too many adults around them.

When Harrisburg is disparaged—especially by the people who live merely a drive away over a bridge in any direction—it resonates with the young people who live here.

They feel Harrisburg hated. They feel hated.

Some things for us all to think about.

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

Soul Seeker: As artist Aron Rook creates, she searches for answers–within, without.

March 31, 2015 | by Laura Good

The aroma of coffee and the sound of idle chatter fill the space around our table. Sirens send conversations to a halt as heads turn to the front window. Figures of fire trucks and an ambulance blur down Hanover Street for a reason unknown to us.

Recovering from the loud noise still in our heads, we begin speaking again.

“It’s simple here,” she says. “After moving around trying to find excitement….” She trails off then takes a breath. “I couldn’t find my soul.”

As a child, artist Aron Rook began her artistic instruction in Carlisle at the Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet.

“Art became an immediate interest,” Rook says, explaining how she left ballet to pursue classes at the Art Association of Harrisburg and Mechanicsburg Art Center. Her initial interest gelled into a passion that led to an illustration program at Rhode Island School of Design and the Pennsylvania Governor School’s sculpture program, all before completing high school.

She next earned a degree in illustration and fine arts from the Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA) in Baltimore and then found herself on the road, traveling from Raleigh to New York to Pittsburgh, before returning to her roots and replanting herself in Carlisle.

Rook acknowledges that “it has taken a community to keep going” despite the rich talent, inspiration and imagination that exists within her. She explains her battles against criticism, critique and even herself that kept everything dormant for periods of time.

“A challenge has been doing the thing I love, but getting through the bad days,” she states. “My entire being struggles with it. It’s such a part of me, and I can’t separate from it.”

What Hurts

Rook finds it a constant trial determining and organizing which ideas to express and how exactly to create art from the freshness of an idea.

“My imagination is always alive, and, while vast, I think I’m only at 10 percent,” she says. “I want to stretch it further—further than the known and unknown universe. This is where my art begins.”

While she fears setbacks, Rook understands that, without them, her work would not exist. She recalled a time when a professor critiqued her drawing as “too pretty.” The class provoked question and doubt, but, during her final year at MICA, Rook submitted a piece to the Society of Illustrators that was selected and showcased at the “Student Scholarship” exhibition in New York City.

More recently, she enrolled with Klein Artist Works by Paul Klein, which provides live online webinars with reputable artists, collectors, curators and professionals who serve as resources, counselors and advisors to guide artists to build success. This resource, paired with a new non-profit in town, The Charles Bruce Foundation, which supports and funds artists, writers and musicians, has greatly influenced Rook this past year.

“It’s a sphere of contacts and influences,” she says.

As per influences—she suddenly mentions her admiration for Picasso. “And you know who else?” she says. “Charlie Chaplin! I like the underlying despair. His art is distinct.”

Endless Cycle

Within the last year, Rook has created a VIP database to better communicate with followers, admirers and audiences that encounter her creations. It provides an opportunity for her fan base to see new projects that are coming; learn valuable tricks and techniques; and earn discounts on pieces of art.

With the Carlisle community behind her, Rook now devotes her time and energy on large-scale paintings with bright, vivid colors, along with pen-and-black-ink drawings. Over the holidays, she introduced Gourdnaments, gourds made into ornaments, which were not only symbolic but custom-made upon request.

“There are a few projects that I’ve been thinking about for years,” she says. “But they [have] yet to come into the physical world.”

She also has decided to help others by teaching at Carlisle Art Learning Center (CALC). The class, which is for students without formal art training, is based on optimizing personal expressions and individual artistic sensitivities, says Rook.

In recent years, her artwork has shown at CALC, as well as at the Time Bomb and Thought Lot Contemporary Arts Center in Shippensburg, among other places.

Her work demonstrates a natural growth, the result of a continual urge to improve her technique and shape her skills while feeding the spirit.

“Nothing is final; everything is a point of growth, a lesson for the next piece,” Rook says. “During my practice, thinking is different. My concentration level is at its highest, yet my mind feels completely flexible and open. But then comes a time when the flow stops, and there is a puzzle, a knot, a challenge. This can be extremely frustrating and disheartening. The great idea is now like a sad flapjack lying on a dirty floor.”

But starting over creates a fresh slate to make it even better. The cycle is endless and, to keep the momentum, there is a need to translate her ideas, even if fragmented, into the physical world.

Rook reminds herself that failure is no longer a fear, because the universe will catch her.

Learn more about Aron Rook’s art at her Facebook page: Aron Rook Art. Her work also can be viewed monthly in TheBurg.

An earlier version of this story incorrectly identified one of the artists who influenced Rook. He is Charlie Chaplin, not Charlie Chapman. A quote about a piece of art that “needed more soul,” attributed inaccurately to Rook’s former professor, has also been removed. Additionally, one of Rook’s road stops was Raleigh, not Charlotte, as stated in the original article.

Musical Notes: Rock ‘n’ Rain–April offers a shower of classic & contemporary rock.

March 31, 2015 | by Andrew Dyrli Hermeling

Whether you’re hip to the music of today or prefer that your rock be strictly classic, April has something perfectly suited to your tastes.

All three featured artists have something in common: quality. All have collected heaps of accolades throughout their careers and all are surely poised to put on powerful performances. So, this month, brave the seasonably rainy weather and take in one of Harrisburg’s fabulous shows.

ALVVAYS, 4/15, 9PM, LARSEN STUDENT UNION, MESSIAH COLLEGE, FREE

Messiah College may be a little outside the typical sphere for the “Musical Notes” column, but this was just too good of a show to pass up. Alvvays (pronounced “Always”) has been quickly garnering the attention of the music world’s literati. The band’s 2014 eponymous release charted at No. 36 on Rolling Stone’s year-end list and No. 5 on Paste’s. Sunny and surfy, this Canadian band provides the perfect soundtrack for the young spring. Vocalist Molly Rankin’s voice is simultaneously dynamic and haunting as she sings nimble melodies over jangly guitars. And considering that Messiah College is offering this show for free, it is certainly worth the short drive down Route 15.

TERRY REID, 4/17, HMAC, DOORS AND ADMISSION TBD

If young, new bands aren’t your thing, consider a well-known classic. Terry Reid has been a hot ticket for generations. You know you are in demand when you’re too busy to join Led Zeppelin. Reid was Jimmy Page’s first choice for heading up the new band that Page was forming. Due to touring and contract conflicts, Reid had to decline, but suggested that Page recruit a young Robert Plant instead. Spend one moment with Reid’s voice, and you’ll know why he caught Page’s ear. Like so many young rockers in the U.K. at the time, Reid sings with power and soul and has taken to the road in support of some of the greatest rock bands of all time, including Cream, Jethro Tull, Fleetwood Mac and the Rolling Stones.

OVER THE RHINE, 4/23, 8PM, MIDTOWN SCHOLAR, $20

Over the Rhine has also been doing their thing for a long time, though admittedly not as long as Reid. I first discovered their music when I was in college, more than 10 years ago, and they were already well into their career at that point. Yet their music doesn’t feel dated. The husband and wife duo met while in college in Ohio in the ‘80s, and they have been writing soulful folk music together since. Their music is smoky, dark and rich, driven by Karin Bergquist’s remarkable vocals that soar over Linford Detweiler’s masterful instrumentation. Tickets are available for presale and at the door. Make sure to get there early, because the show is not to be missed.

Mentionables: Beards, Bands and Brews Charity Event, 4/4, FedLive; Rivers, 4/10, Little Amps Downtown; Eilen Jewell, 4/19, Abbey Bar; The Stray Birds, 4/26, Abbey Bar

Community Corner: Notable Events in April

March 31, 2015 | by TheBurg Editor

Happy Hour Fundraiser
April 1: The YWCA Greater Harrisburg’s Junior Board will host its fifth annual happy hour, “A Night of UnWINEding with the YWCA,” 5:30 to 8 p.m. The event will take place at Spring Gate Vineyard, 5790 Devonshire Rd., Harrisburg. Tickets are $15 and proceeds benefit the YWCA’s Camp Reily. Visit ywcahbg.org/events.

Archaeological Lecture
April 1: The World Culture Club of Central PA will present a free program, “Uncovering Madame Montour’s Otstonwakin: Archaeological Excavations at an 18^th Century Native American Village” at Penn State Hershey Medical Center, 500 University Dr., 5^th Floor, Lecture Room C, at 7 p.m. Refreshments will be served. Visit worldcultureclubpa.org.

Exploring Diversity
April 2: Join the Carlisle Chamber for “Women for Women: Exploring Diversity in Women…Let’s Talk,” a forum on facing diversity issues in religion, race, gender, age and economic diversity. The event takes place 3 to 5 p.m. at the YWCA Carlisle. More information is at www.ywcacarlisle.org.

Stress Relief Walk
April 8: Walk off the stress of the day with a vigorous 3-mile walk around Wildwood Park. Meet at the Olewine Nature Center at 6 p.m. For more information, visit wildwoodlake.org.

Foreign Film Friday
April 10: The Indian film, “The Lunchbox,” will be shown at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. at Fredricksen Library in Camp Hill. More information is at fredricksenlibrary.org.

Clean Up Your Earth
April 11: In honor of Earth Day, drop by Wildwood Park to help clean up its lake, streams and trails. Snacks, tools and work gloves will be provided for the 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. event. Visit wildwoodlake.org.

Logan’s Run
April 11: Run for fun and a great cause at the 10^th Annual Logan’s Run & Walk for Autism. The run takes off from City Island, Harrisburg, at 10 a.m., with the Family Fun Walk for Autism at noon. For information and to register, visit LogansRunWalkForAutism.kintera.org.

Sing-Off
April 11: Revel in some of the best voices in the Mid-Atlantic at the M&T Bank Regional Glee College A Cappella Competition. The fifth annual sing-off starts at 7 p.m. at the Carlisle Theatre in Carlisle. Tickets are $15 and $25 for adults and $8 and $15 for students. Call 717-243-4805 or visit carlisleunitedway.org.

Light and Creativity
April 11: Harrisburg Camera Club will hold its 5th annual “Light and Creativity” workshop, 8 a.m. to 5p.m., featuring nationally known photographers at Central Penn College Conference Center, Valley Road and B streets, Enola. The cost is $60 for Harrisburg Camera Club members, $70 for non-members and $45 for students. Visit lightandcreativity.org for details.

Railway Society Banquet
April 11: Join the Harrisburg Chapter National Railway Historical Society for its annual banquet, featuring keynote speaker Amanda Trainor Patrick, whose topic will be “Women in Railroading.” The event begins at 5 p.m. at Colonial Golf & Tennis Club, 4901 Linglestown Rd., Harrisburg. To make reservations before April 1, contact 717-232-6221.

Harrisburg Together
April 12: Harrisburg Together will host its second annual event to raise funds to repair the Pennsylvania Holocaust Monument. The 5K run or 1-mile walk will begin on City Island at 2 p.m., with registration at 1 p.m. To register and donate, visit holocaustmonument.myevent.com/3/donate.htm.

Environmental Rights Symposium
April 12: Legal experts on Pennsylvania’s Environmental Rights Amendment will discuss its future at an event sponsored by the PA Sierra Club and PennFuture. The symposium takes place at 3 p.m. at Market Square Presbyterian Church, 25 S. 2nd St., Harrisburg. Free parking in the Market Square Garage. For more, visit marketsquarechurch.org.

Lincoln Presentation
April 12: “The Lincoln Funeral Train” will be the subject of a presentation by Joseph Garrera, executive director of the Lehigh County Historical Society. The event begins at 3 p.m. at the Historical Society of Dauphin County (Harris-Cameron Mansion), 219 S. Front St., Harrisburg. Information is at dauphincountyhistory.org.

Antique Auction
April 12: Antiques, artifacts and collectibles will be up for auction starting at 2 p.m. at Cordier Auctions and Appraisals, 1500 Paxton St., Harrisburg. Items will include the last remaining stained glass from the old Senate Hotel, political memorabilia, coins and currency and an antique chair used by a Harrisburg dentist. Proceeds benefit Historic Harrisburg Association. A complete list of auction items is at historicharrisburg.com.

Noir at the Bar
April 13: Join some of the midstate’s best crime fiction writers, who will read their work as audience members enjoy a drink and a meal. The fun starts at 8 p.m. at Sturges Speakeasy, 400 Forster St., Harrisburg. More information is at Noir at the Bar’s Facebook page.

Chamber Mixer
April 15: Join the Central Pennsylvania Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce for its monthly business networking mixer at the Paper Lion Gallery, 1217 Hummel Ave., Lemoyne, 6 to 8 p.m. More information is at cpglcc.org.

Youth Benefit
April 16: Dining with Diakon holds a networking/fundraising event at the Hilton Harrisburg, 6:30-9 p.m., to benefit troubled youth, helping them learn skills to be successful. Food, fun and a silent auction are on tap. Go to diningwithdiakon.org for information and tickets.

Meet the Candidates
April 16: Friends of Midtown invites the public to meet the candidates for Harrisburg City Council. The candidate forum will take place at Harris Street UMC, 250 Harris St., Harrisburg. For more information, visit friendsofmidtown.org.

3^rd in The Burg
April 17: Enjoy the best of Harrisburg during 3^rd in The Burg, the monthly arts event at galleries, restaurants and art spaces throughout downtown and Midtown. This month, the food trucks are back! For more information, visit thirdintheburg.org.

Jersey Mike 5K
April 18: Get set and go to the Jersey Mike Rock + Run 5K, the third annual fundraiser and race organized as a tribute to concert promoter Mike Van Jura. This year, the event has a “rock ‘n roll circus” theme, with costumes encouraged and prizes awarded. Visit jerseymikerun.com for more information and registration.

Book & Media Sale
April 24-26: The Fredericksen Library will hold its annual spring book and media sale. Items include media, puzzles and games, parent and teacher materials, as well as a wide variety of books. Additional information is at fredericksenlibrary.org.

Beer Week
April 24-May 2: Raise a glass and learn about all things beer during Harrisburg Beer Week. Scores of events are planned at area venues throughout the week, including food pairings, brewer socials, tastings, giveaways, contests, forums, tap takeovers, educational events and more. Check out all the action at harrisburgbeerweek.com.

Wetlands Festival
April 25: Celebrate Wildwood Park’s wetlands with a day of fun and educational activities, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. There will be special wildlife exhibits, displays and live animal programs. For more information on the free festival, visit wildwoodlake.org.

A Novel Idea
April 25: Join six award-winning authors for a once-a-month program designed to help writers draft a first novel. A second program of one-day workshops will address such subjects as “How to Write a Query Letter” and “Writing a Memoir.” Information session at Midtown Scholar Bookshop, 1 to 3 p.m. For more, visit perrycountyarts.org or call 717-567-7023.

Spring Festival
April 25: Holy Spirit Hospital Auxiliary will hold its 18^th annual Spring Festival, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Adams Ricci Park in Enola. The event features a flower sale, chicken barbecue, children’s games and craft vendors. A 5K run begins at 9 a.m. For more information, call 717-763-2796 or e-mail [email protected].

PUREhope Coffeehouse
April 25: The annual PUREhope Coffeehouse will take place in the social room of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, 240 Broad St., Highspire, 6:30 to 10 p.m. Attendees are encouraged to donate at least $5 to support the work of Hope for Justice and Blood:Water Mission. In addition to beverages, there will be food, music and a silent auction. Visit hopeforjustice.org and bloodwater.org.

Race Against Racism
April 26: The 10^th annual Race Against Racism 5K takes off from City Island at 9:30 a.m., with day-of registration beginning at 7:30 a.m. The event promotes awareness of issues surrounding racial injustice and raises funds to support the YWCA Greater Harrisburg’s racial justice program. Details are at ywcahbg.org.

Downton Abbey Tea
April 26: Preview the new Downton Abbey clothing exhibit before it opens to the public. The event runs 1 to 3:30 p.m. and starts with an illustrated talk on heiress Marjorie Merriweather Post followed by high tea and the exhibit preview. Cost is $30 per person and $25 for members. For information, visit forthunter.org.

State Museum Tour
April 26: Beth Hager of the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission will offer a guided tour of select areas of the State Museum and Archives, 1-3 p.m. Free with museum admission on a first-come, first-served basis, but tour slots are limited. Register by emailing [email protected].

Anti-Bullying Forum
April 29: Author Cheryl Dellasega will deliver a lecture, “Mean Girls All Grown Up,” highlighting the issue of aggression between women in the workplace. The event takes place at noon at Widener School of Law, 3800 Vartan Way, Harrisburg. Information and registration are at pawomensforum.org.

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